The Fall Equinox, also known as Mabon, will herald the first day of Fall on Monday, September 22nd, 2014 at about 7:29 PM PST. In some earth-centered spiritual traditions, Mabon is referred to as the Second Harvest honoring the sun's last bounty. The sun, represented as the waning power of the masculine aspect of the divine or God, is preparing for his eventual "death" or loss of power (represented by the loss of the growing season due to the decreasing amount of light) at Samhain (October 31st) and rebirth at Yule/Winter Solstice (when the light begins to increase once more).
I believe the equinoxes are a time of reflection of our internal and external balance of light and dark. Now, the balance point of light and dark differs from person to person, but we all have to find where that point is. One of the most dangerous beliefs a person can have is that he or she is immune to, incapable of, or completely devoid of any shadow. We all have thoughts and behaviors that can become destructive. I find the thought liberating because I do not have to adhere to an impossible standard of existence, but at the same time, I can learn about my shadow and how to avoid manifesting as much harm as possible. We tend to focus easily on the negative behaviors of others without seeing how our own thoughts and behaviors are making our experiences better or worse. Here is one of my favorite quotes from Lao Tzu that reminds me of this truth.
“Knowing others is intelligence; knowing yourself is true wisdom.
Mastering others is strength; mastering yourself is true power.
If you realize that you have enough, you are truly rich.”
The reason I am focusing on the shadow is Pluto will be returning to direction motion on the equinox after being in retrograde since April. Pluto has been doing a lot of work forcing us to examine our thoughts and behaviors and providing intense learning experiences in order to become better human beings. We have an opportunity to integrate what we have learned, which can alleviate the tension we feel in our lives.
Interestingly, the sun and moon will be in the astrological sign of Libra during the New Moon--emphasizing the need for balance. The New Moon will occur at 11:14 PM PST, and we have opportunity to examine our lives to determine what we can do to create more harmony in our internal and external worlds. Libra initially focuses on finding balance with others, but needs to find balance within the self in order to create an authentic harmony. During this New Moon, remember to come to a place of peace and acceptance with your life, and you might find your relationships transform accordingly.
Tarot Thoughts for Mabon
The tarot message for the autumnal equinox is to connect with your own internal sense of power and vitality in order to move past the old wounds and losses and become productive. Combined with the message of the stones I threw, our emotional power can be unleashed by integrating the painful lessons of the past to overcome the problems of the present.
Concise Considerations
- Consider what you could be thinking or doing that could create greater harmony in your life.
- Consider what aspects of your life you are neglecting that could create greater balance in your life.
- Intentions focused on increasing personal power are strengthened.
- Intentions focused on creating healthier relationships with others are strengthened.
- Intentions focused on ending unhealthy behaviors, thoughts, relationships, jobs, etc. are strengthened.
- Intentions focused on clearing out old emotional hurts will be strengthened.
- Intentions focused on psychological, energetic, and/or spiritual healing will be strengthened. The shamanic practice of soul retrieval as well as other forms of energy integration are especially potent.
- Equinox Ideas: gather and dry herbs, bake bread, share a bountiful meal with others, engage in "fall cleaning" as a counterpart to spring cleaning, contemplate what you are willing to let go of, and give thanks for abundance.
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