On Thursday November 1st at 6:59 PM EDT, Mercury, that ever so slippery silver-tongued God of Communication and Transportation, will 'station' (astro-lingo = technically stand still), albeit just for a moment. He will then do an about face before slowly moving forward once again. On the day of any of the six annual Mercury stations (3 backward and 3 forward), we must all be extra careful while on the road and allow for ample time to get to and from our destinations. And with Neptune, just barely beginning to move forward, how can we not count on Brain Fog ruling the day? Traffic tends to stall, computers go on the fritz, Blackberries act up, as general frustration, misunderstandings, and e-mail misfires are all likely. Many of us- including yours truly, just can't seem to get the marbles out of our mouth.
       Though the import of Election Day 2007 pales in comparison to the one we're gearing up for next year in 08, there are some significant (Philadelphia, San Francisco, Louisiana) mayoral and gubernatorial races to keep an eye on. The tense square between Venus and Pluto on Tuesday November 6th suggests that there might be more drama and excitement than expected. That same day marks the 58th birthday of Ambassador Joseph Wilson, the gallant husband of former CIA agent Valerie Plame. The bright and cool as a cucumber Valerie Plame-Wilson is the author of  Fair Game her account of the last 4 years that followed the vengeful outing by Robert Novak, the right-wing self-proclaimed Prince of Darkness, of her identity as a CIA operative.
      What an inspiration Plame and Wilson are: Brilliant, accomplished, and apparently so devoted to one another and their children. Whoever said that a Scorpio (Wilson) and an Aries (Plame was born April 19, 1963) can't be a likeable team and a great couple? But as the former ambassador begins his second Saturn-return, one wonders how the challenging square between Venus and Pluto (prominent in Wilson's solar return birthday chart) will impact the glamorous couple's life in the coming year? They seem so enviably solid, so picture-perfect, and they embody the very archetype of the ideal marriage. But that particular Venus-Pluto square tends to put even the most devoted partners to the test.

        Ho Ho Ho?
      Christmas is seven weeks away, and the holiday season which begins earlier and earlier each year is upon us already. Mars, the fiery red planet of action and aggression is in the water sign of Cancer. Mars will retrograde on Nov 15th, backs into Gemini after the first of the year, and will remain retrograde through the end of January, stationing for weeks at 24 Gemini. The aspects (especially the opposition between Mars and Pluto) during much of the holiday season, particularly in December and January are extremely tense. People will experience their neediness on a very primal level. Thanksgiving is likely to feel more like group therapy or an episode of 'Curb Your Enthusiasm' than a Hallmark holiday card. But so what? We've all been there. Life has become more intense, demanding, and complicated than Seinfeld or a Neil Simon play. We're living in tougher and less innocent times.
      Astrological information is not meant to frighten or paralyze people. But from the "awareness empowers" department, I've alerted all of my clients to the approaching year-end static and have recommended being extra careful in the stores, the malls, and on the road: Above all, think twice before traveling, especially in December and over the New Year

Chart: Mercury Station Direct

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Weekly Horoscope

ARIES: The relationship between fire and water doesn't have to be adversarial all the time. Your ruling planet, Mars, is in good aspect to the Sun this week, providing plenty of vitality, hope, and keen insight into what makes you tick. But for this to be the good luck charm that it could, you must be receptive and open to the more sensitive-feeling part of your nature. Mercury direct in your 7th house of partnership makes for greater communication between you and one or more key players in your life. Meet 'em all at least half way.

TAURUS: Why question or doubt your sense of timing when it's usually incredibly dead on? So...if you've been waiting to speak up about something very important involving a work situation, and you get the urge to do it, don't put it off. Mercury, the ruler of your second house of income and 5th house of creativity, love, and fun will move forward this week. The sensitive-water alliance between the Sun, Uranus, and Mars in your chatty air houses assures that you can do no wrong if you speak from your soul. No matter what, don't be defensive.

GEMINI: What seemed like the darkest hour just a few days ago has miraculously morphed into a world of infinite possibilities. Mercury, your ruling planet, is turning direct in your creative 5th house: Love is definitely in the air and back on the table. What was a big fat "No" yesterday is a big fat "Yes" today. Your money houses are flowing with gold and opportunity: the only thing stopping you from cashing in nicely is the fear of asking for what you're worth. Don't settle. As Cher said in 'Moonstruck', "Snap out of it."

CANCER: There's romance in the air but your attention is divided between 2 loves- a two-legged one and your home! As Mercury moves forward, you'll be able eke out enough time to finish a home improvement project that you've wanted to complete before the holidays. One word of caution- with Mars in your first house about to stand still, you'll want to make sure that any potentially dangerous equipment is in the hands of a pro who knows what their doing. This isn't the time for a major demo or an add on. That should wait till mid-March.

LEO: As Mercury turns direct in your chatty 3rd house late on November 1, you'll begin to feel comfortable enough to share several things that have been on your mind for weeks if not months. Clearing the air with your nearest and dearest will not only bring a welcome sense of relief, but in a roundabout way it could favorably impact your finances. The positive 'grand trine' between the Sun, Mars, and Uranus in your sensitive water houses heightens your intuition and psychic ability. Don't second guess yourself.

VIRGO: Deep down inside you've always known that the vibrancy of your financial life is completely dependent on two things: 1) Being clear about what you love to do, and 2) Seeing to it that you have both the time and the privacy to do it well. This week, as your ruler Mercury moves forward in your 2nd house of income and values, it's in your best interest to reassess and redefine what's most important to you and to create and reinforce the necessary structure to support it.

LIBRA: For the past few weeks, you've been reconnecting with old contacts while collecting the necessary information to make some significant and possibly life changing moves. With so much falling into place and Mercury moving forward in your sign, some action is required. But Mars is stationing at your all-important  career-defining Midheaven and is about to go retrograde. Wisdom, good judgment, and the elimination of as many distractions as possible will be needed during the next few months to find the right balance between action and retreat.

SCORPIO: As a rule, you struggle with a lack of faith in the universe, your ability to let nature take its course, and with finding a good reason to trust people. And to a certain extent, you're right. But that kind of thinking gets you nowhere. Just as an experiment, see if you can-for an hour each day, practice letting go and expecting the best. With your co-ruler Mars, in your 9th house of ethics and morals, it's a good time to work on the philosophical aspect of your existence and see if you can improve and expand. Hint: Emotional awareness leads to a spiritual awakening.

SAGITTARIUS: First the good news: With Mercury turning direct in your communal 11th house, your vision for the future and the right crowd to build it with gets a positive shot in the arm. And-you can expect a partner more willing to participate and contribute. The not so good news, is that the grand trine in water in your psychic houses has you craving much more privacy and alone time than usual, so that you yourself are not up for connecting all that much. How you handle being pulled in separate directions prepares you for a new level of understanding and eventual teaching.

CAPRICORN: The career frustration and the sense of working in a vacuum for the last few weeks, has been  annoying and unfair. But help is on the way: Mercury, going forward in your 10th house, will dissolve the delays and at the very least, restore a sense of teamwork where needed. Enjoy the collaborative flow between energetic Mars, unpredictable Uranus, and the Sun in your communication houses this week, and glean whatever inspiration you can from it all. You're in the last throws of a cycle in which you've had to master Interdependence 101. 

AQUARIUS: The only thing preventing you from thoroughly enjoying the supportive energy in your money-work-career triad is your claustrophobia and fear of being overwhelmed by the energy of those who wish you well. Can you honestly blame people who are happy for you and want to show it? Your need for 'space' is legitimate, but try to set it aside for the time being? A partner or significant other needs access to the private sanctuary of your 9-5 existence. He (or she) is about to help you in ways you never thought possible. Don't get in the way.

PISCES: If a partner or someone close that you've counted on has waffled and has been hard to pin down, in these past few weeks, give 'em a shout and another chance. They may be ready to put their money where their mouth is. The truth is, they hadn't gotten their financial act together and were ashamed to admit it. But that was then and now is now!  If a church or temple official approaches you for inspiration and guidance- why be shocked? Take it as the complement that it is and so what's expected. Ministers are born, being ordained is merely a formality.

© Shelley Ackerman, 2007.
No parts of this article may be used or reprinted without written permission from the author.