September begins with gentle, selfless Virgo in command, offering her cool clarity in an otherwise fiery month. The long-anticipated Mars Retrograde begins on September 9, lasting until November. Mars, planet of warriorship, is revving up our aggression and frustration, but also our bravery—helping us recalibrate power dynamics and redirect our paths forward. Meanwhile, Jupiter and Saturn station direct this month. We are beginning to wrap up this deeply transformative, paradigm-shifting year and take real steps towards revolution.

The key this month is to soften and make peace with all that we cannot control, while also stepping up to the plate of greater integrity and responsibility for others. No matter how challenging our lives may seem, we can remember that our current experience of pain and chaos is necessary for rebirth. We’re ready to pull out our swords and cut through all that’s been blocking our hearts and highest potentials. It’s time to uproot old patterns, beliefs, systems, and structures that have impeded our bliss and ease for too long.

The world is ready for change, but it requires the free will of each of us to engage and embrace our work. One by one, we can create a tipping point toward revolution, and a saner, more unified world.

Pisces Full Moon

September begins with a Pisces Full Moon on September 1, sparking us to release old and outworn patterns, relationships, and rigidity that have been blocking us from realizing our dreams. Lines of division are dissolving, and we may have to work harder at distinguishing our personal space from others’. Higher love is now possible, if we can set better boundaries and step into increased integrity, respect, and proper self-care. The Sun is trining Uranus, so positive breakthrough is supported. Honesty and authenticity lead to deeper empathy, unity, and compassion. At the same time, Venus is opposite Saturn, bringing a reality check around love. It’s time to take responsibility for how we treat one another and for establishing dignity and ground in our relationships. We are growing up, and we’re ready to step into more mature connections.

Mars Retrograde

Mars Retrograde begins on September 9, set to end on November 13. This is the first time in thirty years that Mars has retrograded in Aries, his natural domicile. We are slowing down and beginning to question our leadership and direction forward. Frustrations and anger may arise as we experience decreased energy and thwarted desires. But this slowing down isn’t punishment—it’s helping transmute our anger and lay the proper groundwork for the future.

What needs our attention?
What unresolved karma is ready for resolution?

At the same time, we are rooting out our violence and aggression, as we step back from impulsivity and toxic masculinity, for the sake of recalibration. Luckily, the Sun is trining Jupiter as Mars stations retrograde—a positive indicator that peace, expansion, and abundance are possible if we can meet this challenging period head on.

Sun Opposite Neptune

The Sun opposes Neptune on September 11, the planet associated with confusion and the spread of disease—but also compassion, spirituality, connection, and unity. It’s extra important this month to slow down, meditate, and allow our clarity to arise naturally, without forcing it. Neptune teaches us to surrender our control and trust the Universe, so we can ride the waves of our feelings throughout this disorienting transit.

Virgo New Moon

The Virgo New Moon arrives on September 17 opposite Neptune, bringing clarity from the fog as we channel from pure intention and divine purpose. With Venus trining Chiron, we are now able to heal old relationship wounds. Karmic obstacles are beginning to sandpaper us, with Mars squaring Saturn as he prepares to station direct. We are purifying ourselves and what we feel, including our partnerships and intentions. We are becoming more purposeful in deciding where we want to go and how we want to get there.

Equinox and Libra Season

The Equinox arrives on September 22, coinciding with the start of Libra season. Day and night are of equal length, as the sign of the Scales helps to bring balance, justice, cooperation, and harmony. Veils are thin, as we enter into a new cycle of energy.

Saturn Direct

Saturn turns direct on September 28, after retrograding since May. He is now journeying across the last degrees of Capricorn before moving into Aquarius in December, once and for all. The road will be arduous and obstacle-ridden, but the planets are leading the way to a more progressive and egalitarian future. Mars will square Saturn the following day, on September 29. We may feel irritable because of the challenges impeding our forward momentum. We are meeting our fears and insecurities so that we can move through them, and rally the courage that we need to bring about long-lasting, meaningful change to our lives, relationships, and the world.

September Summary

September is a pivotal month astrologically, beginning the final chapter in a life-changing year of intense transformation. Mars begins his retrograde this month, stirring our anger and frustrations, while recalibrating our directions forward. At the same time, Jupiter and Saturn station direct. Two major players in this year’s intensity are beginning their journey forward. How will the story end? These two planets will begin to give the answer. However, to arrive at the new paradigm, we must first meet major setbacks and obstacles. A key lesson this month is to embrace our challenges in order to establish softer hearts and greater ease and acceptance. We are releasing internal and external blockages so we can start to realize our ideals, making strides toward bringing them into reality. While further struggles lie ahead, we have inspiration from the divine shining on us, and pure intention helping to guide our way forward. It’s time to mature, heal our relationships, and work through our anger and fear. This way, we can cooperate and help to create a saner, kinder, more intelligent new age, marked by greater equality and compassion for all.

As the nights begin to cool, may we look to the stars and remember the vastness of Spirit that is present with us, always. May we float in warm pools of compassion, accepting change and uncertainty as we offer our pure hearts in service to this great and mysterious unfolding.

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