đ The Weekly Vibe: week of September 8-14
The Universe really wants us to hold our horses this week.
For those who want to dig more independently, three significant aspects are coloring our days ahead â Sun opposing Saturn (a clash between our ego and responsibilities), Saturn quintile Uranus (a harmonious aspect that brings change), and Sun square Jupiter (a challenging aspect that can lead to overconfidence). While thatâs taking place, Uranus is also stationing Retrograde (appearing to move backward in its orbit, which gets obsessed with a theme of change too).
All that to say, with a butter knife, you can cut the tension between our autonomy and external authority. Our initiatives, creative sparks, and endeavors are cornered with delays and tests for patience, and our lesson here is to learn how to work within established constraints. Itâs frustrating, I know. But breaking free at all times is just not realistic, and from another point of view, itâs for our protection. Where are we biting more than we can chew?
At the same time, weâre collectively prompted to look back at recent disruptive changes and ask if we can sustain some of those unconventional solutions. Again, any innovation we adopt now must be systematic rather than reckless.
As weâre collectively reaching for everything pumpkin flavored (donât even pretend youâre not) to mark a change of season, the Universe is also gearing up for a seasonal shift. In just a couple of weeks, weâll kick off a fresh cycle of eclipses, starting with a lunar one on September 17.
Now, eclipses are a always big deal because they act as a reset button. Whatever theme has been dying off for a while will usually hit its final note right around a Lunar Eclipse, and whatever chapter is next will unfold with the Solar Eclipse. Lunar eclipses bring closure, while Solar eclipses open doors.
What makes this upcoming eclipse season a bigger deal is the shift in zodiac signs. Eclipses always come in pairsâa lunar and solar eclipse show up together about every six months, chilling in the same pair of signs for a year or two before moving on.
For the past couple of years, weâve been deep into Aries-Libra territory, which has basically been asking us, âHowâs that whole âme vs. weâ thing going?â On one hand, Aries has been stirring up tension between our desire for personal freedom and the need to stand firm in who we are. Libra, meanwhile, has been gently reminding us that we also have to figure out how to show up for others without completely losing ourselves in the process.
Letâs be honestâitâs been a ride. Weâve all been navigating questions like, âHow much do I compromise in my relationships?â and âWhat does it even mean to be truly me?â But now, as we close this chapter, weâre being asked to take a step back and reflect. Did we find that elusive balance, or is there still work to do?
The eclipse pair is shifting into Pisces and Virgo now, bringing a whole new vibe into the mix. The upcoming Lunar Eclipse on September 17 will invite us to soften those hard lines between âmeâ and âothers.â Pisces, with its dreamy, mystical energy, encourages us to explore whatâs beyond the physical worldâintuition, creativity, compassion, all that good stuff. Itâs basically telling us itâs time to go deep. Wisdom is found where logic doesnât apply.
On the flip side, Virgoâs like, âThatâs great, but what are we doing with all that spiritual insight? How does this actually help us in real life?â Virgo is all about the practicalâorder, routine, getting things done. Itâs the sign that thrives on taking those big, mystical ideas and turning them into something useful in the here and now.
The lessons of this next eclipse cycle will come from balancing these two energies. As Pisces will be inviting us to surrender and explore the unknown, Virgo will ask us to get our lives in order, and will be there to ground us. Navigating between intuition and logic, between surrender and structure, is going to be the key to keeping our sanity intact, and growing forward.
After spending the past few years focusing on our role in relationships, this new eclipse cycle takes us deeper. Now weâre asking, âHow can I be of service to others (Virgo) while staying connected to something bigger than myself (Pisces)?â Itâs not about losing yourself in work or in spiritualityâitâs about finding that sweet spot between them.
As we head into this new cycle, itâs a good time to ask yourself some real questions:
Where do I need more structure (Virgo)?
Where do I need to chill and let things flow (Pisces)?
Am I obsessed with productivity, or am I neglecting my spiritual and emotional needs?
How can I bring more compassion and creativity into my daily routine?
This eclipse season is the perfect time to tweak your habits and routines so they support both your spiritual well-being and your day-to-day responsibilities.
Set up that meditation or journaling practice to connect with your inner world (Pisces), while also getting your daily tasks organized so you can stay grounded (Virgo). The beauty of this Pisces-Virgo cycle is that we donât have to choose between spirituality and practicalityâwe can have both, and in fact, weâre being called to integrate them. Acknowledge and embrace that both have their place in the world.
đ On a Lighter Note
âď¸ In other astro news, Pluto just went back into Capricorn to wrap up loose ends. After November, we wonât see it again in our lifetimes, unless we figure out how to live 250+ years. Pluto transforms on a cellular level. Capricorn represents sturdy and material matters. Aquarius, the sign where itâll settle in come November, is all about innovation, democracy, ideas, but uncomfy with its disruptive nature too.
đ¤ Would you upload your diary into ChatGPT to give you advice? The other day, I reached out to a friend for support with a pretty big life decision. After hearing me out and offering valuable insight, she said: âI know it sounds weird, but explain the situation in a voice note to ChatGPT and ask for solutions.â Turns out, thatâs how sheâs made some of her most-recent life-altering decisions lately. I havenât gone as far as uploading my journal, but had a fruitful conversation nevertheless, and am intrigued to play around with a prompt of predicting how my future self will feel. Virgo-Pisces axis, exhibit A?
đş In my âcurrently watchingâ section of Netflix: KAOS. Iâm still undecided whether itâs just mildly entertaining or âwhoa, that was deep,â but curious how the story ends nevertheless (and whether thereâs a takeaway on how all of our stories end).
How Might I Support You?
Have you had enough of feeling burnt out and resigned from the things you love? You want to take action, but the fear of getting it wrong holds you back. At the same time, staying where you are may feel safer, yet the longer you wait, the more trapped you feel.
As a coach, Iâll support you to get clear on what is truly important to you, allowing you to break free from limitations imposed by societal expectations, self-doubt, and past experiences.
Are you searching for a deeper understanding of yourself and the patterns that shape your life? Youâve felt the subtle forces at play, but struggle to put them into words.
Astrology gives you the framework to articulate your experiences and uncover the wisdom behind them. With these insights, you can move forward with clarity and confidence.
Not Retrograde is a newsletter about the beauty and complexities of life on Earth, from an astrological perspective. Questions or topics youâd like to see covered in the future? Hit reply to reach me directly.