Once again, I don’t know where to begin to assess the celestial situation and how its patterns are reflected in the goings-on of daily life here on Earth. At the moment, the planets have assumed staunch positions—Mercury is conjunct Saturn, Venus is conjunct Pluto, and Jupiter and Uranus are moving into a tight opposition—all of which indicate an unwillingness to bend. Voices of reason on either side of the great political divide are likely to substantiate that rigidity. Other voices are calling for moderation and acceptance, while even more are refusing to compromise for fear of normalizing the abnormal. It is a mess, but it is a necessary mess because the election opened up a wound—a boil, really—that’s been festering for a long, long time and its toxicity can no longer be denied. It’s not that we are suddenly a racist or sexist or classist society. We simply can’t pretend anymore that we don’t have a disturbing shadow of violence built into the bedrock of our history, and it’s not just the shadow of slavery. America was built on genocide—we decimated the Native Americans, relegated them to reservations, which were the concentration camps of that time, and it is not without astounding synchronicity that their descendants are choosing to say “no more” at Standing Rock this very moment when we can no longer hide the bigotry, prejudice and violence that’s been festering for so long.
All of America’s red threads, which are actually humanity’s red threads——those persistent karmic themes that weave the fabric of reality and symbolize the issues that keep us suffering and separated—all those red threads are right on the surface of daily life where we can see them. Maybe not as clearly as we would like to or need to, but they are far too visible to ignore. The question is: What are we going to do about it? And how are we going to heal this toxicity? Earth hangs in the balance, with every species precariously perched on the precipice of extinction, including humans. What does survival look like in a world where the interconnectedness of life—the good, the bad and the ugly—is no longer hidden from view? A world where technology, with all its many flaws, has laid bare the contents of our conscious and unconscious minds, forcing us to figure out how to transform. These are not new questions, but thanks to Mr. Trump and voters on all sides of the great divide, they are questions that must be faced immediately, or we risk doing even more harm to ourselves and our planet.
Here’s the astrology:
A Mercury/Saturn conjunction has been operating since Saturday, November 19 and continues to be in effect until Monday, November 28. Mercury symbolizes the mind. Saturn symbolizes structure. And while this combination has the potential to produce mental might, it just as easily supports an obstinate mindset that refuses to yield to opposing points of view.
A Venus/Pluto conjunction has been in effect since Sunday, November 20 and lasts until Wednesday, November 30. Venus represents what matters most. She is the goddess of love and beauty. Pluto represents the process of death and rebirth, as well as obsessive/compulsive behavior, often manifesting as strong opinions that just won’t consider other ideas or values. When Venus and Pluto share the same space, their combined influence fosters fanatic love. The good news is their conjunction also indicates the potential for profound creativity if you can avoid the pitfall of polarization.
A Jupiter/Pluto square is exact on November 25, and as this fractious interaction intensifies during the days prior to Thanksgiving, you can anticipate lots of vying for power. But the full throttle of those power struggles is likely to be felt throughout the next day—Black Friday—as well as the entire weekend. What’s more, because Venus is also part of this interaction, retail therapy actually has the power to quell emotional upsets that can’t be intellectually processed or resolved. It will be hard keeping that credit card in your wallet.
The stubborn corker of the week is attributable to Jupiter and Uranus as they begin an opposition that lasts for quite some time. Jupiter, the planet of expansion, good fortune and excess of every denomination, is in Libra. Uranus, the revolutionary and significator of sudden reversals of fortune is in Aries. The opposition, which symbolizes tension, begins this week, is exact on December 26, lingers all winter, and is exact again on March 3.
Here’s why it’s the “corker”: While Jupiter/Uranus combinations are known as the “Thank the Lord” influence, the opposition is famous for feeding headstrong opinions that aren’t easily changed by outside information, even when the facts present a different picture. Sound familiar? Anticipate an even more stubborn determination to be right, something we don’t need more of in an already over-polarized atmosphere. The only good news about this Jupiter/Uranus opposition is its tendency to manifest as the sudden and startling release of tension. I can’t imagine what those plot twists might be, but I am hoping that whatever surprises are in store, they are beneficial for all and not just a chosen few.
Readers have written asking for good planetary news, hoping that the skies will provide a solution to the turmoil here on Earth. While other astrologers may have a different take on things, from my perspective there are no quick fixes available at the moment. That being said, and as difficult as the current astral climate is, it’s also a time of tremendous creative potential, if only because each of us has the opportunity in the midst of this madness to respond rather than react. It’s a chance to come from the heart, and that means negative patterns can be dismantled and new, positive ways of being in the world can occur. Those who are concerned for the well-being of their fellow travelers have an opportunity to transform those concerns into actions that will benefit all sentient beings.
Sun Bursts: If you know your Ascendant and/or your Moon Sign, read that too.
Aries March 21-April 19
Despite the external intensity, make every effort to focus your internal intensity on what you would most like to accomplish. I’m not guaranteeing that all your efforts will be met with success, but I am suggesting that channeling excess energy into positive creative projects will help soothe your restless spirit.
Taurus April 20-May 20
The strength you’re seeking can be found in your willingness to work hard toward your goals. I realize this advice might sound like a riddle, but one of your strong suits is the ability to persevere in the face of obstacles, and exercising that muscle can help you regain confidence in your abilities.
Gemini May 21-June 21
Yes, you are being asked to hold steady on a sea of constantly shifting priorities, and yes again, that’s a hard job. But you have the innate flexibility to rise to this occasion and even make it look easy. Be sure of yourself and your skills and pay no attention to any interference.
Cancer June 22-July 22
Expect more than a few moments, at home or at work, with partners, personal or professional, who would rather you do it their way. Unfortunately, that won’t be possible because you have a very strong need to do it your way. I’m not suggesting capitulation, but it might be wise to soften your position through kindness.
Leo July 23-August 22
It’s all about words, so choose yours wisely and avoid using any of them as weapons, even if you feel falsely accused or unjustly judged. Simply breathe, deeply and as often as possible. There are worse things than being misunderstood, and you have enough innate joy to pull yourself out of a bad mood and into a good one.
Virgo August 23-September 22
You can frame the situation as a financial crisis in need of a pragmatic solution—and it just might be. But at a deeper level, you’re still wrestling with issues of value: Your values versus the values of others. And while compromise is a noble idea, finding that ground is going to take a lot of hard work.
Libra September 23-October 22
You’re still in a deep process of figuring out how to shift your relationship to yourself. I know that might sound a little strange, but this is about coming to terms with how you care for yourself and how you manage your need for safety. Being aware of the depth of this need will help you find viable solutions.
Scorpio October 23-November 21
The challenge is balancing your internal world, where you are quite comfortable, with your external responsibilities, some of which are overwhelming. Of course, there will be many adjustments that must be made along the way, but if you’re willing to participate, you’ll only benefit from this process.
Sagittarius November 22-December 21
Being true to yourself is always the best choice, especially when faced with pressure from others to choose a side or take a stand you’re not 100% committed to. So, take a deep breath and be very clear about what matters to you, and then allow that clarity to guide your choices.
Capricorn December 22-January 19
Rather than holding back, give yourself permission to be in charge—life will be much easier if you do, because holding back requires much more energy than holding forth. Be confident in your choices, but also remember to include others and involve them in important decisions.
Aquarius January 20-February 18
There’s no need to devise a strategy to get your own way. Simply show up, be in the moment, speak your truth, and be ready and willing to listen to others as they share theirs. It’s not always easy to combine the needs of others with your own, but sometimes—and this is one of them—it’s necessary.
Pisces February 19-March 20
It’s just not possible to make everyone happy all the time, so rather than continue to try to meet everyone’s needs, let go, and consider whether your need to make others feel good is based on genuinely good intentions or just habitual codependence. You’re only responsible for you—and that’s enough to keep you busy.
Ralfee Finn specializes in Transformational Astrology. For readings, call 1-212-222-3232, write P.O. Box 343, New York, NY 10025, visit AquariumAge.com, or e-mail ralfee@aquariumage.com. Copyright © 2016 by Ralfee Finn