Astrologically Speaking Sep 19–26
Friends, we have before us a relatively quiet week, astrologically speaking. While there are several challenging aspects the dominant aspect of the week is a productive Mars trine Saturn. However with Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto all retrograde, and Mercury about to join them, progress isn’t easy. Our focus, confidence, and serenity may be tested. We may be confronted with our fears, anger, pettiness, or other negative qualities that cause us more harm than good when we give into them thoughtlessly. All these retrogrades may cause us to dwell in the past, to measure our accomplishments, or our worthiness. Insecurity should not be suppressed or turned to hostility. Instead examine areas of weakness and strengthen them by means of practice, study, and mentorship. Meditation is definitely your friend, especially over the next four weeks or so.
Monday Sep 20 Venus inconjunct Chiron is exact. Since inconjunctions can indicate health problems, and Chiron is often involved in health crisis, it’s likely that this weekend and the first half of the week the affairs ruled by Venus may add to the pandemic surge. Romance, music, socializing, shopping for pleasure, should perhaps be put on hold. and venues such as spas and beauty parlors avoided for a few days. Again, the majority of those who take risks will most likely be fine. But some could pay a terrible price. Why put self and others at risk when there are so many other ways to use this aspect positively. Bring healing to romantic relationships and to your creativity, or be healed by the power of love and of enjoying or making art, music, film, and other forms of self expression.
Also Monday Mercury trine Jupiter is exact. This can be a joyful aspect indicating opportunities for happiness and success. The usual warning is not to say too much, not to spend too much, not to over do in general. But given the pandemic, and the approaching stations of Saturn and Pluto another warning is in order. The desire to holiday, to socialize, to shop for fun, could lead to trouble. Other applications of this aspect might include thinking and talking about what success means to you. Deliberately spreading optimism. Finding ways to enjoy yourself. Reading something uplifting. Encountering inspiration through writing, conversations, films and other forms of Mercurial activity.
Also Monday the full moon in Pisces is exact at 7:55 PM (all times Pacific) but the moon will shift into Aries at 8:13 PM. This quick shift could feel like someone flipped a switch. The Pisces malaise of the approaching exact full moon in the late afternoon and evening gives way to the fresh start and more aggressive energy of moon in Aries.
Wed Sept 22 Mercury square Pluto is exact. This aspect can indicate vicious criticism of self and others, but also research that can help us regenerate and renew. Research about healing is especially favored. Cathartic preoccupations can be recognized and addressed in ways that can help release the pent up tension of all our continuing difficulties with the pandemic. With Mercury square Pluto it’s wise to be cautious and avoid risk. Avoid conflict as Pluto squares may indicate unexpected heavy consequences.
Also Wed the Fall Equinox arrives as the sun enters Libra at 12:21 PM. As Camus wrote, “Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower.” We only have one quarter of 2021 remaining. It wasn’t the year of liberation we had hoped for. We are still living under the shadow of mutations and limited protections. But perhaps take a moment to recall this time of year last year when there was no vaccine and an erratic administration. It’s appropriate to recollect where we’ve been and what we’ve done, and to recognize where we could have used our time and energy more wisely. The increased awareness of mortality that a pandemic causes energizes some with denial, incapacitates others, and sharpens the appreciation of life for a few.
Thu Sep 23 Venus opposition Uranus is exact, another aspect that most likely indicates risk taking in the areas of Venus, the desire for the new, the future, for liberation from constraints, especially in the areas of art and romance, may contribute to bad news about a surge when Saturn and Pluto station in early October. On the other hand, liberating experiences in love and art are more easily achieved with this aspect. Balance the unexpected and sometimes shocking approaches signified by Uranus with the grace of Venus. All of this can be achieved without endangering self or others.
Saturday Sep 25 Mars trine Saturn is exact, indicating hard work and methodical advance. By applying the willingness to learn and practice, and the patience, thoroughness, discipline and limitations of Saturn, we can get the best out of libido and ambition, and we can control our anger more easily, or express it in effective and selective ways. If you want to improve these areas of your life simplify your approach. Identify weaknesses and make them strong. It takes time, but that’s a good skill to have for many challenges we face in life.
Sunday Sep 26 Mercury retrograde arrives at 10:10 PM. We now have six planets in retrograde, the majority of planets, and all the major planets from Jupiter to Pluto. Not a good time to press forward on anything. Work on finishing, or editing is more favorable. Going over old ground is appropriate. Perhaps take some time to reflect on your life since early 2020. Or perhaps it’s time to inspect the whole trajectory of your life. Then you can make adjustments moving forward. These six planets will be retrograde from Sept 25 through Oct 6 with the added intensity of Saturn and Pluto slowing down to station. Go slow. Be patient. Take care. Heavy lessons of karma may be brewing out there. Avoid risk. As the Chinese poet Chou Meng-tieh wrote, “You have so many autumns: so many selves, waiting to be shaken down.”
With Pluto slowing down to stationary direct on Oct 6 and Saturn stationary direct October 10 we are approaching a very important time in the story of the pandemic. The pandemic first reached public consciousness when Saturn and Pluto were conjunct in early 2020. They are no longer conjunct but they will station only a few days from each other. We may see a significant worsening of the situation in October. If not then we may be through the worst of it. As always our individual and collective choices will decide how severe or easy our lessons may be. A quote to ponder this week, “Notice that autumn is more the season of the soul than of nature.” Nietzsche.
