I’m most interested in two things for this pair of days: a sextile between Juno and Saturn, and a progression of aspects, starting with Venus’ still extant trine to Neptune, then tracing Venus as she goes on to oppose Pluto and trine Pallas, then sextile Black Moon Lilith, and finally sextile Sedna. And of course, Mercury’s station direct afternoon of the 22nd, Pacific time.
The Juno-Saturn pairing suggests that maturity, in the form of accepting responsibility for ourselves and the impact we have, not only offers us stability, support from the material world, but also brings us constructive physical results.
Venus’ journey, on the other hand, either started with great inspiration or great delusion–so we’re already on a massively creative track, or a completely wrong one. The opposition to Pluto will be the jolt that makes clear which Venus path we’re pursuing, and requires we either commit (if it’s the inspired one) or eliminate this direction altogether (if it’s the delusional one).
Important to note, though, that at the same time as the opposition, Venus will also be trine Pallas, offering excellent guidance as to what’s practical, what’s wise–and since this involves Venus, we should expect relationships, finances, or both will be in the mix–but whatever it is, with Venus in Cancer, we’re going to care–just don’t allow sentimentality to masquerade as something worth investing in–because it’s not.
The sextile to BML, followed quickly by one to Sedna, suggests that relationships or financial matters bring a glimpse into areas we may have been ignoring or in denial about, and then our instincts or what we ‘know but don’t know’ chimes in to tell us how to handle what has been revealed. The real trick over these next couple days is to be open, to listen to the inner voice–not the one that gets us in trouble, but the one that makes us say after, ‘I knew it!’–because we did.
Mercury officially re-gains direct status at 16 Gemini 09, and soon after receives an opposition from the Moon in Sagittarius. Information may dawn immediately, delivered with a bit of an emotional punch and an urge to contradict it–but facts are facts, and we’ll have a much better time of things if we accept them and move forward. Also note the Sun-Jupiter trine in Water, promising clarity in belief, perception, social situations, and in the authenticity of any opportunities that come before us. The only thing to guard against is overflowing optimism, just because any overflow, even being overly positive in outlook, always causes a bit of a mess.
The Arnold Children, Western Washington, 1939 Photo By Dorothea Lange, available through the US Library of Congress
On the 1st we’re still ridin’ that Full Moon wave (or are they tremors, in humble Taurus?) It’s a matter of trying to square (see what I did there, between Merc and Saturn?) thinking with reality, communication go-aheads with information shut-downs, and travel inclinations with staying put. It’s important to know that the pressure we feel to ‘prove ourselves’ in some way is actually an echo of things we’ve repressed or denied–so that tension is Self-inflicted, and so unnecessary (Juno contra-parallel Black Moon Lilith). In this state of mind, it may seem impossible to use the love in relationships and talent expression to heal what ails us, but that’s exactly what we must do; get past the apparent difficulty, and the ability to ‘fix’ things will occur via supportive relationships and the receipt of timely resources (Venus opp Chiron).
On the 2nd we’d be wise to draw on lessons from the past, and specifically to use what we’ve learned to adjust our approach (especially in terms of what’s practical for us) to shape the future (Pallas qnx NN, Sun nov SN).
The 3rd sees Mercury station direct, and though that could signal a lightening of the thought processes and a general opening up of communications, it could just as easily still feel like a troublesome monkey sitting on your chest if you have anything close to 25 Libra or in hard aspect to that spot–‘when will it move?’ may be the only thing you can think. Ambition and power acquisition and/ or making an impact in our world are all on our minds (Merc parallel Zeus and Juno); take care not to be so distracted by goals that you neglect relationship or financial matters where others are counting on you (Venus qnx Uranus).
Oh! On the 4th our eyes are likely to still be on those aims and wants we were thinking about yesterday–but today we are empowered to go after them, despite the difficulties presented by a mind clouded by matters we’d rather ignore or are in denial of. Have confidence, in spite of the way the social order, or the actual facts of the matter, create problems for us, though be aware that too much focus on desire fulfillment just isn’t healthy. If you find yourself in a mental muddle, take a step back and give the mind a little time to clear–those same opportunities will still be there in the morning (Juno parallel and Jupiter sq Zeus, Merc contra-parallel BML, Sun sq Hygeia).
For the 5th our actions and options need to be consciously chosen in light of our actual empowerment situation–we can’t pretend to have more power, or less power, than we really do, and still expect to get a good, accurate result. Jealousy, a desire for love, greed, or a willingness to compromise values are all super-unwise–don’t even chance it (Mars qnx Juno, Venus contra-parallel Pallas).
Not quite a full week, I know. Looking for the Full Moon that led into this? It’s here–Stay sane, stay hopeful, dear Readers!
The Messenger (and Trickster) enters apparent retrograde motion at 6:05 PM PDT of the 13th at 11 Scorpio 40–and his first move will be to reapply by opposition to Uranus, which is also retrograde. That aspect last perfected on the 7th, and perhaps offers a glimpse into this Water (Scorpio) into Air (Libra) cycle.
Mercury always means review: re-visiting, re-considering, reflecting, and perhaps going over plans or making plans to ‘try again’. We start that period in emotional, intuitive Water, and will initially be asking ourselves, “What am I feeling, and what do I think about that?”
In Scorpio this kind of review involves digging, getting to or acknowledging secrets, assessing our feelings about change and determining what further change we might want. It also encompasses those situations where Power is in play, and any relationships or situations where passions have been stirred, or betrayals have occurred (and remember, the concept of betrayal is seldom objective, when it comes to personal interactions–often it can be a matter of perspective, and this retrograde may bring consciousness of this to the fore).
With the re-visit to the Uranus opposition the first aspect, we may find that something we ‘knew’ (especially something Higher Mind or academically. i.e. fact-oriented) is overturned. We are likely to be surprised by some discovery we make, or shocked at something we witness, perpetrated by others in our direction or by ourselves unexpectedly, that latter as we ‘explode’ from accumulated pressures or act erratically in a bid for freedom. It could be that we wrap our minds around some spiritual concept for the first time (something we may have sensed or ‘known’ but been unable to put into mental forms like words), or we may find that accident illuminates our feelings about something–and so changes our perceptions.
House matters that come forward for this retrograde always have the chance of involving the subjects and energies of the natal Houses Mercury rules, and we must typically add to this the House where Mercury is currently transiting. That gives you some idea of where to be on the lookout for change, research, and re-thinking, as well as the potential ‘surprise’ factor of this particular retrograde, and can offer a head start if you know present circumstances in one or more of these realms are dicey.
The Inferior Conjunction of the Sun and Mercury (‘Inferior’ referring to Mercury’s retrograde status) occurs around the 25th-26th of October, marks a point I would characterize as a ‘birth’ point, where some attitude or mental choice takes form and perhaps is decided upon or simply becomes conscious, and this is based on what’s been revealed so far during the retro. Just remember not to act, yet.
Fountain with head of Mercury on Mercury Street in Pompeii watercolor by Luigi Bazzani from the book “Pompeii”, by Amedeo Maiuri (Pompeii superintendent from 1924-1961) {{PD}}
We re-align our passions, explore what we’ve been hesitant to think about or to really know what we feel about it, and then Mercury retros into Libra–and all the focus moves to our relationships, or, less probably, to financial or aesthetic matters. This occurs in the final few days of October, and is characterized by a back-and-forth square of Mercury to Saturn, which happens one more time after Mercury turns direct (on November 3rd, with the final square very close the 4th-7th).
This back-end bookends the retro period with a hard reality check for each of us, concerning all that we’ve reviewed and concluded over the cycle. Our present realities, as well as any boundaries, limitations, and requirements of duty or obligation come into direct conflict with at least some facet of our thinking–and this is a good thing, meant to show us where we might have slipped into thinking that doesn’t take into account where we really are or what we’re actually surrounded by or must deal with.
Use this retro period to see where you can transform the thinking or perceptions about those things you feel passionate about, have an overwhelming curiosity over, or need to investigate for what’s been hidden from you, and how this can constructively be applied to relationships with those you care about–and be ready for revelation, that can spin the whole game in another direction. The usual admonitions apply, with no signing or buying of major items, unless you’ve already pre-retro thoroughly inspected conditions and agree to them, and with the expectation that any agreements reached or conclusions drawn will likely need review or revision after Mercury goes direct.
Man with a full back tattoo, ‘Michael and the Dragon’, adapted from Die Bibel in Bildern (Revelation) engraving. Enlightenment motto “Sapere aude” is tattooed in the upper back, meaning ‘Dare to know’ or ‘Dare to be wise’. Tatoo: Anton Ivkin, Photograph: Alexander Kuzovlev CC BY-SA 4.0
The 12th Is A Good Day To . . . make important plans, and to get very clear on what you want. Mercury goes direct in Cancer, and the Sun trines Neptune, freeing the mind so that suddenly it all falls into place. By ‘all’ I mean what you care about, and with the Sun’s spotlight on our ideals, our dreams, and our creative goals, we’ll be able to picture exactly where we want to go, and probably how to get there, as well. But, there are a couple of cautions: don’t share with the social order–they won’t offer support; the facts may not seem to support your aims right now, but don’t worry, they will eventually; and don’t think that somehow what we might refer to as ‘The Laws of Wisdom’ are suspended at this point–what you know to be wise or smart still needs to be taken into consideration with your planning and prepping. But otherwise, dream, love, create, and visualize away!
A Good Day To . . . is based on the aspects perfecting on each day, Pacific time.
Peru, South or Central Coast, Inca peoples. Feathers knotted and sewn onto plain weave cotton ground. LACMA 77.70.12 Created between 1470 and 1534 {{PD}}
The 20th is a Good Day To . . . align our efforts with reality, and heal injuries to our sense of personal authority, via the dawning clarity offered as Mercury stations direct. We’ll see where we’ve been ‘off’, how we may have misjudged the facts or the social fabric, and we’ll see much more effective ways to express our creativity. It’s a load off the mind, today, that opens the way toward better understanding and a closer connection with the Truth of things.
A Good Day To . . . is based on the aspects perfecting on each day, Pacific time.
The New Moon occurs at 11:20 PM Pacific Standard time of the 6th at 15 Sagittarius 07. This New Moon falls square to the close conjunction of Mars and Neptune in Pisces, which adds an active ‘punch’ to discovered facts, new journeys, new beliefs, new horizons, fresh starts, to knowledge exchanged and the exotic or foreign revealed. The NM beginning may arise from an action, choice, or assertion that carries ideals, creativity, or delusion, or may be the cause of such; in either instance, the event of the New Moon brings conflict or tension to a head: action or a choice based on a dream (Mars-Neptune), for example, could bring upset for what facts it uncovers or beliefs it reveals (Sagittarius).
By Johannes Hevelius 1689 {{PD}}
The New Moon also sextiles both Black Moon Lilith and Pallas, though it doesn’t fall at their midpoint, suggesting the interactions with the NM are unrelated to each other. The New Moon carries the aura of wisdom or practicality, or may call on you to use skills, and its new starts may also be driven by material that’s been denied, that’s enraging, or that’s perceived as unjust–and though we each may respond to both sextiles, my sense is one or the other sextile will predominate for the individual. Too, if you have a natal placement at 13-15 Taurus your natal body is apex to a Finger of God with NM and Pallas as its base, steering you in the direction of a smart beginning or revelation that inspires expression of the natal energy–or if you have a natal placement at 13-15 Cancer, you have apex to another Finger with base of NM and Black Moon Lilith, which points to the New Moon stirring up or making undeniable what’s been shunted aside until now, forcing you to deal with the situation using the natal energy.
We also have a loose configuration, a Fist of God, with base of Uranus square the North Node, apex the New Moon. Here the individual clashes with her or his own life direction, possibly rebelling from a long-planned route. Is this a good rebellion, freeing the individual from unfair restraints? Or is it a rebellion led by the insistence on seeing the Self as independent, or as ‘special’, trying to prove uniqueness via erraticism or an uncooperative attitude? This likely plays in tune with the Merc direction, described below.
The New Moon also rests at the (very rough) midpoint of the Venus-Vesta square, suggesting that the NM event may carry the essence of the clash between highest values and wants. With Venus in Scorpio and Vesta in Aquarius, the primal nature of both what’s revered and what’s desired may be displaced digging for a ‘Truth’ that may or may not differ from the surface, and in intellectualizing what’s better felt through New Moon experience.
All the aspects suggest at least some effort (the sextiles), or friction (all the rest of the aspects) occurs, and that may be the place to focus: on the ways in which we are causing or using the available energy. Don’t think of it as energy going out, so much as an undifferentiated flow, ebbing and surging all at once, so that we are receptive (Lunar energy) as much as we are active and choosing (square to Mars, all hard aspects).
The Sabian symbol for the New Moon is, ‘Sea Gulls Fly Around A Ship In Expectation Of Food’. The birds are looking for sustenance, but what does the presence of sea gulls say to the sailors? That they are near land. This is an image of promise, beyond the survival needs, to arrival at a ‘new destination’. This suggests that the land we find ourselves in post-New Moon will be solid, whether it’s familiar or unexplored, verdant and populated or a deserted wasteland, welcoming or forbidding.
Mercury also goes direct today, ready to perfect a Water Grand Trine with Chiron and the North Node. That suggests that wounds and/ or the opportunity to employ skills figure strongly in thinking, and so in shaping the life direction. We find emotional balance in this regard, probably surrounding the mentality finding a ‘groove’ and falling into it. Sometimes a subdued rhythm to life is the most desirable thing imaginable.
Outlook for the 5th is here–scroll down for previous days. Have a wonderful New Moon, and please consider making a book purchase, rating my books on Goodreads, or rating my astrology on Facebook–thank you for your participation and feedback–it’s all very much appreciated!
It may feel like the calm before the storm–you look around and see an abnormally still landscape of the time stream at rest–and the moment resonates (and lasts!) like the reverberation of a struck tuning fork. Wherever you find yourself mentally at this time is setting the tone (and initiating a turn of the wheel) for the coming period for Self-expression, the power situation, health/ relationship with Nature, and with what you’ll get and give. One of those times we tend to move through almost coma-like, with both heightened sensitivities and a kind of obliviousness existing all at once, where tracks for the future are laid down–so be as conscious as possible, especially of the potential implications of what you choose, do, and fail to do (No new aspects perfect on Friday, followed by Mercury’s station direct on Saturday, when he noviles Ceres and sextiles Venus)
Word image for these two days is a CEO who may lose control over his company because of his indiscreet tweets. That fits so many situations right now, doesn’t it? Err on the side of restraint when it comes to communications, and in particular, be aware that what you’re putting out now (and thinking, and saying, and focusing on) is, as noted above, building what’s to come.
Though Mercury has already stationed for turnaround, it hasn’t happened yet; we have to wait until 2:21 AM Pacific time of the 15th for a technical shift in direction. Merc’s direct motion starts at 4 Aries 46, with Mercury’s first post-direction contacts (other than ones received from Luna) coming on the 25th-26th close together: a square to Saturn in Capricorn and a trine to Ceres in Leo. That leaves a relatively long stretch when Merc is picking up speed and unimpeded (as well as not imposing its own agenda) on anything else. Merc in Aries is about communicating who we are, and what we want, as individuals–so expect a spate of realizing just what it is we want or think, then speaking up, speaking out, followed after ten days or so by giving those ideas solid form, or stopping something we’ve found objectionable (Saturn) in a perfect (that is, balanced) expression of our identity, essence, and authority (Ceres, in all her glory in Leo).
Just hours after technical direction, we see the New Moon in Aries, and in the run up to Merc’s first contacts we see Chiron enter Aries, Sun conjoin Uranus then enter Taurus, and Venus sweep over Sedna and then enter Gemini, from which it sextiles Chiron, both still in 00 degrees–and at that point we see Mercury poised to make his statement. This should bring a kind of progression, a building of energies, that starts with a re-focusing on the sense of woundedness from a Universal one to a personal and individual one. This may prompt unusual revelations about the Self and the identity; things we’ve not seen as wounds before suddenly are, while other hurts we’ve assumed may be exposed as nothing at all. Attention shifts, then, to the material, to nurture, to tending those wounds (and in worst-case scenarios, to feeding them!) Meanwhile, relationships, finances, and our values all take it deep, dipping into instincts, things we ‘know but don’t know’, and into our own ‘blind spot’, in order to reveal the wounds, the ‘true’ state of the identity, and to organize and make sense of what transpired during the retrograde phase. Only then, just before Mercury makes its first aspects post-direction, will we know with any certainty what we should do, and how we should proceed. And that’s the essence of my advice at this time: in spite of the direction, wait–you’ll learn a great deal in those ten days that will have a significant impact on your perspective.
Albrecht Dürer – ‘Wing of a Roller’ 1511 {{PD}}
The Sabian symbol for the direction point perhaps offers a formula: ‘A Triangle With Wings’=elevated balance–not a bad goal, at all.
And now for an update on my dream life. I was in what seemed to be the lobby of an old department store, and as people came through the revolving doors I took it upon myself to decide who could come in and who was turned back. Even in the dream I thought I might be overstepping, but everyone supported me in this role and there were no arguments–everything was decided with my intuition, and everyone seemed to see this as valid. Then I toured the building, which was immense, filled with innumerable rooms, and as I moved through the corridors more and more people came along with me. I returned to the lobby as it seemed that’s where I was ‘needed’. A man sat on an elevated platform; he was in intense pain. I knew him from ‘before’ (which I took to be earlier in the dream). He was Indian, had been a soldier, and had been tortured in the Middle East; he was now severely deformed, with part of his spine sticking out of his back, his entire mid-section twisted. I sat before him and cupped my hands around one of his knees. Between my palms appeared a flow of what looked like deep golden marigold petals, and these somehow took away the man’s pain. Then I woke up (or as they say, did I go to sleep to dream my ‘real’ life?) This seemed to be along the same lines as that last dream I shared, so thought it might be of interest to some.
‘Marigolds and Tangerines’ By Félix Vallotton {{PD}}
Now the astrology. Last night around the time of the dream, the Moon and Mercury were conjoined in Aries in my communication 3rd=intuited information on my role or the actions I should take–communication through emotion (or perhaps empathy). Neptune and Hygeia were closely conjoined in Pisces and smack on my Black Moon Lilith=through dreams what has been ignored or denied is explored, the healthy way shown. t Jupiter trine natal Moon and natal Ceres, forming a Water Grand Trine=a glimpse of my ‘natural’ role/ authority, at expressing a personal, nurturing role, or was it a wee peek at the afterlife (Jupiter is now so strongly associated with death). And t NN is sextile my natal Jupiter, and Ceres sextile and Pallas trine my natal Mars, with t Saturn still within orb of a square to that Mars=addressing the Will, Self-actualization, the life direction; it’s the smart thing to do, though difficult to bring into the reality. t Vesta is square my natal Mercury, and this catches natal Neptune at the midpoint=I must face how I think about what I honor–this message is delivered through the dream life. t Sedna closely opposed my natal Venus=time to treasure what I ‘know but don’t know’, what the instincts reveal, and perhaps to find the value in what has, possibly just until the present, been hidden in my ‘blind spot’. And or all of these interpretations could be followed by a great, big question mark 🙂
Of course, these are just guesses, but it’s fun to look at the astrology and see what it might reveal (or, more often, obscure!) Have a wonderful week!
Mercury stations direct in Sagittarius (at 13 degrees, even!). The turnaround points are typically tense; we want to act, as we sense things are changing. We may even sense that our way of processing events is changing, precipitating an urge to act or come to conclusions while we are still ‘ourselves’. There may be a wee panic; am I losing my mind, are people keeping things from me, are my beliefs failing me, what don’t I know? (those last two particularly appropriate for Mercury in Sagittarius) This time Merc changes apparent direction without making any super-close aspects, and since it moves relatively slowly after direction, we require a very close shave to call them significant. We’ll likely feel the shift in matters of the House holding Sag–something will become clearer, or will be apparent–and in the matters of the Houses Mercury rules. Best to give things a day or two before going forward. That tension that can make us want to hurry can cause as much of a warp to perceptions as can the actual retro period, so allow a little time to pass, before going forward.
Today we also see Pluto sextile Vesta, suggesting that highest values, what we honor, what we find sacred may undergo change, possibly from what we learn on the Merc direction, and Jupiter semi-squares Saturn, implying some discord between beliefs and reality, or the social sphere and restrictions (or again, the reality of things), or between what we know and what we see in front of us. This, too, may contribute to the changes to what we value, as we parse the facts and the real-world situation.
Yesterday was the Solstice, the day in the Northern Hemisphere when daylight is shortest, while in the Southern Hemisphere it marks the longest stretch of daylight–so, important everywhere, not astrologically, but symbolically; in winter it suggests a renewal of hope. We’ve seen the ‘darkest day’, and now the light will steadily increase, and as light-sensitive Beings we respond to that positively. We instinctively feel we are safer in the light–and ‘staying in the light’ does, in so many ways, keep us from harm.
Today’s word image is sunlight on the pines, on a very cold day. Take a moment, visualize this (or whatever scenario in nature you find peaceful). Can you smell the cedar, hear the bird song, feel the sun on your skin? Make sure to allow yourself and others time for such pauses in the coming weeks–we’ll all feel better for it.
John Constable {{PD}}
Remember that cloud of healing energy that we formed during the Eclipse years, specifically as an energy ‘bank’ on which those who needed it could draw? Just a reminder that it’s still there, available if you need it–and open for deposits, if you’d like.
Fairy Tale Forest Creatures by Arthur Rackham 1919 {{PD}}
Mercury stations direct, and Mars enters Virgo–those seem straightforward enough, don’t they? And related, as our action urge enters territory that requires care, precision, attention to detail, to our results, and the sign’s ruler shifts from reclusive and cagey to open and advancing. It all suggests things going forward, and things being worked out–but what else is in the picture, set to exert an influence on these tidy and welcome proceedings?
Venus sesquiquadrates Chiron and quincunxes Neptune, suggesting that not only will relationships be difficult, we could accidentally hurt them (or blunderingly heal them, which is almost a kind of wounding, as well) out of misperception, misguidedness, or sheer fantasy that tells us things are something they’re not. We may have to adjust values or spending to suit partners or our budget, and creativity may cost us, or change our relationships in irritating ways. Then there’s the Sun sesquiquadrate Uranus, illuminating what’s different, strange, freakish, shocking, or unreliable, and this possibly in our own behavior or in relation to the group. What we have, then, is a day that seems on the surface to open a smooth road before us–but that somehow tangles around us, like tree branches in an enchanted forest, in areas of relationships or finance, likely out of our own misunderstanding of these, or in our attempt to align our own interests with the groups’. Step with care, rather than run with abandon–you’re much less likely to take a fall, and will get to see the landscape, besides.
Today’s word image is a movie, already seen, viewed again. Do you re-watch movies, or do you never want to repeat what you’ve already seen? I often have a completely different experience, seeing the whole thing from another perspective, than I did the first time around, so to me it can be highly enjoyable. There’s a situation or circumstance repeating in your life right now–are you seeing it as a boring re-run (and so maybe missing the meaning of its recurrence?) or are you experiencing it anew, seeing whole new meanings in what’s happening (but maybe missing the message it tried to deliver the first time)? The answer to that tells you where and what you might need to adjust, especially in terms of where you need to put your attention.
