Author: Amelia Shea

“It later became clear to me that no matter what we do in science or any other area , it will not help if we don’t find a way to be related to each other at a deep level.” David Bohm

“Only with winter-patience can we bring the deep-desired , long awaited spring.” Anne Morrow Lindeburgh

Mercury stations direct at 12:50 PM EST Tuesday November 3 – ending the retrograde period.  Mercury stationed retrograde in mid – October in the sign of Scorpio and moved back into the late degrees of Libra stationing at  25 degrees.

This retrograde period in these two signs was relationship oriented and presented an opportunity to revisit and rethink this area of life in our rapidly changing world.

It’s a good idea for a few days leading up to the station and for a few days following  to heighten awareness and be open to  new perceptions that surface. Mercury stations are associated with the culmination of information.

Mercury will station making a challenging alignment to Saturn indicating a good time for activities that engage the mind in a serious way – i.e. learning something new or studying. Saturn is associated with time and can slow things down. The possibility of inaccurate information emerging is always on the table around a Mercury station as are snafus with communications and technology. So it’s best to be patient and make an effort to be more clear in communications.

One of the Sabian symbols for this time is,”The sight of an autumn leaf brings to a pilgrim the sudden realization of the mystery of birth and death.”

Sabian symbol from Lynda Hill

“Must be
Must be
The season of the witch.” Donovan

“There are two ways to be rich: one is to have a lot of money; the other is to have few needs.”William Sloan Coffin

It’s a busy time in the starry heavens this week as both Mercury and Venus enter the sign of Libra on Tuesday. Mercury, still on his retrograde trek, is slowing down in the sky in anticipation of the end of the retrograde period on November 3. It bodes well at this time to tie up any loose ends and tend to things left undone as we prepare for the direct motion. It’s a good time for retrospection – to rethink and redo.

As retrograde Mercury enters Libra it will form a challenging alignment to the Saturn/Jupiter/Pluto configuration in Capricorn. We’re living in a time of rapid change here on planet earth and this transit provides a good time to look at any changes in relationship dynamics (all kinds of relationships) – changes that have gone on our changes you’d like to make.

Venus’s transit into the early degrees of Libra can help establish a more conciliatory atmosphere. Libras are the diplomats of the zodiac but sometimes can be overly accomodting to the wishes of others to the degree that they don’t advocate clearly enough for their own needs.

Halloween brings a  Blue Moon – the second full Moon of the month. The Moon will wax full at 8 Degrees of Taurus at 10:49 Am EDT. The Moon will be conjunct Uranus at this time making it an excellent time to shed outdated beliefs about the past as they relate to security, stability and pleasure in order to move forward in a freer, more innovative way.

It’s a good night to honor the ancestors.

One of the Sabian symbols for this time is,” A man alone in deep gloom. Unnoticed  angels are coming to his aid.”

Sabian symbol from Lynda Hill

It’s wise this week as we approach the end of the Mercury retrograde on Nov. 3 it’s wise to attend to any details left undone.

“Synchronicity holds the promise that if we change within, the patterns in our outer life will change also.” Jean Shinola Bolen

“God is alive and magic is afoot.” Leonard Cohen

The Sun enters the mystical, magical sign of Scorpio tomorrow, October 22. This ushers in the time of year when in the northern hemisphere, the natural world turns inward as we prepare for the growing darkness on our way to the Winter Solstice.

As the Sun enters Scorpio it will  join Mercury and oppose Uranus, the planet of the unexpected.

Uranus is associated with synchronicity, which  is a way of seeing that can provide affirmation, direction and guidance. It’s  wise with Uranus and Mercury aligned this way to be open to it. This transit will last awhile -due to the retrograde transit of Mercury – mostly through late November.

One of the Sabian symbols for this time is,”A  youth holding a candle in a devotional ritual gains a sense of the great “Other World.”

Sabian symbol from Lynda Hill

“One must choose in all things a mean, just and good. Error and confusion dwell in the extremes.” Pythagoras

“Only by being balanced ourselves can we hope to bring balance to the world.” Anodea Judith

It’s another very busy week in the starry heavens. The week starts off with a harmonious aspect between Jupiter and Neptune – a beneficial combination  for accessing higher levels of inspiration and guidance. When these two are together it bodes well for spiritual growth and evolution as well as artistic and creative work. It is a good time to turn down the volume and tune into a higher vibration.

Mercury, the god of communication, travel and commerce, stations retrograde on Tuesday at 9:05 PM EDT at 11 degrees of Scorpio. The retrograde period will last through Nov. 3. It’s best during this time frame to take care with communications and to leave extra time when traveling. It’s wise to back up info in advance of the station.

The retrograde period presents a time in a natural cycle  to rethink, review and reconsider matters related to the house in your chart which it is transiting.  Mercury will travel retrograde through  November 3 when it will station direct at 23 degrees of Libra – putting the focus on reviewing our interactions with others.

What is notable about this Mercury retrograde is that it is stationing opposite Uranus – the planet of the unexpected. This opposition has been in effect for awhile now- although strengthened by the station- and will continue through late November. This duo – Mercury and Uranus –  can contribute to erratic communications, surprising revelations and unexpected events. It’s wise to nurture the nervous system under this influence.

Mars is retrograde now and the god of action does not like to experience delays or obstruction. This can create a sense of frustration and anger – likely on the rise this week. It is a powerful duo for getting things done and the best use of this energy is to tackle projects that require strength and determination. The Mars retrograde period will end November 13.

We are living in times of great change on the planet – and times of intensity.  This is in part related to the heavy weights of the zodiac – Pluto, Saturn and Jupiter traveling together in the late degrees of Capricorn. Saturn and Jupiter will leave this configuration around the time of the Winter Solstice and enter the sign of Aquarius – ushering in a more optimistic time. In the duration it bodes well to look at any unfinished business around issues related to Capricorn – how you build a strong foundation for your aspirations and how you commit to perseverance and persistence in the process.

It’s wise this week to make some space for quiet time –   a walk in the woods, listening to a favorite piece of music or  reading a favorite book.

Patience and equilibrium will go a long way.

The New Moon is Friday .

One of the Sabian symbols for this time is ,”A woman reading tea leaves.”

Sabian symbol from Lynda Hill

“There are decades where nothing seems to happen and then there are weeks when decades seem to happen. We’re in a year when decades seem to be happening in weeks.” Hadley Fitgerald

“When evening shadows fall
Man it seems so long
When evening shadows fall
I’m waiting for the dawn.” Van Morrison

Mercury , the trickster god is now transiting in opposition to the planet of the unexpected, Uranus, bringing along sometimes sudden and surprising  events and communications. This duo will be with us for awhile as Mercury is preparing to station retrograde on October 13 at 11 degrees of Scorpio opposite Uranus at 9 Taurus.

The Mercury retrograde period will last through November 3 when it will station direct at 25 degrees of Libra. November 3 is the day of the presidential election in the US and this is the second time in recent history when Mercury stationed on election day – the other on the day of the Bush/Gore election.

Mars is making a challenging alignment to Pluto this week indicating a good time to tackle projects as there is lots of energy , drive and determination which can be harnessed.

This alignment is seen often in the charts of professional athletes and it can be competitive and aggressive. There can be more irritability and impatience with this aspect- especially now with the Mercury/ Uranus opposition when nerves can be to be  frayed and tempers on edge.

It’s wise to plan for some  restorative downtime.

I attended an astrology conference on global events this past weekend  in which Hadley Fitgerald, an astrologer and psychotherapist, spoke about the “ghost light.” The ghost light is a small light left on,  on the stage in theaters after performances – when the theater is  empty and dark, awaiting the return of the actors, set designers and others who make it come  to life. The ghost light, she explained  represents hope – the light shining in the darkness. it’s a  good symbol , she explained, for keeping our  inner fires alight as we make our way through these transformational times.

One of the Sabian symbols for this time is,”A Red Cross nurse with warm sympathy.”

Sabian symbol from Lynda Hill

“You are not the oil, you are not the air- merely the point of combustion, the flash point where light is born.” Dag Hammarskjold

“The longing for light is the longing for consciousness. ” Carl Jung

The Moon waxes Full Thursday at 5:50 PM EDT. At this time the Moon will be conjunct Chiron – the asteroid of the Wounded Healer. Chiron is associated with the ongoing journey of wounding and healing throughout life which leads to increased wholeness.  Venus is conjunct Vesta now which bodes well for bringing light and evolution  to outdated beliefs related to family and the past.

Mercury is opposing Uranus  now adding volatility and the likelihood of surprising revelations. Best to make time for extra downtime.

Retrograde Mars continues to square Saturn and Pluto indicating a time when built up frustrations are likely to be seeking an outlet.

The asteroid Vesta was named for the Vestal Virgins of ancient Rome who kept the sacred fires alight.  They presided over all governmental events.

It bodes well now to keep the inner fires of inspiration burning bright and to keep a vision of bright, sustainable future for the planet.

One of the Sabian symbols for this time is, “A teacher gives new symbolic forms to traditional images.”

Sabian symbol from Lynda Hill

“Rules are at best signposts, not hitching posts.”William Sloane Coffin

Saturn, the planet of structure, rules, discipline and responsibility stations direct Tuesday September 29 in the wee hours at 1:11 AM EDT.  It bodes well for the next few days -under this influence- to heed any information that surfaces about how you assume responsibility and execute plans for what you are trying to create in your life.  Are there any blind spots? Are there ways this process could be improved?

Saturn will be squaring Mars at the time of the station and throughout much of the Fall  indicating that there can be snafus and delays in moving forward. It bodes well to make a plan to handle any frustration that arises and use the time of any delays to reconsider or review projects to see if any adjustments or  improvements that can be made.

Basically it’s wise under this influence to slow down – avoid rushing and avoid making impulsive decisions. It can be very helpful to be aware of what area of your life this transit is impacting – shown by the houses in your astrology chart.

Mercury will be transiting opposite the planet of the unexpected, Uranus indicating there can be surprising news and revelations. It’s wise with this influence to  provide extra downtime and nurture the nervous system.

The Full Moon is Thursday at 5:05 Pm EDT  at  9 degrees of Libra. One of the Sabian symbols for this time is, “Through imagination, a lost opportunity is regained.”

Sabian symbol from Lynda Hill.

“We live in a time when the greatest form of courage is to act as if our lives made a difference.” William Sullivan

The  Autumn Equinox is Thursday September 22 at 9:31 AM EDT. This marks the time when all the inhabitants of our small planet experience an equal amount of day and night. The Equinox also marks the time of the Sun’s ingress into Libra – the sign of equilibrium and duality.

The time around the Equinox bodes well for looking back at events of the last season and charting your course for the upcoming one.

Following soon after the Equinox comes the Feast of Michelmas – an ancient Celtic festival – which celebrates one of the quarter days of the year. These festivals in general are meant to bring us more closely in touch with the magic of the seasons, the rhythms of the earth and the earth’s connection to the cosmos.

Michelmas celebrates the passage of the earth through the late summer meteor showers and the time when the northern hemisphere begins to tilt away from the sun.

In many Michelmas celebrations a play is performed about how the lowly peasant George slays a dragon. George was able to face great odds and persevere with great courage due to the help and guidance of the Archangel, Michael.

The celebration of Michaelmas is a reminder to cultivate courage for the sometimes daunting tasks we all face. And to rekindle the inner fire as we move towards the darkness of the season.

“There is no such thing as a problem without a gift for you in its hands.” Richard Bach

“We cannot solve problems at the level on which they were created.” Albert Einstein

Today I was listening to a podcast in which a  neuroscientist discussed  his  personal and professional experiences with meditation and mystical awareness. He said his studies found there’s a certain group of people who sit down  for the first time and  listen to a how-to- meditate download and after trying it, realize that what they thought was the problem was not the problem.

What he meant  by this is that often when people encounter obstacles, they frame them in a certain way that may not be entirely accurate, making the solution harder to access. This is applies to both problems that occur in the present or ones that are long standing.

This kind of realization – that the problem is not the problem – comes from the expansion of consciousness- a broadening and deepening of the realm of thought and perception. This upcoming week as Mercury forms a dynamic aspect to Jupiter, Saturn and Pluto, this kind of experience is supported and it is a good time to expand your lens of perception.

Tarot and astrology readings can offer illuminating perceptions and solutions in this realm as well. It is surprising to me in my work doing readings how innovative solutions often arise from the symbols – altering the perception of the problem and redefining the journey forward.

One of the Sabian symbols for this transit is, “A child giving birds a drink at a fountain.”