Lauren
WE step through the veil this week, the veil that separates the material world from the more subtle worlds, the world of fairies, magic, and the realms of the dead.
We are now in the thick of Scorpio season. Venus and Mars perfect their conjunction, but we also see something more sublime, more mystical, and inspiring emerging as well.
In addition to our 4 corners of the Zodiac that coincide with the 4 Seasons, and the 4 Cardinal Signs, there are 4 other corners that fall in the middle of the ‘Fixed’ Signs, Taurus, Leo, Scorpio and Aquarius. All 8 of these correspond to ancient celebrations and traditions throughout the world.
And on October 31st/November 1st, we celebrate Halloween here in the West, and the Day of the Dead as celebrated in Latin American countries.
In pre-Christian Ireland, Samhain, the precursor to Halloween, was celebrated as an agricultural feast when the last of the crops were gathered and the ‘cows came home’ for the Winter. Samhain represented seasonally the veil between the old year and the new. And as such, the spirits of the previous year, that had passed, were celebrated as well.
Halloween
Today the season has morphed into a holiday celebrated with costumed children and treats, where children make their rounds like so many fairies and demons from beyond the veil. In ancient Ireland, burial cairns were aired out on this day, and the dead were made offerings to pacify them and send them on their way. Bonfires were lit in honor of the dying sun and the shorter days. These fires served as a beacon to remind the Sun to return once more from the underworld, in order to light our days once again, here in the North.
The wound is the place
where the Light enters you.
-Rumi
Venus and Mars perfect their conjunction this week. When the planet of desire and motivation meets the planet of love, sparks ignite. Sometimes these can be good sparks, that bring us closer to our object of desire. But conflict can also arise when these two disparate planets meet. It’s not all desire, lust and romance between these two. And it’s not uncommon for feelings of anger, and agitation to also arise when these two meet. With Venus in Virgo, there can either be an over-willingness to compromise, or resentment for having to, once again, put your own wishes and preferences aside for others. So we can also see this sense of frustration, and conflict, between wanting to make a connection with others, to have some kind of a social life, but also wanting to be able to do what we want, when we want. This can result in all sorts of passive aggressive grouchiness this week.
When you seek Love with all your heart
you shall find its echoes
in the Universe.
– Rumi
We confuse love with attachment, and endow people with all sorts of qualities and expectations, that they can’t possibly possess. So there are bound to be some glitches thrown into the mix because of this. But it is not necessary. For if we love someone, truly love them, what we would want more than anything is for that person to be happy. No matter what. This brings us to the fact that we are currently in Scorpio weather, which can be laden with desires of its own.
But as Sun and Mercury are trine Neptune, this week, the planet of transcendence, ideals, spirituality and compassion, we may have some insights into what that other type of Love, the type of love that Rumi writes of, that involves willing sacrifice, and is unconditional… Well, let’s just say that’s another kind of love.
For the week of October 30 thru November 6, be sure to read your rising sign as well:
Aries
Some of the more interesting manifestations of Venus/Mars in Virgo could be compelling social occasions at work; flirtations with co-workers; or enrolling in a new exercise/dance class, where you can get the blood flowing. But the flip side of that can also occur: Another office party?; jealousy or competition from co-workers; or inappropriate behavior in the work place that needs to be sorted out. Use the energy to get things done, to organize, and focus on those things that bring you the most inner satisfaction, and then set your priorities accordingly.
Taurus
When your ruler meets Mars, it can kindle the passions in romance, or those things which make your heart sing. But it can also be something of a motivator for all areas of your life, compelling you to finally take that first step, or commit to that next project you’ve been meaning to get to, or setting your priorities so that you can have more time for those things that truly being you happiness. This can be very creative and inspiring energy for Taurus. See where your heart is taking you, and what ventures you want to see get off the ground.
Gemini
With your ruler Mercury joining the Sun in Scorpio this week, you could find yourself on something of a mission to organize, separate, and make sense of both your personal and work environments. Mercury being in Scorpio could feel a little like you are on a mission, and this energy could be quite useful for seeing projects through to their completion. This week could also be quite inspiring. Allow your intuition as well as your mind to draw you to investigate some of those leads you are trying to follow.
Cancer
Probably the most compelling aspects this week for Cancer are those being made by Sun and Mercury in fellow water sign Scorpio, to transcendent Neptune. There is magic in the air at this time of year, when the fabric of the veil between the material and other realms becomes thinner. In this way Cancer is being cast with a veil of inspiration, where you are also being beckoned to find some stillness and serenity in your lives. Neptune/Sun/Mercury periods are good for spiritual journeys, spiritual studies, yoga retreats, journeys and explorations with no specific expectations, results or material rewards. The rewards that Neptune brings are of a different realm.
Leo
Pay attention to your dreams, to your intuition: dream, invent, imagine and create. Listen for the whispers in the sound of the silence. We enter the week on a note of profound introspection and meditation, and leave the week with a sense of purpose and resolve. Creatively, I don’t doubt you will probably have one of the more interesting costumes this year, if you are so inclined. On a more practical level, if something needs fixing, this is a great week to get it done. Focus on the work at hand, and you will be amazed at how much you can get accomplished.
Virgo
This is a good week for having the courage to initiate relationships, and/or approach others and make worthwhile connections. Don’t devalue the ability to use charm and friendly persuasion to get what you want. If you do know what you want, allow yourself to take the initiative, and get things rolling. Use the influence of Mars currently traveling in your sign to be more assertive and courageous in social and other situations. This is a good week to take the lead. As your ruler, Mercury, is also entering Scorpio this week, it is safe to say that if you are on something of a mission, this Venus/Mars energy can be quite useful.
Libra
This week could be quite motivating in some ways, but it can also be quite frustrating, especially if you develop impatience for not being able to take the initiative. Recognizing what you do have control over, will be helpful. And some of those things are probably more personal, such as your perspective, and your inner world. One thing that you may become more in tune with, are those things that are priorities in your life, what you truly desire, and also giving yourself permission to not compromise those things. Pay attention to your inner more subtle desires, but also pay attention to what is irking you as well. That is also important.
Scorpio
You are not one to tolerate sycophants and flatterers easily. But on the other hand, associates and allies can also prove to be quite useful in certain situations, and what we are willing to put up with, can bring its rewards later on. See what mutually beneficial alliances can be established this week, within your circle of acquaintances. Otherwise the energy for this week is somewhat subtle, sublime, intuitive, and perhaps even a little magical. It is prime for creative inspiration, as well as matters of the heart. We are in Scorpio season now, with Sun and Mercury in Scorpio: allow yourself to feel the inspiration of the magic in the air.
Sagittarius
There are times when magnetic charm can serve you well and this may just be one of those weeks, provided you use that charm for the greater good and harmony. Impatience and some other demons can also be a signature for this week, especially if certain buttons are being pushed, or emotional triggers being set off. Be particularly wary for issues of jealousy, possessiveness and control. You don’t have time for that nonsense. With Saturn, the planet of respect, traveling in your sign for the next few years, remember you are better than that.
Capricorn
There is a sense of discontent, or perhaps some discomfort arising over the next few weeks. We will address this further as we discuss the relationship between your ruler, Saturn, and Neptune that will extend into 2016. This is a long-term effect, but it will be in the backdrop of many of our lives, and it is just beginning to close in. In the mean time, there are a number of fortunate confluences this week. Not only the influence of Venus/Mars in fellow earth sign Virgo, which brings Capricorn more in touch with their own desires, but also the comfort of being in Scorpio season, which can bring you in touch with the people and situations that will either: bring you a sense of purpose; the sort of confirmation or vindication that brings healing; or a sense of re-empowerment.
Aquarius
There is a not so fine line that can be crossed in either romance or business, that can devolve into control, aggression, and/or frustration. Use your wonderful capacity to keep things in perspective, and objectively look at the feelings, emotions, compulsions, or attractions that arise. Some of these may be quite compelling and worth investing in, others maybe not so much. And when in doubt ask, do the research and investigate. Don’t take anything based on surface appearances. There’s a lot more going on underneath.
Pisces
People can be quite persuasive these days, as many people are keen to seduce us with their wiles as well as their wallets and energy. This may be either entertaining, or quite annoying as you may be also sensitive this week as to where and how you compromise too much in order to keep the peace. You can’t help other people’s feelings, positive or negative. And this can also devolve into passive aggressive actions by others, because they perceive you as being something of a rival for what they want or wish to accomplish. Pay them no heed. They’ll get over it, when they see that you are no threat to them. You are on a higher mission of your own this week, now that we are in Scorpio season. A mission with a much higher purpose.
Visit the site: Astrology by Lauren
♥
“What is Destiny?”
by H. P. Blavatsky
“As understood by the Occultist, it is merely the chain of causation producing its correspondential series of effects. … every individual is his own creator or his own father, i.e., our future personality will be the result of our present mode of living. In the same manner our present birth, with all its conditions is the tree grown out of the germ sown in our past incarnations. Our physical and spiritual conditions are the effects of our actions produced on those two planes.
“All our thoughts and actions thus produce the vibrations in space, which mould our future career. And astrology is a science, which having determined the nature of the laws that govern these vibrations is able to state precisely a particular or a series of results, the causes of which have already been produced by the individual in his previous life.
“Since the present incarnation is the child of the previous one, and since there is but that. ONE LIFE which holds together all the planets of the Solar system, the position of those planets at the time of the birth of an individual – which event is the aggregate result of the causes already produced – gives to the true Astrologer the data upon which to base his predictions.
Zanoni
“It should be well remembered at the same time that just as the ‘astronomer who catalogues the stars cannot add one atom to the universe,’ so also no astrologer, no more than the planet, can influence the human destiny. Perhaps the following beautiful passage from that exquisite work of Bulwer Lytton’s – Zanoni – may help to make the meaning still clearer:
‘For the accomplishment of whatever is great and lofty, the clear perception of truths is the first requisite – truths adapted to the object desired. The warrior thus reduces the chances of battle to combinations almost of mathematics. He can predict a result, if he can but depend upon the materials he is forced to employ.’
“This necessitates a consideration of the element of clairvoyance necessary to constitute a true astrologer.”
– H. P. Blavatsky, “Astrology, Numbers and Destiny“
BUDDHA never had any intention of establishing a religion 2500 years ago, at least not our sectarian kind. 
FOHAT is a term and concept which appears throughout “The Secret Doctrine” by H.P. Blavatsky – and especially in the first volume titled “Cosmogenesis.” 
Theosophy Watch 