Insights for the Month of Libra

September 22
Sun enters Libra: 04:02 PM EDT
Mercury trine Pluto
We, the planet, are surely starved for some real diplomacy. Where is Libra when we need it? Strange but probably true, there is no such thing as ‘Libra’ just what human beings do with the archetype. (Who really knows where the archetypes reside?) It’s up to us how this astrological sign, symbol of human potential, justice and harmony, behaves. This is as true for individuals as well as collectively.
Jupiter has been in Libra for about a year, soon to enter Scorpio on October 10^th. It doesn’t get high marks from the likes of me for its accomplishments in the past year. It was most definitely a major critical factor in the USA election results. There is, however, no court which addresses planetary shortfalls. Maybe it will do some clean up while it travels through Scorpio.
Mercury and Pluto suggest that if you have a strong mind, use it today in the three dimensional realm. As these planets are in earth signs, there is not much point in the first and second dimensions of endeavor. Earth is not flat. Human life plays itself out in the third dimension. Go for a walk.

September 24
Mars opposite Neptune
If you’re afraid of losing your  identity it can be difficult to be of genuine service. Fear twists the lens through which we see reality. It can scare us into not offering help when help is needed. The greatest courage is the kind we show to ourselves. It often benefits others.

September 25
Mercury square Saturn
There is a way to do something and there is a ‘why’ to doing it. The way and the why are at odds with each other. Slow down and figure it out. Like a Rubik’s Cube.

September 28
Jupiter opposite Uranus
Pluto stationery direct
What does going forward from today look like to you? Maybe you didn’t have the roof blown off or your life incinerated. Even so we live in challenging times. Maybe the only way through is chaos. Maybe there is some kind of ground, even when things fall apart.

September 29
Venus opposite Neptune
Mercury enters Libra
A chimera in the brain troubles our focus. We are beset by images of what we could have if only we could sacrifice a bit more of ourselves, our money, our time… Our longings tell us we could have  it all and yet deliver very little. We are humans, not gods; profoundly embodied beings and yet able, theoretically, to reason.

October 1
Mars trine Pluto
Amazing things happen when we are forced to accomplish a task. We all believe we are familiar with the superhuman situation were a parent frees her child from under a car which s/he lifts on her own.  This is not that kind of day. Today is more likely about being a super human rather than being superhuman. We can do the job well and benefit a lot of people. Trans-form-ation is the key. 

October 3
Venus trine Pluto
Beauty has an uplifting quality. Humans behave better when surrounded by it. There has been a lot of destruction on our planet of late. Where it is possible to bring beauty to the healing of these situations we should make the effort.    

October 5
Full Moon: 12 degrees Aries 02:40 PM EDT
Venus conjunct Mars
Reality is real but not permanent. We are witness to inevitable transformation which, despite what we know, feel devastating. Be witness to change and step up to its effects in your world.
Passion is most destructive when combined with greed or intense aversion. To be passionate and non-reactive can lead to amazing creative transformations. Takes practice.

October 8
Venus square Saturn
Sun conjunct Mercury
Obstacles present themselves like road blocks to our desires. Listen to the inner voice of reason, or maybe an outer voice. This puts the obstacles in perspective and enables wise and equitable solutions to reveal themselves.

October 9
Mercury square Pluto
Sun square Pluto
Squares are blockages or frustrations that require effort. It’s a week of squares so we need to be willing to make the effort. In today’s case we see that by slowing down our reaction we can figure out what to do; draw the blueprint, make a plan. Otherwise it’s just a power struggle. Like trying to get water from a stone or is it blood?

October 10
Jupiter enters Scorpio
Jupiter is changing its perspective. Happens about every twelve months. In Libra it was difficult (see first post in this column). We don’t need to blame Libra (or Libras!) for this. More we need to consider the cultural chaos that has turned Libra away from its inherent instinct  for civilizing toward a kind of perversion of that impulse toward dominance. Libra doesn’t want to dominate; it wants to relate, to debate, to discuss.
In any case now is time for Jupiter to inhabit the part of the sky that Western Astrologers allocate for Scorpio, the most intense of signs: A sign of knowing on a deep and gut-felt level. Jupiter is about faith, Scorpio is about conviction. If we are fanatics this is not so great. When we know something deep in our feelings it isn’t necessarily true or false. It is simply how we feel. Jupiter’s tendency toward enthusiasm and faith can twist that into a sense that suggests that because I feel this way I should act this way as well. Big mistake in the realm of Scorpio. In Scorpio the power lies in our ability to witness what is in front of us. To know things as they are. There is a powerful transformation that can happen when things or people are seen in the totality of who and what they are. May Jupiter in this sign be a symbol of the kind of faith that underlies, not the kind that drags us forward waving flags and guns to make everyone do and be the way we think they should.

October 11
Mars square Saturn
More of that sense of frustration and blockage… unless you are willing to be patient and disciplined  as you approach your goals.

 October 12
Mercury sextile Saturn
Balm for frustration. We can talk about things, we can listen. We actually have some real understanding regarding how to live together with one another on our planet.

October 14
Venus enters Libra
Beauty. While Venus is in this sign our value will come from beauty, our ability to sing the harmony. Don’t confuse beauty with glamour.

October 15
Mercury opposite Uranus
Don’t bother finishing anyone’s sentences today. Nothing is expressed the way we expected it to be. It’s a dance. No one follows, no one leads. More like sparring.

October 16
Sun sextile Saturn
Keep dancing, keep sparring, keep moving but always in relation to the other person or people.

October 17
Mercury enters Scorpio
Like Jupiter, another indication that we are leaving the rational, reasonable way of communicating and looking for subtext. Things that underlie. A time for detectives of all stripes.

October 18
Mercury conjunct Jupiter
Deep and abiding curiosity regarding change uses this combination well. It’s not so much about guiding or controlling the changes; more about simply, profoundly seeing them. Sometimes seeing is more important than controlling. Especially if you want to solve the mystery. 

October 19
New Moon: 26 degrees Libra: 03:12 PM EDT
Sun opposite Uranus
Each and every new moon is a call to begin again, a reminder that it is never too late. Our intentions draw our attentions. What is our intention for peace in a world so fraught with strife and challenge? Where do we find and hold the notion of balance? Knowing that there will always be something to upset the apple cart of our ideal. Let your intention be like a mantra until you see the ‘impossible sliver’ of moon hanging like a smile in the western sky just after sunset.

October 22
Mars enters Libra
Every action creates either a reaction or a response. We can never see the consequences beyond a short distance. The practice is to cultivate responses rather than reactions.