I’m a Libra with Scorpio rising. My moon is in Virgo and I never truly connected with it or understood it until now. Many interpretations of a Virgo Moon are misguided because they point to the sun sign Virgo and its traits and even then the sign of Virgo is heavily misunderstood because of its association with the word “virgin” in a Western context. And in Western astrology Virgo sun signs are known to be neat and tidy, pedantic, detail orientated and methodical- making Virgos to appear a bit lifeless which is odd to me considering they are an earth sign? So lets look deeper…
In an Eastern context “virgin” means “maiden” as in “not associated with a man”. The word “Virgin” in the past represented a young woman INDEPENDENT from a man. Virgo traits thus represent someone who is greatly independent in all aspects to their life and many individuals with Virgo in their birth chart lean towards a solitary life independent from dealing with relationships. In turn, Virgo sits in my moon and your moon sign rules your deepest emotions. Thus Virgo moons tend to be very private people and enjoy their own company the most. My Libra sun implies at face value I’m sociable and playful but really in my own space and with those closest to me, there is nothing better than being quiet and walking around nude, I greatly enjoy covering my nude body in oils, mud, sand and very natural substances- its when I feel natural and honest. Another aspect to Virgo is the deep, earthy sensuality since this sign is ruled by Demeter, the earth goddess of the harvest. Therefore there is something quite fertile and erotic about this sign!
Virgo is also the sign of service, the moon in Virgo associates with what’s truly at my heart, at the seat of my emotions and that is to serve. Coupled with my romantic Libra sun and passionate Scorpio rising, my Virgo moon enjoys showing my love for people in a physical and practical way but also wanting a career that is of service to others, hence the yearning to be a holistic and creative counselor and yoga teacher.
As I begin to understand my Virgo moon and its qualities, I also discover I’m born under the Balsamic waning moon plus the month of the Hunters moon (October). Learning the qualities of this moon phase was an epiphany moment and made so much sense!
The Hunters moon is a very bloody moon indeed and is sometimes called the “blood moon” this is a time when in days gone by, communities would slaughter their animal stock in preparation for the harsh times ahead in winter. These were times where fruit and veg was scarce and people lived off bone broths and meat pies. As someone deeply in tune with the more primal aspects to life and death, I feel that this moon is suited to me considering my spirit animal is the black Leopard.
The specific moon phase I was born under, exactly on my time of birth, was the Balsamic waning moon:
Balsamic comes from the word balsam, a word that means something soothing or restorative. It’s a salad dressing, and the name for the restful time of the lunar cycle. This implies I’m at home in the Dark of the Moon. The waning Moon grows smaller until it’s just a sliver, and then darkness. I was born in that magical liminal in-between- the cross roads, the bridge between worlds!
This dark of the moon is my power time when revelatory ideas come. Unlike those born after the New Moon, I’m gifted at reflecting on what’s gone before. Possible career choices I could shine in are: historical writer or an artist in any medium.
I’m not one to rush out into new challenges. But still may accomplish a great deal from my protected private place. I need a lot of time alone to keep from being overwhelmed and to stay in sync with my own gifts of sight. I enjoy some socializing and being in a loving partnership, but like an insect, I need time alone in the dark, in the mud, to burrow deep into my subconscious. In fact some of my best ideas for poetry and art have come from reflecting and meditating at night. At times I do feel more like a creature than a human, I’m very feral and instinctual and I relate very much to harsh beauty of nature.
Balsamic moon people are naturally drawn to mysticism, particularly the mysteries of life and death. Our life purpose is to tie up loose ends, allow things to ferment (essentially let go) and create a nutrient-rich environment for the new to germinate. This is extremely heightened in me since I have a lot of Scorpio in my chart too. As a child I was quite brooding and felt somewhat an affinity with the shadow or dream world.
The nature of Balsamic moon people is to mix it all in the cauldron, and with the heat, busting open seeds for the new. We live with one eye on the future and are often detached from current events and culture. Our role is to vision the future, out of what’s fermented from the past. This is the role of the witch, seer or shaman- a person between worlds.
We instinctively know there are times to let go of the known, in favor of the unknown. We tend be a bit introverted, but become playful and confident with those we know intimately.
Just as a shaman or the witch straddles two worlds, so do those of the Balsamic moon. We may be drawn to the healing arts and be especially intuitive. As an artist, we can create original works that give a first glimpse of the emerging future. Our Moon phase is about ending, but it’s there in the womb-like dark, that the new is birthed! We are very much in tune with the Life-death cycle.
Our Moon phase is an initiation into new ways of being. The old and new overlap, as we resolve the past, and wrap up relationships. Therefore we may have a lot of brief ties with specific work to do, before moving on. The pattern is one of finishing old business and ships passing in the night. Balsamic moon individuals are very good at accepting all kinds of ‘deaths’ in life and thus letting go of what once was. These people are closely connected to the goddess Persephone too, walking into the deep, dark shadows of the murky underworld (or harsh realities of life) to come out the other side as the queen of the night.
As the old is completed, we catch sight of the new. As the visionary seer we can be a guide for others across that bridge. That’s very valuable in a time of so much natural collapse, unveiling, and revelation.
We also tend to be a bit of an outside observer in that way. And yet, we’re tuned into the timeless currents, as well. Much like the hedge-witch, living on the fringe of society.
As I work more with my moon sign in Virgo and of my moon phase as the dark waning moon I begin on a path of self discovery and awareness which in turn inspires a storm of creativity currently brewing in my cauldron. I feel like my core self makes so much more sense and it even makes me more proud of my path as a Hedge-witch.
What’s your moon sign and moon phase? Do they resonate with you? Do you work with the moon in your spiritual practice?