Astral Weeks September 16-22: "Days of Awe" and the Autumnal Equinox

Astral Weeks

September 16-22

Last week’s huge energetic change kicked off with Rosh HaShanah 5779, followed by Venus entering Scorpio and Mars’ ingress into Aquarius. As this new week begins, the Moon in independent Sagittarius makes her First Quarter square to the Sun, still in analytic Virgo even though we’ve been in Chodesh Tishrei since Rosh HaShanah, on Sunday, September 16. Communicative Mercury in precise Virgo sextiles giganticising Jupiter in secretive Scorpio invites confidences or finds ways to unravel the truth being withheld. 

Moon in Capricorn on Monday September 17th conjuncts Saturn, taking a turn for the serious, which isn’t altogether an inappropriate energetic condition during the “Days of Awe.” Mars in Aquarius squares Uranus, the modern ruler of Aquarius, in his transit through Taurus on Tuesday September 18^th.  Abrupt changes in the status quo and escalations in revolutionary zeal are possible, along with sudden arrivals and departures, just in time for Yom Kippur, which falls on Wednesday, September 19^th. The Moon moves into Aquarius that evening, making a conjunction to Mars which adds an emotional emphasis to the idealistic resolutions made during and after the fast of Yom Kippur, the climax of the “Days of Awe.” 

The Sun in the final degrees of Virgo conjuncts Mercury on Thursday September 20^th, amplifying the volume and illuminating multiple modes of communication on every level. Mercury enters diplomatic Libra on Friday September 21^st, initiating compromise which finds cooperation Saturday, September 22^nd as the Moon enters peaceful Pisces and the Sun crosses the Autumnal Equinox into the constellation of Libra. Parshat Ha’azinu is read, which includes the Song of Moses, sung to the Israelites during the last day of his life. It is the great climax to the life of Moses, who after finishing his song of hope, admonition, and faith, prepares to leave his earthy body. The transition from summer to autumn reminds us of the cycles of life, and that all of us from the smallest to the greatest share a common fate.