Monthly Archives: September 2008

Weekly Forecast September 29: New Moon in Libra, Mars enters Scorpio

We’ll feel a major energy shift this week as Mars enters his own sign of Scorpio. Relationships continue to be our focus, but there are twists and complications.

That’s not until Friday, though, so I’m getting ahead of myself. The week begins with the New Moon in Libra, which Neith wrote about at length in a post last week. By the way, her lunation posts are drawing record numbers of page views for us, and we are now read in all 50 states and nearly 100 countries around the world!

The Moon remains in Libra on Tuesday and conjoins Mercury and Mars and trines Neptune. Mercury just turned retrograde and either is wreaking havoc with your relationships or allowing you to go back and review where you took a wrong turn — not that these two effects are mutually exclusive. Sometimes we need to be forced to deal with issues we’d rather avoid. Put another way, the more deeply you’re in denial, the harsher the wakeup call. But if you’ve been hoping for an opportunity for a healing heart-to-heart talk, you can have it now. Embrace all that comes your way, and make a special effort not to avoid necessary confrontation. Used properly, conflict leads to growth.

On Thursday (Friday in the Eastern Hemisphere), Mars sextiles Pluto. Modern astrologers use Pluto as the ruler of Scorpio, but Mars remains Scorpio’s co-ruler. When these two are in a favorable relationship, their combined energies are available to help us shift out of thought and behavior patterns that may be keeping us stuck. Mars will carry this powerful Plutonian charge with him as he enters Scorpio at 9:34 p.m. Friday on the West Coast of the United States.

Since mid-August, the Warrior has been in Libra, where he is decidedly less warlike but stripped of his vital energy. Until last week, Venus also was in Libra, one of the two signs she rules. These symbols of divine masculine and feminine conjoined on September 11 in her sign, giving the upper hand to feminine qualities of diplomacy and compromise. He went along, but he may have whined about it, or perhaps he expressed his displeasure through passive-aggressive means such as little digs or inner rebellion.

Well, now the tables are turned. He is at his best, while she is not. Mars in Scorpio knows what he wants, and he knows how to get it. It is not through cajoling or gentle persuasion, but through targeted action. If he meets with resistance, he will resort to whatever means necessary. Some of those means might not be very nice, but they will be effective.

Venus in Scorpio knows what she wants, too, or at least she thinks she does. She may obsess endlessly on it and use underhanded means such as manipulation and subtle lies. Then, once she gets it, she may not want it anymore.

So what does all of this mean for you?

You may notice after Friday that you are tired of endless negotiating and putting up with less than you want and deserve. If you’re not getting what you want in a relationship, a job, or some other situation, be honest and open, and be firm. Demands and threats won’t work. You’ll need to put your money where your mouth is.

At every step of the way, examine your motives, especially if others are standing in your way. Do you really want what you think you want? Are you engaging in a hidden struggle for power and control? Or are you perhaps standing in your own way by controlling a part of you that needs to be expressed and heard? Are you telling yourself you need to be nice, when a tougher stance may be more appropriate?

If you do need to discuss a relationship, Saturday’s trine between Mercury and Chiron will help you discuss hurt feelings. Don’t expect any immediate resolution. Just be content to get the issues out in the open.

Sunday’s Venus-Jupiter sextile brings some relief in the way of a little self-indulgence. Remember, a little will go a long way, so there’s no need to go overboard and leave yourself with the equivalent of a hangover on Monday.

Hang in there.

Love and blessings,
Pat

Image: Mars and Venus Surprised by Apollo, by Hendrick de Clerck (1570-1629). I concede that there’s a certain cheesiness to this image, and you have to wonder whether the artist used a female model for Venus. But several artists from this era painted this theme, which for some reason was very popular at the time.

Saturday Archives: Healing in the Now

What we bring with us from past lives is a big topic in spiritual circles. As astrologers, we often look to the lunar South Node and the fourth and twelfth houses for clues about what may have happened to us in previous incarnations and how that may be affecting us in our current tour of duty on the physical plane.

I don’t believe in past lives per se. I believe that we have an energy imprint, and that while this imprint is not uniquely our own, the way it manifests as an individual human incarnation is unique. This may seem like splitting hairs, but it’s an important distinction, because it recognizes the underlying energy (spirit) and means that through conscious awareness of this energy, we have the power to change not only our own karma, but the collective karma as well.

We have the power to heal.

A couple of years ago at a NORWAC conference, I met Kim Marie, a teacher of a relatively recent branch of astrology called evolutionary astrology, which is very much concerned with past lives. I owe to her the discovery that I was born four hours before Neptune went retrograde, which for evolutionary astrologers is a very big deal. I meditated on that concept for weeks before reaching the conclusion that it provided me a lifelong door to what’s beyond the physical plane. Indeed, my whole approach to astrology is based on observing how the invisible energies in the universe manifest on the physical plane.

In previous posts, I’ve written about the current series of eclipses in Leo and Aquarius and how the conjunction of Neptune, Chiron, and the North Node opened a pathway to deep healing. As I noted, this healing can include wounds we brought with us into this lifetime. Think about that for a moment. By healing your own deep wounds, you are in essence healing the “wounded” underlying energies of the universe.

One of the deepest wounds we face in our time is the split between the masculine and feminine. It is a deeply disturbed relationship, and I believe that the split happened several millennia ago. For us, it seems like forever, and we seem to take for granted that “that’s just the way it is.” I’ve lost count of the latest scientific studies “proving” why men want multiple sexual partners, why women cling, why women fall for jerks, and so forth. There’s nothing scientific about it, and it’s not a given. It is not what we are about, and it is not what we ultimately want.

But I digress. What I really want to say here is that we have the choice to heal, and there is no time like the present, with this astrological window wide open. We want to believe that we are somehow victims of “bad karma.” Well, each time we let an opportunity to heal pass — whether because it’s uncomfortable or inconvenient, or we’re afraid of change or afraid of whatever — we compound that wound, not only in our life and the life of anyone else involved, but the collective wound of humanity.

We desperately want to be whole (heal and whole come from the same root), we crave it. Make that leap of trust and faith. Choose to heal.

Wishing you much love and courage…

Posted by Pat

Image: Chiron and Achilles, by John Singer Sargent, c. 1925.

Ask Real Astrologers: Good Time to Publish

This week we have a question from Deb in New York:

I am a Libra with a Leo moon and Sagittarius rising (gotta love that Sagittarian energy) who has been working on many a creative endeavor for a while now, mostly in the fields of writing and art.

I’d like to know of an ideal time to publish a novel, either in late-2008 or early-2009. Somehow, I keep “feeling” February, but I could have something finished as early as December.

Any help is greatly appreciated. I’ve never had an astrological concern addressed before. Thank you!

Libra ponders . . .
Neith’s response:

Hi Deb! Yes, with Sagittarius rising it is no surprise writing is one of your interests and since your natal Jupiter, Sagittarius’s ruler, is found in your ninth house conjunct your North Node you are probably a natural. Saturn in Virgo in the ninth gives you the necessary 90% perspiration to go with the 10% inspiration much needed for a writer. Perseverance counts for a lot in that field.

December of this year actually looks to be the better time period because you will have a Mars-Mercury conjunction in Sagittarius conjoining your Ascendant December 2 helping with presentation. During December Jupiter is continuing through your second house and will have just finished squaring your Libra Sun as well as forming a trine with your natal Saturn, all pointing to lots going on where your personal income is concerned.

One of the biggest transits for you is your Saturn Return being exact most of the month of December 2008. If we have been working hard in a responsible manner, we will start seeing recognition for that during the period of our Saturn Return. Saturn will be making a brief second pass over your natal Saturn in August 2009 on his way towards your Midheaven in mid-November 2009.

Best wishes with your writing and getting published!!

Pat’s Answer:

Deb, you are very fortunate to be on the upward side of your Saturn cycle. Not only are you about to experience your first Saturn return, which often is a life-changing period, but Saturn is nearing your Midheaven, which indicates a career peak.

So I’d say that everything looks pretty good for whatever you want to do.

In terms of exact timing for sending queries, looking for an agent, and the finer points, that must be determined by sitting down an astrologer personally and doing a complete analysis. For example, you want to avoid void-of-course Moon periods, and you’d want to know where Mercury currently was retrograde in your chart. I am not taking new clients at the moment, but Neith is available, and I highly recommend her.

Best of luck in your endeavor! May all your dreams come true.

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Pat’s Answer:

New Moon in Libra, September 29, 2008

New Moon by Maxfield Parrish This is the first New Moon following the autumnal equinox and is the doorway to the period leading up the winter solstice, which marks the end of one solar year and the beginning of the new one.

Any New Moon in Libra always draws attention to our one-on-one relationships, matters of equity and justice, making informed decisions, and focusing attention on the “other” rather than ourselves. Libra is the halfway point of the astrological year and a good time to look at what has happened since the New Moon in Aries six months ago. With five planets in air signs in this chart, the intellectual approach to problem-solving is favored.

Since Mercury in Libra is retrograde on the New Moon, reviewing old business is a far better option than attempting to start something new, even though Mars is still conjunct Mercury, encouraging us to take action. Perhaps a better use of this cardinal energy is to sit down with our partners and take a look at what works and what doesn’t. The trine from Mercury in Libra to Neptune in Aquarius is still in effect and very helpful for taking the high road and applying a generous dose of compassion and empathy.

Venus, Libra’s ruler, has recently moved into Scorpio and is closely semi-sextile the Sun-Moon conjunction, strengthening the bond between them. While Libra really does prefer to stay in the mental realms, Venus in Scorpio can be very insistent about the need to look deeper and examine our motives and the “whys” behind our obsessive behaviors. What do we need to do for emotional housecleaning? Do our relationships truly benefit both parties, or would separation be the best course? These are the type of questions to ask now.

In addition, an inconjunct from Uranus in Pisces to Mercury in Libra still is resonating in the atmosphere. Uranus can be very persistent in reminding us of the need to be true to our authentic selves, and this inconjunct to Mercury can be the mosquito in our gardens flying around our heads bugging us to pay attention to ensure our own needs are being met.

The sextile from Mars in Libra to Pluto in Sagittarius will be exact on October 1. We have a window of opportunity here supporting our efforts to clear out the debris in our lives generated by the T-square with Pluto on the last Full Moon. Of course, we can always ignore this and go on as we have, but keep in mind that sooner or later, Pluto will demand his due.

The grand trine with Jupiter in Capricorn, Saturn in Virgo, and Vesta in Taurus is once more in effect. This pattern was also in the sky during the eclipse on August 16, but Venus and Mercury were in Virgo conjoining Saturn then adding their bit. This is the bare bones version but the message of healing through taking a practical, grounded approach is still there. Because we are working with the flowing energy of the trine, to get the most out of this pattern, we must consciously choose to do so.

The Sabian symbol for this New Moon is 7 Libra: A woman feeding chickens and protecting them from the hawks, with the keyword GUARDIANSHIP. In 360 Degrees of Wisdom, Lynda Hill writes that there is the perception that one’s guard can’t be let down without someone, or something, taking advantage. This symbol is most closely tied to the slightly irritating semi-sextile between Venus in vigilant Scorpio and the New Moon in Libra, representing our nurturing side. The trick here is to avoid being overly protective and allowing others to make their own choices, facilitating the learning process.

Perhaps the best use of this lunation is to recognize where we are receiving genuine love and support and nurture those connections. It never hurts to tell our loved ones how much they mean to us and thank them for their help and being there for us. Oh yes, remember to practice moderation in all things including moderation . . . that’s Libra!

posted by Neith . . .

Of course, today is the day to write your New Moon abundance checks! Here’s how.

Weekly Forecast September 22: Mercury Retrograde

The Cadence of Autumn, by Evelyn De Morgan, 1905 Well, the first thing you might notice is that this forecast is a day late. I blame retrograde Mercury!

Before I talk about that, though, let’s welcome the Sun in Libra, also known as the fall equinox. I have to admit that I’m not feeling it all that much, not with Mercury, Mars, and Venus all in Libra since August 30. We’ve had a good dose of Libra energy since then, so the Sun’s passage through the sign of balance is somewhat anticlimactic, except for the Libra and Aries lunations, which Neith will have more on shortly.

It is “officially” the first day of fall, though, and that has a psychological effect. The process of harvesting, gathering, and preservation is programmed into our DNA, as are the shorter days and longer, chillier nights. We are aware that winter is on the way.

Venus leaves Libra and enters Scorpio on Tuesday. Venus is in her fall in Scorpio, and while many astrologers consider this a sexy and even psychic placement of Venus, she also can be obsessive and manipulative, neither of which help foster honest and open communications with those you love. We will all have to mindful of giving up control over situations and other people.

This will be all the more important with Mercury conjoining Mars in Libra earlier Tuesday. Difficult Mercury-Mars aspects are notorious for heated words. Because Libra is a more balanced sign, those words might be disguised as “nice” when they are meant to inflict pain or to express anger.

The Messenger goes into “reverse” on Wednesday at nearly 23 degrees Libra and will retrograde back to about 7 degrees Libra before returning direct on October 15. Relationship issues will be vulnerable to revisiting and rehashing, especially those that come up on Tuesday or Wednesday of this week. There’s almost no point in trying to figure out where you stand, because that could change in the next three weeks, and more than once. Just try to remain as open-minded and as open-hearted as possible, and look inward to your desires and motivations. If you don’t feel ready to admit them to others, at least be honest with yourself.

The rest of the week is fairly low-key, with no aspects between major planets Thursday through Saturday. On Sunday, retrograde Mercury trines Neptune, marking the first opportunity to have a healing discussion. Don’t expect much from this, though, and if you can’t get your message through, step back and wait for a couple of weeks, difficult as that may be. Trying to force discussions while Mercury is retrograde can get us in trouble even deeper, and Neptune is known for clouding the issues.

By this weekend, we’ll start feeling the New Moon in Libra on Monday. Other than occurring during Mercury retrograde, this should be a fairly easy lunation. Look for Neith’s post tomorrow.

Until then, love and blessings,
Pat

P.S. For more information on the upcoming Mercury retrograde, see my recent Saturday Extra post.

Image: The Cadence of Autumn, by Evelyn De Morgan, 1905.

Saturday Archives: The Natal Chart in Synastry – Uranus

With all the Uranus action in the sky these days, I decided to select a post from the Archives on how Uranus in the natal chart can affect the way we relate to others.

If you are wondering what happened to Part 2 on Neptune, he rendered me inarticulate on his illusive self, so I decided to forge ahead with Uranus. Uranus is nice and straightforward compared to Neptune. He’s the one who pushes us to express who we truly are and to follow the excitement. Uranus can also encourage us to make radical changes and go to extremes of behavior.

Uranus plays an interesting role in our charts when it comes to looking at our behavior in relation to others. A person with a strongly Uranus influence in their charts often have an innate restlessness that makes it difficult for them to settle down in one place with one person. Those with Sun/Uranus aspects by sextile and trine seem better able to balance their need for self-expression with the consideration for the needs of their partners . The conjunction and square are found in the charts of brilliant sorts who can get caught up in their personal projects and completely forget little things like lunch dates, anniversaries, etc. With the opposition, it’s the partner that is brilliant and erratic!

Moon/Uranus aspects point to emotional independence. At the far end of the spectrum are people who are quite solitary in nature and don’t quite understand why others need intimate relationships. Again it’s the conjunction and square in the chart that indicate the extreme. Those of us with Uranus trine or sextile to our Moons have an easier time finding a balance between intimacy and solitude. Air and Fire sign Moons deal better with a dynamic Uranus aspect than do Water and Earth Moons. The Water sign Moons in particular who are drawn to merging with their partners find a dynamic aspect with Uranus particularly disconcerting. The Moon/Uranus opposition can find one attracting an emotionally distant or unavailable partner.

I’m going to touch lightly on Uranus/Mercury aspects because these show up in the charts of those with lots of intelligence, occasionally bordering on genius. These individuals can operate at such a different level than most people it’s hard for them to find something to talk about over coffee or drinks. The “common” touch is often missing making it hard for them to relate to others. Their challenge is to find someone who can talk their language.

Venus and Mars in aspect to Uranus operate similarly – Venus functions by drawing others to us and Mars is how we pursue. Both of these planets when aspected by Uranus can make our love lives very exciting or make us feel like we are caught in a revolving door with lovers coming and going unexpectedly. There is a decidedly selfish element here especially if Uranus is conjunct, square or opposed to your natal Venus or Mars. This can be moderated by awareness of what’s going on. The sextile and trine are often found in charts of creative sorts who are good at thinking of original ways to enjoy themselves.

If you have an accurate natal chart based on a good birth time, Uranus aspecting the Ascendant and Descendant are strong clues to your relationship style too. Obviously a person with Uranus conjunct the Ascendant will project an aura of independence and originality – a “one of a kind” vibe. For those who are interested in this person, they may have to get to know them well enough to move past the public image. With Uranus conjunct the Descendant, we draw partners who are often brilliant and unpredictable. The challenge here for someone who desires a stable, durable relationship is to incorporate those qualities into themselves . . . posted by Neith . . .

This is the Tower tarot card from the Adrian Tarot deck. This cutting edge artwork seemed to fit Uranus the best.

Ask Real Astrologers: Help, Major Pluto Transits Coming!

This week’s question is from Ben in Tucson.

Here’s my fear: This last solar eclipse (August 1) doesn’t have anything in common (points/planets, etc.) with my natal. BUT, the angles are EXACT for my upcoming solar return here in Tucson. I have just been awarded my US patent, I want to finally launch my website, but I need lots more time and my main business is falling apart (and I’m pretty depressed). I have MAJOR pluto transits coming up…Should I up my life insurance?

Libra ponders . . . Neith’s response:

Ben, it is my philosophy to look for the simplest answer. Bernadette Brady’s KISS (Keep It Simple Sweetheart) approach to predictive astrology is a favorite of mine.

Rather than placing too much weight on your Solar Return, I feel your progressed chart right now is important. You do have a progressed Moon-Jupiter conjunction now in your second house, and Jupiter is also coming up on squaring your natal Midheaven, so you may be experiencing Jupiter’s amplification effect. I am not one of the astrologers who believe Jupiter is automatically beneficent and Saturn is the bad guy. If a person is feeling upbeat, then Jupiter magnifies that and the reverse if one is feeling down, while Saturn helps us stay grounded and pragmatic.

Mars, Venus, and Mercury all are transiting your natal Midheaven, and this has been stirring the pot, too. As a Libra Sun-Moon person myself, I know what it’s like to feel like you are running from one end of the seesaw to the other. Do you have a partner to bounce ideas off? Remember Jupiter and Pluto both just turned direct and will take awhile to get back up to speed, particularly Pluto, so all may come out right yet. The current trine between Saturn in Virgo and Jupiter in Capricorn favors tackling difficulties one small bite at a time for best results.

Hang in there and do whatever you can to find some balance and apply your favorite stress-reducing tactics to your life.

Pat’s Answer:

I agree with Neith about keeping it simple. We can drive ourselves crazy looking at all the seemingly conflicting messages of the various techniques available in astrology.

I am always inclined to start with transits to the natal chart. Although the current eclipse series in Aquarius and Leo isn’t hitting any chart angles or natal planets, their position by house does have an effect. As you probably know, they are falling in your two key financial sectors, the second and eighth houses. The second house rules earned income, while the eighth house is associated with non-salary income such as joint income with a partner, insurance benefits, return on investment, venture capital, and so forth. This series began in February 2008 and ends in August 2009, so you can expect more changes in the financial structures in your life.

This eclipse series is indirectly impacted by the Saturn-Uranus opposition, which is taking place in your third and ninth houses, both of which have to do with publishing and Internet business.

The second thing that jumps out at me is Pluto’s transit through your first house. With a tight Sun-Pluto conjunction in your natal chart, you are one of those strongly Plutonian types who needs control. Control is exactly what we lose with Pluto transiting the first house. You are going through a long, subtle transformation. Let it happen! Trust the unfolding mystery of your life.

I strongly recommend that you get a full astrological consultation. I am not accepting new clients at the moment, but Neith is, and you probably would resonate more strongly with her anyway, as a fellow Libra.

Best of luck with your new venture! Let us know how it goes.

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Weekly Astrology Poll: Does Astrology affect your vote?

With voting and politics dominating the news these days, we thought it might be fun to do a poll about astrology and voting, so please vote on this poll!

Online Surveys & Market Research

The Synastry of Barack and Michelle Obama

Michelle & Barack Obama Barack and Michelle Obama, possibly the next president and first lady of the United States, bring great aspects for compatibility to their Leo-Capricorn relationship.

Although Leo and Capricorn are inconjunct, their planetary rulers, the Sun and Saturn, are in harmony in Barack and Michelle’s synastry chart. Barack’s Saturn in Capricorn is closely conjunct Michelle’s Sun, and her Saturn in Aquarius opposes his Leo Sun. Saturn-Sun aspects in synastry are often found in lasting relationships formalized in a legal way such as business partnerships and marriage. Because Saturn is happier with rules to follow, his effect on the Sun is felt as supportive rather than oppression. This Sun-Saturn intra-aspect may be the reason Barack refers to Michelle as “his rock,” and it without question has created an enduring bond for them.

There are a couple of other intra-aspects with their Suns, one featuring Jupiter and the other, Mars (an “intra-aspect” is one in synastry where the same two planets from both charts aspect each other greatly increasing the influence). Mars and Jupiter bring energy and enthusiasm with a generous dose of humor and generosity. Where Saturn provides the “glue,” Mars and Jupiter help lighten the load, because partners are always happy to see each other when these two planets are well-positioned in the synastry chart.

A nice tight trine between Barack’s Venus in Cancer and Michelle’s Venus in Pisces is also a blessing. This aspect makes for a similar sense of aesthetics and in what gives them pleasure. This aspect is wonderful for bringing harmony and enjoyment of the moment.

It’s also interesting to note that Barack and Michelle have several inconjunct elements in their synastry, starting with their Sun signs and Barack’s Mercury in Leo is inconjunct Michelle’s Mercury in Capricorn. The Leo-Capricorn inconjunct is often seen as the difference between wanting to be in the limelight and preferring to work behind the scenes. What works to promote understanding between these very different signs is the powerful Sun-Saturn intra-aspect (the Sun and Saturn rule Leo and Capricorn).

Without a birth time for Michelle, we can only guess whether her Moon falls in Aquarius or Pisces. If it is in Aquarius, her Moon is trine by sign to Barack’s Gemini Moon, and if in Pisces, her Moon would square his. However, a Pisces Moon would conjoin her Venus, and that would give her a Moon-Venus conjunction with Barack’s Chiron in Pisces. I would interpret this as her ability to help Barak get in touch with his inner wounds through love and compassion.

Saturn plays one more part in this synastry, with Michelle’s Saturn conjunct Barack’s Aquarius Ascendant. It’s possible that she is the one who makes sure he is ready to step out on to the stage with no flaws in his appearance. Saturn aspects to the Ascendant are yet another indicator of a lasting relationship.

From what we have seen of this attractive couple, it is obvious that they have a solid, happy relationship with each other and with their two beautiful daughters. They have both Saturn aspects to keep them in line and great Mars-Jupiter aspects for having lots of fun together. This one looks like it will continue to grow and mature with grace, dignity, and joy, and bless all who come in contact with them.

posted by Neith . . .

Verified Birth Data: Barack Obama 4 August 1961, Honolulu, HI; Michelle Obama 17 Jan 1964, Chicago, IL

Weekly Forecast September 15: Full Moon in Pisces

With the Full Moon in Pisces on Monday, this week starts out with a bang!

Neith already has written at length on this lunation, and I discussed it in last week’s forecast. Because the Sun opposed Uranus on Friday (Saturday in the Eastern Hemisphere), you may already have felt the impact of this volatile Full Moon, but with Uranus involved, it’s almost impossible to know.

Tempest, by Maxfield Parrish

Hurricane Ike was an interesting manifestation of this Full Moon energy. This storm puzzled forecasters, because it wasn’t behaving like most hurricanes. In the days before landfall, they were getting inconsistent readings, and their forecasting tools were at odds, some showing that Ike would pass over warm currents and strengthen significantly, while others indicated passing over cold currents and weakening. In the end, Ike caused severe damage, but didn’t develop into a stronger Category 3 storm.

Hopefully, that will be the case in our personal lives as well. And unlike hurricanes, which leave death, destruction, and personal tragedy, emotional storms can clear our lives of accumulated debris and set us on a new course more in line with our authentic selves.

Mercury, Venus, and Mars all conjoined in Libra last week, which resulted in productive discussions, especially regarding relationships. A lot of anger may have been released, which I believe is a good thing in the long run, but some emotional turbulence may linger through this Wednesday, when the Moon in Aries opposes Mars, Mercury, and Venus all within a few hours. Keep talking, and don’t fear confrontation. Ultimately, it will help you grow and break through to higher ground.

Indeed, barely two hours after the Moon opposes Venus, the planet of love forms a harmonious trine to Neptune, the planet of dreams and illusions. Which you get depends on whether you’ve done your work. Mercury trines Neptune on Friday, and Mars follows on Sunday. The bigger picture should come through now. There’s nothing like putting things in perspective to help you heal. Do keep in mind that Mercury turns retrograde next week, and so some of the issues you’ve been experiencing in your closest relationships likely will come up for rehashing and review for the next several weeks. Having a big picture for context will help us keep our sanity through it all.

On Saturday, the Sun in Virgo squares Pluto in Sagittarius, putting practical considerations in conflict with religious and political beliefs. Expect a new round of campaign mudslinging, at the very least.

Speaking of Pluto, the planet of death and transformation has just returned direct, as has Jupiter, the planet of expansion and good fortune. Breakthroughs should be happening for us left and right this week, in possibly miraculous ways. I sure could use a miracle, and wish the same for you.