So, how was August for you? It feels like the month flew by with a flurry of activity. And yes, it was certainly full of relationships-oriented work and areas for elevation and improvement. Mercury retrograde played its part as well in miscommunications, travel delays, travel reservations changes, and missed appointments. However, it is all part of life, and all was manageable. Every time Mercury goes retrograde, I feel that it teaches me to be more patient and tolerant of everyday life’s challenges, which the modern fast-paced world intensifies.
Now, for the month of September what comes to mind is a question – Should you be interpreting your own natal chart with the help of the Internet? I see people doing this more and more these days as astrology is gaining popularity. Some even set up parties to read each other’s charts without any formal training. I do hope that at some point people start realizing that astrology is not for entertainment purposes and is not a new trend of something cool to do. Rather, it is a tool to be used to help us navigate sometimes challenging waters of life as well as to gain a deeper understanding of ourselves.
What I have seen happen over the years is that astrology novices pick up a thing or two in their own or another person’s chart and hone on it. However, focusing on one planet is not enough. It is like picking up a piece of jigsaw puzzle, seeing that it is green and assuming that the final picture is about the forest. In reality, it could be about busy city life and you only grabbed a piece that makes up a single tree amidst concrete and steel. It is necessary to read the energetic exchange of the entire chart. Otherwise, to some extent, the reading of one planet may become a self-fulfilling prophecy. For example, seeing Pluto in the 1st house may scare someone and make them feel that they are doomed. A novice may even interpret a chart like this as a person being manipulative and power hungry. The conversation that Pluto is having with other planets is very important here. Also, Pluto is a generational and not a personal planet. So, focusing on it is not actually that helpful. Pluto in the first house may have many other interpretations, by the way. This native, could be a brilliant therapist, investigator or have a skill to see through lies. They could also continuously transform themselves to be more authentic to who they are or work on their health issue better than anyone else, amongst other things.
So, could self-interpretation get you in trouble? Yes, it certainly can, if you are not trained in astrology by taking proper classes while working with an experienced astrologer or read tons of reputable books and looked through dozens, if not hundreds, of charts (while interacting with the native). Our charts are a blueprint of what is possible in our lifetime. However, all of us have a free choice about how to act. To be able to properly interpret a chart, you should be able to see the full picture and understand how a conversation of a single planet within the chart is connected to the rest of the chart. What impact does the planet play in relation to its own house? Moon? Sun? What is the condition of the planet? Is it happy, challenged, or neutral? Even planets in difficult positions could have a redeeming quality based on their degrees. A Jupiter in Saturn-ruled house could be happy.
Finally, honing on a difficult placement in someone’s chart and letting them know that they are doomed, is not a good practice of astrology. I think that a deep understanding of the planet itself and its placement is a key. However, this comes with experience, education and interpreting a sizable number of charts. If you want to have fun with your friends and look at the charts together, please do this, by all means. However, I would not dwell on the outcomes too much. If you want to understand your chart and your potential, a consultation with a trained and experienced astrologer is always a better choice and will keep you out of trouble. 😊
—————————————-
September 2024 Transits
Transits described below may feel more impactful if you have personal planets at the listed degrees (plus or minus a couple of degrees) in your natal chart. You can obtain a free copy of your natal chart from astro-seek.com.
September 2-4: Mars square Neptune 29 degrees Gemini and Pisces: This transit tends to make us feel inadequate in some way and to doubt ourselves. Sometimes, during this transit, we need to deal with consequences of the prior actions. We could also feel hopeless regarding our future outcomes. Our physical energy and immune system are also low at this time. These couple of days are good for low energy activities such as restorative yoga, tai-chi or simply working with a charity.
September 7-8: Mercury square Uranus 28 degrees Leo and Taurus: This could be stimulating couple of days with insightful ideas coming out of the blue. Take advantage of this, write these ideas down for later contemplation. Also, go with the flow these couple of days, as Uranus likes us to explore unexpected routes and change our approach to old-worn ones. Be curious about the world around you. Mind your driving and control your impulses though. Also, this could be a good day to take a few minutes and ground yourself throughout the day.
September 8-9: Sun opposition to Saturn 16 degrees Virgo and Pisces: During these couple of days you may feel more deeply restrained in your life or limitations put upon you by people in authority, your family, elders, or people in leadership. This transit may also make us feel lonely and like we have to do everything on our own, which could be overwhelming at times. Our goal here is to find a balance between your needs and your obligations and compromise, if necessary. This is a good transit to work on something rewarding that requires concentration to keep your mind occupied and not remain in the pessimistic state that Saturn may bring. Perhaps you can turn on some uplifting music and work on a puzzle or two?
September 11- 13: Sun square Jupiter 20 degrees Virgo and Gemini: These couple of days are great for us getting ahead in life and making progress on matters that have gotten stale. You need to be mindful of excess in whatever you do today as Jupiter could make us bite more than we can chew. However, in general, you will feel more optimistic and energetic. Also, be mindful of other people’s point of view, they may have something useful to teach you. 😊
Mercury sextile Mars 4 degrees Virgo and Cancer: This should be a busy couple of days. You will have good stamina and energy to make solid progress on an ongoing project. If people cannot keep up with you, don’t take this personally. Work on your own if you need to. Overall, you will feel confident about yourself, your ideas and skills. Take advantage of the opportunities that come your way during this transit.
September 14-15: Venus trine Jupiter 20 degrees Libra and Gemini: Thes are great couple of days to do pretty much anything. This transit brings ease, grace and pleasure into our lives. You may have long-standing issues resolved (especially impacting your Taurus, Libra, Sagittarius, Pisces and Gemini houses) or meet someone who could have a great impact on you in the future (like a beneficial contact, a teacher, or a good friend, for instance). This transit could also benefit your financial and legal matters. Take advantage of this transit.
September 18: Mercury opposition Saturn 15 degrees Virgo and Pisces: This transit inclines us to be serious in our thinking and approach to daily tasks and life in general. We also tend to look for practical implications of everything around us. You may feel a little isolated and lonely today. Remember that during this transit our perception of reality is distorted, especially when it concerns relationships with others. Use this transit for some heavy mental work to take advantage of it, rather than spiraling down into melancholy. Any administrative chores that have been piling up or organizational tasks are most welcome during this transit. It is also a good day to simply talk to someone you respect (maybe a father figure) to gain perspective on things.
September 19-20: Sun trine Uranus 28 degrees Virgo and Taurus: This transit is good to try out new things that you have never done before; or give a try studying astrology or tarot, for instance. Welcoming anything unusual and non-traditional goes well today. This transit tends to bring more excitement into our lives as well and makes us want to be more authentic to who we are.
September 20-21: Sun opposition Neptune 28 degrees Virgo and Pisces: These could be confusing couple of days. While this transit makes us less assertive; it may bring up feelings of sympathy and soul-connection to others at the same time. I would avoid contract negotiations these couple of days as there may be a deception easily overlooked in the process. Instead, enjoy a good movie, inspirational book, meditation, yoga, or charitable work on this day.
September 21: Mercury square Jupiter 20 degrees Virgo and Gemini: This is a good transit overall and makes us feel optimistic and have a positive outlook on life. You will generally have a good foresight on this day to make long-term goals (write these down). Something to consider under this transit is overlooking small details or generally being sloppy (which is increased by Sun opposition to Neptune around the same time). Don’t overdo on your optimism and try not to say something that you may regret later. Also, don’t assume that you have all the answers. 😊 This should be a good day to concentrate on long-term goals.
September 21-22: Sun trine Pluto 29 Virgo and Capricorn: This is a good day to undertake some type of investigation or study (more psychological in nature) or sit with yourself to get a better understanding what motivates you, what you are seeking in life, what changes may be welcome for you at this time. This certainly could be a transit to take advantage of if you are trying to make an impression on someone as Pluto may make you come across as intriguing and powerful to another party. Be open to what comes up for you today, especially in the areas of how your inner workings respond to the world and people around you.
September 22-23: Venus square Pluto 29 Libra and Capricorn: This transit usually brings up intense emotional experiences for us, especially in the areas of close or romantic relationships. This could bring up issues to the surface that did not get proper attention and have to be addressed in order for the relationship to transform for the better and sustain itself. This would be even more visible if the relationship is not equal and one party tends to hold on to the other due to their own insecurities or another party tends to over assert their power. This transit provides a couple of days to re-examine current situation and adjust in order to move forward (if you choose so).
September 25: Mercury opposition Neptune 28 degrees Virgo and Pisces: This transit brings in some confusion and makes details foggy. Also, watch out for someone lying to you or trying to swindle you. However, your intuitive perception is heightened at this time; so, trust it. While this is not the best day for signing contracts (as details may be missed) or strenuous mental work, it is a good day for creative writing and intuitive pursuits. This transit makes us think about the world around us and those less fortunate. Go ahead, treat someone who needs it to a meal or do some charity work. You will feel so much better! 😊
September 26: Mercury trine Pluto 29 degrees Virgo and Capricorn: This is a good transit to dig into details of issues that may have been bothering you for some time. Plutonian investigative qualities will help you to unearth something that is hidden and Mercurian intellect to understand better the root cause of the issue. You may also come across someone or something that may have a transformative impact on your outlook on a topic of interest. Also take this time to examine yourself on a deeper level; what comes up to the surface at this time and requires your attention? If anything, take a little time to read a mystery novel. This will be time well spent.
September 29-30: Mars trine Saturn 14 degrees Cancer and Pisces: These couple of days should give you enough energy to do some challenging work that requires precision; something that build to last. Saturn cools down Mars with its presence in this transit and provides us with the power of concentration and ability to pace ourselves. If you are having some challenging situation to deal with, this transit helps with resolution of an issue. Try your hand at a hobby that requires detailed work, using metal and stone, for example jewelry making. You will not be disappointed with your final results.
September 30: Sun conjunct Mercury 7 degrees Libra: This is a good day for communicating your point of view to others and having it well received. Mercury’s conjunction with the Sun improves our communication and provides us with clear thinking. Your Mercury ruled houses (Gemini and Virgo) receive more emphasis as well and you could make some progress in these areas of life through communication channels. This is also a generally good day to start a new business venture as Mercury rules commerce and communication while receiving radiance of the Sun.
