October’s New Moon in Libra Arrives to Stir up Controversy

On October 6, 2021 (4:05 a.m. Pacific Daylight Time), there will be a new moon at 13°25’ of Libra.

Looking for more beauty and balance in your life? If so, you’re not alone at this Libra new moon. In our own ways, each of us is seeking right now to make life as harmonious and pleasing as possible—guided not only by our aesthetic sensibilities, but also by our principles of justice and equality.

Still, not all new moons are created equal. And for better or worse, the astrological scales seem tipped against this one being an ordinary, “easy-breezy-beautiful” Libra lunation.

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What Does the October New Moon Mean?

For starters, this new moon is exactly conjunct Mars—which is great if we’re needing some extra motivation, or trying to overcome our people-pleasing ways. Mars emboldens us to act as advocates, not just for ourselves, but for anyone else who’s being treated unfairly. That said, Mars is out of his element in Libra, so his direct and decisive energy might be more challenging to channel.

After all, it’s no secret that Libra sometimes struggles with decision-making. And with Mercury currently retrograde in the sign (until October 18), this tendency could be exacerbated. Of course, it’s always wise to weigh our options and consider how our choices might impact others. But right now, it’s easy to take this to unhelpful extremes, where we’re second-guessing ourselves at every turn. At some point, we just have to pick a direction and run with it.

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How to Handle the New Moon in Libra

This doesn’t mean that we should let anyone pressure us into making decisions we’re uncomfortable with. But if we’re taking too long to make up our mind about something at this new moon, life might go ahead and make it up for us. With an exact quincunx between the Libra moon/sun/Mars and retrograde Uranus in Taurus, the universe will likely keep nudging us until we’re forced to make a move.

This is especially true if we’ve been avoiding necessary confrontations. As much as Libra prefers to keep things pleasant and polite, there comes a time when underlying conflicts and unequal power dynamics must be brought to light in order to be addressed. And with Pluto stationing direct on the day of this new moon (ending his five-month retrograde journey), that time just might be now.

Pluto in Capricorn is also set to make his fifth exact square with the dwarf planet Eris in Aries on October 8. This epic clash between the lord of the underworld and the goddess of discord has been a recurring theme throughout 2020-2021—so chances are, whatever’s coming up for us at this new moon has been simmering beneath the surface for quite some time. While this aspect can be intense, it’s not just stirring up controversy for the sake of creating chaos. Rather, it’s to expose toxic situations for what they are, and reveal what needs to be released and transformed.

That’s a lot of intensity for one new moon, especially in lovely, laid-back Libra. But with ruling planet Venus in the final degrees of Scorpio, would we really be satisfied with anything less?

Read on for your sun and rising signs to learn more about what this new moon means for you.

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Horoscopes for the October New Moon in Libra

Libra

You’re not typically known for rocking the boat, Libra. But this well-known preference for avoiding conflict and controversy makes it all the more impactful when you do decide to speak out. At this new moon, your diplomacy and tact make you the ideal person to address any elephants in the room.

Scorpio

With so many outside pressures, Scorpio, it can be challenging to maintain your inner equilibrium. Still, it’s better to focus on cultivating calm within than to fixate on factors that are beyond your control. At this new moon, centering your own energy first allows you to make a more positive impact.

Sagittarius

We all like to be liked, Sagittarius. But not even someone with your crowd-pleasing personality can realistically expect to be liked by everyone. So at this new moon, there’s no point in pandering—you might as well just be yourself. Some people will appreciate your authenticity, and some people won’t. But so what?

Capricorn

Life has been a balancing act for you lately, Capricorn—and you’ve been performing it beautifully. But few people realize how much effort you put into making things look so effortless. At this new moon, focus less on creating the appearance of ease, and more on actually making life easier.

Aquarius

“No justice, no peace!” Aquarius, that’s your new-moon battle cry. While peace, love, and harmony are your ultimate goals, avoiding conflict and confrontation isn’t going to get you there. Don’t worry so much about being “nice” right now. It’s time to call out the inequities that need to be addressed.

Pisces

Is it really better to give than to receive? Perhaps, Pisces. Still, that doesn’t make it fair for one party to do all the giving while the other just takes and takes. If this describes any arrangements in your life, this new moon is a good time to renegotiate the terms.

Aries

Go along to get along? Aries, we know that’s not your style! Still, there are times in every relationship where compromise is required—and for you, this new moon might be one of those times. The challenge is identifying what is up for grabs, and what is absolutely non-negotiable for you.

Taurus

All things in moderation, Taurus! If something’s out of balance in your life right now, this new moon is an excellent time to recalibrate the scales. Rein in the excesses wherever you’ve been overdoing it, and replenish the areas of your life that haven’t been getting enough love from you lately.

Gemini

Beauty soothes the soul, Gemini. So if you’ve been feeling tense lately (and really, who hasn’t?), adding more aesthetic pleasures and artistry to your life could be the answer. Set the intention at this new moon to create and/or appreciate something lovely each day—and better yet, to share the experience with others.

Cancer

You can’t predict the future, Cancer. But at this new moon, one thing you can do is start making peace with the past. Perhaps there’s something from your childhood or family history that you’ve always been a little ambivalent about. Can you hold equal space for both the sour and the sweet?

Leo

Mary Poppins said it best, Leo: “A spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down.” So if you have to share a difficult truth with someone around this new moon, take care to express yourself as graciously and tactfully as possible. This could make or break how well your message is received.

Virgo

For you, Virgo, this new moon could bring some unexpected windfalls or investment opportunities. But it’s equally likely to bring some unexpected costs, so it’ll be especially important to keep your bank book balanced. Look for adjustments that you can make to enjoy a more harmonious relationship with money.