posted September 06, 2010 05:57 PM         

To be human is to keep rattling the bars of the cage of existence hollering "What's it for?" Robert Fulghum

Man must realize his own unimportance before he can appreciate his importance. R.M. Baumgardy

If an animal does something we call it instinct; if we do the same thing for the same reason, we call it intelligence. Will Cuppy

There are 193 living species of monkeys and apes. 192 of them are covered with hair. The exception is a naked ape, self-named homo sapiens. Desmond Morris

Be tolerant of the human race. Your whole family belongs to it - and some of your spouse's family does too. Anon

If we evolved from the monkeys, why are there still monkeys? Kathleen Madigan

September's new Moon, happening on Wednesday September 8th, is one of fascination, wonder, observation and delight, tinged with some hesitancy as some watch and wait and try to figure things out. The Sabian Symbol is Virgo 16: Delighted Children Crowd Around The Orangutan Cage In A Zoo.

The following is my interpretation of this degree from my book 360 Degrees Of Wisdom: Charting Your Destiny With The Sabian Oracle:

This Symbol expresses the desire to relate across gulfs of differences that are very obvious between different species. Observing the life of an ‘Orangutan’ is like looking into an evolutionary mirror. We are able to see where we have been, how differently we relate to the world, and how we have chosen to deal with our environment. It is not a matter of the human species being better. Indeed, one comes to realize the degree of similarity. Sometimes people we encounter in life seem to be from a different species (or planet!) and have a totally opposite perspective of life, leading to completely different ways of acting and reacting. It can, at times, lead to a feeling of separation, but there is value in remaining aware of and appreciating the similarities and common ground along with the differences. There may need to be a “primitive”, or ‘Childlike’ response. It is also by facing the baser instincts that you can realize a fresh, new approach to those around you.

Keywords: Karmic confrontations between the creatively integrated and the unevolved. Objects of derision, fascination or worship. Showing off or acting to get a reaction from others. Trying to relate to others that don’t understand. Feeling like one is in a zoo. Observing others. Curiosity. Crowding around. Everyone wanting to have a look. Going by instincts. Television shows such as Jerry Springer. News networks. The media. Lack of social inhibition.

The Caution: Egoistic feelings of being better or in a higher state of evolution. Having no place for privacy. Gaping at others. Taunting people. Daring others to do something outrageous or animal-like. Making fun of people. Building cages. Hiding from view. Fences and barriers. The intrusion of the media (beating up stories). Eliciting sick behavior from others.

Of course, how this will affect people depends on their individual situations. Certainly, many will feel like they're living in a zoo. This can lead to feelings of being different, standing out, or, it can be that we're seeing things or having to put up with things that can be confronting, compromising or strange.

Weather anomalies are happening around the globe and New Zealand just had a big earthquake. The energy that's around is very strong right now. The Quest degree, (the degree after the degree the new Moon) is Virgo 17: A Volcanic Eruption Bringing Dust Clouds, Flowing Lava, Earth Rumblings. Something is set to release, emerge or blow up. The keywords for this degree are:

Thoughts or ideas pouring out, torrents of thought or emotion, anger that needs expression, eruptions that are quickly overcome, pressure cooker environments, after shocks, waiting for the dust to settle, cathartic release, volcanoes, earthquakes, earth tremors, rumblings, earth changes, dust... it can lead to situations being turned to "rubble".

The Volcanic Eruption degree is not saying everything is going to be bad - it can imply wonderful ideas erupting, things emerging from deep within, treasures found, sudden realizations, etc.

Mercury, the ruler of the Virgo new Moon, is retrograde on Virgo 7: The Harem. Dane Rudhyar in his wonderful book An Astrological Mandala has the Keynote for this degree: A fateful (even if sought after) subservience to the vagaries or desires of the emotional nature. Further, he says about this degree that it's the emptiness of waiting.

This placement of Mercury can bring up issues to do with relationships in many ways. Perhaps someone thinks they are masters of a situation or in control of another or others. Maybe they see themselves as the sultan, the boss, head honcho or Grand Poobah. Whatever, there can be an imbalance of power, as, this degree can show people (particularly women) giving away their power. Of course, some benefits or privileges can come from being complicit or accepting of someone else's ideas or desires. Other times, one can feel like just one of a number of others who don't have much say, power or position. Some will feel like they're left out of the main action or are not succeeding in getting much of someone's undivided attention.

There is also the possibility if the enjoyment of friends, particularly women, and the feeling of being in a community that understands and supports you. Gossip, painful intentions or jealousy are directly counter productive and can cause problems. This degree points to the benefits of sharing and caring and being supportive of each other and it can apply equally to issues to do with relationships, friendships, relationships at work, etc. Building community is the true goal.

Venus is on a degree that asks that we look for signs, learn and employ our knowledge and understanding to life. The Sabian Symbol is Libra 30: Three Mounds Of Knowledge On A Philosopher's Head. This speaks of wisdom that transcends book knowledge, philosophy, being an impressive figure, making wise decisions regardless of hard-line opinion, predicting the future, wit, style, seeing potential in others. The cautions include analyzing things too much and too much reliance on intellect, being a "know-it-all", having a bossy attitude (whoops, there's that sultan again), taking things far too seriously, people with "highbrow" attitudes, etc.

Moments after the new Moon, Venus goes into Scorpio. The Sabian Symbol is Scorpio 1: A Sightseeing Bus Filled With Tourists. This speaks of observing life, seeing how other people live, watching from afar, tourists, traveling, buses, planes, suitcases, luggage, cameras, pictures, souvenirs, tour guides, timing and being on time, the untried and untrodden or the same old road, getting lost in something for hours, foreign territories, new ways of seeing.

We take snapshots of life with Venus on The Sightseer degree.

Mars is on a degree that asks us whether we want to employ power and force or love and acceptance to situations. The Sabian Symbol is Libra 26: An Eagle And A Large White Dove Turning Constantly Into Each Other.

The keywords are: tempering one's will with love and bolstering up one's emotional responses with strength, cooperation of mind, will, spirit and heart, eagles and doves, being strong and soft at the same time. It can, especially with Mars on this degree, show being "all over the place" with reactions, being changeable, not acting for the purpose of a definite outcome, confusing others with conflicting behavior, not knowing what to expect next, on one minute - off the next.

Saturn is on the very last minute of Libra 5: A Man Teaching The True Inner Knowledge Of The New World To His Students. Saturn may be asking if we're getting the message, learning the lessons, teaching what we know, walking our talk, being an example to others, etc. There can be a purity of knowledge with this degree. There can also be, as Saturn is here, lessons brought about by a refusal to observe, listen or learn. This can be quite a karmic placement of Saturn. What are you giving out and what are you taking in?

Directly after the new Moon, Saturn swiftly moves onto Libra 6: A Man Watches His Ideals Taking A Concrete Form Before His Inner Vision. With Saturn here, there can be vivid confrontations with one's objectives, imagining things - for better or for worse, meditations and affirmations, putting things out into the universe, making things happen, seeing things take shape and form, getting published, etc. It can also show issues or problems arising from situations that were not taken seriously enough. What is it that you're creating in your life? Is it a long-term solution? Are you seeing things coming to light that feel somehow karmic or fated? Saturn on this degree can show us how we create our own reality, and, it can bring things to the surface for a healing - especially with the Moon and the Sun on the Volcanic Eruption degree shortly after the new Moon.

Pluto's message has long been one of wanting us to find a transformation in our lives and it's currently on a very transformative degree. The Sabian Symbol is Capricorn 3: The Human Soul, In Its Eagerness For New Experiences, Seeks Embodiment. This is a very creative degree and can show the experience of "being born again". There can be a very strong urge to experience life passionately, meaningfully and fully in every sense of the word.

The Moon's north node shows the possibility, or the need, to let go of the old stories of your life. The Sabian Symbol is Capricorn 10: An Albatross Feeding From The Hand Of A Sailor. This speaks of feeding one's higher nature with good nourishment, banishing worries so that one can fly ever higher, overcoming superstitions or beliefs that hinder. The north node is asking us how long we can go on carrying things around our necks like the sailor in "The Ancient Mariner" story. Time to break free of constraints and to let go of those old stories?

The Moon's south node is on Cancer 10: A Large Diamond In The First Stages Of The Cutting Process. This speaks of coming to terms with inner wealth, the first stages of developing or building something really wonderful and worthwhile, it can show beauty that is within, even if it has flaws, potential, self development courses, craftsmanship and knowing when to start and when to finish. This degree can speak of a "diamond in the rough" and perhaps our ongoing journey is one of cutting, shaping and honing to get that gemstone that we are more and more perfected!