Libra New Moon, October 10/11, 2007
“ In Libra, Leo’s self-assertion and Virgo’s self-criticism are reconciled and overcome through self-consecration to Humanity. In this consecration the self remains, but no longer as a master, not even any longer as a critic or a servant. The self remains as a focused lens in and through which the light of the Whole operates, urging all [people] to become participants in the total organism of Humanity.”
Dane Rudhyar “The Pulse of Life”
After the Autumn Equinox, the Night force (a gathering together) and darkness are on the rise, until the birth of the new Light on Winter Solstice. So Libra, as the sign of the Autumn Equinox, calls upon us to begin to participate in the gathering together of the greater whole. Virgo asked us to integrate all parts of ourselves. Now in Libra, we take our Self out into the world.
In Libra, we are asked to cooperate with others to act for the general welfare, rather than just for our own gratification. We begin to share a vision with others and by working together we generate new energy to manifest that vision. Just as we worked to grow our personalities beginning in Aries, in Libra we begin to devote our energies to the growth of society. The realities of human interchange and community come to the forefront of consciousness. Libra acts upon us to develop social values.
Often, when we look to Libra’s symbol of the Scales, we think about relationships and balance. But if you know a Libran, you know that they are anything but balanced. They seem more comfortable swinging at the extremes, and every once in a while they come back into balance. But not for long!
Or we think about maintaining a balance in our relationships - between self and Other - for the sake of social harmony. But even in this, Librans go overboard, giving over (to maintain peace and harmony) too much to the Other, so that eventually they feel they must take everything back when they think they aren’t appreciated.
But in ancient times, the Scale or Balance, had a different meaning. A Scale was used to weigh things against a socially accepted standard weight. It was used to measure and evaluate the fundamental worth of something in terms of social value. It therefore implied a judgment.
Libra is all about making a fair judgment. So in Libra we are asked to evaluate people, events and things to decide if they have any social value. Or conversely, does what we bring to the table have social worth? Ideally, we need to understand what our value is to society and work harmoniously to contribute our gifts to society for the betterment of the Whole.
Often, in Venus-ruled Libra, we do this through Art, since Libra is a thinker and not a builder. (That’s what Capricorn’s do.) Libra helps us to dream, evaluate, and envision an ideal Society where we live in harmony with the Whole. Is it any wonder that John Lennon was a visionary Bard? (If you don’t know already, October 9th is John’s birthday, and Yoko Ono is dedicating a Peace tower of light to him. See http://www.imaginepeace.com/ for more information.)
Venus not only rules Love, Sex, Art and Beauty but also Self-Worth and Values. So in Libra as in Taurus, we are asked to live out our values, and show our worth. And please, do it with class, with beauty and with grace!
There is an Italian fairy tale that speaks to this Libra evaluation of Self-worth. It is called (appropriately!) Catherine’s Destiny. While I have personally worked with this tale, it is a story for anyone whose journey to greater consciousness has left them feeling outside the mainstream of culture. The times are demanding that we take a leap of faith and bring our gifts back into society.
To Read More about Catherine’s Destiny and the value of stories, please go to: http://wisdomofastrology.blogspot.com/
So this New Moon, what seed do you want to plant in your soul? How can you offer yourself and your work to the world? In what ways are you willing to share and shape your vision with others? How would you feel about opening yourself to a new or deeper relationship? In what ways are you willing to evaluate and weigh your self-worth?
The Sabian Symbol for 18 degrees Libra is: A man accused of a capital offense stands before the Judge. This image speaks to the restructuring of society on the principles of justice. It also speaks to the problem of how society can include in its social order new channels of transformation and how an individual can make their transforming vision acceptable to the social order.
Find out where 18 Libra is in your chart. The house will tell you what gifts you are being asked to share.
This New Moon is affected by lots of energy from the other planets. Look to your chart to see where these planets are playing, for they will bring up issues for you corresponding to the houses they’re in.
October 9 – the third Jupiter/Uranus square at 16 degrees Sagittarius-Pisces. (January 22, May 10 and October 9.) Jupiter in Sagittarius expands our horizons to recognize new possibilities - all in accordance with natural laws. Uranus in Pisces opens our 6th sense and our creative imagination. Think outside the box! A square represents a turning point, so look for a definite shift in your perspective that’s been brewing all year and which begin in February 1997 when these planets first came together at 6 Aquarius.
October 13 – Venus makes its third conjunction with Saturn at 5 Virgo. The first two conjunctions (coming together) were on July 1 and August 13 (remember, Venus was retrograde this summer) in Leo, narrowing the gap between our heart’s desires and our current reality. Now with the conjunction in Virgo, very close to the Moon’s South Node, we are asked to let go of old habits, old ways of being and thinking about people and situations, and to integrate our true heart’s desires thoroughly in body, mind and spirit.
October 11 – 31 – Mercury retrograde in Scorpio and Libra. Oh happy days! Mercury is retrograde again and we can blame all our stress on it! Or, we can use this time to re-think, re-organize, re-write, re-evaluate. Mercury in Scorpio gives us the inside scoop on hidden motivations – our own and others - and advises us to ponder the relationship between honesty and intimacy. We could clear up old resentments and misunderstandings. So can we stop blaming and start forgiving? That’s the question.
October 19 – Chiron turns direct at 11 Aquarius. Chiron is called the Wounded Healer, and it’s an energy that forces us to become philosophical about life. In Aquarius, it is confronting us with the need to live with integrity and truth, thereby giving us the ability to find our spiritual community. Chiron is squaring Mercury now, so speaking our truth can be especially transformative in our personal relationships as well as in our social idealism. We can turn the tide now if we all speak out together against the injustices in our society. What a lovely Libran thing to do!
Coming Soon! I am working on some new websites.
One is for my work as a Story Coach, where I will discuss – much like the blog piece on Catherine’s Destiny – myths and stories and how they can change our lives.
The other site is for my work as a Midlife Coach. I am devising a coaching program for women – and men if they so desire – so that instead of going through a ‘midlife crisis’ (and crisis means to make a judgment. How Libran is that!) they can start on the path of Individuation and find their life’s purpose and passion.
As
always, I am available for phone consultations at 310-741-7013.
Wishing you all the best that Fall has to offer.
Blessed Be.
Cathy Pagano