Astrology for September
Join Susan on September 4th, 9:30 am to 11:15, for her monthly astrology group, on Zoom. Susan will speak of this powerful turning point time, its greater meaning, and the timing of what lies ahead, including the election. Questions welcome. Sign up here, $15 sliding scale. Sign up by Thursday and receive the handouts for the talk.
Two Astrology classes start in September, the 8th and the 16th, Astrology of Relationship and Beginning Astrology, sign up now for your opportunity to dip deeply into the wisdom and awe that astrology gives us. Susan gathers her knowledge of Astrology from 38 years of practice and experience teaching. Classes held on Zoom. More info and sign up click here
Astrology for September 2020 – for a summarized version, scroll down to Celestial Events for Sept
My heart is heavy with the fires in my community, Santa Cruz, and all through California. Many people were evacuated, not knowing whether their homes would survive. Many homes have burned, and there is concern for the creatures that live in the forests. Now our community gathers to support healing through donations and offerings. This year has challenged us deeply; pandemic, social justice, the economy and now the fires, in the south, the hurricanes. And during all this, stirring our hearts and minds, are the two political conventions illustrating the extreme polarization of our country.
This year we are asked to become resilient, to stay steady, and develop our sense of presence. There is a much larger process taking place then what we see in the immediacy of our day to day. We are engaged in a turning point year, the transformation of our systems and the call for life sustaining systems that recognize the interrelatedness of all living beings. Astrologers see this summer and fall as a peak time of intensity and conflict, of deeper review of our actions and attunement to deeper principals of living. With Saturn, Jupiter, and Pluto in Capricorn (throughout 2020), we are challenged with political, social, ecological and emotional crises. Pluto reveals those hidden issues, structures, and beliefs that have given form to our country. We are involved with the uprising of shadow material, that which has been repressed, and hidden, activating a difficult process which sets the stage for a rebirth of systems and structures in which we live. As we look at the larger cycles taking place, astrologers see that we have reached the end of era, which began in 1870 and comes to completion in 2020. This is the end of an era of seeing the Earth primarily as a resource to be used for profit, separate from ourselves, the end of an era that sees people in hierarchies of worth, and movement into equality among all peoples. It is a time of recognition and deep healing for the wounds and trauma upon which this country has been built, for the indigenous peoples and people of color. As the triple conjunction of Saturn, Pluto, and Jupiter set the stage for the larger process of disruption, transformation, and through this resiliency, Mars now activates the challenges we find ourselves in.
Fiery Mars has been in its own sign, Aries, since June 27th, building up to mid August when it squared the Jupiter, Pluto and Saturn. The square between Mars and the outer planets creates extreme tension. We experience this tension as the heat of Mars and the eruptive and disruptive forces of Pluto as they manifest in the California fires, the Gulf Hurricanes, the protests and the violence around the protests. Mars rules lightening, and Pluto rules disruption and transformation.
With Mars in Aries, events speed up and reactions can more easily arise. Mars now squares Saturn, (through the beginning of October) bringing about both contraction and focus of that fiery energy, a settling and holding of boundaries to that fiery Mars, as well as tense edginess.
Mars is the warrior, the energy called on in order to take a stand for ourselves and to maintain ourselves in the face of pressures from the environment. Mars in Aries is fiercely competitive and active. The Aries energy is the force within the new beginnings of spring, an inner momentum of energy that propels us into a new stage. Mars in Aries has the strength and courage to do so, yet can also be combative and impulsive, reactive and violent in its drive. Mars in Aries is energetic and will work hard to get what it desires. We can utilize this energy in positive ways.
Of all the planets, Mars goes retrograde least frequently, which it will do on September 9th through November 13th. With Mars going retrograde, be aware that the Aries energy is intensified, which means different things for different people. Some may feel at the effect of others, be reactive, defensive, and argumentive. For many, anger will be stirred, as it sits upon the deep grief many of us experience. For some it fuels their courage and energy, their drive to accomplish. The best way to embody the Mars in Aries energy is to know what your intention is, what your deep desire is. The antidote for the forces of Mars in Aries is the ability to pause and witness, maintaining our center and groundedness. Set your intention and plan of action. As Mars retrogrades on the 9 th, pause and reflect on how to proceed.
This is sure to be like no other presidential election. The competition will be fierce and the power to attack, especially by Trump, will be intense as Mars now aligns and gives energy to his Mars in Leo. This alignment also supports his tendency to do whatever he wants to show his power and his ability to dominate. This Mars seems to activate more compassion in Biden, with his sense that he is here to bring about healing and renewal. But for Kamala Harris, the Mars in Aries activates the warrior in her, being on her Aries Moon and trine her Mars in Leo. Because the Mars retrograde continues through the election, it may well indicate that knowledge of who has been elected won’t be know for a matter of time . (For more on this join Susan on Sept 4th for her monthly talk on Zoom.)
The fall evening skies are striking. Bright Jupiter hangs in the southeast with dimmer Saturn to the left. You can imagine the invisible Pluto in between them. Fiery Mars rises around 9:30 pm in the East, continuing to rise and travel the heavens through the night. As Saturn and Jupiter set to the West, Venus rises, around 3:30 am. In those early morning hours you can see the Pleiades and Aldebaran in the Taurus constellation, following in a line below, the 3 stars of the belt of Orion to bright Sirius shining beneath.
Sept 1 – Full Moon in Pisces – When the full moon is in Pisces, the Sun is in Virgo. These are two signs embody humbleness and service. Pisces is also the sign of imagination, tuning into the creative, spiritual, and sacred realms of life, while earthly Virgo brings us into the practicalities of life, into harvest and realignment in our bodies. Now the signs intertwine as the Pisces full Moon increases our sensitivity and compassion, opening us to choose service to others. This full moon, during the Virgo time of year, is also supportive to our own realignment and refinement. We create time and space to feel into our bodies through yoga or meditation, ritual and ceremony. The Pisces Moon, “We are one. Imagination fuels the world with creation and renewal.”
Sept 9 – Mars goes retrograde at 28 Aries – Before Mars is retrograde, it is, “stationary”. It seems at a standstill and will be so for a couple of weeks, (before and after retrograde). Mars is energy, energy to take action and maintain oneself within the pressures of the environment. Now it is concentrated and intensified. There is a sense of impending change, but what it will be is unknown. We enter a time of anticipation and uncertainty. With the retrograde on September 9 th, we notice a slowing of our momentum and the necessity to reflect and fine-tune our goals. It is an excellent time to understand our reactive impulses more thoroughly, thereby drawing upon patience and resiliency in our strength and self regard. A change in perspective allows us to move forward with more awareness and skillfulness.
Sept 12 – Jupiter goes direct at 17 Capricorn – Perseverance furthers
Sept 17 – New Moon at 25 Virgo trine Saturn – The New Moon in Virgo is the time we return to ourselves, gather ourselves, and take stock of where we are. We ask what needs to be done, completed or committed to as we move through fall and into winter. How might I re-attune myself, refuel my clarity and intention? What needs to be assimilated from this past time, that I might gather and reflect upon, as I move into this next part of the year? With the New Moon trine Saturn, we can more easily move forward with our commitment. We want to take the time to name our focus and understand our purpose in committing to this.
Sept 22 – Fall Equinox, Sun enters Libra, and aligns with Saturn for steady progress forward. Mercury opposes Mars and discussions and debates intensify.
Sept 28 – Saturn goes direct at 25 Capricorn – Discipline, focus and perseverance support accomplishing our goals.
Oct 1 – Full Moon at 9 Aries – An energetic and courageous time. Reflect on what new beginnings you are putting in place. The Moon conjuncts Chiron, and supports integration and healing.
The Twelve signs and opportunities for September 2020: For Sun and Rising Signs
Aries (Mar 20-Apr 19): Dear Aries, you are the doer and stimulator into action of the Zodiac. Since Mars has entered Aries at the end of June, you feel more ability to go for it and to act. You may feel more strength and courage. If you keep yourself balanced you feel the benefits of renewed energy and self trust. When Mars goes retrograde on the 9 th, slow down. Take stock of where you are and what you want during the next two months. Honor what you have accomplished this year. In all situations slow down your natural responses to others, so you have time to let the story line dissolve. Excellent time to reflect on how you want to meet the next two years and what is meaningful to you to accomplish.
Taurus (Apr 20-May 20): Dear Taurus, with Mars transiting your house of spirituality, dreams, and the unconscious, you may find yourself unsettled on deep levels. Often it is hard to give words to these feelings or what may be triggering them. Two things may be happening. One) you may have unresolved issues arising around comparing, competing, frustrations, or an old hurts. This is a good time to sit with and bring more insight into these areas, finding new ways to take action or refrain from old patterns of responding. Two) you may be connecting with the feeling body of the collective. Acknowledging your awareness of universal pain, suffering or anger will be helpful. On a different note, with Mars retrograde traversing through this area, retreating and taking action in creative endeavors can be very successful.
Gemini (May 21-Jun 20): Dear Gemini, Mars is activating your house of future plans and collaboration with others. It’s stimulating a social house. In this challenging year you may have found innovative ways to gather with others and collaborate, learn and/or teach. Now is a time to gather in and reflect on what has developed during the year. Review where you are. Let yourself imagine the future plans that call to you. As you take time to reflect, you can focus yourself into the deeper desires of what you would like to accomplish. Another way to look at this time is how you balance leadership and collaboration with others, because both are possible now. With Mars retrograde there is adjusting and refining taking place around your identity.
Cancer (Jun 21–Jul 21): Dear Cancer, your emotional sensitivity blends with your need to be and define yourself in the world. What does that mean? It means that you are finding a balance between your feelings, your ability to take a stand for yourself, and a deeper strength and resiliency to be steady and present with what is arising without reacting. This Mars retrograde gives you the ability to take time to reflect more deeply on what you want to accomplish. What is profoundly meaningful to you? Being physical, finding outlets for creative expression, all support the focusing of this energy. You find yourself at a new crossroads of who and how you want to contribute or be in the world.
Leo (Jul 22 – Aug 22): Dear Leo, the fire of Aries blends with the radiance and passion of Leo. With Mars traveling through your house of philosophy, teaching, learning, and broadening your consciousness, taking up a study now enriches you. Your teaching gains clarity and precision. You may feel the need to expand your area of expertise or travel to a place with broader views, because your soul seeks deeper and broader understanding. With Mars retrograding, this is an excellent time to review the belief systems that form your daily life and general outlook on things. Allow the sharp energy of Mars to cut away what no longer serves you. All editing and refining of creative projects are now supported.
Virgo (Aug 23-Sep 22): Dear Virgo, situations, now, have brought you into closer contact with others. It is an interesting time where you feel that delicate edge between self and other. There are times for your insights to be spoken and direct, and other times when you hold back the clarity you have. This experience is activating a transformation, as you feel the energy of others. You can cultivate a witness, and a dance of how you respond and interact. With Mars going retrograde a deep review is available to you, showing you your tendencies in relationship, how you take a stand for yourself and when you step back for others to assert their needs.
Libra (Sep 23-Oct 22): Dear Libra, when Mars travels opposite your sign, it heats up relationships. They become invigorating and/or challenging. Though you are excellent at walking that balance between self and other, thoughtful in your response, sometimes the fire of Mars in Aries will trigger a reactive response. There can be an unsettling of feelings, trying to find that equanimity, but the feelings of this time can keep you on edge. The beginning of September carries more of this energy as Mars squares Venus in Cancer, and squares Saturn and Pluto in Capricorn. So with Mars stationary to go retrograde, be kind to yourself. Give yourself space to feel and to experience that which you are grateful for. Walk and exercise to channel that energy. As Mars goes into its retrograde phase much insight can be available into your collaborations and relationships.
Scorpio (Oct 23-Nov 21): Dear Scorpio, Mars is activating your house of healing and day-to-day routines. Since the end of June when Mars went into Aries, you have worked hard and accomplished a lot. Soon you are coming to a turning point. You will feel the need to slow down and regroup as Mars goes retrograde on the 9 th. After the 9 th you will sense what needs to be refined in your routine and work, your day-to-day life. Because you are a Scorpio, which is a sign ruled by Mars, when Mars is in Aries, it is a time to cultivate patience and resilience. And as this area of your chart is about health, right alignment between feeling, thinking, spirit, and your body, you will want to get good sleep, eat well, and exercise. As you slow down and relax some of the effort it has taken to get where you wanted to go, you will know exactly how to improve the situations you are involved in.
Sagittarius (Nov 22-Dec 20): Dear Sagittarius, with Mars in Aries, since the end of June, your enthusiasm and ability to get things done have been fired up. You may have transformed things around you or come to new insights about your sense of yourself. When Mars goes retrograde on the 9 th the time has come to review what it is that you want for yourself, and how you would go about implementing it. A lot now is centered on what activates and opens your heart. What are the next actions you want to take that are aligned with your heart and with what you love? Your time with your children may deepen as well as your appreciation for life.
Capricorn (Dec 21- Jan 19): Dear Capricorn, I’m wondering if you are feeling restless. You perhaps have been very active around your home, engaged with doing, with clearing and transforming. It can be (now with Mars in Aries) you are investigating deeper, more subjective, aspects of yourself, gaining insights and shifting that internal energy. You may feel more stirred by your desire to have a focus and know what it is you want. It’s a good time to seed your intention of what you want to accomplish. When Mars goes retrograde on the 9 th, give yourself time to reflect quietly. You may find within an impulse and drive that is seeking a voice, seeking to be known. Develop a relationship with it. Let it grow.
Aquarius (Jan 20-Feb 17): Dear Aquarius, Mars activates the area of your chart that is your mind your thoughts, your ability to communicate. (As if you needed help with that!!) It will accentuate full and busy energy that is around daily life, much coming and going, and a lot of communicating and listening. This is the area of the chart where you gather insight and information, and weave together your perception into meaningful clarity. With Mars going retrograde in this house you may find it to be an excellent time to gather your writing and review, assembling the work in perhaps new ways, as you review their content. You may find yourself reviewing and reconnecting with siblings or relatives. The challenge will be to slow down the momentum as Mars goes retrograde.
Pisces (Feb 18-Mar 19): Dear Pisces, Mars is activating your house of value and self-worth. During this time you see what it is you most dearly value. An event may have taken place which threw light on your life priorities. It may have also activated issues around money, safety, and security. As Mars goes retrograde on the 9 th, projects may loose their momentum. Take the time to slow yourself down, to catch your breath, and reassess situations. You gain clarity on a certain issue during this time that may shift how you do things. It is an important time to honor and take good care of yourself. Rest brings renewal and the energy you need to accomplish what needs to be accomplished.
Susan Heinz is a professional astrologer in Santa Cruz for 38 years, bringing together traditional & esoteric astrology, Tarot and Qabalah. For info on her Friday monthly astrology groups, her Qabalah, astrology and or, painting classes, and for personal consultations, call (831) 479-3751, or go to www.susanheinz.com.