The Autumnal Equinox 2024

The season begins on September 22nd at 5:43 AM PDT, when the Sun is stationed at 0 degrees Libra 0 minutes. We have been feeling the weather change already, the leaves falling, and the days becoming shorter... Let this be a time of celebration, a time where we harvest the produce in all its glory after the Summer growth. We are blessed with this season of transformation, and our thoughts go to preparing for Winter. With the Sun entering the sign of Libra, we are looking at the balance between productivity and contemplation.

The Autumnal (or Fall) Equinox is the halfway point between the Summer and Winter Solstices and marks the precise moment when the Sun appears directly over the Earth's equator. The ancient ones marked this time as Mabon, a time-honored celebration of balance, abundance, and gratitude. Mabon is essentially a harvest festival. Ancient Celts and pagans used this day to give thanks to nature for a good harvest and to pray to their gods and goddesses that the crop would last throughout the winter.

There are time honored ways to celebrate this day. Here are some suggestions:

• First harvest your garden, and preserve the food to last over the winter Create a Feast!

• Set a beautiful table full of Fall colors, maybe a cornucopia with delicious fruits and beauty spilling out of it

• Dress up in your finest, play the part with jewelry that is a symbol of your desires and wishes; become a living altar

• Create a "corn dollie", craft it with care and hang it in your home to invoke blessings for abundance and sustenance in the leaner months. It is a talisman of continuity

• Light a bonfire or candles; let go of any and all negativity and use this act of purification and renewal to cleanse you

The Equinox directs our bodies to reset its internal clock, so don't worry if your sleep cycle changes. For those with Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), this time of year can lead to changes in serotonin and melatonin levels, which does affect sleep and mood patterns. You may even experience hypersomnia, where you have daytime sleepiness. Remember, we are moving into the "Dreamtime" part of the year, when the animal kingdom hibernates after filling their bodies with food throughout the Summer. Allow yourself to glide into this season, aware of the changes ahead, but taking a moment to observe the balance of the day and night for this moment in time. Enjoy!

Thank you Judy for sharing your wisdom!

Judy Crescenzo @skypatterns.com, skypatterns on YouTube and Patreon

Full Moon in Pisces 2024

On September 17th at 7:35 PM PDT not only do we have a full Moon, but a Supermoon partial Lunar Eclipse! This is a powerful lunation cycle for all of us. The Moon appears larger than normal, as its orbit is closer to the Earth. And we have the first Pisces partial Lunar Eclipse to begin the Eclipse season in this sign.

The Harvest Moon happens each year at this time as we gather our crops we have tended since their Spring planting. As the Full Moon is the culmination of what we hoped and planned for when the Moon was new in this sign, we look back to March 10th of this year. When the Moon was new at that time, what were you wishing for? If it was aligned with the energy of this sign, it may have been something to do with charity, spirituality, creativity, and/or because it is a sign of endings, of graduation. Ruling the last house, Pisces is all about what needs attention before rebirth. It is potentially the highest version of humanity, or, the least conscious, escaping responsibility.

You may have discovered it was time to let go of people, addictions, and your tendencies to resist breaking free from limitation. Being such a sensitive and passive energy it takes true courage to resist looking the other way when things are just wrong in your life. Well now the culmination is here in the most powerful way, with the potential for rebirth. The Virgo/Pisces axis represents the axis of Service. Virgo symbolizes daily service within one ́s immediate surroundings, everyday work, help and contributions. Pisces represents transcendent, spiritual service that goes beyond personal benefit. You will feel the effects of this powerful energy the week prior to and the week after this Super Full Moon.

On this occasion the Sun in Virgo is part of a Grand Earth Trine between it and Uranus in Taurus and Pluto in Capricorn. If you have planets or luminaries from 24-29 degrees in any of these signs, you will experience the potential to foster a strong connection to the physical world and a deep understanding of the practicalities required for success and fulfillment. At the same time there is a Mutable T-Square between the Sun in Virgo, Moon in Pisces, and Jupiter in Gemini. A T-Square is formed when (at least) two planets or luminaries in opposition (180°) both aspect a third planet by square (90°). This third planet, known as the focal planet or apex, is situated around the midpoint of the opposition. In this case, we look to Jupiter in Gemini for answers. Both ends of the opposition are in square to the focal planet. Squares appear as dynamic, recurring obstacles across our path — ones that require serious effort in order to create something of value.

The Sun square Jupiter brings big aspirations and the desire to succeed in life in a grand way. You’ll tend to exaggerate, to promise more than is possible, and to misjudge through over-optimism if you’re not careful. However, you never lose your hopes for the future. Restlessness and discontent with responsibilities and limitations in life can be troublesome for you at this time. The square to the Moon exaggerates your emotional generosity and lack of pettiness, often encouraging others to seek you out for help, sympathy, or advice. You’ll feel willing to overlook others' faults, and sometimes overdo your charitableness. So Jupiter in Gemini asks us to think things through in order to strike a balance between charity and self caring.

This partial Lunar Eclipse will be visible in most of North America, all of South America, and Europe. Also all but easternmost parts of Africa, the western portion of Asia and Russia, and parts of Antarctica. Our opportunity is here to help each other in our world, in very practical ways as well as spiritually, through giving of ourselves unconditionally. We all need help sometimes, and now more than ever! So get out under the stars and dream the big dream, celebrate the beauty of the Supermoon Eclipse, and be one with humanity.

Thank you for you brilliance Judy!! I 💓 You!

Judy Crescenzo

judy@skypatterns.com also skypatterns on YouTube and Patreon

New Moon in Virgo 2024

On September 2nd at 6:54 PM PDT the Sun and Moon align at 11 degrees Virgo 4 minutes. While the Sun is ruling the day and influencing outward expression, the Moon rules the tides and the night, guiding our emotional inner selves. Here they work together for this moment in time. We have the opportunity now to set the course for our new goals and wishes to manifest with the help of this sign.

Virgo is a Mutable Earth sign. All Mutable signs occur in the last month of a season, leading into the next. With Virgo, it is the last month of Summer, and the beginning of Autumn. It makes its visible appearance in the changing colors of the leaves and angle of the sunlight. This Earth sign is grounded, practical, and of service. We see this time of year as the harvest, and Virgo in Egyptian mythology marked the beginning of the wheat harvest, thus linking Virgo to the wheat grain.

This sign is concerned with physical/emotional/mental health, our work, and how well we work with others. It isn’t a sign that seeks center stage, but is happy to work alongside others and get a job done well. This energy seeks perfection, and can be highly critical of themselves and others. It is judgemental in that it desires to correct that which can be improved upon. Those born under this sign are the helpers of the zodiac, willing and ready to help those who need it.

So in looking at what to set our sights on, if we work with this sign’s energies we are most apt to be successful. The big question is, how can we be of service? If we are dealing with health issues, we can research like no other now, using our Mercury ruled intellect along with our intuition. The key with this sign is caring, as Virgo is so concerned with everyone's welfare. It is a very unselfish energy, so another way to help might be a food drive for those less fortunate. Or possibly helping an elder who needs a clean house. You’d find there is much to learn from those who’ve lived through more years of experience, no matter who they are. Allow your heart to open and to bloom with love for all of humanity. Don’t squander this opportunity going down the rabbit hole of criticism and judgment which this sign can propose.

On this New Moon the Sun and Moon are opposed by Saturn at 16 degrees Pisces. This aspect can feel like a wet blanket. Feelings of personal inadequacy, inhibitions, and self-doubt can plague you. You may tend to work and struggle more than you need to, and to take yourself too seriously. Where the Sun in Virgo is modest and concerned with excellence, this can make it difficult. The Moon in Virgo is very sensitive to criticism and easily feels left out or neglected, and though you may appear cool or distant, you actually care very much about being included.

So rather than wallow in “oh woe is me” with Saturn opposite the Sun and Moon, step outside yourself and look around you. What can you improve upon? This sign is an organizer and whether or not it’s your home, garden, or the world we all can do something. Clean it up, Virgo would say;) How are you or your loved ones feeling? Maybe make a pot of soup to help heal what ails you. Whose day can you brighten? Random acts of kindness will improve your well being. Set a path for self improvement, concerning yourself with knowing you are what you eat. Surround yourself with a beautiful and positive environment. And remember, you are the sibling of all those in the world, with the common goal of being the best that we can be.

Thank you Judy, if you want to connect with Judy….

Judy Crescenzo

judy@skypatterns.com skypatterns on YouTube and Patreon