This Last Quarter Chart is complicated and fascinating.
There are two T-squares here. In one, the Moon squares both the Sun and Saturn who oppose each other. In the other, Mercury and Venus (now retrograde) square Mars and Pluto, also opposing.
The first T-square speaks to the Last Quarter itself:
The Moon rests in the second decan of Cancer, which Austin Coppock names the Walled Garden, protected and secure. The sense of safety can make this Moon overconfident.
The Sun in the second decan of Libra can be diplomatic, but lacks energy, which can make them too easy-going.
Saturn in the middle of Aries can feel either trapped or on top of things, depending on how much experience he has in his current situation. T. Susan Chang, in her book 36 Secrets (which pairs the Rider Waite Smith tarot with Coppock’s decans), sees this section of Aries as a place for hopeful effort.
So, there’s a dual message: If we feel really comfortable, it’s time to check all systems and make sure the perimeter is secure. If we’re feeling unsettled and challenged, we keep moving forward with hope as well as caution.
The second T-square connects the Venus and Mercury retrogrades through Scorpio to an intense Mars–Pluto opposition.
Mars at the beginning of Leo is strong and confident. Possibly too confident. This Mars believes what he says and does will define any situation. All eyes on Mars.
Pluto in early Aquarius finds himself in a place of exile. In some ways, though, Pluto is always in exile. His world, his sphere of influence, is not “normal life.” His world is the underworld.
The Mars–Pluto opposition could signify conflict in which Mars believes he will triumph because he’s so fiery and powerful and everyone is focused on him. Meanwhile, Pluto is the immovable object with deep roots and more history than Mars can imagine. Other possibilities include Pluto putting a stop to Mars’ plans before they begin, or Pluto escalating or magnifying the consequences of Mars’ actions.
Mercury (still direct) and Venus (newly retrograde) square them both. Mercury will reach an exact conjunction with Venus on October 6, then move into late Scorpio, where they’ll begin their retrograde.
The exact Mars-Venus square will be October 10. Mars-Venus squares often bring revelations about relationships, but also violence in the context of relationships, and sexual violence as well. These topics are much in the news right now; we may see more updates over the next week or so.
Venus squared Pluto on September 15 when she first entered Scorpio and Pluto was retrograde. A second square will perfect October 20, with Venus retrograde and Pluto direct. The third square series will occur December 9, with both Pluto and Venus direct.
Venus-Pluto squares can bring revelation of secrets related to all things Venusian, including relationships but also art, creativity, performance, diplomacy, and wealth. All three conjunctions occur at 03º Scorpio and Aquarius.
Venus’ retrograde in Scorpio brings parallels with the ancient story of the goddess Inanna and her trip to the underworld. It’s a very Plutonian journey, in which Inanna must release every insignia of wealth and power as she descends, only to be killed by her own sister when she arrives. She does survive, but is transformed.
So it’s interesting to note that T. Susan Chang links the first decan of Aquarius, where we find Pluto, to the difficult 5 of Swords and the story of Inanna’s descent.
We’re invited to travel very deeply during this Venus retrograde, without shirking or looking back. We’ll need to trust that what we learn will be worth the journey. It was for Inanna, queen and goddess.
Mercury is also important. At the beginning of Scorpio, they’re full of curiosity and cunning. Can we expect Mercury to facilitate the process of uncovering the most interesting and meaningful secrets?
These two powerful T-squares are connected. The Moon trines Mercury and Venus. Pluto still connects to Uranus and Neptune with a trine and sextiles. And Mercury sits at the apex of a yod with Uranus and Neptune across the base. If the solution to the problem a yod presents through whatever opposes the apex, we’re looking at Chiron retrograde in the final degree of Aries, in a degree-based opposition to Mercury.
What do we need to heal within ourselves to make it through this maze of connections and crossed wires? We may not know right now, but this Venus retrograde journey will have some of the answers.
Key questions are: What do we most care about, value, and want to protect? (Moon in Cancer) What conflicts, internal or external, are getting in the way of our desires? (Mars and Pluto squaring Venus and Mercury) What must we do to resolve those conflicts? (the Venus retrograde, Mercury retrograde, and Chiron)
Title adapted from an image by Marissa Garrido on Unsplash
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