Fresh on the heels of a contentious Aries full moon, the week begins with more cardinal sign conflict. It comes in the form of a Libra Sun square to Pluto in Capricorn on Monday. Adding to the fallout, the Taurus moon will hook up with wild Uranus that morning, and then things will have a chance to settle down. Fortunately, after the rocky start, the planets form powerful and productive alignments for the remainder of the week. On Tuesday, Messenger Mercury in truth-seeking Scorpio, trines creative, psychic Neptune in holistic Pisces. These two will meet again on November 9th during Mercury’s retrograde, and both meetings are a variant of November 8th’s Sun, Saturn and Neptune collab, the one that contains the year’s final Saturn Neptune sextile. Take note of the insights that show up now: they have big implications for the coming weeks. Pisces concerns matters of spirit and Capricorn concerns matter itself. After Tuesday’s Neptune trine, informative Mercury sextiles Pluto on Saturday, and on Sunday Venus sextiles constructive Saturn. Additionally, Venus and Mercury are both in Scorpio and Saturn and Pluto are in Capricorn, and Pluto rules Scorpio. In short, the energies of all of the involved planets are fortifying one another, and there is deep understanding and a sense of mutual purpose among these players. So after the bumpy start, inspiration, pragmatism and structure are poised to bless sound hunches and integral work. Best look: a dream journal, a handful of sharpened pencils and rolled-up sleeves.

While the Sun may be blazing brightly in harmonious Libra skies, purifying Pluto’s presence will be felt throughout this week. The week begins with a Sun square to Pluto and concludes with a potent Aries full moon, at 20:14, making nice with Jupiter but also clashing with Pluto. In between, Venus abandons the pleasantries of Libra to join forces with Mercury in Pluto-ruled Scorpio (Oct 8th-Nov 1st) and on the 11th Mercury enters the zone of its next retrograde, exclusively in Scorpio. Both changes put the emphasis on Scorpio. Scorpio and Pluto are fiercely dedicated to discovering the Truth and intent on reform. In ancient astrology Mars ruled both Aries and Scorpio. Though the styles of those two signs are quite different, Aries being cardinal fire and Scorpio fixed water, both are extremely passionate, unafraid to fight and exceptionally capable of executing and winning a war. This week both signs play prominent roles in the cosmic mix. In an astrological anomaly, it’s battle-ready Mars who finds himself in even-handed, judicious Libra, the sign of peace. So ironically, the planet of war, with its timeless ties to Aries and Scorpio, will be advocating for fairness and balance throughout our deliberations and while we forge further into the intense waters of Scorpio. On the 13th, the Sun and full moon make very favorable connection to jovial, generous and giant Jupiter and Mercury and Saturn have a constructive meeting, indicating where win win scenarios are still an option. Best look? Freshening up that survival kit and keeping the powder dry until firm decisions are taken.

The reverberations from the planetary action taking place this week will resonate throughout the autumn of 2019. The week starts with an unfriendly Venus square to Pluto on Monday and ends with a show-stopping confrontation between Mercury and unpredictable Uranus on Sunday. In between, Pluto emerges from its five-month retrograde, Mercury heads into Scorpio for a nine-week stay and its next retrograde and Mars moves into Libra, where it will reside until November 19th. Since last April, Pluto has been investigating the murkiest quarters of institutions, governments and other systems. As it surfaces from its retrograde on October 3rd, it will be dropping some of the Truths it has discovered from its latest mission of reform. Pluto of course rules Scorpio, and Mercury’s Scorpio transit begins within hours of Pluto turning direct, lasts until December 9th and includes its next retrograde and an actual transit of the Sun. More detective work is inbound, and Pluto will indicate what Mercury’s about to zero-in on and what the talk of the town will be this fall. Completing the equation will be a Mars journey through deliberating Libra. Action-oriented Mars can feel more than a little exasperated in the sign of equality, balance and the endless weighing of scales. But, this cosmic reminder to give due consideration to all sides before making important decisions is a wise filter through which to view unfolding events. Monday’s Venus square to Pluto is a continuation of issues that arose during last week’s Venus square to Saturn on Wednesday and Mercury’s to Pluto on Thursday. But it’s this week’s Mercury opposition to Uranus on Sunday that should drop the real blockbusting intel. When Uranus is involved, there’s no way to know for certain what’s coming or from where. But the powerhouse planet of surprises always indicates when things get interesting. Best look? Seated in the most comfy chair in the house with a large bowl of freshly popped corn.

With the Sun’s arrival into Libra on Monday, under a Cancer moon, the emphasis is on those activating Cardinal energies. This is astrology’s way of telling us that it’s time to get a move on. While Mars will still be mopping things up back in Virgo until October 3rd, as it too prepares to enter the sign of relationships, the Sun, Mercury, Venus and Saturday’s new Libra moon will already be mingling in harmonious Libra. Venus and Mercury encounter some friction on Wednesday and Thursday when Venus squares Saturn and Mercury squares Pluto. Saturn and Pluto are presently in conservative Capricorn. Messages about restrictions, especially those concerning finances, are important. But as any Libra would point out, on the other hand, Jupiter will sextile Mercury on Tuesday and Venus on that new moon, giving our aspirations and wishes an Olympic boost. If Tuesday’s big idea makes it past the checks and balances from Saturn and Pluto midweek, Saturday might be a great day to launch the latest (ad)venture.

Also this week, we’ll experience Saturn’s final alignment with the South Node and opposition to the North Node. Since early April Saturn and Pluto have been delving into the past. In part this has been due to their retrogrades, and in part it has been due the fact that both planets have had exact conjunctions with the South Node. Those meetings inherently create direct oppositions to the North Node in Cancer. The combination has put the spotlight on childhood trauma and unresolved conflicts with parents. This is some of life’s most challenging subject matter to be sure. Stoic Saturn has steadily stayed its course, even throughout the summer’s tidal waves of Cancer emotion. In fact, Saturn’s previous opposition to the North Node took place on July 4th, in between those Cancer/Capricorn eclipses. Right before the new Libra moon on Saturday morning, Saturn will make its final contact with the Nodes in this series. Libra is of course the sign of partnership. So if there’s something from the past that’s been blocking our ability to experience deeper levels of commitment to others, Saturn might very well bring any outstanding issues to the fore. The Sun, the Messenger of the Gods and the planet of love and beauty will be on hand to infuse this new moon. Perhaps they’re offering a cosmic reminder that love conquers all.

For more information about Saturn, Pluto and the Nodes, see Trauma And Transformation