Monday, September 23, marks the autumnal equinox of 2019 as the sun moves from Virgo into Libra. What can you expect to experience as a result of this quadruplicity shift from mutable earth to cardinal air? First consider that Libra, the scales sign driven toward justice and fairness, popularly represents balance. At its core, though, the sign focuses on the ability to understand oneself by relating to others, so it invites us to interact harmoniously with the world and more peacefully with ourselves.
Libra season also facilitates symmetry. It brings opposites together, as evidenced by day and night coming into perfect balance with one another via the equinox, and it splits the difference between the solstices, meaning the light of the sun in the north continues to wane toward the darkest day of the year—the winter solstice—happening three months from now.
With three-fourths of 2019 now complete, you’d be wise to use this sacred, holy time of symmetry to reflect on how the year has gone for you to this point, and consider what you plan to do with the time that remains. Now is also the harvest time in the northern hemisphere, both literally in terms of abundant, local food, and metaphorically, as the harvest of our own lives, too. Consider what you are personally cultivating, tending to, and shedding.
The sun’s balanced entrance into Libra combined with the moon’s waning light provides the ideal opportunity to surrender what you no longer need.
The autumnal equinox of 2019 happens with a waning moon. So, as we celebrate this time of balance, harvest, and connection with others, we do so with the moon’s light disseminating. The sun’s balanced entrance into Libra combined with the moon’s waning light provides the ideal opportunity to surrender what you no longer need. With summer intensity in the rearview mirror and temperatures cooling, it’s time to shift focus from celebration and toward nourishment—à la the season of harvest. Nourishment can include reflecting on the year to date, connecting with those you love, making a pot of soup—anything that facilitates healthy warmth and comfort to help bridge the change of seasons.
There’s also a gut-health connection to consider during the equinox, since the microbiome shifts with the seasons. With the earth traveling in a new quadrant of the zodiac, taking in the new, fresh, cool air is healing and balancing. And not only does breathing it benefit your microbiome, but it also help you navigate some of the more challenging aspects of the week.
The astrological aspects are a mixed bag this week
The week kicks off with Mercury and Venus traveling close to one another in Libra, which means they brush up against the planets currently in Capricorn—Saturn and Pluto. Saturn, the planet of discipline and structure, which recently woke up from a multi-month retrograde journey last week, conjoins the south node of karma in Capricorn. This combination means there’s an intense cosmic focus on the reconciliation of past actions. To paraphrase Marianne Williamson, we are in a season of repair. While I don’t think she’s referencing astrological transits, her thoughts mirror the cosmos: Saturn conjoining the south node beckons a season restoration and atonement.
Mercury (how we think) and Venus (what we value) form a complicated angle to Saturn known as a square. This square asks you to reconcile your past so you can become congruent with your future. These aspects perfect precisely on Sunday, the 22nd and Wednesday, the 25th. Come Thursday, the 26th, Mercury square Pluto, which asks you to release toxic thinking and maybe even toxic people, too.
On the lighter side—it is a mixed bag of aspects, after all—Mercury makes a helpful sextile to Jupiter on the 24th and Venus on the 28th. Remember, Jupiter can expand you to the extent that you’ve done what Saturn has asked of you. So, do stay in integrity now, as there’s a potentially huge upside: Jupiter in Sagittarius helps you to grow, maybe even with massive proportion.
The new moon brings new intention-setting opportunities
The new moon in Libra closes out the week. Happening on Saturday the 28th at 2:26 p.m., EST, this new moon invites you to set intentions with Libra. Consider making intentions for your relationships, because now’s a time to call forth a more profound sense of alignment with what lights you up. If a healthy romantic relationship is on the list, setting an intention now bodes well cosmically. But don’t underestimate the power of focusing on the values you most wish to bring into existence in your life—perhaps relating to social justice. The Libra new moon is also a great time to focus on fashion and home decor.
This new moon happens at 5 degrees of Libra and commands alignment with the four planets in the sign. That said, the sun and moon also make an inconjunct to Uranus. This aspect asks you to eliminate ego-based thinking that holds you back from understanding that, indeed, we all are one. Meanwhile, Pluto in Capricorn squares Venus (Libra’s ruling planet, and, thus, the ruler of this new moon), bringing misaligned power dynamics to the forefront of your attention. This is not a weak or docile new moon, and is indeed an invitation to your resurrection. But remember, Venus is a helpful sextile to good-luck Jupiter, meaning, the cosmos are on your side. Stay positive and aligned with your deepest desires.
Jennifer Racioppi is the creator of Lunar Logic—a philosophy that integrates the deep wisdom of both science and spirituality, and blends her expertise in astrology, positive psychology, and women’s health—to coach high-achieving female entrepreneurs to reach their next level of success.
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