November 22nd ~ 29th
“Hermes” by W.B. Richmond
Through our scientific and technological genius we've made of this world a neighborhood. And now through our moral and ethical commitment we must make of it a brotherhood. We must all learn to live together as brothers ~ or we will all perish together as fools.~ Martin Luther King, Jr.
For the past few years, Pluto has been closing out one era in order to begin another. As Pluto resides at the very distant outer fringes of our solar system its movements are glacial, and its effects transformative, both on society as a whole, as well as in our own individual lives. And when it changes signs, as it did on November 19th entering Aquarius, we can feel the sea change, as well as experience the growing pains that comes with it.
The last time Pluto was in Aquarius was from 1777 thru 1798. We were in the throes of the American Revolution, soon followed by the French revolution, which was then followed by its reign of terror. Pluto is dramatic in its effects, and revolutionary. Not only politically but economically and socially. The very motto derived from the French Revolution succinctly defines the Aquarian ideals of Liberty, Equality and Brotherhood.
We are entering another Pluto in Aquarius era, and there simply is no avoiding it. And now that Pluto has ended its foray in Capricorn, there will still be those who will resist the transition. They will hold on for dear life, distorting the ideals of the Pluto in Aquarius paradigm in the process. This is because they fear being made irrelevant. So out of desperation they will continue to try to hold on, refusing to step down and make way for the new paradigm. But in the end they must.
Now that Saturn is direct it is reproaching its semi-square to Pluto symbolizing this resistance. But it is fruitless. Despite themselves, society as a whole will continue to evolve. The extent to which we will be able to evolve, and how quickly, is dependent on the choices we make today. But evolve we will. For in the end the stark reality of the necessity for growth, cannot and will not be resisted. It simply must be.
We have 20 years in which to make these strides. Pluto in Aquarius has this remarkable capacity to transform, and even revolutionize the world in remarkable ways. Some of the themes that the Pluto in Aquarius era will be concerned with are:
Groups: Pluto tends to deal in extremes. But in its ideal form, Pluto in Aquarius leans towards innovative initiatives that will support the greater good of humanity as a whole. For it is in this 20 year period that we come to realize that we are part of something that is much larger than each separate individual or group. At the other extreme is the rejection of this ideal, where we grapple with the concept of “the Other”. This leads to targeting, shunning and scapegoating whole groups of people, in order to have one individual or group reign supreme over the others. But this would not be sustainable within the Aquarian paradigm which is one of inclusiveness where each individual plays an integral part. Out of the many, One.
Giving the Power to the People: When Pluto was in Capricorn, the power and wealth was being concentrated at the top, often at the expense of those at the bottom. This led to an atmosphere that was unsustainable for the average worker, even though wealth was growing at the top. Corporations became people due to a legal decree, allowing them to have a say in our elections. When Pluto is in Aquarius, the power comes from below, from the people, smashing caste systems, financial inequality, monopolies and authoritarian regimes. At first they will not want to let go of all that they gained. But they must, if the people have their say.
Technological Advances: The last time Pluto was in Aquarius, the Industrial Revolution was spawned reorganizing and redefining the concentration of wealth in society as a result. With Pluto in Aquarius for the next 20 years we are likely to see technological advances beyond our wildest imaginings. The sorts of advances that can literally change our lives. Do note, that these are not always in good ways. And corrections will need to be made later.
Universal Brotherhood, Freedom and Civil Rights: In its most ideal expression, the sign of Aquarius has a very large tent, where all people are welcome to live with equal representation, acceptance, and personal freedom. However, this can only be accomplished through systemic and endemic change. A slow, evolutionary progression that can literally change society for the better. It may not be perfect, but maybe, just maybe, we can achieve a better version of ourselves.
“Therefore,” adds Plato, “remain silent in the presence of the divine ones, till they remove the clouds from thy eyes and enable thee to see by the light which issues from themselves, not what appears as good to thee, but what is intrinsically good.”
On November 25th (or 26th, depending on where you are in the world) Mercury will station for its retrograde phase which lasts until December 15th. Stationing at 22º Sagittarius 40’, Mercury will remain in Sagittarius until the 8th of January. Jupiter, the ruling planet of Sagittarius is also in its retrograde phase up until February 4th, which could feel a bit as if we are retreating in order to realign ourselves with our core ethics and morals. If nothing else it is and will be apparent how important our choices are at this time. And what the basis for our choices actually are, is what will count the most in the end.
There is relative good, where one party may think themselves the sole possessor of goodness and truth. And then there is an intrinsic concept of the Good that Plato referred to. We may not fully realize this concept of what seems an Absolute Good in a single lifetime. But we can aspire to it. It is an evolutionary process, a gradual unfolding. And as we ever strive to be more ethical, kinder, and better versions of ourselves, then a higher and truer altruism can be achieved. This is our homework for the retrograde phase of Mercury.
It won’t be easy. As Mercury enters its retrograde it is making a minor but uncomfortable aspect to Mars, which is also slowing down for its retrograde which begins on December 6th. We come into this Mercury retrograde on edge, and with a modicum of foot in mouth disease. Mercury in Sagittarius is not generally known for holding back, and can be all too eager to have their say. What you don’t want to do is say something regrettable! The acronym THINK, may be helpful to remember when we get that terrible urgency to blurt out what’s really on our minds:
T: Is what you are about to say TRUE?
H: Is what you want to say HELPFUL?
I: Is it INSPIRING?
N: Is it NECESSARY?
K: Is it KIND?
What the retrograde phase of Mercury can be good for:
Rethinking and reassessing. Especially on the basis of our core ethics and values. When push comes to shove, what are you willing to put yourself on the line for? What are your core values and beliefs? And what can you do to support these?
Letting Go of unresolved issues. Practice patience. Let go of any resentment or anger that you may be holding on to. Let it go or transform it into motivational and positive affirmations to do good works, and promote what is good and beautiful in the world.
Reflecting on the year that was. For many it could feel like you will be needing to create new goals, new schedules, new routines and new expectations when Mercury ends its retrograde phase in mid-December. But in the mean time you are being asked to reflect on what you have accomplished, what you have learned, and what your takeaway is from the year that was.
Slow down. The inclination will be to rush, to speed through things. Take a cue from both Mercury and Mars which are both slowing down this week. Sometimes you have to step back, in order to see things more objectively, and to avoid jumping to conclusions.
Re-do. This is our opportunity to fix things the way they should have been done in the first place. Second chances. Opportunities to repair old rifts, and broken machinery and cars. This will be even more so when Mars begins its retrograde in early December.
Process. The retrograde phases of Mercury are very important times in the year that allow us to process and assimilate the experiences of the past. This is precisely how we learn and are able to make sense of our lives, and give it deeper meaning.
There is an adjustment phase as we approach and then enter the retrograde period. There is a turning within that is almost necessary for our mental health and well-being. With that also come all those dreaded denizens of the trickster retrograde: the missed trains, the missed cues and misunderstandings. Messages get misconstrued. We never receive that email. The luggage never arrives with the plane. The computer ceases to cooperate. Communications break down. The car refuses to start. These are often messages for us to just stop. Stop. Reassess. And Reevaluate. We have work to do.
For this week’s horoscopes and Mercury retrograde for your sign, click below: