According to Sandy

With Mercury now going forward in the work and service sign of Virgo, Friday 9/17 is the perfect day to use the Earthy Capricorn Moon and its business focused energy.  It brings out the “boss” in us – a perfect time to assign tasks, give directions, take charge, act on those plans set aside during the Retrograde period.

From duty bound stoic to irreverent rebel – Saturday and Sunday 9/18 and 9/19 will be under the vibe of the unpredictable, freedom loving Air sign of Aquarius.  An Aquarius Moon can put you in the mood to do something unplanned, spontaneous.  No restrictions.  (Hmmm.  OK, but always in moderation.)

Since I think of planets as energy sparkers, I like to pay attention to where and when they move from sign to sign. (They also move from House to House in the Astrology chart.) As they transit, they form different aspects to current planet placements and also to the planet positions of a birth chart.  New influences are created and old ones changed.

Mercury:

For those who have felt the effects of Mercury’s Retrograde movement in Virgo, let us all sing a chorus of Dylan’s “I Shall Be Released”. On 9/12, the planet of communication, transportation, electrical gadgets, etc. stopped moving backward. It goes direct now and will get back to Libra, where all this started back in August, on 10/4.  Plans, events, appointments, meetings will now get a move on.  Hopefully, you have used this time to rethink and regroup so that you can hit the ground running! (I love that expression:0)

Mars and Venus in Scorpio * Together:

On 9/14, Mars the planet of passion and heat joins Venus, our planet of love, and will stay in the secretive, sexy, smoldering sign of Scorpio until 10/27.  Let the “speed dating” games begin. Romance and attraction should perk up considerably. All thoughts/deeds may not turn to “Love”, but, there will certainly be thoughts of pairings/get togethers/ connections, random or otherwise. (BTW – Mars in Scorpio is a great time for achievement of all goals.  Passion and focus in abundance can set us up for accomplishment.)

Mars,  this sign’s “traditional” ruler (modernists consider it to be Pluto), gets  ramped up with the emotional, intense Scorpio energy. Venus, gentle, beauty loving and affectionate, might not be completely comfortable in this hyper passionate sign, however, there should be some steam non-the-less. (Think of Marlon yelling “Stella!!!” – something like that.)

BUT- there always is one – Venus, ruler of both Libra and Taurus, starts its Retrograde motion on 10/8. This backward trek can dull the power of its natural traits. After it backs into its happy sign of Libra on 11/8, Venus will go “Direct” on 11/19.  Full power will be on. (Rethink your wedding date plans??)

Btw: “Stella” reference – Tennessee Williams “Streetcar Named Desire” with Marlon Brando, Vivien Leigh, Kim Hunter

Well, we’ve been here before (most recently the weekend of 7/16).  Libra Moon for Friday 9/10 and Scorpio Moon for Saturday and Sunday, 9/11 and 9/12.   Air sign Libra and Water sign Scorpio are very different in their influences on us, however, squeeze the positive out of each, even though their moods are not the same.

Social, agreeable, partnership focused Libra. Make both yourself and your home attractive. There is a lot to be said for beautiful things to lift spirits and ease the settling of any disputes.

Intense, emotional Scorpio will demand that you connect with others on a deep level.  Superficial just won’t make it. Be self aware – if your speech or action turns into drama for drama’s sake – ease up.  (The Sag Moon will be up next – time for fun and adventure.)

The Sun is in Virgo and that means the month’s New Moon, on September 8th, will be in that same Earth sign. Like all “new” Moon phases, the following 2 weeks are a great time for initiating, starting, creating, etc.

BUT – Mercury is retrograde in Virgo at this time – If you can wait until after 9/12 for all your new stuff, the universe will be in full throttle support. Retrogrades have a habit of slowing things down, interfering with a smooth flow.  If you have to invent something immediately, remember to pay attention to communication details (check things twice).

With Mercury direct, all Virgo’s organization, service energy, work ethic will pop with all the oomph of the usual New Moon energy.  Don’t spend too much time being critical and you can really get something done! (Focus on what matters to you.)

BTW: Mercury (our communication planet) rules both Gemini and Virgo – intelligence, reasoning, cleverness

Expect a mix of home and drama for this weekend. On Friday 9/3, the Moon is happy and comfortable in the sign it rules – emotional, familycentric Cancer and on Sunday morning, we feel the fun influences of “look at me!”  Leo as the Moon does a grand procession into that regal sign. (Wear something Gold.)

Be affectionate, be generous – you know you want to.  Nurture and entertain the people you love. Share yourself.

Moon vibrates in energetic Fire sign Aries for Friday and Saturday.  The mood will change on Sunday morning as the Moon shifts into the steady Earth sign Taurus.

As always with Aries, make sure you have something physical to do. Reign in any aggressive urges, think before you act (rash impulses can lead to embarrassment?). But, all that energy can make it a fun time had by all.

Sunday morning Taurus moon – have a lovely, romantic day if you can. Be obstinate only when it really matters. (Being stubborn, just because you know you can, may be a bit limiting for opportunities. Think about it.)

The “Full” stage of the Moon intensifies the characteristics/energy of the Astrology sign it is in. So, Full Moon in Pisces, think: emotion, creativity, hazy reality, imagination.

If you have something important to do, stay focused. Be discerning. If things seem a little vague, you may want to delay any decisions. Keep grounded, things may not be as bad/good as they seem.  (The sky is NOT falling today and the Brooklyn Bridge has already been sold too many times.)

Make music, art, stories. Use any heightened sensitivity for beautiful things. Spread some Pisces kindness among family and friends. Smile at nice looking strangers. (This is where that “discerning” thing comes in handy)

Earth sign Virgo gets a chance at the Sun on 2 different dates, depending on where you are – Sunday 8/22 10:27PM PDT and Monday 8/23 1:27AM EDT. Whether it is your birth sign or not, we will feel the effects of this practical, hardworking, Mercury ruled 6^th sign of the Zodiac until 9/22/10.

But, (there is always one of those) remember that Mercury, planet of communication – speaking/writing, etc – will be retrograde in Virgo from 8/20 to 9/12 and some of those natural Virgo traits like, attention to detail, glorification of service, may be blunted. Don’t get frustrated and grab on to the other traits of this sign – super critical, worrying for the sake of… If you can stay away from the classic “analyze/paralyze” thing, you can make strides in organization, focusing on job advances (if that’s what you want), financial plans, etc.

Smile, it will be okay. Just do what Virgos are always good at regardless – lending aid and assistance. Making schedules, making plans, improving things, finding a good health/exercise regimen. Contribute!

Moon in Capricorn on Friday, 8/20 – Moon in Aquarius on Saturday evening 8/21 thru Sunday,  8/22 – hmmmm.

Work hard, be in charge on Friday and attend a community fund raiser, coral volunteers for a neighborhood project on Saturday/Sunday?

Whichever you decide to do, use the energy of the particular sign the Moon is visiting on that day.

Earthy Capricorn: Authority, ambition, organized

Airy Aquarius: Friendly, innovative, comfortable in groups with a cause

In any case, use your best stuff as always, have fun.

Okay. All those “re” words work best at times like these – review, rethink, rework, revisit, reduce (not really).  Mercury, the communications planet, appearing to go  backwards in the sky, from 8/20 to 9/12, is not necessarily an event of horrific proportions.  It can be dealt with.

The possibility of communication snafus are intensified this time because Mercury is in one of the signs it rules, Virgo (the other is Gemini). When going direct, all the Virgo/Mercury traits are pumped – analyze, write, speak, teach, work, service. With the sluggishness of a Retrograde, energy may be blunted and slips of the tongue or pen, Freudian or otherwise, can occur. Project initiation/creation would be best delayed if possible – if not, be meticulous, be careful. (Jump all over the details.)

(Next Mercury Retrograde will be 12/10/10 in Capricorn.)