Highlighted Aspects this Week
Monday: Mercury opposite Eris; Wednesday: Chiron sesquisquare Mercury, Neptune quincunx Sun; Thursday: Sun semisquare Mars, Jupiter trine Venus; Saturday: Mars square Venus, Neptune sesquisquare Jupiter; Sunday: Mercury enters Scorpio, Pluto trine VestaAS PLUTO now slowly begins to move forward after five months of backward motion, we can review our personal lives over that retrograde period (April 12 to September 20) and consider what we have learned and how we have changed. When a planet is moving backward in the sky, its effects are said to be more internalized. Then, when it starts moving forward, we are supported in taking action in our outer worlds, based on the inner growth we have experienced.
Pluto’s ultimate lessons are about empowerment through revelation and transformation. For instance, someone working with a Pluto transit to their natal Moon this year are likely to become aware of deep emotions that have either been ignored or have lain dormant. As these emotions are revealed, often through power struggles and other intense interactions, this person has the opportunity to acknowledge what has been unconscious, and to find ways to use those powerful emotions in productive ways. This is the transformation of what has been perceived as a negative into its positive potential.
HOW THIS PLUTO EFFECT manifests for each of us depends very much on which house of our natal charts Pluto is currently moving through, and whether or not Pluto is working directly with one or more of our natal planets. Some of us are feeling Pluto’s effect more intensely and personally, but all of us are working with its energies to transform and empower some area of our lives.
As we look back at these past five months, we can consider these words from astrologer Bil Tierney about the effects of a Pluto retrograde phase:
“Pluto is concerned with confronting us with the essence of that which we have not transformed to a higher level of expression. It only forces us to transform that which is in dire need of rehabilitation. Resourceful Pluto will usually use whatever it can at the moment to make a deep impact upon our nature, according to the root vulnerabilities we have allowed to run rampant.
“Retrograde Pluto suggests that we have the opportunity, according to the houses involved, to retrace our steps and discover latent sources of power (hidden resources) formerly overlooked, that now can help us further our objectives in this area, once properly unearthed.”
USING OUR EXAMPLE of the person with a Pluto-Moon transit occurring, this retrograde period would have been a perfect time to look more deeply at his/her motivations, understanding more fully the source of the feelings that have arisen. The more resistance that is felt to self-exploration and the greater the need to blame others, the more clearly this person might understand the necessity of bringing what has been unconscious into consciousness.
Based on the self-awareness that our fictitious person has gained during the Pluto retrograde phase, he/she is now supported in creating changes in their experiential world that accommodates the greater understanding of self that has occurred. For instance, if there have been extreme reactions to feeling controlled or feeling taken advantage of, with Pluto now moving forward, this person should now find it easier to take charge of their lives — hopefully from a place of knowing their true strength, and not from a desire to reverse the pattern and become controlling themselves.
In this example, emotional strength has always been a part of the person, but has been hidden beneath wounds or uncertainty. The Pluto transit reveals the power of the emotions, which at first may explode in uncontrolled ways. Over time, and with self-awareness, the person can learn to channel the emotional power in life-enhancing ways.
SOME OF THE AWARENESS we have hoped to gain during Pluto’s retrograde phase may still be coming. Thought-full Mercury will enter Scorpio, the sign ruled by Pluto, next Sunday. And, due to going retrograde itself from October 21 to November 10, Mercury will be in Scorpio for an extended period — about 66 days instead of its usual sign transit of three or four weeks.
During Mercury’s lengthy transit of Scorpio, all of us can utilize its energy to go more deeply into our own psyches, to discover our true motivations — especially during Mercury’s retrograde phase. We can also use these coming weeks in positive ways to deepen our conversations with others and to empower our words as needed.
A CAUTION — with Mercury in Scorpio, our words will have a greater ability to sting than usual, perhaps leaving lasting scars without our knowing. We may also find ourselves feeling more suspicious or cynical, thinking pessimistically, or speaking sarcastically at times.
If any of this occurs, we can help ameliorate the effects by pulling our attention to our heart and high heart energy centers (chakras). Running all of our communications and thoughts through the centers of love and compassion can help us know which words we want to keep or use, and which ones first need to be transmuted. It will also help ensure that when we speak powerfully, our highest intentions are incorporated into what we are saying.
Blessings,
Pam
