New Moon Sept 2, 2024 at 9:56 pm ET in 16°52 sidereal Leo Purva Phalguni: Finding Joy

The New Moon on will be in a beautiful degree of sidereal Leo called Purva Phalguni that turns the focus to celebration, unity, creativity and joy. Ruled by the Sun and Venus, this sign, known as the “star of development and creation,” thrives when it expresses itself physically and artistically. It’s connected to Bhaga, the god of good fortune and marriage, and its symbol is the marriage bed, making unity and pleasure a focus of this New Moon.

However, the idea of celebrating may feel foreign or even indulgent given the current state of the world. But this New Moon would remind us that the more we connect to the calm and joy we find within ourselves and with others, as this New Moon suggests, the more we will be inspired to (somehow) create more of this in the world. Pushing it aside will only breed more disconnect and loneliness. (See suggestions below for how to connect with joy. Hint: anything we do to strengthen vagal tone will do this.)

The direct aspect by Saturn Retrograde to this New Moon gives us a chance to look at how we’ve been connecting / celebrating / creating… and to consider making these kinds of expressions more of a consistent thing, not just a once in a while type of thing. As we go into eclipse season the next two lunar events, having creative practices in our daily routines will ground and support us in this calm and joy - as individuals and as a whole - as we move through hardships and upset we may encounter.

Saturn’s influence also reminds us we may first need time alone before we are able to engage, that doing so might be a necessary step before connection. In Ayurveda, the definition of health is to be “swastha” - situated in the self - which goes well beyond simply not getting sick. It brings forward the idea of being in full alignment, in mind body spirit. This is where the Vedas and Purva Phalguni encourage us to engage in “the medicine the doctor didn’t order,” specifically things that support happiness and a deeper sense of connection - to our physical bodies, to spirit, to nature, and eventually to each other.

Some questions to ask:
✨Have you danced lately?
✨Have you been creative?
✨Are you expressing yourself?
✨Do you need to prioritize alone time? Or have you been reclusive?
✨Who do you love and want to connect with?
✨What brings you joy?

Some practices to consider:
💚Sing, hum, dance and get into nature; this helps strengthen the vagus nerve (connected to the parasympathetic nervous system, and to creating joy and happiness in the body)
💚Practice pranayama (intentional breathwork) with a focus on the 3+4 chakras, the solar plexus, the lungs and heart center
💚Take intentional breaks
💚Connect with loved ones
💚Revisit your favorite songs
💚Start a gratitude journal

 :::PEACE:::