Scorpio/new moon

Scorpio, mid-autumn in the north, the undeniable magnetism of spirit. It begins this year with a new moon including Venus Thursday 10/23 (2:57pm Pacific time), just as Mercury is ending retrograde (Saturday 10/25, 12:17pm PT). With mind backing to a reflective stop, we are grounded in core feeling, especially about love.

Activating Mars hits bottom on the seasonal cycle Sunday 10/26 (3:43am PT), into the primal nature force of Capricorn, joining heavy power Pluto there. With emotional intensity and the mental tide moving forward again, transformative expression rooted in deepest need kicks into gear.

Scorpio full moon is Thursday 11/6, big energy release the following week.

Mercury retrograde

There is nothing wrong with Mercury retrograde. "Bad communication! Everything breaks! Don't start projects! Don't sign contracts!" Yes, it can trip us up, space us out with conflict, but it doesn't have to be a problem.

The planets of our solar system move at different rates, and from our perspective they sometimes seem to backtrack in our sky. When that happens, their influence is internalizing and deepening, charging us with potential. Mercury, the planet closest to the Sun, reflects the flow of mentality, and when it is retrograde--for several weeks a few times a year--it undermines momentum with reflection and distraction. Like a rip current in the ocean, we just need to give in and go along with its quirky influence. If you stick to plans and resist changes, opportunities can be missed. If you push things when they start to falter, they can break. If you rush ahead just to resolve confusion, it can come back to haunt you. But whose fault is that? "Damn Mercury retrograde!" Sometimes we need to slow down, hear ourselves think, admit to mixed and changing feelings, shift with unexpected developments. Mercury retrograde can lead to deep communication, magical connections, and agreements rooted in honest processing of doubts and concerns.

Our challenge, as sensitive, thinking people, is to yield to the mystery of life unfolding and endure the experience of awareness amidst it, letting things sort out naturally. Sometimes, especially when Mercury is retrograde, it can lead to surprisingly fruitful results.

Libra/Aries full moon total eclipse

With Sun in Libra, early autumn in the north, looking forward to love, beauty and justice, the Moon has crossed into Aries on its monthly cycle, spring spirit emergence (3:06am Pacific time Tuesday 10/7), where it will be full, a total lunar eclipse, early Wednesday 10/8, 3:51am Pacific time.

At a full moon eclipse, the moon, exactly opposite the sun, passes through the earth's shadow, turning "blood" red. This is an extremely powerful one, drawing on big energy for the activated expression of revolutionary passion (grand trine in fire signs--Uranus in Aries, Jupiter in Leo, Mars in Sagittarius). Mental flow is backtracking and internalizing right now, undermining momentum with reflection (Mercury retrograde until 10/25). We must be flexible, giving in to shifting tides.

We are completing a time of emotional intensity (Saturn in Scorpio), with deep feeling healing sensitivity (Neptune and Chiron in Pisces). Recent reinforcement of nature's balance (grand cross in first signs of seasons) is bringing new developments rooted in deep transformation (Pluto in Capricorn). This full moon is energized for the inspired breakout of personal passion, revolutionary creative expression seeking true harmony. Though it could unleash the dark forces behind unhealthy tension, it is deep power for thriving and renewal cutting loose from resistance to initiate a new year of flowering fertility.

Monday 10/6/14

After Saturday's peak awareness alignment (Sun in Libra, Moon in Aquarius), emotional sensitivity release (Moon into Pisces, with Saturn in Scorpio), mind reflective amidst it (Mercury now retrograde until 10/25). Passionate expression is activated (Mars in Sagittarius trine Uranus in Aries trine Jupiter in Leo--all fire signs).

Full moon total eclipse early Wednesday (3:51am Pacific time)--Sun in loving Libra, Moon in energized Aries.

Saturday 10/4/14--alignment in awareness

A visionary rite of passage.

On Saturday, 10/4/14, the Sun is in Libra, early autumn in the north, looking forward with love and harmony, as Moon, heart spirit, projects around to mid-winter, peak pressure, isolating us in our essence. (Mercury turns retrograde for a few weeks--mental backtracking). The Jews call this the Day of At-one-ment, a moment of reflection and reconciliation, alignment at the heart of things as we begin the new year's fertility cycle, key to surviving coming challenges and emerging with the flowering of spring.

Beyond the distracting complications of religion, accepting awareness and all that comes with it is essential for healing in humanity. This was the realization of Abraham, the Hebrew from Sumeria, common patriarch of Jews, Christians and Muslims, who declared, as have others, that while many practices can be helpful, they are no substitute for humble return to the truth and balance of undistorted nature, yielding to the source of creation, finding strength and clarity in vulnerability.

At a time of energized passion and intensified sensitivity, transformative power is breaking through old, unhealthy tensions, leading to new relationships with our greater potential. The best we can do is give in to the mystery unfolding, each contributing in our own unique way, at peace amidst the process.

"All we are saying...is give life a chance."