Astrology Column

with Astrologer
Belinda Dunn

The bittersweet days of September are upon us, much change is at hand. Fields and trees are laden with harvest, bushels of abundance grace our local farm stand. Each September the Sun moves through Virgo skies, naturally turning our attention back to school, work and the next cycle of life.

In the zodiac wheel, each sign builds upon and compliments the other. Exciting and illustrious Leo paves the way for down to earth Virgo. In fact, Virgo’s response to Leo’s dramatic flair is quiet, industrious, studious focus on the job at hand. This is Virgo’s humble domain, the nitty gritty of the daily grind.

Cleaning Up
At first glance, Virgo’s attention to detail does not appear to be important. In daily life, it is easy to overlook the extra helping of rich dessert, skip the workout, complain about a coworker, or continue old habits. What do all these things have in common? Virgo has the answer. This zodiac sign is all about those moment-to-moment choices supporting health or contributing to disease.

While Virgo’s gifts should never be taken for granted, it's especially important to heed them this year. Not only does Mercury transit this sign all month, but it is retrograde in Virgo (August 21 - September 12). Now is the opportunity to review daily habits, examine your immediate work environment (including work spaces at home), follow up on health concerns, and make a concerted effort to improve these areas of life.

Be aware of details and projects that have been calling for completion. It may be a matter of turning off the phone, and taking a few days to get caught up. It may be a matter of booking that dental appointment or making a firm commitment to exercise regularly. Really tune into your unique life circumstances, go with the flow, and take action on what is appropriate to you. You'll see more of why this is so as you read on.

New Moon, New Cycle in Life
The New Moon in Virgo on September 8 is an excellent time to plant seeds for personal transformation. It is time to pick ourselves up from the past, and review projects, priorities and commitments. Virgo’s keen power of analysis which can be used in a variety of ways. It is excellent for accounting, writing and editing, in addition to any activity requiring attention to detail.

However, this natural tendency to analyze can be disruptive in relationship, especially when it turns to criticism of self and others. The Virgo drive for perfection is generally not helpful in the messy business of people and their feelings.

Be aware of imposing unrealistic expectations in interpersonal matters. Overall, this New Moon supports integration and synthesis, empowering decisions around health, habits, education, training and work related matters. All of this is part of overall change.

Strong spiritualizing trends effect planet Earth by mid-month. On September 18, Jupiter joins Uranus for the second time this year. This trend started last June and continues quite strongly through the beginning of next year. Many people are experiencing this phase as a pause in business as usual.

Sweeping Change is at Hand
What seemed relevant at the beginning of 2010, no longer makes sense. The terrain has changed, but the path appears to be enveloped in fog.

The joining of Jupiter and Uranus in the final degrees of Pisces point to the end of an 84 year cycle. A larger plan, beyond our common, everyday excuses, is making itself more tangible and accessible.

Many people are experiencing this passage as a dissolving of ego, and surrender of personal agendas. This in-between phase is vital and necessary, not to be resisted or feared. Even a television comedian was picking up on this condition, translating the common computer phrase, "control alt delete" to "control SELF delete."

Equinox, Harvest Full Moon & Partnerships
September draws to a close with Autumnal Equinox just before midnight on the 22nd, followed by the Harvest Full Moon at early dawn on the 23rd. Sun’s entrance into Libra marks this significant shift. Day and night are momentarily balanced, accented by the Moon’s full illumination.

It’s time for Libra, the zodiac sign of social justice, to step in and make sense of current events. The ongoing controversy between what constitutes right and wrong is looked at through new eyes. Collaboration with others can make a big difference.

In fact, all eyes are on relationships. The proverbial wheel of fortune has spun, landing firmly on partnership as the pivot point of destiny. Astrologically, this is due to Saturn entering the zodiac sign of Libra, where it will remain for the next several years.

Hearts are ready and ripe for new relationship, including a deeper level of commitment in existing ones. In recent months, we have seen a flurry of separations, in addition to engagements and marriages. For some couples this commitment is taking the form of pregnancy and birth.

Cardinal Climax & Higher Purpose
Throughout the remainder of September, Sun in Libra stimulates Cardinal Climax themes. For those of you new to this phrase, the Cardinal Climax is a rare planetary configuration in effect 2008 - 2015, and 2010 is the pivotal year.

Pluto, the "dwarf" planet that provokes change, is a key player in the Cardinal Climax configuration, and Pluto is particularly active all month. It's time we make those changes that we've put off!

Pluto plays an essential role in transformation by revealing what no longer works, what has outgrown its usefulness, and what needs to be eliminated. In fact, Pluto contributes to the dissolving of unhealthy and destructive patterns in individuals and society.

For most of us, this is not an easy, walk in the park process. And we can all agree, humanity is in the midst of accelerated and monumental change, with no end in sight. The old adage, "necessity is the mother of invention," is applicable to the current state of affairs.

Ask Questions and Allow Answers to Arise
Recently, I came across a metaphysical teacher adding, "curiosity is the father of invention." This slight shift in perspective can make all the difference in the world. From a pressurized, compulsive, reflexive stance, the tide turns to include a healthy dose of curiosity, a healthy dose of "what if?"

What if this entire state of affairs is orchestrated, not only by humanity’s nearsightedness, but by a higher order, even a divine purpose? What if . . . ???

I leave it to you, dear reader, to fill in the rest according to your unique perspective. Innocent and free, unencumbered and spontaneous, curiosity leads the way out of dead end thinking to a bright new day.

Belinda C. Dunn is a professional astrologer with over thirty-five years experience. She offers personal consultation, workshops and classes. She can be reached at 828-215-2101, toll free at 888-215-8595 or through her website where a full listing of services are described. See, www.astrodelight.com: www.astrodelight.com