The Cosmic Story: The Wheel of the Year: Mabon -- Autumn Equinox

The Wheel of the Year: Mabon – Autumn Equinox

Onward we go round the Spiral,

Touching darkness, touching Light.

Twice each year we rest in Balance.

Make choices on this Night.

Make choices on the Night.

We've come three quarters of the way around the Wheel of the Year. We rejoiced at the Re-Birth of the Light at Yule on Winter Solstice. We looked for the Light slowly coming back at Imbolc, bringing the hope of warmth and new life with it. On Ostara at the Spring Equinox, we saw how a balance of day and night struck in mid-March echoes this present balance. The growing Light brought life and color and song to the world at Beltane. And at Litha on Summer Solstice, we celebrated the Earth's fertility, warmth, and life. On Lammas we saw the first fruits of harvest come in, celebrated fun and family, along with cooling weather, shorter days and the last push of summer. 

 

Now we are about to find our balance once again. In the northern hemisphere, we'll celebrate the Autumn Equinox, when day and night are of equal length. A moment of balance before we begin to enter the dark time of year. In the southern hemisphere, the Light will grow and you will be welcoming longer days and warmer weather. 

 

This is the time of year when we gather in our harvest and release what is dying back to the Earth. What dies is the outer shell that grew and protected the harvest – just like the habits and beliefs that shelter our psyches until we're ready to mature. That's what we leave behind to compost. When we recognize what we've become and learned this year, we can also let go of what no longer serves our soul's purpose. 

 

The Fall Equinox is paradoxical: it's a time when we want to get on with business and connect with others, and yet it also marks a time of introversion, a time to turn within to communicate with our soul, through dreams, stories, shamanic journeys and art. How do you feel about yourself? Do you know what you've harvested this year? Do you know what you really believe and value? Are you living them? When you do live your truth, you can relate to others in a profound way.

With my Gemini ascendant, I like to be active (mentally & physically), and sometimes I move quickly through my day. This year as Neptune in Pisces made a challenging square to my Ascendant, I learned to slow down and go with the flow of the energy of the day, without shame or blame – often getting lost in reading. I also admit that I chose to create a few rapids during the year for some excitement. And in allowing myself to change my rhythm, some things suddenly jelled without my having to push for them. I learned a new way to Be in the world and now Do things differently.

Through the years I've learned to trust the universe, but now I'm living that trust daily. So can you!

So take time this weekend before the Equinox to recognize where you've been this past year and gather in your harvest. It's been an intense year. Again. This is Mother Earth in transition – the hardest part of labor – as she pushes us out of the birth canal with great pressure to evolve us into our new birth as mature human beings.

Motherpeace Deck

The Autumn Equinox is called Mabon in the Celtic Wheel of the Year. The Celtic myth about Mabon is interesting, because Mabon stays a mystery to us. The Welsh god Mabon, son of Modron, the Great Mother. A divine child, stolen away at birth. Locked away in the underworld. Searched for. And eventually found. He is the Divine Youth of possibilities. He is that spiritually awake part of us that is repressed into the unconscious underworld of our psyches. He is the energy to do what we incarnated on Earth to do. He is Greta Thunberg and all our kids who are doing something to change the world. Just like we did back in the 60s-70s. This is the next phase of that transition into a new age. We have been searching for this childlike vision that sees through the collective trance we've been in – to see that corporate capitalism is the Emperor who has no clothes on. We need to make systemic changes in our society. It's time to grow up and become the Stewards of the Earth we were created to be.

As Caroline Casey says, Co-operators are standing by. Nature is standing by to co-operate with everything and everyone. We just need to call on the cosmic and earthy energies available to us.

Saturn stations direct on Wednesday September 18^th.

 

Just a reminder. Saturn, the Master Tester, is about to move forward again, this time to a full meeting with Pluto on January 12, 2020. Get ready to shed karma and start living your new story. We all need new scripts, new ways to understand our lives at this moment. Just as we need a new government that is not run by the wealthy and connected. But by the people.

Saturn moves very slowing as it changes direction. And so follow his lead. Go slow. It's all about integrating your new, awakened emotional body into your life. As your soul gets used to your skin, cut yourself some slack. You've never done this before. Let your soul be your guide. I can tell you, it takes a lot of experimenting and some failures. But always new learning. So find out what house your Saturn is transiting – might as well look up Pluto as well – and go slowly and listen deeply.

Autumn Equinox, September 23, 2019

 

The Autumn Equinox occurs September 23^rd (the 22^nd further West) at 12:51am PDT/ 3:51am EDT/ 8:51am GMT. The Chart below is cast for Washington D.C.

With the Sun in Libra and the Moon in Cancer, we're looking at a last quarter Moon energy – conserving the seeds of the future and choosing which beliefs and values are important to take into that future. 

 

The Libra Sun forms a wide conjunction to Mars in Virgo and opposes Chiron in Aries. Our integrity ( meaning: wholeness, completeness) comes from Mars in Virgo – paying attention to details to get the complete picture. Our wounded sense of ourselves (Chiron) can lead us to our greatest gifts, so be open to relationships (Libra Sun) that give you a chance to live your gifts rather than your wounding. 

 

Mars in Virgo also squares Jupiter in Sagittarius, opposes Neptune in Pisces and trines Pluto in Capricorn, so this Mars is powered by enthusiasm (perhaps too much!), imagination (rather than illusion) and transformation (reaching deep inside for the true you). Be authentic, have integrity, invoke your creativity and use your power for life. 

 

The Cancer Moon is conjunct the Cancer North Node, highlighting the need to listen to our emotional intelligence rather than the shoulds and oughts of the old, dying patriarchal rules of engagement (Capricorn South Node). It's interesting that the world-wide Climate Strikes that our children are leading happens during this week of Equinox. Our North Node destiny is to secure the safety of our children and families from climate change – we need Mother Earth to be healthy to sustain us. 

 

There are some challenges this Equinox chart says we'll face. These challenges come from two T-Squares. T-Squares are comprised of two planets that oppose each other with a planet that squares (90*) both planets of the opposition. This planet is called the focal planet and is the dynamic point of release and resolution; it’s where the seesaw polarization of the opposition can manifest in a concrete way. It offers a powerful solution to the pent-up tension.

First, there's a mutable T-square involving Mars in Virgo, Jupiter in Sagittarius, Neptune in Pisces. Jupiter is the focal planet, challenging Mars and Neptune to come up with some concrete solutions to our questions about how do we manifest our faith and belief. If we put it in terms of fake news vs. the truth, we need to ask ourselves: What lies do we tell ourselves? How truthful are we with each other? This ongoing Jupiter and Neptune square asks us to distinguish between false illusions and daydreams and true visions that support our beliefs. Can we have faith in our visions without getting trapped in grand illusions? Denial won't help us now. We have to look deeply into the Neptunian mists and find the truth that will sustain us as we move forward to the Pluto/Saturn conjunction in Capricorn next January 12, 2020.

Then there is the more intense Cardinal T-square involving the Moon and North Node in Cancer, Venus/Mercury in Libra, and Saturn, the South Node & Pluto in Capricorn. While mutable planets can change things, cardinal planets want to start things. So between these two configurations, we have the ability to change our beliefs and grow into them more fully by acting on them.

With the North Node conjunct the Cancer Moon, we really need to check in with ourselves about what we really need to feel nurtured and secure in life. Not the fake 'I'll protect America first' security, but an inner security that will help you stand tall when faced with necessity. This Cancer Moon must look across the sky to Saturn and Pluto releasing the South Node's old energy, the energy that sustains the old patriarchal rules of society. How do we really feel about the deep changes going on in our society? 

 

There's a false dichotomy between thinking of Capricorn as the outer world of society and of Cancer as the inner world of family. Capricorn is supposed to create the culture that sustains the family/tribe (Cancer). This is what's breaking down now. Corporate rights are more important than our citizens well-being. (BTY folks: The corporate mind is the anti-Christ. How ironic and interesting that it owns so many fundamentalists.) While the corporate mind cries, We can't afford Social Security, cheaper schooling, updated infrastructure, it is demanding more investment in the military and more free rides for corporations like Amazon, which doesn't pay any taxes. Corporate welfare has ruined our world, both financially and environmentally. Our governments have given corporations, (what in the old days were merely merchant traders) the power to rule over all of them. That ring of power's gotta go, Frodo! 

  

At the Climate Strike yesterday, I saw all these beautiful young people demanding that we face climate change with new ideas, especially the Green New Deal. I wonder if they realize that this transformation of our culture will demand sacrifice on all our parts. Sacrifice – to make sacred. Will we recognize that to heal Mother Earth we'll have to sacrifice our entitled style of life? Will these kids willingly give up some of their technological toys as we shift energy systems, which might entail using much less energy until the new system is in place? Will we give up using our personal cars and use more mass transit? The world won't change if we don't change the way we live. Just saying! 

 

The focal point of this T-square are the planets Venus and Mercury conjunct in Libra. This means that while we're bringing down our capitalist society and what no longer works for us, we're challenged by the Libra Venus/Mercury to do it courteously and diplomatically. By pointing out what people really need at this moment in history rather than what our rulers want for themselves. It truly is a time to re-create democracy in our country and around the world. Just think what will happen if we, the American people, take back our country from the military-industrial complex and turn this country around on all levels. Think of how the rest of the people in the world will react when we share with them the important technology that will help heal Mother Earth as well as give everyone a chance to flourish in life. 

 

We have the knowledge and technology to create Heaven on Earth. But we have let economic interests turn our beautiful Mother into Mordor. It's time to cast that ring of power into the fires of destruction. We have a chance to redeem the mistakes of the Industrial Revolution by creating technology to clean up our mess. So be courageous (Chiron in Aries opposite Libra Sun) and fling that power ring into the transformative fires. Go listen to your heart, rather than to the fear and worry filling your head. Imagine your part in bringing in a true new world order – one that we the people of the world create for ourselves.

The only planet that doesn't make any aspects to other planets is Uranus in Taurus. This wildcard energy is free to work on it's own to awaken us to a new vision of who we are and what our world can become. So hook your wagon to this rebellious energy and Be Yourself!

May the Blessing of Mabon be yours this Equinox season.

Cathy

For Presence

Awaken to the mystery of being here
and enter the quiet immensity of your own presence.

Have joy and peace in the temple of your senses.

Receive encouragement when new frontiers beckon.

Respond to the call of your gift and the courage to
follow its path.

Let the flame of anger free you of all falsity.

May warmth of heart keep your presence aflame.

May anxiety never linger about you.

May your outer dignity mirror an inner dignity of
soul.

Take time to celebrate the quiet miracles that seek
no attention.

Be consoled in the secret symmetry of your soul.

May you experience each day as a sacred gift woven
around the heart of wonder.

~ John O'Donohue ~

(To Bless the Space Between Us)

The Cosmic Story: Pisces Full Moon 2019: Practical Magic

The Cosmic Story: Pisces/Virgo Full Moon: September 13-14, 2019

Embodying the Vision: Practical Magic

Each New And Full Moon bring us different energy filters, different emotional flows, different perspectives on life, different challenges and blessings to face. These we spin into the tapestry of our lives. 

 

While the changing Moon cycles have so many variables that effect us on subtle levels, it is at the Full Moon that we feel her power most consciously. Her orbit close or far from the Earth, the place of her rising in the East and setting in the West, affect us viscerally. Her zodiacal sign and energy, which is a human system for understanding cosmic laws, helps us understand the meaning of the moment. If we allow the light to fill us.

So, this Pisces/Virgo Full Moon is not only the Harvest Moon (the Full Moon closest to Fall Equinox, giving light to the harvesters in the nighttime fields) it is also a mystic moonlight which can bring us visions of how we can be of service to the world. Virgo has the integrity to be of service in times of need, and Pisces provides the connection with the World Soul of Mother Earth – the Anima Mundi. 

 

What is the world crying for? How can we be of service? 

 

At the Virgo New Moon on August 30^th, we saw a lineup of Sun, Moon, Mercury, Venus and Mars – all the personal planets – definitely planting themselves in the seed of this New Moon. In the two weeks since then, all of these planetary energies have come into a helpful relationship to the stabilizing influence of Saturn and the transformative energy of Pluto in Capricorn, as well as in a challenging aspect to the Neptune/Jupiter square. Our instructions were to realize what we believe (Jupiter/Neptune) and to regenerate how we see ourselves (Sun) and our security needs (Moon), how our minds work (Mercury), what our hearts want (Venus) and how to go about getting it (Mars). 

 

What new realizations have you had these past few weeks – about yourself, your relationships and the state of the world? With the devastation of the Bahamas and the storm's effect on eastern North America during hurricane Dorian, what is that making you feel about climate change and how you'll deal with it? Have you fallen into depression and despair or are you feeling optimistic that the world will finally do something about helping Mother Earth heal? 

 

I was listening to my friend Caroline Casey talk with Michael Stuart Ani about the environmental crisis and the ancient ritual of the Ghost Dance – 'a ritual created to save the human strand in the weave of Nature'. It's how we dance life into being. Our work is to re-establish ourselves in Nature's tapestry instead of unraveling it. And what came out of that discussion is the idea – not new – that we can help Mother Earth by our intentions. It's not just our actions that will help heal Mother Earth – it is also our focus and intentions that can help as well. Just remember – “Intent is magic's most important ingredient and belief is the spine of intent.” (Alyson Noel – The Soul Seeker series)

What are your intentions? What do you believe is possible? As we leave the patriarchal mindset of the only reality is 3 D reality, how can we bring our spirituality into our everyday lives and create miracles? That's the evolution we're called on to make. The realization that we're all one and that intentions do matter.

Pisces/Virgo Full Moon on Friday the 13^th!: Practical Magic

This Friday's Pisces Full Moon occurs at 9:33pm PDT on September 13^th, and on September 14^th at 12:33am EDT/ 5:33am GMT. 

 

The Sabian symbol for the Moon at 22* Pisces is: A prophet carrying tablets of the new law is walking down the slopes of Mount Sinai. This refers to Moses bringing his people the new laws to live by. But it is a symbol for the need to bring the spiritual laws of life into our everyday lives. That's what Virgo is concerned with – the everyday rituals and routines, while Pisces is concerned with other dimensions of reality and the visionary who sees and understands the cosmic laws of life. 

 

The Full Moon in Pisces already has a mystical bent, and this creative, spiritual energy is further enhanced by the Moon joining Neptune in the sky. Neptune is the planetary archetypal energy of imagination, spirituality and unity consciousness. This is the belief we need to cultivate to create magic, not for ourselves but for Mother Earth. The Sabian symbol for Neptune at 18* Pisces is: In a gigantic tent, villagers witness a spectacular performance. This signifies the ability to use our personal conviction to bring a crowd to a state of enthusiasm. It's the ability to use our art, our words, our passion to wake up those who are still caught in the collective trance. 

 

The Sabian symbol for the Sun at 22* Virgo is: A royal coat of arms enriched with precious stones. This is an image of our ancestral royal nature – our ability to act as mediators between heaven and earth. We've all incarnated many times on this road to spiritual consciousness and we are now called upon to act on that royal nature. The precious stones symbols those values and virtues we need to live by. One of those virtues is nobility of spirit. Nobility is the act of taking responsibility for the health and well being of the whole nation. Are you ready to take on the responsibility of your noble heritage? 

 

NadiyaShah, a favorite astrologer of mine, pointed out the mystic rectangle that is created by the Full Moon, Saturn and the South Node in Capricorn and the North Node in Cancer. A mystic rectangle has trines from Mars to Saturn and Neptune to the Cancer North Node. A mystic rectangle is another energy that brings the mystical magical energy down into the practical workings of our lives. As you can see, the energy is here for us to use to bring our soul's spiritual purpose online.

Just as the Pisces Moon is conjunct Neptune, the Virgo Sun is conjunct Mars. And Mars is exactly opposite Neptune, helping us bring those Neptunian visions into our daily routines. The Sabian symbol for Mars at 18* Virgo is: A Ouija board. This is an image of seeking inner guidance. Need I say more?

This is a Full Moon where we can create practical magic. It tells us that when we can see and live the magic and spirituality in our everyday lives, we will re-create the world. 

With Saturn slowing down to resume direct motion on September 18th, its power is strong and steady.  Saturn retrograde has been working within us to establish stronger boundaries and psychic structures.  Now it can help us create those new behaviors and structures in the outer world.  This Saturn moving forward is heading to its big conjunction with Pluto next January 12, 2020.  Stay tuned for more cosmic news about this big event.

 

The Virgo Sun and Mars trine Pluto and Saturn, adding emotional power and steadiness to your insights and actions. These Capricorn planets sextile the Pisces Moon and Neptune, opening our minds and attracting experiences and sychronicities that put us on the right track. 

 

The ruling planets of both the Sun (Mercury rules Virgo) and Moon (Jupiter is the ancient ruler of Pisces) are in their own signs, making the effects of this Full Moon stronger. 

 

Mercury is conjunct Venus in the last degree of Virgo, bringing our thought processes to a head. With Venus turning our knowledge into wisdom, we have a chance to make some different decisions, based on our heart's wisdom. The Sabian symbol for Venus and Mercury at 30* Virgo is: A woman calmly cleaning house in the midst of an earthquake. This speaks to the need for total concentration for reaching our spiritual goals. In our unstable world, it's important to find our security and footing in our inner purpose. 

Eye of the Unconscious

 

Neptune and Jupiter are both considered the rulers of Pisces, the sign of the Collective Unconscious.   With Neptune conjunct the Pisces Moon squaring Jupiter in his own sign of Sagittarius, we're asked to check in with our beliefs. Jupiter in Sagittarius might think he knows the truth but what truth are we talking about? It's time to look at the bigger picture. Are we deluding ourselves into thinking that spirituality has nothing to do with the environmental crisis our world faces or do we see our soul's mission in relationship to what is happening in the world? 

 

It seems to me that Spirit is asking us to dig deep into our psyches to discover what our real purpose is this lifetime. I can tell you it's not to focus our intentions for our personal benefit, but rather to see that we are part of the whole. We are Mother Earth's children, and we need to reweave ourselves back into her tapestry to discover why we're here on Earth at this moment in time. So please don't waste time on affirmations for your personal abundance. We don't need any more millionaires. We need people who are willing to face the hard truths about our society and who are willing to sacrifice – to make sacred – some of our 1^st world entitlements for the good of all.

America focused all her industry and energy back in the early 1940s on winning World War II. How can we not focus everything on creating a sustainable future for ourselves, our children and the world? Mother Earth will get through these times – but will humanity?

With 7 out of 10 of the major planets in earth signs, this is the time and the place to make our stand. Who do you want to be?

So on Friday night, take time to watch the Full Moon rise. And then go and meditate and ask your guides, 'What does my soul want me to do?' And then dance. Dance to bring in Spirit. Dance to move your energy through your body so you can embody the Full Moon's energy. Dance and let your prayers flow through you. Ask your Higher Self – what am I here to do? 

 

And Listen for the response.

So Mote It Be!

Harvest Blessings,

Cathy

Since Virgo is the energy of integration and self-knowledge, this is the time to ask yourself the serious questions about life.

Matthew Fox, the Christian theologian, talked about the climate crisis in terms of his four ways. These are the questions he asked.

Via Positiva

How do you express your reverence for Earth?

Via Negativa

What are your fears? What are you having to let go of?

Via Creativa

What new ideas, images, and possibilities

are welling up inside of you?

Via Transformativa

What is your ministry? To where are you drawn to offer service to Earth in this unprecedented time of change?

PLEASE LIKE AND SHARE!  THANK YOU!

The Cosmic Story: Virgo New & Full Moon 2019

The Cosmic Story: Virgo New & Full Moon 2019

Reaping Our Harvest: Manifesting Our Dreams

Early Fall Day in August on Narragansett Bay

Fall has all too soon made an appearance here in Rhode Island this past week. And while Summer isn't officially over until September 23^rd, we are definitely losing light each day. And the kids are all back in school already! Where did the Summer go?

We're definitely into harvest time. The farmers' markets are filled with the fruits of that harvest. On a personal level, it's time to reap what we've sown. As we enter the sign of Virgo, the Virgin, remember that it is represented by both Mother and Child, Isis and Horus. Virgo energy is a combination of nurturing Mother energy as well as the new Child/harvest who evolves from this year's potential. This divine Child is an evolution of our own unique Self – the union of our body, mind and spirit. This is the Virgo gift.

And this month, we'll see that harvest in abundance. For good or ill.

What I love about astrology is that it offers us a map and a story of the cosmic energies available to us at any moment. Despite our cultural rational bias against a spiritual understanding of current events, astrology offers us a system that can guide us through dark times and encourage us through hopeful times. There's no doubt we are in a time of world-wide cultural crisis – and it's all described for us up there in the heavens if we only know how to read symbolic language. Isn't this hopeful? Knowing that the heavens are mirroring our collective energies can help us navigate through these stressful times and can help us become more self-aware about the possibilities and choices we have in our lives. 

 

It's more important than ever to become conscious if we are going to get through this evolutionary crisis our world faces. The environmental crisis frames our evolutionary purpose – we must evolve as a species and change our mindset if humanity is going to survive the coming earth changes. It's time for humanity to leave behind our adolescence and become grown up human beings with a strong moral compass and real freedom. The freedom that isn't afraid of acting as a compassionate community. And so I urge you to join our children's environmental strike during the week of September 20^th – 27^th. Because we don't have to do this alone. And we are stronger when we band together. 

 

The astrological sign of Virgo speaks to this evolutionary necessity. Virgo's mission statement is “Know Thyself”. That's the first requirement of true spirituality. It's not enough for us to heal ourselves of our wounds. Those wounds are how we learned about ourselves and the world. Now we need to live a new story. We have to dive deep and touch on our soul's purpose. Once we know ourselves, we can act to change the world.

Virgo New Moon

On Friday, August 30^th the Virgo New Moon occurs at 3:37am PDT/ 6:37am EDT and 11:37am GMT. Because the Moon is close (perigee) to the Earth, this New Moon is considered a SuperMoon, but unlike the Full Moon SuperMoon, the way we'll notice it is through its influence on the tides. With both Sun and Moon together, the tidal flow will be much stronger. Which doesn't bode well for the people in Hurricane Dorian's path this weekend. 

Virgo New Moon 2019

 

What makes this Virgo New Moon so powerful psychologically is that is it part of a Grand Earth Trine, which means that there are planets in all three Earth Signs working together. Besides the Virgo stellium comprised of Mercury, Juno, Sun, Moon, Mars and Venus, there is a tight trine (120*) to Uranus in Taurus to the New Moon and also a wide trine from Saturn, the South Node and Pluto in Capricorn. When the planets form an Earth Grand Trine, it energizes a powerful manifestation time – hence my hopes that you all have a great harvest, whether of literal gardens or inner sacred space Gardens. 

 

After watching Nadiya Shah, one of my favorite astrologers, speak about this New Moon, I was inspired to write something about it. With Uranus, the planet of awakening, revolution and authenticity exactly feeding its power into this New Moon, my harvest is that I'm getting ready to write again after taking time this year to just Be. What are you energized to do?

All these Virgo planets have already connected with Uranus or will be in the next few days. So be opened to sudden surprises and quick turnarounds. Venus trined (an easy flow and gift) Uranus on Monday August 26^th – Women's Equality Day. Don't you love the synchronicity! Mars trined Uranus on Wednesday August 28^th, enlivening us (Mars is our life energy) to get things done. The Sun and Moon trine Uranus on August 29^th – 30^th, planting a seed of authenticity and awakening in our harvest. Mercury trines Uranus on Sunday September 1^st, so stay open to surprising and out of the box thinking.

The Virgo planets, especially Venus, are opposite Neptune retrograde in Pisces and square Jupiter in Sagittarius. Both Neptune and Jupiter are archetypes of spiritual power and imagination and they challenge us to make sure we're not being deluded (another Neptune trait) by inappropriate desires or too overconfident in our beliefs (Jupiter in Sagittarius). These energies will inspire and open us to new insights and actions as the Virgo planets oppose and square them. 

 

Our ability to manifest is conditioned by our spiritual vision and insight. We are programed to be authentic now with Uranus in Taurus trining this New Moon. Can we breakout of old patterns and programs to reach our authentic Self? First we have to have an authentic vision of what we want the future to look like, for ourselves and our world.

Thankfully, the other leg of this grand trine will help us stabilize that vision with some long term planning. Each of these Virgo planets (all our personal planets) will also trine Saturn, the planet of form and structure, groundedness and practicality as well as Pluto, the planet of evolution and power. Venus, the archetype of Love and Wisdom, trines Saturn on September 1^st, grounding in the heart of the vision. Then Mercury, the archetype of the Mind, settles down to real planning when it trines Saturn on September 5^th. The Virgo Sun trines Saturn on September 6^th, owning the vision. Mars trines Saturn on September 9^th, giving us the focus and determination we need to carry out the plan. Venus trines Pluto on the 6^th, Mercury on the 8^th, and the Sun just before the Pisces/Virgo Full Moon on Friday the 13^th. Mars waits until September 19^th to trine Pluto – urging us to take action just before the world-wide week of environmental strikes.

As you can see, this year's Virgo lessons are powerful. We've been talking about change and choice for many years. It is NOW that we have to act on it.

Evolution happens! Make a conscious choice to be part of it.

Pisces-Virgo Full Moon

 

Full Moon rising over Narragansett Beach

The Pisces-Virgo Full Moon occurs on September 13^th – 14^th. This is the Harvest Moon – the Full Moon closest to the Autumn Equinox, which occurs on September 23^rd this year. 

Pisces/Virgo Full Moon 2019

 

The Virgo Sun forms a close trine to Pluto, making another powerful statement about the importance of knowing yourself. Because the Pisces Moon is conjunct Neptune, we will be especially sensitive now to others as well as being open to the unconscious collective energies. Make sure you aren't swept away by the crowd. It is not a time to feel judgment, anger or hatred, since it can come back to you three-fold. There's an old and very wise Native American saying, “Every time you point a finger in scorn – there are three remaining fingers pointing right back at you.” 

 

This is the time for us to stand up for our values and act on our beliefs. If we want peace, we must have peace in our hearts. If we believe in the power of Love, then we must feel that love. It doesn't mean we can't name evil for what it is: ignorance, ego and greed. So whenever I find myself ill-wishing certain political leaders (which I do), I have to remind myself that they too are aspects of unity we say we want. They are the small, weak, fearful part of each of us. Heal that part of yourself and hopefully it will lead to the healing of the world.

As Lady Gaga says, 'we're out of the Shallow now'. 

 

I want to thank Anodea Judith for the idea of naming myself an evolutionary activist. I am here to evolve my consciousness and to mentor those who want to do the same. The environmental story of the Rainbow Warriors comes to mind. We are the ones who will save the Earth and all her relations. 

 

May it be so!

Blessings of the harvest,

Cathy

The Cosmic Story: The Wheel of the Year: Lammas 2019

The Cosmic Story: Lammas 2019

The King's Sacrifice

John Barleycorn

          August is here, the long slow ending of summer. When life is good and easy, just waiting to be enjoyed. There's a fullness to August, a ripeness. As if the Sun's glow has sunk into the Earth herself, giving her the glow of life. There are hay rolls in the fields, tomatoes ripening on the vine; thunder clouds pile up in the sky, while the humidity builds until the heavens pour down.  There's hot sunlight in the day, but also a slowly expanding nighttime.

Venus, Moon and Jupiter

 

This is the time of year to go outside at night and live for awhile under the stars. What better way to contemplate our blessings than by looking at the majesty and mystery of the heavens. Harvest time is always a good time to try to see the big picture. And the night sky heavens certainly provide us with one. Interestingly, the only two planets visible in the night sky now are Jupiter and Saturn – the archetypal energies that shape societies and world issues, the energies that test us and shape us. 

 

At Lammas, we also tend to look at ourselves and wonder what we've done this year. It's time to look for some of the results of our year's focus and energy. What are you preparing and harvesting? What has your garden grown? We are harvesting our gardens now, seeing the abundance Mother Earth gives us if we give her our respect and care. Just as we have to be good stewards of the Earth we also have to be good stewards our ourselves and our communities. Perhaps our harvest will help with that.

The Wheel of the Year: Lammas – The First Harvest

In the Celtic Wheel of the Year, the cross-quarter holiday that stands between Summer Solstice and Autumn Equinox is Lammas, or Lughnasadh on August 1-8, celebrating the first grain harvest. Lammas is a celebration of life and the bread of life (before Monsanto poisoned it with Roundup). With bread in abundance, we tend to forget how important bread was in sustaining ancient people through the winter months. 

Lammas Mask

Lammas was also a festival to the Celtic god Lugh of the Long Hand, the god of many crafts, the king of his people, god of the Sun. It was a time of gathering, feasting and dancing, when marriages were contracted, goods sold and treaties made. But mostly, it faced and celebrated the fact that the Sun was beginning to wan as it moved South, with shorter days and less light and warmth. You'll notice that as we enter August, the daylight hours decline more swiftly. 

 

Harvesting the Grain

  

With the cutting of the grains, the god of growth offers up his life to feed and sustain the community. It was a symbolic sacrifice of the King, offering the best to the gods and to life. This is both harvest and seed for the new year, offering us the knowledge that all things come to an end. And that there is rebirth awaiting the turn of the Wheel.

What is our harvest this year? What have we grown and is it ready to be harvested? 

Last Harvest

With two other harvests yet to come, at Autumn Equinox for fruit and at Samhain/Halloween for nuts and seeds, there is still plenty of time to gather in our harvest. But it is time to look at what needs taking care of now. And we need to see what sacrifices must be offered to life.

There is a great need for our ideas and visions to manifest in 3-D reality. This is our moment. Since we are the change we've been waiting for. Even more than our outer political reality, it is our inner, soulful reality that will shift the balance. Think of it as a shifting of the balance between light and dark, yin and yang, male and female. We are coming to a new balance, a new harmony and equilibrium. When we bring the tension of opposites into balance, a new, transcendent path appears before us. Ask the goddess Hecate to guide you to your new path. She will meet you at the Crossroads.

 

Each of us has a gift and talent we can offer the world. What have you spent your life learning? Many of us have developed multiple talents, for we are Renaissance people. We are bringing in a new birth, a new vision for society and for the planet. What are you working on? How can you synthesize what you know? What is the best possible way for you to manifest your gifts? Are you practicing and experimenting? I hope you are!

Tiverton, RI:  Sunset

The spiritual practice of this time of year is that of the Royal Sacrifice. Our sacrifice is to make sacred all of Life. In his book, Original Blessings, Matthew Fox shows us what we are called upon to do now.

To speak of “Original Blessing” is to speak of times past when healthy air, water, soil, forests, animals, birds, insects and the rest could be taken for granted. When the goodness of our existence, even amidst struggle, nevertheless was always there. 

 

Today we cannot take Original Blessing for granted. We have to work to return nature and human nature back to a healthy state. That is the naked struggle today: Can we rediscover the sacredness of creation? If so, can the mystic in us come alive again, fall in love again, enough to carry on the struggle for the salvation of our Earth biosphere as we know it?

Do we have the energy, passion and willingness to see this struggle through in the next eleven years, and the generosity needed to change our ways, let go, reinvent our footprints on this planet?

Matthew Fox: Daily Meditations July 18, 2019 On Eros and Justice: Part 1

The Lion's Gate: 15* Leo

The Lion's Gate occurs during the end of July and beginning of August, harking back to ancient Egypt and the helical rising of the star Sirius before the Sun. We can say that the Sun is channeling information from the Sirian star system during this time. Sirius is considered by many native peoples one of the star systems that seeded our Earth and which continue to work with us on subtle energy levels. If you work more consciously with these energies, then this is the time to stock up!

Sirius: brightest star in the night sky

Astrologically, we reach the Leo power degree of 15* on August 7^th, just hours after the first quarter Scorpio Moon of the Leo New Moon cycle. With both the Sun and Moon at fixed power gates (always 15* of the power signs, Taurus, Leo, Scorpio and Aquarius), we are receiving information from both signs. We are challenged (the square) to face our shadows and karma (Scorpio) and bring the light of consciousness (Leo) to them. 

 

The Shadow comprises those parts of ourselves that hold stunted energy, energy that has stopped developing as originally intended. Jung believed that the Shadow develops to protect our young ego from parents and teacher's expectations. Because of these shadow energies, our ability to be ourselves and to act in accordance with our true nature is twisted. Jung says the Shadow needs to be recognized and worked with if we want a clear channel to our anima (our soulful being) and our animus (our virtuous doing). 

 We can touch on our Shadow when we judge others harshly, because we are projecting our Shadow onto them. A liar projects those lies onto others; a racist projects his fear and loathing of the unconscious parts of himself onto strangers. When do we stop lying to ourselves? When do we stop being afraid of life!? In this moment, where Shadows are so evident in our chaotic world, we need to find and shine our light into the world's darkness. 

 

It is time to release ourselves from the bondage of our old stories. It's time to stop complaining about our lives and get on with them. It's time to face our human frailties and forgive ourselves. It's time to stop questioning what our purpose is and to see it there before us. Whatever we're dealing with is our purpose. Whatever virtues we believe in we need to embody. Whatever gifts we have we need to offer to the world.

In a new astrological system I'm studying called The Gene Keys, the energy of mid-Leo is attuned to guidance and virtuous living. Out of division comes the ability to guide others through the darkness. And the energy of the Scorpio quarter Moon is to move from entropy, where we've been in a static chaotic state, to one of creativity, freshness and fierce beauty. 

 

We are called to listen to our Heart's wisdom. As our souls awaken, we begin to live out of our Higher Self, the part of us which is connected to everything in the universe. We rediscover our place in Earth's biosphere and in the cosmic order. I have to tell you, it's a much more radiant and abundant place to stand in than in the chaos of a failing patriarchal social system. From this place of peace and harmony, we can act upon the world in the correct ways, because in the inner silence, we can tap into our higher wisdom – we can connect to Lady Wisdom, our Sophia.

 

Lady Wisdom

The Venus/Mars conjunction: A secret, sacred Marriage – August 24, 2019

The great gift the cosmos is bestowing on us during this Lammas season is the union of Venus and Mars, occurring on the royal star, Regulus, in the heart of the Lion. 

Whenever Venus and Mars get together, a new energy of relationship emerges – relationship to self and others and to Nature. To occur on this Royal Star, which has just recently moved into tropical Virgo, is auspicious. The royal energy now flows through the divine Feminine. And this is a Wise feminine energy being birthed this season.

This sacred marriage of the archetypal energies of love and desire (Venus & Mars/ Psyche & Eros) occurs at 5* Virgo. The core Shadow theme of this degree is our distrust of others, especially in relationships. It is all about dishonesty. We're afraid to show people who we really are, and so our Shadow comes into play. Be truthful with yourself and you can be truthful to others.

 

This conjunction takes place in the underworld because both planets cannot be seen – they are both too close to the Sun. Venus will conjunct the Sun on August 14^th, just before the Aquarius Full Moon. She has just swung around behind the Sun and is on her way to becoming an Evening Star, visible again around September 20^th. Mars is just approaching the Sun, and will conjunct it on September 2^nd, and it will appear as a morning star around October 17^th. 

Sacred Marriage in the Unconscious

 

So this meeting of Venus and Mars on August 24^th is hidden from our view and our consciousness. It will bring up those unconscious places within us where we need to be honest with ourselves. If we don't look at our Shadow, it will act upon us unconsciously, it will meet us in the outer world. If we dance with our Shadows, we'll integrate them. If we stay conscious, we will pick the energy up through the body. That is the place it will manifest first. So pay attention to your body wisdom. The Body Knows!

Astrologer Adam Gainsburg is a living sky astrologer, someone who actually looks at the heavens and tracks the planets in the night sky instead of on a computer. He's written a book on the phases of Venus called TheLight of Venus where he tracks the 13 phases of Venus journey through the sky. (He's also working on a book on Mars phases). As Venus disappears into the glare of the Sun, she also moves behind the Sun so we don't see her until she moves far enough away to appear as the Evening Star in late September. 

 

Adam calls this phase of Venus cycle the transmutation phase of Venus, when She sheds the old garments, beliefs and qualities of her Morning Star phase and transmutes and alchemizes it into something new. As Adam says, “Such intense light – as love – forces us to meet our dark self or opposite, everything we're convinced that we aren't. An invisible Venus forces us to see our Other inside ourselves.” (Light of Venus, page 119). Adam says transmutation is essentially feminine, with changes occurring within you at first so you concentrate on who you're becoming. It's future oriented.

We must learn to embrace our sovereignty, our wisdom of both Heaven and Earth. Our feminine wisdom, love and compassion must rule the day.

While Venus is heading away from the Sun on August 24^th, Mars is heading into it, joining the Sun on September 2^nd. This allows both energies to look at their shadows, for what else can we see in the bright glare of the Sun? Both archetypal energies are purified by our Star's fire. Our ego steps into the fiery furnace of life and hopefully emerges ready to stand up for truth, justice and life. The fact that these energies meet on the fixed star Regulus, which is the Lion's Heart, awakens our own lion-heartedness. We need to be fierce in our defense of our Earth, our people and all our relationships. 

Susan Seddon Boulet

This is an interesting season because three planets conjunct the Sun – besides Venus and Mars, Mercury also dives into the Sun's fiery furnace on September 3^rd. Three very personal planets are being renewed in the Sun's fire. We have to make conscious our love and wisdom, our desires and goals, and our ability to communicate those needs honestly. 

 

Planetary shifts and Sabian Symbols

There are four shifts in planetary direction this season. When planets are retrograde, our energy is directed within to remember, review and restructure. When a planet stations and turns back to direct motion, the energy we've been working on within turns back into the world. Mercury turns direct on July 31^st at 24* Cancer. Two directional shifts occur on August 11^th: Jupiter at 15* Sagittarius turns direct and Uranus at 7* Taurus turns retrograde. And Saturn at 14* Capricorn goes direct on September 17-18^th. Try to feel the energy shift in your body on these days. And also pay attention to your dreams, which show us what's going on in the unconscious.

The Sabian symbol for Mercury direct at 24* Cancer is: A woman and two men castaways on a small island in the South Seas. What aspects of our psyche have been 'cast away' or lost? What can the woman/soul do? The doubling of the men suggests that we are beginning to see a new way of 'doing' things. Jung always said that when an image is doubled, it means that part of that energy is becoming conscious, while the other part is still unconscious and needs to be worked on. What does your soul yearn for and what can you do to give it what it needs?

The Sabian symbol for Jupiter at 15* Sagittarius is: The ground hog looking for its shadow on Ground Hog's Day, February 2^nd. This image suggests that we try to get a bigger perspective on events. Ground Hog's Days is Imbolc – the Celtic gateway to Spring, when we look to the future. Be aware of what happens on the 11^th, taking it as a clue to future events. It's a great time to journey and meditate on what's ahead for you.

The Sabian symbol for Uranus at 7* Taurus is: The woman of Sumaria at the ancestral well. The story of Jesus meeting the Sumaritan woman at the well symbolizes a transition from the old tribal order to a new order based on Universal Love. Jesus revealed his divine nature to a woman who guards the wellsprings of life. The Water of Life. Our Christ consciousness greets our Wisdom/Sophia consciousness. We have to really believe we are spiritual beings, so we can access the wisdom we need to face our collective evolutionary crisis. A new quality of being arises that transcends the old ways of patriarchal being and doing. This is what we have to awaken within ourselves during this retrograde, which lasts until January 10, 2020, when Uranus turns direct on a Full Moon lunar eclipse. 

 

The Sabian symbol for the sacred marriage of Venus and Mars at 5* Virgo is: A person becoming aware of nature spirits and normally unseen spiritual agencies. What a great symbol! We are learning to go beyond what we see in 3-D reality and now can look deeply into the world around us. It is through the use of the creative imagination that we see so deeply. Isn't it time to learn how to exercise this important muscle? I've been working with it for over 30 years and it's the most important function we can learn work with now, since it has to do with manifestation. We need to own our own imaginations before we can transform the world. So get your head out of TV and the mass media and create your own reality! 

 

The Sabian symbol for Saturn turning direct at 14* Capricorn is: An ancient bas-relief carved in granite remains a witness to a long-forgotten culture. Saturn, along with Pluto in Capricorn, energizes a re-structuring of our society. We have seen how our democracy has been taken over by large, corporate entities such as big Pharma, the oil and gas industries, the military-industrial complex. The 1% do own the government and run our society. That's not what our founding fathers wanted for America. And so we need to restructure and renew our society along the lines of a true democracy. These are the ancient beliefs we need to remember and incorporate. And those 'founding fathers' learned from the Native American Grandmothers what was necessary to found a new country based on freedom for all. How ironic and ultimately evil that we killed the very people who guided our nation's founding! 

 

Well, that's all for now. I hope your harvest is fruitful and that you are blessed by its bounty.  I'm here if you need me.

Walk in the Light,

Cathy

"John Barleycorn (Must Die)"

(Harvest folk song)

There were three men came out of the west, their fortunes for to try
And these three men made a solemn vow
John Barleycorn must die
They've plowed, they've sown, they've harrowed him in
Threw clods upon his head
And these three men made a solemn vow
John Barleycorn was dead

They've let him lie for a very long time, 'til the rains from heaven did fall
And little Sir John sprung up his head and so amazed them all
They've let him stand 'til Midsummer's Day 'til he looked both pale and wan
And little Sir John's grown a long long beard and so become a man
They've hired men with their scythes so sharp to cut him off at the knee
They've rolled him and tied him by the way, serving him most barbarously
They've hired men with their sharp pitchforks who've pricked him to the heart
And the loader he has served him worse than that
For he's bound him to the cart

They've wheeled him around and around a field 'til they came onto a pond
And there they made a solemn oath on poor John Barleycorn
They've hired men with their crabtree sticks to cut him skin from bone
And the miller he has served him worse than that
For he's ground him between two stones

And little Sir John and the nut brown bowl and his brandy in the glass
And little Sir John and the nut brown bowl proved the strongest man at last
The huntsman he can't hunt the fox nor so loudly to blow his horn
And the tinker he can't mend kettle or pots without a little barleycorn