OCTOBER 2006

The third Mercury retrograde of 2006 begins on the 28th in the sign of Scorpio (See Mercury). Mercury retrogrades generally transit in the same element in one year – in this case water which is emotional, sensitive and passionate. The first was in March in Pisces, the second in July in Cancer and this month in Scorpio. Pisces relates to service, dedication and sensitivity to the needs of others as well as art, creativity and dance. Cancer relates to family, real estate, security, politics, unions and a country’s allegiance. Scorpio is the sign of motivation, commitment, passion, finances and investments as well as power, force and aggression. The end of October brings a similar energy to July when the conflict began in Lebanon. Mercury went retrograde as Jupiter went direct. Mercury retrograde supported wrong decisions and Jupiter expanded the situation. By the time Mercury left the retrograde’s influence in late August, there was some measure of resolution. Neptune turns direct on the 29th which can affect financial markets as well as weather. Neptune stations have been associated with floods. Jupiter squares Saturn on the 25th. It represents the stress between expansion and contraction/opportunity vs. conservation. This is the third of three occurrences – the first was 12/17/05 and the second 6/22/06. The Sun in Libra until the 23rd supports interaction with others. The positive expression is cooperation, mediation, arbitration and partnering as well as cultural interests such as art, music and dance. The negative expression is conflict and open opposition. The Sun in Scorpio after the 23rd supports passion, motivation and commitment as well as financial interests, shared resources and investments as well as the highest expression of spiritual work. The negative expression is the misuse of power, aggression, force, manipulation, crime and the underworld.

Mercury (communications, writing, contracts, commerce) enters Scorpio on the 2nd where it turns retrograde on the 28th at 25 degrees Scorpio. On the 9th Mercury enters the setup “shadow” of the retrograde when an issue begins to take shape on which you will work or a transition will occur between October 28th and November 18th while Mercury is retrograde. From November 18th to December 5th is the completion phase during which agreements can be finalized and details completed. and special-interest groups. During the retrograde it is best to avoid major purchases and long-range agreements. Necessary information may not be available or the agreeing parties could change their minds.

Venus (values, money, social connections) in Libra until the 24th values socializing, togetherness, cooperation, mediation, arbitration and partnerships. Venus in Scorpio after the 24th values passion, motivation, investment and financial interests. It joins Mars, Mercury and Jupiter in Scorpio. This combination can be driven and powerful. How it is used will depend on whether the person or group using the energy is motivated by good or evil.

Mars (initiation, energy, aggression) in Libra until the 23rd lends energy and desire to cooperation, collaboration, partnering and merging. It can soften aggression and support mediation and arbitration. Mars in Scorpio after the 23rd can be quietly intense or outwardly determined. When Venus enters Scorpio on the 24th, the combination of Venus, Mars, Mercury and Jupiter in Scorpio can be driven, passionate and possibly fortunate financially. The down side of this energy can be angry, aggressive and destructive. How it is used depends on how a person or group is motivated.

Jupiter (expansion, opportunity, optimism, travel, foreign trade, education, religion, legal matters) transits 18-24 degrees Scorpio where it was in February and March 2006. Jupiter in Scorpio is a cycle of opportunity, freedom, expansion or movement. This month it affects those born November 10th-16th, May 9th-15th, August 11th-17th and February 7th-13th as well as persons or entities whose charts have planets or angles from 18 to 24 degrees Scorpio, Taurus, Leo or Aquarius. Jupiter in Scorpio supports opportunity thru motivation, commitment, sharing, saving, discharging debt, fiscal responsibility and supporting the passions, talents and beliefs which make a person, company product or idea unique.

Saturn (structure, foundation, responsibility) transits 21 to 23 degrees Leo where it will retrograde in January/February and direct in June/July 2007. Saturn has now reached the middle of Leo and has brought career shifts and changes in responsibility to many Leos as well as restructuring in the house of the chart it rules or where planets in Leo are found. Leo relates to royalty, leadership, entertainment, performing, children and creative talents. During Saturn in Leo hobbies can be developed and turned into businesses. This month’s transit most directly affects those born August 14th-17th, February 10th-13th, November 13th-16th and May 12th-15th as well as those whose charts have planets or angles from 21 to 23 degrees Leo, Aquarius, Taurus and Scorpio. Saturn’s last transit thru Leo was 1975 to 1978. Review what was happening in your life about 30 years ago, during the half-cycle of 14-15 years (in Aquarius), the quarter cycle of 7 years (in Taurus) and 21 years, the third quarter cycle (in Scorpio) to understand what Saturn in Leo from July 2005 to September 2007 will mean for you.

Uranus (freedom, rebellion, surprise, invention technology) retrogrades from 11 to 10 degrees Pisces, repeating where it was in March and where it will repeat in December 2006. Most affected are birthdays from March 1st-2nd, September 3rd-4th, December 3rd-4th and June 1st-2nd as well as persons or companies whose charts have planets or angles from 10-11 degrees Pisces, Virgo, Gemini or Sag. Between March 2006 and January 2007 they will need freedom, experience chaos or make radical changes. Uranus will be in Pisces until 2011 and supports social revolution. During 1920, the start of the previous Uranus thru Pisces, Congress granted women the right to vote. It was the “roaring 20’s.” Uranus in Pisces supports artistic creativity with innovation and intellect with sensitivity, leading to modern ways of helping those in need and suggesting that the only way that humanity will survive is by caring for each other and doing what is best for all, addressing humanitarian and global issues such as disaster relief and political decisions made for the good of the masses, not just special interests and the wealthy.

Neptune (sensitivity, inspiration, escapism, dreams, trust) retrogrades at 17 degrees Aquarius where it turns direct on the 29th, repeating its position in April/June 2005, February 2006 and will be in November. Neptune relates to intangibles such as imagination, inspiration, art and creative writing as well as prayer, healing, dreams and escapism. Birthdays most affected are February 6th, May 7th, August 9th and November 9th as well as charts with planets or angles near 17 degrees Leo, Taurus, Aquarius or Scorpio. During Neptune’s retrograde (May thru October 2006) is an excellent time to release addictive habits, attitudes or behaviors. Neptune transits bring a lack of focus or direction, a sense of drifting or the inability to see a disappointment, betrayal, error or weakness until it’s too late. It dissolves the past in order to make space for the future. On the positive side this can be a time for healing, faith, psychic insights and artistic creativity. Under Neptune in Aquarius you can develop intuition, musical talents, practice meditation and pay more attention to your own inner guidance. You may also need to watch your back and balance faith with fact to see events clearly, not with wishful thinking or being attached to the dream or vision of what you think might have been.
 

Pluto (power, control, resources, transformation) transits at 24 degrees Sagittarius, repeating where it was February thru April and December of 2005 and July thru September of 2006. Birthdays influenced most are December 16th, June 14th-15th, March 15th and September 17th as well as charts with planets or angles around 24 degrees Virgo, Pisces, Sagittarius and Gemini. From February 2005 to October 2006 they have experienced major changes in life such as marriage, divorce, relocation, career changes and/or financial challenges. These are times in life when counseling or therapy could be required and self-awareness and/or motivational work found very valuable. Now that Pluto has completed the 24th degree and is now three-quarters of the way thru the sign of Sagittarius, it has brought focus, transformation and paradigm shifts in travel, education, travel, religion, politics and global trade.

Specific indications for the twelve signs are as follows:

Note: In addition to reading about your sun sign, you can get additional information by reading about your moon sign, rising sign and the sign on the Midheaven of your chart.

Nancy Bahlman is a professional astrologer with special interests in relating persons to locations using Astro*Cartography and Local Space Charts. Classes now forming.
(248) 546-5407 chartmates@aol.com