The Fall Equinox is the halfway point in the zodiac - a time of evaluation and harvest.
The Fall Equinox is now upon us, and it is a time to reflect on our journey so far this year. Virgo – 6th sign of the zodiac – occupies the last house in the lower half of the astrological wheel. It is the time for reflection and evaluation of the year, before the sun moves into Libra – the first house in the upper half of the zodiac. The sign of Virgo is now in the light of the sun. The Hermit card is associated with Virgo in the Tarot, and it is shown as a figure with a lantern who shines his light along the way to the upper part of the zodiac. This card’s energy is one about the union of opposites. The knowledge we have gained from the first six signs will now assist us in our evaluation for our next step, as the energies of both the planets and the constellations are complex and multifaceted. Even with a challenging planetary aspect we can transfer that energy by using our higher consciousness to make a smooth transition.
We are off to a good start this month as Mercury and Venus change signs. Mercury enters Libra for four weeks, and brings focus to the energy of Libra, whose ruler is Venus (known attributes of balance, harmony, love, and wisdom). Venus changes signs as well on September 5th into Virgo, where she will stay until the end of the month. It enters Virgo to be of service to others in relationships, health, and finances. Mercury and Venus become partners to facilitate communication in relationships by using attention and wisdom.
When the sun moves into Libra on the 22nd of September, Pluto ends its five month retrograde, and gets back into action assisting us in our transformation process once again as we also move forward. We are reminded of the dualistic energy of this powerful planet – ruler of Scorpio. Pluto has piercing energy for transforming our lives, and can manifest as death and destruction; as an extreme, if we are not willing to listen within. It also provides many opportunities to overcome our fears: put the mind at ease and go with faith. It will reveal a situation at its deepest level and hold us there until we agree to let the old ways go. A death of an ideal takes place, so a new perspective can emerge. A seed is planted for personal growth and a new viewpoint on life. Pluto the ruler of Scorpio has many symbols: the scorpion, snake, eagle and the phoenix. These symbols represent different stages in transformation, and they give us a choice on how their influence effects events in our lives by how we approach them.
The combination of Venus and Mercury as partners of love and wisdom this month is assisted by Neptune and Uranus, which are still retrograde. Neptune, the ruler of Pisces (a water sign), is known as the Hanged Man in the Tarot. It is symbolized by a figure of a man hanging upside down with one leg held loosely by a rope and the other crossed, making the shape of the number 4. Things are not always as they seem, for it symbolizes Reversal. Can we acknowledge the other viewpoint and meet in the middle? This is the act of suspending the mind and acting with foresight” “When a union of opposites is in balance a transformation occurs.”
Uranus, the ruler of Aquarius, has an adventurous nature, as depicted in the Tarot by The Fool. He is ready to take the next step, knowing that he has all that he needs in his nap sack for a successful journey ahead. This month, on the 25th, Uranus is joined by Jupiter in a transit that brings together knowledge and generosity to soften the intense energy. Jupiter is able to become the healing energy that mankind needs, and rewards us if we come from love instead of fear. Two opposites: the path of love or the path of fear. There is always a choice.
Libra’s New Moon is on September 24th, two days after the Fall Equinox. Its focus is new beginnings in partnerships with an even newer viewpoint. Mercury then changes signs on the 27th, into Scorpio, and can manifest in several ways – from obsessive thinking (or better yet) to searching at a deep inner level for answers. Patience is important during this process, so just wait until the answers float up to the top of this deep water sign. All will be clearly revealed, just be open to a new way of thinking.
At the end of the month, on the 29th, Venus returns to its home in Libra to continue to promote love and harmony, as well as to keep things in balance even when it meets up with Pluto. This process of balance is one that is ongoing for all of us, even the energies of the planets. They remind us that we live in a world of matter where there is a theme of opposites. It is important to know and understand what your choices are and to recognize the patterns that need to change, so we may continue to grow. Everything is here to assist us along the way, just as in the symbol – The Fool. Let go of fear and keep your hearts and eyes open to love, and change will take place.
This balance for September is a prelude to the lunar and solar eclipse in Libra during October, which will be the topic for next month’s article.
May you recognize the love and blessings in your life each day,
Sharyn Norwood, astrologer
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Sharyn Norwood