Day: September 18, 2013

Ten Ways to Celebrate Mabon

Ten Ways to Celebrate Mabon

By , About.com Guide

Mabon is the time of the autumn equinox, and the harvest is winding down. The fields are nearly bare, because the crops have been stored for the coming winter. Mabon is a time when we take a few moments to honor the changing seasons, and celebrate the second harvest. On or around September 21, for many Pagan and Wiccan traditions it is a time of giving thanks for the things we have, whether it is abundant crops or other blessings. It is also a time of balance and reflection, following the theme of equal hours light and dark. Here are some ways you and your family can celebrate this day of bounty and abundance.

1. Find Some Balance

Mabon is a time of balance, when there are equal hours of darkness and light, and that can affect people in different ways. For some, it’s a season to honor the darker aspects of the goddess, calling upon that which is devoid of light. For others, it’s a time of thankfulness, of gratitude for the abundance we have at the season of harvest. Because this is, for many people, a time of high energy, there is sometimes a feeling of restlessness in the air, a sense that something is just a bit “off”. If you’re feeling a bit spiritually lopsided, with this simple meditation you can restore a little balance into your life. You can also try a ritual to bring balance and harmony to your home.

2. Hold a Food Drive

Many Pagans and Wiccans count Mabon as a time of thanks and blessings — and because of that, it seems like a good time to give to those less fortunate than ourselves. If you find yourself blessed with abundance at Mabon, why not give to those who aren’t? Invite friends over for a feast, but ask each of them to bring a canned food, dry goods, or other non-perishable items? Donate the collected bounty to a local food bank or homeless shelter.

3. Pick Some Apples

Apples are the perfect symbol of the Mabon season. Long connected to wisdom and magic, there are so many wonderful things you can do with an apple. Find an orchard near you, and spend a day with your family. As you pick the apples, give thanks to Pomona, goddess of fruit trees. Be sure to only pick what you’re going to use — if you can, gather plenty to take home and preserve for the coming winter months. Take your apples home and use them in rituals, for divination, and for delicious recipes that your family can enjoy all season long.

4. Count Your Blessings

Mabon is a time of giving thanks, but sometimes we take our fortune for granted. Sit down and make a gratitude list. Write down things that you are thankful for. An attitude of gratefulness helps bring more abundance our way — what are things you’re glad you have in your life? Maybe it’s the small things, like “I’m glad I have my cat Peaches” or “I’m glad my car is running.” Maybe it’s something bigger, like “I’m thankful I have a warm home and food to eat” or “I’m thankful people love me even when I’m cranky.” Keep your list some place you can see it, and add to it when the mood strikes you.

5. Honor the Darkness

Without darkness, there is no light. Without night, there can be no day. Despite a basic human need to overlook the dark, there are many positive aspects to embracing the dark side, if it’s just for a short time. After all, it was Demeter’s love for her daughter Persephone that led her to wander the world, mourning for six months at a time, bringing us the death of the soil each fall. In some paths, Mabon is the time of year that celebrates the Crone aspect of a triune goddess. Celebrate a ritual that honors that aspect of the Goddess which we may not always find comforting or appealing, but which we must always be willing to acknowledge. Call upon the gods and goddesses of the dark night, and ask for their blessings this time of year.

6. Get Back to Nature

Fall is here, and that means the weather is bearable once more. The nights are becoming crisp and cool, and there’s a chill in the air. Take your family on a nature walk, and enjoy the changing sights and sounds of the outdoors. Listen for geese honking in the sky above you, check the trees for changing in the colors of the leaves, and watch the ground for dropped items like acorns, nuts, and seed pods. If you live in an area that doesn’t have any restrictions on removing natural items from park property, take a small bag with you and fill it up with the things you discover along the way. Bring your goodies home for your family’s altar. If you are prohibited from removing natural items, fill your bag with trash and clean up the outdoors!

7. Tell Timeless Stories

In many cultures, fall was a time of celebration and gathering. It was the season in which friends and relatives would come from far and near to get together before the cold winter kept them apart for months at a time. Part of this custom was storytelling. Learn the harvest tales of your ancestors or of the people indigenous to the area in which you live. A common theme in these stories is the cycle of death and rebirth, as seen in the planting season. Learn about the stories of Osiris, Mithras, Dionysius, Odin and other deities who have died and then restored to life.

8. Raise Some Energy

It’s not uncommon for Pagans and Wiccans to make remarks regarding the “energy” of an experience or event. If you’re having friends or family over to celebrate Mabon with you, you can raise group energy by working together. A great way to do this is with a drum or music circle. Invite everyone to bring drums, rattles, bells, or other instruments. Those who don’t have an instrument can clap their hands. Begin in a slow, regular rhythm, gradually increasing the tempo until it reaches a rapid pace. End the drumming at a pre-arranged signal, and you’ll be able to feel that energy wash over the group in waves. Another way of raising group energy is chanting, or with dance. With enough people, you can hold a Spiral Dance.

 

9. Celebrate Hearth & Home

As autumn rolls in, we know we’ll be spending more time indoors in just a few months. Take some time to do a fall version of spring cleaning. Physically clean your home from top to bottom, and then do a ritual smudging. Use sage or sweetgrass, or asperge with consecrated water as you go through your home and bless each room. Decorate your home with symbols of the harvest season, and set up a family Mabon altar. Put sickles, scythes and bales of hay around the yard. Collect colorful autumn leaves, gourds and fallen twigs and place them in decorative baskets in your house. If you have any repairs that need to be done, do them now so you don’t have to worry about them over the winter. Throw out or give away anything that’s no longer of use.

10. Welcome the Gods of the Vine

Grapes are everywhere, so it’s no surprise that the Mabon season is a popular time to celebrate winemaking, and deities connected to the growth of the vine. Whether you see him as Bacchus, Dionysus, the Green Man, or some other vegetative god, the god of the vine is a key archetype in harvest celebrations. Take a tour of a local winery and see what it is they do this time of year. Better yet, try your hand at making your own wine! If you’re not into wine, that’s okay — you can still enjoy the bounty of grapes, and use their leaves and vines for recipes and craft projects. However you celebrate these deities of vine and vegetation, you may want to leave a small offering of thanks as you reap the benefits of the grape harvest

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Mabon History: The Second Harvest

Mabon History: The Second Harvest

By , About.com Guide

The Science of the Equinox:

Two days a year, the Northern and Southern hemispheres receive the same amount of sunlight. Not only that, each receives the same amount of light as they do dark — this is because the earth is tilted at a right angle to the sun, and the sun is directly over the equator. In Latin, the word equinox translates to “equal night.” The autumn equinox takes place on or near September 21, and its spring counterpart falls around March 21. If you’re in the Northern hemisphere, the days will begin getting shorter after the autumn equinox and the nights will grow longer — in the Southern hemisphere, the reverse is true.

Global Traditions:

The idea of a harvest festival is nothing new. In fact, people have celebrated it for millennia, all around the world. In ancient Greece, Oschophoria was a festival held in the fall to celebrate the harvesting of grapes for wine. In the 1700’s, the Bavarians came up with Oktoberfest, which actually begins in the last week of September, and it was a time of great feasting and merriment, still in existence today. China’s Mid-Autumn festival is celebrated on the night of the Harvest Moon, and is a festival of honoring family unity.

Giving Thanks:

Although the traditional American holiday of Thanksgiving falls in November, many cultures see the second harvest time of the fall equinox as a time of giving thanks. After all, it’s when you figure out how well your crops did, how fat your animals have gotten, and whether or not your family will be able to eat during the coming winter. However, by the end of November, there’s not a whole lot left to harvest. Originally, the American Thanksgiving holiday was celebrated on October 3, which makes a lot more sense agriculturally.

Thanksgiving was originally celebrated on October 3. In 1863, Abraham Lincoln issued his “Thanksgiving Proclamation”, which changed the date to the last Thursday in November. In 1939, Franklin Delano Roosevelt adjusted it yet again, making it the second-to-last Thursday, in the hopes of boosting post-Depression holiday sales. Unfortunately, all this did was confuse people. Two years later, Congress finalized it, saying that the fourth Thursday of November would be Thanksgiving, each year.

Symbols of the Season:

The harvest is a time of thanks, and also a time of balance — after all, there are equal hours of daylight and darkness. While we celebrate the gifts of the earth, we also accept that the soil is dying. We have food to eat, but the crops are brown and going dormant. Warmth is behind us, cold lies ahead.

Some symbols of Mabon include:

  • Mid-autumn vegetables, like squashes and gourds
  • Apples and anything made from them, such as cider or pies
  • Seeds, nuts and seed pods
  • Baskets, symbolizing the gathering of crops
  • Sickles and scythes
  • Grapes, vines, wine

You can use any of these to decorate your home or your altar at Mabon.

Feasting and Friends:

Early agricultural societies understood the importance of hospitality — it was crucial to develop a relationship with your neighbors, because they might be the ones to help you when your family ran out of food. Many people, particularly in rural villages, celebrated the harvest with great deals of feasting, drinking, and eating. After all, the grain had been made into bread, beer and wine had been made, and the cattle were brought down from the summer pastures for the coming winter. Celebrate Mabon yourself with a feast — and the bigger, the better!

Magic and Mythology:

Nearly all of the myths and legends popular at this time of the year focus on the themes of life, death, and rebirth. Not much of a surprise, when you consider that this is the time at which the earth begins to die before winter sets in!

Demeter and Her Daughter

Perhaps the best known of all the harvest mythologies is the story of Demeter and Persephone. Demeter was a goddess of grain and of the harvest in ancient Greece. Her daughter, Persephone, caught the eye of Hades, god of the underworld. When Hades abducted Persephone and took her back to the underworld, Demeter’s grief caused the crops on earth to die and go dormant. By the time she finally recovered her daughter, Persephone had eaten six pomegranate seeds, and so was doomed to spend six months of the year in the underworld. These six months are the time when the earth dies, beginning at the time of the autumn equinox.

Inanna Takes on the Underworld

The Sumerian goddess Inanna is the incarnation of fertility and abundance. Inanna descended into the underworld where her sister, Ereshkigal, ruled. Erishkigal decreed that Inanna could only enter her world in the traditional ways — stripping herself of her clothing and earthly posessions. By the time Inanna got there, Erishkigal had unleashed a series of plagues upon her sister, killing Inanna. While Inanna was visiting the underworld, the earth ceased to grow and produce. A vizier restored Inanna to life, and sent her back to earth. As she journeyed home, the earth was restored to its former glory.

Modern Celebrations

For contemporary Druids, this is the celebration of Alban Elfed, which is a time of balance between the light and the dark. Many Asatru groups honor the fall equinox as Winter Nights, a festival sacred to Freyr.

For most Wiccans and NeoPagans, this is a time of community and kinship. It’s not uncommon to find a Pagan Pride Day celebration tied in with Mabon. Often, PPD organizers include a food drive as part of the festivities, to celebrate the bounty of the harvest and to share with the less fortunate.

If you choose to celebrate Mabon, give thanks for the things you have, and take time to reflect on the balance within your own life, honoring both the darkness and the light. Invite your friends and family over for a feast, and count the blessings that you have among kin and community.

I Want To Be 6 Again…..

I Want To Be 6 Again…..

 

To Whom It May Concern:

I hereby officially tender my resignation as an adult. I have decided I would like to accept the responsibilities of a 6 year old again. I want to go to McDonald’s and think that it’s a four star restaurant. I want to sail sticks across a fresh mud puddle and make ripples with rocks. I want to think M&Ms are better than money, because you can eat them. I want to play kickball during recess and paint with watercolors in art. I want to lie under a big Oak tree and run a lemonade stand with my friends on a hot summers’ day.

I want to return to a time when life was simple. When all you knew were colors, addition tables and simple nursery rhymes, but that didn’t bother you, because you didn’t know what you didn’t know and you didn’t care. When all you knew was to be happy because you didn’t know all the things that should make you worried and upset.

I want to think that the world is in my youth… I matured and I learned too much. I learned of nuclear weapons, war, prejudice, starvation and abused children. I learned of lies, unhappy marriages, suffering, illness, pain and death I learned of a world where men left their families to go and fight for our country, and returned only to end up living on the streets…begging for their next meal. I learned of a world where children knew how to kill … and did!!

What happened to the time when we thought that everyone would live forever, because we didn’t grasp the concept of death, when we thought the worst thing in the world was if someone took the jump rope from you or picked you last for kickball?

I want to be oblivious to the complexity of life and be overly excited by little things once again. I want to return to the days when reading was fun and music was clean. When television was used to report the news or for family entertainment and not to promote sex, violence and deceit. I remember being naive and thinking that everyone was happy because I was. I would walk on the beach and only think of the sand between my toes and the prettiest seashell I could find. I would spend my afternoons climbing trees and riding my bike. I didn’t worry about time, bills or where I was going to find the money to fix my car. I used to wonder what I was going to do or be when I grew up, not worry about what I’ll do i this doesn’t work out. I want to live simple again I don’t want my day to consist of computer crashes, mountains of paperwork, depressing news, how to survive more days in the month than there is money in the bank, doctor bills, gossip, illness and loss of loved ones. I want to believe in the power of smiles, hugs, a kind word, truth, justice, peace, dreams, the imagination, mankind and making angels in the snow.

I want to be 6 again.

 

Author Unknown

Laugh-A-Day for Sept. 18: You might be a redneck if…

You might be a redneck if…

You’ve ever barbecued Spam on the grill.

You own all the components of soap on a rope except the soap.

The best way to keep things cold is to leave’em in the shade.

You’ve ever raked leaves in your kitchen.

The neighbors started a petition over your Christmas lights.

Your brother-in-law is your uncle.

You entire family has ever sat around waiting for a call from the governor to spare a loved one.

You go to the family reunion to pick up women.

Your grandmother has ever been asked to leave a bingo game because of her language.

You can’t tell what color your car is because of the dirt.

Daily Feng Shui News for Sept. 18 – 'National Respect Day'

Are you feeling a bit like Rodney Dangerfield on ‘National Respect Day?’ If you feel like you don’t get the respect you deserve, then it’s time to intentionally activate the energies of your ‘Fame’ area. This location isn’t only about enhancing your reputation and being rewarded, it’s also about being widely respected. So the next time you want to earn some admiration, light a red candle in this fire element area and watch as any disrespect goes up in smoke.

By Ellen Whitehurst for Astrology.com

 

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Your Charm for September 18: The Crescent and Hand

Your Charm for Today

Today’s Meaning:   

Guests and visitors will come calling. Their visit brings happiness and joy. This aspect will reflect these emotions for weeks after the visit.

General Description:    

Crescents were worn by the ancients to safeguard them against witchcraft and danger. From the very early Eastern symbols, horseshoes came to be regarded by the Greeks and Romans as charms against sickness and the plague. In the middle ages horseshoes were used as amulets for witchcraft and even today are looked upon as lucky. When the representation of the hand of strength was worn with the crescent it signified hospitality and generosity. Hands of Might are painted on houses in Italy, Syria, Turkey and in the East to protect the buildings from misfortune and the inmates from death. The blue beads were worn to avert the evil eyes.

Your Animal Spirit for September 18: Antelope

Your Animal Spirit for Today
    September 18, 2013

Antelope

Antelope medicine is one of right action. If you were to visit Northern Plains today, you would see groups of antelope scattered about the fields and hills. However they are so quiet and unmoving that (from a distance) they resemble stones. But, get too close and they move like lightening. Antelope asks you: are you being still when you should be moving, or moving when stillness is required?

Your Ancient Symbol Card for Sept. 18: The Priestess

Your Ancient Symbol Card for Today

The Priestess

The Priestess is the Gatekeeper of the subconscious, the unknown. She travels in worlds which most of us only glimpse in our dreams. Her realm is that of unseen truths, untapped potentials, and hidden dangers. Purely Yin in nature, The Calling of The Priestess is to go beyond the obvious and visible to tap those powers which are veiled from normal vision. While she is passive by nature, she has the power to uncover unknown potential and is very aware of the infinite potential all humans harbor within them. She is also very patient. She can wait for events to blossom in their own time.

As a daily card, The Priestess suggest the answers you seek can only be found by looking beyond the obvious. This is a span in which you may do better by applying the power of your subconscious to your everyday actions. Your intuition should be very strong. Be patient, allow events to unfold and you will find propitious moments of opportunity

Today's Tarot Card for September 18 is The Fool

The Fool

Wednesday, Sep 18th, 2013

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pamela Coleman-Smith’s artful rendition of an “innocent Fool” archetype (Rider-Waite deck) is often used to represent Tarot in general. Early classical versions of the Fool card, however, portray quite a different character — a person driven by base needs and urges, who has fallen into a state of poverty and deprivation.

In some instances, he is made out to be a carnival entertainer or a huckster. In others, he is portrayed as decrepit and vulnerable — as the cumulative result of his delusions and failures. Not until the 20th century do you see the popular Rider-Waite image of the Fool arise — that of an innocent Soul before its Fall into Matter, as yet untainted by contact with society and all its ills.

Modern decks usually borrow from the Rider-Waite imagery. Most Fool cards copy the bucolic mountainside scene, the butterfly, the potential misplaced step that will send the Fool tumbling into the unknown. Don’t forget, however, that the earlier versions of this card represented already-fallen humanity, over-identified with the material plane of existence, and beginning a pilgrimage towards self-knowledge, and eventually, wisdom. The Fool reminds us to recognize the path of personal development within ourselves — and the stage upon that path where we find ourselves — in order to energize our movement toward deeper self-realization.

Your Hot, Hot, Hot Fall Love Horoscopes for 2013

Fall Love Horoscopes 2013

As the temperature drops, your love life could heat up…

Maria DeSimone                Maria DeSimone on the topics of astrology, venus, mars, love, horoscopes, fall equinox

Autumn is coming and you’re probably craving long, cozy walks with your sweetheart. Preferably in the early evening — just when it gets cool enough for the two of you to have another excuse to snuggle in tight. Whether you’re flying solo and dreaming of romance or, if you’ve already got your hands full with someone you love, this fall there’s certainly enough Astrology happening to offer something for everyone. Between eclipse season, another Mercury Retrograde and a fascinating trend with the love planet Venus starting in November, you simply must be “in the know” about what the stars have in store for you … and your heart this fall! Read on to learn how hot your fall is really going to get!

Aries (March 21 – April 19)

This fall, you will certainly have a focus on partnership. It all begins on October 18 when a Lunar Eclipse falls in your sign offering you significant emotional fulfillment, or illumination about a personal relationship. You might feel as if you’ve found your spiritual equal if you’re newly dating someone thanks to a gorgeous trine between Venus in Sagittarius to Uranus in Aries just a couple days earlier on October 16. By December 7, your ruling planet, Mars, will enter your 7th House of Partnership for an unusual, extended visit. In fact, once we get to 2014, he’ll turn retrograde and then your relationship rehab will begin in earnest! During the last days of fall however, you and your mate might find that you’re quarreling more than usual. Ask yourself if you’re stirring up the pot just to keep things interesting or if there’s really a deeper issue at hand. Be honest with yourself.

Taurus (April 20 – May 20)

You are about to enter one of the most glorious, pleasurable cycles possible for love and sex, Taurus. Are you ready? Mars, the planet that rules your libido, will enter your 5th House of Romance and Play on October 15 where he’ll remain until December 7. This once-in-two-year-cycle will offer you an opportunity to frolic around — or fool around — with someone special. Enjoy more date nights and entertainment — you deserve it! A notable Solar Eclipse will fall in your 7th House of Partnership on November 3 and for those of you attached Taureans who feel stuck in a stale relationship, there might be an opportunity for a new start.

Gemini (May 21 – June 20)

This time around, Mercury Retrograde will only affect your love life if you’re wrapped up in a tricky office romance. From October 21 to November 10 Mercury will backtrack through your 6th House of Work and yes, miscommunication is possible in this area of your life. This might be a good time to keep work and play separate — at least temporarily. Thankfully, love potential will be quite exciting this fall for you! On October 7 until November 5 Venus will tour your 7th House of Partnership and any Geminis who are already attached will enjoy an extra harmonious time (even with Mercury Retrograde)! Then, on December 7, sexy Mars will slide into your 7th House of True Love offering a stimulating (and extra-long) cycle when it comes to dating and having fun in the bedroom!

Cancer (June 21 – July 22)

You’re floating on cloud nine these days, Cancer. In fact, you may feel as if you’ve got the world by its tail thanks to lucky Jupiter touring your sign. Blessings are likely to extend to your love life, especially as we get to the gorgeous Solar Eclipse on November 3. This eclipse will light up your 5th House of Expression and help breathe new life into your romantic happenings. Saturn is also in this part of your chart, but will enjoy the support of Jupiter in your sign as well as the eclipse energy to help bring stable, enduring love potential your way. In fact, Venus will enter your 7th House of Committed Partnerships on November 5 for an unusually long stay that will last until March of 2014! You can certainly count on revisions in the love department (most likely with a happy ending). With Mercury also retrograde in your 5th House of True Love from October 21 to November 10 it’s possible that this new love energy will arrive from an old flame who wants to start over. Be open to the possibilities.

Leo (July. 23 – Aug. 22)

You’ll kick things off with such heat this fall you might not want to believe the season is actually changing! Mars, the planet of assertive drive — including your sex drive — will be in your sign until October 15, allowing you to work your “sexy” factor. You’ll notice plenty of courage and stamina to pursue anyone who’s made your heart skip a beat. Love gets even better between October 7 and November 5 as Venus enters your 5th House of Love and Play. Expect romantic prospects at every turn. If, by some chance you’re still single, a gorgeous New Moon in your 5th house on December 2 should put an end to lonely nights once and for all.

Virgo (Aug. 23 – Sept. 22)

Fall will definitely be your season for love! Whether you’re single or attached, romantic prospects will surely intensify. The headline news is that Venus will enter Capricorn and your 5th House of True Love on November 5 and will not leave this area of your chart until March 6, 2014! Why the unusually long visit? Venus will turn retrograde leading to a very special focus on matters of the heart for you. The retrograde won’t actually happen until the Winter Solstice, but during the fall you’ll want to pay close attention to developments in your love life. It will be the situations that happen in this fall that you’ll be revising your approach to come winter. On November 7 you and someone you’re casually dating may decide to take your relationship to the next level. On November 15 Venus will cozy up to Pluto and you can surely anticipate a fated love connection if single. If attached, sparks will FLY with you and your mate!

Libra (Sept. 23 – Oct. 22)

A telling Lunar Eclipse on October 18 will illuminate the status of a close personal relationship. The truth is that you and your partner might no longer be on the same wavelength in many areas and have already spent time and energy trying to reconcile these differences. At eclipse time you’ll know whether or not your efforts have been in vain. Relief is possible however if communication lines are clear. This is due to a helpful trine between Venus in your 3rd House of Communication to Uranus, now in your 7th House of Partnerships. A mutual agreement about changing the paradigm of your relationship to one that’s less traditional might be exactly what you need to salvage it. The Full Moon in Taurus on November 17 will illuminate your 8th House of Intimacy. Will the events that transpire this fall lead you to build a wall even higher than before or will they allow you to trust and reveal yourself completely? Only you can decide.

Scorpio (Oct. 23 – Nov. 21)

This fall you can expect an “all or nothing” approach to love. Venus will be in your sign until October 7 prompting you to have a mesmerizing effect on anyone you want to attract your way. Mercury will turn retrograde in Scorpio however and from October 21 to November 10 you might stumble on your words more than usual. This could prove to be tricky if you hope to have an important conversation with someone special. If a significant decision or vital dialogue must happen between the two of you try to time it as close as possible to November 7 when you’ll have the support of Venus in your 3rd House of Communication at a friendly sextile to Neptune in your 5th House of Love and Play. Even if Mercury is retrograde at least on this day, your lover will be more forgiving of any communication mishaps. The main event however, will be a Solar Eclipse in your sign on November 3. If you’re ready to take a relationship to the next level you’ll push ahead with unstoppable force.

Sagittarius (Nov. 22 – Dec. 21)

Matters of the heart will become a strong focus for you this fall once we enter eclipse season. On October 18 a Lunar Eclipse in Aries will light up your 5th House of True Love. A casual (possibly torrid) affair may end during this time — particularly if things have been rocky. Alternatively, if you’re dating someone new and your feelings are growing stronger by the day, this eclipse might prompt you to make an emotionally open declaration of love. Venus will help you since she’ll grace your sign from October 7 — November 5. During this time you’ll look more beautiful than ever and will enjoy astounding confidence. This can’t help but translate into greater powers of attraction. Lucky you: you’re sexy and you know it!

Capricorn (Dec. 22 – Jan. 19)

Your love life might seem quiet as we begin the fall season but don’t be fooled — there’s plenty of activity in store. It all begins on November 5 when Venus enters Capricorn. Typically this is a cycle where you’ll enjoy greater powers of attraction and will also look and feel more beautiful. The fascinating difference between this year’s visit of Venus to Capricorn however is that Venus will turn retrograde (on December 21) and will not leave Capricorn until March 6, 2014! This fall you must take careful notes about what transpires for you in matters of the heart as well as your overall concept of love. While everything might seem extra special now, you’ll need to practically re-assess where you are in terms of love come winter. There are gorgeous indications this fall however, that you’ll be in a happy place when it comes to romance. On November 7 Venus will be at a gorgeous angle to Neptune helping you open up to a spiritual connection with your mate. Then, on November 15 Venus will be conjunct Pluto making it clear that when it comes to love, you’ll settle for nothing less than absolute intensity! The Full Moon in Taurus on November 17 will lead to an emotional climax between you and someone special.

Aquarius (Jan. 20 – Feb. 18)

You might start off on a rough patch this fall when it comes to partnership. If you’re in a committed relationship, you’ll feel this most. Mars, the planet of action but also strife, will continue to move through your 7th House of Partnerships until October 15. After this date you’ll notice fewer arguments between you and your mate but until then, expect plenty of heat. Mercury will move retrograde from October 21 until November 10 and since Mercury rules your 5th house of Romance it’s possible that you’ll experience a few miscommunications during this time. Since Mercury will retrograde through your 10th House of Reputation, be careful about being the subject of salacious gossip. On December 17 a Full Moon in your 5th house will bring an emotionally charged situation between you and your lover to light. For better or worse, expect a turning point.

Pisces (Feb. 19 – March 20)

If you’re single and looking for love, or, if you’re dating someone new, expect the fall to be filled with romantic potential. Jupiter, the planet of expansion and abundance, will continue to move through your 5th House of True Love — a once in twelve year event! With a transit like this you might very well find the love of your life! When Venus trines Jupiter on September 26 you’ll have an even sweeter opportunity for love. If you’re already attached, Mars will enter your 7th House of Partnerships on October 15 and will remain here until December 7. There might be more arguments than usual, or you might decide to speak up for yourself with a greater amount of aggression. The funny thing is that on October 19 when Mars opposes Neptune you and your mate might scratch your foreheads in confusion, wondering what the heck it really is that you’re fighting about after all. Don’t sweat the small stuff!

Daily Horoscopes for Wednesday, September 18

It feels as if love is hard to find today, but we might be pleasantly surprised if we take the time to look beyond surface appearances. We may show our displeasure by withdrawing emotionally as the somber Venus-Saturn conjunction resonates through our lives. It’s not easy to blend the affectionate warmth of Venus with the calculated coldness of Saturn. However, the compassionate Pisces Moon offers a spiritual response to more practical questions.

Aries Horoscope

(Mar 21 – Apr 19)

Withholding support from someone isn’t a good idea today even if you’re trying to send a message of disapproval. Or maybe you want to separate yourself from a project that has gone astray. In either case, your actions aren’t helpful if your responses are based on fear of the unknown. It’s more useful to honestly talk about the cause of your concerns without blaming anyone else. But don’t expect the tension to dissipate right away. Stay on your current path by working with others until you gain more clarity after tomorrow’s Full Moon.

Taurus Horoscope

(Apr 20 – May 20)

You might feel a little left out of the fun as if there’s an emotional chill in the air now that your key planet Venus is restrained by the dominance of karmic Saturn. Although you may fight against the resistance at first, letting go of control is the smartest way today to quickly turn an uncomfortable situation into a very sweet one. Give up a little independence voluntarily; it’s a small price to pay in the big scheme of things and can improve your chances of receiving the love that you desire.

Gemini Horoscope

(May 21 – Jun 20)

You may be offered a tough choice today, especially if you aren’t one to make a commitment easily. You could be very convincing as you explain your desire for intimacy, but you’ll likely retreat if someone gets too near to your heart. However, mustering up enough courage to overcome your fears is the key to happiness. Luckily, you don’t have to repeat the same old patterns just because you are scared of getting hurt. Take a leap of faith and trust the process.

Cancer Horoscope

(Jun 21 – Jul 22)

It appears that you could get the support you need from a close friend or a family member if you ask for it, so you don’t really have a logical reason to keep quiet now. Even if you can’t easily imagine that someone will actually be there for you, taking a calculated risk should turn out fine. Instead of seeing your current situation as requiring an all-or-nothing approach, try to establish enough common ground for the basis of a solid partnership. Let others nurture you the way you would nurture them.

Leo Horoscope

(Jul 23 – Aug 22)

It may be awkward to engage in a casual conversation now because your feelings might be exposed and you’re afraid that you won’t get what you want. Your unspoken fears could actually turn into a self-fulfilling prophesy today, especially if you withdraw from social interaction. Fortunately, you have the power to overcome the negativity of your own self-limiting thoughts. You can turn things around by changing your attitude and opening your heart.

Virgo Horoscope

(Aug 23 – Sep 22)

It’s time to make a crucial decision about how best to spend or save your money. But this goes much deeper than being a simple cash flow problem because the underlying issue is more likely about your self-esteem. When you realize all the skills that you have to offer, your earning power could grow quickly, so don’t fall into the trap of thinking that you’re worth any less than you actually are.

Libra Horoscope

(Sep 23 – Oct 22)

You are not inclined to waste your energy while sharing your feelings today. You are very practical when it comes to allocating your time now that your key planet Venus runs into austere Saturn in your 2nd House of Resources. You may be very rational about cutting back on frivolous pleasures to assure that you will have what you need on a rainy day. Although caution makes sense, remember that there is an unlimited supply of love, so you can always splurge where it matters most.

Scorpio Horoscope

(Oct 23 – Nov 21)

You don’t need to suffer in silence today if you’re willing to face an old fear with a new attitude. Your current isolation is probably more voluntary than you care to admit now that the sobering Venus-Saturn conjunction occurs in your sign. The current situation has very little to do with what happened to you in the past. It’s your choice; you can respond emotionally based on old worn-out habits or you can live fully in the present. Ultimately, being realistic is a much more empowering strategy than being pessimistic.

Sagittarius Horoscope

(Nov 22 – Dec 21)

Don’t be so quick to assume that your friends are putting you down today when your warped perceptions may be contributing to the dynamics. You might be so sensitive now that you’re imagining trouble, even where there isn’t any. However, it may be too late to avoid the discomfort if negativity has already been generated by your feelings of uncertainty. Instead of projecting previous failures onto others, talk about your concerns without pointing fingers at anyone else. Honest dialogue clears the air by getting everything out into the open.

Capricorn Horoscope

(Dec 22 – Jan 19)

It may be disheartening if you don’t receive the professional respect you deserve now as vulnerable Venus bumps up against your key planet Saturn. You’ve done the hard work, yet unfortunately, your ego can get in the way by tricking you to think that you should be more highly appreciated than you are. Don’t waste your time dreaming about recognition and fame. The real reward is the deep satisfaction that comes from knowing you’ve done your very best.

Aquarius Horoscope

(Jan 20 – Feb 18)

Unfortunately, there’s no room on your schedule to surrender to your desires now. Instead, you must maintain an emotionally cool and competent presence at work while sweet Venus runs into austere Saturn in your 10th House of Profession. Don’t waste energy complaining about what you’re missing; instead, get busy working on your long-term goals. Seeking personal satisfaction has to wait; being patient today is your best strategy to realizing your dreams tomorrow.

Pisces Horoscope

(Feb 19 – Mar 20)

Too much resistance from a partner doesn’t give you an excuse to go off brooding today. Don’t isolate yourself from someone you love deeply just because you think that everything isn’t perfect between you. It’s tempting to hide your head in the sand like an ostrich, but this avoidance technique is certainly not a sensible long-term solution. Facing the shortcomings of a relationship might actually put you back in touch with your heart, which in turn, could lead to an emotional healing.

Daily Cosmic Calendar for September 18

Here is day two of that preparation for the Full Moon cycle mentioned in yesterday’s calendar entry. Healing forces are definitely on the march — courtesy of the monthly lunar union with Chiron in Pisces (1:04AM) followed by their parallel (6:16AM). Don’t be shocked if mind-reading and tuning into a loved one’s deep-seated feelings becomes temporarily more prevalent. The concept of synchronicity is strongly associated with Chiron aspects.  Improving your relationship with a significant other and close friends is definitely on the agenda as Pallas makes a fairly rare polarity to Juno (9:02AM) just 2+ hours before Vesta makes an off-kilter, 150-degree tie with Juno (11:47AM). When a 150-degree alignment occurs, consider ways to adjust your thoughts, feelings or attitudes in order to keep your social life peaceful and balanced. One of two, monthly trines from the Moon to Jupiter in water signs (11:17AM) adds a benevolent touch and optimistic slant to the two, Juno-endowed sky patterns.  If dark and stormy clouds appear to be developing on your love and money horizons, it is due to the annual Venus-Saturn conjunction happening this year, as well as next year, in often tension-plagued Scorpio (1:55PM). While most professional astrologers will see a Venus-Saturn union as distressing — with a great potential for delays, fears, frustrations, and blocks — the fine art (Venus) of right timing (Saturn) can help you get through the thunder-and-lightning bolts in order to make peace with dear ones and be sensible about financial matters. Helping you transform the Venus-Saturn rendezvous into something useful is a supportive, 60-degree tie from Venus to Pluto (6:52PM).  Early meditations for tomorrow’s Full Moon, in individual or group format, are welcome additions to the global network of bringing enlightenment to humanity and the kingdoms of nature.  Note to readers: All times are calculated for Pacific Daylight Time. Be sure to adjust all times according to your own local time so the alignments noted above will be exact for your location.

Calendar of the Moon for September 18th

Calendar of the Moon

18 Muin/Boedromion

Greater Mysteries Day 4: Day of Aesclepias

Colors: White and light blue
Element: Air
Altar: Upon cloth of light blue place a chalice of white wine, a glass cup of oil scented with myrrh, three light blue candles, and all the medical equipment in the House.
Offerings: Donate medical equipment to a worthy organization, or give medical care to someone who needs it.
Daily Meal: Fasting until Mesembria of the next day.

Invocation to Aesclepias

I begin to sing of Aesclepias,
Son of Apollo and healer of sicknesses.
Born on the Dotian plain
By fair Coronis, daughter of King Phlegyas,
A joy to men,
A soother of great pangs,
And so hail to thee my lord,
In our songs we make prayer to thee.
Greatest of doctors,
Taught by the skilled hands of Athena,
Father of Hygeia, Lady of Cleanliness,
Father of Akeso, Lady of the Curing Process,
Father of Panakaia, Lady of Cures,
Father of Telesphoros, Lord of Convalescence,
Father of Iaso, Lady of Recovery,
Your healing hands were so skilled
That Hades himself was angered
At seeing you snatch so many
From his soot-covered hands.
Yet even when your very skill laid low your body,
You were raised to be the divine surgeon,
The healer to the Gods and all below.
Hail Aesclepias, who cares for our bodies.
May you grant us all the healing that we need.

(Those who have need of healing of the body should come forth and kneel before the altar, and one who has been chosen to do the work of the ritual shall anoint them with the blessed oil. Then the white wine shall be poured out as a libation. The medical equipment, thus blessed, should be returned to its place.)

[Pagan Book of Hours]