SEPTEMBER THEME: LIGHTING THE FLAME
by Simone Butler

As we work to solidify our dreams under the end-of-August Saturn/Neptune opposition, many of us are feeling like the rug has slipped out from under us. My phone rings with tales of chaos and confusion. Everyone wants to know how to get grounded again. Yet, chaos is a necessary step before birthing something new and infinitely better.

As someone with no "earth" planets in my chart, I've often wondered what it means to be grounded. Is it about spending time with the earth? Taking a mud bath or gardening? Getting your financial house in order? Is doing yoga or martial arts the essential key to grounding? These are good questions to ask, now that we're in Virgo through mid-September. An earth sign ruled by mental Mercury, Virgo symbolizes the connection between mind and body. It's the taking-care-of-business time of the year when we tap into the sacredness of work and health, and apply some discipline to each. Before you react against that word, remember that discipline means "to be a disciple unto oneself."

To honor the sovereign (virgin) energy within, find joy and purpose in our work, and take exquisite care of ourselves. Don't despair if you're feeling ungrounded. It may not be such a bad thing, if you just relax into it. Buddhist nun Pema Chodron, in a recent interview with Bill Moyers, claims that feeling spacey or uncertain can actually be a profound state.

"I see that a lot of us are just running around in circles pretending that there's ground where there actually isn't any ground," she says. "And that somehow, if we could learn to not be afraid of groundlessness, not be afraid of insecurity and uncertainty, it would be calling on an inner strength that would allow us to be open and free and loving and compassionate in any situation."

Though it may have just been demoted to the status of "dwarf planet" by the powers that be, Pluto is still a force to be reckoned with. Its direct station on Sept. 4th brings buried emotions to the surface for release and healing. And, the lunar eclipse a few days later on the 7th near Uranus, the awakener, takes us into even deeper waters for the purpose of liberation. The opportunity during this time of potential uncertainty is to gracefully let go and await rebirth. As the saying goes, "When in deep water, become a diver."

Then, another major power period Sept. 22-24 brings the rebirth. A second eclipse, this one solar, intensifies the Fall Equinox (Sun moving into Libra, sign of balance, justice and relationship) while high-minded Jupiter squares spiritual Neptune. Once we've found our wholeness under Virgo, it's time for sacred union--to light the violet flame inside our own hearts that prepares us for the balanced partnership symbolized by Libra and the equal day and night of the Equinox.

To top it off, the Lotus Grid, a vibration of pure adoration, opens on Sept. 24. By tuning in to this new frequency (along with others in a global meditation) we can deepen our self-love, something that needs to happen before true union is possible. Then, if we're willing, whatever has been blocked in us will open-and memories of suffering stored in the body will begin to release. This is Phase I of a process of conscious evolution that culminates on 11-11-11(just after the Mayan Calendar ends on Oct. 28, 2011).

The portals to higher consciousness will open even further on November 24 this year, as the Fifth Day of the Mayan Calendar begins and Jupiter enters its own sign of Sagittarius (stay tuned for more details, including special events). This is the much-anticipated return of Quetzalcoatl, the Mayan god who synthesizes the sacred masculine and feminine. During this god's one-year reign, many of us will come together to co-create with the Divine, as Jesus and Mary Magdalen did.

Meanwhile, we can use the Virgo energies to heal and bring order to our bodies, work and homes in preparation for the opening to sacred partnership at the Equinox. If you're single, clean out your closet to make room for your new beloved's clothing. If you're needing a fresh start in a partnership, find a special place in nature and do a ritual to recommit to your higher purpose together. If body healing is your focus, start drinking a quart of water each morning and/or commit to a series of massages. The time is ripe to deepen your adoration of your own sweet self--the starting place for all kinds of magic.

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