Some might say Virgos and Virgo-risings have had it tough these past few years. In late 2006, the Virgo-Pisces series of eclipses began and lasted through 2008, triggering necessary changes within one's life, sometimes forcibly so. Then, Saturn entered Virgo in 2007 and hung around until this past July, cracking his whip to heavy-handedly teach karmic lessons to be learned. Early-born Virgos (approximately August 23-28) have been under a trine with Pluto for at least a couple of years now and continues to be a while longer, urging for the elimination/purging of what no longer serves in order to discover/rediscover one's self-power. Late-born Virgos (approximately September 19-23) gets revisited with an opposition from Uranus until early 2011 to tie up loose ends, especially within relationships, or to finally get that final push for a radical change that promotes improvement. Also presently, Virgo's ruler, Mercury is retrograde through mid-September, while also in the sign of Virgo, and may be causing a lot trouble with delays, miscommunication, misunderstandings, or even electronics breaking down.

Thank the heavens for the New Moon in Virgo on September 8. New Moons signify rebirth, beginnings, a clean slate, the start of a new cycle. This new moon highlights Virgo qualities (communicative, practical, analytical, adaptable) and 6th house themes (physical health, work, routines, service to others). Shake off and let go all that Saturn, Pluto and Mercury have put you through as of late, take what you've learned, and look ahead for a renewal during this new moon phase.

Of course, this New Moon benefits all, not just Virgos or Virgo-risings. Where in your life could you benefit in a renewal? In Virgo, the Moon needs to mentally process emotional drives, is discriminating, seeks comfort in routine, and needs to be of use, to be of service, to make a difference.

Apart from the Virgo-Sun and Moon blending energies and promoting the agreement of heart and soul, this Virgo-New Moon makes a beautiful angle with Venus (relationships/finances), who gets ready to switch signs in a few hours. Elsewhere in the sky, Mars (action/motivation) gets friendly with Neptune (insight/compassion), while Venus (relationships/finances) and Uranus (surprises/awakening) are locked in an awkward alignment right before Venus enters Scorpio. Connect with your deepest self and become aware of unconscious but strong inner drives. Awareness gives way to acceptance/understanding and followed by action or inaction. Fortunately, Mercury's retrograde cycle supports reflection and review to analyze whatever situation you may find yourself in.

Also on this same New Moon day and in addition to the planet of love, Venus, changing signs, another celestial shift occurs with Jupiter returning to Pisces (September 9, for some) for a few months to retrace his steps from May back to late April. During this new moon phase, past issues may resurface. It's up to you if they are a part of your beginnings or if they need to be given a final closure.

This new moon occurs at 16 degrees of Virgo on September 8 at 3:30 a.m. PST (6:30 a.m. EST). Those born within 3 days of March 6 or September 8; or have planets/house angles around 16 degrees of earth or mutable signs may feel the effects of this new moon more so than others.

For me, this New Moon quincunx my natal Moon, sextile my natal Mars, and falls in my natal 12th house (as a late-decan Virgo-rising) and my solar 3rd house (as a Cancer-Sun). If I want to see results, be able to move on some open items on my to do list or gain some insight, I have got to make some adjustments. My Aries-Moon will have to be content with seeing the Virgo-Sun/Moon's point of view and make considerations of their argument before I make any final decisions or take action. Luckily, I'm a Virgo-rising and am very familiar with Virgo energy.

How might you make use of this New Moon in Virgo? Look to the natal house/s this new moon will occupy in your birth chart. Match the sign and degree to the sign on the house cusp/s. Use the list below to identify the Virgo zodiac sign then click here to read about the New Moon in Houses.



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For those without a birth chart, you may use your Sun sign or Rising/Ascendant sign, if you know it. Look for your Sun and Rising signs below then click here for an explanation of New Moon illuminating those houses.

• Aries-Sun or Aries-Rising ~ 6th house
• Taurus-Sun or Taurus Rising ~ 5th house
• Gemini-Sun or Gemini-Rising ~ 4th house
• Cancer-Sun or Cancer-Rising ~ 3rd house
• Leo-Sun or Leo-Rising ~ 2nd house
• Virgo-Sun or Virgo-Rising ~ 1st house
• Libra-Sun or Libra-Rising ~ 12th houses
• Scorpio-Sun or Scorpio-Rising ~ 11th house
• Sagittarius-Sun or Sagittarius-Rising ~ 10th house
• Capricorn-Sun or Capricorn-Rising ~ 9th house
• Aquarius-Sun or Aquarius-Rising ~ 8th house
• Pisces-Sun or Pisces-Rising ~ 7th house

Unsure if you have natal planets/house planets on or around 16 degrees of Virgo or mutable signs? Cast your own birth chart for use as reference -- birth date, time, and place required.

For those doing the new moon wishes ritual, the moon will be new on September 8 at 3:30 a.m. (PST) / 6:30 a.m. (EST) and will be void of course the following day, September 9, at 1:59 a.m. (PST) / 4:59 a.m. (EST). Click here for Jan Spiller's DailyOm.com article, briefly explaining new moon wishes. (opens a new window)

I am also available for personal consultations. Are you celebrating a birthday soon? Or know someone who is? Schedule your session for a Solar Return (birthdays) or 3-Chart Reading (detailed natal & overall outlook for the next 12 months) or request a quote for a more customized reading tailored to your needs. You might also consider giving a loved one the gift of insight.

Have a question? Ask me here. Or cruise on over to our free public forum -- AstroCreeps and TarotFreaks Forum* to start or join a discussion.

Related articles:

• The New Moon in Natal Houses
• Current Planetary Transits
• Solar Returns Explained ~ your personal year
• Sun in Virgo ~ August 22/23 to September 22, 2010
• Mercury in Virgo ~ July 27 to October 3, 2010
• Mercury Retrograde ~ August 20 to September 12, 2010
• Jupiter Returns to Pisces ~ September 9, 2010 to January 22, 2011

*Click here to learn more about the AstroCreeps and TarotFreaks Forum.

"Virgo Cluster Galaxy NGC 4731" ~ APOD image credit and copyright to Stephen Leshin.

How deep is your love? Venus in Scorpio really needs to know. In Scorpio, Venus isn't only interested in whether she's loved, but how much. And words mean nothing if actions or intentions do not support them. Scorpio is a deeply feeling sign that is not too concerned with superficialities. Venus in Scorpio gets into the very core of what lies within our hearts.

Venus represents love (how we love & how we want to be loved), relationships (how we relate to others & the self), worth (material and self), our values and personal tastes. In Scorpio, Venus' pleasure-seeking ways are intense, passionate, provocative and committed. At best, Venus in Scorpio is emotionally aware, dedicated and loyal. At worst, possessive, secretive, jealous and distrustful.

Venus leaves the charming, harmony-loving and fair-minded sign of Libra for the deeply complex waters of Scorpio on September 8 at 8:44 a.m. PST (11:44 a.m. EST) for an extended stay until November 7 and again from November 29 to January 11, 2011. Venus retrogrades from October 8 until November 18, 2010, revisits Libra from November 7 to November 29, and then re-enters Scorpio until January 7, 2011!

While Venus is in Scorpio, we are reminded of the emotional ties involved in relationships and what truly keep us connected to the relationships we've got now. Love is beyond romance or feelings. Relationships mean more than time spent together and promises made. And sex is a deeper experience than bodies meeting and satisfying each other. No fly by night love for Venus in Scorpio. What do you value in your relationships? How deeply are you connected to your significant ties?

On the day Venus initially slips into Scorpio, she follows a New Moon in Virgo which promotes beginnings. Venus also ill-fatedly aligns with Jupiter on this day and results in the need for adjustment. It could be adjusting one's point of view and making a conscious effort to see from another perspective; or adjusting one's attitude to reflect a more positive, yet realistic, outlook and be more solutions-oriented. Together with the New Moon, the first two weeks of Venus' transit in Scorpio can provide a renewal in our relationships, finances and help redefine our values and self-worth.

While Venus is in Scorpio, before revisiting Libra and after returning to Scorpio, she will make alignments with the following celestial bodies (all dates reflect North America Pacific time zone; allow +/-2 days for life span of influence):

• September 8 ~ Venus quincunx Jupiter-rx. covered above; Also today, the New Moon in Virgo at 3:30 a.m. PST / 6:30 a.m. EST
• September 12 ~ Venus sextile Pluto-rx. Seeing the depth of things, especially within relationships. Cutting through lies or deception. Uncovering what's hidden.
• October 3 ~ Venus conjunct Mars. Meaningful ties. Deepening connections. Sultry, smoldering, primal sexual energy. Love and lust intertwined.
  
• October 8 to November 18 ~ Venus Retrograde. Venus retrogrades approximately every 18 months. During this period, it's best to put off any major financial or relationship-related decisions and avoid major purchases. This is a time for reflection, review, research and reconnecting. Also on November 18, Jupiter Direct.
• October 25 ~ Mercury conjunct Venus-rx. Intensity and focus on money matters, as well as relationship-related issues. Ideal time for reassessing or redefining value system and/or self-worth.
• October 28 ~ Venus-rx conjunct Sun. Closeness. Attachments. Warmth. Openness to giving and receiving love.
• November 1 ~ Venus-rx sextile Pluto. Energy may be reminiscent to mid-September when Venus and Pluto last linked up. Seeing the depth of things, especially within relationships. Cutting through lies or deception. Uncovering what's hidden. Coming to terms. Finding a solution.
• November 7 to 29 ~ Venus Returns to Libra
• November 18 ~ Venus Direct at 1:18 p.m. PST / 4:18 p.m. EST. Also today, Jupiter Direct.
• November 29, 2010 to January 7, 2011 ~ Venus Re-enters Scorpio

How might this Venus transit influence your birth chart? Look to the natal house/s ruled by Scorpio. Match the sign with the house cusp/s on your birth chart. Use the list of zodiac signs below to identify the Scorpio zodiac sign on your birth chart then click here for a brief explanation.


Click image to see larger
For those without a birth chart, you may use your Sun sign or Rising/Ascendant sign, if you know it. Look for your Sun and Rising signs below then click here for a brief explanation of Venus transiting those houses.
Alternatively, you may cast your own birth chart for use as reference -- birth date, time, and place required. I am also available for personal astrology readings.

Are you celebrating a birthday? Or know someone who is? Schedule your session for a Synastry (compatibility), Solar Return (birthdays), 3-Chart Reading (detailed natal & overall outlook for the next 12 months) or request a quote for a more customized reading tailored to your needs. You might also consider giving a loved one the gift of insight.

Have a question? Ask me here. Or maybe cruise on over to the AstroCreeps and TarotFreaks Forum* to start a discussion.

What significance do planets, signs, and houses have in astrology? Planets have the function, the job to do. The style/manner they will use get that job done is defined by the zodiac sign they occupy. Where in our life the job gets done is determined by the house the planet occupies/transits. So, when Mars (aggression) is in Aries (bold), he is more assertive than when he is in Cancer (sensitive). When traveling through the 10th house (professional life), he may bring his confidence and motivation in matters relating to our career. While in the 11th house (friendships), we may be more inclined to having our social calendar packed with activities. Having the foresight for what may be coming up or receiving confirmation on what may be happening now are ways astrology can be beneficial ... as above, so below.

Related articles:

• Transiting Venus in Natal Houses
  
• Solar Returns Explained
• Current Planetary Transits
• Venus Retrograde ~ October 8 to November 18, 2010
  
• Venus Returns to Libra ~ November 7 to 29, 2010
• Venus Direct ~ November 18, 2010
• Venus Re-enters Scorpio ~ November 29, 2010 to January 7, 2011
• Mars in Scorpio ~ September 14 to October 27, 2010
• Saturn in Libra ~ 2009 to 2012
• Pluto Retrograde ~ April 7 to September 14, 2010
• Pluto Direct ~ September 14, 2010

*Click here to learn more about the AstroCreeps and TarotFreaks Forum.

Illustration credit and copyright to jekyYoung via deviantart.