New Moon in Scorpio

In the early morning hours (4:27 am EST) of Monday, November 13th, there is a new moon in Scorpio. New moons, occurring when the sun and moon are aligned, kick off new lunar cycles. We’re experiencing this new moon in Scorpio on the heels of the conclusion of the Scorpio-Taurus eclipses that began in late 2021. So it’s a chance to plant new seeds in the same areas of our lives that were undergoing cycles of beginnings and endings over the last couple years.

This particular new moon has a volatile energy. It’s in Scorpio, a sign of deep intensity and transformation, which is ruled by Mars. Mars is also in Scorpio now and it’s sitting right next to this sun and moon combo. Mars in Scorpio can utilize its strengths, which is a good placement for concerted action. However, Uranus is currently in Taurus, opposite the moon, the sun, and Mars. Uranus, the planet that signifies disruption and revolt (among other more specific things, such as electricity and earthquakes), creates tension with our plans of actions. I noted in my Scorpio season post that even though this is the first lunation post-eclipses, it still has a very eclipse feel to it because of the Mars-Uranus presence. 

If we are deliberate about what we want to achieve this new moon, this Uranus placement is likely going to throw us some curveballs. Uranus is an outer planet, so its transits generally affect the collective more than the individual. While you are encouraged to plant new seeds and set intentions for this new moon, it’s against the backdrop of the wildness out in the world. 

With Mars and Uranus in the mix, you may be feeling anxious, like you can’t sit still. Practice mindfulness and breathwork, and as much as you can, try to just go with the flow. The universe may show you the new beginnings coming with this cycle instead of you carefully charting them out yourself.

To see which area of your life this new moon is highlighting, read below, first for your rising sign if you know it, then for your sun sign. And if you have any of the personal planets (sun, moon, Mercury, Venus, Mars) or sensitive points (the ascendant a.k.a, your rising, the midheaven, the IC, or descendant) on or around 20-22 degrees of a fixed sign (Scorpio, Taurus, Aquarius, or Leo), you’ll be feeling this new moon more acutely than most. (And if you want a reading, hit me up!)

Scorpio & Scorpio Rising: New moon, new you. The eclipses of the last couple years have likely been felt pretty majorly by you. Have you seen changes and evolution to your sense of self and your closest relationships over that period? This new moon, you can reflect on what has changed and the growth that you want to experience going forward. This new moon in your sign gives you the opportunity to set intentions for further evolution of self, whatever that means for you–getting more grounded, becoming more active through exercise, using your voice more to speak out for the issues you’re passionate about, etc. Now’s the time to set those goals.

Sagittarius & Sag Rising: New moons can sap our energy, and this one is particularly exhausting. You’re often on the go, exploring, traveling, and wanting to embark on the next adventure, but this new moon is an opportunity for resting. You may feel isolated, but embrace alone time during this new moon. You don’t always have to be on the move. It’s a great time to newly commit to or reinvigorate a meditation practice and journaling routine. Sleep and write about the dreams you remember to get more insight into your deepest needs and fears.

Capricorn & Cap Rising: This new moon is occurring in your house of friendships and community. You may have a new experience that leads to meeting new friends or building new relationships within a collective. This is also a time when you may feel a spark of motivation to more openly voice your concerns and raise awareness about the causes important to you. If you’ve been sitting on the sidelines with regard to issues you feel strongly about up to now, this new moon may usher in the desire to take action.

Aquarius & Aquarius Rising: During this time, you may be planting the seeds of a new career opportunity or starting a project that will ultimately bring you some public recognition. With new moons in the 10th house, at the top of your chart, it’s a opportunity to lay the groundwork for whatever it is you’re hoping to achieve in the public realm. You may have seen some changes in your career coincide with the eclipses over the last two years. With Scorpio in the 10th, you bring an intensity to your career and can do whatever you set your mind to. This new moon is a good time for setting intentions to help you get what you want.

Pisces & Pisces Rising: If a class or a new intellectual or spiritual pursuit piques your interest, explore it. With Saturn traveling through your sign for the next few years, if you do sign up for classes or a certification of some kind or an apprenticeship, your ability to master whatever you are learning is bolstered. Or maybe you’re already an expert in a topic, and it’s time for you to look for teaching gigs or ways you can share what you know. You may be asked to take on a mentoring or a tutoring role this new moon.

Aries & Aries Rising: Aries is rarely passive, but this new moon is about what comes your way from others. This can be in financial form; you may see some money paid out to you, or you may get a bill for something you didn’t know you owed. This can also be in the form of the emotional baggage we get from others, so people may be venting to you a little bit more or those you know may seem to expect more emotional labor from you than normal. If you start to feel out of control of situations and are experiencing a lot of nervous energy, focus inward and do whatever you need to do (exercise, furious journaling, lighting candles) to get zen. 

Taurus & Taurus Rising: If you aren’t in a relationship but want to be, this is a great time for trying to meet someone. With Venus, your chart ruler, in Libra, you’ve got its benevolence on your side. People want to get a little deeper and find commitment, so get yourself out there. If you’re already in a committed relationship, this is a good time for deepening your bond with your partner. You may make a new discovery about yourself or have an aha moment that will impact your current relationship and inspire some new emotional connection between you. 

Gemini & Gemini Rising: Gemini is not a sign that is associated with deep, long-lasting commitment, but during this new moon in Scorpio, this is a time to get to work and set intentions for the everyday that can be sustained long-term. If you can deepen your concentration in the area of your work life, you may reap the rewards in the long run through process improvements or new ideas you implement now. If you’ve been having some health issues pull into focus recently, this is also a good time to commit to routines that address those, which could mean changing your diet, sleep patterns, or wellness practices.

Cancer & Cancer Rising: For Cancers, Scorpio rules your house of creativity, fun, and children. This new moon may initiate a spark of inspiration for a new creative project. This could be the time when you start writing your novel, in the dark early mornings in front of your SAD lamp. Dive deeply into your passions with this new moon. Explore your artistic side and your sensuality. This time could also represent the start of a new cycle involving your children, or you could find that you are welcoming children into your life in some way.

Leo & Leo Rising: This new moon brings new routines at home. They may be due to something that arises unexpectedly or it could be the result of planning you have done, but there’s a new phase in how you are dealing with your home and possibly your family. You could be setting new boundaries with your loved ones or taking on a home improvement project. Don’t let the Uranus-Mars tension and nervousness get the best of you. Your home life should be the grounding source of comfort for you, so with any changes that are happening now, try to take them in stride and relish the time you’re home and find strength in it.

Virgo & Virgo Rising: The new moon in Scorpio is in your 3rd house. Your siblings, if you have any, may be experiencing new beginnings or life changes, or there may be a particular focus on your communication and/or relationship with them at this time. You may also be kindling some new relationships in your neighborhood. This new moon offers you the opportunity to deepen your communication with your neighbors, your networks, your friends, and your sister(s). It’s also a good time to plan for a quick getaway locally if you’re feeling taxed or drained and need a break.

Libra & Libra Rising: With this new moon in Scorpio, the focus is on what you value, your resources, and how you make your living. It’s a time for looking at your multi-year plan for your finances, your job, and how you can build your savings. Venus is in Libra right now, so you’ve got your chart ruler in its domicile, which gives you an extra boost in this area. Venus rules that which we value, and Venus’s current placement is emboldening its strengths. This new moon, if you start to lay out how you want to make money and how you’re going to use those resources to achieve your goals, you’ve got Venus on your side for success that is sustainable.

For all: drink lots of water and get lots of rest! And take these horoscopes with a grain of salt; astrology is not fortune-telling, and these are just my interpretation of what’s going on in the current sky. 

Scorpio Season

On October 23rd, the sun moved into Scorpio, joining Mercury and Mars there. The Scorpio energy is potent.

Scorpio is about death and transformation, about intensity and depth. In the Northern Hemisphere, Scorpio season marks the time of the year when autumn steadily progresses toward its colder reaches. It gets darker, the leaves fall, and we fall back into standard time.

A fixed water sign, Scorpio can be symbolized by a deep, dark lake, seemingly still with a lot going under the surface. Mars rules Scorpio, which may seem counterintuitive because Mars is the planet associated with action and drive, but whereas Aries is the outward expression of that, Scorpio is the internal. Scorpios have ambition and drive, but they aren’t impulsive like Aries folks; they are more patient and focused. They lie in wait and then strike with precision when the time is right.

That doesn’t mean that Scorpios are all dark and brooding. As water signs they can be very sensitive and emotional but not necessarily emo. They want deep connections and have an intensity of feeling that can manifest in various ways, including profound love and righteous anger.

Scorpio season coincides with a time of the year when many of us turn more inward. It brings us Halloween and the pagan holiday Samhain, when there’s a focus on the spirit realm and the veil between it and us. We decorate our homes with skeletons and ghosts (well, I do). It’s a time for being attuned to those rhythms of life and death, the underworld and otherworlds.

Lou Reed’s beautiful “Halloween Parade” is a perfect encapsulation of Scorpio season. He wrote it in the late 80s at the height of the AIDS epidemic in NYC. You go to the Halloween Parade, a jubilant event, and don’t see the people you know because they’re now dead. It’s poignant and brutal. “This Halloween is something to be sure, especially to be here without you.” RIP Lou Reed (a Pisces king).

As we move through Scorpio season, there are some notable astrological transits occurring over the next few weeks. Appropriately, it’s going to be intense.

As soon as the sun enters Scorpio on the 23rd, it’s forming a trine, or helpful aspect, with Saturn at 0 degrees of Pisces, and this is exact on the 24th. We start Scorpio season with some steadiness and seriousness, with a focus on creating structures and boundaries.

On October 28th, Mars opposes Jupiter, and there is a full moon and lunar eclipse in Taurus. This the very last lunation of the Taurus-Scorpio eclipse cycle that started in November 2021, wrapping up whatever cycle of new beginnings you’ve had in your life between then and now. The energy is heightened and expansive. There’s a push and pull between our drives/deepest desires and the need for stability.

On October 29th, Mercury meets up with Mars, making our thinking and our communication with others extra potent and possibly sharp-tongued. We may see our words sting or cut deep, even if that is not the intent. This weekend is a good time for being mindful and conscientious about what you say to others.

On November 8th, Venus moves into Libra, its domicile, where it’s able to best express its energy. Jupiter and Uranus are still in Taurus, a Venus-ruled sign, which will now be answering to Venus in Libra. The vibe is super Venusian, which is helpful, given some of the other astrology coming up. If you have a Venus-ruled chart (Libra or Taurus rising), especially, you’ll feel a little more comfortable and lit up once Venus goes into Libra.

On November 10th, Mercury moves into Sagittarius, a mutable fire sign, and squares Saturn. Mercury doesn’t love Sagittarius because Sagittarius thinking is very big-picture, broad-stroke, and Mercury wants details. Especially with the square with Saturn, there may be some frustrations around our desire to get answers and details and systems or big structures making that difficult, causing some conflict. As Mercury progresses through Sag, we’ll see amplified communication about big, lofty ideas, but for those of us who want brass tacks discussions with nitty gritty details, this may be a challenging time.

On November 11th, Mars, still in Scorpio, opposes Uranus in Taurus. Then on November 13th, there is a new moon in Scorpio, meaning the sun and moon meet in the sky, and as they do, they approach that Mars-Uranus opposition. The energy is volatile. Whatever cycle that the new moon is kicking off, Uranus, the great disruptor, is doing what it can to fuck up the best laid plans. This new moon, even though it’s not an eclipse, has an eclipse-like vibe to it. The sun then chases Mars for several days, right on its heels but unable to catch it until November 18th. That whole week is going to feel extra charged.

More to come as we approach the new moon in a couple weeks. Check back for your new moon in Scorpio horoscope, and happy Halloween to those who celebrate.

The Solar Eclipse in Libra & the Astrology of Late

This Saturday, October 14th, there’s an annular solar eclipse in Libra. Annular solar eclipses are the ones where the moon is at its farthest point from earth and it doesn’t fully block the sun, so instead of total darkness you can see the glow of the sun around the perimeter of the moon, making it look like a ring of fire. 

People generally seem to get a little nutty when the eclipses approach, even though they occur several times a year. But as human beings, we likely have some genetic instinct to freak out a little around eclipses. Can you imagine living in a time before there was an understanding of astronomy, and every so often, the sun just disappeared? It would have been terrifying! Eclipses are loaded with meaning and inspire both anxiety and wonder. 

The eclipses, astrologically, mark a time when major events unfold. However, as I’ve written before, even though we may experience some major life changes around eclipse time, much of that depends on our specific birth charts. Some eclipses will be felt more deeply by you than others. Most people don’t experience jolting, life-altering events between 4 and 7 times a year, every year of their lives. Generally, personally, we tend to see themes play out in our lives over the entirety of an eclipse cycle (the 1-2 year period when the eclipses take place in a set of opposite signs). There are milestones and changes but they are a little more fluid and gradual.

During this Aries-Libra eclipse cycle, which began in April, the same themes I wrote about during the Aries full moon are the same ones that will play out in a more protracted way between last April and March 2025. To see if this particular eclipse may strongly affect you, check your birth chart to see if you have any personal planets (sun, moon, Mercury, Venus, Mars) or angles (ascendant aka your rising, descendant, midheaven, or IC) on or around 21 degrees of Libra, Aries, Cancer, or Capricorn.

In the world at large, though, eclipses are usually accompanied by some big news. And this time seems to be no exception. This week has been tumultuous and scary on a geopolitical level. However, there’s been a lot going on astrologically beyond just the coming eclipse on Saturday (and there’s a lunar eclipse in Taurus on October 29th), so I did want to call out that the intensity of this moment is not solely related to the upcoming eclipse. 

Last Sunday, Mars, the planet that represents action, drive, and aggression, formed a 90-degree angle with Pluto, the planet of life and death and transformation. The aspect the two planets were making (called a square) can be a tough one, marked by some conflict and usually a turning point. Definitely some parallels between these significations and global events.

Pluto, which had been retrograde since May, also stationed on Tuesday, at 27 degrees of Capricorn, which is exactly the same degree of Pluto in the US’s chart, and is now direct again. It’s the last gasp of the US’s Pluto return. Mars gained strength on October 12th, when it moved into Scorpio, a fixed water sign and its home base, where it can utilize its resources. Mars in Scorpio is about precision, intensity, and stealth.

On the 13th, Mars makes a helpful aspect to Saturn in Pisces. When Saturn, the planet of structure, discipline, and responsibility, is boosted by Mars and both are in water signs, this could be a time for building emotional support structures, both for ourselves personally and for the the community. This is especially important with everything that’s going on. 

Between the Mars and Pluto activity and the two eclipses, October is a wild month astrologically, and as they often are, the skies are a reflection what’s happening here on planet Earth. It makes for interesting days ahead. Hang in there.

Full Moon in Aries

Get ready, there is a full moon in Aries in the early morning hours (5:58 EDT) on September 29th. Aries is the first sign of the zodiac, a cardinal fire sign, and opposite air sign Libra, where the sun is now. This full moon, the first of autumn, is the Harvest Moon. 

With the Aries/Libra axis, there is a push-pull between me and we, between selfishness and sacrifice, between assertiveness and diplomacy. The moon in Aries is ruled by Mars, which is also in Libra now. With Mars in Libra, there’s a tendency toward passive aggression, so that may be a big vibe this full moon. Better to release your anger in a cathartic, productive way than to try to keep a lid on it, waiting for it to boil over. In the days leading up to the full moon, open the release valve here and there. Have a good cry to Neil Young’s “It’s a Dream.” Journal furiously . 

Mars is about physicality, so when the full moon comes, because it’s ruled by Mars, it’s a good time for a physical release. That can be dancing, working out, kickboxing, or primal screaming.

This is the last lunation before the eclipses start, so it’s going to feel a little wild because it’s sort of like a sneak preview of eclipse season. 

If you’re an Aries or Libra rising or sun, this opposition is in your first and seventh houses, so it will highlight themes of self vs. partnership, and you may see some strife, culmination, or the fulfillment of a commitment made in your relationships. However, there could be tension between what is best for you and what’s best for your relationship or another partnership or friendship. 

If you’re a Taurus or Scorpio rising or sun, this full moon will likely bring up some tension or some change as it relates to your need for solitude vs. what you have to do every day. You may be feeling intense emotions about just having to go to work every day or the stuff you do on a daily basis to care for others. This is a good full moon to reevaluate how much time you allow for yourself. 

If you’re a Gemini or a Sagittarius rising or sun, the Aries full moon illuminates the dynamic between your joy and creativity and your community or friend groups. Your friends may be providing the inspiration or motivation you need for a new venture. Try to hang out with people who you have fun with and get out on the weekend. Socializing and/or focusing on artistic pursuits will provide much-needed release.

If you’re a Cancer or Capricorn rising or sun, this full moon will occur on your 10th house and 4th house axis, which encompasses your public, professional life, and your roots and family. There’s a push and pull between your career/public life and back home. You may have to deal with some family stuff that puts a wrench in your professional plans, or maybe you’re wrapping up something in one of these areas that allows you more time for the other. Libra is all about balance, so this is a time for trying to strike a balance between the two. 

If you’re a Leo or Aquarius rising or sun, there’s a balance you may need to find between what you’re learning, your spiritual pursuits, and/or desire and plans to travel and the busy-ness and demands of daily life. You may be feeling crushed under the weight of your calendar, when all you want to do is read a book or get away. It’s OK to cancel meetings and reschedule plans if you need to. 

If you’re a Virgo or Pisces rising or sun, there may be some flux or movement in money matters, either your own resources or that of your partner. Maybe you’re paying off a loan or you’re finally filing your taxes after getting a couple extensions or your refund is finally coming through. There will be some illumination of themes related to finances or resources, those of your own and those you share with others. 

If your sun, moon, ascendant, Mercury, Venus, Mars, or your midheaven are around 6 degrees of Aries, Libra, Cancer, or Capricorn, you’ll be feeling this new moon with some extra intensity. But even if not, it’s likely going to be pretty potent for all of us, so hang in there, and try to let go of whatever is holding you back or driving you nuts. Keep on rockin’ in the free world. 

(Astrology is for entertainment purposes only, so please take these full moon interpretations with a grain of salt!)

Libra Season

The sun moves into Libra on September 23rd at 2:50 am EDT, and thus begins Libra season. Mars has been in Libra since late August and is still there, so we have already been feeling some of this Libra energy. Mercury enters Libra on October 4th to join the sun and Mars.

Libra is a cardinal air sign. The cardinal signs occur at the beginning of seasons. Libra season marks the start of autumn in the Northern Hemisphere, and it’s a time when our mental faculties are energized. There’s a buzz in the air. Even though the beginning of fall heralds the return of the darker, cooler months, it still feels like a beginning.

Libra is ruled by Venus, the planet that rules relationships, love, values, resources, art, and beauty. Libra is about charm. Libras are disarming, and Libras (particularly Libra risings) are known to be attractive.

The symbol for Libra is the scales, and a keyword of Libra is balance, which makes sense given that Libra season starts on the equinox, when day and night are equal, with a perfect balance between light and darkness. This is a time for assessing and communicating our ideas about balance in our lives. How much time do you spend working vs. not, and is that right for you? Do you feel like your relationships are balanced, or are you giving or taking too much?

The balance that Libra encourages also lends to the diplomacy that is so associated with Libras. Libras are fair, seeking out points of view and considering the thoughts and feelings of others. Libras can see all sides and weigh them judiciously, making them excellent peace brokers. Air signs are about communicating ideas, intellectualizing, and connecting mentally, and Libras are smart and deliberate in their thoughts and expressions. This penchant for diplomacy is what helps Libras excel at relationships. They are generally well liked and attract others. People want to be around them.

The balance exhibited by Libra also lends to its discerning eye. Ruled by Venus, Libras often have great appreciation for art and beauty and carry that through various aspects of their lives (often depending on where Libra falls in their chart): their professions, their own physical presences, through decorating their homes, etc.

The shadow side of Libra, though, occurs when these qualities get unbalanced. The need for diplomacy, conflict avoidance, and the concern for others can take over, causing Libras to not really have a defined sense of self or to sacrifice their own needs for the good of others or for general harmony. Sometimes keeping the peace means selling themselves short.

Libras also get pegged as being wishy washy. They can weigh things too much, and the scales go up and down and up again. And when things are being balanced against each other, how can you can make a decision to go with one option and not the other? Indecision can plague Libras and those with major Libra placements.

For VPR watchers, Tom Schwartz, who has a Libra sun AND moon AND four planets in Libra, exhibits major Libra traits. The more evolved traits are his charm, his diplomacy, his ability to weigh different points of view, and his intelligence. He tries to make others comfortable, even to his own detriment sometimes, and will defend others when he perceives them as being maligned. However, the shadow traits commonly associated with Libra are also on full display with Schwartz. There’s his unwillingness to commit in his relationship with Katie, even to the point of “losing” and not filing their marriage certificate after their televised wedding. On the surface, he’s a people pleaser; he tries to appease everyone (except his partner), and people like what they perceive as his good-naturedness, but ultimately, a lot of that is because he himself feels uncomfortable making decisions or setting boundaries. If you want to see a master class in Libra’s shadow side, go back and watch clips from Schwartz’s most recent appearances on Watch What Happens Live.

Despite Libras’ reputations for being social creatures that are fair minded, they can be internally exhausted by having to be social, and Libras can actually be very judgmental. They usually just don’t show it outwardly unless pushed. Think about Schwartz‘s confrontation with Lala this season, and his past fights with Katie where he got truly vicious. When the nice-guy, diplomatic routine fails him, he lets his true judgments fly. Libras judge and can remain steadfast in their judgement of someone, even nurturing grudges. 

This Libra season, let’s try to utilize the more evolved Libra energies. Give all choices full consideration, but call on the cardinal-ness of Libra to move forward with the best option instead of giving into indecisiveness. Use wise judgment but don’t be too quick to judge, and be flexible in changing your mind, but don’t go back and forth on everything. 

During the next month, there’s some lively lunar activity. There’s a full moon in fire sign Aries on September 29th. Eclipse season arrives as well, with a new moon that’s also a solar eclipse on October 14th. We may see some big shake-ups in the areas of our chart that are on the Libra & Aries axis. More on that to come. 

Read below for the general themes that will likely be highlighted for you over this next month, depending on your rising and sun signs. You’ll feel it more if you have any major placements (sun, moon, Mercury, Venus, Mars, the ascendant, or the midheaven) in cardinal signs (Libra, Capricorn, Aries, and Cancer). If you want to know more, book a reading with me!

Libra & Libra Rising: If you’re a Libra rising, the next month is all about you. If you’re a Libra sun, it’s your birthday month! This season gives you an extra oomph and your personality shines through. It’s a time for me time. Assess your wants, your needs, your inner desires, and how you’re balancing those against what others are asking of you. If you aren’t carving out enough space for yourself, Libra season marks the time to take it back. And with Venus finally direct and almost out of its retrograde shadow, you can use this opportunity to change up or beautify your physical self. If you’ve been putting off getting a facial or a haircut, now’s the time!

Scorpio & Scorpio Rising: Libra season marks the beginning of the sleepier months, and this transition into fall will likely find you more tired than usual. Lean into nesting and resting, and pay extra attention to your dreams. As the nights get longer, you’re well served by plumbing the depths of your subconscious through journaling and/or therapy.

Sagittarius & Sag Rising: Sagittarians are social creatures, and with the sun (and later Mercury) in your 11th house, this time of the year lends itself to making the most of your gregariousness to network and to socialize with your friends. Connecting with others is especially beneficial for you right now, so get out there and go to parties (or host them) and/or go to networking events this month. 

Capricorn & Cap Rising: Libra season puts a spotlight on your career and how you make a name for yourself. If you’ve been on cruise control in your professional life, this is a good time for reassessing the balance with what you’re putting into your profession vs. what are you getting out of it. If it’s not fulfilling you, this is the time to investigate other opportunities and work on your resume. 

Aquarius & Aquarius Rising: You may be taking on new academic pursuits or finding yourself cast into the role of a teacher, possibly through serving as a mentor, or offering trainings at work or elsewhere. This is also a time for more spiritual pursuits, whether that’s diving deeper into a spiritual concept that interests you, or recommitting to a spiritual practice or routine that brings you peace.

Pisces & Pisces Rising: With Libra ruling your 8th house, autumn is a time when you’re thinking about death, mortality, and decay. That’s not necessarily as macabre as it sounds, though. Pisces are very sensitive and highly spiritually attuned, so it’s a time of reflection on the cycle of life. This is a time where you may find yourself particularly focused on others instead of yourself. People may be coming to you with their baggage, looking for some sage advice, or you may be helping someone sort through their finances this month.

Aries & Aries Rising: Libra rules your 7th house of relationships, so there will be an extra spotlight on your one-on-one partnerships, whether it’s a romantic or love relationship with a partner or a business partnership or a close collaborator for a project. There’s a push and pull between your relationship and yourself, so Libra season is the time for calibrating those scales. Are you offering too much of yourself, or are you withholding? Try to find the balance between give and take. 

Taurus & Taurus Rising: This month, your self-care routines are illuminated and up for evaluation. Are you carving out time for yourself to relax, to rest, and to exercise? Do you take the time you need to take care of yourself, whether it’s doing a daily skin routine or making your morning smoothie (or both)? This is the month to focus on those routines that nourish yourself and your health. It’s also a good time for getting in some extra vitamin D or starting your morning sun lamp routine to try to minimize the seasonal depression that winter may bring for you.

Gemini & Gemini Rising: Lean into the Venusian qualities of Libra to focus on your creative pursuits over the next month. The sun and Mercury can help you clear any writer’s or artist’s block you have been facing residually as a result of the recent Venus and Mercury retrogrades. You may be feeling extra amorous this month as well, so take advantage and lean into your romantic side.

Cancer & Cancer Rising: Libra rules the roots of your chart, so the sun will be highlighting home and family matters. You may be encouraged to dive deep into your ancestry or connect with elders in your family. This is also a good time for engaging in some home beautification or repair projects to improve your living space and make it more cozy, safe, and inspiring. 

Leo & Leo Rising: Libra season has you focusing on the local. You’ll be more inclined to do stuff in the neighborhood, and you may find some opportunity in switching up your daily routines. This is a good time for checking out a new restaurant or forging new connections with neighbors. Or you may try to change up your commute and find that a certain route or train makes your life more pleasant. Small changes to your everyday life can go a long way.  

Virgo & Virgo Rising: This season your focus is on finances and your resources. The sun illuminates the part of your chart that deals with how you earn your money. You may get a boost in your financial life, or you may just be putting some extra energy into money matters, investments, and the things you own and hold dear. Investing now in things you care about can pay off in the long run.

As always, these horoscopes should be taken with a grain of salt. They are not fortune telling, but rather they’re my interpretation of the sun’s movement through the various houses of the birth chart. 

New Moon in Virgo

On Thursday, September 14th, at 9:40 pm ET, there is a new moon in Virgo. A new moon, which occurs when the moon meets up with the sun, marks the beginning of the monthly lunar cycle. With the moon in Mercury-ruled Virgo, a sign that’s all about service and taking care, it’s encouraging us to think about fresh ways to serve and take care of ourselves.

Mercury itself is still in Virgo, its home base, but has been retrograde since August 23rd, so circumstances these past few weeks have made it ripe for us to reexamine and reevaluate our processes, the ways we think, and the ways we work. An example from my own life: I was sick for a couple weeks, and I felt like it was a personal failing. After being annoyed by myself and my body, which I felt betrayed me, I tried to channel the “re” rule of Mercury retrograde and reevaluate why I would feel this way. It helped me accept that I can’t control everything, and I shouldn’t beat myself up. The universe made me rest.

The new moon on Thursday offers a new beginning, and Mercury stations direct the next day on September 15th (huzzah!). This new moon, think about what has come up during this Mercury retrograde for you. What flaws in your systems have been made visible? What fallacies in your thinking have been laid bare? How can you create new routines that will better allow you to fulfill the Virgoan activities of working hard, analyzing, iteratively improving, and nurturing yourself and your goals? For me, I’m going to try to ride the sense of acceptance I learned from my bout of illness into the new moon.

The moon, which will be at 21 degrees of Virgo, is making a helpful aspect with Uranus, which is currently retrograde in Taurus. Uranus is the planet of disruption but also innovation, which can give new beginnings under this new moon an element of surprise or uniqueness. Virgo is a sign for getting things done; the new moon bolstered by Uranus can lend some innovation to the things we are trying to accomplish or the intentions we set during this phase. It’s a great opportunity for manifesting, if that’s your thing. Write your list of goals down, but also write down some steps you can take to try to accomplish those things. There’s a good chance ingenuity will strike, but with the sun, moon, and Uranus in earth signs, it helpfully will be grounded and practical.

The only potential downside of the new moon is that it’s within 5 degrees of being opposite Neptune in Pisces. Neptune casts a fog. We may find that our emotions and our feelings create some illusion or delusion around the goals that are set at this time, which is also why thinking through the tactical steps to achieving your goals will be useful. It’s important to lean into the Virgoan qualities of discerning and critical thinking to counteract any emotional overwhelm you may feel. 

To see the areas of your life where this new moon will potentially bring about a fresh start or a new way to thinking, reference your Virgo season horoscope.

Blue Moon in Pisces

On the evening of Wednesday, August 30th, at about 9:35 pm EDT, there is a full moon at 7 degrees of Pisces, opposite the sun in Virgo. It’s referred to as a blue moon because it’s the second full moon in the month. Usually there’s only one, as full moons occur about 29 days apart, so the rarity of a blue moon is why the saying “once in a blue moon” describes something that doesn’t happen often. It doesn’t really have any astrological impact, but because we measure time by months of the Gregorian calendar, it makes the month in which it occurs a little more eventful. (“Blue Moon” is also an excellent Beck song.)

Normally, a full moon in Pisces lends itself to big emotional releases. Crying. Letting it out. It’s the opportunity to take a break from the brass-tacks, to-do-list nature of Virgo season to just give in to our feelings and say “fuck it.” Turn on the waterworks.  

This full moon is happening close to Saturn, which is also in Pisces, where it’s been since March. With Saturn’s presence in the mix, we may find ourselves less able to just let go and dissolve into our emotions. 

Saturn is all about structures, boundaries, and responsibilities. So this could mean that you aren’t letting yourself really lean into your emotions and are setting boundaries for yourself, or it could mean that others are thwarting you. Maybe it’s that you really just can’t get motivated to work hard today, but your boss keeps asking you for stuff anyway. Or maybe you want to lock yourself in the bathroom for alone time and your kids are pounding on the door, demanding your attention.

If it’s others who are intruding on the time you need to just laze, gaze, or weep, use the Saturnian energy to say, “I need to step away from my desk for an hour to run an errand,” and then just do whatever, or “Children of mine, I need some alone time, go watch Bluey.” And if it is you that isn’t letting yourself take the time you need, keep in mind that this is a full moon. Full moons are our regular reminder to let go of the stuff we don’t need or don’t want to hang onto. Not that it’s now or never, but it’s a window of opportunity that we’d be wise not to pass up.

Of course, that’s easier said than done, but remember that you can take space for yourself at some point over the next couple days if you need to. Put on Sea Change and cry yourself dry. 

Virgo Season: Time to Work

The sun moves into Virgo on August 23rd, and for those of us in the Northern Hemisphere, thus begins the summer’s denouement.

Virgo is a mutable earth sign. Mutable and earth may not seem compatible, but I think of Virgo as a sign that reacts to change pragmatically, working through the nitty gritty of what needs to be done to adapt. Virgos can roll with the punches because they’re quick-thinking and practical.

Some of my favorite people are Virgos. Virgos know better than you, but sometimes they will let you think you are right. Virgos can sometimes be critical and judgmental, but they are prepared and detail-focused. Virgos are girls of 100 lists. Virgo is about routines and regimens. It’s about the beauty and the joy in the details.

Virgos are also very nurturing. Cancer is often thought of as the most mothering sign of the zodiac, but Virgos are also major caretakers. Virgos often look out for others. Sometimes they come across as nitpicky buttinskies, but when they are looking over your shoulder, it’s out of a place of concern. Did you remember your scarf and gloves? Did you put on sunscreen? Virgos care. I always feel safe with Virgos.

In the Bravo universe, Lisa Vanderpump is a Virgo and embodies many quintessential Virgo qualities. She’s always hyper aware of how she appears, she’s big- hearted and nurturing of her menagerie of pets and her ne’er-do-well band of SURvers and their partners, and she’s canny enough to know what makes for good business and compelling TV.

Virgo season is about getting to work. It’s about making our to-do lists, recalibrating when necessary, and taking pride in a job well done. This Virgo season may feel a little more stressful than usual because Mercury, also in Virgo, will be retrograde for most of it. This means that the activities we associate with Virgo—organizing, taking care of ourselves, acts of service, editing, studying, practicing, and cleaning—are likely to need a couple or more tries before they are executed as we want. As with all Mercury retrogrades, but especially with it being in Virgo, double check everything. Dot the i. Cross the t. Make sure you receive the confirmation email. But the Mercury retrograde shouldn’t stop you from project managing whatever it is you want to get done. 

Read below for the topics most likely to be of focus for you over the next month, as the sun and Mercury move through the area of your chart ruled by Virgo. Of course, your full horoscope for the next month depends on your individual birth chart and how the transiting planets interact with your natal placements, but these are the broad brushstroke themes you can expect to arise. My suggestion is to read for your rising sign first if you know it, then for your sun as the secondary focus.

Virgo & Virgo Rising: For Virgo risings, this next month focuses the warmth of the sun on you. For Virgo suns, it’s your solar return. You may have been feeling unsettled and more in your feelings than usual since Venus went retrograde in July, but this period should embolden you with some much needed vitality. Focus on you, your wants and needs, and what gives you life this month.

Libra & Libra Rising: Virgo rules your 12th house, and with the Sun and Mercury transiting there, this month will have you plumbing the depths of your psyche. Your dreams may be more potent than usual. You’d be well served by journaling about them and examining them. Take extra care with your sleep routine during this time; it’s important to rest. Keep your therapy appointments. This is an opportune time for working through any subconscious sludge.

Scorpio & Scorpio Rising: During Virgo season, the sun is in your house of friendships and community. Get out there in the world. If new friendships present themselves, be open to them, and nurture existing friendships. You may feel your sense of community deepen during this time and enrich you. This area of your chart also relates to hopes and dreams, so this is a good time to start thinking through and charting out a path to what you really want.

Sagittarius & Sag Rising: The sun is in your 10th house of career and legacy. You may be getting more attention and praise than usual this month, especially related to whatever you do in your public life, and/or you may be feeling renewed focus on your career. It’s a good time for reviewing your resume, editing it, and reviewing it again to ensure it truly captures your essence and what you want to present to the world.

Capricorn & Cap Rising: With Virgo season here, the sun is transiting through the part of your chart dealing with education, spirituality, and foreign cultures, so these themes are illuminated. It’s a great time to hit the books, sign up for classes, or to take a long-distance trip to another country. With Mercury retrograde, though, triple check all registrations and itineraries.

Aquarius & Aquarius Rising: The sun will be highlighting the part of your chart that deals with others’ resources and baggage. You may find yourself acting as counselor more than usual this month as people seek your level-headed advice. It’s also a good time for assessing your investments and debts, if you have any, and/or those of your partner, to see if there are better payment plans, interest rates, etc. Be on the lookout for unexpected fees and bills this month and confirm that those are correct before you actually pay them. With Mercury retrograde, everyone is more prone to mistakes.

Pisces & Pisces Rising: There is a focus and energy around one-on-one relationships for you when the sun is in Virgo. All of us have likely been feeling the effects of the Venus retrograde in our relationships. This gives you the boost you need to spend quality time with your partner if you have one and work on your communication with them. The same goes for other non-romantic partnerships. If you aren’t in a relationship, this month may have you thinking on what you do want out of a relationship and partner.

Aries & Aries Rising: Your focus will be drawn toward work and routines–the perfect manifestation of Virgo season and Mercury retrograde in Virgo. You are really great at starting new projects, but this is the month to work slowly and steadily through what you have already begun, paying extra attention to the details, to see things through to completion. On August 24th, Mars, your ruler, makes a trine to Pluto, so this can give you the stamina and focus you need to delve deep and get into the nitty gritty of the tasks you need to do.

Taurus & Taurus Rising: This is a time for joy, for fun, and for creative pursuits. If you have been contemplating a new artistic endeavor or have already started one, Virgo season and the Mercury rx offer a chance to reassess your routines to build in more time for your creativity. Write your morning pages and let your hair down. Get high by the beach.

Gemini & Gemini Rising: Your focus during this time likely will be largely on home and family. You may be feeling the urge to nest. With Mercury in this part of your chart and retrograde, it’s a great time for surveying your home and assessing what needs to be repaired or reinforced. What needs resealing and recaulking to prevent future leaks? Are your window blinds about to come loose from their brackets and need to be tightened? As the cooler weather comes (we hope), there’s a batten-down-the-hatches vibe that you can make good use of now.

Cancer & Cancer Rising: There’s going to be even more of a focus on your communications this month than there would be anyway with just Mercury retrograde. Examine how you can improve your communication style to better express what you are truly trying to convey to others. This Virgo season could mean you’re presenting at work or you’re emailing and coordinating something with neighbors. It’s an opportunity to take stock of your words and edit. This is also a time for focusing on your daily routines and making improvements, e.g., finding ways to alter your commute to make it faster or less crowded.

Leo & Leo Rising: Virgo season lights up the area of your chart focused on your resources and income. This could be an excellent time to ask for a raise, but in using Virgo’s influence, you’ll want to make sure you do your due diligence first and get all the necessary details and arguments lined up before pitching anything (especially with Mercury retrograde). It’s also a time to assess how you make and manage your money and tweak anything that isn’t paying off. 

As with all astrological content, this is intended to be taken with a grain of salt and is for entertainment. These are my interpretations of the planetary placements and transits, not fact or fortune telling.  

Mercury Retrograde in Virgo

For the past two weeks, Mercury has been slowing, gearing up for its retrograde, and on Wednesday, August 23rd, it begins its retrograde journey through Virgo. This will last until September 15th, when it will once again station and start moving direct. 

The Mercury retrogrades this year have all been in earth signs, which has made them a little more grounded than they would be in the other elements. Mercury is the ruler of Virgo and it’s also exalted there, which means that not only is Mercury not answering to another planet during this time, it’s in the sign it loves to be in. So while the typical Mercury retrograde is very annoying, this one should be a little less so (one hopes). 

The start of it may be rocky, as Mercury stations retrograde while approaching a conjunction with Mars, which is still in Virgo and a day prior (August 22nd) formed an exact opposition to Neptune in Pisces. Mars wants action, and Neptune represents delusions and doubts, so when tough Mars-Neptune aspects hit, we feel irritable and unsure. This is the state of things at the start of this particular Mercury retrograde. However, as Mercury backs away from Mars and Mars continues to head toward Libra, that should dissipate. 

When Mercury is retrograde, as always, it makes for a time of reflection and reconsideration. Is that stuff that’s going haywire totally out of the blue, or can we make it easier for ourselves in the future by, say, leaving a little earlier before we’re scheduled to be somewhere, or by cleaning out the gunk in our sink drains before everything backs up? I use those two examples because Virgo is a sign generally associated with punctuality and cleanliness, so Mercury’s lessons during this retrograde may manifest in those two areas.

Virgo is all about routine, so it’s time to rethink your everyday routines to mitigate future snafus. 

On September 4th, Mercury makes a nice aspect to Jupiter, the planet of growth and expansion, which will be at 15 degrees of Taurus. Then right around 7 am EDT on September 6th, Mercury is exactly conjunct the Sun (in cazimi). Those are the only major aspects it makes during the retrograde, and those are generally pretty pleasant. 

The rule of Mercury retrograde is patience. Frustrations may present themselves, but you knew they were coming. Be patient and remember that Mercury retrogrades don’t last that long.

Venus Cazimi

We are nearing the halfway point of the Venus retrograde period, and a Venus cazimi will occur on Sunday, August 13th, at about 7:10am EDT. “Cazimi” is an astrology term that refers to the configuration formed when a planet is conjunct the Sun, or “in the heart of the Sun.”

Cazimis happen fairly regularly, but this Sun-Venus alignment, which will occur at 20 degrees of Leo, is noteworthy because it marks Venus’s transition from evening star to morning star, as it crosses the sun in its retrograde journey.

It’s also an opportune time for reflection, clarification, and manifestation. This is because of the combination of energies that will be present with the Sun and Venus meeting up. 

The Sun, which represents the true self and our purpose, meets up with the planet that rules relationships, love, beauty, money, wealth, and that which we value. This conjunction will assist us in sussing out our hearts’ true desires from what we don’t actually want. Venus will still be retrograde until September 3rd, but this second phase of that trajectory should feel a little easier than the first and should offer more clarity on anything Venus-ruled you have been feeling confused about over the last 3 weeks. Use this cazimi’s influence to reflect on what you really, truly want in your life and put that out into the universe.