Planetary Changes

October 2005 and beyond

• Mars in Taurus turns retrograde: Oct. 1
(23 Taurus - opposition to Venus in Scorpio)
• New moon partial solar eclipse: Oct. 3 (10 Libra)
• Chiron in Capricorn turns direct: Oct. 4 (27Capricorn 48)
• Venus enters Sagittarius: Oct. 7
• Mercury enters Scorpio: Oct. 8
• Jupiter enters Scorpio: Oct. 25
• Neptune in Aquarius turns direct:Oct. 26 (14 Aquarius 49)
• Mercury turns retrograde: Nov. 13 - Dec. 3

October brings a long list of stellar activity to report! Mars turns retrograde with added potency due to its exact opposition to Venus in Scorpio (can't get enough of that good stuff/irresistible obsessions.) Pleasure in the sensual (scents, food, visuals, sounds) and sexual energy is greatly intensified in this first weekend of the month, so make your plans according! Of course the retrograde influence can turn that juicy energy into negative friction - that switch can suddenly go off too. While a great relationship can be smoking hot, a shaky relationship may experience a widening rift. Mars in retrograde can see a time of disengagement or withdrawal from the contemporary objective as another growing impetus becomes a more prominent driving force. Essentially this temporary redirection is in search for the same thing - that of getting my needs met - but worked from a more egocentric angle. Venus in Scorpio, when orienting to a more negative expression can ignite lingering resentments. These lingering resentments can lead to the desire for retaliation and retribution due Scorpio's abandonment, loss and betrayal issues. (The Scorpio/Taurus polarity relates to sex, money, over investments, and survival issues.) Mars in Taurus retrograde brings an intensification of inner hearing, which can pump up personal and relationship dissatisfactions (the question being - am I getting what I need out of this?).

Positively, this current Mars tuning fork transit is exceptionally productive for clarifying what is going on within you. It can bring an increased motivation to get your deepest essential needs/desires met and to self assert in way that is re-empowering - although this strengthening and refortifying of will/willpower may be labeled as selfish by those with whom you interact. Still, it can be a great "stop talking, start doing" cycle when you can finally keep yourself committed to a path of excellence.

Retrograde cycles generate the most obvious activity at the time of the planetary direction changes. To be sure, we are all now entering a highly creative and fertile breeding cycle. Much can percolate from either a positive (renewed initiative) or negative (smoldering anger) status as we "work it from the inside out." Expect a time of intensified unleashing when Mars returns to direct motion on Dec. 10. Retailers may like the feel of this planetary shift, as it will be at just the right time for the holiday rush shopping sprees. Even though the brakes come off, there will be only a small window of opportunity before Venus herself turns retrograde Dec. 24 (in the sign of Aquarius and backing up into Capricorn through its retrograde cycle to Feb. 3).

Mars retrograde ignites a time of intensified karmic development (a heating up influence.) As such when the cycle draws a new relationship, it is one of special magnetism due to the unfinished business and intention for growth. There can be a sense of déjà vu, or simply the propensity to dive in a little faster than usual.

Eclipses have greater personal effectiveness when there is direct contact to your own personal chart. They create a reverberation at the nodal axis which opens a specific/key karmic resonant cord - think of an alternate string on a musical instrument being played (or perhaps a domino in the chain.) Eclipses are an intensified energy charge that that has resurfaced, although from the current vantage point, you may not see the chronological order of where the initial spark/charge came from as the unanticipated suddenly comes into being. So, it's safe to assume that the solar new moon (new starts) eclipse on Oct. 3 will hold extra potency given the fact that Mars has just turned retrograde at the same time it opposes Venus (the ruler of the sign of Libra and also the ruler of this new moon eclipse.) Watch for planets in your own chart at 10 Libra (give or take a few degrees either side) and also Capricorn, Aries, or Cancer for the most dynamic points of activation over this next couple of weeks. Libra's scales can bring relationship balance or imbalance. Legal affairs, creativity and a brighter night life/social activities can also keep you very well occupied. Venus will create further expansion - buoyancy or inflation - when it travels through Sagittarius, Oct.7 though Nov. 5.

The full moon partial eclipse occurs Oct. 17 will affect the area of your chart where you find 24 Aries (with Cancer, Libra, and Capricorn also configured for greater intensity.) The Aries Libra polarity can ignite conflicting needs and competition, or it can bring relationship or circumstantial fruition (a full moon always brings a culmination peak of some kind.) Whatever is launched/bursts forth during this full moon eclipse is boosted by Venus trine Saturn, a standing firm influence which bodes well for continuity and commitment, and provides longevity to undertakings, plans, accords, and contracts. Professional success and recognition can be a wonderful bonus. Mercury is also square to Neptune, so it's quite likely there will be a few misguided ideas or actions, revelations or (perhaps inconvenient) surprises. If you don't see the action at the time of this full moon (which is quite probable considering that Jupiter, the big planet, is also part of the mix), remember that eclipses extend their resonance over a period of time (diminishing in potency as time moves forward of course, but do watch for the Mars return to direct motion.) Wars have often been launched after the Mars retrograde (amassing energy cycle) completes.

Chiron's return to direct motion at the end of the month takes us closer to the ending of a 3 ½ year cycle that has continued to confront us with boundary issues (often fear based) and limitations (resources, emotional fulfillment, options, time.) Chiron in Capricorn draws attention to the experiences/accessing of inner and outer authority, the set up (and often the pain) of our own structural reality and maturation processes. This return to direct motion can bring a release - whether it is a conditioning pattern, an internal judgment or a locked in emotion, or whether it is a situation or circumstance that has come of age (debt, indebted-ness or reward.) Chiron (as the healing crisis) can also advance a significant physical health issue. (Chiron advances into Aquarius Dec. 16, 2005.)

Jupiter's progress into the sign of Scorpio, launches an intensified 13 month cycle of personal questing as we widen the search, drill deeper and uncover the mysteries linked to greater material, emotional (personal and intimate) and spiritual attainment and power. Watch for more info on Jupiter in Scorpio in later writings.

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Planetary Changes

October 2005 and beyond

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