Mars continues to be the astro-menace this week—it still squares Saturn and Pluto, both of which are tightening their conjunction in Capricorn. This pernicious interaction has been in effect since mid-October, which means we won’t be free from its influence until mid-November, so don’t expect any relief from the angry air for a few more weeks. Mars is the god of war; Saturn is the lord of karma; Pluto is the ruler of the underworld; squares signify action—lots of it—and when these planets all combine in a negative pattern, belligerent bullies breathe in a prickly air that empowers them to fight simply for the sake of battle. Try to avoid getting sucked into disputes that don’t matter. Small skirmishes easily morph into full-scale wars under this influence, so pick your confrontations wisely. Remember: principles before pride.
Keeping tempers tamped won’t be easy, given that the final Mercury Retrograde phase of 2019 begins tomorrow, October 31. While Mercury Retrograde isn’t as scary as Halloween, it does pack a punch to Mr. Trump—the chart for Mercury’s “course correction” includes a Moon/Jupiter conjunction that opposes his Sun as it simultaneously conjuncts his Moon, all of which boils down to even more emotional intensity than he is already experiencing or expressing. The coming Saturn/Pluto conjunction also directly affects his natal chart, but more about that in future columns.
Mercury symbolizes all things related to travel and communication, and when it is retrograde, all things within and related to those vast domains are affected. Any retrograde phase is always about reviewing, reflecting, and reconsidering what is already in motion, and as all familiar with this modern urban sky myth already know, Mercury Retrograde is never a good time to initiate new plans and projects. But it is the perfect time to comb through the details of what is already in motion and edit and modify whatever needs attention. This final retrograde phase of the year ends on November 20—which is great, because that means that holiday travel will not be affected by intensified delays and detours.
The ongoing Sun/Uranus opposition continues to fuel freedom fighters of all denominations with the fire to push against constraints of all kinds, from ruthless forms of blatant oppression and injustice to carefully disguised legislation aimed at curtailing human rights. Its influence lasts until November 4, the day before the Mars/Pluto square is exact and separating, so you can expect the coming week to be a minefield of meltdowns, yours or others’.
This week and next are rife with aggressive energy and because of that it would be wise for all of us to walk with peace as our constant companion and compassion as our constant ally. What the world needs now, in addition to love, is a team of spiritual warriors who know how to integrate awareness into positive action.
Sun Bursts: If you know your Ascendant and/or your Moon Sign, read that too.
Aries March 21-April 19
Mercury Retrograde occurs in your Solar House of change, but where you’re most likely to feel its power is in shared financial arrangements—loans, checking accounts, overdue invoices, transfers, and the like. Pay close attention to the details of all these interactions. It’s not guaranteed that something will go wrong; I’m simply advising you to show up and be present for what transpires.
Taurus April 20-May 20.
It’s still a relationship issue, but this week Mercury Retrograde amplifies what you may have previously overlooked. There’s no need to be nervous about this review—it’s all about creating clarity. That being said…the others involved may not have as generous an attitude. So keep your patience pills handy and rather than devolve into a negative mindset, assume that all the concerned parties just want to improve the situation.
Gemini May 21-June 21
Mercury, your Ruling Planet, is retrograde in your Solar House of service, inviting you to reflect on how much time you are spending taking care of your health issues or the health concerns of others. If health and self-care aren’t a concern, you might look over your work schedule to assess your stress levels. At this point, it’s more important to notice a pattern than to implement a fix-it plan.
Cancer June 22-July 22
Mercury Retrograde reviews how you express your creative urges and as it does, you’re certain to get out that book of poetry you’ve been hiding in the back of the bookshelf or sit down and bang out that play you’ve been pondering. If you’re not the literary type, there’s likely a garden project you’ve been pondering or a thousand other ways to express yourself. This review isn’t about winning a prize; it’s about being you, and most of all, having fun.
Leo July 23-August 22
Mercury Retrograde is all about being at home with yourself, getting in touch with what you need to feel safe and secure from the inside out and the outside in. Spend as much time as necessary contemplating what home means to you and how you can improve your current living situation. This may be as simple as rearranging the furniture or starting a new meditation practice. Whatever it is, pay attention to the details so you can integrate the new information.
Virgo August 23-September 22
Mercury is retrograde in your Solar House of conversation, which means you are talking—a lot—to anyone who will listen, especially with family members, significant others, and neighbors. Not every discussion will be the best one you’ve ever had, but some of these interactions are sure to stimulate new processes, especially if your review reveals new information. As the weeks unfold, remember to listen carefully to what’s said.
Libra September 23-October 22
Mercury Retrograde happens in your Solar House of personal finance, inviting a review of your money matters to see if there is room for improvement. Be willing to look at your spending habits to discover where you might be holding on too tightly to every penny or conversely spending everything even before your paycheck clears. This phase is about creating greater stability, so be open to new processes.
Scorpio October 23-November 21
Mercury is retrograde in your Solar House of personality, so be prepared for innovations and perhaps renovations to your public persona. Don’t rule out a new hairstyle or a wardrobe makeover. If you aren’t interested in changing your look, you might be interested in examining how you assert yourself and share your opinions. If you are interested in refining your image, this phase is certain to give you more information about how to do so.
Sagittarius November 22-December 21
The only problem with this Mercury Retrograde is that it can easily transmogrify into a brain worm that seduces you into compulsively chewing on old situations and conversations in the search for new information. While processing can be valuable, sometimes it’s best to just let go. Try to channel the intensity of this phase into meditation and contemplation rather than stewing and chewing. It won’t be easy to make the change but it will be worth the effort.
Capricorn December 22-January 19
The strife at work or about work continues, but Mercury Retrograde is focused on your community, professional and personal. Expect contact from friends and coworkers you haven’t seen in a while and anticipate that some of those encounters are about clearing the air and resolving old conflicts—some may even be romantic. However they present, do your best to respond authentically.
Aquarius January 20-February 18
Mercury Retrograde is reviewing career-related issues; even if you are retired, you might find yourself thinking about past jobs or professional interactions. This phase isn’t about self-recrimination; it’s about what you’re still holding on to or identified with and reviewing those ties to see if they are still necessary. On a practical note, you may find yourself repeating instructions or ideas too many times—so keep breathing through any frustration that arises.
Pisces February 19-March 20
It’s not quite a crisis of faith, but Mercury Retrograde does raise several questions about where you trust that your efforts will be rewarded. This is an important process because it allows you an opportunity to see where you are relying on spirit and asking for help and where you are acting like a lone wolf. No one is an island, so use this phase as an opportunity to review the value of your spiritual practice—especially what needs improvement.