 Malvin Artley has been a practising astrologer for more than 10 years. He is an
accredited member of the American Federation of Astrologers.
Malvin is the author of Bodies of Fire: An Exploration of the Lesser Chakra System. He has authored numerous articles and was a member of the faculty of the University of the Seven Rays, a non-profit organization dedicated to the teaching of the Trans-Himalayan tradition as expressed through the books of Alice Bailey, Helena Blavatsky and others.
His primary focus over the past 25 years has been on the sciences as they express occultism and with bridging work between the two. His
special interests are the human subtle energy system and all
the chakras, or energy centres, physics and technology, astronomy and all
aspects of Chinese occultism. He has done extensive work with Chinese
astrology and the cycles they use and seeks to synthesize the great
Western and Oriental systems on such matters.
Malvin lives in Adelaide, South Australia. He also works in the engineering trades and sends out periodic emails about astrological happenings and developments. Click here to subscribe to Malvin's periodic letters.
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Second Virgo New Moon:
September New Moon 2006
A "Blue" New Moon in the Month of the Fire Rooster
It is unusual for two New Moons to occur in the same zodiacal sign in the same calendar year. This year a second New Moon in Virgo happens in 2006 on September 22, at 11:46 hours GMT. Malvin Artley, our regular esoteric commentator, discusses the meaning of this unusual New Moon (which also produces a Solar Eclipse) from the viewpoint of Chinese Astrology. This is the month of the Fire Rooster, so let's crow!
CHART
Name: SOLAR ANNULAR ECLIPSE
Date/Time: 22 Sep 2006, 9:10 PM (11:40 AM GMT)Leadership is a difficult role, but good advice never goes astray.Morning comes early in the sultry summer season. It was 4:00 AM, and the Sun's rays slowly began to permeate the blackness of the night before the dawn. Slowly, the Red Rooster awakened, the life beginning to stir once again in his aging frame. He drew a deep breath and ruffled his feathers, flapping his wings as he aroused himself from the night's slumber. All of a sudden a younger rooster from the flock crowed his greetings to the dawning day. “Too soon!” the red rooster thought to himself, annoyed at being jolted from his morning reverie. “Young bucks – they never seem to get the timing of it right!” not thinking that he had once been such a younger buck himself.
As he sat on his roost, his thoughts took him back to the time of his youth when he was the leader of the flock. He was a fine specimen in his day, strutting around the barnyard, having his pick of the hens. He was the envy of all the younger roosters – and the scourge of the ones he had ousted. The younger ones played up to him when they weren't challenging him – yes-men – trying to find out his secrets and watching his every move, hoping to find the flaw in his plumage that would allow them to topple him and take his place. The older roosters gossiped about him, especially to the hens, taking gleeful delight in his every failing. Yes, he was king of the roost, but he soon found himself isolated in his grandeur. He was the best at what he did and none could better him, yet his position came at the cost of companionship and his peace of mind. There were a few allies, however, in roosters who had been ousted by the older roosters and thus sidelined in their quest for their place in the sun. They had the advantage of being able to observe everyone else from the outside of life's dramas and by not being caught up in the constant struggles with the other roosters. Their knowledge was priceless, and the Red Rooster soon came to value their good advice. As it eventually happens, though, his pride and his love of status were entrenched, alas, and he eventually went the way of all the older roosters before him. He was replaced with a younger model of himself. Position and power are fleeting things. Now he found solace with his advisors and in his growing love of solitude.
Still, he wouldn't have it any other way. He had done the hard yards. He had been at the top of the pecking order. He had been a presence, an authority – the leader. As he thought back on things, he would rather have had more companionship than the loneliness of his post when he was in his heyday. It was his one regret. That was the biggest reason he gave up his post in the end. At least now he had the company of others without all the vying for position. He wasn't so different from the young roosters in those days, but he was wiser now. “It's lonely at the top.” he thought, as he heaved a knowing sigh at the fate that eventually awaited the young upstart that had upset his morning constitutional. Then again, he had come to appreciate his moments of solitude, too, for they gave him the space for inspiration. It is difficult to find that when one is totally preoccupied with the maintenance of social standing. He really valued that time now.
“Well, I still have a job to do” the Red Rooster thought, and the timing for his display was now correct. He would show the young bucks the voice of experience. As he flapped his wings and bellowed his rendition of the coming day, there was silence after – simple respect for a rooster who had earned his due. Experience always wins out over bluster and brute force. He may not be the strongest or the most charismatic now, but he was still the best herald for the day, and all within the flock knew it – especially the hens, who still secretly loved him. Life was good, even for the Rooster of Solitude.
Eclipse at the South Node
Before we get into the meanings of this Chinese month and new moon a few comments are in order about the eclipse that is a part of this new moon, as well as the solstice figure, which follows closely upon it (the next day, in fact). This particular eclipse is a solar annular eclipse at the Moon's South Node, and it is on a 0 Aries point. I will explain what all that means in a letter to follow closely after this one.
Basically, this eclipse will bring about endings of old situations and relationships that no longer have any growth in them. In itself, it is not an especially powerful eclipse, but it does also herald the new season as well as the month, so it deserves more than a passing note of interest. It is a 'blue moon', too, being the second of two new moons in the sign of Virgo (the first was on the 24th of August), thus its effect due to the solar emphasis is enhanced. Again, I will cover that in the next letter. The Chinese had their own view of eclipses. As was usual with ancient cultures, they were not seen in a favorable light. Even today, South Node eclipses are seen to bring about what most people would feel to be negative results, although the event itself might actually be the best thing for a person, group or nation – or a big wake-up call. In short, the eclipse that defines the start of this lunar month adds a more ominous note.
This eclipse occurs in the 27 Hsiu (Chinese Lunar Mansion), which is called “Wings”. It is generally considered an unlucky asterism, especially if a solar eclipse takes place there. The animal associated with the 27th Hsiu is the Snake, which is one of their 5 Calamity animals. They were thus named because they have a habit of lying in people's way and bringing about peril if trodden upon or approached. (The other four Calamity Animals are the Porcupine, Fox, Weasel and the Rat.) However, Snakes are also known as one of the 5 Seers (the others being Badgers, Porcupines, Weasels and Small Deer). Thus, aside from being unlucky, the Snake also confers the power of insight-especially when it refers to scandal, detective work, research and double-dealing. Snakes are known for their subtlety, and they give the image of knowledge, rather than fact. There is also a powerful sensuality associated with the Snake. Thus, we can expect sexual scandals when this Lunar Mansion is negatively activated, as it will be under this eclipse. This is especially true considering that Wings governs members of the ruling or legislative bodies of nations. It is considered unfavorable for weddings, leaving home for business trips and memorial services. The Western meanings for the eclipse will be covered in the next letter. With these points in mind, let us have a look at the Chinese meanings for this month of the Fire Rooster.
Leadership and Status
As the lead story suggests, the concerns for this month will revolve around leadership and status. Roosters as an animal sign are known for public display and demonstration of abilities. We saw from last month that the time for play was past and it was time for more serious considerations, and many of us have had to deal with just that in the past few weeks. Life feels like serious business right now, and when I said there would be 'stings in the tail' with the lunar eclipse of Sep 8th, I had little inkling of how close to the mark I would be. (There will be more about that in the next letter, too.) That sting in the tail has brought about major shifts in circumstance and awareness for many people I know, and the realities of many people's situations have been brought home in a major way. However, those changes have also brought substantial shifts in awareness, too, for many. What is suggested by the Four Pillars and the eclipse in the 27th Hsiu is that there will likely be 'a falling from pedestals' for folks in positions of authority and power in the coming weeks. Relationships of all types will come under strain as well. This month especially bodes ill for people involved in business and/or political ventures where there have been double-dealings and hidden motives. All that sort of thing will possibly be brought to light this month. A word to and from the wise (whoever that may be) – watch your backs this month and gather your best advisors close to you.
The way in which the issues are best approached this month are indicated by the Day Pillar – The Tiger Standing Firm. The basic meaning of that Pillar is as follows: “Cutting out the unserviceable with a firm resolve and replacing that with the new is now in order. Steadfast resolve is strong. Delay of important communications brings problems later.” 3
If there has been 'dead wood' in your life that has been holding back your progress, then this is the month to do your 'yard work' and bring about those beneficial endings of which this eclipse foretells. Build a bonfire with the detritus and toast some marshmallows in the process. We may as well have some fun as we do the hard work! These last few sentences really do indicate the beneficial side of such an eclipse. In the end, the best results will only come after renewed efforts, but along a somehow different approach than has been taken in the past. Basically, our best approach to getting the most out of the month of the Rooster of Solitude is to get rid of the 'yes-men' and the gossips in our lives, fall back upon our inner Voice and gain inspiration from our quieter moments. Our wisest council always comes from the higher Self (the 'Wise One' of the opening koans) and the best way to hear that inner guidance is to sit and listen – instead of running around after outer pursuits and fleeting things and allowing the voices of others to influence us-unless those voices find accord with what we hear internally. I cannot comment upon the Hour Pillar because that changes with every two time zones. As with the first letter, this is a brief overview of the month to come and I have kept it purposely short because of the eclipse information, but there is more than enough information given upon which to act. Have fun with your 'gardening', and please do take time to sit and allow your inspiration to come to you! It will be worth the wait.
Blessings,
Malvin.
17 Sep 2006
1 Daytime=if the eclipse occurs between sunrise and sunset
2 Nighttime=if the eclipse occurs between sunset and sunrise (your time)
3 Quote taken from the software The Imperial Astrologer, courtesy of Esoteric Technologies. www.esotech.com.au Graphics and koans courtesy of the same. All text in the program is by this author.
Now read Malvin's explanation of why he has chosen the Chinese interpretation for the New Moon this month.
Go to The Virgo Solar Festival, 2006.
 Malvin Artley is an accredited member of the American Federation of Astrologers. His primary focus over the past 25 years has been on the sciences as they express occultism and with bridging work between the two. His special interests in those fields are the human subtle energy system and all the chakras, or energy centres, physics and technology, astronomy and all aspects of Chinese occultism.
He sends out periodic emails about astrological happenings and developments. These letters are sent out as a gift and a service. If you wish to be added to or deleted from the mailing list please let me know. If you feel inspired to pass them on please do so, but do so without alteration or charge. They are sent to people of many persuasions, not just astrologers. Blessings. Click here to subscribe to Malvin's periodic letters.
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