Astro4Business Intersections

Hello, everyone.

Welcome to the Astro4Business Monthly Forecast for October, 2010.  What are the planetary influences this month and how can we work with them?

• We’ll start with the most long-range and overarching influences, the planets Pluto, Neptune, and Uranus, which you will notice do not travel far from month to month but stay in the same sector of the sky for many years.  These form the backdrop to our personal lives, affecting matters on a global stage.
• Then we will look at the mid-range influences, Jupiter and Saturn, which stay in the same sign for 1 – 2.5 years.  These planets represent our interactions with our societal environment, its rules, regulations, belief systems, and benefits.
• We’ll look at the personal planets, Mars, Venus, Mercury, and the Sun which stay in their respective signs for much shorter periods and primarily influence our day-to-day lives.
• And last we’ll look at the sign and dates for the New and Full Moon, as these mark the waxing and waning cycles in our daily lives.

Pluto in Capricorn

We’ve spoken at length about Pluto in Capricorn (see category at right), where it will remain until 2024.  In a nutshell, this long transit will bring upheaval and transformation to many of the structures we have come to rely upon:  government, religion, the economy, industry, and the military, to name a few.  This transit carries the energy of revolution and evolution and can be dramatic and at times overwhelming.  Pluto exposes what is hidden, sometimes for the better and sometimes for the worse.

Pluto hastens and intensifies the processes of endings and new beginnings, and in Capricorn will bring about the ending of our business pursuits that are no longer suited to our growth and personal evolution.  Whatever has been slowly leaking vitality will go ahead and die, including old business models, practices, and products.

This is formidable energy, and your best strategy is to tune in and work with it.  Find an area in your business life in need of renewal and begin the process before Pluto reaches planets in your chart and forces the issue.

Everyone with planets in the first seven degrees of Aries, Cancer, Libra, and Capricorn is already dealing with this energy.  You’ve probably noticed a deeper and deeper probing and cleansing all year long, related to the issues mentioned above.  Pluto transits can be difficult, but when the work is done they are the most rewarding because we are irrevocably freed from a long-standing, but hidden, issue.

Neptune in Aquarius

With Neptune in Aquarius (see category at right) from 1998 to 2011, we’ve seen a growing global consensus regarding the equal value of all beings, shared responsibility for our planet, the distribution of technology to all nations, and the right of each person to contribute to and further the base of common knowledge.

The best way to work with this energy is to allow your rational mind to open to waves of inspiration from the collective whole, from your local community to the global community.  Expect to be inspired by your neighbors and friends, both near and far.

If you have planets between 25 and 28 degrees of any sign expect to experience a subtle but powerful dissatisfaction with certain areas of your life and a yearning for a more meaningful connection to others.  This disconcerting influence can dissolve the forms in our life that have no real content for us anymore.  This can be disorienting and confusing while it is happening but once deeper connections are made, the benefits are rewarding and long-lasting.

Uranus in Pisces

In July Uranus entered its annual cycle of retrograde motion.  During the entire month of July it slowly travelled back through the very first degree of Aries, and then in August it moved back into Pisces where it will remain until next March.

When Uranus entered Aries last May, we began getting to know a new face of Uranus. Aries is the spark of entrepreneurial spirit, the initiating drive toward independence and individuality.  You may have noticed new ideas incubating and a spirit of bold entrepreneurship in and around your business.  But when Uranus moved into retrograde motion, there was probably a disruption in this full-speed-ahead current.  You may now feel ambivalent or dissatisfied with your new ideas and initiatives.

And when Uranus moved back into Pisces on August 13 there was another major shift. Yes, this is familiar territory; Uranus was in Pisces for most of the last seven years, since March 2003.  But it may feel bizarre to be stepping back in time.  From our new entrepreneurial spirit we again enter the realm of collective ideas.  From our recent forays into a new style of leadership, we fall back into flattened hierarchies and committee decision-making.  From enhanced independence we’re back to collaboration and alliances.

Our whole society will seem to be taking steps backwards.  Must be something more to learn!

Saturn in Libra

In July, Saturn entered the sign of Libra where it will stay until October 2012.  Saturn is exalted in Libra which means it has a special affinity to the sign and if you’re willing to do the work, there is a promised payoff.  See the category to the right on this important transit, but in a nutshell:  what is the work of Saturn in Libra?  To develop patience, persistence, responsibility, and humility in relationships.  What is the payoff?  Cooperation and mutual support.

Last August, Saturn formed a difficult aspect to Pluto in Capricorn (see above.)  The stress of this aspect revealed the decay beneath structures in our businesses (and our world.)  Now the Saturn energy is building the Libra values of equity, parity, diplomacy, collaboration, and cooperation on the ashes of the past.  Saturn brings a serious and responsible attitude to this time, especially in the areas of partnership and business relationships.

Jupiter in Aries

Let’s review where we’ve been with Jupiter, so we can tell where we stand now.  In June, Jupiter, the planet of opportunity and expansion, entered Aries.  Aries is an initiatory sign and Jupiter thinks big.  Your former goals may have felt too limiting and you may have experienced a passion for growth, expansion, competition, and claiming new territories

Then Jupiter began retrograde motion on July 23.  You may have found your enthusiasm flagging for your new products and plans.  The forward momentum you’d been enjoying may have reversed, and you felt more restrained.  This has been an important phase for realistically assessing how much we can get done, to curtail overdoing and over-committing, and to take the time to slowly grow a project to completion.

In September Jupiter in retrograde motion re-entered Pisces.  The planet of opportunity and expansion, Jupiter is the ancient ruler of Pisces.  This brings a very positive influence to all endeavors that attempt to unite people based on a shared intention for the future.  While Jupiter is retrograde, efforts you attempted in the past should be reintroduced.  Jupiter retrograde in Pisces suggests we should work on re-connection. Repair the links you set up between people and your organization.  Reestablish venues for your employees to express their ideas creatively.  Rely on your intuition and feelings; show your employees, customers, and business associates your heart.  This will lead to expansion and profits.

Jupiter remains in retrograde motion until November 18.

Mars in Scorpio/Sagittarius

Mars entered Scorpio on September 14.  Mars is the ancient ruler of Scorpio and is very strong when it is in this sign.  As the famous astrologer Isabel Hickey said, fire (Mars) in a water sign (Scorpio) generates steam.  This is a time when we want to apply our will toward material and financial security and in the best of worlds, real progress can be made.  But Mars in Scorpio can also carry a ruthlessness and vindictiveness that we have to tame.  Develop ways to either let off that steam harmlessly or engineer it to further your goals and no one will get burned.

On October 28 Mars enters Sagittarius, a welcome relief from the Scorpio influence.  With Mars in Sagittarius, our competitive urges become sport, with a much more easy-going sense of winning and losing.   Since Mars represents your second tier of leadership, watch for an impulsivity that leads to too much risk-taking.  This is a friendly, breezy, optimistic position for Mars, good for sales, but not known for its stability or caution.

Venus in Scorpio

Venus entered Scorpio on September 8 and due to retrograde motion will spend a longer than average time in this sign.  Venus represents pleasure and in Scorpio, happiness is found in emotional and material security.  You may worry more than usual about the balance in your cash accounts and focus your energy on stabilizing your finances.  However, you could go overboard if you are too passionate in your pursuit of security.

Be careful with this one:  permanent alliances can be formed when Venus is in this sign but irrevocable separations can be just as likely.  Long-lasting contractual or financial agreements can be gained at this time but may contain an element of intrigue and the possibility of betrayal.  Review everything carefully and if there are unspoken emotional undertones, make sure you get them out on the table before you commit.

On October 8 Venus enters retrograde motion for forty days.  During this period we become more introspective regarding our professional relationships and social interactions.  Look for a full post on this interesting phase later in the month.

Mercury in Virgo/Libra/Scorpio

Mercury begins the month in Virgo, enters Libra on the third, and then zooms into Scorpio by October 20.  While Mercury is in Libra, we’ll get some support for dealing with the less attractive tendencies of Mars and Venus in Scorpio.  Mercury in Libra is fair-minded and positive, although you may find yourself vacillating about decisions you normally make with ease.

When Mercury joins Mars and Venus in Scorpio, look for communications to become more subtle, with hidden agendas and covert power struggles.  Mercury in Scorpio brings a “fierce acuteness of mind”, according to astrologer Isabel Hickey.  This is a time to scrutinize all documents and take special care to be forthright and above-board in all your meetings and negotiations.

Sun in Libra/Scorpio

Leadership when the Sun is in Libra means making sure everyone is treated fairly, with respect, and that everyone’s voice is heard.  When the Sun is in Libra our focus turns to relationships, partnerships, and business negotiations.  It is a diplomatic, friendly, outgoing time.

When the Sun enters Scorpio on October 23, we can exhibit great creativity and resourcefulness, and we gain power from service, compassion, and humility.  This is a good time to be clear about your financial strengths and weaknesses and to make a plan to address any shortfalls.

Phases of the Moon

The New Moon is in Libra on October 7, waxing to full in Aries on October 22.  We’ll examine the lunar phases in the weekly forecasts in October.

Monthly Recap

There are no major changes in any of the outer planets:  Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto.  Generally this will mean a continuation of the status quo in the world around us during the month, except the retrograde Venus may bring some touchy diplomatic situations to our attention on both global and personal stages.  Each of the personal planets spends some time in Scorpio this month, a sign of change and transformation.  Have your senses tuned beneath the surface for subtle messages and opportunities for financial and emotional exchange.

In case you are wondering how to get the most out of this monthly forecast, check out this link.  Some time ago a reader asked about it and you’ll see my instructions when you follow the link.

Have a great month and let me know how it all plays out!

Key Dates for the Month

October 3                    Mercury enters Libra

October 7                    New Moon in Libra

October 8                    Venus turns retrograde

October 20                  Mercury enters Scorpio

October 22                  Full Moon in Aries

October 23                  Sun enters Scorpio

October 28                  Mars enters Sagittarius

Do you have a question for me? See the “Work with Ellen” tab at the top of this site for my Straight to the Point Response service.