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Month of Tishrei, 5779

September 10-October 8

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Today is the birthday of the world! — Hayom harat olam! So we proclaimed this week on Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, the first day of the month of Tishrei. This month is associated with the cardinal air constellation of Libra (Moznayim), symbolized by the scales of justice. The planet Venus (Noga), which speaks of beauty and balance, and the Tribe of Ephraim are the dominant energies during Tishrei.

Because of the variations within the 19-year Metonic cycle upon which the Hebrew calendar is based, Tishrei begins this year while the Sun is still in Virgo (Betulah), giving the New Year 5779 a very Elul-like flavor at the start, enhanced by Mercury (Kochav) in his home sign of Virgo, September 5 through 20. That means that the day between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, are infused with Elul/Virgo’s energy of teshuvah (repentance, return) even more profoundly than usual. As we say Al Chet (a Yom Kippur prayer in which we admit our sins) this year we are more attuned to the consequences of our actions and our individual responsibility to repair what we ourselves have broken.

Get ready to emerge from profound self-examination and internalized self-analysis by the autumnal equinox on September 22. The Sun (Shemesh) and Mercury in Venus-ruled Libra lighten our load, lift our spirits, and energize us to loving partnership; Venus in Mars-ruled Scorpio asks us to elevate that love to shared intimacies; and Jupiter in Scorpio asks, “Can we supersize that?”

May it be a shanah tovah umetukah — a sweet and happy new year — for all of us!

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Aries / Taleh

Venus will enter the other Mars-ruled sign of Scorpio on September 9, and your ruling planet Mars (Ma’adim) enters airy Aquarius on September 10. It’s time for assertive Aries to develop one of your latent tribal superpowers: Judah’s diplomatic skills, as demonstrated in his confrontation with Joseph in Egypt. Play it straight and simple, negotiate from the heart and let your passion be tempered by reason. Full moon in Aries on September 24 inflames emotional enthusiasm, but learn from Judah: Don’t give your signet and staff — that is, your identity and personal power — in exchange for temporarily fulfilled desire.

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Taurus / Shor

Your ruling planet of Venus shines intensely as she enters Scorpio, the sign opposite Taurus, on September 9. When Venus opposes your Sun you may find that opposites attract; Venus in Scorpio brings mystery (and maybe even subterfuge), as well as passionate intensity during her transit. Sefer Yetzirah, an ancient Jewish mystical text, tells us that Taurus corresponds to the Hebrew letter Vav, which looks like a single straight line, connects the upper and lower worlds. Your time to connect the earthly with the divine is now!

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Gemini / T’omim

Your ruling planet Mercury in the other Mercury-ruled sign of Virgo September 9-21 and the entrance of energetic Mars into fellow air sign Aquarius on September 10 gives you a boost as you head into the new year. You’ll prove the pen is mightier than the sword as you wield your communicative powers with precision and grace in the service of the greater good. Zebulun’s tribal sigil, the sailboat, symbolizes your power to interface with diverse kinds. Investing your prodigious talents into the betterment of humanity will pay dividends to you personally — a win-win, not a reckless gamble.

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Cancer / Sartan

Saturn has been retrograde in your solar opposite of Capricorn (Gidi) since mid-March, but as of September 6 Saturn stations direct, which comes as a relief for Moon-ruled Cancer as issues of security, both personal and communal, begin to find resolution. During Tishrei’s chaggim, you will be empowered to elevate the ridiculous to the sublime, perhaps via your “loony” humor (the word loony is derived from “Luna,” the Moon). Venus in fellow water sign Scorpio after September 9 brings deep emotional connectivity and a welcome respite from unfounded fears, at least through October 5 when Venus stations retrograde, signaling emotional caution through mid-November.

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Leo / Aryeh

Mars direct in your solar opposite Aquarius (D’li) allows you to pick up where you left off at the end of June. The Sun, your planetary ruler, illuminates practical issues through September 21; after that, as both Sun and Mercury enter creative, romantic Venus-ruled Libra you’ll take a welcome detour through the pleasure palaces of the soul, which are not the same as the fleshpots of Egypt. Leo’s inner child finds beauty intoxicating, soothing and stimulating, and Tishrei brings every opportunity to let Leo’s warm, gracious hospitality shine.

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Virgo / Betulah

5779 kicks off with a new moon at 11 degrees Virgo. This year, Tishrei, the month of Libra, begins halfway through the solar month of Virgo, the mutable earth sign, giving 5779 a Virgoian flavor, especially with your ruling planet Mercury in Virgo through September 21. Tribal ruler Gad’s name means troop. This month, muster your forces (or troops) to triumph over the coming year. Your soldiers are your attributes: logic, reason, analytic power, purity of intention and discernment. Deploy them well!

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Libra / Moznayim

The pomegranate is a symbol of the new year, and September is as full of goodies for you as a pomegranate is full of seeds. Tishrei itself is a full month for you: the Moon in Libra September 10-11, Venus in her home sign of Libra through September 9, Mercury in Libra from September 21, followed by the Sun in Libra and the autumnal equinox on September 22. Venus’ entrance into powerful Scorpio after September 10 brings Mars energy into Venus’ realm. Tishrei’s tribe Ephraim was destined to become one with Judah, his Mars-ruled opposite — and partnerships bring prosperity.

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Scorpio / Akrav

Venus enters your home sign on September 9, and with Jupiter in Scorpio throws you a party between September 11-13 along with iconoclastic Uranus opposite in Venus-ruled Taurus. You can’t lose — and your winning streak continues through October 5, when it may be time to pick up your chips and cash in. Communicative Mercury enters Scorpio on October 9, opposing Uranus; take care that secrets you’ve vowed to keep aren’t spilled during this time, particularly the secrets of your success.

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Sagittarius / Keshet

Tishrei is usually a green-light for jovial Sagittarius to enthusiastically pursue pleasure, but luckily for you, your ruling planet of Jupiter (Tzedek) in self-controlled Scorpio will not allow you to go overboard or put yourself in danger of losing the hard-won ground you struggled so hard to gain this summer. Venus joins Jupiter in Scorpio after September 9, empowering you to continue drawing back on your bow, ready to release it with maximum power and perfect aim when Jupiter enters Sagittarius in early November.

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Capricorn / Gidi

Your ruling planet Saturn (Shabatai) is direct in your home sign of Capricorn now. All the switchbacks you’ve navigated as you ascended the mountain generated momentum that is now unstoppable. By mid-December you’ll have completed tasks you began in March. After Pluto stations direct in Capricorn on September 30, you’ll receive an extra dose of confidence and affirmation that you’re heading in the right direction.

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Aquarius / D’li

Energetic Mars enters your home sign on September 10 and speeds through Aquarius until mid-November. In Greek mythology, Aquarius is the water carrier; it’s Hebrew name, D’li, means water pitcher. You’ll be pouring forth faster than ever before, as the tension built up around Mars’ long retrograde through your sign dissolves and is washed away. The role of Asher, your ruling tribe, was to bless others with his abundance; the struggles you’ve endured have given you a storehouse of wisdom, which you’re able to share with others now that the mouth of the pitcher has become unclogged. Let your knowledge pour out upon the world!

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Pisces / Dagim

The Sun and Mercury in your solar opposite Virgo until September 21-22 support upgraded illumination and communication around your mind-body connection and integrative health. Positive changes you’ve made will begin to pay off in a clear and visible way after Neptune, your modern ruler, goes direct in your sign around Thanksgiving. You’ll find nourishment during Tishrei’s holidays in the community of shared values you’ve built. Don’t be afraid to invest in party supplies — reciprocity is important for your spiritual growth right now. Internalize the motto of your fleet-footed tribal ruler, Naphtali: “Just do it.”