LIFE

YOUR LIFE IS ABOUT TO GET *WAY* MORE INTERESTING.

Even if you’re just entering a new grade at the same school, those first few weeks are going to feel like a fresh start in so many ways (especially this year!).

For one thing, school kicks in during industrious Virgo season, so from the get-go, you’re coming in ready to do your best. Shortly after that, on Sept. 23, Libra season starts, helping you form new friendships. The result? A planetary push to revamp your relationships as well as your work ethic, making you feel well-rounded and balanced in your life. Who doesn’t love that?

But there’s more: Mercury, planet of communication, is also in Libra on Sept. 5, boosting your social prowess and making it really easy to speak up in class. Venus, planet of love and beauty, enters Leo a day later, giving you a dose of charisma and confidence. Lastly, there’s a full moon in Pisces on Sept. 2, signifying an emotional end to something, while a new moon in Virgo on Sept. 17 helps you develop healthy self-care routines to start off this school year super strong.

ARIES

Mars, the planet of action (and also your ruling planet), is in retrograde in your sign starting on Sept. 9. Retrogrades are the illusion of a planet moving backward, so your usual go-getter vibe might feel thrown for a loop, making it harder to accomplish things. While it might be frustrating, this could be a blessing in disguise. You have a tendency to be a bit hard on yourself, so this retrograde is pushing you to slow things down. Work in some self-care, like a 20-minute HIIT workout, a quick walk, or a guided meditation. You’ll feel like yourself again soon, promise.

TAURUS

The new moon in Virgo on Sept. 17 is just the change you’ve been craving. A few weeks ago, Uranus, planet of awakening, went retrograde in your sign, giving you an identity crisis. But now, the new moon helps you reorganize your life—and you feel more focused than ever. Don’t get discouraged if that one honors class feels daunting. Instead, reassess how you study. Something as tiny as a small shift in how you take notes in class (or as big as seeking additional one-on-one help) can make a huge difference. Be open to *all* the possibilities.

GEMINI

With Mercury entering Libra on Sept. 5 and Libra season starting on the 23rd, all this air sign energy has you socially thriving! You’re already stellar at striking up conversations, but this fresh vibe makes you feel like the star of every group you’re in. There’s one potential downside, though: As someone who’s so good at blending in, it’s possible to lose yourself in the process. Remember: There’s a difference between forming authentic bonds because you feel confident and people-pleasing to fit in. Check to make sure you’re always being true to you, OK?

CANCER

Signified by a crab in its shell, Cancers can be struck by a bit of new-school-year shyness, especially if your friends are in different classes or going to school on different days. Luckily, a full moon in water sign Pisces on Sept. 2 will bring you out of your shell, ready to shine. How? Channel the Libra energy right now (Libra season and Mercury in Libra) and prioritize relationships and reaching out. It can be as simple as just joining a new club or saying hi to the new girl. There’s no better time than the start of school to put yourself out there—it always pays off.

LEO 

Libra season and Mercury in Libra are bringing out your already extroverted side even more. But once Venus enters your sign on Sept. 6, you’ll feel extra flawless. Overall, this is pretty much one of the best moods to be in at the start of a new school year, so make good use of it. And if you happen to be crushing on anyone at the moment, now’s the time to rule the pride like the lion you are. Shoot that first text, slide into their DMs, maintain eye contact across the hall. No sweetie in your sights? Harness this energy and expand your friend group instead.
VIRGO

Between it being your season and a new moon in your sign on the 17th, this is Virgo Time. Your already hard-working nature is magnified by all this extra Virgo energy, so you’re finding it even easier than usual to crush every endeavor you set your sights on. And, yes, it’s great to stay ambitious, but you’re already a sign that’s prone to burning out from piling on too much. Just because you can handle five AP courses, two sports *and* drama club doesn’t mean you should if you’re exhausted. If you’re hitting a wall, think about taking something off the lineup.

LIBRA

With your season starting Sept. 23 and Mercury in your sign starting on the 5th, you feel more Libra-y than ever. You don’t remember what it’s like to feel lonely on a weekend—your schedule is packed to the brim with plans and you’re in too many group chats to count. And while socializing is great, it can start to feel overwhelming if other aspects of your life (like school or self-care) fall to the wayside. Staying up until 1 a.m. because your friends are? If your social life is taking up too much of your *whole* life, set boundaries—you’re also the sign of balance, after all.

SCORPIO

A full moon on Sept. 2 in like-minded water sign Pisces is urging you to put an end to something. Since you’re a deep sign who can sometimes hold a grudge, the goal is to release old tensions and resentments with other people. If you had some kind of a falling-out last year, now’s the time to move on. You’re 100% allowed to still be hurt, but jumping into a new school year obsessively hoping your ex-bestie sits alone at lunch is not useful energy for you. Set your mind on making new friendships or joining a different extracurricular so you can have fun instead.

SAGITTARIUS

Venus in fellow fire sign Leo is inspiring adventurousness in your external image. Because Venus is also the planet of beauty (and Sag is the sign most open to new opps), you’re changing up your clothes, experimenting with makeup and, whoa, even trying bangs. Expressing yourself in new ways is great, especially at the start of the year when everything feels fresh. Just be sure all of these changes feel personal and special to you. Make a Pinterest board, sort through your closet (maybe even your mom’s!) and prioritize pieces that truly connect with you.

CAPRICORN

On Sept. 12, Jupiter, the planet of luck, moves into your sign so, you guessed it, this will be an amazing time for you. Add the fact that the sun is in earth sign Virgo for most of September and you feel positively unstoppable. Now’s a good time to explore passions you’ve left on the back burner. Always been into the idea of joining poetry club, even though you don’t write much? Thinking of running for student government, despite your shyness? This is your chance to give it a shot—especially since you’re more likely to succeed and stick with it in the long run.

AQUARIUS

Mercury in air sign Libra has certainly made you more outspoken, which is mostly a great thing. As the most humanitarian sign, you’re someone who is very in tune to what feels just—and being more vocal when you witness unfairness is a very powerful thing. So speak up about the causes you care about the most. And if someone goes low? You don’t have to engage with them if they resort to mean tactics or name-calling. Now’s the time to start a book club on your passions or join the debate team to really voice your opinions. Listen, learn and repeat.

PISCES

September is off to a bold start with a full moon in your sign. While “letting go” and “cutting ties” can sound scary, now’s your chance to evaluate any relationships that aren’t working for you anymore. Maybe it’s that friend you never feel secure around. Or that girl on the team who talks trash. It’s time to move on. Toxic friendships do so much more harm than the worst-case scenario of sitting with fewer people at lunch for a bit or having to make new besties. Take the leap and give yourself the relationships you know you deserve—you’ll be a whole lot happier for it.

Hey, girl! Just wanted to let you know that this story originally ran in our August/September 2020 issue. Want more? Read the print mag for free *today* when you click HERE.

ALL GIFS via GIPHY

by Julia Pugachevsky; edited for digital by Samantha Dorisca | 9/1/2020