Balance at the Fall Equinox

"In art and dream may you proceed with abandon. In life may you proceed with balance and stealth."
Patti Smith

"I do not think that a saint dissolves the chaos even for himself, for there is something arrogant and warlike in the notion of a man setting the universe in order. It is a kind of balance that is his glory..."
Leonard Cohen

With the Sun's ingress into Libra, we leave summer in the Northern Hemisphere and move into fall. In contrast to the solstice, where the light is at extremes, the equinox marks a period of balance.

I usually observe the Equinox. Either with friends or on my own, I take some time to sit quietly, with notes I've made, to set my intentions for the fall. I think about what I want to accomplish and what I want to celebrate. With that in mind, the chart specifics for this Equinox are detailed below.

We can use this time, on September 23 at 5:04a ET/2:04a PT, to set our intentions toward balance. The chart for this time is a strong one. Specifically the Equinox chart suggests that we can benefit from a thought-out approach to balancing our energies. You can start the process now for any Equinox observation you make next Friday. The chart has a Virgo ascendant, suggesting a certain pickiness - if you listen to the signals your picky self is giving off, you may get insight into ways you can course correct & discover balance.

The Sun, Venus and Saturn are in Libra in the Equinox chart, strengthening the effect of Libra (Libra key words: goal oriented, brainy, with an aesthetic focus). Venus and Saturn are in the second house, suggesting an opportunity to bring in money. If you are in a difficult financial situation, be practical first. Then make notes about what you want to do with your money - what will make you comfortable, what will the money help you accomplish. Then offer those notes up to the season. Ask for money to come to you. The timing of this request can work in your favor.

Mars and the Moon are in the 11th house. This adds a social focus to the chart. When the Moon and Mars are close, you can easily get aggravated. You can also tap into a lot of energy. With Pluto in the fourth house of the chart, there can be a feeling of chaos in one's home, of disruption. Offhand, I would say there could be tension between groups and a desire to withdraw. Speaking to the larger cycles, I believe that the disruptions and aggravation are going to point toward things we need to change to allow our lives to grow in profound ways.

Historically, Equinox celebrations marked the harvest, with communities gathering together to feast and share bounty. At minimum, now, it's worth it to say what you are grateful for - and to connect with gratitude is exactly right at this time of year.

Photo Credit: mckaysavage