In the Pacific Time Zone, the New Moon will occur at 8:46 p.m. on Monday, October 8. This New Moon finds the Moon and Sun in conjunction (0°) at 16° of Libra. To further clarify how this New Moon will impact you on a personal level, locate 16° of Libra in your birth/natal chart. The issues associated with that house are going to be most influenced by this New Moon’s presence.
All New Moons offer us opportunities for new emotional starts and setting new intentions or goals in areas related to the sign. This New Moon is in Libra. The higher expression of this sign’s energy would be cooperation, patience, harmony, and diplomacy. The lower expression would include indecisiveness and dependency. Libra is a cardinal air sign. The cardinal modality means taking the initiative, having new ideas, and starting something. The air element is all about mental activity. Therefore, this Libra New Moon is a time when we will be actively thinking about those new things we have recently started.
The power of the cardinal (active) energy is further reinforced because the Sun and Moon are both in a supportive trine (120°) to Mars, which is the planet that is all about action. We are being given an extra dose of energy and courage. It’s a good time to take the initiative and even make some decisions. However, given Mars is currently in Aquarius, we are being encouraged to look at our activities and endeavors through the lens of humanitarianism. Although Mars tends toward acting independently, the influence of Aquarius tells us that working with friends or in groups on projects that focus on “the common good” is definitely recommended. It may also mean that we will be meeting new people and creating new partnerships.
Libra is a very social sign, and our focus during this New Moon will likely be on our one-on-one relationships. After all the new activity of the last few weeks, it’s likely we have (or will be) forged some new alliances that will help us move toward our mutual goals. Although it sounds like a rather enjoyable process, there are indications that this relationship formation process will require some adjustments and compromises.
For example, the Sun and Moon are both squaring (90°) Pluto, and they are inconjunct (150°) Neptune. Neptune’s presence always means that the weather forecast includes a chance of fog, which can obscure our vision. Therefore, we should be careful that we are seeing things clearly before we make any major decisions or take any important actions. Due to the involvement of Pluto, it will be important for us to ask ourselves questions related to the appropriate use of power rather than force. The answers may require that we make some adjustments (inconjunct).
In order to have a more secure foundation upon which to build our dreams, we need to remember that often our partnerships may be with people who compliment us rather than replicate our personalities, talents, and abilities. If we are weak in one area, then those around us can provide needed skills or attitudes. In the long-run, this means that we will be better equipped to handle whatever life throws in our path. By coming to appreciate our differences, we often thrive in new and delicious ways. However, doing this may mean letting go of our need for complete agreement. Libra always is looking for win-win solutions, and sometimes it means that each side has to give a little to get a lot in return. Luckily, with Saturn and Pluto in Capricorn at the time of this New Moon, our efforts will likely be mature, informed by our past experiences, and focus on creating solid, dependable relationships.
During the time of the New Moon, Venus plays an important role because (a) it is the ruler of Libra, the sign of this New Moon, and (b) just a few days before the New Moon (on Friday, October 5), Venus began its next retrograde period. Venus only goes into retrograde every 19 months, which is much less often than other planets (e.g., Mercury 3 times each year, outer planets like Uranus & Neptune once a year). Therefore, when Venus has a retrograde period, it’s significant. It usually coincides with times when issues we’ve been avoiding within our relationships and/or with our finances rise to the surface. We may also revisit past partnerships in order to learn important lessons.
Venus will be retrograde in Scorpio for the entire month of October, and then it moves so far backwards that it will slip into Libra during November before turning direct again on Thursday, November 15. Having Venus retrograde in the deep, passionate water sign of Scorpio means that strong emotions could be an important part of our learning process. Of course, whenever Venus is involved, that means that the focus is on our relationships and finances; and the sign of Scorpio means that we will look at all issues intensely. We may spend the next few weeks exploring what we are passionate about, how we are using our power within our relationships or financial situation, and/or what we would like to draw to ourselves in order to heal and transform something in our lives. This would be a good time to look at any relationships or financial patterns in our lives to see any repeating themes that reflect inner wounds needing to be healed. (NOTE: Keep in mind that during this Venus retrograde, relationships of all kinds are impacted, not just romantic ones.)
Additionally, during the time of this Libra New Moon, Venus will be squaring (90°) Mars. This further reinforces that something within our relationships need to be adjusted or fixed. Venus represents the female energy, and Mars, the male energy. Squares always represent turning points. Keep in mind that this can play out in many ways. For example, Mars doesn’t mean male gender but male energy; so this isn’t tied to gender. We are being encouraged to explore all of our relationships in which we don’t feel the male and female energies are balanced. Are we being too dominant and overpowering or too submissive and acquiescing? It may help to look at any relationships in which we are feeling uncomfortable because that discomfort is telling us something. Yes, the energy of Libra is recommending compromise; however, we need to be careful not to abdicate all our needs in order to attain peace. Luckily, Venus is in a trine (120°) to Neptune in Pisces, which adds flexibility and adaptability to the equation. Neptune also provides compassion and empathy, which helps in all relationships.
Without getting into the politics, it is interesting to note that this Libra New Moon is square (90°) Pluto. Pluto is about the use (or abuse) of power, but it also can represent sexuality. Having Venus squaring (90°) Mars means that there is potential for a turning point in our male-female relationships. This could help us understand the volatility of the Supreme Court nomination and the #MeToo movement at this time.
But in general, there will likely be increased passion in all our relationships, even non-sexual ones. One of the themes will be finding our personal source of power . . . power that comes from a strong sense of self and not through the use of manipulation or force. Again, this indicates that good questions to ask ourselves include, “Am I using too much power and overwhelming those around me?” or “Am I abdicating my power in order to attain a false sense of peace and well-being.” Events, perhaps even those previously hidden from our awareness, may occur now that bring the issue of power to the forefront of our relationships. Pluto loves to bring previously hidden issues to the surface.
Mercury is in opposition (180°) to Uranus when this New Moon happens. We may feel internally distracted (Uranus is in retrograde) due to sudden insights that come to us “out of the blue.” Misunderstandings could occur, so the time period around the New Moon may not be the best time to try to express what you are thinking if there is the potential for someone to misunderstand or get triggered by what we are sharing. Wait for a few days, and then use the gracious, social energy of Sun in Libra to have a productive conversation about what matters to you.
Finally, with Mercury also squaring (90°) the North Node in Leo and the South Node in Aquarius, we are advised to examine what lessons from the past (South Node) could help pave the way into the future (North Node) in a way that expresses our unique gifts and love (Leo) for humanity (Aquarius). Our goal should be increased self-confidence that will support our creative endeavors.
Although it’s already happened by the time of the Libra New Moon, it’s worth reminding everyone that Pluto ended its annual 5-month retrograde phase on Sunday, September 30. Pluto began its retrograde period around the end of April, and many of us have been commenting lately on how much inner work we’ve been doing over the summer while so many planets, including Pluto, were in retrograde. I’ve heard quite a few people tell me that they don’t even recognize our lives given all the transformations that have taken place. This recent change in Pluto’s motion indicates that either the phoenix is ready to burst into flames and be reborn or perhaps the rebirth is already in progress, and now we are ready to stretch our wings and leave the nest. But remember, Pluto is slow moving, so any changes will likely be gradual. However, we will probably all see an acceleration in the amount of change toward the end of October and definitely by November (and beyond).
On Wednesday, October 10, Mercury leaves level-headed Libra and enters Scorpio, where it will remain there until November 1. Our words and thoughts become intense when Mercury is in passionate Scorpio. We want to get to the bottom of issues, and we will probe until we find answers to our questions. Our thinking is definitely more focused, but we need to be careful we don’t veer into obsessiveness. All of these positive and not-so-positive tendencies are intensified around October 10 because Mercury will still be in opposition (180°) to Uranus (see previous discussion). If we are able to flow with the bold new ideas that come to us, we could experience a personal transformation of some kind.
Overall, this Libra New Moon is a powerful time of adjustment in our relationships that is likely tied to the many changes that have happened in our lives over the past few weeks (or even months). This is a very sensitive New Moon, so it will be helpful to remember that no one is perfect and everyone has their own “idiosyncratic wackiness.” We can either rebel against these differences, or we can recognize the power provided when these differences are integrated and thereby form a more complete whole. It will be helpful to breathe and try to see things from both sides. But we also need to be careful not to be so attached to harmony that we sacrifice our needs in the process. Healthy relationships have an equal amount of give and take, and Libra’s energy is about compromise, but also balance. Therefore, although there can be an intensity surrounding our relationships around the time of the New Moon, we need to use the Libra energy to respond graciously and maintain our inner harmony. Looking ahead, the early part of October may feel relatively quieter than the last few weeks, but the intensity will pick up again with the Full Moon in Taurus happening on Wednesday, October 24. Stay tuned!
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THIS BLOG POST WAS WRITTEN BY
- Anne Reith, Ph.D. (AnneReith.com)
- For information about Dr. Reith’s downloadable ebooks and meditations, feel free to visit her online Store
SOME INFORMATION TAKEN FROM
- The Mountain Astrologer (magazine)
- Various online sources (e.g., www.cafeastrology.com)
REMINDER
- New Moons and Full Moons often influence us for the 3 days before and 3 days after the actual event.
NEW MOON
New Moon at 16° of Libra
- Monday, October 8, 2018, 8:46 p.m. PDT
- Monday, October 8, 2018, 11:46 p.m. EDT
- Tuesday, October 8, 2018, 3:46 a.m. GMT