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Hello, everyone.

Here we are at the beginning of September – we made it!  The planetary aspects of this past summer (winter in southern hemisphere) were a very rare combination that played out on the world stage dramatically.  Whether our business lives were jolted by these planets at war with each other depends on whether they were in a position to impact our natal or business charts.  One thing is certain:  you know it if they were.

In case you are wondering how to get the most out of this monthly forecast, check out this link.  Some time ago a reader asked about it and you’ll see my instructions when you follow the link.

On to September.  What are the planetary influences this month and how can we work with them?

  • We’ll start with the most long-range and overarching influences, the planets Pluto, Neptune, and Uranus, which you will notice do not travel far from month to month but stay in the same sector of the sky for many years.  These form the backdrop to our personal lives, affecting matters on a global stage.
  • Then we will look at the mid-range influences, Jupiter and Saturn, which stay in the same sign for 1 – 2.5 years.  These planets represent our interactions with our societal environment, its rules, regulations, belief systems, and benefits.
  • We’ll look at the personal planets, Mars, Venus, Mercury, and the Sun which stay in their respective signs for much shorter periods and primarily influence our day-to-day lives.
  • And last we’ll look at the sign and dates for the New and Full Moon, as these mark the waxing and waning cycles in our daily lives.

Pluto in Capricorn

We’ve spoken at length about Pluto in Capricorn (see category at right), where it will remain until 2024.  In a nutshell, this long transit will bring deep change and upheaval to many of the structures we have come to rely upon:  government, religion, the economy, industry, and the military, to name a few.  This transit carries the energy of revolution and evolution and can be dramatic and at times overwhelming.  Pluto exposes what is hidden, sometimes for the better and sometimes for the worse.

Pluto hastens and intensifies the processes of endings and new beginnings, and in Capricorn will bring about the ending of our business pursuits that are no longer suited to our growth and personal evolution.  Whatever has been slowly leaking vitality will go ahead and die, including old business models, practices, and products.

This is formidable energy, and your best strategy is to tune in and work with it.  Find an area in your business life in need of renewal and begin the process before Pluto reaches planets in your chart and forces the issue.

Everyone with planets in the first seven degrees of Aries, Cancer, Libra, and Capricorn is already dealing with this energy.  You’ve probably noticed a deeper and deeper probing and cleansing all year long, related to the issues mentioned above.  Pluto transits can be difficult, but when the work is through, they are the most rewarding because we are irrevocably freed from a long-standing, but hidden, issue.

Neptune in Aquarius

With Neptune in Aquarius (see category at right) from 1998 to 2011, we’ve seen a growing global consensus regarding the equal value of all beings, shared responsibility for our planet, the distribution of technology to all nations, and the right of each person to contribute to and further the base of common knowledge.

The best way to work with this energy is to allow your rational mind to open to waves of inspiration from the collective whole, from your local community to the global community.  Expect to be inspired by your neighbors and friends, both near and far.

If you have planets between 25 and 28 degrees of any sign expect to experience a subtle but powerful dissatisfaction with certain areas of your life and a yearning for a more meaningful connection to others.  This disconcerting influence can dissolve the forms in our life that have no real content for us anymore.  This can be disorienting and confusing while it is happening but once deeper connections are made, the benefits are rewarding and long-lasting.

Uranus in Pisces

In July Uranus entered its annual cycle of retrograde motion.  During the entire month of July it slowly travelled back through the very first degree of Aries, and then in August it moved back into Pisces where it will remain until next March.

When Uranus entered Aries last May, we began getting to know a new face of Uranus. Aries is the spark of entrepreneurial spirit, the initiating drive toward independence and individuality.  You may have noticed new ideas incubating and a spirit of bold entrepreneurship in and around your business.  But when Uranus moved into retrograde motion, there was probably a disruption in this full-speed-ahead current.  You may now feel ambivalent or dissatisfied with your new ideas and initiatives.

And when Uranus moved back into Pisces on August 13 there was another major shift. Yes, this is familiar territory; Uranus was in Pisces for most of the last seven years, since March 2003.  But it may feel bizarre to be stepping back in time.  From our new entrepreneurial spirit we again enter the realm of collective ideas.  From our recent forays into a new style of leadership, we fall back into flattened hierarchies and committee decision-making.  From enhanced independence we’re back to collaboration and alliances.

Our whole society will seem to be taking steps backwards.  Must be something more to learn!

Saturn in Libra

In July, Saturn entered the sign of Libra where it will stay until October 2012.  Saturn is exalted in Libra which means it has a special affinity to the sign and if you’re willing to do the work, there is a promised payoff.  See the category to the right on this important transit, but in a nutshell:  what is the work of Saturn in Libra?  To develop patience, persistence, responsibility, and humility in relationships.  What is the payoff?  Cooperation and mutual support.

Last month, Saturn formed a difficult aspect to Pluto in Capricorn (see above).  The stress of this aspect destroyed structures that were no longer working in our businesses (and in our world.)  Now the Saturn energy will begin to build the Libra values of equity, parity, diplomacy, collaboration, and cooperation on the ashes of the past.  Saturn brings a serious and responsible attitude to this time, especially in the areas of partnership and business relationships.

Jupiter in Aries

Let’s review where we’ve been with Jupiter, so we can tell where we stand now.  In June, Jupiter, the planet of opportunity and expansion, entered Aries.  Aries is an initiatory sign and Jupiter thinks big.  Your former goals may have felt too limiting and you may have experienced a passion for growth, expansion, competition, and claiming new territories

Then Jupiter began retrograde motion on July 23.  You may have found your enthusiasm flagging for your new products and plans.  The forward momentum you’d been enjoying may have reversed, and you felt more restrained.  This has been an important phase for realistically assessing how much we can get done, to curtail overdoing and over-committing, and to take the time to slowly grow a project to completion.

This month Jupiter will re-enter Pisces.  The planet of opportunity and expansion, Jupiter is the ancient ruler of Pisces.  This brings a very positive influence to all endeavors that attempt to unite people based on a shared intention for the future, and in retrograde motion, efforts you attempted in the past should be reintroduced.  Jupiter retrograde in Pisces suggests we should work on re-connection. Repair the links you set up between people and your organization.  Reestablish venues for your employees to express their ideas creatively.  Rely on your intuition and feelings; show your employees, customers, and business associates your heart.  This will lead to expansion and profits.

Jupiter remains in retrograde motion until November 18.

Mars in Libra/Scorpio

Mars begins the month in Libra, which is an indication to bide your time and let matters take their course.  Mars, the planet representing action, aggression, and applied energy, is weakened when in Libra.  When Mars is in Libra we are more circumspect and concerned with the impact of our actions on other people.

But when Mars moves into Scorpio on September 14 things will heat up.  Mars is the ancient ruler of Scorpio and is very strong when it is in this sign.  As the famous astrologer Isabel Hickey said, fire (Mars) in a water sign (Scorpio) generates steam.  This is a time when we want to apply our will toward material and financial security and in the best of worlds, real progress can be made.  But Mars in Scorpio can also carry a ruthlessness and vindictiveness that we have to tame.  Develop ways to either let off that steam harmlessly or engineer it to further your goals and no one will get burned.

Venus in Libra/Scorpio

When Venus is in Libra, we find our day-to-day happiness in relationships, art, beauty, fashion, and generally getting along and supporting each other.  We are more than usually accommodating and willing to compromise.  Our social instincts are fair-minded and our business relationships intellectual and rational.  This is a good time for hashing out contracts with everyone’s best interests in mind.

But when Venus enters Scorpio on September 8, the tenor of our happiness changes too.  Your happiness when Venus is in Scorpio is found in emotional and material security.  You may worry more than usual about the balance in your cash accounts and focus your energy on stabilizing your finances.  However, you could go overboard if you are too passionate in your pursuit of security.

Be careful with this one:  permanent alliances can be formed when Venus is in this sign but irrevocable separations can be just as likely.  Long-lasting contractual or financial agreements can be gained at this time but may contain an element of intrigue and the possibility of betrayal.  Review everything carefully and if there are unspoken emotional undertones, make sure you get them out on the table before you commit.

Mercury in Virgo

Mercury is in Virgo all month and this is great for writing, documentation, and detailed project plans.  Also great for getting that bookkeeping caught up!  Mercury in Virgo loves to talk, write, and think about commerce and wants to accomplish practical outcomes by the end of each day.

Mercury is in retrograde motion at the beginning of the month and resumes direct motion on September 12.  This means that almost the entire month will be spent rehashing matters you’ve already covered as Mercury recovers the same ground for the third time:  once in direct motion, then back in retrograde motion, and now again in direct motion.  Three times to get it right!  You may chafe at the holding pattern, but soon Mercury will be moving along at its normal clip and we will be confident that all our ducks are in a row.

Sun in Virgo/Libra

When the Sun is in Virgo, your style of leadership focuses on service.  This is the time to see what others need from you, and then offer it.  This will keep your team productive and you in touch with the practical details of your business.

The entrance of the Sun into Libra marks the equinox, the point in the year when the hours of day are exactly equal to the hours of night.  This exact balance lends its flavor to the sign of Libra.  Leadership in Libra means making sure everyone is treated fairly, with respect, and that everyone’s voice is heard.  When the Sun is in Libra our focus turns to relationships, partnerships, and business negotiations.  It is a diplomatic, friendly, outgoing time but watch for those Scorpio undercurrents I mentioned above.

Phases of the Moon

The New Moon is in Virgo on September 8, waxing to full in Aries on September 23.  We’ll examine the lunar phases in the weekly and daily forecasts in September.

Monthly Recap

The summer/winter is over and we enter a month of transition, both into a new season and into picking up the pieces that have been scattered by the recent planetary events.  Pluto and Mercury resume direct motion mid-month, although there will still be a pull toward reflection and review.  When Mars and Venus enter Scorpio, take care to demonstrate your commitment and loyalty to others and scrutinize all situations to make sure everything is above board.  Once Mercury goes direct it will begin zipping through the sign of Virgo, so take advantage of the end of its stay there to finish up bookkeeping and planning.  When the Sun enters Libra we come into the autumn (spring in the southern hemisphere) season.  Time for change!

Have a great month and let me know how it all plays out!

Key Dates for the Month

September 8              New Moon in Virgo; Venus enters Scorpio; Jupiter Retrograde enters Pisces

September 12             Mercury resumes direct motion

September 13             Pluto resumes direct motion

September 14             Mars enters Scorpio

September 22             Equinox; Sun enters Libra

September 23             Full Moon in Aries

Do you have a question for me? See the “Work with Ellen” tab at the top of this site for my Straight to the Point Response service.

For tips on the best use of Mercury Retrograde, see

10 Best Practices for Mercury Retrograde

Mercury Retrograde – 10 Ways to Engage