new moon in virgo, 9/14
birthday moon, paying attention, dairy-free cake
Even though a new moon is the only phase you can’t actually see, I still love new moons. I was born on the day of a new moon thirty years ago now, and I’m convinced that has something to do with why I feel attuned to this particular moon phase. Maybe you feel that way about your birthday moon too: check out what yours is, then look up what that phase means and see if that resonates for you in any way.
New moon energy can be helpful for manifesting and for starting or restarting. New moons are a good time to set intentions — for that four-week moon cycle until the next full moon, for the six-month period between the new moon in a zodiac sign and that sign’s corresponding full moon, or for whatever time period you want to move through with intention. Like one’s thirties, for example.
It’s a little stressful to think about setting intentions for this whole new decade, especially when I didn’t think I would make it to thirty. I know, I know — if you didn’t think you would make it to thirty and I didn’t think I would make it to thirty, then who’s driving the car. I don’t mean to make light of this sentiment though. It’s something I see a lot of other millennials saying when they turn another year older and we have so many reasons to mean it.
Solar returns have a way of bringing out existential feelings, and surviving another year under white supremacy, capitalism, the escalating climate crisis, and more and more anti-trans and anti-queer legislation is truly a fucking feat. If no one has told you lately, I’m glad you’ve made it through, in whatever state you’re in. I’m proud of us. If you’re struggling these days then I hope things lighten up for you soon.
I myself have been having a hard time lately. I’ve been dealing with tension in some of my friendships, an area of my life that is usually stable and supportive. I’ve also been adjusting a med dose and that’s noticeably affecting my baseline as well. It’s difficult to have any unsteadiness, and even more so where you’re unaccustomed to it.
But I’m turning thirty and I’ll be celebrating another birthday sober for the third year in a row — something that I didn’t see happening for many more years. I had a feeling deep down that I would need to get sober eventually. I heard something in a meeting early on that stuck with me: “Did you think you would never reach the point you were constantly heading toward?” Some part of me knew I would reach a point when my drinking would be bad enough that I would recognize it was time to stop. I didn’t think I would get there at twenty-seven. I’m just grateful that I recognized it when I did and that I was actually able to stop.
Reading posts and articles about this new moon in Virgo left me with a feeling that there was a lot to do, a lot that I could — and should — accomplish with the energy of this transit. More than one article had a title that said it was time to get your shit together with this new moon. And it is an ideal time to do that if you’re looking for some astrological support around making changes in your life. But I’m tired! And honestly, my shit — the shit I can control, anyway — is together!
What resonated with me the most from all of this new moon content was a reel from @queercosmos. Sorry to quote a man here: he talks about being over the advice-giving from astrologers and says he thinks the astrological community “needs to fucking temper it with optimization, and improve this, and skill-build that.” I agree, and it felt like a relief to hear this because I was feeling extra pressure to maximize and be productive with this Virgo new moon because I’m a Virgo. I need all the permission and reminders to take it easy, slow down, and just fucking vibe sometimes, partly because, well, I’m a Virgo. Another way to work with new moon energy: rest.
My sponsor actually told me to take a short break from working on my 4th step resentments inventory because it’s been an emotional time for me as I’ve been doing a lot of introspection and supporting others. She said things don’t always have to be hard work, and that I deserve to take breaks from all the heaviness to celebrate where I’ve gotten to. So I’m going to do that, and maybe you should try that too.
As for an intention for my 30s, or at least for now: I want to pay more attention. I’ve had my head down for a lot of my time in recovery over the past few years as I’ve taken the path of most resistance, putting intentional effort into myself and parts of my life. I want to look up and see a friend’s sweet face, a huge cloud lit up all pink by the sunset, a new lesbian novel I’m eager to read, a fairy circle of mushrooms that I hadn’t noticed on my regular walk. I want this not because it’s more enlightened to ~be in the present moment~ or whatever, but because now I can and now I like what I see.
When I say I didn’t think I would make it to thirty, I say it as an acknowledgment that it feels like I’m on something like gifted time. Because of that, I’m even more grateful that I get to be here, set intentions, celebrate with friends, eat lots of dairy-free chocolate espresso cake, and write about it all.
Again, I’m glad you made it this far too. Thanks for being here with me.
Here’s my previous new moon post:
