The Daily Astro for October 23, 2013

by Valerie Sylvester

TODAY’S ASPECTS:

The Sun entered Scorpio at 2:10 AM EDT while many of us were snoozing. It slithered on in while the Moon was void in Gemini, like a seductive con artist with a jazzy patter. It’s presto-chango time–for good and ill. With the Sun, the Moon’s North Node, Saturn and Mercury (retrograde) all in Scorpio now, we’re determined to get to the bottom of a bottomless pit (and if anybody can do that, it’s a Scorpio type)! We may have to backtrack and get our affairs in order first, though. Neglected paperwork and anything we’ve dropped mid-stream comes back to bite us on the ass now. It’s damage-control time. Deja-vu-land beckons as sea-monster-strength emotions roil the waters, and any unfinished business rises from the depths, gasping for air.

A Mars/Neptune contraparallel at 6:38 AM EDT further muddies the waters. Expect a fair amount of passive-aggressive machinations or “addict behavior”. Maybe a veiled threat scenario? Masking, masks, and intricate alternate identities make it hard to figure out how to move to this particular tango. Energy’s scattered. People may throw themselves into questionable enterprises, start acting out on the job, or else they’re harboring strange or deluded notions. Mars is moving to a trine to Pluto, so we’ll have to figure out how to transmute this energy. It’s a trap door if we don’t pay attention, but there’s tremendous power in it, if we’re focused in the right direction. Great tension, yet huge openings for growth and change. With all that Scorpio energy, we just have to really really want it–“desire” is one of Scorpio’s keywords. What is it that possesses your soul? Fling yourself in that general direction.

Most of the day we’ll feel like we’re working in the accounting department of the Titanic just before it hits the iceberg. We’re churning away at that paperwork, trying to balance the accounts. Some feel a vague sense of unease, but they just fetch another ledger and keep working. By the end of the day, we may find out what that iceberg can do. Maybe we’ll discover what bad habits have left us feeling “dead in the water”. A Moon/Saturn connection at 6:50 PM EDT can be discouraging, as we feel no one has a clue about what’s going on, or else they don’t value what we have to offer. We may focus more on what we lack or immerse ourselves in obsessive worrying. Don’t beat yourself up; once you understand what’s missing, it’s easier to figure out how to fill in the blanks later on.

The Moon remains void until it enters Cancer (its comfort zone) at 11:36 PM EDT. It’s a little late for getting cozy with family and friends, but changing into our comfiest feety-PJs and chowing down on mushy comfort foods has great appeal. Grab your partner and/or your teddy bear and just drift off to dreamland.

THE SYMBOLS:

Sabian Symbol for today’s SUN: ” A sight-seeing bus.”

Kozminsky Symbol for today’s SUN: “ A man, enraged, tearing a book in pieces.” (Influence is: MERCURY.)

The Keyword for the Sabian Symbol is: “ FRIENDLINESS.”

The Keyword for the Kozminsky Symbol is: “IRRITATION.”

Today’s Kozminsky Symbol does the Scorpio dance. Kozminsky notes that the personality is “forceful and magnetic” and indicates someone of “a passionate and determined nature”.During this Mercury retrograde in Scorpio, we’ll all probably be in the mood for some book-tearing or information shredding. It’s not only about the words, it’s about what’s BEHIND the words. We need to analyze all communications or transfer of information (the Moon’s in Gemini until later tonight) to determine what’s triggering those feelings of irritation. Self-control and knowledge walk hand in hand. This symbol is related to controlling strong emotions and re-focusing that energy to propel ourselves forward (again, like the Chariot tarot card). Self-awareness (a book contains information we might need to know someday) will enable us to rise above frustration. We may feel things are out of control as daily life is disrupted by seemingly capricious elements. Look for the pattern, the thread that runs through the events of the day. Find the page that’s been ripped out of the book–it holds the key.

The Sabian Symbol also connects with our Gemini Moon pathway. Being in motion, chatting with fellow passengers, seeing something new and different are a delight to the Moon-in-Gemini quicksilver mind. This symbol tells us to expand our horizons and indulge our curiosity by trying something new. It’s a “sight-seeing bus”, so we’re being urged to open our eyes to potential, to increase our knowledge base, to stay in motion, and look through un-jaded eyes. Small talk may seem silly, but it’s also a bonding experience, so reach out and connect with others today. Try some experiments in empathy today–visualize being in someone else’s shoes, living their life. Even if you don’t have the nerve for a grand adventure, a jaunt on a tour bus with other travelers exposes you to a variety of people and situations. Baby steps to change are OK. Just remember not to look down on others because they have different views or habits, and don’t turn into a snob or a nasty ol’ voyeur. And just because the bus is carting you all over, it doesn’t mean you can sit like a lump and not participate in your own journey. No one else can do that for you. Sometimes you have to get off the bus and dive into the world around you.

THE DAILY DRAW

Page of Pentacles / 2 of Pentacles

“The Apprentice”

Here’s two Pentacles (Earth) cards. The key today, I think, is to ground, center and get clear on your priorities. Improve organization skills to take advantage of opportunities as they arise. It’s time to make a new start in the financial realm, and to reassess our values and how our choices define our reality. We may find ourselves juggling several opportunities (the Moon’s in dual-natured Gemini for most of the day). This pair can indicate a new partnership or business proposal is on the way. Consider all options, whether it’s a second/sideline career or working two jobs at once in order to gain skills. With Mars in Virgo moving to trine Pluto, those skills, plus hard work and attention to detail can lead to great wealth or exploding opportunities down the line. Another idea: Skilled craftsmanship, divine design. These two cards can indicate the start of a prosperous entity, partnership or company. Perhaps a takeover or “under new management” scenario as a second entity shows up to run a new business or division. There’s a definite time factor here. It’s not the time to rush (especially with Mercury retrograde). Seeds need time to mature, so what you’ve planted is beginning to take root (the cards are Page, indicating incipient or early stages, and the 2, an “early choice/partnership ” ) card. I named this duo “The Apprentice” because we may need to work with someone more experienced in order to make progress. We find a mentor or partner who helps us grow.