posted October 16, 2002 12:37 PM              

Are there any particularly "bad" things going on astrologically at the moment?

It seems to me most people are going through very bad patches at this current point, and have been for around two weeks.

Perhaps "bad" is too subjective a word, however there is a definate problem at the moment and i'm sure its not me.

The inevitable second part of this question is how do you counteract such tough patches? There's only so much anyone can deal with and its not easy to escape by booking a holiday.

posted October 16, 2002 02:49 PM              

Here is a suggestion to get into the holiday spirit...begin your holiday season with Halloween then it can start soon and last a month longer than usual

Astrologically, there is *always * a lot going on. Here would be some recent stuff, like this week:

MON OCT 14 Ouch! This is not the easiest day of the year. In fact, it may be downright troublesome. The key problem is that Mars in the very last degree of Virgo is squaring Saturn at the end of Gemini (11:56PM PDT last night). Remember that Saturn is barely moving -- having stopped in its zodiacal tracks on October 11. The Guyana tragedy of November 1978 where over 900 people died -- connected to the Jim Jones temple -- happened at an exact Mars-Saturn square. Other difficulties have occurred at this astrological pattern in the past. Don't press your luck in business, social affairs, and interpersonal sharings. Watch out for simmering anger that can boil over into a temper tantrum. Travel with care. Follow conservative guidelines across the board. There is also a Mars-Jupiter 45-degree contact (4:52AM PDT) that adds more fuel to the emotional fire. If you feel like pulling the covers over your head and staying close to home, you are not alone! Drop any plans for contract signings and long-term commitments. It's fine to get into spiritual studies, reading, writing, and educational pursuits as Mercury moves 72 degrees to Pluto (3:09PM PDT) while Jupiter and Chiron link via the Celestial Equator (9:01PM PDT). Reflection and meditation are advised. Music, dance, drama, film, poetry, and photography are important during the monthly Moon-Neptune union in Aquarius (9:32AM PDT). This is a good day to maintain a sense of humor under adverse astro-conditions.

TUE OCT 15 Throw off the shackles and frustrations from yesterday's Mars-Saturn and Mars-Jupiter challenges. While it is too soon to consider massive signings and agreements in business and financial affairs, you can keep an open mind and explore new fields of inquiry as the Sun in Libra trines the Moon in Aquarius (12:54PM PDT) while the lunar orb also conjuncts Uranus (6:21PM PDT). Team sports, group projects, and community events are back in vogue. Get into science, space travel, universal subjects, and high-tech activities as the Moon joins Uranus. Be a more radical and revolutionary thinker. A big event is the red planet entering Libra at 10:39AM PDT until December 1. Mars in Libra emphasizes partnership concerns. Find a way to be more supportive to a significant other. Be active in the fine and graphic arts. Spice up romance as Venus in Scorpio moves 45 degrees to Mars in Libra (1:59PM PDT). You may need a massage or health treatment, counseling or therapy as Mercury squares Chiron (4:34AM PDT) while the Sun moves 72 degrees to Chiron 11:43AM PDT). Crack open atlases, almanacs, and encyclopedias during the Moon-Uranus conjunction. Catch up on e-mail and correspondence.

WED OCT 16 Are you feeling a bit strange, confused, off-kilter? Neptune is almost motionless over the next few days -- heading for a direct station and turnaround on Sunday, October 20. Watch your dreams, heed premonitions, and be more aware of your psychic sensitivity. Don't rush into investments without careful planning and advice as Vesta in Virgo moves 150 degrees to Neptune in Aquarius (12:49AM PDT) while the Sun moves 45 degrees to Vesta (6:50PM PDT). Make sure your home and office are safe and secure. Help maternal figures and children in your care as Ceres in Aries moves 60 degrees to Neptune in Aquarius(6:06AM PDT). The Moon shifts into Piscean waters at 4:07AM PDT -- after a void lunar cycle starting at 2:15AM PDT -- for a two-day cycle. Listen or play inspiring music. Add to a record, CD or tape collection. Attend the cinema or host a video-fest for friends. Irrigate the garden and experiment with new seafood recipes. Compose a poem, sonnet, limerick or haiku this evening.

THU OCT 17 Luckily, the tensions from last week and the past weekend are finally dissipating. Hopefully, you can pull out of the psychic morass and make forward progress. Helping you along is Mercury increasing its daily speed and a Moon-Venus trine in water signs (9:20AM PDT). Make the fine and graphic arts your personal playground with the Moon in Pisces harmonizing with the planet of love. Work more sensitively and creatively with a loved one while Juno in Libra moves 60 degrees to Pluto in Sagittarius (12:46PM PDT). The main challenge today is a mixed blessing -- Venus in Scorpio squaring Jupiter in Leo (9:33AM PDT). The problem here is the tendency to go overboard. Keep credit cards under wraps and be careful with assets, possessions, and personal finances. Bingeing on food and sweets is taboo. Nevertheless, whenever Venus and Jupiter link there can be gains as an artist, student or teacher. Finish projects begun during the last few weeks with the Moon in Pisces. Operating from logic alone won't work. Harness your imagination and intuition. Keep your dream notebook close by as Mercury approaches a trine to Neptune (exact tomorrow).

FRI OCT 18 This can be a day of revelation and genius as Mercury in Libra trines Neptune in Aquarius (3:50AM PDT) while the Sun in Libra trines Uranus in Aquarius (7:07AM PDT). For both Mercury and the Sun to be in harmony with Neptune and Uranus is to open doorways to inspiration, success, and fulfillment. Opportunities are knocking -- particularly in the morning hours. Take advantage of any fortune and good luck coming your way as challenges will return tomorrow. This could be a good time for visiting garage and estate sales, art fairs, and markets. Something remarkable can happen with the fortuitous alignments in effect. Keep your mind open to amazing potentials. It is certainly the right day to plunge into higher metaphysical studies. Lift your thinking to an exalted level of awareness. Anticipate some strange moods and emotional stress arising today while the Moon in Pisces squares Saturn in Gemini (2:16PM PDT). Aries Moon begins at 4:13PM PDT -- following a void Moon cycle starting at 2:16PM PDT -- and accentuates the urge to strike out on your own, be more independent, forceful, and dynamic.

(courtesy of Mark Lerner at http://www.mcn.org/greatbear/tofc.html )