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Libra, whose symbol is the scales, is all about balance – twelve hours of daylight and twelve hours of darkness – a moment of perfect equilibrium all over the world. The spring equinox is a time when we seek balance in our personal lives, release stagnant energy, and make a fresh start. No wonder so many of us change our diet, start a fitness regime, and feel like spring cleaning the house and garden at this time of year.
In Chinese medicine, spring is associated with the liver, the element of wood, and the emotion of anger. When liver energy is in balance, we are able to make clear decisions, express emotional needs, and follow through with creative projects. Liver energy imbalance can show up as angry outbursts, workaholic tendencies, and feelings of agitation and frustration.
Take care of your liver this spring by eating fresh food, drinking plenty of water, and cutting down on alcohol and rich or processed foods. Reap the benefits of feeling lighter, brighter, youthful, and more energetic, and put a ‘spring’ back in your step!
• 1/2 ripe honeydew melon
• 3 green apples
• 1 cucumber
• Handful of parsley
Preparation
Honeydew melon
• Remove outer skin and cut into pieces
• Juice melon slices with seeds
Green apples
• Remove stems and any stickers
• Juice apples whole with skin and seeds
• Cut in half or quarters if too big to fit into the juice chute
Cucumber
• Cut in chunks and juice with skin on
Parsley
• Roughly chop leaves and stems
• Juice handfuls at a time
Mix together and enjoy!
Take advantage of the Piscean energy to nurture your creative side, meditate, and enjoy nature. If you feel overwhelmed, take time out to rest and reflect. Be gentle with yourself and others. With the sun in Virgo and moon in Pisces, though, try to strike a balance between being practical and grounded (Virgo) vs showing kindness and empathy (Pisces).
On 23rd July, Venus began her 43-day retrograde cycle, travelling backwards through fire sign Leo and disappearing from view as she passed in front of the sun. Venus will complete her retrograde journey on the 4th September, reborn from darkness as the morning star.
During the six weeks of Venus retrograde (23rd July – 4th September) love, relationships, money, and aesthetics go under the microscope. Venus retrograde is a time to reflect on these areas and make adjustments. A time when truths both good and bad are revealed, often quite suddenly or unexpectedly. A time to reflect on our emotional vulnerability.
When Venus starts moving forward again (4th September onwards) her energy will be more conducive to making decisions in love, relationships, finances, and creativity. We are eager to take on new commitments, leave the past behind, and make a fresh start. There is an acceptance and understanding of recent events. If you have felt stifled or lacking in joy and enthusiasm over the past few weeks, your mood should improve.
The Virgo new moon only happens once a year. It is a time for setting intentions, focusing on practical matters, and striving for self-improvement. Virgo is associated with organisation, attention to detail, health, and productivity. During this phase, you can harness the new moon energy to initiate activities that align with Virgo's qualities and make positive changes in your life. Here are a few suggestions:
• Set clear achievable goals for the month ahead along with a plan for making them happen.
• Declutter and organise your home, workplace, and digital devices for increased efficiency.
• Start a new health, wellness, and fitness routine.
• Launch new work projects, especially those that require attention to detail, precision, and meticulous planning.
• Learn a new skill or take a course that enhances your knowledge and expertise.
• Take stock of your recent accomplishments and challenges. Reflect on what's working well and what could be improved.
• Incorporate self-care routines that address your physical, mental, and emotional well-being.
• Volunteer or help out your local community or a cause you care about.
• Start a craft project, design something, or engage in any activity that requires precision and attention to detail.
• Review your financial situation, create a budget, and set financial goals.
• If you struggle with time management, use the Virgo new moon to establish better routines, prioritise tasks, and allocate your time more effectively.
On 24th August, in the middle of his transit through Virgo, Mercury came to a halt and began travelling backwards through the zodiac. Just over three weeks later, on 16th September, Mercury will start moving forwards again. This phase of the Mercury cycle is known as ‘Mercury direct’.
The advice from late August and for the first half of September is to be more cautious in your communications, avoid making major decisions, and double-check details, as Mercury retrograde can bring misunderstandings, miscommunications, and technical glitches.
As Mercury turns direct on 16th September the energy of the Mercury retrograde period starts to wane, enabling clearer communication, smoother travel, and more straightforward decision-making. But continue to take things slowly in the second half of September, giving yourself time to adjust, as Mercury picks up speed and moves back into its regular orbit.
Libra is all about harmony and seeking balance in all areas of life, including personal relationships, work, family, and health. With the sun joining Mars in Libra in late September and the spring equinox, balance is a major theme this month.
Here are a few ideas for making the Mars in Libra energy work best for you.
A tense line-up between Venus and Uranus at this full moon will test the stability of relationships through sudden changes or an impulsive need for excitement.
Take stock of the goals you set at the Virgo new moon mid-month and check your progress. Express your thoughts and opinions with confidence and clarity. Now is the perfect time to have honest conversations and communicate your needs and boundaries.
Engage in physical exercises that invigorate your body and release pent-up energy. This could include a challenging workout, a brisk walk, dancing, or any activity that gets your blood pumping.
Stella Woods is an astrology teacher, writer, and consultant. Contact Stella at stella@stellastarwoman.com or www.stellastarwoman.com or
www.facebook.com/stellastarwoman
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