We’re now fully through the eclipse season of July and August, yet September has some flashy moments of its own. Most notable are the Mercury Retro period and the Saturn-Uranus alignment, which could shake things up a bit. It’s nice to see that the Spring Equinox (in the southern hemisphere) happens later in the month, offering the peace and balance of its zodiac sign Libra.
The first main event in September is the Full Moon in Pisces on the 5th. At this time the Sun is in Virgo and the Moon is in the opposite sign of Pisces. Whatever comes to light at this full moon might give a taste of what’s in store mid-month when Saturn in Virgo and Uranus in Pisces cosmically challenge each other. In general, the polarity between Pisces-Virgo is a tussle between dreams and reality.
A Full Moon in Pisces brings to light ways in which we might be too day-dreamy and fanciful or not imaginative enough. If we’ve had our hopes set on something that’s unlikely to reach fruition, we might get an understanding of this at the full moon. Yet if we tend to ground our ideals in reality, something longed-for might manifest at this time. Whatever the case, this is the once-a-year Full Moon that awaits our secret hopes. Like writing a letter to Santa Claus, why not let the cosmos know the ways that life could become more enchanted, beautiful and inspiring for you. Sure there’s no Santa Claus in the same way there’s no Man in the Moon but our higher selves, spirit beings or guides are always at-the-ready for us to utilise their services. While the Sun is in Virgo they might well be able to help materialise our wishes. The gift cannot come from a non-existent Santa Claus but, on a ‘wing and a prayer’, it might come in other magical ways.
On September 7th, the third Mercury Retrograde period of the year begins, a phase that sees Mercury powerfully dancing between two zodiac signs – Libra and Virgo. The official dates of Mercury Retro are from 7 September to 29 September, but the ‘before’ effect started on 18 August and the ‘after’ effect continues until 14 October. Here’s the step-by-step breakdown:
18 Aug, Mercury at 21-22 degrees Virgo (the last degree of the zodiac that Mercury will reach when it goes backwards – i.e. retrograde)
26 Aug, Mercury shifts out of Virgo and into Libra
7 Sep, 2.45 pm (AEST), Mercury shifts Retro
18 Sep, Mercury heads back into Virgo, the day before the Virgo New Moon
29 Sep, 11.14 pm (AEST) Mercury shifts Direct at 21-22 Virgo (where it was on 18 August)
10 Oct, Mercury re-enters Libra
14 Oct, Mercury reaches the degree it went Retro at (6 degrees Libra) and fully completes the energy of the retrograde phase
As usual, while Mercury is Retro it’s important to slow down and pay attention to life’s transactions, large and small. So often when rushing we inadvertently do things or agree to things we later wish we hadn’t. Fate can play its hand when time pressures us to feel as if we must do or decide something ‘now!’ But just like a salesperson at the door after dark, fate can be slowed down a little and can even be given a ‘no thank you’. Often in life things might seem like they need urgent action or we’ll miss out on some super-important-something-or-other but this is rarely true. The challenge or gift of Mercury Retro is to slow down. Like a cosmic ‘cooling off period’, it encourages us to reflect, check and double-check details before signing on any dotted lines. It asks us to think before we speak, even if that means thinking for the whole three weeks of the Retro phase in order to find a constructive way to address an issue! Yet it’s also the case that many important discussions that need to be had can go successfully during Mercury Retro, especially if those involved are reflective and patient in the process. After 29 September we can relax a little and feel more confident with signing contracts, making big decisions and so on, but it’s best to remain cautious until 14 October when Mercury completely moves out of its affer-effect phase.
Mercury’s movement in and out of Virgo helps us reassess and even back out of contracts (Libra) if we realise that on closer inspection (Virgo) they’re not going to work for us. Libra wants an agreement that’s fair for all involved, whether it be marriage, a business deal, a job agreement or housing contract. Will it work (Virgo) or not? Can a just, honest agreement/contract be reached (Libra) or not? Mercury’s dance between Libra and Virgo also brings to attention how we are currently in Saturn’s last months in Virgo (Saturn has been in Virgo since September 2007 and will move into Libra at the end of October 2009). More on this next month…
Speaking of Saturn, on 15 September, Saturn and Uranus continue their boxing match. The first of five rounds was in November 2008 and the second round was in February this year. This month we have the third round. Basically this is a competition between the old (Saturn) and new (Uranus). Saturn in Virgo wants things the same old way. Uranus in Pisces wants to bring in the new. Is there something in your life where you feel as if you are banging your head against a brick wall of rules, systems and traditions that you’re itching to change? This could well be the Saturn-Uranus alignment in action. The challenge is to only throw out what’s no longer working in old systems while keeping life-affirming tried-and-true methods. Saturn needs to stand up to Uranus and make a case for what’s worth keeping.
Uranus has a habit of causing mass destruction and tossing the baby out with the bath water. Uranus can be like an earthquake, bushfire or tornado that takes everything in its path while attempting to make space for the new. The Uranus effect makes September a good month for protests of all sorts and hopefully some resulting positive changes without too much mayhem. There’s a chance for genuine breakthroughs and liberation from systems that deaden creativity by boxing people in or shutting people out. Uranus wants the rights of the individual to be considered, including the disenfranchised, but unfortunately in its zeal for change it can inadvertently wipe-out the individuals or innovations that it’s making a stand for. Is there a part of yourself that feels disenfranchished – i.e. pushed into the shadows of your being? Under this alignment this part of you is likely to be feeling worked-up about not having more of a say. Or perhaps it’s simply going through a growth-spurt like a teenager (Uranus) rebelling against its parents (Saturn), or a freedom-seeking urge leaping out in a midlife crisis. If we feel the Uranian surge of rebellion flash through us, it works well to find ways to manage or direct it (Saturn) so that it doesn’t become a force of destruction. In this way, Saturn’s presence in this alignment will hopefully help much-needed change come through in positive ways.
The powerful window for the Saturn-Uranus alignment is 10 to 24 September, yet if you’re a Capricorn or Aquarian you might already be feeling it now as Saturn and Uranus, respectively, are your zodiac signs’ rulers. One part of yourself might be saying ‘get back in your box’, while another part of you might be yelling ‘No way! Don’t tell me what to do!’ Virgoans and Pisceans might also strongly feel this power struggle between old and new given that Saturn and Uranus, respectively, are in those signs. You can read more about this powerful Saturn-Uranus alignment and its impact on the areas of life relating to your zodiac sign in the ‘Zodiac Sign 2009 Forecasts’ which are now at their final reduced price of $4.95. Go here to order.
Other astro-news for September involves Pluto going Direct on the 12th and a New Moon in Virgo on the 19th. Pluto’s Direct motion will help those of us who have been feeling stuck to ease towards transformation just like new growth popping through soil after a long underground gestation. The New Moon in Virgo is welcomed by Mercury Retro which shifts back into Virgo the day beforehand. Previously overlooked details now need attention. Lost objects might be found. Something that’s broken has the chance of being fixed or a perfect solution to a nagging problem is likely to be at hand. Soon there’ll be a huge cosmic focus on Libra, with Mercury moving back into Libra in October and Saturn following suit. This New Moon in Virgo helps us tidy up loose ends and complete the preparation phase before October’s Libra focus. Libra is strongly associated with relationships and contracts. After Mercury shifts Direct on September 29th, we’ll start to see the benefits of having put effort into tending to details for most of September.
For those looking for luck in love, new relationships are possible in October so use September to get things in order. Virgo’s New Moon prods us into having a big clean up, physically or emotionally. Do we have old love letters we need to sort through to make room for new love? Are we wanting to get our bodies into shape? Imagine you are lovingly preparing yourself as if readying your home for the arrival of honoured guests. You might like to consider participating in the Soul Mates workshop on 13 September to help clear old relationship contracts or patterns and implement new ones. Go here for more information.
Finally, the Spring Equinox on 23 September (at 7.20 am AEST) brings us the first tastes of the charm, aesthetic, peace and harmony of Libra. At the Equinox, day and night are equal length. The cosmic scales in the wheel of the year are balanced. What’s no longer relevant in our lives has been released and the gifts of the new are just around the corner. Enjoy!