Astrolore’s Weekly Astrology Weather: October 17, 2016 through October 23, 2016

 
I am holding my breath trying to imagine how this week will play out on the political, social, and cultural level.
The week begins on the heels of the overly aggressive Aries Full Moon; she was in such close contact with unpredictable Uranus as well as Mercury (the planet of communication) being highly stressed by its connection to destructive Pluto.
With the wild politics the USA is engaged in, I can only imagine how these final weeks before the election will play out.
This week brings much change.
Venus, the planet that teaches us how to create relationship and beauty leaves issues of privacy and suspicion (Scorpio) behind as she enters Sagittarius where she explores new ways to create her heart’s desires.
Keep your eyes open on Wednesday and Thursday, as there are grave suggestions of fireworks and more unexpected surprises. Within the culture and political system, I don’t know what else could further surprise us… but keep your eyes open.
Are you concerned or unclear about your path ahead?
Let Astrolore help you see your life and your path forward from a perspective that will change everything. Allow more joy and love into your life.
Make your appointment today!  
Together, we will work with your individual horoscope to explore your hopes, dreams, goals, your current path, and the reality of your life purpose. Our conversation will offer you a profoundly renewed perspective on your life and circumstances.
 
NO SAFETY NET
Monday, October 17, 2016:
With the Moon in steadfast Taurus on Monday, we simply want to settle into a safety net. With aggressive, angry Mars moving toward its contact point with transformative Pluto (exact on Wednesday), it feels like the safety net may not be trustworthy. There are those among us who seek stability through the destruction of all that they do not understand. Power may seem solid, stable, and even trustworthy, it may be deceptive.
On a personal level, does your power come at the expense of others; or is your life at the mercy of the power grab of others? If you look clearly, and work at dismantling your own misogyny, racism, sexism, bigotry etc., the rest of the week will be not quite so brutal. Facing these issues is paramount for this entire week.
The Taurus Moon is VOC* (think of it as being adrift, without focus or connection) from 10:47 AM EDT until she enters Gemini at 10:29 AM Tuesday morning. Remember, when the Moon is VOC* there will be no result from anything that is begun. This is neutral; not good, not bad; it simply suggests that whatever occurs will not have significant future impact.
 
EXPLORE PERSPECTIVES ON LOVE
Tuesday, October 18, 2016:
Tuesday feels better, by far, than Monday. By the time we begin the day the planet of love, beauty, and grace (Venus) will have entered Sagittarius after being in Scorpio since September 23rd. If your relationships have wandered into depths of intensity and even darkness these past 3 ½ weeks, you can anticipate a reprieve of that intensity. Venus will remain in optimistic fun-loving Sagittarius until she enters responsible, disciplined Capricorn on November 12. For now, enjoy the focus on exploration and expansion. You will be able to see broader potentials and possibilities for love and intimate connections.
At 10:29 AM EDT, when the Moon enters Gemini, you will want to seek out friends and acquaintances for conversation and sharing perspectives and ideas. You may encounter some discord when the chatty Gemini Moon opposes Venus at 11:10 AM EDT. Don’t engage in negative banter. This is a quickly passing issue and not worthy of extended engagement. Say what needs to be said and turn your attention back toward love. You do not need to agree with the values of others to remain kind and keep your own words above the fray.
The Taurus Moon begins Tuesday VOC* until she enters Gemini at 10:29 AM EDT.
 
INTENSE PRESSURE IN A VOLATILE WORLD

Wednesday, October 19, 2016:
Wednesday brings intense pressure to an already volatile environment.
At 7:22 AM EDT, Mars (the planet of aggression and anger) conjoins Pluto (the planet of power and coercion) at 15° Capricorn. Nothing feels unimportant or trivial. Everywhere you look you are likely to see folks in serious power struggles. It may be difficult, but do your best to maintain calm and project equilibrium. Thursday’s powerful transit of Mercury to Uranus is fanning the flames as well. Watch the political arena for more stories that none of us want to hear.
Stand back and carefully weigh your position before leaping to conclusions in any personal circumstances or communications. The intense pressure to take action and maintain control will not be easy to manage. Do not neglect your meditation practice at all this week, do what you can to maintain stability.
Understand that the pressure you see in the culture is the same pressure that you feel within your own gut. This pressure is also present in all the people you encounter. Show kindness to everyone you meet; you can make more of a difference than you may expect. Helping to smooth the path for those around you will sooth your own way.
 
UNPREDICTABLE CONVERSATIONS
Thursday, October 20, 2016:
You will likely begin Wednesday without a restful sleep to smooth the passage of another stressful day. The Moon begins the day in unsettled, restless Gemini. In the wee hours of the morning, logical Mercury will show a highly illogical side with an opposition to Uranus. The challenges from Wednesday may shift from an arena of coercion and control to verbal defiance with revolutionary overtones.
On a personal level, keep your interactions with others on an even keel or simply spend time with like-minded folks. Go ahead and engage in heated conversations with folks who will agree with you.  Trying to engage folks who have a very different perspective could end badly!
The energies showing up here in the middle of this week are not the energies we want to see reflected in these days leading up to the US presidential elections, but we are all far beyond being surprised by any of it.
At 11:29 AM EDT, the receptive Moon enters sensitive, intuitive Cancer. Pull your loved ones close and foster kindness in your domestic life.
The Gemini Moon is VOC* (think of it as being adrift, without focus or connection) for a brief time between 7:17 AM EDT and 11:29 AM EDT when she enters Cancer.
Remember, when the Moon is VOC* there will be no result from anything that is begun. This is neutral; not good, not bad; it simply suggests that whatever occurs will not have significant future impact.
 
THE NECESSITY OF RISK
Friday, October 21, 2016:
Friday’s sensitive Cancer Moon wants nothing more than connection with home, tenderness, and family. However, there are factors that are apt to pull you into areas of distinct anger, power, and even rage or obsession. Like I said, this in not an easy week.
As the Cancer Moon goes head to head with the hidden forces of destructive Pluto at 1:13 PM EDT and with the frustration and anger of Mars at 4:05 PM EDT, keep your head above water and show kindness and love in every circumstance.
The world is changing outside your doors and within your heart and mind. As you watch the internal and the external changes, notice how they match up as a distinct reflection of each other. Do not run from this stress. Keep your heart open. Change is necessary and cannot happen without upheaval.
Do not underestimate the depth of change that is happening at the core of our political system. Do not underestimate the depth of change that is happening at the core of your own values, thoughts, and emotions. Allow change, allow upheaval; trust the process. One day we will look back on these days with wonder.
For now, step forward consciously, love deeply, and understand that sometimes you will need to take risks to find the path that will enliven your heart.

 
SUN ENTERS DEEP, PRIVATE SCORPIO
Saturday, October 22, 2016:
The stress of the week is still with us throughout the early part of Saturday.
At 3:14 PM EDT, the tender Cancer Moon squares the Libra Sun. You may feel stress between the desire to go deeply into emotional connection and the need to make things look good. Don’t worry about how things look, pay attention to the reality underneath appearance.
At 3:35 PM EDT, the sensitive Moon enters playful, fun-loving Leo. Several hours later at 7:45 PM EDT, the Sun enters secretive and introspective Scorpio.
Scorpio and Leo are each fixed signs, both are big on determination and accustomed to getting their own way. Leo and Scorpio make uncomfortable bedfellows as Leo wants to express every inner feeling and Scorpio wanting privacy and to avoid the limelight.
Social activities on Saturday evening could be difficult due to the discomfort of balancing these very diverse energies.
Here in the Northern hemisphere, we are very aware of the changing seasons during this upcoming month while the Sun moves through Scorpio. The darkness overtakes the light, we feel secretive, mysterious, deep, and private. We understand the transformation that occurs below the surface in the dark.
Enjoy this time; it is a powerful time of intensity and transformation.
The Cancer Moon is VOC* (think of it as being adrift, without focus or connection) for a very brief time between 3:14 PM EDT and 3:35 PM EDT when she enters Leo.
Remember, when the Moon is VOC* there will be no result from anything that is begun. This is neutral; not good, not bad; it simply suggests that whatever occurs will not have significant future impact.
 
NEEDING REST
Sunday, October 23, 2016:
Finally, you can take a deep breath and relax. We all need a rest. Sunday should provide just that.  The creative expression of the Leo Moon is in the mood for child-like fun and games. Set aside the challenges of the past few weeks and put on hold the ideas you most recently had of where you thought you were headed.  Things are not set in stone; allow change.
In the early hours of the day, the Moon makes sweet aspects to harmonious Venus and expansive Jupiter. There may be excitement, optimum, good fortune, and new opportunities. Keep your eyes open for what you know to be the right path and the most powerful way forward.
At 4:20 PM EDT, when the Sun trines the Leo Moon, you have the opportunity to see what stands in the way of your deeper understanding of where you now find yourself.
__________________________________________________________
* In these weekly reports, I am exploring the major aspects formed by transit between the planets.  I do not consider every aspect that the Moon makes each day as they can be numerous and are often fleeting moods.  I will consider the final major aspect formed by the Moon prior to its VOC* time, as that aspect holds its influence throughout the VOC*.
* The aspects under consideration: conjunctions, textiles, squares, trines, and oppositions.
* The planets I work with: Sun, Moon, Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto.