With Venus Now in Leo for all of September, Some Lighthearted Fun Might Be In Store

As we approach the final quarter of 2020, we find ourselves at a crossroads. This is not a typical moment in history, with discord rattling the Earth in the forms of wildfires, hurricanes, COVID-19, social uprisings, and tense politics. We simultaneously shift from summer to autumn in the Northern Hemisphere, and the cooler weather turns the tides again, asking us to adjust to our new normal without skipping a beat.

Thankfully though, the week begins on a high. With Venus, the planet of love and beauty, moving from Cancer to Leo on Sunday, September 6th at 3:21 a.m., ET, we get a jolt of lighthearted fun. Venus in Leo brings a very different energy than Venus in Cancer. (Venus has traveled in Cancer since August 7th.) Here, she’s more boisterous and vocal, and less concerned with safety and security (aka, not so insecure), and here to have a good time. With this transit lasting the entire month of September, we can expect to feel lion-hearted bravery within ourselves, a resounding call into leadership, and the need to stay principled in personal beliefs.

With Venus in Leo, expect to feel lion-hearted bravery within ourselves, a resounding call into leadership, and the need to stay principled in personal beliefs.

On a more superficial note, Venus in Leo also brings our attention to our personal-grooming preferences, like getting a haircut, nails done, new clothes, and paying more attention to our physical appearance in general. Given that we’re months into quarantine, these issues may seem like mementos of a past life. Yet, Venus in the sign that’s most closely related to loving our outward appearance asks us to figure out how to tend to basic needs now in a way that’s accessible and within each of our comfort zones.

Thankfully, Venus inspires ingenuity, and plenty of videos are available online and on social media showing how to tweeze your brows, dye your hair, and—dare I even say it—cut it, too. DIY grooming and self care provide a path to navigating Venus in Leo during a pandemic. But remember, beauty begins inside, so taking time to tune in to your body’s needs allows you to own your glow precisely as you want. So, have some fun and play. Play, after all, is the essence of Venus in Leo.

Speaking of play, on Monday, the moon in Taurus conjoins Uranus and forms a trine to the sun and moon. This grand trine in Earth signs allows for the gifts of ease and pleasure and is one of the more fabulous aspects of the month (even year). Then on Wednesday, the Virgo sun perfects his trine to Jupiter, in Capricorn, making midweek feel magical. Jupiter trining the sun and moon on Monday allows things to come into fruition. Jupiter perfecting his trine to the sun on Wednesday solidifies the gift. So, stay open to receiving—now’s the time.

I say this with caution, though, because on the same day, Wednesday the 9th, Mars commences his two-plus month retrograde cycle in Aries. As a reminder, Mars goes retrograde once every two years, and the day-to-day impact for this transit isn’t necessary seasonally aligned. At a time when we want to pick up the pieces and charge forward, Mars, retrograde in Aries, tells us we are still not ready. Instead of harvesting the metaphorical crops of our labor, we are asked to give them more time to grow.

There is a massive upside: Mars retrograde will allow you to see the cracks of your pre-COVID-19 life so you can rebuild on a firmer foundation, and that will require patience. For now, know that as Mars goes retrograde, it’s normal to feel tired and in need of rest. So, please tend to your needs and pace yourself. This retrograde cycle offers you plenty of room for productivity, but it’s productivity in a way that aligns with your body, heart, and soul.

On Thursday, Mercury in Virgo opposes Chiron, asking us to see how much we tie our productivity to our worth, and our likability to our value. Be prepared to notice all the ways codependent thinking hinders your progress. Holding an attitude of compassion goes a very long way. Stay present, mindful, and kind to with yourself.

On Friday, Neptune perfects his opposition to the sun, making it a perfect day to tune inward and focus on your spiritual practices. Meditation, prayer, and ritual are always a good idea, but this transit also asks you to turn to art and music. Coincidentally, it might make an evening movie or glass of wine seem merely seductive. Also remember to drink lots of water and be wary of using social media (specifically while drinking).

Also be conscious about about how alcohol may interrupt sleep. The best way to use this transit is to make room for a deep slumber. Consciously relax before bed by changing your sheets, turning off all the lights, and letting yourself rest. (Astrologically, the cosmic dance suggests that you could profound dreams that open you up to new insights and ways of being.)

On Saturday, Jupiter stations direct after being retrograde since May 14th. While this likely won’t feel identifiable, it’s important to note that it wraps up a critical cycle. He’s getting ready to leave Capricorn at the end of the year and enter into Aquarius. There’s plenty of time to break this down in the future, but heads up—change is coming! And it’s for the better.

Jennifer Racioppi is the creator of Lunar Logic—a philosophy that integrates the deep wisdom of both science and spirituality, and blends her expertise in astrology, positive psychology, and women’s health—which she uses to coach high-achieving female entrepreneurs to reach their next level of success. Pre-order her book, Cosmic Health (January 2021), here.