When the Sun in the northern hemisphere reaches the Equator on its downward swing into the southern hemisphere, we honor the sign of Libra. The Equator measures the dividing line between north and south and is visited by our Sun twice a year: once when the Sun rises up to the Equator heralding our northern Summer season and again when the Sun descends below the Equator heralding our Winter season.
The Sun's yearly cycle is similar to the Moon's monthly cycle: the first - of the cycle is concerned with Self-discovery and self-sustenance, while the second - is concerned with the self-awareness that comes from relationship to others.
This New Moon in Libra heralds a time of new beginnings in our partnerships, a time like the full Moon when we discover ourselves through our relationships with others. When we actually see how others react to us and adjust ourselves according to what we both want to create in the moment, we dance our relationships. We create a rhythm and a flow between our Self and another Self, and how well we navigate the steps will determine the quality and duration of that particular relationship.
Relationships
come in all shapes and sizes. There are
parent/child relationships, friendships, sexual relationships, love partnerships,
creative partnerships and work relationships.
Some of these relationships are very unequal; others call for real
equality. Some are temporary and some
are lasting partnerships. There is no one size fits all rule for relationships. That's why we have to be light on our feet!
The interesting thing about Libra is that it's the only sign that is symbolized by an object and not a living being. This is very telling, because we have to have a real sense of object-ivity to treat someone else fairly and honestly. Libra's Scale measures our ability to balance our own needs with another's needs. But a scale is first set in motion and therefore not immediately balanced. It takes subtle shifts to bring us into balance. The two sides of the scale swing back and forth until it achieves a moment of pure balance and inner stillness; one side opposes the other until equilibrium is reached. Like a see-saw, if a parent gets on one end and a child on the other, there is no balance. The parent pushes off and up so the child can come down. When there is an unequal distribution of weight, the heavier side is harder to balance -- such are work relationships and sometimes friendships and sexual relationships. But loving and creative partnerships imply an important connection and must, in the end, be balanced. These kinds of partnerships achieve that inner stillness that is peace and harmony. That's the kind of relationship most of us hunger for.
Libra New Moon
The Aries Full Moon on September 29 aligned with the Uranus/Pluto square, offering us a chance to embody the new energies that are transforming us personally and collectively. That Harvest Moon's energy empowered us to break traditions and create new ones of our own, to let old patterns of relationship die so new ones could be born and to assert our independence from old patriarchal conditioning.
Libra is the first of the more socially conscious signs of the Zodiac. We say that Libra is the sign of peace, harmony, balance and partnership. It's an air sign that focuses our intentions on how to develop those qualities in relationship with others. As we all know, we have to feel peaceful within ourselves to achieve peace and balance with others. As above, so below. As within, so without. Libra is a social sign that helps us shape the mental attitudes that give rise to new social norms. As Saturn leaves Libra, perhaps we could all practice courtesy and respect as a "new' social norm. It will certainly help in the days to come.
We are given cosmic help this New Moon by having Libra's ruling planet, Venus, in the sign of Virgo. Venus in Virgo fosters a real sense of who we are and what we value. Virgo helps Venus "belong to herself' and it is the sign of the Virgin who is fruitful. You know, Venus/Aphrodite is the goddess of Love, Peace, Beauty and Wisdom. She is also whole in herself, containing both the masculine and feminine energies of life. She initiates Psyche, our soul, to help us grow into the person we are meant to be. Venus rules the Heart chakra, connecting us to who and what we love. She helps us find our purpose and live our destiny.
Our patriarchal culture has turned love into romance, but there is a major fallacy in the myth of Romantic Love. Romantic love says that there is only one person I can really love, and if I can't have him/her, than I would rather die. This is the kind of love we find when we "fall in love' -- it is an unconscious love that is in major part a projection of our inner masculine or feminine side. When we discover that we own those very qualities, we often "fall out of love'.
Aphrodite's
love is different. It is specific as well
as general, for Aphrodite/Venus' love also comes in many shapes and sizes, can
be expressed in many ways and is open to many people, each a unique love and
connection. Aphrodite's love can teach
us about ourselves if we aren't afraid to follow the connections we make with
others. Not everyone is meant to be our
mate; some lovers are all fire and passion and burn out quickly, some lovers
are safe and comfortable as friends, and a few have the special quality of
being perfect matches for each other.
It's up to us to discern who is really available for partnership and who
is there for a different kind of relationship.
Within the new parameters of the Uranus/Pluto square, Venus in Virgo can help us know ourselves on a heart level -- and accept ourselves. In Virgo, we can reclaim ourselves in this new cycle, understand where we stand in terms of the new relationship models being explored and weave our new sense of identity into all our relationships. Venus in Virgo offers us Self-ownership, which is important when we enter into a relationship.
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