Define Finished
September 30 was my corporate year-end.
So for the last several days I've been counting inventory and neck-deep in a spreadsheet with more than 7,000 formulas.
Seven. Thousand. Formulas.
At some point in my journey, I started finding formulas that were wrong.
Then I found more.
Then I started wondering how many were wrong.
That was a fun little rabbit hole.
Eventually I reached the point where starting the whole f*#$^ thing over seemed like a perfectly reasonable solution.
So when I looked at the astrology for this week and remembered Venus is newly retrograde, Mercury entering its pre-retrograde shadow, AND a Libra New Moon arriving while Venus and Mars are squaring off, I thought:
Of course.
And before anyone says it, Mercury isn't retrograde yet.
So I can't even blame the spreadsheet on that.
Ask me again in November.
Worth Noticing
We begin the week with Venus newly retrograde in Scorpio.
Venus stationed retrograde on October 3 and will remain retrograde until November 13, eventually backing into Libra on October 25.
We talked quite a bit about Venus last week, so I'm not going to make you read the whole thing again.
But now Mercury is getting involved.
On October 4, Mercury enters its pre-retrograde shadow at 5°02′ Scorpio. Mercury itself doesn't station retrograde until October 24, but from this point forward it's moving through territory it will eventually retrace.
On October 7, Mercury meets retrograde Venus in Scorpio, bringing communication and relationships into the same conversation.
Then on October 10, we get a New Moon in Libra on the same day retrograde Venus squares Mars.
So there is plenty happening.
Some of it asks us to look back.
Some of it wants something new.
And some of it may leave us wondering what the hell we actually want.
Current Astrological Landscape
We're properly into Libra season now, but there's a lot of Scorpio sitting underneath it.
The Sun in Libra puts more emphasis on relationships, fairness, compromise and how we deal with other people.
But Venus and Mercury are both in Scorpio.
Scorpio is less interested in keeping things pleasant and more interested in what's actually going on underneath them.
That can make conversations a little more direct.
It can also bring up things we'd rather not talk about.
Money.
Trust.
Jealousy.
Intimacy.
Resentment.
The stuff that doesn't usually make it onto the dinner-party conversation list.
Meanwhile, Mars is moving through Leo.
Mars in Leo wants to act, create, pursue what it wants and preferably have a little fun while doing it.
So there's an interesting contradiction in the sky.
Part of it is looking backward.
Part of it wants to get on with things.
And Libra is stuck in the middle trying to keep everybody happy.
Good luck with that.
Expanded Transit
The Libra New Moon — October 10
The week ends with a New Moon at 17°21′ Libra on October 10.
New Moons begin a new lunar cycle.
Libra brings relationships, partnership, compromise, fairness and reciprocity into the picture.
But this one comes with a complication.
Libra is ruled by Venus.
And Venus is retrograde.
On the same day as the New Moon, retrograde Venus in Scorpio squares Mars in Leo.
So this isn't exactly a clean slate.
Venus has a lot to do with what we value, enjoy and are attracted to.
Mars has more to do with desire, action and what we're prepared to go after.
When the two are at odds, what we want can get a little complicated.
I want this.
But I also want that.
I want more freedom.
But I want more commitment.
I want to spend the money.
But I'd also quite like to have some money.
I want to say exactly what I think.
But I'd also like people to continue speaking to me.
And that's what makes this New Moon interesting.
Libra is often described as the sign of balance, but balance doesn't necessarily mean making everybody happy.
Sometimes it means recognizing that two things can be true at the same time.
You can love someone and be annoyed with them.
You can want something and still have reservations about it.
You can be ready for a change without knowing exactly what the change should look like.
And you can begin something without having the whole thing figured out.
Which is probably useful to remember right now.
You Might Notice
Changing your mind about something you were sure about
A conversation taking an unexpected turn
Being more aware of what feels fair — and what doesn't
Wanting two contradictory things at the same time
Being less willing to agree just to keep the peace
A little more honesty than usual
Realizing you need more information before making a decision
Who This Week Feels Strongest For
Libra — The New Moon lands in your sign while Venus, your ruling planet, is retrograde. This puts extra emphasis on what you want and how your relationships fit into that.
Scorpio — Venus and Mercury are both moving through your sign. Relationships, conversations, money and personal priorities may be harder to keep on the surface.
Leo — Mars is moving through your sign and squares Venus on October 10. Desire is strong, but what you want and what someone else wants may not line up perfectly.
Taurus — Venus rules your sign too. Its retrograde can bring another look at relationships, pleasure, money and what still feels worth your time.
A Good Time To
Double-check the numbers
Ask another question
Say what you actually mean
Try something before committing to it
Change your mind when the information changes
Look at where your money is going
Let someone disagree with you
Leave room for a better idea
Back up your f@$(* spreadsheet
Apothecary Support
🌿 Himalayan Lavender
For when your patience is wearing a little thin.
Brings: calm, relaxation and a soft floral aroma that can help take the edge off when everything feels a little louder than it needs to.
🌿 Stress Relief Roll-On
For when your brain has been working overtime and you've been staring at the same problem for far too long.
Brings: an easy aromatic pause to keep close when it's probably time to walk away, clear your head and come back to it later.
🌿 Japanese Genmaicha
For when the answer can wait until you've made a cup of tea.
Brings: green tea and warm toasted rice in an earthy, comforting cup that's particularly good when sitting down for ten minutes sounds like a very good idea.
I have 7,000 formulas waiting for me. Wish me luck.