StarWatch by James Jarvis, M.A. By adding the universal year 1999 (1+9+9+9=28) to the 9th month of September, we come up with the vibration of 37/1. The 37/1 month is a time for new beginnings. It is a particularly good month for initiating any new projects that require you to pull from your creative (3) and perceptive (7) energies. Take some time this month to reflect on how you can bring more joy and meaning to your work. If you have wanted to begin a new project that you are really passionate about, now is the time to tune in to how you can make it happen. September 2 Mars enters Sagittarius Mars moves into the sign of Sagittarius on September 2 and will be there until October 17. With Mars in Sagittarius, the focus is on dedicating our energy and passion to our spiritual quest or "crusade." Mars in Sagittarius represents the spiritual warrior, who combines the valor and courage of the warrior with the wisdom, inspiration, and dedication to a cause of the sage. This is a time to rediscover what cause, ideal, or "crusade" you want to put your Mars energy behind. It’s also a time of renewed interest in your own spiritual quest. If you have been feeling stagnant, resigned, or apathetic Mars in Sagittarius can help you get inspired and can help you rekindle the fire of idealism in your life. Going on a pilgrimage to exotic, sacred, or foreign locations is also a way of expressing this inspiring transit. September 4-7 Mars sextile Neptune Mars in Sagittarius is in positive relationship with Neptune in Aquarius September 4-7. Mars, the planet of will, combining with Neptune, the planet of transcendence, highlights the theme of surrender. Mars/Neptune transits help us learn how to "go with the flow" and trust in universal support. Use this month to find out what your body needs to support your emotional health. At this time set strong intentions (Mars) and surrender the outcome (Neptune). By letting go of the attachment to how things are going to work or turn out, we can tap into the power of grace to help us. By truly surrendering the need to have things figured out, we can become conduits for universal will to guide us in every area of our lives. September 9 New moon in Virgo With the new moon in Virgo, our awareness is focused on taking care of ourselves on an emotional level. Use this month to find out what your body needs to support your emotional health. Maybe it needs more exercise, better nutrition, or more attention paid to your diet. The new moon in Virgo helps us to tune in to how we can nurture the relationship between body and mind. September 10 Venus goes direct Venus, which has been retrograde since July 29, goes direct September 10. During Venus’ retrograde, we had an opportunity to discover what is truly important to us. In many ways, this retrograde period has asked us to look at how we can be more connected with our deepest, most authentic values. With Venus moving direct again in the sign of Leo, we have an opportunity to reinvent our values so that they are rooted in our own unique experience. Having clarified our values, the natural inclination is to want to share our values with others, to connect and link up with like-minded souls who support our individuality and creativity. By sharing with and being supported by like-minded souls, we have an opportunity to share our heart with others, to let down our guard so that we can be truly received and appreciated for who we are. September 14-15 Mars conjunct Pluto Mars in Sagittarius is at the same degree of Sagittarius as Pluto is on September 14-15, so this transit should really help you mobilize your will and rededicate yourself to a cause or quest. With Mars/Pluto, we have the planet of personal will (Mars) connected with the planet of collective will (Pluto). This is an extremely powerful conjunction, which gives us the power to take action on our highest ideals. The challenge is to do so without ramming our agendas or beliefs down everyone else’s throat. The key is to express your ideals and convictions with great power, without falling into the trap of dogmatism or attachment. September 16 Mercury enters Libra With Mercury in Libra until October 5, the emphasis is on coming into balance through pulling on our mental qualities of objectivity and equality. Although the sign of Libra is often depicted as somewhat "wishy-washy," the truth is that Libran energy can be quite strong. Mercury in Libra, in particular, is the champion of justice, and can be quite bold and outspoken when things become unjust. While Mercury is in Libra, we become the adjudicators or arbitrators of justice in our lives, speaking out against any injustice that is pulling us out of balance. This is particularly relevant to personal relationships. Have you gotten out of balance by being overly centered on someone else’s needs to the extent that you have lost track of what you need for yourself? Do you find that you are giving to others way more than you are receiving? If so, you can use this time to work on creating more egalitarian and just relationships in your life. September 21-24 Mars sextile Uranus Mars is also in flowing relationship with Uranus this month from September 21-24. Mars/Uranus transits are highly energizing, and teach us how to be present to what wants to happen in the moment. Intuition is heightened during Mars/Uranus transits, as is impatience. Imagine you are being rewired to be able to handle increasing amounts of energy. By really staying grounded in your body and breathing deeply, you will find that you will be able to focus this excess energy and get a great deal accomplished as well. September 22 Sun enters Libra The sun moves into Libra on September 23, the day of the autumnal equinox. The autumnal equinox marks the beginning of fall, which initiates a new balance in nature. The falling of leaves begins the formation of fresh humus, which will eventually replenish the soil depleted by the year's growth. The Libra principle is associated with balance, equanimity, justice, and mediation. Our job in the sign of Libra is to be peacemakers; to promote a social consciousness that is just to all and to reflect and mirror to others the balance and beauty, the light and dark, of relationship. September 23 Chiron reenters Sagittarius Chiron, which has been moving retrograde through the sign of Scorpio since May 29, moves back into Sagittarius on September 23 and will be there until December 2001. With Chiron in Scorpio for the last several months, we have had an opportunity to heal our Scorpio wounds. This means honestly looking at issues around sexuality, power, control, the right use of will, emotional intensity and honesty, and transformation through the death/rebirth process. Mercury in Libra is the champion of justice, and can be quite bold and outspoken when things become unjust. Chiron in Scorpio has called us to re-own and integrate all of our powerful energies that may have been repressed or not honored as we were growing up. More than just "taking back our power," Chiron in Scorpio gives us the opportunity to reacquaint ourselves with our fundamental life force in a very real way. Chiron in Scorpio has also revealed the shadow side of human nature and allowed us the opportunity to re-own our "dark" side instead of projecting it onto others. This process of purification leads to the next step of our evolution: opening to the integration of personal power and integrity (Chiron in Scorpio) with inherent wisdom and truth (Chiron in Sagittarius). If we have done our shadow work, Chiron in Sagittarius (1999-2001) will bring us an incredible opportunity to powerfully manifest universal truth and wisdom on the planet. September 25 Full moon in Aries On September 25, the moon is full in Aries. Moon in Aries asks us to speak out boldly about what we need for emotional fulfillment. The full moon in Aries is calling us to bring full awareness to our needs so that we then can be totally present and authentic with others. Only when we can truly nurture ourselves and honor our own needs for independence, autonomy, and freedom can we truly be in relationship with others. James Jarvis, M.A. is a master astrologer and professional life coach. He combines an M.A. in Transpersonal Counseling, 28 years' experience with Eastern and metaphysical traditions, and 14 years coaching and empowering clients to actualize their full potential. James will return to Seattle Sunday, September 26 to present the Fall Astrological Update with Michele Morgan at East West Bookshop from 2:00-4:00 p.m. and will be available for individual consultations September 24-29. For info or bookings, call (206) 523-3726. For those who want support in discovering and manifesting their vision, James is available for life coaching sessions and astrological consultations by phone. For a brochure of his services or to schedule a complimentary half-hour life coaching session, call (831) 688-0574 or e-mail <jamesjarvis@mciworld.com>.