Collective Motivation to Act in Service
In the week before the Solar Eclipse the struggle of refugees from Syria has been shown in the media and there is debate on how countries should handle displaced people. Some residents of British Columbia are struggling with loss and injury from the fires and high winds. Suffering happens whether the media presents it or not.
Though some might argue about the truthfulness of media or the ability of the media to distract attention, this is the primary way we stay aware of suffering that is not personal. For that we can be grateful as it creates motivation to take action in a collective way.
For the actual day of the Eclipse we can see from Dane Rudhyar’s, An Astrological Mandala, that the degree of Virgo, reads, “A girl’s basketball team.” Feminine and collective energy at play to meet a common goal of a win.
In the Eclipse chart, the team work requires a perspective change that accommodates both the individual and the group. Both must nourish themselves with humility, that is to not see themselves as having too much importance. This is the Sun/Uranus full inconjunct. At the same time, caution that Virgo does not enter fields made barren through worry, fault-finding and over–analysis. It is most helpful to adopt the positive expression of Pisces polarity and have Faith. This not written to deny the mission of Virgo vocation to embody the talents and creative expressions of Leo (the sign prior to Virgo) and turn them into something useful and practical to serve another, Libra (the sign after Virgo).
The Virgo Eclipse can be embraced for its devotional capacity. Through opposing Pisces, it renders the Divine into useful forms. In this way, gratitude for Divine Teaching and the ancestors’ wisdom can be expressed.
Virgo includes nourishment and digestion in its symbolism. After harvest, the fruits, vegetables and grains are prepared, processed, canned, dried, and cooked. With gratitude and devotion, the crops become the meals. Virgo disperses those meals in service to those in need.
Virgo can present as judgmental, persecutory, sadistic and guilt-driven. This is distorted expression based in fear. The Jupiter/Neptune opposition ideally (ever hopeful) offers awareness of the Truth versus Lies. Discernment versus Gullibility.
In our own lives, as individuals, a reflection of our daily regimen can reveal what we have to be grateful for. I am always amazed at the human capacity to feel gratitude during and after excruciatingly painful life events. It takes longer for some than others. As individuals we move at our own pace. In suffering, may the memories for previous sweetness be available.
A New Moon Intention.
See where the Eclipse falls in your birth chart. Blend the house energy with Virgo. As always if you do not know this, and I have your full birth information, ask through email.
Consider that Virgo is an Earth sign and Mutable. A combination of groundedness and flexibility— like tilled Soil.
Is there a practice to improve daily life?
What are true priorities rather than inappropriate efforts?
Reflect on Divine Balance between Devotee & Teacher or Healer & Infirm.
What about Gratitude for those who have come before and shared their wisdom? Can a nugget of this be harvested and paid forward this month?
With a New Moon we look for an intention that can be met in a month. During the more potent Eclipse, choose wisely, as this intention can support you for the next year.
Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius and Pisces Birthdays are more likely to be aware of the Eclipse energy
Gemini: June 9-11
Virgo: September 11-13
Sagittarius: December 10-12
Pisces: March 9-11
as are birth charts with the angles (Ascendant, IC, Descendant and MC) at 19-21 degrees.
Mercury in Libra balsamic semi-square to Saturn in the final throws of Scorpio. This will be the transit to watch during this Mercury Retrograde cycle as it is highlighted during the eclipse time and two more.
Mercury, who can be a trickster as well as a messenger, and is connected to youth, is interacting with old man Saturn. Mercury stays fully in Libra during the upcoming Retrograde. Think negotiation, finding harmony between the old and young— people, ideas, rules. In balsamic phase we are putting things to rest and knowing that something new must develop. The development period happens through vision, imagination, through a time that may appear fallow yet can be rich in yet unknown designs.
The three Mercury/Saturn semi-squares:
1. September 12. The message, the idea, communication, what must come to an end.
2. September 20. Reflection and fine-tuning. Saturn may be more openminded in Sagittarius, still no final decisions.
3. October 25. Ideally a harmonious resolution.
If we were to look at global events: What ideas from the old regimes are dying and how can compromise still be valuable for future negotiation? Watch the news and other media, for stories about resolution, whether they be endings or resolving to bring vision to the table.
Mercury is Stationary and it is at the same point of last Lunar eclipse in early April. It makes one wonder about the presence of a message that may have been revealed at that time and now is highlighted as one that may be relevant during the upcoming Mercury Retrograde cycle (September 17 – October 9).
Saturn is also in transition. It fully enters Sagittarius on the 17th. If you were born in the first 4 degrees of a sign, especially Mutable ones, then you have already had a bit of Saturn experience as early as last December.
Final thoughts on the Eclipse and the prominence of Virgo/Pisces.
The last Solar Eclipse around the same degree of Virgo was back on September 11, 2007. I can completely remember what was going on in my life, how about you? I was headed to a Deep Memory Process (Past Life Regression) training with Patricia Walsh after spending my first months exploring Canada. Similarly this time feels significant, though more in terms of getting more organized and practical about work. Hello, Jupiter in Virgo.
The Lunar Nodes will be moving from Aries/Libra to Virgo/Pisces in November changing the 1.5 year focus from partnership and relating, to service, work and self-improvement. It is the North Node which will be in Virgo and it emphasizes the nature of work, preparedness, self-improvement, apprenticeship, responsibility and more. It is a time to apply oneself and practice and get out of victim mode. The Pisces South Node represents what is no longer useful, what might have been distorted or a fantasy or an easy escape hatch. Virgo teaches us discernment. Pisces and the 12th house may sometimes trigger fears, especially of the unknown and hidden. Here we have an opportunity to work with our phobias and angst. To heal, we must take practical action. One step at a time.
Dreams and Virgo/Pisces
What illusions or dreams are not valid? There may be some dreams worth putting Virgo work behind them. It is time for the rose colored glasses to come off and bring out the magnifying glass in the spirit of improvement. Gratitude plays a role here as well. Through Pisces wonderful insights, dreams, spiritual teachers appear and inspire. Consider passing on those gifts in a useful way to others. That can be a way to show appreciation.
Later this month, September 27, is a significant Full Moon/Eclipse at 4° Aries 40′ because it is the last Aries eclipse in a long while until 2032.
Other transits and moving forward in September:
September 14. Ceres in Capricorn goes Direct. More management and authority emphasized through the Mother. Plant feet in the earth and feel what that might mean. Ceres is connected to the seasonal cycles.
September 16. Jupiter opposes Neptune.
September 17. Mercury Retrograde in Libra and Saturn enters Sagittarius. Read more about Saturn…
September 23. The Sun enters Libra.
September 24. Mars enters Virgo and Pluto stations Direct.

Sep 12, 2015 Chart