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Mercury’s retrograde cycle activates the Pluto square to Eris, inviting us all to look at the current world situation – and the conflicts in our own lives – through another lens.
May the Goddesses Bless You All …& keep you safe in these strange times.
September begins with Jupiter, Saturn, Chiron, Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto all retrograde …and Mercury joins them on the 27th. Note: All the dates below are for Australian Eastern Time.
September 7: New Moon in Virgo
September 11: Venus to Scorpio
September 15: Mars to Libra
September 21: Full Moon in Pisces
September 23: Equinox: Sun to Libra
September 27: Mercury retrograde at 25 Libra
Mercury Retrograde: September 27 to October 19 Mercury stations retrograde on September 27 at close to 25 degrees of Libra, and remains retrograde until October 19, when it turns direct at close to 10 degrees of Libra.
When Mercury makes it station on September 27, it is forming a T-square with Pluto [at 24 Capricorn] and Eris [at 24 Aries] and will do again around November 3 when it leaves the retrograde loop. As Mercury is stationery around September 27 it is triggering the Pluto Eris square quite actively from around September 20 to October 3.
What might this mean? One perspective is that it is inviting us to look at the world situation from a new – more objective – perspective. We can also apply this to situations in our lives where the Pluto square to Eris is playing out and we are experiencing issues around competition / conflict, power struggles and the need to make difficult decisions.
Mercury retrograde always challenges our thinking and asks to look at things differently: it challenges us to think laterally and look at things from a different angle. It also can coincide with a time when hidden information is revealed that leads to a change in our thinking and perhaps a change in direction.
Mercury opposite Eris and square to Pluto is also emphasizing the power of our words and the power of our thoughts. This is a potent time to work with our shadow and become aware of [self] destructive beliefs and ways of communicating. Beware of your choice of words and the intention behind them.
The shadow side of this configuration can also symbolise destructive / hostile communications and mind games as words are used to control and manipulate [Pluto] and /or create fear, division, competition, and conflict [Eris].
Our personal challenge is to be conscious of our destructive / divisive / vengeful urges and find some way to own them but not act them out … shadow
At a more general level, as the new cycle begins in Libra, it invites us to re-view and re-evaluate all things connected with this archetype: partnerships & relationships, balance & harmony, beauty and aesthetics as well as issues around fairness, co-operation and equality These issues may arise regards the affairs of the house where the retrograde action takes place in our horoscope: 10 to 25 degrees of Libra.
Please be aware that the retrograde phenomenon is activated from the time that Mercury enters the loop to the time that it leaves: around September 7 to October 19. The most chaotic times are when Mercury stations – the few days around September 27 and October 19 – when Mercury adjusts to the change of direction.
Key dates / degrees
Exact dates: retrograde from September 27 to October 19
Sensitive degrees 10 to 25 Libra
Full time of influence: around September 7 to November 3
Time for insight: around October 10 when the new Mercury cycle begins at the Inferior Conjunction of Mercury and the Sun at close to 16 degrees of Libra
Time to act on new ideas / beliefs: after October 19 when Mercury goes direct
The whole retrograde phase is a potent time for reflection and review … a time when we can become aware of habitual beliefs and thought patterns and make the adjustments necessary to align our thinking with the person we are now. This is a great time to meditate, reflect, research, seek answers, sort out your paperwork, return calls and generally attend to all the things you have been too busy to do earlier.
Remember, Mercury retrograde always provides us with the opportunity to free our thinking from habitual ruts and develop a more conscious set of mental attitudes and beliefs.
Now, a quick look at the two lunations for September. Both lunations have a strong Neptune / Pisces influence.
New Moon in Virgo: September 7 at close to 15 Virgo The New Moon in Virgo falls on September 7, close to 15 degrees of Virgo and is opposite Neptune, at close to 22 Pisces. Neptune opposing the New Moon [it did this last year too] can heighten sensitivity on all levels: physically, emotionally and psychically. This can be wonderful for our spiritual practice, inner work and creativity, but much more challenging for getting things done in the ‘real’ world. The potential for self-delusion and denial is also present along with the potential for strong intuitive insights.
Neptune’s higher calling is always an invitation to open our hearts …and open to the realm of feelings, images, symbols and imagination. Can you allow your feelings and dreams to offer you guidance while avoiding denial, self-delusion and wishful thinking?
Try to take some time out to tune in and to connect with your feelings, otherwise they may overwhelm you … and don’t let the Virgo need for ‘busy-ness’ stop you from taking some needed time out … AND REMEMBER TO BE GENTLE [AND NON-JUDGEMENTAL] WITH BOTH YOURSELF AND OTHERS!
On a more mundane level, the Virgo New Moon is a great time to honor Virgo and start a self-improvement plan: a diet, a detox, or perhaps embark on a get fit program… anything that looks at sorting out our bad habits. It could also be an opportune time to attend to your bookwork and clear any clutter. The strong Virgo energy invites us to engage in spring cleaning on all levels - physically, emotionally, psychologically, and spiritually - and get ourselves organized. The functional expression of Virgo is all about service, attention to detail, efficiency, and self-improvement.
The Virgo New Moon can highlight the shadow side of Virgo which can play out as a tendency to self-criticism and worry that can heighten anxiety, often due to the perfectionist patterns that can paralyze us. Remember that the New Moon is neutral and highlights our patterns for good or ill so we can see them more clearly and decide how we can best respond.
The Full Moon in Pisces The Full Moon falls on September 21 AEST, at close to 28 degrees of Pisces, two days before the Equinox. The chart forms a very wide conjunction with Neptune, emphasizing the themes outlined above.
The Pisces Virgo polarity highlights the need for balance between the physical realm of Virgo and the emotional intuitive realm of Pisces: we are challenged to balance the practical, grounded, everyday reality of Virgo with the feeling, intuitive, imaginal and spiritual realm of Pisces. The Moon in Pisces calls us to open our hearts and see the big picture while, the Sun in Virgo challenges us to stay grounded and attend to the details. We could see this as both a call to ground our dreams in the world of form as well as to soften our perfectionist and self-critical sides.
The Spring Equinox: 5.20am on September 23 September 23 marks the Libra Ingress, better known as the Spring Equinox [in the southern hemisphere]. At 5.20am Australian Eastern Standard Time the Sun will move into the sign of Libra and be exactly overhead at the equator.
The Equinox marks the time when day and night are of equal length, and it is the turning point that marks the time when the daylight begins to prevail over the darkness [reverse if you live north of the equator]. From this point forward the days will grow longer as the Sun gains power and strength. It is time to let go the darkness of winter and embrace the fertility of spring.
The Equinox chart has Chiron opposite the Sun and Mars, plus the dynamic T-square with Mercury, Eris and Pluto outlined in the section on Mercury retrograde.
The Sun conjunct Mars activates the Warrior archetype, but Chiron in Aries reminds us we are experiencing a collective wounding around our freedom and desire to move forward and suggests that we embrace and most importantly ACCEPT the tension this creates. At the soul level, Chiron is always challenging us to reconcile opposites and accept our differences rather than suffer the pain of internal or external alienation.
Chiron always indicates the possibility for healing if we can embrace our wholeness, especially our pain and wounds. The path ahead [for humanity and ourselves] may not be what we had hoped for, but the possibility of a new vision may present itself during the next three months. The New Moon in Aries next April is in a tight conjunction with Chiron, repeating these themes and continuing to challenge us to find a new path forward.
Esoteric writers suggest that the Equinox is a magical time when the magnetic field of the Earth is influenced by the Sun’s position directly overhead the equator. A doorway or portal opens to other realms due to a reduction in the Earth’s magnetic field. This is a powerful time for ritual and meditation that can offer us wisdom, inspiration and guidance. The equinox portal is open for about 24 hours either side the exact moment.
A Private Spring Equinox Ritual Choose a candle in a colour that symbolizes your desire. Begin by having a ritual bath or shower to wash away the darkness of winter and the past year. As you bathe, see and feel the past being released so you can embrace the exciting new energy of Spring. When you are ready sit quietly, centre yourself and invoke your Highest Inspiration then call for the assistance of your Inner Warrior as you light your candle.
Reflect on what you wish to manifest in your life [making sure that you do not influence the free will of any other individual] and record your intentions in your journal or on a special piece of paper. Now sit back and visualize your desire manifesting as you gain strength and power from the Spring Sun. Most importantly FEEL the pleasure and joy that comes from the realization of your desires. When you have finished give thanks and surrender your desires as the Universe may have other plans [often even better] than you have imagined. Keep your candle to light whenever you need to energize your desires. Ring Lucy on 0418 382 925 if you would like to attend an Equinox Ritual.
Christine offers an in-depth psychological and mythological approach to astrology. Her classes are suitable for those individuals who are wishing to learn more about themselves as well as those interested in becoming a professional astrologer.
All classes are on Zoom. Video files are provided for any classes you miss, and it is possible to enroll for a video content only [correspondence].
First Year/ Beginners’ 7pm on Thursday evenings in 2021 Tuesday evening in 2022 …focuses on learning how to read / delineate a horoscope: elements, signs, planets, houses, aspects etc.
Second Year / Intermediate at 7pm Monday evenings in 2021 Thursday evenings in 2022 …focuses on additional points and themes in the horoscope [ lunation cycle, asteroids, Eris, Medical astrology, career] and dynamic [predictive] techniques.
Advanced Group Second Saturday afternoon each month. The Advanced Classes give you the opportunity to integrate what you have learned through a seminar format that allows exposure to more advanced techniques and psychological perspectives, plus the opportunity to develop your delineation skill.
Consultations are now on Zoom and are still recorded so the sound file link can be sent to you via email.
Gift Certificates are available for most consultations.
AN INITIAL CONSULTATION explores the soul’s journey as revealed through the personal symbol of the birth chart. The focus is on the potential inherent in the birth chart and the challenges that need to be embraced to realize this potential.
Other readings available include:
In-depth Consultation: Two hours to explore both the soul’s journey [see above] and the year ahead. Includes 2 supplementary e-booklets.
Chart Up-date /In Depth Update: Explores the year ahead from a psychological perspective.
Understanding Your Child: A wonderful gift for new parents and explores a child’s unique needs, motivations, potentials, and challenges.
Relocation: Explains how a different location may impact on your psyche. This can be helpful if you are thinking of re-locating and can be included with any of the above consultations.