October 2009 Wellness Horoscope

October 3, 2009: Libra/Aries Full Moon (exact at 11:10 pm PDT)

The Libra/Aries Full Moon reminds us that within relationships three participants are present–the I, the You, and the We—all with unique needs of their own. Today, we can gain additional insight into how the I and the You make the We and yet how the equation is more exponential than additive, as the relationship is its own entity, having its own personality and existence. We can see how we can contribute to it and derive so much from it, but inherently it is separate than the individuals that comprise it.

As this is the Full Moon appearing closest to the Autumnal Equinox, it is also the Harvest Moon, where Luna appears bigger and brighter than normal. It’s given this name because the extra light that it expresses provided farmers with additional time to work in their fields, gathering their precious crops. We can use the symbolism of the Moon’s radiance to help us illuminate where imbalances may exist in our relationships.

The path to these realizations and the work required to find accord may not necessarily be filled with complete poise and unfettered ease. After all, the Moon—which signifies our needs and what feels good to us–is in the sign of Aries. While Libra can express much patience, the concept of watching, planning, and waiting is relatively foreign to Aries. It wants things now, or before now. Therefore, be aware of the potential for outbursts of impatience or irritability. Yet, the influx of Arian energy isn’t necessarily negative; the Moon in this fiery sign can provide us with the spark that we need to express ourselves and get things accomplished.

This month’s Full Moon falls at 11 degrees of Libra (Sun) and Aries (Moon). While everyone experiences the energies of a Full Moon, if you have planets or pivotal points (i.e., Ascendant/Descendant or Nadir/Midheaven) around this degree in Libra, Aries, or the other cardinal signs—Capricorn and Cancer—it may impact you more intensely.

Full Moon Apothecary Suggestions

Libra is associated with the skin, lower back, and blood sugar balance while Aries is associated with the head, muscles, and circulatory system. Pay extra attention to these parts of the body and areas of health around the time of this Full Moon.

Vetiver: Vetiver essential oil helps to calm pitta, dispelling the excess Arian heat and inflammatory energy associated with this Ayurvedic dosha. In addition to its calming and grounding effects, vetiver is rejuvenating for the Libra-ruled skin. Mix a few drops with some unscented massage oil for an all-over restorative experience. Or, carry a vial of vetiver with you, inhaling its fragrance whenever you need to relax and restore your grounded focus. As with all essential oils, it’s best to purchase vetiver from a high-quality, reputable manufacturer.

Partner Yoga: One example of an exercise ritual that can be shared by two people, partner yoga is a fun and relationship-building way to stay in shape. By relying upon another person to help you acehive greater depth and grace in asanas (poses), partner yoga can help you to strengthen and fortify your body, mind, and relationship. Inquire with your local yoga studios to see if they offer partner yoga classes and/or look into the various books and DVDs available on the subject.

October 17, 2009: Libra New Moon  (exact at 10:33 pm PDT)

New Moons are times of beginnings, opportunities to connect with all that is potential and plant seeds for the birth of that which we want to create.  As this New Moon is in Libra, it’s a good time to survey our relationships and see how we may encourage them to flourish so that our lives can be even more graced by them.

Using the image of the Scales, the symbol for Libra, as your guide, weigh and assess the value of your existing relationships, considering their strengths and weaknesses. Also, step back and look at the larger landscape of your relationships, seeing whether your needs that can be accommodated through a relationship actually are. If not, can existing relationships—with a little shifting—better serve you? Would new friends (or a new partner) help you to prosper and be more fulfilled? Are some of your unmet needs actually those that you can provide for yourself? These are some good questions to ask during a Libra New Moon. If objectively seeing the ins and outs of you relationships seems especially challenging, consider finding a neutral “mediator” who you can talk to about this, someone who can help you clearly negotiate a deeper understanding of this area of your life.

Today’s Sun and Moon make a trine to dreamy Neptune, infusing within us a greater desire to experience grace and beauty. As Neptune represents the energy of numinosity, it’s as if indulging ourself with harmony and elegance will allow us to connect more deeply with ourselves and everything around us. So, consider treating yourself to something beautiful and sensually enrapturing—a candlelit dinner, fragrant bath, or pedicure and foot massage are some ideas—to celebrate this day. Be aware, though, of an urge for an impulsive and unrealistic shopping spree; after all, Libra loves luxury and Neptune, in all its glory, can blind us to some realities—like that of our bank balance.

This month’s New Moon falls at 25 degrees of Libra (Sun and Moon). While everyone experiences the energies of a New Moon, if you have planets or pivotal points (i.e., Ascendant/Descendant or Nadir/Midheaven) around this degree in Libra or the other cardinal signs—Aries, Cancer, and Capricorn—it may impact you more intensely.

New Moon Apothecary Suggestions

Libra is associated with the skin, lower back, and blood sugar balance. Pay attention to these parts of the body and areas of health around the time of this New Moon.

Facial: With Libra associated with both the skin and beauty, today’s a great day to focus on skin health and radiance. If you don’t want to schedule a facial at a day spa, consider doing one at home. First, clean your face, lightly massaging in the cleanser for a few minutes to stimulate blood and lymph flow. You can exfoliate while you clean (using a gentle skin brush), use a store-bought natural face scrub, or make your own–using ingredients such as oatmeal, almond powder, or rice flour mixed with yogurt (DIY scrub recipes can be found in books and websites). Then, do a steam treatment using an essential oil like rose or chamomile. Follow this up with a mask suited to your skin type. While relaxing with the mask on, apply cucumber slices or damp tea bags to your eyes to soothe them. After rinsing off the mask, spritz some rose water on your face, then apply a moisturizer, and continue to enjoy your Libra New Moon day.

Eat Fruit: As Libra is associated with sweets and fertility, it is the sign aligned with fruit. So why not make these delicious and phytonutrient-rich foods a greater focus of your diet today? You don’t even need to eat more servings of fruit if you already eat a good amount; rather, try varying the types that you enjoy. For example, consider trying a variety of apple or pear that you usually don’t buy. Or treat yourself to a fruit—mangos, pineapple, or berries for instance–that you usually avoid because of the price. See if your food market sells exotic fruit—such as mangosteen, dragon fruit, or star fruit; enjoying the delectables from another culture, notably one you’ve never experienced, can make your day even sweeter.