Astrologically Speaking Oct 10-Oct 18
Friends, we have before us another week that looks like a turning point. The Pluto station a few days ago continues while Saturn is stationary direct today at 7:17 PM (all times Pacific). Soon Jupiter and Mercury will be stationary direct, ending a brief period during which six planets were retrograde. Delays, miscommunication, work needing to be done over again, logjams and refusal to compromise have been frustrating for many. With Saturn and Pluto stationary the gravity of fate and consequences loom large as many endings cast shadows on many lives. But things are looking up a bit. As I’ve been saying if we get through October without a dangerous mutation or surge we may be past the worst of it, although Saturn square Uranus returns in December, promising more delays and disruptions.
Monday Oct 11 Mercury inconjunct Uranus is exact. This can be a nervous aspect, and a confusing one. Don’t jump to conclusions. Ask questions. Misunderstandings proliferate. Sudden events may leave you feeling anxious, or you may have an uncontrollable urge to communicate something shocking. But his aspect often creates detours and unexpected results. Chronic nervousness can lead to outbursts. This is a good aspect for taking care of your electronics.
Wednesday Oct 13 Venus sextile Saturn is exact. In relationships there may be need for time alone, for displays of loyalty, and for keeping quiet instead of criticizing. In art this is an excellent aspect for editing, for structural work, and for learning and practicing, consulting with mentors, and working hard. Also good for beautifying your surroundings, especially by organizing, and by eliminating what has become superfluous.
Also Wed Oct 13 sun inconjunct Neptune is exact, suggesting over-indulgence in intoxication, especially alcohol, can lead to health issues. There may be mental confusion. Commute carefully. This is also a pandemic related aspect that can indicate an increase in the spread of the virus so continue to be careful out there.
Friday Oct 15 in the early morning sun trines Jupiter just after moon conjunct Jupiter. This could be a very optimistic morning, look for opportunities for success or fun. People may be a little more generous, a little more hopeful. Don’t take unnecessary risks, but do open your eyes to the invitations around us for the gifts of Jupiter: joy, success, justice and majesty.
Sat Oct 16 Venus trine Chiron is exact, a promising aspect, possibly indicating good news about the pandemic. Unfortunately, with Mars inconjunct Neptune the same day and Saturn and Pluto stationary, the good news may not go very far. Health issues may benefit from making or enjoying art or music. Look to women for secrets of healing and well-being. Love can have a powerfully regenerative influence now. Express your love to those you care about.
Also Sat Mars inconjunct Naptune is exact. This is a major pandemic aspect. Since inconjunctions can indicate crisis in health, Mars increases virulence, and Neptune increases spread, either news of the results of big sports and entertainment events will surprise us, or in a few weeks the cumulative impact may cause concern. Remember, even if you are somewhere where everyone is vaccinated or has tested negative the vaccines do not prevent transmission. This is especially important to keep in mind if you are negative but unvaccinated. You are not safe in a room full of vaccinated people. And for a small percentage of the vaccinated there have been drastic consequences.
With the planets of dire consequences, Saturn and Pluto, stationary this is not a good time for taking risks, even though many who do will most likely be none the worse for it. Why tempt the odds when you could be practicing discipline, detachment, and patience, skills that will be useful for the rest of our lives. Remember, it’s not drudgery, it’s prevention of harm. As John Chardin wrote, “Patience is bitter, but its fruit is sweet.”
Also Sat Mercury sextile Uranus is exact, a great time for creative work, especially writing, music and film. New tech can liberate. Try something different. An unexpected communication might give you a new perspective that helps you see the future more clearly. Is there someone out there you haven’t reached out to that perhaps you should? Taking a different approach can help us leave the past behind. But with Saturn and Pluto stationary and Mercury still retrograde this may not be the best time for breaking free, especially if unresolved issues are lurking to create conflict and stalemate.
Sunday Oct 17 early in the morning sun square stationary Pluto is exact. This is an unusually powerful square. As I’ve been saying go easy on appliances, especially your physical body. This can be an irritable and even criminal aspect so avoid dangerous people and places if at all possible. With effort healing can be yours. What are the world and your intuition telling you about your path to greater well being?
Also next Sunday at 10:30 PM Jupiter is stationary direct. Usually this would require warnings about over-indulgence and over-doing, especially over-spending, but with Saturn stationary it may be hard to access the good Jupiter feelings. Look for ways to appreciate Jupiter all this week and into next. Spread optimism among your friends, but not a foolish optimism, an optimism informed by the realism of Saturn and the deep perspective of Pluto. We should see problems in politics and supply chains beginning to ease up slowly as Jupiter, Saturn and Pluto are no longer retrograde.
Monday morning Mercury retrograde ends. For some people the following week can still be a bit confusing, but with four planets having turned direct in October that feeling of backsliding many have felt may come to an end as forward motion slowly resumes.
The following week is relatively quiet as far as the number of aspects, but it could be a week where violence and the results of mass social events become more obvious, with a full moon in Aries, Mars square Pluto and two inconjunctions involving Uranus, first with Venus then with Mercury. As Saadi of Shiraz wrote: “Have patience. All things are difficult before they become easy.”
