Sagittarius New Moon

December 5, 2010: Sagittarius New Moon (exact at 9:36 am PST)

New Moons yield beginnings with this one signaling an auspicious time to undertake a new project that can help us forge a greater understanding of the world around us. Expanding our horizons to embrace a different philosophical perspective—even just trying it on for size temporarily—can be incredibly valuable and uplifting.’

With the New Moon in Sagittarius—and with go-after-what-you-desire Mars also in this sign of the meaning-seeker—we may find ourselves starting many sentences with the word Why. These may be questions that help us garner understanding or declarative statements with which we share our knowledgeable perspective with others. Relatedly, it’s a good time to give homage to those who have been our teachers or guides, who have lit the path for us so that we can travel it with more enlightenment. From this reflection we may also gain unexpected insights into how we have served as preceptors for others.

With this celestial event, we may feel ignited with a sense of hopefulness and an exuberance that can propel us on a journey. Helping us to further survey the landscapes through which we may be traveling to gain a proactive analysis of the inherent limitations and restrictions that they may contain is today’s Mercury/Pluto conjunction. The communication planet (Mercury) and the into-the-depths planet (Pluto) align in the hardworking sign of Capricorn, which doesn’t like to cut any corners while taking a reality-based approach to tasks at hand. This planetary pair can help us connect with deeper levels of our knowingness to inform our thoughts and visions, and communicate them to others. Also, if we have been looking for some help in strengthening the efficiency of our BS meter, this alignment can come in mighty handy.

Also adding to the “atmosphere” today is Uranus stationing direct. When a planet goes direct, its energy shifts from internal to external. Uranus is the planet of the electric, the ecletic, and the unanticipated. With “expect the unexpected” as a mantra and a galvanized sense of cautious optimism (a great way to combine Sagittarian and Capricorn energies), we can harness the creative potential of the day in a way that helps us to connect in with inspiration and feel more empowered.

This month’s New Moon falls at 13 degrees of Sagittarius (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 Sagittarius or the other mutable signs—Gemini, Virgo, and Pisces—it may impact you more intensely.

New Moon Apothecary Suggestions

Sagittarius is associated with the liver, hips, buttocks, thighs, and sciatic nerve. Pay attention to these parts of the body and areas of health around the time of this New Moon.

Liver-supporting foods: As Sagittarius is the sign related to the liver, focusing on this important organ—vital for detoxification—is a great thing to do around the time of this New Moon. As New Moon signify beginnings, consider making changes in your diet today that will be of benefit in the future. Some liver-supporting foods to add include the Brassica vegetables (broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, kale, et al.), which feature sulfur-containing phytonutrients that ramp up detoxification enzymes. Also, limiting the amount of alcohol and additive-containing processed foods can be a boon for hepatic health as can incorporating more organic foods since these don’t contain the liver-challenging chemical residues that conventionally raised foods do.

Warrior II Yoga Pose: Even if you don’t do yoga, Warrior II is a great pose to practice today. It helps us to connect with the visionary spirit of the Sagittarian Archer who is looking into the future, visualizing goals that lie ahead right over the horizon. Plus, it helps to stretch and strengthen the Sagittarian-ruled muscles of the hips, thighs, and buttocks. For instructions on the Warrior II pose, see here.