It’s the Most Intense Political Week of the Year, and Astrological Wild Cards Are on the Table

Coming off a very erratic full moon, we enter into an incredibly politically tense week. Mercury stations direct, ending his retrograde journey, which began October 13, on November 3. This means we head into the pivotal election week with many astrological wild cards on the table. But—aside from the absolute top priority of exercising the right to vote—what’s key in the week ahead is to find joy.

As we set the clocks back and adjust to shorter days, longer nights, and more time navigating the dark, consciously conjuring joy is medicinal, especially as we cast our ballots and navigate the stress of election day. Yet, maintaining joy this week will require extraordinary discipline given the double Mercury square to Saturn. He squares Saturn on Sunday while retrograde, then again on Friday, meaning the entire week is dominated by the planet of discipline’s impact, including Mercury’s station. Mercury, who represents our mind and nervous system, in a square to hard-knuckled Saturn in Capricorn for an entire week, which means we are going to need to befriend Saturn’s influence.

Saturn represents rules and is the planet of structure, known for his capacity to limit options under the auspices of hard work. So not just setting the intention for joy, but doing the work to conjure it, is essential now.

Saturn represents rules. He is the planet of structure, and he’s known for his capacity to limit options under the auspices of hard work. This is why not just setting the intention for joy, but doing the work to conjure it, is essential now. With so much up in the air politically, and the potential for contested election results in the days ahead, it’s necessary to stay focused on what you can control: yourself.

This hard-hitting Mercury square Saturn combination asks us to let go of what’s no longer working, needed, or serving us. As the moon wanes from full back to new again, it invites us to release the old and outdated. Here are a few ways you can support this potential for transformation:

1. 1.
   Do what you must to obtain a sense of catharsis in your life.
2. 2.
   Sing, dance, breathe, go for a long walk, and pray.
3. 3.
   Do the worthy work of setting boundaries, saying no, ending relationships that no longer serve you, and committing to practices and people who do.

Meanwhile, Venus in Libra makes some important aspects this week, too. On Sunday, she opposes Chiron in Aries, inviting you to make peace with your wounds. Remember, some scars never totally go away, but we can learn to live with them and develop empathy for others (and ourselves) because of their lessons. Then on Tuesday, she forms an inconjunct to Uranus in Taurus, asking us to release that which isn’t aligned with our needs and obstructs our ability to express our core values.

Mars, who is retrograde until November 13, makes an inconjunct to the sun, too. Like the Mercury square Saturn transit, this aspect perfects on Saturday, November 7, and invites us to look at what is draining our energy and make the changes we know we must.

As the week closes out, Jupiter catches up to Pluto at 22 degrees of Capricorn, amplifying the energy of Pluto’s disruptive focus on bringing shadows out of the dark and into the light. Jupiter and Pluto, together, an aspect that has shaded the entire COVID-19 explosion of 2020, is a reckoning force. Jupiter expands whatever he touches, and Pluto, who rules the death-rebirth cycle, brings us into our power. This aspect officially perfects next week on November 12, but it’s certainly in play now.

Stay true to your desires now to make the most of this. Jupiter and Pluto, together with Saturn nearby in Capricorn, have correlated with a crazy-hard year, but they are also known to bring incredible shifts, like expanding joy and growth. It’s a double-edged sword, which is why, now more than ever, it’s essential to stay focused on joy. Even amid so much uncertainty—especially amid uncertainty—remember to do what you must to feel and experience pleasure.

Jennifer Racioppi is the creator of Lunar Logic—a philosophy that integrates the deep wisdom of both science and spirituality, and blends her expertise in astrology, positive psychology, and women’s health—which she uses to coach high-achieving female entrepreneurs to reach their next level of success. Pre-order her book, Cosmic Health (January 2021), here.

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