No One Gets There On Their Own
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Lay down the burden of the Sun
This week brings one of the year’s seasonal turning points as the Sun enters Libra (Sep. 22, 2020, 6:30 am PDT). Traditionally, the Sun is considered weak – in its “fall” – in Libra. This only means that the Sun’s work – the realization of one’s individual genius and soul power – can be difficult to manage in a sign that’s specifically designed for partnership.
On the other hand, we learn things about ourselves in relationships that can’t be learned any other way. Whether it’s a romantic partner, a creative collaborator, or a dear friend, we’ll feel most alive sharing the shortening days with a companion. If we’re alone – and many are just now –it’s a time to make a conscious effort to reach out to others in whatever way we can. In Libra’s season, our personal Sun shines brightest in the company of others.
There is a soothing, romantic quality to Libra’s season; it’s a relief to lay down the burden of the Sun’s zealous self-discovery. Even the world itself seems lovelier. When the Sun is in this sign in Northern Hemisphere’s autumn, its light rests warmly, gently, on the fall trees changing color, the straw bales in the field, the newly-picked apples in bushel baskets. It’s a time of magic, when the softness of the light makes strangers more attractive, and the crispness of the air makes us long for the warmth of another’s arms.
No one gets there on their own
Has a matter been resolved, or is there still space for negotiation? Depends on whom you ask this week. On the same day Mercury in Libra meets Saturn in Capricorn in the first of three squares (Sep. 23, 2020, 3:38 am PDT), a First Quarter Moon in Capricorn (Sep. 23, 2020, 6:55 pm PDT) is in conflict with the Sun in Libra. Libra loves to explore all sides of a matter before making a decision, while Capricorn prefers unilateral, executive determinations about which course of action to pursue.
Right around Christmastime last year, a Solar Eclipse at 5 Capricorn initiated an important new Lunar Phase family; this is the First Quarter of that phase family, at 1.29 Capricorn. In this particular Capricorn story, it’s time to put the pedal to the metal. But with a square aspect, both planets have to figure out how to work together to make each of them stronger. So we need to listen also to the Sun and Mercury in Libra’s side of the story, which is that nobody gets to the top on their own. Nobody. And at this First Quarter Moon we’re confronted with the need to rely on others to get further along on our path, and to acknowledge their contribution in getting us there.
Mars goes to charm school
The combination of Mercury and Mars has a lot to do with how we give voice to some emotions and needs that can be scary. Emotions like anger and aggression. The need to protect ourselves and collect what we need to survive. Mars’ raw physicality and basic selfishness doesn’t always translate well to negotiation.
Mercury in Libra opposes Mars retrograde in Aries (Sep. 24, 2020, 3:52 am PDT) and tries like hell to take Mars to charm school. “You can get anyone to give you anything you want if you just ask in the right way,” Mercury in Libra says. But Mars in Aries answers, “Screw that; it’s easier and quicker just to take what I want.”
Is it, though? If you’re in line at the bank and the teller is taking what seems like a long time to sort out a pesky problem with your account, what’s likely to get a good outcome as quickly as possible? Is it snapping rudely, “What’s the holdup?” Or is it a warm smile and a few words of sympathy for his trouble? Maybe neither will help – but rudeness will exacerbate an already testy situation.
Magically Speaking
When you’re interacting with the UPS delivery person or a checker at the grocery store, pleasant chit-chat is just the ticket. Since Sept. 5, Mercury in Libra has favored just that: being what the person in front of you needs you to be, mirroring them back to themselves. But as Mercury enters Scorpio (Sep. 27, 2020, 0:40 am PDT), that’s no longer the way the conversational wind is blowing. Tired of idle chatter, we long to dig deeper, ask probing questions, and perhaps call out hypocrisy when you see it.
Practically speaking, Mercury in this sign is excellent for research, writing, editing, and cleaning up financial affairs, among other things. Magically speaking, Mercury transiting through Scorpio is richly creative, with a powerful talent for transforming raw emotion into something that deepens and enriches the soil of the soul.
Writing and collages © 2020 April Elliott Kent
Jen and discuss all the week’s planetary highlights on this week’s episode of the podcast:
48 | Libra Equinox and Mercury Goes Sleuthing
