Peace, love and hair grease. The new moon in Libra helps us restore beauty and balance to our lives. Symbolized by the scales, Libra is the zodiac’s harmonizer and equalizer.  Although serene equilibrium is Libra’s preferred state, this sign brings a keen sense of justice to the world. When fairness and equality are in short order, Libra becomes the peaceful warrior, fighting for the underdog. It’s no surprise that Mahatma Gandhi was born under this sign.  Here are a few ideas for harnessing Libra’s lunar power during this new moon:

Keep a Gratitude Journal

Happiness is our birthright, that’s what Libra believes, and this new moon is here to help us reconnect to that elevated energetic state. Nothing can restore joy faster than getting present to the things we are grateful for. Don’t believe us? Just for this week, keep a gratitude journal. Throughout the day, write down the little things - and the big ones - that help you shift into a space of gratitude. It can be as simple as “I adore the mint green 1950s style mugs that my favorite restaurant serves coffee in,” or as soulful as, “I feel so incredibly loved by my friends today,” or as epic as, “I raised enough money to take that yoga retreat in Hawaii!” Dwelling on the positive creates an upward trend on the happiness cycle bringing your heart to the harmonious place this Libra new moon loves. Got on iPhone? We adore this Gratitude Journal app.

Let Your Outsides Reflect Your Insides

Beauty is an art form that Libra understands well, and this new moon wants us to lavish some attention ourselves. Some of us are die-hard fashionistas, others are too invested in our internal worlds to care much about surface appearances.  But since ancient times, our choices in clothes, makeup, hairstyling, and jewelry have served as a code of communication; tribal markings, if you will.  This week, stop the trendwatching and go within. What would the true you dress like if you didn’t care about keeping up with the runways? And what message is your current look sending out to the world? You might think you know, but interview ten people this week and you’ll have an illuminating experience. If you’re stuck in a style rut, you might enlist a stylist to guide you through developing a signature look that reflects the below-the-surface you. Beauty comes in many forms, so if you’ve been comparing yourself to an impossible ideal, let this Libra new moon remind you of your unique gorgeousness. Celebrate YOUR beauty, don’t worship at the altar of someone else’s standard.

Restart Your Connection

The Libra new moon hits the cosmic refresh button in the realm of relationships. Even the single-and-loving-it types may feel a sudden urge to merge, or at least to find a little more companionship in their lives. Lay down your swords and put a stop to the lovers’ quarrels.  This new moon helps us compromise, cooperate and co-create. This may require some outside support like a mediator, coach or couple’s therapist, but finding that middle ground is the name of the game. Are we effectively sending out signals when we want our partners to pay attention to us? John Gottman, author of “The Relationship Cure” did extensive research on what he calls “bids for connection,” the verbal and non-verbal cues we send out to our partners in a desire to connect and keep the relationship flowing along.  Our ability to communicate our desires and needs in a loving way is essential to a healthy relationship. According to Gottman, happy couples will place their “bids” up to 100 times in a ten-minute span.  Take his quiz to find out where you lie on the bidding spectrum and where you might need to make some adjustments.