Flying the Kite

We will have, in rapid succession, two important astrological events: the September equinox, which begins the Libra season, and the full moon in Aries. Although I will include both charts, they are very similar; so much so that I will do most of the interpretation on the full moon one.

Quick Recap

In the preceding article, we talked about the new moon’s potentiality-seed for this lunation. The Sabian symbol (“A swimming race”) encouraged us not to compete against one another but to work together in a joint effort to master a new spiritual environment, symbolized by water. Rather than trying to “be first”, we were asked to emulate those we realize are farther ahead in the joint spiritual journey. At the same time, Uranus began its retrograde motion, joining the other slow planets, which punctuated the current period of reflection on what it means to be in such a new environment.

Last week, we had the First Quarter in Sagittarius with Moon at 25°57′. The Sabian symbol for Sagittarius 26 is: “A flag bearer”, to which Rudhyar added “in a battle”. Regardless of the circumstances, a flag represents the identity of a community with common goals, such as a nation, and its bearer becomes a symbol of the integrity and unity of the group. Hence, the degree symbolizes the Consecration to an Ideal by a person whose life will be, according to Rudhyar, “totally submerged in and identified with the welfare of the ‘greater Whole’ of which he carries the standard”.

On the same day, September 18, Chiron returned to Aries, where it will spend the next seven months revisiting issues related to our individual sovereignty. As I already mentioned, at the new moon, Venus had just entered Scorpio and it was in a nearly-exact opposition with Chiron, perhaps bringing up issues related to the value we expect from our relationships. These are things on which we might be working right now and that will be illuminated at the full moon.

Autumnal Equinox

I hope to publish this article today, September 22, around the time when Sun will enter the sign of Libra, just 1.5 hours into the lunation’s Gibbous phase. Such an entrance marks the September equinox, the beginning of autumn in the northern hemisphere, as shown in the following chart:

In spite of looking crisscrossed, there are surprisingly few “in-sign” aspects with tight orbs, further adding to the feeling that these are times for reflection and not necessarily much action—I know, tell that to Mr. Trump. Of course, as soon as Sun enters Libra, it will form aspects with the Minor Grand Trine of the transpersonal planets: an opposition with Neptune and trines with Uranus and Pluto; in other words, it will be the pilot of a Kite configuration with Neptune as leader. The role of Sun as our individuality integrator, coupled with the currently reflective nature of the Minor Grand Trine, foretells six months of adjustment to the new spiritual environment.

The other configuration worth mentioning is the Mystic Triangle formed by the opposition of Moon (Aquarius 15°43′) and Jupiter (Leo 18°07′) with Mercury (Libra 19°29′). The opposition, which will be exact four hours later, can bring out cravings for pampering and perhaps overindulging, or an emotional realization that we lack material comforts. Mercury in Libra will provide a rational way to understand the relative value of each option, and perhaps help us make a less emotional decision in those matters.

Full Moon in Aries

Three days later, on September 26, we will enter the Full Moon phase with Sun at Libra 3°37′ directly opposing Moon at Aries 3°37′. It will occur at 9:49 a.m. in California, 10:49 a.m. in Mexico City or 6:49 p.m. in Central Europe, as it is shown in the following chart:

The full moon in Aries always pits our value system, often dictated—or at least conditioned—by society, against our desire to be a self-sufficient and independent individual. Sun in Libra provides the necessary integrating energy to build personal relationships upon such a value system, while Moon in Aries drives the need to remain an individual within them. Of course, in this case the picture gets more complicated. At Scorpio 7°41′, Venus, the ruler of Libra, will have slowed down to just 23% of its average speed as it prepares to change direction a week later. It will still be forming a square with Pluto, its dispositor, just like it did at the new moon, once again symbolizing a reservoir of willpower to dig into our relationships.

The conjunction of Neptune (Aries 2°59′) and Moon will have been exact an hour earlier—they are just 0°38′ apart in the chart—so, together, they will be leading the Kite configuration with Sun as the pilot; as usual, the trine of Pluto (Aquarius 3°09′) and Uranus (Gemini 5°39′) will provide the necessary supporting energy. The revelatory nature of a full moon will be honed on what we have been able to discern about the new spiritual environment mentioned at the new moon and referenced by the Minor Grand Trine—a process symbolized by the retrograde planets. Jupiter (Leo 18°49′) will form a sesquiquadrate with Moon and a semi-square with Sun, both only 0°11′ from being exact. The “big benefic” could incorporate mystical or religious undertones to the full-moon awareness.

In the chart, Mars (Cancer 29°10′) forms a T-square with the opposition of Mercury (Libra 24°48′) and Chiron (Aries 29°40′). Such an opposition fits well with the overall theme of relationships versus individuality and Mars will provide the necessary energy from the anaretic degree of nurturing Cancer. However, Mars will enter Leo a day later and it will immediately form an in-sign opposition with Pluto and a sextile with Sun. In Leo, Mars represents a completely different energy from when it transits through Cancer. Mars in Leo symbolizes a raw expression of individuality and, unfortunately, can energize an individualistic ego. Coupled with an opposition to Pluto, we may witness an increase in violence out in the world right after the full moon.

Sabian Symbols

The symbols capture the essence of the aforementioned tension between personal relationships and individuality. The image for Libra 4 (Sun) is simply: “A group around a campfire”. Rudhyar rephrased it as: “Around a campfire, a group of young people sit in spiritual communion”, expanded to the necessity to unite with kindred spirits as one enters unbeaten paths illumined by the still-insecure light of a dawning intuition of new values. At one level, the symbol represents a climatic experience in fellowship. But, at a deeper level, it symbolizes the common dedication (or at least a common hope) of minds and bodies “forming a ‘chalice’ or Grail for the reception of creative Inspiration“, according to Rudhyar. As someone once said: “Beaten paths are for beaten men.” The urge to create a society built on new paradigms leads the pioneer to a “virgin forest” where he may find other seekers around a campfire.

On the opposite side of the zodiac, the image for Aries 4 (Moon) is: “Two lovers strolling through a secluded walk”, which is further explained as the progressive polarization of energies needed for fulfilling one’s life function. Diana Roche sees innocence, and the experience of belonging with no sense of personal responsibility or obligation. Two lovers in their own world, simply enjoying time together. Always deeper, Rudhyar focuses on the secluded aspect while he sees the two lovers as inner polarities of ourselves that must be integrated to become whole. To him, such integration is achieved through a temporary withdrawal from routine activity, that is, a “secluded” process that, nonetheless, needs contact with the surrounding energies of nature.

Wrapping Up…

As we saw in the previous article, this entire lunation is focused on our own inner work; in particular trying to understand any changes that might have begun to occur within ourselves ever since the Minor Grand Trine, and later the Trapeze, were exact in July.

There is much noise and chaos in the external world. Like a wounded animal fighting for its life, the old world is lashing left and right. Fear is rampant—witness the nonsense of how we are about to be annihilated by swarms of “AI agents”—so it behooves us to remain calm.

Prepare for autumn while enjoying a beautiful full moon.

Always Love. 🌹🙏💖