Astrology for September
With the Sun now in mutable Earth sign Virgo, we shift from Leo’s fullness of summer, to transitional, detail oriented Virgo. The qualities of earthy Virgo bring us back to ourselves, to set things in order, to organize, and to refine. Time to get back to work, and to gather the harvest from what we have been working on throughout this year.
Virgo prepares us for the Autumn Equinox, by clearing, ordering, cleaning, and working on projects, so when the Sun moves into Libra on the 22nd, (see below) we begin to adjust to the coming winter months.
The full Moon takes place in Pisces on the 20th. The critical powers of Virgo meet the compassion and altruism of Pisces. Now we can step into our dreams and create plans. This full Moon accentuates our deep feeling life and what we share with all other living beings on the Earth. Under the Pisces full Moon the boundaries are thin. Stepping out under the light of this romantic moon, we feel the deep resonance of soul. We can be moved to write, make music or art, giving voice to the inner rhythms of the interior life.
This month Mercury, in thoughtful, diplomatic Libra, goes retrograde, and retraces its path on the 26th through October 18th, playing an important role in both September and October. (see below).
The tensional square between Saturn and Uranus still spikes the air with polarization and strong differences between freedom and mandate, individuality and community. With Saturn in the sign of community we see people defining who is with us and who is against us. Saturn in Aquarius draws boundaries and seeks to structure communities (it is the time of redistricting, California recall, and return to school).
We can amplify our consciousness by seeing Saturn as the master teacher in conversation with the visionary or innovative possibilities of Uranian perception. The tension of the square we all feel. We can’t fully relax and enjoy, as a new level of consciousness, structure and reality is laboring to be birthed. We are in labor! This is the territory we are moving through. How can we clearly define the new systems we are wanting to birth?
Personally you can experience yourself suspended between the possibilities of the future and the status quo of the past, as if the past and future are having a talk and you must design and decide the way through. It’s the time to stretch into newness and prune back the branches of what has been, so new growth may come. How are you experiencing this in your life?
Celestial Events for September
Sep 1 – Mars in Virgo opposes Neptune in Pisces. It can be difficult to know the truth, to make decisions, and to move forward with our plans this day. Our momentum seems stalled. This is highlighted in the USA chart as one of the main features of this year. Transiting Neptune squares the USA Mars, making it very difficult to know what is true and what is false. Now there is a great need for transparency. (For more insight on, this sign up for Susan’s monthly Astrology talk, Friday 9:30 am – 11:30 am PDT on Zoom.)
Sep 6 – The New Moon in Virgo trines Uranus, and breaks the spell of lack of momentum. We can set our sights on implementing something new, in work, or our day to day routines. This is a powerful New Moon for initiating something new, with both practical and inspirational qualities.
Affirmation for the Virgo New Moon
“My practical efforts in attending to organizing, clearing, and slowing down to attend to detail, along with attendance to my health and well being bring me into alignment, stability and appreciation for the months ahead. “
New Moon over Santa Cruz by Scott Lenhart
Sep 10 – Venus enters Scorpio – Relationships deepen. We become more sensitive to each other. Old material can surface that now has the potential for transforming. Where can we let go of our agendas in relationship and just experience each other?
Sep 14 – Mars enters Libra – Diplomacy and thoughtfulness in action cool the intensity. How can we act with more awareness of other? Venus and Mars are now mutually receptive. This is a potent combination for transformation in relationships, a potential for healing or rupture.
Sep 20 – Full Moon at 28 Pisces. Now we feel the Virgo/Pisces pairing. The critical powers of Virgo meet the compassion and altruism of Pisces. How or what do we want to serve? Now we can step into our dreams and create plans. This full Moon accentuates our deep feeling life and what we share with all other living beings on the Earth. Under the Pisces full Moon the boundaries are thin and we can feel the suffering and challenges of each other and our world situation. Under this full Moon we feel the deep resonance of soul. We can be moved to write, make music or art, giving voice to the inner rhythms of the interior life.
Affirmation for the Pisces full Moon
“May I center in my heart and understand the interrelatedness of all people and life. May this fuel my creativity and may this expression be shared with others.”
Sep 22 – Autumn Equinox – the Sun enters Libra. The turn of the year brings the length of day to meet the night in equal portions. The Sun returns to rise, once again, due East at dawn, as it heads south, peaking in its most southern location at the Winter Solstice. This Equinox has an intensity to it, with the Moon in fiery Aries and Mars aligning with the Sun. We can attune to this time by finding our balance between rest and reflection and taking clear action. With Venus in Scorpio opposing Uranus, we are in deeper, more vulnerable, territory with each other. Uranus brings the need to be flexible and attentive to sudden changes in our plans with others, or to being present to sudden arising needs. With Saturn in harmonious relationship with the Sun and Mars we proceed with steady, patient movements to our goals. We must find our balance between decisive in the moment action and considered, thoughtful, and patient actions. Libra teaches us through our encounters the power of poise and diplomatic responses. Keyword for the Equinox (especially this one) – Attentive Balance
Sep 26 – Mercury goes retrograde at 25 Libra. Mercury retrogrades back to 10 Libra and goes direct on October 18th. Watch the trickster, Mercury, in its retrograde cycle as it seeks to slow down your forward motion, deepen your reflections on communications in relationship, bring out issues of justice, and realign into more balance in your life. Mercury retrogrades opposite Eris, the planet of strife, activism, and patron of those who feel left out, uninvited, misunderstood, and squaring Pluto. In this retrograde cycle it benefits us to consider the other and the pain we cause each other so healing can start to take place. Mercury goes direct opposite Chiron the wounded healer. (For more on this, join Susan, for her monthly Astrology talk Friday, September 3)
Sep 29 – Venus trines Neptune and the Sun trines Saturn – The end of the month brings some stability and potential for empathy and kindness. On a personal note, our hearts can open and share, love can grow, creativity is enriched.
The Twelve signs for September: Sun and Rising Signs
Aries (Mar 20-Apr 19): Dear Aries, this month you get down to work. Paying attention to the details is the key, handling those laborious tasks whether they be with numbers, or sorting and clearing. Taking care of your body is another theme for this Virgo time of year. Pacing and patience is all important until the 14th when Mars enters Libra. Now the key is to see situations as if you were in someone else’s shoes. How do they hear you, understand you.? What are they wanting from you? Collaboration and enjoyment of others then ensues. At the full Moon on the 20th, step back from activity. Find ways to rejuvenate yourself. With the Moon conjuncting Neptune all imaginative reverie and creative activities support your renewal. Mercury in Libra, to retrograde on the 26th, spends 2 1/2 months in your house of relationships. Usually Mercury passes through in one month. Communications with others takes on new emphasis. Approach with deeper consideration and thoughtfulness, because tricker Mercury will certainly teach you what you need to learn during its retrograde. Be flexible and don’t count on other’s schedule. Keyword for September, “Patience”
Taurus (Apr 20-May 20): Dear Taurus, this month, you can dedicate yourself to your creative expression. How you approach your life and creativity is enhanced with a Virgo thoroughness. If there is a project you’ve been putting off, now is the time to lean in. The Virgo energy gives you a careful attentiveness to any task at hand. With Venus in Libra until the 10th, there is an artistic flair to what you do. After the 10th, Venus moves into Scorpio and deepens all interactions. You have the capacity to attune to the hidden and more challenged aspects of another, and all grow from these encounters. At the full Moon on the 20th, the light of the Pisces Moon shines on finding your balance with giving and receiving, between your own projects and needs and working with others. Mercury retrogrades through your house of work and habits, giving you both the opportunity to refine and rework projects you are involved in, and to fine tune communications with co-workers. Patience and diplomacy are the needed traits. Keyword for September, “Productivity”
Gemini (May 21-Jun 20): Dear Gemini, for the month of September home is the highlighted area. Being a Gemini you may have piles of papers and books all around, post-its of great ideas, and 5 partially read books at your bedside. This is the month to take your time to declutter, to invest in yourself by clearing and simplifying into one or two projects. Focus on the feng shui of your rooms, and clearing your home energetically. What a great foundation for whatever comes next. Under the light of the Pisces full Moon on the 20th, career goals and plans can be reviewed and/or implemented. With Mercury retrograding your house of creative expression, that creative project can now either begin or be completed, with thoughtful review and refinement from the 26th to the 18th of October. Keywords for September, “De-clutter, simplify, and settle more deeply”
Cancer (Jun 21–Jul 21): Dear Cancer, communication, the use of words, and what you are thinking about, takes precedent in the month of September. Your sensitive Cancer nature feels experience in more detail and depth than the usual person. How would you like to give words to it? How would you like to serve others through the sharing of your insights and understanding? The Virgo energy of this time is fine-tuning you. You can now bring more precision and clarity to your thoughts and expression. The full Moon on the 20th is a good time to integrate what you have been learning with how you want to share it. Go into Pisces full Moon reverie for more clarification. Mercury will retrograde on the 26th. Your thoughtfulness toward others is called for, especially in the home and with family now. Take your time. Honor your lineage and your ancestors as this is a time to anchor yourself in the deep of your soul. Keywords for September, “Calm diplomacy”
Leo (Jul 22 – Aug 22): Dear Leo, it’s as if an accountant has entered your home and wants to give you advice. Time to put your finances in order. Create a budget for the year ahead, and feel more settled and secure. As a Leo you do value accuracy, detail and organization even though your fiery radiant spirit many times would rather find a friend to play with. During this Virgo time you can ask yourself, with the talents I possess, how can I best serve myself and others? The full Moon on the 20th accentuates what it is you share with others, how you tune into others. So under its illuminating light find your balance between your center and the emotional spaces of others. Leo is the sign of the heart, of heart radiance. By centering there, it is the field of love you create around you that is the healing force. Mercury in diplomatic and aesthetic Libra graces your house of communication, highlighting the abilities you have in teaching and communicating yourself. Refining and fine-tuning takes places when it retrogrades, 26th through Oct 18th. Time to edit that creative piece you’ve been working on and to give your sibling a call! Keywords for September, “tuning into the subtle nuances of breath and word”
Virgo (Aug 23-Sep 22): Dear Virgo, it’s that birthday time of year, so celebrate yourself! It is most likely that you have been very productive under the light of the Virgo Sun, refining, fine tuning, catching up, going over, clearing and putting things in order. Your fine attention to detail is now complimented by Mercury’s long passage through Libra, bringing out the poet/artist in you. Now is the time to put pen to words, pencil to line, thread to weave. And simultaneous to this you may be focusing on your finances, being thoughtful and deliberating on what will bring the greatest security for the time ahead. In fact, during this Mercury retrograde period, 9/26 – 10/18, it is an excellent time to review your financial situation and create a plan to be implemented after the 18th. The Pisces full Moon on the 20th highlights your sensitivity to others. You may feel more of the emotional experiences of those you are close to under this Moon. This is a good time to find that balance between self and others, finding that calm center from which to respond. Keywords for September, “calm discernment”
Libra (Sep 23-Oct 22): Dear Libra, you may have been experiencing the sweetness of this passage of Venus in Libra which started in mid August. Perhaps you’ve found more time for yourself to create, or to enjoy your creations, more time to enjoy those you love. The Virgo Sun is stalking your 12th house calling you to retreat, to find that place of your own in order to tune in. Perhaps you have been touching deeper places of feeling, exploring what has been under the surface of busy life. Under the light of the Pisces full Moon you return to work, and how you can be of service. the healing arts of yoga, chi gong, and alignment of body and soul, bring you into fuller presence for you to do your work and feel comfortable moving through your day. With Mercury in its extended stay in Libra, what a good time to communicate yourself, to teach and learn, to share your knowledge, write and spread the word. During its retrograde, 9/26 to 10/18, you learn how to fine tune and adjust all communications. Finding the right words is an art and a craft that is part of your nature. Keywords for September, “authentic voice”
Scorpio (Oct 23-Nov 21): Dear Scorpio, the Virgo time of year marks the time to reevaluate your goals and hopes for the months ahead. Getting practical, grounded, and visualizing the details around new endeavors will benefit your journey forward. You may be seeking other like-minds, or groups that support your vision. Setting the particulars in order, and finding your audience is helpful before Mars moves into Libra on the 10th. It is then, that you can step into the studio, retreat from the business of life, and tap into the imaginative possibilities of what you want to grow. The power point of taking action is on October 30th when Mars activates your sign. Under the Pisces full Moon on the 20th, your imaginative, creative, and empathetic self is in tune. You feel deeply. Setting an intention to stay centered and observing without getting caught up in others emotions will bring forth your discerning, intuitive, and perceptive eye. Mercury in Libra, and as it retrogrades on the 26th, travels your 12 house, stirring up old issues that call for review. This can be a time to come to terms with old material and then to let go. You find yourself shifting through what is true and what is false. You can be very attuned to the drama and collective winds of change during this time, so continually centering yourself in meditation and yoga is beneficial. Keywords for September, “thoughtful consideration”
Sagittarius (Nov 22-Dec 20): Dear Sagittarius, this time of year finds you busy, dedicated to a project or your work. And though your natural way is to get the broad overview on things and to have plenty of space to do your thing, now you find yourself paying particular attention to the details so you can achieve whatever it is you want to achieve. This month highlights friends and finding that group with which you resonate, taking action to connect and reach out with information you want to share. Communication and sharing your knowledge is a specialty to you and you do it well. Be alert to the difficulty this week in knowing what is what, as Mars opposes Neptune and we spin around everyone’s opinion on everything. With Mercury retrograding through your house of connecting with others and trining your planet Jupiter three times through Nov 1st, you want to be very clear about why you are sharing, communicating, teaching what you are sharing, because it can be delivered with great self assurance. The full Moon on the 20th calls you to reverie, reconnecting with your heart and empathy, knowing that each of us is walking through this challenging time in the best way we know how. Keywords for September, “Finding my vision”
Capricorn (Dec 21- Jan 19): Dear Capricorn, the Virgo time of year supports learning and teaching, a broadening of your understanding and experience. You’re thorough mind works hard at creating the map for a new journey ahead of you. This is a time where you stabilize new talents, as well as conserving your resources as you stretch into new possibilities. On the 14th, Mars moves into Libra, and motivates you to put yourself out in your career in new ways, with grace, diplomacy, and creative expression as you engage with others. It is with outreach and thoughtful communication. When Mercury goes retrograde on the 26th, you have time to reassess and review how it is going, fine-tune what is needed, and proceed with more clarity when Mercury goes direct on October 18th. Under the full Moon in Pisces, your imagination is activated, allowing the depth of your perceptive, feeling nature is be voiced, so often hidden due to your very capable Capricorn character. Take a hike, drink in the view, enjoy and rejuvenate yourself. Keywords for September, “stepping into leadership”
Aquarius (Jan 20-Feb 17): Dear Aquarius, this month you go deeper. This is the time of year to bring your perception into those often hidden places, because a powerful transformative process is activated by your willingness to see, recognize, and release. Others may be helpful in this transformative process. and you may be helpful in transforming others. But this is your time to breakthrough into new territory, new creativity, and freedom, and to give it a solid foundation into the next 7 years. Sharing your teaching is easy as the month starts with Mercury in Libra, and your elegance in communication is enhanced. Stories want to be told. You are encouraged to examine your belief systems, those foundations of our actions, especially as Mercury retrogrades on the 26th. Under the full Moon in Pisces on the 20th, you find the balance between self reliance and leaning into others to find your stability. It’s a fine line for all of us, finding that core strength and stability within and feeling our deep reliance, true relatedness, with others. Keyword for September, “transformation”
Pisces (Feb 18-Mar 19): Dear Pisces, this month extra attention is given to relationship. It’s the time to sort through what needs to be cleared, or more precisely communicated, a revisiting of each ones intentions and desires for the time ahead. Certainly with Mercury highlighting your house of intimacy, collaboration, and healing, you can be motivated to communicate more intimate feelings. It is worthwhile, with Mercury in your house of shared finances, to clarify your goals together, and especially to review those goals when Mercury goes retrograde from the 26th to October 18th. With your strong empathy and sensitivity, with an emphasis on the thoughtful diplomatic sign Libra, it may be challenging to bring out what seems conflictual. With Mars entering your house of intimacy on the 14th you are supported to get right to the point, to clarify and make plans for your financial future. With the Full Moon in Pisces on the 20th you straddle that fine line between self and other. I say, take the day off and take a long walk by the ocean, or any watery body will do. Fill yourself with nature’s rejuvenating beauty. Reignite your imagination. Keywords for September, “honoring your self”
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
On the 10th