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Libra New Moon: Towing the Gondola

By April Elliott Kent

Wouldn’t it be nice if relationships were mathematical equations? We might not always be able to come up with the right answer, but it would at least be comforting to know that there was a right answer.

The thing is, relationships kind of are mathematical equations. We think we fall in love by some happy accident engineered by the gods. But in fact, I think we mostly respond to someone who helps fill in what’s missing in us and balance out our equation.

That’s why the relationships of our youth can be so perilous: there are so many critical gaps in us to fill. We choose someone who helps us deal with our dad stuff, then someone else for the mom stuff; one who is as calm as we are volatile, another who leads us into confrontations with the world that we are otherwise loathe to take on.

At first, it feels like heaven, like a Jerry McGuire, “You complete me” moment. At last, and effortlessly, we seem to have solved the equation. But then the teacher demands, “Show your work. How did you come to this solution?” Why this person? What are they completing in you? And what happens when your co-star in this romantic drama forgets his lines or loses track of his motivation? Maybe we think we’ve fallen for a knight on a white horse, only to find that the reason he’s such a great antidote for our dad issues is that he is, for all intents and purposes, dad.

Unerringly, we do find what we’re looking for on some level, even if it’s not the thing that’s going to make us happy. And often, we encounter it in an exaggerated form, so we can’t overlook it. We are meek, and find ourselves attracted to someone who is constantly picking fights and brawling in the streets. We’re a little uptight, so we find wild unpredictability irresistible in others. We’re strong and successful, and maybe a little conflicted about it; we magnetize a series of someones who are determined to “put us in our place.”

Archetypal Libra – the sign that traditionally rules relationship – is cerebral, carefully weighing pluses and minuses, debits and credits, to ensure that everything stays in balance. But this Libra New Moon point is square Pluto, and Libra’s ruling planet, Venus, is retrograde in Scorpio (Oct. 5 – Nov. 16, 2018). This New Moon is as passionate as it gets. This is no romantic gondola ride through Venice; it’s a season for rolling up your pants legs and wading into the stinky, swampy waters of the canal. For going deep in current relationships and examining the ones that brought you to this point.

The Sabian Symbol for this New Moon degree, 16 Libra, is, After a storm, a boat landing stands in need of reconstruction. Ya think? After that long, hot summer of Uranus newly in ill-fitting Taurus, and Mars moving retrograde seemingly forever, and three – count ‘em, THREE – eclipses, that boat landing is looking a little tattered indeed. The New Moon degree is square Pluto at 19 Capricorn, symbolized by A child of about five carrying a huge shopping bag filled with groceries. Maybe the summer’s storm has left you realizing just how much of the emotional work you’ve been doing in your relationships. How much baggage you’re carrying. And how part of you feels safer “dining out” on that baggage than rewriting your relationship script.

Libra is the planet of relating, but Scorpio is where we grow intimate. You and your partner begin your journey together together with your big shopping bags in hand, trying hard to balance each other out—the peacemaker with the scrapper; one moody and emotional, the other steady and patient. But if you stay together long enough, things will eventually get real. Occasionally, they’ll even get ugly. And just when you think you’ve solved the equation, you’ll go through something together that changes the whole formula. Over time, your differences become more distinct, even as you grow more alike. You challenge, complement, and entertain each other. If you’re lucky, you feel you’re better versions of yourselves for having been in this relationship.

Through it all, you’re right down there in the Grand Canal together, treading mucky water and pulling a gondola behind you with a rope. Neither of you will look your best, and you’ll take turns complaining that you’re doing more than your share of the work. But hopefully, after awhile, you’ll no longer notice the mud or the heat or the weight of the boat; you’ll occupy your time enjoyably, pointing out the places of interest to each other, the palazzi that flank the canal, the fascinating people you see along the way. As you pass the portico of a fondaco, where ships were once unloaded, you’ll glance over your shoulders at two little bags, sitting in the back of the gondola. And you’ll laugh together, because you’d forgotten they were there at all. They are the least of the weight you carry, joyfully, together.

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About April Elliott Kent

April Elliott Kent is the author of Astrological Transits (Fair Winds Press), The Essential Guide to Practical Astrology (Alpha/Penguin), and Star Guide to Weddings (Llewellyn). She has contributed articles to The Mountain Astrologer and Dell Horoscope magazines and Llewellyn's Moon Sign, Sun Sign, and Sabbat annuals. April is member of ISAR, NCGR, and OPA and is a past President of the San Diego Astrological Society. Her weekly Big Sky Astrology Podcast can be found on iTunes and wherever you listen to podcasts. Read more of April's articles at BigSkyAstrology.com

Comments

  1. Ellen McPherson says

    Oct 15, 2018 at 3:47 am

    This post illustrates the way I feel about my husband of thirty six years . We have shared the life altering experience of caring for our brain injured adult son for the past six months and everything true about our relationship and the strength it provides for us both has been exposed. Thank you for your insight and wisdom.

    Reply
  2. Julie Pittman says

    Oct 8, 2018 at 2:53 pm

    Aloha, April…This is perfect juice to digest and will be applying it to my relationship with my Libra son whose 24th Birthday was yesterday. We have been on a rocky road for many months with just a bit of calm coming in the last few. I believe that boat has come into harbor for us to mend. We have planned a large shopping trip for today and will be carrying many large bags (literally) but I can see that those small accumulations of joyful moments can lighten and strengthening the load we carry between us. Thank you for your insights that can gently guide the conscious soul. Lets Go Shopping…:)

    Reply
  3. Tambra Nelson says

    Oct 8, 2018 at 10:02 am

    Brilliant post.. Thank you, April.

    Reply

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The Moon is in its
New Phase

in the
Sign of Aries


Today's Lunar Aspects (Greenwich Mean Time)
(subtract: PST -8 hours, PDT -7 hours, EST -5 hours, EDT -4 hours)

  • Moon sextile Mars, 5:13pm  Mar 23 2023
  • Moon square Pluto, 6:42pm  Mar 23 2023
  • Moon sextile Saturn, 9:57pm  Mar 23 2023

Venus is currently
The Evening Star

in the sign of Taurus


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Astrologers use a variety of house systems, or methods of dividing up the sky into twelve sections. I use the Porphyry house system; another popular house system is Placidus (this is the default on https://astro.com). If the chart I send you looks different from what you are used to seeing, then likely a system other than Porphyry was used. Whole signs, Equal House, Regiomantus, and Campanus are examples of other systems. If you find all of this confusing, do not worry. It is likely not critical to your report.

m  Conjunction:  Like peas in a pod, planets in conjunction tend to come from the same place. They act together, but it’s also hard to tell them apart. This aspect can increase talent, focus, and intensity (“two are better than one”). Or one planet can disappear as the other dominates. Their connection feels so natural, it’s easy to think everyone blends these planetary energies just as you do—but mostly, they don’t!.

p  Sextile:  Planets in sextile are compatible, though without any fireworks. This aspect doesn’t demand your attention. It quietly presents an opportunity. You can join these archetypal forces. Donna Cunningham has called this the “Oh, that!” aspect, because that’s generally what her clients say when she describes their benefits.  To get the most from sextiles you need to actively work them.

q  Square:  Squares are wild and wonderful—but difficult too. The power struggle between these planets was likely defined in your youth, when they were impossibly challenging. People are usually aware of their squares. They force the issues that make you to grow. And that’s their gift. They ensure you learn your lessons. When you rise to the occasion, they bless you with energy, action, and success.

r  Trine:  Michael Munkasey has dubbed this the “goddess aspect” because it’s so lovely. Identifying talents you may have perfected in a previous life, trines can bring you joy. There’s a nice flow of energy between planets in trine. They support and reinforce each another. But without any struggle, you might take them for granted—neither using nor developing their gifts. An unattended trine can sometimes trick you into negative behaviors.

t  Inconjunct/Quincunx:  Your quincunx planets are innately incompatible. Bringing them into harmonious expression requires constant adjustments. This can be stressful, also motivating. You’ve got to keep changing your process, opinions or attitude—which promotes highly creative solutions.

u  Opposition:  They say opposites attract—and planets in opposition are never far from each other, though they’re constantly bickering. You may be triggered into awareness of this aspect by other people who seem to resist or undermine you.  An opposition can make you feel uncertain, insecure, or discontent, until you can accept and see yourself in both energies. Typically people find it easier to identify with one side and project the other onto unsuspecting others in the outer world.

First House: Personality, physical body, beginnings. Includes the Ascendant and rules physical appearance, the image you project to others, your general outlook on life, how you start things; may describe your role in your family system, often guides your first impression of immediate environment.

Second House: Money and personal finances, sense of self-worth and basic values, personal possessions, talents.

Third House: Communication, thoughts, language skills like writing and speaking, early schooling, siblings and neighbors, short trips, coming and going around town.

Fourth House: Your home, psychological foundations and roots, family, parents, domestic life, instinctive behavior, ancestry, your connection with the past, sense of security, domestic life, real estate. conditions at the end of life.

Fifth House: Children, creativity, romance; pleasure, entertainment, self-expression; all forms of “play”, speculation, gambling, and attitude towards taking risks; hobbies, attitude towards romance, lovers as opposed to partners, attitude towards having fun.

Sixth House: Work and job (as opposed to career), daily life, attitude towards service and coworkers, helpfulness, pets, attitude towards routine and organization, how you refine and perfect your skills.

Seventh House: Partnerships, one-to-one relationships, marriage, the first marriage, the “significant other”, business partnerships, competitors, open enemies, lawyers, mediators, counselors, contracts, negotiations, agreements. clients/the public.

Eighth House: Transformations and crisis, your ability to meet and rebound from crisis and change, sexuality; sex, death and rebirth, rituals and personal growth, your partner’s resources, addictions, psychology, other people’s money, taxes, divorce/alimony, inheritance.

Ninth House: Attitude toward expanding horizons, religious beliefs and personal philosophy, higher education, long-distance travel, morals, foreign languages and cultures, personal truths, publishing, commerce, advertising, your sense of adventure.

Tenth House: Career and profession, your contribution to society, social status, public reputation, material success, how you carve out a public identity for yourself; attitude toward authority figures, parents, caregivers, bosses, governments, attitude towards responsibility, desire for achievement.

Eleventh House: Friends, groups, organizations; hopes, wishes, aspirations, personal goals; your philanthropic attitude, concern for the collective, humanity; like tenth, can bring recognition and honors for fulfilling hopes and dreams.

Twelfth House: What’s hidden beneath the surface, karmic dustbin, limiting childhood/past-life messages, self-undoing, hidden enemies, hidden weaknesses, dreams, secret affairs, lost items, hospitals and prisons, hidden strengths, spiritual studies and soul growth.

A  Sun: Our vitality and magnetism; self-identity, ego.
Roles: The Self, the Hero, the Performer, the King.

B  Moon: Intuition, emotion, nurture.
Roles: The Mother, the High Priestess, the Child.

C  Mercury: Mind; physical dexterity and mental agility.
Roles: The Thinker, the Communicator, the Student, the Trickster, the Merchant, the Thief.

D  Venus: Our capacity for pleasure, receptivity, creativity, and social connection. Also indicates our relationships, self esteem, and financial abundance.
Roles: The Lover, the Seductress, the Artist.

E  Mars: Desire, initiative, anger.
Roles: The Protector, the Athlete, the Warrior.

F  Jupiter: Luck, opportunity, expansion, higher learning, religion.
Roles: The Scholar, the Gypsy, the Traveler, the Monk, the Professor.

G  Saturn: Hard work, commitment, focus, inadequacy, leadership, suffering, loss.
Roles: The Task Master, the Grim Reaper, the Wise Old Man, the Builder, the Cynic, the Boss.

H  Uranus: Change, breakthroughs, upsets, discoveries.
Roles: The Revolutionary, the Humanitarian, the Visionary, the Snob.

I  Neptune: Imagination, spirituality, idealism, addictions, deception, compassion.
Roles: The Artist, the Romantic, the Guru, the Addict, the Martyr, the Victim.

J  Pluto: Transformation, power, psychological dynamics, helplessness.
Roles: The Terrorist, the Detective, the Psychotherapist, the Dictator, shady people.

a  Aries: Pioneering, competitive, selfish, impatient, courageous, reckless, independent, dynamic, domineering, “Me first!”

b  Taurus: Patient, stable, lazy, dependable, practical, sensual, stubborn, artistic, possessive, greedy, gentle, loyal.

c  Gemini: Intelligent, curious, adaptable, quick-witted, restless, clever, scatterbrained, lacking follow-through.

d  Cancer: Nourishing, intuitive, protective, moody, sensitive, maternal, domestic, childish, cautious, creative.

e  Leo: Proud, dignified, vain, expressive, romantic, generous, childish, overbearing, self-assured, creative.

f  Virgo: Perfection-seeking, practical, methodical, petty, critical, studious, discriminating, cautious, never satisfied.

g  Libra: Charming, sociable, peace-loving, refined, diplomatic, artistic, indecisive, apathetic, easily deterred.

h  Scorpio: Passionate, secretive, penetrating, resourceful, suspicious, manipulative, jealous, sarcastic, intolerant, determined, aware.

i  Sagittarius: Freedom-loving, philosophical, optimistic, enthusiastic, careless, impatient, talkative, a know-it-all, broadminded, athletic, honest.

j  Capricorn: Serious, responsible, practical, hardworking, stubborn, brooding, inhibited, status-conscious, domineering, unforgiving.

k  Aquarius: Progressive, individualistic, unpredictable, cold, intellectual, artistic, eccentric, shy, impersonal, scientific.

l  Pisces: Compassionate, intuitive, ungrounded, romantic, impractical, self-sacrificing, seductive, musical, artistic.