Iron Fists, Reclaimed Energy, & Shifting Goalposts
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Protection and Procurement
Mars, the guard dog planet, is charged with our protection and the procurement of what we want. By nature, it’s not collaborative. A strong Mars in one’s birth chart, for instance, indicates that cooperating with others can be like trying to speak a foreign language.
Such is the essential character of Mars in Scorpio, a sign it rules and will enter on Nov. 18 (11:41 pm PST). After nearly two months in the diplomatic, “no, you first, I insist” sign of Libra, the collective Mars is itching to cut loose. These Saturn/Pluto times call for a strong response, but the civilized nature of Mars in Libra has urged restraint. Now, Libra’s velvet gloves are about to come off, and Scorpio’s iron fist is about to emerge.
Many little birds
Each month, the Last Quarter Moon is a call to action – but it’s action informed by reflection and self-doubt. This Last Quarter Moon in Leo (Nov. 19, 1:11 pm PST) is almost precisely trine Jupiter and on the Sabian Symbol degree: Many little birds on the limb of a large tree. Jupiter’s year-long journey through Sagittarius has prompted many of us, in our exuberance, to bite off a bit more than we can comfortably chew. Are all our disparate activities really supporting our most important goals? Soon, Jupiter will enter measured, strategic Capricorn; until then, take time to identify which limbs of your tree are bearing fruit and which are dead wood, ready to be pruned.
Dealing with it
Not every Mercury retrograde period is a nightmare of miscommunication and missteps, but this one, which began at Halloween, has been frightful. That’s possibly because fleet, facile Mercury has been retrograde in Scorpio, a deep and thorough sign. Over and over these past few weeks, we’ve been tripped up by tree roots that have been sucking up our resources for months, if not years, before surfacing. “Exactly when were you planning to finally deal with this?” asked an uncharacteristically stern Mercury.
And so, like moving the sofa to vacuum underneath, we’ve been unearthing figurative dust bunnies, loose change, cat toys, rogue snack foods. It hasn’t been a fun or easy process. But as Mercury turns direct (Nov. 20, 11:12 am PST), it feels good to have tackled some of the unpleasant matters we’ve been putting off. And it feels good to reclaim energy that we’ve long been investing in things that cannot benefit from it.
What sustains us
The Sun entering Sagittarius (Nov. 22, 7 am PST) heralds a season of gratitude for our blessings. But as Sagittarius’ ruling planet, Jupiter, concludes its journey through Sagittarius (since Nov. 8 2018), it’s also a season to reflect on how we’ve grown and what we’ve learned in the past year. Jupiter’s big year in Sagittarius has been overshadowed by formidable Saturn and Pluto in serious Capricorn. And on Dec. 2, Jupiter will join them there, entering Capricorn for the first time since December 2007. This is probably better news for Saturn and Pluto than it is for our jubilant friend Jupiter.
And yet, says the Sun in Sagittarius, be grateful and hopeful. Trust in the greater good and in your loved ones. When times get rough, it’s hope that sustains us.
Effort and reward
Venus and Jupiter come together in a swooning conjunction this week (Nov. 24, 5:33 am), at the final degree of Sagittarius. This is considered a pretty fortunate transit, especially if it’s connecting with something in your birthchart (just look for planets around 29 degrees). If you want to ask for something, now’s the time to do it; there are no guarantees you’ll get it, but the odds are in your favor.
However, the Sabian Symbol for the conjunction degree is A fat boy mowing the lawn. So get moving! – to get the greatest rewards, you’ll need to show a little effort.
The technological football
Once upon a time, musicians dreamed of being signed by a major record label. Millions worked passionately and tenaciously toward that goal; a few reached it. Others found that by the time they had polished their music and built their reputation, the recording industry had been disrupted by new technology and fewer gatekeepers.
Some of them made the switch to producing and marketing their own music. But ultimately, recording gave way to live shows, or getting one’s music licensed for use in films or commercials, as the most rewarding business model.
Over the span of about thirty years, the ambition and tenacity of these musicians didn’t change, but the goalpost shifted – suddenly and radically.
Mars in Scorpio fixes on a goal and refuses to stop until it’s been reached. But what happens when the goal itself is pulled away, is no longer even an option? Technology is Peanuts‘ Lucy, pulling the football away before Charlie Brown can kick it. In some way, the football is pulled away this week, as Mars opposes Uranus (Nov. 24, 8:49 am PST), the planet of sudden and chaotic change. Zeal and determination are commendable – but it’s just as important to change with the times.
© 2019 by April Elliott Kent
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