Heavyweight giants Saturn and Pluto come together this week - making an exact Square aspect on November 15th in Libra and Capricorn respectively.

Needless to say - this is a major event.  Saturn and Pluto move very slowly around the Sun - Saturn taking approximately 30 years and Pluto 248 years.  When they come together like this it points to tectonic like shift - the last being the late summer of 2001 when they were in opposition across the Gemini/Sagittarius axis.

Pluto in Capricorn will want to rip up the rule book, change structures and delve deeply into what is currently in place, examine it, and throw away what is unnecessary.  Saturn in Libra will want to crystallise relationship, work hard at creating the structures through which relationship can flourish and deepen.  The square aspect is one of challenge and stress and we can see there is a conflict here - the immovable object vs. the unrelenting force. 

Libra and Capricorn however do have some things in common - they are both cardinal signs (signs that generate action and movement).  They are also both interested in quality - things being correct and being presented in the correct manner - image is important.  Finance is also an area of commonality and points to further difficulty and news with the current global financial crises.  We may see (in fact we already are) a preponderance for keeping up appearances - suggestions that everything is ok, and a disinclination to show the mess beneath the surface.

This line up will effect profound change in evolution - the evolution of the individual, shifts in global consciousness and changes in nation states.  These are 'historical moments' - passages of time that will be written in historical texts.  Think back 7 years, the Saturn/Pluto opposition heralded the ideological and philosophical conflict that brought us 9/11.  What was happening to you at that time? How did changes that occurred then shape who you are now?  Think of the evolution of your life story and path as the text in your book of changes - this planetary alignment will begin the start of a new chapter.

Picture copyright Ostillac Callisto

The planet Venus rules relationships, beauty, art, nature and self-worth - how we relate and how we take our pleasures in life.  In the sign of Scorpio this Venusian energy is imbued with mystery and intensity and this is a period where these themes will shift from the lighter feel of communicative Libra to the darker, emotional melting pot of Scorpio

Someone who has Venus in Scorpio natally will love intensely and will be fascinated by the sensuality of subtle (and deep) tones, feelings and shapes.  The 'base' interpretation is one of a highly sexed nature, and to a certain extent this is true - the position may be drawn to any nuance or 'kink' of some kind but there is much more to it than that - Scorpios instinctively understand sexuality - soul merging is inherent in their nature and is primal and draws you to places that lose yourself in some way - Venus in Scorpio is transformational and ethereal love.  This drive to intensity of experience and depth can lead to fear - it touches us beyond our senses and implies an act of letting go.  Basic ego drives can arise, jealousy and control, and the fear of losing it can be a feature.  Venus in Scorpio is rather a love/hate relationship - the promise of the 'forbidden fruit' and the fear of the unknown - this love/hate dynamic may even cross into the relationship to the physical body or with self esteem and worth.

This transformational experience, which is also beautifully illustrated by the Scorpio image of the Phoenix rising from the flames, is now with Venus until December 1st.  Needless to say, she is not altogether comfortable here (it is the sign of her detriment) but used positively, these coming weeks are perfect for deepening bonds of all kinds.  Venus loves to relate and we can use this to get to the root of matters such as tax and inheritance for example - anything that is shared financially, physically and emotionally.  We can use it to deepen bonds with our friendships and lovers and if we are creatively inclined we can use this transit to colour our creations with depth of expression - connecting them with something larger.

The Sun and Mercury are also in Scorpio at this time (see 'The Scorpio Gaze' and 'The Great Detective') so we are in a profound period where change is very much on the agenda - Scorpio tends to cross the point of no return.  Some things may never be the same again.


Picture Copyright Donzeladef

Monday 2nd November sees a Full Moon in Taurus.  A Full Moon is a time of abundance - energy often reaches a point of culmination at this time and issues are brought to the surface.  The Taurus/Scorpio axis speaks of the search for tangible material worth and shared emotional experience.  The Sun/Moon opposition across these 2 signs hints at the trade off between the acquisition of something of value and the inevitable sharing of that value with those we are close to.

At this time issues of control, secrecy, stubbornness and greed may erupt.  This Full Moon is quite potent as the Sun is conjunct Mercury in Scorpio and this Sun/Moon/Mercury opposition makes a square to Mars in Leo - forming a T-Square.  The combination of fixed energy may produce ego battles and with Mercury involved these are likely to form around a conflict of ideas and communications.  For instance, we may receive communication which unearths something we'd rather have kept hidden or private - or someone may express themselves in a forceful manner causing upset.  The whole T-Square is generally quite emotionally volatile.

So...how do we traverse this troubled sea and swim to safety?  Well, interestingly the sabian symbol for this Full Moon is "The Red Cross Nurse".  The symbolism here is of a caring and sympathetic nurse who nurtures others.  This could be an implication that in order to care for others we have to care for ourselves first - trying to take on too much may be a pre-cursor to stress and tension and is something we should watch out for.  It also says something about the nature of a Full Moon - we need to understand the extremes we may face for what they are - the extraction of the poison could be a necessary step in the healing cycle - it is now out in the open and can be dealt with.

At its highest representation Taurus/Scorpio is a physically and emotionally sensitive and caring combination and therefore we should strive to express these higher qualities - and be prepared to administer a bandage from time to time.


Picture copyright www.lukasdesign.pl

Chiron moved into direct motion today and will be followed by Neptune on Wednesday November 4th.  Along with Jupiter, these three have been referred to as the three Aquarians (all aligned next to each other in Aquarius).  Jupiter represents growth, Neptune dreams and Chiron healing.  Their position in Aquarius producing forward thinking, radicalisation and socialisation.

For around 6 months now this alignment has been the harbinger of change.  The realisation of this energy may have confronted us with old hurts and situations from our past may have resurfaced for the purpose of healing and growth.  The solidification of hopes and dreams into reality often comes at a price and for a while now we may have been learning about and working with these feelings - it may have put us out on a limb, isolated us from others and produced a significant amount of pain.

The Jupiter, Neptune and Chiron energy has been rather subtle - whilst we've been dealing with the slings and arrows of life it has been lingering - rather like a thought bubble - occasionally prodded and brought to our consciousness by alignments with the more personal planets.  This might imply a lack of power or impact.  This could not be further from the truth.  Profound healing and realisation is subtle - it comes from the inside out and it takes time to take shape and form in reality.

This planetary alignment is a once in a lifetime deal and may well mark significant junction points in our lives - the sort of point which only happens a few times in a life span and is a scene setter for years to come.

The three Aquarians now direct will make that thought bubble a little clearer - more visible.  As the planets get closer again through to the end of this year we are being offered the chance to 'dream a little dream' - and make it real :-)

Picture copyright Vladas Dirzys

Saturn moves into Libra on Thursday 29th October where he will stay until October 2012.

The Aries/Libra axis is concerned with self and relationship.  Saturns ingress into this space is going to force us to confront these issues.  Is my relationship strong?  Is there a good balance of give and take?  What do I need and project onto others that I deny in myself?  It is often the case in relationships of any kind that there is a certain amount of projection - we enter into them for a myriad of reasons - this period will force a re-evaluation of these reasons in order for personal growth.  The transit may also work another way - we may decide that pairing up for mutual benefit is the best option and during these difficult financial times Saturn will help us forge lasting personal and business relationships.  Strong relationships for instance may commit to lasting structured arrangements (like marriage or establishment of vows).

This energy will also emerge in the political arena.  Alliances may be forged and treaties signed.  This may be for reasons of personal security (the setting of boundaries for instance) or for economic security.  Diplomacy will be a feature - as will strategy, and nation states will begin moving their pieces around the chess board.

Libra is also a creative sign and Saturns transit may bring forth a new scene in fashion, the arts and entertainment.  Anything that comes through may have a 'Libra' feel to it, rather like the new age romantic pop and fashion scene in the early 80's (when Saturn last visited this sign).

The Aries/Libra axis is cardinal.  Any transit will normally initiate something new.  If we are not already making plans for change then we may find change will come to us from external forces.  Cardinality is a forward momentum and directed energy.  The last Saturn transit similar was 2003-5 when he passed through Cancer.  Saturn is also exalted in Libra (made stronger) so this coming few years should herald some significant change.

Of course, Saturn being Saturn means that he will tread over his ground very carefully.  The planet will retrograde back into Virgo on 8th April 2010 and re-enter Libra on 21st July 2010 as a final reflection on the last few years.

Picture copyright Andrew Beierle

Saturn moves into Libra this week.  This is a highly significant personal and social event as he changes signs roughly every 2 to 2.5 years.  The planet Saturn is often known as the taskmaster – wherever he goes signifies a re-evaluation and a testing.  He is serious and deliberate and any changes that occur during Saturn transits come about as a result of long examination and, potentially, suffering.  Anything that is already strong will be further strengthened – any weaknesses will be examined.  It’s all in the name of permanence and adjustments made are normally long lasting and far reaching.

Mercury moves into Scorpio on Wednesday 28th October transiting until 16th November UT. 

This is the aspect of the detective, perfectly characterised by the literary character Sherlock Holmes and played to perfection by the late Jeremy Brett in the TV series (who was a Scorpio).  Research of all kinds is well starred - Mercury in Scorpio has a deep penetrating mind and is very capable at sifting through detail to get to 'the root of the matter'.  This is a period where we may perceive underlying motivations and is perfect for any kind of psychological work.

Communication during these few weeks may take on a distinctly intense and serious tone.  The mind perception of emotional depth may give rise to primal fear and instincts - expect things to be either dug up from nowhere or brought to the surface where they were once hidden.

The best way to deal with this energy is simply to go with it - this is an optimum time to get to work on details, to think about our own personal drives and motivations and to assess our psychological health and sexual drives - the 'tuned in' nature of the aspect can help us bring clarity to all manner of issues if we allow them to rise to the surface once they've been uncovered.