The Heart Made Visible
The Sun symbolizes self-hood and heart, and Mars is the symbol of our work. When they meet in a sextile aspect (Sep 14, 2026, 12:53 pm PDT, 22.01 Virgo/Cancer), we’re presented with an opportunity to make our hearts visible through the work that we do.
Mars has something of a bad reputation among some astrologers, and as someone with a rather strong placement of that planet myself, I’ll admit that his reputation is not entirely undeserved. But the gift of Mars is its passion, desire, and drive. On our happiest days, our work burns with that passion; and as the Sun enters the picture, it adds pure creative joy.
Sculptor Auguste Rodin, known for the earthy physicality of his sculptures, was born with this planetary combination in his chart. He’s quoted as having said, “True artists are almost the only men who do their work for pleasure.” As the Sun sextile Mars this week, bring to your work every bit of passion and joy that you can. Be a true artist. Show your whole heart.
Wanting What We’ve Gotten
Just five days ago, Venus entered Scorpio, a sign that compels us to go after what we deeply desire without hesitation. Venus square Pluto (Sep. 15, 2026, 11:35 am PDT, 3º16′ Scorpio/Aquarius), on the other hands, suggests that having gotten what we wanted, we might find that we don’t really want what we’ve gotten.
A connection between Venus and Pluto can be beautiful and soulful, symbolizing depth of feeling, authentic love, and affection for things or people that are difficult to love. But it’s a combination that has to be treated consciously and carefully, because it’s a fine line that separates deep love and painful obsession. Pluto has a way of sucking up all the oxygen in the room with its focus and desire for control.
This is a fast transit, with an influence of just a few days. But take this time to examine whether something you’re feeling is true love or a need for control.
X-Ray Vision and Rose-Colored Glasses
For nearly eight decades, the sextile of Neptune and Pluto has been present in most birth charts, in various signs and within various orbs of exactitude. It was exact a number of times in 1950-56 and 1976-1986, and this week’s exact Neptune-Pluto sextile (Sep. 15, 2026, 7:08 pm PDT, 3º16 Aries-Aquarius) is the latest in a series that will last through Feb. 2032, when it finally wraps up.
We could be forgiven for thinking that because this aspect is so common, there isn’t much to say about it. But in fact, it’s a chart signature that binds us together, a point of commonality. Even something like a slow-moving Pluto transit in a particular sign doesn’t last as long as this sextile has.
Since the post-war Baby Boom, we’re the generations who have confronted – and deconstructed – our collective dreams. We’re simply not as unquestioningly trusting as some of our predecessors. Pluto sees with x-ray vision, and when it connects with idealistic Neptune, the rose-colored glasses come off.
As my mother once said to me, “I feel sorry for you, because you see things exactly as they are instead of the way you’d like them to be.” I think that’s true, but it’s not just me. It’s the world I grew up in, and the people I grew up with. We believe in dreams, but we don’t necessarily expect them to come true.
Blowing Up
Mercury opposes Saturn this week (Sep. 18, 2026, 3:00 am PDT, 12º32′ Libra/Aries) on the Sabian Symbol 13 Libra, Children blowing soap bubbles, with Saturn on 13 Aries, An unsuccessful bomb explosion.
So… what exactly is blowing up here?
Imagine – or you can recall? – being a sunny, creative, and uncomplicated child who wants to share something with the world. Maybe it’s a song, a joke, or a dance step. You tug at mom or dad’s sleeve, desperate for attention, but they’re distracted, or critical. If it happens once in awhile, you’ll usually bounce back. But if you’re routinely shut down by those you love, you’ll learn to hide your true self.
This week, the sunny optimism and playfulness of blowing soap bubbles confront the threat of criticism, censure, or the potential explosion of those who disapprove of you. The several days leading up to the opposition will probably be the toughest, but it’s a rough week generally for launching something from your heart out into the world. If you do, and the world is unreceptive or negative, you will need to figure out whether this thing is worth fighting for.
We don’t want to let Saturn stop us in our tracks altogether, but he’s not necessarily wrong for suggesting that refinement, discipline, or hard work would make our creative, loving efforts more effective. There’s no question, though, that the joyful, creative spark is the true thing, and Saturn should only be listened to if its message is constructive.
Leap In and Get the Ball Rolling
Of all the First Quarter Moon signs, Sagittarius might be the most natural fit. The First Quarter phase demands action, but it comes only one week into the New Moon cycle, when we lack the benefit of long experience to know what it wants. Luckily, the Sagittarius First Quarter Moon (Sep. 18, 2026, 1:43 pm PDT, 25º57′ Sagittarius/Virgo) doesn’t mind that at all.
Taking a leap of faith in the direction of even the most ill-defined New Moon goal is right up Sagittarius’ alley. It’s ironic, because the Sagittarius First Quarter falls in the Sun’s Virgo season, and Virgo can get us stuck before we even get started, for fear of making a mistake.
Sagittarius is willing to make a grand mess in the interest of forward motion – especially this Sagittarius First Quarter, which is in a trine aspect to enthusiastic Jupiter in Leo. Don’t fear leaping in and getting the ball rolling. You don’t have to have a complete plan; there will be plenty of time later on for correcting your course. For now, just get moving!
© Words and Illustrations by April Elliott Kent
