The Perseids are usually at their peak around August 12 every year but for some nights before and after, you can still see some shooting stars, especially if you are in a good location with very little light pollution. In the country, away from city skylines, with few or no streetlights and a waning or new moon. Be patient and keep roving your eyes around. They sometimes appear in your peripheral vision.
This year on August 12 I woke up about 3:15am and got up to look. If I waited until 4am I would have slept right through it. It was a pretty clear night, a little hazy but I could see the stars once my eyes adjusted. Cassiopeia. I know the Big Dipper was there somewhere. I held my hand up over the street light in my driveway. I saw a dramatic fireball first, then a stream of sparkles off to the west, then two dashes one after the other over the trees. I said to myself, okay, thanks for the celestial show, it’s a little chilly, now I’m back to bed!
The Autumn Equinox is September 22. Mars will be in Cancer on September 4. Jupiter is hanging out in Gemini. Mercury moves fast, through Virgo September 9-26. Venus is in Libra, enters Scorpio September 23. Venus will soon be the evening star again in a matter of weeks, and you can also see Arcturus bright in the western sky about 9-10pm.
About Arcturus and other star lore: Arcturus is a fortunate, golden red star in Bootes, 24° Libra, of the nature of Mars and Jupiter, and gives riches, honors, high renown, self-determination and prosperity by navigation and voyages, if this is a prominent point in your chart. Arcturus is near the Big Dipper. Spica is larger and close in longitude (23° Libra, but near Virgo), very bright, just below Arcturus and slightly to the right. Arcturus, Spica and Regulus form the Spring Triangle.
You can see Antares in Sagittarius during the autumn. Cassiopeia is in the northwest to the east of the Big Dipper. Part of it looks like a triangle. Late in November you can see the Pleiades, Orion and Sirius the Dog Star, a very bright blue-white star, in the southeast. In November Vega is high in the western sky, after dark, 6:30pm or so. Also a blue-white star. Altair is below Vega, to the left, a little less bright than Vega. Above Vega, to the left, is Deneb and the constellation Cygnus. Vega, Altair and Deneb are known as the Summer Triangle. In November, you don’t see Arcturus, it sets earlier.
As I said, visibility depends on less light pollution, a waning or new moon, as well as a clear atmosphere with low humidity. Whether or not you are looking for a meteor shower, go out stargazing well after sunset, be patient and wait until your eyes adjust. More and more stars will appear. If you are lucky you might even see the Milky Way. It may look like a big misty cloud but it is not a cloud, it is really millions and millions of stars. This is how our galaxy looks from earth. I’ve seen it a few times. It is truly amazing!
Celestial Almanac: Autumn Equinox September 22. Virgo New Moon September 3, Pisces Full Moon September 18. Around September 14-15 Venus will trine Jupiter, and brings good luck to some people, particularly the air signs. Money, opportunity, romance, affection, artistic inspiration and happy times.
The Sun arrives in Libra on September 22, and this is the Autumn Equinox. Marriage, all one-to-one relationships and business alliances are favored. With Venus here, her ruling sign, love is easily expressed and romance blooms. This is a good transit for a wedding. If there have been any problems, now is the time to work them out. Kiss and make up, start over and do nice things for each other. Mars in Cancer is in a high energy cycle for Libra. Get some exercise and find plenty of work to do, especially around the house.
The Sun in Virgo until the Equinox is nice for your social life. Get out more and have some fun. Volunteering and service activities are quite enjoyable now, and bring new friends. Sports and children’s activities are especially favored. When Venus moves into Scorpio on September 23, romance and marriage favored, and given the nature of Scorpio, things will be pretty passionate. Like Aries, this is also a good transit for a wedding.
Jupiter here all month is spreading his blessings. No matter what is going on in your life, things should be working out very nicely. You may be coming into some money or new job opportunities. This placement is excellent for writers, artists, teachers, social media, promotions and anyone working in communications. When the Sun enters Libra September 22 your social life lights up. Like Taurus, romance, sports and children’s activities are favored.
Mars arrives in your sign on September 4. As you know, Mars in Cancer is very sensitive and sometimes the energy will come out with hurt feelings or an argument. Try not to take things too seriously. If you are the moody type, then just be good to yourself. Go swimming or walking and get plenty of rest. The beach would be good for you. When Mars crosses over your Sun it will be a high energy period, so find a good project to work on. You may be more accident-prone than usual so be super careful. I’m a Cancer so I know how this works.
Mercury is here, moving direct, until September 9. Communications and social media are favored. You can sign contracts and move forward on new projects now. Venus enters Scorpio on September 23. Happiness and good times on the home front. Buy art, drapery or new furniture and redecorate. Have an open house and entertain. This transit has a connection between the home life and the career for some people. There is some involvement with fashion, entertainment and the arts.
Read about Gemini. Jupiter in Gemini continues to bring change, advancement and new experiences in your career. Enjoy it while it lasts. Sit loose in the saddle of fate as Grant Lewi would say. Mercury, your ruling planet, arrives on September 9, until the 26th. This is great for Virgos. Hands-on projects, such as crafts, sewing, design, architecture, construction and writing are favored, as well as technology, communications and social media. Make a wish at the New Moon on September 3. 
The Sun here and the Autumn Equinox is highly favorable for you. It is the time of the harvest, so take stock of what you have done this year. Something you have been waiting for materializes. Results or dividends. Venus is here most of the month until the Autumn Equinox which makes things even nicer. This increases your luck. Creativity and romance are favored. You are standing in the spotlight so enjoy the moment. Mars in your career house is also favorable for making a career move, taking charge and getting things done.
Mars in Cancer is very good for you. This is a positive high energy period. Your health is good, or it improves. Travel, adventure and exploration are favored. A chance to take a trip is coming your way. Or you will definitely have the urge. Venus arrives in Scorpio September 23. Creativity and romance are favored and Scorpio being what it is, most likely a relationship of intense passion. Venus trines Mars at the end of the month which is very good for relationships.
Read about Virgo, which is your career house. Because of Mercury, this is a good time to buy a new laptop or smart phone. Update software and download new apps that will benefit your work. The Virgo New Moon on September 3 will be a good time for an interview or to begin a new job. Jupiter in Gemini is good not only for marriage and personal relationships but also business affairs. A project or company started with a partner will expand.
Mars moving into Cancer calls attention to marriage and partnerships. Any problems or misunderstandings you are having will have to be dealt with. Get everything out on the table. A good fight will help clear the air. Mars the enforcer makes sure this will happen. Of course, respect each other and be reasonable. The kissing and making up will be worth it. For some, Mars simply jacks up the passion levels, and it could be an exciting romantic time. Because of Mercury, travel is favored, so maybe a little getaway trip would be nice.
While Mercury is still in Leo, and direct, communications are favored and all business transactions. Venus in Scorpio on September 23 is good for your career. Fashion, entertainment and the arts are favored. Jupiter expands your social life. You may spend more money on dates, restaurants, concerts or sporting events. What the hell, you only live once but next month when Jupiter goes Rx, the party may be over, and you’ll feel a financial pinch so save a little.
Mercury in your marriage house is good for communications. At this time, you and your partner will see eye to eye more clearly about everything. Talk more and make plans together. This is also good for all business activities. Jupiter in Gemini continues to improve things in your home life. Babies may be born or a grandparent may move in. You may want to add on to the house or renovate. Mars in Cancer favors sports, parties, entertainment and romance.