Autumnal Equinox 2024: And the Greatest of These is Equilibrium
Sunday, September 22, 2024
Sun enters Libra 8:44 AM EDT
Sun at 0 Libra trine Moon at 1 Gemini
Sun at 0 Libra out of sign trine Pluto at 29 Capricorn
Venus at 29 Libra square Pluto at 29 Capricorn
YOD to Venus at 29 Libra from Neptune at 28 Pisces and Uranus at 27 Taurus
Minor Grand Trine continues: Pluto at 29 Capricorn, Neptune at 28 Pisces, Uranus at 27 Taurus
Divine Flame Asteroid and Dwarf Planet Tier
Moon conjunct Sedna at 1 Gemini
Ceres opposite Mars, square the Nodes
Divine Dark Feminine Tier
Equinox conjunct Hekate at 0 Libra
Saturn at 14 Pisces square Persephone at 16 Sagittarius, Jupiter at 20 Gemini opposite Persephone at 16 Sagittarius
Mercury at 22 Virgo conjunct Black Moon Lilith at 23 Virgo, under Gemini Moon
Sun enters Libra 8:44 AM EDT
The wheel turns, perspective shifts…the Autumnal Equinox, as Sun crosses the Celestial Equator, is a time of balance, day and night are of equal measure. Light and dark are not in competition today, there is no inherent dominance nor superiority. This is the underlying nature of the peace of Libra. What is right, what is just, what isn’t trying to be something it’s not. The Autumnal Equinox is the time of harvest, of gathering and preparation for the coming darkness and cold, but for today we take stock and we look ahead. Today, we stand in the stillness of Equinox, embracing the bounty and fullness with which we are blessed, knowing that it will not last, and that all things shall wane and diminish at Solstice as the light dies and the air becomes bitter. For now, we revel in golden warmth and changes yet to come. We look back at hard work and how far we have come, and we look forward to using what we have built to sustain us. This is a point of gratitude, and of harmony. This year, Equinox feels particularly poignant, as it comes betwixt Eclipses. We are in the throes of powerful change, and we are moved at its behest. We’ve encountered the internal shifts and the transformation of the Lunar Eclipse, and await the direction and guidance of the Solar Eclipse. Now that Sun is entering Libra, where it will cross the South Node and we will confront dark clarity once again, the feelings of impending and anticipatory energy sharpen, become more perceptible and more edgy. We may be moving toward darkness, but for now, we stand in serene and splendid light. It is the era of Cardinal Air equilibrium and intellectual edge.
Sun at 0 Libra trine Moon at 1 Gemini
As Sun ingresses to Libra, sign of relationships, it is engaged in a tight and lovely trine with Gemini Moon, driving a need for communication. This is a highly social trine, and we begin to take our inner worlds out of obscurity and into a more dynamic place of prominence. It’s time to strike a balance between expression and listening, while Gemini Moon has a plethora of ideas, Libra Sun is all about refining them and making the most of them, but we have to be open to HEARING and not just constantly analyzing. Gemini Moon feels compelled toward a million places at once, and we solve problems in this trine by TALKING things through, but that requires a balance in between, a commitment to negotiation, and tact. The danger of this trine lies in assuming that there is agreement without asking, or that the gentle support of Libra Sun may be taken for granted. This is a lovely aspect of brilliant ideas and feelings focused through an intellectual lens, we are able to problem solve rather than being entrenched in feeling. This trine gives us a need to detach from personal stakes to look at the big picture relationship perspective under Libra Sun, goals shift from personal and primary roles within home and family since the Cancer ingress to interpersonal and secondary roles within a balancing act that contemplates all moving pieces of relationship, no matter the nature. Gemini Moon stimulates communication through mental relationships, and we need to connect on a level of THOUGHT and TALK, not just keeping these hopes and dreams and plans for the future in our heads. It’s time to begin to EXECUTE them, and that means TOGETHER. The Cancer ingress came with a Full Moon conjunct that made the profound level of feeling and revealing feeling and unleashing feeling a powerful need…now that we’ve encountered the deeper and more overwhelming feelings, with this trine to Libra Sun and Gemini Moon, we need discourse to work through them. The tidal waves are eased with feelings heard, understood, and acknowledged. One word of caution, beware the tendency of Gemini Moon to debate feelings, that causes Libra Sun to feel invalidated and shut down to keep the peace. Express feelings through words but don’t sharpen the Gemini Moon sword. It’s unnecessary and counterproductive.
Sun at 0 Libra out of sign trine Pluto at 29 Capricorn
Hard lessons perhaps bring a moment of clarity, that even if unpleasant, can help to move forward in this strange trine to Pluto at the final degree of Capricorn. Just before ingress, Virgo Sun was trine Pluto in Capricorn in a grounding influence that guided us with deeper understandings of subconscious goals and aspirations, and there may be a bittersweet confrontation with what cannot be, will not be, what “should have been” or what we have yet to attain. Once Sun crosses into Libra, there is still a trine, but it’s out of sign, and Sun is now in a sign that does not, by nature, trine Capricorn, but squares it. This may bring up issues of control, and especially within a relationship context, this trine allows us to see more productive ways to handle issues we face with Pluto at the end of Capricorn, ways to negotiate and to restructure in a more beneficial regard. We face the very final challenges of Pluto in Capricorn from now through November 19, and in that time may see sudden culminations to things we experienced at ANY part of the transit of Pluto here since 2008. This is where those of you who have been studying astrology for any real length of time have an edge here, it’s time to contemplate the Pluto influence in this sign and how it transformed you. Areas where there has been a battle for control may suddenly find a new level of negotiation, or encounter an equalizing factor where control is no longer in the hands of those who had assumed it. Those who have directly abused or misused power may find themselves suddenly forced to relinquish it as social justice warrior Libra Sun assumes control, but is still in a trine, making for a more easy and peaceful resolution than what was previously feared or dreaded. This DOES, though, require direct confrontation rather than allowing Libra Sun to remain passive. If Libra Sun can step up and be more assertive, the outcome yields perhaps more benefit than Libra Sun even bargained for.
Venus at 29 Libra square Pluto at 29 Capricorn
Venus, planet of relationships and resources, is square Pluto at the end of Capricorn from Venus’ sign of rulership, Libra. This is a POWERFUL place for Libra Venus to be, and this is another power-shifting dynamic that can be seen in this chart, with Pluto, the planet of transformation, ready to topple at the end of Capricorn where it’s got to face the consequences of its relentless power-hungry consumption since 2008. Pluto typically feels like the planet that comes in and knocks us off of our pedestals, reminding us that we don’t ultimately have any control, but the way that Pluto functions in this chart is rather intriguing and interesting, and Pluto has immense pressure applied from Venus here at the end of Libra, where Venus is no shrinking violet but a powerful and commanding presence in domicile. Venus in Libra in this square to Pluto is another force of equalizing, of demand for fair and better and what is right and just while Pluto in Capricorn has espoused lessons that entail control, greed, consumption, withholding of due reward, and things of that nature. Venus does not let Pluto escape the end of this transit without holding him accountable, and this EXACT square at the point of Equinox, while Libra Sun is in a trine illuminating truth of Pluto’s underlying motivations, is a rather tense point of revelation and realization surrounding Venus in Libra issues of relationships, resources, legal issues, social justice, equality, artistic expression, romantic involvement, and how Pluto has prevented progress or kept choking out possibility. Venus has the upper hand here, and by an exponentially solid and well argued position of justified power. That’s the difference here, Pluto’s power was never justified, it was just taken and assumed and Sun in the honest and supportive trine, out of sign, is at the beginning of Libra illuminating all. Sun will cross the South Node and that is part of the upcoming Eclipse, so issues from 9 years ago where the Nodes were reversed may be up for intense examination and part of this deeper Pluto culmination story inherent in this chart if Pluto was strongly active within your own planetary influences at that time, especially if where Pluto squared the Nodes during that transit at was somehow integral to you.
YOD to Venus at 29 Libra from Neptune at 28 Pisces and Uranus at 27 Taurus
Minor Grand Trine continues: Pluto at 29 Capricorn, Neptune at 28 Pisces, Uranus at 27 Taurus
Venus doesn’t just square Pluto from a position of power, Venus squares Pluto from a place of hidden manifestation as the apex of a YOD aspect, and the Yod is entangled within the larger aspect pattern that continues with the outer planets at the end degrees of Taurus, Capricorn, and Pisces. The outer planet influence is technically a “Minor Grand Trine” and I don’t like to use this term, as it confuses people. A Grand Trine has three planets in all signs of one element. A “Minor Grand Trine” has one true trine and two planets that sextile, so all supportive aspects but including the minor aspect of sextile instead of a system of trines. This is an ongoing support system between Pluto, Uranus, and Neptune, and it may be one that steps in to adjust our sense of what’s possible, and that has to make our goals more realistic and aligned with the present reality. It can be tough, because Neptune is clinging to ideals, and Uranus in Taurus creates necessary instability, but Pluto will not allow that which cannot be to remain. There is a demand to give that up here, this ongoing minor aspect pattern is a grand and persistent reality check. We can come out of it with hope, but first there are things to which we have to react, and things may not be what they had seemed to be.
So, enter Venus in Libra square Pluto in Capricorn, and the pressure is IMMENSE. Venus is ALSO entrenched in a Yod, clarifying the focal point of instability in Uranus in Taurus and grand illusion and vision in Neptune in Pisces, and Venus has an entire wealth of knowledge and insight at the end of Libra, from which it squares Pluto, forcing a powerful reckoning. This is an extremely complex interdynamic of aspect patterns, and it all adds up to amplify the power of Venus to enact just assertion of power, and retribution or consequences that are truly deserved for Pluto’s misuse and abuse of power for ever so long in Capricorn, a sign that needs to be in control. The places where we have had to submit to things that were unfair, or intentionally problematic, or have revoked our sense of power or autonomy are able to be not just reconciled, but compensated and avenged with this square from Pluto to Venus. Pluto is not in a position of power here, and that’s disconcerting for Pluto that is trying desperately to grasp for any last semblance of power that it can hold here before it moves back into Aquarius to stay in November.
Overall, this is not a mild and lovey Libra ingress point. We are going to experience a Solar Eclipse here shortly, on the South Node where we need to give up old patterns, and that Eclipse will be detailed on the Divine Lunation Tier as always. For now, we look to Sun in Libra crossing the South Node as a place of giving up old attachments and old fights…the Aries/Libra axis is about Me vs We and the Libra South Node needs to redefine the meaning of WE…and all of the activity surrounding Pluto in Capricorn is a direct callback to issues of control experienced, power abused, and patterns that need to stop appeasing and start asserting, with balance. Aries/Libra balance is where we are called to ACT in Cardinal motion. Balance here entails expressing fully/hearing intently, as directed in the trine between Libra Sun and Gemini Moon. Balance here is about OWN NEEDS vs needs of relationship, and taking more accountability for our own needs being engaged, and that does not mean escapism, distraction, or avoidance. This is a process of focusing on the moment, and acting on what’s currently surrounding us. We are responsible for creating the beauty that we seek in Libra, putting that burden on others to fulfill it is unfair and unreasonable, and Libra strives to be fair and reasonable. Libra balance, as I always say, is an ACTIVE Cardinal process. It requires ACTION. Libra operates in the mental sphere, seeing how to orchestrate quietly, building by making moves that lead to next maneuvers and further actions to take, it’s a never ending dance of act and observe, react, observe and act, and it’s high powered intellectual capability is particularly strong under this ingress with VENUS, ruler of Libra, at the very end of the sign, wielding power over Pluto that is unexpected and being a rather formidable opponent here in domicile. We execute with precision here, and with one of the most important considerations for Libra Sun…with the power of what is just, what is right, and what is FAIR. Pluto doesn’t have to like what is fair, his time is short in the end of Capricorn.
Divine Flame Asteroid and Dwarf Planet Tier
Moon conjunct Sedna at 1 Gemini
Mars opposite Ceres, square the Nodes
There is a darker edge inherent to the 0 degree Libra Sun trine Gemini Moon…because Moon is conjunct Sedna, the regenerative influence that raises consciousness as a result of encountering hardship, or betrayal. This conjunction is a warning to be wary of social circles, do not give trust before it’s proven to be justified. We may need more social outlet than we’ve seen in recent days with this conjunction to talkative and connection inspired Gemini Moon, but the dark side of connections may be misleading, or may end up being troublesome to confront later. Don’t reveal too much, keep a tight rein on big expressions of feeling, they may later be weaponized or misconstrued and turned against you. Sedna reveals the darker side of consciousness, so we can integrate it in a healthy way, and in Gemini, that entails social connections, learning, what we think we know…this isn’t the time to be convinced that there is no room for improvement or to get cocky. Sedna twists and turns things here, and Gemini Moon needs to remain open to new ideas and ways to implement them.
Ceres, the mother influence of nature and nurture, is under tension in an opposition from Mars, planet of action and drive that pits the needs of work against the demands of home, with Mars in Cancer in it’s sign of fall, where it has difficulty with expression. Ceres in Capricorn is tireless, working to the bone and focused on big picture success and goals of high aspiration with exacting standards, a relentless influence that sometimes needs to be told when it’s time to rest. Mars in Cancer encourages us to pull back from so much hardline focus and to remember that home is a place of deep need, where Ceres would do well to work through emotional issues that she’s long put off in the name of work and demand. These two also square the Nodes, and events may conspire to lead us toward whichever side of this tense balance has been ultimately lacking…do we need to get moving on the Ceres side, or are we needed more intently on the Mars side of the axis? Ceres may feel judged and attacked for not doing enough, and Mars in Cancer may feel unsupported by this strong Ceres that doesn’t “need” him. Mars in Cancer needs to feel needed, and this independent Ceres has no need of anyone or anything, she’s self-sustaining. In the story of Persephone, which is a myth profoundly integral to the Equinox, Ceres is the mother yearning, searching, and grieving, and this is an important role to consider here as Sun crosses into Libra. The Persephone myth is something that I analyze and explore on the Divine Dark Feminine Tier.
Divine Dark Feminine Tier
Saturn at 14 Pisces square Persephone at 16 Sagittarius, Jupiter at 20 Gemini opposite Persephone at 16 Sagittarius
Equinox conjunct Hekate at 0 Libra
Mercury at 22 Virgo conjunct Black Moon Lilith at 23 Virgo, under Gemini Moon
Saturn, planet of structure, and discipline, and Jupiter, planet of growth and expansion, cause chaos for Persephone who is entangled in a wide T-square with these two divergent influences, with Persephone being at a critical point in her cycle at this Equinox point where traditionally, she descends to the Underworld. This is the point of her rape and her captivity, to which she returns haunted each year bound by Hades (Pluto) and his control, where she must once again face the adjustment and the learning process of overcoming the worst of circumstances. Asteroid Persephone is something I like to contemplate in depth during this time each year, and we can ascertain where her head and her heart may be in this year’s descent to the Underworld by looking to the aspects the asteroid is experiencing. Persephone is in the sign of Sagittarius, where knowledge is calling and she’s willing to explore this environment to see what it has to offer, she’s learning lessons of emotional assertion and the power of blunt truth. Jupiter opposes from Gemini, which entails a learning process that must leave room to remember that while we have garnered *some* experience along the way, we are by no means experts in whatever realm we’re walking within, and would do best to remain open to challenge perception and see other sides of the story, at all times. Saturn, planet of guidance and discipline, in Pisces the sign of hope and belief is in a Jupiter ruled sign while Persephone is also in the Jupiter ruled sign of Sagittarius, and this indicates that JUPITER is the most dominant force within this t-square. Saturn in Pisces must adjust what we believe to consider new and challenging information and social connection through Jupiter, and Persephone must reconcile that the perception she engages in the waking world above has no bearing on her current situation here in the depths of the Underworld below. At this point of Equinox, Persephone is challenged with a beginning point in her cycle, and this one comes with a call to action through knowledge but requires caution in execution, as Saturn may be imposing limitations surrounding the nature of belief.
This Equinox as a pivotal point in the journey of Persephone has an exceedingly helpful influence as it’s precisely conjunct asteroid Hekate, and in the story of Persephone’s Underworld captivity, it is HEKATE who hears her cries and then demands to know, from Helios, the Sun, where Persephone was taken so that she may finally be rescued. Asteroid Hekate being in a precise conjunction to Libra Sun at this point of ingress allows a deeply intuitive force to guide, we know what the right Libra maneuvers are instinctually, and are able to act on them accordingly. Hekate is an influence that guides most strongly when ASKED, it’s when we seek that her torches blaze to illuminate the path ahead of us. In the sign of Libra, Hekate operates through balancing, and we may begin to see imbalances for what they are, and with that comes the responsibility to take Cardinal action to balance them, the active process of orchestrating and maneuvering to bring a desired outcome. Hekate in Libra guides toward what is fair, and where imbalance needs to be corrected there may be frustration, feelings of being neglected or forgotten, and that is where attention must be focused. Libra is where the South Node lies, and we may face confrontational lessons here now and through the next Eclipse, and it’s important to remember that we have this lovely influence of rational and objective Hekate, ready to show us what is right and fair and just and reasonable here in this sign, if only we ASK…but in turn, she asks us to take aCTION and be assertive. Hesitation or waiting for the right moment is not going to solve anything.
Mercury, planet of thought and communication, in its own sign of Virgo, reaches a deep and difficult to ascertain space under this Equinox as its conjunct Black Moon Lilith, Lunar Apogee. Whatever the talkative Gemini Moon may reveal, it’s not touching the truth underneath the surface, and whatever we see may be the opposite of reality. Gemini Moon is adept at throwing facade, at setting up an intentional perception that does not convey the other side of feeling lurking underneath as Mercury in Virgo engages this space where Lilith resides, touching our deepest insecurities. This is where guilt and shame are projected, and in the sign of Virgo, the loudest critic of Lilith is ourselves…Gemini Moon being the dominant influence, as Black Moon Lilith is merely a calculated point in Moon’s orbit where it’s at its furthest point from Earth, leads us to feel uncomfortable revealing deeper feelings because they may eventually be used against us, and this is something that is echoed in Sedna. We’ve learned from experience that emotional expression may not be safe, even if we feel safe in the moment, so Lilith keeps these things to herself with Mercury here, planning and devising and taking care of every detail. This can be a dangerous path to tread if we begin internalizing issues that are arising within relationships as a result of Pluto dredging up OLD issues and we project self blame and criticism here with Mercury on Black Moon Lilith. Venus cannot play her role of just judge and relentless jury at the end of Libra in the Yod she’s under and the square to Pluto if we are misplacing blame on self or projecting it where it doesn’t belong given Mercury at this space that disrupts rational thought and drives Mercury to act on submerged and repressed emotion rather than rational consideration.