After a super long stay in analytical but practical Virgo and fresh off of opposing both Jupiter and Uranus where he might have been challenged to expand thought processes and think outside the box, Mercury now spends the next three weeks in objective and fair-minded Libra.

Mercury's first week in cerebral Libra offers him a chance to mull over what his opposition with Jupiter and Uranus may have stirred as he gains focus from a square with Pluto (Oct. 4-6), followed by a conjunction with Saturn (Oct. 7-9) where he's able to solidify plans, develop ideas, etc. Mercury's conjunction with Saturn also occurs at the heels of the Libra-New Moon (Oct. 7), offering new beginnings...renewals.

Mercury governs all manners of mental activity, communication, writing/publishing, and short travels. In Virgo, he is practical, analytical, and discriminating. In Libra, Mercury is social, friendly, collaborative, and requires understanding both sides on any situation before making any judgements or decisions. At best, Mercury in Libra is fair-minded, charming and diplomatic. At worst, indecisive, gullible but bossy.

On the day Mercury enters Libra, Venus (love & money) and Mars (action & motivation) perfect their conjunction in Scorpio, who prefers decisions/actions to yield long-term results. With three planets in Libra (the Sun, Saturn & Mercury) coupled with Venus and Mars blending energies, relationships may be foremost on our minds -- may it be our personal relationships (love, family, close friendships, etc.) or business (superiors, employees, colleagues, contacts, etc.) or with the self (issues with self-worth or self-concept). Mercury enters Libra on October 3 at 8:04 a.m. PST / 11:04 a.m. EST, where he remains until October 20.

While in Libra, Mercury will align with the following celestial bodies (all dates reflect North America Pacific time zone; allow +/-2 days for life span of influence):

• October 4 ~ Mercury square Pluto. covered above
• October 8 ~ Mercury conjunct Saturn. covered above; Also today, Venus begins her retrograde cycle in Scorpio lasting until November 18.
• October 16 to 19~ Mercury conjunct the Sun; quincunx Jupiter-rx then Uranus-rx; trine Neptune-rx and Chiron-rx. Diplomacy in interactions. Finding voice to thoughts/ideas. Compassion. Understanding. If blocked mentally, be mindful to think outside the box or seek counsel from an unlikely candidate or be open to accepting help from unexpected sources. Unique solutions may be required to remedy situations. Also during this period, the Sun is also quincunx Jupiter/Uranus and trine Neptune/Chiron, enhancing the impact of Mercury's alignments.

How might Mercury's transit in Libra influence you? Look to the natal house/s ruled by Libra. Match the sign with the house cusp/s on your birth chart. Use the list of zodiac signs below to identify the Libra zodiac sign on your birth chart then click here for a brief explanation of Mercury transiting those houses.





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For those without a birth chart, you may use your Sun sign or Rising/Ascendant sign, if you know it. Look for your Sun and/or Rising Sign below then click here for a brief explanation of Mercury's transit in those houses transiting those solar and/or natal houses.

• Aries-Sun or Aries-Rising ~ 7th house
• Taurus-Sun or Taurus Rising ~ 6th house
• Gemini-Sun or Gemini-Rising ~ 5th house
• Cancer-Sun or Cancer-Rising ~4th house
• Leo-Sun or Leo-Rising ~ 3rd house
• Virgo-Sun or Virgo-Rising ~ 2nd house
• Libra-Sun or Libra-Rising ~ 1st houses
• Scorpio-Sun or Scorpio-Rising ~ 12th house
• Sagittarius-Sun or Sagittarius-Rising ~ 11th house
• Capricorn-Sun or Capricorn-Rising ~ 10th house
• Aquarius-Sun or Aquarius-Rising ~ 9th house
• Pisces-Sun or Pisces-Rising ~ 8th house

Alternatively, you may cast your own birth chart for use as reference -- birth date, time, and place required.

Are you celebrating a birthday? Schedule a session for a Solar Return (birthdays), Synastry (relationships/compatibility) or 3-Chart Package Reading (detailed natal & overall outlook for the next 12 months). Or give the gift of insight.

Have a question or need a quote for a more customized reading, ask me here. Or feel free to cruise on over to the AstroCreeps and TarotFreaks Forum* to start or join a discussion.

What significance do planets, signs, and houses have in astrology? Planets have the function, the job to do. The style/manner they will use get that job done is defined by the zodiac sign they occupy. Where in our life the job gets done is determined by the house the planet occupies/transits. So, when Mars (aggression) is in Aries (bold), he is more assertive than when he is in Cancer (sensitive). When traveling through the 10th house (professional life), he may bring his confidence and motivation in matters relating to our career. While in the 11th house (friendships), we may be more inclined to having our social calendar packed with activities. Having the foresight for what may be coming up or receiving confirmation on what may be happening now are ways astrology can be beneficial ... as above, so below.

Related articles:

• Transiting Sun in Natal Houses
• Current Planetary Transits
• Solar Returns Explained ~ your personal year
• Sun in Libra ~ September 22 to October 23, 2010
• Saturn's Initial Transit in Libra ~ October 29, 2009 to April 7, 2010
• Saturn Re-enters Libra ~ July 21, 2010 to October 5, 2012

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"Justin Ballantine - Libra" - Image credit and copyright to DC Comics & Newsrama via comicvine.