October 17th, 2018: Venus/Lilith and Pluto/Ceres

• Venus Rx in Scorpio square Black Moon Lilith in Aquarius (8 deg)

• Pluto in Capricorn square Ceres in Libra (18 deg)

Venus and Lilith

Another intense day, as Venus perfects the second of three squares with BML in Aquarius.

I wrote the following about the first square on September 16th:

“Venus' square to Lilith brings another crisis. Venus in Scorpio is dark and intense, but Scorpio's shadows manifest in the familiar guise of female energy - Venus attracts and is about relationships. In Scorpio, she draws people in so she can get as close as possible. Lilith in Aquarius couldn't care less about relationships. She's out there on her own, blazing her own path, offending or unnerving most people. If she does attract someone they're usually drawn to the truly atypical, independent lady who doesn't want to attract them in the first place.   

When these two square each other, you may experience the clash between merging and repulsing, or the desire for complete intimacy versus complete distance. These are two different types of female power - absorption of the partner's resources (and in some cases, the partner) versus zero need for a partner.” 

These issues will be revisited, but now that Venus is Rx there will be a review of why you want to merge, if merging is possible or if there are deeper reasons behind the tension between intimacy versus rebellion. Between staying hidden/secret versus putting it out there. Venus Rx in Scorpio can reveal the secrets/taboos that are driving BML’s anger or rejection.

Pluto and Ceres

Continuing today’s heavy theme, Pluto (ruler of Scorpio) perfects his square with the Great Mother (Ceres). A specific theme from the October 8th New Moon will reach an intense peak:

“Ceres is about the cycle of nurturing and loss - a square to Pluto is the crisis of loss (the threat of loss). So this new beginning will undoubtedly be intense, because it will involve an amplified desire to hang onto someone/something, due to the real or perceived threat of loss. In Libra, we see a distinct imbalance - one person does all the nurturing. This could be due to a partner’s illness (the imbalance cannot be avoided) or obsessive smothering of a desired object. Ceres square Pluto is the devouring Great Mother whose power lies in her ability to feed and starve. At the root of her power is her fear of losing what she loves.

These dynamics can play out in different ways. Because Libra is involved, there’s always projection to consider. Who really has the power? Under these aspects, the person who feels compelled to offer care may have an agenda.”

The issues of loss, control and what must be accepted in a difficult agreement will be emphasized. In the Ceres myth, she made a deal with Pluto that allowed Persephone (her daughter) to spend part of the year above ground with her (after Pluto abducted her). Not the perfect agreement (Ceres had to accept that Persephone was not with her all the time) and it required her acceptance of what she could not control. But she still got some of what she wanted.

Consider how this might apply to your life, and in the context of the New Moon.

The energy that ties these aspects together is Scorpio/Pluto. The raw truth behind the scenes and the confrontation with shadow issues (manipulation, control, fear of death/loss, the unspoken fight for survival). If it feels like there’s more at stake today, consider what you’re not openly acknowledging. And then, consider if what’s happening is really a fight for survival or if you’re operating on outdated programs. There’s probably something today that you can’t fully control and this fact may threaten you.

What’s the worst that could happen if you acknowledged what’s beyond your control?

October 12th, 2018: Stay Calm

• Libra Sun square Pluto in Capricorn (18 deg)

• Mercury in Scorpio sextile Saturn in Capricorn (3 deg)

• Juno stations retrograde in Gemini (0 deg)

Sun/Pluto

We see themes from the October 8th New Moon in the square between Pluto and the Libra Sun. Sun/Pluto is an aspect of power, but the tension of the square means it’s expressed discordantly. There is an intensified push for control/dominance based on the fear of being controlled/dominated. You may experience this as an extreme imbalance between you and another (one person has all the power).

In Libra, the surface vibe may be quite polite and “nice” but Pluto’s shadow suggests something darker behind the scenes. Watch for passive-aggressive or indirect expressions of power. If the situation feels “off” you’re not just imagining it. Consider where the anxiety might be coming from and if there’s any way you can correct that imbalance.

Mercury/Saturn

Mercury is nicely stabilized by Saturn. Conversations and realizations will be quiet and serious. Nothing dramatic here, just the certainty that you can rely on what you discover or hear. Saturn’s rules/focus can help you stay grounded if there’s a risk of becoming overwhelmed by the depth of Scorpio-flavoured information.

This aspect can help with the crisis of the Sun/Pluto square - stay calm, focus on what you’re uncovering or what feels deeply honest.

Juno

Mercury rules Gemini, and this is where Juno Rx is. As noted in this post, Juno (agreements, contracts) has only recently entered the sign of choices and new information. New agreements or partnership choices are being questioned already, but Mercury/Saturn suggests a calm, rational approach even as you peer underneath.

This takes us back to Sun/Pluto: Libra is the sign of relationships, so there’s hint that the power crisis will be connected to Juno’s Rx (questioning the new agreement).

October 9th, 2018: Mercury in Libra Inconjunct Chiron

• Mercury in Libra inconjunct Chiron Rx in Pisces (29 deg)

Mercury’s inconjunct, before it plunges into Scorpio this evening, suggests an awkward conversation or observation. The social facade will be disrupted - attempts to gloss over Chiron’s pain, embarrassment or discomfort will miss the point. This is not something you should avoid.

Mercury in Libra does demand some social finesse; you can still be gracious. But there’s no use pretending that everything’s ok, because your attention has just been drawn to a repeat (Rx) wound.

And how fortuitous that Mercury will be entering the sign of darkness and profound honesty after this aspect. This does suggest that Chiron’s wound is only the tip of the iceberg. As you move forward you’ll see and hear much more. Use this moment to recognize what’s wrong, then be prepared to go deeper (investigate or do some intense inner work).

New Moon in Libra Conjunct Ceres

The October 8th Libra New Moon (15 deg) conjoins Ceres and squares Pluto. The Pluto/Ceres myth is energized here - Pluto (King of the Underworld) took Ceres’ daughter and as she mourned the crops withered. They made a deal and he allowed her daughter to spend part of the year with her (during which time the crops grew).

Ceres is about the cycle of nurturing and loss - a square to Pluto is the crisis of loss (the threat of loss). So this new beginning will undoubtedly be intense, because it will involve an amplified desire to hang onto someone/something, due to the real or perceived threat of loss. In Libra, we see a distinct imbalance - one person does all the nurturing. This could be due to a partner’s illness (the imbalance cannot be avoided) or obsessive smothering of a desired object. Ceres square Pluto is the devouring Great Mother whose power lies in her ability to feed and starve. At the root of her power is her fear of losing what she loves.

These dynamics can play out in different ways. Because Libra is involved, there’s always projection to consider. Who really has the power? Under these aspects, the person who feels compelled to offer care may have an agenda.

Apart from relationships, Ceres is associated with food and the square to Pluto could indicate a new diet/approach to sustenance that is (initially) unbalanced. Pluto means transformation, but tension of this aspect means transformation due to forced or excessive change.

Whatever the situation, the start will probably be extreme in some way. Adjustments will need to happen before you can reach that point of equilibrium, and part of the journey will involve accepting that loss of some kind will be involved. It may happen down the road, or it may be the trigger for this new beginning. You can’t circumvent the natural order of things.

This Moon will also make an inconjunct to Neptune Rx in Pisces, so you’ll be dealing with a couple of fantasies or unfounded fears. Too, Neptune reminds you that some of what’s happening is beyond your control - nothing lasts forever. You can dwell on what you’re afraid of losing, or you can enjoy what you have while you have it.

And this is a new beginning, so there’s a suggestion that we are at the part of the cycle where Ceres’ daughter is released (temporarily) from the Underworld. There can be growth and abundance ahead, as long as you remember that it’s part of a cycle.

October 8th, 2018: Just Before The Libra New Moon

• Libra Moon trine the Aquarius South Node (3 deg)

• Libra Moon square Saturn in Capricorn (3 deg)

• Libra Moon square Vesta in Capricorn (6 deg)

• Libra Moon trine Black Moon Lilith in Aquarius (7 deg)

• Libra Moon trine Mars in Aquarius (9 deg)

Leading up to today’s New Moon in Libra (11:46 PM EDT) the Waning Moon starts with a harmonious contact to the South Node - the past is easily integrated into the present. This is a mild aspect so you probably won’t feel it strongly, but watch for a sense of familiarity as big issues involving liberation, individuation or the group play out in a one-on-one context. Been there, done that.

The squares to Saturn and Vesta are a bit more pronounced, suggesting limits on a relationship or an imbalance due to excessive focus in one area. At this point you may discover that social acceptance or peace are defined (by tradition) to the point where your options are limited. This energy can feel uncomfortable - maybe you’re being judged or cut off.

However, the trines to BML and Mars provide a nice outlet: if the rules aren’t working for you, know that there’s another way. BML and Mars in Aquarius encourage you to follow the alternative path and act from a place of honest motivation. Don’t worry about being liked - the trine suggests there should be natural acceptance and understanding from another.

These trines refer back to any Aquarius South Node issues that are coming forward - past issues of rebellion, freedom or feeling like an outcast can be worked through.

All this occurs during the Dark or Waning Moon. The time just before the New Moon is perfect for wrapping up old issues, saying goodbye or shutting something down. You need to do this in order to approach the New Moon with a clean slate.

What relationship and social dynamics are ending?