The Flow! Week of September 25 – October 1
The Flow is a weekly blog published to better understand the flow of astrological, celestial, and magickal energies for the week, and how best to use them. It is intended for those with little knowledge of astrology.
For newcomers, the idea is to consider celestial influences as part of a larger whole, or the Flow. All too often, astrologers tend to write about astrological events as if each were an isolated specimen as if pulled out of the sky and analyzed by itself – and there is no dearth of astrological sites on the net that write that way. Here, it is the movement and interactions that are important and form the basis of discussion.
If any of the material is unclear or unfamiliar to you, it is probably unfamiliar to others as well, please leave a comment and I will be glad to answer your questions.
If you like what you see, please share it with friends! If you would like to get email notifications for when The Flow! is updated, or have a private question please email me at skywatcher888@yahoo.com. Thank you!
The Flow! is updated every Sunday.
Please note: all times are in the Pacific Timezone.
This week’s synopsis: Harvest Home
Tis the midst of the harvest season. A time to bring the harvest home.
The Autumnal Equinox, which occurred this past Friday, September 23rd at 2:05am stands roughly midway between the holidays of Lammas/Lughnasadh (August 1st) and Samhain/Halloween (October 31st). It is celebrated as Mabon, Foghar, Alban Elfed, Harvest Home, Second Harvest, Fruit Harvest, Wine Harvest, and Gwyl Hydref. The name Mabon was coined by Aiden Kelly around 1970 in reference to the Welsh myth, Mabon ap Modron – divine son of the divine mother, who is mentioned in several Arthurian legends.
At Mabon, the main natural growing season is done, and with day and night equal it is time to bring the harvest home.
Equality is very much the theme of the astrological sign of Libra in which this equinox occurs. Even its symbol, the Scales of Justice, harkens back to the idea of balance, harmony, symmetry and equality.
Originally to the Babylonians, the stars of the constellation of Libra were called the Claws of the Scorpion (MUL Zibanu, for the Babylonian speakers out there). Sacred to the Sun God Shamash, patron god of truth and justice, they came to be identified with the instrument used in their time to measure equivalence, the scales.
In Roman mythology, Libra was considered to hold the scales held by Astrea, goddess of justice, identified by them as the sign of Virgo. \
Similarly, Libra is associated with the Egyptian goddess Ma’at, goddess of truth, balance, order, law, morality, and justice. It was she who weighed the abode of the soul of the dead, the heart, against her feather. Only the hearts of the dearly beloved who passed her test were allowed into the paradise of the afterlife. The image of Ma’at weighing the heart of Ani is a famous illustration from the Egyptian Book of the Dead (see below).
And the constellation of Libra is home to the star Gliese 581, which has a planetary system of at least 6 planets, several of which are good candidates for human habitability and extra-terrestrial life.
Libra is an air sign, the element of the intellect and abstract ideas. Justice, truth, equality, order and law are all intellectual abstractions. You can’t reach out and touch truth, sniff order, or taste balance. But they remain some of our highest ideals and represent the heart of some of our highest aspirations.
But there are demons in the details.
Libra is joined as an air sign by Gemini and Aquarius, and all three have symbols with an inherent duality (see below), illustrating the dichotomy between ideal and reality, theory and practice. All of these abstractions mean different things to different people and can be interpreted by them differently. Finding common ground among all these different perspectives is the job of those whose horoscopes emphasize these signs, but especially Libra whose symbol of the scales looks for equivalence between the ideal and the real and put that equivalence into practice.
But Libra is not only just about balance.
Libra ushers in the reign of night in the northern hemisphere. From now until the Spring Equinox on March 20th, 2012, the nights will be longer than the days.
Night.
Symbol of darkness, shadows, insecurities, and fears.
Night.
When we would huddle around the campfire as a tribe and try to dispel the terrors and threats of that which lay beyond the light.
Night.
Realm of sleep and the very real fantasms of our dreams. And nightmares.
Night.
That part of the cycle in which we understand the need to come together in social units to provide security, support, warmth, and comfort to each other so that we may go out the next day to live among the light.
And at the very root of that security is to come together to help in the harvest of the summer’s bounty so that we may have food on the table during the long winter’s plight. How much of the harvest is each member’s share?
That is the job of Libra.
Modern societies function differently. We turn on a light with the flip of a switch, and head to the supermarket to buy our groceries. Each of us has the opportunity to live alone as he or she wishes, or to organize in familial units to journey through life together.
But however many are there to greet us when we return home, we are all interconnected by our extended families, workplace, friends, associates, society, culture, nation, faith, or beliefs. Each forming layers of the collectives to which we belong.
Astrologically, that is the symbolism of the night. To bring us together as collectives of gestalt consciousness that help each other progress through various stages of development toward the goal of transforming each of us into the beings we have the potential to be.
That is another job of Libra. To prepare us to join among others in harmonious groups of like-minded individuals to accomplish our goals and objectives in life. Sometimes we falter, sometimes we backtrack, but even our stumbles educate us about our own nature, offer new opportunities, and enlighten our way forward.
Some of you may notice during this time that you have a strong urge to join with others who share similar interests. Groups and meetings started at this time frequently are more successful than those started at other times of the year. It is almost as if we have an intuitive need to share our selves and our experiences with others. Perhaps that is why so many of the most important holidays of so many peoples around the world occur during the months of Autumn.
However you choose to bring your harvest home this holiday season, may it be bountiful and fill you with happiness.
To the Daily Details!
Sunday, September 25th
Mercury enters Libra at 2:09pm
Sun opposes Uranus at 5:16pm
The Moon is in Virgo all day, and that is good for people like me who need to sit and do some writing. Not only is it a good influence on any Pulitzer Prize winning wannabes, but it is an excellent energy for attending to the tasks at hand. If there is a project that needs to be undertaken with a careful step-by-step approach today (or tomorrow, for that matter) are excellent days for doing so.
In the early morning hours, there is a possibility for solving some unresolved puzzle or riddle, so if you have something on your mind that’s been bugging you, you just might wake up with more insight into the matter. The late morning and early afternoon are likely to feel glorious, so whatever it is you are up to taking a few minutes to simply enjoy life will go a long way toward replenishing your energies for the week ahead. As the afternoon wears on, however, the unexpected is likely to pop up, so leave yourself plenty of time for any tasks you need to get done by the end of the day. And while the days this week are likely to be frantic, the evenings are should, conversely, be oases of calm, respite, and refreshment.
Mercury is in Libra until October 13th. During this time, we are a little less analytical, less fussy, and not quite so practical, and a little more judicious, willing to compromise, and considerate of others.
Monday, September 26th
Mercury opposes Uranus at 11:31pm
This is likely to be a bit bumpy and rocky week. Keep yourself at the top of your game by getting enough rest, eating well, and allowing yourself time off for good behavior. Most of the working day Monday is well aspected for accomplishing projects and moving forward, so make the most of it. Whatever you can achieve today should be long-lasting, providential, and help better secure your future.
The fun begins when the Moon enters Libra at 9:51pm. Normally, the Moon loves being in Libra. Libra to the Moon often feels like entering the Tunnel of Love or the Harem of Heavenly Delights. Not this time. This time is more like the House of Mirrors, and later in the week when she enters Scorpio, it will feel more like the Haunted Mansion.
This evening is likely to be somewhat frazzled, hectic, and chaotic. It may feel like lots of things are up in the air with no resolution, and you feel uncertain about how to best move forward. Hint: Do not take things personally, and allow events to work themselves out in their own time. You should be very pleased with the results!
Tuesday, September 27th
New Moon at 4:09am at 4° Libra
Today’s New Moon is apt to feel more like a Full Moon. Full of crazies, lunacy, and people inventing new driving rules on the spot with no notice. Anyone driving today, especially in the early morning hours should be extra careful and be extra patient.
This is also a very powerful New Moon. It is a Moon of Transformation and over the next two weeks any of us who have done our homework should have the opportunity to spread our wings and be offered the opportunity to show what we can do. It is a valuable opportunity, so please do take it seriously!
Regardless of what opportunities fall your way, this New Moon is an excellent time to begin a new program for self-improvement. If you want to lose weight before the holidays, give up a bad habit, or begin an exercise regimen, this is a great time to do so!
Wednesday, September 28th
Sun square Pluto at 2:25am
Mercury square Pluto at 7:26am
Sun conjunct Mercury at 1:16pm
Good yontif! Tonight begins the Jewish New Year, Rosh Hashanah, at sundown. It is traditionally celebrated for two days. May it be a year of good health, peace, and prosperity!
However, the planetary aspects for today do not look so auspicious. Today is likely to be a day of passions. Yes, we’re normally passionate about our loved ones, politics, and religion, but today people are likely to be passionate about everything. With all this passion heating the air, things are likely to get hot. Keep cool by steering clear of emotionally charged subjects in conversation, and pass (at least) the first intemperate remark to the angel of your choosing. Offer pieces of your mind at your own risk, you may wind up losing more of it than you bargained for.
The day’s energies are conducive for research and investigations, plodding along on long-term projects, and interestingly enough shopping and making decisions. If there’s something you’ve been putting off because of some irrational fear or subconscious inhibition today is a great day to get it off the books, out of your hair, and removed from your mind. The Moon enters Scorpio at 9:05pm.
Thursday, September 29th
Mercury sextiles Mars at 12:27am
Venus conjuncts Saturn at 4:49pm
Sun sextiles Mars at 11:44pm
The Moon is in Scorpio all day.
Today could very well turn out to be the best day of the week. There are lots of good energies to support getting things done and getting them done well. Possibly, all the way through tomorrow too. But the big event of the day is the conjunction of Venus and Saturn. This aspect creates very beneficial circumstances for a great many relationships. Unlike a Mars-Venus aspect that can be hot, heady, and passionate, or a Mercury-Venus aspect that be a bit chummy and cerebral, a Venus-Saturn aspect brings stability, calm, and dependability. All important, if not quite as thrilling, qualities that any long-term relationship needs to thrive. In fact, that is literally the meaning of Saturn-Venus, long-term relationships, and the conjunction helps make that happen. If you are in a relationship that has been a bit touchy or tenuous lately, you may want to schedule a date or rendezvous for this evening as it may help bring the two of you together more harmoniously, or at least bring out into the open those areas in which you must work harder to satisfy your mate.
Friday, September 30th
No major aspects
Until the Moon enters Sagittarius at 9:42pm the day is likely to be unsettled, feel a bit convoluted, and more than once make you wonder if you live on the same planet as everyone else. It’s a day in which nothing feels quite right or satisfactory, loose ends propagate like bunnies, mysteries crop up out of the woodwork, and everyone seems slightly out of sorts. Muddling through as best you can is not only your best course of action, but very likely the only course of action. After the Moon enters Sagittarius, the mood shifts, the party hats come on, and the affairs, trials, and mysteries of week the fade out of sight and out of mind.
Saturday, October 1st
No major aspects
Today’s lunar aspects are upbeat and helpful. We feel optimistic, empowered, and capable of accomplishing whatever we set our minds to doing. Possibilities open up and stretch before us like a carpet. There are opportunities to explore, places to go and things to do. So get your Aladdin’s lamp and steer your magick carpet wherever you’d like to go.
Today is the kind of day that can help you form long-term plans and understand how to make them real. Today also presents a good opportunity for better understanding any visions you might have for your future, and how best to use the resources available today to build for that future.
It is the rare day that is good for doing almost anything, and today could well be one of them. Whatever it is you wish to do looks to be favored, however you wish to do it. It isn’t often I get to write that, and it doesn’t last long so take good advantage!
Enjoy the ride!
Wishing you all a wonderful week!
September 25, 2011
skywatcher888
Skywatcher888's Blog - The Flow! 