Amelia’s Blog

The Fall Equinox and Michelmas

“We live in a time when the greatest form of courage is to act as if our lives made a difference.” William Sullivan

The  Autumn Equinox is Thursday September 22 at 9:04 PM EDT.  The Equinox marks the time of the Sun’s ingress into Libra – the sign of equilibrium and duality.

The time around the Equinox bodes well for looking back at events of the last season and charting your course for the upcoming one.

Following soon after the Equinox comes the Feast of Michelmas – an ancient Celtic festival – which celebrates one of the quarter days of the year. These festivals in general are meant to bring us more closely in touch with the magic of the seasons, the rhythms of the earth and the earth’s connection to the cosmos.

Michelmas celebrates the passage of the earth through the late summer meteor showers and the time when the northern hemisphere begins to tilt away from the sun.

In many Michelmas celebrations a play is performed about how the humble peasant George slays a dragon. George was able to face great odds and persevere with great courage due to the help and guidance of the Archangel, Michael.

The celebration of Michaelmas is a reminder to cultivate courage for the sometimes daunting tasks we all face. And to rekindle the inner fire as we move towards the darkness of the season.

The Sun Trines Pluto and Jupiter Opposes Mercury

“The breeze at dawn has secrets to tell you.
Don’t go back to sleep
You must ask for what you really want.
Don’t go back to sleep.
People are going back and forth across the doorsill.
Where the two worlds touch.
The door is round and open.
Don’t go back to sleep.” Rumi

The Sun at the early part of this week will be in a favorable alliance with Pluto. This provides a very good time for strengthening your will power and your determination. Pluto, in this situation, brings strength, determination and can help clarify vision.

Jupiter is now opposing retrograde Mercury at 4 degrees. This provides good timing to look at plans and ideas to see if they need to be brought into a better balance. Because Mercury is retrograde, it bodes well to explore a range of  possible options.

One of the Sabian symbols for this time is,”A woman watches her ideals taking a concrete form before her inner vision.”

 

 

Saturday’s Full Moon in Pisces

“What seas what shores what grey rocks and what islands
What water lapping the bow
And scent of pine and the wood thrush singing through the fog
What images return
O my daughter…” TS Eliot

“For whatever we lose (like a you or a me)
it’s always ourselves we find in the sea.” e.e.cummings

The Moon waxes full Saturday 9/10 at 5:59 AM EDT at 17 degrees of  Pisces. This is a watery, moody, emotional  Moon in close proximity to the Sea God, Neptune- heightening intuition and making it an excellent time for dreaming or dreaming the future into being , as the Peruvian shamans would say.

The Moon is in a friendly alliance with Uranus, the planet of invention and innovation. This influence can sometimes bring sudden or surprising events – especially combined with the ongoing Saturn/Uranus square. If so, it’s best to seek innovative solutions and presume all the information is not yet in.

There may be chance meetings and new opportunities that present themselves around this time. Best to keep aspirations high and move  away from rigid thinking that has outlived its usefulness.

Emotions, as the tides, can run high at this time.  A better use of the energy is to strengthen intuition.

It also bodes well to keep a healthy, sustainable vision for the future of the planet.

One of the Sabian symbols for this time is,”In a quiet moment, a creative individual experiences the flow of inspiration.”

Sabian symbol from Lynda Hill

 

Rest, Regroup, Renew, Mercury Stations Retrograde Friday

“Think of September as a month of potential breakthroughs as we are challenged to go within for reflection and introspection regarding our values, habits, patterns, beliefs and actions. Much of the work this month will be around relationships and our perceptions of who we are, who we are with and what our work here is on this planet.” Lena Stephens

Mercury stations retrograde on Friday September 9 at 8 degrees of Libra  and the retrograde period will last through October 2 when Mercury will station direct at 24 degrees of Virgo.

At the time of the station, Mercury will be opposing Jupiter adding optimism and expansiveness to thinking during the retrograde period. It’s a good time for rethinking plans to see if they can be expanded in some way or if more hope and optimism needs to be added to the mix. If there’s a need to cut back, that can be done in the future. Mercury is also trining Mars adding a sharpness to thinking.

For a few days before and a few days after the station it is wise to heed anything that surfaces that represents a culmination of information.

One of the Sabian symbols for this time is,”A canoe is approaching safety through dangerous waters.”

Venus Inconjunct Neptune and Mercury’s Shadow Phase

“And would it have been worth it, after all,
Would it have been worthwhile,
After the sunsets and the dooryards and the sprinkled streets,
After the novels, after the teacups, after the skirts that trail along the floor-
And this, and so much more?
It’s impossible to say just what I mean! “TS Eliot

“I have heard the mermaids singing, each to each.
I do not think they will sing for me.
I have seen them riding seaward on the waves
Combing the white hair of the waves blown back.
While the wind blows the water white and black.” TS Eliot

Venus in Leo is inconjuct Neptune in Pisces this week. Whenever there is an inconjunct aspect it’s wise to see if perspective needs to be adjusted. It’s wise under this influence to make sure pragmatics are part of the picture.

In an individual chart this aspect  lends significant creative abilities, idealism and makes the individual capable of great sacrifice. On the romantic front it is muse – like indicating an  unattainable or unrequited situation in love. Or a situation where the partner is idealized from a distance. On the downside it is prone to addiction – often due to disillusionment or a derailed spiritual journey.

It is a dream-like,  unearthly influence.

Also Mercury is in its shadow phase now – meaning the retrograde energy is in effect. Best to anticipate and be patient  with snafus in travel and communications of all types.

One of the Sabian symbols for this time is,”The dawn of a new day reveals everything changed.’

Sabian symbol from Lynda Hill

 

Reflect and Renew – The Upcoming Mercury Retrograde

“Spiritual practice is really about weaving a network of good relationships.” Dhyani Ywahoo

“It later became clear to me that no matter what we do in science or any other area, it will not help if we don’t find a way to be related to each other on a deep level.” David Bohm

Mercury is slowing down to station retrograde on September 9 at 8 degrees of Libra. On September 23  Mercury will back track into the sign of Virgo where it will station direct at 24 degrees on October 2.

This retrograde period in particular bodes well for rest and reflection, given that Mercury will join five planets that are now retrograde.

From the 9 through the 23rd it bodes well to consider relationship and partnership issues.  Libra is a sign that excels at seeing many sides of an issue but often has trouble making decisions as a result.  This is the relationship and partnership sign and bodes well for rethinking  decisions made in the past. It’s best to approach things with a fluid mind and avoid overthinking.

When Mercury enters Virgo on 9/23 through the station on 10/2, it’s wise to reconsider ideas concerning daily routines to see if they can be improved. It’s a good time to see if a better balance can be struck by tweaking  a work or daily schedule so that it supports and builds health. It’s wise in general to explore whether any new and improved ways of doing things may be possible. It’s best to stay pragmatic and avoid perfectionism.

One of the Sabian symbols for this time is,”A canoe is approaching safety over troubled waters.”

Sabian symbol from Lynda Hill

 

Saturday’s New Moon in Virgo

“What we repeatedly think shapes our world. Out of compassion, substitute healthy thoughts for unhealthy ones.” Jack Kornfield

“Only with winter- patience can we bring the deep-desired, long awaited spring.” Anne Morrow Lindburgh

I had a good friend here who ran a school of natural cooking and philosophy and he created a special recipe for a  morning soup her called “Hang-ger.”  Hang-ger was a cure for hunger and anger – the kind of anger or the kind of irritability you can get from being too hungry.

We all may be in need of some hanger this weekend with the New Moon in Virgo which is at 4:17 AM on Saturday EDT. At this time the Sun and Moon at 4 degrees of  Virgo  will be squaring Mars at 4  degrees of Gemini. This can be a nervy combination and an impatient, critical and short tempered  one.

Best to avoid overthinking.

It’s a good time to think or plan about new initiatives but to watch for impulsiveness. Mars can give the  courage and the desire for action.

One of the Sabian symbols for this time is, “A woman becomes aware of nature spirits and normally unseen spiritual energies.”

 

Pluto, Mercury and Venus and This Week’s Astrology

“Life is the only way
to get covered in leaves,
Catch your breath on sand,
rise on wings.

To be a dog
or stroke its warm fur;
to tell pain
from everything  its not,

to squeeze within events,
dawdle in views,
to seek the least of all possible mistakes,

An extraordinary chance
To remember for a moment
a conversation held
with the lamp switched off

and if only once
to stumble on a stone,
end up soaked in one downpour or another.

mislay your keys in grass
and follow a spark on the wind with your eyes,

and to keep on not knowing
something important.” Wislawa Szymborska

The planet of love and abundance, Venus shines brightly this week in astrology with several significant alignments. But first to Mercury and Pluto.

Mercury in Virgo is  now forming a positive  alignment with Pluto – the Lord of the Underworld. Mercury was the only god who could travel between the  worlds – as often he did – in disguise , to conduct business or solve disputes. Mercury will be trining Pluto through most of this week.

Mercury in Virgo speaks of issues having to do with health and work projects and how your work life supports your overall health and well being. This week provides good timing to consider those aspects of life. It’s also a time when significant information may emerge – especially as a result of thinking of things through on a deeper level.

The Sun moves out of Leo and into Virgo on Monday – a good time for getting organized for the upcoming season. This sign, symbolized by the process of separating the wheat from the chaff, is a sign known for its discernment. It’s a good time for detail work. It’s good to watch for a tendency towards perfectionism or being overly critical of self or others. The Sun will leave this sign on October 23, the time of the Fall Equinox.

This week could have its surprises in store as Uranus, the planet of the unexpected, stations retrograde on Wednesday at 18 degrees of Taurus. Uranus is the Great Liberator and can stir things up where change needs to be activated. It is a good time to consider or reconsider attitudes and belief systems that have outlived their usefulness. Uranus is sometimes referred to as the “Great Awakener” – an important component in the fast moving  times in which we are living.

The Uranus station can bring in a time of innovation in ideas now. The key to that is openness to new ways of thinking.

Venus in Leo is forming a harmonious alignment with Chiron, the asteroid of the Wounded Healer. Venus will also be squaring the Lunar Nodes and  Uranus this week. These alignments provide a good time to consider aspirations in the areas of love, abundance and finances. Obstacles may become more apparent but also more courage and clarity about how  to overcome them.

Best to provide extra downtime because this can be a nervy week.

One of the Sabian symbols for this time is,”Brilliant sunshine just after a storm.”

Sabian symbol from Lynda Hill

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mercury Opposes Neptune and Mars Enters Gemini

“Let the river rock you like a cradle
Climb to the treetops, child, if you’re able
Let your hands tie a knot across the table.
Come and touch the things you cannot feel.

Close your fingertips and fly where I can’t hold you
Let the sun- rain fall and let the dewy clouds enfold you
And maybe you can sing to me the words that I just told you
If all the things you feel ain’t what they seem.
Then don’t mind me ’cause I ain’t nothin’ but a dream.” Jerry Merrick

“Strength needs to be redefined not as power-over but as power with.” Matthew Fox

Mercury , the mercurial god of commerce and communication is now opposing Neptune, the planet of dreams and illusions. This can make linear thinking  and communications a bit  cloudy. Best to double check the details. It does provide an excellent time for creative work, meditation and spiritual studies. This will be an influence through the 22nd or so.

Mars is preparing to enter the busy sign of Gemini on the 21st. Mars has a retrograde transit every two years and will station retrograde at 25 degrees of Gemini on 10/30/22 and retrograde down to 8 degrees Gemini where it will station direct on January 12, 2023.

This transit will provide good timing to look at our use of personal power and to carve a better path forward if desired.

One of the Sabian symbols for this time is,”A prophet bringing down a new law from the mountain.”

A Peek at This Week in Astrology

“The Moon is a symbol for psychic energy or for the unconscious that holds the secrets of knowledge and wisdom. The wolf baying at the Moon  can symbolize the desire to connect with new ideas which are just below the  surface of consciousness.” Sams and Carson

“You never change things by fighting the existing reality. To change something, build a new model that makes the existing  model obsolete.”  Buckminster Fuller

The week gets off to an interesting start after last week’s powerful Full Moon in Aquarius.  There is a saying in astrology that much can be revealed or come to light under the influence of the Full Moon and last week’s Moon was a good example of that.

This week starts off with a  harmonious alignment of Mercury with the Lunar Nodes.  With the planet of thought and communication trining the North Node, it bodes well to heed any information that surfaces that  clarifies your path towards the future. With Mercury in Virgo the information may reveal small steps  or provide a better framework through which to view your way forward.

At the same time Mercury is harmoniously aligning with Uranus – this indicates a good time to seek innovative solutions. It’s an alignment of brilliance in thinking – with ahead of its times ideas.

The Sun in Leo is moving up to a quincunx with Neptune this week exact on  Wednesday. The quincunx signals the need for adjustment and with these two signs, indicates a good time to make sure pragmatics are in the mix.

Venus  in Leo will be trining Jupiter this week exact on Thursday. Jupiter brings expansiveness and abundance to whatever he touches. This can open the door to new opportunities. It provides a good time to be out and about socializing and meeting new people.

Mercury will also be forming a quincunx to Saturn – exact later this week. This can indicate the need for attention to boundaries around thinking as things can seem more worrisome or worse than they are. Keeping a balanced perspective in mind this week will prove to be helpful.

One of the Sabian symbols for this time is,”A  teacher gives new symbolic forms to traditional images.”

Sabian symbol from Lynda Hill