Why You Should Make Your “New Year’s” Resolutions Right Now (Trust Me, I’m an Astrologer)

It pains me to say this, but as an astrologer I consider it my duty to tell you that there is no real astrological rationale for making New Year’s resolutions. That is, unless you’re a Capricorn whose birthday falls in late December or early January (in which case, it is the start of your personal new year). But for most people, syncing your goals with the Gregorian calendar won’t do you any favors astrologically. You’re better off working with a time of year that’s more energetically aligned with hitting the reset button — and lucky for you, September is one of them. 

Here’s why September is the better month to set resolutions instead of January.

September is a great month to make resolutions because the astrological energies at play support it. The month opens in the heart of Virgo season. As the sign that bridges the gap between summer and fall, Virgo energy supports thinking critically about your existing habits, routines, and organizational systems — in other words, getting your life together as you prepare for a new season.

It tees you up perfectly for the fall equinox, aka the pivot to Libra season on September 21. This astronomical event ushers everyone into the second half of the astrological year (which, fun fact, resets with the start of Aries season at the spring equinox in late March). Libra energy is measured and balanced. As one of the four cardinal signs in astrology, it’s strongly associated with new beginnings.

Personally, I’ve had success tapping into the energies of these cosmic cycles to reset at home and set new goals for the remainder of the astrological year. You can see examples of this month’s initiatory energy in real life: Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish new year, begins in late September. 

And I don’t care how many years it’s been since you last set foot in a classroom. You can’t deny that this time of year has a distinct back-to-school vibe. To this day, I still shop for new clothes and journals when the weather cools down in September. (An all-time favorite quote of mine, from The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald: “Life starts all over again when it gets crisp in the fall.”)

Wondering how to reset this September, or which resolutions to set for fall? This year, you’ll also spend the whole month in the thick of the eclipse season, a cosmic cycle that has to do with big endings and beginnings in everyone’s lives. It’s a fantastic window to deep clean your home, declutter your belongings, or delete old photos off your phone en masse — purging of any kind would work.

By clearing out the old, literally or figuratively, you’ll make room in your life for something new and better. I’ll be moving apartments in early September, so I’ll be right there with you; but even if that weren’t the case, I’d plan to do this anyway.

As one of the two Venus-ruled zodiac signs, Libra energy pulls focus on your relationships and finances. Around the fall equinox, consider taking an honest look at your connections or spending habits. Are you always the one making compromises in your close friendships and romantic partnership, or is there a fair give-and-take? Could your budget use some updates or modifications to help you reach your long-term financial goals? This season is great for taking stock and setting yourself up for success for the rest of the year.