Deer Lord (Praise Cernunnos), this is where I feel I need to slink off to right about now. This Mercury Retrograde would be hell enough on anyone, but to throw it in with Saturn in Scorp, the Uranus-Pluto drama, Mars-Jupiter shenanigans, AND a superpowered eclipse? Holy Hell, Hellraisers- This time Neptune might be the one thing that sees us through.
Lets hope we can trust him.
Anyway, yes Neptune is now officially direct. Pay attention, Hellraisers- This is where the fun starts. Dreams get cosmic, and carry potent messages on swift wings. Omens abound, and black cats start crossing your path in droves. The trick is figuring out the message while you can. Quite often you can only put it together after its much too late to make a difference. But that's the way these thing go, I'm afraid.
In other ways, this can feel like waking back up after a long nap in the Sun. The important thing is realizing you were, in fact, dreaming- and now its time to get back to reality. Done incorrectly however, this is more akin to an insomniac who is working 60+ hours a week and getting nowhere. If this is you FOR THE LOVE OF GOD TAKE YOURSELF OUT OF THE GAME! Rest up, you're going to need it. This is Eclipse season, and there will be no prisoners taken.
As always with Neptune, I caution you not to overdo it with the boozing or drugs- especially with Jupiter Retrograde. This time however, im giving you an out. Anything used for actual, real self-work and discovery and not for escapism is super potent right now*. But use caution. Its much better to dry out with Saturn in Scorp, trust me.
Speaking of, you know that niggling voice in the back of your head that is keeping you up at night? Well there's only one cure- Put the changes its suggesting into action. Trust me, you'll be so glad you did. Also, you know that pain you're feeling right now? Yes, right now as you read this line. Oh, dont give me that shit- you cant hide it from me. Anyway its going to be with you for a while. Work on it, drag it out from the shadows and face it- work on healing it. Accept what you cant change and start changing what you can. Planning only though- no action till after Mercury goes direct again.
Oh, one last thing: You're going to want to give up. Don't.
Hellraisers, we're in for a hell of a ride. Hang on, and slam on the gas pedal.
-The AstroGeek
*(AG Skywatch Legal Note- For the love of... Not this bullshit again! sigh AstroGeek's Skywatch does not endorse, reccomend, or condone recreational drug use or any other form of substance abuse. All indications to the contrary and statements issued are merely intended to entertain, albeit poorly. Somebody get us out of here, we havent showered in weeks and the food is absolute shit. We do get good dental, though, but that hardly covers it. Anyway, dont sue us- We dont have any clean suits, the bastards too cheap to pay for dry cleaning.)
Well, here we are then- Halloween is over, we're resigned to the fact that summer is in fact over (I WILL WEAR SHORTS AND FLIP FLOPS UNTIL THERE IS 5 INCHES OF SNOW ON THE GROUND AND MAY MOST HOLY SOBEK HELP ANY WHO TRIES TO STOP ME) and we're all realizing we spent way too much on a costume we only wear once(ish) a year. Wonderful. Luckily, to help nurse the Halloween Hangover, we have the lovely Venus in her home sign of Libra.
May Sobek have mercy on our eternal souls.
Ful disclosure- I tend to have some serious beef with Libra, and all things Venusian in general. I have no Libra in my chart, but a stellium (three or more planets all grouped together in a big conjunction) in each of the other Cardinal Signs. Added into that, my personal Venus is in Aries, generally recognized as a realy bad spot for her to be in. So expect a heavy amount of bias in this post.
Anyway, Venus in Libra is quite at home in Libra, because she rules this sign (with an iron fist I might add). Libran things such as looks, fashion and poise are given much more importance and consideration now than usual. In Virgo, utility and function are the key tenents, but in Libra the focus moves to refining and perfecting whatever area Libra rules in your chart.
This transit is going to be quite interesting, because its the first time since late 2009 that shes been able to ride through her sign without the influence of Saturn to slow her down. So this whole transit is going to have an edge of reclaiming old territory to it. It will also (like everything Saturn) be a test: How well can you keep up the momentum that you built up while he was in Libra on your own? Can you stand on your own two feet? Or will you fizzle out and regress? Its ultimately up to you I suppose, but it is going to take some serious work to go backwards now, I can tell you that much.
Also, if you're trying to move forward, start networking! This is a fantasatic time for that, so get out and meet some new people. You never know where it might take you!
The big danger here is getting caught in the two big pitfalls of Libra- First, Indicisiveness. Libra is notorious for never being able to make up its mind on anything, because Libra wants the "perfect" thing, whatever that may be. This is not neccessarily a bad thing, but usually she refuses to do anything until it is perfect and then refuses to lift a finger to make it happen herself, prefering to delegate.
(Note from the Legal Team: AstroGeek's Skywatch does not discriminate against, nor is he talking about any specific Libran, but rather the snark and sass in this post is directed at the sign [and the planet! Dont forget the planet guys!] itself. So please dont sue us or leave nasty comments below, because we already have enough to deal with trying to do damage control on this jackass. Thank you for your consideration of our collective delicate constituion.
P.S.- For the love of Sobek, someone get us out of here! We want to go back to working for Bain Capital!)
Anyway, the fun doesnt really start until Venus moves to oppose Uranus. Something about those two getting together causes such intense and insane love/ sex/ relationship voodoo the likes of which not even Venus-Mars can seem to pull off. But if you're already following my Mercury Retrograde Guide (you knew there was a reason I released it so early) then you should be fine.
Its in Scorpio no less (well, it Starts in Saggo, but there is Scorping to be done as well, so im claiming it)- So you guys know what that means... MOAR DRAMA AND CRAPOLA TO DEAL WITH!! YAYY!! Specifically drama related to ancient, soul-searing angst you thought that you were well done with, and psych-revelations/insights that will shock you and may leave you in huddling in a corner.
(Well that is definitely one way to rock this transit, thats for sure...)
A interesting effect of this is it reeks of synchronicity. What you are trying to avoid dealing with, you will be forced to confront. Also, Im issuing an Undead Exes alert- Do not fall into the trap of going back and covering old ground. Forward motion only!
Here's what I would do though-
Prep-
Change every ex you still have in your phone to something along the lines of DONT EVEN THINK ABOUT IT or OFF LIMITS. I dont care what unresolved crap you guys have, the answer is NO *swats your nose with a newspaper*.
Declutter your everything- If you dont need it, its taking up space. Sell it, donate it, I dont really care. Just make it disappear.
Make your Planner your best friend. Schedule and plan everything you can. This will save you so much grief its not even funny. Also- go back into Mars in Virgo mode: If it can be tracked, it can be conquered.
Join a 24-Hour gym, so that you have somewhere to go at 3:26 am when you cant sleep and you need to work out some agression, no questions asked. One with a pool would be preffered, but a sauna will do.
Action-
Make some kind of announcement about your plans when Merc goes Retrograde, as close to the actual time as possible for maximum oomph. And yes, I know, this flies in the face of all the Mercury Retrograde advice ive ever given, but we are living under rebel stars now.
After said plans are made, drop a smoke grenade and pull a vanishing act for the rest of the Retrograde. In fact, dont reappear til after Merc gets back into Sag.
Plot. Plot everything. Every detail.
Keep everything to yourself. This is not the time to be spouting out your plans to everyone who will listen.
Basically, go into full-on Gemini mode. Das rite, Hellraisers- Time to act like the twins. I dont often suggest it, but when I do its because theres nothing else that will work quite as well.
Pro Tips-
Deal with any situation that arises quickly and with minimal drama.
For some reason, spending time in seedy dive bars alone, looking fantastic and sipping on a stiff drink brings synchronicity. Vibe mysterious and with a story to tell.
Have orgasms. Lots of orgasms.
Heated pools and hot tubs are magic. Spend as much time in them as possible.
Smoke cigars
Im serious about the orgasms
Avoid moose (moose are fine, its those bison you have to watch out for)
Above all else, chase what stokes your passion. Dont be stupid enough to hold yourself back now, not when you've come this far.
And whatever you do, do it with style.
-The AstroGeek
Hello, Hellraisers! Yes, I know- Im sorry, it was him or Ke$ha. No one deserves that punishment.
Alright Libras, show of hands- Who feels like this right now? Hell, who am I kidding? We all do. After that insanity, in surprised we're all still standing! I knew you guys could make it though.
So, our first shot of Libra since Saturn left the sign! Hope you paid attention during that last exam, because BOOM POP QUIZ! Yes ladies and gentlemen, its time to take what you learned from Saturn during his sojurn and APPLY it. Now, wherever you had Libra is going to be helpful in processing the lessons (though honestly- if you havent gotten it yet, you're just not getting it. Wait til after your Saturn Return, young'n) and really defining them, which will show you where they fit in the new "You" (and if you think that you're not a completely different person yet, you are in for a nasty shock...)
Curiously (well, not so much to me because i know what im looking for, but for you lot and because I need to fill up the space) most of the lessons that I am hearing about involve Courage, a very non-Libran trait; belonging more to its opposite, Aries. How did Saturn push you to fight, take what you want, and defend what you love? These are questions you are going to need to answer and move forward with.
Anyway, I cant ramble on about Saturn all night (as much as i'd like to sometimes...), so without much vacillating, onto the other Astro!
Sol Invictus and Luna Noctiluca- Okay, lets take a look at the situation here... *jaw drops* Holy hell, this little Lunation is directly opposite Eris. The best way to channel this is to rise up like an unholy warrior, full of piss and vinegar, and refuse to take anything that is holding you back. Put something awesome into motion, and do it NOW. Bring your A-game, and for the love of whichever God or Goddess we're asking for help from this week (oh fine, its Aphrodite), dont try to do anything less than that or you will fail. Come correct and Go Hard bitches, its Libra Season! A trine to Nessus tells you that you need to really purge the poison you have in your veins in order to move forward. You don't need to carry your baggage anymore- Just drop it, seriously. A sextile to Echeclus tells a different story, however- Time is an issue. Unresolved issues from the past will return- Deal with them (laughter helps); Uncertainty about the future will emerge- Refuse to let it paralyze you now; Own the present- This is your moment, start acting like it! Repeat after me- Always forward, never back. Make this your mantra. A conjunction to Rhadamanthus? You will be judged. What you have done up to now, what you are doing and what your plans are? Its all on the table. Anything that isnt going to work is going to be eliminated. I cannot stress this enough- Do not fight this process! Let it happen, even if it was the most super unbelievably awesome plan that you have ever concocted. Make a new one, one that works! A quincunx to Sedna tells you to stand up, and not to be afraid to demand to get what you want. There is no shame in it, as long as you put in the sweat equity in order to get it. A sextile to Quaoar tells you that there is a great deal of potential around you, but you have to use it to create an opportunity for yourself. Be authentic, and keep going no matter what, even if you find yourself completely and utterly alone. Thats when the fun starts, trust me. A trine to Heracles shows that you DO in fact have it in you to accomplish these great feats, but you need to be willing to do whatever it takes to do so. A bit of cleverness wont hurt either, though.... A sextile to Narcissus warns you of being too proud to turn down help from those who truly want you to succeed. Dont allow that to happen, stay open and alert for any opportunity. A trine to Hygiea confirms this, And asks "Would it kill you to smile a bit more? Oh, okay... try this, its called toothpaste. Use it often".
Mercury Terminorum- Mercury is almost silent. This cant be good... Last I saw, he was in the corner with Venus, plotting with that sextile of theirs, thick as thieves. Tell someone you trust a secret, you'll be surprised at what they share in return. It will bring you closer together and help to build trust. A sextile to Elatus shows that even though you are plotting and scheming and the details are driving you insane, you are in a surprisingly good mood! Use it to your advantage- walking around with a small, knowing smile on your face all day does WONDERS when it comes to freaking out your enemies. A quincunx to Jupiter is challenging you to think BIGGER when you make your schemes; Its time to graduate up to the big leagues, junior! Make some waves. A trine to Panacea shows that you are going to want to take the easy way out of a situation, but another trine, to Borasisi warns that if you take the out, it will just lead you further down the rabbit hole. A trine to Helio helps you to shine, dont bother to hide your brilliance right now! Arrogance is your enemy, obviously, but Humility isnt your friend either.
Venus Victrix- Not a ton to go over here either, the big news is a square to Jupiter that is so scandalous, you even shocked the hotel maids. And take it from me, THAT is something. that trine to Elatus is SUCH an awesome mood booster though, you're just oozing positivity (or is it positively oozing? [on that note, ewwww] Starzina's rubbing off on me again, I think. Or is it... wait, no- not even going to finish that thought for my own health) and those around you are definitely taking notice (seriously bitch- here's a towel, clean yourself up. You're oozing on my rug). A square to Amycus begs you to consider the consequences of your actions, and think about those you may hurt before you act. What has worked for you before may not work anymore. An adjustment is needed. An opposition to Borasisi tells you to watch out for sweet words that mean nothing- Lies are hardest from (and to) those we love the most. Another opposition, to Panacea confirms this- Dont deny reality. A conjunction to Sappho tells you your mission right now needs to be to become Self-Fulfilled, no matter what. It gets LOADS easier once you get that conquered. Of course, that is the secret message of the age, now isnt it? Do this and win the game before anyone else figures out the rules.
Mars Ultor- Well, the hits keep on coming. Our boy is in a crazy high-energy trine to Uranus, so yes to audacious new plans/ventures but no to petty spats and altercations. A square to Chiron confirms this, and adds that when all else fails, run from the situation in order to avoid getting sucked in. Thats right, you heard me. An opposition to Altjira tells you that its time to stop talking and start doing. Move quickly or you will miss your window of opportunity. A sextile to Siwa confirms this, but tells you that you need to have a lot of faith, as you aren't able to see the whole picture just yet. Take a deep breath, steel your nerves and move forward anyway. Another sextile, to Persephone tells you that no matter what you have lost and how much it hurts right now, you need to keep going. You will find what you are looking for again, but not right now. Now you need to be strong in yourself (or at least make a good show of it, because its all you can do to keep it together) and spit in the face of your self-doubt, laughing hysterically. Scorpios, you guys know what im talking about; everyone else is going to figure it out by 2014. A sextile to Orpheus also confirms this, but warns that you are going to have to traverse some rough road coming up here, and you're going to have to lead the way, or do it alone. This takes serious balls. Luckily, you have them. Finally, a square to Orcus challenges you to maintain your integrity in all of this. Trust me, you will be tested with temptation. Read the contract carefully before signing anything.
Jupiter Lucetius- An opposition to Pholus, Eros and Ixion has you longing for what has come and gone- You need to accept that what has passed is now firmly in the past and that you are in the present. Look ahead, and get excited about new potentials that are right under your nose rather than allowing yourself to get trapped in self-pitying martyrdom. Besides, there's a reason that its in your past (no matter how good it was). Make better choices next time (Ohyes, there WILL be a next time. I guarantee that.) A sextile to Pelion tells you that you need to take some time away from the everyday and recuperate. Give yourself space. A conjunction to Chaos is calling you to face your fears and start something brand new. Do not give in to that nagging voice in your head. A square to Urania indicates that you have got to start trusting yourself if you expect to make it through. Seriously, you dont need validation on every single decision you need to make. Weigh your options, and always go with your gut/intuition. We are DONE walking on eggshells and waiting for the other shoe to drop. No, bloody bold and resolute is the name of the game now!
Saturn Zamolxis- Okay, awesome, I get to rave about Saturn again! Lets see, trine to Neptune, nothing new there. Although keeping a dream journal is wicked awesome right now, so do that. A sextile to Eurydike asks how you will react when what you were depending on falls through. Do you make adjusments and press forward, or do you throw your hands up and admit defeat? In the end, that is up to you, but either choice, commit fully. This is not a time for a crisis of faith. A sextile to Toro is awesome for helping you keep your momentum going, provided you can make the initial spark on your own. A trine to Ceres helps you do whatever is needed to get what you want. Make sure you are acting from love, and not fear/doubt.
Uranus Aiolomorphos- A trine to Juno can bring back old flames out of the blue (read: everyone you've ever even so much as crushed on). It starts small, with flings and crushes first, and moves quickly up to the heavy hitting ghosts of romance past. Wrap up what is unfinished and go forward (or stay and settle. I really cant tell you what's right for you there). Curiously, this seems to have an air of "Second Chances" about it. Again, what you do is up to you. A sextile to Altjira forces you to take a step back and re-evaluate the situation, both yours and theirs. An opposition to Siwa, Orpheus and Persephone calls for you to stand up and do whatever it takes to get back what you want, if it still matters to you.
Neptune Ennosigaios- Oh thank god, we get a break here. A trine to Ceres is telling you to nurture your dreams. They are what is keeping you going after all, right? A square to Asbolus makes it a little difficult to stay cheery, and some very harsh truths need to be faced, but it is worth it to do. An opposition to Toro shows that energy levels and drive are very low, and you will need to fake it most days. Take as much time for yourself as possible.
Pluto Eubuleus- So what's new with Pluto? Well, not a whole heck of a lot. The major one to watch is a conjunction to Icarus, indicating that you are really struggling with the mantle you are carrying right now, and you just want to throw it off and go do something else. The only thing ill ask is this: What's stopping you?
So stay alert guys, step forward with cautious optimism, and dont be scared to believe again (just a little). Do whatever it takes, and dont lose something amazing just because you were too good to fight dirty for it.
Speaking of dirty, go check out great friend of the Skywatch, Starzina Starfish-Browne and her Time of the Month Horoscopes!
AND- Check out my very good friend Rod (aka Baphas), who is really into a crazy addicting game called Fractal, if you haven't heard of it!
And your Zeitgeist Playlist-
(what, did you REALLY think I was going to let you off that easy?)
Whew! We made it guys! Now we can all put our feet up and relax for a bit and drink some coffee out on the verranda. Yay us!
Whats that you say; Im missing one last planet? Which one?
Oh tits, its Mars.
Hahahaha well wasnt that a fun respite guys? Whew, I feel SO refreshed! And its a good thing too, because now I have the sudden pressing desire to go skydiving. Like right this second. And then after, I might try my hand at motocross. You know, just to pass the time.
Mars in Saggo. God help us everyone else.
So wherever you have Sagittarius in your chart is about to get SWOLE. Your key with this is to 1.) Set a goal- Dream BIG BIG BIG here. Trust me. The more radical and crazy awesome, the better. 2.) Know the territory- Learn everything you can about this, get your head around this goal. Immerse yourself in it. Live, Eat, Breathe it. Want it. 3) Get amped!! This is something YOU want, so YOU go and get it! 4) Train your ass off. This goes hand in hand with #2. If you want to see results, you are going to need to put up the work, and you are not going to want to mess around. Capitalize on your gains, and keep up your momentum. 5.) Triumph- Follow the first 4 steps and this is assured, barring outside influence.
Now- Warnings: Saggo has a major failing- Its the tendency to TALK about what you would/want to do rather that actually doing it. This is Low Performance Saggo, avoid this at all costs. Luckily, Saturn in Scorp should help you there. Just stay committed. You will also be tempted to put in less of an effort due to time constraints and other issues. Venus in Virgo helps here; If you dont have one, invest in a scheduler. It will save you. Plot out your time, track EVERYTHING YOU DO. Its amazing where you can find time if you actively look at how your spending it. Also, Mars' trip through Virgo should still be fresh in your mind. Dont forget what you learned from that.
Again, look at where Sagittarius falls in your chart. The house that has it on the cusp will tell you where to aim and how high to shoot. For instance, this one will take place in my Twelfth so... Well, lets not go into that one, the twelfth is a silly place. Say Saggo is on the cusp of your Tenth house, It would be an awesome time for you to work some radical new career mojo. This doesnt mean spam your resume everywhere, it means defining what you want in a career, finding what fits your ideal, and targeting that specific career.
Above all else though, do it big!
-The AstroGeek
And allow me to introduce you to my new favorite thing ever: Electro-Swing!