As this period opens, the Sun and Mars are still travelling closely together in Libra, sowing the seeds of a new two-year cycle that began with their conjunction on October 7. As discussed in the last AstroCast, we may feel a sense of urgency to move forward on our life projects, yet other prominent archetypal factors, not least of which being the inordinate number of retrograde planets over the last few months, indicate the timing may not be right to push ahead. If we feel a need to force something, that may be an indication it isn’t ready to move. Being sensitive to these matters can help us develop a relaxed alertness and go with the flow of life, even in the face of the socio-political and structural systems disruptions the world has been experiencing of late.
October 15 to 21, the Sun and Mars, in close succession, will form closing trines to Jupiter in Aquarius and “crisis of consciousness” squares to Pluto in Capricorn. This amalgamation of archetypal energies involving our will, self-assertion, need to expand and access our true power has great potential. As always, the archetypes are neutral; it is up to our own sense of integrity whether we utilize their forces in ways that respond to selfish impulses or co-create with them in response to a cosmic need. To get an idea of what the respective cycles may be about for each of us personally, we can look back to the beginning of the cycles to see what was unfolding at that time that may now be in the later stages of development. The Sun’s cycles with Jupiter and Pluto began in January 2021 and Mars conjoined them both back in March 2020. At a higher level of abstraction, Sun/Jupiter relates to our will to grow in wisdom and finding meaning in how we shine in the world. Sun/Pluto focuses the light of our heart deep within the psyche to reveal the priceless core of our Being, our soul. Mars/Jupiter corresponds with what drives us to explore far and wide to discover all life has to offer including its highest truths. Mars/Pluto can feel like the atomic fuel that propels us through life, intensely focused on expressing the power of the emerging self.
One of the many ways in which these forces may express on the world stage, could be in confronting corrupt uses of power, either within ourselves or in others. For example, recent revelations of the “Pandora Papers” have exposed how world leaders, billionaires and celebrities have hidden their wealth to avoid taxation and/or legal scrutiny of the dubious ways they may have acquired it. Far from having the best interests of humanity at heart, this institutionalized dark money network has reached its tentacles into the laws of the land that enable it to exist. The archetypal social guardian Sun/Mars in Libra, backed by Jupiter’s code of ethics and legal devices, is motivated to establish greater equitable distribution of wealth across society. Sun/Mars in a contentious square to Pluto in Capricorn, the sign that rules government and corporations, may correlate to significant resistance from the power players who have benefitted by allowing weak legislation, regulation and enforcements to pass. The global political fallout from the millions of leaked documents that is roiling parliaments, tax authorities and transparency groups will hopefully lead to reforms. But this is not a fight for truth, authenticity and fairness that will be solved anytime soon, as the corruption is systemically entrenched. As always, change begins within each of us and external events such as these are also cosmic invitations to look at how we may be exhibiting some measure of corrupt selfishness in our own behavior.
Both Pluto and Saturn turned direct in the last period and are still potently at the degree of their station stressing the need to expose systemic corruption and enforce accountability. On October 17, Jupiter also turns direct. Both Jupiter and Pluto being dynamically activated by the Sun/Mars conjunction around their respective stations intensifies the potential for a need to deal with issues we may have been ignoring. The amplified energies can also correlate to either a high level of uncontrolled emotional reactivity, or incredibly powerful soul-directed action with far-reaching impact, again depending on how we engage with these forces. Even internal tectonic shifts in thinking can eventually move external mountains when a cosmic need is being carried out. The big Jupiterian question is, what game are we playing and what are we in it for?
Mercury in Libra forms a sextile to Venus in Sagittarius on October 16 that remains in effect through October 18 when Mercury becomes the fourth planet to station direct within a couple of weeks, suggesting that now the pace of life may start to pick up. Venus being the ruler of Libra in alignment with Mercury at its significant turning point, further suggests that our perceptions, manner of thinking and communicating will be focused on our values and relationships. We may feel like being more supportive of others, but also more discerning in how balanced and mutually supportive our relationships are. Cognitions may arise that inspire us to engage with others to fulfil a higher purpose. Venus in Sagittarius is focused on the art of living together on this planet so is less concerned about personal needs and more about the impersonal ones that relate to the harmonious functioning of society.
On October 20, the Moon in Aries re-activates Jupiter, Mars and Pluto before it opposes the Sun. This Full Moon marks the peak moment of the lunar cycle that began with the New Moon on October 6. Since Mars has been travelling with the Sun for weeks, it has been in conjunction with both lunations, thus characterizing this lunar cycle with a high level of energy and drive to create. Furthermore, the Mars/Sun/Full Moon opposition forms a tension-filled T-square with Pluto, suggesting we may be dealing with powerful forces resisting forward movement. As a reminder, the use of force to try to break through any roadblocks may bring unintended consequences including harm to others. While there is the potential for external power struggles, it is advisable to know our true motivations. Are we simply hungry for power and to fulfil our own desires, or are we working in service to something greater? Self-serving ego-driven power is a sign of spiritual weakness, not strength.
To help further investigation into the deepest inner workings of our psyche, the Sun enters Scorpio on October 22. The Sun here is tasked with bringing light into the unconscious, which is unfathomable and therefore rich for exploration of the mysteries of life. It is here we have the opportunity to be intimate with ourselves as well as others, to learn our dark secrets but also the source of our power. I have deep respect for the Scorpionic process of bringing the unconscious to consciousness. It can be quite painful as we dig up old wounds, but it can also be cathartically healing and empowering. It can be an extremely liberating and life-transforming experience to release the shackles of memories that imprison us in the past. Allowing this symbolic death/rebirth process to be a part of our everyday life rather than fear our demons strengthens our ability to work through the labyrinth of defense mechanisms that keep us in a state of feeling separated. This is the process of reuniting with our soul.
awesomely articulated….