The Autumn Equinox this year, Spring in the Southern Hemisphere, arrives on Wednesday 9/23 at 4:21a EDT, 1:21a PDT and 8:21a UT. The Farmer’s Almanac has good Autumnal Equinox Facts I like what they say, “You’ll go to sleep in summer and wake up in fall!” EarthSky has interesting information too.

The Equinox marks the beginning of a new season and the chart for the exact Equinox moment reveals the season’s  astrological trends. Here’s the chart cast for New York City, home of Wall Street and a major financial capital, because finances are highlighted this season.

The Autumn Equinox is the moment when the Sun enters Libra each year, and this year the karmic North Node connects exactly with the Sun, nearby is asteroid Juno and not far away is Mercury also in Libra but going retrograde. Venus ruled Libra is the sign of balance. In the NYC chart they are stationed in the 2nd house of income, money, financial flow and resources in general. Income equality is radically out of balance in the US and around the world and this points to the need to shift this inequality.  It can be translated as: The bright Sun adds his light to guide the karmic finger (North Node) which is powerfully pointed toward the direction of peace and balance, while Juno representing total commitment adds her voice to help the cause, but Mercury, planet of communication (and media) is inwardly focused and may not be able to hear or spread the message.

As I write this on 9/22 Pope Francis is on his way from Cuba to arrive this afternoon for his first visit to the US. Pope Francis, born with Mars in Libra, is virtually the embodiment of Libra values of peace, love, harmony and fairness for all. On his agenda is an address to Congress (the first ever by a Pope) where as CNN says, he Brings Tough Love to America

Pope Francis is expected to continue his ongoing message- in his own words from an earlier conference: “An unfettered pursuit of money rules. The service of the common good is left behind. Once capital becomes an idol and guides people’s decisions, once greed for money presides over the entire socioeconomic system, it ruins society, it condemns and enslaves men and women, it destroys human fraternity.”  Wow. Wonder how those over-the-top wealthy (greed driven) politicians in Congress will react to that?

The Moon, an indication of the emotional mood of the people, is in stoic earth sign Capricorn feeling stern and unyielding. Ceres, the largest asteroid representing mature nurturing, is right next to the Moon adding her support . Pluto is also in Capricorn maintaining his long term mission of transforming the rigid structures of the world and he forms a challenging square to Mercury, as if to say, let’s get these changes done already! At the same time Pluto reaches out with a harmonious trine to mighty Jupiter now stationed in fellow earth sign Virgo. Smart and capable Virgo energy aided by the vast power of Jupiter connected to the relentless energy of Pluto indicates the potential for change to happen in more intelligent “let’s just solve the problem” ways, versus the “I’m right, you’re wrong!” attitude that has been prevalent all too long.

Jupiter in Virgo also forms an opposition to Neptune in Pisces representing pragmatic actions balanced by faith and trust or on the downside fuzzy, confused beliefs which deny any practical realities (climate change deniers come to mind). At the same time Lord of Karma Saturn,feeling his feisty oats because he just entered fire sign Sagittarius on 9/17, forms a tense T-square to both Jupiter and Neptune. Saturn in pushy Sagittarius says, “I don’t have time for your slow agenda of researching solutions, I want problems solved immediately!”

Pope Francis born with his Sun, in Sagittarius along with North Node and wise adviser asteroid Pallas Athena is once again the man of the hour. Sagittarius is the outspoken “I speak truth to power” sign. Saturn = form, function, structure. Saturn will be helping all Sagittarians to find the best form to get their message across. Pope Francis (who was also involved in helping US and Cuba reestablish diplomatic relations) steps up as an embodiment of Saturn’s appropriate messaging structure.

Sagittarius rules travel and mass migrations and the current Syrian refugee crisis is a case in point! Jupiter/Virgo is represented by Europe methodically (slowly!) reacting to this crisis, while Neptune in fuzzy Pisces is the world at large crying heartfelt but basically ineffective tears. Wounded Healer Chiron is also in Pisces adding his tears to the mix, but is too far away to create much of an impact. The frantic refugees are Saturn banging on the borders trying to get into a new, safer structure. Saturn also happens to form an exact trine (helpful aspect) to the karmic South Node in fellow fire sign Aries, the sign of war and aggression. It is the horrific spiteful war against his own people by Syria’s President Assad which is pushing people away from their homes (South Node). The asteroid Vesta, representing an eternal flame always burning, is also in Aries near the South Node. This indicates the Syrian refugees love their home land and when they fled, left their hearts behind. Here is an excellent article by The Oxford Astrologer Refugees: Jupiter-Neptune In Action with more on the topic.

Venus and Mars are both in the regal sign of Leo on the Equinox  and in the NYC chart are off in a 12th house mist, hiding from the public eye. If there is a sign that rules the 1-percenters, Leo is it! Creative fire sign Leo has many admirable qualities, but on the downside can be incapable of seeing beyond their own rays, unwilling to admit their selfish motivations have a negative impact on others or even if they do, so what, and if you point it out – You’re Fired! (Donald Trump has Mars in Leo and is Leo rising, need I say more?)

Venus/Leo forms an exact trine to Uranus in Aries. Venus represents women and Uranus is the planet of unpredictability. The suddenly rising star of Republican Presidential candidate Carley Fiorina is a case in point. Speaking of Fiorina, she happens to have Sun in Virgo as does another unexpected rising star on the other end of the political spectrum, Senator Bernie Sanders surging in the polls on the Democratic side.  Jupiter in Virgo is a powerful ally for them both!

That’s the big picture for the season which includes the Total Lunar Eclipse in Aries coming up on 9/27-28. Eclipses  create a more profound time in general and deeper more significant dreams too. I’ve noticed a lot of people on Twitter lately are bringing up dreams they’ve had, and clients and friends mentioning dreams more often too. These effects last for weeks, so expect this season to be not quite as ‘normal’ as usual.

At your own personal level the best way to use these cosmic energies is to practice more “walking your talk”. It benefits us all now to get real and make smarter choices in all areas of life especially around finances. How much money and “stuff” do you really need to be happy? Are you a hoarder or sharer? At the same time keep your heart light and filled with love and strive to be more peaceful with all your relationships including the one with yourself – less judgement more acceptance! And most importantly have the courage to go beyond boundaries which have limited you and explore new territory in mind, body and spirit, and your new  season will be magnificent!