“I am convinced that human life is filled with many pure, happy, serene examples of insincerity, truly splendid of their kind-of people deceiving one another without (strangely enough) any wounds being inflicted, of people who seem unaware even that they are deceiving one another.”

Osamu Dazai, No Longer Human

Ah, sweet relief! Or is it? The intensity of the past week’s energy begins to abate, and we’re tempted to go full steam ahead, thinking that our success is merely one additional clever move ahead. Don’t fall for it. It’s just another cruel trick from our favorite retrograde planet: Mercury

We should be especially cautious today and pay attention to any cracks in the overall structure — especially in our close alliances — that suggest it would be better to slow down and take another look. Rigidity can make us brittle and unable to stay resilient in the face of challenges and disruptions. The key is to stay open to input from others and remain teachable despite our determination and certainty. Although what we have not yet achieved may have our focus, we will do better today by reflecting a bit on how far we have already come.

Tomorrow is another story.

ASTROLOGICAL SNAPSHOT

Today is the 311th day of 2019
45 days until the winter solstice
14 days until Mercury stations direct
56 days until 2020

Sun is in Scorpio
Moon is in Pisces
Mercury is retrograde in Scorpio
Venus is in Sagittarius
Mars is in Libra
Jupiter is in Sagittarius
Saturn is in Capricorn
Uranus is retrograde in Taurus
Neptune is retrograde in Pisces
Pluto is in Capricorn
Chiron is retrograde in Aries