Mercury makes two aspects on September 3^rd, setting the stage for Pluto to go direct on the 4^th. First, Mercury forms an opposition with Uranus at 3:21 a.m., followed by a sextile to Jupiter at 4:05 p.m. Although Mercury's rapid speed makes these two aspects rather brief in duration, they do nevertheless set a mental tone for Pluto. The opposition to Uranus represents mental restiveness, very likely setting your mind racing in new directions. Breakthroughs in attitudes and perceptions are its hallmark. The one major drawback is the likelihood that something significant will get overlooked, and you may speak before you notice seemingly small details. The subsequent sextile to Jupiter symbolizes the potential to incorporate attitudinal breakthroughs into a comprehensive understanding, a fresh context to accommodate emerging innovative views.

Pluto goes direct in the 25^th degree of Sagittarius. Fateful encounters during the retrograde period since 3/29 have forced some hard truths to be acknowledged, and in the coming weeks those truths will insinuate themselves into daily life. Pluto began its (apparently) retrograde motion in the 26^th degree - the Galactic Center, the zodiacal location of the point in space around which all the planetary systems in the Milky Way appear to orbit. That is one explanation many astrologers give when asked why it seems "the heat has been turned up" on already-volatile situations. Personal philosophy and beliefs (religion) have been called into question, requiring drastic, far-reaching changes. Will that actually happen? Your guess is as good as mine! Humanity seems slow to respond appropriately to calls for self-advancement - what some might call evolution.

The Sun opposes Uranus the following day, the 5^th, in the 13^th degrees of Virgo and Pisces correspondingly. This yearly occurrence always advises that we expect the unexpected. It would be best not to make any hard-and-fast plans, to be flexible.

Later on the 5^th, Venus enters Virgo, toning down the fun and frivolity of Venus in Leo. It isn't really so much about getting back to work as it is learning to love your work, or conversely, finding work that you love. Most importantly, it's about loving your autonomy, not to be confused with independence. Being autonomous indicates a lack of dependency on others, whereas independence means being free of others. If you don't know the difference, you should! You can learn it while Venus remains in Virgo, till 9/30.

The Sun sextiles Uranus on the 6^th, signifying an openness to learning something novel, something that widens your perspective by moving beyond attitudinal obstacles. Your frame of mind will be more open than usual. Due to Jupiter's expansive nature, it's a good time to review your goals and future hopes and to rededicate yourself to those ends.

On the 7^th, a Lunar Eclipse occurs in the 15^th degree of Pisces, followed later that evening with Mars entering Libra. The eclipse draws Uranus into the mix. Not only are Sun, Moon, and Earth aligned on the same plane, but Uranus as well. Flashes of imaginative, inspired insight provide support to Pluto's requirement for radical metamorphosis of personal "religion". The specific House in which this occurs in your natal chart will show which area of life will be immediately impacted.

Mars isn't exactly in his element in Libra. Mars symbolizes that part of us that wants to be impulsive, to react in an immediate way to our desires. Libra teaches a great deal about how such actions affect others, thereby making us more liable to consider others first and then act, rather than acting first and then suffering the fallout in relationships.

Mercury also transits into Libra September 12^th, conjoining Mars on the 15^th - the same day Venus opposes Uranus. This combination of influences suggests a particularly volatile time in relationships, although much good can come from confrontations if they're handled consciously. That means you shouldn't wait for a blow-up, but proactively approach sensitive issues with positive change as the goal.

The Sun will square Pluto on the 16^th, in the 25^th degrees of Virgo and Sagittarius respectively. Virgo emphasizes the importance of assuming personal responsibility for oneself, being fully aware that individuals comprise the social milieu expressed through Sagittarius. Refer to everything above regarding Pluto direct, and before you fret about the world in general, think of your own position in such matters! This is a time to confront yourself, and only yourself, simply and directly.

A Solar Eclipse occurs September 22^nd in the 30^th degree of Virgo, just hours before the Sun enters Libra at 5:45 a.m., marking the Autumn Equinox, when night and day are equal. Both Spring and Autumn equinoxes are times of balance - of light and dark, inner and outer, positive and negative, and so forth. Autumn is the balance or inverse point prior to the waning power of the Sun. The coincidence of this Eclipse with the Equinox suggests that finding and maintaining a balance between Sun and Moon, the active and receptive astrological principles, is far more important than usual. In general, New Moons lay the groundwork for the coming month. But this one will have a great deal more influence throughout the entire Autumn season. Balance outer expectations and commitments in your life with the need heed inner callings.

Jupiter in Scorpio will square Neptune in Aquarius in the 18^th degrees of their respective signs. This aspect signals strong discontent and disillusion regarding personal versus social relationships and the adjustments they entail, underscoring the effect of the Eclipse - inner versus outer. Just when you seem to be getting a handle on some behavioral tendencies, the necessities of life want to pull you away from self-directed endeavors. Putting your personal spiritual beliefs into practice will prove challenging. Jupiter in Scorpio counsels personal integrity above all else! The square with Neptune will make it difficult to discern the difference between the truth and the seeming truth advocated by those around you. Wait a few days to let the dust settle before coming to any conclusions.

Finally, Venus moves into Libra on the 30^th, where she1ll stay till 10/24. Libra is home territory for Venus, making it much easier to take in all that's good and enjoyable in life. Relax and enjoy people and activities that give you pleasure, for no other reason than that they give you pleasure. Pay particular attention to one-on-one relationships; groups are inherently deemphasized with this influence.