As Above, So Below

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by Anita

Autumn equinox (Mabon), astrologically, marks the time when the Sun enters the sign Libra. Mabon is the solar festival that marks the transition from the light to the dark half of the year: Day and night are of equal length.

By autumn equinox, the land is showing signs of the journey towards winter -- leaves are beginning to turn, and birds are gathering for migration. Nights get longer, and the season moves toward cooler weather. Increasingly, we are surrounded by darkness. There is a greater emphasis on reflection, rest and planning; and Mabon is the point at which these influences begin to be felt. Traditionally, this dark half of the year is associated with a retreat into the inner world and spiritual growth. Themes of fall and winter are replete with images of solitude and introversion.

Oddly enough, though, out on the farm when it's dark, there's nothing to do but get together with everyone else in the house, or with the neighbors. We talk, crochet, weave, cook, eat, preserve food for the winter, read and write. Instead of being scattered around various parts of the ranch doing a variety of chores, all the family members are inside, and they are faced with the need to get along with one another. Social skills are also required when you negotiate with neighbors about the harvest: "I'll help you can tomatoes if you can help me pick the zucchini!" In this day and age when just about anything we need (and don't need) is available at the super mall, we have the luxury of locking ourselves up in our apartments, turning off the phone and tuning out the world -- this is not what Libra represents. Scorpio, perhaps, but not Libra.

Mabon is a time to consider which aspects of your life you wish to preserve and which you would prefer to discard. Use the scales of Libra to weigh positives and negatives, advantages and disadvantages. Mabon marks a time of thankfulness, equality and balance when you should try to appreciate and enjoy the fruits of your labors.

Themes of light and darkness correspond with the positive and negative aspects of signs and planetary positions. Each sign has weaknesses as well as strengths. In general, texts caution you against falling into weaknesses and encourage development of a sign's strong points. But what are weaknesses for, if not to help you learn? In order to develop better qualities, recognize and embrace failures. In her book Dark Side of the Light Chasers, author Debbie Ford discusses the shadow, otherwise known as the alter ego, dark twin or repressed self. The shadow represents the person you'd rather not be. But even if you choose to hide this alter ego, it still occupies a dark spot in your life and still affects everything you do.

Each object standing in light casts a shadow, and darkness makes it possible to appreciate light. Instead of rejecting the seemingly undesirable parts of yourself, you can become whole again by confronting and embracing yourself as a whole, including your shadow. In her book, Ford explains, "The purpose of doing shadow work is to become whole. To end our suffering. To stop hiding ourselves from ourselves. Once we do this we can stop hiding ourselves from the rest of the world."

Working with your dark side may seem intimidating, but it is often very effective in bringing about transformation. Embracing the shadow is part of the work to be done on the path represented by the Devil card in the Tarot deck. Fear generates more fear, and only through love and acceptance can the toxic emotions generated by fear be discharged. The dark half of the year is time to begin to delve into the dark parts of yourself, to recognize hidden emotions and find the gifts they offer. The very impulses you most fear may be the key to what is lacking in your life. Libra, sign of advocacy rather than judgment, can help you through this transition. Once you have learned acceptance through Libran support and cooperation, you can forge ahead to personal transformation in Scorpio.

September 20, 9:40 a.m. PDT: Mercury enters Libra. Mercury in Libra is a good time to enter into negotiations about any matter. Conversations can be intellectually stimulating. A good use of Mercury in Libra is to sound out others' opinion with reference to your future plans. (Mercury rules communication, Libra energy is focused on contracts and partnerships with others.) Be quick, though, because Mercury moves fast; you have until October 8.

September 22, 3:23 p.m. PDT: Sun enters Libra. At this time, the Moon is waning in the third quarter in Gemini. Today in particular is time to finish or resolve activities you have begun that involve commerce with others. Form partnerships, come to agreements. As for the influences that surround equinox celebrations, air is emphasized, and everything that air represents: speech, communication, thought, writing.

October 1, 3:04 p.m. PDT: Mars goes retrograde, at 23º Taurus. Mars is retrograde until December 9. Mars in Taurus is square -- a dissonant aspect -- to Saturn. The square is not exact, since Saturn is still in the early degrees of Leo. In general, Saturn and Mars represent conflicting energies; when Mars says "go," Saturn says "stop," or at best, "be careful." The conflicting energy of the square between Saturn and Mars emphasizes these differences. The result can be stubborn opposition because of the fixed signs involved.

Mars retrograde also represents a time when you need to be careful of your health, since Mars represents vital energy. Since Taurus rules money and finances, and retrograde motion involves investigation, it's possible that while Mars is retrograde, financial scandals will be uncovered.

There was an e-mail flying around recently that claimed Mars would be so close to the earth that it would look as big as the Full Moon in August. This is a hoax, since if Mars were to come that close to the earth, it could result in a collision between the two planets. In fact, Mars is very close to the earth in October, almost as close as it came in 2003. For more information (from the astronomical angle), visit www.spaceweather.com

October 3, 3:28 a.m. PDT: New Moon, 10º Libra 19'. With the air energy of Libra coming from both Sun and Moon, this is not a particularly good day for planting. Wait until October 5 and 6, when the Moon will be in Scorpio. Use the energy of the New Moon in Libra to improve your relationships with others: Look for a partner, or do something nice for the one you already have. It's also a good time for public relations work.

October 7, 6 p.m. PDT: Venus enters Sagittarius. Venus in Sagittarius loves travel to foreign lands, and anything having to do with philosophy or religion. Emotional responses tend to be idealistic and spiritually oriented. Since Venus deals with matters of love, its position in a fire sign makes it easier to shrug off disappointments and move on.

October 8, 10:15 a.m. PDT: Mercury enters Scorpio. The negative influence of Mercury in Scorpio leads to a sharp, sarcastic tongue and thoughts of revenge. The positive use of Mercury in Scorpio energy is to become involved in anything that involves research or investigation, which is the forte of Scorpio. It's also a time to work on developing your intuition because Mercury, which rules thoughts, is in a watery, intuitive, psychic sign.

October 17, 5:14 a.m. PDT: Full Moon at 24º Aries 13'. The Sun in Libra -- representing a conscious will toward harmony and balance, is opposed by the Moon in Aries -- representing subconscious forces that are more war like and combative. This Full Moon is a time to work toward achieving a balance between a pioneering spirit working alone, and the need for compromise and understanding in order to work successfully with others.

October 23, 12:42 a.m. PDT: Sun enters Scorpio. The keywords for Scorpio are "I desire." The symbolism of astrology is northern hemisphere symbolism: During this season in the northern hemisphere, energy turns inward and farmers turn over the soil, composting the remnants of this year's harvest to enrich the earth, preparing it for the next year. Likewise, Sun in Scorpio represents the celebration of mysteries, the mind trying to fathom the depths of darkness that increasingly surrounds us.

October 25, 7:52 p.m. PDT: Jupiter enters Scorpio. Jupiter in Scorpio indicates strong, large-scale involvement in matters relating to joint or corporate finances, taxes and insurance. This is also a period favorable to interest in the occult and mystical aspects of religion, life after death, and telepathic communication. Jupiter stays in a sign about one year.

October 26, 4:24 p.m. PDT: Neptune goes direct at 14º Aquarius. Neptune, the planet of idealism and spirituality, begins to move forward after a period of retrospective and insight. Many astrologers say that Neptune in Aquarius represents the true beginning of the Age of Aquarius, and will bring about enlightened humanitarianism. Neptune stays in a sign approximately 13 years.

October 30, 1:02 a.m. PDT: Mercury enters Sagittarius. The planet of speech and communication enters the sign of religion, philosophy and teaching. While Mercury is in Sagittarius, it's a good time to study philosophy or to go back to school, if you've been thinking of finishing a degree or starting university.

November 3: Sun, Saturn, Mars and Neptune all begin to square one another, to form a Grand Fixed Cross. The Sun and Saturn have a closer aspect, both being at 10 degrees Scorpio and Leo, respectively. Mars and Neptune are farther apart, Mars at 16 degrees Taurus and Neptune at 14 degrees Aquarius, but they are still within the range of the square/opposition aspect. This grand cross aspect continues through November 7, when Sun, Neptune and Mars will all be at 14 degrees. Jupiter and the Moon are also in Scorpio, although much farther apart.

The issues involved are personal identity (Sun), vital energy and ambition (Mars), responsibility and discipline (Saturn), and idealism (Neptune). The signs the planets fall in govern humanitarianism and group effort (Aquarius) versus personal ambition (Leo), money and personal values (Taurus), and secrecy, mystery and desire (Scorpio). Expect setbacks and conflict. Because the signs involved are all fixed signs, it can be a period of great stubbornness, where no one yields. This period would be a good time for group meditation on humanitarian and idealistic principles. If you plan on doing a Samhain ritual on the traditional day of November 1, you might want to focus your energy on a harmonious outcome to world conflict.

November 5, 12:10 a.m. PST: Venus enters Capricorn. Venus in Capricorn is very serious in matters of love, and often appears quite cold. With this aspect, emotional security often comes from material status and wealth. On the other hand, while Venus is in Capricorn, you can focus on love of work and duty, to take advantage of the best sides of both Venus and Capricorn.

November 7: Sun reaches 15º Scorpio. Astrological Samhain.