As it is Scorpio time, the positions of Mars and Pluto occupy our attention. Pluto at 27º Sagittarius for this period is relatively calm (unless of course he is making major transits to your natal chart, then he may be calm, but you are certainly not!). It is Mars that may be the troublemaker.

The Red Planet is swimming in the astral waters of Cancer and his strokes are very slow indeed as he approaches a 76-day retrograde phase which he enters on November 15th and exits on January 30th. This is an important transit for everyone but for those people and nations who are particularly linked to Mars’ two signs—Aries and Scorpio—this slow, retrograde motion will be of especial interest. Such linkage be defined by the Sun, Moon, or any of the four angular house cusps in either of these signs. One should also note where in your natal chart the 9th to 12th degrees of Cancer fall. Planets and/or angular house cusps at these degrees will be strongly affected by Mars during Scorpio’s time (as will these degrees of the other cardinal signs).

The focus of Mars in Cancer is of course domestic, internal, and subjective. This is thus an appropriate period to create a place of internal power, a strong base from which one may grow. Yet the retrogradation tells us that we must take care not to reinstate old habit patters (especially those relating to our sense of emotional well being, personal security, and that very tenuous place within us that speaks of the link between these areas and the expression of our sexuality). When Mars is “being good” when retrograde in Cancer, he can strengthen our subjective sense of “heimishkeit” (“hominess”), allowing greater security through the correct use of our personal will and drive. But when he is “nasty” in Cancer (especially when retrograde), he can bring chaos and disorder into our physical and psychological home. I would therefore watch the world scene and see if there is not an upsurge in domestic violence both on national and more personal levels.

If you have been waiting for Mercury to come out of retrograde as almost all of us have, then he does so on November 1st. Remember that notwithstanding, he needs a couple of days afterwards to get his winged-helmet on straight.

Venus will be a happier goddess after November 8th when she enters her own sign, Libra. With both Mars and Venus in fall from October 8th it is no wonder that personal relationships have been challenging for so many people lately, especially where challenges to patience and mutual life style values. On November 19th and 20th, Venus in Libra will square Mars in Cancer at 12º of their signs. These two days may be especially “touchy” around the house!

The 25th of October shows that Venus and Uranus are opposed at 15º of Virgo/Pisces. This can be a time when unexpected events occur that challenge the status quo of relationships. Should these degrees fall in a vital area of your chart, you might be well advised to take care of the way you handle finances with friends or groups of associates.

The Sun trines Uranus at 14º Scorpio/Pisces on the 7th of November while on the 22nd of November Mercury trines Uranus at these same degrees. If 13º to 15º of Cancer are important placements for you, look for the first of these transits to bring about some very interesting and surprising events in the house where these degrees may be found.

In terms of the Mercury/Uranus trine, some fascinating and surprising communication may occur that can brings some “ahs” of understanding into the area or planetary field of the degree placement mentioned above. For example, should this planet be natal Venus at 13º to 15º of Pisces, interesting, positive turns in relationships and finances are quite possible.

The Full Moon this period falls on October 26th (04.53 AM GMT) at 2.23º Taurus/Scorpio while the New Moon occurs on November 9th (11.23 PM GMT) at 17.10º Scorpio.