The Balsamic phase, the last one before the New Moon, is where we let go, not in the sense of being wild and crazy, but in releasing what is complete, or over, or not in our best interest.
I mention the wild and crazy part because this is an intense chart. We’ll need to pay attention to where we are in our lives, what our goals are, and who we want to be going forward. Whatever we no longer want can be allowed to burn away.
There’s a lot of energy in this chart. Some is right there on the surface: Look to the Moon and Jupiter in Leo. Some is covert, hidden beneath the surface: Look to Mars in Cancer and Pluto in Aquarius.
The Sun–Moon aspect that defines the Balsamic phase is 45º, a semisquare. This is a bit edgy, but not a push like the 90º square. This is the time when the Moon loses her light. By the end of this phase, she’s completely dark, ready for the New Moon.
The Moon’s key aspect now is her opposition to Pluto in Aquarius, an intense connection.
At the beginning of Leo, the Moon connects emotionally to her persona. Who do we believe ourselves to be? Which parts of our personality, self image, or experience do we cling to as uniquely ours?
Jupiter in mid-Leo is not in a degree-based aspect to the Moon, but they do share this fiery sign. Jupiter’s bold confidence may strengthen the Moon’s commitment to her current self.
But there’s Pluto opposite, saying, really? Is this really you? In your heart of hearts? In the dark when you’re alone and no one is watching? Pluto supports striking out in new directions, traversing foreign territory, to find who we truly are.
Meanwhile, Mars pulls away from the square to Saturn, but remains in mid Cancer, the Moon’s own sign. This is not a great place for Mars. He holds on to familiar, and sometimes familial, patterns. He doesn’t want change, and can get passive aggressive about it if he feels pushed.
Mercury remains strong. There’s finally enough distance to be out from under the Sun’s beams. We can learn what Mercury and the Sun discussed at the cazimi.
Mercury has the calm perspective to help us think clearly and communicate well.
If emotions run high, reach for a journal, or mantra, or a walk, or any craft or hand work of the kind Virgo loves. Steady, calm action will help clarify our thoughts.
The world is very much with us. If you’ve been following the Barbault’s basket aspects, you’ll notice the Moon just created another one. In addition to the intense Pluto opposition, the Moon trines Neptune and sextiles Uranus, as the outer planets trine and sextile each other.
Over next few days, changes happen. Venus enters Scorpio. Mercury enters Libra. Uranus stations retrograde. Venus has already entered the preview period for her retrograde in Scorpio and Libra.
Yet this Balsamic phase draws us closer to the Virgo New Moon. As we move through, the Moon completes her transit through Leo to arrive in a quiet place.
What do we need to let go of? What can we let burn away?
Title adapted from a image by Thomas Stephan on Unsplash
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