THE COSMIC WEATHER FORECAST calls for continued turbulence this coming week. Although we may not enjoy the bumpy ride, it is perhaps somewhat reassuring to know that these disruptive conditions are "in the stars," and are meant to be happening now.

Much of what we are experiencing relates to the ongoing effects of the Saturn-Pluto alignment. While their exact conjunction occurred back in January, the two planets are still separated by only three degrees, putting them very much within each other's energy field.

Imagine standing right next to someone who triggers strong reactions in you. Now visualize them standing only three feet away from you. There's not really an easing of tensions until the other person moves much farther away, allowing you to breathe a sigh of relief and to relax your guard.

TOGETHER, Saturn and Pluto in Capricorn are providing a powerful reality check, designed to make sure we no longer ignore social issues that need to be addressed. We are seeing the downfall of many of the systems and structures that society has relied upon to provide stability – but the truth is, that many of these systems have deteriorated and are no longer functioning for the good of the people. This is where we are seeing the strongest effects of the Saturn-Pluto influence, as dysfunctions and decay are exposed. 

In the days ahead, we will see even more clearly the cracks in systems that relate to the sign Libra, as the Sun (in Libra) activates the Saturn-Pluto effect. Over the coming week, the Sun will be exactly square both Saturn and Pluto, and will also oppose both Mars and Eris. Specifically, we are likely to see where the justice system has become corroded, where politics and politicians have become corrupted, and where fair play and cooperation have become foreign concepts.

THE NEW MOON on Friday is a major player in this week’s drama. It occurs at 12:30 p.m. PDT on October 16, when the Sun and Moon align at 23°53′ Libra. This is a supermoon, coinciding with the Moon being at its closest point to the Earth (at perigee). Such close proximity is said to augment the effects of any lunation.

Even more significant is that the New Moon chart incorporates all those challenging solar aspects just mentioned above. The result is a configuration called a "cardinal T-square," with the Sun/Moon in peace-loving Libra opposite reactionary Mars/Eris in Aries, and all four of those planets square Saturn/Pluto/Jupiter in authoritative Capricorn.

ASTROLOGER Bil Tierney explores T-squares in depth in his book Dynamics of Aspect Analysis. He writes that a cardinal T-square provides "many growth-accelerating lessons," "direct confrontations," and "circumstantial crises." He also notes that to navigate these lessons successfully, we must become very self-aware, "observe restraint," and avoid acting without first giving careful thought to what we are about to do.

Making this T-square even more potent is that Saturn, Pluto, and Jupiter inhabit the "apex" position at the base of the “T” formation. Apex planets describe how the energy of the configuration is going to play out. We've already described the Saturn-Pluto effect, and with Jupiter being the Great Magnifier, all manifestations are exaggerated.

In essence, these apex planets tell us to be prepared for frustrations and anxiety (Saturn), confrontations and power plays (Pluto), and fanatical or impulsive behaviors (Jupiter).

CLEARLY, it is more important than ever that we have our spiritual toolbox handy this week. Find ways to transcend the drama and trauma, and take special care of your physical needs with healthy food, plenty of rest, and your favorite form of movement or exercise. Options may include daily (or more often!) meditation, walks in nature, disconnecting from mainstream media, deep breathing, taking everything one step at a time, and having faith in the higher outcome, no matter how things may appear on the surface at this time.

As Native American elder Steven Charleston posted this morning:

"Hold on to what you believe. Trust what you know is there, even if you cannot see it right now. If there is no light around you, seek the light within. It will stay with you until the midnight hour passes and the first light of a new day finds you. And believe me, it always finds you."

Thankfully, we have planetary help in this regard right now, through the subtle influence of a Jupiter-Neptune sextile that perfects on Monday. We will need to be very quiet and centered to reap the benefits of this spiritually uplifting aspect, for our higher self usually speaks in softer tones. But, if we pay attention, we will find the light within – as well as the faith and the belief – that will sustain us through the midnight hours. 

ADDING AN EXTRA TWIST in the unfolding of events this week – and for the next three weeks – Mercury goes retrograde on Tuesday. While there are many cautions that come with this planet being retrograde, I find it most useful to view it as an indicator that we've missed some important information that will be useful, so we need to go back and review our notes before we go ahead with our plans.

Mercury is in Scorpio throughout this retrograde phase, so we can expect hidden information to come to light, with revelations of deeper motivations. We will want to double check our information sources, but at the same time, we will need to be careful of paranoia and overly-suspicious thinking, and falling down the rabbit hole of conspiracy theories. 

IF WE USE this Mercury retrograde time productively, we will emerge with a better understanding of the truth of certain situations, especially "inconvenient truths" that are essential to our choices going forward. And, with Mercury stationing direct on November 3 – election day in the United States – clear thinking is especially important to U.S. citizens over these next three weeks.

Most of all, make sure that your vote carries a higher frequency. Be aware of your own deeper motivations. If you find yourself voting out of fear or anger, stop. Move into your heart. Let yourself imagine a future of love and kindness, and as you cast your ballot, send it forth surrounded by the light of hope.

IF YOUR BIRTHDAY IS THIS WEEK: 2020 has already been a very powerful year for you! Much of what has occurred in the world has affected you personally, and you've no doubt been aware of ways in which you have felt or acted in very "un-Libra-like" ways. You've been under pressure to renovate your self-concept, to dig deep into your true motivations, and to weed out certain ways of acting and interacting that have kept you in codependent relationships or have denied your needs and wants in other ways. As you move into your personal new year, you are emboldened to make new decisions that may seem out of character, but that feel very true to your core. Remember to take your time, to not yield to deadlines or to pressure from others, and to always access your gut knowing of what choices are best for you.  (Solar Return Sun opposite Mars, square Jupiter, square Saturn, square Pluto)

In gratitude and light,

Pam

Aspects of Note this Week

All times listed are Pacific Daylight Time. For Greenwich Mean Time, add 7 hours.

• MON: Jupiter sextile Neptune, Mercury sextile Venus
• TUE: Sun opposite Mars, Mercury stations retrograde
• THU: Sun square Pluto
• FRI: New Moon 12:30 pm PDT, Sun opposite Eris
• SUN: Sun square Saturn, Venus opposite Neptune, Mars square Jupiter

PLANNING FOR CLASS: I'm meeting with my friend, wellness educator and technology expert Elsie Kerns today, to discuss a date and other particulars related to the webinar I'll be offering in late November. My tentative title for the class is "Paradigm Shift" – I'll be talking about the much-anticipated Jupiter-Saturn alignment on the December Solstice, the Saturn-Uranus square that dominates 2021, and the six eclipses that will occur between November 2020 and December 2021. 
I plan to include details about the class, with registration links, in next week's Journal. Stay tuned!