What the 2023 Fall Equinox Means for Your Zodiac
Updated: Aug. 28, 2023This year's 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
The first day of fall takes place on Sept. 23, and if you get excited about pumpkin spice (or fall drinks based on your zodiac) and sweater weather, you’re likely already counting down the days. During the fall equinox, the event that marks the start of autumn, day and night will have an equal number of hours (similar to the spring equinox). And moving forward, the days will get shorter and cooler as we head toward winter. The fall equinox is 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 evaluate your year—to consider where you are and how your year is going and to make adjustments or potentially plan a fall reset. The 2023 fall equinox, in particular, could bring in sweeping changes.
What’s different about the 2023 fall equinox
According to astrologer Nivedita Kapoor, this year’s fall equinox offers a great chance to assess what you’ve done so far. To Kapoor, this astrological midpoint to the year is the ideal time for a reality check. “Libra energy offers you a chance to slow down and refine your goals.”
The equinox brings with it a shift in the lunar nodes—the moon’s orbital path—into Libra and Aries. Kapoor describes this shift as a time with greater intention, “allowing us to be honest and brave. Our actions are charged with passion, but the Libra energy is helping us take a slow and steady approach. With the refinement, comes reprioritization.”
The way you approach the possibilities of this equinox depends on your sun sign, as well as your rising sign. But no matter your sign, you should trust the process and be aware that it will be a time filled with “fated changes,” excitement and the potential for creativity—do your best to stay grounded and surrender control.
What this means for you
Some zodiac 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 some 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, relationship compatibility, power colors, friendships and more. Here’s what to expect.
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Aries (March 21–April 19)
The Aries zodiac element is fire, which often means you leap before you look. If you’re making decisions at this time, slow down and think them through—especially if your choices impact others. During the equinox, your ruling planet Mars will boost your social life. You may feel a burst of energy when it comes to friendships and love affairs. However, there are also resonances in your sign, like the asteroid Chiron and the lunar nodes that bring a sense of vulnerability. When it comes to emotions, proceed with caution.
What to do during the fall equinox:
- Offer help to a friend and take on the heavy lifting, if you can
- Take action, but take it slow—think marathon as opposed to sprints
- Look for signs that your hunches are on the right track
Taurus (April 20–May 20)
For Taurus, the earthy sign of luxury and pleasure, indulge in a new fall food list or a fall sweater shopping spree. 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. Jupiter, the Santa Claus of the zodiac, and Uranus, king of chaos and surprise, are also in your zodiac sign right now. Depending on your individual natal chart (the astrological map for the moment you were born), this may be a time of potential luck and upheaval. Stay grounded as you remain open for swift surprises and happy detours.
What to do during the fall equinox:
- Try out a new spa or self-care treatment
- Order menu items you’ve never tried before
- Expect the unexpected to come your way
Gemini (May 21–June 20)
During the fall equinox, airy, intellectual Gemini should be feeling a jazzy buzz. It’s a great time to pepper your conversations with fall quotes and bring all that Gemini energy down to earth. You should be feeling the vibrant hum of the sun in another air sign, along with zippy Mars. Gemini is ruled by the talkative, kicky planet Mercury, which is in their zone in Virgo at this time. You may be feeling extra social and be brimming with ideas. Write them down and take meetings or host them.
What to do during the fall equinox:
- Binge your favorite talky TV show
- Think of ways to impress your boss and go for it
- Plan and host a game night
Cancer (June 21–July 22)
Empathetic Cancer will be feeling all the feels as the moon cycles through all the signs. Because the moon is in solid, grounded Capricorn, the 2023 fall equinox offers a time for serious reflection around emotions. So go ahead and talk it out with someone you’ve been meaning to—and don’t be afraid to cry if tears come up. And hey, summer’s barely over, so get in one last beach trip or sunbathing session if you can. One important reminder though: Cancers are usually the ones taking care of others, so don’t neglect self-care or sweet treats based on your zodiac sign.
What to do during the fall equinox:
- Focus on self-care
- Schedule naps or meditation
- Journal about your feelings
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. Venus, the planet of love and beauty, is in Leo at this time, and she’s still reeling from her recent retrograde cycle. You’ll be feeling extra sensitivity, and your self-esteem could be craving the boost you know you deserve. Make sure your romantic life is giving you just what you need, and if you find yourself wanting extra attention, know you deserve it. 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:
- Watch your favorite rom-com or romance
- Wear your favorite summer outfit and hit the town
- Bring in touches of romance, such as flowers or music
Virgo (Aug. 23–Sept. 22)
Mercury, the planet of craft and conversation, is in the sign of Virgo for the fall equinox, bringing smarts and organization to your life. This is the perfect time to add goals to your calendar, make a plan and take action. Ever the practical sign, Virgos can also use the equinox to catch up on chores, organize or start checking off that fall home-maintenance checklist. Bonus: You always look carefully at the details, and now you’re in a superpower zone when it comes to refining your dreams and grounding them in reality.
What to do during the fall equinox:
- Focus on planning out the rest of your year
- Revel in the delights of decluttering
- Organize your closets and indulge in new fashion needs
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 as they masterfully build bridges that connect with others. During the equinox, it’s the perfect time to plan fall activities, such as a day trip to the best places to see fall foliage. Take extra care when you’re socializing and hosting the epic parties and get-togethers you’re known for. Be on the lookout for misunderstandings with friends, and use this time to find a balance between taking care of yourself and others.
What to do during the fall equinox:
- Plan a day trip to a beautiful place
- Take charge of your birthday party plans
- Keep your cool, since the energy is high and wild
Scorpio (Oct. 23–Nov. 21)
Fiery planet Mars rules the water sign Scorpio, known for its depth and tendency to strategize. With Mars in flirty Libra, Scorpios should loosen up when it comes to their characteristic intensity. 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 keep it a little lighter than usual, especially when it comes to emotions. 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:
- Try to laugh off the stress
- Take a risk and go out with new friends
- Resist alone time and join a group, such as a sports team or book club
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. The equinox reminds you of the fiery nature at your core. If you’re on the edge and wondering what to do when it comes to romance, this just might be the time to shoot your shot. It’s also a time to look over past regrets and take note of lessons to change the future. It’s a great time to revel in fall’s picturesque scenery or book a professional photo shoot for yourself.
What to do during the fall equinox:
- Swap out your profile pics with a fresh bold look
- Think ahead—plan a birthday trip for this winter
- Expect the unexpected when it comes to romance
Capricorn (Dec. 22–Jan. 19)
Capricorns have been go, go, go for a long time. The slow-moving planet of transformation, Pluto has been in your sign for more than a decade and will remain there until the new year. Pluto’s presence makes the serious gravity of Capricorns even more solid and serious. The equinox may give you an added burst of energy to finish projects or find your second, third or fourth wind with something you’ve been wanting to accomplish.
What to do during the fall equinox:
- Prep your home for winter
- Make sure any major purchases are built to last
- Give yourself well-deserved praise, especially if no one else is
Aquarius (Jan. 20–Feb. 18)
Aquarius is the rarest zodiac sign and 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. With your planetary ruler Saturn, the sober planet of tough love and discipline, now in dreamy Pisces, you may be feeling a sigh of relief. The equinox is a time to let your emotions rise to the surface for some much-needed release. If you’re inspired to lean into creativity or romance, go for it!
What to do during the fall equinox:
- Start a dream journal
- Take romance seriously with plans and actions
- Work off extra energy outdoors or in the gym
Pisces (Feb. 19–March 20)
Pisces are intuitive and super creative, but sometimes, they can have their heads in the clouds. With Saturn, the cosmic taskmaster, still in retrograde in your sign, you’re probably feeling more serious than usual. 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. Make a plan and stick to it! These inspirational quotes tailored to your zodiac sign will put you in the right mindset.
What to do during the fall equinox:
- Get plenty of rest and put your health at the forefront
- Investigate any and all hunches
- Take your inner voice seriously
About the expert
- Nivedita Kapoor is an astrologer and tarot reader who finds intuition the key to empowerment. She practices and teaches at That Awkward Witch, where making connections between the personal and the symbolic creates a magical and meaningful life.
