A Melanie Santos Community Bi-Weekly Digest

 

 

 

 

 

Scroll down for all of the insights and tools.

 

 

As the Sun is soon wrapping up its season here, the New Moon joins Earth sign Virgo. Ruled by planet of communication, Mercury, and represented by the virgin and earth goddess of agriculture, Virgo is the detail-oriented zodiac concerned with order, truth-seeking, and organization above all else. It's interacting with other celestial bodies in a way that encourages us to let our freak flag fly against all odds, so let's get into the details and how we can best navigate all of this cosmic energy for healing, mind, body, soul self-care, and divine alignment.

 

 

This New Moon perfects in Virgo as its season starts to round out. Virgo rules the sixth astrological house, so themes of systems and organization, work habits, service, health and fitness, and having a sense of usefulness are all highlighted for us until the next New Moon. 

 

Ask yourself: How are these themes showing up in your life? What about them is begging for cleansing and grounding?

 

Virgo's ruling planet, Mercury, which has been retrograde for the past few weeks, stations direct the day after the New Moon perfects. Not only is Mercury Virgo's ruling planet, but it represents communication, logic, and mental energy, so all this alignment is amazing for the energy in our lives.

 

Best cast scenario, this moment is a catapult forward into a more stable future because you’ve been reviewing, resetting, and holding yourself accountable for how you want to change your life. Also in the best case scenario but assuming from much different energy, this moment drags you because you haven’t been reviewing, resetting, or holding yourself accountable. You’ve been waiting and praying for clarity and answers without radical, intentional action. So this lunation could feel more somber and overwhelming than exciting. 

 

Either way, this New Moon is here to tell us to stop second-guessing what comes to us intuitively. To allow our natural creativity to be a part of our process. To be reminded that creativity is spirituality, and trust is necessary.

 

Virgo also activates the Black Moon Lilith side of the moon, a powerful asteroid, and cosmic body that often gets overlooked by Virgo’s earthly focus on order. The Black Moon Lilith represents feminine energy, specifically the dark, raw, untamable, wild archetype of the feminine. It’s the provocative, incendiary, know-your-worth energy that the world has historically tried to keep people from, especially women. 

 

Black Moon Lilith energy represents creativity, sexual empowerment, knowing and acting from our sacral, our goddess center, activating energy that commands without having to demand because it occurs naturally and aligns with who you are.

 

Tap in. Be grateful for and express all the things that make you “weird” – that’s where your magic exists! Project intentions affirming your authentic stance, that you will no longer play small, honor your creativity and sensuality, and channel your sacred rage into the beautiful things you’ve been dreaming of birthing. As an earth sign, Virgo affirms these earthly cycles of death and rebirth, so don’t be afraid to go dark. The moment of your emergence will come.

 

 

This is tradition, structure, restriction, and rules (Saturn) opposing our logic and communication (Mercury) and organizing and planning (Virgo). Although this energy may put a strain on us if we’ve been accustomed to living life as we’ve been expected to and doing things “by the book,” this energy reminds us that we have full permission to go against the grain, to break the boxes we were offered in our upbringing, to think outside of the binaries that society continues to impose on us.

 

Uranus represents rebellion, revolution, and awakening, so as it's in harmonious aspect to the New Moon, any moves we make right now could be opportunities for more abundance, especially if we’re committed to moving in uniquely authentic ways.

 

As if we needed more confirmation to surrender our fears and insecurities to the Divine flow within…the time is now. 

 

What it means for us: Seven retrogrades, but we keep on.

 

While Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, Pluto, Chiron, and Eris are retrograde, and Mercury is coming to a standstill, Mars is the only major planet moving forward. Mars is the planet of forward action, will, and drive, so while we’re being encouraged to break out of boxes and create foundations grounded in our Divine truth, Mars’ energy can help us move forward like never before.

 

The warning? Tap in and harness this energy from the soul, not your ego. It can be easy to lose control to your ego, especially if you’ve been craving forward movement, but Mars’ shadow detonates amidst impulsivity. Be intentional.

 

In case you need the reminder, this is what each retrograde is offering us right now:

 

Saturn — Saturn (structure, restriction, time, and karma) retrograde (June 17 – November 4) invites us to assess our long-term goals and commitments and see the REAL about where we are on our journey. Reflect on your responsibilities and limitations, seeking ways to better align with your ambitions. Use this time to restructure and refine your plans, where you might be too mentally rigid, and where you need to take more aligned action.

 

Chiron — Retrograde Chiron encourages you to confront past emotional wounds and traumas. Engage in healing practices such as therapy or journaling to gain insight into your triggers. Embrace self-compassion and forgiveness, fostering a journey of inner healing and empowerment.

 

Uranus — While Uranus (unexpected change and awakening) is retrograde (August 28 – January 27, 2024), channel your inner restlessness into self-discovery. Let any shake-ups be the help you need to explore new perspectives and question the status quo. Focus on how things are happening for you, not why. It's about personal growth and positive change, using this time to break free from stagnant routines and rigid thinking. Think BIG.

 

Neptune — Neptune (ideals, intuition, and spirituality) retrograde (June 30 – December 6) is a period of inner reflection and clarity. Challenge self-deception and illusions by seeking truth and authenticity in your dreams and goals. Humanize your visions! They belong to you for a reason! Prioritize mindfulness practices like stillness and meditation to navigate any confusion that arises. This energy is valuable, too. Let it help you align with your higher purpose with its extra weird dose of dreaminess.

 

Pluto — When Pluto (death, rebirth, recalibration) is retrograde (May 1 – October 11), embrace the opportunity for deep shadow work and even more profound transformation. Don't hide from yourself – confront your fears and buried emotions, and let go of what no longer is serving you. Engage in shadow work and embrace change. Seize the opportunity to emerge from this period stronger and more self-aware.

 

Eris — Retrograde Eris (chaos and discord) prompts you to address conflicts and disruptions constructively, and that's because Eris uncovers anything that's hidden. Use this time to identify the sources of strife or stress in your life and seek resolutions through open communication and understanding, even if they incite conversations with yourself. Embrace the challenge of finding harmony amidst chaos, realizing the magic you can make out of your mess.

 

Jupiter — When Jupiter (expansion and luck) stations retrograde (September 4 – December 3), our expansion and growth may take a more inward turn. Instead of seeking external opportunities, this period prompts us to reflect on our beliefs, what we want, and where everything is rooted. It's a time to reconsider our paths and ensure they align with our true values. To make the most of Jupiter retrograde, focus on doing some shadow work, questioning why you want what you want and why you think it would genuinely bring expansion into your life. Reevaluate your long-term goals and make sure they resonate with your authentic self.

 

Exercise whatever you're feeling authentically and unapologetically under this New Moon. Feeling frustrated? Set aside time and space to punch some pillows at home. This will help get the rage out safely and settle your nervous system. (Great activity to do with kids, by the way.) Feeling blocked creatively? Pick a creative medium, don't make a plan, and GO for it. Paint, sculpt, collage, dance, sing, whatever feels the most aligned and gives you the most release. Not happy with a certain aspect of your life? Focus on running a fine tooth comb through it with a notebook and pen. Describe how that area of your life feels currently, what's working, and what's not. Then, describe how you want it to feel. Take your time drawing a bridge from one version of your life to the next, each plank being an action you can take to change your situation.

 

I've shared these suggestions specifically because I've talked a bunch about looking within, stopping patterns of second-guessing, and expressing ourselves as we are. But there are a million ways to love on yourself under this lunation. Most of all, flow with the cosmic tides without being too critical of who and where you are right now. Regardless of the mind maps your anxiety is building, you're right where you need to be. Divine time is just that, Divine. 

 

All zodiac signs rule parts of the body, and Virgo governs the digestive system. The gut isn't only our second brain but our energetic space of intuition and authority. Give your brain a break and lead with your gut. Listen to it. Act accordingly. If it's a no, it's not a maybe. It's a no. If it's a full-body yes, don't try to convince yourself otherwise. Say yes and trust that the rest will follow. 

 

Remember wtf you are – equipped for all the shifts, instilled with a Spirit bolder than your human worries, born to catalyze this moment.

If you have any questions or insights, reply with a note, but know that this email was sealed with the highest of healing intentions. 

 

Stay safe. Stay intentional. Sending love from NYC. 💜 MS. 

 

Journal + Reflection Prompts

locate your houses + 
focus your intentions

If you're a premium member, you've probably had the pleasure of indulging in our first wellness event of the year, Birth Charting 101 led by Nadia of @selfloveastro. If you need a refresher or haven't watched the workshop yet, navigate to the Member Portal. It's the perfect workshop for beginners.

 

You can find your birth or natal chart for free online – I like using Chani Nicholas' chart generator on her website. Once you have your chart in front of you, locate the zodiac signs that pertain to this moment's astrology (the sign the Sun and Moon are in) and look at the number of the section they're in. That would be the astrological house you're looking for. You can Google “astrological houses" to get an accurate breakdown of what each means, but here is a breakdown you can use now via AstroStyle. 

 

Above is an example of Virgo being in the 9th House of travel, wisdom, philosophy, learning, and ethics, and Pisces being in the 3rd House of thinking, communication, early education, interests, neighbors, and siblings.

 

Knowing the houses makes all the difference in the energy and focus you can bring your intentions. 

New moon intentions

 

I am safe to be exactly who I am.

 

I am safe to let my freak flag fly! I was created to be liberated and authentically me at all times.

 

My authenticity and honest expression are a form of love for myself and others.

 

My mind, body, and spirit flow naturally and authentically.

 

My life is a life of order, abundance, and love.

 

I surrender to the unknown with faith that I am being Divinely guided, always and in all ways.

 

I am grateful for connecting with the blessings and the lessons in any and every situation.