Calendar Page
Special Days and Aspects for September 2004
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Welcome to September! Click on a date in the calendar to see the current aspects and events for that day.
September 1, 2004
Installation of the Guru Granth Sahib: The holy book of the Sikh faith, known as the Guru Granth Sahib, was installed in the faith’s Golden Temple in the holy city of Amritsar in Punjab, India, by Guru Arjan Dev in 1604. The scriptures are an anthology of teachings, hymns, thoughts and verses of Sikh gurus and of Hindu and Muslim scholars and saints.
September 2, 2004
Happy Birthday to
Veneo!
Venus at 25 degrees Cancer sextile Jupiter in Virgo
A gentle influence eases us into September. Venus sextile Jupiter
spreads an easy sense of goodwill and offers a perfect day for socializing with
friends and family. It’s possible to meet a new love interest under this
influence as well, and even a chance for some good luck with money or
investments. Stay out of the casino though, as there is an equal chance you
will feel impelled to spend beyond your means today.
Mercury goes direct at 25 degrees Leo
The glitches and delays of retrograde Mercury ease. Communication becomes more direct and plainly stated, clearly understood in the light of Sun-ruled Leo’s glow.
Vietnam Independence Day: Ho Chi Minh declared Vietnamese independence from France on this day in 1945, leading to decades of armed conflict with French and American forces.
September 3, 2004
St. Marinus Day: The oldest independent country in Europe is the Republic of San Marino, 30 square miles of territory surrounded by Italy. The saint’s day is the official foundation day of the republic, which was built at the site of the hermitage of a fourth-century hermit/saint named Marinus.
September 4, 2004
International Astrologers Day: This one shows up on some calendars of India. There’s also another International Astrologers Day in March sponsored by a western astrologers-networking group.
September 5, 2004
Happy Birthday to Metamorphosis!
We are 2!
Teachers Day in India: The birthday of former President Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, who was a teacher before becoming president, is an occasion for thanking educators.
Grandparents Day: The first Sunday after Labor Day is a relatively new holiday for honoring grandparents, made official in the United States in 1979.
September 6, 2004
Moon Phase
Last-quarter Moon in Gemini, 15:11 Universal Time.
Venus enters Leo
The homey, mothering type of love we shared while Venus
was in Cancer shifts gears today to a more playful, dramatic expression. Venus
in Leo signifies a good time to start a love affair, which may or may not be
enduring (that will be dependant on factors in the individual natal charts), but
it will be fun. If you are in the market for a lighthearted fling, then today
is the day to start thinking about your conquest – and conquest is the keyword
here, for despite his playful exterior, the Lion is a hunter, and courtship for him an
elaborate game.
Labor Day: The first Monday in September is a national holiday in honor of workers in the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico. Picnics and parades are customary. The holiday also roughly signifies the beginning of a new academic year in many schools and colleges.
Krishna Janamashtami: The birth of Lord Krishna falls on the eighth day of the dark moon phase of the Hindu month of Shravan. Krishna is an incarnation of Lord Vishnu (the second of the Hindu Triad) and is the one who first taught the Bhagavad Gita, one of the most holy books of Hinduism.
September 7, 2004
Ginseng Festival: The people of the Fusong area in the Changhai Mountains of China celebrate the harvest of the curative ginseng herb with a festival September 5-7 of each year.
Brazil Independence Day: Brazil’s celebration dates to 1822 when Pedro di Alcántara declared the country’s independence from Portugal. He became the first emperor of Brazil the following year.
September 8, 2004
Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary: Catholic, Anglican and Orthodox Christian celebration of the birth of Mary the mother of Jesus. The Orthodox name for the holiday is the Nativity of the Theotokos, Greek for mother of God.
September 9, 2004
Happy Birthday to The Enigmatic Soul!
Happy Birthday to Cat!
September 10, 2004
Mars at 19 degrees Virgo square Pluto in Sagittarius
A collision of egos on a Titanic level! The “I am” energy of Mars is
made all the more forceful and assertive when it’s pitted against an
opponent with the strength and will of Pluto. A hint of violence is in
the air, and those who are driven strongly by their egos will find
today to be argumentative and perhaps dangerous. Unfortunately, the
fighting is not for what’s “right” but instead the fight is to “be
right” and that can leave one feeling very foolish a few days from now.
Mercury enters Virgo
Let’s get
down to business! After a circuitous trip through the sign of Leo, Mercury
re-enters Virgo, one of two signs he rules. The playful, Leonine energy we have
been working with for much of the summer takes on a more serious and highly
analytical bent in fastidious Virgo. Even the most lackadaisical of us will
find ourselves methodically crossing our T’s and dotting our I’s under this
precise and meticulous vibration. Time to put right all those snarls and
tangles left over from the recent retrograde as this transit favors mental work
and careful planning.
September 11, 2004
Coptic New Year: The brightest star in the sky, the Dog Star Sirius, which spent much of July and August overseeing the hottest days of the year in the northern hemisphere, now reappears in the Egyptian sky, signaling the flooding of the Nile and a new planting season. The Coptic Orthodox Church, the native Christian church in Egypt, celebrates the New Year on this day.
Enkutatash: This day is New Year’s Day on the traditional Ethiopian calendar.
September 12, 2004
Happy Birthday to
Gregory!
Sun at 19 degrees Virgo square Pluto in Sagittarius
A weekend
that began with the big bang of Mars squaring Pluto ends with the slightly
smaller, but no less relevant, bang of the Sun squaring Pluto. The Sun also
embodies ego-energy, and although not as traditionally militant as Mars, it can
react with force when feeling threatened. The trick today is to remember that
Pluto’s strength isn’t threatening per se — it’s the fear of change that can
provoke a violent response. Be open to new frontiers and expand your mind to
new possibilities and you’ll emerge from this transit stronger and smarter.
Birthday of the Monkey God: Chinese Taoists celebrate the popular Monkey God, Tai Seng Yeh, who out-monkeyed other gods and maneuvered his way into heaven despite their opposition. Having acquired immortality and miraculous powers, he uses them to benefit the sick and hopeless. In some temples on this day, devotees mimic the Monkey God’s exploits, running over burning charcoal and clambering up ladders of knives without getting hurt.
September 13, 2004
Mercury at 4 degrees Virgo opposite retrograde Uranus in Pisces
Mercury opposite Uranus is an impatient transit, and mental
processes and communication can be prone to error and sloppiness. This transit
occurred at the beginning of August, before the retrograde of Mercury. Today’s
opportunity to revisit the energy gives a chance to reassess any insights you
felt back then.
Lailat al-Miraj and Israa’: Also known under its Persian name of Shab-e-Miraj, this in an Islamic observance of “The Night of the Ascent,” when the Prophet Muhammad journeyed from Makkah (Mecca) to Jerusalem and then ascended into the heavens. The date is the 27th of Rajab in the Islamic calendar, and the events are said to have taken place in the year 620. The holiday begins the evening before, when the story is told in poetry and chants. The people celebrate with sweets and good cheer, without any special prayers required.
September 14, 2004
Moon Phase
New Moon in Virgo, 14:29 Universal Time.
Exaltation of the Cross: Celebrated more in the eastern branches of Orthodox Christianity, but also observed by western Catholics and Anglicans, the day celebrates the discovery in the early 300s of the cross, nails and plaque believed to have been used in the crucifixion of Jesus. Many pieces of the cross St. Helena discovered, in her excavation beneath a Roman-built Temple of Venus in Jerusalem, still exist as holy relics in churches throughout the world.
September 15, 2004
Sun at 23 degrees Virgo conjunct Mars
Today Mars, the planet of personal energy and will, conjuncts the
Sun in the purposeful sign of Virgo, and a cosmic blast of intense and focused
energy gives rise to an irrepressible urge to DO rather than think. Action today will be determined and
successful. Repressing the urge for accomplishment can actually lead to
accidents or blow-ups, as the Martin energy becomes unruly when bottled up.
Keiro-no-Hi (Respect for the Aged Day): The elderly are honored and given symbols of happiness on this national holiday in Japan.
Independence Day for many Latin American Countries: Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua celebrate their independence from Spain, achieved on this day in 1821.
September 16, 2004
Rosh Hashanah: This is New Year’s Day of Year 5765 in the Hebrew calendar. The religious holiday, beginning this year at sundown September 15 and lasting through September 17, is a solemn one — a time of introspection, abstinence, prayer and penitence. The theme of Rosh Hashanah goes back to the earliest stories of the Jewish people, including Adam and Eve’s violation of their Creator’s law on their very first day of life, as well as the story of God calling Abraham away from the world he knew and laying the foundation for an agreement, or covenant, between people of free will and their God. Thus Rosh Hashanah is a time for humility, for accepting judgment, and for giving and accepting forgiveness and making amends.
Mexico Independence Day: Celebrations begin the evening before with recitations of the impassioned speech the priest Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla gave in the town of Dolores, rousing the people to fight for their independence in 1810.
September 17, 2004
Sun at 24 degrees Virgo sextile Saturn in Cancer
A bright and orderly transit, creating ideal conditions for getting things planned and
accomplished. It’s also a favorable day to seek input from those older and wiser,
more established or in positions of authority.
Rosh Hashanah: The religious observance of the two-day Jewish New Year holiday ends at sundown.
September 18, 2004
Happy Birthday to
Sun Woof!
Venus at 12 degrees Leo opposite retrograde Neptune in Aquarius
A shimmering veil comes to rest upon relationships today, especially those of a
romantic nature. Venus comes looking for love and finds her higher octave,
Neptune. While this transit could signify a meeting with destiny, it is just as
likely to signify a lesson in reality checks — there’s a deceptive element
here, a desperate need to look at love through rose-coloured glasses. For now
it feels good, but before making any serious commitments wait
until the veil is lifted.
Mars at 25 degrees Virgo sextile Saturn in Cancer
Another strong Martian transit, but this one offers a more precise
sort of energy. If the Sun-conjunct-Mars of earlier this week was a bomb blast
of energy, then this transit can be compared to a laser beam. You’re feeling
purposeful, focused and with an eye on your prize. There’s no reason why you
won’t achieve it either — or at least make great inroads in the right
direction.
Ganesh Chaturthi: The birthday of Lord Ganesh, popularly represented as the elephant-headed god of Hindus. He rules learning and is the Remover of Obstacles. For more about this festive season in India, please see the article August Power Days of India in the August 2003 issue.
Chile Independence Day: Independence from Spain was declared in 1810 and won eight years later.
September 19, 2004
Happy Birthday to Isis!
Higan begins: The week surrounding the autumnal equinox on September 22, like the week surrounding the vernal equinox, is celebrated in Japanese Buddhist tradition as a time of transition, for attuning to the bridge between Earth and Nirvana, between the world of suffering and the world of enlightenment. The Japanese also honor the anscestors at this time. Higan lasts until September 25.
September 20, 2004
Happy Birthday to
searching!
September 21, 2004
Moon Phase
First-quarter Moon in Sagittarius, 15:54 Universal Time.
Sun at 29 degrees Virgo conjunct Jupiter
An
abundant, exuberant transit to usher in the autumn as the traditional time to celebrate
bounty and a rich harvest. Jupiter bestows good fortune and an optimistic sense
of goodwill and, combining with the potent power of the Sun, provides a perfect
opportunity to indulge in the largesse of the harvest season.
International Day of Peace: The United Nations General Assembly, in a resolution on September 7, 2001, made September 21 of every year, beginning in 2002, the International Day of Peace. The day is meant to be observed through global ceasefire and nonviolence, according to the resolution, and all nations and people are invited to cease in their pursuit of hostilities, if only for one day. In the words of General Secretary Kofi Annan, the International Day of Peace is, “Twenty-four hours: to give relief workers a safe interlude for the provision of vital services; to offer mediators a building block towards a wider truce; to allow all those engaged in conflict to reconsider the wisdom of further violence.”
Mabon: Celebrated the evening before the autumnal equinox, or thereabouts, modern pagan Mabon observances hearken back to ancient nature religions and their celebrations of the second of three harvest times. The balance of daylight and darkness on the day of the equinox is reflected in the idea that Mabon is a time when the world is poised between the spheres of light and dark, day and night, life and death. It is a time to acknowledge the past and celebrate transitions in the circle of life.
September 22, 2004
Autumnal Equinox, 16:30 Universal Time. For a multi-cultural look at holidays surrounding the autumnal equinox, please see the article September Power Days in the September 2002 issue.
Sun enters Libra
Say goodbye to practical and hardworking Virgo, as the Sun rises
over the horizon from the southern hemisphere of the zodiac and into sociable
Libra. Always seeking balance, Libra rules relationships of all stripes, but
especially marriage. Symbolized by the scales and ruled by lady Venus, Libra
also rules justice, the courts and fine arts.
Mercury at 19 degrees Virgo square Pluto in Sagittarius
In precise and meticulous Virgo, the inquisitiveness of Mercury is
heightened, perhaps to the point of obsession, by this square from fixated
Pluto. Today, you’ll worry a thought like a dog on a bone. Delve into the
occult, astrology or other metaphysical studies and you’ll feel insightful and
able to penetrate ancient mysteries that on other days seem unfathomable.
September 23, 2004
Armenia Independence Day: Armenia declared independence from the U.S.S.R. in 1991.
September 24, 2004
Happy Birthday to
Phoebe!
Venus at 19 degrees Leo trine Pluto in Sagittarius
Today the feelings and thoughts you have about love and
relationships morph from intellectual ideals into a tangible essence. Pluto
sets fire to Venus in this powerfully beautiful trine, where the best of both
planets merge into one feeling of intensely perfect love. There’s a fated air
to meetings and exchanges today as a deeply karmic web is woven over
relationships. Artists who can channel this penetrating energy will be rewarded
by works of exceptional beauty and depth.
September 25, 2004
Happy Birthday to
Ani * !
Jupiter enters Libra
Jupiter, the planet that seeks to expand our minds and experiences,
emerges from its two-year stint in Virgo, the sign of its detriment. As Jupiter
moves into Libra, expect a shift from critical and overly analytical thoughts
about philosophy and religion to a new spirit of co-operation and a willingness
to search out compromise by walking a mile in someone else’s shoes. This
influence is good news to a world challenged by an ever-increasing feeling of
separateness that seeks to divide and conquer. Jupiter, a naturally benefic
planet, exaggerates the Libran tendency towards compromise and healthy
partnerships to the benefit of us all. The warning here however is to stop short
of a particularly Libran pitfall, which is the desire for peace at all costs.
Yom Kippur: The Day of Atonement, beginning at sundown on the 24th, is the holiest day of the Jewish lunar calendar, a day of fasting, making amends with others, ceremonial repentance, and spiritual purification as the Books of Judgment are sealed on the previous year. The Jewish New Year, Rosh Hashanah, began September 16, ushering in the 10 days of repentance that culminate on Yom Kippur.
Higan ends: The weeklong Japanese celebration of the equinox as a bridge between Earth and Nirvana comes to a close, to be repeated six months from now at the vernal equinox.
September 26, 2004
Mercury at 25 degrees Virgo sextile Saturn in Cancer
Another
good Mercury transit is in the works today, as Saturn’s disciplined and
responsible nature gives Mercury the grounding he needs to accomplish truly
incredible mental labour. Budgets, accounts
and hands-on endeavors involving numbers are good activities today, as the
practicality of Virgo working through Mercury is enforced by this easy sextile
from Saturn.
Mars enters Libra
Mars, the planet of direct action, is pulled up short here in
wishy-washy Libra, the sign of its fall. Fiery Mars is frustrated by the Libran
tendency to compromise and balance. Libra retreats from the Martian firestorm
feeling confused and a little bit angry too. And there’s the rub — as Libra’s
scales swing more and more wildly, her airy quality fans the fires of Mars and
BOOM! An epic explosion just waiting to happen.
Birthday of Johnny Appleseed: John Chapman, considered a great medicine man by many Native American people and a saint by frontier settlers, was born in Massachusetts in 1774. He is best known in American pioneer folklore for a lifelong dedication to planting apple seedlings all over the Midwest, but he also planted curative herbs.
September 27, 2004
Mars at 0 degrees Libra conjunct Jupiter
As with most transits involving Jupiter, this one has a very positive quality to
it. You’ll feel energetic today, able to tackle the growing mountain of leaves
in your autumn garden and then head out for a five-mile run. Less physically
fit people can get a good start on an exercise program today, as you feel
strong both inside and out. The only caveat is to remember your limits, as your
exuberance and vitality may push you into doing more than your body can actually
handle.
Anant Chaturdashi: A Hindu day for fasting, meditating and worshipping Vishnu. Anant Chaturdashi is also the last day of the Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations in India. Most public Ganesh idols and many family idols are immersed on this day.
September 28, 2004
Moon Phase
Full Moon in Aries, 13:09 Universal Time.
Mercury enters Libra
Get ready for a shift in communication as Mercury finishes his quick trip
through Virgo and sails into the airy domain of Libra. In Virgo, Mercury asked
us to focus on details and precision with an orderly and logical thought
process. In Libra, Mercury still retains a degree of logic, but the focus moves
from analytical details to a more creative, fluid approach. The mind turns to
questions of justice, law and diplomacy, as Venus’ need for harmony combines
with Mercury’s gift for gab. Have fun debating with your friends, but try
not to argue just for argument’s sake.
Harvest Moon Festival: The Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival is the biggest event on the culture’s lunar calendar outside of Chinese New Year. It is a national holiday in China and is celebrated by Asian communities in many countries. On the 15th day of the eighth lunar month, the Harvest Moon fills the sky. And in the form of rich cakes made in its likeness, the Moon fills the people’s bellies as well. A salty egg yolk representing the full Moon is at the center of traditional mooncakes, often also made with lotus-seed paste. Alternate fillings, like fruit and preserves, can be used for those who like their pastries sweet. Under the biggest and brightest Moon of the year, families reunite and children carry lanterns that are spherical like the Moon or made in the shapes of animals and dragons. Moon-watching is an important part of the evening’s festivities. The stories associated with the festival seem to share a theme of some threat of trouble having been lived through — and the assurance that now all is well once again and as it should be.
Birthday of Confucius (K’ung-fu-tzu): This is the Gregorian calendar rendering of the philosopher’s birthday, and some observe it on this day, while others celebrate it by the Chinese calendar, on the 27th day of the eighth Moon, October 8 this year. Confucian temples mark the day with ceremonies. In the philosopher’s hometown in Qufu, Shandong Province, China, the celebration of Confucian cultural influence lasts two weeks. Born in 551 B.C., Confucius taught self-enlightenment through the Five Virtues: charity, justice, propriety, wisdom and loyalty.
September 29, 2004
Happy Birthday to
Terri!
Mercury at 0 degrees Libra conjunct Jupiter
The
first of two strong aspects today involving a triple-decker whammy from
Mercury, Mars and Jupiter as they all wade through the early degrees of Libra.
Conjunctions are not typified as “good” or “bad” transits, as each must be
weighed and measured depending on the planets involved. Fortunately the Libran
energy present here finds the balancing act easy and Jupiter’s benevolent
reputation stacks the scales on the “good aspect” side. You’ll be thinking big
today, planning large, and feeling great about your business and
professional endeavors.
Mercury at 2 degrees Libra conjunct Mars
There’s
nothing more Libran than a good debate, and lively discussions are definitely in
the cards today as Mars powers up talkative Mercury and adds his strongly
competitive ego-energy to Mercury’s intellectual prowess. Jupiter’s lingering
influence is drawn into this melting pot, and conversations about politics,
religions and all those other taboo topics are tempting fuel to fan a lively
debate into a no-holds barred battle of opinion and will. Play nice and you’ll
be rewarded by interesting thoughts and provoking challenges to your
intellectual status quo.
Michaelmas: The Archangel Michael, often represented as a slayer of dragons and monsters, is especially popular in Orthodox, Catholic and Anglican churches in Asia and coastal Europe, where he is said to have saved many a town from horrible beasts. This day honors Michael, fellow archangels Rafael and Gabriel, and all the angels, as companions who help fight off the power of evil and who are present at the hour of death.
September 30, 2004
Eve of Sukkot: The weeklong Feast of Tabernacles or “huts,” begins at sundown. It is a Jewish harvest festival that also recalls the 40 years the people spent in the desert living in tents after their exodus from Egypt. The first day, October 1 this year, is the most important of the celebration.
Astrology by Terri Smallwood
Holidays compiled by Maria Barron, Anindita Basu and Sucheta Shetty
Birthday graphics by Maria Barron for Metamorphosis
