September is all about making adjustments, refocusing your priorities and grappling with the difficult task of discerning fact from fiction, substance from puffery . With two eclipses, a Saturn-Neptune square and a Mercury retrograde to contend with, expect life to be a little uncertain and psychologically challenging, with situations and plans likely to remain murky, unclear and changeable for most of the month. Adopting a flexible, ‘wait and see’ attitude is probably the best way to deal with things now. of course, it’s not all bad news – Jupiter also switches signs this month, ingressing into Libra, the sign governing the law, justice and relationships – good news for anyone hoping for fairer treatment and more equal terms when it comes to partnerships and one-on-one interactions of all kinds.
For an in-depth review of the September eclipses, read my guide to the Autumn 2016 Eclipse Season.For a more general breakdown of what to expect, day by day, from September’s cosmic weather, scroll down!
Lunar Phases
NEW MOON IN VIRGO – 01 September 2016, 10h03 BST
Both the solar and lunar month begin on the same day, presaged by a New Moon in meticulous Virgo. This one also happens to be a solar eclipse, making it a triple whammy event – a new six month phases also gets underway today, so it’s all about the new now. Get ready to press the reset button on health matters and anything that involves careful planning, scheduling or logistical handling; or scrupulous editing, tidying or cleaning. Over the next six months, it’s time to deal with the nitty gritty and get immersed in the details.
With Saturn and Neptune squaring up for the final time this year in fellow mutable signs, Pisces and Sagittarius, it’s highly likely that many themes during this period converge around the need/desire to finally get a grip on situations that may have been causing you to have nagging doubts, anxieties or feelings of loss or failure. These are likely to be linked to tenuous, stressful or uncertain circumstances over which you have no control, refuse to be contained, categorised or defined in the usual way, or keep changing. Add to that the fact that Bernadette Brady classes this particular eclipse family as being all about ‘getting real’, and you can see a pattern merging!
Think back to the period around 1998 – the last time an eclipse from this Saros group took place – to see if you notice any parallels with events now.
For a more detailed breakdown of this soli-lunar event, visit my Autumn 2016 Eclipse Forecast.
FULL MOON IN PISCES – 16 Sep 2016, 20h00 BST
The 2017 eclipse season draws to a close at the Full Moon mid-September with a lunar eclipse in Pisces. As well as bringing the lunar month to an end, this event also marks the end of a six month long soli-lunar cycle set in motion by the solar eclipse of March 9 2016. If you need a recap, then have a re-read of my Spring 2016 eclipse forecast. Taking place in sensitive, watery Pisces, this particular full moon is likely to be an emotional affair. Add to that the fact that the Sun and Moon will be squaring Mars and you have a recipe for potential arguments.
The Sun and Moon will both square Mars, which does suggest potential tensions and bust-ups. Perhaps you have spent far too much time around a particular individual over the last six months and now need a break? Do so before you start to bicker. Exercising patience within tricky situations, despite a frustrating lack of information or progress, is another potential way that this energy may manifest.
Mars can also add a certain sense of urgency to any situation. If you have been given a deadline to finish a rather complicated creative project, try not to leave everything to the last minute or put yourself under pressure – use Virgoan techniques such as lists, schedules, prioritising and delegation to get the work done in good time so that you don’t need to rush.
For a more detailed breakdown, read my definitive guide to the Autumn 2016 Eclipse Season – up now!
Solar Phase
SUN INTO LIBRA- 22 August 2016
Autumn begins officially for astrologers at the equinox when the Sun ingresses into Libra. The Sun is traditionally considered to be in ‘fall’ in this sign, probably because it is noticeably lower in the sky when viewed form the northern hemisphere, and will continue to lower in declination between now and the winter soltice. One can also clearly see equinoctal imagery in the sign of Libra, which is all about balancing opposites, rather like day and night, which are exactly equal at this point of the year.
From an astrological point of view, the Sun’s ingress into Libra begin a month-long period in which relationships, and the need for balance, peace and harmony are all likely to feature strongly. As a result, the focus becomes less on satisfying one’s own selfish and individual needs and more compromise and the needs of others.
Jupiter will also be sailing through this sign for the next year or so, making it likely that you’ll have more luck than usual in influencing others and attracting a mate if you are single. Women’s rights and the principle of equality is also likely to be making headlines again, especially with the date of the US Presidential elections approaching and the presence of the first female candidate – Hilary Clinton. For my money, here’s to girl power and down with misogynists!
Monthly Skylights
Below are some key astrological dates to circle in your diary for August 2016. use the cosmic weather symbols to decipher how favourable or challenging each transit promises to be.
