What do influences active on the 10th tell us? Be smart: concentrate on making the most of your own authority and power, and be willing to make changes within your own sphere in order to maximize reach and effectiveness; be very clear on what comprises your ‘territory’, and what’s actually another’s responsibility; be open to negotiating more favorable power balances, and be honest about what things you are willing to oversee, which you are okay with handing off (Pluto parallel and Mercury trine Ceres).
Mercury, now in forward apparent motion, enters Scorpio after a brutal retrograde, making us naturally more reflective and prone to dig up the bones; don’t let that propensity disturb arrangements that at present are actually complementary, that are in balance with each serving their parts–we need to keep our highest values and commitments at the forefront of consciousness at this time, in order to avoid succumbing to a too-strong inclination toward change or destruction when something isn’t quite as we’d like (Venus contra-parallel Mars and novile Vesta).
On the 11th everything that was stirred up but didn’t settle yesterday prompts unwise or discordant action–so don’t (Mars semi-sq Ceres). Use ideals and goals to re-align efforts, and pull from the imaginative fog those gems that are both inspiring and useful (Venus qnx Neptune, Sun qnx NN).
The 12th may be very active, with a lot of ‘we have no choice’ change coming at us–so disorienting at the least, and super unpleasant and disempowering, at worst. Jupiter, Pluto, and Pallas all pile up together, and the thing is, this may read as the social order telling us what to do–but wise up, as the reality is that what those who are both knowledgeable and in power are telling us to do or asking of us is actually wise and most practical–even if we can’t see this. You notice that key phrase, right? Knowledgeable and in Power–if somebody has only one of those (specifically, someone who holds some kind of sway or power but who can’t point to actual facts), then the smart thing to do is not to listen to them. Can we abandon our prejudices and partisanship long enough to do not just the right thing (from the individual way of thinking) but the smart one? I hope so.
The Weekly Word Image is a tremendous windstorm that should knock over trees, fences, and other vulnerable structures, but doesn’t. Roots and foundations are deeper than they seem to be, and that can be a good thing, when values are clear and others are respected, or a very bad thing, if what supports is sunk in prejudice, hatred, or fear, all of which are almost definitively irrational. Know that right now, surface arguments aren’t worth having; make sure you’re aligned with what is True (and if you’re not sure, just ask if what you see as Truth respects the well-being and rights of others–if it doesn’t, it’s not something to build your life view on–it can’t be True if it imposes your Will)—because if you respect what’s objectively True, then you’re also aligned with Love.
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!
‘Park in Autumn’ By Michał Gorstkin-Wywiórski c1900 {{PD}}
Just a peek ahead at what to expect:
Today, the 26th, we have a Moon-Neptune conjunction by late PDT, but that’s not the thing that draws my attention; I’m concerned with a sextile of Pallas-Neptune, with Mars still close in square to Pallas. The Moon proceeding to conjunction with Neptune later today only adds emotion and possibly unsettling intuitions to what is already promised: unwise actions (Pallas sq Mars) based on delusion, fantasy, or misperception (Neptune). Add the Sun’s sesquiquadrate to Neptune, and we see that all eyes will be on an array of misbegotten, confusing, and downright untrue choices, actions and events–and all we can do is hope that a Venus trine to Sedna and quincunx Ceres, and Mercury sextile Vesta, will allow at least some of us to heed our own inner knowing and values (if we can accept our own authority), and avoid the illusory nature of what others may try to choose for us (I’m talking to you, US Senate, as against the will of the majority you go forward with a very unwise Supreme Court confirmation–and ‘unwise’ isn’t just my opinion; every single thing involved with this should warn them off proceeding, not just because of Mars and Mercury both retrograde, but also by the symbolism of the real-life super-spreader event that was her nomination announcement).
And almost immediately, those who chose to act on the 26th will have some regrets by the 27th! Let’s just say that some will suddenly realize what they’ve done, in two ways: it will become apparent that choices and actions actually conflict with highest values (Mars sesq Vesta), and that feedback from others puts the spotlight on what we’ve ignored or denied in order to get to this point (Venus and Mercury enter Libra, the latter opp Black Moon Lilith). Trusting our own personal sense of authority, honoring our right to be and to run our own lives, will allow for some inspiring and brilliant perceptions–and keep us out of the muck, for now (Pallas nov Ceres).
On the 28th standing in our own light, honoring ourselves as worthy, brings problems in relationships, but it must be done–even if it hurts (Venus qnx BML, Mercury trine Ceres, Sun contra-parallel Vesta, sesq NN, and qnx Chiron).
The 29th we’d be smart to allow things we’ve buried or hidden, even from ourselves, to inform (and so adjust) thinking. Right now the facts or even our beliefs will only take us so far–we need to see our world, warts and all, in order to succeed (BML parallel Sedna, Jupiter qnx NN, Merc qnx Sedna).
Friday the 30th we have a challenge before us: honor and accept who we are and the responsibilities we hold, especially those things that are unique and original to and about us–we excel in relationships and/ or financial matters if we do–or pay the psychological piper with inner discord if we don’t (Juno contra-parallel Sedna, Venus nov Juno, Sun contra-parallel Uranus).
On the 31st we have a Full Moon (report to follow in a separate post), and we’re offered a unique opportunity in a deja vu sort of way: again, if we will honor our uniqueness and autonomy, and the responsibilities to act with integrity and to create that these imbue us with, we can heal in important ways (Mars parallel Chiron, Sun opp Uranus).
Vintage postcard {{PD}}
It’s a week to act with integrity, to trust ourselves, and to refuse to be fooled or misled–so, like a regular week! Have a great one, and Happy Halloween thinning-of-the-veil!
‘The Artist’s Niece, Kathleen – Portrait of a Musician’ By Grace Joel 1920 {{PD}}
Just a few notes on general trends, on the way to the Saturn, Venus, and Jupiter retrogrades later in the month:
The days spark innovative ideas on health and ‘new’ and inventive approaches to things (Uranus novile Hygeia and Vesta, Mercury parallel Uranus and nov NN–which is good news for those researchers looking at Covid-19) but not necessarily a great time to change reality based on them (Saturn sesquiquadrate Hygeia, Chiron opp Juno, Mercury contraparallel Mars). That is, opening up will take us into negative territory; our hubris will be our downfall, if we insist (Mars semi-sq Chiron and sesq Juno, Merc contra-parallel Ceres, Uranus qnx Juno).
What we need to devote ourselves to, especially on the day of the Superior Conjunction of the Sun and Mercury, the 4th, is a determination to think before we leap, to do the smart or practical thing, and to fully accept what is revealed about obstacles in our way. We can see our own hurt clearly, and that affords us options as to how to go forward; ignoring our hurt only keeps us stuck. Don’t succumb to the temptation to use wounds as weapons (that will end up being as if you pointed a loaded gun at your own face!), and don’t allow yourself to use them as ways to explain your less successful or flattering choices–we’ve got to own ‘it’ to improve ‘it’ (aspects include Mercury and conj Sun sesq SN, nov Chiron, and qnx Juno).
Ambitions get a big boost, and exercising creativity and looking at events through a spiritual lens can be highly beneficial, as long as you’re willing to address issues, particularly in finances and relationships, rather than bury them, or pretend not to know the problem (Venus sq Neptune and trine Zeus).
Robinet Testard, Allegory of Music or Erato in an illuminated manuscript of Echecs amoureux (failed loves), c1496-1498 {{PD}}
I have only a couple of things I’d like to add to the eclipse picture for the 10th: Mother Nature backs instincts–trust them, they’re unlikely to be delusions or wishful thinking at this point, though be careful to vet them against the facts or the reality picture, to insure they aren’t simply distractions from the core (eclipse) issues; be aware it’s a false equivalency if someone tries to persuade you that prosperity is a direct reflection of smarts–it isn’t; and it may be tempting to distort values to fit current situations–don’t.
No word image for today–we’ve got enough pictures flying around in our minds as it is.
In the lee of the eclipse, on the 11th we see and live, or deny and suppress, what’s healthy–there’s no in-between–and since opportunities will abound, we need to be clear on what’s smart (and that means what’s healthy), in order to take advantage of them. Best source of wisdom? I hate to say it, but it may be authorities, custom, tradition, and father figures–but keep in mind, sometimes we can learn as much from examples of what we shouldn’t be as we can from what we should.
Today’s word image is a double-headed swan. What do we say about swans, besides that they’re beautiful? That they mate for life. The symbol may suggest such a committed melding, a ‘two fleshes that become one’ kind of relationship, and that relationship may be between individuals or an individual and some commitment. We tend to hold this up as the ideal of marriage in our society–but is it truly healthy to lose oneself in commitment to another? It can be–if we maintain a separate and Self-respecting sense of identity, interests, and values (the two heads)–that is, if we don’t subdue our own Beingness in favor of the partner’s–and if we are willing to walk away should the relationship become destructive to who we are.
For the 12th we may feel overwhelmed by seemingly inevitable and relentless change, destruction, transformation, resurrection, entropy, decay, and shifts to structures and forms we’ve always counted on. The vertigo is understandable, and may persuade us that our ambitions and goals may be harmed by changes we can’t stop–but that fear is simply an expression of the disconnect between our conscious minds and our instincts. A good place to jump-start the connection is with the transiting Moon and the subjects of the natal House the Moon’s currently passing through; it’s roughly at mid- to late Virgo, and just from its current sign we know that being accountable, that taking a detail or critically-oriented approach, one focused on results (the Harvest), will help us align the conscious mind with the unconscious perceptions–and so remove the tension that can grow when we perceive but don’t ‘know’.
Today’s word image is something green–whatever thing, of whatever shade, that grabs your attention. It’s a synchronous marker, a notice to pay attention now, a wake up call to something untested, untried, or unripe, a hint to watch what’s growing. If the green is a shade you wouldn’t find in nature, then consider what unnatural thing may have been masquerading as organic to your life.
The 13th brings a perceptible shift–it becomes apparent that what’s been hidden or ignored is fact-based, is seated in wide-ranging relationships, and missing this may have stymied opportunities–and we may feel rebellious from, or very much at odds with, our own wisdom, nature, and personal authority. We reject the very idea that we should’ve been paying attention. We may seek to avoid responsibility–we play the rebel, the righteous one, or the genius, and in the role see an escape from the mundane or the disciplined–but really, our instincts and impulses will lead us astray–only the concrete, the contained, the austere, and the serious will offer progress at this time.
Today’s word image is one customer ignored while another is attended promptly. That is an awful situation, whether you are the one ignored (and so feeling shamed and infuriated by the way you’re treated) or the one who receives help in the presence of the ignored one (and so feeling equal parts embarrassed, guilty, and angry) as even in the situation of noting to the clerk, when it applies, that the other person was first rarely prompts a change. This image may speak to our own assumptions about what we’re ‘owed’, as well as pointing out that sometimes we just have to deal with others’ prejudices and filters, no matter what our position. It also may suggest that feelings such as shame or guilt that are unrelated to our own actions are an inappropriate burden we’re not meant to carry; these have roots in unresolved internal matters, and have attached themselves to someone else’s choices, making us feel somehow responsible even though we aren’t.
On the 14th those who own their own empowerment both shape the future and ‘win’; but be aware that actions and choices have a tendency to arise from past experiences rather than a position of strength, and that you may be feeling certain social pressures that threaten wounds, and so must be adjusted for.
Gustav Klimt 1902 {{PD}}
Today’s word image is a storm anticipated that never arrives. Are we looking for upset, drama, trouble? Being prepared for it is one thing, but arranging our lives around potential ‘bad weather’ is an entirely unnecessary other thing, one that bleeds energy from our efforts and taints our goals and expression of purpose.
For the 15th we see all forms of Nature (including human) support our expression of our most unique and individual skill sets, but we must go forward on mental and emotional energy alone, as creativity just isn’t available; the creative urge is stuck somewhere under the rules, the incorporated voices of authorities past and present, and in our own fears of being freakish or out-of-control. Any time you’re feeling queasy, just think about what really matters to you, and re-align efforts from there.
Today’s word image is a rocking chair. Take things as they come, accept the ebb and flow of energy, and relax with something soothing and meditative.
The 16th, in a somewhat round-about way, brings man-woman issues seated in who holds what power. Everyone has something to say about this: the social sphere, authorities, Mom, people who are angry, those who aren’t gaining what they’d hoped or meeting their goals, the empowered and the disempowered, literally everyone with a stake in the game–and that applies doubly to those who see themselves as above it all–they are more vulnerable than anyone to wrestling for power without realizing they are! It’s easy to be destructive or wish to wipe the slate clean, but think carefully before you do, because at this time the baby of progress goes right out with the clearing-the-decks-bathwater, scuttling any advantages we’ve so far acquired.
Today’s word image is time travel. Say what?! You’ll have a little taste of that today; it gives you the chance to decide whether you want to go back to that era, or not.
I’m a little late spreading the word, but you might want to check this out at the excellent ‘Neptune and the Oak’
This week in a song (at least, this is the way it might feel):
Julie Demboski's ASTROLOGY 
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