On the world stage, major Mars aspects indicate that the courageous and risk-taking character of Mars is likely to be used by the U.S. military in the first two weeks of September. This Mars energy will be used to carry out black ops to extract U.S. citizens and foreign nationals from Kabul, Afghanistan AFTER the August 31^st deadline. It will have to be done extremely carefully with the cooperation of the Taliban who have been working with the U.S. Fortunately this courageous Mars will be tempered by the analytical nature of Mars in Virgo (where it is transiting now) as well as the Sun in Virgo. The Responsibility for the suicide bombing on August 25^th was claimed by the radical Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISKP). The ISKP claimed responsibility for the bombing of two gates surrounding the Kabul airport on the civilian side. Let us hope that no further incident will cause destruction in Kabul this month.

On a personal level the Mars opposing Neptune transit of the first week of September will create a feeling of physical weakness and lack of confidence. This aspect may correlate to weakened personal health as the new Covid variants begin their sweep through many countries around the world. Many U.S. state courts are ruling now that governors cannot dictate against a mask mandate in the public schools. It will be very important for us to protect ourselves against Covid exposure during the Labor Day weekend in the U.S. Neptune rules infectious diseases and Mars in Virgo opposing Neptune will cause our Mars energy and immunity to be weakened significantly. Stay safe, avoid crowds and wear a mask in public. If you have an opportunity to get vaccinated or to receive a booster shot please do so for your own safety and the collective safety of your community.

The New Moon this month will occur on Monday the 6^th, Labor Day itself, at 8:52 p.m. This New Moon in the sign of Virgo helps us to get organized for the fall. Take some time today to make a list of what you want to accomplish between now and the spring. These goals can be personal, work-related or creative projects or a mix of all three. This is a very practical New Moon with positive aspects between inner and outer planets that can help us to “get it done!” Mars on this day makes a harmonizing trine to Pluto. With this aspect we are able to focus our energy to take care of long- standing issues that have been causing us trouble for quite a while. The energy we can rally today shows our need to resolve the issue and it’s a great relief to take care of it. Also on this day Venus makes a positive trine to Jupiter, with both in air signs. Ideas conceived today can bring us a higher level of abundance. Be sure to make note of these ideas. They may be valuable at a later date when you need them! Also beware of spending too much money between the 5^th and 6th caused by the upbeat and optimistic mood created by this Venus/Jupiter combo. Conversely Venus makes a challenging square aspect to Pluto this week. Existing relationships become very intense under this aspect and new ones center around issues of power and control. If you meet someone you’re attracted to now the attraction will be instant and magnetic. The origins of this relationship are likely to be karmic however so be prepared to be strongly transformed by this relationship for good or for ill. The Sun in Virgo also makes a harmonious trine to Uranus in Taurus on this New Moon day. Be prepared to upgrade certain elements of your life now. You deserve to make life easier for yourself via technology! Overall, this New Moon makes us aware of the person we CAN BE with the courage of our convictions. Go for your Bliss! Having a plan for goals and benchmarks along the way, Virgo-style, will allow you to feel more fulfilled by this time next year.

On Friday the 10^th Venus moves into the slinky sign of Scorpio for a month between today at 4:39 p.m. EDT and October 7^th. Venus is the planet of love and romance. It also indicates what topics interest us during a given period of time. With Venus in Scorpio we are interested in the occult, hidden information and investigation in general. Psychology and mysticism will draw us in. Relationships begun at this time will be very intense on a physical level as well as emotionally. We may soon feel as though we can’t tolerate this person who seemed so charming last week or we may feel we can’t live without them. Either way, this is a very psychologically intense time of year!

On Tuesday the 14^th Mars. The planet of motivation and passion makes its entrance into Libra, the sign of Justice, at 8:14 p.m. EDT. Mars will remain in the sign of the Scales from today through October 30^th, just before Halloween. Mars in Libra is an activist or a soldier who will fight for his or her perceived version of justice. This is likely to be a dangerous period in the Middle East as fundamentalist leaders convince their followers of the need to defend their point of view. Regardless of where you live, watch out for road rage on the street and general random acts of meanness. If you are a person who respects the opinions of others this is a productive time during which you can share information and learn greatly from others.

The Moon waxes to full on Monday the 20^th at 7:55 p.m. EDT. The Sun is conjunct Mars on the 18^th, 19^th and 20th and Neptune is conjunct the Moon. With the Sun conjunct Mars in Virgo there is a buildup of energy in the body that can be used to accomplish major projects. Creative projects that are physical are especially attractive during these three days because we have “energy to burn.” If you are not able to use your energy today beware of a tendency you may have toward accidents now due to repressed energy. This would be a day to take a vigorous walk if you have nothing physical to do. Likewise, projects requiring mental energy can be brought to a successful advancement now. With Neptune conjunct the Moon in Pisces this is a day when our emotional sensitivity may have us feeling inadequate and abandoned or confused. Remember that these feelings are temporary and that you will be feeling better soon. Neptune can cause disillusionment but also cause us to be enamored or hypnotized by a person or situation. A movie or tv series binge is perfect for this weekend as Pisces rules film. Again, remember that this is a temporary illusion of perfection that will not last. Spiritual connection is heightened by the Moon conjunct Neptune, especially in the sign of Pisces. This is the ideal weekend for meditation.

Tuesday the 21^st is the UN International Day of Peace. The Moon in Aries today and the lingering influence of the Sun conjunct Mars can help peace activism groups to accomplish major goals. This would be a good day to hold a public event for a good cause. Keep it peaceful.

Happy Birthday Libra! The Fall Equinox takes place at 3:21 p.m. EDT on Wednesday, September 22^nd. This is the day when the Sun departs Virgo and enters Libra until October 23^rd this year. The Libra Sun sign period is a very social time when many artistic and social events bring our awareness to Venus-centered energy. Fall concerts, art shows, theater and fashion events bring a sparkle to our lives. If we are not able to attend in person due to Covid there are likely to be online events which give us an opportunity to get together. Libra Sun sign folks are great activists for a cause especially one involving civil and gender justice. Enjoy the cooling Fall weather at an apple picking event or watching the fall colors come to fullness. Fall hikes are a Covid-safe activity that we can all take part in.

Mercury joins the massive Retrograde planet party on Monday the 27^th at 1:10 a.m. EDT. Mercury will be at 26 degrees Libra when it retrogrades. This period will last three weeks until October 18^th when Mercury and Jupiter in Aquarius will both go direct causing major influxes of information to flood the airwaves. With Mercury retrograde in Libra, there is a risk of many misunderstandings in relationships and partnerships. This is an ideal time to take stock of your romantic and business relationship(s) rather than moving forward on any projects together. Assess whether there is an equal division of labor and whether you feel you receive from your partner, in some degree, what you give. Sometimes the division of labor and the balance of giving is not meant to be equal but you will know whether you feel you are receiving what you need to from your partner. If you are not, mid-October is a time when you may wish to part ways or to reduce your involvement with this partner. If you do feel that you are receiving your due, you can resume your activity with this person with renewed commitment. From September 27^th to October 5^th Mercury and all of the outer planets are retrograde, making this a time to assess our relationships our work and creative projects rather than taking action. Whenever there is a retrograde we are likely to practice “re” activities such as returns, re-assessments, renewals, reflection, rewrites etc. Avoid signing contracts on a business or a new home during this period. The contract may not be satisfactory and will need to be re-written. Try to get your major business transactions completed by Friday, September 24^th in order to avoid confusion and misunderstandings. When Mercury again moves forward on October 18^th, it will remain inside its “shadow” until November 3^rd. After November 3^rd will be the best time to move forward on major projects if you are able to wait until then.

Now let’s take a look at the Virgo Birthday aspects for the year ahead. Every year we look at the aspects that the Sun makes to inner and outer planets to determine the character of the year in advance. If you were born during a period when there were no aspects between your Sun and the planets, you are not being forgotten or left out. This is a year in which you are blessed to experience a purely Virgo year. With an un-aspected Virgo year you are likely to be organizing your fall and winter to be able to accomplish year end business efficiently. Planning is everything, especially during the fall when business picks up and there is so much to get accomplished. Your careful approach to work and relationships is respected by those you know you for any period of time. Keep on keepin’ on Virgos! You’re amazing! Virgo natives born between the 23^rd and the 27^th of August, the 9^th and 10^th of September and the 19^th and the 21^st of September will experience an un-aspected year this year. Virgo folks born between the 28^th and the 1^st of September will experience a year in which their Sun makes a quincunx to Saturn. A quincunx aspect implies that you need to adjust the way that you use Saturn in the coming year. If you have been working yourself too hard, take a step back, you deserve it. If you have been procrastinating about important work that needs to get done personally or professionally this is the time to get to it! Virgos born between the 2^nd and the 8^th of September will experience a year in which technology can help you upgrade your life significantly! Uranus rules knowing how to work smarter not harder. Use the sudden insights you come up with to create greater abundance for yourself and others as a result of your intelligence. Virgos born between the 11^th and the 15^th of September will experience a year in which their Sun will oppose Neptune. There is a big difference between the things we need and the things we wish we had. At times this year you will be longing for greater ease, greater dreams to work toward and greater spiritual connection. Focus on the practical and see the magic that does come your way as a bonus. Deepening your spiritual practice or volunteering your time for people and animals who have less will help you to experience and to share the abundance you do have. Virgoans born between the 13^th and the 18^th of September will experience a year in which their Sun will make an inconjunct aspect to Jupiter and their Sun will trine (or harmonize) with Pluto. The inconjunct of your Sun to Jupiter gives you an opportunity to adjust your view of abundance to a new vision. If you have been impacted by Covid in your health, your wealth or your livelihood it is hard to see the abundance at first. But there is something good that comes out of the bad –if you look long enough. With your Sun in harmony to Pluto in Capricorn this year you will find that leadership positions come more easily to you now. You can expect to be promoted or to gain a valuable new client under this influence. You are more powerful than ever before in your life. Get used to it and take a STEP UP to your new reality! Congrats!