Evolutions and Extinctions - Astrology for the New Moon in Virgo - September 9th, 2018

Horoscopes
Written By Renee Sills
Visual affirmation from Janna Dorothy

Visual affirmation from Janna Dorothy

9.9.18 

While all new moons can be considered new beginnings, Sunday’s new moon in Virgo brings a heightened initiatory energy, and stimulates increased momentum in the earth signs. In current astrology, the earth signs are highly activated and undergoing large changes. While some of these changes have been underway for quite some time, others are only just beginning. The Virgo new moon brings a need to organize our thoughts and plan our actions, so that we can participate in these changes as they continue to manifest in our personal lives and relationships, and throughout culture and current events.

The new moon directly aspects Pluto and Neptune. Pluto in Capricorn receives a trine from the new moon, meaning that the conjunction of the sun and moon lend their energy to its cause. Pluto has a 248-year orbit, and has been in Capricorn since 2008. The last time it was in Capricorn was 1762-1776, a time marked by the American Revolution, which resulted in the creation of the United States Constitution and the birth of the United States as a constructed identity. Now, Pluto, the God of shadows, death, the underworld, and the transformative power of change, has returned to this placement. Wherever Pluto is (in the current sky or in a natal chart) describes the need to face what has been in the shadow, and fight for empowerment and control over one’s energy and destiny. The current events in US politics show the power struggle over identity, autonomy, and self-governance that are reflected in the minds of the people.

One way to think about this moment, is that the dominant ideologies of the United States have been in the shadows since its conception, and are now being exposed. While the US declares itself a melting pot, and “the land of the free”, the truth is, that the birth of the nation was the result of genocide and colonization of Indigenous Americans. The wealth, and expansion of wealth and industry, that has “made America great”, is due almost entirely to slave labor and ongoing exploitation of black and brown people, women, immigrants, and blue-collar workers. While these truths are certainly not new news, the reality that white supremacy and misogyny are so deeply entrenched in the foundations of the American Dream is now starting to dawn on the mass public. For the first time since its inception, the US is facing the possibility of its own downfall. Whether by downfall or revolution the US will continue to dramatically transform over the remainder of Pluto's transit in Capricorn. With any Pluto transit, the test is always about integrity and the ability to confront what has been in the shadow. This is a nation that was birthed with a call for freedom and equality, and which has largely pushed both ideals forward in the world. However, if the shadow side of our freedoms and privileges aren't addressed, then freedom is false. If equality remains a buzzword, and not a practice enacted in all human relationships, then we will continue to suffer under the weight of the lie. 

Meanwhile, Neptune in Pisces is opposed by the new moon. An opposition forces confrontation and brings polarity and revelation. Neptune has a 165-year orbit, and has been in Pisces since 2011. It last transited Pisces during 1847-1862. Just a few notable events and historical references for this time include:

  • The Mexican-American, which began in 1846, was continued through 1848. This war was carried on to extend slavery and obtain control of what are now the Southwest United States.
  • The California Gold Rush and westward expansion was promoted by Thomas Jefferson as the future of the nation. It resulted in mass displacement and ongoing slaughter of Native Americans, as well as environmental rape of land for gold.
  • Harriet Tubman fled from slavery, made 13 missions to rescue over seventy enslaved people, and become a heroine for her cause.
  • Karl Marx and Freidrich Engels publish the Communist Manifesto.
  • The European Revolutions of 1848 occurred. Known also as the Spring of Nations, Springtime of the Peoples, or the Year of Revolution, these were a series of political upheavals throughout Europe that remains the most widespread revolutionary wave in European history. Within a year however, reactionary forces had regained control, and the revolutions collapsed. 
  • Anesthesia was invented.

Wherever Neptune is (in the current sky or natal chart) is a place we are subject to misidentification and confusion regarding separation and difference. This confusion occurs between individuals as matters of ownership and (co)dependency. Neptune and Pisces are both energies which can create extreme illusions and deluded perception. They are energies that are often expressed through experiences of martyrdom, enslavement, absorption, and being at the mercy of overwhelming experiences. Further, Neptune is the planet most closely identified with current-era religious ideologies that seek transcendence from Earth, belief in sin, the hope of spiritual salvation, and the need to evangelize or “save” the souls of others. Finally, they are both energies which can create extreme states of addiction and dependency, and that stimulate the desire to ‘check out’ or numb oneself in some way.

Ultimately, Neptune and Pisces both teach us lessons of our interconnectedness. They are actors and agents of dissolution and dissolving. Under their influences we must learn that separation is a false state of perception, and that, since suffering is shared, the only way to ensure our own personal happiness, is to work for collective liberation from suffering. Under their influences we are pushed towards our own addictions and dependencies. Whatever we are addicted to: money, love, power, relationships, thinking/fantasy, drugs and alcohol, smart phones, TV etc. will become an overwhelming force in our lives. From a spiritual sense, addictions act to show us where we externalize our own sacredness. When we confront our addictive tendencies we must also confront our own emptiness and despair. To make use of these states, rather than be overwhelmed by then, we must locate the altars within. Self-love and personal relationships with divine essence provide us the courage and sustenance to face our lives and all that they bring.

The new moon also acts to emphasize a grand trine between Pallas and Mercury (conjunct, also in Virgo), Saturn in Capricorn, and Uranus in Taurus. Saturn has just recently turned direct, and Uranus continues its retrograde through the early degrees of Taurus. Pallas brings strategy and insight to Mercury’s mental-ness. In Virgo, they both function to stimulate our minds. We seek to categorize and differentiate. It’s important to remember that if Virgo nature is not self-loving, its energy will act to tear oneself apart from the inside. Use the new moon days to formulate plans for your mental, emotional and physical health, with the understanding that your personal health will allow you to be an effective agent of healing in the world at large. The trines to Saturn and Uranus suggest that long-lasting changes are underway, but also in their early beginnings. Patience is suggested in regards to longterm decisions, but short-term experiments in new ways of living, and letting go of clutter are strongly supported.

In summary, this new moon is extremely powerful. Its aspects and energy may very well bring world events to your own doorstep, either emotionally, psychologically, or very literally. We are living through another turning of the evolutionary wheel, when humanity as a whole must decide how to progress. For those of us living first-world experiences, it’s high time to address our addictions and consumption habits. Colonialism and slavery are very much alive and well, and are spurred on by an incessant need for more and more production and consumption. The pain that is being wrought on the world is overwhelming, so of course, we anesthetize and numb out through our various substances, relationships, and mass-media. Use this new moon to consider new ways. Virgo rules the intestines and process of absorption and assimilation. Now is a time to clarify your needs, commit to your causes, and come together with others in solidarity and advocacy for a healthier future for all.

To learn more about Virgo, listen to the podcast on Virgo season.

To work collaboratively with this energy, use my guided meditation on Serving Sacredness. Or check out this playlist for more guided meditations, any of which might be a support at this time.

To learn more about Neptune in Pisces, read this article.

Due to unforeseen problems and lack of consistent access to wifi while I’m traveling, I was not able to complete or upload the audio horoscopes for this new moon. Please check back around September 22nd for the next posts and horoscopes for the equinox, the full moon in Aries, and Libra season.

New moon love,
Renee

Renee Sills
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Serving Sacredness - Astrology & Horoscopes for Pisces Full Moon - August 26, 2018