Hello, Virgo Black Moon Eclipse.

Every couple of years, we get a Black Moon somewhere; this time, it appears at the tail end of Virgo season with the added bonus of an eclipse. While this harvest season may or may not be richer than usual, it definitely will be more intense. Here we go.

The Black Moon is perhaps the most significant recent addition to our astrological body of knowledge. Since its discovery, the Black Moon has solidified its presence in the astrological canon in two key areas: its unique symbolism and its measurable historical record. These two factors enable it to successfully stand up to the often-challenging scrutiny of the international astrological community. Most now agree on its validity, and more and more people are talking about it. So, I thought it was time to look at it with you.

Until recently, the term Black Moon was not well-known in neither astrological nor astronomical circles. I have been practicing astrology since 1994, and I only heard of it five years ago. Like everything else in our world, our knowledge of astrology and astronomy is constantly growing and expanding. As it does, our understanding of their gifts, opportunities, and benefits do, as well.

The concept of the astrological Black Moon as was first put forward by French astrologer Dom Neroman. One of the most prolific European leaders in the revival of Astrology in the early-mid 1900s, Neroman founded the Collège Astrologique de France. An indomitable astrological researcher, Neroman was one of the first to use scientific methods to dispel superstitions and analyze the movements of the planets and their effects. His primary goal was to better enhance our understanding of astrology as a discipline. His secondary goal was to elevate its status as a legitimate method of revealing deeper truths about mankind, the cosmos, and an individual’s place in it.

Neroman’s work and his discovery of the astrological Black Moon were part of the era of scientific inquiry into human psyche. The period of 1870–1940 witnessed the emergence of psychoanalytic techniques of Sigmund Freud and the concepts of analytical psychology pioneered by Carl Jung. The new methods of these great innovators became the foundation for a wide variety of techniques and modalities of psychological, therapeutic, astrological, and spiritual practices. Jungian psychology is of particular interest to astrologers, as its concept of the shadow—the positive or negative repressed, suppressed, or disowned qualities of the conscious self—is closely related to the astrological nature and symbolism of the planet Pluto, the asteroid Lillith, and Black Moon.

Normally, a New Moon can be counted on to appear every month in the same sign as the Sun. A Black Moon, on the other hand, is an unusual celestial event, made even more unusual, since astrologers and astronomers define the term differently. Astrologers define it as two new moons within a sign; while astronomers define it as two new moons within a month. On top of that, time zone differences mean that the month and/or the sign in which a Black Moon occurs can vary—if they occur solely in certain time zones, they may not happen for everyone.

Again, astrologically speaking, a Black Moon is the second New Moon in a single zodiac sign. It happens irregularly, usually every two to three years—and this one such year. It brought a lot of powerful astrological movement that will likely take us all some time to sort out. Give yourself time. There was a partial solar eclipse on September 21 at 10:29 am PDT. That same day, the Virgo Black New Moon (at 29 degrees, the anarectic and most powerful degree) occurred at 12:54 pm PDT. And a mere 12 hours later, the Sun moved into Libra on September 22 at 11:19 am PDT, the fall equinox.

Because the Moon rules the realms of your heart, your home, and your family—especially women, mothers, and mothering, the Black Moon puts your focus squarely on these topics. On the macro level, history shows that at each Black Moon, there arise significant political issues and events related to women, gender and marriage equality, empowerment, and justice. On the micro level, these kinds of external events require that we and our families find healthier ways to address gender balance and equality within each member and within our family unit as a whole. This year’s Black Moon, give yourself plenty of time to address the current macro and micro issues as they exist for you, then examine those issues through Virgo’s filter.

Virgo is the goddess of the harvest; she asks you to examine what you have sown and what you are reaping. This aspect of Virgo is a lot like Janus, the Roman god of gates and transitions, dualities, and doorways. Janus is always looking both forward and backward, at the future and the past. He has a face on both sides of his head, so he can navigate this course and fulfil his mission. During a Virgo Black Moon, you will be asked to do a lot of course correcting based on what your split focus shows you.

Because a Black Moon is a second chance to address the issues of the sign at a New Moon, it compels you to do a much deeper dive into whatever those issues are. In this way, the opportunity of a Black Moon is much like that of an eclipse. And since this Black Moon is also an eclipse, you may feel your hand being forced. The tricky part—and there is always a tricky part—is learning to handle what arises for you with grace and dignity. Or at least a sense of humor.

Use humor to find and integrate Janus’ attributes of Virgo and harness your ability to simultaneously look forward and backward. If possible, remind yourself of your capacity to constructively release anger, release power and control issues, manage your personal power, and resolve conflict. Ask your gods, guides, guardians, angels, archangels, and ancestors to guide your thoughts, actions, words, and deeds, so that you can keep your heart and mind, your eyes and your ears open. Listen to the answers you receive and trust them. Say yes, say thank you, and take action. And if you get stuck, call me.

We’ll figure it out.

Calendar 

Below are some of the dates when your opportunities for wizardry, magic, and alchemy will be the greatest–as will your ability for spiritual connection and spiritual service.

September 21

Solar Partial Eclipse at the Black New Moon at 11:53 AM Pacific Time. The Sun is conjunct the New Moon at the anorectic and most powerful degree of 29° Virgo.