New Moon in Uttaraphalguni: What Contracts are You Making?

This New Moon is on September 25 at 11:54 am HT (2:54 pm PDT) in sidereal Virgo in the star of Uttaraphalguni. This nakshatra is “the later Reddish one” and is a pair with Purva Phalguni, the earlier one. Together these two nakshatras make up a bed or cot and are stars of love and marriage. While Purva Phalguni resides entirely in Leo, Uttara Phalguni begins in Leo and its remaining 3 padas are in Virgo, where this New Moon takes place. While in Purva Phalguni we are enjoying the love and romance, in Uttara Phalguni we are taking things more seriously and making contracts with each other. Often referred to as “the Marriage Star” this is said to be the star the Moon was in for the re-union of Shiva and Parvati and as such, shows how in a tantric sense, if we commit to our path, we can achieve union within ourselves of all that is material (Shakti-Parvati) with that which is beyond (Consciousness-Shiva). It also indicates that as we move from the "honeymoon stage" into more serious commitment in our partnerships and dealings (romantic or otherwise), we must make contracts and abide by them.

It is ruled by the Aditya Aryaman, who is the dear friend that introduces the bride and groom, and subsequently asks for the bride’s hand in marriage. He is often paired with Bhaga, the god of delight who rules over the previous star and helps partners, romantic and otherwise smooth over difficulties and find love again. He also carries with him the wishes of the ancestors, the Pitris and so it is quite fitting that this New Moon is also the end of the 14 day celebration Pitru Paksha, where people pay homage to their ancestors. Since so much of what actually causes discord in our personal and interpersonal lives is beneath the surface of our awareness, and often carried through our lineage, it can be wise to pay respect to those who have passed before us and ask for their blessings as we move forward in our relations. It is also important to note that everything we accomplish and certainly any partnership or union we are a part of needs others, our community, to honor and support it if it is to truly flourish. We are not meant to undertake vows of any sort (personal or interpersonal), without family, friends, acquaintances, and/or  wise persons joining in to acknowledge those promises and bear witness, so that they may help us stay the course in the inevitable times of difficulty.

Virgo is the place in the sky where we are the most concerned with the details. It is the feminine, earth aspect of Mercury and shows how we try to organize things (information, objects, feelings) into categories to make it easier to make sense of the world. It can be difficult when we become so obsessed with this process that we forget to allow things to fall where they may, or run into things that may defy the categories we have created. We must remember that naming things and determining them as this or that is helpful in order to work within the material world, but ultimately everything defies our limited capacity to understand it and if we fixate on the minuscule we can quite literally lose sight of the big picture. Virgo is also a place where we are concerned with purity and cleanliness. Because it is the natural 6th house, of health and illness, it is also the place where we have an inherent understanding of the fragility of the human condition and are trying to prevent disease. Here we might be particularly prone to cleanses, diets, and other health regimes and this New Moon is an excellent time to begin such a practice, whether a short term “fast” or a long term health goal, as New Moons are the beginning of cycle and the energy grows in power for two weeks from here. Virgo loves plants and greenery and is very receptive to natural healing techniques and remedies.


This New Moon has 4 planets in Virgo and this greatly enhances the energy of this constellation in our lives right now, along with a mutual exchange from Jupiter Retrograde, in close degrees across the way. The house it is for you will be very lit up! Jupiter is offering insight and wisdom, and allows our beliefs and discrimination to work together. Venus and Mercury both join our Sun and Moon here in early degrees. Venus is in her sign of debilitation, where we become so fixated on perfection that we are unable to enjoy life, be happy and have meaningful sexual and love relations because of our over-active and critical mind. Generally our criticism of others is reflective of our self-criticism, so taking time to note the ways in which we pick apart ourselves can be helpful. One thing to be mindful of is that you will never be able to purify or clean yourself back to the perfect, pristine state. Nothing will ever be perfect enough for Virgo until we accept that and learn to embrace everything as perfect for where and how it is. This doesn’t mean throwing health to the wayside, but it does mean not obsessing over every last crumb we put in our mouth or that falls on the floor. It does mean opening up to others and allowing them to see us in our less-than-pure state. Everything we own will be more used and older as the days pass, and alas, so will we. Do we want to die having lived a life like an untouched white gown, or porcelain doll on a shelf, or do we want to die having lived a full and adventurous existence with the wrinkles and scars to prove it? Regardless of what you choose, your body will continue to age no matter how hard you try to keep that from happening. Might as well enjoy the ride!

Mercury Retrograde in his own sign and place of exaltation.This means that the energy of Virgo and Mercury as a whole will be more internalized and less able to manifest in the world, since the ruler is Retrograde. He is also combust, meaning close to the Sun, and therefore being overpowered by the bright luminary. Often this shows up as not feeling listened to, and sometimes not speaking up because we are afraid of what more powerful individuals will say or think. When Mercury is both Combust and Retrograde we find his energy to become very powerful however, because he is both close to the Sun and the Earth, where we stand. It is important to know that our experience of all these planets, luminaries and their respective energies is from our vantage point here on Earth. Everything we experience in life is from our vantage point, in fact. If you were standing somewhere else, you would see things differently. Likewise, if you had a different set of circumstances leading up to the one you find yourself presently in, you wold view it and respond differently as well.

Communication is key right now. Since all 4 planets are in Uttara Phalguni, contracts can be made, negotiations had and it is imperative that all parties are able to speak their truth in centered and grounded ways. Since generally it is not recommended to undertake such things in a Retrograde cycle, we can see there are some agreements that are unspoken, or not fully communicated about and this can cause problems down the road.  Try not to let fear in the way of what it is you need to say.

With Jupiter and Saturn still in their Retrograde cycles and Mars getting ready to begin his as well, it is an excellent time to reflect on where and what patterns, habits, beliefs, and commitments you have been carrying. We are also going to be moving into eclipse season and knowing where the eclipse points (nodes of the Moon) are in your chart will be crucial. If you have not yet signed up for my newsletter, you can go to: http://www.alexiscoxyoga.com/forecasts and receive 4 FREE transit reports for each of the 12 Rising Signs, breaking down exactly what areas of your life our affected and how!

Finally, the first day of the waxing moon phase after the New Moon begins Navarati, the 9 night festival of Durga, the goddess who slays the demons we have allowed our ego to manifest and brings us back to our natural state of peace and happiness. This is also a fall harvest festival and has deep roots throughout India and Nepal. This is a powerful time to join forces with the millions of people who will be praying and putting forth offerings, calling upon the great Mother for her blessings. (If you are interested in knowing more about this festival or participating in an authentic online puja with an initiated tantric practitioner and scholar of Durga, Here is a link:) Jai Maa!

Mantra for bringing Fullness rather than Lack:
Aum Pournnam-Adah Pournnam-Idam Pournnaat-Purnnam-Udacyate
Pournnashya Pournnam-Aadaaya Pournnam-Eva-Avashissyate
Aum Shanti Shanti Shanti [All this is full. All That is Full. When you take Fullness from Fullness, Fullness Remains. Om peace, peace, peace]

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