Now Mercury retrograde is officially underway, this week is all about grounding yourself, and finding the space to reassess your position. While decisions and issues from the past week linger, getting a definitive answer from the people around you will be easier said than done. Communicating with kindness should be your primary goal as you’re forced to weigh up whether speaking your mind is worth the fall out that might ensue. Limber up because the balancing act between standing up for yourself, and maintaining the status quo will require Olympic gymnast levels of balance.

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ARIES AND ARIES RISING

Believe it or not, playing nice and staying true to yourself needn’t be mutually exclusive exercises. This week, make the most of the ‘lets-get-along’ energy and back yourself to negotiate with aplomb. There are major inroads to be made with your partner if you’re willing to talk it out with sensitivity and honesty.

TAURUS AND TAURUS RISING

Revisiting advice – especially related to your health and wellbeing – could be profoundly healing this week. As Mercury retrograde slows down your daily routine, the downtime presents the perfect window for you to reconsider your relationship to your health. Consider what – or who – you need to reconnect with to get your wellbeing on track.

GEMINI AND GEMINI RISING

With invites flowing in, keeping track of what you say “yes” to will be a nice problem to have this week. Single folks could see a hook-up resurface as Mercury retrograde breathes new – or past – lives, into your pleasure sector. If you’re not on the prowl, reconnecting with a person or past time that brings you joy will feel extra juicy.

CANCER AND CANCER RISING

Working through a conflict between your professional and personal life is a big theme for Cancerians in September. After an introduction to the quandary last week, expect another piece of the puzzle should drop in this weekend. Counter intuitive as it may seem, before you move forward, going back and retracing your steps  – or conversations – is necessary.

LEO AND LEO RISING

With Mercury retrograde stirring up all things tech in your chart, it’s a good week to err on the side of caution. Back up your files, run Grammarly, read and re-read important emails and triple check directions if you’re going somewhere new. While a part of you will want to bravely charge ahead, maintaining a sense of equilibrium will be key to avoiding hiccups.

VIRGO AND VIRGO RISING

Talking about money isn’t easy, but this week it looks like a hot topic – whether you like it or not. A financial decision will resurface, forcing you to think things through before you finalise. If a big investment or loan has been playing on your mind, nutting out how it could impact everyone involved may be the key to moving forward.

LIBRA AND LIBRA RISING

While it could feel as though you’re operating at half-speed (thank Mercury retrograde), there’s some gold to be mined this week. A conversation or potential clash with your main squeeze persists but exploring the dynamic rather than shying away from it could help clarify exactly where you stand.

SCORPIO AND SCORPIO RISING

You’re witchy at the best of times, but with Jupiter amplifying Mercury retrograde in the realm of your subconscious expect a week of intriguing synchronicities and dreams. Don’t be surprised if old storylines – or flames – resurface in daydreams, meditation or sleep. No need to figure out what it means just yet – you’ll have another chance to work out in the weeks to come.

SAGITTARIUS AND SAGITTARIUS RISING

There’s a strain between what you stand for, and how you express yourself this week. As frustrating as it may feel, revisiting an issue with workmates or friends will be par for the course. Be warned what they say and what they mean (and/or feel) could be two very different things. Use your powers of perception to chip away at what’s really going on.

CAPRICORN AND CAPRICORN RISING

If you’ve been hanging on a decision at work, progress looks slow again this week. It’s not that you’re not making ground, but balancing the interests – and egos – of the stakeholders involved will require a Masters in diplomacy. It’s slow, precise work, but if anyone has the patience for it, it’s you.

AQUARIUS AND AQUARIUS RISING

If you’re not in the mood for deep philosophical conversations, choose your words wisely this week. With Mercury and Jupiter continuing their tango along your axis of communication and ideas, conversations could go from zero to existential in record time. Major travel plans could also require a little revision – no need to freak out, but be open to things changing.

PISCES AND PISCES RISING

While you may be feeing especially spendy – not to mention loved up – Mercury is giving you a heads-up to keep your wits about you. With the retrograde kicking off in the realm of big financial decisions, it’s a polite but necessary reminder to think things through before you apply for that pre-approval or go OTT with AfterPay.