Hi and welcome to the Stella Starwoman October AstroUpdate! And a special welcome to our new subscribers. For those of you who like TAROT, I have two Sunday morning workshops coming up this month.
MYSTERIES OF THE MINOR ARCANA (9.30 am – 1.30 pm on Sunday 21/10/12 – cost $125)
SPREADS FOR EVERY OCCASION (9.30 am – 1.30 pm on Sunday 28/10/12 – cost $125)
Both workshops are suitable for beginners. Click on the links above for more information or contact Stella on (03) 9534 5021 or stella@stellastarwoman.com to book your place. Cost includes tarot workbooks and a delicious morning tea. Payment by credit card or bank transfer.
Saturn and Pluto in Mutual Reception
On 6th October, Saturn enters Scorpio for a two and a half year stay meaning Pluto and Saturn will be in mutual reception throughout this period. We say that two planets are in mutual reception when they are travelling through each other’s zodiac sign simultaneously - rather like an exchange visit between foreign students. The territory is unfamiliar, yet the exchange is usually productive and beneficial. Let’s take a closer look at this phenomenon.
Sign Rulership & Mutual Reception
Each planet in our solar system has traditional rulership over one of the twelve signs of the zodiac, meaning the planet performs particularly well when travelling through that sign.
Planet |
Zodiac Sign Ruled By This Planet |
Planetary Symbolism |
Sun |
Leo |
Life Force/Where We Shine |
Moon |
Cancer |
Emotions/Inner World/Habits |
Mercury |
Gemini and Virgo |
Communication/Mind |
Venus |
Taurus and Libra |
Love/Aesthetics/Pleasure |
Mars |
Aries and Scorpio |
Action/Conflict/Sex |
Jupiter |
Sagittarius and Pisces |
Philosophy/Expansion/Religion |
Saturn |
Capricorn and Aquarius |
Structure/Reality/Karma |
Uranus |
Aquarius |
Breakthrough/Invention/Revolution |
Neptune |
Pisces |
Sensitivity/Redemption/Creativity |
Pluto |
Scorpio |
Death/Rebirth/Power |
For example, if a person is born with Mercury, the communication planet in Gemini or Virgo, their mind is particularly sharp, able to sift through information at lightning speed and separate the wheat from the chaff. Or if Venus the planet of love and aesthetics is placed in Taurus or Libra, the native has natural charm and good taste and can easily create beauty and harmony. Now imagine if we swap these planets round and put Mercury in Taurus and Venus in Gemini – we then have what is called a ‘mutual reception’. Although the two planets are not in their home or ruling signs, they are able to reinforce, support and understand each other and can work together.
When Saturn, moves into Scorpio on 6th October, he will be in mutual reception with Pluto (the ruler of Scorpio) as Pluto journeys through Capricorn (the sign ruled by Saturn). This means the themes of Pluto and Scorpio and Saturn and Capricorn will figure largely on the world stage as well as in our own lives over the next two and half years. And as the year progresses, these two planets will form a sextile (60 degree angle) meaning they will work together to create change. So what can we expect?
Pluto-Saturn Themes
Pluto/Scorpio Themes |
Saturn/Capricorn Themes |
Death/Annihilation/Elimination |
Authority/Discipline/Responsibility |
Underworld/Unconscious |
Practical/Loyal/Faithful |
Absolute Power/Dictatorship |
Structure/Boundaries |
Rebirth/Regeneration |
Fear/Insecurity |
Transformation/Evolution |
Wisdom/Karma/Justice |
Obsession/Compulsion/Intensity |
Mortality/Time |
Sex/Drugs/Anything Taboo |
Depression/Pessimism/Martyrdom |
Penetrating Insight/Research/Mining |
Hard Work/Perseverance |
Kundalini/Serpent Wisdom/Charisma |
Achievement/Reward/Accountability |
Mystery/Secrecy/Suspicion |
Reality/Restraint/Patience |
Finance/Investment/Debt |
Natural Resources |
Criminal/Underworld Elements |
Business/Corporate World |
Sorcery/Witchcraft/Shamanism |
Management/Hierarchy |
Pluto has already been slowly grinding his way through Capricorn since 2008, challenging the structure, hierarchy, and systems of power and government in our modern world. Pluto and Saturn, working together, have one simple mission- cut the crap. Scorpio is a fixed water sign – emotional and intransigent whereas Capricorn is a cardinal earth sign - practical and reality-based. There’s nothing fancy or idealistic about these two zodiac energies. I once worked as a waitress in a restaurant where the managers were Capricorn and Scorpio. They were polite and efficient, but never over-familiar. Nothing went to waste. We were never underpaid, but we never received more than our due and neither did the customers. As long as we worked hard they looked after us. Anyone who was lazy or unmotivated got the sack. The next two and half years to the end of 2014 will be a time to get real, cut out the excess and concentrate on the essentials. Survival is the keyword.
Natural resources such as gas, oil, minerals and water may be restricted and we can expect more popular discontent and power struggles for authority between the people and government, and further unrest in the global economy, but only in sectors where the underlying infrastructure is weak. Retrenchments, factory closures and job losses are likely to increase and we’ll be hearing more about cut backs, deficit reduction, saving and superannuation plans. However, once the Scorpio-Capricorn energies are brought into balance through discipline and hard work, we will be able to reorganise our financial structures and develop new government and business models that are fairer, more efficient, more transparent and more service-oriented. The worst thing we can do is allow fear and inertia to dominate. Most people dislike change and chaos and try to hold onto the status quo. But humans are resilient creatures and we do some of our best work under pressure. The times are certainly changing, but we can see this Saturn-Pluto mutual reception as an opportunity to grow stronger.
Who will thrive and survive?
- Those who live within their means and avoid gambling and speculation
- Those with credit cards with a low or zero balance
- Those who own their home with no or low mortgage
- Those with savings and fixed interest investments
- Those who understand that material possessions are not the most important thing in life
- Those with close friends, support networks and loving relationships
- Those who honour the magic of the earth and the environment
- Those who are honest, hard working and self-disciplined
- Those who take a long term approach to life, relationships and financial security
- Those who take care of their health and their body
- Those who are proactive, responsible and accountable
- Those who can adapt to changing circumstances
- Those who face their fears and can help others face theirs
- Those who understand the difference between fantasy and reality
- Those who embrace sharing, community and cooperation
- Those who understand that natural resources are limited
- Those with strong, loving family bonds
- Those who are ethical and act with integrity
- Those who find joy in the pleasures of everyday life
- Those who look to the future, not the past
Featured Sign-Libra
The Sun travels through air sign Libra from 23rd September until 23rd October this year. Libra is the seventh sign of the zodiac with keywords “I balance” and “I seek my other half”. Those born under the sign of the Scales promote love and harmony and teach us about the importance of give and take. They adore relationships, are often cultured or artistic and are experts in charm, diplomacy and negotiation. Negatively, Librans can be superficial, indecisive, manipulative or dependent and because they hate unpleasantness or disagreement, they often avoid conflict and bury their heads in the sand. In medical astrology, Libra rules the kidneys, lumbar region and skin, so when Librans are out of balance they tend to suffer from lower back pain, kidney problems, urinary tract problems and skin diseases such as eczema. The Libra colours are ivory, pink, turquoise and blue. Libra’s greatest lesson is to learn to develop their ‘inner partner’ and become whole rather than seek an outer partner to feel complete.
October New Moon & Full Moon
The October new moon falls on the 15th in air sign Libra. The Sabian Symbol for this new moon is a cock crowing to herald the sunrise - a creative and joyous response to the natural processes of life. Although the sun rises every day, we can still view this daily spectacle as a miracle. This new moon asks us to embrace the gift of life and give thanks for the natural world, acknowledging its beauty and power and never taking it for granted. Gratitude is the keyword.
The October full moon falls on the 30th in earth sign Taurus. With the Sun conjunct Saturn in Scorpio, this promises to be a powerful full moon. The Sabian Symbol shows Jesus meeting a Samaritan woman at the ancestral well and revealing himself to her as an avatar. The woman, who stands outside the patriarchal system (because she is unmarried) and belongs to a tribe despised by the Jews (who at the time were the ruling class), represents the new, creative spirit standing outside the old order. The message at this full moon is the importance of leaving the old ways behind and embracing a new quality of being based on universal love.
Key Astrological Events - October
In early October, communication planet Mercury meets up with Saturn in the final degrees of Libra then both planets glide into water sign Scorpio – Mercury on the 5th and Saturn on the 6th. The Mercury-Saturn combination favours balanced and logical thinking coupled with penetrating insight, great concentration and focus. If you find yourself becoming obsessed with a particular person or situation, take time out for meditation and reflection to help identify any underlying issues. Avoid pointless worry as matters will soon lighten up.
Relationship planet Venus enters practical earth sign Virgo from the 3rd-28th helping us all relate on a more meaningful level. October is a good time to sort out your paperwork, book a visit with your accountant or financial adviser and deal with all those jobs on the ‘to do’ list. When Venus is in Virgo we tend to focus on all the things that are not quite right and can become overly critical, especially with close friends and loved ones. Just remember they are probably looking at you in exactly the same way, so watch what you say!
Action planet Mars meets up with the karmic north node on the 3rd offering new opportunities to help us achieve our desires. These often come through unexpected encounters with people with our interests at heart. Mars enters fire sign Sagittarius on the 7th until mid-November giving a welcome boost of energy to the fire signs Aries, Leo and Sagittarius. Projects that have stalled will move forwards quickly and easily and intuition will be strong and accurate. Mars in Sagittarius is a great time to start a fitness routine or simply spend more time in the great outdoors, travelling, playing sport, hosting a BBQ or heading off on an adventure. The 15th October is a particularly dynamic day when Mars in Sagittarius forms a trine to Uranus in Aries at the Libra new moon. Take a risk, break through obstacles and aim for the heavens!
On the 25th October, Mercury meets up with the North Node in Scorpio promising fortunate encounters and successful teamwork. Now is a good time to apply for a new job, network with new colleagues or make that special phone call.
The 25th is also the day when the Sun, giver of life and light meets up with serious Saturn. The conjunction happens only once a year and is a great time to focus on steady accomplishment with a long term perspective. Take a good long look at your life and celebrate your achievements. And if you’re not happy with what you see, make plans for a new start so you can reap the benefits down the track. For some people the Sun-Saturn combination can result in a clash with authority figures and bosses. The lesson here is to take responsibility and cultivate your own power.
Venus moves into home sign Libra on the 28th encouraging us to show our softer, more loving side and relate in a more harmonious, peaceful and creative manner. The following day, Mercury leaves Scorpio and enters fire sign Sagittarius, enabling us to see the big picture and speak our truth.
October ends with a beautiful full moon in sensual Taurus on the 30th – the perfect excuse to enjoy food, music and good times with those you love.
October Moon Calendar
Launch projects at the New Moon, bring them to completion in the period from just before the Full Moon to the Third Quarter phase and wind them down and reflect on developments in the week before the next New Moon. The period between the New Moon and the Full Moon is the waxing moon (moon getting bigger and fuller). The period between the Full Moon and the New Moon is the waning moon (moon getting smaller and thinner).
You can use this moon table to select the most favourable days to slow or increase hair regrowth. Full instructions can be found in my Lunar Hair Care guidelines at www.stellastarwoman.com/files/LunarHairCare.pdf but to get you started I've marked the best dates for waxing/shaving to slow regrowth in yellow and the best dates to cut hair for thicker, lusher growth in green. If you‟re serious about Lunar Hair Care - order your own Moon Calendar from the Stella Starwoman Store then you'll know exactly what time of day the moon changes from one zodiac sign to the next.
Date |
Sign |
Element |
Moon Phase |
---|---|---|---|
1st-2nd |
Aries |
Fire |
|
2nd-4th |
Taurus |
Earth |
|
4th-7th |
Gemini |
Air |
|
7th-9th |
Cancer |
Water |
Third Quarter |
9th-12th |
Leo |
Fire | |
12th-14th |
Virgo |
Earth |
|
14th-16th |
Libra | Air | New Moon 15th |
16th-18th |
Scorpio | Water | |
18th-20th |
Sagittarius |
Fire |
|
20th-22nd |
Capricorn |
Earth |
|
22nd-24th |
Aquarius |
Air |
|
24th-27th |
Pisces |
Water |
|
27th-30th |
Aries |
Fire |
|
30th-31st |
Taurus |
Earth |
Full Moon 30th |
Thanks for being part of AstroUpdate. If there‟s something you‟d like to see featured, or have something you think would interest others, please contact me at stellaw@ozemail.com.au
PS – Don‟t forget to check out your October Monthly Stars at www.stellastarwoman.com to see what‟s coming up for you this month.
Happy Stargazing
Stella Woods www.stellastarwoman.com