Astrology Forecast for September 2011

by Belinda C Dunn

Harvest Moon

Pisces/Virgo Full Moon
September 12 @ 5:27 a.m.

Autumnal Equinox
September 23 @ 5:05 a.m.

Libra New Moon
September 27 @ 7:09 a.m.

I have heard many comments on the recent Mercury retrograde phase (August 2 - 26). It has been described as the strongest and most intense retrograde phase in recent memory. September begins with a focus on wrapping up issues, situations and breakthroughs of last month. There is a sense of situations coming around full circle, and being able to move on with greater clarity and momentum. However, there is still need for reflection and caution through September 10 when Mercury returns to its original position at time of retrograde, completing its full cycle.

As the planetary ruler of Virgo, Mercury, the planet of communication, is a very important influence in September. At various points during the month, Sun, Mercury and Venus make their annual transit through Virgo skies. This provides a necessary grounding and evaluation phase. Of all the zodiac signs, Virgo has a talent for detail, and this translates into the ability to define the little parts, and diagnosis underlying problems. The meticulous side of Virgo comes to our aid in a multitude of ways. From the daily grind of work related activities to nutrition to health care, Virgo is all about getting it right, and getting the job done. Most of us will experience this as the relief of routine, the completion of projects, and more stability in practical everyday life matters.

A glorious Harvest Moon lights up the sky on September 12. This annual Full Moon brings an end to summer days. Virgo the Virgin is a powerful metaphysical symbol. Radiating pure pristine beauty, an unspoiled maiden holds sheaves of grain gathered from an abundant harvest. She represents the harvest of wisdom from life experience. Not only is the Harvest Moon a culmination of the last 28 day cycle, it is a culmination of the past 6 month cycle of Spring Equinox to Autumnal Equinox. With the aid of Virgo's clear discerning powers, this lunation shows us what needs to released and what needs to be kept. The grain must be removed from the chaff to be useful and digestible. During this Full Moon, Moon in Pisces elevates our hearts and minds to a more universal perspective. The small picture of human struggle is embraced in the big picture of true purpose and spiritual healing.

Pluto, the planet of complete and total transformation, completes a five-month retrograde phase on September 16. From our vantage point on Earth, Pluto appears to be stationary, hovering in the same area of the sky for an entire month. A good analogy is a candle flame. It is easy to quickly pass a finger through a candle flame. The heat is barely noticeable. But what happens if we hold our finger over the flame for any length of time? Of course, we get burnt.

In this way, Pluto challenges many areas of our collective experience. A multitude of adjustments are begging for implementation, especially in the areas of finance, employment, education and government. The necessity, urgency, intensity and drive for progress is a force to be reckoned with. Many people deal with Pluto through control, and this tactic tends to backfire and make matters worse. Pluto has a repetitive effect, and people tend to blindly resist its lessons. If Pluto is surfacing a reoccurring theme in your life, it pays to go deep and root out the original causes.

Another strong planetary influence is Saturn's transit through Libra (July 2010 - October 2012). On September 19, Saturn returns to its station point of last January, and it is now possible to begin forward movement. Reflect .. . . how have your relationships changed since winter months? Who are your allies? Many relationships have dissolved while new relationships have emerged. Saturn in Libra is trying us, testing us to be fair and harmonious in each situation. Saturn says that no matter what the differences are, there is a way through conflict, and it can only be discovered by taking an open hearted walk in the other person's shoes.

Autumn begins on September 23, as Sun enters Libra. A New Moon on September 27 once again stimulates themes of the Cardinal Climax. This intense planetary configuration started last year, and continues its slow, but sure, erosion of what we hold to be stable and functional in terms of social interaction, authorities, corporate and government institutions.

Three planets form the engaging foundation of the Cardinal Climax. These are Saturn in Libra, Uranus in Aries and Pluto in Capricorn. However, when faster moving celestial bodies contact this dynamic three, it furthers the on-going necessity for huge evolutionary leaps. In this case, Sun, Moon, Mercury and Venus join in Libra to activate the exact degrees of the configuration. While exact on September's New Moon, it is in effect all month, and the themes carry into October.

With an emphasis on Libra, the zodiac sign of relationship and social justice, this combination positions many people for significant decisions in the relationship arena. Look for major disclosures and decisions on political and economic fronts. Some partnerships are due to dissolve while new mergers form. Enemies come out in the open, and the urgency for diplomacy and viable solutions surges to the forefront. We will see this dynamic played out on the big scale of collective involvement, as well as individually. From a macro view to a microscopic view, all eyes are on the people in our lives.

According the esoteric astrology, the cardinal signs of Aries, Cancer, Libra and Capricorn are considered the most karmic of zodiac teachers. Upon reflection, it is easy to see why. The cardinal signs are ambitious, striving, competitive and active, intent on conquering their world. Aries is the pioneer, initiating and manifesting new projects. Cancer is the biology and genetic identity of family, driven by survival and security. And it is through Libra that we bear witness to each other in kindness or cruelty. From an esoteric perspective, Capricorn is about motive. This zodiac sign stimulates the thrust of professional and worldly accomplishment contributing to progress and evolution, or the slippery slope of power for selfish and greedy causes.

It is in these areas of our life that we rise or fall. The Cardinal Climax dynamic started with the Gulf Oil Spill in Spring 2010, and continues through 2015-16. As a humanity we are attempting to make sense of where we find ourselves, and there are many perspectives to choose from. From an astrological perspective, the planets are telling a tale of cautionary woe.

Today many people are wondering what they have done to deserve the hardship they face in daily life. For decades, many of us on the cutting edge of consciousness have wondered and considered what it would take for significant and evolutionary change to take place. The kind of change that embraces the full range of our humanity coupled with reality, recognition and honoring for our beloved planet Earth.

As so many of us are repeating, "the shift is hitting the fan." This spinning fan is the karmic wheel of destiny, decisive and unequivocal in its fortune. Relentless, and yet fair, this karmic fan is a reminder of basic universal law, the cause and effect of what we sow, we reap.

For the most part, humanity is blindly stumbling around, uncertain and fearful. Again, for some answers, we can turn to astrology, and the four cardinal signs. Forming the four legs of a stable table, Aries gives us the courage to act when guided from above. Cancer helps us nurture those around us with compassion, and create stability in the midst of chaos. Libra reminds us that if we yell at someone, more than likely, they will yell back, and the people in our life are continually reflecting us back to ourselves. And, finally, in our heart of hearts, Capricorn instructs each of us on the purpose for incarnation into this amazingly complex, but effective, Earth school.

So, while humanity finds itself between a rock and a hard place, each of us have the capacity to face the day with certainty as to our place. It isn't karma that makes the world go round, even through we have bought into thousands of incarnations of cause and effect, and it appears we are reaping some hefty results. In reality, this is our chance to wake up, jump off the spinning wheel of dull repetition, and allow love to remake our destiny. When we turn to lovingly embrace the circumstances of our lives along with all the people, then we discover the truth purpose of our existence, and the way becomes clear for everyone, one moment at a time. This ever so subtle, but life-changing momentous shift is all that's needed. Truly, it is love that makes the world go round.

Belinda C. Dunn is a professional astrologer with over 35 years experience. Her training started in 1972 at the Temple of Kriya Yoga/Chicago where she studied astrology, metaphysics and yoga. Over the years, her approach has evolved to a psychological, spiritual and personal growth orientation. For decades her insightful and down-to-earth consultations have been shared with clients around the world. Seen in a variety of publications, Belinda's monthly astrological update has been in circulation since 1992. Contact Belinda through e-mail: [email protected], or phone 828.215.2101. Check out her site at AstroDelight.com.

November 2011 Forecast

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