By STEVE NELSON

Through celebrations in their seasons are the deeper powers of human nature realized.
- Rudolph Steiner

The New Moon closest to Autumn Equinox is the 7th New Moon of the zodiacal year, the 7th after the Spring Equinox. The 7th New Moon becomes visible this year (2003) on the evening of September 27th. This is when the Cherokee traditionally begin their new year festival called Nuetiegwa, the Great New Moon Ceremony. In Jewish custom the shofar (a ram's horn) is blown to announce the beginning of the New Year. The Jewish New Year celebration Rosh Hashanah begins their Ten High Holy Days. The more we get to core during these ten the more we are empowered to recreate our world. 

The beginning date of this celebration period depends on the Moon being far enough separated from the Sun to appear as a small crescent in the western sky. The Moon cycle becomes viable and seeds are best sown on all levels after the crescent New Moon becomes visible. 

As this New Moon occurs in the early morning hours of September 26th in Europe and in the hour before midnight on the US east coast, the Moon will first become visible on the evening of September 27th in most parts of the world. 

The time of the New Moons appearance may vary by a day according to location. This is compensated for in Jewish custom by celebrating Rosh Hashanah for two days. Rosh Hashanah officially begins this year on the evening of September 26th. But as the Moon is too close to the Sun to be be visible on this evening in most of the world, the dates given in this article begin with Sunset/crescent on September 27th, so September 28th is taken as the first day of the celebration. Those who honor the official Rosh Hashanah and Ten Holy Day sequence should subtract a day from the following dates. 

The shadow of the past cycle generally shows itself in the days before a new Moon and this is particularly true for this 7th Moon of the zodiacal year. The more there is awareness of personal and world shadow and need the more spiritual power is invoked for healing and renewal. 

CROSS CULTURAL CELEBRATION 

There is a universal belief in a former Golden Age in which all people lived in peace and prosperity. Divisions and strife came with the advent of free will, people went their own way, there was a confusion of tongues. 

When the old divine order broke apart no one culture could contain knowledge of it. So the different elements of the former Edenic world came to be incorporated and preserved as core beliefs of diverse cultures of the world. 

Individual and collective fragmentation is overcome as these diverse elements of universal consciousness are brought together again at a new and more inclusive level. While we are not going back to the Garden as it was, the common vision and consciousness of that ancient time can be restored at a higher turn. 

DAY AND YEAR AND THE 7TH MOON 

The early Celts, Jews, Arabs, Hindus and many Native American tribes people customarily began their day at Sunset. Catholic holy days are also celebrated beginning the evening before (e.g. Halloween or All Hallow's Eve). 

Day is born from night as yang is born from yin. Similarly the Spring/Summer yang half of the year is born from the yin Autumn/ Winter half. Just as the day begins with Sunset so the year has its beginning on the most subtle level at the time of the Autumn Equinox (Sept 23-27). So it is reasonable that the Equinox New Moon begins the spiritual year. 

Indigenous peoples have from ancient times recognized the power of the Moon. In all the old cultures the New Moon is celebrated when the waxing crescent first appears in the western sky. Life force is renewed then and all outward activities are supported by the New Moon energy. 

Cherokee women dance at this New Moon from the time the crescent is sighted until it sets on the horizon. The womens dance is believed to help the world be reborn and ground (embody)the new energies of the time. The Cherokee call this the Great New Moon Ceremony - or Nuetiegwa, the Big Medicine Moon. 

Rosh Hashanah begins the Ten High Holy Days. The blowing of the shofar, the rams horn, announces the beginning of the Jewish New Year. 

Numerous parallels exist between Jewish and Cherokee celebration and religious tradition. Some say the Cherokee are a lost tribe of the Jews. It is more likely that the two cultures share a common understanding of the cosmic order of creation. 

The Great New Moon Ceremony begins a spiritual renewal and healing which culminates 10 days later in the celebration of divine union called Atohuna, the Friends Made Ceremony. The intervening days are a time for healing relationships, for making amends with friends, and opening our hearts to wellspring of love within. 

"I have found the paradox that if I love till it hurts, then there is no more hurt, but only more love." - Mother Teresa 

HINDU NINE NIGHTS FESTIVAL 

Hindus celebrate Navaratri, the Nine Nights Festival, beginning on the night of September 27th. During these nine nights Mother Kali is invited into homes and provided a place at the dinner table. Kali comes to consume the discord of the past year. Ritual bathing, burning of incense, anointing with oil, and sharing of prayers mark the beginning of each of these Nine Holy Nights. Only one meal is eaten each day and this after Sunset. (Fasting by day and feasting at night nourishes the inner life.) 

On the 10th day (October 7th) Kali slays the Demon Bull and evil is vanquished from the world. 

CHINESE NINE NIGHTS FESTIVAL 

The Nine North Star Spirits come down to Earth during the nine nights following this New Moon. The ancient Chinese saw these 9 nights as the most important of their calendar year. Nine North Star Spirits descend and the God of Death walks the world to help free us from our old ways. This time is observed by fasting and sexual abstinence (the conserving of ching for the new creation parallels the biblical parable of saving oil for the lamps). Reconnection with ancestral power and transcendent purpose is effected by facing north in meditation and focusing attention (imaginatively, if not actually) upon the North Star. This star is believed to be the pivot round which turns the mandala of creation. The spirit of the North Pole Star can help us become more strongly centered in our soul's purpose in this new cycle of creation. 

10 DAYS OF THE GREEK MYSTERIES AND THE KABALA 

Initiates of the ancient world were instructed in the Mysteries of Eleusis during this ten day period (beginning with New Moon nearest Fall Equinox, the 7th New Moon after Spring Equinox). Candidates for initiation would meet together on the first evening to receive verbal and written instruction for this 10 day period. A key part of what was shared at Agormos, the day of assembly, is the correspondence between each of these days of creation and what are called the "sephira" in esoteric Jewish tradition. These 10 luminous spheres on the mystical Kabala Tree represent stations of the soul's journey. Each of these Lights is related to a planet beginning with Malkuth, the Earth, on the first day, then Yesod, the Moon, on the 2nd day, and so forth. 

The activities prescribed for each day of the Mysteries of Eleusis correspond directly to the governing planet of the sephiroth! 

The dates, sephira and planetary rulers this year are: Sept 28 - Malkuth / Earth, Sept 29 -Yesod / Moon , Sept 30 - Hod / Mercury, Oct 1 - Netzach / Venus, Oct 2 -Tifareth / the Sun, Oct 3 - Geburah / Mars, Oct 4 - Gedulah / Jupiter, Oct 5 - Binah / Saturn, Oct 6 - Chokmah / Uranus (governor of the realm of stars), and Oct 7 - Kether / Neptune (the planet of mystical union). 

GREEK MYSTERY SCHOOL TRADITION & CROSS CULTURAL CELEBRATION 

September 28th (from Sunset the 27th) - Day 1 in the Greek Mysteries is a time for sharing primary instruction. Some of this is verbal and some nonverbal through a revealing of the "hiera" These are sacred objects that stimulate new, broader, deeper realizations. Insights and further instructions are looked for in dreams. A gathering with friends who share interest in the mysteries can quicken this process. 

September 29th - "Halade Mystai!" To the Sea Initiates! was shouted at Eleusis on the 2nd Day of the Mysteries (the day of the Moon, ruler of the Sea). Candidates wore deer (creature of the Moon) skin before entering the water and donned a new white cotton robe afterward. This ritual bathing was to release the past and absolve from evil. River immersion at dawn is customary this day among the Cherokee. 

It is a Jewish tradition to cast bread crumbs into the sea or moving water today to release the sins of the past year. The Bible passage Mic 7:19 is quoted: "You will cast your sins into the depths of the sea." A new garment is worn for this occasion in Jewish tradition as in the Greek mystery school tradition. 

September 30th - Day 3 is ruled by Mercury. A wake honors Aesclepius, the god of healing, this day in the Eleusinian Mystery School. Mercury with the caduceus is the Roman god of healing. Health giving fruits of the harvest are shared this day. Seven sacred herbs were gathered this day by the Cherokee to make their purging/healing black drink. Seven Cherokee women began a 7 day fast to bring revelations to their tribe. 

October 1st - Hymns to the Goddesses were sung on Day 4 (the day of Venus), "Kathathion" in the Greek Mysteries. A solemn procession occurred during which sacred objects of Demeter were revealed one by one from a holy basket to stimulate the higher consciousness of the initiate. These objects are both symbolic and energetically instrumental. They included sesamum, carded wool, rock salt, a serpent, pomegranates, reeds and ivy boughs. The mysterious pyramid shaped cakes called kykeon were also prepared this day. 

October 2nd - The 5th Day of the Greek Mysteries was called Torch Day. This is the day of the Sun and Tifareth. People would run about in the evening with torches in hand to light the way for Persephone. This goddess of the underworld and of the heart (Kore is her other name) enters the Greek ritual drama now. Demeter, mother of Persephone, carries a torch into the netherworld in search of her. 

Note: Demeter, the Great Goddess of the Eleusinian Mystery School (she who reveals the Sacred Mysteries) became the favorite of the Age of Enlightenment Freemasons and so came to be the prototype for America's Statue of Liberty. She holds the torch of truth that leads to freedom. Ceres/Demeter is the Great Goddess, Gaia, Anima Mundi. She shows how the fire of primal nature can be raised to become the light of the world, of understanding and divine purpose. So Demeter, our Liberty, leads us to soul freedom. The Greater Mysteries are entered this day at Eleusis. Pools of purification are visited at Sunset following which occurs the Mystical Entrance. 

October 3rd - The Day of Iacchos. This is called Holy Night in the Greek Mysteries. Iacchos is the child son of the Holy Mother Demeter. He accompanies her in the underworld quest for Persephone. Iacchos, whose name means "fish," is one of a number of ancient precursors to the coming of Jesus/Iesus as an enlightened world savior. (Jesus said that he had come not to deny but to fulfill the prophecies.) Iacchos leads a procession with singing and dancing and clashing of brass cymbals. Priests in this parade displayed the "toys of Iacchos." His toys included: "knucklebones" (in the shape of the five platonic solids), a ball, an apple, a mirror, a top, and a doll. The Day of Iacchos is also called the Day of Sacrifice. 

October 4th - Day 7 of the Mysteries is the Day of Games. Jupiter is jovial and reigns over social frivolity. Music and dance are highlights of this day. This was a day of merriment before the serious day to follow. 

October 5th - Day 8, the Day of Saturn, is a solemn occasion. The mystical drama of Demeter and Persephone was enacted on this day. Sacred places, the "Stations of Cora/Kore," were visited. These include a holy well called Callichorus which translates as "Stone of Sorrow." A circular path around this well has been worn deeply in stone by millennia of spiritual seekers. This is the day to feel and release sorrow that may otherwise block the way to greater understanding and self-realization. 

Along with America's Goddess of Liberty we may now feel the sufferings of the world. Like Native America's Ghost Dancers we let ourselves fully feel the pain within and release through deep breathing, chanting, and maybe even some emotive groaning as we move clockwise / Sunwise around the releasing circle. The combination of prolonged deep breathing while diving deeply into each agonizing feeling can effect this emotional clearing. (Emotion cannot be repressed while breathing deeply.) It may be helpful to drink lots of pure water today to help release emotional toxins. 

October 6th - Day 9 is the Chinese Chung Yang, Climbing the Heights Festival. Tradition minded Chinese go to the top of a mountain today for a special picnic. "Top cakes" and chrysanthemum wine are shared. This ritual observance brings prosperity and professional advancement in the coming year. Sometime during the "yin hour" between 3- 5 PM local (midway between true noon and Sunset) the "Spirit Star" will come down from heaven with blessing and good fortune for the year. Those who are especially blessed may receive a vision of the Queen of Heaven. 

October 7th - Day 9 of the Mysteries is called Plemo Chori, the "Pourings of Plenty." A ritual drama called the Vision of the Shining One is enacted in a subterranean grotto. 

Today the Cherokee Chief climbs to the top of the 7 sided Council Lodge and sings praises to Yowa the Creator. Cherokee men then chant and beat around each home and building clockwise with white sycamore rods to clear away evil spirits. The way is cleared for the kindling of the sacred New Fire on the day following. 

October 8th - Day 10 in the Mysteries of Eleusis is shrouded in the mystery of union with divinity. Day 10 is when Kali slays the Demon Bull and evil is vanquished from the world. Statues of Kali are then bathed in the sea to wash away the evil of the past year. 

The Jewish Yom Kippur is a day of solemn observance and penitence. Fasting from Sunset to Sunset is an important part of this celebration. Forgiveness is sought for the sins of the year. This is the Day of Atonement. Through repentance, reconciliation and surrender the worshiper comes to at-one-ment with God. Yom Kippur is an opportunity for turning back to God. Turn toward me and I will turn toward you. Women wear white today and men wear kittels, white robes, as symbols of purity. This holy day brings renewal to those who seek it in their hearts. The invocation spoken Hadesh yameinu ke-kdem literally means Make our days new as of old. 

The Cherokee call this day Atohuna, the Friends Made Ceremony. A New Fire is kindled and vows of eternal friendship are made in the presence of Yowa the Creator. As with the Jews, this is the day held most sacred in the Cherokee calendar year. The New Fire started this day was kept lit in the council lodge through the year until the following Atohuna New Fire Ceremony. The spirit of this holy time was perpetuated by that living flame throughout the year in temple and home. 

Some key observances for this holy day period: 

1) Dancing while the crescent is visible the first few evenings 
2) Water immersion on Day 2 to purify & let go worldly attachments 
3) Evening meditation facing north toward the pole star 
4) Fasting, evening meals only (a Hindu tradition), vegetarian diet 
5) Going to a mountaintop on the 9th Day for picnic and communion 
6) Fasting on Day 10 with reverence to the Creator 
7) Deep breathing to energize and integrate new realizations 
8) Exercise leading each stretch with a deep breath to release stored physical and emotional tensions and open to spirit 

LINKS 

• The Ten High Holy Days 
• The Ten Sephiroth of the Kabala with Planets 
• Hindu Naviratri Celebrations for the Nine Nights 
• Climbing the Heights Festival (Double Nines Festival) 
• Essene Gospel of Peace Fasting, Purifying Angels 

The New Moon at 3 Libra on September 26th (3:09 GMT) carries the influence of the 1st Libra decan star sign Serpens (teaching, healing, revealing) through the lunar cycle that continues until October 25th. Though the planets never cease their motion, a conjunction of two celestial points - especially the Sun and Moon - fix a pattern like a still photo that is projected onto the collective mind. 

The Sabian Degree Symbol for the 3 Libra New Moon is: "THE DAWN OF A NEW DAY REVEALS EVERYTHING CHANGED." Dane Rudhyar's Keynote is "The ever-present possibility of beginning again on a new foundation of values." Astrologer Lynda Hill says: "This pictures a sudden, new beginning. Hard to believe at first, but eventually it will dawn on you that things are different in the light of a new day. Take heart, realise that the darkness is abating, and gradually let go of what went before. New perspectives and new realizations." More at http://miva.zodiacal.com/oracle.mv.

At this Libra New Moon, the planet Saturn and the asteroid Ceres conjunct the US and President George W. Bush's Sun at 13 Cancer. The US and GWB are meeting the Saturnian wall of their limitations now and realizing our nations need for the United Nations. I predicted last January that this administration would come round to recognizing the authority and legitimacy of the U.N. in the course of the year. More: http://globalpsychics.com/lp/prophecy/mythic.htm

NEW MERCURY CYCLE 9/10/03 - 12/27/03 

A New Mercury cycle began when Mercury conjuncted the Sun in Virgo at the Full Moon on September 10th. This is a powerfully effectual Mercury cycle is as it began in Virgo, the earth sign (grounding, manifesting) that Mercury rules. Mercury went direct in Virgo on September 20th. Now is time to get our thoughts and communications clear. The Mercury magic continues through December 27th. 

The inferior (between Earth and Sun) conjunction of Mercury is similar to a New Moon only instead of a new emotional cycle, it begins a new intellectual and communication cycle. 

The Sun/Mercury 18 Virgo Sabian symbol is: A Ouija Board. Dane Rudhyar's keynote for this degree is "the ability to contact deeper recesses of the unconscious psyche, sensitiveness to psychic impressions and omens. Inner Guidance is the key note" (from An Astrological Mandala, by Dane Rudhyar, p. 162) More info: http://miva.zodiacal.com/oracle.mv

Like the waxing crescent Moon, the New Mercury becomes conscious and fully effective when it appears in the sky. The NEW MERCURY has just become visible in the last few days. Look for it just below bright Jupiter an hour or so before Sunrise. Mercury rising before the Sun is Mercury Prometheus bringing new fire. 

Star Gazing / Planet Watching Links 

http://www.spaceweather.com/

http://skyandtelescope.com/observing/ataglance/article_110_1.asp