Mars Conjunct Rahu in Scorpio, Venus in Leo-Action Packed Month

Mars, the planet of drive and power, has moved from Venus' sign Libra into his own water sign, Scorpio. Occupation of a sign that a planet rules gives that planet a good chance of operating at optimal levels. Mars is coming off a couple of difficult months in which his full expression of power has been limited. Limited by occupation of signs where he isn't at home, limited by association with Saturn and limited by three rounds of Kala Sarpa yoga.

Mars in Scorpio with Rahu means, we should prepare ourselves to reset our power switches. Mars moving through Scorpio till November 8, 2012. I recommend using caution at this time. Mars as the agent for aggression and accidents coming into proximity with the fate-bringing nodal Rahu -Ketu axis could be a recipe for minor disasters especially due to the perception that the road is wide open after the end of Kala Sarpa and Mars' escape from the influence of Saturn, who greatly impedes the desire of Mars to lunge forward.

On October 2, Mars moved past Rahu and eliminated the possibility for further Kala Sarpa Yoga until May 2013 . Since July, we have gone through 3 fortnights of this condition in which all of the planets are hemmed between the nodes of the Moon, Rahu and Ketu. The conjunction may bring somewhat difficult situations and epidemics that we cannot escape or prevent. In the past whenever Rahu-Mars transited together, we had series epidemics like Plague  Dengu, Swine Flu to name few.  

We, like the planets, have been hemmed between the fateful axis that is created by Rahu and Ketu. With Mars as the agent for breaking this cycle, we can celebrate a renewed sense of free will and decisive action.

Mars initial confrontation with Rahu could bring about dramatic but cathartic events that clear our paths so that we can ford deeper into the stream of consciousness. This conjunction occurs in the lunar mansion called Vishaka, symbolized by an archway, a symbol that invites us to step through to another dimension and to cross a threshold. Vishaka is ruled by Indra and Agni

Mars in Scorpio is a great time for exploring and working with that which lies below the surface. Mars in Scorpio brings courage and drive to dig deeply into the dark places that we may fear. Mars in Scorpio supports explorations into the subconscious and to the hidden places of our hearts, minds and spirits. This whole month would be good for research, poetry, shamanic work and other actions that require reaching to the depths for resources that fuel our progress

Mercury Transits Libra till October 23

As Mars draws his sword, Mercury moves from his own sign of Virgo into Venus' air sign, Libra, prancing his way toward a conjunction with Saturn on October 4. With a Mars-Rahu conjunction in the early degrees of Scorpio seeming like a dragon slaying event, Mercury-Saturn conjunction in the early degrees of Libra is more like a meeting over tea about the expression of truth through righteous action. Libra is the realm of love through social idealism. Saturn is the bastion of truth, karma and accountability and Mercury is the agent of communication and diplomacy.

This combination in Venus' sign recalls our Jupiter retrograde in Venus' other sign. We are really getting the chance to make sure our moral ducks are in a row during this month. Venus rules love, beauty, devotion and relationship. Through Venus we gaze into the eyes of another being and see ourselves reflected, ultimately bestowing upon us the message that there is no separation between self and other.

Mercury has the tendency to mimic the energy of the planets with whom he is in close contact, much in the same way that certain people of the Mercurial persuasion are happy enough doing whatever their friends are doing. Mercury in association with Saturn makes him the mouthpiece for Saturn, whose messages more often come through silence and a slowly, rhythmically nodding head.

We may see many truths uncovered, revealed and broadcast during this month. Mars is digging deep, Jupiter is retracing his steps and Mercury will be talking freely about the karmic truth that Saturn upholds. This should be an interesting facet during the Narendra Modi  ruled Gujarat elections and US presidential campaign. On a personal front, this could be a great time for creative endeavors that express personal truth or for reorganizing relationships on a fundamental level.

Venus Transits Leo till October 23

It seems as if all of the planets are making serious moves at the beginning of October. Venus,the planet of love and relationship moved from the Moon's sign of Cancer to the Sun's sign of Leo. Venus, ever concerned with the "other" will move quickly through the sign ever concerned with the unbounded expression of the "self."

Venus as the agent of art, beauty and creativity, on one level, this could be a great stretch for creative efforts, especially those having to do with performance, public speaking, music and directorial work. On another level, through the deeper review of our growth in relationship and love, through the regard of the truth that our actions reveal, this transit can really bring to light what our real needs and motivations are as an individual stepping into the realm of another or others. We get to practice the dance of self expression that celebrates both the self and others while keeping the integrity of all parties intact.

Jupiter Retrograde in Taurus October 3 - January 30

In the sign opposite to Scorpio, we have Jupiter in Venus' earth sign, Taurus. Jupiter begins a retrograde cycle on October 3 that runs through the end of January 2013. During this time, we will see Jupiter retrace his steps from 22° – 12° of Taurus, entirely within the nakshatra called Rohini. The power of Rohini is growth, rohana shakti. It is ruled by Prajapati, the Creator and can elevate our level of desire and the abundance that we enjoy.

Jupiter is the planet of expansion and growth and has been moving in forward motion through Rohini since the beginning of July. So, in whatever way you have been directing your energy toward positive growth and expansion during the past three months, you will get the chance in the next four months to refine those efforts.

We have the opportunity to make sure that our intentions and desires are positive, clean and appropriate. Investigate your motivations and put them up to the mirror. Are your desires based on jealousy or envy of another person's abundance? What is your intention for cultivation of growth in your life?

Retrograde motion often retards the actions and results of planets. We may feel a gradual sense of things slowing down; rather than allowing indulgence in disappointment at things not going at the pace you'd like, perhaps convert those feelings into appreciation for the opportunity for review and the stability that comes through slow, careful growth and wise choices.