The New Moon takes place at 12 Noon BST on September 17th at exactly 25 degrees Virgo.
I love the precision of the time and degree – very Virgo!
As a sign, Virgo is associated with bringing order to chaos, Virgo likes to sift through and organise all the details, including the tiny, miniscule ones others may miss or disregard. Virgo is obsessive about details! Currently, chaos and confusion are rife, the world is in a muddle – the Virgo New Moon has potential to bestow some clarity.
Virgo is ruled by Mercury, and the New Moon is trine Saturn in Capricorn, denoting that strategies and plans for the future are likely to be on the agenda. Making adjustments to align with the present climate. Virgo and Capricorn are both earth signs, so the focus needs to be on what’s practical and realistic.
This could be an idea to initiate something new, in which case, building from solid foundations is a must. Or, it could be ways to fortify and improve something already in existence.
The New Moon is conjuct fixed star Cor Caroli and the tarot card is the 10 of Pentacles. The 10 of Pentacles illustrates legacies, and Cor Caroli also touches on them, which to me, seems to further underline the importance in these current, unsettled times of cautious, considerate long-term planning. What we create now, will be inherited by future generations.
Chart
The New Moon is square the Nodes and quincunx Mars. The Nodes are connected with destiny, along with analysing the past to navigate the future. The quincunx with Mars ties in with this by suggesting that adjusting how we act, or where we direct our energy, is, whilst perhaps difficult or awkward, called for.
Enhancing this, Mars is currently retrograde – he goes direct on November 14th – meaning that our actions – past and present – are undergoing an inner review. Insights could potentially arise, that help to bring about a shift in our awareness about the effect of our actions, that pave the way for beneficial changes to occur.
Jupiter, Saturn and Pluto are all currently in Capricorn, a trio whose amalgamated influence, signifies and aligns with the tumultuous events of 2020. By January 2021 – due to Mars retrograde – Mars will have made three exact squares to each of them. Unresolved, simmering, challenges and conflicts are likely to come to the boil and flare up – especially collectively – seeking a solution, a remedy.
Additionally, Saturn and Pluto are currently the closest they have been to each other since the start of the year, when their exact conjunction took place on January 12th. Saturn stations direct on September 29th, and throughout October, Saturn and Pluto are around 3 degrees apart. Additionally, the third, and final Jupiter-Pluto conjunction occurs on November 12th. So we can expect a resurgence, an increase in pressure around all the issues that have erupted in 2020.
December brings change, a shift that alters the atmosphere and terrain. Saturn will enter Aquarius on December 17th, followed by Jupiter on December 19th. The Jupiter-Saturn cycle is approximately 20 years, and a new cycle commences as they meet for an exact conjunction, also known as a Great Conjunction.
Conspicuously, the Jupiter-Saturn conjunction takes place on December 21st – Winter Solstice – at 0 degrees Aquarius – an Air sign. For nearly 200 years their conjunctions have all taken place in Earth signs – apart from the first shift into Air with the triple conjunctions of 1980-81 in Libra – now, we are moving from Earth to an Air era.
The Jupiter-Saturn conjunction will certainly change things, as the past gives way to the future. Bring the creation and construction, of new, innovative, outlooks and structures.
At the New Moon, Mercury – ruler of the New Moon – is in Libra and square Jupiter. Following on from this, Mercury – like Mars – will then square Pluto (September 21st) and Saturn (September 23rd). Mercury will then be exactly opposite Mars on September 24th, meaning a taxing, cardinal T-Square is formed in the sky.
Cold, harsh, verbal exchanges are possible, as well as facing some tough declarations by others or decisions of our own. It may at times, feel a bit like being between a rock and a hard place. Here in the UK, it would be unsurprising if increased restrictions, or plans for a second lockdown by the government were announced. September 29th is notable, as Saturn stations direct, along with the 2nd exact square between Mars and Saturn occurring, there could be pivotal news around this date.
But, we can also work with these energies productively. To think deeply about our choices and actions, together with how they influence our future. Looking ahead can bring clarity around what we hope to put in place, and assist us to seek solutions for obstructions.
Fixed Star ~ Cor Caroli
Fixed star Cor Caroli is at 24 degrees 50′ Virgo in the Constellation Canes Venatici, The Hunting Dogs.
“The usual illustration of the constellation, Canes Venatici, is of two greyhounds straining at the leash held in the hand of Bootes. These Hounds are aiding Bootes in guiding the Bears (Ursa Major and Ursa Minor) around the pole star, Polaris.” ~ Star Names, Richard Hinkley Allen
The more northern hound is called Asterion, “Starry,” and the southern hound is Chara which contains the brightest star of this tiny constellation – Cor Caroli a binary star of white and pale lilac, that marks Chara’s collar.
This star was singled out in 1725 as the distinct figure Cor Caroli meaning “Heart of Charles.” This was in honour of either – or perhaps both – King Charles I who was beheaded in 1649 during the English Civil War, or his son King Charles II, as it was said to have shone especially brightly on the eve of the King’s return to London to restore the monarchy on May 29th 1660.
“This constellation gives a love of hunting and a penetrating mind, making those born under it faithful, keen, clever and fond of speculation.” ~ Fixed Stars and Constellations in Astrology, Vivian E. Robson
TAROT ~ 10 OF PENTACLES
The New Moon takes place in Virgo Decan 3, ruled by Mercury (Venus by Triplicity). The corresponding tarot card is the 10 of Pentacles.
The suit of Pentacles represents the earth element -the material realm. The 10 is the final card of a suit, symbolising the highest point, the end of the road, as such, 10’s are also cards of transition – endings lead to beginnings. Whilst success brings happiness and satisfaction, simultaneously, new experiences are ahead. The 10 of Pentacles speaks of material wealth – outer wealth – but also the connection of material prosperity with emotional and spiritual prosperity – inner wealth.
In the tarot, the sign Virgo, ruled by Mercury, corresponds with The Hermit who is depicted atop a snowy mountain, carrying a lantern. The Hermit lights the way to higher levels of spiritual knowledge and wisdom. The 10 of Pentacles alludes to material legacies and inheritances, in doing so, it reveals, we, like all living things bloom then perish, however our emotional and spiritual union with our loved ones and descendants is eternal.
Mercury’s influence brings insight and an enlightened perspective. A mindfulness that what we create materially, is the legacy we leave behind, that our emotional bonds, our inner wealth, are the legacy that accompanies us. The value of each, and the balance between them.
VIRGO III ~ “a white man, with a great body, wrapped in white linen, and with him is a woman holding in her hand black oil. This is a face of debility, age, infirmity, sloth, injury to limbs and the destruction of people.” ~ PICATRIX
Book T calls this card “Wealth.”
The Rider-Waite-Smith card depicts a well-dressed, elderly man, seated in luxurious surroundings and looking out through an archway at his family and domain. A man, woman, child and two dogs are also in the picture, the aged man has his hand on the nose of one of the dogs, the child has his hand on the tail of the other.
The archway is decorated with the family crest, along with the balanced scales of justice.
“I have lived a rich and full life and want to share my experience with all who are interested. I pass on a rich legacy of insight and wisdom to those who seek my company and my guidance.
As I sit here remembering, it seems to me that tending to relationships and maintaining childlike curiosity are ultimately more enriching than all the wealth one can acquire.” ~ Spiritual Tarot, Echols, Mueller and Thomson, page 132-33
Top Image ~ Elizabeth Tsung on Unsplash
10 of Pentacles from the Aquatic Tarot
References
Fixed Star ~ www.constellationofwords.com
The Complete Picatrix, translated by John Michael Greer & Christopher Warnock