Virgo: The Analyst. The Perfectionist. The Holistic Healer. The Provider of Practical Nurturance and Service. The Goddess Who Merges Heaven and Earth.

As you can see from those descriptions, Virgo is so much more than the modern stereotypes would have us believe. She has the reputation of being the prudish one, the chaste and pure physical virgin who cleans and polishes the floors every Saturday morning before 10 AM without fail. But in reality, Virgo is so much more than that. At the most basic level, Virgo is the archetype that represents the mastery of skills, and the perfect clarity of perception and honest self-assessment to know what needs to be done in order to move closer to creating something ideal. At best, she strives for purity of form on all levels. The Virgin is really about the creation of structures that are as clean, streamlined and well-functioning as possible so things flow beautifully - think of having a healthy, grounded physical self so spiritual energies of love, compassion, and intuition can dance through, creating a merger of Heaven and Earth. 

Her deepest longings and motivations, conscious or unconscious, are to create vessels through which Divinity can flow freely: a sublime work of art, a beautiful home, an award-winning stage performance, the truest essence of her own Goddess-self. 

As a lightworker and healer, I believe that we are moving toward a greater sense of Oneness and merger of Heaven and Earth, and the pursuit of ideal form in any endeavor is a respectable one that moves us closer to that goal. We wouldn't achieve anything of quality or lasting value without it. We all want to achieve something great, whatever that happens to be based on our unique gifts and talents. But the darker side of this impulse is the spiral downward into true perfectionism - the perpetual self-judgment and fear of not attaining perfection to the point that we don't achieve what we're fully capable of because we don't even try...or get so far and quit outright because we don't think we can do thing "A" as well as others. It's the sort of brutal self-honesty that renders us prisoners in our own unrealistic perceptions of what is "good enough," and what is not.

Having said all that, enter this full moon's dominant theme: the release of crippling self-criticism and the need to give unconditional love and appreciation to ourselves. It's no surprise that I've read articles by numerous astrologers who have honed in on this issue, and one very candid article by Jessica at Moonkissed Astrology that describes her own struggle with high standards really resonated with me in particular (Jessica, by the way, is a brilliant astrologer that I happen to look up to quite a bit as I continue to hone and refine my abilities as an astrologer!). Sure, we're likely to have a greater focus on health/wellness and focusing on routines now since those issues are connected to Virgo too, but deep struggles with perfectionism seem to dominate this time around.

Jessica's struggles aren't necessarily all that different from my own. On Tuesday night, I found myself in an all-out meltdown in a session with a longtime spiritual mentor, excavating layers of perceived helplessness, shame, and failure. Not surprisingly, we discovered that the root of my suffering was the fact that I was not recognizing and appreciating all that I have accomplished, and trusting in all that I am honing, refining, and creating now. Like others who have strong Virgo energies in the birth chart (mine is a Virgo midheaven, along with heavy Capricorn/Saturn influence on my Mercury), I have battled with crippling perfectionism for years, and am slowly beginning to tunnel out. These tendencies certainly aren't cornered to one part of my life, either: they have dogged me in body image/health and wellness, musical abilities, academics, and so much more.

Maybe by way of the influences of Pluto and Chiron, in combination with the incredibly magical and synchronistic energies that the Jupiter-Uranus trine is bringing into this cathartic full moon, Tuesday's session was a real epiphany for me. I was faced with two choices: indulge in my own Plutonian feelings of darkness and hopelessness, or diligently end the negative self-talk and get real about all the incredible things I've got going. Maybe for the first time ever, I really "got" just how important it is to acknowledge all the things I've accomplished, and the need to clearly see how primed I am for success of all kinds in the future. I'm discovering that real liberation lies in loving me unconditionally - perceived faults and all - and in extending some robust appreciation to myself for all the hard work I've done. I'm slowly learning that it's safe and beneficial for me to let go of harsh self-judgment, if for no other reason than it just doesn't feel good. I'm learning that it's safe and beneficial for me to share my gifts while working to improve my abilities, as humbling and intimidating as that may be sometimes - that's the healthy way to express Virgo's energies. 

If you're feeling like you aren't enough, I'm here to tell you that you are indeed enough - you are exactly who and where you are supposed to be in this moment - and that it's prime time to let all that other stuff go. This full moon is calling us to release the self-imposed restrictions of our own expectations and to do what we can, where we're at, with the resources and skills we have now. If we want to achieve our highest potential and let our Divine gifts shine, it's essential that we build a foundation of self-love in much the same way we would extend love and appreciation to another. 

**What are you experiencing at this full moon time? Are you willing to love and approve of yourself and release unrealistic expectations that hold you back? Wishing you love, light, and blessings this day and always!**

© Jen Howell,  Bright Star Astrology & Healing Arts, 2015. Unauthorized use or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site’s author/owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to this site and writer with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

Today's Full Moon in Gemini highlights a complex weave of energies that can provide us with opportunities to integrate facts with belief, knowledge with philosophy, and to allow reflection and discussion to open up new avenues for healing from a higher perspective. Though the full moon occurs at 7:27 AM EST today, we've been in a period of intense build-up of these energies since midweek, and are likely to be feeling these effects until Sunday, when the moon moves into the much quieter territory of Cancer.

Themes that are surfacing now are inextricably linked to the energies of Chiron - the asteroid that represents our deepest wounds and the need for holistic healing - by way of a square between the Sun, Moon, and Mercury. Chiron is closely linked with Sagittarian themes of wisdom and teaching, creating a mutual reception between the philosophical Sagittarius sun and a Gemini moon that craves knowledge. With Chiron in the empathic waters of Pisces, we have an incredible opportunity to swim through any past or current pains that are surfacing and perceive them in profound new ways. If we allow ourselves to feel deeply into our hurts and observe realizations that rise into our consciousness without judgment, we can analyze the roots our pain and attain new levels of awareness. Though Chirotic lessons are traumatic, they offer incredible evolutionary gifts. With so much high-minded and optimistic Sagittarian energy in the mix, we can view situations from a vantage point that allows us to move beyond grief or outdated beliefs while seeing the spiritual truths these lessons have blessed us with.

More on the Gemini Full Moon...

Though the Sun-Chiron square is bringing lower energy levels for many, the Gemini moon ensures that things keep moving within and without! Heightened feelings of nervousness and anxiety are par for the course when luna moves into Gemini. This sign is ruled by Mercury, The Winged Messenger in mythology, which zooms around the sun in a mere 88 days - that's 28.9 miles per second! Those with prominent Gemini/Mercury placements in the birth chart have minds that match that speed. We all get a taste of how it feels to experience typical Gemini traits when luna ingresses here; an upswing in mental activity, phone calls from friends or networking opportunities, and an increase in short trips are heightened anytime the moon travels through this sign. But a Gemini full moon increases this energy dramatically, and many people will be experiencing the "thought tapes" on continuous rerun and much mental restlessness now. Anything that quiets and soothes the mind will be beneficial this weekend!

A refreshing splash of energies is present among the mental/physical exhaustion and emotional pangs. Mercury is trining Uranus, the planet of uncompromising individuality and lightning-quick flashes of genius. This brings the possibility for fresh ways of perceiving situations and brilliant new insights and ideas. Our ability to rise above emotional attachments and approach issues in radically different ways is also supported by Mars in Aquarius (the sign ruled by Uranus). 

This month's full moon - our final supermoon of 2014 -  is peaking in the sign of Pisces, exact at 8:39 PM EDT this evening. If you're familiar with astrological archetypes, you'll know that Pisces is the deeply emotional water sign that seeks to dissolve the perceived boundaries of the physical plane to merge on the collective unconscious level. It's no surprise, then, that many of us are feeling incredibly emotional as the moon, which symbolizes emotions and the unconscious, peaks in this highly sensitive sign of artists, dreamers, and visionaries of all kinds. 

I am no exception to feeling the effects of this heightened sensitivity. On the day to day level, I have natal Sun conjunct Neptune  - the planet that rules Pisces - at zero degrees in the sign of Sagittarius. The location of Neptune in the birth chart can indicate many things, with the presence of deep intuition, compassion/self-sacrifice, and artistic gifts being among them. My Sun-Neptune conjunction has blessed me with the gifts of spiritual insights, keen intuition, compassion, natural healing capabilities, and musical and other gifts of artistry, but it does not come without its struggles. Like all empaths, I am highly susceptible to the energies of people and environments, am easily distracted, and must filter the things I see and hear in the news as not to absorb the negativity so often shared in the media. I have slowly learned how to filter for my own good, to become less "porous" and radiate my inner light more fully with age. I am also learning how to navigate the fine line between helping those in need and sacrificing myself to "save" others in an imbalanced way, but the journey has not been an easy one. Though I am a Sagittarius sun and do possess many of that sign's core traits, I have gifts and challenges like that of a Pisces sun, and this full moon is impacting me deeply.

I took a long walk beneath the white light of the moon last night. I'm almost embarrassed to admit that, as an astrologer, it's been months - maybe even years - since I last basked in Luna's light. Those in healing and esoteric circles know that the light of the full moon cleanses and recharges gemstones and crystals, and has the same effect on living things, too. The responsibilities of life can sweep us away and take our mindfulness with it. But tonight I felt a deep sense of desire, and even excitement, at the possibility of communing with the moon. I strolled beneath a sparkling sky serenaded by September crickets, allowing my tangled and complex feelings to rise to the surface without judgement in knowing that feeling deeply - especially with the astro-atmosphere as it is now - is ok. It wasn't long before I could tangibly feel the moonbeams soothe my heart full of feelings, bringing the emotions stirred up by the supermoon gently into balance again.

This moon cycle began with a New Moon in Virgo opposing Neptune on August 25. Virgoan themes of day-to-day responsibility, attention to details, and purifying mind, body, and spirit were up for reviewing then, with the opposition of Neptune suggesting the need for deeper integration of spiritual mindfulness into daily life. Now, at the peak of this moon cycle, the essence of those themes is still at play, but is reconfiguring our point of focus. The Piscean Super Full Moon now opposes the Sun in Virgo, putting the emphasis on allowing ourselves to feel deep compassion and experience a sense of oneness with all of creation. Like those with strong Pisces influence in the horoscope, the potential struggle of this full moon will be giving in to "victim consciousness," tapping too deeply to the collective energies of suffering in our world to the point of emotional overwhelm and debilitation, and escapism through substance abuse or addictions of any kind.

An additionally strong influence is that of Chiron, the asteroid of deep wounds and holistic healing, as it meets the moon in an exact conjunction. Chiron represents the area of life in which we hold the deepest hurts and greatest sorrows, and where we have the greatest potential for healing and transformation. This month's meeting of the moon and Chiron can provide us with an opportunity to face our own hurts and transgressions with self-love and compassion to experience a greater sense of wholeness. As I was reminded of while openly receiving the healing gifts of the moon tonight, it is often through the acceptance of our feelings - no matter how intense and overwhelming they may be - and allowing them to move through us free of judgement that we can experience genuine healing. 

This supermoon is presenting us with a profound opportunity to access unconditional love that can bring more light to our corner of the world when shared openly with those around us in the spirit of compassionate service. In doing so, we are facilitating the merger of Heaven and Earth through the integration of our soul's wisdom and joy into a contradictory and sometimes painful physical experience. 

If you're feeling especially emotional, set aside some time for yourself today. This is an exceptionally good time for prayer or meditation in a soothing environment, having an energetic healing session, or doing anything that puts you in the essence of healing via spiritual means. Take a bath in sea salts or baking soda to clear your auric field, or take steps to cleanse and purify your immediate environment. Enjoy the beauty of nature; share a warm embrace with a loved one. And if you have the chance, let the light of the full moon wash over you tonight - an abundance of gentle love and healing awaits. 

Today's new moon is particularly powerful due to the major planetary influences that it coincides with. I focused on the archetype of Virgo in Part 1 of this series, but the other astrological forces at play now are what really make this new moon a particularly significant event!

Mars-Saturn Conjunct in Scorpio

The most potent of the current influences is the conjunction of Mars and Saturn in Scorpio. Mars is the planet of assertion of will, action/drive, physical stamina, and potential restlessness or aggression. In short, Mars represents the principle of action. Unchecked by other planets, Mars will take the shortest possible route to what it wants in haste - which may end poorly if foresight is not employed - but Mars is the fire and very necessary primal will that ignites our passions and propels us forward.

Saturn, on the other hand, is the planet that symbolizes realism: it is the hard-line master teacher of the zodiac, showing us how to apply the lessons of patience, discipline, and hard work to make visions a reality. Unlike Mars, Saturn rarely acts in haste. Those with strong Saturnian influences in their birth charts are pragmatic, goal-oriented, and are geared toward valuing that which is "tried and true," i.e. the traditional. When Mars joins with Saturn, the energetic qualities may be best described as "militaristic". Mars brings the drive and ambition to make things happen, and Saturn gifts us with the concrete logic and dedication to use that passion to create tangible results.

When transiting in Scorpio, this duo brings forward a very deep, probing, and tenacious vibe. Scorpio is the sign associated with mystery, sexuality/intimacy, spirituality, healing/regeneration, and deep inner power. Issues in these areas are likely to surface for us all in different ways now, depending on what is being activated in an individual's birth chart. From my observations, many people are currently engaged in intensive healing work, the depth and importance of which have become especially clear since this conjunction peaked on Sunday. Additionally, this meeting brings the end of a two-year cycle that began in August of 2012, providing some kind of review or "test" of the life lessons we've been learning since then. The Virgo New Moon brings us an opportunity to commit to addressing these issues in our daily lives on a long-term basis to transform ourselves from the inside out.

New Moon Opposite Neptune in Pisces; Mercury Opposite Chiron in Pisces

These oppositions suggests that we all may be feeling more compassionate and connected to a sense of unity on the transpersonal level. Though compassion is necessary for taking right action to heal ourselves and the world, these aspects are likely to activate increased sensitivity to pain and suffering, and may lead us into illusionary thinking or resorting to escapist methods for coping. Though it may temporarily help us evade unpleasant feelings, escapism or addiction is not truly a solution, since we must be fully present in our bodies to make change tangible change happen in our lives - another lesson Saturn provides.

The blessing of these oppositions is that we have an opportunity now to use our heightened sense of connectivity to the unconscious realms to activate more of our innate healing potential. Chiron, the planetoid of deep wounding and holistic healing, shows where we have the deepest wounds to heal in this lifetime, and when its energies are activated in the birth chart, we have a profound opportunity to go deeply within to heal these wounds and emerge with a more integrated sense of self. This is prime time for scheduling an energetic healing session, doing meditation, or participating other spiritual-based energy shifting practices that can assist you in transmuting past/current pain and suffering for a more joyful life.

Mercury Sextile Mars-Saturn

Mercury in Virgo - the sign of its exaltation and the second of its two ruling signs - is also forming a powerful sextile aspect to the Mars-Saturn conjunction. This is providing even more "oomph" to the already heightened mental and communicative abilities many of us are tapping into now: cue the focused, discriminating thought processes; increased abilities to be honest about what's serving us and what isn't; and more impressive capabilities in our mental processes in every way.

In all, this Virgo New Moon holds tremendously transformational potential for those who choose to act on the opportunities presented now. This is the beginning of a two-year cycle of healing, transformation, and growth at the deepest levels! To find out the areas this New Moon is impacting you most directly, locate 2 degrees Virgo in your birth chart; for the Mars-Saturn conjunct, look to 17 degrees Scorpio. Happy New Moon, and be blessed!

How have you been experiencing these influences most directly? Feel free to share in the comments section below!