The next New Moon happens on October 10, 2026, at 3:50 pm UTC, at 23°08′ Virgo. The Nakshatra is Hasta, and the Navamsha is Cancer.
In Japan, autumn brings the blossoming of kinmokusei (fragrant olive, or sweet osmanthus), which fills the air with its sweet, apricot-like wonderful scent. Many of us look forward to this fragrance every autumn. When we catch this scent and think, “Ah, it’s autumn,” our minds have linked the fragrance of kinmokusei to the season. I love this scent dearly, yet it isn’t pleasant for everyone. Some find it too strong, cloyingly sweet, or reminiscent of a toilet air freshener. Whether we like or dislike it is decided by our own mind.
The element associated with smell is Earth, and its planet is Mercury. Mercury brings the sensory trigger (gandha/fragrance). The Moon then releases the emotional impressions stored there, including our likes and dislikes. And Mercury transforms these into clear memories. This truly shows the interplay between the Moon and Mercury. This time, the sign is Virgo (ruled by Mercury) and the nakshatra is Hasta (ruled by the Moon). This combination governs many facets of our intellect and emotions, as well as our discernment.
A friend well-versed in Ayurveda told me that, although kinmokusei is not mentioned in the classical texts, her teacher taught her that it soothes pitta because it blooms at this time of year, and sweet fragrances in general are known to balance pitta. Autumn, following the heat of summer, is a season when pitta-related imbalances tend to arise. My heart fills with gratitude as I realise how nature provides exactly what we need. What fragrances shall we enjoy at this New Moon? Om Shanti.