Aquarium Age - Transformational Astrology

It’s a threshold week and as always when we’re in the midst of transitions, major or minor, expected or unexpected, life often turns uncomfortable and disconcerting even as we make efforts to adjust to the new situation. One of the thresholds we are crossing this week is the autumn equinox on September 22, signaling not just the move from Virgo to Libra but a new perspective as the days and nights shift into a new season. There are plenty of reasons to be melancholy as the weather shifts and the days and nights grow increasingly cooler. We are moving to the end of a really strange year that was discombobulating because of all the necessary adjustments that needed to be made. We are used to the shift from summer to fall but this year the change of season feels just a little more poignant.

Perhaps Queen Elizabeth II’s death is the source of this poignancy for many—she embodied history by her place in history and through her death we’ve become undeniably aware that those days are gone. Long gone. While our social situation has improved in some ways over the seventy years of her reign, I can’t help but feel that the huge turnout of mourners—the queue was 750,000 strong in London—was fueled by a longing for times gone by, when so many issues were swept under the carpet that few of us realized just how bad things were for so many of our fellow travelers. And now we are achingly, painfully aware of the suffering that surrounds us—and has always been there—and the magnitude of that misery has made us hyper-aware of what has to change in order for all of us to survive. These are tumultuous times and they grow increasingly intense and uncomfortable, which intensifies figuring out how to navigate the ebb and flow—for that is the task at hand: how to live with uncertainty. 

This week, a brief T-square on September 22, comprised of the Moon in Leo, Saturn in Aquarius, and Uranus in Taurus, dominates the astral news. It’s brief because the Moon moves fairly quickly and only lasts a day in proximity to Saturn and Uranus. T-squares always indicate tension but because this one is so brief, we may not feel its effect as keenly. The components of this configuration are all in Fixed Signs, which means lots of us are likely to stubbornly stick to our opinions rather than listening to others with respect.

The autumnal equinox occurs on September 22 at 9:04 PM EDT. The chart for this change of season includes a trine between the Sun at 0° Libra and Venus in Virgo (in a wide conjunction to the Sun, by degree but not by Sign), the Ascendant in Taurus, and Pluto in Capricorn. This is a positive, grounded configuration that bodes well for the next season, but only if we do the necessary work to make good use of this aggregation of practical planetary influences. Try not to squander this positive force; it is the energetic signature of the coming season, and thus possible to harness long after we cross the seasonal threshold.

I heard from a fellow astrologer that there is a rumor going around about a difficult astrological interaction at the time of the equinox or a couple of days later. I don’t see it—maybe I need a new ephemeris or astrological glasses. But it started me thinking about all the dire predictions that float through the ether these days and combine with the conspiracy theories that also abound in cyberspace. Oy… we are increasingly influenced by these theories and many of our fellow travelers seem to have lost the ability to think critically about such theories and deconstruct them. I am all about honoring intuition (after all, it’s how I earn my living) but just because you feel something doesn’t make it so. Learning how to discern what is an intuitive hit versus what is a bad dream or wishful thinking is an important skill to develop. In our topsy-turvy world, where liars and cheaters are so frequently honored, honing the skill to discern the true from the false grows more important every day. Neither the Queen nor Hillary Clinton ran or run a pedophile ring; Bill Gates didn’t put a chip in the COVID vaccine, and Anthony Fauci is a good man, not an agent of the devil. And if you want to get married during Mercury Retrograde, go ahead. If the marriage doesn’t work out, you can always blame the planets rather than take personal responsibility.

Sun Bursts:  If you know your Ascendant and/or your Moon Sign, read that too.

Aries March 21-April 19
It’s okay to disagree with the values of others; there’s no need to surrender your values in order to keep the peace. Be clear about what you value and why and let that clarity hold steady while you attempt to understand differences of opinion, which will help you to make positive progress in your negotiations.

Taurus April 20-May 20
You could experience difficulties with partners, personal or professional, especially if you insist that your way is the only way. If you can stay balanced and open as you listen to other points of view, you will create an atmosphere that includes rather than excludes and that will create and extend goodwill.

Gemini May 21-June 21
There’s no need to prove true that old adage, “idle hands are the devil’s workshop” but you might end up demonstrating its wisdom, especially this week, when working—having something to do—will create the perfect solution to any tension you are experiencing. So get to work, keep busy, and most importantly, enjoy what you do.

Cancer June 22-July 22
Make creativity and self-expression a priority and you’ll maintain a positive attitude with the power to withstand the tension of the week. You don’t have to write the next masterpiece or paint it or even grow it in your garden. All that is required is the ability to immerse yourself in a process that strengthens your confidence.

Leo July 23-August 22
It’s a deeply emotional week that’s likely to have you longing to rest in bed under the cozy covers, taking care of yourself. Have at it—there’s no need to push yourself over this threshold; you can take your time processing all your feelings. Don’t worry if you hit a vein of sorrow—taking the time to truly grieve can be quite healing.

Virgo August 23-September 22
Your week is all about service—how you can be of service without sacrificing yourself and how you can help others to meet their needs without abandoning your own. This is not necessarily an easy balance to establish and maintain, but if you make it a priority to examine your motivations, you’ll find it’s easier than you anticipated.

Libra September 23-October 22
Focus on issues of self-worth and self-esteem. Yes, I know that a lot of your sense of self comes from your relationships with others, but that’s true because you’re using those interactions as a mirror. What if you had no one to bounce off of? Would you still know your true value? Embrace this process and you’ll embrace a new attitude.

Scorpio October 23-November 21
It’s all about self-assertion, and I don’t mean that in a forceful sense. There are opportunities to explore how to assert your authority without diminishing others—and yes, this is no easy feat. But it is a worthwhile endeavor to undertake at this threshold because it requires you to be clear about who you are and what you want.

Sagittarius November 22-December 21
Listen closely to your intuition and inner guidance as you attempt to navigate your way through challenges that just won’t seem to budge. They will eventually move, but pushing the river and fighting the resistance won’t help. This is about patience and respect and keeping your own counsel.

Capricorn December 22-January 19
Part of the problems you’re experiencing are attributable to that age-old feeling that you are alone in dealing with all that’s happening. That may be true, but you don’t have to use it as an excuse. There are opportunities to work with others; you just have to be open to those possibilities—make the most of them.

Aquarius January 20-February 18
Just be all you, all the time, and try not to let anyone steal your thunder or joy. Yes, we are still in the retrograde universe, but that doesn’t have to affect you or the steps you’re taking to make forward progress. Your natural charismatic presence coupled with your enthusiasm will turn the tide in your favor.

Pisces February 19-March 20
Use this phase to examine what it is you believe in and why. This isn’t about giving up your cherished ideals or abandoning your faith. This process is about contemplating the basis of your values. Once you identify that foundation, you can make whatever adjustments may be necessary to refine it.