What the 2022 Fall Equinox Means for Your Zodiac
Updated: Sep. 28, 2022The fall equinox has the potential to be a big turning point for your zodiac sign. Will you take advantage of it?
Ending the year on the right note
If you get excited about pumpkin spice and sweater weather, you should know that fall officially starts on Sept. 22 this year. During the fall equinox, day and night will have an equal number of hours, similar to the spring equinox, but moving forward, the days will get shorter and cooler as we head toward winter. It’s also a significant time in astrology. The sun will move into the zodiac sign of Libra, and whenever the sun enters a new sign, it’s the perfect opportunity to consider where you are. The 2022 fall equinox, in particular, could give you a second wind so that you can make some changes in your life.
What’s different about the 2022 fall equinox
This year, Mercury will be in retrograde, and it will pass the sun shortly after the equinox. Think of the sun and Mercury as two ships passing by each other as the sun moves into Libra. At the same time, Mercury will backtrack out of the sign of Libra, which can cause various high jinks and turmoil. When Mercury is retrograde, it brings returns and revisions into your path. You may have to go back to something you thought was over, but the good news is that you’ll have the chance to redo it and make it better. The way you approach the possibilities of this equinox depends on your sun sign, as well as your rising sign.
In addition to the situation with Mercury, the brazen energy of Mars will be in the sign of Gemini, which will provide ambition and excitement to the intellectual, social sign of the twins. But Mars, along with a number of other planets, will be going retrograde too. Translation: It will be a time filled with pandemonium but also excitement and the potential for creativity—and it’s essential to proceed with caution and do your best to stay grounded.
What this means for you
Some signs will have more luck than others during the fall equinox because of their positive relationship with Libra, while other signs will find this period difficult because of chaotic, tense aspects between planets in the sky. You may need to take a minute out of a hard day to laugh at these fall memes or center yourself with your favorite hobby. Regardless, everyone has the opportunity to make good use of the fall equinox—when it comes to work, relationships, friendships and more—and embracing your zodiac sign’s power colors can help with that. So take a minute to yourself, grab your favorite fall drink and find out what to expect.
Aries (Mar. 21–Apr. 19)
Bold, fiery Aries is self-assured, self-confident and self-oriented—and the opposite of Libra, the sweet hostess of the zodiac who makes everyone feel at home. In the zodiac wheel, Aries and Libra are directly opposed signs, which amplifies their contrasting natures. The equinox is the perfect time for Aries to take a few notes from Libras—namely, by looking outward and being more social. If you’re looking for a job, hit up a friend for leads. If you’re looking for love, someone in your network could have a lead on that too.
Just keep in mind that while the Aries zodiac element is fire, this is a time to keep cool. Make those moves, but think them through, or you could face the consequences of leaping before looking.
What to do during the fall equinox:
- Scroll through your friends list and reconnect
- Take action, but take it slow
- RSVP “yes” to any invites—you never know who you’ll meet
Taurus (Apr. 20–May 20)
If you feel like you need a vacation, Taurus, you’re not alone! The planets have been having a cosmic traffic jam in your zodiac sign for the last several months. Depending on your individual natal chart (the astrological map for the moment you were born), this may cause a series of unexpected detours and challenges. Things are definitely calmer now, and you can use the fall equinox as a reset, so you can move forward without chaos. Your ruling planet, Venus, is known for grace and beauty, so nurture yourself in classic Taurus mode—by indulging in the finer things in life and stopping to smell the roses.
What to do during the fall equinox:
- Treat yourself
- Be aware of tension and ways to release it
- Take naps
Gemini (May 21–June 20)
Mars is in airy, intellectual Gemini during the fall equinox, giving this jazzy sign an added buzz. It’s a great time to mix up your workout routine and bring all that Gemini energy down to earth. Mars, usually a fast-moving planet, will spend nearly seven months in Gemini, and it can make you feel like you’re in a sports car—revving up, skidding and making U-turns as it goes retrograde over the next months. So buckle up, and do your best to slow down, remembering to look both ways as you deal with extra jolts. Reread contracts before signing them, and proofread text messages and emails before you hit send.
What to do during the fall equinox:
- Boost your exercise routine
- Remember to take your time
- Proofread and double-check
Cancer (June 21–July 22)
Empathetic Cancer will be feeling all the feels as the moon cycles through all the signs across 29 days. The 2022 fall equinox offers a unique opportunity to lean into nostalgia and memory making because the moon is in Leo. So go ahead and indulge your urge to take selfies or post pics of your night out. And hey, summer’s barely over, so get in one last beach trip or sunbathing sesh if you can. One important reminder: Cancers are usually the ones taking care of others, so remember to de-stress and take care of yourself too!
What to do during the fall equinox:
- Put yourself first
- Plan a karaoke night with friends
- Give yourself a round of applause
Leo (July 23–Aug. 22)
Leos own summer because it’s their birthday season, and as the seasons shift, lions will feel an urgency to enjoy the sun and the warm weather while they still can. The moon will be in Leo during the 2022 fall equinox, and it’s a good time to notice how you’re feeling and what you need. You might be feeling extra sensitive emotionally, and you might long for extra attention. Plan dinner out with your favorite friends or maybe even a weekend spa trip combined with some fun fall activities.
What to do during the fall equinox:
- Get outside
- Wear your favorite summer clothes one last time
- Have a heart-to-heart with good friends
Virgo (Aug. 23–Sept. 22)
Venus, the planet of love and beauty, is in the sign of Virgo for the fall equinox, bringing romance to your life. Go on a date with someone new, or go to a new place with your longtime partner. Ever the practical sign, Virgo can also use the equinox to water your plants, catch up on chores and do the organizational tasks that make you happy. Bonus: While you might be affected by the Mercury retrograde, you might not feel the chaos. Why? You always look carefully at all the details anyway.
What to do during the fall equinox:
- Focus on romance
- Revel in the delights of decluttering
- Splurge on new clothes or little luxuries
Libra (Sept. 23–Oct. 22)
Libras, this is your time! This is a wonderful season for effortlessly flirtatious, social-butterfly Libras as they celebrate their birthdays. Ruled by Venus, this polite zodiac sign excels at making everyone feel at ease and at home, masterfully building bridges and connecting with others. But during the fall equinox, with Mercury in retrograde, take a little extra care when you’re socializing and hosting those epic parties and get-togethers you’re known for. Be on the lookout for misunderstandings with friends, and use this time to find the balance between taking care of yourself and others.
What to do during the fall equinox:
- Make plans with friends
- Broaden your birthday-party guest list
- If you don’t get what you want for your birthday, get it for yourself
Scorpio (Oct. 23–Nov. 21)
The fiery planet Mars rules the water sign Scorpio, known for its depth and tendency to strategize. With Mars in airy Gemini, Scorpios should be extra vigilant this fall. Uranus, a planet that can bring radical, unexpected change, has been in the opposite sign to Scorpio since 2019, and that has likely caused some sweeping transformations. Now, it’s time for Scorpio to take stock, slow down and prepare for the darker fall days, where they’re sometimes most comfortable. Just make sure you take some time for self-care. You are deep and intense by nature, and you deserve a little pampering and fun right now.
What to do during the fall equinox:
- Get an astrology or tarot card reading
- Journal about your feelings
- Start planning your Halloween costume
Sagittarius (Nov. 22–Dec. 21)
Sagittarius is the sign of exploration and optimism, symbolized by a centaur with a bow and arrow. Ruled by Jupiter, people born under this sign are often inspired to aim high. With Jupiter opposing the sun and Mercury as they enter Libra, it’s a good time to clarify your goals and carefully consider the right course forward. The current equinox energy can also lead to excellent networking opportunities. But while you’re the star of the winter holidays, since that’s your birthday season, we’re not there yet. If you’re looking for changes in love or career, now is the time to make sure you know what you want, plan and set the stage for the big things to come later this fall and winter.
What to do during the fall equinox:
- Write down your ideas
- Spend time with friends who nurture your aspirations
- Set one or two clear goals for winter
Capricorn (Dec. 22–Jan. 19)
Capricorns have been go, go, go for a long time. You may have been through extreme changes, possibly rebuilding relationships and careers from the ground up in the last few years. It’s been a lot. But while Capricorns are known for resilience and strength, it’s more important than ever right now to avoid burn-out and use this time to rest. Plus, you deserve to reap the rewards of all you’ve accomplished! Don’t worry—it will all still be there when you get back from your break, because you’ve created long-lasting structures you can count on. So, go enjoy some yummy fall cookies and take a nap.
What to do during the fall equinox:
- Take a break
- Indulge in small pleasures
- Look up an old friend
Aquarius (Jan. 20–Feb. 18)
Aquarius, the rarest zodiac sign, is known for having an eccentric, often singular nature. This air sign leans toward innovation. They may come across as serious, and even emotionally detached, but they care enormously about the bigger picture and society as a whole. Saturn, the sober planet of tough love and discipline, has been in Aquarius since 2020. It’s been a long haul, so if you’re an Aquarius, you may be feeling especially worn down.
Unfortunately, with Saturn in retrograde during the 2022 fall equinox, you may be returning to topics you’d hoped were over. For example, maybe that tricky work situation is making a comeback. Or you put off a dental or doctor appointment and are now regretting it. Despite the tough retrograde, you’ll also have a boost of energy that will give you the discipline to accomplish your goals through the end of the year and into spring.
What to do during the fall equinox:
- Take care of the tasks you’ve been putting off
- Volunteer for a cause you believe in
- Be extra patient with yourself and others
Pisces (Feb. 19–Mar. 20)
Pisces are intuitive and super creative, but sometimes they can have their heads in the clouds. The equinox has the energy to get your loftier goals down to earth, helping you complete projects and ground your dreams into reality, but you have to take the steps. It’s great to have aspirations, but if you want to start writing that novel, you need to make it happen. So plan time to get your creative juices flowing, and make a schedule so you actually do it. Start small with a poem or song lyrics, and work your way up. These inspirational quotes tailored to your zodiac sign will put you in the right mindset.
What to do during the fall equinox:
- Write a poem, song lyrics or a love letter
- Take a practical step toward a bigger dream
- Retreat to a lake, pond, ocean or even just the bath!
