Astrological Energies for October 26 to November 1, 2009

NorthPoint Astrology Journal
by Pam Younghans

There's a sense of anticipation in the air. If you receive other channeled e-newsletters, you know that nearly everyone is predicting transformational events in the very near future. We do seem to be poised for a course adjustment of sorts -- what some are calling a "dimensional shift."

What that exactly entails in human terms, I suppose we won't know until we experience it. But I do know that we are in changing times, with incredible opportunities to advance our awareness and our spiritual growth. And perhaps, since we're all unique individuals, our personal experience of this course adjustment will vary for each one of us, according to the next step we are ready to take.

I interpret a "dimensional shift" to mean we're ready to open our awareness to another level, and to expand our abilities of perception further beyond the physical plane. And, if we have restrictive beliefs and emotions that need to be transmuted as a part of the process, we will likely be given opportunities to recognize and release those lower-vibrational energies.

Astrologically, the upcoming shift corresponds with the first Pluto-Saturn square, which will be exact on November 15. We are already within the influence of that square since we are less than a month away from the day the aspect is exact. But it may take Saturn going into Libra on Thursday of this week before we start dealing with the energies more directly.

I got the impulse to write a bit about the Pluto-Saturn square this past week, so wrote a post on my blog entitled "The next few weeks."

If you haven't yet read that post, you can find it at http://northpointastrology.blogspot.com/. It provides some background on the current Pluto-Saturn cycle, as well as dates you may want to check out in your own life, to observe how the cycle is working with you personally.

And, if you would like to share your own experience with the Pluto-Saturn cycle, please click on the green word "comments" at the bottom of the post to add your comment.

This week begins with a Neptune-Saturn aspect called a biquintile. Any time these two major planets get together, we dissolve some form that been restricting our spiritual progress and also gain a more realistic perspective in areas where we might have been chasing a rainbow.

This aspect is a fairly subtle influence, and it has been working with us for a week or two already. It might be interesting to review the month of October to see where we are in the process of dissolving judgments and biases that have been holding us back from the spiritual connections and communities we want to be a part of. And, at the same time, we may observe ways in which we are realizing the truth of certain situations, and learning to be more practical in our handling of those affairs.

Mercury joins the Sun in Scorpio on Wednesday, and will be assisting us over the next three weeks in our search for truth in what may sometimes seem to be a sea of secrets and half-truths. Scorpio is both courageous and persistent and, like an animal with a strong prey drive, is not easily dissuaded from the chase.

The Pluto-Mercury aspect on Wednesday provides a few clues to start us off on the right track. We will continue to follow the trail through mid-November, along the way uncovering what has been hidden and also revealing the truths that have been obscured.

A caution: Scorpio can be less than tactful, and with both the Sun and Mercury in this sign, our words can be especially wounding at times. Perhaps Saturn's entry into calming Libra on Thursday will help us remember to work on our mediation skills, even while we maintain our focus on the truth we are chasing.

A Mars-Sun square is in effect both Wednesday and Thursday. This is not the best time to try to resolve conflicts, since everyone may be a bit on edge. Mars in Leo emphasizes the ego's need for acknowledgment, but the Sun in Scorpio is very resistant to such displays. Leo and Scorpio are both "fixed" signs, which means both can be very stubborn and unwilling to be flexible.

If a power struggle comes up midweek, find a physical outlet for the frustration rather than expressing it in ways that may permanently damage relationships or projects. Do some physical exercise that makes you sweat, but also stay well within the limits of safety, since sound judgment is somewhat harder to come by under this influence.

Saturn will change signs on Thursday, stepping into Libra for the first time since the early 1980s. Saturn is known as the Teacher and Tester. For the past two years, while Saturn has been in Virgo, we've seen numerous organizations and structures tested and challenged -- especially the medical system and our own personal health care systems (our bodies).

Faulty foundations have been revealed, and Saturn has required us to do the hard work of either completely dismantling certain structures and rebuilding from the ground level, or of creating new structures to support those structures that are basically sound.

Saturn now turns his attention to Libra, and the focus of his lessons shifts. Libra is the sign of Balance, and is the only sign in the zodiac that has an inanimate glyph: the Scales of Justice (all other signs have either an animal or human mascot). This reflects the ideal of intellectual objectivity represented by Libra, unswayed by illogical emotions and needs.

Libra rules the justice system, peace, relationships, mediation, the arts, and every activity that strives to bring harmony between entities of differing perspectives. While Saturn is in Libra, we can expect that we will be asked to become more realistic, responsible, and disclipined in all of these areas -- both socially and personally.

Saturn's last journey through Libra was from September 1980 through November 1982 (with a brief foray back into the sign from April to August 1983). Here are some events of those years that stand out as signs of the times, that seem to carry the Libra "stamp":

• Sandra Day O'Connor was nominated to the U.S. Supreme Court, the first woman to achieve that recognition.
• Millions of people worldwide watched the wedding of Prince Charles and Lady Diana.
• Sally Ride became the first American woman astronaut in space.
• The Reverend Sun Myung Moon performed a wedding ceremony for 2,075 couples at Madison Square Garden.
• The first International Day of Peace was held, on September 21, 1982.
• A rally against nuclear weapons drew 750,000 people to New York City's Central Park.
• The Vietnam Veterans Memorial was dedicated in Washington, D.C., after a march to its site by thousands of Vietnam War veterans.
• The movie "Ghandi" was released.

It will be interesting to watch the new Saturn-in-Libra cycle unfold. Back in early 1980s, Pluto was also in Libra, and the two planets were conjunct in October 1982. That was the beginning of a cycle of empowerment and change.

Now, with the waning square between the two planets, we are at our last challenge point in this Pluto-Saturn cycle. In the months ahead, humanity will be asked to answer these questions: How far have we come in manifesting the ideals of peace, justice, cooperation and equality initiated in the early 1980s? In what ways do we need to refocus our efforts? And where do we need to be more realistic, without falling prey to fear, about what can be done to create more stability and balance in our shared existence?

Of course, we will also be working with this Saturn-in-Libra energy on very personal levels. We will be asked to reprioritize our lives based on what provides us with a stronger foundation of balance and harmony. We will look more objectively at our relationships and see what we are willing to work harder on, as well as what needs to be completed.

We are beginning a new phase, in which we have the opportunity to establish a stronger foundation of harmony and peace for ourselves and for the planet. Are we willing to do the work Saturn asks of us?

Many blessings,

Pam

NorthPoint Astrology Blog: As always, I'll be posting to http://northpointastrology.blogspot.com/ during the week -- please visit and add your comments if so inspired!