a	Virgo New Moon September 17th, 2001 Sun and Moon joined at 24.35 Virgo 3:27 a.m. PDT; 6:27 a.m. EDT Sabian Symbol:  A flag at half-mast in front of large public building.
What does listening to the zodiac do for us at each moon cycle?  It attunes us to the yet living quality of this ancient rhythm.  It sharpens our senses to new ways to bring ourselves forth.  It puts us on the alert -- as an animal living in the wild -- to something new in the air...

Virgo New Moon 'Scope:
by Dana Gerhardt

I agree with astrologer and friend Lisa Miller, a frequent contributor to our Talking Circle.  She acknowledges that astrologers are supposed to predict horrendous events like the World Trade Center disaster, but in truth, “we never know in what form and exactly when a powerful position of the planets will bring disaster.”  We guess at outcomes and give events a wide time frame.  For years astrologers have been predicting the financial markets would be brought down, but few understood when or just how literally, via crumbling buildings, this would take place.

The inability to predict with precision may be disappointing.  But it does fit the life that most of us know:  a mixture of aspiration, surprise, planning, disappointment, improvisation, and tragedy.  Ours would surely be a different world if astrologers had been able to notify the WTC corporations of impending disaster September 11 so that everyone stayed home.  But then how else would the karma of global aggression and its subsequent healing unfold?  Where would that very real build-up of human anger and fear work itself out? 

That the planets cause all events on Earth seems a strange and untenable proposition.  The Buddhist view appears a bit more logical -- that things happen because of situational causes and conditions, or karma.  Unraveling the ways of karma can be complicated; its roots extend deeply into the human condition and cannot be rationalized as simple blame.  Astrology can be helpful here.  What the planets can offer is commentary and comfort.  They can suggest a way to clean up our human karma.  They can be a light onto this world. 

The Virgo New Moon Chart carries such a light in its tightest Sun/Moon aspect – a separating square from Chiron, the wounded healer.  The chart acknowledges that we have been deeply wounded.  What else does it say?  In the myth, the brilliant healer and teacher Chiron didn’t even try to heal his wound.  Rather, the immortal Centaur accepted it, and asked to exchange himself for Prometheus, suffering on his rock, so that in his own suffering Chiron could release another’s.  In other words, he drove straight into his pain and found compassion at its center.  The result was a tremendous paradigm shift:  Zeus rewarded this act by transforming Chiron into a constellation, sending him to the sky for all to see.  We especially “see” him at this new moon.

Many thoughtful emails have been circulating this week.  One from Marianne Williamson, James Redfield, and others expresses a Chiron-like sentiment:  “The message we hear from all sources of truth is clear:  We are all one.  That is a message the human race has largely ignored.  Forgetting this truth is the only cause of hatred and war, and the way to remember is simple:  Love, this and every moment.”  Beneath the World Trade Center wound is a tremendous soft spot.  If we go there, we might shift our paradigm and find love.  Not a bad thing to work on this during this healing Virgo cycle. 

For an astrological discussion of the plane crash charts, visit Lisa’s website: http://home.earthlink.net/~astrotarot/sept11.htm
 

Meditate on Re-weaving the Web of Peace, with Pythia... 

"Virgo is known as the healer of the Zodiac. In addition, Virgo is the artisan, the skillful weaver of the tapestry of life and destiny.  Psychologists, for instance, say that for the individual who has suffered a violent and unexpected trauma, it is as if a hole has been torn in their fragile psyche. The work of healing involves "re-weaving" the psyche's open wound by gently integrating into consciousness the shock a victim may have experienced....." 
(Moon Meditations)

"Rituals can be a means for joining with the natural order.  In ancient traditions, ceremonies timed to the sun, moon and seasons were genuinely collaborative, a way to ensure that the natural rhythms were sustained.  Fail to keep the rhythms and the world would sicken.  Today we’re hampered by knowing the sun and moon will rise without our help.  We cannot be as convinced, however, that the world hasn’t sickened without our ritual attentions.  ...."
Moon Teachings

HOROSCOPE FOR SEPTEMBER
by Lynn Koiner, P.M.A.F.A.

NOTE TO READER: These dates are based upon electional techniques. All of the dates apply to all of the signs. I select certain dates for each sign but these dates apply to all of the signs. Do not simply read your own sign -- read all of the signs for significant dates! Generally, the best dates in September will be September 4, 5 and early September 6, the evening of September 12, September 18, September 23 (not evening), September 27-28 (best for drawing matters to a conclusion before Mercury turns retrograde on October 1.

CAPRICORN (December 22-January 19): By September 2, you may become aware that some venture or project will not work. Wait until September 5 to push forward on something new, a new venture, a new adventure or a new romance. Look for an intuitive jolt on the 5th and go with what you hearts tells you. There will be a Star of David configuration that is highly protective from September 4 through early 6.

AQUARIUS (January 20-February 17): September 4-6 while the Moon is in Aries is a great time for you. You can network with invaluable people. You can work on innovative projects and get the recognition you deserve. September 10 is another good communication date for you to explore new ideas, to brain-storm and get supportive feedback. 

PISCES (February 18-March 19): The Full Moon on September 2 can make you aware of problems and dissatisfactions. September 12 is a good time to seek the nurturing and support that you need in any project, to successfully work on family matters or to purchase real estate. Do not try to be helpful on September 16. You may find others critical and hard to please. 

ARIES (March 20-April 19): Remember, the Moon is in your sign from September 4-6 so take full advantage of the powerful energies at that time. September 13 is a good time to end a bad relationship and pick up with a new one! Early on September 26 is a great time for communications, writing, lecturing and making inspired decisions. 

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Keep your cool and avoid at all costs speaking your truth on September 8. There can be problems at work. Let the others make the bad decisions. Just be a "pencil-pusher" this month. Others may be more flexible on the 10th. September 12 is a good time to socialize with supportive and understanding friends. 

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): You just want to know the good dates -- try September 4-6, 10, 18 and 27-28! These are great for socializing, interacting and exploring new ideas and situations. Do not be too adventuresome in your communications on September 24 -- you will be dealing with very stodgy types who cannot appreciate anything new since the wheel!

CANCER (June 21-July 22): Jupiter and the North Node are still in your sign so it is a time when you will be seeking the nurturing and support that has been lacking this month. September 12 is the best date to work on this. September 23-24 will bring sudden, unexpected changes. Move beyond your personal biases on the 23rd to make an inspired decision.

LEO (July 23-August 22): It is very painful for you psychologically when relationships are not working out. Positive resolutions can come on September 5 and 23 in some unexpected way. September 18 is excellent for working things out, socializing in general and finding a cooperative interaction with others.

VIRGO (August 23-September 22): You may find solace and comfort from Taurus and Cancer this month. Get out of your rut and routines and experiment with something new...or someone new on September 5, 14,18 and 27-28. Have an adventure, try something that you consider "not you" and break down the walls of conservatism.

LIBRA (September 23-October 22): Since you know how to negotiate yourself around conflict and stalemates, you will find September a rewarding month, especially on September 18 when the Moon is well aspected in your sign. September 27-28 will require some creative thinking to re-structure something that has become too limiting and conservative. You can do it!

SCORPIO ( October 23-November 21): The Cancer influence from August through October is a great period for selling real estate at a big profit. On September 20, the Moon will be in your sign and you may become aware of something that has not been straightforward and legitimate. An unpleasant financial situation will be dropped and, while another cannot be there for you, you will come out unscathed.

SAGITTARIUS (November 22-December 21): Don't jump the gun around September 17 as the New Moon puts you in the dark. What is done in haste you will repent at leisure. The Moon is in your sign on the 22nd through the afternoon of the 23rd. A problem situation will be dropped and transformational changes will be made -- a good day in the end!