The biggest news this week is the equinox – fall in the Northern Hemisphere, spring for those of you in the Land of Oz and other parts south.

The Sun enters Libra on Friday, followed by Mercury on Sunday, just as the Sun opposes Uranus. This is the halfway point of the astrological year, the balance between light and dark, represented by the scales. The scales, or balance, also are symbolic of the harvest, traditionally a time when crops were weighed and accounts settled. For our ancestors, it was the culmination of the agricultural year. If they didn’t plant enough, or if their crop was damaged by weather or pests, they had to do the math for how they would ration to get through the winter.

For us, it’s a time to consider our progress since the Sun entered Aries on March 20. As you may recall, that was a particularly volatile period, with a new cardinal buildup that mirrored last summer’s T-square. Well, we get that again starting this week, as the Sun and Mercury form a T-square with Uranus and Pluto.

That may sound dire, and yet I’m optimistic about the possible manifestations of this configuration, primarily because of the dynamic position of Mars. The testosterone planet has been frustrated in Cancer since the beginning of August. You only needed to drive a few miles down the highway to see it. I lost count of how many times some guy in a monster pickup screamed up behind me, rode my tail, then blew around me at twice the speed limit, cutting off the guy behind him.

As of this evening (Sept. 18), Mars will be in Leo, where he is much happier. His energy can flow, and that means it can be channeled into creative projects and other productive activities. In this position, he’ll provide an “out” to the cardinal T-square, as he’ll be at a positive angle with Uranus in Aries, the sign he rules, and the Sun in Libra. At its best, this translates to creative solutions to seemingly insurmountable problems. It also shows where you can be a leader and a pioneer.

The downside is that Mars will be at a jarring inconjunct with Pluto in Capricorn. Mars in Leo has megalomaniacal tendencies as it is. In discord with the ultimate authoritarian, we’ve got the metaphorical irresistible force colliding with an immovable object. Watch the news headlines for intransigent world leaders up against forces beyond their control (e.g., debt and finances). In your personal life, take care not to let your ego get the better of you in situations involving authority.

This week is a great time to order your StarGuide 2011 Fall Forecast! I’ve added some new features, including expanded notes on Mercury retrograde and the lunations – two of which are eclipses. I’ve also added 1-2 pages with interpretations of the house positions of the outer planets. You won’t find these in a typical transit forecast, which provides this information only when a planet changes houses. With the outer planets, this can be anywhere from two years for Saturn to 15 years or more for Pluto. It takes me significantly longer to include this data, as I create these reports individually, but I’ve kept the price at $36. If you’d like to see a sample, I created a new one for one of my favorite Leo personalities, Martha Stewart.

Next week’s New Moon is at 4 degrees Libra, which forms a tight T-square with Uranus and Pluto. I’ll cover it in next week’s forecast, but in the meantime, you can get an idea of how it will affect you by ordering your StarGuide Forecast. Remember, I’m going back to school on September 26, so if you wait, I can’t guarantee delivery of your report within 48 hours. Even if you order this week, it may take longer than 24 hours (my usual turnaround) to get your report, as my schedule is close to booked.

Much love and courage to all,
Pat