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Please note: all times and dates are given in GMT.

August 23-September 12: Mercury is retrograde from 18° to 5° Virgo.

It is quite common for things to be delayed or repeated during a Mercury retrograde period. When in Virgo, little things may go wrong or have to be replaced or repositioned in order to make something larger function better, be this an automobile or a project at work. As Mercury is retrograde on average about 64 days a year, this means that about 17% of the world was born with Mercury in this condition in their natal charts. If you are one of these people, you may just find that as people and events seem to being going backwards around you with delays and mishaps, you are going directly forward!

August 23-31: Jupiter in Aries opposing Saturn in Libra making a T-square to Pluto in Capricorn in the first 3° of these signs.

This is like living within a cosmic accordion squeezing us back and forth between opportunities for adventure and expansion and the responsibilities of our practical like and our relationships. Pluto's part in all of this is to intensify this tension but promises that in its resolution, we will have more personal freedom and power. All of this is particularly found in the lives of people with these early degrees of the cardinal signs prominent in their horoscopes. Our task is to integrate these conflicting orientations and create a clear path through them.

During this same period, Venus and Mars are conjoined covering 16-23° of Libra. The need for closeness, honest, clarity, and true passion with others will be a prominent factor in the lives of many people. Alliances will be formed both in terms of our individual and our collective, political lives. People with these degrees in Libra in their natal chart, will be more strongly involved in their partnerships that ever (which is saying a lot!). This position for people with these degrees in Aquarius and Gemini is very favorable and more challenging for people with these degrees in Aries, Cancer, or Capricorn in their natal charts.

August 23: Sun enters Virgo at 05.28am.
August 24: Full Moon at 1°26' Virgo/Pisces.

This Full Moon focuses on the symbolism of Virgo and Pisces and the need to integrate these two principles. Pisces (the position of the Moon) represents the ocean of compassion and the collecting point for all emotions and life experiences. Virgo (the position of the Sun) is the sign of the practical application of our talents and abilities as well as the urge for healing and self-improvement. The task for all of us now is to see how we can integrate these two principles, drawing from the resources of our collective life experience and creating a path towards greater perfection and service. Often in life the former is a result of the latter.

September 1-7: Venus and Mars continue traveling together covering 21-29° of Libra. Please see my comments above applying these observations to the same signs but in these degrees (21-29) of the zodiac during this time.

September 3: Sun conjunct retrograde Mercury at 10° Virgo.

A good time to observe “Murphy's Law” at work—“If something can go wrong, it will.” Be prepared for minor but frequent mistakes or delays to happen. Not a good time for work that requires precision and a delicate touch.

September 4: Venus trine Neptune at 27° of Libra/Aquarius.

This aspect coupled with the Venus/Mars conjunction is very romantic! If you have any important placements at 26-28° of Gemini, Libra, or Aquarius, take that important person in your life out for a very intimate time. This is also very good for group harmony and relationships between friends.

September 8-13: Venus travels through 0-4° Scorpio while Mars remains in 25-29° Libra and are no longer conjoined.

Misunderstandings in relationships may easily occur during this period (oh how different was the picture when they were both in peace-loving and romantic Libra!). Confusion may easily occur between the platonic and the passionate dynamics between people.

September 8: Venus enter Scorpio at 03:46pm and the New Moon takes place at 15.41 Virgo at 10:31am.

Although astrologers traditionally see the New Moon as a time to begin projects, the ruler of Virgo (Mercury) is retrograde until September 12th. I would advise that before setting forth on any new projects (especially in regards to work or health), that people take a closer look first at what needs to be repaired, fixed, or improved before entering a new creating phase. This is especially the case for people who charts are dominated by planets or positions in Gemini or Virgo.

September 9: Jupiter re-enters Pisces where he stays until January 22, 2011 when he moves into Aries again; Mars trine Neptune at 27 Libra/Aquarius.

The Mars/Neptune contact occurs in the same place and signs as did the Venus/Neptune trine on September 4th. People who are personally affected by this transit (see notes above) will find that there is a great deal of romantic idealism being released into their minds and hearts as well as into their friendships, intimate and group relationships. Enjoy these days (September 4-9) and the enjoyment they will bring but try to make sure that your future plans also have a foot on the ground.

Jupiter's retrograde passage into Pisces means that for the rest of September, Jupiter makes a conjunct at the last degrees of Pisces with Uranus. Jupiter rules thunder and Uranus rules lightening, together, they produce storms and climatic upsets. I have been predicting floods and terrible weather in my various writings and postings for the past few months due to their conjunction in early Aries. As we have seen, such tragic weather patterns have resulted in a great deal of suffering in India, China, Pakistan and other locations in the world. As these two planets continue to conjoin in Pisces (a water sign), I believe that unfortunately such storms and flooding will continue into October.

The positive effects of this conjunction on a personal level may lead to deeper investigations of things spiritual and metaphysical and surprising revelations about life. If they afflict your chart, you may find that there is a flood of idealism without a firm grounding in your practical life.

September 12: Mercury goes direct at 5.23 Virgo at 11:10pm; Venus sextile Pluto at 3° of Scorpio/Capricorn.

A very good day to contemplate future plans with strong practical overtones; allow for a couple of more days so that Mercury is moving forward a bit faster so that the way is more open.

September 14-22: Mars and Venus, though not in conjunction at this time are both traveling through Scorpio.

In the earlier part of this month, these two planets were in Libra, bringing peace and harmony, romance and accord into relationships. They will now be traveling through intense Scorpio for the rest of this Virgo month. This position will increase the sexual component of any relationship, brining to the surface the deeper realities of our relationships. Sexuality as we are aware, either destroys a relationship or allows it to take on a new and hopefully higher evolution.

September 16-18: Mercury sextile Venus at 6° Virgo/Scorpio and Mars sextile Pluto at 3° Scorpio/Capricorn.

I find this combination of planetary forces very favorable for any form of practical activities. If these degrees fall in favorable places in your natal horoscope, you will be able to use these energies to advance career projects, especially those that involve professional relationships.

September 21: Sun opposing the conjunction of Jupiter/Uranus at 28° Virgo/Pisces.

Possible strong storms on this day as well as conflicts between differing religious groups.