the new moon in virgo for writers
with writing prompts
Do you write memoir that also sort of something else? We will discuss genre-bending creative non-fiction (and how to sell it) in Writing the Hybrid Memoir — this Sunday, September 17 at 1pm Eastern. Registration is open; this class will not be taught again until spring 2024.
The New Moon in Virgo arrives at 9:39pm Eastern. The moon loves being in Virgo. This is big, Artemis in the woods with her huntresses energy. The long, meditative quiet before the swift precision of the kill.
Here, our powers of discernment are heightened. Whether we are weighing opportunities, managing difficult relationships, or simply weeding out a closet, this is a potent time for decision-making. For exercising your analytical powers of “this, not that.”
Let us be clear: the Virgo moon is not a busybody church lady who simply wants to organize for the sake of organizing.
The Virgo moon delights in stripping your life down, closer to the core of what the heart desires.
The Virgo moon cleanses and purifies in order to ultimately bring us into alignment with our soul.
And so first, we must sort through the bullshit and decide: this, not that.
This New Moon has a co-conspirator for this plot this time around: trickster Mercury. These last few weeks haven’t felt like especially fun trickery, admittedly.
I have heard from more folks than I can count — friends, clients, loved ones — that the last few weeks have been exceptionally difficult. Myself, I’ve had one of the most literal Mercury Retrogrades I’ve had in years. Perhaps this is because Mercury is in their home and exaltation of Virgo, also connecting with “surely you can handle more” taskmaster Saturn and “everything is possible!” idealistic Neptune.
And this New Moon is here to pick up the baton in the relay. The New Moon occurs at 21* Virgo, which also happens to be the degree at which Mercury stationed retrograde. When degrees are repeated, astrologers take note: it means there is a connection. That a story is continuing.
And so, I ask: What are you wanting to begin right about now, and does it, by chance, relate to what you have spent the last few weeks reviewing, cleaning up, and/or revising?
How does this Mercury Rx — exceptionally rough on all accounts — now present us with an especially potent opportunity to not only learn our collective lessons as it stations retrograde, but also commit to a New Beginning with the initiation of a new lunar cycle?
How can we ritualize and truly internalize the lessons of these recent weeks?
Mercury has brought us to Luna’s inner sanctum, to kneel at her feet, receiving her blessing as we move forward — should we truly desire the alchemy of inner transformation.
The moon reminds us of how we carry these lessons in the body. In Virgo, we are purifying, cleansing: a strainer, of a sort. It can be uncomfortable, feeling our body break apart as the purified liquid strains into the glass, leaving behind the larger particles — but the alchemy of what is ultimately produced by that process.
What is harvested isn’t necessarily ready to go out into the world right away, after all. The raw materials themselves must be organized, cleansed, purified. Pressed, finessed, beautified. Whatever that looks like to you.
And processes take time.
Remember that when you are planting these new seeds. Yes, you have spent the last few weeks reviewing this area of life. You are ready to make changes. But those changes are going to take time to take root and grow and bear fruit.
As our Virgo foremother Mary Oliver once wrote,
Things take the time they take. Don’t
worry.
How many roads did Saint Augustine follow
before he became Saint Augustine?
Writing Prompts for the New Moon in Virgo
What has been top of mind for you since August 23 (roughly)? What has occupied your time and energy, even when it wasn’t necessarily on your to-do list? And also, what areas of life are being impacted in your birth chart by Mercury Rx in Virgo? (Can’t remember? Check out the last week ahead for a refresher!)
Where are you seeding new beginnings? How do the events of the last few weeks connect to these new and/or desired changes in your overall routines, lifestyle habits, relationships, work, creative practice, etc.?
What are your expectations on the turnaround time for change, when you desire it in your life? What is your relationship to patience? How quickly do you expect relationship or career or financial things to “get it together”? With this New Moon, how might you approach these shifts with a longer timeline?
Join Us On Discord!
In case you missed it, paid subscribers are now invited to the astrology for writers Discord (link below), which is a private community, rather like the message boards of old, which you can access either via desktop or mobile app.
I was in a bit of a stalemate with writing, community, and relationship-building when Jeanna popped up with an option to join a discord server. What I had stumbled into was one of the most supportive and safe spaces I've had in my adult life. This discord is full of genuine conversation, respect and encouragement in both personal and professional capacities and I'm really glad I have an opportunity to come together in this way. I also like the "unstuffiness" in that we're passionate about our interests and what we do but don't take ourselves too seriously. Added bonus: lots of pet pictures! — H.S.
With the downfall of the bird app, I've been feeling especially isolated and disconnected from any sort of writing community lately. This discord has been such a balm for that loss! Not only have I met so many writers (from a variety of genres and disciplines!), but also so many people who are generous enough to share their astrological knowledge, insights, and passion with someone relatively new to astrology like me. — Kayla
When I saw that Jeanna was starting a Discord, I jumped at the opportunity to be in a dynamic community with other people working at the intersection of creative work and spirituality. I run an indie publication focused on tarot, creative writing, and art, and while I collaborate with our contributors and artists, it's a lot of isolated, solo work from home. The Discord has become such a fun part of my routine, and I've met some really wonderful people in the channels. Being an artist and writer can feel lonely but this community has made me feel like I'm hanging out at the hippest coffee shop in town with a group of intelligent, funny, down to earth folks who are genuinely interested in connecting, sharing advice, cheering each other on, and providing support to each other. There's writing accountability, there are witchy recommendations, there's so much in-depth astrology, tarot, and witchcraft discussion, and of course, there is a pet channel with cat pics. So grateful for this space, every time I open the app it gives me warm fuzzies. — Hannah Levy
Jeanna's newsletter has been incredibly useful to me as a writer, so I jumped into my first Discord when she started one. I love knowing there is a community of ethical, funny, creative people who make writing feel like a thing people do, when for so long it seemed like something I used to do. I am finding clarity on several projects just by letting that part of my brain rev in a safe space. Thank you! — Tracy Owens
I've loved Jeanna's work in all its forms for years now, including the original Astrology for Writers class, so I jumped at the opportunity to join a discord server based on the same premise! From the get-go, the community here has been fabulously supportive, informal, and engaging. There are so many interesting, skilled, insightful, and kind people present. I'm already finding new pathways to explore on my astrology journey, and I'm glad to have more writers to talk to as I head into working on my next book. As a queer autistic trans person, it's often hard for me to find spaces that feel truly welcoming--this one definitely does! — Cedar McCloud
Jeanna's Astrology for Writers newsletter has long been my favorite thing in my inbox. I've also been hungry for writing community so when Jeanna announced that she was starting a discord, I was eager to join. The community I've found there has felt lived in and supportive from day one. There are a variety of experiences and interests that people bring to the space and everyone is welcomed, regardless of the level of their astrology knowledge. I cannot recommend the community enough! — Frankie de la Cretaz
I’m honestly not much of a discord user, but as soon as Jeanna said she was starting one I hopped right in! I thought I’d just lurk at first and then get bored but this is the most active (and interested!) I’ve been in an online community in a long time! Discord isn’t as scary or as confusing as it once was because everyone is so lovely and it’s so refreshing to be able to talk about astro stuff with other creatives. — Lindz Amer
I've been a fan of Jeanna Kadlec's writing for a long time, and getting to be in community with her and other awesome (mostly queer) writery, witchy people is everything I'd want in a Discord! Her newsletters alone are worth it but the Discord is the delicious and juicy cherry on top. — Cassandra Snow