Scorpio is an Autumn Zodiac Sign (as are the Signs of Libra and Sagittarius). This time of year is also known as the Fall Equinox...a time of harvest when the days and nights are of equal length. In the Northern Hemisphere, Autumn usually begins around September 23, while in the Southern Hemisphere, it begins around March 21. However, for the purposes of Astrology, the Northern Hemisphere timeframe marks the beginning of this Season. Autumn is the Third Quarter (or Quadrant) of the yearly cycle and is traditionally considered a time when the final harvest of Summer growth takes place, after which much of the ground is covered by leaves or mulch for the Winter. A decomposition of plant life now begins, by which the Earth is enriched. Temperatures start to drop and freezing nights are evidenced by morning frost. Some animal life goes into hibernation or migrates to a warmer climate. Deciduous trees change color and there is a nip in the air. The rhythm of life associated with this Quadrant is quicker and more survival-oriented. The bounty of foodstuffs is waning and life, once again, becomes more difficult.

In terms of the human life cycle, Autumn represents the time from the age of forty-two to the age of sixty-three...a powerful period which spans the onset of the mid-life period to late middle age. Here, there is evidence of maturation, conservation of movement and energy and the added emphasis on survival...much like the Season itself. Governed by the faculty of sensation, this time can be perceived as a waning period which manifests subjectively and bears a conscious orientation. In short, subjective, underground and interior activity has now replaced outward growth in both nature and humankind. Psychologically, the conscious and objective awareness of the process of aging are all too clear. However, difficulty in accepting such changes and often, a need to control them, is also apparent. This is largely due to the fact that two of the planets which rule the Zodiac Signs of Autumn...Pluto, which governs Scorpio, and Jupiter, which governs Sagittarius...are outer or "universal" celestial bodies. These outer planets are a long distance from Earth and take approximately twelve years (in the case of Jupiter) and 248 years (in the case of Pluto) to travel around the Zodiac. Unlike the period from birth to mid-life, the outlook of the adult at this time is more social than personal. Objectivity, criticism, conscious thought and awareness characterize this intensely realistic period of the human cycle. There is the appearance of a new seriousness and philosophical attitude. Intuition, feeling and thought are all exercised, but sensation has become a unifying theme...an objective assessment of phenomena coupled with a more conscious enjoyment of sensuous pleasures.

In general, individuals who fall under the jurisdiction of Autumn demonstrate both a greater ability and greater need to control their external environment. These subjects are rarely as enthusiastic as those born under the jurisdiction of Spring and Summer. In short, they are rather more selective and critical. Here, maintenance is the overriding consideration instead of initiation or development of new projects. In many respects, natives of Autumn tend to be more introverted and thoughful than those ruled by Spring and Summer. While feelings are kept under stricter control, social urges are more maturely and full expressed. Friendships, group and community activities and direct working contributions to society are also important. These persons manifest a strong desire to share and take part in serious and fulfilling relationships. They have a heightened awareness of what is going on around them...perhaps greater than that of any other Seasonal group. Impulse and emotion may well be lower key in Autumn individuals, but is often more subtle and complex. Both self-understanding and self-control are usually given high priority.

The Archangel presiding over the Season of Autumn is Gabriel. He is one of the most beloved of all members of the Heavenly Host and one of the highest ranked of all Angels. This Archangel's name means "Governor Of Light" and/or "God Is My Strength." According to some sources, the name also means "God Is Mighty" and/or "Man Of God." It may be Sumerian in origin and in Sumerian lore, Gabriel once held human female form and rose to the status of a Goddess. According to some sources, Gabriel's name is derived from the Hebrew word gibor, which means "power" or "hero." Gabriel is associated with hope illumination and love, as well as magic and mysicism. He provides protection against tempests of weather and travel. As the Angel of the Moon, he has influence over the changing flow of human fates and fortunes in much the same way as the Moon's graviety controls the tides. The home, as well as the physical and domestic affairs of women, also fall under Gabriel's guardianship and everything within this Angel's domain is said to be concerned with increase. Identified as one of the Seven Archangels who stand in the presence of God, Gabriel is thought to be the tenth and last of the great chain of Archangel intellects which sprung forth from God. Indeed, as the Archon of all Guardian Angels, all such deities who appear to humankind do so through the grace of Gabriel. He is also Ruler of Shamayim, the First Heaven. Shamayim is the lowest of the Heavens and acts as a shading agent for Earth, which it borders. Shamayin is said to contains clouds, the winds and upper waters, as well as being the dwelling place of Adam and Eve and home to the 200 Angels of Astronomy, who preside over the stars. Sometimes referred to as the "Promised Land," the First Heaven is described as having trees which bear twelve harvests each year. Although cast from Heaven, it is said that Lucifer is allowed limited access into Shamayim on certain occasions. According to some sources, the fearless Gabriel is often summoned by Lucifer to carry messages to God.

By tradition, Gabriel is depicted in art form as being a young man...strong and wise with an inner glow. He wears a luminous cloak...often blue in color with orange flashes...and on his forehead are the curved crescent horns of the Waxing Moon. Usually portrayed bearing a lily, olive branch or torch, he is also invariably sporting a trumpet (symbolizing the voice of God) which, contrary to popular opinion, this Archangel does not blow...although some sources maintain he will sound the trump to announce the second coming. In some depictions, he holds a cup and is surrounded by waterfalls. In others, he bears a sceptre or lantern or mirror and occasionally, a scroll with the words Ave Maria Gratia Plena ("Hail Mary, Full Of Grace"). In his guise as the Angel of Judgment, Gabriel is credited with carrying a sword and a shield of protection that is fashioned from a golden-white light. The shield is said to protect against the insults or negativity of others. He is also said to love flowers and always be accompanied by white horses, his favorite being named Haizum. With a pair of wings like a pegasus, Haizum can fly swiftly from one dimension to another in a second. Gabriel is Haizum's sole master. The horse was a gift from God to Gabriel for pleasing Him. In Islamic lore, where Gabriel is known as Jibreel, the dust from Jibreel's horse was thrown into the mouth of the Golden Calf and the Calf immediately became animated.

An important figure in the Muslim religion where he is referred to as the Spirit of Truth, Gabriel is credited with being the Guardian Angel of the prophet Mohammed, to whom he delivered the Koran. One of the most prominent Angels in the Bible, Gabriel is said to preside over Paradise and also serve as God's messenger of mercy and promise. He is credited with being the deity who announced the impending birth of John the Baptist and the one who informed the Virgin Mary that she would bear the Son of God. He is also believed to have provided protection to the infant Moses during the babe's journey in a basket along the Nile River and is believed by some cultures to be the Angel who buried this ancient patriarch...although it is generally thought that the Archangel Michael was the one who actually vied with Satan for Moses' soul. While not specifically named, it is also universally accepted that it was probably Gabriel who appeared to the shepherds on the night of Christ's birth, as well as being the Angel who "strengthened" Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane shortly before the Messiah's arrest and crucifixion. In Jewish lore, Gabriel was responsible for the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah and, by testimony of Joan of Arc, the Angel who persuaded her to help the Dauphin of France. With the exception of Michael, Gabriel is the only Angel mentioned by name in the Old Testament and is one of only three (the other two being Michael and Raphael) who are mentioned in the entire text of the Bible. In addition, Gabriel is sometimes credited with being the interpreter of dreams and visions. In Babylonian legend, Gabriel once fell from grace for not obeying a command exactly as given and remained outside the heavenly curtain for an undetermined period of time. By tradition, Gabriel is the only Angel who can speak Syriac and Chaldee. Indeed, he is credited with being an accomplished linguist, having taught to Joseph the 70 languages spoken at Babel. The Mormons believe that Gabriel lived a mortal life as the patriarch, Noah, these two personages being regarded as one and the same person. However, it is Gabriel alone who is considered the immortal resurrected being...an Angel. According to some sources, the human descendants of Gabriel continue to walk the Earth. Traditional lore states that Gabriel will deliver the ultimate announcements to the Earth by blowing the final trumpet that will wake the sleeping dead so they can prepare themselves for the final judgment.

GABRIEL ASSOCIATIONS: Element: Water Planet: Moon Time Of Day: Dusk Compass Direction: West Colors: Blue, Silver, White and Aquamarine Celestial Retreat: Sacramento and Mount Shasta in California Day: Monday Symbol: Lily, Shield, Spear and Trumpet Divine Complement: Hope Motto: Illumination and Love Misson: Deliverer of Good News and Mercy

Protective, watchful, compassionate and blessed with an intuitive energy, Gabriel oversees the most basic and deepest areas of human connection to the Universe, being associated with personal beginnings. He is also said to create within all mankind the memory of an individual's divine image...a unique and perfect blueprint that is already within, planting the idea of an immaculate concept or perfect vision into the subconscious mind. On Earth, the mission of this Angel is said to be as the illuminator of the way, instructing the human race how to develop and create the concept of perfection, both individually and universally. He is believed to assist in the ritual of the ascension, which is the reuniting of the soul with God, and is representative of God's potency since he symbolizes procreation. In addition, he also stands for resurrection...the restoration of body, mind and soul to the state of renewed life in the planes. Indeed, it is said that Gabriel carefully spends the nine months of pregnancy watching over each newly-incarnating soul (a soul he is responsible for selecting to be birthed into the material world), instructing that unborn infant on the necessary knowledge of Heaven that is an inherent part of all people. Just prior to birth, however, Gabriel touches each baby on the upper lip to render the child unable to remember all the information until that soul returns to the spiritual state of death. The sign of Gabriel's Touch is the cleft just below the nose. Gabriel may be invoked for help to grow spiritually on Earth's plane. This Angel can also help an individual to achieve aspirations and rise above adversity. Given Gabriel's strong association with telecommunication skills, he has recently been pronounced Guardian Angel of the Internet. As Saint Gabriel, his Feast Day was originally celebrated on March 24, the day before the Feast of the Annunciation, having been added to the Roman calendar in 1921. However, the 1970 revision of the calendar combined Gabriel's Feast Day with that of Saint Michael on September 29.

Those governed by Gabriel have a particular affinity for clothing which is loose fitting and either white, cream, yellow or gold in color. They also have a tendency to be fond of amber, yellow topaz, tiger eye, gold and bronze. This Archangel works through the Fourth Ray, which is brilliant white in color, representative of the ascension, hope, discipline and purity...the latter being the very essence and nature of God, whose character and mind are totally pure. White is said to be the magnificent merging of all the colors of the rainbow in such a pure form that it represents the One Divine Mind (which is often how Christian Scientists define God). It is the Base-of-the-Spine Chakra in Eastern thought, providing the ability for humankind to be imaginative and creative. Courtesy of this Ray, Gabriel aids individuals in expressing ideas to others and to the world in general. Invocation of this Angel will bring joy and grace...clarity and order. He also encourages motivation and focus on daily work, as well as opening the door to sympathy, understanding and generosity, which aid in the purification of negative emotions and beliefs. The Fourth Ray is at its most potent on Fridays.

Other Names By Which Gabriel Is Known Include:

- Angel of the Moon - Angel of Inner Vision - Angel of Judgment - Angel of Resurrection -
- Angel of Conception and Childbirth - Angel of Mercy - Angel of Vengeance - Angel of Death -
- Angel of Transformation - Angel of Mystery - Angel of Truth - Angel of the Power of God -
- Chief of the Angelic Guard - Ruler of the Waters of the World - Ruler of the Cherubim -
- Prince of Justice - Prince of Fire and Thunder -

Patronages Of Gabriel Include:

- Archdiocese of Seattle in Washington - Portugal - Argentinian Ambassadors -
- Broadcasters - Clergy - Communications Workers - Diplomats - Messengers - Philatelists -
- Post Offices and Postal Workers - Radio and Radio Workers - Telecommunications Workers -
- Telegraphs - Telephones - Television and Television Workers - All Who Travel By Sea - The Ripening Of Fruits -

The Season of Autumn is also governed by the Angel Torquaret...the Ruling or
Governing Angel of Autumn and all the necessary energies that create the Season.
Tahquamn and Guabarel are also Angels associated with the Season of Autumn,
acting as its Guardians. Scorpio natives share these Celestial Governors of Summer with
those individuals ruled by the other Zodiac Autumn Signs of Libra and Sagittarius.