The third pass of Saturn opposite Uranus completes this month. This marks the mid-point of a process of change and awakening to a new and different reality—material, emotional, and spiritual. This process began in October and November of 2008. It continues through 2010 as Saturn and Uranus come into contact two more times.

Uranus energy is volatile, and Saturn signals hard work, heaviness, serious opposition to change. We last saw this energy in the weeks leading up to the 2008 presidential election in the U.S. This time Uranus is retrograde— we are internalizing and processing the changes amid incredible opposition. Uranus is the planet of truth, but here it is embedded in Pisces, a sign that distorts, clouds, and sometimes outright obscures the truth. And opposed by Saturn, the establishment, the status quo, the mortal enemy of Uranus. The old ways meet the new in an epic clash of the titans. It is time to let go of outdated ideas and traditions (Saturn) and embrace the new reality (Uranus). At the very beginning of the age of Pisces, someone said “you shall know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” It’s time to accept that things are the way they are, and move forward from there. Times have changed, and so must we.

Saturn inconjunct Neptune shows up from late August to mid-September. Idealistic folks will have to adapt to practical considerations. What can you reasonably accomplish? You may have to sacrifice or delay something that falls further down on your list. Check in and remember your goals and priorities.

This is a vague and moody energy. It can be hard to know who to trust. Our immune defenses are lower, and our neuroses are amplified. There’s some vague uncertainty in your work environment. There may be some confusion about who is responsible for what. Be patient and flexible for the time being. Spend some time doing activities or practices that keep you centered, focused, and grounded.

Mercury is retrograde September 7-29. Retrograde Mercury signals communication and connectivity problems, mistakes, malfunctions, mix-ups and misinformation, schedule changes, and heavy traffic. Mercury will be in Libra until the 17th— Libra is well spoken and diplomatic, but indecisive. Today I think this; tomorrow I think that. Make sure your mind is made up before you make promises to others.

Mercury retrograde begins and ends with aspects from Mercury to Mars. Begins with Mercury in Libra square Mars in Cancer— this is over a week of crankypants, from August 26 to September 3. But it ends with Mercury in Virgo sextile Mars in Cancer. This is especially good for folks in Cancerian type businesses— food, restaurants, public relations, real estate, home furnishings, decorations, etc. This would be a great week to hire a new employee or hold a staff meeting, as Virgo governs employees. Sextiles open up doors of opportunity and signal that help is available. Save your most important meetings and calls (especially first contact), decisions, and new beginnings for ~September 28 – October 3, if you can.

September 4-11

Skies are pretty quiet as Mercury retrograde begins. Mars has moved on, past the square to Mercury. This is why I think this week will have an altogether better feeling, overall, than last week. I may be a wee bit biased, as that Mercury Mars square formed tight stress aspects with my natal chart. Don’t get me wrong, some truly great things happened in my life under these stress aspects. Breakthroughs. But the feeling of it was tight, tense, unsettled.

College football season begins this weekend (at least here in Charlottesville). Under Sunday’s Aries Moon, it’s a great day for a game. Mercury retrograde usually favors the underdog. So the first 3 weeks of the season should be most interesting.

Obama speech transits

There’s a sweetness in the air this week, as sweet Venus opposes abundant Jupiter. You may start to see it as early as Tuesday the 8th, when the President addresses the nation’s schoolchildren, and Wednesday, as he addresses a joint session of Congress. The Moon will be in practical Taurus, and Venus conjoins his natal Sun, transiting Sun conjoins his Mars, and Jupiter conjoins his ascendant, as Saturn moves off of his natal Mars and into a trine with natal Saturn. Retrograde Mercury applies to trine his Moon and sextile his natal Mercury. Does the President have a secret astrologer? I doubt the school speech will be worth the kerfuffle, and the speech to Congress may win over some folks. Venus is your appeal, and Jupiter expands what it touches. We have some good fixed signs represented here too. Maybe it will stick.

September 12-17

The Moon is on the wane, and the Saturn Uranus opposition is at its peak. The waning Moon is a time of winding down what you have been doing and preparing for what you’re about to start. It ends with the New Moon on Friday afternoon.

September 16-17, the Virgo Sun conjoins Saturn and opposes Uranus, stirring the pot. A stressful moment of rules vs. rebellion. A test of your strength and flexibility. Let your “wild child� out to play, but don’t sacrifice your stability just to stir up a little excitement. Mercury also squares intractable Pluto today, bringing depth of awareness, but also feelings of vulnerability that bring up massive resistance. Wait for a better day to bring up a touchy subject or ask the boss for a raise.

September 18-25

The new Moon on Friday the 18th reboots the system and begins a two week period in which the Moon grows in light. It’s a good time to begin taking action to move things in a new direction, or begin gathering and assembling materials, organizing people for a new project. This is a highly charged new Moon, being very close to the Saturn Uranus opposition. It calls upon each of us, in our own way, to work out how we are going to move into the future. What we are going to take with us, and what we will leave behind.

The weekend is relatively peaceful, as Venus in Virgo trines healing Pluto. It’s a good weekend to reach out and comfort others, take a break from the stress of the week, or to collaborate on a project.

Monday the 21st through Wednesday the 23rd, caution lights are flashing as retrograde Mercury conjoins Saturn and opposes Uranus, and the Sun squares inflexible Pluto.

Does September’s forecast sound repetitive? Saturn opposes Uranus, Sun hits Saturn Uranus opposition, new Moon hits Saturn Uranus opposition, Mercury hits Saturn Uranus opposition.. throwing in a couple of squares to Pluto for good measure. Every once in a while, the planets stack up like this and repeat the same or similar themes over and over. Check out the chart:

The Sagittarius Moon hits the opposition one more time on the 25th. This weekend, like last weekend, is more mellow. Mercury is drawing near to the sextile to Mars that we have all been waiting for (see above), and the retrograde ends on Tuesday the 29th.

Mark your calendar!

The best days for your highest priority plans are September 8-20, 28-30.
Take it easy the rest of the month.