Libra Lunar Month
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Libra Moon Cycle 26 September 2022

‘A column about the Sun and the Moon.’ 

Living Our Values

While still deep in the season of retrogrades, we move into the new Lunar Cycle with an increased light (in the Southern Hemisphere) as we welcomed the Equinox only a few days prior, on Friday the 23rd of September. Equinoxes mark a moment in time when the light and the dark are evenly balanced. Taking place close to the Libra New Moon, this time invites us to seek a sense of personal balance amidst the ever changing tides of the cosmos. I hope the column this ‘moonth’ will assist you in your search (along with the Libra energy) for peace and harmony. Welcome to the column about the Sun and the Moon.

Dates to note:

New Moon in Libra 26 September (7.54am AEST)

First Quarter Moon in Capricorn 3 October 

Full Moon in Aries 10 October (6.54am AEST)

Last Quarter Moon in Cancer 18 October

Sun moves to Scorpio 23 October

Libra New Moon:

The seventh sign of the Zodiac, Libra energy speaks about how we relate with the world around us. Ruled by Venus, the planet of love, beauty and harmony, Libra season highlights the experience of the important relationships in our lives, what we find attractive and how we commune with our environment. This cycle invites us to ponder on these themes in our lives and make adjustments where necessary to ensure our life reflects what we truly value.

One of the sacred invitations of Libra season is to reconnect with our values. To become clear of what they are, and reflect on how (and if at all) our daily lives are aligned with our values. This is an empowering practice and has the power to highlight some of the ‘blind spots’ we may have around our daily existence. May the waxing Moon over the next two weeks light up what needs to be revealed to us now on our quest to a more harmonious existence in this world.

Venus herself is floating through the sign of Virgo, making contact with retrograde Mercury a day after the New Moon. As retrogrades pull our focus inwards, this cycle would be a beautiful time to contemplate on the most important relationship of your life, the relationship you have with yourself. How do you value this essential relationship and how does it reflect on your relationship with the rest of the world? 

Self-care suggestions for this Moon Cycle:

  • Write down your top 7 values, and take a moment to contemplate on how they are reflected in your life
  • Try Scleranthus of the Bach Flower Essences to balance and integrate the Libra energy
  • Prepare a nourishing Libra themed meal following this delicious recipe by Corinne, one of the IEHA practitioners

Aries Full Moon:

The fiery October Full Moon in Aries is here to stir any stagnant energy up and will challenge us to face any internal conflicts we may have been avoiding – Aries is all about facing challenges head on. The Moon symbolizes heart and soul, and Aries being direct and transparent, we may all feel like we’re wearing our hearts on our sleeve during this time. 

And indeed, this Full Moon may come with a sense of heading into a battle with no armor, leaving us feeling somewhat exposed and vulnerable. Chiron, ‘the wounded healer’, only two degrees away from the Full Moon, illuminates a tender spot in our psyche; an opportunity for healing, possibly around our identity (Aries theme). This may feel uncomfortable and we may find ourselves externalizing this ‘battle’, seeking for conflicts around us. The best thing we can do, however, is to allow the light of the Full Moon to guide us inward to a more soulful quest for peace. 

On the opposite axis we have the Sun in the peace seeking Libra, creating a grand trine with Mars, the ruler of this Full Moon, and Saturn. Grand trine is considered a harmonious aspect pattern, tying each energy together in a supportive manner. Here we have the Libra Sun radiating love and peace, Mars passionately negotiating the dualities of life in Gemini and Saturn in Aquarius building foundations for a new world. With the fierce Aries’ drive forward, fused with the energy of this harmonious Grand Trine, this Full Moon could be the culmination point in our quest to more peaceful existence in this world… At least on a personal level, however, isn’t that where the change always begins? 

If you are curious how a particular lunation plays out in your personal birth chart, I offer Lunation Consultations where we’ll explore what is activated in your unique birth chart and how you might best work with the energies. It would be my honor to be your guide to the mysteries of astrology. You can explore my consultation types and book a session here. 

With gratitude to our cosmic guides,

Until next time,

Siina xx  

Siina McCallum  (BA Anthropology) is an artist and a professional astrologer. Always inspired by our connection to the cosmos, her work is an invitation to embrace our creative spirit and tap into the ancient rhythm of the Universe.

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Libra Stew (Libra Lunar cycle)

Libra is an air sign, and it is all about balance. Mental, body and hormones. Food rich in alkaline and food to nourish the nerves.

The recipe I have chosen today is one I grew up with, a Creole recipe we call “fricassee de legumes” (French for vegetable stew).  I have chosen okra and red onion since both vegetables have an alkaline content. Okra is a good source of folate and packed with nutrients.

Okra has this sticky, gluey texture when you eat it but, if you know how to prepare and cook it, it can be a delicious meal in a salad, sauteed or stew.

Growing up we would cook a fricassee with okra and bitter melon but both vegetables are acquired taste so I will skip the bitter melon in this recipe. If you like bitter melon add it to this dish instead of the green beans. Bitter melon is said to balance insulin in the body.

If you don’t want to use okra and bitter melon for this recipe you can swap with any potatoes or root vegetables that are rich in alkaline. We also use carrots, pumpkins and sweet potato and peas in a fricassee so feel free to substitute the okra, bitter melon or beans with these vegetables and follow the same recipe.

If you decide to cook this recipe with potatoes or any root vegetables swap the parsley with thyme as it gives a beautiful smell when cooked with root vegetables.

Use fresh herbs as much as you can with this recipe.

INGREDIENTS

Okra

Bitter melon or substitute with green beans

1 Red onion

1 tomato or 1 tablespoon of Tomato paste (I did not include Tomato in my cooking due to digestive issues)

Garlic

½ teaspoon or either safran, turmeric or cumin (whichever you have in your kitchen).  I use a tiny bit of everything.

Fresh parsley

Fresh coriander to decorate

Baby peas

Olive oil, vegetable oil or canola oil (I use canola)

Pepper and salt

METHOD

Wash all your vegetables thoroughly before cooking.

Firstly, if you are cooking with bitter melon, cut in half and remove the seeds and flesh inside with a teaspoon. Thinly slice the skin. You can throw the flesh and seeds away as we don’t use them in a fricassee.

If using green beans, make sure you take the string out of the sides and cut in half. Then steam a little bit to soften.

Slice your okra approximately 1 to 2 mm.

For both the okra and green bean, throw away the extremities since they are hard in texture and will take a long time to cook.

Slice your red onion.

Heat a tablespoon of oil in your pan and cook the onion for 5 minutes on low heat.

Once the onion is softened, add the tomato paste, garlic, other spices and a little bit of parsley. Stir constantly then add the okra with half a glass of water.

Add the green beans or Bitter melon and some baby peas.  Keep stirring until until the okra does not look sticky anymore.

Serve hot with brown rice or quinoa.

Finish your meal with a cup of green tea.

White cup of green tea with fresh tea leaves on wooden table, hot drink concept

As with everything, feel free to bring your own twist to this Creole recipe.

Happy eating.

Corinne

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