WPA fresco "California
Life" at Coit Tower, San Francisco, California
Photo by Carol Highsmith in her Library of Congress Collection
The
Big Picture in September
We are under the influence of the solar
energy of Virgo for most of September. This sign represents the earthly manifestation of Mercury,
the planet that signifies the mind and communication. Because of her tie to the earth element, Virgo thrives when she engages in practical activities. Perhaps this is why Virgo has been assigned the rulership
of the 6th house, which symbolizes
our daily routines and the work that we perform on a regular basis. Furthermore,
the Virgo season corresponds to the late summer harvest, a period of hard work
necessary to bring the bounty to our tables so that we may appropriately
nourish our bodies. In our contemporary world, Virgo symbolizes the helping
professions concerned with our health or that of our pets.
The characteristics attributed to Virgo have
undergone a shift from the ancient times to the present. Astrologers Arielle
Guttman and Kenneth Johnson, experts in classical mythology, remind us that at
one time, Virgo was associated with the goddess Astraea, who symbolized
justice. This is what these astrologers said about the ancient myth of Virgo:
“When humankind declined to its present state of corruption, she retired from
the world in disgust, fixing herself in the heavens where she can still be seen
holding the scales of justice (Libra), thus forming an integral unit with the
sign which follows.”[1]
(The Sun will enter Libra on September 22, continuing the theme of justice
through much of October).
Virgo’s correspondence to everyday labor makes her
an apt symbol for the working class, or commoners in general. This is quite
unlike Leo, the sign that precedes her. Leo loves the specialness of royal
treatment. It is fitting that in the United States, our Labor
Day falls within the season of Virgo. We Americans are dealing in the present with
a pandemic and a political climate that has further ravaged the unstable
financial status of the working class.
Given the current economic recession, which many
are calling the second Great Depression, how will our elected officials handle
this crisis? Nearly one-hundred years ago, our country elected leaders who were
willing to challenge the wealthy plutocracy and bring some relief to the
working class. In that era, work programs were created to employ the large
number of people needing work. The mural at San Francisco’s Coit Tower reflects
a project of the New Deal, which is captured in the photo at the beginning of
this article. Isn't it interesting that at the forefront of the mural is a mail box and a post office employee. In the 1930s, there were probably very few Americans who questioned the importance of the U.S. Postal Service. Yet, in the 21st Century, a significant number of people support a political party that is trying to dismantle this public service.
Astrologically speaking, what energy characterizes
September 2020? The month begins with a Full Moon in Pisces, the water sign
that represents the emotional nature, with a capacity for compassion and for
viewing the world with an emphasis on similarities rather than differences. Who
in our world will give voice to Piscean concepts? Two weeks later, on September
17, we arrive at the New Moon in Virgo. By that time, Congress will have
returned from its summer break and the Labor Day holiday. That time will be
ripe for devising practical solutions to the country’s problems. But how do the
various political factions view what is practical? Who will prevail?
The movement of cosmic bodies in September signals
that there could be considerable change this month. The most significant shifts
are represented by Jupiter and Saturn, the social planets that will be
returning to direct motion, the former on September 13 and the latter on
September 29. We could see important political and societal activity this month.
(I know it’s hard to fathom that we could see more)! On the other hand, Mars, the
initiator, begins its retrograde motion on September 9. Of course, this doesn’t
mean that motivation or action is withdrawn. However, because retrograde
planets retrace old territory, we could see the igniting of old issues or conflicts.
The significant aspect to watch out for is
retrograde Mars exactly square stern Capricorn in Saturn on September 29, just
before Saturn turns direct. The energy of the square is already felt at the
beginning of the month all the way up to its exact aspect and afterwards. Mars
square with Pluto and Saturn and later Jupiter will be felt particularly in
October. The square is an aspect that motivates individuals to relieve tension
by taking action. Will there be renewed or stronger efforts to contain
Covid-19? Will there be intense pressure to begin addressing the economic
impact of the pandemic?
Typically, the inner planets change signs
frequently. This month, Mercury moves into diplomatic Libra on September 5 and
then shifts into investigative Scorpio on September 27. Meanwhile, Venus moves
from protective Cancer to gregarious Leo on September 6.
Significant
Days in September
Below you will find a table of astrological events
for this month. You can assess the quality of significant days by noting when
planets form exact aspects and where all this activity takes place in your
natal chart.
Here is a basic key for understanding the meaning
of the aspects:
The Conjunction: This aspect represents the
merging and fusion of energies by two (or more planets) that have joined at a
particular degree (or within a specified orb). This combined energy is very
potent. When this occurs, we might feel subjective about a matter in our lives.
The Sextile (60°): Planets in this formation are
harmonious and lend themselves to cooperation. Astrologer Sue Tompkins says
there is a quality of “coaxing” in sextiles. In other words, if we put in a
little effort at these times, we can take advantage of opportunities in a
situation.
The Quintile (72°): Planets in this aspect
represent the type of harmony inherent in creative endeavors. It might often
describe the impulse to fuse an idea into a tangible substance. Quintiles often
describe the talents possessed by individuals.
The Square (90°): Planets that line up in this
aspect reflect incompatible energies with contrasting needs. Consequently, we
can describe this planetary relationship as tense and strained. Because these
energies can be working at cross-purposes, the situation at hand may require us
to make choices. The “silver lining” is that squares compel us to take action
and this often results in dispelling tension. If we are conscious of the dilemma,
we can use the excess energy in a matter so that we can achieve something
useful.
The Trine (120°): There is an ease in the
relationship between planets involved with this aspect because they are of the
same element. At this time, we can perform activities with a flowing energy. We
enjoy these activities, and they often reflect our innate talents. Because this
energy is so comfortable, it often does not promote growth. Yet, these aspects
reflect how we can be healed.
The Quincunx (150°): Planets forming this
relationship appear to have nothing in common. These planets display energies
that are out of step with one another. There can be an element of irritation
and stress because of this, but it is not a confrontative type of energy. If we
are conscious of this reality, we can make adjustments to the relationship such
that we do not feel so out of sync.
The Opposition (180°): This relationship between
planets brings to our awareness how something is different from our preferred
position. We could be in conflict with others about a matter. Also, we might
shift our preference from one point of view to its opposite. Yet, we can also
find common ground in this relationship. This aspect has the potential for us
to integrate our perspectives.
Date of Exact or Near Exact Aspect
|
Pacific Time
|
Astrological Event
|
September
1
|
3:41
AM
|
Mercury
(22 Virgo 41) trine Pluto (22 Capricorn 41)
|
September
1
|
10:21
PM
|
Full
Moon
(10 Pisces 12)
|
September
2
|
5:17
AM
|
Venus
(12 Leo 01) opposition Saturn (12 Aquarius 01)
|
September
2
|
7:08
AM
|
Sun
(10 Virgo 33) trine Uranus (10 Taurus 33)
|
September
3
|
0:22
AM
|
Mercury
(25 Virgo 52) trine Saturn (25 Capricorn 52)
|
September
3
|
11:12
AM
|
Saturn
(25 Capricorn 51) quincunx North Node (25 Gemini 51)
|
September
4
|
2:12
AM
|
Venus (27 Cancer 55) square Mars (27 Aries
55)
|
September
4
|
1:31
PM
|
Mercury
(28 Virgo 25) sextile Venus (28 Cancer 25)
|
September
5
|
12:46
PM
|
Mercury
enters Libra
|
September
6
|
12:21
AM
|
Venus
enters Leo
|
September
9
|
9:03
AM
|
Sun
(17 Virgo 25) trine Jupiter (17 Capricorn 25)
|
September
9
|
3:22
PM
|
Mars
begins Retrograde period
|
September
11
|
1:25
PM
|
Sun
(15 Virgo 32) opposition Neptune (15 Pisces 32)
|
September
13
|
5:41
PM
|
Jupiter
(17 Capricorn 24) turns Direct
|
September
14
|
4:08
PM
|
Sun
(22 Virgo 34) trine Pluto (22 Capricorn 34)
|
September
15
|
8:29
AM
|
Venus
(10 Leo 18) square Uranus (10 Taurus 18)
|
September
17
|
3:34
AM
|
Mercury
(17 Libra 26) square Jupiter (17 Capricorn 26)
|
September
17
|
4:00
AM
|
New
Moon
(25 Virgo 01)
|
September
17
|
2:36
PM
|
Sun
(25 Virgo 26) trine Saturn (25 Capricorn 26)
|
September
20
|
10:21
PM
|
Mercury
(22 Libra 31) square Pluto (22 Capricorn 31)
|
September
22
|
6:30
AM
|
Sun
enters Libra
|
September
23
|
3:37
AM
|
Mercury
(25 Libra 21) square Saturn (25 Capricorn 21)
|
September
24
|
3:52
AM
|
Mercury
(25 Libra 36) opposition Mars (25 Aries 36)
|
September
25
|
8:40
AM
|
Saturn
(25 Capricorn 21) quintile Chiron (7 Aries 21)
|
September
27
|
12:40
AM
|
Mercury
enters Scorpio
|
September
28
|
6:01
PM
|
Venus
(25 Leo 33) trine Mars (25 Aries 33)
|
September
29
|
2:49
PM
|
Mars
(25 Aries 20) square Saturn (25 Capricorn 20)
|
September
29
|
10:11
PM
|
Saturn
(25 Capricorn 20) turns Direct
|
ENDNOTES
[1]Arielle
Guttman and Kenneth Johnson. Mythic
Astrology: Archetypal Powers in the Horoscope (Llewellyn Publications,
1993), 287.
No comments:
Post a Comment