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The Astrological Atmosphere
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October 2008 Astrology Report
By Linda Clave
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This month is a very important time to achieve balance in every aspect of Life, especially in our relationships. The Cardinal Air Sign of Libra is about relationships. Relationships require our willingness to consider the needs of others and get our egos under control. It is here our energies begin their journey inward as the Sun crosses the Equator moving south into the Tropic of Capricorn. Planet Venus, ruler of Libra, rules the blood flow back to the heart, again emphasizing our return to the inner world. Social skills and grace develop with Venus. Libra is rich in aesthetics, diplomacy, and charm. During the 2008 transit of the Sun through Libra, the lovers Mars and Venus are transiting the Fixed Water Sign, Scorpio, cloaking their activities in secrecy under the covers. Passions run deep! Convictions are not easily changed. The Full Moon October 14 at 21 Aries, ruled by Mars, increases this challenge to relate openly and fairly. We should expect to have a better understanding of the US� part in the world market crisis. This Mars-ruled Moon is within a degree of the opposition to Mercury when it went retrograde on September 24. At that time Mercury was at 22 Libra 50 in conjunction to Mars at 23 Libra 30. Battle lines are formed! The remaining presidential debates will be intense and highly charged. All parties need to step back and get a more holistic view of the urgent matters on the table.� Indeed, global change has been launched with this economic crisis. Honesty and transparency are hard to come by as all the facts are shaded by complex transactions.
Sharon Mullen, who contributed the article on Tong Ren Astrology for Peace to last month�s astrology report, passed away unexpectedly September 28. She will be greatly missed. �
I have asked astrologer Dietrich Pessin to comment on Saturn�s current opposition to Uranus:
�We are experiencing the strange dynamic of the incubating opposition of Saturn and Uranus. This two-year opposition was set off by the Full Moon on September 15, 2008 and will remain engaged beyond the final opposition in July of 2010. This aspect sets off a battle of wills where reckless abandon and rebellion are faced with the blunt demands of judgment and responsibility. A test of wills is likely to break any system that has been teetering on the verge of collapse. This aspect last occurred from 1965 to 1967.
When Saturn and Uranus are in opposition there is pressure to replace weak links in existing systems not only by friction but also by a pulling apart action. It becomes apparent that over-stretched budgets and exorbitant expenditures fail to perform and face an end before a clear path for reconstruction is formed. Bridges, roads and fences within our infrastructure become treasured commodities of access in our neighborhoods and throughout the globe. This access comes at a dear price that some are neither willing nor able to pay. The combination of this pair also has a sandpaper effect that grinds away at any superficial surface, irritating a path toward change and forcing a new landscape.
The only apparent solution is to keep the focus on the basics such as food, safe and secure housing and the energy for light and warmth. If everyone has a home there is a safe foundation that supports inspiration, which is the mother of invention for new ways to thrive in our rapidly changing world. Looking back to the mythological figures, Uranus and Gaia (earth) are the parents of Saturn indicating that via chaos there is hope for greater structure and stability as we embrace a new era.
During this extremely trying period the heavy footprints of Pluto, traveling in the final degrees of Sagittarius, weighs in. It was no surprise that a deep transformation of big business and government was on its way. Astrologers worldwide have noted the potential for the mighty dwarf planet to topple global pillars as it toggles over the world axis point of zero Capricorn. We saw warnings of this last March and April when Pluto parked at the first degree of Capricorn but retreated to Sagittarius June 26, 2008. This is clearly a frightful example of any power that has grown too big for its britches. Saturn rules structure and stability and Uranus rules sudden abrupt change through a big bang often reckoned by a truth that becomes the bolt of awakening and incites a rebellion. These principals proved to be far more powerful than the powers that be, which are ruled by Pluto, who often represents the tiny percent of the world�s population that holds 96% of worlds� riches. With Saturn and Uranus it is clear that the average person matters and must reclaim his world and rid it of those who regard themselves as great powers but who only look out for themselves. Hereby the topsy-turvy events force responsibility and leadership to fortify the average citizens, not the chosen few. A new world and the mother of invention is the light at the end of this dark tunnel.�
Dietrich Pessin is a full time career astrologer in the greater Boston area. Her weekly radio report can be heard every Saturday at 9:45 a.m. on WZBC 90.3 FM. The show can be streamed via the Internet or played from Dietrich�s website at www.Lunar-Shadows.com . She is the author of a groundbreaking book, Lunar Shadows; the third edition of which is on sale this fall. Call ahead to join Dietrich�s astrology class at 7-9 p.m. on Olcott Street in Watertown, MA. 617-924-0929.
And my friend, esoteric astrologer Peter Kubaska, writes about LIBRA:
October 4. Mars enters its own sign, Scorpio, until November 16. Passion is high with both lovers Mars and Venus now in Scorpio. Deep emotions will need outlets for release of pressure. With Mercury retrograde until October 15, old issues and hidden affairs can surface.
October 5, 19, and November 2. Please join Linda Clave and Kate Rafferty for an Astrology Tong Ren tune up at the Theosophical Society, Arlington MA. For details go to www.TSboston.org � and scroll down on �Ongoing.�
October 6. The Sun in Libra conjoins retrograde Mercury and squares Jupiter, making for a busy day. Don�t let your plans expand into unmanageable proportions. Be careful to make only those promises you can keep.
October 10. Lovely Venus at 19 Scorpio 57 trines unpredictable retrograde Uranus in feeling-oriented Pisces. This is a great day for you to go outside your box and still feel safe with the sextile from Saturn the rule-keeper. Be inventive!
October 11. Lovely Venus at 21 Scorpio squares dreamy Neptune in Aquarius. Fantasy is great as long as you know the real deal.
October 14. The Full Moon is at 21 Aries 51 with 23 Aquarius 57 rising over Washington, DC. Stay cool and as grounded as possible! The day after this intensely charged Aries full Moon, Mercury stations direct at 7 Libra 36. Watch for what could easily be a big turn of events. The Sun is in the Eighth House of debts and institutionally-held finances and the Moon is in the Second House of personal finances and resources. What do you and I get from the bailout besides debt? Retrograde Neptune creates a cloaking effect as it hovers over the Ascendant. What is believable? Also unpredictable Uranus in Pisces is retrograde in the First House of self and the nation and it is in opposition to Saturn in the Seventh House of enemies and allies. Expect challenges to get at what is the reality. Since much of the negotiating has been going on during Mercury�s retrograde period, as Mercury turns direct more financial information is aired. Stay focused on what you know is solid and sustainable. For now only a highly skilled surfer can ride those waves!
October 15. At 4:06 PM Mercury stations direct at 7 Libra 36. Facts slowly emerge and better decisions can be made, allowing a forward motion to move us out of paralysis.
October 18. Venus leaves intense Mars-ruled Scorpio for outward-bound Sagittarius. Venus now wants her freedom and wants to clear herself of addictions and dependency. She wants to fly.
October 22. The Sun enters the Fixed Water sign of Scorpio. This yearly transit is especially intense with Mars, co-ruler of Scorpio, also transiting Scorpio and Scorpio�s other co-ruler, Pluto, completing its transit of Sagittarius. The US presidential elections in the midst of the financial market bailouts and the exact opposition between Saturn and Uranus make this a very tense, highly charged month. With the passion held in Scorpio�s Fixed Water, it is almost impossible to stay neutral. Nothing is wishy-washy about Scorpio; do-or-die stakes are on the table.
October 26. Mercury direct at 16 Libra squares Jupiter at 16 Capricorn. This is the third pass: the first square was on September 8, the day Jupiter went direct and Pluto stationed. That was a turning point day. We are still reeling from the global economic fallout. The advice back then still stands: �Take time to digest and weigh the consequences before taking on any large projects or investments.�
� October 28. The New Moon is at 5 Scorpio 54 with 28 Taurus 14 rising over Washington, DC. Your vote counts! The economy is still the big issue for everyone. In this mess the depth and determination of Scorpio becomes an asset. Whether you�re a wealthy investor or an individual working for a meager salary, the question remains, how can anyone survive this turmoil and keep the life force flowing? Mars and Pluto rule this Scorpio lunation, with Mars, the Sun, Moon and Mercury in the Sixth House. Sixth House issues concern our health, health care, workers, their work and surroundings. Job security, healthcare and survival will bring voters out for this election. Pluto, Lord of the Underworld, is dignified in the Eighth House of banking, and credit institutions. World economies are in revision as Pluto�s finishes the last degree of Sagittarius and moves this Fall into 0 Capricorn on the World Axis. Pluto is conjunct the asteroid Juno. She is the female archetype of the controller, as the Queen of the heavens, wife of Zeus. Our saving grace in this case is her management skill and control. In the Tenth House of career and national leadership retrograde Chiron and the North Node join with dreamy nebulous veils of retrograde Neptune. This combination can inspire a fresh direction or cover up and seduce the public perception of reality. In this cosmic soup the US presidential race climaxes in the first quarter Moon. Turning direct and more visible, Neptune stations on Election Day. It may be awhile before we can be sure of the exact ballot count. November 4 has even more excitement with the exact Saturn and Uranus opposition. Try to stay centered in your depths and let the added stress and chaos affect just the surface. Renewal comes after the old leaves and stalks become fertilizing mulch, and the hibernation period gives needed rest.
LINDA CLAVE