Currently (10/16/14) we have the Sun, Venus (debilitated), Mercury (retrograde) and Rahu all within four degrees of one another in the sign of Virgo. Mercury is combust the Sun, meaning they are sharing the same degree ,and Venus is within one degree of Rahu,  This is not a pretty picture ,especially as we head  toward the eclipse on the 23rd of this month.

Virgo is the sign of health and tends to exhibit a high degree of nervous energy, adding fuel to the fire with minds that lean toward worry. The fact that Rahu and the upcoming eclipse are involved in this intense conjunction is adding far too much drama with regard to this month’s media freak-out regarding “Ebola.” I’m not downplaying the situation, but excessive fear and worry never really helps any situation. Years of experience in watching the planets have led to the knowledge that whenever the eclipse points get involved in a situation, the worries never actually match the situation. “Doctors Without Borders” has been treating Ebola patients since 1976 – it stands to reason that if this virus was easily transmitted, we would have experienced a pandemic a long time ago. During the times of the eclipses, it is always best not to trust either the media or our own mental fears. There just tends to be more drama than facts during eclipse energy.

Even without the eclipse, when planets are this closely conjunct the Sun, the energy pushes us toward intensity of ego and impulsive reactions. The fact that Mercury retrograde has now jumped into the fray does not lean towards emotional and mental balance nor does common sense play a big role in decisions or actions.

The Sun moves into Libra tomorrow (the 17th) which will “begin” the process of breaking up the Virgo stellium and removing some of the fiery ego from the picture. Venus moves into his home sign of Libra on the 19th which is a positive movement for all of us on planet earth.

We will have the solar eclipse on the 23rd, but we might not feel much of an improvement until after the eclipse. This eclipse is the solar eclipse which is the New Moon for the month. The New Moon energy tends to be emotional but low in energy. Some may move from heightened fear and drama into emotional discouragement. It is best to not plan to do too much during this time as the physical energy is going to be low. Once Mercury goes direct on the 25th, cooler heads may begin to prevail, traffic might get better, and technology may run more smoothly.

During the next ten days, it is best to do whatever is necessary to remain calm and neutral because so much of what we are hearing and reading is, at best, filled with hyperbole. Far too many people are grasping the fears and reacting from fears which are not always based on good information. It is always our choice to direct our own state of mind and, at this point in time, it is best to find ways to relax and even find ways to enjoy ourselves.