Astro Weather September 2007

September begins in the middle of an eclipse period. The two week period between the eclipse is often filled with dynamic shifts and changes that have an effect on the following six months -- until the next eclipse period. The upcoming weeks may be intense, dizzying, and eye-opening for many of us as we shift up a notch on our spiraling and evolving paths.

Full Lunar Eclipse, August 28, 2007
September begins under the waning influence of a spectacular full lunar eclipse. In the wee hours of August 28th, the north node, Rahu, caste a shadow over the full moon in the constellation of Aquarius, the Water Bearer. According to Hindu mythology the Water Bearer is depicted as the physician of the gods, who pours the divine nectar of immortality from his sacred medicinal jar. The Nakshatra associated with this part of the night sky is Shatabishak, meaning the "hundred healers", or "hundred physicians." An alternate translation is "hundred flowers" which may refer to the crown chakra, through which this asterism conveys its message, as well as knowledge of herbal and flower remedies.

Each nakshatra has a shakti, or energy of intention, associated with it. Shatabishak bestows bheshaja shakti, or the power of healing. The opportunity for healing and receiving the cosmic soma was high that evening. Personally the eclipse occurred exactly on my ascendant offering me the opportunity to learn more about my dharma, as well as to experience a surge of energy through my crown chakra that kept me up all night. (I heard countless stories of restless sleep this week from my patients, as well as from my brother-in-law who has the same Shatabishak ascendant as me.)

Also known as the Veiling Star, Shatabishak is ruled by the eclipsing dragon's head, Rahu, which makes its transit over this full moon even more powerful, intoxicating, enlightening, and obscuring. As Prash Travidi describes: Secrecy is the one quality which separates Shatabishak from other Nakshatras. . . in fact [it] derives all most all its power from what is hidden. Whether it is the herbs in the ocean or secret formulas of nature's functioning, Shatabishak always tries to gain access to what is hidden and in doing so attains its power. Shatabishak is not always very ready to share the hidden secrets it has discovered and tries to hide them just like the ocean covers up many a treasure.

So what was unveiled for you during this eclipse? Politically there has been some significant changes as resignations from the current administration are being announced, while at the same time the details of which are surely being guarded. Will we ever know the real story?

Partial Solar Eclipse September 11, 2007
As eclipses cycles dance around the earth effecting our destiny like a cosmic double helix, they always occur in pairs at the height of flow (full moon/lunar eclipse) and ebb of flow (new moon/solar eclipse). The next phase of this cycle is a partial solar eclipse on September 11th at 6:44 am PDT. In this case, Ketu crosses a corner of the Sun casting a different type of shadow upon the earth. Whereas Rahu is expansive and extrovertive, Ketu is contracting and introverted. Ketu is a detaching force that can give spiritual liberation from the game of life. It is currently in the sign of Leo and nakshatra of Purva Phalguni. Purva Phalguni means "fruit of the tree" and its symbol is the hammock representing rest and recuperation. Another symbol is the Shiva Lingam indicating the power of creative procreation -- prajanana shakti. It is ruled by Venus and thus manifests in sensual pleasure and sociable behavior. As this new moon is being eclipsed by the contracting energy of Ketu, we might find ourselves in need of some rest and relaxation if we over do it during the previous weekend. In addition, somber Saturn is also involved in this eclipse which drains the fun out of the Leonine energy. As Leo rules kings and leaders, it will be interesting to see how our president handles all the resignations and political power shifts. The fact that the solar eclipse falls on the anniversary of 9/11 will only intensify the growing disillusionment with the "official" story.

Pluto Stationary Direct September 7, 2007
Pluto goes stationary direct on September 7, 2007 and will head towards its last contact with the Galactic Center on October 28, 2007. Please see previous post on Transits of Pluto and Jupiter to the Galactic Center for more information.

Venus Stationary Direct September 8, 2007
Venus will go stationary direct on Saturday, September 8, 2007 at the same degree of Cancer that she was at around June 23, 2007 in the nakshatra of Ashlesha. This nakshatra is in the constellation of the Hydra, the female water snake. Ashlesha means "the entwiner" and is called the "clinging star". As I mentioned in a previous post on Venus retrograde, this period we may feel blocked from receiving the things we love, perhaps due to clinging to our old ideas of what we want. During the retrograde period we may have had time to reassess our desires and dreams, and once Venus goes direct, we will have the energy to manifest an upgraded version of what we want. Venus returns to the point of retrograde on October 11th during which time this our new dreams may come to fruition.

Mars enters Gemini September 16, 2007 - April 27, 2008
Mars will enter Gemini on September 16, 2007 and will be opposite Pluto and the Galactic Center around September 20, 2007. It will also undergo a retrograde cycle, which begins on November 15, 2007. With Mars retrograde we reassess how we go after what we want. Following on the tail of the Venus retrograde cycle, it seems very karmic and appropriate. This an extraordinary long period for Mars to be transiting Mercury's mutable sign meaning that there will be a lot of changes in how we expend energy, especially mental energy as Mercury rules this sign. I will post more about this astrological period next month.

Autumnal Equinox September 23, 2007
The Autumnal Equinox occurs on Sunday, September 23, 2007 and is followed by the Harvest Full Moon September 26, 2007. The Harvest Moon is no ordinary full moon and it behaves in a special way. Throughout the year the Moon rises about 50 minutes later each day. But near the autumnal equinox, the difference in the local time of moon rise is only 30 minutes. This comes in handy for farmers who are working long days to harvest their crops before autumn. The extra hours of light projected by the full Moon closest to the equinox is what gives the Harvest Moon its name. And as it is the first full moon following a lunar eclipse, watch to see what you harvest.

Namaste!