September hosts 16 dynamic aspects. Two conjunctions, one opposition, four squares, one occultation, one direct station, four ingresses, one ESP (ending Shadow point), one new and one full Moon. The month begins with energies that support self-definition, creative and methodical thought processes, relationship harmonizing and artistic pursuits. On 9/4 concerns shift of shared energies to more impersonal and generic issues. On 9/11 the scope again swings to the personal; there may be added depth to relationship questions, and for the rest of the month, many will investigate practical methods of addressing these problems. A strong sense of duty and caring for beliefs and values can bring out the best in people. However, a strong sense of survival may bring out self-focused behavior in others. The only dynamic aspects to Neptune during September takes place in the final ten days: Square from Venus, parallel from Venus and contra-parallel from Mars. Note: a / between planets = midpoints

9/2 Expect a conscious emphasis on transformational processes. Some will feel urged to act on projects, which can build on previous successes. Pluto turns direct 3:52 AM, 21:49 Sagittarius.

9/2 Early last November marked the beginning of this cycle. A sense of completion may emerge that satisfies a sense of social justice or a project enjoying interaction or dependence on other people of similar interests and philosophies. Jupiter ESP 2:30 PM, 18:52 Libra.

9/3 New projects prompted by good will and thoughtfulness to bring healing to those less fortunate, distressed, or lonely. West coast issues include professional organizations and new career paths. East coast: Shared resources or transformative energies may support travel or education. New Moon 11:21 Virgo, west coast 11:45 AM; east coast 2:45 PM. Sun/Moon=Jupiter-Venus/Saturn

9/4 A sense of duty supported by caring and nurturing brings special capabilities to the fore. Practical applications of specialized skills bring people together in cooperation and teamwork. Mercury enters Virgo 10:52 AM. Mercury= Moon/Saturn.

9/7 Hidden strength must be brought to bear in unique situations when needed. A strong sense of love or artistic talent may be discovered when the need is the greatest. Moon occults Venus 1:33 AM, 24:59 Libra.

9/8 A disruption in the status quo may enable a rebellious mentality to lead the way to innovative answers to persistent issues. Mercury opposes and contra-parallels Uranus Rx 10:21 PM, 8:28 Virgo/Pisces.

9/11 Courage, diligence and honor bring success in investigations. Venus enters Scorpio 9:14 AM, squares/parallels Chiron - 28 Capricorn, 13 south. Venus, ruler of Mars/Jupiter=Saturn.

9/14 Opportunities for acquisition of power and wealth through measured achievement abound. This position may be lonely, as relationships are challenging. Time constraints may make a personal life unmanageable. Sun squares Pluto 7:18 AM, 21:52 Virgo/Sagittarius. Sun=Venus/Saturn. Mars contra-parallel Pluto

9/15 Communicating these processes can be very liberating, and can fulfill the energy of these two aspects in a positive, practical manner. Writing a "how-to" book about your successes can be profitable. Mercury squares Pluto 11:35 PM, 21:53 Virgo/Sagittarius. Mercury=Venus/Saturn. Venus=Mercury-Sun/Pluto.

9/17 Harvesting the full measure of your projects is possible through diligence and compassion. Clear communication with others outside of your normal audience is crucial. West coast: Making sense out of possible confusion and chaotic contacts and interactions can help you to create a worthwhile reputation. East coast: Investments and well thought-out working assets can contribute to your alliances with groups or organizations. Full Moon 25:16 Virgo/Pisces, west coast 7:01 PM; east coast 10:01 PM. Sun conjoins Mercury 7:38 PM. Sun-Mercury=Venus/Saturn. Moon contra-parallel Mercury.

9/18 Inner contemplation can balance a possible suspension in relationships, as well as bringing meaning to an overflowing schedule and a congested social or business life. Spirituality and/or deceptive viewpoints become more obvious, vigorous and activated. Venus squares Saturn 1:34 AM, 7:43 Scorpio/Leo. Sun=Venus/Saturn. Saturn=Mars/Jupiter. Venus=Sun-Mercury/Pluto. Closely approaching dynamic aspects to Neptune, 16:26 south: a declination power point (see Leigh Westin, "The Great Parallel of 2005-2006", ISAR International Astrologer, Winter/Spring 2005, page 73).

9/20 Tactful and significant mediation is possible between those who are fundamentally at odds with each other. It helps if those participants are open to objective truth, overcoming immersion in others’ self-serving policies, or in personal short-term desires. Tuning into the long-term Neptune cycle can aid in focusing on your perspective of, or interaction with Universal processes. Mercury enters Libra 9:40 AM. Ruler: Venus=Mercury/Pluto. Venus parallels Neptune.

9/22 The attainment of harmony and balance are in order for the coming month. Striving for control and autonomy or sovereignty through vision can be attained. If kept in the mode of service and leadership, success will be more lasting and satisfying. Sun enters Libra 3:24 PM. Ruler:Venus=Sun/Pluto. Mars contra-parallels Neptune.

9/24 Compassion and understanding of others may produce peace and a powerful presence in the face of dilemmas or arguments. This can help prevent misunderstandings and separations caused by impulsive ideas. Venus squares Neptune Rx 12:21 PM, 15:06 Scorpio/Aquarius. Venus=Mercury/Pluto.

© Roxana Muise, C.A.P. August 2005

September’s principle gemstone is the sapphire, which means "beloved of Saturn". Sapphires come in all colors, (the red sapphire is called ruby) the favorite being blue. Some ancient peoples believed that the Earth rested upon a giant sapphire, which gave a blue color to the sky. Sapphires were used to strengthen the third eye. They were dipped in cool water and placed on the eyes to cure vision disorders. (Libra gemstone will be related in October’s report.)

"A Sapphire on her brow should bind, ‘Twill cure diseases of the mind." The Pagan Book of Days-2001, Page 104.

September is sacred to the ancient Greek goddess Carpo, the Hora of Autumn (Thallo was the Hora of spring). The Horae, daughters of Zeus and Themis, were goddesses of time and order in nature. Carpo was venerated and invoked for the successful timing of the harvest, that the Earth be clothed in appropriate raiment.

In the Christian tradition, September first is the beginning of the Ecclesiastical Year. It is also the celebration of St. Giles, special patron of the disabled, and lover of wild animals. Giles was wounded in the leg by an arrow as he protected a stag from being shot. Hospitals and Monasteries were dedicated to St. Giles.

One of September’s special days is Labor Day, the first Monday of the month (9/5), a day set aside to honor the common worker. Common people are associated with the Moon, and Monday is the Moon’s day. The Sun at that time is in the Saturn decanate of Virgo (Saturn’s term is in Virgo), the sign of labor. Saturn, associated with responsibility, was grandfather to the Horae. On Labor Day, we pay tribute to average workers (associated with Virgo) and their steadfast work, of utmost importance in our world cultures. To promote sensitive communication, unions were originally formulated to unite the goals of the workers with those of the company owners for the betterment and advancement of both.

In the Hawaiian Zodiac, Mahoe Mua (goddess of volcanoes and creator of Diamond Head), and Mahoe Hope (the gourd scales, held by the Hawaiian God Hokeo), encompasses the month of September. People born in Mahoe Mua are an enigma. It is said that their first conscious act dictates how they will conduct their life. A mischievous act will create a life filled with mischief, and a beneficent act will create a life of goodness. In Roman mythology, Mercury’s first act was one of mischief, thus setting the stage for its archetypal example.

Astrologer, Elizabeth "Liz" Leigh Greene was born on September 4, 1946, 1:01 PM, Englewood, NJ (data from Astrotheme: http://www.astrotheme.fr/en/portraits/qn3V8kEpKg6y.htm)

Sept. 8^th is the feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Not unknown to other religions, the Israelites called her the divine Sophia, manifesting in the scrolls of the law, called the bride of the faithful, about whom Alexander Susskind of Grodno (1780) observed "When a man sits in this dwelling, the shadow of faith, the Shekinah spreads out Her wings over him from above." Shekinah means "the Presence of God" the third (feminine) person of the Holy Trinity. Known as Fatima or Mary in Islamic tradition, the Divine Feminine is honored:

"Woman is a beam of the divine Light. She is not the being whom sensual desire takes as its object. She is Creator, it should be said, She is not a Creature." Jalaluddin Rumi, Mathnawi Book 1.

Sept. 14 is the Egyptian Feast of Lights, honoring the gods who protect the tombs of the dead.

September 19 was a daylong fast to propitiate Thoth (the Logos), the Egyptian god of wisdom and magic, and their name for Mercury. The same god was known in Greece as Hermes. Hermes had a reputation as "The Trickster," which is still evident in modern times. An asteroid named Hermes was discovered on October 28, 1937 at Heidelberg Observatory, but it disappeared before it could be numbered. It was re-discovered recently and numbered (69230), however its past positions are tricky to calculate. In all its mythologies, the trickster is a shapeshifter who takes the form of the coyote, and several birds, such as the crow. The crow, a remarkably clever bird has a propensity for thievery, and has been known to outwit humans. They are the most sociable of all bird species, bonding not only with their own families, but with humans as well. Crows have been known to mimic human words, and are one of the loudest and most raucous of all birds. It is said that Cicero was forewarned of his death by the presence of a raven (cousin to the crow.) Odin, another form of Mercury carried a raven on each shoulder. During the First World War, ravens and crows followed the troops and feasted on the battlefield carnage, to the dismay of the surviving soldiers. When the angry soldiers shot at them, the birds deftly stayed out of range of their artillery. Groups of other birds are referred to as a flock of geese, a charm of finches, or convocation of eagles, but a group of crows are referred to as a "murder of crows." A crowbar is a tool that provides a lever arm enabling entry into a difficult place without a key. The term "eating crow" came from the humiliation and insult suffered by soldiers from watching casualties being devoured by the birds. Serendipity: providence, luck, coincidence, chance are al provinces of Mercury.

The Islamic calendar is also Lunar based, each month beginning on the visual citing of the New Crescent Moon. In 2005, the month of Sha’ban begins on September 3-4.

Although the traditional Native American name for the September pleniluna (full Moon) is the Harvest Moon, the Wiccan ritual refers to it as the Wine Moon, or the Barley Moon, in thanksgiving for all that the revered nature spirits have allowed during the growing season. Each full Moon symbolizes the mother, a time of feminine power, ripeness, maturity and wisdom. For men, it is their inner nurturer.

September provides a home to the autumnal equinox, this year on Sept. 22, once celebrated in all ancient religions by honoring the hunting and fishing deities. After adult animals had reproduced, entrapment of young animals was forbidden. In Celtic tradition it is the festival of Mabon (Welch for "son"), when, at the equator, sunrise is due east, and sunset is due west – and daytime and nighttime hours are equal. It is the festival that marks the point of transition between light and dark halves of the year, and the second harvest (that of fruits). The autumnal equinox is the second station of the year. It is sacred to the mother and daughter Greek goddesses Demeter and Persephone, who embody the growing and resting seasons; the Irish goddess Carman, patroness of poetry; and the Norse fruitfulness and prosperity god Frey, and Freya, goddess of love and beauty. It is the transition time between the mother and the crone, the second and third faces of the triple goddess. When we choose to journey into a new section of the yearly framework, it is best done from within, as perception paints our consciousness.

September 28 is the festival of Zisa a German autumn harvest goddess, who was invoked to bring peace and renewal to the Earth.

September 29 is the celebration of Michaelmas, in honor of Archangel Michael, the Warrior Angel of the First Ray.

September 30 is the festival of Medetrinalia. Medetrina was the Roman goddess of medicine.

Roxana Muise, PO Box 3948, Lacey, WA 98509-3948 USA