Mercury retrograde begins tomorrow. It is in the sign of Scorpio and may require us to rethink/reposition many of our personal plans and ambitions. But more importantly, it comes on the eve of one of the most powerful planetary configuration in astrology, a stellium. A stellium is a group of five or more planets in the same sign huddled to together or “conjunct” to use an astrological term. Scorpio, a sign or energy that is generated by the planet Pluto (Now a demi-planet, whatever that means) represents the forces of change in ones life. In everyone's life there's an area, called a house in natal astrology, which Scorpio has strong influence over. If, for example, a planet in the sign of Scorpio enters your 7th house, an area that governs relationships, important personal relationships could undergo major and significant changes. Given that tomorrow one area will have all these energies (Sun, Mercury, Venus, Mars and Jupiter), be prepared for big shifts in that part of your life.
Scorpio deals in areas that people are often fearful or ashamed of. If we consider issues that Scorpio (and its ruling planet Pluto) addresses, they are often the basic, necessary matters of life. It is by avoiding these them we create problems for ourselves. For example, now you have to move because old house, a place you never like, has burned to the ground or you have been waiting years to make an important professional change in your career and now an opportunity comes requires direct action on your part. You’ll be presented with changes that require adaptation and diligence. And given that we are taking about what we in astrology call the social planets, this stellium will effect changes in your personal life that require you to confront a matters head on rather then debate or wait them out. Release might be a good word to adopt at this time. If some serious issue flares to life, look to see where you been playing it too safe. Has some condition grown stagnant that now requires change? What areas of your life could use a little shaking up? And with regard to plutonian transitions, the more you resist the change, the stronger those forces become. As the transformational power of the zodiac, Pluto requires growth. So when we release of the old life it may seems like we're losing everything, more punishment (Why me God?) then development. The beauty of this particular transition is that it is both swift and restorative. Often, once we see the new thing that Pluto has brought in our lives we find we’re often happy with the change and are aware that could never really again be satisfied with what we left behind. It through confrontation that we remember what it means to be alive.
Now, two elements/energies are going to provide challenges to this period. The aforementioned retrograde and the planet Saturn, currently in the sign of Leo. Mercury until about Nov 17 is going to produce a great deal of miscommunication and misunderstanding. As it will be squaring or pushing against the Scorpio planets, you may find people questioning your motives or feeling threaten by the new actions you are taking. Someone may accuse you of taking them for granted or taking advantage of them. You may struggle against someone in authority or you’ll have to assert authority in a very pronounced way. Encountering setbacks in the very areas that you will be required to make changes in may make this a frustrating retrograde. Ego and challenges to ones' ego will require great patience and honesty. The kind of honesty that may make you feel uncomfortable at first but then should prove most liberating in the end.
On good news front, if your looking to make some time with some significant other or strike up a new romance, as Marvin Gaye would say” Let’s get it on".
Attraction and regeneration (emphasis on generation part) will be the par for the course. If some sexy thing is making eyes at you, cut to chase. Make your move. If you feel that good chemistry flowing, don’t wait around. The retrograde may make initial contacts challenging but, with little honesty, a good time can be had by all (Taurus’ take note).
Granted, there may be an awful lot of flings and one night stands. Cie la vie!
The Water Trine of Uranus in Pisces and Venus in Scorpio will make for some very creative moments as well. If you’re swepted up by some mystery and intrigue in the coming weeks, go with it. Scorpio, which governs hidden knowledge, will make for a fine adventure.
To reintegrate, maintain calm where ever possible, try not to take things too personally and if you do ultimately lose your cool, be willing to make what amends when the opportunity presents itself Keep an open mind, shed some baggage and make room for some new things to enter your life.
