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 The
New Moon in Virgo occurs August 29, at 3:19 am (PDT). During this lunation,
the seasons change, and fall begins in the Northern Hemisphere. In Chinese
medicine, the fall is a time of grieving and letting go. We honor the
bright spring and summer months that have passed and begin to turn inward
again for the darker months that approach. This lunation is a time of
harvest, feasting, gratitude and preparation for what lies ahead. Historically,
in the colder climates, preparation for the fall and winter months required
attention to detail (chopping wood for the fire)
and protection of the tribe and family (harvesting and storing enough
food). In the modern industrialized world, many of us pay less attention
to the turn of the seasons, as our very survival is not threatened. Though
this is the case, we can still prepare for the darker months on an emotional
and psychological level.
Virgo:
It’s All in the Details
Preparation
for change requires planning, organization and diligence. The sign of
Virgo has long been associated with these skills, and this lunation presents
a perfect opportunity for all of us to develop in these areas. Though
other signs may get more of the praise and adulation, Virgoan qualities
are required for maintaining the balance and even flow in our lives. Simple
tasks, like sweeping the floors, taking out the trash, cleaning the house
and throwing out all the clutter are essential for the day-to-day operation
of life. When we clear away what is not needed, we make room for something
new to take place. In this way, cleaning and organizing can become almost
spiritual tasks. They allow us to both physically and emotionally let
go of what is not needed from the past and prepare for the future.
Virgo
and Feng Shui
Have
you ever been in a room that feels dark and depressing? Perhaps the curtains
are closed and there is dust on the floor and the furniture. Old papers
and trash are lying around and picture frames are hung askew. Perhaps
the room feels bad because unhappy people have fought or sat in stagnant
emotions for a long time there. All rooms and houses have character. Even
the most tidy, well-kept house can feel uptight and controlled. It is
within these spaces that Virgo can play a role. The energy of Virgo asks
us to breathe fresh life into our homes, allowing our living spaces to
come alive and feel nourishing again. Watering the plants, opening up
the curtains and the windows to let fresh air
and sunlight in, lighting sage and cleaning up all have a dramatic and
profound affect on our living quarters. We begin to be able to think more
clearly. We feel more relaxed and vitalized.
The
Chinese have a system of orienting homes and businesses so that energy
can flow optimally and residents will feel the most nourished by their
environment. This system is called feng shui. The placement of
furniture, mirrors and the very architecture of a house are called into
question. Ultimately, there is a desire to arrange our beds and chairs,
desks and tables in a way that vitalizes and strengthens those who live
and work there. We do not need to be experts in feng shui to practice
this art ourselves. Perhaps you’ve noticed that your bed does not seem
right in a certain corner, or that a table would fit better if it were
turned to another side. This attention to detail may seem minor, but these
Virgoan changes can actually have a profound benefit.
Virgo
and Digestion
Along
with cleansing your home environment, the Virgo New Moon is a good time
to look at the health of your physical body—the home you live in all the
time. Because most of us live in an industrialized world, we tend to eat
more processed foods, breathe in pollutants and drink in chemicals from
our water. All these substances can have a cumulative
effect on our system, and this would be a good time of the year to cleanse
out some of these toxins. Begin with trying to drink only filtered or
spring water as our tap water is often adulterated. This is also a good
time to start eating more organic and pesticide-free food. Chemicals have
a dampening effect on the healthfulness of fruits and vegetables, and
they become less nourishing and wholesome after being sprayed. If you
eat meat, free-range animals are a good choice because they have not been
fed antibiotic-laden food, which we then ingest when we eat most store-bought
meat.
Mutable
Energy and Your Health
With
seven planets in mutable signs, there is a powerful sense that life is
changing quickly right now. Mutable energy is quick, adaptable and molds
to what is around it. With a strong emphasis on this modality, there is
a sense that life could be a little unsteady and unpredictable at this
time. It is important not to let yourself get carried away by any new
current that comes along. Grounding yourself by cooking warm meals at
night, and having quiet evenings alone or with family will help center
you through this time. Try peppermint, ginger and lemon balm teas, which
will help relax your nerves and strengthen your digestion. Virgo rules digestion,
and you can aid this process by eating slowly and meditating
for a few minutes before and after the meal. A few good belly laughs with
friends over supper are also supremely helpful for nourishing the digestive
tract.
Change
When
change comes our way, we often become stressed and tense our muscles and
our spine. When we become tight we can make choices out of fear and haste.
In Buddhist thought, change is the one underlying principle that is inescapable.
To deal with constant change, we need to find methods to let us find our
way and flow with the currents of life instead of holding on tight and
bracing for what comes next. The Virgo New Moon points us toward managing
the simple things in life, balancing the checkbook, rearranging the furniture
and taking the dog for a walk. Someone once said that how we do one thing
is how we do everything. When we pour care and consideration into the
littlest of tasks, we prepare ourselves for change with the same grace
and mindfulness. Good health to you!
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