The Sun is in Virgo until September 22, highlighting a focus on health, organization, and attention to detail. This period is great for refining routines, improving productivity, and focusing on wellness. On September 22, the Sun moves into Libra, ushering in a period where balance, relationships, and harmony take center stage. The energy shifts towards social interactions, partnerships, and finding equilibrium in various aspects of life.
The Full Moon in Pisces on September 17 brings heightened emotions, intuition, and spiritual awareness. It's a time for creative inspiration, compassion, and releasing any pent-up feelings. The Pisces energy can make things feel dreamy or surreal, so it’s essential to stay grounded.
Also on September 17th, a Full Moon Lunar Eclipse occurs, asking us to consider our spiritual and emotional wellness. The key to balance lies in identifying and expressing our spiritual needs while maintaining order in our everyday lives. This is the first in a set of eclipses falling along the Virgo-Pisces axis, and this set will continue until February 2027. This Lunar Eclipse can serve as the initial prompt, nudge, or push to make improvements in Virgo- and Pisces-ruled areas of life in our charts. Feelings of discontent can magnify.
On September 1st, Uranus turns retrograde in the sign of Taurus, and will remain retrograde until January 30th, 2025. This cycle is a time for a more conservative approach to pursuing our goals. With Uranus retrograde, our desire for change turns inward, prompting us to identify what might be holding us back from living more authentically. This is a less rebellious time. However, as the shift occurs in the surrounding week of the retrograde turn, the Uranian energy becomes heavier and more apparent, leading to some tension. It’s important to remember that this tension is temporary and will ease as we adapt to the directional change.
Also on September 1st, retrograde Pluto returns to the sign of Capricorn after a stay in Aquarius. Pluto first left Capricorn on March 23rd, 2023, when it first dipped its toes in Aquarius. But Pluto later turned retrograde and returned to Capricorn on June 11th, 2023, then entered Aquarius again on January 20th, 2024. On September 1st, 2024, Pluto returns to Capricorn for the final time. On November 19th, 2024, Pluto will head into Aquarius and stay there consistently. Until then, it’s a time for one last mission in Capricorn, which stands for government, authority, big business, corporations, structures, rules, and traditions.
On September 2nd, the New Moon occurs in Virgo. This lunation prompts us to begin anew and promises opportunities to take charge of our lives by organizing, editing, refining, and paying better attention to our health. We’re ready to take charge of our daily routines, work, or pursuit of wellness. It is perfect for setting intentions around health, work, and service. This is a time to initiate new projects, improve daily habits, and focus on practical matters.
Venus, the planet of love and beauty, goes direct in Leo on September 4, bringing a renewed focus on romance, creativity, and self-expression. The energy encourages boldness in love and social life, making it a great time for creative projects and rekindling passions.
On September 25th, Saturn forms a semi-square with Pluto. This is the second of three formations, the first of which happened in May 2024 and the third in the set to occur in January 2025. This outer planet transit with longer-term influence points to possible power struggles, frustration, and manipulation. We may recognize a need for change, but feel blocked by others or circumstances; however we might be stubborn and attempt to hold on to what has worked for us in the past. Persistence will pay off in the end, and the need to adjust our expectations becomes obvious.
Mars, the planet of action, is in Libra throughout September. Mars in Libra focuses on collaboration, diplomacy, and fairness, though it can sometimes lead to indecision. It's a good time for cooperative efforts and balancing assertiveness with tact.
Jupiter, the planet of expansion, is retrograde in Taurus this month. This transit encourages reflection on financial matters, personal values, and long-term goals. It’s a period for reassessing resources and how to grow in a sustainable way.
Saturn continues its retrograde journey in Pisces, urging a review of spiritual beliefs, boundaries, and emotional responsibilities. This is a time to solidify what really matters on a soul level and make necessary adjustments to align with your true self.
September’s astrological influences are about finding balance, refining your daily routines, and focusing on relationships and personal growth. The shift from Virgo to Libra energy mid-month will bring a change from introspective, detail-oriented tasks to a more outward focus on harmony and connection with others.
Autumnal Equinox
The September equinox in 2024 occurs on Sunday, September 22. This equinox, known as the Autumnal Equinox in the Northern Hemisphere and the Vernal Equinox in the Southern Hemisphere, marks the moment when the Sun crosses the celestial equator, heading southward.
During the equinox, day and night are approximately equal in length all over the world. After the Autumnal Equinox, the days become shorter and the nights longer in the Northern Hemisphere, signifying the beginning of autumn. Conversely, in the Southern Hemisphere, the Vernal Equinox marks the start of spring, with days becoming longer than nights.
Celebrations
The equinox is observed and celebrated by a variety of cultures, religions, and communities around the world. Here are some groups and traditions that honor the equinox:
In many Pagan and Wiccan traditions, the Autumnal Equinox is celebrated as Mabon, the second of three harvest festivals. It’s a time to give thanks for the harvest and to recognize the balance between light and dark. Celebrations often include feasting, offering thanks, and performing rituals focused on balance and gratitude. In the Southern Hemisphere, the September equinox corresponds with Ostara, a festival marking the Spring Equinox. This celebration focuses on renewal, fertility, and the reawakening of the earth after winter.
Many people celebrate the equinox as a time of spiritual reflection, balance, and connection to nature. This includes those who practice mindfulness, meditation, and earth-based spirituality.
In some cultures, the equinox marks significant seasonal festivals. For instance, in the UK, some communities may observe Harvest Festival around the equinox, celebrating the gathering of crops.
The equinox is also celebrated by those with an interest in astronomy, as it represents a key moment in the Earth’s journey around the Sun. Observers might mark the day by watching the sunrise or sunset, noting the equal length of day and night, or attending events at observatories and planetariums.
These celebrations highlight the importance of the equinox in connecting human culture with the cycles of nature, reflecting a shared appreciation for balance, transition, and the natural world.
Here are some ways to honor and celebrate the September equinox:
1. Spend time outdoors to connect with the changing season. Observe the subtle shifts in nature, such as the changing colors of leaves or the crispness in the air. It's a great time to reflect on the balance between day and night, light and dark.
2. Practice meditation or yoga with a focus on balance and harmony. You can meditate on the concept of equilibrium, aligning yourself with the energies of the equinox. Many people find it beneficial to set intentions for the coming season during this time.
3. Prepare a meal that features seasonal foods, such as root vegetables, apples, pumpkins, and grains. Sharing a meal with loved ones is a traditional way to celebrate the harvest and give thanks for the abundance of the season.
4. Lighting a bonfire or candles can symbolize the balance between light and dark, as well as the transition into the darker half of the year. It's a time to reflect on what you want to let go of and what you wish to bring into your life during the coming months.
5. Set up an altar with symbols of autumn, such as leaves, acorns, pine cones, and harvest produce. You might also include candles, crystals, or other objects that represent balance and transition for you.
6. Engage in traditional harvest activities like apple picking, visiting a pumpkin patch, or making preserves. These activities honor the agricultural roots of the equinox and help connect you with the earth’s cycles.
7. Reflect on the past season and set intentions for the new one. Journaling can help you process any transitions in your life and clarify your goals as you move forward. Consider writing about themes of balance, change, and growth.
8. Watch the sunrise or sunset on the day of the equinox to mark the balance between day and night. This can be a peaceful and grounding way to connect with the rhythms of nature.
9. Engage in a ritual that symbolizes balance, such as balancing objects (like stones or eggs) or performing actions that require focus and equilibrium. This can be a physical way to embody the equinox’s theme of balance.
10. Plant bulbs or seeds that will grow in the spring. This act symbolizes faith in the future and the cyclical nature of life. It’s a way to connect with the idea of renewal and preparation for the next growing season.
These activities can help you attune to the natural rhythms of the earth and the changing seasons, providing a moment of reflection and connection during the equinox.
