What the 2021 Fall Equinox Means for Your Zodiac

Ending the year on the right note

As the sun sets on summer, the weather and the colour of the leaves won’t be the only things that change. September 22 marks the fall equinox, the first day of fall and an important event in the astrological calendar. During an equinox, the amount of daylight is equal to the amount of night—something that happens only twice a year. In astrological terms, the fall equinox marks the moment when the sun moves into the sign of Libra. “In astrology, the spring equinox is the new year, and the fall equinox is a midway point. It is a moment when the energy radically shifts to take us into the next season,” explains astrologer Emily Ridout. “You either recommit or shift at this time: Do you want to keep going on your path, or do you need to alter your path?”

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Right before this particular equinox, Mars will be entering Libra as well, which will also influence how each zodiac sign should approach the remainder of 2021. “Mars drives us forward,” Ridout explains. “More so than other times, action is required of us at this equinox—specifically, taking action toward balance in a particular way.” While your main sun sign will be the primary driver in this equation, your rising sign will also play a role.

But there is another planetary relationship that factors into the 2021 fall equinox. “There’s been a Saturn/Uranus square all year that’s been the main placement of 2021,” Ridout says. “This is an energy that builds tension around the ways in which we want to create freedom in life and the ways in which we’re navigating the rules, structures, and boundaries [of society].” A perfect example of this is the national debate about COVID-19, between personal choice and public responsibility when it comes to masking and vaccines. On a more personal level, this conflict between the self and the group can also appear in relationship compatibility or in the chain of command at work. “This year,” Ridout summarizes, “the equinox is here to help us figure out how to navigate those challenges better.”

Aries (March 21–April 19)

One of the signs that stands in direct opposition to Libra is Aries. “The hallmark of Aries is that they know where they stand,” Ridout says. “The hallmark of Libra is that they test themselves against others. So there’s a tension there.” She explains that the best way for Aries to benefit from the 2021 fall equinox is to humble themselves a little bit by taking a page out of Libra’s book and see how they may learn from the people around them. “Aries can bring that Libra energy into their one-on-one relationships. That could be with their romantic partner, friend, or business partner—those people can really help them find balance within themselves.” Get the perspective you need to carry you through the rest of this year by turning to your strongest allies.

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Taurus (April 20–May 20)

Like Libra, Taurus is ruled by Venus. This shared characteristic gives bulls a slight leg up during this transformative time because they are already resonating with the abundant Libra energy. “Venus is the energy of love and beauty,” Ridout explains. “Really, it’s the quality that makes life worth living.” During the fall equinox, people born under this sign should contemplate what gives them purpose. “For Taurus, this is going to be about finding the balance within themselves based on what they do every day,” Ridout says. “Is their schedule suiting them? Have they been favouring one over the other: Rest over action? Work versus well-being?” This is the time to reflect on what makes each day good and how to make every day even better while balancing their other tasks.

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Gemini (May 21–June 20)

Gemini is an air sign, like Libra, so this has the potential to be a really fruitful time. “Gemini is going to have a beautiful influx of energy if they can find the balance of play and [structure] in their lives,” Ridout says. “Gemini people can have a swirling energy and an active mind. Libra energy can call them into specific activities.” While spring and summer may have seen Gemini kicking a soccer ball around whenever the fancy struck them, for instance, now would be a good time to join a more organized pick-up league. If they love reading book after book, it’s time to consider stimulating their intellectual curiosity by participating in a weekly book club. Basically, it’s time to focus. But that doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice joy!

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Cancer (June 21–July 22)

“Cancer is a cardinal sign, like Libra,” Ridout says. “They are square to each other, so this is another one of those tension-producing moments. Cancers will be offered a challenge to find the balance where perhaps there’s been over-indulgence or under-indulgence; they have the tendency to really care well for themselves, or not at all.” Cancers are very nurturing, which can lead them to put too much energy into one place at any given time. Sometimes they care too much for the well-being of others, sacrificing their own needs. Other times, they put too much focus on licking their own wounds and fail to be productive. The Libra energy of the fall equinox can help level them out, particularly when it comes to work-life balance.

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Leo (July 23–August 22)

Some zodiac signs will do well to take internal stock this time of year, but for Leo, looking outward is just as important. “It’s a great time to initiate new activities,” Ridout says of this year’s fall equinox. “Get out into your local environments, travel around and learn something new, and apply your spirit to an actual endeavour.” Directing your fiery passion for life toward others can help you feel whole at this moment. Your charm and talents have more applications than you realize.

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Virgo (August 23–September 22)

Virgo is a sign that firmly abides by the motto, “If you want something done right, do it yourself.” The Libra energy of the 2021 fall equinox is going to challenge that idea. “Virgo’s hallmark is they’re able to organize the material world really well,” Ridout says. “This is a great time to build trust in other people. They might not do something the way you would do it, but you might be pleasantly surprised that they innovate and add something that helps you move forward.”

Libra season wants you to let go of the reins a little bit—and if you do, you’re likely to see a positive return. In the same spirit of letting go, this time of year is also ideal for finishing up a project you’ve been working on. It’s the harvest season, after all, so go ahead and collect the fruits of your hard labour. “If you’re an artist, for example, this would be a great time to let your art out into the world,” Ridout notes.

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Libra (September 23–October 22)

Libra, it’s literally your time to shine! You spend a lot of time second-guessing yourself and judging your actions against those of others, asking if the way you go about your life is truly the right way. Right now, it’s your season, so it’s time to embrace who you are and trust yourself a little more. “For Libras,” Ridout says, “it’s all about leaning into the self. The big mistake that Libra people make in life is seeking harmony externally. They should also assert their opinion more.” The beauty of being a Libra is that being true to yourself is ultimately going to help others, too.

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Scorpio (October 23–November 21)

Libra season comes directly before Scorpio season, which means Scorpios are slowly gearing up for their peak time. “Scorpio, more than others, is very comfortable with the fall energy,” Ridout says. “As the leaves change colours and fall to the ground, it is literally and figuratively time for things to return to root. Libra season is sort of a preparatory time for Scorpio to let them see the light and the dark of situations. Now is the time to practice the art of letting go, not necessarily of their stance, but of the difficult emotions that can come up when they face trials.”

Where Virgo is a sign that needs to learn to relinquish control over material things, Scorpio needs to realize that they can’t micromanage or suppress their emotions. Accepting both joy and pain now is the key to getting ready to fully take advantage of their own upcoming season.

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Sagittarius (November 22–December 21)

Like Gemini, Sagittarius is a sign that’s curious and energetic. Also like Gemini, the 2021 fall equinox would like to see them really focus that energy on specific tasks. “At the beginning of the year, there may be many things they’d like to do,” Ridout says of Sagittarians. “This time of year is to decide which ones they actually want to work on, especially within the community.”

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Capricorn (December 22–January 19)

If there’s one sign that doesn’t mind doing hard work, it’s Capricorn. But the work that Libra would have Capricorn do is more philosophical. Don’t just think about what your goals are, but why you have those goals. Zoom out and take a look at your priorities. “You chose writing as a career, perhaps, because you want to communicate something—otherwise, you would just journal privately. You chose teaching, not because you just love math, but because you want to impart knowledge to others,” explains Ridout. “Pick up your head from your work itself and look at the big picture: Am I creating something beautiful for the world?” Plan the rest of your 2021 according to how you answer that question. “[Capricorns] need to recognize how far they’ve come, and reaffirm the direction in which they’re going.”

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Aquarius (January 20–February 18)

Many of us feel great frustration as we still struggle with living under the enormous thumb of COVID-19, but perhaps none more so than Aquarius. Work and personal relationships also come with their own frustrations, and Aquarius has been feeling stuck lately. “If they’ve been feeling like they’re working really hard but things don’t seem like they’re moving, this is time to explore other perspectives,” Ridout advises. Aquarius is an air sign like Libra, so the energy right now is ripe for transcending old thought patterns. “Go into something that gives you a wider or even a spiritual perspective.” This sign is innovative and intelligent, so it shouldn’t be too difficult to break free of stagnation if they really try to think outside the box.

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Pisces (February 19–March 20)

Pisces people have a penchant for escapism, and while that may be easy to do in the carefree summer, the colder months can bring a harsh new reality of hard work. “They can feel a bit jolted entering into this new seasonal space after the dreaminess of summer,” Ridout says. “Libra season begins to bring in more structure. For Pisces, this is a moment they should reaffirm that they’re not escaping the goals they set for themselves.”

This sign’s strength lies in its emotional capacity, so the best thing for Pisces to do at the fall equinox is to take a deeper look at their relationships with friends, family, or romantic partners, and potentially engage in difficult conversations. “Feel the difficulty of relating to others at a deep level,” Ridout urges. “Also try to rely on others—to empathize and be empathized with.”

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