Normally one would expect the start of the much hyped, and dreaded, Mercury retrograde to take center stage in the week’s astrology news. But when said week begins with a once-per-year Sun Uranus opposition and includes a positive Venus shift, a more original view might be taken. Hot on the heels of Sunday night’s new Scorpio moon, with its built-in tension with wild Uranus, Monday’s exact Sun opposition will pull tensions all the way to the surface and send some seismic shockwaves throughout the ethers. Notice what makes you uncomfortable and the “negative” emotions that seemingly spring out of nowhere. They are messengers and your teachers. By midweek things get a bit smoother courtesy of a sweet Mercury Venus conjunction. “What do I want instead (of what upsets me)?” is the perfect question to pose when Mercury and Venus meet and as we approach a Mercury retrograde in dramatic, passionate Scorpio. “What old story is actually playing out here?” is another good point of inquiry during the retrograde, which officially kicks off on Thursday and lasts until November 20th. On Friday Venus leaves the probing intensity of Scorpio for the warmth and inspiration of Sagittarius. Her stay will last until November 25th, coinciding with Mercury’s Scorpio venture, and it will include a conjunction with lucky Jupiter on the 24th. From optimistic Sag, the planet of beauty and pleasure will point to a better direction for our focus and it will show us the possibilities for a happier future. In short, the transits getting underway this week offer a pathway from victim to victor and from suffering to success. The slings and arrows have done their damage, yet in their wounding lies our capacity for healing, compassion and wholeness. Best look? A dedicated meditation space, well-stocked medicine bag and an MP3 of “You’ll Never Walk Alone”.
