Monday, October 4, 2010

Moonwalk: Libra


© 2010 by Joyce Mason
All Rights Reserved

The opening image in this post is the epitome of calm and balance. But when Libra Moon is upset, s/he seems more to me like an angry Aries with a Gemini split personality. (The duality of the two Scales surely contributes to the potential for two Libras—one Up, one Down.) While temporarily “loony,” the Libra Moon possessed by anger dips high and low in a way that can feel frightening. Think of a pair old-fashioned scales jerking up and down wildly, no balance in sight. You might even find it hard to believe that Venus rules this normally sweet Moon sign when its native is temporarily enraged.

Yet there is often a good reason for that anger. It’s outrage that leaves Moon in Libra clamoring for justice. During this month’s moon cycle, hone your sensitivities to things that “just don’t feel right” from the perspective of fairness. Is it time for you to speak out or take action? If sweetness doesn’t work, is righteous anger the only thing that will get the attention of those who can change the status quo? I can’t help but remember Jesus in the temple with the moneychangers. If the Christian model of peace and calm could “lose it” for just cause, maybe a just cause is the one good reason for any of us to lose it.

While I’m in the Bible anyway, one of my favorite quotes from The Good Book was made popular in a ‘70s hit tune by The Byrds called Turn, Turn,Turn:


“To everything there is a season …and a time for every purpose under heaven.”
~Ecclesiastes 3:1

Let’s talk about the season that just turned!


Autumn Equinox

This autumn kicked off in a showy way with Jupiter visible in the sky (he always tends to take things over the top) and the Full Harvest Moon just hours after the Equinox as the Sun entered Libra. I love that Libra, the sign of relationship and peace, is the Welcome Wagon for the Season of Harvest, Bounty and Gratitude. When our life is truly working, our relationships are in balance and we feel at peace with the world. A lush autumn reminds us in living color of the rewards we reap from the hard work we just did during the summer growing season. In the larger cycles of our journey on this planet, the autumn of our lives contains rich gifts and the creative burst before we slowly go back to the earth. This extravagance before things die or go dormant always leaves me with a haunting sadness intermixed with pure joy. It’s my favorite season. I love to celebrate the culmination of my daily gratitude at Thanksgiving and to become a kid again, thumbing my nose at fear and death during Halloween, Day of the Dead, and All Saints Day.

On October 7 when the Sun and Moon conjoin in the New Moon moment, it almost feels like a second equinox to me, as the Lights in Libra double the cornucopia symbolism that comes through the door with autumn.

Where does the New Moon fall in your chart—and what do you want to do with it?




This Libra New Moon



The first thing that struck me in this month’s chart of the New Moon Moment is how Libran it is visually. Just as someone with Libra Sun or Moon loves relationship, no planet is solo in the chart of this month’s new beginnings. Traveling as pairs are Venus and Mars in Scorpio, Pluto and the Moon’s South Node in Capricorn, Neptune and Chiron in a tight conjunction in Aquarius, and Jupiter and Uranus in Pisces. The Libra Sun and Moon are joined by another conjunction of Mercury and Saturn in the sign, traveling like quadruplets—or two couples on a double date!
 
Speaking of relationship, much has been written about Saturn in Libra, which has now made its way to the 8th degree of the sign. If you haven’t already, this lunar cycle would be perfect for reviewing your relationship history through my two previous posts, Saturn in Libra: “Form” Your Love Life, Chart Your Relationship History and More Saturn in Libra Exercises to Understand Your Relationships. These articles were part of the International Astrology Day Blogathon on Spring Equinox 2010. Saturn in Libra (the first of the pair) has been the second most popular post all year on The Radical Virgo. With Mercury in a close conjunction to Saturn in the New Moon chart and both at the focal point of T-Square with Pluto and the South Node, it’s a good time to ponder how this part of your life is working—or not. A review and letting go of whatever no longer works with an eye toward rebirth is a loud cosmic suggestion. Besides, it might be fun. That Venus/Mars conjunction in Scorpio could add a lot of passion to the project! Jupiter traveling with Uranus, both retrograde, add the potential for unexpected blessings, particularly by taking an inner look or a look back. Chiron and Neptune offer healing and transcendence. Is there a past relationship you need to revisit mentally and emotionally—perhaps even actually? (Check out my post Revisiting Day for more on this idea.)

I hope the Saturn in Libra exercises are eye opening, and whether you get an A+ or a C-, knowledge is power! It’s easy when things “need improvement” to form a plan and work on your relationship. What a time to start under the New Moon stellium in Libra! When things are going well, we often forget that we need to work to keep them that way.


A relationship that ticks more often than it ticks us off calls for celebration!

My beloved and I came out of a rough patch this summer to a place where things are better than ever between us. (Remember that cusps are thresholds to get you to the next sign, attitude, or state of being.) I’m not just relieved; I’m elated!

We say we never want to take our relationships for granted. This month would be the perfect time to combine autumn’s season of gratitude with your relationship life and create some routines and rituals that reinforce your appreciation of one another, if you’re in a relationship. If you’re not, bless the parts of being single that are true gifts —and ask for the right relationship to be drawn to you, if you want one. If you’re partnered, bring home flowers to your loved one, and if you’re between relationships, bring them home for yourself. Don’t forget you’re actually your primary relationship and a healthy love of self draws the best kind of Other to love. My husband and I aim never to let a day go by without saying “I love you” or something we appreciate about one another. These are good Saturn habits to establish under this Moon cycle. As we like to say about a partner that’s a real find, these habits are keepers!

Let’s end month’s Moonwalk with a poem that speaks to why the symbol for Libra is a balance or scales. Libra is the only sign with an object for its symbol. All the others have people or animals. Perhaps Libra is symbolized by an inanimate object to reflect how challenging it is to find perfect balance—an ideal or momentary state that shifts constantly, rarely attainable for long periods by mere mortals. When we feel in balance, overall, when we can find as many of those moments as possible—they become our touchstone of “normal.” We can recognize the imbalance of living in the fast lane in what feels like a crazy mixed up world and make sure we monitor how much time we spend in the whirlwind.


Moon in Libra

Balance.
Feelings.
Stillness.
Air.

The space in-between
breathing out and
breathing in



the nurture

No words
in the way
the current
of consensual silence

The momentary pause
in the seesaw of life
the deep drink
of stasis

quenches
everything.

Say this several times a day, especially first thing in the morning, during this lunar month. Enjoy the difference it makes.

Namasté.
~~~

Photo Credits: Balance and Alignment © Paul Moore Dreamstime.com; Golden Scales © Mopic
Dreamstime.com; Autumn Leaves - MS Clipart; Silhouette of the Woman Meditate © Ivan Polushkin
Dreamstime.com


Holiday Gift Certificates @ $50 Off! As announced previously, special offers are now available only to readers on my e-mail list. The monthly New Moongram e-mail complements the Moonwalk posts with additional information on the Moon’s Sabian symbol and a mini-meditation for each New Moon. In addition, you’ll get discount coupons and the latest behind-the-scenes scoop on what’s happening at The Radical Virgo. Between the Libra and Scorpio New Moons, I’m offering my lowest price on holiday gift certificates and personal readings for early shoppers. If you’re not already a subscriber, sign up at the top of the sidebar to get the Libra New Moongram for more info!


Chiron Poetry Reading Conference Call
October 19, 2010

3 comments:

LB said...

Have you been spying on me, Joyce? Because you sure summed up this Libra's "off balance" mood these last few days.

And you're right; I only get angry for good reason (injustice, greed, cruelty, etc.) and I never take my mood out on others - my words are always very measured and very directed. I love that you used the story of Jesus at the temple to illustrate your point, especially since I've often referred to that story myself!

This New Moon falls in my 2nd house and my issues have to do with a contractual agreement (with our landlord) that's not being honored, as well as my increasing awareness that my husband's and my kindnesses are being taken for granted and looked upon opportunistically. Big mistake with Libra.

Thanks for giving me the opportunity to vent. Eventually I'll find my way back to inner peace.

Joyce Mason said...

Hi, LB! I'd rather write about spies than be one myself. (I have a novel on the back burner with one in it.) Must be our chart connections and/or my antennae on overdrive! :) Sending good vibes toward a equitable resolution. (What else would Libra want?) I so relate to your anger about kindness being taken for granted or otherwise not appreciated. Vent here anytime, and I'll think of you on the other side of the matter with a "peaceful easy feeling," as the old tune goes.

LB said...

Thanks Joyce. I think I feel your good vibes already. :)