HAPPY NEW MOON IN VIRGO !

 Back to life, back to reality: On Sunday, September 9, the year’s only Virgo new moon puts us in a “back to school” headspace.. Seeds planted at the potency of this earthy lunation can be harvested in six month’s time at the corresponding full moon in Virgo, which will arrive on February 19, 2019.

Summer vacation and summer fun is done !  Efficient Virgo is the ruler of health, organization, daily work, and acts of service. Under the Virgo new moon we could all get more serious about self-care. Preventative medicine is the best kind of all: eating fresh greens, exercising regularly and deploying stress-busting treatments like massage and acupuncture.

Ready to add some good stuff to your resume? Analytical Virgo is ruled by messenger planet Mercury, who is traveling alongside the Virgo Sun until September 21—and helping us all become more meticulous and methodical during this systematic cycle. Look for growth opportunities within your company or sign up for specialized training that can bump you to a new pay grade. Want to make a difference in the world—or at least your corner of it? Virgo is the sign of selfless service. Seek volunteer opportunities where you can earn your Earth Angel halo and wings. But whatever you do, make sure you have a solid plan in place for how to actually accomplish it!

The Virgo new moon reestablishes our connection to all things practical, sensible and stabilizing. Perfection-seeking Virgo is also one of the zodiac’s three earth signs, urging us to renew our connection to nature and indulge in a hit of hippie-chic.

Here are a few ways to manifest the potent lunar potential of the Virgo new moon:

1. Cut the chemicals.

Radiant Virgo loves things as clean, green and pure as humanly possible. Take a moment to read the labels on everything from the food you ingest to the products you slather on your skin, and even use to scrub down your home. While it may be impossible to eliminate chemicals from our modern lives completely, there’s at least one toxic product we could always swap out with something more earth-friendly. Swap sugar and artificial sweeteners for natural substitutes like raw honey. Liven up your skin with a toxin-free sheet mask made with ingredients like kelp, fruit extracts and bamboo.

2. Perform an act of selfless service.

Random acts of kindness are the Virgo way, leaving it as no surprise to us that Mother Teresa—the original “hugging saint”—was born under this zodiac sign. Wrap your head around the idea of helping someone without taking any credit for your good deed. You might perform an act of selfless service anonymously during the Virgo new moon: make a charity donation using your smartphone, pay for the person behind you in the latte line (and slip off before they can thank you), or ship a gift to a friend and request brown paper packaging rather than plastic or Styrofoam. Don’t ever underestimate the power of a small act of good karma, or try to convince yourself that you’re incapable of giving something bigger. Remember: what goes around, comes around.

3. Socialize with exercise.

Sacred self-care is the domain of Virgo, so this is the perfect time to hit the “Go!” button on a nutrition or fitness plan. Since chatty Virgo is also ruled by communicative Mercury, get your entourage involved in your health quest. Schedule a group exercise class together using an app that locates workout classes in your city. Instead of rallying friends for a boozy brunch (not that those aren’t fun every now and then!), you might go on a CrossFit and kombucha date. It’s a lot easier to stick to your guns and find pleasure in life-affirming pursuits when you have some of your BFFs along for the ride. 

4. Simplify and purify.

Let’s face it, Virgo can sometimes get a bad rap: the stereotype that Virgos are pencil-pushing and protocol-enforcing tightwads. And while there may be a little truth to that, the zodiac’s Virgin is also a master of the power of seduction.

Let’s try a new and improved word for Virgo: The Purist. Virgo energy distills things down to their essence, pure and unfiltered. Virgo is green. Natural. Organic. Baby-faced. Unspoiled. Raw. A little bit closer to God. It’s earth-based spirituality, plant medicine, the magic found in natural law. So use this Virgo new moon as your annual opportunity to purify. Where has your life gotten overly complicated? Simplify it. Get back to the basics. Act naturally. Restore order. Prioritize. Strip away what doesn’t matter and make things sacred again.

5. Embrace a beginner’s mindset.

The Buddhist philosophy of “beginner’s mind” was made for over-analytical Virgo. The idea is to approach every person, experience and action as though it’s for the first time. That goes for your partner of 20 years, your job of 10 years, all the people and things you take for granted. (Do we detect a gratitude list coming on? Mercury-ruled Virgo evokes our tendency to talk, think and #obsess. Quiet the “monkey chatter” and being in the moment. It’s the antidote to Virgo’s overcritical and perfectionistic shadow side.

6. Add one new healthy habit to your daily regimen.

Bike to the market instead of driving, or find a trail (urban or woodsy) and go for a spin after a long day at the office. Buy yourself flowers as a ritual on Fridays. Wear shoes that actually support your feet and take a long solo stroll on a Sunday afternoon. Virgo rules the intestines and digestive system, which makes this new moon perfect for improving your gut health. Probiotics anyone? Or, improve your mental health by making sure you get an adequate amount of sleep each night (which for many of us is much harder than it sounds!). Feeling adventurous? Swig a collagen-boosting smoothie, a newer trend that will help you get glowing skin and healthy bones. They say it takes around three weeks to develop a steady new habit, so use the supercharged energy of the Virgo new moon to jumpstart your path toward well-being.

And if all else fails, try this…

7. Hold a newborn baby or a furry little creature.

If someone you know has a new baby, visit and hold the little guy or girl (and she’ll love you for it).

Care-taking Virgo is the sign that is associated with the nurturing of animals. Have you been considering adopting a furry, finned, or feathered critter? Pop by the rescue shelter or let those pleading eyes in the window lure you into the pet store for a snuggle. There’s a good chance you won’t be heading home alone.