New Moons are the beginning of a new lunar cycle and a time to wash away the past and begin anew. What we call the astrological New Moon, the exact moment in which the Sun and Moon are aligned in a new zodiacal sign, is actually the dark of the Moon.  Not a sliver of the Moon is visible at this time: it is absolute potentiality.  The previous cycle is complete, and something new is beginning.

In Virgo the New Moon brings greater attention to health, diet, personal hygiene, and other details that are necessary in order to live in a body.  There is a purity about Virgo that is unique to this sign – the ability to discriminate between that which is helpful and that which is not.  It is this discrimination that gives Virgo the reputation for being a perfectionist and which creates a sensitivity to the environment that can be somewhat anxiety-producing.

The Sun and Moon in the New Moon chart are linked to Venus, a beneficial aspect that softens the potentially anxious quality of Virgo and enhances our ability to connect with others.  The Sun, Moon and Venus are all in a harmonious trine to Pluto, describing a powerful transformation that is possible at this time.  In harmonious aspects Pluto becomes an ally in deepening our experience and intensifying our awareness, giving us a big boost at this time of new beginning.

This New Moon also includes a tight trine from Venus to Jupiter: the lesser benefic (Venus) in harmony with the greater benefic (Jupiter).  This is an expansive time in which great gifts are available to us, especially with Jupiter in a stationary position as it prepares to turn retrograde on the 31st.  When planets are at their stationary point in preparation for a change of direction they are quite powerful in their influence, and Jupiter bestows a confidence and an openness that will help to propel our goals and dreams forward at this time.

That’s good news, because the soul work of the previous few days is not quite done as the New Moon forms an opposition to Chiron.  Surgery of the soul isn’t easy and it’s not always fun, but it does create enormous opportunities for us to grow and find happiness at a far deeper level than is usually experienced. If we allow this soul surgery to take place, the abundant opportunities of this New Moon will help to open up new doorways in our lives that we cannot currently imagine.

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