Astrological Forecast for September & October 2011

Traditionally, we get back to work in September. Labor Day was originally a celebration of the worker, but it came to mark the time when we resume labor after a break in the summer. Lately, however, it seems we have lost touch with our agrarian roots, and work the year round. Many schools even cut summer vacation short and begin classes before Labor Day.

Work is going to be a major focus in the late summer and early autumn this year, although that has been the case since Pluto went into Capricorn and began to shake the roots of our economy. We are in the midst of a deep questioning of our values, especially in the U.S., where Pluto has settled into our house of values and finances. We have - literally and metaphorically - given up our summer vacation, but it isn’t clear that we are benefitting from our efforts.

Many of you have heard of the Cardinal T-Square, planets that are in difficult relationships to each other. This configuration lasts, in one form or another, from 2008 to 2014, and it is rocking the foundations in many areas of life, including work and relationships. With the sun, Venus, and Mercury all moving into the cardinal sign of Libra, the T-Square will be set off. Think of the sun as a match that lights a fuse.

Look to the middle of September, between the Full Moon on the 12th and the Pluto station (when he appears to stop in the sky) on the 16th. The news should be telling us something about our collective direction, but your own experiences and feelings at this time will tell you about what needs to change in your approach to work and finances.

Before we get to the middle of the month, however, we might clear up some old business. Mercury and Neptune make the last in a series of three oppositions on the 8th. Around this time, confusion that began in late July could get resolved, one way or another. The facts still aren’t clear, but we might settle on a story that everyone can choose to believe in.

Relationships are also affected by the profound energy of change. Venus, the Goddess of Love, will oppose Uranus and square Pluto on the 17th and 18th. Power struggles can erupt, and anger might lead to break-ups or fighting. The basic issue is whether we can balance the need to be ourselves with the demands of partnership.

Basically, the urge to be true to yourself is likely to win out in the long run. Just now, however, we could try (perhaps too hard) to put a happy face on our partnerships, pushing anger and frustration underground. Re-writing the script of your relationships is a constructive alternative to letting resentment build. Think creatively about what a good partnership could look like - it doesn’t have to be the image you’ve been handed by television, your family, and others.

The time before the New Moon is traditionally quiet. It is a time to go within and set intentions, while letting the outer world take care of itself. September’s New Moon is quite powerful, and it will be difficult to contain the energy. The Sun opposes Uranus on the 25th, followed by the New Moon on the 27th. Just a day later, the Sun will square Pluto. Think of this as a concentration of power, beginnings and endings melded together.

What this means is that the otherwise outwardly directed solar aspects are drawn inwards. Implosion is more likely than explosion. On a collective level, look to the struggle between government (especially leaders) and businesses. We might also see a large corporation fold, or its CEO sent packing.

On a personal level, we can try to use this energy constructively. One of the hardest things to do is to set intentions, because we have the habit of second-guessing ourselves and maintaining hidden doubts that we can or will manifest what we seek. These doubts drag our commitment and dilute the results. The energy of this New Moon offers the possibility of developing a more single-minded approach.

Consciously decide where you want to go, and then name your demons: the doubts, fears, feelings of inadequacy, sense of impossibility, or whatever you feel holding you back. Acknowledge them, then send them on their way. One of the most common demons is the voice of the unnamed other, that more sensible, normal voice who tells you why you can’t change your life. Thank the unnamed other for his or her input, then say goodbye. Of course, you might also recognize a named other, someone who drags you down and depletes your energy: you can send them packing, too.

On September 29th, Venus meets up with Saturn. This is a cordial, if not fun, meeting. Think about an elegant reception with defined rules of protocol. The energy of this aspect is telling us that we can get serious about a relationship. That might mean greater commitment, but it could also mean that a serious evaluation shows that the potential just isn’t there. Enjoy this day if you find it flowing nicely for you. If you are unhappy about your partnerships, state your position and make a decision to stand by it.

October begins with a firecracker aspect on the 3rd, as the First Quarter Moon adds extra energy to a hot Mars/Jupiter square. Just as the New Moon in late September brought powerful energies inwards, this aspect pushes them outwards, and we begin to take action. We might tend to overdo it, however, so try to remain conscious of the consequences of your actions.

Venus and Neptune make a nice aspect on the 7th, one that will allow us to dream and fantasize. We might not be entirely realistic, but we should be open to the creative potential that this day holds. While romance and partnership are certainly likely to get a boost, we could also apply this to an artistic project, and even to spiritual activities such as meditation.

Two days later, on the 9th, Venus puts on her witch’s hat and saunters into Scorpio. While the past month has been about elegance and giving relationships a good appearance (what will the neighbors think?), in Scorpio the issues are put on the table, with no sauce to cover them up.

The October Full Moon is just two days later, on the 11th. The moon is in independent Aries, and with Venus in Scorpio, this time of the month is all about our needs as individuals. We can appreciate others, but we need to respect ourselves: only if we are confident in ourselves can we give without expectations.

If we are being true to ourselves, this Full Moon can be a lot of fun! The Sun is in sociable Libra, so we can connect with others even as we do our own thing. The minor aspects following the Full Moon suggest that we can carry this energy forward throughout the week. With the sun meeting up with Saturn on the 13th, we’ll have to put in some work time, but it shouldn’t be too much of a weight if we agree to take on what we are responsible for.

The mood is very different on the 14th, when Venus and Jupiter have a saucy opposition. Going a bit overboard is a real possibility on this Friday evening. The classic book on Venus/Jupiter is too much of a good thing. With all the Scorpionic energy in the air, the possibilities are endless.

A similar aspect occurs between Mercury and Jupiter on the 17th. This time around, the tendency is to say too much. With the Cosmic Messenger in Scorpio, we’re likely to send out our deeper intentions on a subliminal level. Listen to what people are saying, but watch their body language, too, if you want to get the full message.

The October New Moon falls on the 26th, in early Scorpio. Once again, this is a time for setting intentions. Although the signs have changed and the mood is different, you can use this New Moon as a time to assess your progress since September, and adjust your course as necessary.

October ends with a series of aspects from the 28th through the 31st. First, the Sun opposes Jupiter. As with the other Jupiter aspects, we can overdo it a bit. The Sun suggests that our egos might get in the way - possibly because they are too puffed up.

Finally, Venus and Mercury both square Neptune on the 31st. Fantasy and imagination are what these aspects are all about. Everything seems possible (or impossible), and everything seems perfect (or too good to be true). Behind the Halloween mask we could find prince charming - or the Phantom. The message seems to be to enjoy the party without digging too deep or expecting too much in the long run.

Back to school, and back to work are themes for September and October. There are decisions to be made, and changes to be put in place. The skies suggest that we can make changes happen - or have them happen to us, but sitting still is not an option!