Today is Thursday, Oct. 27, 2011. The Moon is in Scorpio all day, just beginning to wax. But we’re going to interrupt our regularly scheduled coverage of all things Scorpio to bring you an astrological news flash from the Libra-Aries axis: Saturn is opposite Eris. These two bodies have been in the same degree for almost two weeks, and today the opposition is exact down to the arc minute. We’ve been feeling its effects even longer, as it’s been moving closer over the past month.
It’s an opposition between the planet of structure and form (Saturn), and the planet associated with the identity chaos of the modern psyche (Eris). In Libra, Saturn speaks of structured relationships. In Aries, Eris speaks about a chaotic self-concept; it has been in that sign for several decades, and will be for several more. We tend to think this idea of fractured self or deconstructed identity as being something modern – kind of like our understanding of PTSD. But we’ve had this influence since the 1920s, so Eris in Aries is actually one of the hallmarks in the background of the 20th and 21st century Self. It’s just having a conversation with a really strong planet right now.
And, as luck would have it, a few other planets are chiming in here. It’s a little like astrological polyamory: Mars in Leo is trine Eris and sextile Saturn, while Venus and Mercury in Scorpio are quincunx Eris. With that kind of action, what’s an identity to do?
Venus and Mercury in Scorpio are a bit on the pervy queer side, and quincunxes are all about adjustment. Here’s our take on this, in the style of ‘choose your own adventure’. 1. You’re finally going to try gender bending. It is, after all, Halloween — the safest time of the year if you want some cover. 2. You’ve never stopped into the local sex toy store. Haaaappy Thuuuuursdaaaay to youuuuuu… and to your boyfriend, as you walk around the house in your strap-on. 3. You really wanted to get yourself off yesterday in a New Moon ritual in the woods, but couldn’t get out of work before it got dark. Instead, go for it today in the ladies room — especially if it’s a multi-stall bathroom.