ASTRONOMY
Unfortunately, we will have but a scant view of September’s lunar eclipse, so let’s turn our eyes to the stars instead. Sagittarius is one of the dominant constellations throughout the summer season. The starry archer is found upon the ecliptic and contains within it the “teapot” asterism, whose rising steam creates the path of the Milky Way across the sky. But did you know the celestial archer has a partner constellation? In the northern sky we find the constellation Aquila, the eagle, the target of the archer, and just beside is Sagitta, the arrow of the archer. Although a small and dim constellation, Sagitta can be found within one of the more recognizable asterisms in the sky — the Summer Triangle. Comprising the bright stars Vega (of Lyra), Deneb (of Cygnus), and Altair (of Aquila), the Summer Triangle is highest in the sky at approximately 9 p.m. in the month of September. At this time, face due south and turn your gaze upwards. Altair will be the first noticeably bright star you see, and Sagitta lies slightly above it, within the triangle. Sagitta is a small line of stars that forks on one end, much like the shape of an arrow.
ASTROLOGY
As we approach the fall equinox, we enter the next eclipse season. We begin to say farewell to the Aries-Libra axis and start to dip our toes into the Virgo-Pisces polarity. Aries-Libra explores the archetypes of self and other, a personal dynamic, but as the moon visits Pisces, we discover the larger waters of the transpersonal collective. On Sept. 17, we arrive at the partial lunar eclipse in Pisces. We have been subtly saturated with this mutable water energy for years now, with its modern ruler, Neptune, slowly transiting the sign, and the more recent entry of Saturn, the oceanic sign. This moon is enmeshed with Neptune, and in touch with each of the outer planets. This moon speaks to us on a soul level. This is a mixed eclipse season; however, with sun in Libra and moon in Pisces. On Oct. 2, though not visible from our region, we experience the annular solar eclipse in Libra. While the celestial fish swim in opposite directions, the airy scales of Libra reveal their proper balance. Conjunct Mercury, fresh from its retrograde phase, our perception is recalibrated and our discernment sharp, though where we seek resolution, we may only find dissolution. Deep breaths and a level of detachment helps us through this eclipse season.
