With two retrogrades in progress as the month gets under way, things might not be quite as clear cut as you’d like. While the desire to ‘just get on with it!’ and solve problem will be no less persistent, actually making good on those urges will be another a story. You could flail around madly like you’re trying to rush-dry a manicure, or you could pick your battles. Take comfort in the knowledge things will feel a little less tricky once Mercury goes direct (15 September). 

Meanwhile, we start the third and final act of Venus retrograde (4 September) where those big, epic storylines around love, self-worth and being ‘seen’, finally get their dramatic resolution. Look for the final pieces of the puzzle to drop after 4 September, with key developments landing around 17th and the 29th. How will this romantic dramedy end? With Uranus involved, there’s every chance the story doesn’t end exactly where you were expecting…

I always recommend reading for your rising sign rather than your sun sign. You can find out your rising sign by casting your chart here. Want to learn more? Check out my new book The Astrology Of You: Finding Love, Creativity and Soul Purpose In Your Birth Chart or find me on Instagram at @emma_vee.

Focusing on small but manageable goals is the key to success in September. With irritation in the air with your closest relationships (blame Mars), having some private projects of your own will help keep frustrations at bay. Choose something that requires minimum effort but serves up maximum satisfaction, like reorganising your wardrobe or book collection. If a long-lost love (of either the human or creative variety) resurfaced during Venus retrograde, you can look forward to a resolution to that story too. 

Tip: Hit the gym and use cardio as a stress relief when the lack of momentum gets too much.

Much of September will be spent consolidating the Major Realisations (with a capital M and R) you’ve been having around your sense of self-worth especially within your family dynamic. Figuring out how you can get more comfortable taking up space – especially within the context of family or house mates – will be a big theme. Cast your mind back and ponder where have you been dealt an opportunity to lead, and how did you rise (or not!) to the occasion?  

Tip: Find a way to get your hands in the earth – start a balcony vegie patch, hit up your neighbourhood community garden or plan some hikes to help decompress.

There’s a slightly chaotic ambiguity in the air this month that could feel kind of fun for Gemini folk. Keeping things loose and open to change will help you ride the waves of “should I stay, or should I go now?”. The flip-flopping will most likely manifest around home and family so take any “Of course I’ll be there early to help you set up and stay late to clean up afterwards!” kind of commitments with a grain of salt, at least until after the 15th once your ruling planet gets back on track. 

Tip: Let words be your therapy after 4 September and put pen to paper to make sense of the last six weeks.  Reflect on situations where self-worth, appearance or your willingness to be seen were called into question.

There’s a lot going on this month but it’s not likely to lead to any great resolution, at least not for the first couple of weeks of September. Drawing on your natural stores of patience (and ability to retreat into your shell, should you feel so moved) will help you keep a cool head. Make use of the slow progress with a little work-from-home glow-up. Colour code your bookcase or alphabetize your record collection. The Equinox (24 September) marks a real turning point giving you a fresh burst of energy and focus, especially when it comes to reconnecting with family.

Tip: With Mercury retrograde hitting your communications sphere, try to avoid investing in any new tech (or wheels!) until after the 15th.

You’re dealt a big turning point early on in the month when Venus finally stations and goes direct 4 September. The rest of September should make for some very interesting decision making, but with Mercury also retrograde (until 15 September), things won’t move nearly as fast as you’d like. Use the delays as an enforced period of review – are you really sure you want that cartilage piercing? Trust that any speedbumps are cosmically ordained, you’ll be grateful for the handbrake in hindsight.

Tip: Do some research and call all your service providers (phone, utilities, insurance) to negotiate a better deal. It is worth the effort, there is real cash to be saved, especially if you ask for a discount around 17 September.

The first fortnight of September might feel like you’re in a holding pattern, with your ruling planet retrograde slowing down everything you touch. The result could be feeling more indecisive than usual, or you could be gripped with an uncharacteristic flakiness. No matter how it manifests, skip the Virgo guilt trip and give yourself permission to take it easy the first fortnight of the month. Like all astro weather, this is a passing season, and your energy and clarity should improve after the 15th.

Tip: It could feel like money is slipping through your fingers this month so keep a close eye on spending if you’re trying to save.

The sky is giving you all the support you need to step away from your calendar and take it slow in September. With two retrograde cycles pulling the strings behind the scenes, and Mars threatening some low-level blahs, cancelling plans has never tasted quite so good. Carve out time for solitude and use it to consolidate what August taught you about your sense of self-worth, especially within social setting. 

Tip: Schedule that one thing that helps bring your nervous system back into balance around the Equinox (24 September).

With uncertainty hanging in the air –at least for the first couple of weeks – September may require a little more pivoting than you’d like. Stay limber and observant and you could catch a wave of goodwill – especially around the 17th when a burst of optimism holds the potential for serendipity. Once the Equinox rolls around (24 September) you’re dealt a cosmic cue to go to ground for a few weeks. Don’t miss your astrological hibernation season, you may need it.

Tip: Set yourself up for success by revisiting a work issue on the 17th  when you’re most likely to garner a “yes you can! Approved!” kinda response.

Expect things to move at a glacial pace and you won’t be disappointed, at least for the first couple of weeks this month. With the stars sending you to the cosmic equivalent of an astrological waiting bay, getting a clear direction at work will feel near impossible. Don’t fret, instead use the downtime to finesse solo projects that help you regain a sense of control and composure. Once Mercury goes direct (15 September) things feel decidedly less arduous.

Tip: Smash inbox zero, clear out your desk drawers or catch up on those expenses you’ve been ignoring for months.

Foresight is a magical thing, and this month you’re getting a heads up to expect things to take longer than they should. Keep that thought close to heart if you find yourself spending an extra 5 hours in the airport lounge. With Mercury muddling up travel plans, the chance of holidays taking an unplanned detour are somewhere between likely, to, no doubt. Pack the extra novel, cash in loyalty points for lounge passes and leave your toothbrush in carry on.

Tip: Try and push back holiday plans to after the 15th when the skies are a whole lot more supportive to getting you wherever you’re going, on time.

After an epic amount of soul searching the past six weeks, you’d be forgiven for thinking the end of Venus retrograde marks a turn towards the light. But with the sun now high beaming your shadiest skeletons, the Big Emotional Work continues in September. The hardest part will be staying with whatever difficult stuff arises, and not getting fixated on your five-year plan. Counselling, somatic therapy or energy work will all work well at helping you navigate the tricky terrain.

Tip: Look for the rainbow on the 17th when an ongoing issue with someone close to you is blessed some good vibes.

While the rest of the zodiac melts down over the apparent lack of control over, well, everything, you get to sit back and enjoy the ride. As decisions, plans and commitments flip flop, the first two weeks of September Pisces get a chance for some lowkey flex. With Virgo season somewhat sabotaged by several messy transits, make plans loose and goals non-committal. Keep your eyes and ears peeled – there’s some wins to be had if you have the freedom to act quickly. 

Tip: A question mark hanging over about work should get some answers by the end of the month.