Mercury Turns Direct: Tread Softly for a While

Mercury turns direct in the sign of careful Virgo, in the early morning hours of September 29 and the third Mercury retrograde of this year will become history.

Ever since Mercury turned retrograde in reasonable yet indecisive Libra earlier this month, (September 6 - 7), you may have changed your mind a number of times! And you have probably done a fair amount of fence-sitting as you have revisited some of your recent decisions and conversations. On September 17, when Mercury re-entered careful Virgo your analytical powers may have received a boost.

Now as this slow-moving planet turns direct in the midst of a fertile sextile to energetic Mars, anything you have to say to the world, your mate, children or spouse will get plenty of attention. So be extra careful and mindful to communicate your ideas thoughtfully and clearly.

Communications can unintentionally heat up and escalate due to Mercury’s connection with the ongoing Saturn/Uranus opposition, which locks in next week just after an emotional full harvest Moon in warrior Aries on October 3-4.

Fall Equinox

On September 22, the Sun enters Libra, marking the autumnal equinox in the northern hemisphere, and the vernal equinox in the southern hemisphere.

Days get gradually shorter as we near winter and the last quarter of a most difficult year. This year’s fall equinox occurs as Mercury connects with the Saturn-Uranus opposition, emphasizing the importance of weighing the pros and cons before you make important decisions during this period.

The word ‘equinox’ is derived from the Latin word that means ‘equal’ and Libra is a sign that is interested in fairness and equality. It is time to compromise, and those who know how to conduct themselves with poise will be miles ahead of everybody else. Meet people halfway when possible and seek common ground rather than highlight your differences. The Sun also squares Pluto now, intensifying all of your relationships. Yet, at heart, Libra is a social sign and relationship oriented, making this a perfect juncture to reach out and spend quality time with those you love!

This is also the time of the harvest -- a time of gratitude and abundance -- so look back on the past year and reflect on what you’ve experienced and learned. The equinox provides a perfect opportunity to release excess baggage and stagnant energy you may be carrying.