THE EGG MUST CRACK for new life to emerge. This week, the planets provide the energy that will both drive new growth and accelerate the breaking away of old encasements. 

From Mercury going direct, to a highly energizing Mars-Jupiter trine, to a pivotal Aries Full Moon, to Mars activating the Pluto-Eris square, to the Sun making ingress into truth-seeking Scorpio, there's a lot going on in the next few days!

WITH SO MANY powerful events occurring in the heavens this week, it will feel somewhat like we're caught up in a whirlwind. Remember to breathe, spend as much time as you can communing with nature, move through your days with integrity, and view yourself and others through the eyes of compassion.

Our point of focus, while always important, is especially key this week. On our "final ascent" through these last months of 2021, we are now traversing a section of the trail that is not only steep, but also rocky and slippery. At such times, we must be patient, carefully watch where we place our feet, move with intention, and be willing to stop and reconsider our best trajectory instead of simply continuing in the direction we've been headed.

LIFE IS, of course, a continuous process, which means it can be hard to clearly differentiate one day from another. That being said, I think this is one of those weeks when it will be most helpful to take it just one day at a time.

Here are the planetary events that I consider to be the most significant this week, offered chronologically.

ON MONDAY, Mercury stations direct at 8:16 a.m. PDT. This completes the Messenger Planet's retrograde phase that started on September 26. Over the past three weeks, the cosmos has been encouraging us to review, to rethink our course rather than initiate new steps. As Mercury moves forward and increases pace over the next couple of weeks, there is more cosmic support for us to likewise make progress, especially in areas that require conscious planning and decision-making skills.

Also on Monday, Mars is in harmonious trine aspect to Jupiter. With the Giant Planet having stationed direct only the day before (at 10:30 p.m. PDT on October 17), its influence is very strong this week. This amplifies the impact of this trine, which joins the courage of Mars with the optimism of Jupiter. This energy can be used in countless positive ways, for it can help us believe in ourselves, take risks, and embark on new journeys that previously may have appeared daunting. However, we may also be impulsive in our actions, so do remember to look before you leap.

ON TUESDAY, the only significant aspect is a Venus-Uranus quincunx. This is not a highly impactful influence, but it does potentially indicate a need for an adjustment in the areas ruled by Venus – relationships, values, the creative arts, and financial concerns. Uranus usually requires us to be more flexible in our expectations, and to liberate ourselves from situations that have become too limiting. 

Although the Full Moon is not exact until Wednesday, we will be feeling its energies building on Tuesday, too.

ON WEDNESDAY, the Full Moon perfects at 7:56 a.m. PDT, when the Moon reaches 27°26´ Aries and the Sun is at the same degree of Libra. Emotions are heightened at the time of a Full Moon, and with the Moon illuminating the usually dark night, that which has been hidden may come to light. This particular Full Moon increases both of those potentials, due to the aspects it makes.

Jupiter, the Great Magnifier, is in harmonious sextile aspect to the Full Moon. While Jupiter may infuse us with greater optimism and faith, it can also exaggerate whatever emotions we may be feeling and can encourage unwise risk-taking. Essentially, we are working with similar energies to Monday's Mars-Jupiter trine, so be wise in your choices.

THE REST OF THE ASPECTS involved in the lunation are all interlinked, so must be considered a package deal. The Full Moon is conjunct Eris, square Pluto, and opposite Mars and the Sun. As such, it is activating the very recent Pluto-Eris square and also drawing in the effects of the challenging Mars aspects that perfect on Thursday.

These five planets create what is called a "cardinal T-square" at the time of the lunation: the Moon and Eris are holding one end of the crossbar of the letter T, the Sun and Mars are holding the other end, and Pluto is located at the bottom of the stem, in the "apex" position.

A T-SQUARE represents tension that is looking for an outlet. The planets involved in a T-square are in signs that don't usually get along, due to having very different motivations.

In this T-square, the Moon and forthright Eris are in Aries, the sign of initiation and assertiveness. The Sun and warrior Mars are in Libra, which defines itself by its ability to create harmony and to play well with others. And passionate Pluto is in Capricorn, a sign that prefers to work alone, as long as it remains in charge and doesn't have to answer to anyone else.

WITH THIS FULL MOON, we can feel pulled in different directions, and may struggle with what choices to make. Some may experience conflict, competition, and controversy in their outer circumstances, perhaps reflecting inner dichotomies.

Pluto, standing at the all-important apex position of the T-square, tells us that this lunation is integral to the process of deeper change that is underway, for each of us individually and for humanity as a whole. Astrologer Bil Tierney writes in his book Dynamics of Aspect Analysis that Pluto at the apex of a cardinal T-square usually triggers "dynamic endings of one phase of our personal development in order to make fresh new starts in another phase."

Remember that events that occur this week represent one of the necessary steps in the cracking of the egg. Our successful navigation of these times will open the door to a new life and a new world. Some energy intuitives are even calling this week a "portal" to our next evolutionary stage.

ON THURSDAY, Mars opposes Eris and squares Pluto. Since these aspects are involved in the T-square, we can't really separate this influence from that of the Full Moon. But, certain events may occur on Thursday that are directly related to the issues raised by the lunation.

Through these aspects, Mars is activating the lingering effects of the Pluto-Eris square that occurred earlier in the month. As a result, we may be more aware of social dissent or our own dissatisfaction with what we perceive as being discounted, with our needs being dismissed as unimportant. Events this week can provide a major opportunity to look more deeply at patterns of victimization, and to see how current events are calling us to reclaim our power in some way.

ON FRIDAY, the Sun enters Scorpio at 9:51 p.m. PDT. The eighth sign of the zodiac is known for its capacity to seek out truth, even if that truth causes discomfort. We will have Scorpio's emotional courage and tenacity to draw upon over the next four weeks, until the Sun enters Sagittarius on November 21.

Scorpio is the only zodiac sign that has two traditional animal symbols, and at least one more besides. The first is, of course, the Scorpion, which tends to hide in dark places, under rocks or fallen trees. This lethal animal represents the shadow side of the sign, which can be secretive, resentful, and powerful in a rather dangerous way. On the other hand, the Scorpion is courageous, able to face danger head-on, without flinching.

The higher frequency side of Scorpio is also represented by the Eagle. As it soars above the landscape, the Eagle is able to see both the darkness and the light, viewing all from a higher perspective.

A third animal symbol associated with Scorpio is the Phoenix. This mythical creature represents the flames of transformation. As the Sun moves through Scorpio, we work with deep emotions that bring about a catharsis, enabling us to ultimately "rise from the ashes" of what has been.

NEXT WEEKEND, we have a much lighter aspects load; perhaps the cosmos is giving us a breather so that we can integrate the strong energies we've been working with all week.

There are no major aspects that perfect on Saturday. On Sunday, when Mercury is quincunx Uranus, sudden insights can cause us to rethink our plans. These new ideas may inspire us to shift course or even alter our destination.

IF YOUR BIRTHDAY IS THIS WEEK: The challenges that you've been experiencing this year are altering your self-concept in significant ways. This is a pivotal time in your life, that will set you on a new course in some area of your life. This is a good time to seek therapy or to find other ways to explore the truth of your being. The emotions that you are becoming aware of are your teachers, revealing facets of your personality that you may have hidden or ignored for much of your life. These emotions may be magnified at this time in an effort to get your attention. (Solar Return Sun semisquare Venus, conjunct Mars, square Pluto, opposite Eris)

In peace and with gratitude,

Pam

Aspects of Note This Week:

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

• MON: Mercury stations direct 8:16 a.m. PDT, Mars trine Jupiter

• TUE: Venus quincunx Uranus

• WED: Full Moon 7:56 a.m. PDT

• THU: Mars opposite Eris, Mars square Pluto

• FRI: Sun enters Scorpio

• SUN: Mercury quincunx Uranus