Monday, September 27
If Pluto isn’t a “planet” any more, many people ask, then do you still use it in astrology?
The answer is a resounding YES.
Pluto may be have been demoted by the astronomical order to a dwarf planet, but in astrological circles Pluto still pretty much has all the forceful power it always had.
Many astrologers actually think that being cast off, put on the sidelines, and not given equal status actually suits Pluto just fine in terms of the archetypes that it represents. As Sue Tompkins notes about Pluto in her book Aspects in Astrology: “Thus we can associate Pluto with collective Shadow issues; those things that our particular culture is unable to acknowledge or own.” So Pluto, the “you don’t usually look for me, but trust me I’m really here anyway” planet, is probably A-OK not being acknowledged as a planet anymore, since it rules the spheres of things that we collectively have an issue acknowledging anyway. Oh, the poetics of it all…
The last two years have seen Pluto playing a very prominent role astrologically, and we can see its society shape-shifting roles very clearly if we look. For example, since Pluto went into Capricorn—the sign of business and the economy—that aspect of our world has never been the same as the covered-up weaknesses of unsustainable economic structures were revealed and brought to light, something for which Pluto is known.
This past year, we have seen Pluto in a tug-of-war with Saturn with the urge to release and let go conflicting with our needs to hold on to a semblence of structure. Beginning in 2012, we will witness Pluto in square aspect to Uranus, an alignment that should carry on some themes that were born in the mid-1960s when these two planets conjoined.
So why all this talk about Pluto, you may be asking?
The reason being is that this week we are to experience a powerful planetary picture with the planet of the transformation forming a midpoint picture around the Aries Point with Jupiter.
What might this mean? Jupiter/Pluto is often an indicator of great success or prominence. Reinhold Ebertin in The Combination of Stellar Influences notes the Jupiter/Pluto midpoint to signify: “The desire for power (plutocracy).” and “The qualities of leadership.” The interpretation for this planetary picture in the Nova Chart Wheels software is “Fortunate transformation and changes in general.” Where may these interpretations be based? Well, Jupiter expands all that it touches and Pluto is a symbol of deep change, powerful occurrences, and the intensity to make things happen.
Yet, Jupiter connecting with Pluto can also catalyze the letting go side of the latter planet. It may be evidenced in a great purging or loss, the giving over of something not sustainable (so that something can eventually grow in its place).
This alignment, in effect for a week, may invoke the collective themes of change, enlightenment, intensity, the use of power, and the ability for uprooted transformation. It may show up directly in your life and/or you may be witness to it in the world. However it manifests, I envision that once again this week we will be able to learn again more about the awe-inspiring energies of Pluto, our desire for survival and evolution, and the actions we will take to make that occur.
Tuesday, September 28
Although we’re still in the week characterized by the Jupiter and Pluto midpoint picture, today we may find ourselves with an extra skip in our step. The Gemini Moon lightens the mood a bit. When it comes to finding out more about a current relationship, we are inspired with an extra dose of curiosity and the fact-finding incentive to go with that.
Wednesday, September 29
What are you thinking?
What are you feeling?
What are you envisioning?
Whatever it may be, today is a good day to say it, write it, sing it, draw it, or express it in any of the ways that suit you.
But before doing so, really connect into your sense of authority, the sense of knowingness that you have inside, from which your sentiments are born.
Additionally, if you come across information today, hone in on the intent from which it comes. Does the energy of it deride us or make us feel elevated, honoring the royalty inherent within each of us? Information and communications that resonate with the latter should be given priority in terms of our perceptions and any decisions that we embark to make.
Thursday, September 30
With the Sun conjunct Saturn, today may feel like all business. There’s a strong desire to find what works and what doesn’t, and be focused in getting the things done that really matter. Within this process we may become aware of some of our limitations or things that we have embraced in our lives that don’t necessary serve the integrity of who we are.
And yet, it may not necessarily be smooth sailing as we may run into the obstacles of fear and doubt, which may propel a swathe of different moods. These may seem to pull us off course, and yet it’s important to not avoid or ignore them. Providing whatever we need to make ourselves feel nurtured during the day as we set about to refine our actions and goals will be of inherent value and import.
Friday, October 1
Today, conversations may swirl around hope, promises, and potentials. Great visions may be initiated and discussed. While many may be fortuitous and may ring of manifestation, it’s a good idea to really key in on what’s being said to try to assess whether they are grounded in actuality rather than only pure desire before feeling carried away by them.
Saturday, October 2
Mercury is usually in a sign for 3+ weeks. Yet, owing to its recent retrograde cycle, the planet of communication has been in its current sign, Virgo, for about 10 weeks. Today marks the last day of its extended visit here as tomorrow it will enter Libra.
As a way to capture some of the lessons regarding communication we may have gained throughout the past 2-1/2 months, consider taking the time to do a review. What Virgoan lessons or inspirations have come to you during this time? These insights may be related to the focus of details when looking at the whole, the analytical path to harvesting the bounty of one’s hard work, the balance between critique and being overly critical, the role that striving for perfection or purity plays in your life, or any of the other numerous ways that Virgo can reveal itself.
As Mercury prepares to leave Virgo, it makes an opposition to Uranus today. As such, we are motivated to think outside of the box. Therefore to honor the day’s Uranian flavor, consider adding an element of novelty to this review exercise. For example, if you like to write, instead draw your reflections. If prose is your usual style, consider using poetic verse to express yourself. Or try non-dominant handwriting, using your left hand if you are a righty, or your right, if you are a lefty, to access more unconscious insights. The reflections that you garner can certainly be of service as we move on into the heart of this current unfolding season.
Sunday, October 3
Today we experience yet another Venus/Mars conjunction as the planet of love and the planet of desire do an intimate dance in the sky. This is the second of three conjunctions in this present cycle. The first one occurred in Libra on August 20 while the third will be in Taurus on May 23, 2011.
Today, these celestial lovers conspire in Scorpio.
When Venus and Mars conjoin, their energies align. We can use our will to attract or go after what we desire. We may feel more daring when it comes to our love affairs or artistic expressions. There is the potential for a focus on both give and take. When Venus and Mars meet each other, there is the possibility to be infused with eros, touched by the cupid’s arrow.
When the conjunction occurred in Libra in August, the focus may have been on the back and forth, the maintenance of balance, the harmony that can exist between two people. In May when the conjunction occurs in Taurus, elements of practicality and pragmatism as well as a focus on the sensual aspects that love can invoke may be highlighted.
Scorpio’s energy adds hues of intensity, the potential for power struggles, deep longings, and a profound desire to go behind the curtain to see what truly exists (the latter may or may not manifest depending upon how much fear and trust exists within a situation). Scorpio is passionate and profound and this conjunction is certain to be so as well.
This Venus/Mars conjunction cycle is part of a larger one that many astrologers track and note with import. For those who are interested, I highly recommend this article by the astrologer Robert Blaschke on the subject, which is featured on The Mountain Astrologer’s website.
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