Wow! The first half of September features a potent Virgo solar eclipse, a powerful Saturn-Neptune square, and six intense T squares peaking or starting! We also have Jupiter entering Libra, three different asteroid goddess–outer planet aspects and much more. Fasten your seat belts!
Click astrology graphics to see larger images.
9/1 (Thu)
Virgo Solar Eclipse
A solar eclipse lines up today at 5:03:03 AM EDT (9°21′ Virgo). This is the second of three late-summer eclipses in August and September, and is by far the most powerful!
For starters, like any Virgo New Moon, this is a great time for new beginnings in service, health, fine-tuning, or working with systems and procedures.
The power of an eclipse is partly determined by how close the luminaries (the Sun and Moon) are to the lunar nodes. In this case, they’re pretty darn close: just over 3° apart!
Aspects
Counting conservatively, there are five aspect patterns in this eclipse that involve the luminaries. (With some creative accounting, I could stretch it to eight!) I’ll interpret each one separately in a moment, but here’s the laundry list:
- T-Square: Moon-Sun-Mars-Saturn-Neptune-Lunar Nodes
- Thor’s Hammer: Moon-Sun-Saturn-Uranus-North Node
- Mystic Rectangle #1: Moon-Sun-Vesta-Neptune-Pluto-Lunar Nodes
- Mystic Rectangle #2: Moon-Sun-Juno-Ceres-Neptune-Lunar Nodes
- Double Pointed Kite: Moon-Sun-Ceres-Juno-Neptune-Pluto-Lunar Nodes
The Double-Pointed Kite also contains three simpler aspect patterns:
- Grand Trine: Moon-Sun-Ceres-Pluto-North Node
- Single-Pointed Kite: Moon-Sun-Ceres-Neptune-Pluto-Lunar Nodes, and
- Single-Pointed Kite: Moon-Sun-Ceres-Juno-Pluto-North Node
As you can see, this is a solar eclipse of considerable complexity. But I’ll keep my explanations as simple as I can while still giving you the most juicy information!
T-Square: Moon-Sun-Mars-Saturn-Neptune-Lunar Nodes
In simpler terms, this is the eclipse aligning with the Mars-Saturn-Neptune T-square that started on 8/26, peaks today and ends on 9/3. But the eclipse gives this T-square a new lease on life. Instead of expiring in two days, its effects will be felt for another six to 12 months!
Here’s a slightly shorter version of what I wrote about this T-square on 8/26:
On the low side, a Mars-Saturn-Neptune T-square can flare up self-destructive urges that can include:
- overdoing drugs, alcohol or other substances,
- excessive escapism (food, drugs, sex, games, internet, etc.)
- playing the martyr in a relationship, or
- aimless drifting.
A more life-affirming use of this T-square could include:
- deepening your conscious connection to the divine within,
- birthing your creative inspirations into the world, and
- offering service to others as intuitively guided.
We live in a free will zone. What will you choose?
Thor’s Hammer: Moon-Sun-Saturn-Uranus-North Node
The major players in this Moon-Sun-Saturn-Uranus-North Node Thor’s Hammer are Saturn and Uranus. At first glance they would appear to have irreconcilable differences. Uranus can be radical, Saturn conservative. Uranus operates by intuitive flash, while Saturn just wants to plan the work and work the plan.
But I’ve never met any combination of astrological forces that wouldn’t play well together. In this case, I follow one of my core principles: let the outermost planet lead. The planets beyond Saturn are transpersonal and more easily embody divine intelligence. And it’s been my experience that divine smarts trump human smarts every time!
So with Uranus and Saturn, listen for the intuitive flashes that Uranus constantly broadcasts. Then put Saturn to work making a strategy to implement them. With both planets in fire signs, they’ll be chomping at the bit to team up!
Mystic Rectangle #1: Moon-Sun-Vesta-Neptune-Pluto-Lunar Nodes
I see the main event of the Moon-Sun-Vesta-Neptune-Pluto-Lunar Nodes Mystic Rectangle as the energies of Pluto and Neptune flowing to Vesta. Vesta represents fine-tuning yourself, much like an athlete training for competition. Once you’re in good condition, you then answer the second Vesta call: put your finely honed skills to use serving a higher cause.
An optional use of Vesta is the use of sexual and orgasmic energy to fuel manifestation. I covered this in depth in my 6/1/16 forecast.
Pluto and Neptune energize Vesta with spiritual power and transformative flow. If used in a sexual context, they can energize spiritual (Neptune) sexuality (Pluto).
Mystic Rectangle #2: Moon-Sun-Juno-Ceres-Neptune-Lunar Nodes
This solar eclipse’s second Mystic Rectangle includes the Moon, Sun, Juno, Ceres, Neptune and the lunar nodes. Here I mainly feel Neptune flowing energy to Ceres and Juno. On the simplest level, Juno and Ceres respectively represent wife and mother.
If you’re acting as either of these, how can you open yourself to a stronger divine flow (Neptune) to energize and inspire you in these roles? With soft aspects from Neptune to both asteroid goddesses, this supportive energy is easily available. You can summon these energies using my invocation system, and can customize them to your particular situation by using the “Invocation Construction Kit” instructions near the end of that post.
Double Pointed Kite: Moon-Sun-Ceres-Juno-Neptune-Pluto-Lunar Nodes
Fortunately for us, the Moon-Sun-Ceres-Juno-Neptune-Pluto-Lunar Nodes Double Pointed Kite contains exactly the same points as the two Mystic Rectangles I just interpreted. Since I’ve covered what I feel to be the most helpful interpretations involving these points, there isn’t a lot more to add.
The one extra thing I will say is that the trine between Pluto and Taurean Ceres, who aren’t connected by the Mystic Rectangles, is a lovely abundance booster. Combined with Neptune, which supports visualization and imagination, this double pointed Kite can add fuel to your Law of Attraction workings!
Sabian Symbol
The Sabian Symbol for this solar eclipse is, “Two heads looking out and beyond the shadows.” There’s a lot that isn’t clear about this image. Are the heads looking in the same direction? Are the heads in the shadows? And are the heads even aware of each other?
Given this high level of ambiguity, I have little choice but to go with my gut as I interpret this. I imagine the two heads holding opposite views of a situation. Both can see that there’s light beyond the shadows. One is afraid of traversing the shadowland for fear of being hurt or killed. The other yearns for the light more than anything, and will not let anything stand in their way.
Some Personal Shadow Sharing
Some personal sharing feels appropriate here. In retrospect, I can see that I lived in fear of the shadowland for most of my life. With my move from Oklahoma to Asheville, North Carolina in 2001 to live my dream at the age of 41, I gradually became the one yearning for the light no matter what.
At that time, publicly proclaiming myself to be a professional singer-songwriter, instead of the corporate foodservice territory manager I’d been for 15 years, seemed like a big deal. After I released music as a vocation, identifying myself as a professional astrologer, a widely scorned and denigrated profession, seemed even gutsier.
I had to step deep into the shadows to face the hyper-intense fast-track healing and awakening catalyzed by shamanic ayahuasca and San Pedro ceremonies … and then to start doing the professional work as a shamanic healer and awakening activator that spontaneously emerged as a result. I stepped into the roles of healer and awakener very cautiously (Virgo Moon). From the start, I always checked in with my clients to make sure they were genuinely being helped by the energies that flowed through me.
During the early years of this process, I had to face more than my own internal shadowland of doubt and uncertainty. I also had shadows cast at me from people I loved and respected. My romantic partner at the time repeatedly questioned whether I should be calling myself a shamanic healer when, in her opinion, I didn’t possess the necessary skill set. And a shaman whose ayahuasca ceremonies I was attending, and whom I profoundly respected, more tactfully suggested that it might be better to keep my professional focus on astrology.
I seriously contemplated their feedback, but something kept me plugging away. Dogged persistence (Capricorn Stellium in the 6th house) has always been my style when I love something, and my skills have always improved over time. If the personal feedback and public testimonials I’m now getting for my healing and awakening work are any indication, then I can confidently say that I’m consistently helping people with what I do. There are undoubtedly more capable healers and awakeners out there. But as long as I’m called to be of service in these areas, I’ll keep doing the best I can.
I expect that I’ll have many more patches of shadowland to cross. But I have faith that the divine help I need to cross them will be there, just as it has always been.
So How Does My Story Relate to You?
Each of us has a unique shadowland. We each choose our own time and method of crossing it, or can try to avoid shadowland entirely. (I don’t think avoidance is a workable long-term strategy, but we do live in a free will zone!)
You can limit yourself to doing your shadow work only when circumstances trigger it. Or you can make a lifestyle of proactively facing your shadow in order to accelerate your personal and spiritual evolution. The faster you peel layers off the Great Onion of Consciousness, the brighter the light at the center shines forth! If you, like me, are a fast-tracker, here are a few of the many modalities you might benefit from exploring:
- Shamanic ceremonies
- Holotropic Breathwork or one of its many variants
- The Work of Byron Katie
- Hypnosis
- Nonviolent Communication
- ManKind Project (men only)
- Woman Within (women only)
- Group or individual sessions with a certified Shadow Work Facilitiator
- Shamanic Healing sessions with me
A Final Thought on This Sabian Symbol
This Symbol’s reference to two heads reminds me of a classic Woody Allen one-liner: “The problem with men is that they have two heads, but only enough blood to run one at a time.” It’s important that we keep our sense of humor when dealing with things as intense as this eclipse!
Mystic Rectangle: Sun-Vesta-Neptune-Pluto
A Sun-Vesta-Neptune-Pluto Mystic Rectangle starts today (9/1), peaks on 9/6 and ends on 9/11. I already discussed this aspect pattern as part of my solar eclipse interpretation above.
T-square Peaks: Sun-Mars-Neptune
A Sun-Mars-Neptune T-square that started on 8/26 peaks today and ends on 9/3. I covered this in my solar eclipse interpretation above.
Today’s Sun-Saturn square (10°5′ Virgo-Sagittarius) is part of the Sun-Saturn-Neptune T-square that peaks tomorrow. See that interpretation to understand this aspect in its larger context.
9/2 (Fri)
T-square Peaks : Sun-Saturn-Neptune
A Sun-Saturn-Neptune T-square that started on 8/25 peaks today (9/2) and ends on 9/8. This gives still more stimulation to the Saturn-Neptune square opportunities that you may have memorized by now from my forecasts: Law of Attraction manifestation, embodied awakening, and conscious dissolution of whatever doesn’t serve you. Whichever you do, the Sun’s placement in Virgo can increase your desire to get the details right, and put appropriate emphasis on health and service.
Today’s Sun-Neptune opposition (10°37′ Virgo-Pisces) is part of the Sun-Saturn-Neptune T-square that peaks today. See that interpretation to understand this aspect in its larger context.
All types of self-refinement are empowered by a Pluto-Vesta opposition (15°4′ Capricorn-Cancer). This aspect can also energize your service to a higher cause and the use of sexual energy to shamanically empower your manifestations. Pluto and Vesta will remain in orb through 10/1.
The rulers of writing and publishing come together as Mercury conjoins Jupiter (28°34′ Virgo). This is a fantastic energy for communicating insights to the world in order to serve others! Just be sure to give other folks space to share their insights too.
9/3 (Sat)
Your thinking and communication can receive a steady dose of inspiration from a Mercury-Saturn quintile (28°8′ Virgo-10°8′ Sagittarius).
9/4 (Sun)
Committed partnerships of any kind that are in harmony with your soul purpose will receive smooth, supportive energy from a Neptune-Juno trine (10°34′ Pisces-Scorpio). At the same time, this aspect will tend to dissolve committed partnerships that don’t serve highest good. With Juno in Scorpio, this is also a great opportunity to initiate or deepen sacred sexual connection. This Neptune-Juno trine remains in orb through 10/5.
9/5 (Mon)
You can more easily paradigm shift into greater feminine assertiveness under a Uranus-Pallas Athena sextile (23°57′ Aries-Aquarius). This aspect, which can also light up your strategic ingenuity and practical creativity, is in orb all the way through 12/22!
9/6 (Tue)
Mystic Rectangle Peaks: Sun-Vesta-Neptune-Pluto
The Sun-Vesta-Neptune-Pluto Mystic Rectangle that started on 9/1 peaks today (9/6) and ends on 9/11.
T-square Begins: Sun-Mars-Chiron
The Sun-Mars-Chiron T-square that starts today, peaks on 9/14 and ends on 9/22 has lots of juicy possibilities. (Note that this T-square includes a Virgoan Sun, Sagittarian Mars and Piscean Chiron.) Focus your energy into your areas of interest:
- Some of your shadow material may get triggered. If so, you may find my healing invocation helpful.
- Educate yourself about healing, mentoring, health and/or spiritual awakening
- Teach others about these things
- Do some sexual healing
- Heal the old wounds that are stopping you from stepping out more fully into the world as a leader, pioneer, entrepreneur and/or warrior.
9/7 (Wed)
Today’s Sun-Pluto trine (15°1′ Virgo-Capricorn) is part of the Sun-Vesta-Neptune-Pluto Mystic Rectangle that started on 9/1, peaked on 9/6 and ends on 9/11. See that interpretation to understand this aspect in its larger context.
Venus makes two aspects today: a Venus-Saturn sextile (10°16′ Libra-Sagittarius) and a Venus-Neptune quincunx (10°29′ Libra-Pisces). This energizes the Venus\Libra Law of Attraction possibilities of Neptune (visualization and imagination) and Saturn (crystallization and manifestation). How do you want your relationships, finances and creativity to change? Now would be a great time to cultivate those new realities!
9/8 (Thu)
T-square Begins: Venus-Vesta-Pluto
Life-transforming service to a higher cause – possibly through creative expression or one-on-one relating – is energized by a Venus-Vesta-Pluto T-square. This aspect pattern would also support you in bringing positive change to the cause you’re serving. It begins today (9/8), peaks on 9/12 and ends on 9/15.
T-square Begins: Mercury-Mars-Chiron
Diving into an adventurous healing process is one way to use a Mercury-Mars-Chiron T-square that starts today (9/8), peaks on 9/11 and ends on 9/15. This aspect pattern includes Virgoan Mercury, Sagittarian Mars and Piscean Chiron. You could also send out a healing message, educate yourself about sexual healing, or get more comfortable as a warrior, pioneer or adventurer!
9/9 (Fri)
Jupiter Enters Libra
Jupiter enters Libra today, where it will remain through 10/11/17. Jupiter naturally amplifies whatever sign it’s in, so the energies of relating and creating will be stronger during its 13-month tour of the Sign of the Scales.
Catch the intuitive flash first, then flesh out any necessary details. That would be a great way to use a Mercury-Uranus quincunx (23°49′ Virgo-Aries). Setting aside some quiet time each day will increase your likelihood of receiving these “text messages from God.”
9/10 (Sat)
Saturn-Neptune Square
One of the biggest astrological events of 2016 is a potent Saturn-Neptune square (10°24′ Sagittarius-Pisces). This is a match made in heaven for Law of Attraction manifestation, dissolving structures that don’t serve you, and embodying divine consciousness in your everyday life!
Let’s look at the big picture first. The following paragraph is a bit technical, but you’ll be past it before you know it! :-)
This Saturn-Neptune square was in orb, but not yet exact, December 2014 through early May of 2015. Saturn and Neptune took a breather, then came back into orb (close enough to connect energetically) in late September of 2015. Their square was exact on 11/26/15 and 6/17/16, lines up exactly for the final time today (9/10), and remains in orb through mid-November.
I couldn’t much improve on what I wrote about the Saturn-Neptune square on 6/17, so I’m giving you a slightly edited version of that interpretation here.
Law of Attraction Work
One great way to use Saturn-Neptune aspects is with Law of Attraction work. (For a brief Law of Attraction primer, see The Law of Attraction Made Simple.) In this context, Neptune represents visualization and imagination, while Saturn represents crystallization and material manifestation.
Everyone’s manifestation juju is amplified thru mid-November while the Neptune-Saturn square is in orb. To learn why Saturn and Neptune have this effect, see An Astrological Signature for the Law of Attraction.
Dissolution
Another of the archetypal possibilities of this aspect is the dissolution (Neptune) of the structures (Saturn) that don’t serve you. These structures could be physical or energetic: material objects, relationships, ways of thinking and ways of being.
I recommend releasing these things intentionally. You might as well, since the things in your life that have passed their due date will be slipping away in any case! :-)
Embodied Awakening
My all-time favorite use of Saturn-Neptune aspects is to integrate my ecstatic divine consciousness (Neptune) into my 3D reality (Saturn). If you don’t already have a quick and effective way to do this, and want to routinely experience more harmony, flow, ease and grace in your life, check out my free Heal and Awaken Invocations.
Other Saturn-Neptune Considerations
We can deepen our Saturn-Neptune interpretation by adding Saturn’s sign, Sagittarius. Its meanings include:
- higher education,
- religion,
- philosophy,
- foreign influences and travel,
- the call to adventure,
- teaching others about the meaning of life,
- celebration,
- euphoria and
- unlimited abundance!
Be mindful of what you have going on in these areas. If there’s a lot of flow, ease and inspiration, Neptune’s giving them a big thumbs-up. If things are dissolving away no matter what you do, it’s time to let them go.
Why haven’t I talked about Neptune’s sign? Because it’s Pisces, which has exactly the same meaning as Neptune. So Neptune’s placement in the sign that it co-rules gives us no additional information.
Today’s Mercury-Chiron opposition is part of the Mercury-Mars-Chiron T-square that started on 9/8, peaks on 9/11 and ends on 9/15. Please see that interpretation to understand this aspect in its larger context.
9/11 (Sun)
T-square Peaks: Mercury-Mars-Chiron
The Mercury-Mars-Chiron T-square that started on 9/8 peaks today and ends on 9/15.
T-square Begins: Venus-Vesta-Uranus
A Venus-Vesta-Uranus T-square begins today (9/11), peaks on 9/16 and ends on 9/20. Since it shares two planets with another T-square (Venus-Vesta-Pluto, active through 9/15), their interpretations are similar. Both call for serving a higher cause through creativity or one-on-one relating. But Venus-Vesta-Uranus holds more breakthrough energy, with the potential to bring change much more quickly. And with Uranus in the mix, be sure to follow your intuitive flashes!
Powerful transformation in your relationships and creativity, or amplification of the good juju that’s already there, are the most likely manifestations of a Venus-Pluto square (14°59′ Libra-Capricorn). The square is also part of the Venus-Vesta-Pluto T-square that peaks tomorrow.
9/12 (Mon)
T-square Peaks: Venus-Vesta-Pluto
The Venus-Vesta-Pluto T-square that started on 9/8 peaks today (9/12) and ends on 9/15.
Communicate passionately, but avoid hostile language, with Mercury square Mars (20°49′ Virgo-Sagittarius). The square can also provide plenty of energy for fine-tuning, service to others and attention to health. All of this is further energized by a Sun-Mercury conjunction (20°37′ Virgo), which also supports detail-oriented learning.
9/13 (Tue)
Athletics, exercise and sex are among the boisterous (and girlsterous) activities energized by a Sun-Mars square (21°28′ Virgo-Sagittarius). Get out and move your body! This square is also part of the Sun-Mars-Chiron T-square that peaks tomorrow.
9/14 (Wed)
T-square Peaks: Sun-Mars-Chiron
The Sun-Mars-Chiron T-square that started on 9/6 peaks today (9/14) and ends on 9/22.
9/15 (Thu)
Today’s Mars-Chiron square (22°53′ Sagittarius-Pisces) is part of the Sun-Mars-Chiron T-square that started on 9/6, peaked yesterday and ends on 9/22. Please see that interpretation to understand this square in its larger context.
Today’s Sun-Chiron opposition (22° 55′ Virgo-Pisces) is also part of that Sun-Mars-Chiron T-square. In addition to the meanings of that T-square, this opposition could stir up some of your shadow material, or energize you to step out as a healer or mentor for others.
What adjustments you do need to make to be the most authentic version of yourself? To catch and follow your intuitive flashes? To serve the collective with your greatest gifts that you most love using? Make them now with the Sun quincunx Uranus (23°37′ Virgo-Aries)!
Void-of-Course Moons
It’s best to avoid starting important new projects or making major purchases during void-of-course Moons. “Business as usual” is the optimal strategy. Void-of-course Moons occur when the Moon has made her last major Ptolemaic aspect, but has not yet moved into her next sign.
9/2, 6:13 pm – 8:55 pm, Libra
9/4, 8:30 pm – 9/5, 8:38 am, Scorpio
9/7, 8:43 pm – 9:20 pm, Sagittarius
9/9, 8:51 pm – 9/10, 8:55 am, Capricorn
9/12, 6:00 am – 5:29 pm, Aquarius
9/14, 11:31 am – 10:23 pm, Pisces
Whatever your Sun Sign, AstroShaman’s forecasts can help you make the best use of the current astrological energies.
All dates and times are in the U.S. eastern time zone. Events are most powerful on the dates listed, but their influence will be active for at least several days before and after.
Everyone is affected by these global transits. However, you’ll be most powerfully impacted when moving planets activate sensitive points in your natal chart.
Discover how these transits will personally affect you by booking a session with me. Learn more about my Astrology+ sessions.
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