Solar Phases
22 September - 23 October
SUN IN LIBRA
During October, the Sun will be travelling through the constellations of Libra and Scorpio. At one time, these two star groups were seen as one giant Scorpion in the sky before they were split up into the Scales of Libra and a smaller Scorpion by the Mesopotamians. That is why the Scales of Libra are sometimes referred to as the Claws of the Scorpion in some ancient star texts. Currently, Libra rules the Autumn Equinox because the sun sets in this constellation around the time of equal day and night. (Equi = equal and nox = nights) The Spring and Autumn Equinoxes also mark the two times of the year when the sun rises due East and sets due West. Currently, it is the aptly-named cardinal signs that mark all the important stations of the sun. These four constellations, consisting of Aries (fire), Cancer (water), Libra (air) and Capricorn (earth) together make up the four elements. This important and very ancient relationship between the sun, the seasons, the elements and the cardinal directions was recognised by many ancient cultures, including the ancient Babylonians, who were responsible for developing the art of astrology. These cardinal directions had great symbolic significance for the ancient Egyptians and Mesopotamians, East most often being associated with light, youth, birth and rebirth; and the West usually becoming synonymous with death and entry into the underworld. In early Babylonian astrology, the four directions were used to determine the likely geographical influence of solar and lunar eclipses and other astral omens.

Due to precession of the equinoxes, the signs in which the seasonal phases of the sun occur, changes very slowly over the course of 26,000 years. This is because in the West, we use the tropical, rather than the sidereal zodiac, which is based on the sun's movements in relation to the constellations and the seasons, and not on the actual position of the stars. In previous eras (circa 3000 BCE) the autumn equinox occurred in the sign of Scorpio. For this reason, the ancient Persians referred to Antares, the star at the heart of the Scorpion, as the Watcher of the West. Together with the brightest stars from the constellations of Taurus (Aldebaran), Pisces (Formalhaut) (and Leo (Regulus), these four stars were known as the Royal Stars of Persia because of their positioning in relation to the stations of the sun.

Given the sun’s association with the west and with darkness as we move towards a period of less daylight and the coldness of winter, it is no surprise that many ancient people thought that the sun died or entered the earth to hibernate during this time of year, only to be reborn at the turning or liminal winter solstice – one of the most commonly-marked solar stations by the Neolithic builders of stone temples, including Newgrange in Ireland, Stonehenge and even the very early monuments found in Malta.

It is perhaps for this reason that the Scales of Libra carried with it associations of justice, and was closely associated with the weighing up or judging of the dead that occurred in the underworld in both Egyptian and Mesopotamian cultures.

Lunar Phases
18 September - 18 October
EQUINOX DARK & NEW MOONs
In keeping with this darker, more sombre mood, the Pagan Equinox Dark Moon (New Moon) occurred at 19.44 on Friday 18th September in the sign of Virgo. Graham Miller, author of The Busy Pagan, suggests that the two to three days associated with the phase of the Dark Moon (when the moon disappears in the sun’s light before reappearing as the New Moon) was associated with fertility goddesses, making the astrological symbolism of the Dark Moon in Virgo very potent! The Moonwise calendar suggest that the period between this New Moon and the next New Moon at 06.33 on Sunday 18th October is the period of the Ivy Moon. Ivy usually grows on other trees, though it can grow on its own, so it symbolises the need for support.  It is also a symbol of death, immortality and undying love.  Ivy was sacred to the Mediterranean Gods Dionysos and Osiris (Asar) as well as the Phrygian pine tree god Attis, and his eunuch Priests wore ivy leaf tattoos. All these ancient gods were associated with the death and rebirth cycle of corn, as well as with the fertile and regenerative qualities of the underworld, which is after all situated deep in the earth! Virgo is the constellation most associated with agriculture and the harvest, so perhaps on could see in this moon the manifestation of Isis-Persephone as Queen of the Underworld and consort to Osiris-Dionysos-Hades. It is perhaps also fitting that corn dollies were also occasionally made from ivy and known as Ivy Girls.

4 October
EQUINOX FULL MOON
The Equinox Full Moon or Harvest Moon occurs at 07.10 on Sunday 4th October in the sign of Aries. This is an excellent time for being proactive in bringing current projects to completion or making efforts to advance them to the next level, so bring to a close one phase or section.

British Summer Time officially ends on Sunday 25th October at 02.00 when the clocks go back to 01.00 and we return to GMT until the last Sunday in March 2009.

18 October
JUPITER DIRECT in CAPRICORN
According to the Moonwise calendar, the period between the New Moon at 06.33 on Sunday 18th October and the next one at 19.14 on Monday 16th November is the period of the Yew Moon. A Yew can live to a great old age and can even propagate its own seed in a decaying trunk, giving it an association with immortality and this is why the wood is often used for magic wands.   Yew is also the name for one of the runic letters; in fact the Yew is the only tree to keep its Celtic name in English! 

At this time, the Sun and Moon in Libra will be making a T-square to the lunar nodes in Cancer and Capricorn, suggesting a period during which unforeseen but perhaps fated events may occur that act as catalysts, forcing you to change course or make adjustments to current plans. The nodes are associated with the workings of fate, so try to see any spokes in the wheel as destiny trying to steer you in a slightly different direction to the one you may have had planned…

Planetary Events, Stellar Phases & Energy Shifts
This month, Venus as the morning star can be seen shining brightly in the eastern horizon just before dawn in the northern hemisphere, along with Mercury and Saturn in the constellation of Virgo. The latter two planets have been in close proximity for several months now because of the backwards and forwards motion of Mercury. After a period of retrograde motion, Mercury finally stationed and went direct on the 29th of September. Venus is known for her pentacle-shaped movement in the sky over an eight-year period, explaining her rulership of apples which contain a pentacle-shaped arrangement of seeds at their core, as well as her figure-of-eight-shaped orbit as she moves in front and behind the sun during her morning and evening phases. She is important during October, because she is the ruler of Libra, the constellation in which the Sun is passing through during this time of year. As the planet most associated with fertility and abundance, it seems appropriate that she rules the skies as farmer harvest their lands and berries start to form on many hedgerows and shrubs now.

8 October
MERCURY CONJUNCT SATURN IN VIRGO, OPPOSITION TO URANUS IN PISCES
6 – 10 Oct 2009. Exact 8 October.
After a period of retrograde motion, Mercury, planet of communication and all intellectual processes, now begins to move forward again, though it will take some time to get up to its usual speed.  Normally, this would put an end to traffic snarls, travel disruption and general communication problems, as well as technical hitches. However, Mercury has been hovering around a close association with Saturn, planet of obstacles, limitations and proper conduct. Around the 8th of October, Mercury will make a final conjunction with Saturn in Virgo before moving into the sign of Libra on the 10th of October at 03:46 BST. During its dalliance with Saturn, together with its slower-than-usual pace, Mercury may briefly continue to signal a time of obstacles and impediments to communication or the flow of ideas. Disapproval from authority figures, a crippling inner critic or a fixation with too many details could impede progress right now. Added to this mix, the Mercury-Saturn conjunction will also form an opposition to Uranus in Pisces, which could add an explosive or unpredictable element, possibly catalysed through stress or frustration, to an already vexing period. Try to give yourself some breathing space or room to manoeuvre during this short-lived but powerful transit. Make notes to avoid forgetting anything important and be sure to go over written work and contracts carefully before submitting or signing anything. Where possible, avoid important sales meetings or pitches because you may inadvertently upset a potential client by saying something which is misconstrued or comes across as arrogant or patronising. The current postal strikes, with wildcat groups springing up and causing even more chaos to the mail, are a good example of this combined aspect.

10 October
MERCURY DIRECT in LIBRA
You may well have spent the last month or so re-thinking and reviewing business plans or creative projects, possibly even analysing your perspective on certain important relationships, some of which may have been in the past. Now you are ready to reconcile or move on, depending on how things stacked up for you during your month of navel gazing. The most important thing to remember is that your focus should now be future-oriented; and your direction, forward.

13 October
JUPITER DIRECT in CAPRICORN
This date sees the Great Benefic - Jupiter, planet of luck and good fortune  - finally changing direction after months of retrograde motion. (Jupiter retrograded on the 15th of June 2009.) Use the renewed expansive, optimistic and philosophical energy of this planet to improve relations with institutions, embark on a course of study or travel a little. Jupiter is also excellent for publishing, so if you have been slaving over a publication or book proposal this summer, then now may be a good time to submit it. If nothing else, your luck should improve when dealing with male authority figures, fathers, large corporations, government institutions and in health matters related to teeth, bones and knees. Those born around 1948-9, 1960-1, 1972-3, and 1984-5 should benefit most, as you probably have Jupiter in Capricorn natally and so resonate well with this mixture of energies.

15 October
VENUS ingress into LIBRA
15 October - 8 November 2009
Today the secondary benefic planet, Venus, enters Libra, one of her natural ‘homes’ in the sky. (Venus rules both Taurus and Libra.) For the next month, everyone should enjoy the extra boost that comes with her placement here. Areas that stand to benefit most include one-on-one relationships, business partnerships, legal matters, artistic pursuits, diplomatic efforts, personal grooming and any attempts to restore peace, civility and harmony to fractious situations. By focusing on what you have in common with others, you are more likely to reach agreements and find a way through stand-offs now, so take the middle path and compromise where possible. In relation to home decorating or creative enterprises, balance and proportion is everything. Given the many difficult and challenging relationship aspects we’ve been experiencing recently, this should bring a welcome respite. This should also be a great time for socialising, so start filling up your diary with some end of season soirees before everyone becomes anti-social again over winter. Small, intimate affairs are the way forward, so book a table at your favourite restaurant where you and your sweetie can enjoy a ‘date night’ or where you can catch up on all the gossip with your best mate.

16 October
MARS ingress into LEO
Today Mars, planet of vitality and initiative, changes signs, ingressing into the noble sign of Leo the Lion. Ruled by the Sun, which is exalted in Aries, Mars and Leo share a certain simpatico, which makes for increased energy and more of a zest for life. You may feel the urge to go dancing now, or engage in playful forms of exercise, such as social walks with friends or a spot of touch rugby - outdoor activities, especially in the autumn sunshine, are good ways to express this energy.  Spoil yourself with some hard-earned pampering or go out for dinner with loved ones, though try not to over-indulge too much! This is an excellent time for visiting the theatre, performing of all kinds as well as all creative pursuits, especially those involving children.

29 October
SATURN ingress into LIBRA
29 October 2009

The other important outer planet, Saturn will also change signs, moving from Virgo into Libra on the 29th of October. Saturn has been in Virgo since the beginning of September 2007, thus bringing an important two-year cycle to a close. Virgo’s, Pisceans and Sagittarians will probably all breathe a sigh of relief as the Hard Taskmaster finally gives them some slack. Energy levels might pick up, and moods lighten but try to keep up the same level of dedication, perseverance and hard work you managed to achieve whilst Saturn was cracking the whip – you’ll be all the better for it! For those cardinal signs now in Saturn's sights, try to see this period as one in which you build up qualities of endurance, responsibility, thouroughness, and integrity, especially in personal and business relationships. Given these qualities, there is every possibility that something  more solid and permanent could arise out of one-to-one relationships, including marriage proposals and promotions.

Signs most affected by this ingress include: Aries, Libra, Cancer, Capricorn.