On September 25th at 5:54pm eastern time, the moon will be reborn in the fires of the Sun amidst the discursive, deliberative, and social energies of Libra.

Each new moon gives us an opportunity for rebirth and renewal. As the moon purges and cleanses herself of the energies and tendencies of the previous lunar cycle, we can all be reborn as well.

For this reason, wise people throughout all ages have used new moons as a time for purifying the psyche of unwanted old habits, setting new, uplifting intentions for the next cycle, and reinvigorating ourselves with enthusiasm for life. The optimism and excitement of new beginnings can permeate our entire being so long as we let it.

This new moon occurs in the sign of Libra. Libra is the gate of the equinox; during Libra season, the nights become longer than the days - a literal manifestation of darkness triumphing over light. As we enter into the colder, darker half of the year, weighing and assessing our current situation in life becomes paramount in order to weather the upcoming months of lack.

This gives Libra its association with balance and the rational use of the mind in order to make proper assessments and judgments. Additionally, the weight that Libra feels in its decision-making process often compels it to seek out interlocutors and conversation partners as it goes through its process. This gives Libra its noteworthy communal and loquacious proclivities. You can read more about the nature of Libra and Libra season here.

The new Moon in Libra rouses us to engage in the tasks of weighing and assessing every aspect of our life. The new Moon invites us to be more reflective, and to take more time with all the decisions that we make without rushing into anything. We can all set new intentions to be more thoughtful and deliberative in the way that we approach our entire lives.

Libra teaches us that many of our best decisions and assessments are made when we can run them by other people. Due to its social and conversational nature, the new moon in Libra prioritizes interpersonal dynamics and relationships. This new moon calls us towards balancing and assessing our lives within the context our relationships. While we may have to make decisions, they can be made while considering those around us. Thoughout the entire lunar cycle, you will be pulled to be more social and communally engaged as you follow through on your own intentions.

Libra has a strong penchant for its back-and-forth, contrarian attitude in its decision-making process. Libra’s wisdom teaches us how to constantly recalibrate and modulate our own intentions and desires according to the changing circumstances and situations around us. In fact, the Tarot card associated with Libra in Aleister Crowley’s Tarot deck goes by the name adjustment. Crowley - himself a Libra - understood very well the constant balancing act of fairness and justice that is involved in ensuring that everyone is being treated properly, and that our own intentions are constantly being indexed to interpersonal dynamics that are far more important.

Ruled by Venus, this period is very much about interpersonal kindness. You will be best served using this period to go inward and ask yourself how you can be more fair and balanced in your relationships to other people - do you act in a way that honors and respects your close friends and family? Are you walking with a mind for how your actions treat people? Do you notice the ripple effect into the lives of others from your own choices?

This Libra new Moon sees an opposition with Jupiter at exactly 1 degree. You will see firm but helpful input coming from teachers and authority figures. A situation may arise where someone points out how your actions could have been more considerate. You notice how your own personal choices affects others more poignantly.

The Moon also forms a trine to both malefics. Interpersonal relationships and dynamics with others can become more testy at times. Verbal sparring and disagreement will be more common given the nature of the trines within air signs. Though Libra is itself a benefic sign with a benefic ruler, this period will still see its fair share of polemics and discord.

To prepare for the aspects of this New Moon cycle that may be more challenging, be sure to examine the houses in your own chart that are currently being transited by the malefics. If, for instance, you have Saturn transiting your 11th and Mars your 3rd, disagreements may surface with community figures, neighbors, coworkers, and siblings. If the 10th and 2nd, work and financial life may have more troubles, as well as disagreements with one’s boss.

Ultimately, the points of contention that arise will be non-issues in the big picture. This is an air sign - things tend to stay within the realm of discourse and potentiality, and don’t actualize into anything serious long-term. Additionally, benefic signs like libra tend to bring lunar cycles that are at the end of the day pleasent and enjoyable, even if some difficult lessons are learned along the way.