Moon in Virgo

Thursday afternoon through Saturday afternoon

The Moon moves into careful Virgo at 4:53pm EDT exactly (Virgo likes to be precise). After the intense emotions swirling around the disastrous earthquake and tsunami in Japan, and the ongoing nuclear crisis, we turn our thoughts to what must be done.

4-month-old girl found

We're now reading about disaster preparedness (a Virgo topic). Poignant stories are emerging too, from the sacrifice of a young woman who would not leave her post announcing to her town that all must leave immediately, to the miraculous discovery of a baby girl in the rubble. Virgo finds healing and comfort in knowing the details.

Very early Friday morning, the Moon trines Pluto in Capricorn, placing herself in humble service to the great forces of transformation. There is much work to be done. Mercury in Aries opposes Saturn in Libra this morning, as the impulse to do something, anything, right away struggles for balance with the need to take things step by step.

Friday evening, the Virgo Moon opposes Venus in Aquarius, and we feel the need to balance everyday details with the larger, creative, radical vision that Aquarius holds out for us.

Saturday brings us to a hinge in the year, a turning of the spiral. We enter into a cascade of events that begins with the Full Moon in Virgo, with the Moon at perigee, close to the Earth. Because this Full Moon happens at the very end of Virgo, the Moon moves quickly into Libra, where she opposes Uranus the Awakener in bright Aries. Sunday, the Spring Equinox arrives as the Sun joins Uranus for a blaze of new fire.

With this great turning on its way, we use theses days of the Virgo Moon to prepare ourselves. Virgo is a sign that loves ritual ... the rituals of daily life, of healing, and of spirit. Find comfort in what is familiar, in the practices which sustain you. Offer healing to others and to our world. We know, in Virgo, that we are small, and yet we are needed. We offer ourselves in service, and hope to be ready.