September features some potent lunations, but it's a month lacking in the most significant type of major planet aspects. In other words, there are no conjunctions nor oppositions (the most auspicious of all alignments) amongst the slower-moving outer planets. But those two lunations in themselves are quite something to consider. And there are a number of noteworthy alignments involving the terrestrial planets – the rocky/metallic sort like Earth, i.e. Mercury, Venus and Mars. So while September may be in some respects not quite the carnival ride we had in August, neither will it prove uneventful.

The lunar eclipse at 14 Pisces on the 6th is bound to start the month off with a bang – literally as well as figuratively - coming as it does within less than 48 hours of an exact Mars-Uranus opposition (10 Leo-Aquarius). Expect not only the usual outburst of flooding and moderate to severe seismic activity (including volcanic eruptions and Richter 5 or greater earthquakes), but some exceptionally strong storms as well. We're talking hurricane-force winds here, at least – with lots of rain, tidal surges and the like. This particular alignment is in effect for the usual three days before to three days after interval: from the 3rd through the 9th, in other words. to be more specific.) Among the hallmarks of this eclipse will be destructive, deadly thunderstorms. As always, this is a planet-wide phenomenon – so no place is immune. But there are some indications that this lunation puts a strong storm and/or seismic warning in effect for the Americas, from the Plains states down through the Gulf of Mexico and Central America into the western coast of South America; and through Southeast Asia into China. (Click here for an Astro*Carto*Graphy-style map of this lunar eclipse, then return with a click of your browser's back button.)

Watch for people to be moody and out of touch with reality while the September 6 full moon eclipse holds forth in the heavens. The spin doctors of the world will be lying out of both sides of their mouth even more than usual during this eclipse window. And the public is apt to swallow most of it hook, line and sinker. Fantasy, gullibility, delusions: that's what this eclipse is like for most people. (On the other hand, a great time for the most sublime meditative, creative and sensual experiences . . .)

The Mars-Uranus opposition on the 4th that sets up the eclipse of the 6th is potent in its own right. It's a carry-over of a theme from last month; namely a strong emphasis on people with significant Leo-Aquarius polarities. As with last month, the usual gang of suspects includes Tony Blair, Fidel Castro, Bill and Hillary Clinton, Boris Yeltsin and Pope John Paul II. The President and First Lady certainly got their fill in August as predicted – score one for the astrologer – and I expect they're still 'running the rapids' in September, so to speak. A time of challenge, confrontation and risk – even danger – for this cast of characters, once again. And since Mars remains within a couple degrees of its opposition to Uranus from the 1st through the 7th, look for the first week of September to very far from quiet and peaceful in terms of individual as well as mass psychology and the world scene. This alignment means conflict, surprise attacks, people who don't back down no matter what the cost. Chill out, or batten down the hatches . . .

There's a peculiar string of aspects occurring between the 9th and 11th, and they're all of a kind. It starts with the Venus-Saturn trine on the 9th (3 Virgo-3 Taurus), followed on the 11th by Mercury's conjunction with Venus (5 Virgo) and square to Pluto (5 Virgo-5 Sagittarius) and the Venus-Pluto square in the same degrees. The latter three aspects all happen in less than ten minutes – between 05:40 and 05:47 UT. That's not to say that these particular configurations will make their mark only for those few minutes. One or more components of this whole complex will be within a degree or two of exact alignment from the 7th through the 14th, in fact. There's so much going on with all these patterns that I won't attempt to cover all the bases. Suffice it to suggest a few: a wild ride on major world equity markets (flight to quality); honors due to and received by older people; vicious, titillating gossip; health care scandals AND breakthroughs; crimes against women and fraudulent financial schemes make the news. (In the latter category, criminal campaign financing is apt to be a theme.)

The sun opposes Jupiter on the 16th (23 Virgo-Pisces), which puts the giant planet in perigee (its closest approach to Earth). Expect big storms within a day or two of this aspect; and powerful people to be measured and found wanting – even criminally liable. "How the mighty hath fallen . . ."

Mercury makes the same aspect to Jupiter on the 20th, even as a new moon forms in the heavens at 28 Virgo. You can expect the usual with this lunation, from the 17th through the 23rd: an increase in storms, flooding and moderate to severe seismic action (Richter 5 or greater earthquakes and/or volcanic eruptions). The sun and Mercury trines to Neptune on the 22nd and 24th respectively should smooth things out on the weather front as this new moon window draws to a close. But a sharp upsurge of meteorological messes is likely on the 24th and 25th, as Venus opposes Jupiter and Mercury aligns with the sun. (Noteworthy communication disruptions or outages are possible within a day or two either side of the 25th.) From there on out, it's smooth sailing I should think . . .

SPECIAL FEATURE: This month's birthdays of the famous and infamous (with astrological birth charts)