September 2018: Fall arrives/a volatile and changeable month

During the month of September:

The Sun transits through Virgo and into Libra.

Mercury moves through three signs: Leo, Virgo and Libra.

Venus travels through Libra and into Scorpio where it will retrograde in early October.

Mars moves through Capricorn and back into Aquarius for the second time this year.

Jupiter moves past the first half of its  cycle in Scorpio.

Saturn turns direct at 2 degrees of Capricorn, along with Pluto at 17 degrees of Capricorn.

It's been a rough summer for many with all the delays (6 retrograde planets), change (Uranus into Taurus) and three powerful eclipses. Of course summer does not officially end until September 22, when the Sun enters Libra.

September will bring several substantial planetary aspects and influences, and we are headed into a volatile fall/election year.

 May 15, Uranus entered Taurus and Mars entered Aquarius the next day creating a clash. We saw deadly clashes in Gaza, a volcanic eruption in Hawaii, and the political turmoil amped up, just to name a few situations in the world. Many people saw change and upheaval in their personal lives including job change, relationship endings, and unexpected, unavoidable events.

Mars squared Uranus for the second time during early August, and in September we will experience the final clash between these two powerful planets.

September 10, Uranus retrogrades to 1 degree of Taurus and Mars re-enters Aquarius for the second time this year.

On the same day Venus enters Scorpio, creating a t-square (3 planets with conflicting energies) with Uranus and Mars.A T-square looks like a T, and has two squares and an opposition.

This will be a volatile configuration that will be very powerful the 10th-14th.

We can expect attacks at various levels, and there is strong potential for violence along with other unexpected events in the US and around the world. Rest assured it will involve politics and more. We could see a drop or change in the financial markets.

On a personal level, this is a transit of change, breaking away from situations that limit your personal freedom and unexpected events, especially involving those who have fixed planets at 0-3 degrees, or those with planets in the early degrees of Taurus, Leo, Scorpio or Aquarius.

The Mars-Uranus square is exact September 15-18, but we are looking at about a two week span, where we will see much tension in the world and our personal lives, change, and unexpected events. Mars/Uranus transits generally relate to explosive situations and circumstances, violence, unexpected change, military or police events, plane crashes, and anger, to name only a few. We could also see extreme weather or earth related disasters.

 In our personal lives we can experience sudden and abrupt change, or a desire to break free of some situation that has seemingly held us back whether it is a job, relationship or something else. Uranus is often called the planet of 'freedom at any cost."

Many things will change again at this time, and you can look back at the previous dates May 15-18, and August 1-4, to determine its affect in your personal chart and circumstances.

Both the New and Full Moon this month are stressful this month.

The September 9, New Moon (along with the Sun) falls at 17 degrees of Virgo and opposes Neptune at 15 degrees of Pisces. This creates a convoluted type of energy that can easily lead to misunderstandings, avoidance, insecurity, and/or lack of clarity.

My advice is not to take at face value anything that presents itself as all the facts may not be in. Things for some may seem worse than what they really are.

The Moon is supported by Pluto and Jupiter however, and this gives us an 'out,' to complacency or lack of clarity. Look for the facts, and they will present themselves, even if not this particular day. The energy is there to move forward in some way with Jupiter and Pluto.

A hard Neptune opposition can be a positive time for creativity or working to help others less fortunate. We may see outbursts of compassion in various places and ways.

The Full Moon falls at 1 degree of Aries on September 25. Aries is ruled by Mars, the God of War. The Moon forms a t-square, or a transit involving the energies of three planets, with a square to the Sun, as well as a square with Saturn. This configuration can pull us in many different directions.

This can relate to endings on various levels. Relationships that have outlived their purpose may end at this time, along with other situations. It may seem negative, tiring and depressing. this moon can link to fears rooted in negative childhood or other experiences. The words, 'chill out,' come to mind, and should be good advice on this Moon.

Saturn trines Uranus the first half of the month for the final time. This has been a big help in 2018 and will not return again soon.

This is positive and constructive energy. In many ways now is the time to combine old ideas with the new and come up with something totally different.

This is a good time for creative self expression as you can find ways of doing things that don't rock the boat. This is also good for group activity in the collective, and out personal lives.

From mid-month the transit begins to weaken but will remain within orb until November.

Other transits of significance include:

September 5, Mercury enters Virgo. Thinking becomes more detailed and critical. Mercury is at home here and conversations can be practical, deeper. Conversation and thinking can also become more worrisome and overly critical of others.

September 6, Saturn turns direct. While retrograde, Saturn slows down the normal rate of activity so better methods can be developed and organized. Saturn rules the structures in our lives and allows us to develop our boundaries.

Wherever Saturn is located in your personal chart is where you need more work to avoid feeling limitation in some way.

When transiting Saturn is retrograde, and we experience a Saturn transit in our personal charts, the retrograde of Saturn is typically the most difficult period of the transit. When we experience a harsh Saturn transit, it typically makes three passes over the course of about a year, one of them typically while Saturn is retrograde. Saturn turned retrograde March 25, and retrogrades every year for about four months.

As Saturn turns direct this can be good news for many issues and situations that have been stuck or in some way or unproductive, and this is true for both the individual and the collective.  Saturn can represent a reality check in many areas of our lives and even in the world.

While Saturn was retrograde many problems were internalized that were cloudy and difficult to figure out. As Saturn moves direct the answers are put into motion, and many matters connected with government, the collective and business begin to move forward.

September 7, Mercury trines Saturn. This is a stabilizing transit and during this time, much can be accomplished with ease.

Also on September 7, the Sun opposes Neptune. This is confusing and difficult. It is easy to make mistakes, or mis-communicate something. At its worst this can bring up paranoia, insecurity or lack of clarity.

September 9, Venus squares Mars. This can bring up issues and problems between the sexes, along with jealousies and other tensions. As this falls on the day of the New Moon which opposes Neptune, situations may well be unclear, convoluted, or new information can be revealed. If you are in the dark, do nothing, as light and clarity will soon return.

September 9, Venus enters Scorpio where it will remain the better part of the year. Venus is considered at its detriment in this sign ruled by Pluto. There can be a tendency while in Scorpio for Venus to operate in a more compulsive or obsessive manner, with a need to uncover the truth, whatever that may or may not entail.

Venus will retrograde October 5, at 10 degrees of Scorpio. During this time matters connected to love and money may shift. Venus retrograde cycles seem to be karmic, and during this time some relationships will end, while others move to different levels.

The shadow period of the retrograde cycle begins on September 3, while Venus is at 25 degrees of Libra. Venus will turn direct again November 16. It will re-enter Scorpio for the second time December 2, and will not change signs again until January 7, 2019 when it enters Sagittarius.

September 10, Mars enters Aquarius for the second time this year. It will clash with Uranus September 16-19. This will be a volatile period, and the last of three squares this year Uranus makes with Mars.

September 11, the Sun sextiles Jupiter. Positive and upbeat. Also the Sun trines Pluto giving us an opportunity to delve deeper into questions and issues.

September 12, Jupiter sextiles Pluto. The energy of this transit began several weeks ago and this is the peak of this energy. This is positive energy for practical accomplishment. Many things may come together at this time. Also, Venus opposes Uranus today. This can make us restless and desirous of seeking out new situations. Venus rules love, money and social values, and many will experience a desire to break free, break out of ruts and try new opportunities. Plans may not go as anticipated.

September 13, Mercury opposes Neptune. This is a confusing, tiring and convoluted transit. You may badly misjudge something if you are not careful. Miscommunication and lack of understanding are a great possibility today. Certain issues can be revealed. Use caution in all communication and driving.

September 15, Mercury trines Pluto. This is good for easily getting to the bottom of problems and communication should take on deeper tones.

September 16, Mercury sextiles Jupiter. This is friendly, positive and upbeat energy.

September 20, the Sun conjuncts Mercury. This is considered a willful transit, and egos may become apparent. Much communication on many different levels.

September 21, Mercury changes signs again and enters Libra. Libra is less harsh than Virgo and relationships of different types will be on many people's minds during this time.

September 22, the Sun enters Libra at 9:55PM, EST and the Libra season, along with fall is officially here.

September 23, Mercury squares Saturn. This can seem tiring, negative and a bit depressing, but will pass soon. Mercury also trines Mars giving the planet of communication a boost, but it can also lead to arguments.

September 24, the first full Moon of fall occurs.

September 25, the Sun squares Saturn. This can be a heavy, if not discouraging transit for some. Some things could end, for most it will be experienced as tiredness, or a focus on more serious matters.

September 27, the Sun trines Mars. This is energetic and pro active energy.

September 30, Pluto turns stationary direct. Pluto transits through the natal chart are often described as "change beyond your ability to control." When Pluto makes a harsh transit in your personal chart change will occur in your life with or without your help. The same goes for the positive aspects.

Pluto has been retrograde since June 2 and retrogrades every year. At this juncture it is very powerful, especially if it aspects something in your personal chart at that time.

  Pluto is now just over half way through its long cycle in Capricorn that will take us through 2024.

Anything that has been festering in the unconsciousness may force its way into the conscious at this time. This is a powerful planetary change and things that have been hidden, both individually and collectively will start to show itself for what it is. Lawsuits that have been put on hold may move forward as can anything of this nature.

Secrets may suddenly be revealed or come out of the shadows and we may see situations or even people turn obsessive in some way as Pluto has an obsessive quality to it.

Pluto rules the dark and hidden undercurrents, sex, bullies nuclear energy and raw power or those who hold such power. It also rules ultimate change and transformation. Typically when Pluto turns direct we see major events transpire in the world. If Pluto is making aspects in your personal chart, expect change in some way, depending on what the aspects are.