Daylight Time ends in the US this Sunday Nov. 6th.

Hello my friends,

It's Autumn - time to clear up, clean out and get ready for Winter. For those of you who like their information in a nutshell, I want to be sure to say that if you have something important to do this month, please don't wait until the end of the month to do it. There is a lot of inspiration and great ideas going around in the first part of the month, but the last 2 weeks may find things hard going, as Mercury turns retrograde on the 23rd and we have our next eclipse series starting on the 24th.

Today, we see Venus and Mercury moving into Sagittarius and trined with Uranus. For many this move will be a relief - particularly those ruled by Venus or Mercury or people who have strong Taurus, Libra, Gemini or Virgo in their charts - as our love/money and communication energy shines through optimistic Sagittarius instead of intense and controlling Scorpio. Trines are beneficial aspects, as the energies merge nicely - like traffic merging by an on ramp - and Uranus is very social, techy and sometimes surprising. It looks like a great day for social media or a great day to come up with a creative solution to the issues raised while these 2 were in Scorpio. It also seems to bode well for on-line sales, so I am hoping that any of you who have on-line products for sale for the holidays are ready (or nearly ready) for your big promotional push. These aspects could also be a communication surprise - could be just what you needed, could waste a lot of time.

Many of us are feeling a huge drain on our energy. Some are putting it off to the difficulties that arose in the last few weeks - but that Mars opposing dreamy Neptune isn't helping. Mars will oppose Neptune until the 20th of the month and we need to remember that Mars is energy and self directed creativity, while Neptune is the planet of spirit and inspiration - so, while it may be hard to accomplish stuff during this time, it is also important to remember that these transits come around for a reason. Now, for example, is a great time to enjoy a hobby - did someone say Holiday Crafts? It's also a good time to catch up on our rest - and we will need it to manage the last 2 weeks of the month. Clean up is also well aspected this month. Neptune, being the planet of spirit, also reminds us that we need to nurture our own selves and spirit - we need to make our own selves happy and live healthfully. We need to focus on the things that are positive in our lives or it may be nearly impossible to get out of bed. Many of us will find themselves more strongly asked (by the Universe, as it were) to live more responsibly and healthily.

Neptune and Chiron are still travelling together, so Mars is also opposing Chiron, our wounded healer, adding to the general malaise, I think.

Chiron opposes Mars
You are being forced to reassess your direction in life and to realign your goals on a more spiritual basis through an external event or another person's action. This could be through the physical illness of a loved one, which forces you to slow down and contemplate your future. Alternatively it could be an event which has sparked deep emotions and a search for more meaningful pursuits. Perhaps something has happened which threatens your goals and ambitions. It is also possible that you are being asked to take a new path which is challenging your deep-seated fears of failure or success. It is important that you work through any emotions so that you can clearly assess your future in the light of your true purpose. It is not the time for a wild display of emotions, but more a time of self-honesty and an expression of your true values.

On the 10th, Mars enters Virgo for a very, very long stay. Mars will focus our energy on health, details and caretaking. Home routines may be changed or fine tuned during this time and people may become critical when blocked. Detailed work will be very well highlighted through the end of the year - and then Mars goes retrograde on January 23rd. Headstrong Mars seldom goes retrograde - it's energy is one that really wants to be moving forward - so when it does go retrograde and it's energy is focused inward, we focus more on personal details and personal health. We may also look back to review the things we have done with our health and our details to plan for course corrections, etc. Mars will be retrograde until April 14th (just before Tax Day in the US) and will remain in Virgo until July 3rd - giving us more time to work out details and set things to rights with our health. As a Virgo, I am hoping this will give me lots of energy for the first half of the year, though it could also make Virgos a bit more argumentative.

It will be important to note that on the 10th Mars will be both opposing Neptune and Chiron and quincunx with Mars:

Uranus quincunx Mars
You are changing directions, perhaps letting go of a project or goal which has required your energy. You may find that you lack motivation as you make adjustments in your direction. However, once you have ended this phase there will be plenty of energy for the new project.

Finally, I want to talk about the Thanksgiving eclipse and Mercury Retrograde, to give plenty of notice. Of course you know I always recommend minimum travel when Mercury changes directions or signs (that goes for today and tomorrow, too!) but happening so close to Thanksgiving just sounds like trouble. Mercury in Sagittarius is prime time for foot-in-mouth disease and when it's retrograde, even more so. With the New Moon eclipse (partial solar eclipse 10:19pm PST Nov. 24 - 1:19am Nov. 25 EST) the very next day shows the Moon and Sun both in Sagittarius and trined with Uranus at the time of the eclipse, this could well be a doozy. Sagittarius the Archer says "I see" and that is because with all the leaves out of the trees, he can see his objective more easily. There's a feeling of clearing out and getting everything out into the open, perhaps through a Uranus surprise. These aspects also bode well for on-line shopping. Jupiter also aspects the Sun and Moon, further asking us to let go - the Moon with Jupiter this way could make for an emotional holiday.

So plan wisely, my friends. We need to get as much done as we can before the 19th, for safety (3-4 days before or after the retrograde moment). It's tempting to hold out for that circle day on the 22nd - but so close to the retrograde, last minute issues or electronics snafus could cause delays. More likely you plan to launch on the 19th and it takes until the 22nd to get it up and running properly...lol!

Wishing you all the best!

Carole

PS - Election Day in the US is Tuesday November 8th - naturally while the Sun is in Scorpio, urging us to use out Power wisely. Please, don't forget to vote.