Aquarium Age, Blogs

The Aquarium Age: Oct. 31-Nov. 6

By Ralfee Finn

Potent astral winds buffet bodies, minds, hearts, and souls this week, and as many of us attempt to navigate these powerful blasts, reliable daily rituals are likely to lose their solid ground. For some, this loss of stability exacerbates an already pervasive anxiety that inhibits settling down or settling in. For others, these winds distort the ability to discern, clearly, and perceptions seem to be filtered through a mirror that reflects all too vividly all that’s wrong.

For most of us, uncertainty about what will be tightens our grip on what is. And because several surprises also ride these winds, unforeseen plot twists amplify perceptual distortion and psychic displacement. It’s a difficult week of change here on Planet Earth, and staying conscious and compassionate is sure to be the best way through.

Several factors contribute to these winds. First, Mercury, the symbol for all things related to communication, begins its last retrograde phase on November 6, at 6:03 PM EST. YesŠMercury goes retrograde on Election Day. And yes, again, that spells trouble. A look at the US presidential elections over the last 100 years reveals that Mercury Retrograde has never started on Election Day. Mercury was already retrograde in 1908 when Taft won. It was retrograde during the elections of 1932, 1940, 1960, and 1980. On November 7, 2000, the date of the Bush/Gore debacle, Mercury went direct at 9:28 PM, which means it was stationary for almost the entire day, as it will be for most of this Election Day. “Stationary” means standing still, and Mercury’s seeming lack of motion signifies the potential for a wide range of snafus from communication to tabulation. (Will we ever forget the hanging chads?) And because Mercury is also known as the Trickster, deception is sure to be part of the drama.

But that’s not all: Mercury goes retrograde in a trine to Uranus, a positive interaction that indicates a strong need for intellectual independence. Uranus is the revolutionary that seeks to catalyze whatever is stagnant. From an individual perspective, all week long, as this trine grows more precise, many of us are likely to feel a need to break free from restrictive thinking that inhibits personal progress. That agitation disrupts nervous systems, a condition that could manifest as disturbed sleep patterns.

One more thing about Election Day: As Mercury goes retrograde, we will also be under the influence of a Venus/Jupiter trine, a positive interaction that’s certain to have commentators waxing poetic. Those pontifications are likely to be even more dramatic than normal given that the Moon, in Leo, sextiles both Venus and Jupiter.

The good news is that Saturn, in Scorpio, continues to trine Neptune, in Pisces, a positive interaction that supports penetrating insight as well as foresight. Use its power to stay focused on what matters most, and you’ll find the resilience to handle the nervous energy of the week. And even in the midst of these restless winds, make compassion a motive force.

If you know your Ascendant and/or your Moon Sign, read that, too.

Aries March 21-April 19
Even if you’re resistant to the idea, take responsibility for your situation, and try to see what needs to be improved. If you can let go of any accumulated bitterness, you’ll find a sustainable positive perspective.

Taurus April 20-May 20
Rather than pushing the river or insisting on a specific outcome, allow the situation to unfold in its own time and on its own terms. I’m not suggesting passivity; I’m simply advising you to be patient.

Gemini May 21-June 21
You don’t have to make every choice at once. Try thinking of your current situation as a phase in some much greater and beneficial cycle, and you’ll have an easier time deciding what your next step should be.

Cancer June 22-July 22
You might want to reconsider before you get yourself entangled in a complex web that will eventually exhaust your patience. Rather than persist, let go – no one will think less of you.

Leo July 23-August 22
Rely on your innate strength. And remember, what’s essential is staying true to yourself and being resolute in your ability to stay centered and clear about your choices, even if others are critical of the surface situation.

Virgo August 23-September 22
Allow yourself to be stirred, but avoid precipitous action you might later regret. Bide your time, and eventually all the parts and pieces of the puzzle will fall into place and the next step will be clear.

Libra September 23-October 22
There will always be conversations that challenge your skill and ability to maintain your equilibrium. What’s important is how quickly you can learn the lesson and reestablish your balance.

Scorpio October 23-November 21
Put suspicion behind you. And remember instead that the situation is transitory, and that while it may initially feel oppressive, with the right attitude, you’ll find enough air to breathe – deeply.

Sagittarius November 22-December 21
The question is: How to find authentic inner peace in the midst of such tumult and turmoil? And while there is no easy answer, the first place to start your search is within.

Capricorn December 22-January 19
Be forthright about what you need and what you want. And then listen closely to the desires of others. What you may discover is a shared agenda that would allow all concerned parties to feel satisfied.

Aquarius January 20-February 18
Heavenly bodies move in fixed orbits and their cycles remind us that there is a season for everything. Yet even though those patterns are repetitive, we are not obligated to have the same response. We can think and grow.

Pisces February 19-March 20
Be determined to realize the folly of control, and instead, devote yourself to deepening your trust in yourself and others. It may not be easy to accomplish, but it will eventually bring you greater joy.

Ralfee Finn specializes in Transformational Astrology. For readings, call 1-888-937-9264, write P.O. Box 343, New York, NY 10025, visit AquariumAge.com, or e-mail Ralfee@AquariumAge.com. Copyright © 2012 by Ralfee Finn

This article was originally published on October 31, 2012.