Twice a year the Sun and Moon seem almost to stand still and the hours of daylight and darkness are equal. The first of these times is the spring Vernal Equinox heralding the time of new beginnings, growth, and a celebration that warmth has returned to the Earth and possibilities are limitless. The second of these times when the hours of day and night are balanced occurs, appropriately, at the beginning of Libra, the sign of the scales. This is the Autumnal or Fall Equinox.
This transition of the seasons is called by many names; Mabon or Harvest Home (Wiccan), Meán Fómhair or Alban Elfed (Welsh), Night of the Hunter (Old English), Festival of Dionysus (Greek), Michaelmas (Christian) and Fallfeast (Old Germanic) are some examples of how various cultures honor the period of time between September 21st and 23rd. The essence of all these celebrations is the recognition that now is time to reap the harvest of the efforts of the previous months, reflect on all that has occurred and to prepare for the coming period of darkness and cold that marks the completion of the Great Wheel’s cycle until the new birth of the coming year comes with the spring.
With all of the dynamic changes that have happened thus far, the Autumnal Equinox of 2012 carries a special astrological importance. Pluto retrograde ends its path four days prior to September 22nd, the actual date of the Fall event. Once again, the transformational forces that have been somewhat happenstance since the retrograde began in April are now pushing forward again.
Pluto squares Uranus on the 19th and Mercury on the 20th. The generational impact of these aspects cannot be overstated. Political upheavals will continue with a dramatic event very likely to occur right on the Equinox or within a day or two after. Mercury the Messenger is also impacted by the Pluto’s square leading to suspicion, mental anxiety and with a decidedly negative slant, could add fuel to already volatile situations.
The Messenger also finds itself in opposition of Uranus on the 20th. This will further confound the problems with communications during this period and right through the 23rd. Lost, misunderstood, or interrupted messages could lead to arguments and conflicts, both on a personal and on a larger societal level. Even the usually calming effect of Chiron, the Wounded Healer, adds to the potential for chaos due to it’s opposition with Mercury also on the 20th with the likelihood of misrepresenting ideas or concepts adding further confusion.
In a real sense, the impact for these aspects may be viewed as a kind of mini-Mercury retrograde period; rather than lasting a fortnight, this will be a much shorter period of five to seven days. Yet, occurring as it does during this time of harvest and reflection, this Equinox could truly give a whole new meaning to the phrase: “Reaping what you sow”. In a real sense, this could well be a fall to remember.
Yet, all this too, is part of the Great Wheel that must pass from warmth to cold, light to dark, through all the stages of life so that the new can spring again, like a phoenix, from the ashes of the old.
Lou Raedwulfe is the author of Stars and Stones – A Look Forward with Astrology and Runes, 2012 An Astrological Overview and The RuneChest. All books are available at Amazon for Kindle and Barnes & Noble for Nook from $12.99. He is also a psychic advisor, clairvoyant, tarot master and rune master. Get a reading today on this site.
PsychicCosmos © 2009
Twice a year the Sun and Moon seem almost to stand still and the hours of daylight and darkness are equal. The first of these times is the spring Vernal Equinox heralding the time of new beginnings, growth, and a celebration that warmth has returned to the Earth and possibilities are limitless. The second of these times when the hours of day and night are balanced occurs, appropriately, at the beginning of Libra, the sign of the scales. This is the Autumnal or Fall Equinox.
This transition of the seasons is called by many names; Mabon or Harvest Home (Wiccan), Meán Fómhair or Alban Elfed (Welsh), Night of the Hunter (Old English), Festival of Dionysus (Greek), Michaelmas (Christian) and Fallfeast (Old Germanic) are some examples of how various cultures honor the period of time between September 21st and 23rd. The essence of all these celebrations is the recognition that now is time to reap the harvest of the efforts of the previous months, reflect on all that has occurred and to prepare for the coming period of darkness and cold that marks the completion of the Great Wheel’s cycle until the new birth of the coming year comes with the spring.
With all of the dynamic changes that have happened thus far, the Autumnal Equinox of 2012 carries a special astrological importance. Pluto retrograde ends its path four days prior to September 22nd, the actual date of the Fall event. Once again, the transformational forces that have been somewhat happenstance since the retrograde began in April are now pushing forward again.
Pluto squares Uranus on the 19th and Mercury on the 20th. The generational impact of these aspects cannot be overstated. Political upheavals will continue with a dramatic event very likely to occur right on the Equinox or within a day or two after. Mercury the Messenger is also impacted by the Pluto’s square leading to suspicion, mental anxiety and with a decidedly negative slant, could add fuel to already volatile situations.
The Messenger also finds itself in opposition of Uranus on the 20th. This will further confound the problems with communications during this period and right through the 23rd. Lost, misunderstood, or interrupted messages could lead to arguments and conflicts, both on a personal and on a larger societal level. Even the usually calming effect of Chiron, the Wounded Healer, adds to the potential for chaos due to it’s opposition with Mercury also on the 20th with the likelihood of misrepresenting ideas or concepts adding further confusion.
In a real sense, the impact for these aspects may be viewed as a kind of mini-Mercury retrograde period; rather than lasting a fortnight, this will be a much shorter period of five to seven days. Yet, occurring as it does during this time of harvest and reflection, this Equinox could truly give a whole new meaning to the phrase: “Reaping what you sow”. In a real sense, this could well be a fall to remember.
Yet, all this too, is part of the Great Wheel that must pass from warmth to cold, light to dark, through all the stages of life so that the new can spring again, like a phoenix, from the ashes of the old.
Related Articles:
Autumn Equinox A Changing of the Guard
About The Author:
Lou Raedwulfe is the author of Stars and Stones – A Look Forward with Astrology and Runes, 2012 An Astrological Overview and The RuneChest. All books are available at Amazon for Kindle and Barnes & Noble for Nook from $12.99. He is also a psychic advisor, clairvoyant, tarot master and rune master. Get a reading today on this site.
Tags: Astrology, equinox