The Monthly Nerd
Welcome to the new Monthly Nerd! Putting this out once a week got to be too much, so you'll now get this in your inbox once a month on the first of the month. Enjoy this new-and-improved newsletter. Yes, that's right! New and improved! Like Tide. As Jerry Seinfeld said, "They're still working on Tide." And I'm still working on the Monthly Nerd. I'm afraid it won't do anything for the stains on your clothes, but I hope that it will entertain, inform, and inspire.
The Sky for September 2026
We start September with the Sun in Virgo. Happy birthday, Virgo friends! On the 23rd, the Sun will move into Libra and then it will be "happy birthday, Libra friends." If you have the Sun from 9° to 29° Virgo, you'll be having your solar return soon. Anyone with the Sun in 0° to 7° Libra will have their solar return this month, too.
Mercury is in Virgo from the 1st to about the 10th, depending on time zone. This will most affect people with planets from about 13°-29° of Virgo (conjunction), Pisces (opposition), Gemini (square) and Sagittarius (square). These transits will enhance (Virgo) or complicate (Gemini, Sagittarius, and Pisces) your ability to communicate clearly. From approximately the 11th until the end of the month, Mercury will be in Libra. If you have planets in Libra, this conjunction will be good for your ability to communicate. If you have planets in Gemini, Sagittarius, or Pisces, communication could get more difficult.
Venus is at about 24°-29° Libra from the beginning of the month until approximately the 10th, again, depending on time zone. If you have planets in these later degrees of Libra, this will be pleasant for you. Venus plays nice with everyone and will likely make you more popular, and you might feel more beautiful at this time. If you're single, you could have some good luck asking for dates. If you have Aries placements, you might attract new people into your life, whether potential mates, friends, or someone who could help you. You could even attract money. Those with planets in Cancer or Capricorn may have some difficulties with relationships, though probably ones that can be worked out fairly easily. On about the 10th, Venus moves into Scorpio, where she is slowing down in preparation for going retrograde in early October. If you have planetary placements from 0°-8° Scorpio, what I wrote about Libra placements will apply to you. If you have Taurus placements, you might attract new people into your life, whether potential mates, friends, or someone who could help you. You could even attract money. Those with planets in Leo or Aquarius may have some difficulties with relationships after the 10th, though probably ones that can be worked out fairly easily.
Mars finishes up his transit through Cancer, finally moving into Leo about the 28th. Those with planets from 13°-29° Cancer may get an energy boost or sense of urgency. If you have the Sun in Cancer, expect the energy boost. Mercury in Cancer could experience a racing mind, while those with Venus in Cancer might feel love in the air. If you have planets in Capricorn, however, you could, instead, attract someone's aggression, especially those with the Sun in Capricorn. Those with planets in Aries or Libra may also have some fights on their hands, hopefully only verbal sparring. And if you have planets at the very beginning of Leo, everything I just wrote about Cancer will apply to you starting about the 28th. Those with planets in Aquarius, read the part about Capricorn. And those with planets in Taurus or Scorpio can read the part about Aries and Libra, again, after the 28th.
Jupiter spends September from 13°-19° Leo. If you have your natal Jupiter from 13°-19° Leo, then hello, Jupiter Return! This should be a lucky time for you. If you have other planets from 13°-19° Leo, benevolent and expansive Jupiter will smile on them, too. For example, Jupiter contacting your Mercury could give you BIG ideas, whereas Jupiter-Venus contacts can be good for money. If you have Aquarius placements, you may attract good luck from another person. For example, Jupiter opposite an Aquarius Mercury may bring someone into your life who expands your thinking, whereas those of you with natal Venus from 13°-19° Aquarius might attract people who just give you things this month. Those with planets in Taurus and Scorpio will experience Jupiter squaring those planets. Coming from Jupiter, squares aren't so scary as when they come from, say, Saturn. Usually, squares from transiting Jupiter to natal planets indicate the possibility of maybe overdoing something. A Jupiter square to natal Mercury, for example, may indicate talking or thinking too much. You might write or say someone you didn't intend to. Oops. A Jupiter square to your Mars, however, could give you so much extra energy and enthusiasm that you try to do too much at once and then run out of steam soon after. Again, look for planets from 13°-19° of these signs.
Retrograde Saturn starts September at 13° Aries and moves back to 11° Aries by the end of the month. If you have planets from 11°-13° Aries, this could be a frustrating time. Saturn conjoining an Aries Sun may mean you have to take on extra responsibility. You might also feel like your ego expressions are all put on hold at this time. Those with planets at 11°-13° of Libra may have someone come into their lives who plays the part of oppressive and disciplined Saturn in some way. If it's the Sun in Libra, all of your ego expressions will likely be challenged or blocked by this person playing the part of Saturn in your life. Saturn opposing your Mars might bring in a person or situation that makes you feel like everything has just stopped for you, like someone is physically preventing you from doing anything, or you’re only able to do it after tremendous effort. If you have planets from 11°-13° Cancer or Capricorn, you'll be experiencing a square from Saturn. If Saturn is square your Venus, this could be a difficult time for relationships. Saturn square Mercury may block your ability to communicate effectively, or at least make that very difficult. Saturn square a Cancer or Capricorn Sun might be trying to teach you patience. Whenever we think Saturn is saying "no", he is often really saying "not yet".
Uranus turns retrograde on the 10th and remains at 5° Gemini for the entire month. If you happen to have a natal planet at 5° Gemini, this will be the conjunction. Uranus conjunct a Gemini Sun can indicate sudden change to your sense of self. Whoever you thought you were, now you're not so sure. This could be either exciting or disruptive depending on your comfort with change. A conjunction from Uranus to your Mercury, on the other hand, will likely bring you exciting new, and probably very unconventional, ideas. Whatever you thought your thoughts were, now you're not so sure. As with the Sun, this could be either exhilarating or terribly disruptive, depending on how flexible your mind is, though Mercury in Gemini would probably find it more exciting than disruptive. Planets in Sagittarius will bring someone who acts as a disruptor because this is the opposition. Uranus opposite a Sagittarius Sun brings what you might call a "shit disturber" into your life. I hope you didn't have plans. Your disruptor could ruin them all. Really, Uranus is trying to shake you out of a rut. Whenever we can't or won't make creative change for ourselves, that's when Uranus comes along and does it for us. If you have planets at 5° Virgo or Pisces, this will be the square. There will still be a disturbance of some sort, but with the square you're less likely to experience the wanton destruction of Uranus coming like a tornado through your life and more like something unexpected that makes you feel stuck. It's like the disruption leaves you with very little, if any, wiggle room. It's enough to make you say, "Uh. Okay. Now what?"
Neptune turned retrograde back in July and will still be so all of September. He'll start out at 3° Aries and drift back to 2° Aries by the end of the month. If you are unfortunate enough to have planets at about 2°-3° Aries, prepare for confusion and dissolution. Those with the Sun at 2° or 3° Aries will have their ego boundaries dissolved. You thought you were this separate individual with your own thoughts and feelings, but under this transit, you'll likely start to find out this is not an accurate representation of reality. You may realize that you are a part of everything and everyone else and that all the separation you saw before was just an illusion. This could result in becoming more spiritual or maybe just more kind and compassionate toward others. You might let go of all the silly things that used to annoy you and go do something for someone else, like volunteering at a soup kitchen, for example. Do you have any planets at 2° or 3° Libra? That's the opposition. If you have the Sun at 2° or 3° Libra, you might learn, through others, to strengthen your ego boundaries. You do not owe everyone your time and energy. A Virgo friend of mine had this experience when Neptune was still in Pisces. If you have planets at 2°or 3° of Cancer or Capricorn, this transit will be the square. A square from Neptune will challenge your attachments. Is there something, or someone, you need to let go of before you can move on in your life? Neptune will help you do this, though it probably won't be comfortable. In fact, squares tend to make us decidedly uncomfortable. Because it's only when we're uncomfortable that growth occurs.
And finally, Pluto remains retrograde throughout the month and will be at 3° Aquarius for its entirety. Do you have any planets at 3° Aquarius? Well, Pluto is about to start a transformation, if that hasn't begun already. Pluto is the planet of death and rebirth, and transits from him tend to force some sort of metamorphosis. Pluto conjunct the Sun? You will be unrecognizable by the time this is over. If Pluto conjoins your Mercury at 3° Aquarius, the way you think will be completely transformed. Pluto on Venus will transform your relationships. Do you, instead, have a planet at 3° Leo? Then Pluto will oppose that planet. This will bring the transformation from the outside. A person or situation will occur that begins the metaphorical death and rebirth. If you have any planets at 3° of Taurus or Scorpio, you'll be experiencing Pluto square that planet. The square may temporarily put your life on hold until the transformation is complete.
Monthly Article
Astrology is Not Dramatic. Usually.
As a beginner astrology student, I had this idea that major transits (and later progressions and solar arc as I learned about them) would indicate major turning points in my life. I would see, for example, Jupiter trine my midheaven and think, "This is going to be great for career!" I would have exaggerated expectations of wonderful things that would happen when a transit came about, or conversely, fears of horrible things that may befall me.
I have to tell you this is not true 99% of the time. While big, life-changing events do happen, of course, they're rather rare. Most of our lives are much less dramatic. This does not mean that transits, progressions, and solar arcs are unimportant. To the contrary, I think knowing about them can be very helpful. Their effects, though, tend to be a lot more subtle most of the time. In fact, my experience has been that a lot of these transits, progressions, and solar arcs don't feel particularly noteworthy in the moment. It is only when looking back on that time that it sometimes becomes obvious just how important it actually was. I've lost count of the number of times I've thought, "Oh, so that's what that transit was doing. Now it makes sense." As an example, I have met people who, in that moment, I would never have guessed would become an important part of my life. It is only later on they become apparent.
Another thing to keep in mind is that, although transits are more likely to coincide with "events" that seem to happen to us, progressions and solar arcs tend to point toward more internal changes, and internal changes are much more difficult to notice in the moment. It's only later, after those changes have had a chance to affect behavior, and then later our realities, that we finally understand exactly what was going on at the time.
Combine that with the fact that the greater the frequency of the transit, the less impactful it will likely be. As an example, I was all excited when I got to experience my first Jupiter return since discovering astrology. Because of what I had read, I had overly optimistic expectations about what good fortune I should expect. It's not that Jupiter returns are meaningless. They do, indeed, tend to be times where things are going well for us. But if you're expecting a lottery win, getting your dream job, or finding the perfect house for you to buy, then you are most likely going to be very disappointed. You see, the Jupiter return (the moment Jupiter returns to where it was when you were born) happens to everyone every 12 years. Now, that's not often. It's not like a solar return, which happens every year. But it is often enough that you shouldn't expect the most amazing good luck every time, such as huge windfalls or extraordinary turning points. Those things can happen, but they are very unlikely.
So, what then does indicate major turning points? The answer is: repetition. The more that is going on in your chart at about the same time, the more likely it is to signal something life-changing. Astrologers use the "rule of three" to decide how significant a coming event is likely to be. If, for example, you have a slow-moving transit, especially Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto, combined with a progression and a solar arc that all have similar meanings, all occurring right about the same time, that is more likely to be timing something significant. And if you have more than three indicators, all reinforcing each other as far as their meaning goes, then that's an even more compelling indicator that something big is about to happen.
While big, life-changing events do happen, you should not expect them too often. At least not the dramatic ones that are loud and impossible to miss. Again, most turning points to be a lot quieter in the moment. Usually, the biggest changes in life are only recognized as big changes weeks, months, or even years later. So, when you're looking at your chart and see something interesting coming, try to keep your expectations modest.
Then again. Once in a while. Maybe you do win the lottery. Or something else that dramatic. Stranger things have happened.
Celebrity Spotlight: Zendaya
Zendaya is a great example of why I don't think astrology is best learned as a list of personality traits. Her chart tells a story.
Zendaya has an Aquarius Ascendant, which might suggest someone unconventional, but its close sextile to Saturn, the traditional ruler of Aquarius, adds considerable restraint. Her Moon in Taurus is also tightly square the Ascendant, creating a tension between the quiet, grounded person she is privately and the very different persona she presents publicly. The ascendant can also say a lot about one's fashion sense, and I think this is where Zendaya's Aquarius rising really comes out. She has been seen in a lot of unusual outfits, which she appears to be entirely comfortable wearing.
Her Saturn in the 2nd house is interesting as well because it's often interpreted as lacking money, especially in youth. But Saturn here can also indicate that money is taken seriously. Zendaya became the breadwinner for her family at a young age, something she has said put her in a very adult position early in life. In addition, Jupiter ruling her 2nd house is potentially beneficial for financial growth. Sitting in her 11th house, Jupiter can expand opportunities through networks. Collaborations with people like Law Roach (her stylist) and other industry professionals and organizations have helped her along the way.
Then there's her Venus-Mars conjunction in Cancer in the 6th house. Venus and Mars together can give enormous creative and productive energy, while the 6th house is the house of work and craft. Zendaya is known for being extremely involved in the details of what she does, from acting to fashion. Her longtime collaboration with Roach is a great example: their elaborate “method dressing” turns her appearances into extensions of the characters and projects she's promoting. This is very much in line with her Venus opposite Neptune. They are deliberately constructing an image, a fantasy that exists until the costume comes off.
Mars is also the traditional ruler of her Scorpio Midheaven, making Mars particularly important to her career. And Mars is joined by Venus in Cancer, suggesting that her professional success isn't just about ambition; there's a strong creative and emotional component to the work itself. Mars is also opposite her Neptune, which is great for acting. Mars acts. Opposite Neptune, that action can become the process of transforming into the character she's playing.
Even more interesting is Pluto in Sagittarius conjunct her Midheaven. Pluto on the Midheaven can describe a career involving profound transformation, reinvention, and a powerful public presence. Zendaya has repeatedly transformed her public image, from Disney teenager to dramatic actress, blockbuster star, producer, and fashion icon. One of her most significant reinventions, as Rue in Euphoria, was so different from anything she had done before that it allowed her to move beyond her wholesome Disney image.
Finally, Zendaya has her Moon in Taurus in the 3rd house. The Moon in the 3rd is often found in the charts of people who are adept at appealing to people's emotions. If she wasn't an actor, Zendaya may just as easily have found success in advertising, public relations, or communications. In Taurus, the Moon is given additional strength because it is exalted in Taurus. Combine that with the 3rd house placement and you get someone who is very good at making her audience feel what her characters are experiencing. Her award-winning performance as Rue, on Euphoria, is a testament to this, as many viewers felt Rue was uncomfortable to watch at times. Yet they kept watching because of how that character made them feel.
Zendaya's chart is a fascinating example of how astrology can describe not just who someone is, but the process of becoming who they are. Her career has been marked by hard work from a young age, reinvention of herself, and a willingness to move beyond the image that the public has projected onto her.
Astrology Book Recommendation for September 2026
Composite Charts, by John Townley
This is the book that introduced me to composite charts, which I would argue is a better way to assess compatibility than synastry, or chart-to-chart comparison. Townley's book is a great introduction to the topic.
Unfortunately, this book isn't in print right now, but I see there is a used copy you can get for $19.07.
Astrology Puzzle
A Handy Astrology Cheat Sheet
Still getting your head around the 12 houses? I've put together a handy cheat sheet explaining what each house represents and how to use them when reading a chart. [Get the Houses Cheat Sheet]
Have a wonderful month! And if no one has told you yet today, you are important and the world needs you.
Bye for now.
Shea (The Astrology Nerd)
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©️ 2026 The Astrology Nerd
This publication may be shared but not sold or altered in any way. Written by Shea Ballard.
