For the Lust of the Lore
Libra Season Greetings + Autumn Equinox Astrology
Ahhh, to be reborn again in Seasonal seduction as Virgo steps over the threshold into Libra’s lore!
Amongst Autumn itself savors a symbolic new cycle. More than reminiscing the new school year though baby book worm me loved that, too: a little information seeker, a Girl Scout who still in this older age of today creates projects for herself out of no real need but the creative compulsion. Marching off to school as a child, my nose in novels about forest warriors, lost maidens, wizards in wild woods, I looked forward to the Change of Leaves. Golds, browns, chartreuse yellow-greens, deep reds all a relief that the depression of Swamp Ass Summer would no longer have its lethargy-grip on my Southeastern stomping grounds. And, yes, according to my psych, Summer can cause S.A.D. (Seasonal Affective Disorder) and I’m a Summertime Sadness banshee, sweating profusely and not able to sleep sound.
I savor in the fact that soon the roads will be picturesque with warm tones, only some evergreen and ivy an emerald depth in the forest’s contrast, the inevitable gearing up to the mega-stress of Holidaze (and, YES, we will have an extensive Mercury Rx Guide specific to the December 2024 backspin). Though everything speeds up in the last quarter of the year, the momentary magic that is the crisp of Fall seems to refresh me. Each rite of passage into Autumn adventures like diving into the next page of becoming myself again. I am somehow more social in the Autumn than the Summer. At every turn, there remains a rendering of renewal at the slightest hint of cooling.
That being said, it takes the region in which I reside some time to mature into Autumnal majesty, flipping back and forth from nature’s A/C back to sweltering heats a la “Fake Fall”… But what joy to simply reach into such a transition! The born-again breeze felt in my bones, previously worn by humidity and hellfire, there is a (literal) breath of fresh air lifting the heaviness of my heart. The meet-cute of hyper-enthusiastic Autumn is oh so nostalgic yet relevant. Thinking of the teen self, too, her zest in coming up with new zines, the fury of homemade haircuts, clad in pea-coats and Cocteau Twins daydreams, cramped clown car rides to coffee houses, cigarettes and chipped Chanel Vamp nails… all very informant.
As Virgo’s time comes to a close, this Libra SZN is a portal in Lunar Nodal locale as we sashay into Part II of Eclipse Season.
Libra Season marks the start of the Autumn Equinox for the Northern Hemisphere, much to the delight of the pumpkin-spice obsessed cardigan creatures who have no sorrow for Summer-tide’s leave. Closing out Virgo’s residency in the Astrological Wheel, the Earth Maiden associated with Harvest develops into Libra as a Persephone Princess, shimmering in a moment of perfect balance the way no store-bought highlight can achieve. Darkness encroaches on Light and Libra, whose lovely glow is now partly cloaked in a gown of fog, gifts the world a mythology of Light and Dark. All as said from our past Libra Mood board, of course!
Libra is getting lost as an art, purveyor of passion pursuits, “choose your own adventure”. Libra is the Angel who can see many different angles of a situation. The “fuck around and find out” baby AND stumble across an ancient prophecy, tasked to restore the balance of the universe. Yes, can be indecisive, shameless flirt, whirling dervish, 180000 interests (as Air Signs tend to be), a delicious gossip girl or damsel-in-distress transformed to dark-sided mistress… but whether flighty fae frolicking from party to party or the Aphrodite draped in riddles and rhinestones, Libra always keeps people on their toes. And we love her for it, even tho I battle with my own Libra Mars and still don’t know how to feel about my Saturn AND Pluto in Libra (giving away my elder millennial age today I suppose).
Libra ~ though ruled by Venus ~ is not all Beauty and Social Sensuality, she is very much also Battle, Brains and Strategy. And the perfect example of the Libra Lore is clearly the one around the Seasons most known for centuries, Persephone. Though Persephone was a victim, she plotted carefully to pull her power back, using the Libra modality towards her own survival:
“Cardinal signs initiate new beginnings and turn the wheel of the Seasons. Cardinal Libra uses her intellect to move with precision, like a sword cutting the air.”
Rich in mythological zest, Persephone is noted as THE storytelling for the “seasons changing”.
When Zeus secretly allowed the abduction of his daughter Persephone, snatched from a flower field and dragged to the depths of the Underworld, Earth-Mother Demeter scoured the lands in agony, leaving crops without nourishment, withering to famine. Realizing the err of this nefarious arrangement, Zeus demanded Persephone’s return, but the Dark Prince Hades had already concocted his own plot. Offering a pomegranate, the Early World fruit of fertility, Persephone savored 6 juicy blood-red seeds and became bound as Hades’ consort for 6 months of every year. For the remainder, she would rejoin her Mother in the lush fields, caressed by the bright skies once again.
Thus, the Legend of the Seasons were spun, the Equinoxes perfectly balanced before diving into cool or warm weather until the cycle began again.
Virgo’s archetype of the Maiden - or the Virgin - mirrors Persephone’s previous precious and innocent life with her grain Earth Goddess Mother in the sunshine and the train of thought from Mutable Earth’s change into Autumn seems to also have some semblance with the Astro trio leading into Autumn: Virgo (Maiden), Libra (battle of injustice, seeking balance), Scorpio (acceptance in descent, Queen of the Underworld). The Roman mythological Proserpina also shares the name of Libera and served as a “mother-daughter” symbol with agricultural goddess Ceres (Liberalia, a fertility festival, nears Spring Equinox ala Ostara). Libra is strongly connected to Lady Justice and Persephone’s tale goes beyond Spring-Summer vs. Autumn-Winter duality.
As Northern Hemisphere’s Autumn Equinox coincides with Libra’s start, Persephone’s back-and-forth between realms relates strongly to both the Seasons and the Scales but also interweaves immensely intense themes for the South Node of Libra we have hinged on for over a year now. September 2024 began with a New Moon in Virgo before the onset of Autumn Eclipse Season. The Pisces Lunar Eclipse was the 1st reveal for the upcoming 2025 Lunar Nodes and Eclipse Cycles that will take over. The Aries-Libra Axis will be ending their cycle and switching to the Virgo-Pisces. Dates of the hand-off in Autumn 2024 and Spring 2025 Eclipses are as follows:
10/2/2024 Annular “Ring Of Fire” Solar Eclipse in Libra
3/14/2025 Total Lunar Eclipse in Virgo
3/29/2025 Partial Solar Eclipse in Aries
There is some delay in the changing over Lunar Nodes as you can see from the above dates, no cut-and-dry date. Instead the Nodes weave into one Cycle and the next between the Spring and Autumn Eclipse Seasons. However, there is a period in which the Axis has changed guards enough to be in the main meat of it all which dictates Eclipse Seasons and the texture to our environmental path for roughly a year and a half. As someone with Virgo AND Pisces in my Big 3, I am feeling a bit concerned for the next year.
But right now we gear up to soon celebrate the LAST of the Axis side in Libra for a very long while in the beginning of October. Libra’s New Moon on 10/2 will be the last Libra Eclipse until 2033 ~Muse OTW with more Persephone lore in store~ and it’s important to REVIEW before getting into these last bits of the Aries-Libra Lunar Nodes. This is of course personal but there are some universal themes that relate to the Moons and the Astro archetypes of the Signs with certain aspects made to each specific lunation at the time.
What’s come to pass since Spring Eclipse Season in the last 6 months is vital to our understanding going forward (ALONG WITH the Mercury Retrogrades AND Outer Planet Retrograde Summer):
Virgo New Moon honed in on where helping becomes overstepping, when caring becomes draining and when to pull back or step forward. This was the 1st main post-Mercury Retrograde Moon and the last before the soon-to-be Autumn Eclipse Season with the upcoming Pisces Full.
Aqua Full Moon asked us not to draw conclusions based on scant evidence or, worse, past experience. To be okay with uncertainty is always needed, though especially valuable during Mercury Retrograde.
Leo New Moon gave us courage to advocate for ourselves rather than fall into complaints about not getting what we do not ask for. Respect is a coveted attribute that requires strong exercise of boundaries.
Capricorn Full Moon II required responsibility to communication and accountability. Where to seek reconciliation and when to close the book on other narratives that no longer serve us closed out this Goat duo.
Cancer New Moon was urgent to disengage from “the gaze”. The protective reinforcements femmes tend to put in place while attempting to keep their hearts open, Venusian blessings and curses abounding.
Capricorn Full Moon I helped us correct course at the turn of the Summer Solstice, re balancing our commitment to grounded paths versus the chase of societal pressures and what poses as fulfilling.
Gemini New Moon emphasized the powers of the newly positioned Jupiter in Gemini, marking a grand phase of social expansion and a whirlwind of wonder. Being open to new ideas held prominence.
Sagittarius Full Moon was in celebration mode, frolicking in philosophy opposite its Axis of Gemini, and savoring the wanderlust of the Northern Hemisphere heating up. Somewhat lusty but always cerebral.
Taurus New Moon made the most of energy as a resource, skill as a toolbox, knowing when to put in the work and when to hold back. Quality over quantity will always be the M.O. of the Venusian Bull.
Scorpio Full Moon honed in on self-expression and sexuality from a deeper spiritual realm in the blossoming of Spring. Additionally, noticing and appreciating Scorpio’s underrated strategic savvy was a subject.
Needless to say, much Moon malarkey has happened since Spring Eclipse Season.
No matter what chaos has prevailed politically or personally, the Outer Planet Retrogrades and Mercury Retrograde have been quite trying. Summer tends to harbor various back-spins, thus Autumn astrologically presents a fresh start (nostalgia of back-to-school and excitement of changing leaves aside). Further anew by There is a push to finally find closure in issues we’ve been struggling with for over a year now, if not longer. The fiery-airy Aries-Libra Axis is now persistent in attempting to make ends meet.
Autumn Equinox Astrology
9/22 Venus in Libra squares Pluto Rx in Capricorn, a pernicious jab in the face of fall-out, likely post truth bomb. Especially after the Neptune Rx’s presence with the deep wallow of the Pisces Lunar Eclipse, feeling strong in our belief in others may be hard. All the better to turn to those who have been steadfast pillars and not risk any quick alliance reach-outs.
9/22 Venus enters Scorpio later in the day, ringing in the reign of The Vamp (from our brief moment of doing Astro Mood Boards - maybe we’ll finish these and complete the Zodiac?). Erotica esoterica lurks underneath the tight-clad leather weather as the dark side of the lovers comes into the shadowy night to play. I love all the Venus Signs but this one always feels a special kind of sexy. Do not forget that Scorpio is also a shrewd strategic biz badass, another aspect of Venus we also look over in favor of the Planet’s love and aesthetic highlight.
9/24 Mercury in Virgo trines Uranus Rx in Taurus. An ideal moment to get excited for planning and feel energized by the ideas on all the exciting things to do over the next few months. This can also be an “a-ha!” moment on how to make a few tasks more “do-able” that were before seen as incredibly overwhelming. Daily dedication goes a lot further AND is more sustainable that rushing to reach the finish line at the last minute.
9/25 Mercury in Virgo opposes Neptune Rx in Pisces, adding some creative flair to the previous day’s puzzle-piecing motivation. There is also a practical side to the eccentric ideas for projects or solutions, a welcoming “we can make this work” to the whimsy of a creation.
9/25 Mercury in Virgo trines Pluto Rx in Capricorn for a structured sweetness in presenting a plan, networking or collaborating even with new people or in strange terrain. Pursuits are strongly planted.
9/26 Mercury enter Libra for absolute loveliness as we move into October’s delightful realm. Mercurial Libra is a social charmer, a fae babe in frolic attracting lively conversation and perhaps even admirers. Though take care to not fall into people-pleasing or being caught in the middle!
9/29 Mars in Cancer trine Saturn Rx in Pisces is a bit of Water Sign overkill but with patience and discernment we can avoid the co-dependent bit and focus fully on healing, handing the tools to others to make their own moves or asking the questions on where and how we can assist as opposed to any unsolicited advice.
9/30 Sun in Libra conjunct Mercury in Libra is a show-n-tell of wit and charm and the polite and sweet star-power of Cardinal Air. This cute conjunction is positively perfection for any kind of presentation in the public arena and really ends the month on a great note! Especially helpful before we get into October which swiftly is seized in Solar Eclipse sensationalism! EEEP!
Stay tuned for the next Moon Muse as we explore the Libra New in its last moment of the Lunar Nodal Cycle soiree for quite a while!