Monday 9/01 - The Moon moves into Libra early Monday morning (5:44 AM), making a series of conjunctions with the three planets that have recently entered Libra; Venus, Mercury and Mars.

People are enjoying a lovely morning, whatever the weather. The emphasis is on being mutually supportive, sharing and communicating. Moon/Venus (10:23 AM) creates a loving, lazy, luxurious mood. People are determined to have a good time and are willing to spend extra money to do so. Retail sales should be strong today.

When the Moon conjuncts Mercury this afternoon (2:55 PM) the energy picks up. As the focus shifts from Venus to Mercury, folks rouse themselves from their pleasant lethargy and the desire to relate and share with others takes over. It's party time.

Moon/Mars (9:12 PM) is more forceful, amorous, and even argumentative. People want what they want and get quarrelsome if they don't get it. The energy level is high, so everyone is out and about, looking for entertainment.

Tuesday 9/02 - It's a quiet day. The mood is reflective and low key. Not much is going on today.

Wednesday 9/03 - People are back on track this morning, facing the day with determination and a firm resolve to get things done. The Moon sextiles Pluto at 11:09 AM.

The Moon moves into Scorpio at 2:02 PM.

Tonight the Sun conjuncts Saturn, the taskmaster (8:00 PM). This rather demanding alignment indicates there's a lot of work to be done and probably not enough resources available to cover everything. Energy levels and spirits are low as a feeling of discouragement makes it hard to rally to the task at hand. This influence colors the whole middle of the week.

Thursday 9/04 - Luckily, there's a trine from the Sun in Virgo to Jupiter in Cap today (11:41 AM). If this doesn't exactly cheer things up, it certainly mitigates the Saturn influence, presenting strategies and solutions for dealing with the situation at hand. People are resourceful and willing to work hard. Jupiter in Capricorn presents opportunities that will help us but require effort and perseverance.

This is a very productive day. The Scorpio Moon sextiles Saturn (1:25 PM) and Jupiter (2:29 PM) in the afternoon, making this a good time for negotiation and arbitration. The focus is on business and finance and people are able to take a balanced and forward-thinking approach.

The Moon sextiles the Sun at 2:43 PM, wrapping up today's aspects on a harmonious note.

Friday 9/05 - The mood is noticeably lighter this morning. There's an air of excitement as the Moon makes an early trine to Uranus (7:08 AM). People are out the door and on the move. This day promises to be interesting and begins the weekend that we'd expected Labor Day weekend to be (i.e. fun).

People may be up early but that doesn't mean they're focused or clear. A Moon/Neptune square at 9:46 AM evokes a lot of spaceyness and confusion. How about a mid morning break to re-orient and try to decide which direction we're headed in.

Saturday 9/06 - The Moon enters adventurous Sagittarius at 1:11 AM.

There's a feeling of relief and anticipation in the air, owing to tomorrow's astrological line-up. These are all aspects that make their influence felt early so we're definitely feeling it today.

The evening is social, harmonious and lots of fun as the Moon sextiles Venus (7:35 PM) and Mercury (12:20 PM). It looks like a late night.

Sunday 9/07 - There's a bit of an inner argument this morning; should we work or should we play? Play wins, though you may be able to pump out a few preparatory chores before the fun begins.

Mars squares Jupiter at 3:06 PM. Talk about exuberant energy. This is an aspect of abundance that tends to do everything in a big way and then over-do it. Mars/Jupiter is full of enthusiasm and optimism but has a reputation for leaping without looking and ending up in hot water. Try and exercise a little caution and forethought and things should go well.

It all gets a little wild tonight as the Moon squares erratic Uranus (7:19 PM). People get radical and tend to go extremes, letting it all hang out.

Around 10 PM a Moon/Neptune sextile soothes the savage beast and calms things down.

Jupiter goes direct tonight (10:16 PM). After spending the last four months (since May 10th) in retrograde motion, Jupiter comes out of hiding and opportunities and projects that have been on hold all this time re-emerge and regain momentum.

This day just won't quit. People are going strong late into the evening as a Mercury/Jupiter square (11:09 PM) urges us on and on. More parties to go to and people to meet or maybe just staying at home with our brains bursting with new ideas we're eager to explore and communicate.

* All times are MDT (Mountain Daylight Time). For EDT (Eastern Daylight Time) add two hours. All aspects in bold are major influences that are in effect for several days. The Moon's daily aspects are rapidly shifting influences that are in effect for only a few hours.

Monday 9/08 - The week gets off to a busy start. Our brains are buzzing with plans, ideas and a long to-do list as Mercury conjuncts Mars in Libra (11:44 AM). This is a very mental alignment making people want to discuss their thoughts and opinions and the debate can get rather heated. This is a great time to write, read or study.

Today's Jupiter trine Saturn (5:17 PM) is an aspect of balance and perspective. It helps people plan for the long term and make wise judgments about how to proceed. This Jupiter/Saturn trine will be in effect for the next three months, helping to mitigate the short-term effects of the upcoming Saturn/Uranus opposition.

Pluto goes direct today. It's been in retrograde since April 1st. Soon Pluto will be leaving Sagittarius for good (11/26/08) and beginning its 17-year sojourn through Capricorn.

Tuesday 9/09 - Today is much more relaxed than yesterday. The morning is quiet. Things don't really get going until this afternoon when Venus squares Jupiter (2:12 PM). Venus/Jupiter is easygoing and rather self-indulgent but loves to have a good time and enjoys beautiful things. There's a tendency to break the budget under this influence.

The Moon conjuncts Jupiter in Capricorn (2:54 PM) continuing today's Jupiterian theme. With all this Capricornian influence there's an eye toward practicality and achievement. This is a great time to make a good impression on the boss.

The mood is a bit edgy and snappish this evening as the Capricorn Moon squares Mercury (5:38 PM) and Mars (6:40 PM). It's easy to over react now. People tend to speak hasty, unconsidered words that they may later regret.

Wednesday 9/10 - There's lots of energy this morning as the Moon makes a 7:15 sextile to Uranus. People are up early and on the move. Things quiet down later in the day.

Thursday 9/11 - The Moon enters Aquarius at 1:20 AM but makes no major aspects today.

What is going on today is a very sexy Venus/ Mars conjunction in 14° of Libra. Venus represents feminine sexuality and is an attractive principle. It draws the desired object to it, like a bee to a flower. Mars, the masculine principle, is active and goes after what it desires. Together they symbolize a time when it's easier to get what you want. It may just fall into your lap.

Friday 9/12 - The Aquarius Moon makes a couple of sweet trines early this morning (Moon trine Mars at 7:14 AM and Venus at 7:47 AM), getting the day off to a lovely start. People are in a loving and tender mood, very open and appreciative of the beauty in the world around them.

The Moon trines Mercury at 9:46 AM, rousing us from our reverie and getting our brains in gear. This is a talkative, social aspect, urging us to make contact with the outside world.

Tonight the mood is very internally focused as the Moon conjuncts Neptune in Aquarius (7:29 PM). Because of the strong Aquarius influence people want to get together with like-minded friends and associates but Neptune wants to enjoy some quiet time alone meditating or relaxing.

Things rev up later this evening when the Virgo Sun opposes Uranus in Pisces (8:21 PM). A great restlessness overtakes us. This will be a late night for many, whether you're out and about or at home working on a special project. This aspect sets the tone for the weekend. People break with routine and do something fun and different, maybe a little bit naughty.

Saturday 9/13 - The Moon sextiles Pluto in Sag (7:19 AM) so there's an air of determination and resolve this morning. People are set on getting things accomplished today. The Moon moves into Pisces at 10:04 AM.

Sunday 9/14 - This morning is up, down and all over the place. First there's a Moon/Jupiter sextile at 8:56 AM so people are all sweetness and light, enjoying a lovely morning. Then the Moon moves into an opposition to Saturn at 10:06 AM, so it looks like the morning isn't turning out as well as planned. Some disappointment or delay or maybe just exhaustion sets in after a busy Friday and Saturday. Maybe it's just some chores that demand our attention when we'd rather be out playing. Eh, kids?

Tonight Mercury conjuncts Venus in 18° of Libra. This alignment symbolizes great patrons of the arts, whether literary or fine art, these people have a wonderful appreciation for beauty and may be artists themselves. Certainly there's a very harmonious and inviting mood this evening, whether you're going to an opening or a party or having dinner with that special someone. Things get wild later on when the Moon conjuncts Uranus at 11:09 PM. This is a party night. Forget about Monday morning, there's music in the air! Time to get out and dance in the moonlight.

* All times are MDT (Mountain Daylight Time). For EDT (Eastern Daylight Time) add two hours. All aspects in bold are major influences that are in effect for several days. The Moon's daily aspects are rapidly shifting influences that are in effect for only a few hours.

Monday 9/15 - The Moon is Full in 22° of Pisces in the early morning hours (3:13 AM). This is quite a Full Moon. Lining up with the burgeoning Saturn/Uranus opposition, it makes a t-square to Pluto, fulfilling the evil promise of scarcity indicated by the New Moon in Virgo's conjunction to Saturn. We are introduced to the new economy.

The Pisces Moon squares Pluto (1:03 PM). This acts as a trigger for the potential of the Full Moon, so we feel its full effect now. The Pisces Moon feels coerced and victimized by Pluto's inflexible, inexorable approach.

The Moon enters Aries at 3:39 PM.

Tuesday 9/16 - This day gathers energy as it goes along. There's an exuberant Moon/Jupiter square around noon (1:29 PM) that gets things cooking and the evening just keeps gaining momentum. Then there's a late night Moon/Mars square (11:46 PM) that just won't let us quit. Looks like a late one.

Wednesday 9/17 - There's a delicate and tender mood in the pre-dawn hours as the Moon opposes Venus and sextiles dreamy Neptune (5:26 AM). People wake up in a hopeful frame of mind.

Today's Venus trine to Neptune (7:59 AM) is an aspect of tenderness and compassion. In love with love, Venus/Neptune is the eternal romantic looking at life through rose-colored glasses. Venus/Neptune sees the beauty that surrounds us while others are focused on the daily calamity.

There's a resourceful and determined mood this afternoon as the Moon makes a trine to potent Pluto (4:26 PM).

The Moon enters Taurus at 6:57 PM.

Thursday 9/18 - The Taurus Moon makes a grand trine with Jupiter (4:19 PM) and Saturn (6:07 PM) this afternoon. This is businesslike, practical and judicious, making a wise use of resources and time and achieving optimum results. It's a good day for strategizing or coming up with a business plan.

Friday 9/19 - There's a strong Neptune influence this week with three planets (Venus, Mercury and Mars) making trines to this nebulous and dreamy planet. People react from a feeling level now and it's hard to predict the results as none of the usual laws seem to apply. Neptune is otherworldly. It's really not about this busy, workaday world at all and best results are gotten and wonderful blessings received when Neptune's energy is used to focus on the spiritual and creative.

Things are particularly Neptunian this morning as the Taurus Moon squares Neptune (7:50 AM). Taurus wants some practical results but just when you think you can pin down ephemeral Neptune it disappears into thin air, like a mirage, like writing on water. There really is no choice but to go with the flow.

The confusion clears this afternoon when the Moon trines the Sun in efficient, hardworking Virgo, so something gets accomplished today after all.

Tonight Mercury trines Neptune (9:22 PM). Idealistic, poetic, impractical, Mercury/Neptune is tuned into another dimension. Illogical and intuitive, Mercury/Neptune acts from a feeling place but can have a hard time translating all it knows and feels into English, or any language except the language of the heart. Maybe it is best expressed as music.

The Moon moves into Gemini at 9:17 PM.

Saturday 9/20 - What an unpleasant evening. The Moon squares gloomy Saturn at 8:52 PM and then the Sun squares obsessive, controlling Pluto (9:44 PM). There are a lot of creepy people out there tonight. Why not just stay home and watch them on your TV set instead?

Sunday 9/21 - What a lovely morning. People are affable and extroverted today, craving the companionship and support of their friends and associates. The Moon in Gemini spends the day making a series of trines, creating a grand trine in Air signs.

The morning starts out with a bang as the Gemini Moon squares Uranus (7:28 AM). This restless, noisy, active energy usually gets people out of bed early.

Then a Moon/Mars trine (9:35 AM) smoothes what may have been a bumpy start and things get going with a well-oiled efficiency that has us humming right along. There's a strong desire for community and the company of others so this is a good day for parties or informal get-togethers. People are in the mood to swap stories and tell tales.

A Moon/Neptune trine at 10:09 AM is mellow and relaxed. The pace slows down and a meditative, contemplative mood sets in. At 11:05 AM the Moon trines talkative Mercury and the visiting starts in earnest. Under this Moon/Neptune/Mars/Mercury influence people want to share their dreams, insights and visionary experiences. The conversation definitely veers toward the mystical or spiritual.

Tonight the Moon makes the last trine of the day (7:33 PM) with sweet Venus There's a tenderness and beauty in the air this evening, a mood to be treasured, inspiration for a song or a piece of poetry.

Mars trine Neptune (8:58 PM) is an idealistic aspect that desires justice for all people. Mars/Neptune usually has high standards and a strong humanitarian streak, though finding a way to take practical action can be a challenge. Mars/Neptune can be a dreamer, a mystic, a musician but is prone to addictions and avoidance.

Enough is enough. The mood changes and by the end of the evening people are ready for some personal space as the Gemini Moon opposes Pluto (9:20 PM). Time to commune in silence, unless you really want to hear someone's opinion about just about everything. Some folks just don't know when to stop talking.

The Moon moves into Cancer at 11:49 PM.

* All times are MDT (Mountain Daylight Time). For EDT (Eastern Daylight Time) add two hours. All aspects in bold are major influences that are in effect for several days. The Moon's daily aspects are rapidly shifting influences that are in effect for only a few hours.

Monday 9/22 - The equinox point is at 9:45 AM (MST) Monday morning. This is the moment that the Sun enters Libra, day and night are of equal length and fall officially begins.

Venus in Libra sextiles Pluto (4:23 PM) this afternoon. Pluto stirs Venus' passionate nature so people feel things very deeply now. Emotions are intense, impressions vivid and there's not much middle ground.

The Cancer Moon opposes Jupiter this evening (9:46 PM). This is a peace loving alignment that has people eager to put their best foot forward, encouraging harmony above honesty. Under this influence people will tend to say and do what others expect rather than what they really think and feel.

Tuesday 9/23 - Mercury conjuncts Mars (4:51 AM) for the second time this month. They've been traveling in tandem and, now that Mercury is slowing down and about to go retrograde, Mars has overtaken it. They will conjunct once more after Mercury comes out of retrograde and catches up with Mars (Nov 28th) again.

Mercury/Mars heats up the discussion, making for fiery rhetoric and heated debate as befits the election season. Though it looks like the argument continues for another three weeks after the election. Mercury/Mars stimulates our brains and encourages self-expression, study and communication. This is a great time to get going on any writing projects that may be gathering dust in the corner.

The morning gets off to an enthusiastic start as the Moon trines electric Uranus (10:24 AM). The pace may be fast but things fall smoothly into place until this afternoon when the waters get a bit choppy. The Moon squares Mercury (2:40 PM) and Mars (3:17 PM) and people get argumentative and snappish. Try and get your errands done early and avoid the rush.

Venus moves into Scorpio at 8:59 PM.

Wednesday 9/24 - Mercury goes into one of its three annual retrograde periods today at 1:17 AM. It will be in retrograde until October 15th. Mercury retrograde is well known for its tendency to delay business deals and important paperwork. This is not Mercury the Social Butterfly; its energy is more intellectual and introverted now. Mercury's retrograde phase is a good time for looking inward, for contemplation, meditation and study.

The Moon enters Leo at 3:13 AM.

The morning starts off on a friendly, happy note as the Leo Moon sextiles the Sun in Libra (6:23 AM).

Thursday 9/25 - It's a quiet day that keeps getting quieter until late afternoon when everyone is ready for a nap and literally asleep at the wheel (Moon opposition Neptune 5:25 PM).

Then, as the sun sets, things pick up and it turns into a very lively evening. The Moon sextiles Mercury (6:52 PM) and active Mars (10:19 PM) so the energy that was so noticeably absent all day has people going strong until almost midnight.

Friday 9/26 - The Moon trines Pluto (5:20 AM) so early that most will only experience this upon awaking as a mood of resolve and determination.

The Moon moves into Virgo at 7:52 AM.

A Moon/Venus sextile (1:44 PM) sets the tone for a lovely afternoon. People are in the mood to relax and enjoy. Relations with women go particularly well now.

Saturday 9/27 - It's an odd little day. Things start out nicely, if you get up early enough, for the Moon trines Jupiter at 7:22 AM. But stress levels build quickly as we head into a rigorous Moon/Saturn conjunction (10:29 AM). There are too many demands on our energy and not enough resources to cover everything. It's easy to feel exhausted and overwhelmed. Make some time to take care of yourself.

People are in the mood to blow off steam this evening when the Moon opposes restless Uranus (7:57 PM). Get out for some excitement and a change of pace but keep an eye peeled, as things are still edgy and a bit accident-prone.

Sunday 9/28 - It's a mellow morning. A lazy mood has us lingering in dreamland as Mercury trines Neptune (6:24 AM) for the second time this month. This is another aspect that Mercury's retrograde has brought back for a second pass and won't finish up until Oct 29th when they trine for a third time.

The first pass was just last week (9/19) when I wrote that, "idealistic, poetic, impractical, Mercury/Neptune is tuned into another dimension. Illogical and intuitive, Mercury/Neptune acts from a feeling place but can have a hard time translating all it knows and feels into English, or any language except the language of the heart. Maybe it is best expressed as music."

Like any alignment Mercury/Neptune has many facets and manifestations. Reports from the hospital feature a lot of people with detox and liver issues checking in. As with all Neptune aspects there's the issue of addiction. The other Neptunian pitfall is dishonesty and the trine aspect makes it so easy as the planned deception proceeds without a hitch. Happening in election (and bail-out) season, as it is, it makes one wonder. Mercury retrograde making a prolonged contact to Neptune. What is actually going on behind the scenes?

The highest manifestation of Mercury/Neptune is devotional, spiritual and inspirational. It's a great time to focus on meditation or creativity.

The Virgo Moon squares Pluto (11:30 AM) so some people are feeling hypercritical, demanding and fussy. How about a little quiet time to bring out the best in this day?

The Moon enters into Libra at 2:05 PM.

* All times are MDT (Mountain Daylight Time). For EDT (Eastern Daylight Time) add two hours. All aspects in bold are major influences that are in effect for several days. The Moon's daily aspects are rapidly shifting influences that are in effect for only a few hours.

Monday 9/29 - The Moon is New in Libra in the early hours of Monday morning (2:12 AM). The Washington, DC chart for the New Moon looks like the big give-away will happen. Kiss that money good-by, folks. The bailout will do nothing but delay the inevitable a while longer. How will we deal when the big meltdown happens and the coffers are empty? (The Astrologess is cooking up an article on the very direct astrological relationship between the Great Depression and current conditions). Nobody wants to hear this but the idea behind astrology is that forewarned is forearmed.

There are many lovely things to enjoy this month if you can turn off the news and live in the beauty of the moment, the only true way to live anyway. What do we really have but each moment, each breath. When we get too far ahead of ourselves, that's when the fear starts. It's a gorgeous month. Indian summer is outdoing itself this year. Get out and enjoy it. Soak up some sunshine for the long winter ahead.

The Libra Moon squares Jupiter at 2:44 PM. The politicians will be telling us that everything is fine as they slather lipstick on this pig. Moon/Jupiter square is known for its overly optimistic approach and tendency to tell people what they want to hear.

Tuesday 9/30 - Spin, spin, spin. We awake to assurances that everything is going to be just fine. Comforting words of reassurance that have absolutely no basis in reality; how we long to believe them. (Moon conjunct Mercury at 4:30 AM and trine Neptune at 6:43 AM). Tune into that other dimension where it's all perfect and we are already living in paradise. There is something dreamlike about this spectacularly beautiful day.

The late afternoon is energized by a Moon/Mars conjunction (6:20 PM). Active and dynamic, Moon/Mars easily crosses the line into angry and aggressive, even when it falls in Libra. There are a lot of angry people out there right now.

The Moon moves into Scorpio tonight at 10:26 PM.

Wednesday 10/01 - It's another lovely day. The Moon conjuncts Venus in Scorpio this afternoon (4:54 PM). Look for a thin sliver of New Moon in the west at sunset, the bright "star" with it is Venus. People are passionate and intense under this influence, with a great longing for love and intimacy.

Mars sextiles Pluto at 9:58 PM. Determined and resourceful with deep reserves of energy, Mars/Pluto can power its way through just about anything. The sextile indicates a judicious use of power.

A late night Moon/Jupiter sextile (12:29 AM Thursday) sets a mellow and friendly tone for the end of the day.

Thursday 10/02 - It's a lively and interesting day. At 1:11 PM the Scorpio Moon trines Uranus, the planet of surprises (which should be pleasant since the connection is a trine). People are quick to follow a spontaneous urge to express themselves and do what their heart desires.

Things get spacey this afternoon when the Moon squares dreamy Neptune (4:47 PM). Work starts winding down by mid afternoon. Looks like everyone cut out early. Time to get mellow.

Friday 10/03 - The Moon enters Sagittarius at 9:14 AM but makes no major aspects today.

Mars moves into Scorpio tonight at 10:34 PM. Actions taken tend to be more secretive and behind the scenes during Mars' passage through Scorpio.

Saturday 10/04 - The morning starts out on a harmonious note as the Libra Sun sextiles the Moon in Sag (8:50 AM). People are in a sociable and adventurous mood, ready for some fun.

Things get rather ponderous this afternoon when the Moon moves into a square to gloomy Saturn (4:52 PM). Some responsibility or commitment puts a damper on our fun. The mood is critical and tends toward fault-finding and sermonizing. Around the same time the Moon sextiles Mercury (5:45 PM) emphasizing the urge to lecture others. Share your thoughts and opinions but be ready to listen to what others have to say.

The mood becomes more tender and sensitive as the evening progresses.

Sunday 10/05 - Venus in Scorpio sextiles Jupiter in Capricorn in the early hours of the morning (2:22 AM). I call this the shopping aspect. Whether they have the money or not, people are always ready to spend freely on good times and pretty things when Venus and Jupiter get together. People are more carefree and generous under this influence. This is also a rather sexy aspect, especially since both the signs involved are known for their strong libidos.

People are rather intense and ready for some privacy this evening as the Moon sextiles Pluto (7:08 PM).

The Moon enters Capricorn at 8:48 PM.

For you night owls, there's a surge of energy around midnight as the Moon moves into a sextile to Mars (12:40 AM). The later you stay up the more alert you get until around 1:30 AM or so.

* All times are MDT (Mountain Daylight Time). For EDT (Eastern Daylight Time) add two hours. All aspects in bold are major influences that are in effect for several days. The Moon's daily aspects are rapidly shifting influences that are in effect for only a few hours.