It’s September and eclipse season. This is something that makes many people anxious as eclipses down the centuries having a reputation for nasty surprises, famines, warfare and the fall of leaders.
September 7 brings a total eclipse of the Moon in the sign of Pisces, a so-called ‘blood moon’ on account of its colour, with the eclipse visible over northern and western parts of the U.K. You need to be up high to see it as its low on the eastern horizon. Two weeks later, at the new Moon of September 21, there is a partial eclipse of the Sun, the second new Moon in Virgo this year after that of August 23, and in the final maverick degree of The Maiden’s skies.
The eclipses put enormous emphasis on the Virgo-Pisces axis, and how the incoming cosmic tides affect individuals depends on how prominently those two signs feature in your personal horoscope.
There is also the matter of how you feel about eclipses. Are they as fearsome as times past claimed, or has modern astrology tamed them into becoming important way-markers but not necessarily portending dread events?
The great English poet John Milton, something of an astrologer himself, supplies the traditional view:
“When the Sun, new risen,
Looks through the horizontal misty air,
Shorn of his beams, or from behind the Moon,
In dim eclipse, disastrous twilight sheds
On half the nations and with fear of change
Perplexes monarchs.”
That grim picture fits modern times well enough, though we live in an era when the downfall of a few tyrants seems no bad thing. The second eclipse at the peak of the USA’s birth chart – for July 4, 1776 at 16.50 – holds promise in that regard.
The eclipses aren’t the only game in town. Prometheus in Gemini will be one of the big stories in 2026, but has given us a preview of what’s to come in the shape of Artificial Intelligence – this is the planet of technology and revolution in the sign of intelligence and human interaction , running all the way from Chat GPT in your pocket to battling robots and Philp K. Dick’s Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep ( best known as Blade Runner ). Expect more developments this very month.
Finally comes the annual Autumn on September 23, when the Sub moves into Libra, sign of peace and harmony. It’s also the birth sign of Vladimir Putin and Benjamin Netanyahu, plus many Peace Warriors (e.g. Springsteen and Lennon). Let’s hope the peaceniks prevail.
Celestial Timetable
September 7 at 19.08 BST Full Moon in Pisces, a ‘Blood Moon’, is also a total lunar eclipse.
September 21 New Moon in Virgo at 20.54 BST. This is also a partial solar eclipse.
September 22 at 19.19 BST Autumn Equinox, the Sun moves into Libra.
Mercury moves from Leo to Virgo on September 2, then into Libra September 18.
Venus is moving forward in Leo and moves into Virgo on September 19.
Mars is in Libra until the September 22, thereafter in Scorpio.
Jupiter is moving forwards in Cancer all month.
Saturn is retrograde in Pisces.
Prometheus remains in Gemini, turning retrograde there on September 6.
Neptune is retrograde in Aries.
Pluto is retrograde in Aquarius.
Virgo and Virgo rising
Your birthday month presents you with clear options: 1. Cower in fear from the two eclipses across your nodal axis. 2. Celebrate the overdue changes you now feel you simply must make, alongside those that are forced upon you.
The lunar eclipse of September 7 is in your complementary sign of Pisces and is most likely to involve a partnership. It need not be a bust-up, as likely is an alteration in the terms of a relationship, or an out of the blue arrival, but other people loom large in your affairs at this time. You can also use the darkness of this eclipse to despatch years of accumulated angst and disappointment; simply bundle up the sadness and throw it into Pisces’ kindly waters.
Because you have two new Moons this month (the first on August 23), it is a time for fresh initiatives. Until the Equinox your ruling planet, Mercury is with you to implement organisation. The solar eclipse of September 21 is less an interruption than an opportunity to issue edicts and reaffirm your rules. Saturn opposite the eclipse affirms this new Moon has serious heft.
Thereafter your horoscope is dominated by Venus passing through your skies, offering a gentle hand to hold if needed, or a spikier charm offensive if that’s what will most help. Happy Birthday.
Libra and Libra rising
While warrior Mars marches through your skies, until the Equinox opens your birthday month, you are well equipped to take in the world, push your body and exhibit your usual/sometime fighting spirit . All of which runs counter to the great lunar eclipse of the 7th, which arrives in an unprepossessing zone of your solar chart, where mundane activities matter most (although health issues are emphasised).
Indeed, those of you born near the Equinox already have planets on their case – Prometheus, Neptune , Pluto – which between them are enough to turn any life upside down and send you scurrying in a totally new direction, career wise and relationship wise.
Most Librans are under no such pressures. The period after the Sun reaches your skies looks agreeable and, yup, well balanced, with Mercury lending you good judgment. More exciting times lay just up ahead. Meanwhile, Happy Birthday.
Scorpio and Scorpio rising
People – not you obviously – forget that Scorpio is a water sign whose waters run deep (to down where the fish need lights on their heads ). An eclipse in oceanic Pisces is therefore a big deal, touching on the things that make your heart sing, especially romance. A change in the terms of a relationship – or its disappearance – are both flagged, as is the arrival of a brand new lover or friend.
The fateful quality that often accompanies eclipses means you don’t have to do too much but observe and understand, but be ready to take action once the eclipses have gone and your ruling planet, Mars moves into your skies for a six week stay (from the 22nd) invites you to shape your emotional life exactly how you would like it.
Sagittarius and Sagittarius rising
It may take time to unravel developments that impinge on your career and your home. The eclipses hit both zones of your solar chart, and it can seem that, you are carried along by forces over which you have little control, with domestic issues overwhelming.
The eclipse of the 21st looks the more dynamic and has the capacity to either rocket you to new career highs, or to show you that one goal you have been pursuing is unrealisable. Que sera. However, with Venus passing across the roof of your solar ‘scope, there is much to play for in your working life, where you might also discover unexpected romance. That crazy-ass planet Prometheus remain, for the time being, in opposition and making splendid alignments to Venus and to Neptune, giddy stuff. In any case, the post-equinox world, with the Sun in your zone of teamwork and camaraderie, looks very busy.
Capricorn and Capricorn rising
Castle Capricorn is usually a settled matter, a redoubt against the world, and purchased long ago. Yet just now there seem to be issues surrounding your domestic set-up. Your ruler, Saturn, has just retreated across the root of your solar ‘scope zone into a flightier position, but will be back in February, so there maybe loose ends to tie up about who is sharing your beautiful home, or you may be planning to move on. If so, take the winter months to complete the deal.
Saturn is now caught up in the eclipses of the 7th and 21st, especially the latter, indicating a new opportunity to travel, acquire new skill sets or slip sideways at work. Career remains nicely starred, a little aggravation from mars perhaps in the run-up to the Equinox, but thereafter a month of solid advancement. Jupiter remains in opposition, meaning someone, somewhere has the hots for you. Honest.
Aquarius and Aquarius rising
If it weren’t for the not-so-small matter of two major eclipses, one might look at September’s stars and think how exciting and open-ended the omens are. And so they are, but those eclipses are lodged across the financial axis of your solar ‘scope, the cash zone where you make and collect your daily bread, so to speak, and the more complex zone of assets, which concerns savings, mortgages, windfalls and taxes. The month’s first rule, therefore, is not to take risks with money. If you wish to do any deals, give it a few weeks, keep a gimlet eye on your pile, don’t splurge (or spaff).
One reason to be otherwise animated is that three outer plants align at the start of their respective sigs. Pluto in Aquarius, Neptune in Aries and Prometheus in Gemini. Such a combo promises you power and attractive company, but also a little too much misty-eyed optimism. Most of all this trio are about surprises, hopefully of the pleasant sort.
With the equinox comes more change but of the less all-or-nothing variety. Libra represents people for you, friends and acquaintances, your widest social circle, while Mars reaching the peak of your solar horoscope spells battles at work.
Pisces and Pisces rising
You may be able to sail through September’s eclipses without disturbance – you are a canny fish are you not? – but given the volatility implied by two eclipses you are more likely to be at a turning point where you are obliged to, or choose to, make a major change or two. Those of you born around March 15 are in the eye of the storm that is a total lunar eclipse (at the full Moon of September 7), when a relationship (not necessarily romantic) appears to have run its course or reached a point where you want to move things on rather than staying in the same old groove.
The solar eclipse of the 21st repeats the message, especially for birthdays circa March 19. You may not feel like the one in control at this point, especially since Saturn is back in your skies to ensure you finish what you started say sex months ago. Also active is Prometheus, with an unsettling square from Gemini.
One thing the eclipses encourage is to let go of grief and sadness, cast old baggage into the mire. Transformation is the name of the game.
However, the first few weeks of the month unfold, planets coming along at the Autumn equinox keep opportunities bubbling. Venus in opposition signifies a chance to make peace with someone, or a promising romantic encounter. Mars in Scorpio brings a questing, international outlook into play for the following six weeks. And since your ruler, Jupiter, remains splendidly sited in watery Cancer, every knock-back carries a corresponding blessing and opportunity.
Aries and Aries rising
With two major planets, Saturn and Neptune, crossing the border between Pisces and Aries and now retreating, you are already in a state of transition, albeit slow. It seems doubtful whether a total lunar eclipse in your solar twelfth house adds much more what’s going on, it looks more like statement from the past, especially from six months ago. The odd ghost may come calling.
The second eclipse/new Moon on the 21st is more purposeful and is a call to maintain thatmens sana in corpore sano (healthy mind and body).In short, think and behave like a Virgo!
There are recommendations from other planets. Mars in opposition until 22nd calls for care when handling others; you are at disadvantage when taking on your main squeeze, for example. Generosity wins you more friends than adversity.
Taurus and Taurus rising
Earthy Virgo is a boon sign for the Bull, a zone of thrills, romance and creativity. With two new Moons here, plus Mercury, plus your ruling planet Venus after the 20th, your romantic spirit should be bursting at the seams, whether you are caught up in a Jane Austen scenario or rocking round town in your hot-rod.
The involvement of two eclipses can supercharge the mood or sabotage it. Disappearances are common at eclipses – escape under cover of darkness – but the new Moon of the 21st looks an optimistic, forward-thinking development.
There is plenty of action in play after eclipse season, notably Mars moving into opposition for six weeks from the 22nd; definitely not the easiest transit of the year, since you are on the backfoot against a planet that can seduce but also strike. Don’t be playing any rough games!
Gemini and Gemini rising
It’s a multi-tasking month. The two eclipses figure prominently, the first at the peak of your solar ‘scope, the second at its nadir. The lunar eclipse at the top of your chart , where Saturn is now back for a few months, stresses that battles for public recognition are hard won, but perhaps you get a glimmer of a different way to run your career at this point.
The second eclipse at the other side of your ‘scope stresses issues about where you live and with whom. Again, it could be time for a different solution to domestic issues.
The backdrop to the eclipses is pretty impressive, starting with the presence of Prometheus in your own skies; effervescent and relentless in its demand for change for birthdays May 21-22. All Geminis benefit from the presence of Mars in your fifth house of parties and recreation – time for some gatecrashing of social events to which you have outrageously not been invited – and after the 20th, when Mars moves on, the Equinox Sun moves in to illumine activities and people closest to your heart. Enjoy.
Cancer and Cancer rising
You look impressively well-grounded, certainly stalwart enough to sail through two eclipses that impact the zones of learning, education and events and people at a distance. Important, but not existential, and with Jupiter radiant in your skies you have a barrier against Hamlet’s ‘slings and arrows of outrageous fortune’. The eclipses may even prove assets. Jupiter aspects the full Moon in what astro speak calls ‘mutual reception’ – the Moon belongs to Cancer, Jupiter to Pisces, so this event is about co-operation. Be mutual.
The second eclipse looks lock-on to comms and education, good for forays into academe. Time to dazzle the world with your skills and knowledge.
Once past the Equinox you’re on home turf, with the Sun and Mercury lighting up domestic bliss. A good season all round to streamline your domestic setup. You also get warrior Mars on your side, giving you the gusto to win a rosette or three at the pony club of choice. Play up and play the game.
Leo and Leo rising
In the run-in to the Autumn Equinox, you have fair Venus in your skies, making this a time for love – large and small ‘ L’ – to thrive. Then there is the matter of the eclipses, which fall across the financial axis of your solar ‘scope. The lunar eclipse further brings with it mystery, of getting below the surface of things to discover what is really going on (clue, social media won’t know or tell you). This is a soul encounter, though oddly money is involved, specially by the second eclipse, which offers a new attitude to your not so favourite subject, cash and ready money. With Saturn opposite this new Moon/eclipse there would seem to be a shortage of the folding stuff, one which you alone can solve.
Post-Equinox your world looks less stressed. Your Sun ruler is in lighter, more sociable mood while Mars in your home zone spells several weeks of DIY bright ideas or a domestic scrap. My hunch is that the king or queen will win.
Astrology Consultations from Pam Carruthers
Readers often ask if I give personal readings. I don’t. My primary jobs remain journalist and writer. By contrast, Pam Carruthers, webmaster, fellow astrologer and long time friend, is a professional astrologer who uses both western and vedic systems for individual clients.
Pam, who is now based in Eastbourne in the UK, has an international clientele. She is a gifted astrologer and teacher and offers Astrology Life Coaching based on your birth chart. One service she offers is ‘Launch with the Stars’ Business Astrology helping clients choose the most auspicious dates to start a new project, get married or relaunch a website.
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Her website is www.healingstars.com
Want to know the Key Astrology Dates 2025 to help you plan ahead?
Pam Carruthers has compiled 2 FREE REPORTS. The New and Full Moons in 2025, followed by the Mercury Retrograde and Eclipses Report.
The most important days in the entire year to avoid launching any new projects are the days of the Solar and Lunar eclipses and the days when Mercury goes Retrograde.