Virgo Solar Eclipse September 1st & Pisces Lunar Eclipse September 16th, 2016

This month (September 2016) there are two eclipses… a solar one (at the time of the new moon) in the sign of Virgo on the 1^st. And a lunar (at the time of the full moon) in the sign of Pisces on the 16^th.

Both indicate key stages in the lunar cycle – solar eclipses tend to indicate new phases or new beginnings, and lunar eclipses often indicate closure or letting go. Especially emotional closure. The Moon is about emotions and feelings, and so they are coming to the forefront this month, to be acknowledged, processed and integrated.

In astrology eclipses are about major turning points, where certain situations have been building up momentum through events for quite some time, for good or ill, and the events at eclipse times are release points, or trigger points for long-term change. You can look back with hindsight at an eclipse period and see how events around that time were movers and shapers of future direction.

September 1^st Eclipse = Preparation is Key

During the September 1^st eclipse, the planets suggest there has been pressure to act in a certain way, or to act on certain things, but the timing might not be quite right to take action, even if you want to. Withholding or holding fire doesn’t mean failure to launch, it is more about good preparation. The time for action might be more mid-month or beyond, when Mars aligns with the lunar eclipse.

Saturn square Neptune

This planet alignment has been one of the key themes of the year, and it figures highly in the eclipses, especially the solar eclipse on the 1^st. This alignment has brought our fears to life in some respects, only for us to find out that our fears hold no power over us in reality.

It’s also about being very careful what we believe in or buy into, as what seems real often turns out to be just a façade. It’s been a year of remembering not to judge books by covers.

Mercury Retrograde

This retrograde period started near to the solar eclipse on 30th August, and will continue for most of the month, ending on the day of the Autumn equinox, 22nd September.

Although Mercury retrogrades three times a year, this one is a strong retrograde because:

-          Mercury is in Virgo, the sign which it rules.

-          North node is in Virgo, which is an indicator of opportunities or open doors that feel ‘fated’ or like ‘destiny’ to walk through. Mercury is therefore planet associated with this north node, which means it’s the planet to watch for the way these opportunities will manifest (Mercury is about communication, logic, pathways, transport, siblings and sibling relationships, and neighbours). As Mercury is Retrograde it means the concept of retrograde is also how those opportunities manifest. Retrograde means reconnection or returning to the past in some way… looking to the past, looking in a different direction, etc etc. 

-          Mercury meets Jupiter at eclipse time. Jupiter is the planet of good luck, good fortune, faith and expansion. Jupiter uplifts what it touches, which gives this Mercury retrograde period a touch of miracle mindedness; a sparkle of extra confidence and self belief. 

Lunar Eclipse = Ready to Receive

When the moon stands opposite the Virgo sun, from the sign of Pisces on the 16^th, it also stands next to the asteroid Chiron. This asteroid is about healing, and specifically about being receptive to healing. Being open and accepting of solutions can be a challenge when the problem or symptom is dominant… it takes imagination to look past what looms large in our life, and be open to answers and opportunities. It also means accepting we are deserving of being given to in this way.

Ask and it is given is the mantra of the universe according to Law of Attraction, but the universe can only give by us being open to receive. The lunar eclipse on the 16^th suggests events that highlight this idea of being receptive and open to solutions and problems. The time might be right for action too, according to Mars...

August 2016 Horoscopes

Aries

21st March – 20th April

There’s a genuinely sparkling new moon in your house of creativity, fun and entertainment on the 2^nd, which means new beginnings, new ideas, and new doors opening in this area of your life. The planets suggest you are connecting easily to helpful or influential teachers or mentors (especially after 13^th), and/or travel or distance might be involved; perhaps with a connection to early March or late May too. Notice what happens around the 24^th, give or take a few days, related to all this. Yes, there are challenges during August: mid-month (work) and end of month (relationships) in particular; but the message is keep the faith to keep things in perspective.

Taurus

21st April – 21st May

A new moon on the 2^nd indicates new beginnings, make-overs, or redevelopment, related to home and family. There’s positive momentum towards plans, though try not to push or pressure things into place (especially mid-month and around full moon time on 18^th) as it can work against you. If things seem slow unfold it’s a case of trust the timing. Your planet Venus is in meticulous mood all month, so it’s all about the details and definition for you, especially in creativity or matters of the heart. Precision and efficiency inspires your creative flow, especially during final week of August when there’s positive expansion and an enormous sense of good luck if you balance cold logic with irrational intuition.

Gemini

22nd May – 21st June

New moon on the 2^nd is about information and communication that solidifies and stabilises partnerships, contracts and agreements. It’s also about giving and receiving recognition and acknowledgment, so express appreciation where it’s due and watch how your positive state of attention magnetises more of the same to you in return. You have to work harder to keep things in perspective mid-month and end of month (14^th, 19^th, 25^th), or facts and figures lead to losing the magic in plans and ambition, so get still and quiet to find a balance. There’s also an impressive planet pattern from the 22^nd (especially 27^th) just as your planet Mercury retrogrades (moves backwards), suggesting a positive change of mind or direction for you.

Cancer

22nd June – 22nd July

A new moon on the 2^nd in your income and ownership chart indicates new beginnings and new focus that brings more responsibility and long-term commitments your way. Noticeable developments in this are likely by full moon time on the 18^th, but especially around the 24^th when your daily schedules or work environment reflects unknown territory and new forms of activity. You might see a connection to events back in mid-April related to all this too. Mid-month and end of month might bring communication challenges or conflict, so be the change you want to see (14^th, 15^th, 25^th). Romance and relationships are about partners and loved ones showing support and presence (1^st, 11^th, 16^th, 18^th, 24^th, 27^th).

Leo

23rd July – 23rd August

This is your time of year, with the sun lighting up your sign till the 22^nd, which means the world seems more on your wavelength and it’s easier to go with your flow. The annual new moon in your sign (2^nd) always indicates important new beginnings and new ways of seeing and experiencing yourself in the world, and this year it’s about strong and stable new responsibilities, especially related to creative projects and matters of the heart, that activate your sense of adventure (especially 7^th, 19^th, 24^th). The full moon on the 18^th is in your relationship zone. Again this is an annual astro event for you and it indicates new cycles or phases in all relationships.

Virgo

24th August – 22nd September

Jupiter (faith and direction), and Mercury (communication and logic) are already in your sign this month, and are joined by Venus (relationships and resources) from the 5^th, and the sun (creative focus and energy) from the 22^nd. It means a busy month of sorting your head and heart out (and others!) on various matters (especially 6^th, 14^th, 19^th, 25^th), with opportunities to shine (11^th, 15^th, 18^th, 22^nd, 27^th, 29^th). During final week your ruler Mercury slows pace (indicates you might too), ready to retrograde on 30^th, which means a time of turning within or reflection. As Venus and Jupiter are so close to Mercury it shows rare and important changes of mind or direction in communication, faith and relationships, and events will reflect this.

Libra

23rd September – 23rd October

A strong and stable new moon on the 2^nd in your friendship chart indicates new beginnings and new support for the future. All month you’re balancing the desire to go with the flow of certain situations, while also wanting to fix and change things, and you’re putting too much pressure on yourself to get the balance right at times (noticeable around 6^th, 14^th, 18^th, 25^th). Soften your approach to yourself and watch the tension (and demands and expectations) ease up. Romance is renewed and rekindled up to mid-month and around full moon on 18^th. Final week is also about love and harmony, as well as important communication and information (possibly related to the past or past perspectives).

Scorpio

24th October – 22nd November

After weeks of situations that were at a go slow or stalemate, and feeling you’ve less energy than usual, it’s all change this month, starting with Mars stirring up situations involving income and ownership, and a revitalising new moon (new beginnings) in your status and ambition chart on the 2^nd. This bodes well for long-term plans, especially career progress, and there might be noteworthy events in this around full moon time on the 18^th. Challenges for August might involve the balance between creative vision and creative expression, or the gap between what you want to do and what you are able to do right now. Partners and/or friends are in on this somehow too (7^th, 14^th, 25^th, 27^th). 

Sagittarius

23rd November – 21st December

Mars, planet of drive, impetus, and action is back in your sign from the 1^st, which means you’re feeling more motivated and focused than you have in a long time (early March and late May perhaps?). New moon on the 2^nd is about a new mind-set, and maybe travel or education is the catalyst. There are certain challenges involving balancing home-life and work-life, or personal and public life, which puts pressure or extra responsibility on you (especially mid-month and final week). But you also have a way of getting the best out of these challenges, especially 18^th, 22^nd, and 27^th. Finally, romance is in the air this month, especially 7^th and 22^nd.

Capricorn

22nd December – 20th January

There’s an outstanding new moon on the 2^nd which harmonises beautifully with your planet Saturn. New moon means new beginnings, and in this case it’s focusing on healing and transformation. Sometimes it’s been easy to lose sight of what matters to you, or lose yourself in challenges or dramas (and there are some this month; perhaps around midmonth and final week), but this new moon is suggesting that events can bring you back to yourself in very positive ways. The corresponding full moon on the 18^th represents fulfilment and openness in situations involving income, business and purchases in particular, but also in relationships. Love and romance is highlighted then too, and also 7^th, 15^th, 22^nd, 27^th.

Aquarius

21st January – 18th February

There’s a beautiful full moon in your sign on the 18^th, representing emotional completion and fulfilment in certain situations. You, key partnerships, communication, news and information are all involved. Relationships are also a priority before 18^th, as are contracts and agreements; and a new moon on the 2^nd indicates new beginnings for you there. Also, all month but especially midmonth and final week, there might be tension involving friends or groups. For example, it’s easy not to notice your own value yet deep down expect others to; or to feel obliged to offer support when you really want it for yourself. It’s all about finding a balance that suits you, by softening the inner tension as it arises.

Pisces

19th February – 20th March

You might feel pulled in different directions this month, especially midmonth and final week. The planets are lining up in ways that suggest you have a variety of things to focus on that are equally important to you. You also have a variety of ways to look at the same situation, all equally valid. So it’s about finding a balance; a way of navigating competing demands on your time and attention without wearing yourself out. This is most challenging around 6^th, 14^th, 19^th and 25^th, and most successful 2^nd, 15^th, 22^nd and 27^th. There might be interesting work news around 24^th, and romance is sweet 7^th, 18^th, 22^nd and 27^th.



See these horoscopes along with everything that is happening in the Northeast of England this month at The Crack Magazine