[dropcap size=big]T[/dropcap]wo planetary retrogrades end this month: Saturn’s (which was a doozy) and Pluto’s, which you probably didn’t feel. Many astrologers, myself included, would take a retrograde Mercury over a backwards Saturn any day of the week. Saturn is way more obstructive to progress, and for longer periods, and September brings relief to the Zodiac when Saturn goes direct on the 6th. Professional ambitions will be supported by discipline that was hard-won. Been working your tail off? That ends with the commencement of Fall, my friends. The big news this month is the September Equinox. When the sun shines directly on the equator September 24th breaking day and night into equal pieces, equilibrium permeates the zodiac. Neil Young fans will correct me (and congratulations on your recent nuptials, Neil) but a Harvest Moon is the Full Moon closest to the end of September. Every sign harvests something different on the 24th. This Moon’s placement in Pisces supports gratitude, so whatever your sign, appreciate the bounty.
Aries (March 21 – April 20)
The Ram wins at adulting this September. When Saturn leaves retrograde in your House of Higher Wisdom on the 6th, you can relax from the hard knocks you recently managed. It should feel good to have your shit together; enjoy it. On the 20th, your ruling Mars aligns with the Moon in Capricorn, activating your Status Sector. Keep a cool head; this placement is associated with temper tantrums, and those never improve status. Channel the energy into ambition instead of emotion. You are a lucky sign in that the Equinox (September 22nd) lands in your House of Health. What is health if not an equilibrium of forces? Feel the first day of Fall like a tonic.
Taurus (April 21 – May 21)
The hardworking Bull gets paid this month. On September 6th the planet Saturn leaves retrograde in your House of Joint-Income, and you can exhale regarding your finances. Summer usually lightens the mood, but yours had winter’s seriousness about it, and those grown-up choices are starting to pay off. Your ruling Venus is the belle of the ball right now – brightest thing going -and Angelenos can see that planet twinkling above the sunset as the Evening Star. (You can also see Jupiter, Saturn, the scorpions red heart Antares and Mars with your naked eye.) Illuminated Venus loves up your House of Creativity. On the 22nd, the Fall Equinox balances the same House. So, if the Bull reading this is an artist, get to work. The Harvest Moon shines from your House of Friendship. You have loyal and delightful friends Bull, and small wonder. You reap what you sow.
Gemini (May 22 – June 21)
September brings opportunity to the twins. On the 6th, Saturn leaves retrograde in your House of Transformation. This is positive position for making life changes. Your ruling Mercury aligns with the Sun and Earth when it lands in your House of Love and Creativity. Prepare to be brilliant. Find balance on the 22nd when the Fall Equinox land in your Same House. How lucky you are to be so loved. During the seasonal change remember to eat right. Shitty food pollutes your energy. You might even consider a sugar detox to clarify your mind and body. The Harvest Moon (September 24th) sits in sentimental Pisces, and you will reflect on your bounty that day.
Cancer (June 22 – July 22)
Do I hear wedding bells, Crab? Saturn leaves Retrograde in your Marriage Sector, strengthening partnerships. Harvest trust and teamwork. And continue to respond instead of reacting. You have a higher goal and code to follow. The Equinox lands in your House of Home and Family. Feel equilibrium there; you have some major security coming your way. The Harvest Moon on the 22nd lands in Pisces, energizing your Career Sector. Are you trying something new in your professional life? This venture has the planets’ blessing.
Leo (July 23 – August 22)
You’re looking good, Leo. Autumn suits you, and the chill in the air invigorates the lion. Saturn leaves retrograde and goes direct in your House of Health September 6th. Take hikes. Breathe in the hot dusty sage infused air. Saturn assists any professional ambition, so make good use of this energy. A New Moon lands in your sign September 9th, encouraging new ventures. (Leo is a tremendous placement for a New Moon - only Mars is as good – so proceed with vigor.) The Harvest Moon sits in your Income House. This is never unpopular; not every sign harvests money! A Full Moon in Pisces (September 24th) supports transformation. Take a look at how far you’ve come. Where are you? Where do you want to be? The answers, I hope, are the same.
Virgo (August 23 – September 22)
Get ready to git-r-done, Virgins. Saturn leaves retrograde and goes direct in your House of Work. All that thankless and foundational effort you put in this summer will pay off. Not that you are attached to outcomes. Fall brings wisdom. Your ruling Mercury aligns with the Sun and Earth on the 20th in your sign, so your organizational and accounting skills will be off the charts. Need to draft a budget? This is the day to do it. Venus has her greatest brightness on the 21st in your sign. A Venus in Virgo means love the one you’re with. Try not to criticize your intimates that day. Also in your sign is the Fall Equinox. When the sun shines directly on the equator September 22nd you will balance your foundational layers of self. The month ends with a Harvest Moon in Pisces – your House of Transformation – and you may find yourself reflecting on your blessings. Life is good. You live in Los – fucking – Angeles where roses bloom in Autumn and tacos grow on trucks. The tourists are gone, and the beaches are warm and empty. What’s not to celebrate?
Libra (September 23 – October 22)
Enjoy positive relationships this month, Libra. On the 6th, Saturn leaves retrograde motion in your Marriage House. Expect level-headed partnerships, especially in the workplace. Be serious. Be disciplined. Libra hosts the Jupiter-Moon alignment on the 13th, yielding good karma to the scales. Your ruling planet Venus achieves her greatest brightness on the 21st, illuminating your house of Subconscious - welcome medicine for your worried mind. Avoid slipping into self-destructive behavior - this tendency is a nuisance. (See Venus above the sunset, Fall’s beautiful Evening Star.) The Equinox (September 22nd) balances your Subconscious House too. You are doing the deep work this month. Support this energy with clean eating. The Piscean harvest moon on the 24th supports transformation, bounty, and death of the ego. Let this year’s harvest improve you.
Scorpio (October 23 – November 21)
The scorpion wins at work this month. When Saturn leaves retrograde motion in your Communication sector (September 6th) it lends energy to professional ambition. Try not to get too uptight though, success can be stressful. The Equinox (September 22nd) happens in your House of Friendship, which is a beautiful. You can’t make new old friends, after all. Such social equanimity is rare. Appreciate the diversity of your crew, and how much poorer your life would be without them – especially the goofballs. On the 24th, the Piscean Harvest Moon perches in your Health Sector. Value your body from pincer to tail.
Sagittarius (November 22 – December 21)
The Archer lets his hair down this September. Saturn leaves retrograde motion September 6th, when it goes direct in your constellation. All that hard work will pay off. It is time to celebrate. Why build a house if you’re not going to throw a party in it? Your ruling planet, Jupiter, aligns with the Moon in your Friendship house on the 13th, so why not have some pals up to the house? Work is done and the harvest begins. While in your constellation, Saturn also aligns with the Moon (September 17th). Your emotions may be chained to memory that day. On the 22nd, the Fall equinox lands in your Career hours, bringing ease and equilibrium to work. Reflect on your many blessings on the 24th when the Harvest Moon supports reflection. It shines from your Love Sector. Expect a full heart.
Capricorn (December 22 – January 20)
Your ruling planet Saturn owns September, Capricorn. It leaves retrograde on the 6th in your House of Karmic Debt. You did your penance this summer, working hard, and you deserve some celestial support. Here it is. On the 19th, and in the same house, Saturn aligns with the Moon, lending a philosophical approach to life, and making you more sensitive to the opinions of others. The Moon also aligns with Mars this month, and in your sign too (September 20th), supporting professional ambition. Don’t be cautious. On the 22nd the Equinox brightens your House of Travel. If Journey beckons, go. You will have a very rewarding trip.
Aquarius (January 21 – February 19)
You are always popular, Water Bearer, but this month you will feel it. Saturn leaves retrograde motion in your Friendship House September 6th. Discover your bounty of friends this month. Everywhere you go, folks are glad to see you. Soak up the good vibes. If you let it, the universe will just keep giving. Neptune aligns with Earth and Sun, making an earth sandwich on the 7th in your sign. Expect to feel the sweet wind of the Aquarian Age, which, just like the song says, delivers harmony and understanding. The Equinox land in your Joint Income Sector September 22nd. And if you have a significant other, you two can stop fighting about money. Because this happens in Virgo’s constellation, accuracy and reason are heightened. On the 23rd, The moon and Neptune align in your sign – this is your semi-monthly reminder that you are a spiritual being having a human experience, and not the other way around. That is all.
Pisces (February 19 – March 20)
Saturn leaves retrograde in your Career House September 6th, which is great for your work life, Pisces. This motion brings energy to professional ambition, and you will be noticed at work. Your secret weapon is detachment; you work hard, but like Nina Simone said, “I’ll tell you what freedom is to me—No Fear!” Own the room. Your ruling planet Neptune aligns with the Earth and Sun in Aquarius (September 7th), your House of the Subconscious, a tremendous condition for receiving the Equinox (September 22nd). The Equinox brings harmony to partnerships. Pisces hosts the Harvest Moon (September 24th), giving warm, hippy-mama love to the entire zodiac. Now everyone knows how groovy it feels to be a fishy.
Ophiuchus (November 29 – December 17)
You can relax about money this month, Snake Bearer. Saturn leaves retrograde in your personal income house September 6th, when stresses on your budget dissolve. Your discipline pays off, and you feel like a grown up. (Turns out you are. Congratulations.) Enjoy equilibrium in your Community on the 22nd, when the Equinox supports your dharma. This placement is associated with knowledge seeking. Control of the mind is attainable, The Piscean Harvest Moon on the 24th illuminates your Health Sector. The energy you put in is benefiting you, and you have a full head of steam now. Keep going.
