AstrologicaL Forecast For September & October 2022

September typically represents a time for getting back to school and back to the routines of life after the summer. The Sun is in diligent Virgo, the days are getting noticeably shorter, and there’s a chill in the air that makes work easier to bear than in the steamy days of August. Yet this year, we’re likely to feel that September (and October) is more a trip through a carnival than a predictable return to routine.

Mercury is the star of the show. He retrogrades in Libra/Virgo from September 9th through October 2nd, but it’s the aspects that he makes before, during, and after his retrograde that are likely to get our attention. Decisions and plans of every sort are subject to revision as new information requires almost constant adjustment.

In a very real sense, September’s Mercurial meanderings set the table for October’s more intense planetary energies. We’re trying to figure things out in September, but we’re compelled to act - ready or not - as we move deeper into the autumn.

Just a quick reminder: astrological aspects grow in intensity in the day(s) before they are exact, and they fade over varying periods of time. The dates given in this column represent the peak of intensity of each aspect, but not the only day that they’ll be in effect. That’s especially important in active times like these, when the aspects overlap and blend with each other.

September

The month starts off with two aspects to jovial Jupiter on the 1st and 2nd: a helpful sextile from Mars in Gemini and an opposition from Mercury in Libra. It’s a nice combination of communication and action, or so it would seem. With both Mercury and Mars throwing on the reverse thrusters in the near future, what is established in early September could require revision and reconsideration for months to come. By all means, listen to a good idea, but maintain a little skepticism.

Relationships take over our attention as the first week of the month ends. Venus leaves Leo for Virgo on the 5th, so get your Leonine partying done before then. A nice connection to truth-telling Pallas Athene just a day earlier could make it easier to say what’s on your mind and in your heart. The Sun opposes partnership asteroid Juno on the 7th, so we may have a little tension between what we say and how we feel.

That’s especially true with Mercury stationing to retrograde on the 9th, just hours before the Pisces Full Moon. We can see this as a time when much is said, but perhaps little is understood. The time between the 4th and the 10th should see some movement in partnerships, yet whatever is said or done should be viewed as provisional.

Romance and relationship continue to be the dominant themes through mid-month, as Venus and Mars square each other while aspecting Juno from the 14th through the 16th. What we have and what we want in our relationships could be at odds, and Mars’ involvement suggests sexual tension is likely to be a factor.

Clarity would be great, but not only is Mercury retrograde, the Sun is opposing Neptune on the 16th. This is an aspect that holds the potential for seeing too much or too little in situations and, especially, in people. Avoid the temptation to make gods and demons out of ordinary mortals as we move through mid-month.

We’re trying to say the truth, but with Mercury, Jupiter, and Pallas Athene all at odds with each other (and Mercury retrograde), even the best of intentions could lead to confusion. Relationship and business matters that were on the table at the beginning of the month could be revisited from the 16th through the 18th, but clarity may need to wait until Mercury goes direct and reconnects with the others in mid-October.

Autumn begins as the Sun crosses into Libra on the 22nd at 9:03 p.m. EDT (the only time there is in the East since the demise of Standard Time). Until March, Sol will be below the horizon for longer each day than he is above.

Venus steps in to highlight romance and finance as she trines Uranus on the 20th and opposes Neptune on the 24th. The third week of September could see new possibilities in relationships, eased along by a slightly unrealistic or idealistic vibe. As Venus and the Sun trine Pluto and meet with Mercury on the 26th, it could be time to take off the rose colored glasses and make a more realistic assessment of what’s going on. Still, the Sun is opposed to Jupiter on the same day, so we’ll probably tilt towards optimism and a faith in the future.

A helpful Mars/Saturn trine on the 28th makes it easier to act on our decisions, at least in the short term. Long term projects may have more trouble gaining traction because of Mars’ retrograde.

October

We start October with an optimistic Venus/Jupiter opposition on the 1st. While oppositions are usually considered tense aspects, Venus and Jupiter get along well, and especially so with Venus in her second home of Libra. There’s likely to be some challenges in balancing the needs of partnership and independence, but compromise should be easy enough. Maintain diplomacy in both personal and business matters.

Despite our best efforts to keep balance, there could be some confusion, as Mercury stations to go direct on the 2nd. Remember that the days around the stations tend to be the most prone to Mercurial mishaps, so be sure that you’re getting the correct message across. Actions may be louder and clearer than words as October begins, so make a Venus/Jupiter gesture rather than explaining yourself.

There are plenty of opportunities to find the right words between the 6th and 11th, as the Sun and Venus aspect Pallas Athene, while Mercury again makes an easy trine to Pluto - who’s stationing to go direct. Issues that were raised as far back as late August and that have been hot for the past week or so may finally see some resolution as we move through this period of time.

Yet resolution may look more like revolution, as Pluto stations on the 8th, just before the Aries Full Moon on the 9th. This looks to be a time when emotions and long-buried feelings are likely to be purged. We may have to let it all hang out before we can come to an understanding. For those who aren’t in the midst of anything too heavy, it still pays to give others their space around this time.

A Sun/Saturn trine on the 11th might help us get the genie back in the bottle, especially as the Sun is trying to maintain balance in Libra while Saturn is in egalitarian Aquarius. However, a Mars/Neptune square a few hours later could upset negotiations. This aspect can send folks on a crusade, and with the signs of Gemini and Pisces involved, facts may be malleable.

We’re also at the third Mercury/Jupiter opposition since early September. While we would expect that bargaining and diplomacy might finally resolve matters that have been hanging in the air for more than a month, Mars and Neptune may have other ideas.

We get a bit of a break at mid-month. Venus trines Saturn on the 14th and Mars on the 18th. Along with a Sun/Mars trine on the 17th, there’s productive energy for relationships, creative projects, and pretty much anywhere you want to make progress.

Things get tense as we enter the third week in October. The Sun and Venus meet in late Libra and together they square Pluto in Capricorn on the 19th and 20th. Libran pleasantries and manners often go a long way, but Pluto demands bottom-line answers. That’s a vibe that’s very likely to continue, as Saturn stations direct on the 23rd: another indication that serious and practical considerations are primary.

The 23rd also sees the Sun and Venus wading into the dark waters of Scorpio, while partnership asteroid Juno goes direct in Pisces. If we’ve cleared the air in relationships, this is a good time to think about moving forward, although if there’s still work to do, we’ll have to dive deep to get to the roots of the matter.

Intensity continues as we move through the end of the month. There’s a solar eclipse in early Scorpio on the 25th, and Mercury squares Pluto two days later. While solar eclipses often take a while to manifest, we could see things moving quickly this time around.

Jupiter retrogrades back into Pisces on the 28th, continuing the watery, emotional vibe. Harmonious aspects among the Sun, Venus, and Juno at month’s end could help partnerships to get (back?) on track.

The big event at the end of October is Mars’ station to retrograde on the 30th. Mars will be backpedaling through Gemini for about ten weeks, during which time it is considered less than ideal to start a new job, exercise program, or sexual relationship. Returning to any of the above is not a problem, but be aware that during Mars retrogrades energy is often lacking to initiate new projects.

You can reach Armand Diaz through his website at www.integralastrology.net