Autumn Gold
by Franklin Carmichael
The Autumn Equinox this year, Spring in the Southern Hemisphere, arrives on September 22 at 9:55 p.m. EDT, 6:54 p.m. PDT and on 01:54 UTC on September 23, 2018. The Farmer’s Almanac always has good background and here are some interesting articles on the Equinox: Autumnal Equinox: When is it and what it actually means and one on Equinox Rituals
This Equinox marks the beginning of this new season and is the moment the Sun enters Libra each year. The chart for the Equinox indicates astrological trends for the season. Here is the Equinox chart cast for Washington, DC.
The Sun always shines in the lovely air sign of Libra at the Equinox and this year communicator Mercury is in Libra too in close contact with the Sun and asteroid Ceres nearby. All three make a nice connection to Mars in Aquarius. These aspects create energy for excellent communication with more ability to rise to a larger perspective aided by diplomatic flair.
Venus, the ruler of Libra, is in steamy Scorpio at the Equinox slowing down now preparing for her retrograde phase this Fall from 10/5 – 11/16. Venus in Scorpio personifies the #metoo movement exhibiting the reclaiming of power by women and all victims of sexual abuse and also reveals deep smoldering anger and need for revenge. Venus is very active in the Equinox chart with a flowing trine to the Moon in Pisces. Since the Moon represents public emotions this aspect relates to the sympathetic outlook people, especially women, feel for those who have been abused. At the same time Venus forms a tough square to Mars demonstrating the contrasting view points of men versus women on this topic and the general resentment of many males who believe they are losing privilege and power.
The confirmation of Brett Kavanaugh for US Supreme Court is a case in point. As a recent article in Time Magazine says, ” Every week brings new variations on the theme of women, racked with pain and rage, rising up in protest after too many years of trauma and terrified silence…. [and] fresh reminders of the extent to which our whole reality is the product of the privilege and prejudices of entitled men.” (Wow. Contemplate that for a minute, as Venus is Scorpio wants you too.)
Venus in a smoldering mood
Jupiter is also in Scorpio adding his mighty heft to the Scorpio themes of sex and power that he has been pummeling all year long. Jupiter has been working positively with Neptune in Pisces most of this year and in the Equinox chart this connection is looser but still in effect. Neptune is retrograde now, but turns direct later in the season on 11/24. By then Jupiter will have left Scorpio but Neptune’s satellite dish function will continue to beam in reminders of all the powerful men and institutions who fell from grace during Jupiter’s Scorpio transit.
Saturn plays a significant role in the Equinox chart too, moving direct now at 2* Capricorn. Form and Function Saturn entered Capricorn, the sign he rules, last December helping solidify Pluto in Capricorn’s long term job of transforming major structures in the worldly arena. At the Equinox Saturn forms a tense T-Square to Libra Sun/Mercury on one end and Chiron in Aries on the the other. Chiron in Aries says, “Come on people leave the old behind and find new and better ways to do things!” Sun/Mercury in Libra says “Let’s find compromise and work co-operatively together to achieve goals. Stern Saturn stands in the middle with all his gravitas saying “Not so fast, if change happens too rapidly chaos follows and if you compromise too soon you’ll regret it when more information unfolds.” His basic message is Hold Steady!
Along with this challenging aspect Saturn reaches out positively to cell tower Uranus in Taurus forming a tight earth trine. This connection indicates the potential for good, solid practical solutions to big global problems like the huge plastic garbage patches in the oceans and how to better handle the major weather events occurring with ever increasing frequency. Uranus is retrograde at the Equinox, and in fact reverses back into Aries again on 11/6, so these solutions may take a while to unfold, which plays into Saturn’s message to hold steady for now.
Uranus exemplifies his Coyote self at the Equinox too, with a tight square to Mars. Mars in Aquarius is great for intelligent analysis and objective viewpoints, but can also be rigid and over focused with obsessive compulsive behavior. Uranus in Taurus is valiantly attempting to tune people into the plight our planet faces if we humans don’t change our ways. For example how over development in coastal areas creates more runoff and less open land with ability to absorb storm surge waters. Here is an article about recent hurricane Florence which has done so much damage in North Carolina: Florence’s surge hits homes which already coast the government millions. And here is another article about hurricane flooding that you may not have realized about how factory farming creates added devestation
Both Taurus and Aquarius are fixed (stubborn!) signs which dig their heels in deep. The challenge this Uranus/Mars square represents is being stuck in rigid beliefs and the solution is the ability to rise above to consider more enlightened viewpoints. I like what astrologer Robert Wilkinson has to say about this Mars Uranus Square who also discusses how it relates more personally.
At the personal level the Equinox energies urge you to find a good balance between your own deeply held beliefs and the many streams of new information and ideas constantly flowing in now. Don’t get stuck because you think you have all the answers you need; be willing to slow down and listen to what others have to say, even those with whom you disagree. Let compassion be your guide versus anger and revenge, and cultivate more patience as you persevere toward your life goals. Words from the great poet Rumi, born with Sun in Libra, are an excellent guide for the Equinox, Out beyond ideas of wrongdoing and rightdoing, there is a field. I will meet you there.
Wishing you a most wonderful new season!
Flowers from my garden for you