Sun-Neptune: Slippery When Wet

Today is Monday, Sept. 19, 2011. This is a week of expert-level astrology; the coming five days call for discernment, perspective and consciously maintaining your integrity. The Sun is making its way through the last four degrees of Virgo, approaching the Libra equinox on Friday.

As the Sun covers these anaretic (late, critical) degrees of the sign, it makes a quincunx (150 degree angle) to Neptune in late Aquarius. Approached unconsciously, this could manifest as a trap, including a trap that you set for yourself. Therefore, be cautious in advance. Sun-Neptune aspects can have a kind of narcotic quality, enticing one to suspend awareness without realizing that’s what’s going on.

Notice when you’re nodding off and take action to keep yourself awake. The little jolt that saves you could be some weird development, catching yourself or someone else in a lie, or making an error that didn’t have consequences as bad as it might have. Under this astrology there is no such thing as a ‘minor’ incident or accident — anything can develop in a negative way, so nip any bad habits before they facilitate a bigger problem.

While I would never advise anyone to set aside empathy, there is a chance that your own good will can be used against you, so make sure you know who you’re helping, if you’re called upon to assist anyone. Check the situation out carefully and ask questions, including finding out what happened to the last person who helped out. Check the veracity of anything you hear that could influence your life.

As mentioned, the Sun is changing signs, and a new season begins — that happens Friday. Till then, we are at the end of several cycles (Sun through a sign, Sun at the end of a hemisphere, Moon waning toward new phase), and that calls for patience. Rushing would be one of the worst things you can do now, and rushing is just what you might be inclined to do, on several accounts. For one thing, Venus is already in Libra, along with Saturn — that might feel like the new season/cycle/sign has already started, and that the details at the end of the old cycle can be skipped. I suggest you focus on resolution, closure and taking care of the seemingly small matters and going over the fine print as the Sun finishes its time in Virgo.

Meanwhile Mars changed signs from Cancer to Leo Sunday evening. A hot, fiery planet like Mars will have a ‘go for it’ feeling as it passes through the first degree or two of Leo, which have the feeling of impetuous conduct and over-zealous ambition. It’s necessary to temper the feeling of wanting to win the game with broad-minded awareness and perspective, a fact emphasized by how close Mercury is to the Sun.

Sun-Neptune making a tense angle, plus Mars in Leo, all calls for caution with alcohol and other substances that might affect your judgment. If you make a decision under the influence of something, check it out the next day to make sure you still think it’s the right thing to do. Be careful about over-exerting yourself physically, such as in a workout routine. Mars in Leo might entice some people to get back to the gym; don’t push yourself too hard as you get back into the process.

And I suggest you skip any unnecessary competition. That kind of ‘whatever it takes to win’ can cloud over the very judgment that you will need this week as the Sun and Neptune meet up in two of the most mental signs, which we could sum up simply as slippery when wet. If you’re in a dispute, don’t get lost in the fog of war. Take each step consciously, rather than any embarking on kind of flying leap from which you cannot turn back. Once the Sun enters the new sign Friday, you should have all the validation you need that your care, patience and alertness paid off.

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