As you pack in the final beach days of the summer and look forward to what's ahead, things are shifting in the stars and September ushers in a totally different vibe. While things cool down temperature-wise, the change-making intensity of August chills out a bit too. That isn’t to say that September isn’t rife with pivots and fluctuations, but it’s definitely not as overwhelming as what we moved through last month. The astrology of August pushed us to our limits, it showed us the type of intense pressure that we are capable of surviving. September brings us a necessary moment of pause in the form of a Mercury Retrograde, giving us permission to stop, catch our breath, look around, and proceed forward with some grace and dignity. It’s a process, though.
Mercury stations retrograde on September 9 and remains in backward motion until it stations direct on October 2, when retrograde ends. When Mercury—the planet that governs communication, the sharing and receiving of data and information, as well as local travel—slows down to a stop and pivots to move backward on September 9, it’s our sign to slow down and pivot as well. Specific parts of your life will be up for review, re-evaluation, or re-dos during the retrograde period. Whether you’re traveling this month or staying in, you’ll thank yourself in October by heeding the call to take advantage of this three-week portal in Retrograde Land by using the time to slow down and reflect before life—and travel—revs back up in October. Below, your September 2022 horoscope.
Astrologer's note: Below we refer to your signs as “rising” signs, also known as your ascendant sign. Horoscopes are more accurate when read this way—using your birth time and location, you can quickly find your rising sign online (it takes less than 30 seconds).
Aries Rising
Brace yourself for whiplash as you enter into September, for while you might be feeling more energy and movement in your body than last month, your mental faculties require more rest and quiet moments than you might realize. It’s a busy month—no, a busy season for you—as we head into autumn. You have tons of places to be and likely have quite a bit of travel on the docket already. What’s important to keep in mind is that Mercury, the planet that governs your local transportation and methods of communication, will be stationing to go retrograde on Friday, September 9. We know Mercury in retrograde has a bad rap—but don’t panic. If you’re traveling during this time, be sure to triple check your itinerary, leave extra early, and anticipate delays. If you’re staying close to home but feeling the need to take a spontaneous adventure, the following day, September 10, there’s a Pisces Full Moon that signals the perfect time for a solo escape. The full moon lights up your 12th house of solitude, retreat, and contemplation. Even if you have to be around people that weekend, do your best to carve out some quiet time just for yourself, preferably in or near water (bath tubs count) so that you can properly process all that you’ve moved through this past season. Yes, it’s been a lot, and no, you’re not being dramatic. The key for moving through this retrograde season is to operate with the expectation of miscommunication and delays, and to find the silver lining in any hiccups—as there are bound to be plenty.
Taurus Rising
It’s a rather social month for you, and you’re probably ready to blow off some steam. August was a doozy in all ways, shapes, and forms, and you deserve to let loose a bit. A full moon in Pisces on Saturday, September 10, brightens up the part of your chart relating to friendships, community, and networking. You may be traveling with friends, or to see friends you haven’t seen in a while. Get ready for some heart-opening connections, lots of joy, and maybe a few tears (the good kind). While you’ll find lots of love in connecting with others, note that the Mercury retrograde beginning on September 9 directly affects your wallet, and ends October 2. Mercury governs your income and purchases, so when it’s retrograde, you may end up buying things you’ll later want to return. When it comes to travel, you may want to hold off on booking anything that doesn’t have a gracious refund or rescheduling policy. But you have plenty else to do at home: It’s a great time to review your travel budget. This should be a fun month, so just be careful about your spending habits—and remember that you can still have a blast without going overboard. You’ll thank yourself for it in the future. (Maybe you could pay it forward to yourself and start a new travel fund for a winter getaway in December.)
Gemini Rising
September finds you home-bound and rooted this month as your ruling planet, Mercury, stations retrograde on Friday, September 9. Being ruled by the messenger god means that you have the role of communicator, facilitator, connector, and bridge-maker. So when Mercury appears to stop in the sky, you similarly must take a pause. Mercury also governs your home, family, and ancestral roots. Perhaps you’re beginning a re-evaluation of where you live and how much (or little) access to joy, pleasure, and fun that space affords you. Or perhaps you’re becoming curious about your ancestral identity in ways that might inspire travel to homelands and cultural spots. Be sure to allow yourself plenty of time and space to reconsider, change your mind, pivot course, and return to previous paths this month. Whether you’re returning home from a trip or just going to your hometown to see family, be open to special revelations. Remember, while Mercury is retrograde (September 9 to October 2), you are retrograde, and the best way to move through it is to move with it. Honor this sacred pause and allow it to become a homecoming of sorts, a way to reconnect with yourself and where you come from.