October continues to be another month of deep insights and revelations of truth with Jupiter retrograde making the second of three oppositions to Pluto. Sun, Venus and Mars get involved with this Jupiter-Pluto opposition bringing insights and major realizations about the relationships in our lives, including our relationship to our resources.

Relationship patterns and emotional attachments are up for review this month and will seem to dominate our thoughts. Sun in Libra brings the annual review of equality of giving and receiving with others. Venus in Scorpio will show us where we have emotional attachments to others, resources, jobs, etc. Later this month Venus in Sagittarius will want to change things and charge ahead into new relationships/patterns/situations.

However, Mercury is retrograde again and this time in Scorpio, which asks us to review our emotional attachments even more. Mars in Virgo throughout all of this brings the opportunities and will power to make changes in how we relate to others/situations/resources.

Neptune and Uranus finally go direct in Aquarius to add a mental detachment that allows for major breakthroughs in our consciousness as to how we best fit into our particular evolving relationship environments.

With all the changing energy this month it is best to be open and ask questions. Then we need to really listen to what feedback we receive from others and merge this with the answers that come from deep within ourselves.

Sun is in Libra now initiating the six month astrological cycle of relating to others. The Evolutionary Astrology mantra for Libra is: I balance a diversity of relationships with my own initiative. Libra's theme in relationships is equality, usually meaning a need to learn equality. There must be equal giving and receiving in any type of relationship for it to succeed long-term.

This includes equally listening as much as we want to speak. Venus, the ruler of Libra, relates to the psychology of listening. If we are not willing to really listen to what others have to say, then we will not be able to relate and give to them as they desire. In the same respect, if those in our lives are not willing to listen to what we have to say, then they will not be able to interact with us in fulfilling ways.

This is the time of the year to balance our needs with the needs of others. Many times this Libran energy will find us with inequality in our relationships. Someone is trying to dominate. The key is realizing this will only happen when someone else is willing to give up their power and be dominated. Where in your life is this happening with whom? Which side of the fence are you on, the one controlling or being controlled? What must change to create balance?

Sun and Mars are active with the Jupiter-Pluto opposition the beginning of this month. Sun makes a waning sextile to Pluto October 3 at 10/11 degrees Libra-Sagittarius. Realizations into the relationships and relating patterns that are no longer meaningful to us and need to be released. At the same time Sun makes a waxing trine to Jupiter at 10/11 degrees Libra-Gemini showing us the new relating patterns and relationship directions it is time to move toward.

There is an ability to understand the changes we each need to make in how we relate to others. We are wanting more meaningful relating. We are realizing relationships are not static but continually evolving, changing, ebbing and flowing, beginning and ending. What are the relationship changes taking place in your life?

Patriarchal beliefs via organized religions have conditioned us to believe that we make relationships "until death do us part". Natural, spiritual laws and principles teach us that life is a cycle with beginnings and endings, and it teaches us that endings are as natural as beginnings. Libra energy teaches us when to relate and when not to. The diversity of relationships Libra initiates then leads to decisions (Aries, the polarity of Libra) with whom to be in relationship with and whom to end relationship with.

Mars has a harder time interacting with Jupiter-Pluto, making a square to both on October 3/4. Mars makes a waning square to Pluto at 10/11 degrees Virgo-Sagittarius and a waxing square to Jupiter at 10/11 degrees Virgo-Gemini. This is energy that asks us to adapt and change and act upon these evolving realizations of what our personal truth and beliefs are.

Mars in Virgo is about purifying the ego of Leoian illusions of grandeur. In today's society it tends to manifest as just criticism, especially criticism of others. Mars in Virgo can also be very procrastinating from the patriarchal conditioning of guilt due to imperfection. So this can build up to cataclysms as Mars makes a T-square to Jupiter-Pluto. These cataclysms will have the effect of greatly shifting our beliefs and actions. All of this is the message to listen to what our intuition is telling us to do, to act in the ways that feel best for us, to take the next natural step.

Mars, Jupiter and Pluto are in the signs of the mutable grand cross (Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius and Pisces). These four signs of the zodiac relate to learning natural laws and spiritual principles. At the end of this Piscean Age many of us realize life is vastly removed from natural laws and spiritual principles. Mars will help bring the shocks (positive and negative) to understand what changes we each must make to realign ourselves with timeless, universal, natural laws. The T-square between these three planets will also bring lessons of realigning ourselves with healthy use of our resources.

On October 9 Sun makes a waning trine to Uranus at 17/18 degrees Libra-Aquarius. Personal understanding of where we fit in in our circle of relating to others. There is an ability to detach from all our relationships and objectively see the best way to interact with others. Mental knowledge is strongly activated, communications can lead to evolving our relationships.

Jupiter retrograde makes the second of three oppositions to Pluto on October 13 at 10/11 degrees Gemini-Sagittarius. Consciously or unconsciously, we are all searching to understand the deeper levels of everything in our lives. Long-held personal beliefs are being held up to the light of day and either evolving and growing to the next level of truth for ourselves, or crashing down to face our realities. (Please see last month's forecast for more information on this Jupiter-Pluto dance.)

This Jupiter-Pluto revelation of personal truth is active from August 2000 through June 2001. Almost an entire year of facing new realities and evolving our souls in the new directions we desire to grow. This theme is always with us this winter. Right now with Sun in Libra, the next step in all our relationships is upon us. We are each realizing what works and what does not work in our relationships, and how our relationships need to grow. The next step is to walk our talk in relationships.

Also on October 9 is the Full Moon of Aries. Sun opposes Moon at 20/21 degrees Libra-Aries. By now we are very aware of all the relationships we are juggling to maintain in our lives. This energy combines with Jupiter-Pluto to bring about the decisions on how best to move forward in these relationships while maintaining our own sense of identity and purpose (Aries). How best to be in relationship without losing ourself. How best to be independent within relationships. The balance of ourselves with others. It is clearly unfolding for each of us what that next step is. Aries Moon helps Libra act upon our relationship decisions rather than just thinking and talking about them.

Two days later Neptune goes direct at 3/4 degrees Aquarius. This brings to completion a five month search for deeper spiritual truths. Neptune direct tends to bring those deep understandings of our connectedness to the universe, or deep disappointments of our how lives are not meaningful to us. If disappointment is in our lives right now it is the messaging that we have spiritually stagnated and we have been basing our lives on false beliefs.

Neptune turning direct at this time may bring messages of the false beliefs we have about relationships. Neptune in Aquarius is about spiritually deconditioning. What beliefs do we hold about relationships that no longer work for us? What new relationship beliefs are unfolding? Neptune in Aquarius want spiritual liberation and truth. Neptune in Aquarius can range from trying to convince others that our beliefs are better to accepting a unity in a diversity of beliefs.

Neptune direct right now brings us insights into whether or not our relationships beliefs are compatible with those we are in relationship with or desire to be with. If they are we move forward into deeper relationship levels. If they are not we face compromises and/or acceptance of those relationship belief differences and maybe a natural departing.

Also on October 15 Saturn retrograde moves back into Taurus. Saturn turned retrograde at 0 degrees Gemini where it has essentially stood the last two months. Saturn is the planet of individuated consciousness in Evolutionary Astrology. It is the boundary of our reality. At 0 degrees Gemini we have really been asked to face alternative realities. Where have we crystallized in our lives and how must we change? Now Saturn retrograding back into Taurus brings opportunities to make those reality changes or a backlash of clinging to our old ways, old realities.

Saturn moving back into Taurus may revisit our issues with security through our resources. We do not want to let go of our securities, possessions, resources. If we are asked to at this time it is messaging to create an inner security (Taurus) that we take with us through all these reality changes. Saturn has been in Taurus the last two years trying to teach us this message (inner security versus outer security). Here are the final lessons. When we create a real inner security then we realize that we can always recreate in healthier ways whatever we are asked to let go of.

We are now starting to revisit all those Taurean lessons of inner security we faced this spring. All our insecurities are starting to surface to be addressed, healed, transformed.

Then Mercury goes retrograde for three weeks October 18 at 15/16 degrees Scorpio. A mental review of our insecurities and increasing awareness of what we need to do to really create that inner security (Taurus, the polarity of Scorpio). Mercury in Scorpio is deep, intuitive thinking, the psychological detective. Mercury retrograde in Scorpio asks us to go deeper yet and really face what we perceive to be lacking in ourselves, which others will, as always, point out to us. Again, can we really listen?

This Mercury retrograde will tend to bring awareness of our emotional attachments in relationships and resources. Sometimes easily, sometimes pretty intensely. This is a time period where resources, especially financial, may be changing alot. Stock market up, stock market down. The money we thought would be there may not be there. How do we personally interact with this to create a deeper level of inner security? What lessons are we facing to live more harmoniously with natural law? We may also see financial/resource rewards right now, which may mean that we are realigning our security issues.

The lessons with resources over the last few years have been to realize where the real source of everything is - the Ultimate Source. Patriarchal conditioning has lead us to believe that this lies outside of ourselves in a job, bank account, another person, etc. Natural laws and spiritual principles have been trying to teach us that what we create is an inside job. It lies within us and our relationship with the Ultimate Source. Then the jobs, bank accounts and relationships can symbolize a reflection of this inner security, versus the defacto god syndrome.

Mercury retrograde brings all this up for mental review as well as our attachments and codependency in relationships. Sun is just finishing up its annual passage through Libra and all our relationship patterns (healthy and not-so-healthy) are in our face. This Mercury retrograde in Scorpio helps us face those codependencies. The lesson again, is inner self-reliance which then lets us relate in healthier ways in regard to whom to be with, whom to not be with. Mercury goes direct November 7 at 29/30 degrees Libra. This is a sign that relationship equality is possible at this time. What do you need to do to create it?

Venus moves into Sagittarius October 18; however, it first makes an opposition to Saturn at 29/30 degrees Scorpio-Taurus. This is realizing and facing our codependency in love and what must metamorphose in our relationships to create deeper realities of self-reliance. This aspect happens so fast that we may miss it and brush it off as Venus moves on into Sag and the next relationship. We need to realize we will only create these codependencies again unless we face them.

Venus in Sag is searching for truth. It brings these Jupiter-Pluto revelations of truth to very personal levels. Where are we lying to ourselves? Too others? Venus in Sagittarius finds it easier to love an ideal rather than the real thing. It has been leading the personal planets journey and Venus wants to take us in to new territory. At its best Venus can help us understand what is going on in our relationships. At its worst Venus in Sag will try to convince others its way is the only way to relate.

Sun enters Scorpio October 22. The Evolutionary Astrology mantra for Scorpio is: I metamorphose myself with evolving self-reliance. Scorpio is where we begin to learn lessons of power and powerlessness. In Scorpio we realize there are others (people, forces, knowledge, etc.) more powerful than us. Scorpio desires to be in control in order to feel emotionally secure.

Scorpio faces lessons in learning to merge with whatever it considers more powerful and controlling than itself. The problem is that Scorpio does not then let go when it has metamorphosed into what it needed to learn. The letting go does not have to mean good-bye. It does mean Scorpio must stand on its own and empower itself (Taurus, the polarity of Scorpio).

Scorpio is where we face the greatest lessons between good and evil, or the desire to return to that which created us versus the desire to separate from that which created us. This is how Scorpio can be the extremes. When a soul eventually exhausts all its separating desires and the desire to return begins to really grow, the Scorpio metamorphose principle brings major transformations.

This is the energy we now face in all our personal ways. Where do you feel out of control? Where do you feel powerless? What in you needs to face death and rebirth in order to metamorphose into greater self-reliance? Where are you wanting to change someone/something else instead of changing yourself?

Libra brings us the diversity of relationships for experience and knowledge. Scorpio brings us to the decision of whom to relate to, the commitment. At its worst Scorpio manipulates and controls in all the patriarchal sadomasochistic ways. At its best Scorpio merges on the deepest soul levels.

Scorpio and Taurus are the sexual signs of the zodiac. Taurus teaches us self-sex, masturbation. Scorpio teaches us sexual merging with others. Without Taurean self-reliance, sexuality becomes one of Scorpio's controlling games. When Scorpio incorporates the self-reliance of Taurus then sexual bonding can go to the deep, soul levels with Scorpio's emotional intensity.

These are the energies and issues now emerging to the forefront to be understood through the revelations of truth with the Jupiter-Pluto opposition. How are you being asked to metamorphose yourself and your relationships?

Uranus goes direct October 26 at 16/17 degrees Aquarius. Energy is strong to release the unconscious into the consciousness. Uranus is in the middle degrees of the sign it rules, and objectivity demands attention. We are all being asked to consider the larger picture versus just our own point of view (Leo, the polarity of Aquarius).

Uranus is finishing up a five month review cycle of releasing unconscious soul desires and old conditioning patterns up to the surface. This also adds to the relationship picture at this time. Where and how are you being asked to be objective in your relating to others? Again, what relationship revelations of truth are you being faced with? When we cling to our old illusions Uranus can be very shocking in its desire to release old, conditioning patterns. These patterns are in our consciousness now and must be addressed, transformed so that our souls may be liberated into freedom.

Also on October 26 Sun makes a waning square to Neptune at 3/4 degrees Scorpio-Aquarius. We are realizing old beliefs that do not work anymore and need to be released. This is a powerful time to face any codependency to others/situations/resources and objectively understand the insecurities underneath, and then move toward deeper beliefs of self-reliance to realize where the source of everything comes from.

The next day, October 27, is New Moon at 4/5 degrees Scorpio. An annual time to set intent on empowering ourselves from deeper levels, and then helping others to empower themselves. A time to release manipulation both to and from others for insecurity reasons. Mercury is still retro in Scorpio and messages can be very strong on where our emotional attachments are affecting our abilities to move ahead from our own power. It is a time we can merge with the Ultimate Source of power and ask for empowerment wherever we need it, and help others to be empowered where they need to grow.

Next Venus enters the Jupiter-Pluto dance with an opposition to Jupiter on October 27 at 9/10 degrees Sagittarius-Gemini. Facing the truth in love. The next day Venus conjuncts Pluto at 11/12 degrees Sagittarius. Rebirthing self-love on deep, soul levels.

Together this energy can bring a culmination of awareness on how we each can best move forward loving ourselves and others in the highest and best ways, honestly and truthfully. We are asked to love both the ideal and the real. We may be faced with multiple relationship opportunities and we are asked to intuitively move forward in the direction/relationship that seems best for us, not really knowing where it may take us.

Scorpio wants to be involved with this picture by imposing a need for security and control. The lesson is to move forward with self-love and self-reliance to love others in the highest and best ways for all concerned. We are asked to let go of controlling the direction giving and receiving love takes us and trust in the process.

Finally Mercury retrograde makes an inferior conjunction to Sun at 6/7 degrees Scorpio. A time for mental answers about our emotional attachments and codependencies. What is the next step in loving and empowering ourselves? What are the deep messages coming from our souls? How best do we merge with the universe, learning our lessons without losing ourselves? Mercury can go deep here, helping us face things about ourself we try to ignore. Remember the truth sets you free. What truths are you now realizing about yourself and your relationships to others/situations/resources?

Scorpio energy is the time to face our insecurities and powerlessness and ask how we may grow and evolve. Blessings to you on your journey.

May God/Goddess bless you in October!

P.O. Box 552, Rapid City, SD, 57709 605-348-5111, 877-348-5111 Email: kimmarie@astrologybykimmarie.com