October 16th ~ 23rd

A wise old man taught me that diplomacy is the velvet glove that cloaks the fist of power. Persuasion, not force, works best and lasts longest. ~ Robin Hobb

Never dare to underestimate the sign of Libra. Normally when we think of Libra, we think of weddings, convivial relations, lawn parties and a strong desire not to rock the boat. However, Libra can also be a sign of debate, open rivalry, and even competition. Just ask Margaret Thatcher, Serena Williams or Gandhi, Librans all. Sometimes the boat needs a little bit of rocking in order to restore fairness, justice, and rightness in the land.  

Put your iron hand in a velvet glove. ~ Napoleon Bonaparte

The New Moon in Libra (23º53’) on October 16th, is in opposition to Mars, which is reminding us that although we are in the mood for fairness and harmony, we’re living in a divided and contentious environment. Mars retrograde in red-hot fiery Aries has just been seething, looking for an excuse, any excuse to get pissed off. Anything that even barely suggests control, oppression, or the abuse of power, and Mars will just devolve into a tempestuous storm. One thing retrograde Mars can do, and we don’t often think of this, is to divest ourselves of our anger. Let go of our resentment. Let it ride over us, like a wave. This won’t be easy. There seems to be so much to get pissed off about. 

And so we ask ourselves: What are our true priorities in the end? 

This particular Libra New Moon is asking us to take a stand. Not with anger, but with an engaging force of resistance against oppression and raging authoritarianism. It’s about restoring equanimity, harmony, and justice in our lives, as well as society. But there are ways to do this. Libra has this unique ability to influence others, not with hostility and rage, but through diplomacy and peaceful resistance. We are also reminded with this Moon that what has been destroyed or harmed or lost can be made whole again. It won’t be easy. We have our work cut out for us. But so long as we remind ourselves what is at stake here, we can do this: Peace, Equality, Brotherhood, Fairness, Justice, Kindness and Harmony. We can do this. 

And this is what Jesus means, I think, when he says, "Love your enemy." And it’s significant that he does not say, "Like your enemy." Like is a sentimental something, an affectionate something. There are a lot of people that I find it difficult to like. I don’t like what they do to me. I don’t like what they say about me and other people. I don’t like their attitudes. I don’t like some of the things they’re doing. I don’t like them. But Jesus says love them. And love is greater than like. Love is understanding, redemptive goodwill for all men, so that you love everybody, because God loves them. You refuse to do anything that will defeat an individual, because you have agape in your soul. And here you come to the point that you love the individual who does the evil deed, while hating the deed that the person does. This is what Jesus means when he says, "Love your enemy." ~ Martin Luther King, Jr. 

Mars retrograde has been making something of a mess. And so is Mercury’s retrograde which is rife with chaos and mayhem. One brings a feeling of desperation. The other looks like something just exploded. The New Moon in Libra is offering us the opportunity to clean up the mess, and restore some sort of equilibrium and sanity in our lives. Continue to be flexible, avoid jumping to conclusions, and be ready for unexpected changes in plans. We are going to continue to backtrack, reevaluate, reassess and revise this week. And take care of yourselves. It is when things are the most tense that we need to take time out for our own mental health and well-being: Breathe deeply and take things one day at a time, one step at a time. Settle your mind. Count your blessings at least once a day and as often as needed; and Remain in the center of the storm, exercising patience and equanimity in all things. 

For this week’s horoscopes, click below: 

HOROSCOPES

Image: Paris Museum Images