The final Mercury Retrograde phase of the year is over, the retrogrades of 2014 are finally behind us, and all the planets that drive the mechanics of daily life—Mercury, Venus, and Mars—are in fast-forward, quickening the pace of regular routines and, perhaps, making some of us wish that the wheels of life weren’t moving quite so quickly. But not to worry: For those seeking a crawl, Neptune is retrograde until November 16, Jupiter goes retrograde on December 8, AND Uranus remains retrograde until December 15.
 
But this week’s new pace isn’t necessarily about fastening your seatbelts, although being prepared for maximum warp would be a wise choice. The next nine weeks are about figuring how to find and maintain a wholesome balance in the midst of an end-of-the-year acceleration that not only ties together the loose ends of the last ten months, but also wipes clean the memory of the first half of the year when we were stuck in retrograde hell. What’s more, even if you are never in a hurry and have never had a Mad Hatter day in your life, you’re likely to feel the need to rush. So breathe deeply as often as necessary, and try to prioritize your time and energy. And when possible, encourage your fellow travelers to take life in comfortable strides.
 
The next few weeks are dominated by Mars, the archetype of the warrior who can be devoted to battle or to the service of a Greater Good.
 
Mars begins a conjunction to Pluto on November 4, a conjunction that is exact and separating on Tuesday, November 10 and lingers through November 18. This is a pernicious aspect that symbolizes the compulsive need to have it your way—and your way only. Brutal methods are often associated with this configuration. 

Try not to be dictatorial or insistent, and instead devote your efforts to peacemaking. The problem is that keeping the peace is impossible, if only because as soon as Mars moves out of exact contact with Pluto, Mars immediately moves into a square with Uranus, another difficult aspect that further fuels urges to use sheer brute force to achieve goals.

And together, this entire bundle amplifies all the places and people in the world already inflamed with the madness of violence and war. Its power could be used to facilitate peace through creative solutions, but using that power positively will require great discipline and devotion to a Higher Power that can restore the sanity of everyone—not just addicts.
 
The Mars/Pluto conjunction happens at the same degree as the third Uranus/Pluto conjunction on May 20, 2013, and when Mars is exactly square Uranus it activates the same degree as the Grand Cross on April 21 of this year. Be prepared to revisit experiences, feelings, insights or encounters with people related to events that occurred at those significant points.

Keep in mind as you reflect on the recent past that we are moving toward the sixth Uranus/Pluto square, which takes place on December 12. As soon as Mars triggers those points in the first weeks of November we will move inexorably toward that December date.

These squares have catalyzed personal, political, individual, and collective movements for independence. And as this planetary cycle continues to unfold, so does the process of evolution. These are not easy times, but they are times that temper the heart and forge the soul.
 
On a softer note, the Sun and Venus are still traveling together, and their conjunction, in Scorpio, stimulates sensual desire and harmonious interactions in general. Unfortunately, they aren’t likely to generate enough beauty, even in Scorpio, to produce a healing balm for the world.

Ralfee Finn @ stariq.com