The Autumnal Equinox 9/22/2021

At 12:09 PM PDT on September 22nd, the Sun enters 0 degrees Libra 0 minutes. This is the first moment we enter astronomical Autumn. Meteorological Autumn begins September 1st and ends November 30th. But, speaking as an astrologer, I follow the astronomical seasons, and this year Fall begins September 22nd.

At this moment it is like the changing of the guard, bringing in Libra Sun as the herald of the new season. We say goodbye to Summer, and welcome in the second half of the year. In astrology, we recognize that New Year’s Eve is a date that really doesn’t relate to the beginning of the year; the start of the year begins with the Sun entering Aries. Now, we enter the Fall season with Libra, a Cardinal Sign, to be followed by Scorpio (Fixed Sign), and ending with Sagittarius (Mutable Sign). Every season goes this way; a beginning, a middle and end. Over the three months of each season, we are given an opportunity to shift gears and approach life differently.

Libra is a Cardinal Sign, indicating leadership, the beginning of a season. On the Equinox there is equal day to night, and likewise, Libra is all about equality and balance. This energy wants everyone to have a voice, when in a leadership position. Libra is active/male/yang in its polarity, but is a gentle and compromising power. This can make it difficult to find its leadership opportunities, as its nature is to take no sides, but see all sides.

Libra is an Air Sign, intellectual and psychological. It is a very social sign with the motto the more the merrier! But, Libra’s seek balance through isolation at times, to recharge their batteries and rethink their strategy. This energy is so mental and fair, sometimes making it hard to make a commitment to a decision. This can be overcome with discipline and courage.

Libra is ruled by the planet Venus, the planet that rules love and attraction, affection, and values. The arts, music, harmony and beauty are important to Librans, and at this time of year, we are all inspired in this way. The symbol for Libra is the scales of justice, but it can also be viewed as a half setting sun below the horizon; denoting the first half of the year culminating and the second half begun. Balance, equality, harmony and peace are all important at this time.

So let’s look at the chart of this momentous occasion. Mars joins the Sun in a conjunction at 5 degrees Libra. This brings a desire to strive for a balance between acting independently and assertively - and working cooperatively and interdependently with others. You may feel frustrated at times that you cannot simply do what YOU want to, that you must always accommodate the needs and desires of others. Or you may feel hesitant to act in a positive, assertive manner if you do not have the support and approval of other people. Either way, you are not a loner. You achieve your goals by collaborating and joining forces with others, by being a team player.

The Sun in Libra has a wide Trine to Saturn in Aquarius. This aspect brings us self-discipline and self-awareness. If you are ambitious and are willing to work hard to put your vision into action, this blessed aspect can help. Saturn's naturally conservative instincts lead us on a safe and sure path although it may well be a slow one. Being of sound judgment and reliability, people will tend to trust you; these qualities alone may put you in a position of leadership at some point.

Also at this time we have a Cardinal T-Square between the Moon at 21 degrees Aries, Pluto at 24 degrees Capricorn, and Mercury at 24 degrees Libra. (Details for what a T-Square is is written in the prior Full Moon article.) On this occasion, Pluto in Capricorn is the “referee” of these aspects, with the direction to follow. These planets and luminary are all yang polarity, emotionally challenging (Moon) and intellectually testing our thinking (Mercury) to ignite our courage to stand up for our beliefs. So, if we listen to Pluto, the destroyer of limitations, in the sign of Capricorn, we will work hard to put our practical affairs in order with regards to business and commerce. Times, they are a-changin, and with that, so are we. Time to take more control of our lives.

My favorite way to celebrate the new season is to make a circle of stones, large enough to walk around in, usually on the sand by the ocean. I divide the circle into four sections with stones, representing the seasons. The circle to me depicts the solar year. I begin my walking meditation in the East, and enter the circle there. In each quadrant I consider my life and what it has become, with the season in mind. I give thanks to each moment of learning and growing, and forgive myself for my misunderstandings and foibles. In this way I am grateful, for all that life has brought me along the way. After visiting each section, I exit from the way I entered, and close the wheel. It is my prayers left where they were made, and the Earth receives them with honor. Together we can make the world a better place for all of us; use the courage of this momentous event to set the tone for a sacred second half of our Solar year.

Judy Crescenzo judy@skypatterns.com

The September Full Moon 2021

On September 20th at 4:55 PM PDT, the Sun opposes the Moon. The Sun is at 28 degrees Virgo 14 minutes, and the Moon is stationed at 28 degrees Pisces 14 minutes. We are in preparation for the Autumnal Equinox on September 22nd; time to dig deep.

The New Moon in Virgo was a time to begin anew with your goals, after reevaluating and analyzing what needs altering to avoid the obstacles you may have encountered previously. Virgo is a very mental Earth Sign, scrutinizing data in order to find the best way to proceed. The

Full Moon in Pisces will show the results of these efforts, and encourage us to go inward to find the way to move forward most proficiently. As Virgo is very “left brain”; methodical, critical and precise, Pisces is “right brain” oriented. The Pisces Full Moon will light the way through our unconscious and subconscious minds; through our intuition and “inner knowing.”

On this day we are looking at this balance between our conscious and unconscious minds. These two Mutable Signs are very flexible and open to suggestion. After all, we are trying to improve ourselves, and our lives at a time where our freedom comes into question. Our conscious mind is telling us to investigate all we see happening, while our unconscious mind struggles with spirituality versus escapism. Pisces rules not only enlightenment and the ending of a cycle, but also rules escapism, addiction and drifting. Where do you sit in your life? Do you have the courage to KNOW the truth, or are you trying to flee reality? Are you struggling with fear of the unknown, or researching and probing into the darkness? This Mutable axis alerts us to truly look deep inside ourselves for the answers.

The Sun at 28 degrees Virgo is Trine Pluto at 24 degrees Capricorn. This blessed aspect brings courage and determination to the mix. Pluto is still on the path of transformation of all of humanity, first destroying what was and bringing in a new reality.

The Moon at 28 degrees Pisces is opposite Mars at 3 degrees Libra. Mars is the planet of Energy and how we use it, and in Libra we are working towards being socially active and in relationships that bring balance to our lives. The Moon is also conjoined to Neptune at 21 degrees Pisces; a very harmonious addition to going into deep meditation and contemplation. It directs our actions to be cooperative.

There is also a T-Square between Venus at 11 degrees Scorpio, Saturn at 7 degrees Aquarius, and Uranus at 14 degrees Taurus. These are all Fixed Signs, stubborn, determined and focused. The T-Square is a pattern created when opposite planets form a square with a third planet, forming the letter ‘T’. The squared point is the focal planet, here Saturn in Aquarius, serving as the referee of the two planets in opposition (Venus and Uranus). These three points can drive us to resolve a situation, or jam up the works. The answer lies in Saturn in Aquarius. This planet in this sign has an innate distrust of groups and/or a cynical attitude toward society that may leave you feeling out of step and unable to participate in activities with your peers. Overcoming a sense of aloofness and alienation from others is an important task for you at this time.

So while reality can appear to be gloom and doom; this combination of planets and luminaries are pushing us to “dig deep” for the answers we need. As in all Full Moons, emotions and feelings will be exaggerated, amplified. There is a lot to sift through here, and truly knowing yourself and your motivations is paramount. This need not be so difficult if we utilize our right and left brains in harmony. Embrace the opposition, and discover what lies beneath your fears. Stop feeding them and take the proper steps to discover what you can do for yourself and others.

This is a perfect time to create a quiet moment for yourself, be it in deep meditation or a walking meditation. Feel the ground beneath your feet, or seat, and call in Mother Earth and Grandmother Moon to inform you of a direction to take in your life. Where are you battling in life, and what do you need to succeed? What is your struggle and how can you overcome it? Surrender to these wise archetypes and ask for guidance. Then follow it to the letter, and don’t look back.

💓Judy Crescenzo

email Judy for a private reading judy@skypatterns.com

Photo credi: Farmers almanac

New Moon in Virgo 2021

On September 6th, 2021 at 5:52 PM PDT the Sun and Moon are conjoined at 14 degrees Virgo 37 minutes. This New Moon in Virgo is a good one, with many positive possibilities.

Virgo is an Earth Sign, grounded and connected to the planet. It is a Mutable sign, bringing flexibility and adaptability to our emotions. This sign has the warmth of summer, and the cool aloofness of Autumn. It is the last month of Summer, and time to organize and clean out our “stuff” before the Equinox and the changing of the seasons. Virgo wants perfection, and strives to work hard to serve others in its quest for our highest good.

Virgo is the second Earth Sign of the Solar Year.The Earth element brings concern for worldly matters, and will fight for the underdog against injustice. It’s energy inspires caring for our planet, conscious of cause and effect, and taking responsibility for our actions. The energy is grounded in conservation and practicality.

Mercury rules the sign of Virgo, bringing with it a mental acuity and thoughtful interactions. An analytical take on what is happening opens us up to seeing the details in a detached way, enabling us to step out of our emotions and seek clarity and truth.

The Virgin is the symbol for Virgo. Virgin’s are pure and right. The symbol also encompasses fertility and the process one must undertake to bear fruit, in the field and at home. It is the sign of the harvest, and this maiden is sharing her cornucopia with the world.

We have a blessed Trine between the Sun and Moon, and Uranus at 14 degrees Taurus. These two Earth Signs are well aware that our planet and her people are connected and are being reconstructed, transformed and rebuilt under new conditions. Uranus is the planet of change that brings freedom, inventiveness and a new perception. We are being forced into the proverbial rock tumbler; wearing off our rough edges and shining and polishing us into a new version. We will be much more beautiful once this process culminates. It will take perseverance as we are given the clues to our transformation. The good news is the sign of Taurus is determined and steadfast, with the energy to see this through.

So when celebrating this New Moon, it is time to give thanks for our bodies, our consciousness, and to ask Spirit to place us where we are most needed. There are many changes happening around us from Summer ending, to our world in chaos. It is time for those random acts of kindness with no expectation of reciprocation. As with the harvest and the abundance Summer has brought us, it is time to share, be generous. Consider we are all one humanity, and what goes around comes around. What do you have to share? Is it a talent or skill? An overabundance of garden fruit and vegetables? A warm conversation really listening to another and helping however you can? The Virgo energy urges us to simplify, as in cleaning out a closet. I bet there is something in there to share in a giveaway. One person’s trash is another person’s treasure, and there is always someone in need.

So on this beautiful evening, before the Sun sets in our time zone, it is time to build your altar with your “harvest”, be it flowers, fruits, crystals, rocks; all Earth gifts. Make it beautiful, a true inspiration, and let your creativity flow! Once you have set your sacred space, bring yourself into a deep contemplation, meditation. Breathing in and out deeply and slowly, allow yourself to feel the calm of gratitude, the inner peace of knowing this special moment is important. You are setting your intention of how to be of service to “all that is.” See yourself in a new light, a bright shining example of humanities best. You are full of love, full of creativity, full of ever growing wisdom. You see the possibilities of how to become an even better person once you admit to yourself that you are divine. A drop in the sea of Spirit. Part of the whole, yet an individual with purpose. Now, ask for insight and the discernment between what is your future and what lies in the past. Once you understand what lies clearly in the past, you can begin accessing the future. Say goodbye to the old and welcome in tomorrow. Let us all follow the old adage, “Love Thyself”, and bring our shadows into the Light!

Wednesday, September 22 is the Autumnal Equinox! More about that to come soon.

Judy Crescenzo

For a private session with Judy email her @ - judy@skypatterns.com