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SATURDAY OCTOBER 1. Moon is in Virgo, and we continue in an independent mode. This is a super-creative day, and it may be conflict which engenders that creativity. Mars turns retrograde at 6:04 p.m. EDT, and for about nine weeks we can review and revise our use of aggressive energy. We do have a lot of work ahead, and today we can analyze well those tasks in front of us. However, the work will be slow. During a Mars retrograde time, we never really take our foot off the brake.

Mars makes close aspects to all of the other planets right now. This means that our whole selves are pulled into the endeavor which retrograde Mars is backing into. Mars’ major aspect is an opposition to Venus in Scorpio. The opposition promotes alienation in relationships—especially in these two stubborn and sometimes greedy signs. This makes Libra’s challenge to balance relationships very difficult. It is especially difficult since the Mars-Venus conjunction which began this cycle was in the extremist sign of Scorpio last December. Arguments over turf are likely. In December there was a great deal of underground manipulation occurring in the financial system, intelligence services, voting in the U.S., and, with Scorpio, who knows what else.

Oppositions are like full moons. They represent illumination and turning points. More hidden information may be forthcoming now, especially since we have a Solar Eclipse in two days, which can change circumstances dramatically,

(For more information about Mars retrograde, refer to the September General Influences, and to this month’s Retrograde column.)

SUNDAY OCTOBER 2. Moon is VOC in Virgo early this morning, and then enters Libra at 10:24 a.m. This is a “free” day. There are no aspects bringing us into activities, and it is a dark-of-the-moon day besides. Just chill out, perhaps with friends. In fact, early tomorrow we will experience a solar eclipse, and it can zap our vitality. (Sun is vitality.) It’s best to take it easy on a solar eclipse day.

MONDAY OCTOBER 3. Solar Eclipse New Moon at 11 Libra occurs at 6:28 a.m. EDT. With Libra New Moon, we begin a month of partnership and balancing. (See this month’s General Influences for more on Libra.) The eclipse means changes in those areas, perhaps dramatic. This is a South Nodal Eclipse, which indicates letting go of the past. And a solar eclipse means that the sun is eclipsed, and the moon, or the unconscious, has free play, unencumbered by consciousness. Deep, long repressed urges can emerge. (The opposite will be the case at the North Nodal Eclipse in two weeks.)

Neptune, trine the eclipse, can create an easy pathway for any energy. It can also add to the delusions of the suddenly liberated unconscious and repressed forces. All images, e.g., TV, will be very powerful, as well as very instructive about unconscious motivations.

The eclipse is part of a Finger of God with Uranus at the apex, and Saturn at the other finger. This shows sudden changes in governmental or other structure. The outlet is at GW’s Mars, while Saturn, moving along in Leo, conjoins his powerful Pluto. Saturn is obstacles, and also accountability. Uranus is sudden, often unpredictable activity.

Mars, barely moving in the sky, is very powerful at 24 Taurus. It still opposes Venus, ruler of the eclipse. Mars too is at the apex of a Finger of God, which includes Pluto, Jupiter and Mercury, a powerful combination, one which can move anything. Mars is hanging around the degree of the influential Saturn-Jupiter conjunction of 2000, which began a 20-year social cycle with an emphasis on government, finances, and resources.

Both of these Fingers of God connect closely with the charts of Dick Cheney and of John Roberts—while explosive Pluto opposes U.S. Mars and squares U.S. Neptune. This is a challenging, stressful combination for the U.S. The Eclipse itself occurs in the U.S. 10th house of purpose, indicating that the direction of the nation undergoes change.

This combination of planets also encourages spreading of and susceptibility to viruses.

Locations stressed at both this Eclipse and the Lunar Eclipse in two weeks are the United States, the UK, India, China, and Japan.

The Sabian Symbol for 11 Libra is

“A PROFESSOR PEERING OVER HIS GLASSES AT HIS STUDENTS. Problems attending the transmission of knowledge in a cultural setup. This symbol deals at the intellectual level with the teaching of accumulated collective knowledge, and the problem posed by the acquisition of that knowledge. This is what INSTRUCTION means, a process not to be confused with 'education.'"

TUESDAY OCTOBER 4. Moon continues to pass over the Libra planets, stimulating relationships in many contexts. Emotional awareness is emphasized this morning. Fortune smiles on us as Moon conjoins Jupiter before it goes VOC at 11:15 a.m. Afternoon continues to be sociable. Moon enters Scorpio at 8:03 p.m. EDT, and a curtain of silence may descend.

Tonight we fall under the influence of a stationary Chiron just turning direct for its final jolt to the establishment as it says good-bye to Capricorn for another 50 years. Chiron disrupts the status quo. In the case of Capricorn, we have major institutional and governmental changes. Structural changes are the specialty of Chiron in Capricorn, including the structure of the earth. This is a very major shift, for Chiron now conjoins the U.S. Pluto, the repository of the nation’s power. Chiron’s work now ties in with yesterday’s Solar Eclipse.

This Chiron station is also very close to John Roberts’ Chiron, showing a Chiron return for him, the beginning of a new healing and questing cycle. His appointment as Supreme Court Justice is will represent a major power shift for the U.S., another step in increasing the power of the executive.

Mercury and Jupiter begin a new cycle of using the mind to develop broad concepts. This can include philosophy, teaching, law, and government. This conjunction is still part of the Yod which includes Mars and Pluto. And it squares Chiron and the U.S. Pluto. Mercury and Chiron are both having their last hurrahs in their respective signs, and I believe this conjunction gives an urgency to the Bushies to get their pawns in place for the game.

WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 5. Moon remains in Scorpio, and we won’t accept facile answers to problems. In the morning we work hard, and by afternoon we want to do our own things. Mercury conjoins Jupiter to spread the news.

THURSDAY OCTOBER 6. With Moon in Scorpio, we look deeply into life—and death. We may focus on money and the sharing of resources. There is much energy available to us, and we could use it for some intensive research. Tonight we might be passionate and loving.

FRIDAY OCTOBER 7. This day can be adventurous and exciting, with Moon traveling through Sagittarius. We can broaden our horizons today—through travel, the arts, music, or an exploration of other dimensions. All of this energy picks up momentum tonight, and we will enjoy ourselves. Mercury squares Chiron to give us a glimpse of Chiron’s meaning at this time.

SATURDAY OCTOBER 8. We continue with our artistic adventures this morning. By afternoon, when Mercury enters Scorpio, the vibe becomes more serious and probing. We are on a search for truth. We may be wakeful tonight.

SUNDAY OCTOBER 9. This is an excellent work day, also good for professional connections and getting together with parents and family. Whatever our goals, we can easily manifest them.

MONDAY OCTOBER 10. First Quarter Moon at 18 Capricorn occurs at 3:01 p.m. EDT. We are needing to get going on building some solid security. This is establishment time, let tradition roll. Business and investment are important now. And yet, with the south nodal Eclipse, and the Chiron direct, we are surrendering something from the past. Quincunxes continue to abound, indicating many adjustments. Life has become complicated.

Vesta is the major player now. This tells us that the whole area of investments of all kinds is the focus of the first quarter activity. To use Vesta wisely we must prioritize our values and allocate our assets accordingly. Safety, protection, and security of all kinds are also interests of Vesta. Defending one’s turf is also Vesta’s job. This means that the resistance in Iraq will increase in intensity.

In Washington DC, Chiron is rising, with Neptune, God of the Oceans (including oceans of oil), prominent in the first house. Retrograde Mars is at the bottom of the chart, the place of foundations. Aggressive Mars does not provide a peaceful foundation nor real security, a 4th house concern. The flood consequences open an opportunity for an expression of Mars in Taurus as greedy exploiter, and this could be a representation of this prominent Mars and Chiron in earth signs.

At any rate, each of us must now be aggressive in taking care of ourselves, our families, and our friends amidst changing circumstances.

The Sabian Symbol for 18 Capricorn is

“THE UNION JACK FLAG FLIES FROM A BRITISH WARSHIP. Justice and compassion must balance social power, and especially the power of privileged groups. (This is a concept I never heard expressed in the least degree by Justice Roberts in his hearings, despite prodding and probing by senators.) Where this symbol appears, the need for protection may be in evidence—or it may be a warning against using power for selfish advantage. This symbol brings to us a realization of the ambivalence of POLITICAL POWER, its values and its dangers.”

TUESDAY OCTOBER 11. Moon is VOC in Capricorn this morning, and we may feel at loose ends. Nevertheless optimism is in the air as we participate in our changes. At 12:05 p.m. EDT, Moon enters Aquarius. The larger society is on our minds, and we are ready to talk about it and to dive into it. The afternoon is sociable. In the evening we delve into the darkness, the underground, and the hidden. We may bring new information to light, or uncover a reality behind a denial.

WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 12. Moon in Aquarius emphasizes the fixed grand cross now in the heavens. This can feel like we are in a pressure-cooker. Whatever we choose to do means we lose something somewhere else. Again, a priority list is essential to staying centered. We will be more or less in this fixed grand cross field for the next few months, and we really need to know what is most important and least important, because we will be forced to make choices. Today’s moon in Aquarius can help us to concentrate on our ideals as a guide. Even writing them out can be a big help in keeping our focus on our central values. We have a long day in which to do this, for we will probably be up late tonight, as ideas flow thick and fast.

THURSDAY OCTOBER 13. Moon in Aquarius goes VOC at 9:34 a.m. EDT. The morning has been very productive on many fronts, but maybe now we can relax a bit. Just a bit, for Moon enters Pisces at 2:05 p.m. and heads for its conjunction with unpredictable Uranus late tonight. We may feel nervous this afternoon, without an apparent reason. Uranus is associated with the nervous system, and when it is active in the heavens, as it is now, we tend to feel inexplicably revved up. Pisces represents our larger connection with the cosmos. It is the most watery sign, and rules the water of the earth as well as the oil. Uranus in Pisces means disruption of things Piscean. Pisces Sun people are particularly sensitive during the seven years that Uranus is traveling through Pisces (2003-11). We may have another late night.

FRIDAY OCTOBER 14. Moon is still in Pisces, but it’s not exactly a mellow Pisces. The planets and asteroids remain incredibly connected to one another, and Pisces moon will help them all flow together. We are all much affected by the current heavenly pattern. Unpredictable Uranus, who can shock, sets off three planets today—in the morning, afternoon, and night. The creative arts can flourish. Work on staying centered is called for. In Washington, around noon, the fixed star Benetnash is overhead. This star is often connected with calamities which kill many. Explosive Pluto is rising then on the East Coast. Late nights are becoming a habit. Tonight, a night of power, will be another late one.

SATURDAY OCTOBER 15. Moon is VOC in Pisces for much of the day. Finally—relax. At 3:39 p.m., Moon enters the vigorous sign of Aries, and we can catch up on our exercise. And then sleep well tonight!

SUNDAY OCTOBER 16.This is an exaggerated day. Everything is in high Technicolor. We feel good, and our minds are sharp. A good day for both planning and acting. Another late night? Could be, especially on the West Coast. We’re feeling Full Moon excitement.

MONDAY OCTOBER 17. Full Moon Lunar Eclipse at 25 Aries occurs at 8:14 a.m. EDT. Libra New Moon starts a cycle of balancing opposites, of getting together with an other in an equalitarian relationship. But at the same time we need to retain our own core self, and Aries is about doing just that, finding our personal mission and pursuing it. We need both cooperation and self-interest for a harmonious balance.

The eclipses in both of these signs this month shows that we are finding new ways of manifesting both of those needs. The hurricanes show this changing balance dramatically. Many old, taken for granted relationships, with individuals and with the official sector, have been shattered, and many new ones developed. At the same time, people are on their own in brand new ways. Both new forms of grouping and cooperating, as well as new forms of self-reliance are growing out of the tragedies.

We have a Yod, or Finger of God, with transformative Pluto directing the actions of caretaker Vesta, prone-to-abuse Juno, and aggressive Mars. These add up to exploitation of people, and also of resources, for 2nd-8th houses are the major houses. Saturn is overhead in Washington, indicating that the authorities are firmly in charge. Neptune is on the bottom, showing that Neptunian things, such as water and oil, are at the base of the situation. Neptune squares Mercury in the 1st house, indicating vision, confusion, and deception. Uranus squares Ceres to indicate disruption of food supplies.

The Eclipse itself is in the 12th-6th house axis, an area of service and repair. It conjoins Black Hole Hades, who was feared as the God of Death.

This eclipse is right on the Bush midheaven, showing major change in his status in the world. People are seeing him differently. (Yes, Bush’s midheaven conjoins Black Hole Hades. Figures.)

This eclipse family began with the Solar Eclipse of April 19, 2004. Around that time Bush announced he would “unleash the military,” over a million women marched in Washington for women’s’ right to choose, and the Housing Administration suddenly announced huge and retroactive cuts in the housing program.

Both of the October eclipses have focused most strongly on the Gulf of Mexico, the Mississippi Valley, and on the UK.

The Sabian Symbol for 25 Aries is

“THE POSSIBILITY FOR A HUMAN TO GAIN EXPERIENCE AT TWO LEVELS OF BEING. The revelation of new potentialities. The implied message is one of faith. One can only experience what he deeply believes he can experience. The new step in evolution is only a possibility, a promise. The individual is truly ON PROBATION.”

TUESDAY OCTOBER 18. Moon is in Taurus, encouraging us to pay attention to daily life, and to manifest something useful. Messenger Mercury squares cosmic Neptune, bringing movement and news of Neptunian things, such as oil, water, and climate change. This is a visionary aspect, but it does take us away from reality. Confusion and derangement can ensue. Always with Neptune, Saturn’s reality check is advised. Taurus Moon will also help to keep us grounded.

WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 19. Moon conjoins Mars early this morning to give us a jolt, and then goes VOC for the remainder of the day. Spontaneity is the operative word for a VOC moon. Things may not go as planned. Moon enters Gemini at 10:44 p.m., perhaps to wake us up as our nervous systems pick up speed.

THURSDAY OCTOBER 20. Moon in quicksilver Gemini keeps us on the go, mentally and physically. Catch up on your communication and correspondence, do your errands, take care of odds and ends. We are motivated, and the Force is with us. It could be another late night, especially for West Coasters. Perhaps we can’t tear ourselves away from TV.

FRIDAY OCTOBER 21. Today’s big news is Sun coasting in for its fourth quarter square with Maverick Chiron. This is the final turning point in an annual healing cycle which began in mid-January. About that time, the Condoleezza Rice hearings began, culminating in Bush’s Inauguration for the second time based on a stolen election. Also, Mahmoud Abbas was sworn in as President of Palestine, and the Conference on Global Climate Change occurred in Buenos Aires. During the nine months since then, what have we learned from these endeavors? What do we have to carry with us into this final quarter of the cycle? Moon is still in Gemini, so this is a good day for realizations and for brainstorming.

Jupiter conjoins Sun, to expand our consciousness. Note that Chiron conjoins the U.S. Pluto, showing the involvement of U.S. plutocratic power. We have the same resource-oriented configurations as we’ve had all month. We may be seeing “reconstruction” of New Orleans in the style of reconstruction in Iraq, with the same companies having no-bid, profit-guaranteed contracts. Jupiter also refers to groups such as the “old boys club.”

Energy flows very well today, although there could be a power glitch during the late afternoon.

SATURDAY OCTOBER 22. This is a big day. In the early morning hours, busy Gemini Moon trines Sun and Jupiter to spread beneficence and growth. Then Moon goes VOC at 5:07 a.m., and enters vulnerable Cancer at 6:41 a.m. Sun and Mars, a feisty pair, take the spotlight for the rest of the day.

Sun makes its annual conjunction with Jupiter, when it gives Jupiter his instructions for the next year. Jupiter is where we grow, widen our horizons, reach out to the wide world in a variety of ways, and join with others of like mind. This conjunction is in the very final degree of Libra. Libra is a sign of negotiation, able to see both sides in a dispute, and make fair judgments. It practices working with balance constantly.

However, both Sun and Jupiter are about to enter Scorpio, where Jupiter will travel for the next year. Scorpio is about control, power, regeneration, quite different from Libra. And it is likely that Libra’s current ideals will be hoisted on the petard of money and power. High expectations will not hold up in practice. The coming year will be a disputatious time for negotiations of all kinds.

This is also shown by the chart for the conjunction, which features a Scorpio Ascendant, flanked by Pallas Athena and Mercury, opposed by Mars in Taurus. Mars opposing Mercury also indicates fights and arguments. In addition, it shows much work energy.

People may be walking around with chips on their shoulders today. Watch out for sensitivities. On the other hand, working creatively with words is also featured. Tonight we may feel like watching a strange video, or perhaps just cozying in at home.

SUNDAY OCTOBER 23. Moon is still traveling through home-loving Cancer. It lends nice support to Sun’s entrance into Scorpio early this morning. At the same time Pluto, associated with Scorpio, has its exact opposition to Juno. This Pluto-Juno opposition is the defining aspect of October and November. In mundane charts, Juno always shows that there are victims in the picture. Power, then, is opposed to victims. One manifestation, surely, is reconstruction of New Orleans in such a way that the poor and black residents will not have a comfortable city to which to return. This aspect can also refer to the situation of torture of prisoners in which the CIA has engaged for decades—at least since the Reagan years began, and which is being increasingly revealed. It also can refer to war itself. Today a Scorpio Mercury quincunxes this pressured Juno, and we may get some news on the situation.

Scorpio Sun itself is in the second house of resources, still joined by Jupiter. Big projects and big money are in the works. Moon has pleasant, stimulating aspects tonight. With all the water around, music might be very welcome.

MONDAY OCTOBER 24. This day looks to be good-feeling, communicative, and optimistic. Moon makes its final aspect with enthusiastic Jupiter in Libra, the last one for another 12 years. Librans, enjoy this final moment of basking in Jupiter’s light.

Moon goes VOC at 5:18 p.m. EDT, and enters Leo exactly one-half hour later. It then moves into a Last Quarter aspect with Sun, which occurs at 9:17 p.m. We have Leo Moon squaring Scorpio Sun at 2 degrees.

The last quarter is where we separate the wheat from the chaff, and let the chaff go. But with Sun and Moon in fixed signs (Leo and Scorpio), letting go is difficult. Here is where we need our priority list.

Uranus sits at the top of the chart, showing (1) independence and (2) that anything can happen. Juno is rising, putting terror front and center. Pluto is setting, showing delays in the renovation process. Pluto is at the apex of the same Yod (Finger of God) which it has been controlling all month. It includes Mars and Vesta at the ends of the arms, showing productive building of security. However, with Mars retrograde there are and will be problems well into the future.

Moon, representing the People, is in the second house of money and resources, along with Vesta, who takes care of household security. Sun, with Jupiter, is in the fifth house of speculation. The sixth house of problem-solving is inhabited by Pluto, Venus, Mercury, and Ceres. This is a team which can look at a variety of needs.

This Moon family began on July 29, 2003. Among the many major events then were the Senate passing a terrible energy bill, called by many The Dirty Air Bill, Athens attorneys charging Tony Blair with “crimes against humanity” at the Hague International Criminal Court, and a CAFTA meeting in New Orleans.

The Sabian Symbol for 2 Leo is

“AN EPIDEMIC OF MUMPS. The spreading power of individual crises through a collectivity. The infectious spread of individual experiences.”

TUESDAY OCTOBER 25. Moon is in enthusiastic Leo, and it conjoins Saturn. Leo is a hard worker anyway, and Saturn there partakes of that ambition and energy. This is a good day for working hard at something which you enjoy. Tonight is playtime.

Tonight Jupiter enters Scorpio, the start of a one-year journey through this dynamic sign. Jupiter in Scorpio attracts both money and people in high places. Scorpio is a super creative sign, and interested in the bottom line. Jupiter there can be very successful, as long as he doesn’t get carried away with greed and self-importance. Scorpio now becomes the most dominant sign. Jupiter allied with Sun is an unbeatable dynamic duo. Luck will increase for all Scorpio Sun Sign people during the coming year.

But they will have to work for it. And do some releasing. The fixed sign grand cross begins in earnest now. Today it revolves around the Pallas/Mercury duo in Scorpio, a very smart and focused pair. Stubborn Taurus Mars, swimming against the current as it moves retrograde, opposes them. Crossing them are Leo Moon opposing a powerful stationary Neptune in Aquarius. Peak oil is no longer an abstract. The people are facing its truth and consequences at the gas pump.

There is great creative energy in a fixed cross. But it must be focused (priorities), and we must be willing to surrender old ways. Otherwise it can degenerate into fear, conflict, dithering, and dead ends.

We enter a portal of tremendous opportunity to create a new and better society.

WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 26. And to cap it off, late today Neptune turns direct and announces that it’s time to start manifesting the visions which we have been accumulating over the last five months.

Moon remains in expressive, dramatic Leo, with fine, creative aspects. Planets are beginning to move into Sagittarius, another fire sign, and they work well with our Leo occupants—Moon, who keeps us in the swim of things, and Saturn, the Builder. As the fire signs pick up steam, we can move into action, although retrograde Mars will definitely object, and provide obstacles to slow us down.

Neptune shifts direction exactly over Washington DC. The Administration is in charge of the prevailing new visions. The fixed cross shows, however, that there are countervailing forces.

The sky now is full of quincunxes, Yods, and oppositions, as it has been for at least two months. (I’ve never seen a remotely comparable period.) This is a time of enormous, wrenching adjustments.

Degrees now are similar to those sensitized by the Great Eclipse of August 11, 1999. Its great change work is showing strongly now, as Saturn is slowly moving towards the 19 degrees Leo of that powerful eclipse. Fixed sign planets are in the maw of change. It is especially difficult for them, but at the same time especially imperative. We are looking at changes in power structures, which are the domains of the fixed signs.

THURSDAY OCTOBER 27. Moon is in Virgo for the next three days, and we can tend to some of the details and daily upkeep which we may have been neglecting during these exciting times. Virgo works well in the Scorpio energy field, which we are in.

FRIDAY OCTOBER 28. Busy Virgo Moon latches on to Mars today. Together they can fix anything. Tonight Venus conjoins Pluto, a combination which shows intense love, as well as love of power.

SATURDAY OCTOBER 29. We will want to clean up all loose ends today, before Moon goes VOC at 5:06 p.m. EDT. At 6:15 p.m., Moon enters romantic Libra, and we may have another night of love. Daylight saving time ends early tomorrow morning. Remember to set your clocks back one hour. Also, lively early morning aspects may keep us awake late.

SUNDAY OCTOBER 30. Moon is in sociable Libra. Enjoy your people connections today. Sun trines Uranus to help us to do what we want to do, to do our thing. It is personal independence day. Mercury enters Sagittarius to lift our minds, and encourage us to think of distant places and lofty ideas. We start to look at values in a new way, and we may want to talk with others about our insights. This Libra Moon month is fading. What can we leave behind? What future visions do we have?

MONDAY OCTOBER 31. Moon continues in Libra, and goes VOC at 6:17 p.m. EST. This is a wonderful day to mask and costume ourselves. In addition, it feels like a time of Death. The old Moon cycle is almost gone, the year is almost gone, and for months we’ve had Pluto, God of the Underworld looking over our left shoulders, and snatching bodies when he can. This is a time of going deep. Tomorrow we have All Saints Day, and New Moon in Scorpio. A fresh start.