Full Moon to New Moon 9/7 - 9/20

by Kelsey Bednar @the_astro_yogi

This week brings an exciting biannual astro event…a Lunar Eclipse! 

This Eclipse is coming up on Sunday, September 7th, and peaks around 1 pm Chicago time. Unfortunately it’s not visible from the US, but its energy is sure to be felt. Eclipses are unpredictable - we never quite know how significant they will be on an individual level. We will definitely see the symbolism play out on the world stage, but people are more likely to be personally affected if they have planets or angles between 12 - 19 degrees of the mutable signs in their birth chart (Pisces, Virgo, Gemini, Sagittarius).

Lunar Eclipses are Full Moons on steroids. They usher in a period when feelings are highlighted and information comes to light. It’s a time when things could solidify for you internally…a time when clarity strikes you out of the blue. You could have a realization about a decision you’ve been agonizing over, an area of life you’re hoping to expand, or a person or situation you weren’t sure you could let go of. Keep in mind that you may not act on your revelations right away - eclipse energy continues working for up to 6 months. 

Because the Moon is in Pisces we need to trust our intuition, but due to an opposition from Mercury, we may experience a tug-of-war between our rational mind and our inner knowing. To navigate that internal see-saw, delve into your spiritual practices. Get out in nature, take a yoga class, do breathwork, or listen to a guided meditation. I encourage you to “plug in” to the knowing that you are part of a greater cosmic whole. From this place of spiritual connection and grounding, you’re able to tap into the wisdom of your highest self. 

Additionally, the sign of Pisces is connected to the permeability of boundaries. This Eclipse may reveal where boundaries aren’t being honored in your relationships, OR where they have not been communicated at all. You might be the one overstepping, or you could be the one feeling stepped on. If that sentiment resonates with you, don’t despair. You now have an opportunity to do something about it. Virgo season is about improving and perfecting, after all. 

My last bit of advice for an eclipse is to have compassion for both yourself and others. When the Moon is in Pisces there is heightened sensitivity and emotionality. Even if the eclipse does not seem to impact you personally, you never know how it’s playing out for someone else! 

Two last notable events in these next weeks are sign changes for Mercury and Venus.

On September 18th Mercury will leave Virgo and enter Libra. This invites a fresh mental perspective. Mercury in Virgo was all about the details and getting things as precise and correct as possible. As we move into Libra energy, we’re focusing less on what’s technically “right” and more on what’s fair, balanced, and feels good. The next few weeks are a great time to focus on win-win solutions and to consider multiple perspectives when making decisions. 

On September 19th, Mercury’s neighbor Venus leaves the sign of Leo and enters Virgo. This invites us to tweak our approach in relationships. Venus in Virgo is about finding beauty in the mundane. It’s about showing your affection through acts of service. Pay attention to and demonstrate that you know your loved ones’ preferences, idiosyncrasies, and little details. Be ready to help your loved ones IF they ask for it. September 19th & 20th could see relationship disruptions or stresses due to an angle from Uranus, but after that, it should be smooth sailing.

There’s more Eclipse excitement to come at the September New Moon, and I look forward to sharing more & hearing from you!