Dark Moons for 2006

by
CHRISTINE ARENS, PTMAFA, NCGR-III

In 1988 the Friends of Astrology Bulletin contained an article by the late JULIANN RYAN which described the effects of the Dark Moon. Each year since then we have been asked to print the times of the Dark Moons. Over the years other astrological publications have reprinted this information from our Bulletin. And with the advent of the internet, this information is now globally accessible. Again, by request, we are providing the Dark Moon periods for 2006.

The Dark of the Moon is probably the least understood, but also the most powerful portion, of the Lunation Cycle. This period is measured from the time the Moon enters the sign of the New Moon until the actual time of the New Moon. In his book The Lunation Cycle, Dane Rudhyar would categorize this as a “Balsamic Moon” type. This period of the Lunation Cycle is a transition period. It is completely oriented toward the future (the New Moon), even though it still considers itself the final part of the past (the previous Full Moon).

In the book Astrology, Its Technics and Ethics by C. Aq. Libra, the author states, “During the dark part of the lunar month the malefics, and during the light part of the lunar month the benefics, act most strongly. In Particular the last days before the New Moon are critical… This con¬cerns those principally who come very strongly under the Moon’s influence.” Sophia Mason and Mary Lou Shepard tell us in Lunations and Predictions, ”Remember, when the Lunation takes place in a certain House and then the Moon leaves the conjunction of the Sun and makes an aspect to the ruler of the House (in which) the Lunation took place, this very often will set off the action promised by the New Moon.

It is significant that the Part of Fortune conjuncts the Ascendant at the time of the New Moon. Rudhyar states that the individual in this period can enjoy the fruits of his efforts, to the point of being able to dis¬solve or transform circumstances. The seed from this portion of the Cycle becomes the foundation of a new Cycle. The Dark of the Moon, that time just before the New Moon, is the time to do the impossible.

Of particular note are those Dark Moon periods which precede a Solar Eclipse. We know from the study of eclipses that Moon is more powerful during a Solar Eclipse, just as the Sun is more powerful during a Lunar Eclipse. The eclipse Dark Moons are especially powerful for those individuals who have a planet or angle at the position of the Eclipse New Moon. The Dark Moon is the period of preparation for the transition which will come with the Eclipse.

In the year 2006 we will have two New Moons in the sign of Virgo. This is the astrological equivalent of a “Blue” Moon, and is an unusual occurrence. Such a “double” New Moon in Virgo will not happen again for approximately 19 years. In a technical sense you will have TWO chances to work with Virgo-related situations and things this year. In a higher mode, this Dark Moon will last from the entry of the Moon into Virgo on August 23 UNTIL the New Moon of September 22. With two Dark Moons in the sign of Virgo, if you cannot achieve your desires with the Virgo New Moon in August, you will again have an opportunity to achieve it during the Virgo New Moon in September. This will give you two chances to reach your goals.

This period between August 23 and September 22 is an exceptionally powerful period in that the second Virgo New Moon is an Annular Solar Eclipse, which will clearly cut ties with the past and open a new path to the future. The second Virgo Dark Moon period between September 20 and September 22 takes on additional potency. Prior to the September 22 eclipse New Moon the lunar cycle is in a “natural” flow, with each New Moon followed by a Full Moon in the opposite sign. With the New Moon of September 22 the lunar energy changes to a New Moon with a following Full Moon in a sign with a different modality and inharmonious element. Thus the September 22 eclipse will disrupt the energy within the lunar cycle as the new path takes form.
The following list provides the Dark Moon periods in local Chicago time for the year 2006: