Virgo new moon on August 30 š¾š
The only thing better than a new moon is a Friday new moon! šš¾ But this one is in Virgo, so itās not exactly a SUMMER Fridayā¦
New moons (as you may know) are the beginning of the lunar cycle. They occur when the sun and the moon meet up at the same degree within a sign (a conjunction). During a new moon, the night sky is a dark, blank page upon which we will write the themes that guide us for the month. Our wills (the sun) and our hearts (the moon) are completely aligned, so itās the perfect time to make plans, goals, and intentions. Itās about beginnings, not endings, and the whole thing is usually a hopeful affair.
In this case, itās imbued with the grit and humility of Virgo. My Virgo sister explained to me at her birthday lunch last week that what drives her people is to get the work done so that they can feel good about enjoying ourselves. Virgos want to party, she insisted, but they canāt do it when we have a to-do list hanging over their heads.
I then tried to explain to her the Geminian model of procrastination, and eventually she interrupted me to let me know that I was in danger of missing the window to secretly communicate to our server that it was her birthday so that she could be āsurprisedā with a candle in her cake. If she hadnāt reminded me, it wouldnāt have gotten done. Virgos donāt just have your back, they have their own back in case you forgot.
This Virgo moon isnāt like other Virgo moons (itās cool moon), because this one is conjunct Venus and Mars as well. That means that the following celestial bodies, and all their attendant astrological power (which may be none, because astrology is PROBABLY not real), are clustering in early Virgo:
Sun
Moon
Venus
Mars
Thatās a lot of energy concentrated in tough little Virgo. Venus and Mars in cahoots is exactly as sexy as it sounds, and this lunation could bring romantic overtones. Or you might just feel smitten with yourself as you tick off chores like a machine. Since the sun entered Virgo, I have been CRUISING through my to-dos, and I feel like I may finish them once and for all (even though you canāt, thatās impossible). Seriously, Iām going to finally get a bleach pen for my dirty whites (which is EXTRA Virgo, now that I see it in black and white), and Iām going to roll over my 401(k). And Iām going to hang up a piece of art thatās been sitting in my kitchen since May. This is what an empowered Virgo season is. Behold; it is glorious.
A comedic diversion
You may know that I occasionally write humor pieces, and if you donāt, I solemnly promise to brag about it more.
Anyway, my writing partner Ysabel and I put pen to paper on this delicious little number for the New Yorker, and I think itās the funniest thing I will ever write.
The All-Natural Ingredients in Our Disgusting Skincare Line
Horoscopes for this wild week ahead
Heads up: Uranus in Taurus is making a LOT of aspects to planets this week. Uranus brings turbulence, shocking developments, and new ideas (sometimes borne out of necessity). Itās not always fun but it is always interestingā¦
As usual, this newsletter lives in New York, so all time zones are of the Eastern persuasion.
Monday 8/26
The moonāand therefore our emotionsāis feeling very friendly and collegial toward Mars, Venus, and Uranus all before 6 a.m. Mars and Venus represent interpersonal sparks, so this is a very good time to interact with someone you love or want (but donāt necessarily need š). Uranus is an eccentric genius coming up with new inventionsāso this may inspire some weird conversations or sudden changes in thoughts, moods, and dynamics. (Iāve already had some weird conversations this morningā¦ š¤Æ)
Venus and Uranus are happy together at 11:37 a.m., which brings us the friendliest sides of both: Venus giving us harmony and acceptance, and Uranus letting us be total originals. Great time for any creative problem-solving or art-making or introductions to new friends.
The moon is opposed to taskmaster Saturn at 5:45 p.m., so you may THINK your day is over but be forced to retrace your steps or take care of one more errand. And it will be frustrating, even when you see it coming.
Tuesday 8/27
The moon is opposing Pluto at 4:55 a.m., which I donāt care for. I know itās early, but oppositions are ugly, and moon vs. Pluto are two very emotional, high-maintenance celestial objects that together can stir up some shit. Oppositions usually involve other people, so beware the early morning email or late-night text. You canāt help receiving one, but you can stop yourself from sending. Luckily, the moon is fast-moving and should get out of Plutoās way quickly.
Blissfully, the moon conks out (goes void of course, its version of retrograde) until 7:53 p.m., so the day may be more about finishing up Mondayās demands than starting new ones.
Wednesday 8/28
The moon gets testy with eccentric Uranus at 6:29 a.m., but then immediately after Mars takes Uranusā side 20 minutes later at 6:51 a.m. The second of these is much more important, because the moon is moody but gets over things quickly. But the union of Mars and Uranus is a powerful one for moving forward on something bold, new, and exciting. Depending on where this lands, you could hear back from a job interview, get test results, get a new car, etc. The only thing Iād caution against is scheduling surgery or a haircut or going shooting at this time. I have no idea who is doing any of those things at 6 in the morning, but Mars does rule over sharp instruments and objects of war, and Uranus is all about unpredictability and surprises. Even when the two planets are getting alongāyou donāt really want to mix surprise and violence.
In between those two events, the moon and Jupiter are fully flirting in public at 8:07 p.m., which blesses you with some joy and good fortune in everything youāre already doing.
Thursday 8/29
Fantastic day. š»
Mercury moves into VIRGO at 3:48 a.m, and then joins up with the moon at 10:22 p.m. Mercury is the natural ruler of Virgo, so itās very at home in the sign. For all of us, itāll make us snappier and smarter communicators. Virgo has no problem killing your darlings.
At 8:07 p.m., the sun and Uranus are thrilled with each other, so expect to build on the weekās theme of surprises (mostly good ones!) and new directions. Uranus always wants you to look forward and has no time for sentimentality. The future may not actually be bright but Uranus wants you to at least entertain the possibility that it might be, and then proceed accordingly.
Friday 8/30
OMG the new moon in Virgo. š
At 6:14 p.m. you have Saturn and the moon getting along, bringing recognition and rewards for all your hard work. (The reward should be better than simply the weekend which was coming either wayā¦)
But then the moon is not on good terms with Jupiter, our bounty and good luck (7:39 p.m.) and then Neptune, our imagination and glamour (11:36 p.m.). Itās interesting, because what Jupiter and Neptune share is a tilt toward the unrealistic. In Jupiterās case, itās optimism above all else. With Neptune, itās an dreamy, druggy fog to deliver us from the pain of being alive. They are beautiful, necessary, inspiring planetary forces, but at their worst, they are both full of shit. Youāre not buying any of it tonight. Or at least you shouldnāt beāso stay sharp. Not all skepticism is cynicism.
Saturday 8/31
Nice aspect between the moon and powerful Pluto at 4:46 a.m. Should lend an air of stability and gravitas to the whole day. Good time to think about deeper wants. Nothing shallow today.
Great day to work on projects in progress. The moon is void of course (its version of retrograde) from 4:46 a.m. to 7:08 p.m., which means new plans will stall but anything already in motion will want to stay in motion.
Sunday 9/1
Bunny bunny! š°š° Iāll leave this one for the next letter because itās Virgo season and I want a clean ending for the month!