The Lunar Theme for the
September 14, 2004 New Moon

Winds of Change

The Lunar Month of
September 14, 2004 - October 13, 2004

Nick Anthony Fiorenza

Copyright © 2004 Nick Anthony Fiorenza, All Rights Reserved

Astronomical Myth is a "picture language," imagery that articulates the qualities of cosmic intelligence expressing throughout the greater heavens and through our lives. We are not separate from the greater heavens, from the stars and planets around us, or from our beloved Earth, but are intimate parts of this dynamic, continually unfolding heavenly symphony. This entirety is our cosmic consciousness, the totality of our being. To explore the greater heavens and the heavenly cycles is to explore that which we are--our embracing consciousness and our spiritual evolution.

The stars would not be in the heavens
if we were meant to walk in darkness.

The New Moon

This Lunar Cycle begins at the hind of the Lion, in late sidereal Leo. Our New Moon also conjoins Mars and the asteroid Ceres, which significantly contributes to this lunar month's energetic. Mars and Ceres conjoined a few days ago, toward the end of the previous lunar cycle bringing to our attention to the nurturing capacity of the masculine, or more simply, about using our creative force and sexuality in a nurturing capacity. Ceres is of the womb, of the Earth, and land. Ceres brings attention to how we nurture and are nurtured. Learn more of Ceres.

Now, on our New Moon, Mars lies just above of the Sun by one degree (thus, said to be combust), and the Moon and Ceres reside yet further north. All lie in line under Denebola, the tail of the Lion. Traditionally, a combust planet is said to be diminished, that is, not able to operate independently. We might therefore say Mars lies under the dominion of the unfoldment of this lunar cycle's theme, in surrender. Mars must also acquiesce to the goddess Ceres--an interesting concept to consider--to nurture the womb. This may bring up issues about self love and self worth, our ability to give and receive such nourishment, to allow it to flow in our lives. This dynamic may also bring attention to the use of our creative force in relationship to the Earth, to the land, to nature, and to adjust the nature of the patriarch force in our lives so it is truly nourishing.

Several stars compose the theme of this lunar month: Denebola, Beta Leo; Alpha Antilia, of the air pump, Avior of Carina, Argo Navis; and Alkes of Crateris, the cup of salvation. These stars express through the last few degrees of sidereal Leo, creating a diverse polarity of energies that set Leo's back stage.

Alkes / Crateris is the "the Golden Chalice," the "Cup of Salvation" while Denebola is of a foul breeze, indicative of smoke screens and diversions. Denebola, along with earlier Zosma and Chort, create the hind of the lion. This area of the Leo is of those behind the scenes, of the political religious figures manipulating the affairs of the world. To grasp the greater theme of this paradoxical dynamic, an overview of the surrounding heavens is appropriate.

North, above Denebola, the tail of the Lion, is the tail of the Bear, of the constellation of Ursa Major, although lying just across the cusp of sidereal Leo into Virgo. Benatnasch is the tip of the Bear's tail and is the administrative seat of the fallen lords directing the affairs of the Earth--this image articulating the essence of the old totalitarian and dictatorial paradigm on Earth. This mythical imagery is derived from the time when Earth's pole had fallen its furthest from the plane of galactic light in its 25,000-year precessional cycle, which occurred about 6000 years ago, and thus passing over this area of the zodiak--hence a fallen lord. Under the Benatnasch directive, the world powers have over and over again demonstrated the inability to ensure the safe ascension of Earth and Humanity by perpetuating the continual upheavals, wars, and destruction of the peoples of the Earth throughout the ages. Also conjoining Benatnasch, just into sidereal Virgo is Zavijava, which is of the innocent but naïve followers of the manipulative egoic figureheads, following the self-proclaimed political religious gurus of the world.

Close to Benatnasch is the constellation of Canes Venatici, the barking hounds or hunting dogs, articulating the diversionary tactics are those of commotion and grand spectacle, ensuring the attraction of one's attention, the lure of the false prophets and spiritual / political illusionists. The paradox here is this racket is indicative of the place not to go, and more paradoxically yet, it keeps the false one's from finding the real Cup they spout to be in possession of anyway. Examples are: a government covertly selling war arms to the very country they are fighting in the name of eradicating the war mongers; or covertly selling drugs to the country's drug lords while presenting to the public their cause is to fight the drug problem. As the old saying goes, if someone offers salvation from the human struggle, they most often are selling something.

It is not uncommon for such beings to pretend they are doing that which supports the greater freedom by creating dramatic and glamorous humanitarian projects (the barking greyhounds) or stage shows performed in the name of spiritual growth, when what is hidden within these projections of smoke is that which is designed to maintain an egoic position of control and manipulation over the masses who are merely blind pawns in a game of who's following the biggest ego on Earth. Here we are asked to look behind the white garment these beings wear, and peer deeply into the dramatic facade of their projects to see the trap of diversion designed to mislead and control. We are asked to look at our own insecurities within to see why we would follow such antics to start with rather than to cultivate the purity and integrity to claim our own grail by following the truth in our hearts. These self-proclaimed often call themselves Masters and lead others to address them as such without question so that they may then dictate action for and direct their follows to do their biding for their own manipulative purposes.

Moving a little further along this ecliptical longitude, into the constellation of Virgo, lies Coma Berenices, where our Super Galactic Centre (SGC) lies--our greater spiritual center in which our galaxy floats. Here the theme radically shifts to the greater evolutionary fulfillment for all beings, beyond the dramatic interplay of forces on Earth.

Curiously conjoining Denebola and Benatnasch, but marking the Virgo cusp and lying south of the ecliptic, transcending the egoic stage setting of late sidereal Leo, is Alkes of Crateris the Cup. Here we find the way, the salvation, the greater spiritual fulfillment we seek silently submerged under the other-intented shenanigans of the figureheads on stage.

The mixed theme here can indicate involvement with true spiritual-political figures or leaders, but it can also be indicative of hot–air wanna–be guru types: those spouting a lot of self important head tripping spiritual principle, but without any real substance or true wisdom. The issue of discernment arises, which is required to see the illusionists and diversionists from the those of real spiritual value--to grasp the grail of Alkes through the smoke of Denebola and the hot air they spout which is articulated by conjoining Alpha Antilia, the air pump swirling the smoke. Only the pure of heart can hold the real Grail.

Conjoining Alkes, but delving even further south--that is, to transcend the egoic stage altogether--we find Avior, Epsilon Carina of the Argo Navis, and Delta Velorum on the sail of the Argo. These two stars are associated with the underlying spiritual truth and wisdom that does lead to our greater fulfillment and well being, a truth far hidden from the ego–driven wanna-be spiritual-political self proclaimed authorities who spout principles they do not live. Here lies the true spiritual sage who most often is one without need to be on stage, one who is often found behind the scenes simply doing their spiritual work. These are the ones working with transcendent currents of wisdom (Delta Velorum) that influence the surface world in genuine ways--those who make a real difference but who do not need to at personality level. Avior is the true sage, the awakened soul, one fully cognizant of their soul (galactic) mission, a mission transcendent to the smoke and follies upon the global stage.

So within this stellar brew we find our New Moon-combust Mars-Ceres theme. Here we must discern those who use their creative power to truly nourish from those who maintain a righteous play on the stage of self-importance. We must also look within ourselves and examine how we use our own creative force and sexuality, to look at our worthiness issues that motivate our actions--to look at our capacity to express love and to allow love into our lives. This lunar cycle asks us if we are allowing ourselves to be diverted from our true nourishment by following old and fixed mental patterns of belief, whether those of our own or those placed upon us by the ruling class.

A Greater Spiritual Truth

A few hours after the New Moon, the Moon conjoins Jupiter mobilizing our lunar theme, creating a dynamic start to his lunar cycle. Jupiter conjoins Zavijava and Benatnasch, here supporting movement and expansion from the dogmatic rhetoric of the totalitarian mindset of the old paradigm, from following the old ways of our traditional engrained beliefs and to live from our greater spiritual truths--from the higher octave of our hearts.

Expanding on the Theme

The Crescent Moon is a time when we relinquish patterns of the past that would limit our creative ability to expand on the theme now unfolding. Our Crescent Moon occurs on Sept 17 at the foot of the Virgin in mid sidereal Libra. Conjoining the Southern Cross and the Northern Crown, we are asked to expand upon the theme from the purity and cardinality of our original soul intent and purpose, uncorrupted by the patterns incurred during our incarnational sojourn. Here we are inspired to claim our freedom from the entrapments of the past.

Initiate Action

The First Quarter Moon of Sep 21 draws an external stimulus to initiate action as we move from the inspiration quarter of the lunar cycle into the action quarter. Our first Quarter Moon occurs on the "Gate of God," the primary reference point of the Cycle of the Holy Cross, with the Moon separating in square from the Sun and Jupiter (now at 5° sidereal Virgo)--activating the portal of the Holy Cross--our portal of evolutionary change.

The "Gate of God," at 5° sidereal Sagittarius, and it opposite point, the "Gate of Man," at 5° sidereal Gemini, are the nodes in the ecliptic where the disc of our galaxy and the plane of the ecliptic cross. This intersection creates the fixed axis of the Holy Cross, the reference for the evolutionary cycle of the soul.

Sagittarius is Stargate to Galactic Centre, commonly referred to as the Zen Archer, or the First Horseman, whose arrow points toward Galactic Centre. From Allen (Star Names): "the Strong One, and Illuminator of the Great City (i.e., galactic center); Light of the White Face; and on the stones of Sippara (the Sepharvaim of the Old Testament)--a solar city Sagittarius, 'appears sculptured in full glory.'"

Predating our recent association with Leo the Lion as the Sphinx, I suggest Sagittarius to be the earlier Sphinx, before its face was re-carved after the flood, with the double or compounded sign of Shu and Tefnut in Egyptian Myth (picture language), as is shown in the Zodiac of Esné. This is the image of the Sagittarian centaur, but on the lion instead of the horse, with the human face of Shu facing forward (retrograde / west) overlooking Galactic Centre and the face of Tefnut, his twin–sister the Lioness, behind facing east (Massey, Ancient Egypt). Most appropriately, this dual, back-to-back face marks the principle galactic equatorial division of the zodiac--the prime reference point of the Holy Cross--the Gate of God. This is where the ecliptic divides the Great Waters of the Milky Way. When Earth's pole crossed the Gate of God (some 12,000 years ago) the first erect cross formed. This marked the time in the cycle of the Holy Cross referred to as "the fall." It is when, in the precessional cycle, Earth's pole leaned away from the light of the galactic plane, It is when souls fell from the awareness of source to evolve in the image of Source, in the 12,000-year temporal phase of darkenss, This back to back face overseeing the gate of God is also articulated by the story of Moses and Miriam who also part the Waters. "Tefnut, the sister of Shu joined him in his battles on behalf of Horus (the moving vernal point, which defines our evolutionary timing), 'She is like fire against the wicked ones, ...thundering against those who are to be annihilated for ever...' (the magical texts)" (Massey).

The First Horseman, the Sagittarian Centaur, is where the First and Highest Spiritual Light is found. Sagittarius is Galactic City of Light, gateway to the High Council of Galactic Centre, and is responsible for the higher spiritual education of all intelligent life forms in this galactic sector. Overhead is the constellation Scutum, Galactic shield of the Holy Cross, which is emblazoned with the symbol of the Holy Cross. Sagittarius is supreme defender of the High Truth of the Holy Cross--of the spiritual fulfillment of humankind--one who is willing to live, fight, and die for this truth.

Also conjoining the "Gate of God" is the "tip of the arrow" of the Zen Archer, marked by the star Al Nasl of Sagittarius, which points toward the Heart Center of our Galaxy. Al Nasl inspires us to hold undaunted focus upon our goal in the higher spiritual interest of our soul. Al Nasl brings us the ability to pierce the veils of illusion, and hit the mark of our highest ideals, to attain our dreams. The archer can't reach too high--he goes for the sky.

Just above the "Gate of God," lying along the Galactic equator, is Scutum, Galactic Shield of the Holy Cross, emblazoned with the Holy Cross symbol (the cross in a circle). Scutum is "Defender of the Holy Cross"--the greater evolutionary fulfillment of the soul--that which the Zen Archer undauntingly lives, stands, and is willing to die for.

Sidereal Sagittarians can only go for the totality of their dreams. They state their tuth and call a spade a spade. For them to pursue less to would be denial of the galactic truth they live and breathe. Loyalty to their higher vision is all they know, to deny them their intimacy with life, their majestic space, or pursuit of their spiritual mission, is to break the sprit of a stallion which has known only the wild and free.

In shooting their arrow of Truth they often will destroy that which must die, the false truths and false gods of fear that lay hidden within self. It is this that causes the typical Sagittarian to often seem blatant and tactless. Behind this veracity is however a galactic fire and spiritual love which few comprehend, and those that know of this find the Centaur to be a tremendously loyal friend.

The Equinox

With the equinox ccurring just after the First Quarter Moon, and with the Moon nesting between the asteroid Juno and Chiron, our action in this lunar cycle is in regard to the Juno-Chiron theme discussed in the previous Lunar Planner. See A Bridge of Light for Relationships. Perhaps time to make the crossing.

Attraction & Involvement - Trust

Our Gibbous Moon is a time of pushing through into the pollinating phase of the lunar cycle, the time leading up to the Full Moon, which begins a social and communicative time of attraction and involvement. Our Gibbous Moon occurs on Sept 24. Conjoining Neptune in the overlap of Capricorn and Aquarius and conjoining the Dolphin Star System. What we a are pushing through into may seem obscured as we approach the Gibbous Moon. Trusting and allowing our selves to led by the angelic aspect of life is in order. As sailors know, the Dolphins are guides when one's course has been obscured or passage is perilous. Following them leads one to safe harbor.

Vision, Enthusiasm, & Realization

Our festive Full Moon eve occurs on Sept 27 in mid sidereal Pisces. Just prior to our Full Moon, Mars and Jupiter conjoin in Virgo, with Mercury joining in as the Full Moon occurs--all under the auspices of the North Galactic Pole and the magnificent super-giant spiral galaxy M100, both in Coma Berenices, which lies over the Virgin's head; The Eyes, a spiral galaxy (NGC 4438) in Virgo; all near by our Super Galactic Center (SGC) which also resides above the Virgin's head in Coma--in the Halo of the Virgin.

Movement, expansion, communication, creative action upon our greater heart's truth is the hallmark. Here at the most spiritual point in the ecliptic (5°-7° sidereal Virgo) we have the eyes of the Divine Mother watching over us and providing a guiding force in our lives. Surrendering to our inner guidance and moving fluidly with it is all that is required. Is that too much to ask?

Our Full Moon in wet sensual emotional Pisces lies under the Great Square of Pegasus and conjoins the very northern Alpha Lacerta and the very southern Alpha Reticuli. The Great Square holds the mystery of the metamorphosis of the physical body into light body. Lacerta is gatekeeper to the upper seven heavens. Lacerta is gate-keeper protecting the entry-way to the realm of the gods, to the "Primordial Origin" of man, to the seven heavens, mansions, or stations of the evolutionary precessional cycle of the soul. Here lies the full integration of galactic and primordial forces. Alpha Reticuli is the foci of the Reticule, the sacred geometry of the DNA refined to crystal clarity. The way is found only by fully embracing the primordial aspects of life, by infusing the high spiritual awareness of soul in and through our entwined genetics of physicality. To surrender the emotional tension of resistance we hold within so spirit may manifest in its true perfection is all we need realize.

Manifestation & Demonstration

The energy accelerates on Oct 1 as we approach the Disseminating Moon to bear the fruit of this lunar cycle.

The Grand Quintile of Oct 1 occurs at 13:25 GMT (6:25 AM MST), just before the Disseminating Moon of Oct 2. The Stellar Theme of this Grand Quintile nests within the context of Lunar Month's theme, Please See the Addendum:
The Grand Quintile of Oct 1, 2004 Quintessence: A Stellar Perspective

The Disseminating Moon occurs on the cusp of sidereal Aries / Taurus and conjoins Zaurak of Eridanus the River of Life, we are asked to hold our own light as we demonstrably make passage through our initiations to claim the gift this lunar cycle brings.

Time for Change

Leading into our Last Quarter Moon of Oct 5 and stimulating our inner need to initiate change is Mercury combust with the Sun at its exalted location in the ecliptic--in mid sidereal Virgo. Mercury and sun conjoin Algorab of Corvus, the messenger raven and Bet Hydra of the water serpent. Messages express through natural world. Warnings to heed, messages to follow. The feeling--create change or explode.

Our Last Quarter Moon in sidereal Gemini conjoins Sirius of Canis Major and Canopus of Argo Navis. Sirius is the impetuous and blazing Great World Teacher. Sirius inspires the need to release our own our creations that keep us from pursuing our greater destinies. Sirius nests within the auspices of Canopus, the helmsman of the Argo. Canopus is the second brightest star in the heavens after Sirius conjoining Sirius from the south. Sirius is relatively close to our star system at 8.6 light years. Canopus, of another galactic sector altogether, is over 312 light years distant. As a galactic equatorial star, Canopus is director / navigator of the Argo--of the greater evolutionary mission for souls. Canopus directs evolutionary currents and ensures proper evolutionary outcomes. An older derivation of Canopus is the Egyptian Kahi Nub, "Golden Earth," representative of the vision held for Earth by our helmsman. Sirius and Canopus are both significantly associated with our evolutionary affairs and so can herald lessons of great proportion if we do not change and grow.

Focus to the Future

The Balsamic Moon marks the time in lunar cycle when we coalesce the experience of the lunar cycle into its seed essence, which will then sprout through the theme of the following lunar cycle. It is when we turn our attention from this lunar cycle in anticipation of the next to come. The hours before the phase shift (Oct 9) is our time of coalescence while those just after (Oct 10) mark the time when we turn from looking back over the past, and look toward the future.

Our Balsamic Moon lies just past Regulus, heart of the Lion, and just before Pallas and Venus, while conjoining the Vela Pulsar of the Argo, and Alpha Sextans, the navigator's sextant, inspiring us to prepare the next tack upon our course. Pulsars in general are beacons for soul. Although the Vela Pulsar can create somewhat of a spiritual serenity, much like we might have relaxing on a sailing ship in a light breeze, there demands the preparedness and alertness to leap into action as the increasing gales and changing currents require. The Vela Pulsar's message is maintain this serene but alert attention to what is about to blow.

Our next New Moon occurs on October 13-14 in late sidereal Virgo--an eclipse lunar cycle, with a partial solar eclipse occurring on the New Moon and a total lunar eclipse occurring on the Full Moon. More to come then.

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To learn how one lunar phase shifts and changes into the next, and to learn how to live in attunement to the lunar cycles, in the experiential empowerment doing so offers, download the Lunar Planner Introduction and each monthly Lunar Calendar, and use them daily (PDF file links below)--its all a gift.

We need not live in endless struggle, overwhelmed by the surface turbulence of our growth and awakening process. We can establish an inner peace instead, with life becoming a graceful dance when we attune ourselves to the natural spiral of growth that is guiding our lives. Living in attunement to the natural Lunar Cycles is an effective and empowering way to do this. Living in attunement to the natural astronomical cycles of life is living in faith and trust in the Divine Creative Intelligence expressing throughout our lives.

The Lunar Planner is an experiential tool teaching us how to live in attunement to the natural lunar cycles. Astronomical Sidereal Astrology and Star Lore reveal each lunar month's theme, and the planetary themes unfolding throughout the year. Each lunar month's theme weaves a continuing story line of the patterns of growth unfolding in our lives.

DOWNLOAD THIS MONTH'S LUNAR CALENDAR PDF FILE