Astrology for September 2005 by Susan Heinz, Astrologer
As Hurricane Katrina swept into the Gulf Coast on August 29th, Pluto was stationing and preparing to go direct on September 2nd, bringing to the surface its powers of destruction. Plutonian themes are reversals in perspective through exposing what is hidden, intensifying whatever is going on, tearing down the old structures, often through physical and symbolic death, leading to transformation and renewal. Pluto rules over sewage, toxic leftovers and those things which collectively humanity has chosen to repress and ignore.
Combined with this, Pluto is opposing the United States Mars for the last time, this began in April 2004, intensifying war, death and destruction. The purpose of this, from the point of stars, is to initiate a transformation of our use of will, force and domination, a transformation of how we, as a country use the masculine force.
The New Moon before any major event can be seen as setting the stage for what unfolds. The August new moon in Leo opposed Neptune, bringing forth it’s influence of confusion, uncertainty, passivity, even deception, which can color leadership and individual action. Neptune is the ruler of waters and seas and it’s power dissolves established forms and blurs the boundaries that keep us separate. Neptune’s force can dissolve self centered egos and leadership so a more inclusive view of each situation may be seen. On August 29th as Katrina hit, Mars was squaring Neptune, bringing up these themes with force.
The New Moon in Virgo on the 3rd, opposes Uranus, bringing about unexpected events and crisis, breaking crystallized ways of thinking and acting. Uranus, the planet of revolution and upheaval is in the sign Pisces, ruling the seas and compassion, victims and rescuers.
The Virgo Sun aligns with Taurus Mars, a time of persevering and productive action. Mars is prominent in the early morning skies as it appears to be slowing down in its orbit and on Oct 1st, it goes retrograde, coming to its closest approach to the Earth. Because of this closeness, the qualities of Mars are more intensely experienced. Mars cuts away and destroys as well as is action, movement, energy to do, to follow one’s desire nature, create, and pioneer. Mars energy is the devoted soldier. At an unconscious level, this quality of destroying is perverted into war instead of used for purification to create harmony and renewal of humanity and instill a sense of greater sense of wholeness with all life.
On the 15th, Mercury and the Sun align with Pluto, the planet of transformative powers, This is a powerful time of adjustment. Explosive energies can surface. Align positively with them by clearing out old patterns and things that are no longer useful. Recycle and let go.
As we cycle into Virgo, it is time to refine, organize, adjust, harvest and reflect on what has developed. Are things moving along the right course? Virgo carries the polarity of filling one’s life with busyness or being fully open and discerning to the unfolding possibilities of the present. This higher vibration of Virgo is open to the unknown, ready to nurture an inner sense of soul and sacredness. As we refine, organize and harvest, we can also hold an openness to what new life wants to emerge. With this in mind I recall a quote from Joseph Campbell, “We must be willing to get rid of the life we’ve planned, so as to have the life that’s waiting for us.”
This month begins with beautiful Venus and Jupiter coming together in the evening skies. This planetary combination brings forward strong urges for peace, diplomacy, relationship or lackadaisical attitudes.
The Full Moon takes place on September 17th in Pisces. Ask yourself “What am I serving?” It can be a belief system, an addiction, a person, old unconscious patterns or inspiration.
On September 22nd, day equals night once more as we cycle around to the Fall Equinox.
Mars goes retrograde on Oct 1st. Beginning large projects are not favored. Surgeries are best postponed until Mars goes direct on December 9th. Mars retrograde is best used for reviewing and reflecting on past actions, on reviewing options for future directions, and for purifying the body. With Mars in Taurus it is a potent time for reviewing values.
There is challenging and difficult time ahead for President Bush. Saturn is on his ascendant, Mercury and Pluto in Leo. He is challenged to confront his past actions and be responsible for his words, and actions. October will be an especially challenging month for him as I will discuss next month, especially with the eclipses taking place. A solar eclipse in Libra will take place on October 3rd.
The Twelve Opportunities:
Aries (Mar 20-Apr 19): This month you review your values. Review finances for healthy outcomes. This is a time to accomplish detailed tasks you have resisted. Something forgotten from the past emerges and you move forward with it. You have tremendous power to affect others.
Taurus (Apr 20-May 20): Take action for yourself! You experience revelatory insights about your work and life and it feeds into a transformation that is taking place. This is an extremely productive month for you.
Gemini (May 21-Jun 20): The focus is on home and family, clearing, cleaning, finishing projects. A running theme this month is to let go of something in relationships. Whatever it is, the release of holding it will allow relaxation and transformation of the situation.
Cancer (Jun 21–Jul 21): You are the student even as you are the teacher. Your thinking is fine-tuned, skillfully synthesizing the many layers of your subject matter. You experience a transformation and bring yourself out anew in the world. You see what’s good in what you have created and move deeply into the power of it, leaving behind what hasn’t worked as compost.
Leo (Jul 22- Aug 22): You have come to a point where you are ready to really accept what is in your life. As you do, you experience a much deeper sense of yourself and your purpose. You feel that you can experience more profoundly the beauty in your life.
Virgo (Aug 23-Sep 22): You are fueled with energy this month, so much to do. First review your belief system that stimulates the doing. Is a realignment in order? This month let your creative passion begin to manifest. At the Full Moon promise to let go of something that gets in the way in your relationship.
Libra (Sep 23-Oct 22): Give yourself to enjoyment this month, as Venus and Jupiter align. Make sure you have the time and space to enjoy your life and your love. Take time away from the busy world. Go beyond what isn’t working into the heart of love.
Scorpio (Oct 23-Nov 21): There is someone who is motivating you and encouraging you to a new vision or goal for yourself. This month the theme of the desire to reconnect or the deep feeling of separation is prevalent. Here is the potential to see yourself in relationship to another or others in totally new ways.
Sagittarius (Nov 22-Dec 20): At the beginning of the month you feel a great sense of belonging. People bring you into their circles. You experience the good fortune of this and are grateful. As the month progresses you have an intense urge to act and accomplish. Trust in abundance and it will flow.
Capricorn (Dec 21- Jan 19): You are entering a time of great change. You feel new ideas and experiences stimulating you. You balance your life between possibility and day to day reality. Let yourself see a bigger picture. The new is struggling to break through your fear.
Aquarius (Jan 20-Feb 17): Now’s the time to feel into another’s feelings, perhaps a lover or friend. You are finding a new point of balance between your own self-reliance and deeply sharing with another. Moderation is important.
Pisces (Feb 18-Mar 19): This is certainly an inspirational time for you. Yet at this time relationship with another, lover, children or friends, becomes prominent. There is a lot of driving or movement and talking. In the later half of the month, let go of something in relationship.
Susan Heinz is a professional astrologer & teacher in Santa Cruz for 20 years. She brings together traditional & esoteric astrology, Indian Vedic astrology, tarot and Qabalah in her integration of astrological wisdom. For info on her astrology classes and personal consultations, call 831 476-5787.
