Autumn Equinox

Autumn Equinox - In Between the Past and the Future

"All our progress is an unfolding, like the vegetable bud. You have first an instinct, then an opinion, then a knowledge, as the plant has root, bud and fruit. Trust the instinct to the end, though you can render no reason.'"

— Ralph Waldo Emerson

As we approach the Autumn Equinox on Thursday, there are significant developments despite the waning lunar cycle. We seem to find ourselves on the 'knife's edge' between the past and the future. It is our instincts, for the most part, that are encouraging us to move forward and telling us that there is something new 'just over the horizon'. At the same time, we may sometimes find ourselves looking for ways to revert to the safety of the past, a nostalgic longing for things in the past that are as much out of our grasp as what we can almost see ahead. There may be some significant emotional sensitivity but, for the most part, we keep it just beneath the surface, using self-control to present a smooth, unruffled exterior. Monday's Venus-Uranus trine and Tuesday's Leo Moon, trining Jupiter and sextiling Mercury, boosts our self-confidence and encourages us to forge ahead despite any uncertainty. While Mercury's opposition to Jupiter may temporarily have us overly concerned with looming challenges, our instincts seem to put us back on track and boost our confidence levels. By Thursday, the Sun moves into Libra (Autumn Equinox) and conjuncts Mercury on the Libra cusp. The inferior Sun-Mercury conjunction suggests a perfectionist approach and Mercury's return to Virgo may have us temporarily 'stalled' in the weeds of details and straining at gnats. Friday brings sharp intellect and deep insights which give us a profound new sense of purpose and confidence as Mercury approaches a trine to Pluto. Venus will join Mercury in Virgo to trine Pluto, bringing a heady sense of excitement, rebirth, and some sense of a 'restoration of order' ahead of next Sunday's Libra New Moon (2:52 PM PDT 2° Libra). Bot no matter how self-assured we may feel, we should not collapse into self-indulgence. Humility and gratitude are crucial to keeping us balanced and on track. We will face new responsibilities that will accompany the future that is slowly forming ahead of us — responsibilities that we need to embrace in order to make the most of what is offered.

The sensitivity on Sunday is likely just beneath the surface, along with uncertainty. Courage is impulsive, not steady. A more tangible sense of security is formed on Monday. There is increased excitement that exciting changes are on the horizon and some hope that we can gain the support of others just when we need it most. Tuesday is a day to get organized and take extra time to consider our options. The obstacles that seem to loom ahead of us may not be as significant as we believe. Isolation or withdrawal may be the best option on Wednesday. It is important to stay balanced if we find ourselves being pulled in opposing or contradictory directions. The Autumn Equinox on Thursday encourages a perfectionist approach. We should guard against 'future-tripping'. Sharp intellect and insight accompanies Mercury's return to Virgo on Friday. There is a heady sense of excitement. Self-indulgence is the danger on Saturday. We should not forget that there are new responsibilities that will come with the future that we have begun to anticipate.