It looks as though we are, at last, getting a month of great dynamism, with much more positivity than has been available for some time. Obviously, the processes of change, growth, healing and transformation don't simply stop, but it is good to have periods of sunnier astrological weather at the same time. It is also Scorpio's month, even more so than usual, with five planets and two major asteroids going through it, including a very juicy conjunction of Sun, Mars and Venus.

The sheer sexual and creative dynamism of this alone is worth celebrating and Scorpio doesn't mind the additional turning up of the dial on this part of its core self. It is also a highly creative combination that would be good to channel into healthy outlets, as Mars adds fire, confidence and "grunt" to the aesthetic sensitivities and grace of Venus. This creative and sexual potency is also taken up a number of notches by the electric Uranus, which forms a trine of great, fluid voltage to the conjunction. All of which can do much to revitalize relationships that have gone a little stale, by encouraging us to break out from routine and habits that make life too mundane. Not to do so would produce unnecessary stresses, as there is just too much energy in this combination to be sat on, without some explosive reactions.

The passion that the Scorpion injects into its love life is reflected by the old joke that "Scorpio's don't have relationships... they take hostages!" A Venus/Mars conjunction adds more fuel to our sex drive, as well as desires and passions of all sorts. But how well it works depends very much on how integrated the masculine and feminine parts of self are at any time. Mars wants to rise to meet love while Venus longs to draw it down from the heavens. Mars needs to express its drive and its desire, while Venus invites through attraction and sometimes seduction. As an archetypal couple one without the other is incomplete and produces imbalances, too much of one, not enough of the other. Venus in Scorpio is a deeply sensual, emotionally powerful aspect of the feminine, while Mars in Scorpio is an ardent, smouldering, even ruthless energy in pursuit of its desires. Both are dangerous energies if thwarted and can produce some deep trauma and some spectacular battles if their combined energy becomes skewed. When moving well though, especially along with the influence of the Sun and Uranus, they can produce some of the deepest of heart to heart connections, as well as some almost transcendent sexual experiences.

We must expect, though, some challenges around our relating and our sexuality at this time, not just because of the depth and the high energy of the above, but from a square from Chiron and the centaur asteroid Nessus together in Aquarius, to the Venus/Mars/Sun combination. The Chiron connection seeks to heal the masculine by bringing up old issues to do with anger, disappointment and the undermining of confidence by unseen emotional forces while we were growing up. Nessus also represents the experience of abuse, violence, alcoholism and sexual invasion at the hands of the masculine, as well as opportunities for the healing of such wounds. Their presence together for the next months doubles up on the themes of healing of the masculine and its negative influences on our identity, sexuality and creativity. This more immediate focus on our relating, sexually and otherwise, adds a darker edge to the abundant energies found in Scorpio for the month. Not a good time to put yourself in potentially dangerous places! Also be aware that the kind of very powerful emotional and sexual experiences that can come at this time, however opening and releasing, can activate some ancient issues in self and/or beloved. And here lies the opportunity for healing, if understood and handled well.

The other great thing about the month is an exact conjunction of Mercury and Jupiter, one of the best of mind-expanding combinations we can have. The eagle-like Jupiter takes the normal functionings of the mind into places of great elevation, which can open us to far greater possibilities than the more conservative aspects of our thinking processes can allow. Jupiter opens us to greater options in the immediate situation, but also draws our attention to the big pictures of lifestyle choices, of how to create more abundance spiritually and materially, and of what we want to create for our future, both personally and collectively. On a day-to-day basis, this combination simply gives us a more positive, optimistic and confident frame of mind that both attracts good opportunities and gives off a lot of light and grace for others, as long as we don't fall into the trap of arrogance, judgementalism and self righteousness. Before we get carried away though - another Jupiterian trap - Saturn is squaring the Mercury/Jupiter conjunction and so challenging these higher flights of the mind to see how realistic, practical and achievable are some of the great schemes, ideas and possibilities that emerge when Jupiter takes us upwards. This often necessary anchoring can feel like the dream stealers and the inner critics in our heads, and for some this will be true as Jupiter/Saturn squares represent the battles between growth and contraction within. But with Jupiter having at least technically the upper hand, Saturn can actually save us from flights of fantasy that waste a lot of energy and help us identify what goals are worthwhile and achievable. Getting the balance right is one of the results of the alchemical struggle between these two big energies - eventually. As long as we can stay grounded and conscious, we can enjoy the best of the expansiveness of this time, as well as learn more about what rips us off from living a rich and passionate life. And enjoy this break in the weather!

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