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Monthly Forecast (September 22 – October 22, 2008)
This month’s focus is on Libra, a cardinal air sign, and its ruling planet, Venus. Mercury is also highlighted as it goes retrograde for the third and last time this year.
Libra is very much concerned with ideas and principles. Librans are the idealists and perfectionists of the horoscope. The element of air corresponds to C.G. Jung’s thinking function. Most people associate Venus with the urge for relationship, and that is often high on Libra’s list of priorities, but what they are really doing is relating one thing to another in their minds, and often reconciling the opposites within themselves, like intellect and emotions, masculinity and femininity, spirituality and materialism. With Venus as their ruling planet, Librans often exhibit Aphrodite’s charm and appreciation of beauty.
Venus was close to Mars in Libra from September 3 to September 21. In mythology, the Goddess of Love was very attracted to the God of War, and they had three offspring – Harmonia (harmony), Phobos (fear) and Deimos (Panic). Libra, the sign of the Scales, is the symbol of justice, harmony and balance. Any Libran can tell you that balancing those scales is a delicate matter – they tend to swing up and down before a state of balance can be achieved. We’ve been experiencing a global financial crisis (ask if you would like to know more from an astrological point of view), which led to an outbreak of fear and panic on the financial markets. When there is turmoil in the outer world, we may experience fear and our breathing may become shallower. Remember it’s even more important at such times to find your own inner centre of peace. There are various ways of doing this, including yoga, meditation and prayer. Regular exercise outdoors or deep breathing exercises keep you focused on living in the moment (the recipe for success) and supplying your body with the oxygen it needs.
September 22, 2008: The Sun moves into Libra (15.45 GMT), and we have the Fall Equinox in the northern hemisphere and the Spring Equinox in the southern hemisphere, when day and night are equal. It’s a good month for bringing what has been out of balance in your life back into balance. Librans are known for their ability to see many sides of a situation, and this can lead to indecision. If you have a decision to make about something you consider important, don’t rush into it. Wait until you get clarity before taking action.
September 24, 2008: Mercury grinds to a halt in Libra (stationary retrograde), prior to going into reverse gear until October 15. Communication problems, travel delays or changes in travel plans (especially air travel) are possible as Mercury gets up to his tricks. It particularly affects people with constellations in Libra, Aries, Cancer and Capricorn. On October 2, 2001, Mercury was stationary retrograde in Libra on the day the airline Swissair was grounded. Alitalia is in such dire straits that they may be grounded this week. It’s not a good time for starting new projects. Instead, focus on any old unfinished business that will leave the way clear for new commitments once the Mercury retrograde cycle is finished. It’s a good time to slow down and take more time for reflection, especially where your relationships are concerned.
September 29, 2008: The Libra New Moon occurs at 8.13am GMT. This is an excellent time to focus on manifesting your desires and intentions. You might want to meditate about your desires or write them down in an affirmative way and ask the New Moon to guide you. Venus is now in Scorpio, which is associated with passion. If you’ve been playing it safe, things may have gone stale on you. Dare to dream and think big. Be prepared to take some risks and allow the spark of renewed passion to enter your love life and career.
October 14, 2008: This Aries Full Moon (8.03pm GMT) highlights Eris and Neptune. Eris, labelled a plutoid, was first sighted in 2003. Eris is the sister of Mars and the goddess of discord, chaos and confusion. She was involved in starting the Trojan War. Some pretty hefty debates, disagreements or struggles for supremacy may take place around this time. Neptune could add to the general confusion. You may see the collapse of something that hasn’t got a solid enough foundation, and be unable to prevent it happening. It’s autumn in the northern hemisphere, a time when fruit ripens and then decays. Remember that the seed of the new is present in the shell of the old, the seed of unrealised potential, and release anything you’re done with.
October 15, 2008: Mercury changes direction once again (stationary direct), slowly moving into forward gear again. Don’t be in too much of a hurry to start new projects. As of October 20, Mercury will be running at normal speed again, and it’s safe to resume normal activities again.
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