The Autumn Equinox; Astrology and the Tarot

New Moon in Virgo, Saturday 3rd September 2005

With the Sun having recently gone into the sign of Virgo, we're all feeling the call back to work or school after the summer. Nose to the grindstone time! At this time of year we're also getting ready to make the transition from summer into autumn, especially as the Autumn Equinox is on its way. The hard working and detail-oriented Virgo energy around us makes sure that the ground is properly laid in anticipation of this time.

The word Equinox means "equal night", and on this year's Autumn Equinox on September 22nd, when the Sun enters the sign of Libra, the number of hours of daylight are equal to the hours of night. This equal day and night occurs only twice a year, the Spring (or Vernal) Equinox being in late March. At both the Spring and Autumn Equinox, the Sun rises exactly in the East and sets exactly in the West everywhere on earth.

Libra is traditionally ruled by the planet Venus, but is also associated with the planet Saturn, which is "exalted" or empowered in this sign. Saturn, amongst other things, symbolises "the grim reaper", and ancient agricultural societies celebrated harvest time with festivals. These were usually marked by making sacrifices to ward off the evil spirits and spirits of the dying year.

Librans the world over will of course be experiencing their personal New Year, or Solar Return, at the time of the Autumn Equinox (for more info on Solar Returns see August's New Moon Messenger by going to www.star-maps.co.uk/horoscopes.asp and clicking on the articles link). Libra is a cardinal sign, and like the others in this cardinal group, Aries, Cancer and Capricorn, Libra needs to go out and actively do something. In this case it's communicate and relate. Librans are constantly trying to get people to talk so that common ground and harmony can be reached. They have a strong sense of fairness and equality: think Bob Geldof with Live 8, or Ghandi, standing up to face difficult odds where social injustice was in play and an imbalance needed redressing. Another good example of Libran energy is Jean Claude Van Damme - his films are always about fighting an injustice, bringing things back to a level playing field, making situations fair all round. Librans, being ruled by Venus, planet of love, harmony and aesthetics, are also often involved in the world of entertainment. Think of Matt Damon, modern day heart throb, the epitome of the charming and charismatic actor. Pop Princess Gwen Stefani is also a good example of how important appearances can be to Libra, as well as embodying the typical Libran talent for creativity with form and colour in her newer role as a fashion designer.

Although it's easy to regret the end of the summer and its inevitable passage into autumn, it's all part of yet another yearly cycle elapsing in our lives. Use the balance and equilibrium of the Autumn Equinox as an opportunity to reflect on what you're harvesting from life this year, and to decide how you intend to prepare the ground for next spring's seeds as winter draws nearer.

Astrology and the Tarot

As well as having an enduring interest in astrology, I've been fascinated for some years now by the ancient art of the tarot. Astrology and tarot have quite a lot in common, as both are systems which read symbolism. However, I hadn't realised that there were even more direct connections between the two, until tarot professional and Star-Maps affiliate Anya Gascoine Marco pointed it out to me. Here's what Anya has to say about astrology's connections with tarot.

It is widely accepted nowadays that the planets above us have a defined impact on our lives down here on earth. They define our personality traits, determine our potential path in life and rule the tides of the seas and our emotions. As above so below... this is one of the tenets of astrology and is also the overriding message of the tarot. This principle is embodied in the card of The Magician, as he melds the world of the heavens above with that below on earth in order to achieve power in everything he creates.

Astrology is not a system in isolation. The symbolism of the planets integrates with many esoteric systems and in particular with tarot. As two symbolic systems tarot and astrology connect in a variety of ways. This article will explore the connection between the two systems.

The tarot is a set of 78 cards split between the 22 major arcana and 56 minor arcana cards. Arcana or Arcanum means "secrets" and it is your inner secrets that the tarot helps to reveal through interpretation by a tarot reader. Each card has a unique meaning, derived from its collection of symbols. Each also connects tarot, like astrology, with the four elemental dignities; Earth, Water, Air and Fire.

The major arcana depict each major lesson we need to learn in life, and as such are the momentous occasions or hurdles we face and are asked to learn from. Each card in the major arcana is related to a planet, again linking tarot to astrology. The minor arcana help give an understanding of those day to day events which affect how we act, think, feel, relate to others, our personality traits and abilities - all of the things which make us who we are, and how we live.

Each of the four suits of the minor arcana is split into two parts: the numbered cards are Ace to 10 and are followed by four court cards, Page, Knight, Queen and King. It is the Knight, Queen and King which relate to actual personality types or indeed people in our lives, and from these we can gain most interesting insights.

The Knight is the adolescent of the suit, and as such he can oscillate from one extreme to another, depending on the qualities of the suit. He is also the rash, action-focussed one who will often act without thinking. The Queen is the receptive, passive, feminine energy, achieving through inner strength and ability. The King is the controller, the one who makes things happen by persistence and acting by example.

The 56 cards are split into four suits and each suit is ruled by one of the four elements:

The suit of Pentacles is ruled by Earth and as such relates to practical matters, material concerns, career etc. and in the case of the court cards corresponds to Taurus (Knight), Virgo (Queen) and Capricorn (King).

Cups are ruled by Water, they relate to feelings, emotions, healing and spirituality. Their court cards relate to Scorpio (Knight), Pisces (Queen) and Cancer (King)

Swords are ruled by Air, these cards reflect how important our mind is, relating to intellect, attitude and what we think about a situation. The Sword suit court cards connect to Aquarius (Knight), Gemini (Queen) and Libra (King)

The Wands are ruled by Fire, the spark of ideas, inspiration, action, adventure and creativity. The court cards relate to Leo (Knight), Sagittarius (Queen) and Aries (King).

So next time you have a tarot reading, look out for one of these characters and the astrological sign they embody. Think about who they could represent in your life and how they can help you - or indeed how they are hindering you!

http://www.innermoo.co.uk/ is the website of Anya Gascoine Marco, professional tarot reader. Anya is endorsed by the Tarot Association of the British Isles. Through innermoo she aims to bring you a comprehensive resource of esoteric subjects, together with a place to discuss them and purchase both tarot readings and numerology profiles. Why not visit and discover how you can find your innermoo.

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