September begins inside a fog of murkiness and confusion. For the first few days of the month, Mars is opposing Neptune, and we could feel out of control. Neptune is submerging us into the dreamworld, undermining our confidence and instincts. Clarity returns when Mercury trines Saturn the following week, reeling in our wild minds while restoring pragmatism and precision. Shortly after, a Virgo New Moon offers further sanity, sparking positive shifts and the chance for a fresh start.

Love is tested this month. While Virgo is officially in command, there are many planets in Libra. Our gazes are lifting from our own personal journeys toward our relationships with others. We’re ready for big breakthroughs in our friendships and love lives that first require hard work and deep reflection. Mercury is preparing to station retrograde at the end of the month, also in Libra. We’re learning to get along and work with each other in harmony as we establish greater equilibrium. 

With multiple planets in retrograde, this isn’t the month for dramatic leaps onto new trajectories. We’re taking our time to integrate and assess our current paths and dilemmas. While in the short-term, we may feel frustrated as we struggle to find our footing, a broader arc is at play. If we step back, we’ll see that a longer-term narrative is unfurling. Lasting shifts will become more apparent down the line. 

Mid-month, the Sun opposes Neptune, just before a Pisces Full Moon—both submerging us into uncertainty once more. This time, we can remember to let go. We can relax and enjoy the ride, making art and music, trusting that the waves will carry us exactly where we need to go. With Mars and Venus now in mutual reception, balance is key. We are learning how to stay strong yet tender, taking leaps into the unknown as we reconnect with ancient feelings of love, intimacy, and acceptance.

MARS OPPOSITE NEPTUNE / MECURY TRINE SATURN

For the first few days of September, Mars is opposite Neptune, clouding our vision and weakening our courage. Things may feel out of control as Neptune dissolves all boundaries and flings us beyond the constraints of space and time. Luckily, Mercury trines Saturn on September 5, followed by Mars trining Pluto the next day. Our clarity and power are returning, just in time for the Virgo New Moon.

VIRGO NEW MOON

A Virgo New Moon arrives on September 6, trining electric Uranus while in close proximity to Mars. We can now experience breakthroughs around who we are and where we are heading, as our pure intention and boundaries become crystal clear—a welcome contrast to Neptune’s fog.

VENUS + MARS IN MUTUAL RECEPTION

Venus enters Scorpio on September 10, while Mars enters Libra a few days later, on September 14. These two planets are now in mutual reception, each falling in the sign that the other rules. We can now balance our inner feminine and masculine, as Venus in Scorpio ignites our desires for deeper intimacy and sexual connection. Now, we might ask: How can we work together toward common goals? How can we be strong yet gentle, assertive yet diplomatic?

VENUS IGNITES THE SATURN-URANUS SQUARE

Relationship issues are on the table, especially as Venus squares Saturn on September 17, then opposes Uranus on September 23. We are now testing our self-worth, resources, finances, and relationships. It’s time to use restraint and reflect on what we value and how we love. Meanwhile, we can release whatever is out of alignment with our truth—either by choice or not. The planets are sandpapering our relationships and desires, and calling them into question. It’s important to use restraint, taking our time to determine what’s important and true.

PISCES FULL MOON

The Pisces Full Moon forms on September 21, conjunct Neptune and opposite Mars. This isn’t the time for great accomplishments and hard work. We can relax into fantasy and daydream, making art and music, while allowing ourselves to escape in healthy ways. Dreaminess can fill our hearts as we rest and reflect on what we’re hoping to manifest, and what we need to release in order for that to happen.

FALL EQUINOX / SUN MOVES INTO LIBRA

The Fall Equinox arrives on September 22 in the Northern Hemisphere as the Sun moves into Libra. In both hemispheres, day and night are of equal length as the sign of the Scales takes command. Colorful leaves fill the Northern Hemisphere while spring flowers bloom in the Southern. We can take a moment to meditate, surround ourselves with beauty, and make peace and love.

MERCURY RETROGRADE

Mercury stations retrograde on September 27 to October 18, in the sign of romantic Libra. We are learning how to pause and create space before texting, emailing, or speaking. This is a chance to reflect on our relationships and determine who we want to connect with and how. We can return to old rifts and gently try to repair them, while generating more fairness and diplomacy in our thoughts and words. Typically, Mercury Retrogrades are good times to practice silence and communicate more from our hearts. If we’re careless, misunderstandings are possible. We can read messages over a few times before we gauge the meaning or hit ‘send.’ At the end of the day, this Mercury Retrograde is improving our communication so we that can come together and love each other with more equanimity and care.

SEPTEMBER SUMMARY

September is marked by confusion and uncertainty as Neptune opposes Mars and the Sun, weakening our confidence and clear vision. Luckily, the Virgo New Moon helps us rein in our minds, restoring sanity, practicality, and control. With all of the outer planets in retrograde and Mercury soon to join, we could feel a little frustrated. We have more work to do internally before we bound ahead onto new paths. It’s time to reflect upon our biggest quandaries, within ourselves, our relationships, and the world at large. We can dream big, generate new ideas, and trust that the Universe has our best interests at heart—that we can manifest our hopes if we surrender our arrogance and release our grasping. Love is a big topic this month as the Saturn-Uranus square sandpapers Venus, testing our relationships, while calling into question our values and handling of resources. Shock and change could help us find relief from long-standing ruts, but we have to be careful not to be too impulsive. Patience is key, especially as Mercury stations retrograde at the end of the month. We could now find better balance in our minds and speech as we mend old quarrels, and communicate with more kindness, acceptance, and room for paradox. With so many planets in Libra this month, the message is clear: Don’t panic. Be more spacious. Default to kindness. And let’s go easy on each other as we continue to stumble through an unfamiliar world. We can slow down as we undergo this longterm process of healing and reinvention that’s leading us into a wild, yet beautiful unknown. We might remember that if we love each other unconditionally, our world is precious and full of richness, no matter what.

SEPTEMBER ASPIRATION

As the evening air begins to cool, may we breathe easy and relax, listening more, allowing for silence, and healing divisions when we can. May we trust that the tides of change are carrying us to the perfect place, even when the fog is too thick for us to see.

Sign up for a personal astrology reading here.

My book, The Stars Within You: A Modern Guide to Astrology, is available for purchase. Check it out!

I post astrology videos, talks, and classes regularly to my Patreon page. Sign up here to join!