I know lots of readers were surprised when last week’s column didn’t mention the Mueller indictments. My inclination was to wait rather than celebrate, given there’s still more to be revealed and the people who put this entire mess into play are far too Machiavellian to simply surrender. Although I have to admit that for the first time in a very long time as I read about the indictments, I felt a surge of pride for those citizens committed to upholding the true values of the United States and that they are doing their jobs regardless of White House shenanigans and obscurations. Yet I remain cautious about the next phase. Mr. Trump and his gang of hungry ghosts are too determined to dismantle all the good that’s been put in motion—all the baby steps taken to implement programs of social justice for all sentient beings, including Planet Earth itself. They won’t give up easily. When there’s an intention to use chaos as the means to one’s ends, and when those ends are motivated by greed, racism or voracious appetites for power—one will do anything to keep that chaos going.
But here’s the thing: Uranus, symbol for surprising plot twists, is retrograde until January 2, 2018, and as it continues reviewing its recent past—going as far back as last April—we can pretty much expect more startling information about the Trump/Russia alliance. Whether or not those revelations will matter to Trump supporters or to Congress is debatable. It didn’t matter to Trump voters when he bragged about grabbing pussy. It doesn’t matter that he’s a racist. Or that he constantly lies. We can only wonder if collusion with a foreign power during an election—which could be called treason—will matter to his patriotic base? We won’t know until all the information has been made available and all the reactions are in. Of course, reactions to the investigation will depend on the spin, and these days the spin on information matters more than the facts—at least for too many of us.
And here’s the spin challenge: A Jupiter/Neptune trine is in effect from this week until nearly the end of January, 2018, and it promises to deliver a richly textured and woven spin on everything. Take a deep breath—there’s gonna be a lot of moments when you’ll need to turn off the TV before you throw your shoes at the talking heads or your phone out the car window. Both Jupiter and Neptune represent more than a fair share of the blarney, and as they unite in a positive alliance, lots of stories, including stories that seem to shift with the wind, stories designed to obfuscate the truth, and stories meant to mesmerize and divert attention away from what’s really going on…all these are going to resound through the airwaves. From a personal perspective, everyone will be weaving a tale—even you.
Jupiter symbolizes the potential for a broad perspective, which is one of the reasons it’s infamous for its tendency to exaggerate. The good news is that Jupiter searches for truth no matter what Sign it’s in, and because it’s currently transiting Scorpio, the Sign that knows there’s always more to the story than is being told. Its journey through Scorpio is certain to ferret out the undercurrents, especially the secret details about politics, money, sex, and power. From a collective perspective, this is likely to blow the lid off long-festering secrets that weren’t so secret—from now on we will call it The Weinstein Effect.) From a personal perspective, things you would rather keep hidden could be exposed.
Neptune’s bandwidth is as wide as the oceans, and among its many domains it symbolizes illusion, delusion and deceit. Its union with Jupiter is certain to reveal a vast repertoire of dreams and schemes—and perhaps even more scandals. This alliance also produces is a strong susceptibility to suggestion and strong feelings of empathy. Neptune does signify spiritual aspirations and idealism, and when it combines with Jupiter those attributes amplify a generous spirit. From a personal perspective, try to keep things moderate, if only because this Jupiter/Neptune alliance tests boundaries—what is too much and when is enough—and because it endures for a couple of months, you’ll need to pace yourself, especially if you are taking care of others, otherwise by the time it’s over, you’ll have given it all away.
The Saturn/Uranus trine continues this week. Saturn signifies structure. Uranus symbolizes change. Trines represent positive interactions. And the entire bundle supports strength even in the midst of a shift. From a personal perspective, this trine can be used to overcome difficult situations through precise yet innovative processes. Remember that old cliché: Necessity is the mother of invention. It’s a clear Saturn/Uranus message. From a collective perspective, this trine is about willpower—not the blunt imposition of your agenda over another’s, but the application of strength combined with intention.
Venus just entered Scorpio on November 7, moving into a conjunction with Jupiter, which creates the potential for joy. Use this positive alliance to foster positive interactions—even if you don’t want to talk to those who share opposite opinions, you can still wish them well. And this is not just about politics. One of the greatest challenges is figuring out how to hold the space to disagree without having to make the other person wrong. I can usually stay fairly accepting if the opposite opinion isn’t causing any harm—but this is definitely a work in progress and is likely to stay that way for a while.
As the coming weeks unfold, many of us are sure to continue encountering ideas as well as actions that are antithetical to our personal value systems. It hasn’t been and won’t be easy to stay compassionate through this next phase. But that shouldn’t alter or deter your efforts to try. Any one of us could be the 100th Monkey—the one that tips the scales toward greater awareness—and that tipping can be as simple as the refusal to engage in an argument over something that is absolutely meaningless in the long run. We are all in this together and it is up to each of us to figure out how to skillfully handle the chaos we now call daily life.
Sun Bursts: If you know your Ascendant and/or your Moon Sign, read that too.
Aries March 21-April 19
There are a number of complex situations that require attention. The best way through these snags is combining a clear mind with an open heart. Be objective and logical, but also remember to be kind to all the participants. Clarity of mind coupled with compassionate intention provides a powerful remedy for everyone.
Taurus April 20-May 20
It won’t be possible to stay neutral about relationships, so rather than spend your energy pretending, spend time contemplating what it is you truly desire. This relates to all sorts of partnerships, not just romantic ones—although as I write this I can see the stars in your eyes!
Gemini May 21-June 21
Conversations with significant others about a wide range of issues stimulate a number of changes in your day-to-day patterns. Be open to change, even if it feels as if the house is falling down. Sometimes just clearing the air puts things right. Just be careful not to use your words as weapons—taking responsibility for your part starts the healing process.
Cancer June 22-July 22
It’s a split screen: On one side is a bit of sorrow about previous choices. On the other is a deep desire to move forward into new territory. Use this perspective to work through the lessons but avoid brooding about what was. Sometimes the only way to learn is through making mistakes, especially if we turn them into tools for transformation.
Leo July 23-August 22
Take a deep breath, exhale, and then survey your domain, inside and out—and don’t be surprised if you experience a deep sense of gratitude. You’ve worked quite hard to arrive at this state of grace, and although changes are sure to continue, don’t let that wisdom keep you from enjoying the present moment.
Virgo August 23-September 22
Heartfelt dialogue with friends and family—especially siblings—adds a poignant tone to your musings about what it is you need to feel comfortable in your skin. So much time is spent recognizing what pushes emotional buttons, and not enough time is devoted to identifying what enhances a sense of wellbeing.
Libra September 23-October 22
Assess your resources, but don’t just focus on money. You’ve stretched into lots of new territory, and although some of those forays were challenging, you gained vital insights into yourself and how you relate to the world. You also gathered vital tools for personal transformation—resources that last forever.
Scorpio October 23-November 21
You are illuminated by several bright lights, and trying to hide from this spotlight is almost impossible. So rather than resist the attention, figure out how to handle it gracefully. Consider this: It’s an opportunity for you to be seen and appreciated for your gifts and talents—make the most of it!
Sagittarius November 22-December 21
You’re talking even more than usual—and that’s saying a lot because we know you can be quite loquacious. It doesn’t make any sense to try to modulate your conversations, especially because others are interested in what you have to say. Hold forth, and say it loud and proud. Just be willing to listen to others.
Capricorn December 22-January 19
There are plenty of opportunities to move into positive action. Whether it’s career choices, volunteering in your community, or getting more involved in family matters, the point is to enthusiastically engage. Don’t worry about the outcome. Simply value the process and the outcome will take care of itself.
Aquarius January 20-February 18
You can succumb to a monkey-mind and worry about all the flaws that could be revealed, or you can relax and enjoy the attention. Sounds like a no-brainer, but it’s not that simple. Take as many moments as necessary to get comfortable with being seen, and then recognize just how much you are appreciated.
Pisces February 19-March 20
Shine your light by sharing your ideas. Not every suggestion will be accepted by others, but that doesn’t matter. What’s important is that you become aware of your creative process and trust it enough to articulate your insights. The point is to participate wholeheartedly in the process, regardless of what others might think.
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