The Full Moon at the beginning of the month brings the speculation of the last two weeks to fruition. Venus, planet of social connections, sharing and pleasure, makes a conflicting angle with Saturn, planet of limitation, boundaries and authority. So this week could see opposition to further limits on our ability to socialise. As Venus moves along she challenges Mars on September 4, we can expect a lack of social harmony with signs of contention and unrest emerging. Before the first week is out there is a shift in the general tone of things when Venus moves into the sign of Leo within hours of Mercury moving into Libra. Communication, information and social connection get to have more traction as these two planets move away from the influence of the difficult and restrictive planets Mars and Saturn. More positivity and a brighter outlook becomes apparent later at the New Moon mid month, when Mercury in Libra, the sign of justice and balance, connects positively to Jupiter, the natural ruler of law, There is a twofold pattern emerging this month; the force of restriction, limitation and control on one side and justice, righteousness and morality on the other. Until next year these two will battle for priority and the lines between the two will frequently be blurred.
We also have an ongoing challenging aspect between the fiery and assertive Mars in its own sign of Aries and the stubborn Saturn in its own sign of Capricorn. This is another pattern with us for several months ahead. These two archetypal forces act like a fast moving energy hitting a solid object. Eventually one gives way to the other and both are changed in the process. We have a lot of assertive fight energy, Mars, in conflict with the resistance and established structures of Saturn. This month will see this energy dynamic acted out on the world stage but also in our own communities and even our homes as opinions and ideologies collide. Mars spends a much longer time in its home sign Aries this year due to a retrograde that begins on September 9 and continues to mid November. This retrograde Mars has us rethinking the battle plan, and if we have the courage, we can turn our attention inwards to focus on the battle of confronting the self and our own inner conflicts. At worst we will simply blame those closest to us as the source of our discomfort and discontent.
The sense of tides, or more accurately, undercurrents turning may become amplified when the big beneficial planet Jupiter finally moves out of it’s retrograde, or apparent backward phase. This planet of goodwill and positive expansion has been retrograde since mid May and this has contributed to the sense of frustrated plans and an inability to reach any goals. The main theme of the month becomes clear now as Jupiter starts to make ground again in the zodiac sign of Capricorn. There could be a slow increase in common sense and a desire for more practical solutions as we begin to understand to what extent our choices are limited now. We are likely to see additional regulation and further promotion of certain ideals, in the effort to control and limit popular expectations or social aspirations. We will be under pressure to choose self-discipline and austerity to meet the requirements and goals of those in authority.
The Virgo New moon on the 17th connects with the two heavy weight planets Saturn and Pluto, which highlights the trend towards greater systematisation. Mercury rules the sign of Virgo and acts as a go-between or herald of news and information. In the last two weeks of the month it connects with Saturn, Pluto and Mars so it may bring out the true intention of the people or organisations that these dominant planets represent. Mercury is in Libra for most of this month and that puts the focus on our social lives and relationships. But in the last week of September it moves into Scorpio. This is when hidden truths come to the surface and all manner of taboo subjects get an airing. To end the month we see Saturn come out of its retrograde phase and head towards the end of its time in Capricorn and the end of an era in mid December.
The September Full Moon is at 11° Pisces on September 2 at 6.22am and the New Moon is at 26° Virgo on September 17 at 12pm
Aries: Doing your best work and taking pride in it are a focus for you now. You should be able to make some worthwhile career moves or at least secure your current position so that you don’t have to worry about your financial future. This is a good time to examine how you use your time and energy, with an eye to improving your efficiency and productivity. Watch out for health matters as you are concerned with your body now, and you may be inspired to begin a self-improvement program, create better habits, or begin a new diet or fitness plan.
Taurus: You’re energised and inspired, creatively and emotionally approaching this month’s New Moon. You want to bring forth all that’s deep within you. You express yourself more freely, playfully, and spontaneously and are more willing to take chances. Lady Luck is in your corner so be sure to look for good deals. Social activities, travel and attending different cultural events will all lead to meeting people who can help further your goals. The dramatic and performing arts, sports and games, or other forms of self-expression and entertainment appeal strongly to you now. You can accomplish much if you set your mind to it.
Gemini: From the beginning of this month you will have been enjoying the success that you worked hard to achieve. Don’t be too quick to put your energy into new projects as you approach the New Moon mid month, wait until the end of the month. All kinds of creative work are favoured and you might find yourself more closely involved with children at this time. There is likely to be some conflict between your personal enjoyment and what others think you should be doing for kicks. Those things that need to be discussed and settled with the family can be dealt with in the next few weeks.
Cancer: Take a trip back into your past and you will find the answers you are looking for. Now it’s time to make changes instead of doing a repeat performance. Taking time to talk with neighbours and folks you cross paths with daily may result in more positive and smoother-running relationships generally. You’ll want to fritter away your time on fun and social events over the New Moon, but this may not be at all bad, things have been serious enough for you to want to take a break now. This is a good time to participate in or contribute to any community events in your area.
Leo: Money, possessions, financial security, and practical matters are a focus for you now. You can make some very interesting professional or business moves this month. Be ready to put your money on the table in order to get ahead. If you have tended to be generous or extravagant with your resources, you may begin to see the light at the end of the tunnel. At the least, it should become clear to you what your next steps should be regarding your finances. Your astute vision will enable you to correctly assess the right investment, job or any other money matter that arise after this next New Moon phase.
Virgo: During this time you can make an impression on others by making a strong statement to the world about who you are. People recognise you and are likely to follow your lead, or at the least they stay out of your way. You are likely to feel more confident and vital now. However, you may be so preoccupied with yourself and your own desires that you unintentionally ignore other people and their needs. Include the ones you love in your plans and things will get progressively better. You should be able to strengthen the bond with someone who has been an influence in your life.
Libra: You’ll be torn between what you want to do and what you have to do. Retreating from the world for a while and spending some quiet time alone to relax and rejuvenate appeals strongly to you now. You may feel like you are at low ebb and as if nothing is happening or you may simply not want to be ‘where the action is’. Don’t overreact, overdo or over-indulge to compensate for things not going according to your plans. Sometimes it’s best to do what you must, get it out of the way now. You’ll get your turn to please yourself. Competitive ambitions and ego drives are on hold now.
Scorpio: Get involved in charity events or social action groups that interest you and you will make headway in many different areas of your life through the people you meet and the information you discover. You may be asked to take responsibility or even a leadership role or to contribute and participate more fully than you have in the past. You will enjoy being part of a team or group effort now. Being part of a community or circle of friends and building your social network is important to you at this time. Benefits from past efforts come home to roost.
Sagittarius: As you approach the mid month New Moon, don’t mix business with pleasure if you want to avoid trouble. Not everyone will be on your side over the next few weeks so you may want to choose your friends carefully and keep your personal thoughts and opinions to yourself. With your career and reputation very important to you at this time, you can make significant gains regarding your ambitions. Recognition for your efforts and receiving credit for your accomplishments are likely now, but only if you’ve ‘done your homework’. This is an excellent time to look for promotion, or to engage the support of those in positions of authority.
Capricorn: This is a time to lift yourself out of your usual mundane concerns in order to get a larger perspective on your life. Although it may all seem overwhelming for a while remember that as long as you keep plugging away you will make gains. You really can get things up and running if you try. A chance to do things a little differently will make all the difference in the world. Don’t slow down because someone can’t keep up with you. You have to maintain the momentum. A teacher or mentor who appears this New Moon may be particularly important to you later.
Aquarius: Don’t push your luck now. Joint financial affairs and investments are likely to be an issue at this time, and it is a good time to clarify each person’s expectations and to take care of any legal business, insurance, wills, and so on. On a personal level, there is a desire to intensify the level of intimacy and honesty in your closest relationships and to clear away anything in yourself, which is impeding that deeper union you seek. Any temptation to make abrupt decisions and changes could lead to additional problems that you can do without. Stick to what’s clear and avoid taking on other peoples responsibilities.
Pisces: Partnerships, marriage, and one-to-one relationships get your attention now. You’ll be called upon to co-operate and perhaps to relinquish some of your own personal interests for the sake of harmony and mutual benefit. You may end up questioning yourself as well as the motives of the people around you. Get to the bottom of things before it’s too late. Once you have all the facts you will be in a much better position to make a decision. Don’t let anyone pull you in a direction you don’t want to go and do what’s best for you but the emphasis is on ‘we’ rather than ‘me’.
