Horoscope: October 8 to 14, 2018
Astrologer Pam Younghans writes this weekly astrological journal based on planetary influences, and offers perspectives and insights to assist you in making the best use of current energies. This column is not intended as prediction. Your own experience will be more specifically defined by transits to your personal chart.
Highlighted Aspects for This Week
All times listed are Pacific Daylight Time. For Greenwich Mean Time, add 7 hours.
MON: New Moon 8:46 p.m. PDT
TUE: Mercury sesquiquadrate Neptune, Mercury quincunx Chiron, Mercury enters Scorpio
WED: Mercury opposite Uranus, Venus square Mars
THU: Mercury square Nodes, Sun square Pluto
FRI: Mercury sextile Saturn
SAT: Mercury biquintile Chiron, Sun biquintile Neptune
SUN: Mercury quintile Pluto, Sun quintile Saturn
LEST WE THINK we've reached the finish line, the New Moon on Monday (Tuesday in some time zones) confirms that we will be continuing the current flow of heightened emotions and unsettling events. The lunation occurs at 8:46 p.m. PDT on October 8, at 15°48? Libra. At the time of the event, the Sun and the Moon are within one degree of being exactly square Pluto in Capricorn.
With this New Moon in the sign of The Scales and in challenging aspect to Pluto, we can surmise that our main challenge over the next two to four weeks will be to stay calm and in balance amidst upheaval. Power struggles and competition are typical Plutonian manifestations, and the pressure of the square aspect (when planets are 90 degrees apart) heightens our awareness of how bureaucratic manipulations (Pluto in Capricorn) can block true justice (Sun and Moon in Libra).
DWARF PLANET CERES, named for the Earth Mother goddess, is closely conjunct the Sun and Moon at the time of the New Moon. Ceres weaves themes of nurturing into the tapestry of the lunar cycle -- in particular, how we care for family and for ourselves, both physically and emotionally.
Like the Sun and Moon, Ceres is also in Libra and square Pluto. This means we need to be alert to the complications that can arise if we are trying to maintain superficial harmony, and avoiding the truth of a situation. When we ignore what we really feel or know to be true, it can result in low self-esteem, eating disorders, and other complexes.
To navigate this challenge, we must let go of our need for everyone to like us. Astrologer Demetra George, in her book Asteroid Goddesses, writes that with Ceres and Pluto in hard aspect, we must learn "that return and renewal follow letting go, that every death is followed by a birth, and that every loss is replenished by a gain. A real understanding of this truth permanently erases the fear of loss from one's subconscious mind and replaces it with trust, acceptance, and joy."
ADDING ANOTHER LAYER of intrigue to the upcoming lunar cycle, Venus is now moving backward in the sky. As planetary ruler of the Libra New Moon, Venus has influence over the new lunar cycle, and her condition and aspects are of extra import.
While Venus is retrograde in secretive Scorpio, she compels us to dive more deeply into the hidden realms of our psyches, to discover what we truly value and to gain clarity on issues of fairness and right relationship. The questions arise: Who can we trust, and who are our allies? Is there something we missed, that is vital to our next steps? What yet remains to be revealed? And can we be conscious enough to catch the glimmer of light in the darkness?
VENUS is also square Mars and Black Moon Lilith in the New Moon chart, exacerbating the tension between the feminine and masculine, and exposing new layers of the shadow self.
If you are unfamiliar with Lilith, Darkstar Astrology provides these insights:
"Dark Moon Lilith is the lunar apogee. It does not exist as a physical point in space, but is a point that describes the distance between the earth and the moon, the empty focus. Lilith is about the power, politics, and psychology of se(x)."
And from astrologer and writer Valerie Mesa:
"Black Moon Lilith represents a person’s primitive impulses and behavior in their rawest form. It reveals our repressed se(x)uality, together with what makes us feel most vulnerable; it expresses the dark side of one’s personality, buried deep in the subconscious realms of our psyche. "
Although mythology tends to paint Lilith in very dark tones, calling her "a night demon," Mesa also includes this uplifting observation:
"The story of Lilith has evolved tremendously in the past century; in much contemporary writing, she is no longer portrayed as an evil, child-eating deity but rather as a feminist icon who stood proudly against male domination."
ON A CLEARLY POSITIVE note, the New Moon is aligned with two dynamic fixed stars: Merga and R Carinae. Astrologer Roderick Kidston tells us that with these two stars:
"There is a sense of building organically on the past in order to grow towards the future, and to set sail towards it, too, if it is necessary to cut free and move on ... Perhaps above all, R Carinae gives courage: the brave spirit and self-belief to go forth on adventures and bring back whatever treasure you find."
It will be interesting to see how current events unfold under the influence of the new lunar cycle -- especially since the Taurus Full Moon two weeks hence (on October 24) is closely conjunct Uranus. Change is in the wings, awaiting its cue.
AS THE MOON slowly waxes this week, Mercury is once again centerstage, being involved in significant aspects every single day:
* On Tuesday, Mercury forms challenging aspects with both Neptune and Chiron, raising doubts about the validity of the "facts." While information sources may indeed be untrustworthy, Mercury also enters Scorpio late in the day, invigorating our need to get to the heart of any matter.
* On Wednesday, Mercury opposes Uranus -- a time for surprises, insights, and unexpected twists in the drama that is unfolding. This is also the day that Venus and Mars are exactly square, so watch for battle lines to be drawn and defended.
* On Thursday, Mercury squares the karmic Nodes. The challenge here is to stay engaged (North Node in Leo), not to withdraw or become alienated (South Node in Aquarius) because of our suspicions about a deeper truth (Mercury in Scorpio). The Sun is exactly square Pluto today as well, heightening the urgency of the moment and bringing one of the promises of the New Moon chart into manifestation.
* On Friday, Mercury is sextile Saturn -- an opportunity to cool down, find solutions, and get back on track.
REMINISCENT of last week, next weekend we have another slew of quintile aspects, each involving either Mercury or the Sun. As mentioned in last week's Journal, this family of aspects indicates a strong concentration of energy. This laser-like attention can manifest in creative ways, but also as the abuse of power.
Saturday's biquintile aspects involve Chiron and Neptune in Pisces, so we may find this a more confusing day, or a time when we find it difficult to capture in words exactly what we know in our hearts. On Sunday, a Mercury-Pluto quintile focuses our attention on the issue at hand, inspiring us to share our opinions with great fervor. The Sun is also quintile Saturn, bringing an objectivity that will come in handy amidst the drama.
IF YOUR BIRTHDAY IS THIS WEEK: Your world has recently gone through a major transition. If your birth anniversary is Monday or Tuesday, you may still feel off-balance but are gradually coming to terms with your new self-definition. If your birthday falls Wednesday through Sunday, significant changes are still underway. Your current experiences will bring you to a stronger awareness of your deeper needs and what will bring greater fulfillment into your life. This is your hero's journey, perhaps one of the most significant phases of your life. You are discovering where you give your power away -- whether to another person, a situation, or your own emotional responses. As you claim back your power, your life is transformed.
About the Author
Pam Younghans is a professional astrologer, editor, and writer. She lives in a log home northeast of Seattle, Washington with her beloved animal companions. She has been interpreting charts professionally for over 25 years. If you are interested in an astrology reading, e-mail
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