Moon Mondays: A royal, new beginning — the Virgo new moon meets Regulus  

When I first learned that Regulus, one of the ancient four royal stars, was rising at the exact moment of my birth, I was thrilled. I thought, I’m so special. I’m destined for big things. After all, Regulus means “little king” — or in my case, “little queen.” 

Knowing that Regulus was my rising sign star helped me begin to embrace my Leo ascendant. Which didn’t come easily for my Cancer sun, who much prefers the safety of my quiet, introverted crab shell. My Leo rising wants the spotlight and adoration, while my Cancer sun is uneasy with drawing attention to herself. Deep down, I felt the lioness’ magnetic pull, but I was too afraid to follow her lead. Clearly, I got over that — otherwise you wouldn’t be sitting here reading my very public column. 

That tension is common with our rising signs — the energy ascending the eastern horizon at our births. Modern astrology describes your ascendant as your personality or the mask you show the world. The truth runs much deeper — it’s the energy arising within you, like your own personal, inner sunrise. Your rising sign is your soul direction; all roads lead to it. Moving into this archetypal energy can feel intimidating, downright scary, but when you take even a baby step toward it, something inside secretly feels right.  

Virgo new moon with Regulus 

Regulus, known as the “heart of the lion” constellation, has been honored for thousands of years as a symbol of divine favor — said to bring courage, visibility, and leadership to whatever touches it. In ancient Persia, as one of the four royal stars, Regulus marked one of the seasonal turning points: the summer solstice — maximum light and brilliance. 

In 2011, due to the slow wobble of Earth’s axis (called the precession of the equinoxes), Regulus shifted from 29 degrees Leo to 0 degrees Virgo — exactly where the sun and moon will be during this Friday’s Virgo new moon. This makes the upcoming new moon a rare union of Virgo’s grounded wisdom and Regulus’ regal, heart-centered power. And an opportunity to embrace your ascendant’s potential, forging an unshakable confidence in your worth. 

Your Rising Sign’s invitation 

I invite you to really lean into the power of your own rising sign — the part of your chart that points to the highest expression of your soul in this lifetime. When you grab hold of your ascending energy, you stop dimming your light to fit old patterns and start becoming the person you came here to be.  

Let’s say you have a Scorpio rising and an Aquarius sun … Aquarius is perfectly at home soaring high with the eagles, taking in the big picture from a cool, detached vantage point. Scorpio, on the other hand, wants to plunge into the depths — into the raw, messy and intense world of human emotion. For that airy Aquarius sun, diving into Scorpio’s preferred territory can feel unnatural, even torturous. Aquarius resists, holding tight to its lofty view. But as it slowly inches down into those deep waters, something inside clicks — quietly, almost illicitly — and it feels unexpectedly, deliciously right. 

With Regulus infusing this new moon, your ascendant’s potential gets an extra boost of courage, confidence, and heart power, infused with Virgo practicality and groundedness. If stepping into this foreign energy arising within you feels scary, you’re not alone. My Cancer sun still flinches when I answer my Leo ascendant’s very visible call. But each time I do, my life and heart expand. After all, I’m destined to be my own “little queen.” 

Working with the energy this week 

What does your rising sign ask of you? Where are you holding back? Choose one action that moves you toward your rising sign’s light — even a small one counts. I’m continuing to write, put myself out there and engage my creativity — intoxicating to my Leo rising. 

Lastly, we’re heading into the eclipse season, when shadow work activity heightens. The intentions you plant at this Virgo new moon carry through into the eclipse portal opening at the upcoming Pisces full moon and lunar eclipse (sadly we won’t see it here). It’s the ideal time to begin addressing your hidden fears. 

Next week, we’ll explore Venus entering Leo as more self-love opportunities abound. 

This week, claim your rising sign’s power like the crown it is. Root it in sacred devotion to your path. Let fierce and unapologetic self-appreciation be the throne from which you rule. 

Sheridan Semple is an Astrology Life Coach and the founder of Moon Sisters Circle. She guides women to find their grounded purpose with heart-powered self-love. Find her work at sheridansemple.com or reach her at sheridan@sheridansemple.com.