WE ARE EMBARKING on one of the steepest sections of this "final ascent" that is the last four months of 2021. This is a highly volcanic period, both literally and symbolically. The next six to eight weeks will be profoundly pivotal and life-changing, for individuals and for the global community.

The primary influence we're working with throughout this time is the disruptive and eruptive Pluto-Eris square. This aspect was exact on August 27 and will perfect for the fifth and final time on October 8. We can imagine the August event as one peak in the mountain range, with next week's square being an even higher summit.

Although the aspect isn't exact to the degree until next week, this is one of those astrological influences that has effect for many months (and sometimes years) since it involves two planets that move very slowly through the zodiac. The first Pluto-Eris square occurred in early 2020, which means its lifeline has basically corresponded with the timeline of the pandemic. In fact, the dates of the exact square have correlated to times when the pandemic was at its greatest effect: January 2020 (when it first came into our awareness), June 2020, December 2020, August 2021, and now October 2021.

Pluto is said to "rule" viruses, which strengthens our belief that the Pluto-Eris square is closely involved in our pandemic experience. But it is in exploring the personal and social effects of this hard aspect that we gain a better understanding of its higher purposes.

TRANSITING PLUTO acts somewhat like a psychotherapist when it works with us. It digs deep into our psyches, revealing emotions and behaviors that have been running us from behind the scenes. The purpose of this often-uncomfortable process is to bring disempowering patterns into our awareness so that they no longer control us. 

Meanwhile, transiting Eris draws our attention to the experience of being discounted, rejected, and unfairly treated. This dwarf planet is known for stirring major controversies, based on the mythical goddess Eris' role in starting the Trojan war.

As Pluto and Eris square each other, we are especially likely to feel deep-seated fear and anger due to situations that feel outside of our control. Interpersonal conflict, civil unrest, and other forms of social upheaval manifest as a result of the need to express and release those emotions. All of this occurs en route to fulfilling the positive potentials of this aspect, which include becoming aware of and transmuting our own shadow side, which ultimately can lead to greater personal empowerment and the ability to stand in our truth without needing to control others.

RETROGRADE MERCURY will be exactly opposite Eris and square Pluto this Friday, triggering the effects of the longer-term aspect we’ve just been discussing. This involvement of Messenger Mercury represents a "war of words" as major differences in perspective draw clear battle lines in the sand.

Due to Mercury's retrograde phase, it is activating the Pluto-Eris square three times over the course of six weeks. The first activation was on September 22; the second is this Friday, October 1; and the third will be November 1-2. These three time periods are linked together energetically, which means we should see an unfolding of issues at each point that relate to a larger theme. Concerns that we work with during this time may not be fully resolved until after Mercury leaves its retrograde "shadow phase" on November 3.

Since Mercury is in Libra, the sign of lawsuits and justice, personal and business partnerships, negotiations and contracts, these are topics that are likely to dominate our thoughts and the news headlines during this time. And, with Mercury now moving backward, its aspects this Friday call for a review of policies that were recently implemented and words that were spoken not long ago.

HERE IS A LIST of the other significant aspects that occur this week, along with my brief interpretations of each:

Monday
Mars sesquiquadrate Jupiter: With Mars in litigious Libra and Jupiter in equality-minded Aquarius, the desire for justice is especially strong today and can inspire impulsive action.

Tuesday
Last Quarter Moon 6:57 p.m. PDT: Today we enter the last phase of the lunar cycle, which calls us to reflect on how our plans have unfolded since the Virgo New Moon on September 6. This seven-day period leading up to the Libra New Moon on October 6 is a time to let go of what we do not want to carry going forward, so that we can start the new lunar cycle with a clean slate.

Wednesday
Venus trine Neptune: We feel especially compassionate and idealistic with this influence. This is the best day of the week to have a conversation with a loved one about shared dreams and desires.
Sun trine Saturn: This stabilizing influence can help us to find our footing on otherwise slippery slopes.

Thursday
Jupiter sesquiquadrate the Sun and square Venus: Self-indulgence is strong with these aspects. If self-control is a problem for you, pay close attention to the wisdom of your choices today; otherwise, you may soon have buyer's remorse, or wish you hadn't had that extra piece of cake, or feel uncomfortable about having made a promise that you won't be able to keep.

Friday
Mercury opposite Eris, Mercury square Pluto: These aspects are discussed earlier in today's Journal.
Mars opposite Chiron: People are especially sensitive today if they feel ignored or treated unfairly. As a result, anger is quick to surface and there is a tendency to impulsive action.

Saturday
Venus semisquare Sun, sextile Pluto, quincunx Eris: Relationships go through an adjustment phase, but can also deepen in honesty and understanding.

Sunday
Mars trine Ceres: A strong desire to protect and care for loved ones.
Chiron sesquiquadrate Venus and opposite the Sun: People are especially sensitive today. We may take things very personally, causing angry exchanges or passive-aggressive actions.
Mercury trine Jupiter: With Mercury retrograde, this is our chance to have an inner conversation with ourselves, to discover what we really think and what we want to say before we have a verbal exchange with others.

IF YOUR BIRTHDAY IS THIS WEEK: You are more aware than usual of your personal needs this year, which may be surprising if you have the usual Libra tendency to downplay your own desires in order to keep the peace or to make a loved one happy. While your nurturing capacity and your wish to support others are very strong, it is vital that you turn that loving attention on yourself and give time to your inner child, the part of you that doesn't feel like it has a right to have its own needs and wants. As you do this inner healing, your relationships with others will go through an adjustment phase, but you will also feel more self-confident and be able to create more balanced partnerships. (Solar Return Sun semisquare Venus, conjunct Mars, trine Ceres, opposite Chiron, trine Saturn)

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: Mars sesquiquadrate Jupiter

• TUE: Last Quarter Moon 6:57 p.m. PDT

• WED: Venus trine Neptune, Sun trine Saturn

• THU: Sun sesquiquadrate Jupiter, Venus square Jupiter

• FRI: Mercury opposite Eris, Mars opposite Chiron, Mercury square Pluto

• SAT: Venus sextile Pluto, Venus quincunx Eris, Sun semisquare Venus

• SUN: Mars trine Ceres, Venus sesquiquadrate Chiron, Sun opposite Chiron, Mercury trine Jupiter

This photo of Messier M27 (the "Dumbbell Nebula") was taken on September 5, 2021, by Alessandro Bianconi of Dolianova, Italy