Mercury-Jupiter Trine

Mercury-Jupiter Trine - Positive Thinking

"We are such stuff
As dreams are made on, and our little life
Is rounded with a sleep."

— The Tempest, William Shakespeare

Neptune turns direct this week — a very subtle but important shift in the overall atmosphere. There is a quiet 'new beginning' surrounding our sense of mission and purpose, that is, how we fit in with the world around us. A new inspiration begins to flow. There is a glimmer of a new dream that we're ready to try to make 'come true'. Mercury is slowing down and will turn retrograde next week in an extended trine to Jupiter. The is active all week, giving us a boost of optimism along with a broader perspective. However, the overall atmosphere doesn't quite offer enough stability to let us just 'absorb' the optimistic 'good feelings' — some of us may want to try to get just a little bit more, which produces some tension. Venus squares Pluto at the beginning of the week. Following the Venus-Pluto square, Venus leaves her home sign of Libra and arrives in Scorpio on Monday. The 'holding power' of Venus is not really comfortable in Scorpio where determination is focused on pursuing change rather than holding tightly to the 'status quo'. Initially, we may feel the need to try a bit of manipulation or some other kinds of 'underhanded machinations' in order to find some kind of enhanced stability or security. We are likely to see a number of conflicting or contradictory demands and agendas percolate through what, on the surface, seems like it should be a very optimistic atmosphere. The best place to be in such conflicts is on neither one side or the other. Objectivity and an open mind is what is needed most. We are in a waning lunar cycle that has been fraught with unpredictability and, as it winds down ahead of next Tuesday's Sagittarius New Moon (3:31 PM PST 20° Sagittarius), we'll do well to seek moderation and work towards quieting the conflicts. This week's interactions are actually foreshadowing the social and interpersonal shifts that will be more apparent in the next lunar cycle. We are beginning to explore the implications of a new dream — a new dispensation — that we will understand better as we move forward. The undercurrents of insecurity and nagging contradictions that we struggle with this week are mainly the result of trying to hold on too tightly to the remnants of our 'old dreams' — the past — rather than focusing on the future. The upcoming retrograde Mercury period (December 12th - January 1st) suggests important opportunities to make necessary adjustments, clear away the past's debris, and do some important 'relationship repair' before embarking on our 'new dispensation'.

Sunday's power is quite significant but very difficult to manage with integrity. Uneasiness could encourage clever manipulation that won't provide the results that we're hoping for. Maintaining an easy-going approach on Monday — without too many expectations — will keep us in the most comfortable position. There is an undercurrent of instability. There is a subtle, intuitive awareness of an important shift on Tuesday. Social interaction and collaboration provides a welcome 'balm'. We find a bit more balance on Wednesday. It is easier to maintain a 'Big Picture' perspective which encourages us to see the best in others. Optimism expands on Thursday but we should be cautious of trying to persuade others of anything. We'll do better to listen. We are challenged to try to resolve conflicting demands or competing agendas on Friday. We need a great deal of objectivity. Both self-indulgence and dependency surface on Saturday. There are strong imperatives to find some kind of resolution and 'get closure'.