Virgo August 23 - September 22

Virgo

August  23 - September 22  

 

 “Hail Mary, Full of Grace,

Holder of the Grids and Codes of Universal Consciousness.

We bow to Thee, Mother of All People,

Gracious Protector and Goddess of the Sun/Son,

Blessed art Thou, Cosmic Mother.

Blessed be Thy Open Hearted Children”.

Maitreya's Homage to Lady Mary

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 September Dates:

Ramadan, Muslim

Nativity of Mary, Christian, St. Ann gives birth to Virgin Mary

Moon Cake Festival Chinese Taoist tradition

Feast Day of Saint Sophia, Orthodox Christian, Saint Sophia, Wisdom,

Autumnal Equinox – Mabon, Wicca

Kings Week, Christian

Michael and All Angels, Christian

Rosh Hashanah, Jewish

Navaratri, Hindu

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Native American Moon: Full Corn Moon, also called the Fruit Moon; such names were used for a full moon that occurs during the first week of September, to keep the Harvest Moon from coming too early in the calendar. Harvest moon is bright enough to continue to harvest at night. This is a time to disseminate information.

Wiccan Moon: Harvest Moon,  A good time to clean and clear up the issues of life. A ritual for healing old wounds, emotional and physical, forgiving of transgressors and yourself. A good time for seeing clear through psychic fog and "letting go" of old issues.

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Vedic:

Virgo was rising or was in a Eastern direction when Jesus Christ was born. Esoterically, this sign is the storehouse of all creative faculties: it represents Parvati (the consort of Lord Shiva) who is considered the World Mother and who is Primordial Energy.

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    Attributes:

Duality:            Feminine

Element:          Earth

Position:          Mutable

Symbol:           The Virgin

Planet:             Mercury

Flower:            Aster

Gemstone:       Lapis Lazuli       

Anatomy:         Nervous system and intestines

Best Foods:     Potassium sulphate: green leafy vegetables , whole wheat, whole grain breads, wheat germ oil, oats, almonds, cheese, oranges,  bananas, lemons and honey.

Avoid:      feeling overburdened by duty and guilt. Learn service and love.

Colors:     Earthy brown, greens, navy blue

Action needed: Learn practicality and the significance of service.

Motto:     “I Analyze”     

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Character:

Virgo is the sign for practical service, and often these natives will become laborious workers. Some people are good and kind and have great visions, but are at the same time entirely inefficient in their daily life and cannot put their dreams into effect. An ineffective idealist is one who does not know how to help others and is of little use to humanity.
 

Virgo is the sign in which one learns practicality and the significance of practical service. Your soul probably learned idealism in previous lifetimes under the polar opposite sign, Pisces, and it is now time to practice these ideals in daily life. You must learn to manifest your ideas. At first this makes the selfish Virgo who uses matter for purely selfish purposes.

The next step is, a slowly emerging sense of duty that teaches you to use this capacity in practical service; and finally, you learn to offer service motivated by love. If you are a mature soul your lesson in Virgo is to give service based on love and not on duty or feelings of guilt.

A spiritually-oriented Virgo tries to eliminate any hindrance for her own or her group’s spiritual growth. It often happens, however, that instead of eliminating the hindrances on your path you allow yourself to be irritated by them, giving them undue attention -- but in doing so you produce an effect in opposition to your wishes. By focusing your attention on the positive,  you will eliminate the undesired by no longer providing it with a source of energy. Anxiety, anguish and criticism often become a scourge for Virgo. Remember that it is the light of the soul that shall guide you in your actions. 

Your task in life is to develop loving, practical service. When you have practiced the law of love for quite a long time you and the environment around you will be transformed. It is the birth of what is sometimes called the Christ-child, which is the long-term goal most of us are striving to achieve

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Myths and Legends:

The Symbol of Virgo

Virgo is symbolized by the goddess of justice: Astraea, the virgin daughter of Zeus and Themis. She is known for holding the scales of justice from the constellation Libra which is nearby. Astraea was said to have ruled the world with her wise ways until, in the bronze age, humanity became so corrupt and uncaring that she returned to the skies in disgust.

She has also been called Demeter, daughter of Astron (The Star), as The Maiden who holds the the gleaming Ear of Corn. 

The entire month of September leads up to the celebration of the great Sun Festival of King’s Week. The great yearly Balancing and Judging period of our Solar System during which time our Lord the Sun takes inventory of  the achievements of all the planets and shows all beings what must still be accomplished during the last three months of the year, before the new message for the future year can be given out.

The Mother’s influence this month can be found in her mantle. Her Mantle is now spread out over the world just as told in the ancient Celtic legend: Birgit spread her Mantle over the sea and so created Ireland. We remember Her function as crowned queen on the 15th of August. Her mantle spreads over the earth now as a blue and silver cloak of protection and purification.

The Mother of the Solar Light of the Sky represents the element of fire and in her function as Sun Queen she aids in the creation of the great Solar Festival. If, at this at this time we remember the Feminine line of Initiations - In Christian mythology, Mary is born from Anne both women arising from immaculate conception. This symbolizes the fact that before the sun god (or son) is born we find an entire line of feminine functions which are coming forth out of themselves, by parthenogenesis. The birth of Mary is therefore the last in the chain.

The last four months of the year are dedicated to the four pillars of the universe, September being the East - Mother of the Solar Light of the Sky.    In some ancient crypts (for example: Scelles, Belgium) when you stand in the middle of the dark dome shaped arch, you can experience these four energies as real physical pillars standing around you. It is a moving and primal experience. You can also find these four Goddesses depicted at the four corners of the sarcophagus in ancient Egypt, often holding their dress in a way that looks like wings to protect the dead. 
                                                                                                               Bell of peace, Hiroshima Japan

Professor Van der Stock talked about this repeatedly and has given us his vision of this series of functions emanating from the Wisdom of the Deep. The cycle begins with the young Virgin Mother who in due time will give birth to the son, the Christ, the Anointed One. The influence of the Daughter as Queen of Heaven and Earth starts to come into action in this period too.

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Ramadan

In the year 610 A.D. when Muhammad was 40 years old he went to meditate on Mount Hira. He had a vision, that an angel of God appeared before him. This angel introduced himself as Jibril and revealed to Muhammad that he, Muhammad, was to be the messenger of Allah, born as a prophet to his people.

Being doubtful, Muhammad descended from Mount Hira and told everything to his wife Khadijah. He feared he had encountered an evil spirit.  Khadijah then took him to her old cousin Waraqa ibn Nawfalwho who was a very wise man, well-versed in sacred texts and different religions. He told Muhammad that he indeed had encountered a messenger of God and that the angel who had visited Muhammad was the same divine messenger, Gabriel, who had also visited the Hebrew prophet Moses.

In the following twenty-three years, Muhammad was visited many times by Jibril who made him aware of holy knowledge . This sacred knowledge consists of the code of conduct that Allah asked his people to follow. It is inscribed in verses in the holy Qur'an, the most sacred book in Islam.

It is said that this sacred knowledge was revealed to Muhammad during the month of Ramadan. "Laylat al-Qadr" - the "Night of the Power", the holiest night of the year.

As a mark of respect to Allah and to show gratitude to him, the followers of Islam pass the month of Ramadan fasting, in prayers aand at end they celebrate with great festivities.

During Ramadan, Muslims ask for forgiveness and pray for guidance. They purify themselves through self-restraint and good deeds. The dates for Ramadan vary, move backwards about eleven days each year depending on a moon calendar. Muslims believe Ramadan to be an excellent month to receive the revelations of God themselves, Insha’allah – God willing.

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Nativity of Our Lady

On September 8, we celebrate the Nativity of our Lady Mary; a new foundation is given by the Mother of all life, to tackle the last four months of the year, this is a festival to which we should pay special attention. 

In this month, we start a new feminine year.  This is one of the Marial festivals, which link us directly to the Feminine Hierarchy and the Order of Great Priestesses. According to the gospel of James, St. Anne and her husband Joachim, after years of childlessness they were visited by the angel Gabriel who told them they would conceive a child.  (See the month of July for reference to St. Anne).

Anne promised to dedicate this child, Mary, to serve God. It is written that she gave Mary to the service of the Second Temple when she was three years old. Anne is the patron saint of Quebec, Brittany, the Mi'kmaq peoples, women in labor, and miners.

A new awareness follows the Assumption of Our Lady, which happened last month. Now a withdrawal into Silence, into the depth of Great Wisdom, which is the foundation of the Great Mother, is taking place.

Some have described this time as a dark diamond which rises from the depths of the earth, with its purifying rays, it cleanses, readjusts and realigns our whole being as well as all the beings of this planet.

This is a fundamental spiritual moment that presents us with the possibility of going back to our own “birth”; to start over in a virginal state of purity. At this time when we can find our deepest core, hard and mysterious as the dark diamond. This is a special opportunity to transform our center. 

This action is described by the alchemic saying: V.I.T.R.I.O.L., “Visita Interiora Terrae Rectificando Invenies Occultum Lapidem": “Visit the interior of the earth and rectifying (purifying) you will find the hidden stone.” The motto originated in L’Azoth des Philosophes by the 15th Century alchemist Basilius Valentinus.

This transformation of self is a step closer to finding the philosopher’s stone. This concept is repeated in the Temple of Apollo at Delphi in the words above the door: Nosce te ipsum - know thyself.

In psychological terms, taking a long hard, honest look at yourself will allow you to come away with the wisdom to change, advance and interiorize some of the hard lessons of life. In essence, you will be refreshed and reborn.

In visiting this deep and sacred place within ourselves, we can also take this opportunity to re-dedicate our lives to the service e of the World Mother and to the service of the Great White Brotherhood of which She is the Jewel.

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Feast Day of Saint Sophia

Sophia is the phonetic spelling in Latin of the Greek Σοφíα, or word for wisdom. Sophia can be described as the wisdom of God. She is mentioned in both the Bible, the Talmud, and the Quran.

                                                  

An important aspect of Sophia is that she is not considered fallen or in any way corrupt, she has no need of redemption. She is pure, virgin essence, wisdom, untainted by the material world.

She is a powerful symbol in Russian Orthodox, Greek orthodox and the Jewish faiths. She is considered as existing outside creation but compassionately interceding on behalf of humanity to alleviate suffering by inspiring true spiritual seekers with wisdom.

Today Sophia is thought of as 'the Glory of God' or “the dwelling place of God” and can be understood as divine intuition. In Judaism The Shekina is the spiritual presence of god. It is told She is present in acts of public prayer, She  the Holy Spirit of the Catholics,  and as such she represents peace, reassurance, calmness, and tranquility.

  A Mediation on Wisdom

Wisdom has built her house;

She has hewn out its seven pillars.

And She says:

From the beginning, before the earth began,

Before the oceans, I was already conceived.

I was born before the springs were abounding with water,

Before the mountains settled in place.

Before the hills were formed, I was given birth,

Before He made the earth or its fields,

Or any of the dust of the world.

I was there when He set the heavens into place.

When He marked out the horizon on the face of the deep

When He established the clouds above,

And fixed securely the fountains of the deep,

When He prescribed the sea its limit

So that the waters would stay in its boundary,

And when He marked the foundations of the Earth,

I was at His side, always,

Filling Him with delight

And rejoicing in His presence.

Blessed are those who listen to Me,

For whoever finds Me, finds Life.

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Mooncake festival

A popular harvest festival celebrated by the Chinese and Vietnamese people, dating back over 3,000 years to the Shang Dynasty. The China public holiday for this festival lasts for three days from September 22nd to September 24th. The Mid-autumn festival is one of the two most important occasions in Chinese calendar (the other being the Spring Festival or the Chinese New Year). It represents a festival of moon worship; traditionally farmers celebrated the end of the fall harvesting season on this date. Chinese families and friends gather to observe the bright harvest moon, and eat moon cakes and pomelos.

One type of traditional mooncake is filled with lotus seed paste. These are quite filling and meant to be cut diagonally in quarters to be  passed around. A word of caution: the salty yolk in the middle, representing the full moon, is an acquired taste.

Elaborate versions of mooncakes contain four egg yolks (representing the four phases of the moon) and lotus seed paste. Mooncakes can take up to four weeks to make and other traditional fillings include red bean paste and black bean paste. Unfortunately, mooncakes are rather high in calories.
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Autumnal Equinox – Mabon
 

At the autumn equinox, the exact time between physical day and night is equal.

The conditions for this balancing are set by the Great Mother, Who at the beginning of September has brought Her consciousness from the Wisdom of the deep from which She is born and she is again now reborn as the Virgin: Pure and harmless as a child. She repeats this annual Cycle of growth in order to give earth and all human beings the opportunity to go deep into our own being and to become like a little babe recommencing a new cycle of growth with her.  

Mabon is the mid-harvest festival, and it is when we take a few moments to honor the changing seasons, and celebrate the second harvest.

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King’s week

(See chapter on Kings Week)

Sept 22 – Sept 29! The Regent of our Solar system, Lord of the SUN, takes inventory of all the planets at this time. He measures their advancement in keeping with the Plan given out by the Hierarchy given to each for this year.

We know that by Saint Michael’s day, September 29th, the process will have been accomplished by the Lords of all the Planets. In three consecutive days, they will finish the tasks of the year, pick-up whatever they have missed, correct what went wrong, and do what should have been done. Then a new stimulus will be given to all.

Though there is nothing really that we can do on the level of the other planets, and even very little on the level of our own planet as a whole, yet we can start to work for and on ourselves. We can review with our mind’s eye and with our hearts our imperfections and judge the tasks we have been given to accomplish but have not finished. As we have been told that during the last three months of the year we have the possibility yet to correct our work. We have an opportunity here to catch up if we need to.

This week allows us to meditate and work on ourselves and in our environment with the seven rays, the seven chakras and any other septenary group for healing, resolution and new beginnings.

Archangels are associated with color rays that represent their spiritual power. Simply visualizing the color of each Archangel will help you feel the connection strengthen. The Seven Archangels and Rays are:

• ARCHANGEL MICHAEL who serves in the First Ray which is the Blue Ray and the Ray of Protection and Power
• ARCHANGEL JOPHIEL who serves on the Second or Yellow Ray which is the Ray of Illumination and Wisdom
• ARCHANGEL CHAMUEL who serves on the Third or Pink Ray which is the Ray of Love
• ARCHANGEL GABRIEL who serves on the Fourth or White Ray which is the Ray of Harmony and Purity
• ARCHANGEL RAPHAEL who serves on the Fifth Ray or Green Ray which is the Ray of Healing
• ARCHANGEL URIEL who serves on the Sixth Ray or Gold Ray which is the Ray of Peace
• ARCHANGEL ZADKIEL who serves on the Seventh Ray or Violet Ray which is the Ray of Freedom

The entire month of September leads to the great Sun Festival of Saint Michael, King’s Week ,the yearly Great Balancing and Judging period of our Solar System. This will make it make possible for Terra to take Her place in full harmony in the great play of our Solar System. It is a glorious time, a time also of new beginnings on a new foundation.(see chapter on Kings week).

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Michaelmas

Michaelmas is the culmination of King's week and the feast of Saint Michael the Archangel on September 29. The Archangel Michael is one of the principal angelic warriors, honored for defeating Lucifer, he seen as a protector against the dark of night, and an administrator of cosmic intelligence.

Michaelmas is a festival and celebration of the Individual resurrecting his/her spiritual natures; it celebrates the realization of one’s Higher Self. The Michael Impulse is “inspired” during the Fall season infusing us all with the characteristics of courage of the Soul, strength of will, and the wisdom of Light. Michaelmas is the polar opposite of the Easter celebration in the Spring. In Easter, Jesus Christ was physically crucified on the cross (Death) but then resurrected. In Michaelmas, the Soul is purified thenresurrected from within. Thus we come to looking inward, as in Spring we begin to expand our view out.

So, as the story goes, Archangel Michael slays the Dragon, who is otherwise known as Satan, Lucifer, the Prince of Darkness, etc. This Dragon is also a Divine Being who has chosen to separate itself away from God (or the Creator) and because he was so influential, the impulse of Michael was warranted to send this fallen angel not into the depths of the Earth, but rather into the essences of Earth’s main inhabitants, Humans. 

The shooting stars that are so common during the late Summer and early Fall symbolize the flashing Sword of Michael battling the Dragon. This Dragon lives within each and every one of us. The way to feed and nurture this energy is by not acknowledging our spiritual nature as well as ignoring the spiritual natures of all other living creatures. The greatest energy of this Dragon centers around our heart region. Imagine the phrase “having a heart of coal or stone”, this is what happens with a fattened Dragon. When one achieves the self-realization of the God within (ie. discovering our true and original spiritual nature), the Dragon starves.

Despite the Dragon being manifested evil, it actually serves a grander purpose and has a significant reason for being. It is because of this nefarious beast that Man has Free Will and the capability to be independent. It is for this reason that we can not “blame” God when bad things happen to good people. As one gains a deeper understanding of this dynamic, there’s no longer any need to cast blame because things are simply evolving the way they should (if this perplexes you or confuses you, some study into karma and reincarnation may help).

Professor Van der Stok has given us a beautiful and strong image of what we call Saint Michael’s Week, but we also need to understand that the soul, the heart of the sun, or Mother of the Sun has a special function in this balancing act. She has the power to infuse and envelop each being, whether planet or person, with the love, wisdom and strength to bring this year’s work to its full completion and absolution.

So on our human level, this is a time to look at what we have done during the year, to ask for forgiveness from those we may have injured, and to forgive ourselves for any pain we may have inflicted, even unintentionally. We also have to forgive those who caused us suffering, again “putting the meter on zero” so to say, and starting anew.

Interestingly enough, one does not have to be a Christian to celebrate Michaelmas. In fact other religions have similar celebrations around the Fall season. In Judaism, Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish “New Year” is typically celebrated around the Fall Equinox and is followed ten days later by the “Day of Atonement” of Yom Kippur. Michaelmas is about a week after the Fall Equinox and a day after Yom Kippur. In Yom Kippur, one makes amends for the past year’s sins and one can look at a sin as anything that brings one further away from their soul-spiritual natures. In Islamic religion this is a month where Muslims intensify their worship and contemplation through acts such as fasting. Fasting is another way of clearing away the “death” within you so as to step fully into your faith. Hmmm, sounds like Ramadan, Yom Kippur, Michaelmas, Mabon and the Fall season are very much in line with each other.

What does this all mean for you? Take advantage of the cosmic rhythms by doing some fasting and cleansing and detoxification during this Fall season. Know that the season’s characteristics of courage, strength of will, and wisdom with clarity are all there for you to use.

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Rosh Hashanah

Rosh Hashanah,  the name meaning "Head of the Year", marks the start of a new year in the Hebrew calendar. Rosh Hashanah is described as "the day of judgment" (Yom ha-Din) and "the day of remembrance" (Yom ha-Zikkaron). Some Jewish, midrashic descriptions depict God as sitting upon a throne, while books containing the deeds of all humanity are opened for review, and each person passes in front of Him for evaluation of his or her deeds. Jews believe Rosh Hashanah also represents the first day of the creation of the World, or Universe. This celebration is in parallel with King’s Week and the meditations on atonement are the same.

Rosh Hashanah observances include: eating a piece of apple dipped in honey to symbolize the desire for a sweet year, and other special foods symbolic of the new year's blessings. Blessing one another with the words Leshanah tovah tikateiv veteichateim, "May you be inscribed and sealed for a good year."  Tashlich, a special prayer said near a body of water (an ocean, river, pond, etc.) in evocation of the verse, "And You shall cast their sins into the depths of the sea." And as with every major Jewish holiday, after candlelighting and prayers the Kiddush is recited and  a blessing is invoked on the Challah.

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Navaratri

Nav' means 'nine' and 'ratri' means 'night'. Thus, 'Navratri' means 'nine nights'. There are many legends attached to the conception of Navratri as with all Indian festivals. Each night is related to Goddess Shakti (Hindu Mother Goddess) and her various forms.

It is one of the most celebrated festivals of Hindu calendar. The first three days of Navratri are dedicated to Goddess Durga (Warrior Goddess) dressed in red and mounted on a lion. Her various incarnations - Kumari, Parvati and Kali - are worshipped during these days. They represent the three different classes of womanhood that include the child, the young girl and the mature woman. The Goddess Durga is the mother of the universe and believed to be the power behind the work of creation, preservation, and destruction of the world. Since time immemorial she has been worshipped as the supreme power of the Supreme Being and has been mentioned in many scriptures - Yajur Veda, Vajasaneyi Samhita and Taittareya Brahman.

The Meaning of "Durga"

The word "Durga" in Sanskrit means a fort, or a place which is difficult to overrun. Another meaning of "Durga" is "Durgatinashini," which literally translates into "the one who eliminates sufferings." Thus, Hindus believe that goddess Durga protects her devotees from the evils of the world and at the same time removes their miseries.

The next three days are dedicated to Goddess Lakshmi (Goddess of Wealth and Prosperity), dressed in gold and mounted on an owl. Goddess of wealth and prosperity, both material and spiritual. The word ''Lakshmi'' is derived from the Sanskrit word Laksme, meaning "goal." Lakshmi, therefore, represents the goal of life, which includes worldly as well as spiritual prosperity. In Hindu mythology, Goddess Lakshmi, also called Shri, is the divine spouse of Lord Vishnu and provides Him with wealth for the maintenance and preservation of creation.

The last three days are dedicated to the Goddess Saraswati (Goddess Of Knowledge), dressed in milky white and mounted on a pure white swan. Sweetmeats are prepared for the celebrations. Children and adults dress up in new bright-colored dresses for the night performances. Saraswati is the Goddess of leaning, knowledge, and wisdom. The Sanskrit word sara means "essence" and swa means "self." Thus Saraswati means "the essence of the self." Saraswati is represented in Hindu mythology as the divine consort of Lord Brahma, the Creator of the universe. Since knowledge is necessary for creation, Saraswati symbolizes the creative power of Brahma. Goddess Saraswati is worshipped by all persons interested in knowledge, especially students, teachers, scholars, and scientists.
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CONCLUSION

These last four months are placed under the guidance and direction of the Four High Priestesses who are the Pillars of our Universe and our work, September is dedicated to the Queen of Fire.

The Queen of the East, brings us her special protection and gives us the foundation for the process of Judgment at the end of the month.

Her purity and new approach will give us the option to start afresh and to finish in these last 4 months of the year whatever we have started before. All our tasks should be consummated before the end of the year, when a New Message will be given out at Christmas.  

This reflects the rhythms of the seasons where in Spring, the Earth is in a state of expiration (exhalation) and during Autumn it is in a state of inspiration (inhalation). In Autumn, the Earth on a superficial level is experiencing death with the shedding of leaves and the dying of its plants, while within its greatest depths it is taking in (inspiring) the new, Heavenly forces from the Cosmos in which new growth can be manifested and “exhaled” during the Spring and Summer seasons. This is why the spiritual characteristic of Autumn is Clarity. One cannot take in (and be clear with) what is new if one does not let go of what is old.

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