September & October 2007

Total Lunar Eclipse Aug. 28 Conversations with the Moon There's a full moon and total lunar eclipse on Tuesday, August 28th at 3:35am Pacific Time, in the lunar sign of Shatabhisha. This eclipse is fertile ground for spending contemplation or journaling time on examining addictive behaviors or unnecessary attachments. This is the time to commit to our own self-designed "recovery" programs. It is a particularly well-suited time to explore any addictive tendencies within our social collective (our extended families, our spiritual groups, our nation), and our own individual participation in that collective behavior. For example, as a nation, do we have an 'addiction to oil' as our president has observed? If so, what can we each individually do about it?

Planning & Scheduling Living In Accord With The Seasons There is a partial solar eclipse on September 11th, at 5:45am Pacific Time in the lunar sign of Purva Phalguni. Traditionally, eclipses are thought of as excellent for inward spiritual life, and not good times to initiate any significant endeavors. The Sun travels with Saturn and Ketu in the vedic sign of Leo until mid-September, signifying a call to responsible action, and a commitment to realizing our unique potential - and maybe some painstaking efforts in getting there. Saturn and Ketu are tightly conjunct in Leo during the second half of October. We may each be feeling the pressure of authorship that we have over our own lives. Performers and politicians may experience self-doubt around their own ability to 'sparkle'. Is it possible we might see the resignation of a world leader? Neptune in Capricorn is loosely opposite Venus in Cancer during the month of September. We might be appreciating the beauty and romance of traditional gender roles in the family structure. (i.e. the nurturing mother, the father who's a strong provider). These themes may come up specifically in the new movie releases during this time. Perhaps we'll hear this theme crop up during political campaigns. The full moon of September happens on Wed., Sept. 26 at 12:46pm, Pacific Time. The full moon of October happens on Fri., Oct. 26 at 11:51am, Pacific Time. Mercury goes retrograde from Fri., Oct. 12 until Wed., Oct. 31. Mercury retrograde is best for editing, revising plans, hooking up with old friends, revisiting the past. It's energy is backwards moving, so communications don't always flow forwards so smoothly. Avoid, if possible, signing contracts, embarking on journeys, beginning big projects. If you must, don't sweat it. (Just like with the weatherman - if you have a picnic planned and the weatherman says "there'll be rain", you don't necessarily cancel the picnic - maybe you find a covered picnic area just in case.)

My Bohemian Life by Arthur Rimbaud I went off with my hands in my torn coat pockets; My overcoat too was becoming ideal; I travelled beneath the sky, Muse! and I was your vassal; Oh dear me! what marvellous loves I dreamed of! My only pair of breeches had a big whole in them. - Stargazing Tom Thumb, I sowed rhymes along my way. My tavern was at the Sign of the Great Bear. - My stars in the sky rustled softly. And I listened to them, sitting on the road-sides On those pleasant September evenings while I felt drops Of dew on my forehead like vigorous wine; And while, rhyming among the fantastical shadows, I plucked like the strings of a lyre the elastics Of my tattered boots, one foot close to my heart!