October 23rd ~ 30th
True transformation occurs only when we can look at ourselves squarely and face our attachments and inner demons, free from the buzz of commercial distraction and false social realities. We have to retreat into our own cocoons and come face-to-face with who we are. We have to turn toward our own inner darkness. For only by abandoning its attachments and facing the darkness does the caterpillar’s body begin to spread out and find its light, and beautiful wings begin to form. ~ Julia Butterfly Hill
On October 23rd or 24th, Mercury stations at 20º Scorpio 59’ for its retrograde phase which will last until November 13th. This is when we are being beckoned to turn inward, in order to process, and assimilate all that we had seen, heard, experienced, and previously believed to be true. Because it withdraws its influence from the outer world, we see its mischief in the worlds of commerce, communications, travel and the myriad of ways that we connect with one another. Like the navigator of a ship, Mercury helps us to plot our course, communicate with the other ships to coordinate maneuvers, and navigate around the reefs and shoals. The capacity to do so can become challenging when Mercury is retrograde.
Messages are garbled or ill received. Or not received at all. Our maps and gps systems fail. We are unable to coordinate with the other ships, and we find ourselves drifting aimlessly in the waters of our lives. Ideally we would have the opportunity to drop anchor or find a safe harbor in order to redraw our maps, and re-plot the next leg of our journey. But we don’t always have that sort of luxury. However, being able to do so, to go within, to reassess our course, and in some cases to redraw the maps, can be essential, and important.
The first thing we may experience with the station of Mercury is a feeling of overwhelm or sensory overload. Perhaps too much information. Too many things going on at once, and things getting lost in the process. We feel rushed. This could be just the catalyst that is needed, for many to withdraw. It is time to turn down some of the noise and retreat in order to reassess and regroup. Not doing so will leave us feeling scattered, nervous and over-extended.
We are in a period of profound change and transformation. It takes tremendous effort to change old habits and well worn patterns. This may even include a little pain and discomfort. But this process is nothing less than the alchemical process of transforming lead into gold: rebuilding; rehabilitating; rebirthing. However, if you truly wish to reform a habit, or let go of things that you no longer need, and may in fact be harming you or holding you back; if you wish to transform a part of your life, renovate, rehabilitate, do a health or physical makeover, we first have to go within. In order to do that well we have to go into our own cocoons and come face to face with who we are. For that is where all the real changes begin.
For a seed to achieve its greatest expression, it must come completely undone. The shell cracks, its insides come out and everything changes. To someone who doesn’t understand growth, it would look like complete destruction. ~ Cynthia Occelli
Just hours before the station of Mercury, retrograde Venus enters the heart of the Sun. We call this cazimi, when a planet is exactly conjunct the Sun. They do so at 0º Scorpio 45’, while both are square the lord of transformation, Pluto. This brings a tremendous amount of inner conflict. Conflict between right and wrong. Between the past and the future. Where our instincts battle our inner demons and fears.
This is also when we are being asked, in our heart of hearts, what it is that we are needing, desiring, perhaps even craving, in order to make us whole again. What does it take to rise out of the ashes of what once was, in order to give birth to ourselves? Connecting with our own truth, our own desire, our own selves, is an opportunity to also connect with our own true path. The inferior conjunction of Venus is not about what we have lost, or feel we are losing, it is about what we have sequestered deep inside, the gifts that we had taken for granted, the treasures that can never be lost, the gems that just need a little polishing, the seeds that need a little watering.
Shortly after the inferior conjunction of Venus and the station of Mercury, we also have a Full Moon in the early degrees of Taurus almost exactly square Pluto. This is when things come to fruition, are revealed, and brought to completion. Taurus, a Venus sign, has to do with those things that we value, our worth, our ability to sustain ourselves. With the square to Pluto, we’re looking at the economy, we’re looking at what is or is not sustainable. What we can or can not do without. Don’t be surprised if we see even more instability than we already have. Like a rubber band stretched beyond its limits, it’s either going to break or snap back under the pressure.
One of the first aspects Mercury makes as it moves back through Scorpio is a square to Mars, which is building up steam as it approaches Jupiter and the South Node next month. Combine that with the squares to seething Pluto, and people are going to be on their last nerve this week and next. But what these transits also bring, are the courage of our voices, and an over-riding desire to fix this crooked mess.
We will rebuild, reconcile and recover; and every corner called our country, our people diverse and beautiful will emerge, battered and beautiful; When day comes we step out of the shade, aflame and unafraid; The new dawn blooms as we free it; For there is always light, if only we’re brave enough to see it; if only we’re brave enough to be it. ~ Amanda Gorman
On Sunday, Venus returns to Libra for some unfinished business. This is where she balances the books, restores the equilibrium, and looks for reconciliation. And no sooner does she return to Libra when she comes face to face with Chiron, the wounded healer, while also forming an alliance with the North Node in Aquarius… who with the fates is busy plotting our destinies. In the end, there is a rhyme and reason to all this. We are all going to be facing our demons in many guises. Not only personally but collectively as well.
By laying our hearts on the altar of humanity, through a willingness to be vulnerable and real and authentic, we also have the opportunity to mend hearts and build new bridges with others. By insinuating herself between the centaur Chiron and the North Node, Venus becomes the bridge, as well as the means to build those bridges.
Chiron returning to Aries has been reminding us that we have the right to take up space and have our needs met. How well do you truly value yourself and what you have to offer? How willing are you to ask for those needs to be met? Having access to fresh water, having enough to eat, having a safe place to lay your head, having access to adequate health care are not privileges for a chosen few, they are rights. We have been sold a bill of goods. It’s time to investigate the actual merchandise and see exactly what you are paying for. Libra is not just a sign of balance and equality, it is a sign of justice and fairness. Venus returning to Libra, places her in a significant role in which to fulfill the behests of the North Node in the humanitarian sign of Aquarius, the sign of the collective.
We have our mid-term elections on November 3rd here in the US. Early voting has already begun in some states. Mercury stationing retrograde in Scorpio at the time of the elections can be tricky and nefarious. And all these squares to Pluto may threaten to take away our power. Unethical practices and tactics aimed at undermining a fair election, or at the very least delays, could interfere with the outcome. We came this way before with Mercury stationing retrograde in Scorpio for a major election. It resulted in endless hanging chads. Hopefully we can do better this time around.
We still have a few treacherous reefs to navigate over the next few weeks. But there is something of a turning point this week with this powerful Full Moon in Taurus, Venus returning to Libra, and retrograde Mercury square Mars trying to give us the courage of our voices. Dare to use that voice, your heart, even your right to vote in some of our cases, in order to simply say, No More. It’s retrograde season. Retrogrades can also bring reversals. A new light is rising. Be that light, and use your voice.
For this week’s horoscopes, click below: