Virgo Solar Eclipse September 1st & Pisces Lunar Eclipse September 16th, 2016

This month (September 2016) there are two eclipses… a solar one (at the time of the new moon) in the sign of Virgo on the 1^st. And a lunar (at the time of the full moon) in the sign of Pisces on the 16^th.

Both indicate key stages in the lunar cycle – solar eclipses tend to indicate new phases or new beginnings, and lunar eclipses often indicate closure or letting go. Especially emotional closure. The Moon is about emotions and feelings, and so they are coming to the forefront this month, to be acknowledged, processed and integrated.

In astrology eclipses are about major turning points, where certain situations have been building up momentum through events for quite some time, for good or ill, and the events at eclipse times are release points, or trigger points for long-term change. You can look back with hindsight at an eclipse period and see how events around that time were movers and shapers of future direction.

September 1^st Eclipse = Preparation is Key

During the September 1^st eclipse, the planets suggest there has been pressure to act in a certain way, or to act on certain things, but the timing might not be quite right to take action, even if you want to. Withholding or holding fire doesn’t mean failure to launch, it is more about good preparation. The time for action might be more mid-month or beyond, when Mars aligns with the lunar eclipse.

Saturn square Neptune

This planet alignment has been one of the key themes of the year, and it figures highly in the eclipses, especially the solar eclipse on the 1^st. This alignment has brought our fears to life in some respects, only for us to find out that our fears hold no power over us in reality.

It’s also about being very careful what we believe in or buy into, as what seems real often turns out to be just a façade. It’s been a year of remembering not to judge books by covers.

Mercury Retrograde

This retrograde period started near to the solar eclipse on 30th August, and will continue for most of the month, ending on the day of the Autumn equinox, 22nd September.

Although Mercury retrogrades three times a year, this one is a strong retrograde because:

-          Mercury is in Virgo, the sign which it rules.

-          North node is in Virgo, which is an indicator of opportunities or open doors that feel ‘fated’ or like ‘destiny’ to walk through. Mercury is therefore planet associated with this north node, which means it’s the planet to watch for the way these opportunities will manifest (Mercury is about communication, logic, pathways, transport, siblings and sibling relationships, and neighbours). As Mercury is Retrograde it means the concept of retrograde is also how those opportunities manifest. Retrograde means reconnection or returning to the past in some way… looking to the past, looking in a different direction, etc etc. 

-          Mercury meets Jupiter at eclipse time. Jupiter is the planet of good luck, good fortune, faith and expansion. Jupiter uplifts what it touches, which gives this Mercury retrograde period a touch of miracle mindedness; a sparkle of extra confidence and self belief. 

Lunar Eclipse = Ready to Receive

When the moon stands opposite the Virgo sun, from the sign of Pisces on the 16^th, it also stands next to the asteroid Chiron. This asteroid is about healing, and specifically about being receptive to healing. Being open and accepting of solutions can be a challenge when the problem or symptom is dominant… it takes imagination to look past what looms large in our life, and be open to answers and opportunities. It also means accepting we are deserving of being given to in this way.

Ask and it is given is the mantra of the universe according to Law of Attraction, but the universe can only give by us being open to receive. The lunar eclipse on the 16^th suggests events that highlight this idea of being receptive and open to solutions and problems. The time might be right for action too, according to Mars...

Strange Sun/Uranus Synchronicity Story

Last week, when Sun/Uranus in Pisces was happening, My Pisces dad had a computer glitch. For no apparent reason the wireless connection to the internet wasn't happening (Uranus is associated with a lot of things there, technology, the internet, connection/disconnection; while Sun is associated with dad's and in the sign of Pisces it's my dad :) )

So we struggled on for a bit trying to work out what had happened, but I am not the best at computer problems, and my dad is a new silver surfer (as of the Saturn/Uranus opposition last year... how Saturn/Uranus is that?), so he phoned Andy the computer man. Andy was busy but gave quick instructions about a few things to try, including turning the modem off and then back on again. He said 'try those things and give me a ring back'

All things on the list failed except the modem restart (Venus retrograde = re-starting for re-alignment?). All was suddenly well again. My dad phoned Andy and said 'everything's fine Andy, it's fixed'. The voice on the other end of the line said 'well I am pleased that everythings fixed but this isn't Andy, I think you have the wrong number'.

My dad apologised and explained he had been having computer problems. The voice said 'You don't mean you were ringing Andy the computer man? He has JUST left my house, he's been here fixing MY computer'...

What's all that about?! Not that I am complaining, as I love random weirdness like that, but what's all that about?! Very Uranus in Pisces, yes?

Walt Whitman For August 28th Eclipse In Pisces

Of the Terrible Doubt of Appearances

Of the terrible doubt of appearances,
Of the uncertainty after all—that we may be deluded,
That may-be reliance and hope are but speculations after all,
That may-be identity beyond the grave is a beautiful fable only,
May-be the things I perceive—the animals, plants, men, hills, shining and flowing waters,
The skies of day and night—colors, densities, forms—May-be these are, (as doubtless they are,) only apparitions, and the real something has yet to be known;
(How often they dart out of themselves, as if to confound me and mock me!
How often I think neither I know, nor any man knows, aught of them;)
May-be seeming to me what they are, (as doubtless they indeed but seem,) as from my present point of view—And might prove, (as of course they would,) naught of what they appear, or naught any how, from entirely changed points of view;
—To me, these, and the like of these, are curiously answer’d by my lovers, my dear friends;
When he whom I love travels with me, or sits a long while holding me by the hand,
When the subtle air, the impalpable, the sense that words and reason hold not, surround us and pervade us,
Then I am charged with untold and untellable wisdom—I am silent—I require nothing further,
I cannot answer the question of appearances, or that of identity beyond the grave;
But I walk or sit indifferent—I am satisfied,
He ahold of my hand has completely satisfied me.

Walt Whitman
(1819-1892)

The New Moon Solar Eclipse In Pisces

Pisces people have a reputation in astrology folklore for being the 'old souls' of the zodiac. I don't know about that, but I do agree with the thinking behind it, because Pisces is a sign associated with transcendental experiences; the kind of experiences that rock your world, take you beyond your current perspective and leave a legacy there's much more going on than meets the physical eye. And it takes courage and the wisdom of lifetimes to deal with all that effectively, because all too often these experiences feel at best transient, and at worse elusive and indefinable.

Pisces is as much about spirituality as it is about drugs, and as much about art as it is about religion, because this sign is about finding the Self by losing the self. We all have Pisces somewhere in our chart so we all have this kind of thing going on somehow, and especially now, as the sun and moon meet in this sign for the new moon eclipse on March 19th at 2.33am GMT. Pluto in Sagittarius is squaring the sun and moon meeting point, meaning that the intense, transformational quality of Pluto in Sagittarius, the sign of beliefs and philosophy, is going to be an active and influential part of the Pisces eclipse pattern. Or in other words, events are strongly suggesting that the best course of action is to Trust The Process, and Go With The Flow, as This Too Shall Pass.

Mercury Retrograde Till Early March

It's true Mercury Retrograde has built quite a reputation for always putting a spanner in everyone's works, but with Mercury in the magical, mystical sign of Pisces, it doesn't have to be all about losing yourself in boring communication breakdowns or head-scratching computer glitches.

For example, take this great tip from Mystic Medusa for working with the other worldly essence of this particular retrograde:

"Here is some easy "therapy" for Mercury Retro in Pisces. Sometime before the Full Moon Eclipse on March 3/4, write your own FairyTale. As in YOUR fairy tale. Once Upon A Time....etc.
And it has to be less than 800 words. Your quest, your treasure, your castle...and because - literally - only YOU will ever read it, you can feel free to cast whomever you want as wicked step-parents, handsome princes or mysterious guide figures. I always think it's interesting what stories we create about our lives when we know it's between us and ourselves..." (More from Mystic here)

So pass that feather quill and crack open the Laudanum, I'm feeling a Victorian-gothic mini-masterpiece might be about to flow...