Your Libra Lunar Cycle Guide

why follow the lunar calendar?

In Vedic Astrology, the Sun is an external representation of your power – your will, confidence and courage. The Moon is an external representation of your mind – your feeling nature, your psyche, intuition and sense of connection.

At each New Moon, the Sun and Moon meet within a unique section of the sky. This means that your power and your psyche are aligned, activating unique karmas and initiating a uniquely potent time to practice Yoga (philosophy) within the backdrop of a section of the sidereal zodiac that only comes around once each year.

The following steps outline a process that you could follow to engage with the cosmic energy over the course of this lunar cycle.

Without further ado, let’s get started!

Step 1: new moon – access your free lunar calendar

This 2-page document includes the dates for this cycle’s four quarter phases, the lunar eclipse, and a summary of this blog post’s key information for your reference.

Access PDF Download!

Image Description: A picture of a calendar entitled, "Tulā (Libra) Lunar Month." There is a large translucent Libra astrology symbol in the background, and there are lunar phase indicators and events noted on particular days.

step 2: new moon – acquaint yourself with  the ruling planet of this cycle

The ruling planet (graha) delivers the force that is experienced during the lunar cycle. Libra is ruled by Venus, bringing with it the forces of Love, Beauty and Relationships.

step 3: new moon – determine how the force of the ruling planet is characterized

The zodiac sign (rāśi) determines how the force of the ruling planet is characterized. Characteristics of Libra include harmony, diplomacy, appreciation and connection. In particular, note that this is the ACTIVE form of Venus, rather than the reflective form of Venus.

step 4: new moon – brainstorm

The New Moon and the two days that follow are a great time for brainstorming. Consider journaling, making voice memos and/or creating space for thinking and consideration regarding the below prompts. Know that this New Moon time is NOT about editing what you come up with! It is about getting everything out that comes up.

Brainstorming: The Planetary Ruler

• Consider the list of Core Values (see Step 2); notice if any have particular resonance for you at this time.
• Are your Needs for Love, Beauty and Relationships met or unmet at this time? As part of your brainstorming, you could describe examples of when each of these were and were not met, noticing the circumstances and who was involved in each scenario.
• How is your heart?

Brainstorming: The Characteristics:

• Which characterizations (see Step 3) of the Core Values resonate with you most (for example, Fair Relationships, Appreciating Beauty, or Shared Love)?
• Are there any actions that you know you need to take?
• Are certain situations, circumstances or people entering into your thoughts as you complete this exercise?

Note that not every Value or Characteristic may resonate with you, and that’s okay! The invitation is to work with whatever is alive in you now.

step 5: new moon – requests

Formulate requests of yourself based on your reflections (Step 4) that will support you in taking action and build momentum over the waxing half of this cycle.

Try writing your requests using positive action language: that is, expressing what you ARE requesting of yourself (rather than what you ARE NOT requesting). Be as clear and concrete as possible, using specific dates, objects, activities, times, etc.

Notice if you want to make any requests of others based on your reflections. Again, you can write your requests using positive action language, and you may wish to take time to be with those requests, providing space for consideration and updates before sharing them with others.

step 6: first quarter moon – act!

Especially as this cycle is the active form of Venus, once we reach about November 7, the invitation is to start taking action.

Try out your requests: see how things go, modify if something really isn’t working, stick with something if you’re not sure, add something in if you want!

Any practice is Yoga when it has these three qualities:

1. It pushes against your inherited limitations,
2. It allows you to own your values, and
3. It creates space for all people to do this same practice (1. and 2.). (Yoga Sūtra II.1)

The point here is to draw inspiration from the current lunar cycle into your practice of right choosing. What needs tending in your life based on the current energy above you in the cosmos? How can you bring your experience of these forces within the control of your practice?

step 7: full moon – reset

Usually at the Full Moon I would be suggesting celebration, however this Full Moon brings with it a lunar eclipse, where the Moon’s ability to reflect the light of the Sun will be temporarily blocked by the Earth. (Click here for more details!)

Remember: in Vedic Astrology, the Moon is a representation of your mind. Because of this lunar eclipse, your mind’s light will be temporarily blocked, and you may feel as though you are being plunged into darkness. This can be disconcerting and uncomfortable. It can also offer an opportunity for a mental reset.

At this Full Moon, my invitation to you is to rest. Take it easy. You might choose to seek solitude or the company of a few close people to spend quiet, nourishing time with. Let this time be whatever you need it to be.

Regardless of how you choose to spend it, this can be a stressful time for the Collective as we are all experiencing this same energy together. So, you might consider this when you are interacting with people, perhaps intentionally cultivating a bit more patience and grace than you normally would prior to meetings, events, etc. around this time.

A photo of the Moon during a lunar eclipse.

step 8: last quarter moon – reflect

This phase is all about taking a compassionate and discerning look at how this cycle went for you. This is your opportunity to release what didn’t work, integrate what did and prepare for rest.

So, what worked? What didn’t? Were your preparation and brainstorming efforts during the New Moon helpful? Did you follow through with your requests or did you end up going in an entirely different direction?

Did you make the most of the cycle? Why or why not? Regardless of your answer, remember that this cycle will come around again! You always have the opportunity to improve and practice; no lessons of this section of the sky will ever be ‘lost.’

What are you ready to let go of from this cycle? Is there anything else (related or unrelated) that is taking up space and is ready for release?

What are you wanting to integrate from this cycle? Consider normative lessons that can be applied across different relationships/circumstances. You might write these on a piece of paper and tape it to your fridge or mirror so that every time you see it, you can practice integrating them.

How can you prepare for rest? Is there anything that you can put off starting until next cycle? Remember: free time doesn’t have to mean available time. Free time can be in and of itself productive. How can you gift yourself with spaciousness?

I hope that this post offers you some inspiration over the course of this lunar cycle! Know that there is no one ‘right way’ to work with lunar energy; my intention is only to spark curiosity and empowerment within you.

If you are looking for support, please consider attending one of my upcoming quarter moon events! These events are specifically designed to support the types of internal explorations described above. You can browse through them here to learn more! 

Disclaimer: I am not a trained Vedic Astrologist (yet 😉); what I am sharing with you here is based on my personal studies with Elise de Villiers of Earth & Sky Way as well as information that I have picked up from the work of Komilla Sutton and Sam Geppi.

This post is a synthesis of Vedic Astrology, Nonviolent Communication (aka Compassionate Communication), and Yoga philosophy.

I wish you a nourishing and holistically productive lunar cycle! Please do not hesitate to be in touch with any questions or comments that you might have. And if you found this interesting, please consider sharing it with people you know by using the icons below.

In practice,

Tara