How To Harness The Libra New Moon To Revolutionize Your Relationships

On Wednesday, October 6, 2021 (at 7:05 a.m. EDT), the 2021 Libra new moon marks one of the most promising days for harmonizing your relationships. It's the year's only new moon in graceful, commitment-focused Libra.

As the star sign ruling commitment and partnership, lovely Libra is gentle, harmonious, and diplomatic. When the dark moon slips into this alluring domain, enjoy an extra helping of harmony and increased understanding in your most cherished relationships—including those that may have fallen out of balance.

While the Libra new moon marks one of the most promising days for recalibrating relationships every year, 2021's comes with some extra challenges since Mercury happens to be retrograde in Libra. This can cause everyone to dig in their heels during peace talks. Righteous anger may interfere with compromise, so plan to take plenty of cool-down breaks if you're trying to sort through a struggle. Don't rehash the past if you've already forgiven each other and put the issue to bed.

If you need to stand your ground in the name of justice, you'll have plenty of cosmic support. Brace yourself for battle, but do what you can to avoid getting sucked into the spiral of emotions.

In less dramatic scenarios, Libra's amicable moonbeams hold the promise of pleasant negotiations, sweet heart-to-hearts, and even surprising new partnerships. Strive for greater mutuality with the people in your life (think interdependence, not codependence). Whether it's business, creative coupling, or a heart-palpitating romantic affair, let the negotiations begin!

Just remember that new moons are starting blocks, so there's no need to rush to the signing table or straight to the altar. With Mercury retrograde until October 18, you'd be wise to wait another few weeks before making any binding agreements. Can't adjust the timeline? Carefully read the fine print! The seeds you plant this week will be harvested six months from now, when the full moon shines in Libra.

Feel pressured to make a decision? Refuse to cave. At the 2021 Libra new moon, it's OK to wait and see. And if you're applying the heat to someone else? Take a nice, deep breath and give things a rest.

Libra is ruled by Venus. Under its influence, art, beauty, and sensuality are as natural to drink in as the air you breathe. At the 2021 Libra new moon, taking time to adorn yourself can be a pleasurable, ritual escape from the intense, achievement-focused energy of your day.

It may seem frivolous when you're hammering away at a massive deadline. When time challenges cramp your style, this new moon insists you're worth it—and promises it will be an easier and more pleasant time than you might think. Libra won't let you out the door looking less than stellar. 

As ruler of the zodiac's seventh house of committed partnerships, Libra is all about perfecting the balance between "me" and "we" and finding terms that work for everyone.

This doesn't apply just to individuals. Many important international agreements (including the treaty between Britain and the U.S. that ended the Revolutionary War, and the treaty that restored Japan's independence after World War II) were signed in September and came into effect during Libra new moons.

Count on this new moon to gift you with diplomacy so you can truly step into another person's shoes to understand their needs. During polarizing political times, it can seem nearly impossible to do this, especially when headlines leave you feeling more upset, enraged, and helpless by the hour. How can you move through grief and outrage with grace? It's possible the Libra new moon can give you more insight—or at least greater determination to put energy into the world to make it a better place for everyone.

The 2021 Libra new moon offers a cosmic reboot to your relationships. Even single-and-loving-it types may feel a sudden urge to merge—or at least find a little more companionship in their lives. Couples: Lay down your swords and set lovers' quarrels aside for now. This new moon will support you anytime you compromise, cooperate, and co-create. This may require some outside support like a mediator, coach, or couples' therapist, but finding that middle ground is the name of the game.

Are you effectively sending out signals when you want your partner to pay you some attention? John Gottman, author of The Relationship Cure, did extensive research on what he calls "bids for connection." These are the verbal and nonverbal cues you send out to your partner to connect and keep the relationship flowing along. Gottman's research showed that happy couples will place their "bids" up to 100 times in a 10-minute span. According to Gottman, your ability to communicate your desires and needs in a loving way is essential to a healthy relationship.

Libra, the ultimate love goddess and aesthete, prompts you to beautify something now—and even your tiniest, most delicate touch will be seen and appreciated. Cut flowers for your dining room table and bedroom. Invest in a nicer bottle of wine. Buy that amethyst ring from an Etsy vendor. Paint an accent wall in your home. Arrange an eye-pleasing tablescape on your desk.

Is your mind all over the map? Why not use your body to bring back the balance? Mindfulness practices can really hit the spot anytime you're seeking a healthy dose of that trademark Libran calm.

Do a few sun salutations or log in to an online class for guidance. Try a few partner yoga poses to help you bring balance back to your body—and become a little bit closer to your boo, too. Or go all out and really dance under the invisible but powerful Libra new moon with your own moves. (Try our meditation for activating the air element during Libra season.)