The August 25 New Moon in Virgo coincides with some very powerful and influential planetary placements. These deeply intense energies - especially the conjunction of Mars and Saturn in Scorpio - will influence a two-year cycle beginning now, as well as a culmination and new level of commitment to issues that surfaced around the Virgo Full Moon in March. I'll discuss the other planetary influences in Part 2 of this article, but for now, I would like to share my perspective on the Virgoan Archetype to bring the meaning of today's new moon more clearly into focus.
As an astrologer and energy healer, Virgo is one of the signs I find to be the most fascinating. She has three ruling planets: Mercury and the asteroids Vesta and Ceres. Mercury is the planet of the mind/communications/teaching and learning, lending itself to Virgo's keen gift for discrimination and analyzing/organizing the details of any given situation. But Virgo is so much more than pure analytical prowess, and certainly not all about sexual virginity: The Virgin (or more fully, "The Pure One" in ways pertaining to the whole self) possesses a richness and depth that cannot be gleaned from studying Mercury alone, and for this, we turn to her co-rulers.
Vesta is the asteroid that symbolizes the traditional High Priestess archetype. In ancient times, these were the women who performed sacred rites and rituals to assist individuals with merging their physical selves with their Higher Selves; they facilitated the embracing of sexuality as a path to spiritual enlightenment and empowerment, the cultivation of spiritual awareness as a means to live a "whole" life that worked in tandem with emotional and physical health. Their role was to aid in the purification of Self on every level through introspection and sacred ceremony. When viewed from this perspective, the term "vestal virgin" could indeed refer to the woman who has committed to self-purification via deep analytical introspection to continually improve oneself, not the stuffy, sexual virgin as we've likely heard via "pop astrology" stereotypes.
Ceres, Virgo's third ruler, brings the meaning of this sign full-circle. She is the asteroid symbolizing our ability to unconditionally care for and nourish ourselves and those around us. Ceres is The Great Mother, linked not only to unconditional love of self and other, but to family relationships, nutrition, and physical health and wellness. Demetra George writes that Ceres "...uses the feminine creative energy to birth and sustain new life forms" and "...presides over the fertility of the Earth and the procreation of her peoples." In mythology, she was the mother of Persephone, who was abducted and taken into the underworld by Pluto. This asteroid represents not only our call to sustain ourselves and the earth through love and self-care, but to understand that a key part of nurturance is in letting go of things, people, or situations that we cannot control, and that sharing is a key part of looking after one another.
When we combine the influences of Mercury, Vesta, and Ceres, we begin to see why a multi-faceted crystal is a symbol of Virgo. In more direct terms, she deals with all manner of aspects that relate to the merger of Heaven and Earth. We are each called to rise to the challenge of healing and purifying and integrating our whole selves to achieve this - and have within us the full capability to do so - so long as we look after all the parts of ourselves. Holistic wellness and full integration of mind, body, and spirit is truly the key to understanding the Virgoan archetype and of applying the highest expression of Virgo energy in our lives.
It becomes easier, then, to glean an understanding of what this new moon symbolizes for us at the most basic level: it's about getting down to details, organization, and reviewing current lifestyle and daily habit patterns in all ways to move forward in a holistic fashion. This is a prime time to take a close look at your current life goals, lifestyle, and wellness on all levels. Some key questions for this New Moon might be:
As an astrologer and energy healer, Virgo is one of the signs I find to be the most fascinating. She has three ruling planets: Mercury and the asteroids Vesta and Ceres. Mercury is the planet of the mind/communications/teaching and learning, lending itself to Virgo's keen gift for discrimination and analyzing/organizing the details of any given situation. But Virgo is so much more than pure analytical prowess, and certainly not all about sexual virginity: The Virgin (or more fully, "The Pure One" in ways pertaining to the whole self) possesses a richness and depth that cannot be gleaned from studying Mercury alone, and for this, we turn to her co-rulers.
Vesta is the asteroid that symbolizes the traditional High Priestess archetype. In ancient times, these were the women who performed sacred rites and rituals to assist individuals with merging their physical selves with their Higher Selves; they facilitated the embracing of sexuality as a path to spiritual enlightenment and empowerment, the cultivation of spiritual awareness as a means to live a "whole" life that worked in tandem with emotional and physical health. Their role was to aid in the purification of Self on every level through introspection and sacred ceremony. When viewed from this perspective, the term "vestal virgin" could indeed refer to the woman who has committed to self-purification via deep analytical introspection to continually improve oneself, not the stuffy, sexual virgin as we've likely heard via "pop astrology" stereotypes.
Ceres, Virgo's third ruler, brings the meaning of this sign full-circle. She is the asteroid symbolizing our ability to unconditionally care for and nourish ourselves and those around us. Ceres is The Great Mother, linked not only to unconditional love of self and other, but to family relationships, nutrition, and physical health and wellness. Demetra George writes that Ceres "...uses the feminine creative energy to birth and sustain new life forms" and "...presides over the fertility of the Earth and the procreation of her peoples." In mythology, she was the mother of Persephone, who was abducted and taken into the underworld by Pluto. This asteroid represents not only our call to sustain ourselves and the earth through love and self-care, but to understand that a key part of nurturance is in letting go of things, people, or situations that we cannot control, and that sharing is a key part of looking after one another.
When we combine the influences of Mercury, Vesta, and Ceres, we begin to see why a multi-faceted crystal is a symbol of Virgo. In more direct terms, she deals with all manner of aspects that relate to the merger of Heaven and Earth. We are each called to rise to the challenge of healing and purifying and integrating our whole selves to achieve this - and have within us the full capability to do so - so long as we look after all the parts of ourselves. Holistic wellness and full integration of mind, body, and spirit is truly the key to understanding the Virgoan archetype and of applying the highest expression of Virgo energy in our lives.
It becomes easier, then, to glean an understanding of what this new moon symbolizes for us at the most basic level: it's about getting down to details, organization, and reviewing current lifestyle and daily habit patterns in all ways to move forward in a holistic fashion. This is a prime time to take a close look at your current life goals, lifestyle, and wellness on all levels. Some key questions for this New Moon might be:
- Are you ready to commit to taking the the steps to achieve new career goals, or in beginning new endeavors in your personal life? Are you ready to "get down to details" in order to make your dreams a reality?
- Are you honoring your body by eating foods that nourishing you and drinking plenty of water? Do you give your body the exercise/rest that it needs?
- Are there emotional issues surfacing that are in need of healing now? Are you willing to make the journey within to release the past and embrace the new? Are you receiving and giving the emotional support necessary in your most important relationships? Are you ready to commit to doing this more fully if need be?
- Do you have a spiritual practice that connects you with a greater sense of the whole of creation such as meditation, yoga, or receiving healing energy work? Are you willing to explore new ways to cultivate mindfulness and a greater sense of peace and Oneness in your life?
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