Collaboration and relationship are emphasized this week with the New Moon conjunct Jupiter on Friday, Sept. 30th at 5:11pm PST (1:11am UK, Oct 1st) at 8 degrees of Libra. The New Moon’s ruling planet is Venus--in Scorpio with a trine to Neptune, this signals passion, and love.
Libra represents balance, harmony, relationship, justice, and beauty. Libra is refined, gentle, and concerned with the other. Jupiter conjunct the New Moon emphasizes these themes, and could signal opportunities, expansion, joy, and abundance in these areas. Usually Jupiter is positive, and paired with Libra this is a wonderful time for socializing, enjoying the arts, and teaming up with others.
However, there is of course such thing as too much of a good thing! Jupiter can expand to excess, and too much Libra can mean losing oneself in others; of course, caring about others is important, but it’s equally important to care for, and attend to one’s self. Harness Libra’s skill for balance, and seek the balance between self and other. Amid social events, collaborative projects, and time on social media, make sure to schedule some alone time too.
The New Moon is square to Pluto, which is also stationing direct this week (exact on Monday). Stations amplify a planet’s symbolism. So this week isn’t likely to be all fun and games. Themes of power and control will continue to surface: with Pluto (power) in Capricorn (government, patriarchy), square (tense) to Libra (justice), we are facing the implications of having lived under a patriarchy for millennia, and the resulting injustices wrought by the powers that be. We must confront (Pluto) the violence, misogyny, and racism that are the logical consequences of the systems by which we structure our society.
Uranus conjunct Eris (exact on the 25th, but ongoing) ups the ante by empowering the divine anger of those who’ve been left out, by giving voice to the outsider, and a stage for the underdog. If distorted, this could ignite violence (the Orlando night club shooting occurred under the same influence); but with wisdom it could inspire progressive social change.
Thing is, oppression isn’t external to us. The hard truth of spiritual wisdom is that as above, so below, and as without, so within: our very minds are structured by patriarchy. We’ve all been wounded by unjust and oppressive systems of power: all souls born under the patriarchy are wounded (Jeffrey Wolf Green).
Yes, justice requires we deconstruct, organize, speak truth, and stand our ground. Mars square the New Moon demands action. But wise action requires we look within to the (perhaps nearly invisible, perhaps not) ways in which we perpetuate oppression.
There won’t be justice unless white folks consider the ways in which we benefit from white privilege and how we are complicit in racism. And unless men, straight people, wealthy folk, those with status, and so on consider their privilege. And unless every person considers how we’ve internalized oppression.
What aspects of thought and language let alone society hasn’t been structured by patriarchy? The most subtle, seemingly benign thoughts and words can be oppressive. Recently a friend of mine called me out for saying “what do I know”. “So many women I know say that,” she said. Good point, friend.
Maybe this example seems flippant when we have bigger fish to fry. But if we don’t attend to these subtleties, we may be at the risk of reproducing oppressive culture under the guise of liberatory politics. That old danger of any revolution: that one tyranny be replaced by another….
Is it possible that self love could be revolutionary?
And then: we get together, we take action.