Moon into Libra: Time to Exhale

Sunday morning through Tuesday morning
Eastern Standard Time

Sunday, December 18

Clear Wind, Strong Bamboo

Moon enters Libra 3:06am
Moon inconjunct Jupiter (Taurus) 3:54am
Moon opposite Uranus (Aries) 4:15am
Moon inconjunct Chiron (Pisces) 5:22am
Venus (Capricorn) square Saturn (Libra) 9:17am
Moon sextile Mercury (Sagittarius) 12:25pm
Moon square Pluto (Capricorn) 2:46pm

Monday, December 19
Moon semisextile the North Node (Sagittarius) 2:14am
Moon semisextile Mars (Virgo) 7:00am
Venus (Capricorn) semisextile Neptune (Aquarius) 9:52am
Sun (Sagittarius) sextile Saturn (Libra) 11:24am

Tuesday, December 20
Moon conjunct Saturn (Libra) 1:19am
Moon sextile the Sun (Sagittarius) 2:17am
Moon trine Neptune (Aquarius) 3:13am
Moon square Venus (Capricorn) 4:48am
(begin void of course)
Moon enters Scorpio 5:33am

The Moon enters balanced Libra very early Sunday, heading into a series of intriguing transits. Libra is sometimes criticized for being wishy–washy, even codependent, but I prefer to think of Libra as a devil's advocate––the role the Moon will play over the next few days, with diplomacy and grace.

Over the course of the day, the Libra Moon will challenge the big transiting pattern of our time: the Uranus–Pluto square. The Moon will oppose Uranus and square Pluto, challenging these two great forces of change to rethink, reconceptualize and rebalance.

During this same time, the Moon will be at the apex of a yod, also called a finger of fate, with Jupiter and Chiron at the base. This aspect creates a point of focus on the Libra Moon, asking her to balance input from Jupiter the expansive philosopher-sage and Chiron the cosmic wounded healer.

With Uranus opposite the Moon during the yod, the message is clear enough: The way out of our current dilemmas will be original, innovative and revolutionary.

Sunday is also the day Venus and Saturn reach their exact square, another interesting challenge. Generally, a Venus–Saturn square brings limitations and reality checks in relationships, finances and creative endeavors. And yet, looking at the signs involved, we see mutual reception: Venus moves through steady, responsible Capricorn while Saturn happily rests in lovely, creative Libra.

Windy Day by Irina Baldina

With the Moon also in Libra, and a sextile to Mercury thrown in for good measure, we might struggle with but also realize one or more of the following:

• Creative solutions require clear thinking AND focused action.

• Beautiful concepts CAN manifest when we put time and effort into them.

• There is wisdom in the past that can contribute to creating a wonderful future.

Sunday's aspects call for clear Libran thinking, while offering creatively practical breakthroughs.

Monday, the Moon forms semisextiles with the North Node and Mars, and Venus forms a semisextile with Neptune. Semisextiles are classified as minor aspects, sparking a somewhat edgy energy between the planets involved. This combination suggests we might still be processing Sunday's transits, sorting out how to balance detailed action with cosmic vision.

As the day continues, part of the answer begin to emerge. The Sun sextiles Saturn, shining light on our ability to move forward. As Tuesday begins, the Moon joins Saturn, and the Sun sextiles the Moon.

We're reaching the end of a waning lunar cycle. This waning sextile is a time when we can get clear on what we need to let go of. The strong presence of Saturn gives us a tap on the shoulder: Pay attention, take this seriously, clean out whatever needs to go at this end of the cycle and end of the year.

I listened to a wonderful interview yesterday with Dennis Lewis, part of Interviews at the Edge with Tami Simon at Sounds True. Daniel talked about breathing, pointing out that natural breath balances the exhale and the inhale. Yet many of us put more effort into the inhale, trying hard to pull in more air in without releasing the old. This just doesn't work, making us feel we can't get enough air, that there simply isn't enough.

This interview expanded my understanding of a breath workshop I took a few months ago with Cynthia Bretheim, in which she also talked about the importance of balancing our inhale and exhale, the two halves of the breathing cycle. (If you're in the Bloomington area, I recommend this powerful workshop!)

So here we are with the Moon in Libra, the Air sign that values balance, in the waning half of the last lunar cycle of 2011. To what extent are we trying to bring more (and more and more) into our lives without letting go of what's finished? Can we realize with this waning Libra Moon, with the help of Saturn, that the waxing and waning halves of every cycle need to be balanced and equal?

The last two aspects for the Libra Moon are a flowing trine with visionary Neptune, and a challenging square with Venus. Dennis Lewis talked about the fear we can feel as we exhale, the fear of loss. If we really empty our lungs, will there be more air for us? Will this breath be our last? Acknowledging this fear, he suggests we relax into the mystery, letting go without knowing what will come back.

The square to Venus opens a brief void of course period before the Moon steps into the shadowy mysteries of Scorpio. We are challenged to exhale into the darkness. Let it go. Let it be.