September 2016 Forecasts

Image Credit: NASA

​New Moon in Leo Annular Solar Eclipse Sept. 1
The new Moon in Leo on September 1 - an annular solar eclipse at 15 degrees Leo - is a sensitive position in the zodiac for the coming years, especially until the next solar eclipse at the exact opposite end of the zodiac in Aquarius on February 26 2017. Mars' transit to the south node of the Moon by the end of December 2016, is a particularly volatile period, unleashing much of what this eclipse has promised. 

The issues raised by the signs Leo and Aquarius are not going anywhere anytime soon. Leadership and governance, and how these are looking after life on our planet, are a source of stress and confusion, as old roles and structures fall apart, so that new ways of governance can come to the fore and new approaches of caring for humanity can take root. 

This will not happen without some major upsets, of course, which will feel exhausting. Saturn has an exact aspect on this eclipsed Sun and the planet of idealism, Neptune is opposite in Aquarius, lining up with Ketu, the south node in the coming months - removing our illusions. Expect the unexpected, as boundaries become even more blurred, bringing up more fear and uncertainty. Certain things will become concrete in our lives, shattering the illusions we hold about certain other things. Dreams and reality have to find a place together, although they do not make comfortable bed fellows!   

Each of us experiences the eclipse very differently, with those who have their birthday around September 1 - or any planets near the eclipse degree - having a more profound experience of change. New Moon's are a new beginning, for us all on some level, at any rate. But a solar eclipse is a particularly strong indication for change in these areas. 

This eclipse occurs in the lunar sign called Purva Phalguni, a lunar sign ruled by the planet Venus, and represents the need to create something in our lives. But as the saying goes: 'you cannot make an omelette without breaking some eggs', this eclipse in Leo, and Venus' lunar sign, offers us a lot of creative potential when the line up of Mercury, Venus and Jupiter is taken into account. It does, however, offer up a lot of confusion while other things fall apart. 

Use this period to quieten the mind so you can see a clearer picture emerge of what your soul would like to manifest in the world, particularly around September 4 as the Sun lines up with the north node, distorting the image somewhat. Stand back from your vision for a while, keeping the image in your mind's eye, letting it take form in its own time. When the uncertainty of the changing landscapes unsettle you, make sure you re-orientate yourself to this image in your mind's eye, staying the course for the what your soul has envisioned for you.

​Eclipse Visual:
http://www.timeanddate.com/eclipse/solar/2016-september-1

Timing UTC:
Begins 06.13
Max. 09.01
Ends 12.00
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Uranus re-enters Pisces Sept. 1
As Uranus re-enters Pisces, our individuality is thrown back into the cosmic ocean and set adrift; needing to blend with the bigger picture. This intensifies our ego's sense of abandon and uncertainty, as things continue to move around in what seems like a chaotic flux. From a larger perspective, there is perfect order, of course. 

With so much uncertainty because of this and the eclipses, as well as Mercury's retrograde charging the atmosphere, we will seek clarity in September, but may need to wait until the end of the month for things to become clear. 

Uranus will continue to retrograde in Pisces until the very end of the year, a year which has a sting its tail. By December 29 it stations at 26 degrees of Pisces, before very slowly moving through the last degrees of the sign through Spring of 2017. It will finally re-enter Aries, where it will remain for the next 7 years, by April 2017. 

At this time, our individual purpose can move ahead with a new impetus pushing us forward. 
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Mercury, Venus and Jupiter in Virgo
Mercury stationed retrograde on August 30, and continues to appear to move backwards against the backdrop of Virgo until September 9, re-entering Leo and remaining retrograde there until September 22. This will return us to the drawing board so we can get clear about our big vision and iron out the details.

There are lots of creases to iron out in September!

The Sun's transit into Virgo later in September will see Mercury and the Sun exchange their signs, Virgo and Leo, creating a more intimate connection between our big ideas and the finer points. This is a powerful time to create your dreams, bringing your high visions down to earth. 

There are some road blocks, of course. Mercury and Jupiter are together in Virgo which puts our practical concerns at odds with the things we find more meaningful. It may seem like the finer details are tedious in relation to what you aspire towards, but they are no less relevant.

Added to this, Venus is moving through Virgo until September 18, creating times of sheer drudgery and a lack of accord in all of the perceived chaos. You may notice times when you can catch your inner critic as you overdo the details, letting it all go in favor of going with the flow. At other times, and especially after September 9, you may find that this critical voice takes over and you cannot simply be happy with what is. 

As the more intense aspects of our being, Saturn and Mars squaring the nodes, challenge the status quo, the 'good guys' Mercury, Venus and Jupiter have been more challenging in many ways - asking us to question ourselves. It becomes more obvious why these planets are seen as beneficial when their benevolence is reduced, as Venus is weakly placed and Jupiter is less than happy in calculated Virgo. Venus represents our ability to simply enjoy ourselves, while Jupiter offers us meaning and purpose. Both of these aspects of life are the most comforting, and not happy about having to pay attention to all of the red tape. Mercury, on the other hand, is quiet happy to try and figure it all out!​
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​Full Moon in Aquarius/Pisces ​Partial Lunar Eclipse Sept. 16

Churning of the Oceans of Milk, Wikipedia

The full Moon begins in the sign Aquarius and moves into the very beginning of Pisces at its fullest; all within the lunar sign Purva Bhadra. This lunar sign is ruled by Jupiter and takes us into Jupiter's Sun sign Pisces, as we take a plunge into the unknowable, while having so much to focus on in the calculated Virgo.

This full Moon is a partial lunar eclipse. The Moon represents the mind, the emotions and the sub-conscious. As it is eclipsed, it can bring up fears on a subconscious level. There is an uneasy sense as things begin to shift beneath our feet and a churning takes place. The image above of the 'churning of the oceans of milk' represents the thrashing which takes place in our minds at the time of an eclipse. Those in a period of the eclipse points, Rahu or Ketu, are more sensitive to these influences, but everyone will feel it to some degree. This 'mental and emotional thrashing' produces many effects, including great insights, along with some unsavory thoughts. Steady the mind by focusing on the task at hand, or in meditation. 

The intensity of this thrashing will ease, of course. However, be aware that until the end of the year, the eclipse points are very much activated by hemming in all of the planets, excluding the Moon itself for two weeks each month. This hemming effect can feel like life is strongly fated by events which seem outside of our control. Relax, nothing is in your ego's control, anyway! 'Let go and let God', as the saying goes.

Allow your anchor to be your pure presence, not a egoistic need to find certainty in seas of change. That would only leave you thrashing about in the waves, getting nowhere fast. 

Eclipse Visual:
http://www.timeanddate.com/eclipse/lunar/2016-september-16
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Timing UTC
Begins 16:54
Max. 18:54
Ends 20.53
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Illustration from Cosmic Bodies by © Mark Willenbruch

Sun enters Virgo Sept. 16 
When the Sun enters sidereal Virgo, astronomical calculations line up with the season. Virgo is represented by a virgin holding a sheath of wheat. From an Ayurvedic perspective, wheat is a heavy and nourishing grain. In its unadulterated form, it is used as a bulking food for the upcoming winter season - not ideally taken all year around. Harvesting obviously leads to us storing up, both in our cupboards and our bodies at this time of year. There is a 'taking stock' which takes place - not just in businesses all around the world, but in our personal lives as well. 

The Sun's transit in Virgo is a time to take stock and pay attention to the details of your life. Jupiter's presence in Virgo helps with the stock taking, but is a more philosophical worker, tending to look for meaning in it all, finding the nit-picking challenging at times. Remind yourself that it is all in aid of a better life awaiting you. 


​When you build your dream life, do you think of all of the materials required for it to work effectively?
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Saturn enters Jyestha Sept. 17
Saturn enters the last lunar sign at the end of the solar sign Scorpio by September 17. Scorpio and 2016 have a sting in the tail, a venom which can either be used to vaccinate us from further threats, or that can be a poison in our lives. There is great potential for abuse of this venom, as anyone with the sign prominent will testify. Issues of sex, power, secrets and secret knowledge can be used to control an outcome which is not always wholesome. However, you can use this transit to acknowledge the parts of yourself you deny, so that you can embrace your shadow self and move forward with a deeper sense of truth, and more skills in harnessing your 'dark side'!

Jyestha is ruled by Mercury and one of its symbols is a talisman, a representation of acquired skills. It is represented by an elder sibling - one who has acquired more skill. Scorpio is a sign which represents hidden talents, usually of control; through practices done in private. 

Saturn's position in this lunar sign brings a need to commit to these practices in order to find strength ultimately. However, in order to do so we must first root out our weaknesses. This transit will root out many things which have been hidden, creating a need to go to our own depths in private, while the world at large sees the human capacity for darkness play out. 

Saturn will remain in this lunar sign until January 26 2017, returning to this sign due to its retrograde transit on June 21 2017, eventually leaving Scorpio on October 26 2017. This means Saturn's return to this lunar sign in the summer of 2017 creates an intense scrutiny of the things in life we try so very hard to hide. We don't always experience them personally - at least we don't think of others' secrets being exposed as being personal - but the truth is (and Saturn is all about truth) that all the things we hide from ourselves are played out by others for us to become more conscious, more whole. 

For more about this transit you can read an article on Saturn in Scorpio here.
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Venus enters Libra Sept. 18
Venus moves out of debilitation and into its own sign on September 18; a strong position for the planet of love and harmony. We seek to find balance during the equinox, and Venus in Libra represents a need to find balance with others and in our lives. Venus in Virgo demanded more calculated steps and forced us into issues of restraint for the sake of our health and routines. But September offers us a way to balance our life/work balance, getting our schedules and diaries in order to make sure we are leaving plenty of room for life's pleasures. It's ok to have a cheat day with that new diet, for example! You may also be looking at an evening class, a new hobby or artistic expression of some kind as Venus moves in Libra. 

Relationships benefit from this transit as we take the time to enjoy each other's company and what we each have to offer into the mix.

This transit is a relief for those with Taurus or Libra prominent, as their ruling planet moves out of debilitation. It offers us all a sense of beauty and mutual respect which makes for better working relationships. 
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Mars enters Sagittarius Sept. 18
Finally, Mars gets away from the restrictive influence of Saturn and things start to really open up in our lives. This is helped and hindered by Rahu's influence from one of the other fire signs, Leo. Rahu opens things up, but can be too stimulating, too unnerving. Rahu is too unpredictable for Mars, making for great intensity but not too much organization unless you are conscious of this influence and plan accordingly. 

Mars encourages us to go with our big dreams and ideas, as it subsequently moves into its sign of exaltation by November, leading to more strength and ambition to see these through. There is, however, the issue of Pluto already transiting in Sagittarius for some years now. Pluto stations direct in Sagittarius on September 26 and is joined by Mars in October, asking us to break apart long-held beliefs which no longer serve us; freeing us up to realize our dreams. 

Dream big and bold, realizing that the powerful planetary line-up at the latter end of this year allows us to achieve a great deal, if we can stay the course and see it through. 
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Mercury Stations Direct Sept. 22
Mercury ends it backtracking in Leo on September 22 and we can take pause from all of our retrospection to gather our thoughts and move on with a bag full of fresh ideas. 

Mercury will subsequently re-enter its sign of exaltation, Virgo in October, getting us all to get clear about all the finer points. For now, its time to get clear about all you wish to see happen in your life, and leave the finer details for later.

This period offers us a pause, as we approach the Equinox. Take the time to slow down and asses the terrain. As you see a path open up ahead, take a moment to observe before setting off on your way, as Mercury's proximity to the north node can temporarily blind us, as if turning in space disorientates our minds, distorting the image. 

All will be revealed. 
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Equinox Sept. 22
The Day and Night are balanced at the Equinox. Our lives are now moving forward with new impetus from Mars in Sagittarius, moving towards its sign of exaltation, and Mercury has stationed, preparing to move forward again, also moving to its sign of exaltation.

Getting a balance between our work and enjoyment is necessary, of course. It is neither desirable nor balanced to only work hard at achieving all you can, if you cannot enjoy the process. The Equinox and Venus in Libra allow us to enjoy such pleasures, as we realize the perfection in Virgo is impossible to reach. 

Take the time to find a still point between doing and being at the Equinox by focusing on the pauses between the breaths; between the fullness and lightness of the inhalation, and the emptiness and yet solidity of the exhalation - reaching a place where you can let go and simply be. 


OM TAT SAT