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As summer begins to fade away, we enter a liminal but sacred space, a pause between the peak of the season and the quiet shift of what comes next. The light feels a little different now, but the urge to go inward is strong. At this very moment, the cosmos invites you to take a breath, slow down and reflect on your intentions with a sound mind. More importantly, with Virgo season approaching, there is a greater emphasis on the healing power that comes with devotion, as with the quiet rituals that anchor us in reality.
Unlike the bold and blazing energy of vivacious Leo, methodical Virgo asks us to ground ourselves in the everyday: our habits, our routines and the ways we care for our mind, body and soul. It’s not about perfection, but about staying present, while honoring the magic in the minutiae. Every small act of alignment is a spell in itself, bringing us closer to the lives we are ready to create. What do your goals look like? What do you wish to manifest in this lifetime? What would make your life easier and more fulfilling?
This year, Virgo season carries even deeper significance. With eclipse season on the horizon — not to mention the South Node of Destiny also transiting this Earth sign — we can expect moments of release, endings and profound awakenings. These moments of intense closure are here to create space for new beginnings. Still, though eclipses arrive as threshold moments, their purpose is not to unsettle, as they are what redirect us toward what is in alignment.
We will feel this energy intensify in the weeks ahead, but the story begins now: On Aug. 23 at 2:06 am, a new moon blooms at zero degrees of Virgo — the very first degree of this Earth sign — marking a critical beginning point, and the first of two Virgo new moons this season, considering the upcoming partial solar eclipse in the same sign. Don’t doubt it for a moment — a new doorway opens here, one that feels like a reset button for the mind, body, and spirit.
The new moon is always a time of beginnings, but at the zero-degree mark, it speaks volumes of pure potential. In Mutable Earth, Luna is reminds us that transformation doesn’t have to be dramatic or grand; it is often found in the small but meaningful choices, and the simple commitment to do things differently. Spiritually, the new moon asks us to take inventory of how our energy is moving each day. Are your rhythms supportive of your growth? Do your habits align with the person you are becoming?
Under Virgo’s discerning gaze, what is no longer working becomes crystal clear. After all, both the sun and moon will form a tense square to Uranus retrograde in Gemini, a conversation we haven’t seen in almost a century, but still remarkably revelatory nonetheless. During this time, unexpected revelations may surface, jolting us out of autopilot and into awakening. Uranus — also known as the Great Awakener, as it is the planet of breakthroughs, experimentation and the higher mind — brings messages that stretch beyond logic.
Sudden downloads arrive the way lightning strikes, shaking us into new awareness. And though Virgo governs the sacred synergy between the mind and body, these eureka-like insights will not only be understood intellectually but felt viscerally. Whether it’s a shift in routine, a change in perspective or a disruption in your day-to-day flow, rest assured that these are not coincidences, but divine initiations. Though the unexpected can be intimidating to anticipate, the mutable quality of Virgo allows us to bend, adapt and discover new ways forward.
What falls away under this lunation is not meant to continue with us.
In the meantime, read on for your new moon in Virgo horoscope and affirmation, according to your zodiac sign.
Aries
Pause and check in with yourself, Aries. The new moon lights up your sixth house of routines, showing where small tweaks could completely transform your energy. An unexpected insight may shake up how you’ve been managing your time or health, pushing you to honor habits that nourish you instead of depleting you. Don’t fight the shift. Allow it to guide you toward the balance you crave. A fresh routine can be a new ritual, opening space for freedom. New moon affirmation: I honor the daily practices that bring me back to wholeness, creating space for a life that feels balanced, nourishing, and free.
Taurus
Give yourself permission to play, Taurus. The new moon in Virgo will touch down on your heart-centered fifth house of love, passion and self-expression, awakens your creative heart and desire for affection, but unpredictable Uranus delivers a surprise you’re not expecting. A spark of joy may come from an unexpected place, reminding you to take your art, passions, and desires seriously. Let curiosity lead the way as you reflect on what true happiness and fulfillment mean for you. New moon affirmation: I allow my joy to become the compass of my future, guiding me toward passion, pleasure, and creations that feed my soul.
Gemini
Home is calling you now, Gemini. The new moon in Virgo brings attention to your fourth house of emotional foundations: your family, roots, and your sacred space. Electric Uranus, on the other hand, is currently retrograde in your sign, shaking the very walls of your identity, nudging you to reimagine how you show up in both personal and professional life. Change begins from within; honor the sanctuary you need and crave. New moon affirmation: I create a safe and sacred space within myself, where my spirit feels grounded, nourished, and is free to grow.
Cancer
Your words are magic, Cancer. This new moon highlights everything from your voice and thoughts to your connection with those in your immediate environment. With Uranus in the mix, an unexpected conversation or insight could shift your perspective entirely. Pay attention to the messages that arrive suddenly, as they hold the key to your next breakthrough. Trust the downloads you’re receiving. New moon affirmation: I speak truth that nurtures and empowers my path forward, knowing my words are spells that shape my reality.
Leo
What do you value most, Leo? The new moon in Virgo is shining a light on your self-worth and financial resources. Uranus, however, stirs unexpected realizations about money, stability and what truly sustains you. A sudden shift in finances or priorities could feel unsettling, but it’s here to guide you toward abundance that aligns with your true north. New moon affirmation: I trust that my worth and abundance will expand in divine timing, aligning me with prosperity, true to the person I’m becoming.
Virgo
Step into the new, Virgo. This is the first of two new moons in your sign, so I hope you’re ready to set your intentions. The first will ignite zero degrees of your sign, while forming a square to Uranus retrograde in your 10th house of career and authority. This brings revelations around the way you see yourself, and how you want to grow. Still, though a surprising twist could challenge the image you’ve upheld, but it’s guiding you closer to your authenticity. You are not who you were yesterday, and that’s a gift. New moon affirmation: I embrace the ever-evolving truth of who I am, trusting that this transformation will reveal my most authentic self.
Libra
Take a deep breath, Libra. This new moon is asking you to pause and connect with your inner world. Hidden truths and subconscious patterns may surface suddenly, thanks to electric Uranus, currently retrograde in your ninth house of expansion and self-discovery. This is a moment to listen deeply to your intuition, to trust your inner knowing, and to release what no longer serves your mind, body and spirit. New moon affirmation: I surrender what I don’t have to carry and welcome peace within; my ability to release is an act of love and power.
Scorpio
Notice who surrounds you, Scorpio. The new moon puts a spotlight on your friendship groups, community affairs and shared visions for the future. Keep in mind that revolutionary Uranus (retrograde) could disrupt a relationship or reveal a surprising truth, reminding you that not all connections are meant to last. You may suddenly see where you’ve been overextending yourself, or where support has been missing. Still, this shake-up creates space for allies who will truly celebrate your evolution. Be open to finding kinship in unexpected places. New moon affirmation: I call in connections that honor my growth, and welcome in a community that feels like home.
Sagittarius
Your path is shifting, Sagittarius. The new moon highlights your career and sense of authority, encouraging fresh goals and new ways to share your gifts with the world. But Uranus in your seventh house of partnerships shakes things up in your closest bonds, reminding you that your professional life and your relationships are deeply intertwined. A sudden shift with a significant other, or perhaps a revelation about what you need in terms of collaboration, could redirect your goals in surprising ways. New moon affirmation: I trust the unfolding of my purpose, knowing the right partnerships and opportunities rise to meet me.
Capricorn
Expand your horizons, Capricorn. This new moon is an invitation to consider new perspectives through learning, travel or spiritual exploration. Still, Uranus retrograde shakes things up in your sixth house of health, work, and routines, jolting you out of patterns that have been keeping you too rigid or overworked. An unexpected twist in your day-to-day may force you to zoom out and see the bigger picture. Change is pulling you toward balance, but your growth depends on it. New moon affirmation: I open my heart and mind to wisdom and expansion; I trust the shifts taking place.
Aquarius
You are transforming in a major way, Aquarius. The new moon shines a light over your eighth house of intimacy and shared resources, asking you to release what's been weighing you down, inviting more depth into your bonds. Meanwhile, Uranus retrograde is stirring your fifth house of creativity, romance and self-expression, bringing sudden revelations about what truly lights you up. Together, this synergy asks you to reflect on the parts of yourself you want to share, and what is actually yours to claim. The liberation you seek begins with joy. New moon affirmation: I release what no longer nourishes my spirit; I welcome intimacy and creativity that ignite my soul.
Pisces
Love and connections are shifting in your life, Pisces. The new moon is activating your seventh house of relationships, offering a fresh start in how you show up for others and how you want to be met in return. Uranus retrograde, however, shakes things up in your fourth house of home and family, bringing unexpected revelations around your early upbringing and emotional foundations. The balance between where you come from and where you’re going in love is transforming, as something new is beginning to take root. New moon affirmation: I welcome relationships that honor who I am becoming, and are grounded in a way that feels like home.
Valerie is an astrologer, writer & visual storyteller. She currently writes horoscopes for PEOPLE, formerly for PopSugar, StyleCaster, Elite Daily, among others. For more of her work, check out valeriemesa.com or follow her on Instagram @valeriemesa.