"You don't see much of any path unless you are Janus, looking simultaneously backward and forward. "

— Frank Herbert

Both Mercury and Mars in Scorpio set off this year's overarching Saturn-Uranus Square this week, bringing a decidedly personal involvement into the societal and cultural struggles and slowdowns that we have been experiencing this year. The fixed sign emphasis (Scorpio, Aquarius, and Taurus) leads to a feeling of being stuck. The squares of Mercury and Mars to Saturn increase the feeling of restriction, bringing contradictions and conflicts into stark view. With Venus now in Capricorn, our ability to relate to others is also restricted as we struggle to observe proper protocol and propriety while feeling extreme frustration. Mercury opposes Uranus by the end of the week and we are likely to see [...]

" I used to pray for answers, but now I'm praying for strength. I used to believe that prayer changes things, but now I know that prayer changes us and we change things."

— Mother Teresa

Last week's pressure and intensity dissipates this week — even with Mars in Scorpio. We find important opportunities to stabilize our confidence and turn our attention to new planning. Our progress may feel halting or unsteady at times as we deal with occasional waves of suspicion, overconfidence, or unrealistic idealism. Essentially, what is required this week is moderation that will help us to stay on track to solidify our positions, realign our beliefs with the facts on the ground, and shore up our alliances. The dissipation of pressure may leave room for us to individually push too hard. Alternatively, we may find ourselves tempted to take the 'line of least resistance' after becoming disillusioned when [...]

"The two most important warriors are patience and time."

— Leo Tolstoy

We remain in a period that calls for thoughtful consideration this week. Ripples of our past merge with our future intentions and we have the opportunity to find ways to integrate established tradition into innovative new ideas. Unfortunately, our attempts to bring together the past and the future are prone to creating confusion at this point in the process — especially if we seek ways to impulsively lurch ahead without having laid the proper groundwork or formed the necessary alliances. Pluto turned direct last week, Saturn stations direct this week, and Jupiter and Mercury turn direct next week. Our thoughts are increasingly aimed towards future progress. However, this week's atmosphere is unsteady, uncertain, and wracked with [...]