Mercury stations at 11 Scorpio 39 next Tuesday, 13 October. That same day Venus conjoins “the other Pluto,” Orcus, at 12 Virgo 36, very much in a sextile to Mercury’s degree of station. That very same day, Mars in Aries retrogrades through an exact opposition to the Sun in Libra (21° 04') marking the midpoint of his retrograde era. This Sun-Mars aspect squares Pluto in Capricorn and also squares Jupiter in Capricorn, both aspects within a modest orb. This is a lot to unpack.
Let’s start with Mercury going retrograde. While the laments of, “Oh no. Not again. Damn you messenger, damn you!” fill the cyberspace when this appears on the celestial calendar, there’s actually some juicy merit to this Mercury retrograde. How cool is that? So let’s say your favorite screenwriter, filmmaker, novelist, painter, pot thrower comes to you and asks how you like their most recent creation. Your job is to tell the truth and nothing but the truth. Given Mercury is retrograde, you can dig deep and find a creative way to express your reaction that is polite, redeeming, but most important, honest.
More, it’s your job with Mercury in Scorpio to tell yourself the truth. In the bottom of your psychic bilges, you want what you want and you want it as much as you want it. You know certain amazing things about yourself to be true, regardless of the opinions of the others or the outer world. This is the time when you connect desire with creative drive and decide no matter what... no matter what... you’re going to do what you must do. And that’s the truth.
The Venus-Orcus conjunction in Virgo should present interesting complexities to politicians in terms of interrogation as to whether their oath of office is being fulfilled in a dutiful manner. As far as individuals not in office are concerned, there’s an assessment of promises made versus promises kept, and all oaths and vows taken. This aspect seeks to confirm your impeccable compliance with the intent of all such proclamations to which a mindful person has agreed. Those lining up with the letter of the oath are in good shape and then Orcus smiles upon your efforts and provides sanction to your efforts and navigation in life. Nice.
The Sun-Mars opposition, plain and simple, is a testy aspect. Combativeness humidifies the air. There is a side of Libra that actually savors a good confrontation... presumably with the agenda of things becoming more fair and win-win on the other side. However, there is a clear message of zero-sum carried by instigating parties. Politically, the world is asunder. The whole COVID-19 scenario climbs back to page one of print news. It’s a lot. Given the aspect between the conscious attention of the Sun, the fervent activity of Mars and their current squares to Jupiter with his pontificating urge and to Pluto’s with his determination that it’s not over until it’s over, perhaps, taking a hint from Elatus... the centaur who recently enjoyed a conjunction from the Sun and is still in waning orb.
Get out of the way! When slings and arrows and aspersions fill the air, take cover. In the debacle at the cave of Pholus, where Hercules had to defend against an onslaught of centaurs seeking wine, Elatus managed to find his way into the crossfire. An arrow poisoned by Chiron, fired by Hercules, deflected through Elatus’ body and found its way to wound Chiron.
A few remedies here. Given Jupiter’s and Pluto’s proximity and the determined nature of both of them, minds are not likely to be changed in this time. In fact, engaging in rhetorical discussion is likely to degrade quickly. Mercury is retrograde remember. Perhaps, stepping out of the mayhem, deciding what you need to do for yourself to participate in the world in a better way, and quietly going about your business is the superior thing to do.
Should your instincts tell you that a situation is about to escalate to critical proportions, truly, it’s best to leave that location. What you can do is vote - vote in elections, vote with your conscious actions in life. You know, there’s a theory that suggests if one does not vote, whether in elections or with actions in life, they forfeit the right to complain about the outcomes. Anyway, with Venus and Orcus together, the underlying oath of voting will be taken seriously and with Virgo energy underscoring, there will be impeccability at the core of the process. And personally, ones role is to clearly engage all actions and only those actions that fulfill the highest callings to which one claims to prescribe.
Truly, this is a curious time. Pick your positions and proclamations carefully. With Mercury in Scorpio and Pluto in play by differing transits, there is merit in the invisibility of Pluto’s helmet. Going out and doing what you do without spectacle might just be galactic passport for progressive travels. No need in the moment to create a ruckus or make a spectacle of your efforts. Soon, very soon, the time to unveil discrete efforts taken will be at hand.
More soon!