September brings the Harvest Moon, the most powerful lunation of the year for creative manifestation. The gathering of the harvest begins in earnest at the 1st Quarter Moon and the Gate of Inspiration / Melpomene Muse Gate on Sept 2-3. The 1st Quarter lends itself to discerning what is of value to bring forward and what to let go. The Muse Gate is a time to breathe deeply (inspire) and dance freely to liberate the soul, then we can reap this great harvest of the Age.

A great alchemical transformation occurs during the Sept 6-11 Moon Hare Full Moon. The magic of the Moon Hare grows as the Moon grows; emotions rise and primal energy increases toward the peak of the lunar cycle. Riding the lunar wave is like surfing, the aim is to maintain equilibrium and stay on the board to the top of the wave.

Everything is weighed anew on the magic scale of Libra at Autumn Equinox Sept 22-25. The appearance of the lunar crescent on Sept 25 begins a 10-day / 9-night celebration when the world is created new according to Cherokee, ancient Chinese, Hindu and Greek mystery traditions. All say this 7th Moon of the zodiac year is when the world was first created and is recreated each year. Re-creation in spirit makes way for the New World to be. All fortunes turn on the tide of the 7th Moon.

1st Quarter Moon Sep 2-5 (exact 7:11 am Sep 2) Time to Choose This Moon is a scythe cutting across the sky, it’s time to cut free from the trappings of the past and affirm our purpose moving forward. This is a time to decide; choices now are likely right ones. Breathing deeply through the light of the crown frees energy flow up and down the spine to transform old world shadows and power our dreams.

Gate of Inspiration / Muse Gate Sep 2-3 (9:30 am 9/2- 9:30 am 9/3) Dance! Muse Gates open every 40 days. Whatever blocks creative flow comes before the Gate to be let go. It’s time to release body tensions that hold outmoded ways of thinking and feeling. Breathe deeply and move freely (dance!) to shed the old and be present to the magic of this new time. The Muse Melpomene reveals all that makes heavy the heart of the world. As all this is released through dance and breath the soul of the world is healed. This harvest tide brings blessings to all.

The Moon Hare Full Moon Sep 6-11 Dance to the Music, Celebrate! This is the Harvest Moon when we separate the wheat from the chaff of the year. Now the Moon Hare is seen ‘pounding out the elixir of immortality’ just as our psyches are harvesting the essence of our nature and the good of past cycle. The Full Moon (exact 9:38 pm Sep 8) is a pitcher that pours out a healing elixir we now raise our cups to receive. Illuminating cosmic energies flow for three days following each Full Moon. Meditation, music making and dancing help open us to receive this new light. Revelations come in dreams, chance encounters and flashes of inspiration. Stay tuned.

3rd Quarter Moon Sep 15-18 (begins 10:05 pm Sep 15) Realizing Dreams This Moon cuts away all that distracts from putting dreams into action. The 3rd Quarter Moon integrates new ideas into creative expression; it’s time to follow our bliss and do what feels good in concert with the whole.

Balsamic Moon, Sep 18-22 Make a Wish! This is the Wishing Moon, a time to put wishes on the air. Also called the Witches Moon, it’s time to bring to mind those who need healing. The Moon moves tides of emotion as it moves tides of the ocean. The outgoing tide takes away what is no longer needed, the incoming tide brings forth what is to be seeded new.

Autumn Equinox Sep 22-25 (exact 10:29 pm Sep 22) Restoring the Balance Everything is weighed on the cosmic scale at the Equinox. Balance is restored within and without as the Sun moves through Libra the sign of Maat. In her left hand Maat holds a scale that balances a heart against ‘the feather of truth.’ In her right hand Maat holds a golden triangle that frames the Goddess Eye. From this Eye comes a beam of light or bolt of lightning which eliminates whatever makes the heart heavy so it becomes as light as the Feather of Truth. This Eye exists in everyone and it is opening now. Social justice and egalitarian economic democracy are realized through the liberating equilibrating influence of Libra / Maat.

Dark of the Moon / Libra New Moon Sep 23-25 Follow the Light Within The day before New Moon until Sunset the day after is ideal for house cleaning or energy work and meditation to make way for the new cycle; outer activity is well favored in the days after the new lunar crescent appears on the evening of Sep 25. The day of the New Moon (exact 2:14 am Sep 24) is a cosmic spring that flows freely as we slow down. New Moon is the monthly reunion of Sun and Moon when a new pulse of divine light enters our world, the more we are quiet the more we receive.

Crescent New Moon Sep 25-30 A Time to Sow The appearance of the lunar crescent on Sept 25 begins a 10-day / 9-night celebration in the Cherokee, the ancient Chinese, Hindu and Greek mystery school traditions. All say this 7th Moon of the zodiacal year is when the world was first created and is recreated each year. During these 9 Nights (the Hindu Navaratri) Kali is welcomed into homes to consume the old year’s discord. The Cherokee celebrate their “Nuetiegwa” Big Medicine Moon. Cherokee women dance from the time the crescent appears until the Moon sets to help the world be reborn. Meditation now opens doorways, wishes take wing, prayers bring blessings for this lunar cycle and the new creation to be.

Steve Nelson is a professional astrologer who uses Tarot, name analysis, and traditional astrology to help clients understand personal myths and realize natural abilities. He can be reached at 704-375-3759 or email [email protected]. Info: GaiaAstrology.com.