By Barbara Hand Clow

September 22, 2026

September 2026 Quarterly Astrological Update

Fall Equinox: September 22, 2026; 8:05 PM, EDT

Fall arrives as the Sun enters Libra, the time to assess our progress with the intentions we made at the Spring Equinox. What did you want to create this spring? If these intentions are taking root, did they actually sprout during the summer? As we prepare for fall, how might your intentions influence the world timeline this fall? Are you ready to be decisive? Are you ready to pursue what you believe in now?

Often during the Fall Equinox we are afflicted with a crisis of meaning. As the light wanes, I can feel we may notice that our thoughts create the world. So, why are things falling apart? Professor Jeffrey Sachs of Columbia University, a world-renowned American economist and public-policy analyst who is the Director of the Center for Sustainable Development, is deeply worried by the current escalation of East/West tension. On September 8, Sachs commented that the 2026 wars in the Middle East are “the complete normalization of something completely abnormal.” He wondered, “Who is crazy? Trump or the United States?” Considering Trump, who appears to be demented, Sachs yelled, “Get him out of here before he kills us all!” He explains clearly why so many people feel radically out-of-balance.

In my Summer Solstice reading, I noted that the outer planets—Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto—were holding a formation in the sky called a “Kite” that is transforming us into 2032. This Kite was extensively discussed in the Summer Solstice reading. It is a resonating geometrical pattern that is drawing down our Higher Selves. It is the scaffolding for a new spirituality that is infusing 3D with the cosmic story—the great work we await, the Age of Aquarius. These are prophetic thoughts, and the high-vibrational Kite explains a lot about new things we felt this summer. Many people said their sense of time was distorted. It was hard to know what day of the week it was amidst constant and irrational changes that threatened them. Belief in the future was melting away. Days passed by getting nothing done, as their sense of direction was “slip, sliding away.”

As if great angels on high were stretching the atmosphere and laughing at humans, the deep Earth erupted with terrifying intensity—volcanoes, quakes, floods, and bizarre weather. To avoid public discovery of their sins, politicians waged risky wars and genocides as Gaia screamed, “Stop it!” Her agony was war, murder, and the lack of human concern for the needs of Earth. Yet, in spite of the chaotic pain many felt this summer, we were becoming more determined, patient, and insistent in the incessant heat. Like a person who needs to get a divorce, we’d not taken action yet. The time is coming because Inner minds and hearts can see who is causing the breakdowns.

As far as I can see, we are moving up to an entirely new level inspired by the spiritual mentors of the Kite. We are changing because Neptune (spirit) in Aries is activating Uranus (revolution) and Pluto (the Underworld). As the exposed destroyers of Earth greedily feast on dwindling material things and suck people dry, their callous emptiness is shocking. As the liars are unmasked on the world stage, we see who they are. The people are discreetly rising to an entirely new level by seeing who they are—the “Epstein Class.” Astrologically, the Kite galvanizes Truth whenever an inner planet or the Sun and Moon transits early Libra, the zone opposite Neptune in Aries these days. An imaginary rope tethers us right there as we fly with the Kite. During this awesome Fall Equinox, we will balance when the Sun moves into Libra. In species harmony, we will radiate the wisdom inherent in our Sun sign, the reason we were born.

The September New Moon in 18 Virgo opened our minds to the Kite’s wisdom. Mercury in 1 Libra tethered the Kite, like the moment lightning struck Edison’s kite when he discovered electricity! Critical events unfolded during this Virgo New Moon that focalized what we needed to see: America and Israel started the war against Iran, and now they were being defeated. For those who doubt this, Iraq bombed the Saudi pipeline that flows oil to Red Sea Coast ports. Simultaneously, the Yemeni Houthis extended their power over Red Sea oil transport by capturing most of the Red Sea coast and highland including the key port of Mocha. A barrel of oil rose to over $100! In the US, fears that AI may be a boondoggle rose to the surface and roiled global markets. To put it simply, Western global hegemony is crashing.

A great shift in world power occurred during this New Moon when Mercury grounded the Kite. We cannot avoid the truth, “America as Global Empire” is over. Empires have never made the people happy, so there was a collective sigh of relief amidst the revelation of American arrogance. This great shift is the theme of the 2026 Fall Equinox. The world is so far out of balance that many very intelligent people like Dr. Sachs wonder how we can survive more wars. And, this fall will be a time of shortages of many things we’ve taken for granted for many years. The 2026 Fall Equinox Sun exactly tethers the Kite. Look at that! Wow!

During the 2026 Fall Equinox, the Sun moving into Libra is opposite Neptune in Aries, sextile to Pluto in Aquarius and to Uranus in Gemini. This configuration expresses the main fall theme: The fulfillment of our identity (Sun) is based on integrating our soul’s intention during the Age of Aquarius (Pluto) aided by our growing transformational creative powers (Uranus). With Uranus in Gemini trining Pluto in Aquarius and the Great Kite activated by the Sun in 0 Libra, our culture will recall primordial wisdom.

Neptune conjunct Saturn in early Aries released tremendous spiritual powers on February 20, 2026. Jupiter in 18 Leo is sextile Mercury in 19 Libra, which adds firepower to Mercury’s ability to assist us with the power of the Equinox Sun. Mars in late Cancer, poised to enter Leo a few days after the Equinox, is in sextile to the Sun in Libra. These aspects are all intense balancers that are being directed by the equinox Sun, a solar king on his throne. I think the dominant themes will shift to problem solving, saving resources, and seeking common ground once enough people can’t afford gas for their cars and/or heat for their homes.

Jupiter in Leo opposes the Moon in Aquarius, which will bring very intense and unstable feelings; we will feel very wired. Yet, Saturn in Aries sextile the Moon will favor discipline and order; we may even crave it. And Mercury in Libra trines the adventurous Moon in Aquarius. Since Mercury is such a key player in the dramas unfolding from the previous New Moon, perhaps the “legacy media” will offer some real news about the wars in the Middle East and global economic woes? Lastly for now, Chiron is back in Aries on the rising sign for Washington, DC, and opposes Venus in Scorpio. This opposition reminds us the feminine is deeply wounded by the pain of war and greediness, especially since Venus squares Pluto in opposition to Mars. Perhaps events inspired by the feminine will force men to refuse to fight?

There is no doubt this balancing process is going to be really intense. Those in power will be forced to make concessions and accept repellent changes. The US and Israel cannot continue to attack anybody who gets in their way. During the September Full Moon four days after the Fall Equinox, the Sun in 3 Libra more closely tethers the Kite. The balancing factor is even more intense, possibly the ultimate balancing moment? But Full Moons are not ideal balancing times. They complete changes initiated during New Moons, like the events I described during the Virgo New Moon. Watch for events in the Middle East to understand the meaning of this potent period from September 10 through October 10. The economic balance in the world is seriously out of whack; so to avoid a terrible crash and depression, even the big money boys may be forced to concede many things just for survival.

When I write a seasonal analysis, I study all the charts for the New and Full Moons up to the next season, which in this case is the Winter Solstice. As you can see in the paragraph above, the September 26 Full Moon after the Fall Equinox stretches the balancing power of the Sun. This stretching goes all the way to the New Moon in 17 Libra on October 10 when new agendas will magically surface. During this October New Moon, the New Moon in 17 Libra widely opposes Saturn Retrograde in 11 Aries. Also, Mars in 7 Leo opposes Pluto in 3 Aquarius. This suggests to me that there will be great resistance to the necessary changes that are coming. I think the whole fall will be contentious, tense, and stressful; I wish I could say otherwise. The Kite’s tether zone does not have any more significant transits, so perhaps this powerful Kite will take us deep into our souls to hibernate? Perhaps more people will ignore the media to go deep inside?

Remember, you are a spiritual being having an Earth experience. The lives we choose to live during catastrophic cycles are never easy, yet they are illuminating.