Astrological Forecast for September 7 to September 13, 2006

by Ellen Zucker

Welcome to eclipse season.

Day in and day out, the Earth revolves around the Sun. Day in and day out, the Moon revolves around the Earth. The movement is constant and so consistent we use it to measure time.

Once a month the Moon passes between the Earth and the Sun. And, half a revolution later, the Earth is lined up between the Moon and the Sun. From the Earth, the former appears as our monthly New Moon and the latter, our Full Moon.

When the Moon's shadow falls upon the Earth or the Earth's shadow falls upon the Moon, we have an eclipse.

Because the Moon's orbit around the Earth tilts 5 degrees relative to the Earth's orbit around the Sun, the shadows miss most of the time. And you have to be in the shadows' path, which only cover a small part of the Earth at any given time, to see the eclipse.

We experience solar and lunar eclipses twice a year. They come in pairs; a lunar eclipse followed two weeks later by the solar. This month we experience our second pair of eclipses (the first pair occurred in March).

Today's is a lunar eclipse. You have to be in the Eastern hemisphere to see it.

Astrologically, eclipses have great significance. They act like a New or Full Moon on steroids. They release massive amounts of energy, triggering events and pushing us forward; whether we are ready or not - willing or not.

Today's eclipse occurs at 15 degrees of Pisces/Virgo. It draws in the energy of nearby Uranus. Its energymakes us restless and opens the door to the unexpected - as a result we find we change to adapt to new conditions.

This lunar eclipse highlights the dilemma of the struggling artist who works at an day job in an office cubicle to pay the rent. The day job steals his time and energy, but the income from his art is not enough to support his basic needs. With Uranus in the mix, he may want to use his creativity to come up with an unconventional alternative.

So... how are you supporting your own dreams?

If you are beginning to feel more buoyant than usual, it may be that you are under the thrall of the approaching Jupiter-Neptune square. This aspect becomes exact in two weeks, but the intensity is building.

Jupiter makes us feel optimistic and expansive. Neptune is the place where our dreams reside. Use the energy to explore the spiritual dimensions to life or dream ahead about possibilities. Later, you will have ample opportunity bring your dreams down to earth and make them practical. After all, a goal is nothing more than a vision with a timeline.

Just don't overextend yourself and let things go to your head. Neptune is the planet of illusion. So when Neptune gets involved, not everything is what it seems. It is prudent to check out people and promises thoroughly.

Lastly, we see the beginning of the shift in energy from Virgo to Libra. This week Mars (Friday) and Mercury (Wednesday) make the switch. Libran energy remindsus that no man is an island. Read more in my bonus article.

September 7
The lunar eclipse at 15 degrees Pisces/Virgo asks us to balance our visions with reality. If we plan carefully we can cope with day-to-day living while still reaching for our dreams.

September 8
It is important to pay attention to your own needs. But now that Mars has just entered Libra for a six week stay, the most effective way to get your needs met is by working through others. It's just that people may be touchy today.

September 9
Small words have great significance. You can learn a great deal if you listen carefully and take care not to overreact. Stay focused. The pm is easier than the am.

September 10
The day changes tone in the mid-afternoon when the Moon enters Taurus (2:31 EDT). People are calmer and less hair-trigger.

September 11
Today is the 5th anniversary of that sad event. The Sun makes an uncomfortable aspect to the Saturn-Neptune opposition causing us to feel out-of-kilter. Fortunately we find balance in the earthy Taurus moon. Keep it basic, down-to-earth and don't expect too much today.

September 12
Mercury enters Libra today for a three-week journey. We begin to change our focus from nut-and-bolts issues to our relationships with others. Communication increases as Moon shifts to chatty Gemini in the pm.

September 13
Don't let an unexpected comment throw off what is otherwise a nice day.

© 2006 Ellen M. Zucker