It’s a back-to-work-back-to-school kinda week, so if you’re feeling the urge to hunker down and tackle those big projects you’ve been putting off all summer (or all year), or if you’re feeling the urge to buy a new notebook, pen, pencil, and/or backpack, go right ahead. It’s a perfect week for getting things done. Just be aware that even though it’s a busy week with plenty of positive interactions, the underlying issue remains the same: handling the contractive force of the Saturn/Pluto conjunction that’s not just looming on the horizon of 2020 but is also exerting its influence every day until its exact contact on January 12—and then throughout the coming year as the new realities of this configuration manifest. Saturn represents limits, structures, and the status quo. Pluto signifies the process of death and rebirth, along with issues of power and control. A Saturn/Pluto conjunction does not happen often—the last ones were 1982, 1947, and 1915-14. When Saturn and Pluto collide in the same space, we tend to experience the ensuing clash as a power struggle between mighty forces holding onto their foundations, attempting to resist the inexorable process of change.
The tension generated by the mounting intensity of the coming Saturn/Pluto conjunction has dominated the days and nights of these last many months: more accurately, dominated the entire year. The next several months will unfold as a crescendo that culminates in January and then decays throughout 2020. If you’ve violated that old adage, “don’t put off till tomorrow what you can do today,” you’re likely to find yourself trying to make huge changes in the face of impending shifts. Relationship or financial issues may be growing an extra head or two, turning into a many-headed hydra—think the Second Labor of Hercules—so get to work dealing with what you’ve been avoiding.
You might also be repeatedly asking the same questions and repeatedly being disappointed with the answers—or lack of them. Be aware that with so much of our lives is in flux, that it is almost impossible to have a reasonably clear vision of what lies ahead, which makes finding answers more difficult. Don’t beat yourself up for what you didn’t do or haven’t achieved. Lots of us measure our worth through our accomplishments, and while I’m not saying achievements don’t matter, sometimes it’s not the actual feat that’s important. I know it’s a tired cliché, but it truly is all about the journey. Our weariness doesn’t diminish that truth: we meet ourselves through the journey and our behavior forms the bones of who we are.
As the week unfolds, the Uranian trines to all the planets in Virgo that made last week such a mad dash begin to fade away and the pace of daily life settles down just a bit. This slower pace is produced by Saturn’s trine to those very same planets in Virgo that Uranus was trining—the Sun, Mercury, Venus, and Mars. Saturn always takes its time, and its deliberate pace is heightened by its preparation to go direct on September 18. By this time next week, Saturn’s already slow pace becomes a crawl. The regular routines of daily life will seem to stabilize, and although that might offer some relief from the current collective madness, we are so used to the rapid fire of our new reality that the slower pace could prove frustrating. But don’t confuse Saturn’s stabilization with a return to a familiar universe; too much has been set in motion over the last several years to every return to that reality. It’s going to take a lot of time to find a new reality that works for all of us, including the planet.
Pluto in Capricorn also begins to trine those same Virgo planets. Pluto is already trining Venus, a positive interaction that engenders compelling, if not compulsive, amorous intensities as well as creative inspiration. Venus is the goddess of love and beauty and when Pluto arouses her natural talents, all of our talents have a chance to flourish. Next, Pluto trines Mercury, and because Mercury symbolizes all mental processes, and Pluto signifies depth, lots of us are sure to experience deep, thoughtful insights about personal as well as collective situations and how we want to handle them. Pluto’s trines to the Sun and Mars won’t be in effect until next week—more about those powerful, positive interactions in the next column
A reader wrote in about the link—reasonstobecheerful.world—included as part of last week’s column, pointing out that not all of it was good news, particularly the part about nuclear energy and the Fukushima disaster. My apologies to all who might have been offended by that information. That being said, others wrote in to say they found the link helpful.
As the coming weeks unfold, remember how much power small acts of kindness possess to ease tension and create peace. We never know the full effect of a compassionate gesture, but we always know in the moment of offering kindness that we are communicating our respect to another sentient being, and that alone makes a difference.
Sun Bursts: If you know your Ascendant and/or your Moon Sign, read that too.
Aries March 21-April 19
There’s a lot to get done and handling the details isn’t necessarily going to be easy. Nevertheless, you have the stamina to stay present and pay attention to even the smallest of concerns. So take as many deep breaths as you need and continue to put one foot in front of the other. This might seem like simple advice, but it will take strength and courage to hold fast to what matters.
Taurus April 20-May 20.
You’re still in a fertile creative phase, so stay focused on what you’ve put in motion and wish to see to completed. I know I weigh in on the side that says process is more important than the product—and it is. But sometimes the two are so intertwined that it’s impossible to tell the difference, and this is one of those times. Be willing to witness your choices and you’ll earn a lot about yourself.
Gemini May 21-June 21
It’s a good week to turn last week’s imagining into reality. You don’t necessarily have to build that kitchen extension or reorganize the closet, although that might be an easy reality to create. All you have to do right now is make a concrete plan, a day-by-day organizational calendar, that will help you immerse yourself in practical, tangible action.
Cancer June 22-July 22
Several recent conversations have inspired you to create new relationships with other like-minded people. You don’t have to make everyone your BFF, but if you give the connections that feel right enough time to develop, you might forge relationships that are both intimate and supportive. So stay open to the potential of expanding the parameters of your world.
Leo July 23-August 22
Opportunities ranging from career choices to partnership to relationships to healthy new habits of self-care offer possibilities to move your life in a positive direction. So make a commitment to being and staying practical. You don’t have to take every offer to improve your situation; you just have to be willing to try something new and patient enough to give it a chance to work.
Virgo August 23-September 22
Don’t be shy about holding that light—you’re in a powerful phase of recognition and all sorts of people are appreciating your contributions to important plans and projects. To maintain your balance and avoid squandering this moment, you need to prioritize your goals. Identify what matters most and then devote your time and energy to those concerns.
Libra September 23-October 22
You need the company of equals who can appreciate the depth and breadth of your dreams. It’s not so much a matter of manifesting what you envision. Right at this moment, your heart longs for the company of others who appreciate the scope of your vision. I’m not suggesting that those you love don’t understand; I’m simply pointing out that you are not satisfied.
Scorpio October 23-November 21
You might feel overwhelmed by all the attention, but you could just as easily bask in the light of approval and appreciation. It’s up to you to figure out how you’re going to handle the deep current of recognition that’s being directed at you and your accomplishments. One of the ways through this phase is simply to listen politely to what’s being said, and then to say thank you when appropriate.
Sagittarius November 22-December 21
It’s a deeply emotional time, so rather than attempting to put a detached spin on all the feelings rising to the surface, take a deep breath and take a break. Yes, there are issues needing your attention and hard work, but you also need to feed your innate humor and optimism, qualities that will help you find your way through all the emotions in need of your attention and care.
Capricorn December 22-January 19
Own your wisdom—it’s hard-won from experience and you’ve gone to great lengths to make sure your opinions can withstand any arguments that counter their thesis. I know this advice might sound too dry, but it’s important to realize that even if you are slacking off (although that doesn’t seem possible) you are still taking in what’s happening around you and organizing it into useful data.
Aquarius January 20-February 18
Just as you were last week, this week you’re also in the midst of many changes. The most notable difference this week is that you’re thinking about how you might implement several recent realizations about how to improve your relationships with significant others, personal, professional, even pets. Take your time, but also don’t procrastinate—there’s a lot of work to be done.
Pisces February 19-March 20
Important shifts with significant others have the power to realign your priorities, especially when it comes to engaging in community action and following through on your commitments. Be prepared to find yourself determined to join with others around common goals for the common good. I’m not suggesting you run for public office, but I wouldn’t be surprised if you declared your candidacy.