The whole world is opening to you.

Ira Glass

Optimism is more tangibly expressed today. We find tools of some kind or another which are suddenly recognizable as necessary elements for breaking a creative log jam. Or we may suddenly begin to recognize patterns that have been right in front of us for some time. Mercury arrives in lucky Sagittarius — buoyantly optimistic but rather short on details and specifics. Prodded by the forming quincunx to Uranus, we begin to spin out idea after idea. However, we should be very cautious not to go too far in any direction that has not been part of some previous planning effort. In other words, don’t go chasing rainbows. The Moon goes void-of-course at 5:12 PM PST.

THE WEEK AHEAD: Venus runs something of a gauntlet this week, conjuncting both Saturn and Pluto, shedding light on next month’s soon-to-complete (and widely discussed) Saturn-Pluto conjunction. In many respects, Venus is no match for these two larger bodies and represents us as individuals within a much larger context of major societal shifts, changes, and demands. Two other personal planets, Mercury and Mars, are also wrapped up with larger planets and societal shifts this week: Mercury arrives in Sagittarius and makes a stirring quincunx to Uranus, while Mars makes an inspiring trine to Neptune. A log jam of creativity and inspiration begins to break loose, but we will need to be especially aware that inspiration, luck and optimism will only carry us so far.

Groundwork and proper planning are required in order to keep us from veering off course. The undercurrent of this atmosphere is the strong Capricorn stellium which seems to demand responsibility and conformity. In fact, what is truly demanded is balance and awareness. The creative inspiration may be lacking in detail, while the concerns over conformity may only apply to conform to an establishment that is breaking down, shifting and changing before our very eyes. It is within this larger context that Chiron turns direct in individualistic, pioneering Aries. Chiron begins to whisper that we must somehow bridge the gap between our individual, inspired insights, and the overpowering demands of our society and culture, somehow maintaining our balance without giving up on our individuality. Wednesday evening’s Full Moon (9:12 PM 19° Gemini/Sagittarius) is quincunx both Mars and the forming Saturn-Pluto conjunction and demands our full attention. The Full Moon’s intensity may seem quite sudden and surprising, due to the Mars-Neptune trine which has us focused on chasing rainbows and grand ideas. Ultimately, the danger here is either acting prematurely, without laying the proper groundwork (chasing rainbows) or, alternatively, giving up on our individual inspiration in an effort to conform (throwing the baby out with the bathwater).

ASTROLOGICAL SNAPSHOT

Today is the 343rd day of 2019
13 days until the winter solstice
72 days until Mercury Retrograde
23 days until 2020

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