The astrology of the New Moon configuration for the U.S.A. September 18, 2009 is one that makes an astrologer take pause. “Interesting” is a safe term for the intense planetary line-up of the Sun, Moon, Saturn and Mercury meeting up in the sign of Virgo. This is a time when the night sky is dark without illumination from our nocturnal friend, the Moon as it occupies the same space in the sky as our Sun.  Saturn, the planet of restriction and challenge, is conjunct this new moon, and is considered one of the most difficult transits in astrology, as it can herald a time of emotional depression, domestic and/or financial difficulties. It may also increase our need for self-sufficiency and independence and instill a negative attitude. In any event, it is a time when our strength, patience, endurance and self-discipline will be tested. And after all is said and done, this particular astrological event can have a maturing and strengthening affect on all of us.

This does appears to be a very unfavorable time for the stock market, investments or other speculative endeavors, and indeed we could see an upswing in the onslaught of a pandemic or other health issues, possibly related to hygiene, clean water and food supplies. (This is the influence of Virgo). It could be a time when we all have a tendency to brood and wallow in self-pity or develop a poor emotional outlook.  However, under this transit practical accomplishments can be achieved in areas involved with domestic improvement, fixing up or organizing the home, and preparing for some difficult times ahead.  The key phrase for this time period is, “This too shall pass.”

Saturn’s transit with Mercury indicates a time of increased responsibilities and seriousness. It is favorable for self-discipline and allows us to diligently learn the lessons of Saturn’s challenges. It is a time to take a more serious interest in health, work, education, and group or organizational activities – especially those activities that relate to educational, community or scientific work. Worry and depression may abound but it is imperative that we not be critical or lack understanding towards others. There could also be difficulties relating to communication or transportation.

This is all playing out in the U.S. chart in the 9^th House of foreign affairs, long distance travel, higher education, religion and philosophy and legal proceedings, and the 4^th House of domestic affairs, real estate, and security. This new moon represents the future, explorations of the mind and body, prophetic insight and learning new truths.  It may bring with it an increased interest in metaphysics, religion, the occult, higher education, the law and affairs related to long distance travel and foreign affairs. The U.S. may find its belief system once again challenged by those from a foreign land. The 9^th house also includes the stock market, which may once again be headed for the downward turn of a roller-coaster ride.  With the New Moon in Virgo, we may find ourselves more deeply involved in charity and volunteer work, helping our neighbor and those in crisis.

Uranus’s position in the US fourth house will bring unexpected major changes to the very foundations of the country. For some, this may precipitate the need for sudden change of residence due to floods, fire, loss of infrastructure and any manner of sudden natural disaster, although with Uranus in the sign of Pisces, my feeling here is this is more “water” or “biological” in nature. We may find ourselves planning organizational activities with our family, friends and neighbors to prepare/defend our homes and ourselves. Many people will find themselves renovating their homes to accommodate for changing times. Family members could become scattered, or there can be unusual events affecting many people. At best, there will be major changes in the domestic situation before this transit is over. We may all find ourselves becoming interested in and connected with the earth itself, as many will start growing their own foods, preserving canned goods and begin to live more self-sufficiently. This may usher in a time when community or neighborhood gardens become quite desirable if not necessary.

The Saturn/Uranus opposition indicates a crisis in maintaining the pursuit of personal freedom in the face of social pressure and professional responsibilities. These responsibilities often externalize in the form of rebellion against the status quo, authority, and established social structures. It is oppression versus rebellion. Some may be seeking personal freedom without regard to duties, responsibilities and the rights of others.  This may coincide with the timing of a major labor strike or several strikes occurring at the same time. The prevailing attitude may be a hypocritical attitude which expects complete freedom for oneself and at the same expects disciplined sacrifice and hard work from others … the over-fed, over-paid CEO’s who continue to rake in millions of dollars in undeserved bonus money versus the disappearing middle-class workers who continue to see their savings, pensions and life-styles become a thing of the past.  This just may signal a time of sudden and unexpected reversal of fortunes for some of the corporate “fat-cats” who may begin to choke on their moral fur-balls. 

September will be a time of emotional upsets and domestic difficulties, as we will be influenced by emotional habit patterns of the past, which arise unexpectedly and in peculiar ways: business partnerships, corporate affairs, insurance, taxes or inheritances. There will be a lot of concern regarding financial matters and business affairs, especially those dealing with land, real estate, food, the stock market or other domestic products. In some cases, the very foundations of one’s security, the physical home, may be affected, forcing people to move or make drastic alterations or repairs of the home.

Uranus is the planet of the unexpected, and if I could tell exactly how Uranus was going to affect the Sun, Moon, Saturn and Mercury in its opposition, then it really wouldn’t be Uranus. Uranus is unpredictable, often shocking us out of the day-to-day “normalcy” we all come to depend upon.  However, Uranus always brings needed change, reform, independence, and freedom from existing out-worn conditions.

Uranus (the planet of the unexpected), clashing with Mercury, (the planet of communication) can also result in difficulties in communications which can affect everybody and bring a sense of feeling “cut-off” from family, employers, co-workers, and neighbors (black-outs, power outages). There can be a sense of confusion, misunderstanding and exaggerations of the truth under these aspects.  This aspect could also bring about large-scale health issues, which can affect the nervous and digestive systems, and in turn interfere with the ability to function effectively on very basic levels.

So obstacles and problems that we as a country have previously happily overlooked may suddenly erupt (Uranus) and need to be dealt with (Saturn). Changes may be forced upon us and it may seem that our options are limited as we struggle to change course, and some of us may feel like our basic freedom has been destroyed. These feelings can play out in sudden streaks of eccentricity and sudden erratic actions on the part of others. Indeed, this can be a time of great tension, disputes, animosity, estrangements, separation and bereavement. Again, the key phrase here is, “This too shall pass.”  Have patience, and wait for better times, and know that they are ahead.   Uranus forces change and Saturn brings restriction and challenge … but Saturn is always fair, and we always get rewarded when we learn our lessons well. Understand that the changes that will be occurring now, while unexpected, unwanted and unsavory, will clear the decks and allow growth, opportunity, spiritual understanding and the beginning of a better way of life for all of us.

Mars simultaneous square to Saturn adds an interesting ingredient to this cosmic soup, and can be an extremely frustrating and dangerous time, a time when we can all become easily irritated and want to take matters into our own hands. There may be a very strained relationship with authority figures at this time, and this can work against our own best interests. There may be turbulent passions, feelings of irritation, impatience and violence, or we (as a country) may attract those who display these traits. This aspect can sometimes bring the death of a beloved and respected leader. Sometimes it brings feelings of the loss of liberty.

Mars (the planet of action and aggression) is in the U.S. 7^th house of relationships, the public and open enemies. Mars is in Cancer, which rules the home and domestic issues, and it is an uncomfortable placement for the planet of action.  It wants to stir things up. It doesn’t want cozy and comfy … security is boring and to some people threatening.  Its challenge to the U.S. natal Saturn in the 10^th house of reputation, honor, and leadership is make changes NOW!  You could think of it as a trigger point for a demand for change, and a dramatic event may occur around the time of the new moon that pulls the trigger resulting in a major life-altering event.

Mars conjunct the U.S. Sun is a powerful transit that can lead to constructive accomplishment if properly handled. The action involved often relates to some kind of physical exertion. We can use this energy to develop qualities of personal initiative, willpower and self-confidence. It is a time for decisive action, but within limits. The need here is to avoid acting out of impatience or anger. Diplomacy and consideration in dealing with people is the key to successfully utilizing this energy.

The Moons Node is conjunct the U.S. natal Pluto in the 2^nd house of values and earned income. Reinhold Ebertin in his book, “Transits: What Day is Good For Me?”  describes this aspect as “Common and severe fate; estrangement and separation.”  Pluto is the planet of transformational change, which could be interpreted as a tragic national disaster being the catalyst for a long-overdue change in American values. This could very well be a turning point for the end to “me” society we have become caught up in, to the beginning of a “we” society, where our basic values are dissected, rejected and reborn with more emphasis on the common good.  Pluto is the phoenix rising from the ashes.  Starting anew from nothing. Being reborn.

The only thing that is certain is that change happens. We don’t have to like it, but we can’t stop it. Change WILL happen. How we react to change is the key to being able to successfully overcome the challenges that are forced upon us. We may not be able to control what happens to us, but we can certainly control how we react to it. And again, free will is very much in play here.  Change is an opportunity … a “do-over”.  It is an opportunity to take what we have learned from our past mistakes, and our past successes, put that knowledge to practical use and rebuild a better, more stable future.  The times, they are a changing.  Yes, and it’s going to be a rocky ride, more so for some than others. What will you do with this opportunity?  Will you raise your fist to the sky and curse the Universe, dwell on the injustices and remain stagnant and impotent … or will you embrace the opportunity to rebuild, renovate, restructure, learn and make needed adjustments … and thank the Universe for the opportunity to perhaps maybe this time, get it right.  It is your choice. It’s our choice. Let’s not blow it.

To see how these planetary energies will affect your natal chart, determine the houses which contain 25 degrees of Virgo and Pisces to see where the action will be.  If you need help in obtaining your natal chart information, email me, and I will be happy to provide you with the information (free of charge); or if you would like a personal reading to see how these energies will affect you overall contact me here.  Remember, to obtain your natal chart information or order a personal reading, you must provide me with your exact date, time and place of birth.

If your chart contains 25 degrees or Virgo/Pisces in the:

1^st House:  The changes are personal.  The desire for change and variety is in your immediate environment and these energies may impel you to alter your own personal appearance so that you can project a different personality.

2^nd House: These energies will affect your personal income, personal value system.

3^rd House: Your mind will be busy and restless. Problems will occur in travel and communication with others, especially close friends and neighbors.

4^th House:  The focus is on your home, family affairs and domestic matters. This is the house of beginnings and endings.  Changes may come for one (or both) of your parents or an authority figure.

5^th House: This will affect your romantic involvement, your children, creative projects and social affairs. This is not a good time to take big risks or gamble. This is also the house of the past, a karmic house.

6^th House:  Changes come in the work environment, employment, service, and health. You may begin a new job or lose an old one. Nerves are a problem and you have to be extra careful of your health. Watch your diet, exercise, do not overwork. Change may also come for your aunts and uncles.

7^th House:  This house covers relationships of all kinds: personal, business, marriage, competitors, open enemies, the public. Legal matters may come to a head now. There could be a break-up or a divorce.

8^th House:  The is the house of changes in addition to being the house of your overall security and strong personal involvement with others. Caution is needed in handling joint finances. Investments may be shaky or involve big losses. Also emphasized are long term debts, taxes, inheritances, making a will, surgery and deaths.

9^th House:  This is the house of expansion of the mind through higher education, prophetic insights, visions or learning new truths. It may affect matters related to the occult, metaphysics, religion, higher education, the law, teaching, lecturing, publishing and long-distance travel.

10^th House: A change in your career, profession, status, reputation or employer is likely. This could affect one of your parents, most likely the father.

11^th  House:  Situations will arise in clubs, groups, friendships, and organizations. This also will affect your hopes, dreams and goals.