We are at back to school time. It is the New Moon in the double bodied sign of Virgo. Both Sun and Moon are in Virgo where we are encouraged to direct our initiatory action and brain power. It is happening on August 27, at 04 degrees and 03 minutes of Virgo, and at 08:16 GMT. The time when we are wrapping up our summer days and start looking to organising for autumn. But autumn is not here yet. Virgo as a mutable sign belongs to both seasons. The feeling of autumn is starting to creep in slowly, or it is at least being distinctly announced by Mercury entering Libra just a day before, and it will take a bit of time to get going. Mercury will go on retrograde, so expect a long autumnal start, visiting and revisiting a decision-making process before committing to action.
Venus still shines in Leo during the new moon and enters Virgo on September 5. This will be a fall for Venus, and a realisation for us to focus on details and the future. Cleansing, purifying and analysing will be her tools in Virgo in order to perform her Venusian magic.
At the centre of the spread we have the 10 of Swords. This is the mental energy directed at severing the fat and Venus struggling with the necessities of life is made obvious here. Relationships will be difficult. Making the right call one way or another will cause us great anguish. Preparing for autumn and reassessing who we trust, and how we go about our friendship, or how we connect with family and loved ones, might mean difficult choices. Virgo is all about being selective and discriminating. If we want the best, then the 10 of Swords tells us we need to make cut backs that we are not going to be very happy about.
We have a persistent Mars in Gemini that will stay there for eight months, so disruption, the end to harmony and hard conflict will be with us for the times ahead. The 10 of Swords never looks happy, not least because it signals painful definitive endings that come from dark places, but at it sits at the centre of the spread we have to take it seriously. Acceptance and looking towards a change in mood can signal new opportunities we have to prepare for. The end of summer is a return to seriousness, learning, working and service to others. It couldn’t be clearer. We are entering a more reclusive and restrictive period in our lives. But one that holds the potential to be very productive and less wasteful.
Flanked by the Hermit looking to the past and the Hierophant looking towards the future, it is our own light that is both the opportunity and the authority to make decisions and take action. Both internal and conservative cards indicate slow progress in what we are searching for. No magical thinking. No quick solutions. It really is a time to take stock and reconsider our moves. It is also time to account for our resources in a pragmatic physical sense. What could we achieve going forwards towards autumn, winter, and the next year with what our material situation allows? How can we be creative in delivering our goals and ambitions – and the Hierophant who dominates the future is very ambitious – without being delusional or fantasists?
The light will start to wane and we have to start conserving our energy. We are here for the long run and that’s what the Hierophant is all about. There is no grand standing but there is power and authority. A conservative force that brings with it calmness and a sense of peace. The Hermit relies on the light of his knowledge of the past and his being part of a longer heritage than the narrow confines of his immediate environment. We are all part of a great tradition of thinking and doing. With the new moon in Virgo we are tapping into it and meticulously plan for the future ahead. Back to school energy can be scary, but it is also very exciting for the great promises it brings for the future. We are sad leaving our summer friendships behind as weightier people enter our lives and become more prominent. At the same time we have to follow our destiny, and our spiritual lineage is where we will realise our dreams in the real world.
Flavia