Astrological Forecast for September & October 2021

It’s turnaround time in the skies. We enter September 2021 with Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto all retrograde, but three of the five will change direction before November. The turnaround points for Jupiter, Saturn, and Pluto represent the major celestial activity in September and October, although there are some hot aspects that will present challenges and opportunities.

Mercury and Venus are very busy, including Mercury’s retrograde in Libra. These two planets tend to correspond to activity in our personal and social lives, so we’ll be busy making changes in relationships and career.

September

The month starts off with a bang, with a series of aspects in the first week. Mars opposes Neptune on the 2nd. These two planets can rile us up to go on a crusade, but can just as easily mean that we lose steam before we can act – especially as we wane into the new moon. Yet with Mars going on to trine Pluto on the 6th, it could mean that we do find the energy to get moving.

Our relationships are likely to be in focus, as Venus is also very active in the first week of September, with a square to Pluto on the 5th followed by a trine to Jupiter on the 6th. This could play out as a struggle followed by resolution, and it is a very good energy for creative inspiration. Take note that whether you’re involved in relationship, work, or anything else, there’s perhaps more of a tendency to let go than to build with these aspects occurring before the new moon.

The Virgo New Moon is on the 6th. This new moon represents a time to assess what we’ve accomplished so far this year, and what remains to be done as we move into the last part of 2021. Obviously, September has always had a ‘back-to-school, back-to-work’ vibe associated with it, as summer vacations come to an end.

This new moon is closely trine to revolutionary Uranus, indicating a desire for innovation and change. Indeed, it is the antithesis of ‘routine’, and the aspect suggests that we’re ready to re-create our personal and collective realities in the coming months.

At mid-month, we could be a little unrealistic, as the Sun opposes Neptune on the 13/14th. With this aspect, we’re likely to project unrealistic expectations or fears onto others, idealizing or demonizing them. Sure, people are great (or less than), but try to keep in mind that ultimately, their just people.

Venus is square to Saturn on the 17th, asking us to assess our relationships. Venus in Scorpio can be a bit possessive and jealous, arguing for greater intimacy and commitment, while Saturn in Aquarius could stick to an ideal image of relationship that is much less emotionally charged. Most people won’t feel this aspect very strongly, but folks with their partnerships in a more vulnerable place could experience some conflicted feelings.

Whatever you feel – about anything – it’s unlikely that you’ll be inclined to keep it bottled up as we move towards the full moon on the 20th. This full moon is in Pisces, indicating emotional sensitivity and openness, and is surrounded by Mercury aspects to boisterous Jupiter and powerful Pluto. It’s an opportunity to express yourself, share your feelings, and speak your truth, but keep in mind that the full moon can exaggerate emotions, especially when they’re seen through the fish-eye mirror of Pisces. Be aware also that with Mercury retrograding at the end of the month, issues that come up at this time may not be resolved until early November.

The Sun enters Libra at the equinox on September 22nd (3:20p EDT). Libra is considered the ‘fall’ of the Sun, as he now spends less than half the day above the horizon (day and night are exactly equal on the equinox day). The days shrink in size rapidly around the equinox, and we can feel the energy pulling inwards.

Not that things will be moving all that slowly as we enter the last week of the month. The Moon is still full of energy, and Venus opposes Uranus on the 22/23rd. Some people will feel constrained by their existing relationships and there might be an urge to break free – or maybe just ‘take a break’ from emotional intensity. While you might be inclined to try something (or someone) new in the area of romance, you may also appreciate the value of your independence.

On the 27th, we get another visit from that Cosmic Gremlin, Mercury retrograde. The usual caveats about signing contracts, buying electronics or cars, and watching out for communication and transportation snafus apply. Remember that the times around Mercury stations tend to have the most dramatic incidents.

Mercury notwithstanding, the last few days of September hold lovely potential for socializing, and even productivity, as Venus trines Neptune and squares Jupiter, while the Sun makes an easy trine to Saturn from the 28th through the 30th. Venus/Neptune could indicate fantasy, but might also be a time when we can relax some of our fears around partnership. Venus’ square to Jupiter is one of the roughest aspects for these two BFFs, given the signs involved. Venus in Scorpio wants to hold on possessively, while Jupiter in Aquarius might be okay staying ‘just friends’ or maybe even have an open relationship. Sun/Saturn is easy – follow the rules and go through protocol to get what you want and need.

October

For the second month in a row, we begin with a waning Moon and hot aspects, creating more potential for endings than beginnings. The first week in October is a time to clear out the underbrush of your life so that you can move forward.

On the 1st and 3rd, Mars and the Sun oppose Chiron, aspects that can bring up personal wounds. Meanwhile, retrograde Mercury again trines Jupiter and squares Pluto, so we may have to rehash some matters from around September 22nd.

The New Moon in Libra on the 6th is traditionally a time to plant seeds for the future in terms of relationship, business endeavors, and commerce. Yet this new moon is likely to be overshadowed by Pluto’s station to go direct. Pluto stations have a powerful, tense feel. Together with the new moon, there’s an implosive energy that could be difficult to handle for some people. Working or playing alone might be the better option if you or yours are feeling irritable.

The somewhat heavy tone of the new moon starts to give way on the 7th, as Venus enters Sagittarius, casting a more upbeat, outgoing, and optimistic tone over relationships and socializing. The Sun’s meeting with Mars and Mercury in Libra on the 8th and 9th could be a time for discussing ideas, although it’s possible to get lost in the words and fail to launch.

Saturn stations to go direct on the 10th – another indication that things might have some trouble getting off the ground, even if we are approaching the always-active first quarter moon on the 12th. Saturn stations are often times when we have a lot of responsibilities and feel it difficult to get out from under our workloads. All in all, it’s usually best to put in the effort, even if results are modest. Resistance can be low and – pre-pandemic, at least – it may be a time when minor illnesses make the rounds.

More harmonious energy prevails at mid-month, with Venus and Saturn in easy aspect on the 13th and the Sun trine to Jupiter on the 15th. This is a period when diplomacy and tact can move mountains. It might also be an opportunity to revive ideas that were stalled around the 8th through the 10th.

Jupiter and Mercury join the forward-moving parade on the 18th, as both station direct (that’s four planets moving direct in 12 days!). Jupiter stations tend to infuse us with optimism and a sense of faith in the future. The only caveat is that Mercury’s station could mean that we get a little too excited about information that isn’t necessarily correct.

The heightened enthusiasm is especially strong as we’re approaching the Aries Full Moon on the 20th. This full moon encourages our independence and sense of self, along with a bit of a competitive (not to say combative) vibe. Appropriately, this full moon is surrounded by Mars aspects – a trine to stationed Jupiter on the 18th and a square to Pluto on the 22nd (Mars rules the sign of Aries). These Martial aspects indicate that this is a time for action more than words, although the signs involved do indicate a potential for diplomacy.

On October 23rd, the Sun wades into the dark waters of Scorpio. For most of us in the Wisdom area, this is the heart of the autumn, when the leaves turn and fall off the trees. Once again, we can feel the energy pulling strongly inwards. The Sun makes a square to Saturn on the 30th, indicating tensions between personal security and collective ideals. With Mercury, now direct, about to again aspect Jupiter and Pluto, we may find that this is a point of decisions and resolution.

Armand Diaz, Ph.D., is an intuitive astrologer who uses Tarot in his consultations with clients. He can be reached via his website, www.ArmandDiaz.com