The Art and Astrology of Maria Kay Simms

		Our new lunar cycle begins with New Moon in Virgo. New Moon at 25 Virgo 59, September 18 at 2:44 pm, EDT

	I'm illustrating New Moon in the sign of Virgo with the Astro'toon of Ceres that I drew back in 2006 for the international Astronomers' announcement of asteroid Ceres' elevation to planet. After all, that is what the Virgo constellation has, through much of astronomy's history, been seen to depict: Ceres, a mother goddess whose brightest star Spica is identified with the sheaf of harvest grain she holds in her arms. Her best-known myth is the same as her Greek counterpart, Demeter. Her daughter is abducted by (or elopes with—it varies depending on which version of the myth you read) the dark lord of the underworld (Pluto/Hades). She marries him and becomes queen of his realm. Mother Ceres mourns her daughter and refuses to allow plants to grow on Earth until daughter consents to return to Mom each year for the growing season. Thus we have our seasons. This leaves me curious as to why the constellation is called Virgo (maiden) when the image, by countless references, is always identified with the mother. This is not only Ceres or Demeter, but I've also read where ancient cultures have variously referred to this constellation as Isis, Ishtar, Inanna or whomever was the primary goddess of the region— all mother goddesses, not maidens.
		I've suspected it may have something to do with the Christianization of Rome, but have not yet found a viable reference that will either deny or support that thought. In any case, I continue to advocate that Ceres should be assigned as modern ruler of Virgo (to co-rule with ancient ruler Mercury). I've never been satisfied with Mercury as ruler of the only goddess of the zodiac signs. I wonder if with Ceres as ruler, Virgos might cease to be identified as barren, become fruitful and much more earthy... New Moon in Virgo this year comes just a few days before Fall Equinox, Sun at 0 Libra, the onset of the last quarter of the solar year. So, we have a new waxing lunar cycle full of hope and promise that turns right at Crescent Moon into a waning solar cycle that represents death in seasonal mythology—the second Harvest (after Lammas, 1st Harvest of the Grain) when now the Stag, too, must fall. This phase is the "crisis of consciousness, " a time when we, in ritual, deal in some way with loss—the the recognition of endings and the need to reorient toward potential new directions that are not yet at all clearly seen. Ritual for New Moon in Virgo In a sense we can combine themes for both the new and the season of endings by turning a mundane task we really need to do anyway into a spiritual ritual. I know from experience that this type of thing, done with intent, can be powerful. (I wrote about one example in A Time for Magick where I'd made trimming a tangled and overgrown trellis plant a ritual to help me sort out some tangled feelings in my life so I could come to a decision. So, choose a task that you know you need to do anyway and likely have been putting off. Clear away stuff from summer activities and prepare for the season to come, such as cleaning closets, stowing away outdoor furniture and gardening tools, sortiing out that junk drawer or disorganized files... After you've picked your chore, begin with a centering meditation to set your intent, and then write it down—a nice Virgo list, if you will. Bless it with the elements (salted water, incense smoke). Invoke Mother Earth and then do the work and cross it off your list as each item is completed. Let your mind be free to think through whatever issues you need to clear internal clutter. When you are finished, burn your list and bury the ash in Earth, with thanks to the Mother. Here are little rhymes for invocation and thank you: Mother, as I do my work With open mind and heart to thee, Send insights of what I must know To change and grow as I should be. Changed to ash, returned to Earth, My tasks compete, new light I see, In grateful praise for insight gained, All hail, Mother Earth and blessed be! Crescent Moon, 14 Scorpio 24, September 22, at 2:43 am EDT Fall Equinox, Sun 0 LIbra 00, Moon 22 Scorpio 20 An appropriate Scorpio influence, both at Crescent and Fall Equinox, for the themes at hand. Serious thinking today can be productive. Tomorrow Moon passes into fiery Sag and Sun square Pluto plus Mercury opposition Uranus suggest tension (as if there hasn't already been that in the news) and change. My article on the lore of Fall Equninox (also called Harvest or Mabon) Ritual for a Group and also A Personal Ritual First Quarter Moon, 3 Capricorn 21, September 26 at 12:50 am EDT It's the quarter known as "crisis of action" though an early sense of "get up and go" may mellow out. Then Mercury is still retrograde, isn't it? Excuses, excuses...It can be a good weekend to get organized, the better for a productive week ahead. Sun changes to Aquarius 7:07 am EDT Monday. Mercury turns direct September 29...early: 9:14 am EDT, and with the all work day applying aspsect of Moon trine Jupiter. Go, Tuesday! Gibbous Moon, 22 Aquarius 18, September 30 at 10:06 am EDT Moon is void of course after her conjunction with Neptune in Aquarius at 7:35 am and does not move on into Pisces until 7:26 pm EDT. Sounds like a rather dreamy lack of initiative for this phase that is supposed to be about building toward culmination. But sometimes a bit of dreaming is needed. Energy does build as the week continues. Full Moon, 11 Aries 10, October 4 at 2:10 am EDT Its Harvest Moon, always especially beautiful! I love this time of year when the Moon rises high over my stone circle in the crisp fall air, casting fairy lights and shadows over the dark ground and turning grey stones to white. Her energy is palpable and strong...not to be missed! Ritual for Full Moon in Aries Aries Moon, in reflecting the light of Sun in Libra, recognizes the power of peace and harmony, but also shows us that on some issues there can be no compromise. A life in denial of your own Truth is no life at all! The intent is to build inner power to recognize your own Truth, to stand up for it, and if necessary to fight for it. Begin by asking for energy, understanding and insight: By bright Full Moon, I seek insight By breath of Air, by Fire's light Change questions, doubt to Truth I see To speak and live, so shall it be! Go out beneath the Moon for Full Moon, where you can see her overhead, if you possibly can. If you can't, then light a red candle, focus and visualize. If you're beneath the Moon, raise up your arms, cup her, feel her energy and then draw it down as you pass your hands over your aura and feel the flow of Moon's vibrant energy. Disseminating Moon, 29 Taurus 44, October 7 at 5:19 pm EDT The transits move quickly with Mercury applying to conjunct Saturn as Disseminating Moon phase forms. Moon trines assist toward a time for potentially serious, productive thinking and communication especially Thursday, the 8th. Friday may be harried and tense—avoid buying into that. Last Quarter Moon, 18 Cancer 11, October 11 at 4:56 am EDT It's Sunday, but a good day for accomplishment, if you have home projects that need. Or it may be the right day for a pampering friends or family with home cooking. Balsamic Moon, 6 Virgo 33, October 14 at 2:49 am EDT At the final phase for this cycle, we've come nearly full circle, back again to the sign of Virgo, though in an earlier degree. Moon trine Pluto intensifies feelings, perhaps of empathy. Venus moves into Libra. Kindness to someone...always good, whether or not needed, but if if is, all the better. Something that needs closure? Here's a simple ritual: pick up a fallen leaf, stoke it and will into it your intent for what you need to release. Oh, leaf, you've fallen from the tree Be charged with what must fall from me. This is my will, so mote it be. Release the leaf to the earth and air, with your blessings and thanks.