PHOTO © ALEX CARRILLO

Resources is a term often associated with Capricorn, the sign in which the Moon resides today. Capricorn is productive, ambitious, and very hard working. It is focused upon shoring up supplies and is not averse to the status that material accumulation may bring.

Resources is also a term associated with Scorpio, the sign in which the Sun resides. Scorpio has a deep well of emotional reserve it can call upon when needing to be self-reliant or outlast an antagonist. Like Capricorn, Scorpio is also attracted to financial wealth; for Scorpio the allure is the transformative power perceived to be inherent in money.

With the Moon aspecting both Pluto (Scorpio’s planetary ruler) and Saturn (Capricorn’s), a reflection on our attitude towards and relationship to resources—both internal and external—may be a potent theme of the day. As we’re still in the strong glow of Sunday’s Pluto/Saturn square, seeing how we can reestablish a more balanced relationship towards the sources that sustain us while being a regenerative resource for others can also be of great benefit.

PHOTO © ALEX CARRILLO

Welcome to Today. And what a day it is.

Today is the first of the three Pluto/Saturn squares with the subsequent ones occurring on February 1 and August 21 of 2010. This energetic pattern began to crystallize in September and will evoke its influence throughout next Fall.

Saturn is the creator of structure. It instills a honoring of the natural laws necessary for crystallizing form, for making things “come to life.” It’s focus, on some level, is continuity.

Pluto is the master of transformation. It requires us to let go in order that we may uncover the depths and the powerful resourcefulness of who we are.

These two planets seem, on the surface, to be at odds. After all, Saturn likes the as-is while Pluto cherishes the that which will become. Saturn is known for holding on and appreciating a sense of certainty. Pluto, on the other hand, inspires us to give in and release control, having faith that the Phoenix will rise from the ashes.

This alignment can evoke tension. Saturn may exert its rigidity and hold back Pluto’s natural processes while Pluto may cause a breakdown in the structure that Saturn worked so hard to create.

Yet, Saturn and Pluto can work gracefully as well. Saturn can provide a container that can help to give true form to Plutonian transformation. Pluto can breakdown some of the Saturnian rigidity that may have restrained the expression of joy and individual authenticity.

While this planetary influence will be palpable throughout the year, today seems like a very auspicious day to work with these energies to help inspire our graceful unfolding (in addition to today’s Pluto/Saturn square, we’re on the cusp of tomorrow’s Scorpio New Moon, a great time for planting seeds for the future). Yet, with Saturn and Pluto, it may not necessarily be a “walk in the park”: after all, they do make us face the hard questions, the ones we may like to turn a blind eye to. Yet, Saturn is known for “bringing the goods” and so if we do the work required, we will be greatly rewarded.

During this Pluto/Saturn alignment, consider, for example, whether there is any aspects of your life—situations, relationships, attitudes, habits, et al.—that you are tightly holding on to but which you know, in your heart of hearts, don’t really serve you. You may be holding on to it because of comfort, because of fear, because you identify yourself with it. Whatever the reason, assess whether it truly aligns with your inner joy and sense of being. If it doesn’t, see how you may release it so that you can make space in your life for something that better matches your authentic self. This Plutonian change need not be quick nor rash. In fact, it’s important to honor Saturn here and be thoughtful and diligent in your approach. This will help assure that the changes you make are lasting ones that help to inspire your sense of personal empowerment.

PHOTO © ALEX CARRILLO

November 16, 2009: Scorpio New Moon  (exact at 11:14 am PST)

New Moons signal beginnings. Given that this one is in Scorpio—and yesterday we experienced the first of the exact squares of Pluto and Saturn—what is being planted for growth is likely an outcome of having let go of something else.  Reflect upon what it is in your life that you have found to have become outworn, something that you have released or are considering releasing. Envision what it is that you would like to create in its place, something that can transform your life so that you can experience a greater depth of joy.

Scorpio represents that which is hidden, the unseen. It’s not that these things necessarily have to be kept in the dark, it’s just that we usually “don’t want to go there.” During a Scorpio New Moon, subjects considered to be taboo may rise to the surface. If your natural reflex is to turn a blind eye to these, allow yourself to just contemplate them for a moment, even if at a distance. You may end up finding them a great source of learning, even if it’s more clearly understanding what it is that causes your aversion.

As this New Moon squares Neptune, we’re likely to be swimming in tidal pools of compassion. This may open us up to feeling even more deeply than we already do, whether to our own or others’ joys or sorrows. With this planetary combination, we may also find ourselves either extremely enchanted or disenchanted with someone or something; keeping both your heart and eyes open to see things as clearly as possible is very helpful to so as to avoid floating away with either of these feelings.

This month’s New Moon falls at 25 degrees of Scorpio (Sun and Moon). While everyone experiences the energies of a New Moon, if you have planets or pivotal points (i.e., Ascendant/Descendant or Nadir/Midheaven) around this degree in Scorpio or the other fixed signs—Taurus, Leo, and Aquarius—it may impact you more intensely.

New Moon Apothecary Suggestions

Scorpio is associated with the genitals, reproductive system, urinary tract, and large intestines. Pay attention to these parts of the body and areas of health around the time of this New Moon.

Helichrysum essential oil: During the Scorpio New Moon—a time of rebirth and revival—it’s good to know about helichrysum essential oil, itself known for its regenerative properties. Also known as everlasting and immortelle, helichrysum is a favorite when the skin needs assistance in healing scars and wounds. Its regenerative properties are also thought to be experienced on an emotional level, as many find that it helps to release repressed feelings while catalyzing greater self-compassion.

Pink Monkeyflower flower essence: As the Scorpio energy allows us to probe deeply, this New Moon can be an auspicious time to go within and find the aspects of ourselves that we have been hiding, likely because of fear of being vulnerable or concern that if we show who we truly are we may be abandoned. This emotional armoring—usually accompanied by an inherited sense of shame–keeps us from sharing ourselves truly with others (and sometimes even with ourselves) and restricts us from living more freely. Pink Monkeyflower essence can help fortify our hearts, helping us to take risks emotionally so that we can let our selves—and love—more fluidly flow through. (Flower essences are made from flower-infused water and work energetically to restore emotional and mental balance. You can find them in natural food stores or holistic pharmacies.)

The Moon spends the first part of her day in Libra and then moves into Scorpio at 2:24 pm PDT. We’re winding down to Monday’s Scorpio New Moon and also in the swell of tomorrow’s Saturn/Pluto square.

There’s a sense that we’re at the crossroads, that our tomorrows won’t look the same as our yesterdays. This feeling can be intense, and yet so very powerful as we get a chance to consciously create our future. To meet and greet the life we want to live, though, may require the leaving behind of people, places, attitudes, and situations that may have held us back from truly being who we know we are and want to be.

Go graciously and bravely into today and every day, relying upon your conscious heart to provide you with the direction that allows you live a life full of beauty, joy, and heartfelt meaning.

Molly Hall graciously invited me to once again share my astrological wellness perspectives on her blog at About.com. The focus is on wellness tips for this week and next as we embrace the intense Scorpio energy that is all around (the insights are well suited any time of the year for those with strong Scorpio energy in their natal chart). The Sun and Mercury are currently placed in Scorpio, Sunday yields the first of the Pluto/Saturn squares, while Monday the Scorpio New Moon unfolds. You can read the article here.

Saturn is the making-it-real planet, as well as the one that reflects the establishment of systems within culture. Therefore, in addition to how it may impact us personally depending upon our natal chart, Saturn transiting into and through a new sign—something it does about every two and one-half years—can have very clear effects upon collective trends and social consciousness.

Saturn is a taskmaster whose aim is to help us create structures of lasting value, those that are reality-based and purposeful. As such, Saturn tests limits, finds the weakest link, and applies pressure—all for the sake of showing us how to forge a creation that has integrity and meaning. Given that Saturn is about doing the work, and not about the quick-and-easy, many people struggle with the energies of this planet. Yet, if we listen as Saturn provides us with guidance, following its one-foot-in-front-of-the-other reality-based tactics, we will be rewarded tangibly since Saturn represents the material and the mundane.

When Saturn transits through a sign, those areas of life ruled by that sign are what the planet of structure focuses its attention upon. What does and doesn’t work is brought to light in a way that we often become very aware of; you can see a lot of it if you focus on themes in the “news.” Hopefully, once faced with knowledge of what doesn’t work, we—both individually and collectively—take this awareness and responsibly work to refine and recreate the broken pieces so that the whole better serves our needs.

A new Saturn mini-era is upon us since on October 29, 2009 Saturn will move into Libra where it will stay until April 7, 2010. After a three-month retreat back into Virgo, Saturn will again take up residence in Libra on July 21, 2010, where it will remain until October 5, 2012.

Looking Back to Look Forward

Looking back to the past two-plus years that Saturn has been in Virgo can serve as a great way to see how this planet works when it transits through a sign, giving us a foreshadow of what Saturn in Libra may offer. Known as the sign of the harvest, Virgo rules agriculture and our food supply as well as healthcare, crafts, labor, and pets. These are among the areas that have caught our collective attention during this time.

For example, questions about the integrity of our food—Where and how is grown?…Is it safe?…Is it genetically modified?—are now on the minds of a much broader audience than in the recent past. As we’ve seen the fallibility of the commercial food industry in such instances as salmonella-contaminated peanut butter and e. coli-tainted hamburgers, we’ve also see the rise of farmers’ markets and the grow-your-own-food movement as well as an increased scrutiny about the way our food is grown, processed, transported, and sold. Another example of Saturn making its way through Virgo is our focus on healthcare, a premier Virgoan arena, something that has taken center stage during this time in the United States.

Saturn in Libra Trends

Saturn in Libra will have impacts upon varied aspects of our culture. Under this sign’s purview are law, femininity, relationships, art, fashion, cosmetics, weights and measures, and other areas related to the Libran ideals of fairness and grace. These sectors of society are likely to face scrutiny and go through litmus tests as we also turn our eyes to focus on questions related to equality and justice. That which has integrity will likely flourish while transience is uncovered. Saturn through Libra will potentially expose areas where fairness may be a concept or ideal but is not being practiced as a reality.

This period of Saturn in Libra is certain to be evocative. That’s because while Saturn’s cleaning house in Libra-related areas of our lives, it will be doing so with assistance from other planets with whom it’s in relationship: transformative Pluto (Saturn/Pluto square: 2009-10), unconventional Uranus (Saturn/Uranus opposition: 2010), and expansive Jupiter (Saturn/Jupiter opposition: 2010).

As I find Saturn transits fascinating, it’s tempting for me to write more here about a wide array of potential trends. But, I want to honor Saturn and create a narrow framework for this article, one more in sync with Planetary Apothecary. Therefore, I’m going to hone in on how its residence in Libra may affect some of our perspectives on health as well as the wellness trends it may usher in, while offering suggestions on self-care practices that may be especially beneficial during this time. Read More…