September 2015: Watch our world change-Saturn into Sagittarius

September is such an important month astrologically-perhaps the most action packed month of this year, and I'm not saying it will be an easy month. Venus turns direct, Mercury retrogrades, several fast moving planets (along with Jupiter) move into in Virgo, two eclipses occur, Mercury turns retrograde, Saturn enters a new sign and Jupiter opposes Neptune. There is a lot to cover and this is not a short forecast, so let's get started!

Venus finally turns stationary direct at 14 degrees of Leo September 6. Venus has been in its retrograde since July 25, and this cycle typically shakes up relationships and finances. This is a period when we reevaluate what is important to us in many respects. Venus's retrograde can slow down money matters or legal matters as well, so I don't know anyone who won't be happy to see it turn direct.

Sometimes it is at this point that events occur in relationships for better or worse, depending on what else it is doing in your chart. Venus will still be in the stationary direct shadow period until October 8, so love energy won't totally return to normal until then. It is during this part of the cycle that you can evaluate the results of the retrograde Venus affect for yourself. Did your love life slow down, or did you make changes in your social life or money or reach an epiphany? If you began a relationship on a retrograde Venus, it may change as Venus turns direct and moves forward, or when Mercury turns retrograde or direct in October.

Just when you thought the retrograde affect was over though, Mercury will turn stationary retrograde for the final time this year on September 17, at 15 degrees of Libra. It will be retrograde until-October 9.  Libra is the sign ruling the seventh house of relationships and marriage, so this may prolong the retrograde affect in your love life, relationships and even money for a while longer.

Mercury retrograde is a time of re-doing, recessing and re-evaluating our lives. As Mercury is in Libra, we will be re-evaluating relationships, friendships and partnerships of all types.

This is not the time to begin new things, relationships, projects or start new jobs if you can help it. I always say however, if you need a job take it. But, anything started during this period can change when Mercury goes direct.

I have tested this many times and this cycle is not the time to get married or engaged (I haven't tested this, but seen it end badly many times ) buy art, large ticket items, make investments, paint, or anything of this sort. This is the time rather, to sit back and access what you have and make changes to fit your life or improve the situation. The time to take action will come in October.

Things, relationships, equipment and even people often break down during a retrograde Mercury cycle. Get your car checked, and hope for the best. If something does break down, its time has come for repair or replacement. 

Communication can get confusing, appointments missed, and all manner or irritating situations can occur, but it's all part of the natural cycle of a retrograde Mercury. It's about accessing and redoing.

Two eclipses occur this month, and the first one is a solar eclipse on the New Moon, falling on September 12, at 20 degrees of Virgo at 11: 41, PM, EST. Next, is a lunar eclipse September 27, at 5 degrees of Aries, occurring at 10:50 PM, EST.

I always call Mercury/Venus retrograde and eclipses 'wildcards' because they are. Eclipses can reveal things, end situations, reveal, and bring opportunities of all types, depending on what it is doing in your personal chart. Eclipses bring change and some is more dramatic than at other times, and not all eclipses are negative.

As the  Solar eclipse is in Virgo this sign rules the 6th house of work, health and service. An eclipse of this nature can reveal situations and changes at work, in diet and health and our level of service we provide others in many different ways.

Many will likely be focused on work rather than pleasure, and this is a perfect time for organizing the important matters of our life and utilizing our talents in the area of re-organizing our houses, thoughts and plans.

The shadow side of this sign is critical, judgmental, and sometimes brings feelings of self unworthiness. The positive side of the sign is practicality, management /leadership ability, and discerning thinking.

Venus and Mars are trine Uranus within a few degrees and these are positive, upbeat energies. But, this moon will oppose Neptune (discouragement, delusion, compassion, deep spiritual understandings), trine Pluto (determination), and sextile Saturn (security, stability),

But, Jupiter opposes Neptune at 7-8 degrees of Virgo-Neptune and this is a transit of confusion, lies and deception, trickery, smoke and mirrors and illusions, and you must discern what is truth and what is not.

As Jupiter is in the sign of service/work and Pisces the sign ruled by Neptune/12th house (lies, illusions, distortions of truth) the deception may come in the areas of work/service, or through our ideas, concepts and communications, religion, or philosophical beliefs or beliefs at the time. It could also come through something being presented to you: an idea, promise, business opportunity, or in some other way a distortion of the truth that can include self deception.

This is a transit of  lies, thievery and trickery, and as a collective we must guard against illusions that hit some chord making it seem real, yet it is not.

Religion comes to mind and may well be front and center in come way, or that which poses as religion but is in fact lies and deception and trickery.

You should be cautious in all personal, legal, monetary and personal exchanges at this time, and the Virgo moon should give you the discernment to ferret out the truth from lies and self deceptions.

Addictions, yours or someone else's, can also be a theme at this time. There could also be a desire to escape from the world.

Collectively, religion (or that which poses under the guise of high philosophic ideals) can and will be a part of this and as a whole we we are prone to swindles, and mass thievery of some kind, deception, scandals and lack of clarity in facts. We could in fact hear news of religious figures.

If you can find balance in your life and not fall victim to illusions you can experience this transit as spiritual awakenings and compassion, creativity of the highest of personal insight and awakenings. But knowing what is a spiritual awakening versus the wrong path or madness (Neptune) itself may be hard to discern. Dreams can be very prominent at this time.

Be especially cautious with finance and money matters.

Mercury will square Pluto and this will be a time we may discover new information, be searching for answers, engaged in power struggles and have obsessive thoughts. To work effectively this transit needs a focus of some type of mental activity rather than obsessions that may not even be grounded in reality.

Jobs, job security, auditors, discernment, analyzing, work, dieting/health, service to others, enlightenment, organization are all keywords for this eclipse in Virgo and a positive use of the energy.

The lunar eclipse of September 27,  falls at 5 degrees Aries and this eclipse is likely more explosive then the Virgo solar eclipse. This is a Supermoon as well, and I find Supermoons to be more powerful, the energy works sooner, rather than later, and we are at risk of severe weather extremes and other e

 Aries rules the first house of self, and its ruler is Mars, the God of War.

Mars squares Saturn, (1 degree Virgo/Sagittarius) which by this point has moved into Sagittarius (Saturn), so this will be a theme of this eclipse which is hard work with little gain, frustration, and even anger.

Those who are early degree mutable signs will be especially affected by this eclipse, or those who have mutable planets in their charts in the early degrees.

This moon will trine Saturn (security), oppose Mercury (communication issues, vehicles, irritation with partners, young people, transportation issues), square Pluto (obsession, control issues, meltdowns) and conjunct Uranus (unexpected emotional responses and events)

The frustration, upset or anger can center around Sagittarius/Virgo related themes: audits, work, service, ideas, money, education, medical or legal issues, or the way we view things.

These eclipses will play out in the world as well, and I will write more about this later. As Mercury is retrograde, the effects of this eclipse may be delayed by days or even weeks.

Jupiter will oppose Neptune and this transit is exact September 17, at 7 degrees of Virgo/Pisces and those with mutable planets around this degree are especially prone to its influence. While this transit is exact now, the week before and after are significant and basically the entire month of September. This transit can represent a beautiful illusion, but the key word is illusion, and illusions only lead to disillusion.

Scams, theft, self-delusion, fraud, and outright lies and misunderstandings are indicative of this transit. Go back and re-read what I wrote about this transit during the first eclipse for a deeper meaning. Religion and that which poses as religion or higher philosophies will come into focus and it is up to us collectively to discern the truth. No doubt there will be scandals, news of younger men and same sex marriage. Discernment and credibility is the key collectively and individually as we are at risk of being scammed, lied to and mislead.

We could hear news of the financial markets and the words 'suckers rally' comes to mind along with mis-information or loss. I can remember back in the 1990's when Jupiter opposed Neptune and my husband and I were doing some legal and financial transactions. It appeared everything was in order and in good shape, but months later we discovered everything was not as we thought. Even worse we were given incorrect information by attorneys and it was deliberate. I will leave this story here, and I don't know how I can be any clearer in my warning about the pitfalls of this transit that will re-occur in 2016.

What appears perfect and wonderful may well not be, and that can include relationships.  Gambling and addictions are also issues that can be seen at times like this.

The higher side of this transit is compassion, creativity, and deep spiritual insight, but Neptune calls for sacrifice as opposed to ego. You can make this transit work, but you must use absolute discernment and keep your feet on the ground.

Finally, on September 17, at 10:47 P.M., Saturn leaves the Sign of Scorpio for the next 30 years and enters Sagittarius until December 2017, when it will move into Capricorn. This on the same day Mercury turns retrograde.

Saturn changing signs is a major astrological event, as Saturn rules our structure, responsibilities, gain and limitations in life and collectively.

Saturn entered Sagittarius for the first time December 24, 2015-June 14, from 0-4 degrees and we got a taste of Saturn in this sign. If you are an early Sagittarius, or mutable sign ( Sagittarius, Gemini, Virgo, Pisces) Saturn has already conjuncted, opposed or squared your Sun, and you would have felt stressed, depressed and as though you are being held back in some way, which are the trademarks of Saturn in these angles. Or you could be affected if you have any planets in your personal chart at this degree being aspected by Saturn. 

The specific planet that is being aspected and its placement in your chart would determine the nature of the problem.

Collectively, we will be dealing with a whole new set of issues. While Saturn in Scorpio was about money/investments and loss, war (Scorpio's rulers are Mars and Pluto), intense relationship issues and sex (same-sex marriage also) and what we all jointly own, Sagittarius is ruled by Jupiter and considers the ninth house home.

Jupiter rules money and money runs the stock market. Black Monday  occurred the last time Saturn was at 16 degrees of Sagittarius.  So, in other ways we will still be seeing issues around money, religion (there is that word again!) or alleged religion,  laws, our outlook on the  world, education and many of our viewpoints will shift. We will have more interest in foreign cultures for a variety of reasons.

By November Saturn will square Neptune and many structures, things, and situations will shift and dissolve into something else.

Other transits of interest in September include:

September 1, Venus conjuncts Mars: Sparks may fly between the sexes, but sparks can led to fire if you are not careful. Money matters could come to the fore, or social issues.

September 5, the Sun trines Pluto and helps get to the bottom of any problem or issue easily.

September 6, Venus goes stationary direct!

September 8, Mars trines Uranus good for direct action, new actions or situations

September 9, Mercury squares Pluto: There is a need for mental activity this day. Thoughts and speech can be argumentative and obsessive.

September 22, Venus trines Uranus: Great for love, social events, meetings.

September 23, The first day of fall, the Sun enters Libra and sextiles Saturn: great for getting things done.

September 24, Mars enters Virgo and squares Saturn. This is heavy, frustrating energy that will continue for a few days. Mars-Saturn events are typically frustrating and connected with police and military events on a world level. Also, Mercury squares Pluto again.

September 25, Pluto goes stationary direct and many things will come out into the open that have been hidden and other things will move forward in many ways. As Mars is in an exact square to Saturn will likely see major events occurring.

September 30, the Sun conjuncts Mercury. Many people may seems willful and there is typically a lot of communication.

Pisces full moon: delving deep into the unknown

August 29, a Full Moon occurs at 6 degrees of Pisces. This is a significant moon, as it conjuncts Neptune, opposes Jupiter, and makes several other aspects, and is considered a supermoon.

Richard Noell coined the term supermoon and describes it in the following manner, "SuperMoons are noteworthy for their close association with extreme tidal forces working in what astrologers of old used to call the sublunary world: the atmosphere, crust and oceans of our home planet - including ourselves, of course. From extreme coastal tides to severe storms to powerful earthquakes and volcanic eruptions, the entire natural world surges and spasms under the sway of the SuperMoon alignment - within three days either way of the exact syzygy, as a general rule."

Events connected to this full moon will begin to play out immediately as we are already into the energy of this moon, and where this moon falls in your personal chart will determine how it plays out for you as always.

This moon aspects Saturn (structure, discipline, hardships), Jupiter (expansion, beliefs), the Sun, and Neptune (dreams, ideals, illusion, delusion and confusion), and Pluto (intensity).

Moon-Neptune aspects can signify vivid dreams, daydreaming, increases in alcohol and substance abuse, confusion, lack of clarity, psychic perceptions, compassion and spiritual and religious interests. It is also prone toward deception and even self deception. The way you are thinking or what you believe may not be the way things really are so clarity of mind and thinking is essential.

With proper grounding now is the time to dream of the future. You could chose to participate in water related events this weekend, and this is the last full moon of the summer.

This moon also opposes Jupiter and the Sun, blowing things out of proportion, and as every full moon can, its opposition to the Sun can make things seem overly emotional. As a matter of fact for some this could be an emotional armageddon. Things buried in your subconscious may come out at this time.

As Pisces rules the 12th house we may see endings of different types on this moon, or it may touch something in your subconscious mind. Twelfth house matters are often connected with the unknown. We may feel linked to others psychically more than ever. Or you could feel lost in a fog (Neptune) and hopeless. It is better to make a conscious choice to move forward at any cost (Saturn) and continue to live your own ideals (Jupiter). This moon opposes Jupiter in Virgo along with Neptune. (Jupiter will oppose Neptune mid September) Neptune and (Moon)-Jupiter transits may be creative, prone to daydreaming, and create a desire to do compassionate things, but it is also prone to deception, lies, dishonesty, lack of clarity or a belief in something that is not based on reality. If something appears to be too good to be true, it probably is. Now is not the time to get involved in ventures, relationships or anything else that are not grounded in reality, and this is certainly not the time for speculative financial ventures/investments or new ventures that involve money. You could fall of a diet or health regime.

Setting your intentions on this full moon, creativity, psychic studies, charity work, daydreaming, artistic efforts, water related activities will all be good choices at this time.

Going blindly into something that is highly speculative (including relationships) may not turn out so well.

This energy may be difficult for some to harness, but if you can it is a time of dreams, hopes, inspiration and pleasant memories.

Events will continue to play out in our lives over the next few days as the energy of this full moon will last at least a week before and a week after.

You will be affected personally by this full moon if you have mutable planets (Pisces, Virgo, Sagittarius, or Gemini) at 4-9 degrees. Those with Pluto in Virgo from 4-10 degrees will undergo some sort of crisis, born roughly 1960-early 1963.

August 31, the Sun opposes Neptune. This is another day where clarity may not rule the day, and there is a tendency toward deception on many levels. Vivid dreams will be common.

September 1, Venus conjuncts Mars, and this energy will amp up our interest in sex or the opposite sex. An attraction that begins on this day will not be lukewarm. But, this transit is also indicative of problems between men and women, and sparks may fly one way or another. As we are still in the energy of the full moon, there could be clashes in personal beliefs.

“We live in a wonderful world that is full of beauty, charm and adventure. There is no end to the adventures that we can have if only we seek them with our eyes open. ”

― Jawaharlal Nehru

This full moon will also play out in the world as it does our own lives and we are likely to see water or weather related events.

We will no doubt hear news concerning religion, and/or those who cloak themselves in the guise of religion or pseudo-religion that is in fact terrorism, or those who push their own beliefs and ideals to the extreme, as we did August 26, with the shooting death of two young TV journalists in Virginia by a man who claimed racial bias.

Politicians will pontificate, push their ideals to the extreme and flat out lie or be unrealistic. 

Scandals may come to the forefront.

We could see events connected with money, the financial markets, and the oceans.

As this moon squares Uranus (8 degrees Gemini)  we will see unexpected events and situations in the US. Uranus lies in the 6th house (US Sibley chart) which governs workers, health and healthcare workers, and Uranus rules aircraft, TV (the death of 2 young journalists has already occurred) the internet and technology.It also rules inventions, aircraft, broadcast technology and weather.

US-Cuba relations and the future

The US flag was raised over Cuba's embassy August 14, 2015 at 10:37A.M., EST in Havana, Cuba for the first time since 1961. I know this is the correct time, as I watched it on CNN with my own eyes. 

There are others I have known and wish had lived to see this day; one who barely escaped Castro's gunmen, and was put on Castro's hit list. He lost all he had built here because he was American and bought jobs and companies to this Caribbean Island that would be forever changed after Castro took power.

Of course, those foreigners who had businesses in Cuba lost their investments and some their lives, but those who lost the most were the Cuban people themselves, who were subjected to decades of tyranny, loss and poverty due to the embargo imposed by the US after Fidel Castro claimed power.

But, as of now things are changing and we have a chart that shows this monumental shift that has been more than a half a century in the making,  along with the great opportunity for new Cuban-American relations.

This chart has an 8 degree Libra ascendant, and Libra is ruled by Venus, which falls at 23 Leo (retrograde) in the 11th house of institutions that are ruled by the government, and long range hopes and expectations. The Sun and Moon lie next to Venus at 23 Leo, and these planets trine (trines are good) Uranus in the 7th house. 

The seventh house shows relations with other countries, relations, treaties, and alliances. This shows the desire and good chance for an exciting new relationship.

The raising of the flag occurred almost exactly on the New Moon in Leo (within minutes) and the Sun and Moon (21 degrees Leo) trine Uranus. The moon rules the mood of the people and this shows a new and exciting connection between the people of both countries and high hopes for a new friendship.

Venus at 23 degrees of Leo however,  squares Saturn with a 5 degree orb (along with the Sun and Moon) and this shows tension over money and values. According to Celeste Teal, an afflicted Venus may indicate cultural or artistic suppression, or censure.

Hence, Fidel Castro's proclamation on the same day, the US owes Cuba a great deal of money due to the embargo. But, the trine to Uranus should help greatly this square. (squares are difficult)

The tenth house shows the government, and Mars falls here at 3 degrees of Leo and is unaspected.  Mars shows a governing party or individual who is aggressive, and flamboyant in nature and Mars rules war/the military. Astrologer Veres Zoltan wrote, "an unaspected planet often displays a lack of integration into the conscious personality and often promotes the energy of the sign it occupies" In this case the sign is Leo, which is associated with royalty (or perceived royalty), flashiness and aggressiveness, and this describes the government and its leader.

Dane Rudlyar wrote that an unaspected planet brings about more freedom (of the government and leader) with all its potential danger as well as qualities and forces. Thus, the unaspected planet can unleash full power without limitation or control.

As Mars is so close to the 12th house cusp, it appears the leader of the government wishes to escape the responsibilities of governing and disappear into private life of some sort.

When I saw this I did further research and it appears General Raul Castro will leave after his second term.  "Despite his reputation as a dedicated communist, since assuming leadership of Cuba, Raúl Castro has implemented numerous social, economic and political reforms, including the lifting of restrictions on commerce and travel for its citizens, allowing for the privatization of portions of military and government infrastructure and opening the country to foreign investment. In 2011 Raúl also instituted a two-term limit for the office of president, and when he was reelected in 2013, he announced his plans to leave politics at the end of his second term." -from Bio.

Saturn falls at 28 degrees of Scorpio in the second house, which shows us limited financial resources. As Mars is the natural ruler of Scorpio and Mars lies in the 10th house this shows us a leader who controls or has control of much of the public wealth.

Mercury lies in the 12th house at 11 degrees of Virgo opposing Neptune (8 Pisces) in the 5th.  The 12th house deals with things and situations that are secret and hidden, along with subversives. The fifth house deals with youth and entertainment.

It appears there are many things that are hidden from public view and all may not be as it publicly appears.  Lies may be told relating to relations with the US and many will be suspicious on both sides and there may be secret alliances.

Neptune in the fifth house is also retrograde, and while the fifth house rules youth and entertainment, Neptune rules social and political movements, collective values, Utopian ideas and the average person. It has to do with the conditions of the disadvantaged, especially youth-5th house.

 Neptune rules drugs and tobacco, alcohol, photography, oil, gas, petroleum, and the oceans. An afflicted Neptune may indicate political instability and collapse, elements of distortion, fraud or corruption, and as Neptune opposes Mercury in the 12th many things and situations will be hidden.

As the fifth house rules entertainment and Neptune rules alcohol (and prostitution among other things), the potential exists for casinos and other businesses of this type to come back at some point as Americans flocked to the Havana in the 1950's. In the 1950's organized crime played a large role in Cuba's casinos.

Jupiter also opposes Neptune in the 5th house (0 Virgo) and this combination also relates to casinos, alcohol,  movies and fantasy types of entertainment experiences. This can be construed as religion playing a major role in society as well.

It also shows the potential for unrealistic expectations.

Pluto lies in the 4th house showing landowners, land, families, and the common people. Pluto here shows regeneration, denoting the principal of metamorphosis. Pluto also represents aspects of life carried on in the dark, political undergrounds and organized crime and similar types of groups.

On July 23, (2015) a GOP-controlled Senate panel has voted to lift a decades-long ban on travel to Cuba, giving a boost to President Barack Obama's moves to ease travel restrictions and open up relations with the Castro-governed nation.

Here is hoping for the best!

Sun squares Saturn August 21

The Sun squares Saturn at 28 degrees of Scorpio-Leo, becoming exact at 7:40 P.M., EST August 21, but this energy will be apparent the day before.

Sun-Saturn transits can seem limiting and restrictive, and you may feel tired or without enthusiasm.

The best course of action is to go about your business and if you can accomplish that you will have done well. Limit expectations for this day, and know this energy will pass quickly, and it's best not to take it too seriously or get too gloomy.

If you have fixed planets (Leo, Scorpio, Taurus, Aquarius) at 25-27 degrees this may set off something in your chart, and can seem more negative.

This will pass quickly and by next Wednesday the Sun will conjunct Jupiter bringing a more optimistic period.

This energy will play out in the world as negative news and destructive events. This transit will occur every year, several times.