December Astrology Part 2 - Season's Meetings and Greetings

Season's Greetings!

Continuing Astroair's summary of December's astrological happenings...

Love, peace and harmony planet Venus moves into Aquarius, the sign of friendship and teamwork on December 20. This might not be the sexiest or most affectionate placement for Venus, but it's good for getting together with groups of people during this seasonal time, be that your complicated family or your circle of friends. Venus in Aquarius can seem detached at times, so if you or a loved one comes over a little aloof, just give yourself or them a bit of space and you/they will soon be back to their sociable self.

A Square between Venus and Jupiter on December 21, can only be a good thing, so expect peace, love and harmony to break out all around!

On December 22, the Sun moves into Capricorn. As a December Capricorn myself, I feel bound to defend my much maligned sign. Far from being serious and boring, Capricorns can be a wacky bunch, just check out these quotes from some famous cappies. Far from being slow and patient, Capricorns are dynamic and swift acting once they decide what they want and work out how to get it. However, discovering what they want and being in a position to get it might take some some time. This is because Saturn is trying to teach them the lesson of patience and well earned reward. This might be hard for cappy to swallow at times, but unfortunately there it is!

The Sun's entry into Capricorn marks the Winter Solstice (the Summer Solstice in the southern hemisphere). The chart for the Solstice is commonly used as a predictor for the season to come, at least until the Spring Equinox which marks the Sun's passage into Aries.

In the Solstice Chart the Sun trines Jupiter, presenting us with an opportunity to feel optimistic about the end of this year and the beginning of next, especially as Jupiter turns direct on December 25, after being retrograde since the end of August. Sun square Uranus asks us to brace ourselves for the unexpected, as disruptive and perhaps surprising elements come into play. Without a doubt, change is in the air in the coming months, another indicator of which is Sun conjunct Pluto. This aspect is still quite wide in the Solstice Chart, but becomes exact on December 29, in time for the tail end of the year. Of course, with Pluto being in Capricorn since 2008, every winter solstice chart for the past few years has had Sun conjunct Pluto. This reflects the fact that Pluto’s idea of change is slow, deep, transformation. We cannot doubt that the world is slowly becoming a very different kind of place for so many of us. In this season’s solstice chart, Jupiter opposite Saturn arms us with a sense of purpose to help us tackle any challenge that comes our way. Finally, Moon square Neptune suggests that the general mood will be our collective desire to escape, dream and get away from it all. Indulge if you must, but beware of deceiving yourself about what is real and what is not. Strictly speaking, if something seems too good to be true, it usually is!

December 24 brings a New Moon in Capricorn. I always think of the Capricorn New Moon as the start to the New Year... New Moons are seeding times, when we can ‘plant’ our intentions and watch them grow. Therefore, if you do have any New Year’s resolutions, decide upon them around this New Moon. OK, with the holiday indulgences in full swing, it might not be practical to put them into action until the New Year but setting the intention now can’t hurt, can it? And make a note to check back in on those resolutions around the time of the Aries Equinox in March, a time which marks another new beginning.

Wishing all my readers a happy and peaceful end to the year and a happy and healthy 2012.

Thanks for reading.

With love, Mandi
www.mandilockley.com

Summary of December's Astrology

December 1: Venus conjunct Pluto
December 2: Sun square Mars
December 5: Venus trine Mars
December 9: Uranus turns Direct
December 10: Full Moon Lunar Eclipse in Gemini
December 13: Mercury turns Direct
December 18: Venus squares Saturn
December 20: Venus enters Aquarius
December 21: Venus squares Jupiter
December 22 (December 21 in PST time zones): Sun enters Capricorn
December 22 (December 21 in PST time zones): The Winter Solstice (Summer Solstice in the southern hemisphere)
December 22: Sun trines Jupiter and squares Uranus
December 24: New Moon in Capricorn
December 25: Jupiter stations Direct

December 29: Sun conjunct Pluto

December Astrology Pt. 1 Letting Go and Moving Forward

Welcome to December, the final month before we enter the long awaited year of 2012. More on that to come, but for now, what opportunities and challenges will the end of 2011 bring? Look no further, because here's the first of Astroair's monthly summaries...

December 1: Venus conjuncts Pluto
It’s a passionate start to December, as love planet Venus gets into bed with intense Pluto. This alignment creates an atmosphere where deep feelings surface. Love affairs can feel fated and emotions are experienced at the most profound level. You may become aware of your own or someone else’s jealousy during this transit. It could also prompt a new understanding of what or who you need to let go of.  The power of money is also highlighted when Venus and Pluto join forces.

This is a short transit and its effects should only be apparent for a day or two.
 

December 2: The Sun squares Mars
When the Sun and Mars square up we can expect to receive a welcome energy boost and find renewed vigour and courage to pursue our goals, but this gift comes with conditions. The Sun is in optimistic, risk-taking Sagittarius but Mars is in the cautious, pedantic, less confident sign of Virgo. Being competitive just for the sake of winning (and boosting your ego) is not the best approach during this transit. Instead choose to act in a way that helps others, not just your-self. Also try to think things out carefully and check all the details before proceeding especially so because Mercury is currently retrograde and hovering very close to the Sun.

This is a short transit and its effects should only be apparent for a day or two.
 

December 5: Venus trines Mars
After the intensity of Venus conjunct Pluto, this pleasant trine between Venus and Mars should be a welcome relief. It’s a time to rebalance your emotions and send out the ‘olive branch’ if things need smoothing over with your loved one. Doing something nice for someone you care about is a great way to make the most of the energies now.

This is a short transit and its effects should only be apparent for a day or two.
 

December 9: Uranus turns direct
Uranus has been retrograde since July and now finally starts to move forward again. Whenever, Uranus is activated the motto is to ‘expect the unexpected’. It’s not easy to plan for surprises, but at least it can help reduce the shock factor if you are open to change and ready to be flexible. In fact, this turn around can really help you to let go of the past and move forward into your future with a renewed sense of hope. Embrace change, be open to new possibilities and this can be an exciting time. More so, if you are currently experiencing a Uranus transit.

You are having a Uranus transit – which can last up to a year -  if you have planets or angles in the very early degrees of Aries, Cancer, Libra or Capricorn, or even if you have planets or angles in the last degree of Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius or Pisces. (Get your chart for free at www.alabe.com.) Click on the link for more on how to cope/get the best out of your Uranus transit.
 

December 10: Total Lunar Eclipse in Gemini

A Lunar Eclipse is an extra special Full Moon. Expect relationships to come under the spotlight and be prepared to receive new information about just about anything. This is a good time for finding out exactly where you stand and using that new information to progress with plans and goals that have felt like they were never going to move forward. The fact that Mercury turns direct the day after and Uranus turns direct the day before will help add momentum to that moving forward feeling. Although, with Uranus in the mix, don’t forget to expect the unexpected (see above).
 

As this is a Gemini Eclipse, charge your cellphone and check your email, because you may receive the news that you have been waiting for. If you do, be ready to act quickly! This is also a great time for getting out and about and socialising, so polish off those party shoes!

Under a Lunar Eclipse things tend to peak, to come to a head, and often something you no longer need will come to an end, so that you can begin anew. This is especially so if the Eclipse touches your chart. This Eclipse affects you directly if you have planets or angles between 17 and 19 degrees of Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius or Pisces (get your chart for free at www.alabe.com). If your birthday falls between December 8 and 11, this could be potentially life changing year ahead for you.

December 13: Mercury in Sagittarius turns direct
 

What a relief that Mercury, the planet that rules postage, turns around just in time to send out those Christmas packages!

Communication should become easier all round now. Decisions can finally be reached and acted upon, which is great if you're the organised type who wants to plan for the new year ahead. Bear in mind though that Mercury will be in the 'shadow' of its retrograde until December 31, so it won't be until then that all things Mecurial (communication, learning, thinking, travelling, commerce, negotiations, contractual issues and general to-ing and fro-ing) really pick up momentum. Save the longer term planning until then, to be on the safe side. An Eclipse a few days before Mercury direct and Uranus' renewed forward motion (see above), will also help us to make the most of the opportunity to let go of the past and plan for an exciting future.

Mercury turned retrograde on November 24 at 20 degrees Sagittarius. It turns around on December 13 at 4 degrees Sagittarius. It remains in the shadow of its retrograde (re-covering the degrees it’s already passed through) until December 31. Mercury is in Sagittarius until January 8, 2012.

Summary of December's Alignments

December 1: Venus conjunct Pluto

December 2: Sun square Mars

December 5: Venus trine Mars
 

December 9: Uranus turns Direct

December 10: Full Moon Lunar Eclipse in Gemini
 

December 13: Mercury turns Direct

December 18: Venus squares Saturn (coming in Part 2)

December 20: Venus enters Aquarius (coming in Part 2)

December 21: Venus squares Jupiter (coming in Part 2)

December 22 (December 21 in PST time zones): Sun enters Capricorn (coming in Part 2)

The Sun into Capricorn marks the Winter Solstice (Summer Solstice in the southern hemisphere) 

December 22: Sun trines Jupiter and squares Uranus (coming in Part 2)

December 24: New Moon in Capricorn (coming in Part 2)

December 25: Jupiter stations Retrograde (coming in Part 2)

December 29: Sun conjunct Pluto

With love, Mandi

www.mandilockley.com

Come back soon for part 2 of December's astrological picture, or better still, subscribe below to receive Astroair Astrology direct to your inbox. Astroair will never pass on your details to a third party.

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Astrology for November (Part 2)

Welcome to part 2 of Astroair’s preview of this month’s main celestial events. I hope November has been good to you so far.

Mercury and Venus have now settled into idealistic, philosophical Sag and are joined by the Sun on the 22^nd, closely followed by a Sagittarius Solar Eclipse on the 25^th. Action planet Mars, however, is bucking the Sagittarian trend, by entering analytic Virgo for a long stay. For more click here.

November 20: Sun Squares Neptune

The Sun’s final cosmic gift before it moves from Scorpio to Sagittarius is a tense square to mystical Neptune.

Whenever Neptune touches the Sun by square, we are invited to question our goals. Is what we are trying to achieve worthy of us, or are we merely trying to feed our ego?  Perhaps you experience an ego disappointment now, but remember that sometimes we need to let our ego dissolve so we can get back to the root of what we really need and who we really are.

If you have been doing too much, this is a time (including a day either side of the 20^th) when you could feel wiped out. Listen to what your body and intuition is telling you and take a rest if you can.

Paying extra attention to your dreams and fantasies can provide you with deep insights, because these are helpful energies for connecting with the collective unconscious. However, be careful if your urge to escape from yourself/your ego involves indulging in drugs, alcohol or other addictive substances or activities.

November 22: Sun Enters Sagittarius

There's a sense of spirit and adventure when the Sun’s in the fiery sign of Sagittarius. However, unlike the pioneering 'me first' spirit of Aries and the fiercely loyal but ego-centric 'look at me' fire of Leo, the Sagittarian fire quest is one which takes this sign above and beyond, pushing further onwards and upwards in its search for meaning and its vision of the future.

Sagittarius is the great explorer of the zodiac, reaching out to far flung places, of the world and of the mind. Represented by the Centaur it is the only sign with a mythical creature as its glyph, reminding us that he will go as far as the heavens themselves in order to complete his quest. As the saying goes: Fools rush in where angels fear to tread!

Yes, Sagittarius can seem foolhardy or slapdash or downright irresponsible, but what the rest of us sometimes forget is that Sag always has one foot in the future and one eye on the big picture. This panoramic view means that he very often misses the finer details of what's right in front of him, but on the whole this big picture approach tends to work well for Sagittarius. After all, somebody must hold the grand vision for the rest of us.

With jovial Jupiter as its ruler, Sagittarius often seems blessed with good luck, but maybe it's just that he simply gets away with things more easily than the rest of us. Perhaps we let him get away with it because we understand that Sag is one of the most generous and forgiving signs and therefore forgive him all the more easily because of that.

Oh and they’re never shy to speak up. Click here to read what some very famous Sagittarians have to say for themselves.

November 22: Sun Trine Uranus and Mars Trine Pluto

The first thing the Sun does in Sag is form a fire trine to Uranus in Aries on the 23^rd. This alignment offers us the opportunity to think big, to revolutionise our thinking, to find new ways of doing things. There’s a renewed sense of optimism and enthusiasm about the future if you choose to tap into it. Think outside the box and expect the unexpected.

At the same time Mars in Virgo makes an earth trine to Pluto in Capricorn. This is a gentle reminder to think about and plan for the practical realities before you jump headfirst into anything. This alignment provides the impetus to get the job done, whatever the job may be. Tangible results are your reward if you’re willing to invest enough hard graft into your mission.

November 24: Mercury retrograde in Sagittarius

For my money, Mercury retrograde is an astrological phenomenon that has a bark worse than its bite. It is though, worth taking extra care when doing ‘mercurial’ things during the retrograde. This includes all types of communication, learning, thinking, travelling, commerce, negotiation and general to-ing and fro-ing.  The common advice is to think twice, double check everything and avoid signing any important contracts, if possible. As this is a Sagittarian Mercury retrograde, we should also be mindful of opening our mouths without thinking first as Sag can be very tactless at times. Overall, I think this retrograde can make us a bit clumsy (physically and mentally), so take extra care. Legal issues could drag on or get re-dragged up now. Long distance travel may cause a few hiccups and study revision might be in order for some.

Mercury turns retrograde on November 24 at 20 degrees Sagittarius. It turns around on December 14 at 4 degrees Sagittarius. It remains in the shadow of its retrograde (re-covering the degrees it’s already passed through) until December 31.

November 25 (24 in PST time): New Moon in Sagittarius (Partial Solar Eclipse)

This month’s New Moon is a powerful one because it’s a partial solar eclipse. All New Moons represent a fresh start, the beginning of a new cycle, but none more so than an eclipsed one. So what wisdom can we hope to gain from this Sagittarius eclipse? First of all the Sun and Moon are in good company, because communication planet Mercury (freshly retrograde), love planet Venus and the karmic North Node are also in the sign of the wise, expansive, ‘see the bigger perspective’ Archer. Perhaps we are being urged to think bigger, to put our faith and love in something bigger than ourselves? Maybe we are reminded that as one phase ends, another is waiting to start? It is up to us, individually and as a collective to ensure that the fresh start is a positive one.

The eclipse occurs at 2 degrees and 36 minute of Sagittarius, so if you have planets or points at 0-4 degrees of Sagittarius or Gemini, the eclipse makes a direct contact with your chart and you may feel it more strongly (get your chart at www.alabe.com). If your birthday falls on 24^th or 25^th November, this could be a very significant year for you. For more on eclipses see Working withEclipses.  

November 26: Venus enters Capricorn (then squares Uranus and trines Jupiter)

Somehow, Venus in Capricorn doesn’t sound like a very cuddly, affectionate placement does it? Remember though, that Capricorn is one of the sensuous earth signs. While Venus in Capricorn’s affection is given cautiously, when it is given, it’s serious, genuine and for keeps.

When Venus squares impulsive Uranus on the 27^th, the urge may be to detach yourself from relationship commitment. But before you turn cold on the one you love, try injecting a little excitement into things, it might be just the boost you need. With Jupiter in super sensual Taurus making a trine to Venus at the same time, it should be easier to inject a bit of playful physicality into your love life to counteract the more serious side of things. This trine is also positive for financial partnerships, but with Uranus in the mix, things could get a little unpredictable. Staying practical and down to earth and maintaining a good sense of humour should see you through nicely.

Venus is in Capricorn until December 20.

November 27: Venus squares Uranus and trines Jupiter

November 2: Venus enters Sagittarius
November 2: Mercury Enters Sagittarius
November 9: Neptune Direct
November 10: Chiron Direct
November 10/11: Mars Enters Virgo
November 16: Mars trines Jupiter
See Part 1 for the above alignments:
http://mandilockley.blogspot.com/2011/11/astrology-for-november-part-1.html
November 20: Sun squares Neptune
November 22: Sun enters Sagittarius
November 23: Sun trines Uranus            
November 23: Mars trines Pluto
November 24: Mercury stations retrograde
November 25: New Moon in Sagittarius (Partial Solar Eclipse)
November 26: Venus enters Capricorn
November 27: Venus squares Uranus and trines Jupiter

With love, Mandi
www.mandilockley.com

Come back soon for more articles and updates, or better still, subscribe below to receive Astroair Astrology direct to your inbox. Astroair will never pass on your details to a third party.

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Astrology for November ~ Part 1

Welcome to November, that time of the year when (in the Northern hemisphere), the nights are long and the days are short.  The Sun is in the deep, probing, mysterious sign of Scorpio, making it easy to believe that the veil between the worlds is thin at this time of year...

...However, from early November, Mercury and Venus move into idealistic, philosophical Sagittarius, that more open sign. These pave the way for the Sun’s move into Sag on the 22^nd and a Sagittarius Solar Eclipse on the 25^th.

November 2: Venus and Mercury enter Sagittarius

Venus in Sagittarius promotes generosity, enthusiasm and free-spiritedness in all our relationships. After the seductive, mysteriousness of Venus in Scorpio, Venus is now demanding openness and a full on expression of your affection for that special someone.

Mercury in Sagittarius is the truth-saying placement. Sometimes you can be too honest and direct under this transit, so don’t forget to consider the other person’s feelings before opening your mouth! It’s a time for broad mindedness, idealistic thinking and grand notions.

Use Mercury and Venus in Sagittarius to open up and tell your special someone exactly how you feel about them because now is not the time to keep them guessing! Plan a romantic adventure, connect with others who share your beliefs or debate with those who hold differing beliefs. Explore new ways of connecting on all levels, intellectually, emotionally and romantically.

Venus is in Sagittarius until November 26

Mercury is in Sagittarius until January 2012 (this is a longer than usual transit because Mercury is retrograde from November 24 to December 14.

November 9 and 10: Neptune and Chiron turn direct

On June 3, Neptune in Pisces turned retrograde, moving back into Aquarius in August. On November 9, it starts to move forward once again and will re-enter Pisces in early February 2012.

Chiron in Pisces, which also turned retrograde in June, moves forwards from 0 degrees Pisces on November 10.

If you have planets or angles anywhere between 27 degrees of the fixed signs (Taurus, Leo, Scorpio, Aquarius) and 1-2 degrees of the mutable signs (Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius, Pisces), these two planets turning around at the same time will touch your chart, so you should be able to feel the Piscean/Neptunian/Chironic themes playing out in your life quite strongly now and in the weeks/months to follow. (By the way, you can get your chart for free at www.alabe.com)

These themes include a heightened awareness of compassion, suffering and empathy; a desire to indulge in escapism and fantasy; feeling wiped out; feeling deceived, disillusioned or disappointed; feeling ‘lost at sea’; boundary issues; heightened imagination; a deeper appreciation of art and music; spiritual and mystical experiences; creative inspiration; increased sensitivity on any level; feeling under the weather; emotional healing experiences; maverick urges, possibly unfocussed. Because Chiron and Neptune have been travelling closely in tandem since 2010 (and have been widely conjunct since 2007), these feelings may have been bubbling under for some time. Now though, is the time to pay some attention to them and consider what they are trying to tell you about yourself and where you are at in your life.

This is a time to learn that your (perceived) weaknesses, can in fact be your strengths, because by facing your ‘weaknesses’ over the last year or more, you have become wise and have a gift to share with the world. It’s also a time to pay extra attention to your dreams and fantasies. Perhaps they can help point the way forward if you’re feeling the urge to dive beneath surface reality and enrich your life with deeper, more meaningful experiences? Remember, we have almost three more months of Neptune in Aquarius, the sign of community, brotherhood, humanitarianism and rebellion, so these themes will also come to the fore now for final resolution, if you are ready and willing to submit to the call to help.    

For more on the themes of Chiron in Pisces, see Chiron in Pisces: Water Over Rocks and for an explanation of the themes of Neptune in Pisces, see Neptune in Pisces Miscellanea.

November 10: Full Moon in Taurus

A Full Moon, because it is an opposition aspect, strives for balance. In order to find the balance, we must first seek to common ground. What Scorpio (the Sun’s sign) and Taurus (the Moon’s sign) have in common are a concern with money, control, possession and sexuality. In essence, Taurus and Scorpio oppositions ask us to balance what we desire and what we are attached to on the emotional level with what we feel we need and what we work hard to keep and maintain on the physical material level.

We all need to feel emotionally and materially secure, but perhaps we are feeling insecure in these areas under this Full Moon. Because Taurus and Scorpio are fixed signs, our response may be to cling on very tight to what, or who, we’ve got. This is the point where we can tip over into the shadow side of Taurus and Scorpio – fiscal and emotional miserliness, manipulative behaviour and a stubborn resistance to any kind of change, even good change.

During this bright Moon, remember that what we truly own will never leave us, so we don’t need to cling. If our roots are solid, we can allow branches to sway a little in the winds of change. We may even learn to enjoy the experience and the lessons it can bring.

This Full Moon also coincides with Neptune and Chiron moving direct and Mars' move into Virgo. Read the write ups on these - above and below - as this Full Moon is sure to highlight their themes.

*November 10/11: Mars enters Virgo

Mars leaves the proud, dramatic and often overbearing sign of Leo and enters the steadier, quieter sign of Virgo. Mars in Virgo urges us to put our energy into practical and useful tasks. It invites us to think twice about indulging in rash and reckless behaviour and allow ourselves the time to carefully mull over exactly how we should put our plans into action. On the downside, Mars in Virgo energy can make us over-critical and perfectionist, so try to find a balance between just going for it and taking time to work out whether the end result will be worth it.

Because Mars turns retrograde in Virgo between February and April 2012, this is an especially long transit, lasting until early July 2012. This makes it a great time to focus on working towards longer terms goals. List out everything you want to achieve. It’s easy to scatter and splinter your energies with Mars in Virgo, so when you have that list, you would be well advised to cross off a number – if not most - of those goals, so you can focus on the important ones. The discriminating nature of Mars in Virgo should help you make up decide which ones are important.

While Mars is in Virgo, your exercise routine should focus on improving your all round health (rather than on achieving the ‘body beautiful’). Punishing, ‘no pain, no gain’ exercise is not the way forward now. Instead, focus on work-outs that benefit the mind as well as the body, such as yoga, pilates and tai chi. Balance good exercise with healthy food and rest. This is a good Mars sign for those of you who would like to lose a little weight through sensible, manageable lifestyle changes.

Virgo is also the sign of service and helpfulness. Small acts of kindness and support really can add up to make a huge difference. Something to ponder on and act upon during Mars’ tenure in Virgo.

Mars is in Virgo until July 3 2012 and is retrograde in Virgo from January 24 to April 14 2012.

November 16: Mars trines Jupiter

Re-read the above piece about Mars entering Virgo... this easy trine between Mars and Jupiter in practical Taurus provides just the positive boost you need to get those Mars in Virgo goals off the ground and the staying power to follow through.

November's astro-action

November 2: Venus enters Sagittarius

November 2: Mercury enters Sagittarius

November 9: Neptune turns direct

November 10: Chiron turns direct

November 10: Full Moon in Taurus

November 10/11: Mars enters Virgo

November 16: Mars in Virgo trine Jupiter in Taurus

November 20: Sun squares Neptune (coming in part 2)

November 22: Sun enters Sagittarius (coming in part 2)

November 23: Sun trines Uranus (coming in part 2)     

November 23: Mars trines Pluto (coming in part 2)

November 24: Mercury stations retrograde (coming in part 2)

November 25: New Moon in Sagittarius, a partial Solar Eclipse (coming in part 2)

November 26: Venus enters Capricorn (coming in part 2)

November 27: Venus squares Uranus and trines Jupiter (coming in part 2)

*Where two dates are given, use the earlier date in US times zones and the later date in European/Asian time zones.

Wishing you a very healthy and happy November.  Come back mid month for Part 2 of November’s update or better still, subscribe below to receive it in your inbox.

With love, Mandi

www.mandilockley.com

Click for Void of Course Moon Times for November

Click for November’s Moon Phases

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Astrology for October Part 2 ~ Dark Hours

Happy Halloween and Happy Samhain!

Before diving into part two of October’s Astrological happenings, I'll take a step back to consider the background canvas against which these temporal events are occurring.

The big one is Uranus square Pluto and the themes this represents are playing out dramatically in the world, as anyone who follows current affairs will know.

Uranus in Aries square Pluto in Capricorn symbolises rebellious impulses; hot-headed behavior; sudden and shocking events; anti-establishment feelings; the demand for freedom and respect; issues of control and responsibility; spontaneous uprisings; collective and individual crisis on any level. A serious questioning of power structures and authority is indicated.

Deep and radical changes are occurring in our world at large and in our own personal lives. Do we embrace the radical and disruptive changes we face or do we use our energy to try to hold back the change and maintain the status quo? My personal feeling is that while change can be scary and difficult and while it often involves painful losses, we cause ourselves more suffering in the long run by resisting the inevitable. By making a conscious choice to let go of the past, to concede where we have no control and embrace the future, we place ourselves in a better position to welcome change that is positive, freeing and less traumatic than the alternative. There is one thing that is certain and that is the unpredictability of the future over the next few years. Instead of adding up your losses, count your blessings, stay strong, and be true to your heart. To paraphrase the old saying, be the change you want to see in the world.

As I discussed in Part 1, mid October marks the beginning of a new Sun-Saturn cycle, with Sun Conjunct Saturn in Libra. The two conjoin roughly once a year and mark a time for setting clear, achievable goals for the year ahead. The starting point for setting those goals should  be where you are right now. This is not about pipe dreams, it’s about taking responsibility for your future and setting for yourself some boundaries of normalcy, even as the world goes crazy around you.

October 14 to 17: Venus and Mercury in Scorpio oppose Jupiter in Taurus

This planetary pattern (Venus with Jupiter on the 14^th and Mercury with Jupiter on the 17^th) invites us to be expansive, extravagant, adventurous and broadminded. This could be tempting, but rather than overindulging and overspending, your time would be better spent thinking about your spending. Are you spending within your means? Are you spending too much to please others and is it resources? Of course, it’s not all about the money, this alignment can also bring a generous dose of passion into your life. Are you ready? As if that’s not enough, secrets could be revealed on or around the 17^th!

October 21: Sun trine Neptune

OK, so have things been getting a bit too real for you lately? Well, just in time for the weekend, Sun trine Neptune is perfect for allowing yourself a little bit of escapism. Pile on the glamour and hit the town with your friends, indulge in a romantic evening with your lover or lose yourself in something creative, poetic or artistic. Enjoy it while it lasts because this Sun-Neptune energy comes with a slight warning not to overindulge or mix fantasy with reality. If you do, you could find yourself headed back down to earth with a bump on Monday morning!

October 23: Sun into Scorpio

Happy birthday to all you lovely Scorpios out there.

Scorpio is one of the emotional water signs. In Pisces water runs freely, but is at risk of becoming tainted because it flows indiscriminately. In Cancer water is contained and used resourcefully, but is at risk of becoming stagnant if held for too long. In Scorpio, water is held in solid form, as ice. As such, it is not easily accessible, but once thawed, is pure and crystal clear. So, while Scorpio is a cool customer, he holds the power to transform that which is dark and dirty into that which is cleansing and healing. Read more….

Click for some wonderfully insightful quotes from some very famous Scorpios. Here are a couple to whet your appetite:

Do you seriously expect me to be the first Prince of Wales in history not to have a mistress?
Prince Charles, Sun in Scorpio, Moon in Taurus

The thing women have yet to learn is nobody gives you power. You just take it.

Roseanne Barr, Sun in Scorpio, Moon in Gemini

October 26: New Moon in Scorpio

The New Moon is the darkest time of the lunar cycle, when Lady Luna disappears from our sky. Of course this is merely an illusion, she is there we just can’t see her. This reminds me of Scorpio’s ruler Pluto who, in mythology, must wear a helmet of invisibility whenever he surfaces from the Underworld. Unseen he does his work, so that when we finally see the results of his actions, they arrive in the form of dramatic changes that we come to realise were always inevitable. Scorpio operates in a similar way and its realm is our deepest emotions. Scorpio invites us to scour the hidden depths of our feelings, often taking us to places we would normally shy away from, especially during the dark Scorpio Moon. When the Moon starts to wax back into the light, it can show us our deepest and the darkest emotional detritus, offering it up for cleansing and healing. The medicine might taste bitter, but we'll know it’s good for us.

This New Moon opposes Jupiter in Taurus and sextiles Pluto, picking up on the ongoing Jupiter-Pluto trines (see below for more)...

October 28: Jupiter trine Pluto

This is the second of three trines between Jupiter in Taurus and Pluto in Capricorn. The first was in July this year and the final one will be in May next year.

This planetary combination can bring optimism or all too easily its opposite, pessimism. At best, this alignment can bring inspiration and a powerful affirmation of self belief. On the world stage, it is has been reflected in the excessive faith and optimism our governments have placed in the concept of future economic growth. We can now see that this ‘let’s get back to business as usual’ approach hasn’t worked and we are headed towards a worse financial crisis than the previous. Individually and as a collective, we need to transform our old beliefs and put our faith in something new because we can’t simply carry on as we have been doing. As this alignment connects to the Scorpio New Moon, it’s time to ask if our old desires still serve us, or do we need to fundamentally change our approach. When our goals are more fully aligned with what we truly need in the here and now, then perhaps we can better embrace our future, wherever that may take us.

October 29: Sun opposite Jupiter and sextile Pluto

The Sun makes its exact alignment with the ongoing Jupiter Pluto trines. See above for details.

October 31: Venus square Neptune

This alignment invokes a yearning for bliss which often manifests as a desire for escapism and a retreat into fantasy. We want to feel at one with others, so these energies tend to be projected onto our closest relationships. We want things to be ideal and are tempted to slip on rose tinted spectacles. Enjoy it while it lasts, but remember that you would quickly get bored with your perfect knight (or princess). If you think about it, It’s the flaws and quirks that make our close ones interesting and loveable.

Summary of October's Astrology:

October 2: Mars square Jupiter
October 6: Mercury conjunct Saturn
October 7: Venus trine Neptune
October 8: Venus into Scorpio
October 11/12: Full Moon in Aries
October 13: Sun conjunct Saturn
October 13: Mercury into Scorpio
October 14: Venus opposes Jupiter
October 17: Venus opposes Mercury
October 21: Sun trines Neptune
October 23: Sun into Scorpio
October 26: New Moon in Scorpio
October 28: Jupiter trine Pluto
October 29: Sun opposite Jupiter and sextile Pluto
October 31: Venus square Neptune

Click for Void of Course Moon Times for October

Click for October’s Moon Phases

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