The New Moon in VIRGO will grace the sky on September 14th reaching peak illumination at 9:40pm ET.
This blog post covers all you need to know about the New Moon in Virgo along with a simple ritual for you to deepen your nature spirituality practice.
In this blog post you will find:
Introduction: Moon 101
The sun and moon are in a cyclical relationship as they weave through the seasons of the zodiac. This celestial dance provides us with an intuitive road map to explore our own inner/outer journey as we too make our way through the ebb and flow of nature's seasons and come into new and ever-changing dimensions of our lives.
While the sun is ruler of the day and influences our "outer" expression in the world, it is to no surprise that as ruler of the tides and queen of the night the moon is also ruler of our emotions and "inner" felt experience. Our emotions have long been associated with representations of water and the sea: fluid, ever-changing, ebbing and flowing. As the moon pulls at the tides, we also experience this influencing force on our emotions, desires, shadow realms, fears/worries, psyche, and dreams.
Self-knowledge arises through a process of uncovering hidden layers of self through revelation and integration. This process is mirrored in the ebb and flow of the moon which is why it's something we learn to observe and track. As the light of the moon waxes, more of what lies hidden becomes revealed - our deeper motivations, mechanisms, and feelings. As the light of the moon wanes, we are given time to integrate these new learnings and discoveries.
This New Moon falls within the sign of Virgo. Keep reading to learn how you can use this moon portal to explore new dimensions of self seeking expression in the world.
Virgo New Moon 2023 Insights
Virgo Qualities: meticulous, reliable, practical, diligent
The VIRGO NEW MOON 2023 is all about HARVEST in both literal and metaphorical ways. Virgo follows the sign of Leo which is all about living courageously, from the heart, and shining your inner light which naturally leads toward abundance. This abundance is manifested in tangible ways through the Earth sign of Virgo who is often depicted as a young maiden holding ears of corn. Corn is a traditional food and medicine found in cultures around the world. It is an ancient symbol of sustenance, fertility and represents the fruits of labor and/or faithfulness. In the seasonal cycle of the northern hemisphere, Virgo corresponds to harvest season and generally falls between the Gaelic fire festival known as Lúnasa and the Autumnal Equinox.
Virgo is an Earth sign and all of these elements emphasize the alchemical process of spinning thread into gold, manifesting spirit into form, following the laws of nature, understanding the way of tao, and paying close attention to how we are showing up each day in relationship to life's greater mystery, cycles, rhythms and songs. It is for this reason that the Virgo New Moon is linked to daily habits. We must practice creating space in our life to appreciate what is precious and fleeting, the beauty and fullness of this season as it begins to wane, and offering songs of gratitude for all that is plenty. In so doing, we invoke the magic of the maiden who brings fresh energy into stagnant routines and helps us to release what no longer serves.
Under the influence of this new moon energy, we are called to pay close attention to what we are practicing in our habits of thought, movement, gesture, and overall way of being. It is about coming into right relationship with self by creating space to be nurtured by earth, to delight in the abundance of the season, and to share the inner and outer gifts of the season generously . This creates inner harmony and balance which prepares us for the coming Equinox as we shift into Libra, the sign of balance symbolized by the scales. Now is a perfect opportunity to birth new habits, to replace negative thought patterns with loving kindness, and to nurture new embodiments that strengthen your relationship to Earth.
New Moon Energy
Since the moon is the closest "planet" to Earth, this satellite zips around the zodiac very quickly, completing its round in less than a month. Actually, the entire trip takes 29.53 days, to be exact, and is measured from one “New Moon” to the next. We call this a lunation or lunar cycle.
So, this New Moon in Virgo marks the beginning of another lunar cycle. During a New Moon, the moon is sitting between the Earth and the Sun, hence the Sun is shining on the side of the moon we never see. Both the Moon and Sun are in the same Zodiac sign during a New Moon forming a conjunction, which means that the influencing energies are united and enhance the other. In this case, both the sun and moon are conjunct in the sign of Virgo.
You can think of the New Moon phase as the point of beginning again or returning to the conception stage of the lunar cycle. The darkness of the new moon represents fertile ground. New moon energy is a time for introspection, heightened intuition, surrendering to the unknown, releasing what no longer serves you, opening to magic and conjuring visions. At this time, you can plant your dream seeds or set intentions by consciously focusing on the "feeling' of your hearts' desires.
What you need to know about Virgo
THE MUTABLE CROSS
GEMINI - SAGITTARIUS AXIS
VIRGO - PISCES AXIS
The Mutable Cross (highlighted in blue) is one of the three zodiacal crosses. Following the determined stable forces of the Fixed Cross comes the changing nature of life in its mutable form. The purpose of this cross defines the shifting adaptable natural forces of the elements.
"Mutable signs are represented by sattva in the Hindu system. Geometrically, they are expressed by a spiral, which combines the inwardness of a circle and the thrust of a straight line." - Vicki Noble, Motherpeace
Virgo is the mutable earth sign (circled in the diagram here), opposing it is the mutable water sign of Pisces which creates one axis of the Mutable Cross. The two feminine elements (Water and Earth) always create an axis and the two masculine elements (Air and Fire) create the other axis. Each cross contains each of the four elements. In this case the mutable signs are represented by: Virgo (Earth), Pisces (Water), Sagittarius (Fire), Gemini (Air).
ELEMENT: EARTH
EARTH: BODY
TAURUS, VIRGO, CAPRICORN
Earth is the element of stability, growth, and home. It is related to fertility, prosperity, grounding, and centering, planting and harvesting and animals.
"Earth is our home, the one place in our known universe that has just the right conditions for a myriad of life forms to evolve and flourish. Earth provides everything we need—from the healing medicine of plants and herbs to the water for us to drink, all of our core needs are provided for from this abundant planet. We simply wouldn't exist without the Earth." - Kayla White
Earth signs feel at home tending to core routines, crafting rituals, working on tangible projects like building garden beds, cooking with nourishing foods, and love anything deep, sensual, practical, grounded, and stable with a particular orientation toward action.
RULING PLANET: MERCURY
Qualities: mind, communication, language, reason, intellect
Virgo is ruled by Mercury, the planet of communication which "balances the logical side of reason, writing and reading with the practical side of routines, habits, and order." (source) When it comes to understanding ideas and plans, as well as executing them, this is the zodiac sign that has that covered most proficiently. Under the ruling planet of Mercury, Virgos have a high aptitude to hold both details and grand vision simultaneously.
CONSTELLATION
In the northern hemisphere, Virgo appears high above the southern horizon on May evenings and is most visible in the evening sky from mid-March to late June. This is the best time of year to view this constellation, which is the largest of the zodiac. In the southern hemisphere, it can be seen in autumn and winter.
Image via Chelynne Campion
According to EarthSky, you can find this constellation by:
"Using the Big Dipper and arcing to Arcturus in Boötes, then spiking down toward Spica, Virgo’s brightest star. "
VIRGO MYTH
This is an excerpt from Constellation Guide:
"The constellation Virgo is usually associated with the Greek goddess of justice, Dike. Dike was the daughter of Zeus and Greek Titaness Themis. Virgo is usually depicted with angel-like wings, with an ear of wheat in her left hand, marked by the bright star Spica. She is located next to Libra, the constellation representing the scales of justice. Dike was also sometimes known as Astraeia, daughter of Astraeus, considered father of the stars, and Eos, goddess of the dawn.
In Greek mythology, Dike lived in the Golden Age of mankind. She was born a mortal and placed on Earth to rule over human justice. The Golden Age was marked by prosperity and peace, everlasting spring, and humans never knowing old age. When Zeus fulfilled the old prophecy and overthrew his father, this marked the beginning of the Silver Age, which was not as prosperous. Zeus introduced the four seasons and humans no longer honoured the gods as they had used to. Dike gave a speech to the entire race, warning them about the dangers of leaving behind the ideals of their predecessors and saying worse was yet to come. Then she flew to the mountains, turning her back on humans. When the Bronze and Iron Ages came and humans started warring among themselves, Dike left the Earth altogether, and flew to the heavens."
Virgo Ritual Elements
Virgo New Moon Ritual
What You'll Need
1. Elements for your altar. Drawing on the Virgo Ritual Elements above, consider what you might want to bring to your altar. Start simple. There is absolutely no need to go out and "buy" altar items. This is something that we encourage you to unlearn. Everything we need is within us and can be found around us. A simple candle will do, or a yellow flower for example.
2. Candle & lighter for the eco-somatic practice
3. Journal & something to write with for the journaling portion.
Important Considerations & Prep
1. RIGHT RELATIONSHIP: being in right relationship with your spiritual practice means approaching each aspect with humility, curiosity and reverence. This includes checking yourself on the nature of how you relate to "objects" as things and the process itself.
For example, if you feel called to stones as part of your ritual, consider WHY first. Then contemplate the impact of whatever action comes next. For example, instead of mindlessly purchasing cheap precious stones from somewhere like amazon (which have more than likely been harmfully mined/extracted and then shipped across the world as part of the consumer machine that's destroying our planet), perhaps part of your spiritual practice is to resist such a prompting and instead take the time to go for a mindful walk in your backyard, or a nearby stream and see if the right stone presents itself to you.
2. CLEANSE & PURIFY YOUR SPACE: Cleansing, also known as purification, is the practice of clearing out and releasing negative energy from your space, as well as energy that’s just old, stale, stagnant, or no longer serving you. Here are a few different methods:
Physical cleaning: dusting, vacuuming, opening windows for fresh air
Salt: a common element used for purification and protection in many different cultures. To use, simply sprinkle salt along doorways and windowsills to protect them from negative energy entering or just keep a small bowl of salt on your altar or nearby surface.
Smoke cleansing: light incense or burn a bundle of dried herbs such as rosemary, cedar, or mugwort. Choose plants that you have grown yourself or that grow abundantly wild nearby, plants that you have ancestral tied to or just those that have been grown and harvested ethically.
NOTE: If you do not have meaningful/authentic relationships to Indigenous culture and customs, "smudging" with white sage cultural appropriation and is dishonoring to Indigenous nations across Turtle island. It is important to understand that smudging is not just about burning sage to purify the negative energy from your space but is a sacred ritual that is culturally specific to tribes such as the Lakota Sioux, Comanche, Cheyenne, Arapaho, and Navajo. If you have been gifted sage by an Indigenous friend, use to your discretion in how to engage with this medicine. This sacred plant is being abused, exploited and mass-harvested for commercial and consumer use which perpetuates the violence of white supremacy and settler colonialism. Take some time to locate yourself within a settler-colonial context interwoven with the land you currently occupy. Check out Native Land to learn the name and more about the territories you occupy.
3. CLEANSE & PURIFY YOUR BODYMIND
Take a shower our bath; visualize any negative energy that has accumulated in your auric field to be washed away as the water goes down the drain.
Meditate, center and take some time to ground in stillness and embodied presence.
Write or speak your intentions for your ritual out loud
4. BE MINDFUL & STRIVE FOR INTEGRITY ALWAYS.
Altar Creation
Creating an altar is optional. Altar tending is a beautiful practice, especially if you have a designated area in your home that you can tend to over the course of each moon and seasonal cycle.
Tending to an altar is an intentional practice that supports your exploration of nature spirituality and carries the potential to deepen your relationship to the energetic archetypes of each moon cycle.
To set up your altar, simply play with any number of the ritual elements offered above in the chart by using symbols, colors, precious gemstones, symbolism, etc.
There is no right or wrong way to go about creating, tending or being with your altar, however we do not condone cultural appropriation or theft of any kind.
Eco-Somatic Practice: Softening into Earth's Embrace
For this eco-somatic we will be drawing upon the qualities of EARTH since Virgo is an earth sign. To amplify your connection to earth energy, perform this part of the ritual outside or next to a window. If being outside is not accessible to you, no worries! Remember, YOU are earth and that is enough.
MATERIALS:
STEPS:
Begin by finding a comfortable seated posture while making contact with the earth in some way. This can look like sitting directly on the grass cross legged or sitting in a chair with your feet flat on the ground as you imagine making contact with the ground beneath you. You might even place your hands on your thighs as you imagine large tree trunks.
Sense the stability of the ground as you take a few minutes to come into stillness. Notice the quality of your breath as you inhale and exhale. Allow your face muscles to soften as you close your eyes.
Bring your awareness to the base of your sit bones or feet. Sense the quality of contact you are making with the ground. Solidity. Stillness. Stability. Sense your body begin to soften as you gently exhale. Allow earth's gravity to receive you. Breathe softly into any area of the body that seems to be holding tension. Hold your awareness there for a few slow and gentle breaths . Say the words: "I soften. I relax. I let go." Take as much time as you need to work through areas of the body that feel tight.
When you are ready, either:
place your hands on the grass outside or the ground where you are
prostrate yourself with your forehead on the ground
Close your eyes and take a few moments to visualize the vastness beneath you. The unseen world of soil, roots, stones, water, sediment, worms, microbes, mycelia, bacteria, flows of information that feed the underground networks of life. Allow images to flow into your mind as you consider the memories that this land/place carries. How everything returns to Earth, and how her yearning can be felt through gravity itself. Consider the time of the year... as the sun wanes life begins to fade from the tips of trees while leaves and fruits begin to fall from branches. Exhale as you soften into Earth's embrace.
This next part involves offering loving touch to your own earth body. You can do this sitting or standing. Start with your feet, then work up to your calves, hamstrings and quads. Slowly make your way up your entire body as you acknowledge and greet each part. Begin to gently and slowly squeeze, massage, caress, tickle, scratch (really whatever feels most pleasurable and nourishing depending on what area of the body you're landing on). There is no right or wrong way to do this. For example, you might want to massage your feet, squeeze parts of your lower body, rub your hands, caress your belly, scratch or massage your scalp, softly rub or tickle your face, etc.
Notice how you feel. At this point you might want to lie down on the ground for a few minutes of intentional breathing or you might want to move. Follow your intuition.
Journaling
What came up for you in the eco-somatic practice? Take some time to reflect on anything you'd like to hold onto.
Further self-reflection:
What are the fruits of my labor?
How would I describe my inner harvest?
What abundance within me am I ready to share and release?
Finish the following sentences:
Habits of thought I am ready to change are....
A new practice that I would like to incorporate into my routine is...
Something that I am letting go of is...
Something I am welcoming in is...
Reading
September Maidens
"Ahhh goddess of the fading sun breathe the nectar of the meadows a misty lilac twilight is waltzing in the fairies and September maidens dance upon the golden ground wheat is fallen like amber down Listen to pleiades music echo from the pink lotus clouds that soar above mermaid shrouds white wolf roams in search of the moon to stalk the ebbing springtime it runs amid the woodlands until the dryad trees turn brown We see swans in the blue lake floating in ivory feather gowns Celtic shadows of Stonehenge unfold elfin doors in the forest to see persephone step through to catch the silver stars at night and spread her golden autumn light"
- Sea Opal Karina Dove
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