Astrological Forecast for September & October 2013

September begins with a New Moon on the 5th, in the sign of Virgo. The first week of the month therefore has a lower overall energy level, and we may be more focused on internal processes than external activity. The Virgo New Moon is always a good time to reflect on what still needs to be accomplished for the year, as we’re about to enter the second half of the astrological year and, of course, we are moving into the last part of the calendar year as well. In the U.S., Labor Day typically marks a time to get back to work after summer vacation (although that is changing). We may need to wait a bit to put things into motion, but this is a good time to make decisions.

On the 11th, Venus leaves her home sign of Libra and sails across the dark waters of Scorpio. Our social interactions are pulled away from the socially acceptable towards the emotionally powerful. We want to know what’s real with Venus in Scorpio, whether we are dealing with romantic or business connections.

We may see Venus in action on the 14th, as she trines Neptune, with a little help from an easy Mars/Uranus trine. Although we are looking for the bottom line, this energetic pattern suggests a softer approach and a willingness to look at the bigger picture. Still, a Mercury square to Pluto on the same day is ready to demand that we hear the full story, at least at some point. Think of a wonderful presentation about a terrific new project: Everyone is swept away with the possibilities, until the banker asks, "How much is this going to cost?"

The next few days feature an incredibly creative, fast moving energy, as Mercury, Mars, and Uranus come into alignment. The 16th and 17th are especially charged. While ideas will be flying around in the ether above our heads, remember that Mars can get us to act, so be careful in your interactions with others. We’re all in a high-energy state and patience is likely to be low, especially as we all want things to go our way.

Venus meets with Saturn and takes a call from Pluto on the 18th. This is likely to be a day of reckoning in both relationship and financial matters. At best, we’ll make a clear accounting of the situation and know how to move forward. At worst, we’ll see things painted in shades of grey and let negative thinking prevail. The day is colored by the Pisces Moon, which can bring us to extremes in either direction.

That Pisces Moon is full on the 19th, and it has great potential for renewal and deep connection to our spiritual source, although letting go is part of the process and that can be difficult. We can be brought to the heights of ecstasy and the depths of despair with powerful Pisces energy. Aspects on the 20th include a boisterous Mercury-Jupiter square and Pluto’s station to move direct. These aspects balance any otherworldliness with some very practical energy. Look to your personal finances as well as our collective economic situation around this time.

The Sun enters Libra on the 22nd at 4:43 p.m. EDT, marking the end of summer and the beginning of autumn. It also signals the beginning of a somewhat more intense period of cosmic energy.

The sun will make tense square to Pluto on the 1st, and a bold opposition to Uranus on the 3rd, just before the New Moon in Libra. The powerful Uranus-Pluto square is being activated, and we’ll see events on the world stage and in our own lives, as the need for change pushes against the status quo. With the Sun and Moon both in Libra, expect friction between what’s socially acceptable and what really matters.

On the 7th, Venus floats out of Scorpio and into Sagittarius. At least on a social level, the mood can lighten a bit, and we can interact without constantly assessing the situation from an emotionally intense point of view. A square to Neptune on the 10th may mean buying into a less-that-real reality, but things could go nicely if we don’t take them too seriously. A nice trine between Venus and Uranus on the 15th should have some great energy for trying something new with your partner (or try a new partner!).

Mercury meets with Saturn on the 8th, and we want the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. We may come to a decision only to find in the coming weeks that it won’t hold, or we may face delays and postponements. Don’t try to force a permanent resolution now, however much it seems desirable.

A Sun square to Jupiter on the 12th can pump up egos like Thanksgiving parade balloons, although the Libra energy should prevent any of the helium-filled cartoons from floating too far off.

Eclipse season begins on October 18th with a Lunar Eclipse in the sign of Aries. The eclipse is visible at moonrise (sunset) in North America, although we’ll only catch the end of it. This eclipse asks us to consider the balance of power between self (Aries) and other (Libra). What are you giving to and getting from relationship? Are other people or social rules keeping you from being yourself? Or has it spun around the other way, and you need to be a bit more considerate? Knowing what you can give to others while being true to yourself is the real insight.

Mercury stations to retrograde on October 21st. The usual rules apply: try to avoid signing contracts, buying electronics, computers, or cars, and be extra careful with communication. Mercury retrograde is a good time to go over material you’ve worked on before, and it’s great for digesting some of the information that we are constantly awash in. It’s an opportunity to turn data into knowledge.

The Sun enters Scorpio on the 23rd. For much of the Wisdom reading area, this is truly the season of endings, as the leaves turn bright colors, then depart, leaving skeletal trees bare before slate grey skies. This is the time of turning inwards when we begin to move into a period of rest and rebirth, although our daily schedules may scarcely reflect it.

Mercury again meets with Saturn on the 29th, revisiting issues that were presented at their conference earlier in the month. Don’t expect a resolution just yet, however, as we may have to wait until late November and the final meeting of these two planets.

The last week in October has a number of constructive aspects, with Mercury, Mars, the Sun, and Pluto sending each other greeting cards. We can work out amicable solutions to problems, or perhaps agree to disagree. While the ultimate resolution may be in the future, there is an obvious move towards cooperation. One downside is that we may see a consolidation of power against needed change, especially on the collective level. Don’t assume that what you see will be permanent. As with all things, it is part of a process, and even when an end point is reached, it is really just a new beginning.