Horoscope For You: Wednesday, September 18, 2024

To say there’s a lot going on in the heavens today is a bit of an understatement. Late last night, the long-anticipated lunar eclipse occurred at 25° Pisces, the first of several to occur upon the Virgo-Pisces nodal axis throughout the next year. This one came a bit earlier, with the nodes still in Aries and Libra until early 2025, yet it set the stage and provided a cosmic preview of the events soon to unfold.

The exact moment of the eclipse last night was 10:34 PM EST, so we kick off the day today with the moon only one degree ahead of the sun. Needless to say, the energy is still palpable. You cannot expect anything to feel normal within the two-week span before and after a major solar or lunar eclipse. Even if nothing earth-shattering happened to you yesterday, the change might be occurring more subtly beneath the Piscean waters and will unfold over the next two weeks—and beyond, once the nodes move into Virgo and Pisces on January 28, 2025. 

However, if you have placements in your birth chart anywhere near 25° of the mutable signs (Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius, and Pisces), you’re probably feeling the pressure right now. You might have had revelations that have severely destabilized your sense of self or cracked the foundations of what you firmly believed to be true.

In addition, you might be feeling a seasick sense of déjà vu; the last time the Virgo-Pisces nodal axis was activated was the eighteen-month span between November 2015 and May 2017. Think back to what secrets you were uncovering, what creative impulses you were following, and what you believed was gospel truth between seven and nine years ago.

Typically, these events play out on the world stage, and we can expect lots of drama, specifically surrounding illusions, misinformation, delusion, mass hysteria, substance abuse, and other Neptunian themes. In fact, you can pretty much count on your news feed being full of mystifying, dizzying facts—and fallacies—that appear plausible until you delve deeper. 

Thanks to the presence of Neptune itself very close to the moon during this eclipse, things are going to get messy. Early in the morning on the East Coast, at exactly 3:10 AM, the moon and Neptune will make an exact conjunction, promising that emotions will get entangled in this constellation of confusion. Let’s not forget that Neptune is retrograde. Still.

If you thought the crisis of misinformation couldn’t possibly get worse, you’ll be chagrined to learn that retrograde Saturn in Pisces, too, makes an exact opposition to Mercury at 15° at 4:47 AM EST. This is all happening before half of the continent of North America has even woken up. Those on the other side of the pond will be drowning in the murky waters before many of us have even surfaced from REM sleep.

There’s no easy way to put it besides brutal honesty: if the truth about any major celebrity, political leader, conspiracy theory, religious practice, or ideology is going to come out, it will be under this transit, though there will be just as much tribalistic determination to hide the facts. Avoid algorithmic platforms that curate your opinions for you.

For better or for worse, the moon makes its ingress into Aries at 5:25 AM EST. Emotions, already triggered by the overflow of information to sort through and dissect, are running high—and many people will enter the anger stage of grief, knowing they have been lied to or let down by a prophetic figurehead or ideology they had placed a great deal of faith into. They will be expressing their frustration loudly and violently. Stay off Twitter and refuse to engage with bad-faith actors who project their own shame onto others. And don’t tell anyone, “I told you so,” no matter how greatly you may be tempted to. There is a time and a place. It isn’t now.

By the time the moon conjoins the North Node in Aries at 7° at 4:28 PM, our collective emotional reactivity will have reached its peak. Now comes the acceptance stage, in which we will all learn how to channel our anger, sorrow, and brokenness into something profoundly healing.

While the going might be tough right now, it’s important to remember that there are much calmer seas ahead, but you must hold fast to your beliefs and what you know to be true right now, lest you be pulled under the current. How can you ride out the wave in the meantime? Here is a general forecast for each of the twelve rising signs.

Aries

With the powerful eclipse aftershocks disrupting your twelfth house, revelations about your mental health and addiction gave you a much-needed wakeup call. Some of you will spend the day visiting someone who has been suddenly hospitalized, institutionalized, or imprisoned. Others will choose to enter into therapeutic programs yourselves, in order to target the root of your escapist or addictive tendencies. This will begin a period of isolation, introspection, and uncharacteristically, indecisiveness—that’s the nature of Neptune’s mysticism, and even daring Aries can be tripped up during times of mass confusion and distortion. Saturn’s opposition to Mercury early this morning triggers your twelfth and sixth house axis, driving home the connection between your mind and your body. The state of your physical health directly impacts your psychological well-being, and vice versa. By the time the moon ingresses into your first house, you will have a clearer sense of what you need to do to take action for self-improvement, whether that entails joining a gym or seeking counseling. Much later this evening, the moon joins up with the North Node in your first house, clarifying your path and marking the beginning of a new chapter in your life.

Taurus

The eclipse in your eleventh house brought major shocks to your social life, most likely clarifying some suspicions you’ve had for a while about your friends. They probably haven’t been entirely honest about what’s going on behind the scenes—and some people within your inner circle may reveal themselves to be secret opps. If you’re feeling betrayed, consider the possibility that these weren’t the best people for you and that you might have to work a little harder to find your tribe and achieve your dreams. Don’t allow your nostalgic, sentimental bent to keep you trapped in a toxic cycle with individuals who do not want the best for you. When Saturn opposes Mercury early this morning on your eleventh and fifth house axis, you’ll be faced with a choice between popularity and paving your own way: consider whether your current broader social circle is encouraging your creative, romantic side, or trying to dim your light. Prepare for a day of solitude and put your phone on Do Not Disturb if possible; when the moon ingresses into your twelfth house this morning, you’ll enter into a period of contemplative isolation. Seek spiritual mentors who can guide you through this uncertain season. Later this evening, when the moon conjoins the North Node, you will know with certainty that the era of monasticism is guiding you in the direction of your wildest dreams. It will take time to build a legacy, but you can start creating the foundation right now.

Gemini

The eclipse in your tenth house has brought to light information about your career and social standing that some of you might find daunting or overwhelming. Some of you may be facing scandals or realizing you have been misled by bad actors who promised you the world and failed to deliver. Be very cautious at this time, scrutinizing every statement you put out to the world on a public platform, as the court of public opinion is bound to be ruthless. Though you typically enjoy a good, light-hearted debate, your words will inevitably be spun out of context or used against you, so stay mute for now. You may feel a strong impulse to seek counsel from your trusted family members when Saturn in your tenth house opposes Mercury in your fourth, but remember that our private life reflects our public life and vice versa. You have a position of authority that requires your full attention at this time; if your family can provide a support system, you’re undoubtedly going to step into the spotlight with more confidence. The moon will ingress into your eleventh house this morning, broadening your opportunities for social influence; later tonight, la lune meets up with the North Node, cementing your reputation for the foreseeable future. Make sure you say and do things that future you would be proud of.

Cancer

The eclipse came to shake up your religious, spiritual, and cultural convictions, and if you’re having a crisis of faith, it’s no surprise. This is the time to evaluate what you believe and why, presumably in the face of a great deal of cognitive dissonance. There is no easy way to say it: some of you will recognize that a specific spiritual leader in your community has been swindling their followers. Others will throw away an entire belief system after recognizing that it does, in fact, meet the criteria for a cult. Heed the signs and get out while you can. It’s a time not only for deconstruction but healthy reconstruction; you possess a natural inclination towards spirituality and are unlikely to want to give up something so precious to you. With Saturn opposing Mercury on your ninth and third house axis, you strongly desire a sounding board right now, someone to share your thoughts and feelings with. It’s a good idea to reach out to friends, siblings, and others in your local community who can provide an objective perspective. Let them give it to you straight. They’ve probably been waiting for you to come around for a while now anyway, and will be grateful they can finally be forthright with you. When the moon shifts into your tenth house this morning, your social standing and reputation becomes hyper-important; if you were in a position of leadership within your previous community, you might be expected to take the fall, or at least make a public statement. When the moon conjoins the North Node this evening, you’ll have a better idea of how to proceed.

Leo

After the eclipse hitting your eighth house, you’re still navigating how to deal with a profound loss. If today you feel as though you are as sensitive as an open wound, it’s understandable; many of you are experiencing trauma associated with a sudden death, a lying partner, or a huge change in your financial situation. Those of you in seemingly stable relationships may find them ending due to money matters or the revelation that your partner has been hiding secret depraved sexual interests that would have been an automatic deal-breaker had you known prior to committing to them. To make matters more complex, you likely didn’t see any of this coming; a relative may have downplayed the severity of an illness, or your spouse might have married you under false pretenses, not bothering to tell you how much debt they were really bringing into the marriage. The truth is all coming out now, and there’s really no way of sugarcoating it: for the time being, it’s going to hurt, even if you know the outcome will be tremendous healing—and a shocking story for your memoir. Saturn in your eighth house opposes Mercury in your second, inciting you to begin making your own money in the wake of the fallout, or managing the inheritance you’ve received. As the moon ingresses into your ninth house, seek legal and spiritual guidance as you move forward. By the time the moon conjoins the North Node tonight, you will feel empowered by the knowledge you uncovered—and ready to make the most of the rest of your life.

Virgo

This eclipse occurred in your seventh house, so your closest personal relationships took a hit, for better or for worse. Some of you got back with your exes, realizing they were the one all along; others ended long-term relationships and marriages that seemed perfectly idyllic until, suddenly, they didn’t. It’s not unreasonable to expect the people nearest and dearest to you to be honest about their intentions and actions, so if you are reeling in the aftermath of learning a partner or best friend’s true character, don’t blame yourself for your own willingness to trust them. You were likely not naïve (or not anymore than anyone else, anyway); you probably just chose to overlook one red flag you shouldn’t have, daring to believe in someone’s potential. This isn’t a crime in and of itself, though you’re paying the price for your compassion now. When Saturn opposes Mercury on your seventh and first house axis, you’ll be torn between your genuine love for your partner and your inherent self-worth. The good news? You will be on top of your communication game right now, able to articulate yourself with cutting precision. You could come out on top of this conflict, whatever it is, but after the moon ingresses into your eighth house this morning, you’ll want to schedule some time to wallow. You’ll spend most of the day moodier and more emotional than usual. When the moon conjoins the North Node this evening, you will begin to see the bigger picture: this recent betrayal is its own sort of gift, one which you can use however you want.

Libra

With the eclipse crushing your sixth house, your work routine and health has been knocked terribly off balance, and you will continue navigating this crisis today. Some of you lost your jobs, others are uncertain if their contracts will be renewed, and still others received worrying news about your health. You might not be getting all the answers right now, even though you feel like you desperately need them. Be patient. Everything will come in time, and under the strong Neptunian influence you cannot reasonably expect to find clarity right now. If you’re not used to unemployment or being out of commission for long periods of time, you’re going to be taking this harder than the average person, but remember that even the most stressful and tedious periods of our lives can bring startling insights. Use the time alone recuperating to read the novel you’ve had on your TBR for months. Saturn in your sixth house will oppose Mercury in your twelfth, giving you the golden opportunity to let your body rest and your mind run wild; if you aren’t engaging in a journaling practice as of yet, now is the time to start. When the moon moves swiftly into your seventh house, your partner or best friend will show up at just the right time with some much-needed support and understanding. Then, this evening the moon links up with the North Node, assuring you of their long-term presence in your life. For some of you, that could spell engagement.

Scorpio

The eclipse brought some much-needed attention to your fifth house, revealing painful and startling truths about your relationship to romance, creativity, and pleasure. If you’ve been coasting on the hope that your situationship might someday settle down, today will be the day you reckon with the reality: they’re not in it for the long haul, and you deserve better. Indulge in some self-care and make the intentional choice to focus on yourself, particularly if you have abandoned any of your treasured artistic hobbies and lost sight of the ways that you can bring yourself pleasure outside of a partnership. As much as you might wish to stay in and wallow at this point in time, the astrological weather demands you share your hopes and dreams with your friends. Saturn in your fifth puts pressure on you to create beauty from ashes; the opposition to Mercury in your eleventh extends an invite from your larger social network, who can provide an outlet for you right now. Gather your group for a night of intellectually stimulating conversation and creativity. Once the moon moves into your sixth house, you’ll be feeling more focused and capable of completing tangible tasks, distracting you from any melancholic feelings that might be lingering. This evening, when the moon conjoins the North Node, you’ll be prepared to take on any challenge with active, rather than passive, confidence. This is not the time to move in silence, as you typically prefer to. Instead, be bold.

Sagittarius

The eclipse undoubtedly brought change to your home and family environment as it shook up your fourth house. Everything you previously considered familiar and comfortable might now be in metaphorical—or literal—ruins. (Be cautious if you’re in an area prone to flooding, as damage to the physical home is possible under this transit.) This eclipse is here to remind you that even those we think we know the best, our own family, can be hiding massive secrets or harboring secret addictions. While some of you will be leaving the nest, others will be returning home after being unexpectedly uprooted. Either way, you’ll get an up-close and personal look at the family drama. Take it in stride and understand that material items can always be replaced; the security of familial love is another thing entirely. Lean on your older relatives right now. They will provide a safe haven for you as you attempt to balance your private and public lives. With Saturn opposing Mercury on your fourth and tenth house axis, you’ll likely be expected to deliver important presentations at work right now, something that will definitely feel overwhelming if things are less than stable at home. Remember, what you say in public will be held to higher standards than usual; your professional reputation is under review. A reprieve comes this morning when the moon ingresses into your fifth house, giving you a chance to embrace your fun, light-hearted side. You might reconnect with an old flame or catch up with your ex while visiting your hometown. If you have any doubts whether this experience is healthy or not, by the time the moon conjoins the North Node this evening, you’ll feel a sense of intuitive certainty.

Capricorn

Your third house was rocked by the eclipse yesterday, bringing forth revelations about your siblings, neighbors, and local community. Whether you get along with these people or not, you’ll be shocked by the dramatics—and probably roped into the whole situation even if you want nothing more than to remain neutral, sit back, and observe. Fortunately, you’re unlikely to become loose-tongued and emotionally reactive around this time; if anything, you’ll be the one who manages to annoy everyone with your bipartisan diplomacy. Don’t take a side if you can help it. Saturn in your third house lends a maturity to your communication style, making you the natural mediator, and the opposition to Mercury in your ninth house ensures you’ll be dodging the big questions about religion and politics. If the division is not occurring within your own extended family, you might get blindsided by a political protest on your walk home from Starbucks. Be mindful of what you say and how you say it, as your words hold tremendous weight right now. When the moon ingresses into your fourth house, you’ll feel compelled to stay in your house and wait for the storm to pass; if you can talk to older, more objective relatives about the issues going on, you might find their wisdom helpful. And by the time the moon is conjunct the North Node this evening, your place in your family will be solidified: you might be the contrarian black sheep, but at least you didn’t take the bait.

Aquarius

The eclipse shook up your second house, bringing a massive change to your financial status: either huge gains or huge losses are on their way, and when Saturn opposes Mercury on your second and eighth house axis, you’ll be forced to have some hard talks about money with your spouse, partner, or anyone you share assets with. Trust the guidance and wisdom of older, more mature individuals in your life right now, and seek a financial advisor if you feel in over your head. Though your circumstances might feel daunting, if not completely overwhelming, once the moon ingresses into your third house, you’ll find it easier to speak with conviction and confidence, seeking help from those you trust within your extended family—or your found family. Look to your local community and trust them to show up for you. Some people are genuinely good at heart. When the moon conjoins the North Node tonight, you will have a stronger awareness of what you need to do and say to achieve your goals, even if they seem impossibly out of reach.

Pisces

If you’ve been putting on a façade or fake-flexing about your identity, your lies are likely being exposed right now as the eclipse shatters all illusions in your first house. Unless you’re trying to shed your old skin and shock everyone senseless, this is about the worst possible time to make changes to your physical appearance—and don’t discard last year’s clothes just because the impulse to downsize suddenly strikes you. You’re undergoing a major change that will inevitably impact every aspect of your life, but is currently focused on your sense of identity: Who am I? What do I stand for? How do I want to show up to the world? Saturn in your first house has been helping carve out a more mature, responsible version of yourself since it made its ingress in the spring of last year, but today it forms an opposition with Mercury in your seventh, giving you the opportunity to dialogue with all kinds of important people in your life: your spouse, your business partners, and your best friend. Ask them for the brutally honest, constructive rundown: are you showing signs of great spiritual wisdom, or are you gradually becoming a more jaded, nihilistic version of your mother? You can rely on those closest to you to give you the harsh truth. Carry this knowledge with you as the moon moves into your second house, so you can capitalize on what you’re doing right and avoid being karmically disciplined for what you’re doing wrong. This evening, the moon links up with the North Node, solidifying your financial status as you move forward with your conscientious and mindful rebrand. If your brief stint as an influencer has racked up more debt than it’s worth, it might be time to throw in the towel.