September 2016: The eclipse season

We begin the month of September with a powerful solar eclipse at 9 degrees of Virgo, peaking at 5:03 AM, EST. Eclipses are the universes  signposts, lighting the path into the future. Eclipses come in pairs and the companion lunar eclipse will occur on September 16, at 24 degrees of Pisces at 3:05 PM, EST. 

Along with the eclipse the Sun squares Saturn and this is tiring and sometimes negative or heavy energy that can provoke fear, or a feeling of being overwhelmed.

We last experienced a solar eclipse at the same degree as the Virgo eclipse on September 1, 1997, and we experienced a lunar eclipse in Pisces at the same degree September 16, 1997. If you can think back to this time you may have some idea of how the eclipses will affect you this month.

Eclipses are like wildcards, and one of the ways we learn how and what we need to change and evolve. An eclipse can seem good or bad, depending on what it does in your personal chart, and often an eclipse is dramatic, or reveals important information if it aspects a significant point in your own chart.  An eclipse often brings news pertaining to life's biggest events. The energy of an eclipse can go for months and in some cases years.

With an eclipse we have both endings and beginnings. A solar eclipse is more like a new beginning, and it is always a new moon. A lunar eclipse can being more news of endings and it is associated with a full moon. Almost always unexpected information comes to light and at this time something may be eclipsed completely out of your life.

The solar eclipse in Virgo is in the sign associated with health, work and service to others. Virgo is rules by Mercury, the planet of communication.  As Mercury is retrograde, events connected to this eclipse may be delayed by days or in some cases even weeks.

This is actually a perfect time to go on a diet, change your health regime, or start to work out and correct bad habits or lack of exercise. Or you could go on a clearing out or cleaning spree.

This eclipse will set off the powerful Saturn-Neptune square that has dominated our world since last fall. This square has, and will continue to change the world bringing endings and change from what we have known before. Many things have faded, and other things remain unclear as Neptune clouds the picture and is associated with illusion, delusion and confusion. Saturn on the other hand, is the planet of reality and structure and herein lies the clash between these two powerful planets.

This eclipse creates a t-square which means it aspects both Saturn and Neptune and this 'sets off,' the Saturn-Neptune energy. We will see major events in the world, and if you have mutable planets (Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius, Pisces) at 9-13 degrees you will see major events in your life at this time. Some things can end, or come together depending on what else is in your personal chart.

As this is a mutable t-square change occurs rapidly. Both the Moon and Sun oppose Neptune, and this is cloudy and confusing if not deceptive energy. Or this can be creative or spiritual energy of the highest order, depending on how it is directed.

As the Sun and Moon square Saturn and Mars we will be dealing with responsibilities and Mars energy is typically prone to arguments, accidents and agitating times. A square to Saturn can seem heavy and fear can be involved. It is important to maintain clarity of mind and not get carried away by fear or by seeing things in too negative a light.

On a personal level we will be experiencing change in many forms and juggling many hats at this time.

We can expect to see major world events occur and typically, when the Saturn-Neptune square is set off we see unrest, scandals, and the potential for violence. It can also relate to other situations such as water related emergencies such as we have recently seen in Louisiana, earthquakes, and the dissolution of old structures and ways of life such as we have recently seen with the US's withdrawal from the European Union. Facts will likely be unclear or incorrect.

By September 2, the Sun opposes Neptune. This is cloudy, foggy and tiring energy, and again, issues may be unclear, or facts previously unknown can come to light. Dreams may be vivid. Check all your facts before making any final decision and this is not a positive time to begin any new projects, although it may be highly creative and spiritual for some. Weather could be a concern in some places.

The second lunar eclipse falls at 24 degrees of Pisces on September 16. Pisces rules the twelfth house of the zodiac-the place of the subconscious mind, and things secret and hidden. Twelfth house eclipses often deal with endings, and uncovering information previously unknown. Once again, as 

Mercury is retrograde events connected to this eclipse may be delayed.

Pisces is ruled by Jupiter-the planet of expansion, and Neptune-the planet of illusion, delusion and confusion. Pisces is both the most spiritual of signs, and the most delusional.

Typically when we are under the sign of Pisces, we see events connected to religion, spirituality, compassion, and those things that pose under the guise of religion, but are in fact far from any real spiritual realm, and merely a delusion or even a lie. ISIS for example consider themselves a religion or religious group, but this does not make it so to the rest of the world.

This does not mean however, there cannot be real compassion and spirituality experienced on a moon like this, along with creativity and this is the highest use of this energy.

This Moon will oppose Mercury and Mercury is retrograde. In addition to communication, Mercury may involve younger people, travel issues, and things may be revealed that have to be re-done.

This moon squares Mars, the God of war. Mars represents energy, passion, war and men. You may think that a square to Mars would increase energy, but if so it is false energy, or you may feel as though you are running on empty, so to speak.

A square to Mars brings agitation, burnout, the potential for accidents, and it may seem like there is a great deal of anger in the world.

Like the last eclipse, this moon forms a mutable t-square in the sky which means change is imminent, and we will be juggling many things at once.

World events always play out on eclipses and as this Moon squares Mars it is prone to violence once again involving young men, especially. as it opposes Mars in the US natal chart we can expect to see unrest anger and there is a high likelihood of violence.

The Summer of our discontent-Part 111-the final pass of Saturn-Neptune

During September the Saturn-Neptune square we have been dealing with since last fall comes together in an exact square for the last time. As this transit starts to separate clarity will become greater, and we can make more solid plans for the future based on clear thinking and reality. This energy will not pass overnight however, and it will take some time for the cloud of illusion and false ideas to pass which this square has created. By late October or November we should notice a difference in the energies overall.

We have seen many changes since this energy became apparent. We have seen scandals, violence and hate, issues with water, cloudy circumstances and situations, and a dissolving of the old structures that we thought were solid.

Lies and misrepresentations of the truth seem to dominate the news and social media and it becomes hard to know what is real.

The same energy is affecting our personal lives, and many people have suffered loss, and experienced depression and a lack of clarity as to their own future.

Governments have been decimated, laws, rules and social mores have changed, fortunes have been lost, and it's not going back to the way it was. None of us can live in the past and our success can only come from living the moment, and planning our future lives.

It does not matter what your political thoughts are or how you feel about transgender bathrooms, the Presidential election or anything else.  We have changed as a collective more than it may appear, and to go backwards is a waste of time, and is not going to happen. This is the one thing you can depend on now.

This does not mean the world will be a bad place, just different. The world can be a beautiful place, and it's up to us to make the most of our lives and our own corner of the world.

Neptune clouds our mind and our judgment, Saturn teaches through harsh lessons, and Jupiter expands for the good or bad. The combination of these two planets often end up in confusion, bitterness and lack of clarity. It is indicative of the fading away of an old era we thought we knew or had conquered, and we will now have to make room and find the new.

What is real and what is not real is the question we will have to grasp during this time. What appears to be real may not be, and what appears to be unreal may in fact be reality, and the key is to not act out of desperation or under the Neptunian influence of misguided decisions and half baked ideas or unknown facts.

This the time to be level-headed, grounded and to find your strengths on both an inner and outer level, and to have some faith in your future. Those who have the structures to withstand the confusion, chaos, and Insanity of the time will obviously fare far better. If you have mutable planets in your personal chart (Gemini Virgo Sagittarius and Pisces) at 15 - 10 degrees, your personal chart will be affected by this powerful t-square and your life will be changed in some way.

On another level this major transit will play out in the world altering both our inner and outer realities. It is during the coming months we will begin to see truth for what it really is both collectively and as individuals.

Jupiter enters Libra

After a year in Virgo, Jupiter moves into Libra, the sign of marriage and partnerships on September 9.

Jupiter moves through each sign for about a year, and takes 12 years to work its way through the zodiac. Jupiter represents joy, gain, expansion, abundance and increase that you will experience in which ever house it is transiting in your personal chart.

Virgo is an Earth sign is the natural ruler of the sixth house of work and health. With Jupiter in this sign details and practical accomplishment is most important along with getting down to the nitty gritty of personal accomplishment through work.

As  Jupiter will changes signs and enter Libra for the first time in 12 years our focus will change, and many people will become more relationship oriented. Libra is the ruler of the seventh house of marriage and partnership, as well as courts.

The last time Jupiter was in this sign was September 27, 2004-October 25, 2005.

This will be a good time for those born under the sign of Libra, or other Air and Fire signs-Gemini, Leo, Sagittarius, and Aquarius, especially, or those who have planets in these signs.

The ruler of Libra is Venus, and while in this sign people more seem more consolatory, friendlier and many relationships may take off during this period. More people may recognize the value of relationships and as Jupiter expands whatever it touches, It wouldn't be surprised if there weren't more marriages. Could we hope for the world to become a nicer place?

Mercury retrogrades in Virgo

Mercury turned stationary retrograde August 30-31 at 29 degrees of Virgo. This will be a powerful retrograde as Mercury is in one of its own signs of rulership.

Mercury turns retrograde 3 or 4 times a year, and generally has a bad name and elicits groans when mentioned.  To an extent this is perfectly understandable, as retrograde Mercury is the planet that causes delays, glitches, breakdowns in computers and equipment, relationships, slowdowns and brings hidden factors to the surface. It is however part of a natural cycle, and this period is meant to recess, redo and reconsider plans and situations in our lives, rather than starting new projects.

Plans can be put on hold, miscommunication can occur, relationships can end or change, and cars, computers and other machinery can break down at the most inopportune moment.

When planets retrograde, their effects on humans are different than when in direct motion. Thinking is deeper, situations often appear to go underground for a time, or change altogether, and sometimes our focus shifts. Mercury retrograde is the most talked about retrograde, because it is a fast moving planet that controls our thinking, speech, travel, and cognitive skills.

When Mercury retrogrades, I always tell people, ‘Mercury retrograde is a wild card.” Sometimes, relationships can be fixed and problems brought out into the open if it is worth saving. The karma of a relationship will often play out as retrograde cycles are karmic in nature. Expect delays, changes of plans and try and not have situations set in stone.  In other words, prepare to be flexible.  

Mercury retrograde is often a frustrating time to be looking for a job.  Don’t give up though, just keep plugging on and stay on top of all communication. And make sure you are direct and to the point in your communication with others.  If you don’t understand what someone is telling you, by all means ask for clarification.

With this retrograde in Virgo  we need to watch our speech and communication as we may become overly critical or even overly analytical of people and situations, or other people may seem this way to us.

Virgo rules the 6th house of health and work and it is here we will be focused during this retrograde. Many people may start diets, and re-adjust their lifestyles and exercise as it relates to health and this is a positive use of this energy. Issues at work that weren't dealt with may crop up as well.

While 'stationary retrograde,' or even stationary direct, Mercury is at its most frustrating. this is the point where glitches and changes often occur and it may even be hard to think.

The second most stressful period is when Mercury turns 'stationary direct.' as it prepares to move forward September 23-24. At this point plans may change once again, but after this period things will slowly begin to return to normal.

Other significant transits:

September 7, the Sun trine Pluto is positive for accomplishment and Venus sextile Saturn is good for business, social activities and connecting with those from your past.

September 10, the square between Saturn and Neptune is exact.

September 11, Venus squares Pluto This is the first of several squares to Pluto as the fast moving planets move into Libra. this transit relates to trouble between the sexes and money issues, but it can affect any area of your life it falls in your personal chart. This energy is prone to obsessions, jealousy, and in some cases relationships can end. This transit can be found in instances of domestic abuse, although that is not the norm. We may hear of violence toward women.

September 12, Mercury squares Mars and this is agitating and angry energy. You could have trouble with electronics, and be careful driving. As the Sun conjuncts mercury as well this adds to the irritation today, and Mercury involves young people. There will be a great deal of friction in the air, and potential news events as it will affect the world stage.

September 13, the Sun squares Mars, and this is frustrating angry energy. It may be hard to tell much difference from the day before, except Sun-Mercury is more 'willful.'

September 17, Mars trine Uranus This is positive for new ideas and concepts, new approaches, travel and moving forward with projects. There can be excitement in the air.

September 18, Venus opposes Uranus, Things may be erratic where money, love and your social life is concerned, and there will be no stability. Nothing is guaranteed to be permanent on this transit if you begin a new relationship, and some relationships will end or change dramatically. We may see major market fluctuations and often do with this transit.

September 19, Venus sextiles Mars Great for business love and social activities.

September 20, Mercury trines Pluto Good for in depth conversation, thinking, expressing your ideas and communication will take on deeper meaning.

September 22, The Sun enters Libra and Fall is officially here!

Also, Mercury goes stationary direct. We're not out of the woods, however, as this can be a time where situations change again, glitches occur, and things get snarled. Wait a few days to begin any important project or start a new job. Mercury will be in its post retrograde shadow period until October 6, and then its full steam ahead.

September 23, Mercury trines Pluto again as it did September 20, but as Mercury is direct its more powerful.

Also, Venus enters Scorpio Love and feelings become much more intense now. Perhaps too intense for some. Best for water signs.

September 26, the Sun conjuncts Jupiter Positive in many ways. If it sounds too good to be true however...you know the rest. Things can be overinflated. Keep your perspective.

Also, Pluto turns stationary direct. Pluto rules all things held jointly, and its nature is that of the eighth house which concerns death, transformation, sex and rebirth. When Pluto turns direct, we could say the energy of this powerful planet “wakes up.” It energizes any planets that are around it and intensifies their effect as well. Pluto will be ‘stationary direct retrograde,’ until October 14, when it begins to move forward once again. The stationary direct period is when the energy seems most intense.  On a personal level you could go through some type of ‘rebirth’ process, or change of circumstances, and we will see many events unfold on the world stage.

While Pluto is retrograde its energy is often internalized, as opposed to being out in the open. Often this seems to keep certain things hidden, and when it goes direct situations appear to suddenly be revealed. These  situations were there all along, we were just not consciously aware of them. So, when Pluto turns direct it appears to bring things out into the open.

Pluto operates on both the collective level and the individual level. As a collective society we will all deal with the effects of Pluto in Capricorn. As individuals, Pluto’s movement in our individual natal chart will be personal, depending on what, if anything it is aspecting in your personal chart. If Pluto is aspecting a planet in your natal chart, change will occur in the area it is transiting. Often it is change beyond our ability to control. Not all change is bad, and often people experience a type of death and rebirth in the area of Pluto’s transit.

Partnerships and financial ventures that have been delayed will start to move forward again. The direct motion of Pluto will being thing out of the unconscious and force us to deal with many issues that have been in the shadows. It's better to know the truth than not.

September 27, Mars enters Capricorn. After 9 months in Scorpio and Sagittarius, Mars enters the sign ruled by Saturn. Capricorn is the natural ruler of the 4th house of home and family. Action may be curbed, restrained, or more conservative.

September 30, a new Moon occurs in Libra, the sign ruling relationships and marriage. As this Moon squares Mars, you may experience frustration or anger. Its conjunct to Jupiter greatly helps, and situations may expand or seem more expansive at best. Anger may be directed toward women.