Perhaps the central theme of the paradigm shift we’re all going through has to do with reclaiming soul and restoring it to its rightful place – soul not as some ethereal substance but as that part of us that deepens events into experience, bringing heart back into the equation. To Aristotle the heart was the seat of the soul.
Let’s liken spirit to the male outgoing energy, and the soul to the feminine energy of turning inward towards our deeper feelings that calls us to learn, cooperate, lead and serve. Our body then becomes the playground where we integrate and utilise these energy fields in our search for a rewarding and fulfilling life.
From Aries (
) through to Virgo (
) the emphasis is on the development and evolution of the individual, of perfecting the body as a vehicle for the inner Being. Libra (
), the seventh sign of the zodiac, begins the half circle that represents the ‘perfected’ individual’s integration into the cosmic whole by finding a harmonious balance between the desires of the body and the promptings of the soul.
In Libra-time we pause to reflect upon where we stand in terms of who we truly are – in practice this happens through revaluing our relationships, our career and our environment – and this October is no exception.
At first both Mercury (
) and Venus (
) are in Virgo, underlining the messages Saturn (
) in Virgo has been putting across to us since September 2007: greater understanding, service, and healing. Virgo revolves around a desire to clearly comprehend in order to better educate, serve, heal, and problem-solve—not for self-gain—rather for the upliftment of society.
Mercury (communication of perceptions) gets up close and personal with Saturn (reality checks) on 8 October and Venus (love and money) on 13 October. Saturn always gives us exactly what we deserve and takes away what we don’t need and during these days it will become much clearer how well you are fulfilling your evolutionary imperative and where you need to make adjustments.
On 10 October Mercury enters Libra and Venus soon follows on the 14th directing your focus to openness rather than fear and connection rather than division. We’re learning to rely less on the heroic perspective of progress, betterment and improvement and to trust the alchemical process of life. Like all air signs Libra risks overreliance on the intellect and loss of connection with your body and your feelings: meditate, bring compassion into your interactions, forgive, shun shallow materialism and open your eyes and heart to the beauty of the natural world.
Saturn moves into Libra on the 29th but more about that next month.
Premium Membership
To enjoy the very best of Celestial Notebook then become a Premium Member.
For just a small monthly fee of £2.99 you get:
- • Access to the great daily astrological forecast at this site, and
- • ...when signing up you can opt to have the daily forecast emailed to you each day, plus
- • ...you get even bigger discounts on Celestial Notebook products and services
Become a Premium Member today.
If you'd like to see how the sign-up process works then click here to watch a short video.
Until the 17th, when Mars marches into Leo, there are no planets in fire signs. The element fire refers to a radiant energy, an energy which is excitable, enthusiastic and through its warmth and light brings colour into the world. My opinion is that any imbalance in the heavens points to an imbalance within the collective that needs to be redressed. A protracted fire imbalance wears you down, stripping you of your natural faith and optimism so that you have to face up to aspects of life that you would actually like to change. There is nothing like treadmill despair to bring you to the crossroads of life.
The good news is that Jupiter (
), The Merciful Fatso, turns direct on 13 October at 17° Aquarius (
). While Jupiter was retrograde you were probably examining your social affairs more carefully and have revaluated the rightness of such activities and what you envisage for yourself. You will now forge ahead and adopt fresh, new attitudes concerning your social interactions. Let’s hope that you get closer to gaining greater social acceptance whilst remaining true to the needs of your soul. If you can remain true to the revelations you experienced during the retrograde phase, you will be free to connect with others in ways that will enrich your life.
The outer planets (Uranus, Neptune and Pluto) move very slowly and, through the retrograde phenomenon, sometimes transits the same degree three or four times. The last time a planet crosses a degree is usually when long-standing matters come to a head or resolve.
Pluto (
), The Great Transformer, entered Capricorn at the end of January 2008 and is only now triggering 0° and 1° Capricorn for the last time. The Sea Goat symbolises worldly power, not the power of money or fame, but the power of integrity – the marriage of your nature and your public identity – living in your external world as your true self. Pluto takes no prisoners and many have been stripped of their public identities, secrets have come to light and many of the structures we believed in have crumbled. The full implications of how your life has changed since then will now become clear.
In August this year the Nodes began their 19 month sojourn in Capricorn (
) and Cancer (
). The nodes are two points in a chart exactly opposite each other. Suffice it to say that the lunar nodes are the points in space where the moon crosses the ecliptic of the earth’s orbit.
The North Node (
) symbolises your evolutionary future. The South Node (
) is what you know well. The nodes operate in relationship to each other: we use the South Node as a firm foundation from whence we are able to stand on tip-toe to reach for the fresh growth of the North Node.
With the North Node in Capricorn, you are being challenged to take charge of your life and take responsibility for yourself in such a way that it is not to the detriment of others – as far as is possible! Capricornian discipline, control and awareness of boundaries can help you to effectively channel Cancerian feelings and needs. Rather than suppress or indulge emotional needs, you can be with your deepest feelings and consciously develop an internal control system which lovingly guides rather than represses. (Tracy Marks)
This month more than ever we need to acknowledge that the heart has a part to play in the intelligence of the human system, that the heart ‘knows’ things the brain has no inkling of. By being silent, by truly listening to your heart, you become able to manage your emotional arena more effectively. The result is greater mental clarity and focus for more effective decision-making, problem-solving and contentment.
‘And now here is my secret, a very simple secret; it is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye.’ Antoine Saint-Exupery.
