At midnight, the waxing moon shines brightly, illuminating the world with pale blue light. My black dog is visible at my side, and I can see the odd shapes of herbs and flowers in my garden. In the eerie light, owls call, and the trees sway.

The Full Moon appears at 2:07 pm ET on September 7^th. It’s the Harvest Moon, known to give long hours of moonlight, used in the past to harvest crops. In some locations, the Moon will become blood red. Preceded by the eclipse, beginning at 11:28 am and ending at 10:55 pm ET, this full moon is a cosmic event.

In Vedic astrology, it’s known as the lightning strike, which gives the opportunity to grasp our true nature as an infinite being. (In Zen teachings, illumination and awakening are known as the lightning bolt as it happens quickly and suddenly.) The energy of the eclipse will remain for 5-7 days.

The Full Moon Eclipse connects physicality and spirituality. It aids with perceiving the limitations of the ego and helps to release habits and patterns associated with the lower self. As we release egoic patterns, the future opens, inviting us into a better understanding of life.

The Moon sits on Pisces 16, and the Sabian symbol is “In the quiet of their study, a creative individual experiences a flow of inspiration; reliance upon one’s inner source of inspiration or guidance.” It speaks of sitting silently and meditating on the inner self. When receiving glimpses of the true self, we find the wisdom and insight to release parts of the self that hold back awareness of our gifts and personal truth.

Simultaneously, the outer planets are in retrograde, moving backward into the signs and patterns of 2023-24.  Saturn (karma), Uranus (change), Neptune (illusion, mysticism) and Pluto (subconscious, transformation) are in retrograde. When many planets are in retrograde, it slows the speed of projects, thoughts, and life.  The planets are moving back into the signs which they inhabited during 2024 and will stay in this position until early 2026.

Pluto is currently out of bounds, a term to describe an alteration in its orbit in relationship to the Sun. The energy is considered erratic and somewhat upsetting. Pluto out of bounds to the south is considered a reformer, a time of chaotic rewiring of the political/social life of a country—or even the world. The last time Pluto traveled out of bounds to south; the American and French revolutions occurred.

Forecast: Planets, Signs, and Aspects

Sun (life) is in Virgo, representing the Virgin, purity, and order in life. On another level, Virgo represents the High Priestess, an individual with high understanding of spiritual law—and the timing and order of application. Sun conjunct Mercury (communication) heightens the intellect, combining intuition and knowledge. Sun sextile Jupiter (good fortune) encourages opportunity and optimism.

Moon trines Jupiter (good fortune, expansion), allowing a flow of emotion that leads to insights about expanding the self, the future, and receiving new opportunities. It gives warmth, acceptance, and creativity. It supports vulnerability and openness to life.

Mercury (communication) in Virgo gives precision, logical thinking, and organizational skills. Mercury square Uranus (sudden change, quantum field) can give eccentric thoughts, sudden changes, and can cause nervous tension. It’s important to avoid spontaneous decisions.

Venus (love, relationships, art) in Leo is passionate, fiery, dramatic, and flirtatious. If we move beyond the obvious, Venus in Leo beckons us to open our hearts and speak our personal truth—hopefully in a neutral way. Venus sextiles Mars (assertion, overall energy, male), which creates harmony in relationships.

Mars (assertion, overall energy) in Libra is sometimes indecisive, lost in balancing personal desires and the need for peace. At its best, it combines action and balance to diplomatically create harmony and collaboration. Mars square Jupiter (expansion, good fortune) creates conflict between the desire for assertion/action and the desire for idealism and higher principles.

Jupiter (good fortune, expansion) sits in Cancer, the sign of the mother, domestic harmony, and the home. Jupiter trines North Node, bringing opportunity for abundance, harmony, willingness for spiritual growth, and improvement within relationships.

Saturn (karma, limitation) in Pisces marks the return of perception of karma as a look at the past age of Pisces. What should be altered, and what beliefs are needed to shift our perception and the world at large? Saturn and Neptune (idealism, illusion) are conjunct, and they ask for our examination of our beliefs, a desire for truth, and a clear look at ourselves and the path of life.

Uranus (sudden change, quantum field) is in Gemini, pulling in AI, new inventions, and awareness of space travel. Uranus sextiles Neptune and trines Pluto, bringing energy for spiritual growth, openness to spiritual teachings, and inner growth.

Neptune (illusion, idealism) is placed in Aries, encouraging us to see the truth behind changes and to apply idealism to create positive change. Neptune sextile Pluto (subconscious, regeneration) helps in understanding the self as a whole and creating an identity that is more positive.

Pluto is retrograde, and it sits on the 1^st degree of Aquarius. It soon moves back in Capricorn, which involves the structure and institutions of the world.

Julia Griffin, intuitive healer and owner of One True Self, began her work fifteen years ago under the tutelage of real wolves. Following their direction, Julia sees and reads energy, including animals, plants and people. She works with people in session to find their resonance with the soul, clearing patterns and alignment with their inner path. If you would like to seek additional spiritual change and insight into your life, please contact me for information about an intuitive session.