One of the four major energy shifts of the year occurs on September 22, as the Sun, the current consciousness for everyone leaves the earth sign of Virgo and cycles into Libra, the initiating air sign of the zodiac, and we celebrate the Fall Equinox. Libra begins a new cycle of love, relationships, creativity and pleasure. Two planets change signs this month and one planet changes direction. Pluto, the planet of power and transformation, moves forward again on the 3rd, after its tailspin since March. When a planet changes direction, its energies intensify, especially when we're talking about Pluto. Over the last 5 months you've been looking deep inside for what you really believe and now you can put those beliefs into practice, especially since the Virgo New Moon is also on the 3rd. Plant the seeds of your desires on the 3rd and reap the heavenly rewards at the Pisces Full Moon on the 17th. On the 4th, Mercury, the planet of information and communication, finally completes its 9 week cycle (due to the retrograde from (7/22-8/15) in childlike, dynamic Leo, and cycles into discriminating, productive, discerning Virgo. After Mercury's lengthy cycle in the sign of creative self-expression, the Virgo energy provides an organized framework for your creative communications. You can now more easily sift through your ideas to decide which ones are really worthy of your attention. Mercury changes signs again on the 20th, when the messenger begins its cycle in Libra. Mercury in Libra is the time when you'll find yourself wanting to share your ideas with others to get their opinion. Venus, the planet of love and relationships, completes the cycle in its home sign of Libra and flows into Scorpio on the 11th, which deepens connections with everyone Venus in Scorpio begs the question: What are we really negotiating here? Here's what you can expect of me and this is what I expect of you.

Aries (March 21 - Apr. 19)
With Mars, your ruling planet in earthy, grounded Taurus until Feb., 2006, your usual spontaneous and immediate approach to life may feel a bit thwarted by the slow, deliberate, methodical 'steady as you go' energy of Taurus. With Mars retrograding next month, you have plenty of time to get used to feeling 'stuck'. You're never 'stuck' of course; you just need to slow down, dear ram. The forced slow down may not feel comfortable at first as Mars in Taurus is more about determination than it is aggression. An extra dose of patience and serenity are the gifts of the warrior planet's journey in Taurus. Your relationships have greater depth and meaning now, as Venus travels in your 8th house. As your self-worth and self-esteem increase, more and more people are becoming your raving fans.

Taurus (Apr. 20 - May 20)
While peace, serenity and calm are your usual fare, you've no doubt felt way more energized than usual with Mars, the planet of drive and initiative in your sign. And while Mars cycles in Taurus every two years, usually for 6-8 weeks, because of the retrograde cycle coming up in October until December, Mars will be in your sign until February, 2006. What this all means is that it's time to become one with your passion. Follow the desires of your heart. If you neglect the voice of your soul, then you may feel angry instead of excited. On the 11th, Venus, your guardian angel planet cycles into the relationship arena of your chart in Scorpio. Be aware that you may get the push you need to get excited from someone who gets under your skin.

Gemini (May 21 - June 20)
With your gift of gab, it's usually easy for you to talk yourself in or out of anything. But you may find yourself talking more to yourself these days then to others, as there's a lot going on in your unconscious. In fact, that's where the action is these days for you, oh information junkie of the zodiac, as Mars in your 12th house for almost 6 months offers the opportunity for you to see what really drives you and how you create your experience every step of the way. And with the Pisces Full Moon in your house of career on the 17th, you may have more clarity and inspiration about what you want to create in your professional life. You will receive important messages in your dreams now so prepare the soil and plant those seeds at the Virgo New Moon on the 3rd.

Cancer (June 21 - Jul. 22)
While security and safety are major concerns for you, Moon child, with Mercury in your house of resources and self-worth since the end of June in Leo, you may be feeling more confident about being able to abundantly support yourself doing what you love and what makes your inner child rejoice. The last two years haven't been a picnic emotionally. You've grown up a lot since June, 2003, and developed greater emotional self-reliance, while Saturn was in Cancer and now that it's in Leo you can create the stage for your inner child to play and express its creative abilities. As the Sun cycles into Libra at the Fall Equinox on the 22nd in your house of home and family, you can reconnect to a more solid and secure emotional foundation.

Leo (Jul. 23 - Aug. 22)
As the magical free child of the zodiac, dear lion, you are happiest when you have the freedom of unbridled self-expression. With Saturn, the planet of responsibility, structure and discipline in your sign for the next two years, it's time to take that need for creative self-expression seriously. What makes your soul sing? What are your heart's deepest desires? Are you dancing with an open heart? It's time to be the hero in your own life. While this all may feel like hard work and not much fun, which is your usual calling card for your 'little kid', if you hang in, you'll feel more solid and confident in your creative abilities than ever before. Let fun with a purpose may be your mantra now.

Virgo (Aug. 23 - Sept. 22)
The New Moon in Virgo on the 3rd is your rebirth this year, oh Good Samaritan of the zodiac. What crops do you want to harvest in your life? Do you feel useful and productive in your work? Does your day-to-day routine contribute to the quality of your life? Where can you bring more order and efficiency to your environment? Where are you working at the expense of living a balanced, happy life? This Virgo New Moon is an opportunity to see where the imbalances are so that you can tweak them. And by the Pisces Full Moon on the 17th, you'll be inspired to know where to make the changes that will allow you to release your anxieties and worries so that you can feel renewed balance between earth and heaven.

Libra (Sept. 23 - Oct. 22)
It's been quite a year since your last birthday, oh keeper of the Scales, as you've been in this 12 year expansive cycle with Jupiter, the planet of wisdom, growth, meaning and purpose in your sign since last September. You may not even recognize yourself as you have become so much more aware of your skill to balance and harmonize relationships, beginning with that most important relationship with you. There is so much to be grateful for as you have a more meaningful understanding of true teamwork, collaboration and cooperation with friends, loved ones and business associates. As the Sun cycles into your sign on the 22nd and Jupiter continues to travel in Libra until the end of October, ask the Universe for anything you still desire in your relationships. Whether it's a lover, spouse or business partner, know that when you ask, it is given.

Scorpio (Oct. 23 - Nov. 21)
This month is significant for you, dear scorpion/snake/phoenix, as Pluto, the planet of intensity and transformation and one of your guardian angel planets, moves forward again after its tailspin since March. You've probably been feeling the ground rumbling underneath you, as you contemplate your reemergence and decide what you have learned about power and how to wield it. And with Venus, the planet of love, relationships, creativity and pleasure, oozing into your sign on the 11th, you can truly value and appreciate the beauty and gifts in the dark and shadowy side of your nature. With Mars, your other ruling planet in Taurus, preferring 'peace at all costs', you may discover a more delicate balance between inertia and emergency. The swing doesn't have to be so great between peace and passion. It's time for you to know they can exist simultaneously.

Sagittarius (Nov. 22 - Dec. 21)
It's time to decide what you're planting in your profession at the New Moon in Virgo on the 3rd. What are the desires of your heart? With Jupiter, your guardian angel planet still in Libra, the sign of teamwork, you may discover that you don't have to go it alone. Maybe it's finally time to take on a partner professionally AND personally. With Pluto, the power planet in your sign moving forward again also on the 3rd, you may feel gripped with a sense of mission. Never before have you felt such a great need to eliminate everything that no longer expresses who you are and start from scratch where everything has more meaning. You haven't lost your ability to see the bright side, dear archer, you're just taking your gift of optimism and enthusiasm more seriously to find its expression in the world.

Capricorn (Dec. 22 - Jan. 19)
The Fall Equinox and the Sun's entry into Libra, always occurs in your house of career, a very comfortable place for Capricorn, since climbing the mountain of success is an important goal for you this lifetime. Of course, with Saturn, your ruling planet now in Leo, which is about play and creative self-expression, this may be the time to ask yourself if you're really climbing the mountain of your choice because you're enjoying it or because you think you 'should'. With Pluto retrograding in the house of your unconscious since March, you have likely discovered where you trip yourself up when things appear to be out of your control. You may have learned by now that you're happier when you learn to delegate your authority to the Universe, rather than trying to handle it all by yourself.

Aquarius (Jan. 20 - Feb. 18)
It may not be clear how to uniquely express your individuality now as Uranus, your guardian angel planet, is still in retrograde until November. While there may seem to be more chaos and disruption in the status quo of your environment, the gift of this cycle is to help put you more in touch with your needs for personal freedom of self-expression that may have not been realized up until now. Allow yourself to discover more liberating forms of activities, or fresh, new and innovative approaches to existing activities. You may actually stumble onto new avenues of expression that can result in greater self-illumination. You may never see things quite the same in your life. Whatever is brought to your attention now is what you need to reform.

Pisces (Feb. 19 - Mar. 20)
What a ride it's been for the last three years as Uranus, the planet of change, rebellion, individuality, innovation, invention, breakthrough and awakening is enjoying its once every 84 year journey in your sign. Talk about opportunities to discover new, unique and untapped parts of you. As one of the healers of the zodiac, we know you can sometimes display more martyr/victim tendencies than are good for you and this cycle of Uranus in Pisces is a time to let all that go. There's no doubt it may appear to upset the balance in many of your relationships, while at the same time creating healthier, more authentic connections with others. With the Full Moon in your sign on the 17th, know that all the dreams you have dared to dream really can come true.

Lorelei Robbins is an astrological consultant in the Atlanta, GA USA area. She may be contacted at LoreleiYes@aol.com or at 770-992-6112.