Storm’s Blog

The Astrology Forecast for the Week of October 3, 2022 – October 9, 2022

The astrology forecast for the week of October 3, 2022 through October 9, 2022 features Mercury forming a lovely trine to Pluto, Pluto turning direct in Capricorn, and a Full Moon in Aries.

The good news is that the cosmos slows down for the first week of October. But make sure you get plenty of rest, because the rest of the month is ferocious. Get prepared!

Cosmic Overview

I recently received a call from a friend. She is relatively astrologically knowledgeable, but she told me during the call that the energy was wonky because all these planets are retrograde (at the time – Mercury, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto were retrograde). She blamed the planets for why situations were not working well in her life.

Another friend, who is more metaphysically inclined, told me that the world was in a disturbed state because all these planets are retrograde. I must admit, I rolled my eyes at this one. The world has been in a disturbed state since, well, since forever.

The main issue is that often we blame the planets (or other people) for our problems, rather than take responsibility for the choices we make in our lives.

Even today, I had a client question me if things will improve in her life when Pluto turns direct on October 8th.

So, I thought I would explain a few things in this weekly update.

Let me begin with Pluto. Pluto takes approximately 250 years to go around the Sun. He’s a slow mover, and even though his orbit is elliptical, meaning he spends more time in some signs than others, he still crawls through the zodiac.

Pluto went retrograde on April 29^th and turns direct on October 8^th. That is a little over 5 months that he spends retrograde, and if you include the ever-popular planetary shadow obsessions, he is pretty much in retrograde watch for the entire year. That’s right – he went into shadow in early January of 2022 and will go out of shadow in January of 2023, only to return to being in shadow a few days later.

I will be perfectly honest. I do not pay attention to the outer planets when they retrograde, because what’s the point? Pluto is still Pluto, and he reflects collective issues, not personal ones. He represents our urge towards survival and the elimination, destruction, amputation, and eventual rebuilding of the sign he is moving through. In Capricorn, Pluto is concerned with the destruction and elimination of corrupt leaders, which has steadily been going on since Pluto moved into Capricorn in 2008.

Now, I pay attention to when Pluto stations in aspect to an inner planet (The Sun, The Moon, Mercury, Venus, and Mars), because it seems to trigger the transformation of the planet, he aspects. By stationing, I mean on the same degree as the other planet, and I only use hard aspects (conjunction, square opposition).

So, what retrograde planets do I pay attention to?

Simply put, Mercury, Venus, and Mars. They are personal planets that reflect issues we deal with daily. Mercury is how we understand life and communicate that understanding to others. Venus is our urge for relationships, and Mars is our ability to go out into the world and get what we desire. However, I will also say that I do not believe these planets DO anything to us. When these three planets are retrograde, they reflect periods where we should review the areas of life ruled by those planets. We all need times of reflection to ensure that we are on the right path, and these planets give us the ability to course correct if necessary.

In closing, don’t fear retrogrades and don’t blame them for situations that occur in your life. Instead, use them for what they are — times when we should pay close attention to the themes of the planets.

Astrology Forecast for the Week of September 26, 2022 – October 2, 2022

The astrology forecast for the week of September 26, 2022 through October 2, 2022 features six major aspects (Venus trine Pluto, Mercury Rx conjunct Venus, Sun oppose Jupiter, Mercury Rx trine Pluto, Mars trine Saturn, Venus oppose Jupiter), Venus moves out of Virgo and into Libra, and Mercury turns direct in Virgo.

This week is busier than the New York subway at rush hour. So, buckle your seat belt!

Cosmic Overview

This week Venus moves out of the sign of her fall (Virgo) and into the sign she rules (Libra). In traditional astrology, Venus is considered the lesser benefic, and moving into her own sign gives her power to maneuver in ways that are helpful to our growth. Now, this doesn’t mean you can sit on your couch and eat a package of Godiva chocolate (although Venus would love to do that), a planet in its own dignity still requires work.

In many astrological cookbooks, Venus in Libra relates to finding the perfect and ideal mate. Often our ideals of relationships look good on paper (after all, who doesn’t want a tall dark handsome stranger?), but our ideals often don’t work well in real life. Furthermore, you need to acknowledge that whoever you get involved with has romantic ideals of their own, which can bring forth complications, especially if one person gets their needs met more than another.

Practically speaking, Venus in Libra helps us look at whether our relationships are balanced. Sometimes they are not, and you can use this placement to bring them back to center. It’s also a time to seek compromises when necessary for the overall health of the relationship. Additionally, with Venus in Libra, you can seek new relationships (wait until Mercury goes direct before committing to one). If you’ve been holding back and waiting for the right to connect with someone, take advantage of this energy, because the time is now.

Astrology Forecast for the Week of September 19, 2022 – September 25, 2022

The astrology forecast for the week of September 19, 2022 through September 25, 2022 features three major planetary aspects (Venus trine Uranus, Sun conjunct Mercury Rx, and Venus oppose Neptune), the Sun and Mercury Rx change signs, and we have a New Moon in Libra.

Cosmic Overview

This week Mercury retrogrades back into the sign of Virgo, and this gives me the opportunity to describe what this means. When a planet moves back into another sign, it means there is unfinished business in the sign it returns to. Currently, Mercury is in Libra. Mercury in Libra understands life by weighing the opinions and ideas of others to make well-rounded choices. On Friday, Mercury moves out of the sign of the sales and moves back into the sign of Virgo. Mercury in Virgo is about understanding life through facts and paying attention to details. So, Mercury will do us a solid this week by letting us review the facts and details again, so we can make better informed decisions once he turns direct.

Of course, while Mercury remains retrograde (until October 2^nd), we still need to pay attention to the way we communicate, try to be as clear and concise as possible when conveying information, and expect plans to go awry.

Daily Breakdown

Monday, September 19, 2022

The Moon moves through domestic Cancer throughout the day and forms beneficial aspects to Venus and Uranus. It’s an excellent day to beautify your environment. You could do some fall/spring redecorating and spice up your living space. Also, you may want to connect with relatives you haven’t recently communicated with. Let those you love know that you care about them.

Tuesday, September 20, 2022

Venus trines Uranus in Taurus. Venus trine Uranus is about making changes to your daily routine, so that you feel more stimulated and alive. If your relationships have been a bit stale recently, adding new elements or finding new forms of entertainment could reignite the magic between the two of you again. Additionally, unexpected financial news may brighten your day.

Wednesday, September 21, 2022

The Moon moves through optimistic Leo and aspects Jupiter and Mars. Your mood should be positive, and it’s a great day to look at your long-term goals and act if necessary. If you’ve felt blocked or stymied recently, you may feel your breakthrough is on your horizon. Onward and upward!

Thursday, September 22, 2022

The Sun moves out of Virgo and into Libra. Relationships will take center stage over the next month, and it’s an auspicious time to take an honest inventory of yours. Also, while the Sun is in the sign of the scales, your decisions matter. Choose wisely.

Friday, September 23, 2022

Before Mercury moves back into Virgo, it conjoins the Sun in Libra. Ordinarily, the Sun conjunct Mercury would signify a very social day with lively conversation and the steady flow of ideas. But since Mercury is retched out, it’s a day to have internal conversations and explore the things that are working in your life and the things that are not. You may be inspired by new ideas and approaches to life that will make living more meaningful. Furthermore, it’s a great day to revise short-term goals to meet your immediate needs.

Saturday, September 24, 2022

Venus opposes Neptune in Pisces. Venus opposing Neptune is a difficult aspect, because it forces us to look at relationships for what they are not what we would like them to be. If you are idealistic about your relationships, then you could experience some trouble today. This is an aspect that encourages you to accept people for who they are – the good, the bad, and the ugly. You will notice that the level of serenity in your relationships will be proportional to your expectations. However, be on guard, Venus oppose Neptune is also an aspect of deception. In all interpersonal situations, trust but VERIFY.

Sunday, September 25, 2022

We reach the heart of Libra season on September 25th, with the New Moon in the sign of the scales. Ordinarily, this would be an excellent time to draw a new relationship to you, but Mercury is currently retrograde, and Venus (the ruler of Libra) is in her fall in Virgo. So instead, use this New Moon to create new paradigms within your current relationships, which are not just romantic ones.

If you are currently single, you can list all the attributes you would like out of a mate, and do some cleansing magic to signify your fresh start. If you are in a relationship, you can use the New Moon to reset (such a lovely Mercury Rx word) the energies and create a more fulfilling dynamic that will help improve the relationship’s overall health. In other relationships, you can modify how you work with the New Moon based on the needs of that relationship. The key is to formulate new and productive ways to make them healthier.

See you next week!

Astrology Forecast for the Week of September 12, 2022 – September 18, 2022

The astrology forecast for the week of September 12, 2022 through September 18, 2022 features four major aspects – Venus square Mars, the Sun oppose Neptune, Mercury opposes Jupiter, and the Sun trine Pluto. All these aspects occur during the weekend.

Let’s just dive right in.

Cosmic Overview

The aspect of the week is the Sun opposing Neptune in Pisces. This is an incredibly difficult aspect that often feels icky and self-defeating. In astrology, the Sun reflects our ego, our sense of identity, and our inner destiny.

Now, to work with the Sun oppose Neptune productively requires a lot of humility, introspection, and self-honesty. We need to admit our mistakes, and through our confessions we find redemption. The problem is that our first reaction to inner issues is to project the problem outside ourselves, even to the point where we identify with victim mindsets.

I recently seen a meme on Facebook that said, “I don’t know who needs to hear this, but whatever you are going through, it’s your fault.” I’m sure it amused many people, or they found it offensive, but unfortunately it is mostly true. We rarely like to face our personal responsibilities, and how our choices and decisions ultimately create our experiences. Furthermore, no matter our experiences, they mold who we are as individuals. Some people stay stuck in their experiences and pain, and have difficulties moving beyond them. Yet, it is by getting in touch with our experiences, our hurts, our pain, and by pressing forward, we find inner meaning and experience growth.

On a more practical level, the Sun oppose Neptune is a time of low energy, confusion, and uncertainty. You may experience difficulties in your relationships with others, and you will want to avoid doing anything against your will, because that will ultimately lead to resentment. Also, avoid shady people, because they will take advantage of you if they can.

Astrology Forecast for the Week of September 5, 2022 – September 11, 2022

The astrology forecast for the week of September 5, 2022 through September 11, 2022 features one major aspect (The Sun trine Uranus), Venus moves out of Leo and into Virgo, a Full Moon occurs in Pisces, and Mercury turns retrograde in Libra.

The first full week of September starts slowly, but the weekend packs quite a punch. Let’s dive right in.

Cosmic Overview

This week, Mercury turns retrograde in Libra. Libra is the sign associated with relationships (all of them), so you can expect relationship issues, especially ones unresolved, to resurface. Libra is also associated with law and legal issues. You may need to revise contracts, tend to minor legal issues (like paying traffic tickets), or refile legal documents. Additionally, look at your personal chart to the house where Libra resides, because matters related to that house will need to be dealt with.

Here is an overview of the do’s and don’ts I recommend you pay attention to during the retrograde.

Mercury Rx Dirty Dozen! Tips and Tricks to Wrangling the Trickster God

Make sure you go over anything contractual thoroughly. Make sure all the i’s are dotted and all the t’s are crossed. Then, if you can get away with it, wait until after the retrograde to sign on the dotted line.
Avoid starting anything new. New projects tend to have communication problems and mishaps when initiated during this process.
Put a watch on your tongue. (If it is not worth saying, don’t say it)
Check your vehicles for any potential problems. Before Mercury goes retrograde, is the best time for a service call.
Avoid buying real estate or renting apartments. Usually, this means you will move again during a future Mercury Rx.
Using mail delivery services that offer tracking and insurance – especially now, since the Post Office has still not recovered from the pandemic.
Check, recheck, and check again any travel plans you have or appointments on the books.
If you do travel, don’t take anything of importance or value. Only bring items that you do not care if they are lost or stolen.
Expect people from the past to resurface. However, once they crawl out of whatever cavern they came from, proceed with caution.
Back up all electronic devices.
Avoid buying an automobile.
Mercury Rx is a great time to scour places (online and offline) for great deals!

Now, on with the forecast!

Astrology Forecast for the Week of August 29, 2022 – September 4, 2022

The astrology forecast for the week of August 29, 2022 through September 4, 2022 features two planetary aspects – Mars sextile Jupiter and Mercury oppose Jupiter.

After a dramatic month (and why should we expect anything less from Leo season), August ends with the cosmos slowing down, which will be a relief for many.

So, let’s get the show on the road and dive right in.

Cosmic Overview

This week, Jupiter is our major player, and he is currently retrograde in ambitious Aries.

Now, let me reassure you, Jupiter retrograde is not Mercury retrograde – not even close. Jupiter rules the sign of Sagittarius and Pisces, neither of which are personal signs. So, our daily lives are not affected (unless Jupiter Rx aspects a personal planet, so watch for planets you have in the first 10 degrees of cardinal signs, which are Aries, Cancer, Libra, and Capricorn. After October 29^th, the last 5 degrees of Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius, and Pisces). Instead, Jupiter has to do with big picture concerns.

In astrology, Jupiter is the Big Kahuna. He is the great benefic – our cosmic Santa Claus. He bestows gifts, wisdom, and is the personal luck generator of the horoscope. Jupiter has been moving through fiery Aries, an ambitious sign that is highly competitive, is concerned with personal agenda, and loves to win for the pure glory of all the possibilities that arise from victory. You know, to the victor goes the spoils!

While Jupiter is retrograde, he gives you the opportunity to review the goals and aspirations you’ve pursued since the beginning of May. Are you happy with the direction you are headed in? Do you need to tweak your long-term objectives? Have you overlooked anything that may open more doors and opportunities? Jupiter Rx lets you put the knowledge you’ve acquired to work for you. In many ways, it’s like a four month “feel good” self-help seminar with all the amenities. And who doesn’t want some of that?

Now, for the rub!

Mercury turns retrograde on September 9^th.