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 On
September 27, at 12:53 pm PDT, the Moon conjoins the Sun in Libra. This
is the first New Moon of the fall, and signals a time of waning light
in the Northern Hemisphere, when there are more dark than light hours
in the day. In the past two articles I have talked about the last lunation
being a time of change and preparation for the fall and winter. With the
colder weather, it’s a good idea to cook warming meals, make fires and
bundle up a little more. With the New Moon in Libra, themes of balance,
justice and relationships can become important over the next few weeks.
Mighty
Aphrodite
Libra is
ruled by Venus, a planet that is traditionally associated with beauty,
sensuality, wealth and love. To envision Venus’ domain, imagine yourself
bathing in natural hot springs nestled in a valley beneath rolling green
hills. Friends come and feed you grapes and wine while your partner sings
sweet love songs to you. I know this may sound difficult to imagine and
far away from normal life, but it’s easier to actualize than you may think.
In our busy
lives, it can be hard to take the time to relax and enjoy ourselves. We
often value our work lives and career over our own personal health and
well-being. This New Moon is a great time to bring balance to our lives
and make our leisure and personal time a priority as well. If you can’t
find a lush valley with hot springs to bathe in, try drawing a bath in
your home and surrounding the bathroom with candles, plants and fresh
flowers. Invoke Venus by offering a few prayers for love, contentment
and nourishment for yourself and your loved ones.
The
Kidneys
After coming
out of the bath, massage your body with warm oil. Lavender oil is especially
healing and strengthens the nervous system. Take special care to massage
your back, where your kidneys are. In medical astrology, the kidneys are
linked to Libra, and could be especially vulnerable at this time. The
kidneys help move toxic waste out through the bladder. They are also the
source of the adrenal system, which supplies energy and vitality to our
entire body. When the kidneys are depleted, we can feel listless, sapped
and depressed.
Chinese
Medicine
One of the
best ways to heal the kidneys is to use natural therapies from the ancient
system of traditional Chinese medicine. In this practice, the body is
seen as a network of energetic channels known as meridians. Each meridian
intersects with a specific organ of the body and then extends out to the
hands or the feet. When there is illness in a specific organ, the meridian
can become blocked. By massaging or applying heat or acupuncture to specific
points along the meridians, the energy can be unblocked and illness can
be cured. With the Libra Moon’s emphasis on the kidneys, it can be helpful
to look at the kidney meridian to help strengthen and fortify this organ.
The kidney
meridian starts at the base of the foot in the exact center, just below
the ball of the foot. This is known as “kidney one.” Just up from there,
on the inside of the ankle between the Achilles tendon and the anklebone,
is kidney three. By gently massaging these points, you help stimulate
the kidneys’ ability to heal and regenerate themselves.
Another technique
for strengthening the kidneys is to sit cross-legged in a meditative posture.
Try visualizing the kidneys to the left and the right of the base of your
spine. Then, while breathing deeply, imagine the kidneys glowing with
golden light. Pour love and healing energy into these organs. Along with
proper rest and plenty of fluids this New Moon, these techniques can help
restore the strength and vitality of the kidneys.
Nourishing
Our Relationships
We couldn’t
leave this New Moon without talking about relationships. Libra is traditionally
associated with love and romantic partnerships. Not only are the Sun and
Moon in Libra right now, but Venus has moved into the sign of Scorpio,
a sign associated with intimacy, sexuality and intensity. One of the hardest
parts about intimate relationships is working with the balance of power
between partners. When one person pulls away or demands too much from
the other, it can create struggle and tension. Ultimately, the goal of
a healthy relationship is to be nourishing and loving to one’s partner
while still maintaining a strong, independent sense of self.
Taking
Time For Me
If you are
in a relationship, this lunation is a good time to examine this balance
and to see if one area is much greater than the other is. With Venus
square to Neptune right now, the boundaries between partners may blur a little.
To strengthen your sense of self, it may be a good idea to spend more
time with friends, start athletic or art classes, write in a journal or
start your own independent project. These activities actually will strengthen
a partnership because it allows you to bring more independent creative
energy into the relationship.
Taking
Time For Us
If you have
been less present in a partnership, now is a good time to strengthen your
bonds by making time to be alone together. Walks in the park, making meals
together, attending a play or a concert or finding time to relax and talk
about life will help kindle the fires of love and draw partners back together.
If there are underlying resentments and past hurts that are unresolved
and are holding the partnership back, it may be a good idea to see a couples
counselor at this time.
Healthy
Love
When we worry
and stress out about our relationships, our health can suffer and our
peace of mind can diminish. When our primary partnership is nourished
and strengthened, each person will find that their life becomes easier,
joyful and more fulfilled. Like working in a garden or tending a house
plant, a relationship also requires regular care, time and attention for
it to grow and blossom. Good health to you!
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