Magicians and Travelers

By quirk of fate, a few days ago I discovered a cinematic masterpiece called Bab'Aziz, the Prince Who Contemplated His Soul, by a Tunisian filmmaker named Nacer Khemir. The video above is an excerpt from the movie. I'm still in a trance. It is a beautiful film. A Sufi tale about love, grace, and mystical fulfillment.
A young girl and her blind grandfather, a dervish, set out across the desert to join a gathering of dervishes that meets once every thirty years. Each of the characters encountered is wandering alone seeking the invisible world in a different way, although they connect with others on and off as past and present are woven together with stories, poems, and songs. It is the child who seems to have been born enlightened. The film is an allegory and a meditation on our own mystical talents.

The demolition of the Democrats has been a difficult experience for many people but it is essential. The more complete the better to save further grief later on. Pluto is just beginning to get serious about destroying the power structure, so whichever party happened to be in control at this time was destined to get it.

Babies are interesting. As soon as they get control of their little hands they start arranging and rearranging everything they can. Their love of destruction is equal to their love of creation, and at first they can't tell the difference. The trouble comes later in the grand socialization. Still, demolition is natural and necessary.

Those who are still playing the partisan game are falling behind. The so called "stupid" people all across the country are beginning to grasp it. The tidal wave is in motion and no one can stop it, but it can be ridden with a certain amount of dexterity. And don't worry. The Republicans are going to get it, too, until the monster in the system is slain. The monster has been fed by all of us and now we have to deal with it.

The last two full Aries Moons triggered an arousal in the citizenry, soon to be put into effect when Uranus transits Aries. I think the hysteria of the 2008 election has now turned into outrage and that was one of its main purposes. Even though the Republicans are going to win this one the people are not electing them because they approve of them. They don't. They just feel they have no other choice and they're onto the whole group and their tricks while trying to flex political muscle. As a result of this election, no one knows who the enemy is. Or if there really is one. Something is senseless. One thing to be sure of -- the factions onstage now won't be the factions of the future. One thing leads to another. Fortunately. Threats are always exaggerated and are often divorced from reality, whatever that is.

The awakening of the people has not come easily and no one knows the details of the next phase. The power structures based on the financial delineations of our society have gone to extremes and the great thing about this election was the revelation of monetary obscenity and the overall unbearable ugliness and brutal behavior of the aspiring legislators, as well as many of the executives. It got to most everyone. So very destructive. No policy, no vision, no promise, and most of all, no leadership. But it's far too soon for reconstruction. Just let the truth lie bare for a moment.

In the movie, one of the themes was how lost all the seekers are in the endless desert dunes, but they know they are going to find their way. Just walk, says Bab'Aziz. You will arrive.
It reminds me of where we are now as a country, only beginning to adjust to being on our own. The two parties with the shape they're now in are incapable of wise leadership. We'll have to make do until we get together somehow collectively and start making good decisions. It might seem like we are lost, and on some levels we are. I doubt that the signposts are gone, though. We just have to look among the dunes. The reason I don't worry much is because I've always felt everyone's confusion. We're all lost and no one's in charge. I find comfort in that knowledge since I dare not give too much power to anyone at this juncture in our evolution. I don't expect anyone to save me from anyone else, anything, or myself. I'm safe enough.

I admire the baby's ability to gleefully destroy what she's methodically built. In a sense I think there could even be some joy in this political demolition. Of course, thumbs must come out of mouths so they can tinker with the erector set. And fingers must come out of ears. Shoot. I suppose that means me and my three sets of ear plugs.

Venus in Sugarland

Venus in Scorpio gets what she wants whether she wants it or not. There are no bounds to her desire nor to the ways in which this seductress operates.

Last Saturday night I sauntered into a health food store and there past the entrance was a golden curly-headed well made not too old, not too young man enthusiastically selling Vitamixes. My inner Jack LaLanne leapt out and I thought of my shimmering health and longevity while he offered to mix me a fruity concoction. In went grapes, cantaloupe, banana, pomegranate seeds, pineapple, oranges, and I think some apple while he talked about the Boulder know-it-alls he'd just encountered who were somewhat confused about nutrition in his educated opinion. The mega horse power machine did its job and the three old ladies in front of him (that would include me) were dazzled. We loved his juice.

But then something strange happened. In a sort of psychic trance that suddenly overcame him, he told me that another man was coming my way. One more. A great one. The One. My inner Jack immediately panicked at the thought of giving up my solitary pursuit of physical perfection. My venerated freedom. I don't need any more trouble. Besides, I thought I was becoming immune to fate at my advanced age. I chalked it up to Venus in Scorpio and the spook factor and decided to continue as is until further notice.

Venus in Scorpio can work in mysterious ways and now with Saturn in Libra, relationships are front and center for many people. I don't know about you, but the retrograde is bringing in friends from my past and fictitious ones in my future apparently. Venus in Scorpio goes for the gut, the deepest bonding possible, whereas Libra with controlling Saturn prefers a more airy detached form of relating without the emotional demands. By the time this ends I imagine relationships could be somewhat transformed in people's lives. New ones might develop, old ones might die, and current ones could change if necessary.

Scorpio likes to share pain and with Venus retrograde people might discover some relationships based on shared trauma losing their lure. Some love feeling helpful and included in other people's extreme experiences, but not altogether infrequently they discover that the help is ineffective and that the pain can become a drain. There can be difficultly when trying to extricate one's self from such entanglements but this transit might point the way as a few learn that the best form of help can on occasion be implemented by a departure from the relationship or a distancing. Saturn in Libra knows about balancing needs and this guidance can be of use. On the other hand, you might be newly involved in helping individuals through trauma bringing out the best in your character, as you'd like to see it.

Others might find themselves in relationships with envy and jealousy on the rise and here again, Saturn in Libra can be the arbiter of reasonable dealings when accusations, demands, and fits of poisonous vengeance rear up temporarily while people test the limits of their loved ones' loyalty. Forgiveness sometimes mysteriously disappears when Scorpio takes over, but conversely, in retrograde, it can be that old grudges are forgotten and renewal of long lost love comes about with pleasure and relief. Saturn in Libra can aid you in justifying your actions to your heart's content if excuses (explanations) must be made to lure the loved one back. Fair is fair despite Venus in Scorpio's attraction to suspense sometimes leading to quite far fetched suppositions. Evidence, baby. Solid evidence.

Then, of course, there is the proverbial soul mate with Venus in Scorpio, the threat of my mixmaster. Scorpio is fond of the me-and-you-against-the-world approach to relationship where a secret covenant is made between the lovers that excludes all others, unless of course Venus is interested in some games of jealously all geared to prove the strength of the original bond. Hopefully. I think many might question their bondage to groups that could be restricting involvement with broader circles and when Venus leaves Scorpio for Sagittarius in January, some expansion could be the result, especially with Jupiter and its large social connections getting a new start in Aries soon after.

Another Scorpio favorite is the female fight for dominance dating back to reproductive success so it's said. It's easy to see that now within these social clusters made especially noticeable with the burst of new ladies on the public stage. Venus. Yes. Who is the ????? of them all? Potency or something. Or who has the sharpest toes?
It's also interesting to point out the female bond that often underlies their relationships and even the women they supposedly hate often really represent something more complex. I won't say more on this fascinating subject at the moment but it deserves observation since the female political role is changing now in ways that are not fully understood. Pluto opposite US Venus and Neptune on the Moon are still in action.

With Uranus diligently rocking the boat and Mars tunneling deep into Scorpio, hell has broken loose again and the country is in turmoil with the Saturn return just around the bend. There are reasons for the mayhem. "It's the stupid, stupid." The mantra of the day. This hits below the belt. No one does well with insults denigrating the basics of their being.

The fans were all excited waiting to root for their team and discuss their favorite players but it hasn't quite worked out that way with this contest. Bigger things have dominated. It seems that society is tiring of the repetitive political rituals since their problems are getting unavoidable and they want something done by their leaders. Neither party has delivered. In fact, they've made it worse. Common citizens are weary watching the grandest theft in their lifetimes unfold before their eyes while they remain nonresponsive, not knowing what to do. Their votes seem to be the only thing they're holding and the scramble to possess them includes promises getting emptier and emptier while concocted threats mount. Emptying out, a good idea. It's all part of the destructive phase we've encountered and there's no stopping it. The Scorpionic demons demand annihilation. They want it.

But back to Venus. There's hope in the hopelessness. Here's a little story about Libra at its best.....

My husband had a 29 Libra Moon and he was the ultimate gentleman when he aimed to be. My brother, a Libra, had Venus in Scorpio squaring a Mars-Pluto conjunction and his appetites were sizable. My man was a sweet lover and he usually kept a half gallon of ice cream in the freezer. Once my brother came to visit and in the dark of the desert night he completely wiped out the cold sweet stuff. The kind gentleman, who intensely disliked my brother, silently went ahead and purchased another carton, then labeled it "ocean perch". That solved the problem since my brother, in spite of his hunger, has a wonderful sense of humor. The desired sugar was shared by all and our many combined Libra planets chuckled approvingly.

So while they eviscerate one another in their hunger out there, ordinary people can consider themselves safe if they choose, no matter who wins what battle. The contestants need the pain. Scorpio is unafraid to encounter the devils within since they dance together with the most sublime pleasures. The thing of real importance is the relationship of the individual to her own profound desires and quest for satisfaction, whether that includes specific relationships or not. If people do relate under this influence it can be more important than usual to reach this dimension of mutual experience. The retrograde takes the search away from forward motion so digging into internal mines for hidden riches is bound to bring reward. This could include a movement away from the outer circus to something more genuine and tailored to personal need. Some people are finding the public orgy troublesome at present and this provides the route to those inner treasure caves. Or at least some picking and choosing when following so many people who know not where they go? The best and the worst come out with Venus in Scorpio. And the sweetness can be thickly covered in gooey syrupy sensation. Don't get stuck! Venus in Scorpio wants it all.

Another man? C'mon Sugar. Let's do it.
Ice Cream Cavern: Will Cotton: oil on canvas

Trouble in the House

Venus-Mars in Scorpio
Pluto opposite Venus in Cancer

When Pluto last opposed the United States Venus-Jupiter conjunction in Cancer the first part of the current financial disaster exploded and the failing banks were rescued in an emotional moment, one of many monetary panics that societies inevitably create. Pluto is just back on Venus and the anticipated housing crisis is revving up to full gear. Scorpio represents the underworld and all the secret criminal dealings that have influenced our financial world since time immemorial, and now with Mars in Scorpio, these hidden contracts, or absence of them, are coming to the surface. The Scorpio transits are especially noteworthy since the ruler, Pluto, is opposing US Venus repeating the pattern and revealing the necessity of facing and trying to ascertain the extent of our collective troubles. Homes are precious commodities and the loss triggers deep insecurity in the populace, all part of Pluto crossing the Cancer stellium. Often people run looking for their parents when these moments occur, but now the parents have all gone missing. What are we to do?

It's normal to try and pinpoint the people responsible for the massive fraud but that is almost impossible. Condemning and punishing the individual thieves, although part of the response, would do little to solve the larger problem which is a combination of factors that have been at work for a long time, perhaps since the birth of the country. The significance is increased even further by ruling Pluto's involvement in the Pluto return. Pluto would like people to discover the source of their troubles, a tall order I admit. Cancer can feel left out in the cold when security blankets disappear and under that influence, people can cling as if their lives depended on it. It can feel like life and death with Pluto but I can see how the entity could ultimately pry the grasping fingers from these outworn dependencies in order to move on and face adulthood, Capricorn's domain. Even now you can hear the voices of reality speaking out in sometimes harsh and hard to take tones while the childlike cries continue to try and make them go away. It can be unsettling but there are always people in the crowd who protect the weak at the same time there are those who exploit them, as the bankers have done and will continue to do. Hard times bring out both.

Compounding the shakiness is Neptune making its last pass across the US Moon forming a quincunx with Mercury in Cancer which effects commerce, trust, and security, all the things that are breaking down under the influence of Pluto in Capricorn. Bonds are dissolving with Neptune bringing about a great deal of loss and confusion, all related to Uranus leaving Pisces. A return of trust is essential to economic recovery, and it certainly is hard to build such a thing at the moment.

So metaphysically speaking, the loss of home security must be part of the experience required to successfully complete the Pluto return. Leaving home in a sense for other accomplishments. A trade for the contentment of maturity.
It was a long winding road getting here. One of the most distressing turns was the mass move to suburbia last century and the emotional and psychological damage that resulted because of poor planning and overly zealous settlement. Community connection broke down and people's personal wealth became too tightly bound to real estate. Rather than settling in homes as places of familial support and emotional satisfaction, they became gambling chips and a way to make easy money, while increasing loneliness and alienation set the tone. Psychological depression became epidemic sending the roots of insecurity further underground. The lure of big profits made people susceptible to business predators and as you see, the game got out of hand. We're getting a kick in our assets.

Regulation of business is only a part of it. The predators will always be there pouncing on the vulnerable. Regulation of our selves is just as important as we remember prudence, thrift, value, and the real meaning of home. We the people have been trading up houses, cars, and many other things with no end in sight. Until now.
But perhaps even more fundamental is the ravaging of our constitution, the right to own property being a major one. The extended systematic breakdown of our entitlement is now clear with ownership becoming difficult to ascertain. But who's stealing from whom? Ask an ancestor in his tee pee. Who is entitled to own pieces of earth? Who has the authority to divvy up the earth? This brings thinking around to the evolution of human nature and how long it will take to live sanely, humanely, and comfortably with one another. And maybe we would do better with less property after all is said and done.

Just in time the great era of contraction materializes and since this goes to the fundamentals of our socio-political behavior there won't be any heroes to make laws and save the day. No commissions will solve the problem, no economic genius descending from a bright cloud to take up a chairmanship in this broken government will have the answers. In fact, the suggestions now look like they're only going to make things worse and there does seem to be some cosmic design leading us around some further troubled twists temporarily. There are fears of excessive authoritarian control and attempts by the corporations to decimate our economy and strip the people of power in the workplace and that might be so, but the success of their felonious plans isn't guaranteed.

I think there could be many genuine changes ahead. People will be downsizing, some giving up ownership and maybe the dream of an "ownership society". The large aging population will need to be taken care of and perhaps families will re-organize, looking after their elderly to a greater extent, and even choosing to live in larger clusters including grandparents, children, and children's children. Ideally communities will return to cooperation and independence from federal control thereby becoming less of a burden on society as a whole. The job of government can be taken out of the hands of the federal bureaucrats and spread out among the people with the magnificent benefit of autonomy, self sufficiency, and management of one's destiny, all Aries favorites. We'll even have to take care of the thieves that stole all our money or maybe ship them to an asteroid with health care. The road to renewal is bound to be a rocky one but if real transformation comes, then real disintegration and destruction will be part of it. Pluto is busting up the homeland but it's already helping us appreciate what security we do have. Ideally we'll learn to provide as much of it on our own as we can.

There have been many years of poor leadership in America and the crisis point has come with Pluto nearing its opposition to the country's Sun in Cancer. At this stage it's not advisable to expect someone to do a good job since the problems have surpassed ordinary control and the skills to solve them are still unlearned. It could be an epic battle with Pluto opposite the Sun, one in which the good judgment and maturity of Capricorn pits itself against the neediness and fearfulness of Cancer. Slaying the monster might be the story and Mars in Scorpio offers a few tips. Aries will provide more. The anger in the nation is necessary for arousal, and although it is unfocused and misdirected at this point, it is likely to consolidate and do its job, especially with Saturn so heavily involved.

The solutions aren't due for awhile. The trouble runs deep. By now people are realizing experientially how the issues are beyond the players in our country's drama and it's good for the crowd to learn to concentrate on the real thing. This is why the leaders are failing so miserably as it helps divert attention and misplaced adoration, more so as people's personal dilemmas take precedence. The bitter divisions among us stoked for political gain are beginning to go against the grain of well-being. Blind authoritarian party loyalty on both sides is becoming more and more destructive while the politicians are completely abandoning ideals and policy in favor of a monetary orgy, spinning further and further from control. We're getting to the place of chaos, not knowing exactly why we hate one another. It seems to be because of stupidity nowadays, but because everybody is supposedly stupid, it's stupid to call anyone stupid as a reason for the underlying problems. It merely keeps eyes and minds away from the real ones. Besides, if you tell people they're smart long enough they might come to believe it and act in accordance. And there are alternative forms of intelligence no matter what the grammatical level of expertise of the human. A dangling participle is not much of a cause for annihilation. People's reasons for being who they are are not always unsound no matter how much they scare you. Or merely deviate from your own choices. Sometimes a review of your ideas can reveal some rather odd characteristics judged objectively.

Home and the world are ruled by Cancer and Capricorn and you must build a strong foundation if you want solid success in the broader realms. As our international stature diminishes in the coming years we can reroute and deal with the trouble in the house. It might require a demolition team but look in the yellow pages. The demolition business is a classy one. They do a good job.

October 13th marks the return of Pluto to Venus then on to Jupiter again. There is more to come. Pluto goes retrograde next April and returns yet again to Jupiter for a long station at 5 degrees. Over three months. I find these long stations helpful when they are exact. Developments around this housing issue as well as the whole financial setup will reveal more and more of the truth, something to look forward to in my opinion. The truth is handy. And a secure home is an honest pleasure, something to be highly appreciated no matter how many powder rooms it doesn't have.

The Herd and the Empire

A robust thank you to Sally Cheyne McDonald for posting the Banking Manifesto of 1892 on her blog, Astroworld. It's perfect. It should be written in stone for telling a truth it didn't mean to tell. We as ancestors must hand this on to future generations so their eyes can shine in astonishment. The Communist Manifesto could never compete.

It's also a perfect time to contemplate this document as the dog mauling dog ritual of elections has come around again, and at this juncture, the Democratic dogs are as equally caged and hungry as the Republican ones, both sides being played by their affluent sponsors, and both finding power difficult to sustain as the downward slide of the system meets the light of consciousness. They need a manifesto badly, although it appears that they are eager to let the thing slide into ruin or thereabouts. Imagine the cheap labor pool that awaits these cautious designers should such a thing occur. The original creed might work.

People are understandably reluctant to think about these matters for fear of bringing down their spirits, but it actually works the opposite way. Being smart and savvy, having good sense, and understanding the game are a big boon to the spirits. Not falling for the politicians' hokum is a true pleasure.. Owning your own mind, knowing your principles, developing a loyal bond with your conscience, and trusting something other than them.

I've pondered the question for years, wondering why people allow themselves to be in such an obsequious position in relation to their rulers. I've seen it in many small ways, this hypnotic force that drives people to follow in herds. Why are they led so easily to just about anything? The rulers are led, too, by super rulers, up and up, to god knows what. I don't believe anyone knows who's making the decisions, which is why I hold firm to my view that the collective as a whole is in charge. It might look like the bullish architects of the Manifesto always get their way and will succeed in reducing the people to an even lower status, but there is no guarantee. We acquired small palaces ourselves and now we've tasted the nectar. Who knows where it will land?

So the fleecing is becoming excessive as it does periodically. Is this not a good time to take a look at the situation? The deadlock as it were. This election is a prime example of the dastardly deadlock. Any notions of being saved by anyone right now probably should be abandoned at the door if you are exercising your good sense. Contemplate the Banking Manifesto for an idea of how much change can be expected when you think about today. They are heavily made up to appear otherwise, but everything the politicians do is geared toward bending the public mind and advancing their own power in accordance with these sacred financial principles. Mars in Scorpio is helping to reveal the extent of their desire, especially with the lid on corporate election spending removed. It's quite a production.

The entrance into a golden la-la land sounds wonderful but I'm not purchasing my ticket yet. Not in early Capricorn. I've got too much to do first.

"We (the bankers) must proceed with caution and guard every move made, for the lower order of people are already showing signs of restless commotion [that would be us]. Prudence will therefore show a policy of apparently yielding to the popular will until our plans are so far consummated that we can declare our designs without fear of any organized resistance [that would be soon]. The Farmers Alliance and Knights of Labor organizations in the United States should be carefully watched by our trusted men, and we must take immediate steps to control these organizations in our interest or disrupt them."

Well no kidding. "Our trusted men." One main astrological driver is the Pluto opposition to the US Cancer stellium, with its revelation of parental neglect and the dangers of continuing obedience to a damaged ruling body. Yes, we're being carefully watched by those trusted men with their immediate steps. The punishing of the left wing, the group most interested in justice and equality, tells the fact. The cracking down on dissent, particularly the anti-war groups, is a sign of the increasing authoritarian power squeeze in a sauce of scare by intimidation. You know, secret prisons and all. It's perfectly akin to the parental hand of the British Empire we rebelled against originally now that the Pluto return is in gear.

"When through the process of the law, the common people have lost their homes, they will be more tractable and easily governed through the influence of the strong arm of the government applied to a central power of imperial wealth under the control of the leading financiers. People without homes will not quarrel with their leaders."

Whoo boy. Cancer transits baby! That hits in the heart and belly. The "strong arm of the government. Central power of imperial wealth. People without homes".
They are wrong. I've been without a home of my own most of my life and I never back away from quarreling with leaders. It's an order. They could be in for a surprise.

It happens with all empires. The uprisings of the peasants are as predictable as the suction of power and wealth by the ruling class. They count on the herd instinct as their high card but occasionally the card gets lost and the people revolt. In ways, this is a good time since the rulers are all so achingly obvious in their so-called cunning games. Transparency they didn't count on like the bankers' truth. One could almost pity them if we weren't in such dire economic straits watching them enjoy their fabulous riches without guilt or shame like court fools. Probably they are weakening simply from the excess and the people know it. They're preparing. Survival favors the well adjusted and as profits disappear for the commoners, their harmony with the coming era of contraction increases. The bankers and all of them will be at a disadvantage in the changing times. They have the most to lose. Money is not the answer. Power is probably easier to acquire than to hold.

"History repeats itself in regular cycles. This truth is well known among our principal men who are engaged in forming an imperialism of the world [that would be senoir politicians]. While they are doing this, the people must be kept in a state of political antagonism. By thus dividing voters, we can get them to expand their energies in fighting over questions of no importance to us, except as teachers to the common herd. Thus, by discrete action, we can secure all that has been so generously planned and successfully accomplished."

Well there you have it. Election season. I'm antagonized while they're engaged in forming their little imperial world paradise so generously planned. You bet. New terror alerts right on cue. People getting literally sick to their gizzards of one another. Money all over the place except in my hands. Obscenity and hideous aggression in the air and I happen to be a timid person, so yes. I'm successfully antagonized. Good job.

There is a lot of complaint about the complaints and absence of action or suggestions about what can be done. But now is not a time for solutions since the demolition has just begun and adjustments have to be made as the structural decay of the country is exposed and recognized. Acknowleding the futility of this election and the failures in the air make a fine start. Those who are afraid of a Republican takeover need not worry no matter how many seats they gain. It's just part of the wild two party swing in these economic hard times just as it was in the 1890s when the Banker's Manifesto was declared and a Democratic majority changed to the largest Republican win in history in 1894. Saturn was in Libra as it is now and eventually the seesaw settles. Both parties are incapable of leading and the public will vacillate between the two until economic security returns. It's fairly simple.

When Uranus goes back to Aries and Pluto gets a toehold, answers will start coming, and in due time, solutions. It's good to keep in mind the wave-like nature of events in society and that we're now in a restricted, somewhat depressing down part of the line that must run it's course before it turns up, which is inevitable. Riding the wave is superior to getting caught in the undertow in my estimation.

It's hard sometimes to let go of long held beliefs and dependence on certain groups but something has to give. Comparing and contrasting might give a slight edge to someone or some thing for a fleeting moment but the whole organism is in need of treatment. Maybe there are some new leaders within the herd and if the members could take their eyes off the needy, rather grotesque pantheon of stars today in the public light, they might see possibility. Potential is a fact of life. Sometimes you have to look in unusual places. Sometimes you have to look again. And again, in case you missed it. It can be subtle. Turning away from the ordinary miscreants is not easy but it can be done and dissidents are in tune with that necessity. Even if leadership takes a further dive at first it could be the path to something better when the time determines. It will. Survival requests it. The tuning up of values with Pluto opposing US Venus and Jupiter will bear fruit in the long run.

Well the bankers seem to have their act together. I'd better work on mine.
The Course of Empire: Destruction, Thomas Cole, oil on canvas-1858

A Vote of Confidence

I do understand how fruitless it is to try and soothe your fears. I really really do. But the cosmic war on terror is in full swing and I can't help myself. I'll try yet again.

It honestly doesn't matter what tiny human creature wins what in the overall scheme of things. Nor does it matter which fool political party gets power. It does not change the fundamentals of society. In fact, it works in the opposite direction. The underlying needs of a society at a given time determine the kind of leadership it chooses. And don't worry. Society does choose even if it's a dictator. There is no conspiratorial force of evil trying to get you. Well, it won't, even if there is one. In that regard, who votes for whom or who doesn't vote won't change the fundamentals either. What's the point of eviscerating one another over someone else except to satisfy Mars in Scorpio?

Every two years like clockwork the crowd gets into a monstrous terrified frenzy thinking the end is coming once again. Maybe it's a catharsis of sorts and serves some beneficial purpose but what that goodness is still eludes my comprehension. The governing body is a symbol of the times and the fact of the matter remains -- the United States is in a regressive phase going further into constriction and conservatism. But that's temporary. Your vote won't change the movement since society as a whole needs whatever reality it has. The purpose may be outside your grasp but time puts it all into perspective.

Neither fringe -- right or left -- is destined to overpower the political stage. The needling from both ends is only part of the motivation required to get the country out of paralysis and stagnation. So the panic is not necessary unless it fulfills some personal desire. It's true that hate is exciting and that life is rather routine and boring overall. Lonely, too, so this merging with political strangers can be expected even if it is ultimately not the love you had hoped for. Not at all since hate seems to be dominating the show.

So if you enjoy hatred, by all means indulge yourself. Detesting some two dimensional character on a screen is probably better than hating your best friend. As far as fear goes, that same thing applies but let me issue a small warning. Hate unleashes harmful chemicals in the body and constant stress releases cortisol which creates FAT!! Fat and sickness are not cost effective right now considering the rapidly escalating insurance premiums. It takes discipline, I know, to live well.

Here's the skinny. The ideal thing to do is look at your choices and vote, if you want to, for those who are aligned most closely with your principles. Let your conscience have something to do with the process and mind your own business. Others' votes are a private matter unless they want to reveal it to you. A vote cast in confidence will outshine one cast in fear every time.

The results of the midterm election will be a group decision involving everyone. And it will be the right one. Mars in Scorpio, governing unbridled desires and personal demands, will square Neptune in Aquarius right before the election, so collective goals will likely triumph, that much more so as a result of the difficult conflict, neediness, and over emotionalism of Scorpio. You might love the results, you might hate them, you might be OK with them, or you might be entirely undisturbed and subsequently thin and healthy. If you trust yourself, what difference does it make what another says? If you trust life, you know it will work out all right eventually. The Friday Night Fight approach to relationship does have a downside. A good thing to keep in mind for the lovers of the uplifting and positive.

My vote is for you finding your own confident voices.

Elimination

Mars in Scorpio

Scorpio represents material which is no longer essential and before decay escalates and poisons the system it must be eliminated. Mars is the decisive thrust of separation, and the endings in motion now are part of a larger pattern related to the building Pluto transit through Capricorn. Mars is not always subtle and the natural inclination of Scorpio toward pain is intensified with Mars crossing the sign for six weeks. Fear is part of the process and mysterious undercurrents create a haunting psychological tone in the atmosphere arousing interest in the shadows and perception of multi dimensional threats. What exactly these threats are might never be known. But whatever needs to be excised will be.

I talked extensively about the current administration's chart and the moon at 29 Scorpio, which to me tells the tale best. Mars is headed for that moon and as you've noticed, the elimination is already underway. You might recall that the people involved have a preponderance of Scorpio planets. Those planets are being activated as taunts and Martian bullying are spurting out from everywhere and blame has no idea where to settle in its torrential extrusion. This is all necessary since the times call for destruction and release -- the beginning of the Plutonian process of death and regeneration. In a sense the whole administration should go and on some level it probably will. Plus the splintering of both parties is exactly what is needed at this stage of the country's political evolution.

To those who have awakened, the malaise of the government is clear and although most want to participate in a great healing, the elimination of waste comes first. Neither party is presenting a valuable package and it's quite apparent that the masses aren't too keen on handing them their precious votes. Scorpio governs wealth and to the common citizens, their votes are part of the treasure chest. Government on the cheap has its problems. The begging is unbecoming and if people hold their cards close perhaps the nascent shoots of genuine power can start to crack the earth eventually.

Under these conditions, punishment of those who are withholding their votes is not practical. It could easily be the source of something important. In fact, those who are choosing not to participate could be the most significant part of this election. They are recognizing the potency of an individual voice, with Mars in Scorpio giving them courage to make a stroke of finality in refusing to play this age old game of pretense and humiliation. The multi billions put into propaganda could be better spent if the swindlers knew it wasn't working and if people developed savvy and self respect, the idea behind Capricorn. Adhering to principles, a novel concept, and establishing boundaries. Doing the right thing after conscious consideration.

People vote too fast. Many vote mindlessly and blindly, some staying loyal to vague ancestors who dictated the party line to the family into perpetuity. Some don't know why they vote.
It is a lawful right. Simply. You do with it what you want. You can spend it. You can keep it. You can abuse it. You can treasure it. You can throw it in the dumpster. It's yours. And it's not for others to decide what you should do.

Vote for who you will. At some point people will have to think and act independently if a real democracy is destined to sprout. The winners of the current race are fantastically insignificant. And keep in mind the fact that one party rule is never a good thing no matter how much you hate the opposition. They have less power than you believe. People out of power can come back with a vengeance and they usually do. Those who have total power are weakened by the fear that they can't sustain it. And they can't. Shared power can be advantageous, especially with Saturn in Libra lending a balance scale to the proceedings. Acceptance of the other's presence might be unavoidable.

It's also helpful to keep in mind the end of the nodes in Cancer-Capricorn and the weaning from dependency on politicians I've mentioned so often before. With Pluto on the Capricorn NN and Venus opposite conjunct the Cancer South, a step away from the childlike attachment the country favors could be indicated. I'd grab the opportunity. I think I will. Even the founding fathers could use a break. How can we be led successfully through troubled times with out of control toddlers everywhere having continuous tantrums with what I perceive as mental incapacity? It's hard to decide whether to vote for them or incarcerate them. Maybe day care is the answer, at taxpayers' expense of course.

Whatever happens the destruction of the established order is imminent so the throttling of the parties is not surprising. I don't want a continuation of this government myself and I'm finding more and more people agreeing with me. The sale backfired this time. Now people really do desire change. Maybe. Deliver the goods or my money back. That's the sensible way to do business.

The Spook Factor

Scorpio coupled with Mars can rile up the fear chemicals like crazy and the outlandish panic between the parties is preposterous. Democrats won't perish if a few Republicans win, and they might not even notice any increased suffering after it's said and done. Republicans can relax in the knowledge that their country won't become a Communist haven overnight when Democrats slip off a few hotly contested seats. The whole thing will work itself out no matter who votes for whom. The exaggerated fear of sudden political cataclysm doesn't quite fit. It might turn out that the crowd doesn't get its cataclysm at all, 2012 notwithstanding. Or 2020. Or Pluto or Uranus or Saturn. Or even seven hits, as mystical as that sounds.

Betrayal is a favorite Scorpio subject and it does no harm to understand the feelings of those who spend time, energy, money, and emotion, with dreaded door-knocking, in enthusiastic outpourings for just about anyone. To be disenchanted is inevitable. Anger is a by-product, it ebbs and flows. Slow percolation is better than an exploding pressure cooker if it can be prevented. So maybe the expression of angst is a healthy sign. Oppression and obedience are not healthy, no matter what condiments you dress them with. Pressure has to break out.

Fair Exchange

Perhaps the most beneficial aspect of Scorpio is the art of fair exchange and here's where it gets interesting. Venus is also in Scorpio, the lady of transactions and shared riches. To highlight the drama, Venus is going retrograde in Scorpio very soon and will be there until January repeating the theme of Pluto opposite US Venus. That's a lot of time and energy devoted to the idea of "I'll give you what you desire and you'll give me what I want, satisfaction guaranteed."

And so it starts with the distribution of votes. The people are merely asking that the elected officials deliver some tangibles in exchange for their votes. They're not doing so at present. Who owes whom? What does a vote mean? It's ludicrous to fall for the deception that the people are obligated to the rulers. It's supposed to be the reverse and if they don't recognize that, a fair government will never be born.
The politicians are sponsored by big business and are required to please them first so they throw bits and pieces to the crowd to create the illusion of answering to their needs. The swindle is getting harder to conceal and they are cornered since they still need the votes. This adds to the importance of society's say and maybe this time through the process more understanding of the dynamic is coming into view. The battle could end up to be between the traditional sponsors and the commoners if the people go ahead and exercise their power starting now, and that means withholding votes in some cases. If people's votes are that important then the politicians will have to show how much they value them, without begging or threatening. Most of all, Americans can begin to comprehend the fact that it's not them. Or us. It's all of us. The collective contracts we make are above and beyond the clawing cast of individual characters. They needn't be so bothersome. Who's holding the high card?

As you probably know the wealth distribution is more out of whack than it's ever been and through Mars in Scorpio, then Venus and Pluto, an increasing awareness of the magnitude of the problem is developing. The people are getting it on a visceral level. Scorpio. The rich had a great year. The other 98% of the population didn't fare so well. And the dagger of Mars is driving the knowledge home in between commercials. It's far far beyond the president, his self destructing cabinet, and the congressional aspirants, so regardless how much Mars in Scorpio hurts, no matter how scary it gets, some measure of truth is emerging. Even though it might seem like enemies are lurking in every corner, in the end it's one organism, with all people playing essential roles, supporting this or that as they go. Someone's right choice can easily be another's wrong one. Flexibility is good. The natural curve with the fluidity of Scorpio and Pisces so influential these days.

The always pesky issue of shared power in relationships is scheduled to be in the forefront throughout the retrograde and Saturn in Libra weighs heavily in securing justice and equality. Most important is your own support network, and this transit is an ideal time to establish who is there for you and who can be eliminated, with some forays into revenge, jealousy, betrayal, deep emotional connection, and magnificent shared potent energy -- all those goodies of Scorpio, with Venus and Mars enjoying their intrigues to the fullest. If you don't have anyone to pester you can clean out your closets, garage, basement, and attic, if you have one. You and I both know there's something to discard in those nooks among the cobwebs.