Astrological Forecast for September & October 2018

After the broiling hot summer months, astrologically and otherwise, we reach a time of relative calm in September and October. As is usual after a tumultuous period that sees a lot of change, the late summer and early autumn months offer – or demand – a period of integration. Even if the main events of July and August missed you (and your chart) directly, it’s likely that you felt the strain and intensity on some level. Like a thunderstorm that darkens the sky and sends distant rumbles even if lightning never lands in your neighborhood, the collective vibration set a tone that all of us felt.

It’s not that September and October don’t offer their share of excitement – Pluto stations to go direct and Venus begins her retrograde, among other things – but in many respects we’ll be revisiting and reinterpreting the events of the past two to four months. New things will land on our plates, but not at the same intensity.

September

On September 6th, Saturn stations to move direct after about four months of retrograding. The days before and immediately after Saturn stations tend to have a weighty feeling, and responsibilities tend to be rather heavy. It’s also a time when resistance can be low, and we often see minor colds and the like going around, so take good care of yourself and be sure to get enough rest.

As we move away from the heaviness of Saturn’s station, we enter into a period when creativity and imagination soar, from the 7th though the 9th. Brilliant ideas and insights can be brought into practical manifestation, but be aware that we could be seeing things out of proportion as the Sun opposes Neptune. People and things often look much better or worse than they otherwise might when this aspect forms, so play, create, and imagine, but hold off on committing your resources for a while.

The 9th is also the day of the new moon in Virgo, which is a good time to make a to-do list of what you need to accomplish between now and the end of the year.

Venus opposes Uranus and sextiles Saturn on the 12th, suggesting that we break out of entrenched relationship patterns and move towards the future. Don’t put too much pressure on yourself or your partnership, though, as these aspects will form twice more before the end of the year, due to Venus’ retrograde.

A tricky Mercury/Neptune opposition on the 13th could muddle the messages that Venus is trying to send us, so be extra careful with how you communicate. It’s a poor time to sign a contract, make a deal, or otherwise commit to practical matters, but it’s a great opportunity to let your imagination run wild and get into some creative writing.

Mars squares Uranus on September 18th, an edgy, impulsive aspect that demands action. Be careful driving, and be aware that we might unexpectedly trigger anger or other reactions in folks. This is a time to go your own way, break free of the constraints imposed by others and yourself, and do what you want to do – be a little selfish, as long as you do so with awareness and compassion. It’s a good time to work and play alone, although if you can enlist cooperation you might be able to move mountains. Because of Mars’ retrograde, this aspect harkens back to mid-May and earliest August, so you may find that themes that were prominent around that time reemerge – and can finally be resolved.

The Libra Equinox, the official beginning of autumn in the Northern Hemisphere, is on September 22nd at 9:53p EDT, as the Sun enters the sign of the scales. Days and nights are of equal length, and we feel that we are now moving decidedly towards the darker winter months. It’s a reminder to take care of business while the light is still shining.

Just a day later, on the 23rd, Mercury squares Saturn as we approach the full moon on the 24th. Take matters seriously, double check your work, and be prepared if you have anything to say or do. It’s not the easiest time for a presentation or interview, but if you’re prepared to work you can accomplish a great deal. Getting favors from those in authority is usually a challenge with this aspect in place, so defer requests for vacation time and such until the 26th or 27th.

Chiron slips back into Pisces on the 25th, reminding us of some of the emotional baggage we were carrying during the past winter and early spring. This signals the beginning of a rather emotional period of time, just before Venus retrogrades in watery Scorpio. Although the cosmic weather may not be as easy as we would like, keep in mind that the next few months will clear out our inner worlds so that we can move forward next year with lighter hearts.

As the month ends, Pluto stations to do direct on the 30th, and the influence of this powerful phenomenon is extended as he’s squared by Mercury two days later. On a personal level, we’re likely to find that at the end of September and beginning of October tempers are short and words are sharp – although with Mercury in Libra there may be a more passive-aggressive approach to expression, something Pluto is happy to contribute to. It’s on the collective level that this aspect will manifest most overtly. Power brokers will be trying to consolidate control, but are likely to be challenged, either by the press or by their own legislatures.

October

The big news in October is Venus’ station to retrograde from Scorpio back into Libra (the Goddess of Love retrogrades on October 5th and turns direct on November 16th). Venus retrogrades about every eighteen months, and those with long memories (or an email trail) may find that this retrograde resonates with autumn of 2010, when she backpedaled over essentially the same degrees.

For all of us, it’s good to keep in mind that Venus retrogrades are times when we are often very focused on relationships, but the energy is more internal and romances that begin sometimes fizzle quickly. Yes, old lovers do come back, but usually so that we can wrap up any unfinished business (and realize why they are ‘old’ lovers). Creative projects incubate nicely with Venus retrograde, but it’s often a challenge to launch new endeavors and get them seen by an audience. Finally, Venus retrograde is also a poor time to getting anything appraised or assessed, to buy luxury items, or to begin a new financial investment.

There’s a great deal of intensity around relationships and everything else, from the 10th through the 12th, as Venus squares Mars and the Sun squares Pluto. There are many flavors to these aspects, but the central issue is likely to be, “who’s in control?”

Words get hot around the 19th, as Mercury squares Mars and then goes on to sextile Pluto on the 22nd. This is a good time to express yourself, if you have something that needs to be said. On the other hand, try to avoid being argumentative and prickly just for the fun of it (and yes, sometimes it is fun).

It may be harder to contain that energy as we approach a Sun/Uranus opposition on the 23rd. Viewed in a positive light, this aspect can help us to break free from constraints, although a struggle may be involved. The entire period from the 19th to the full moon on the 24th is likely to be one in which we work through the process of expressing ourselves and developing our independence – and it is a process, not a momentary change. This time strongly echoes the themes of July and August, and we’ll be considering the progress we have made, and have yet to make, in becoming more direct and independent.

The spooks run wild on Halloween, October 31st, as Venus again opposes Uranus. Look back to the time around September 12th to see if you aren’t watching a rerun in your creative or relationship life. At the last quarter moon and with Mercury now in Sagittarius, it feels like time to go out and play. Take in a Halloween party, as Venus opposite Uranus suggests a costume ball, and with Venus at the very first degree of Scorpio an appropriately goth vibe is likely to prevail.

Armand M. Diaz, Ph.D. uses an intuitive and heart-centered approach to astrology to help his clients. Armand has practiced divination for more than thirty years, working with the I Ching and Tarot in addition to astrology. He has published in various astrological journals, including The Mountain Astrologer. Armand’s most recent book, Separating Aspects: The Astrology of Breakups, Divorce, and Other Partings, is available through Amazon and on Kindle. He can be reached through his website at www.ArmandDiaz.com.