Greetings to you from the hot and toasty canyon of Topanga. Here’s another look at the astrological line-up, enjoy!

At the fall equinox the year starts to coil in on itself. The days get ever shorter and the nights stretch out to maximum length. With the diminishing of light comes are certain seriousness. The kids enter school again, grown-ups focus on the plans ahead, there is a collective move toward completion.
The impending darkness is traditionally counterbalanced by much celebration: Halloween, Day of the Dead and Thanksgiving all open the door for Advent and the traditional ‘return of the light’ celebrations of the winter solstice.

Currently there is an ongoing Uranus Saturn opposition: the celestial taskmaster is having it out with the revolutionary, maverick, or bratty teenager. It’s about creating new forms of working and being. Anything that feels tight or constricted, will want to bust loose or find a way to expand. Anything that’s too utopian, ungrounded will come in for a reality check. Focus on finding your equilibrium, get ready to expand or contract as needed. Flexibility rules.
This topic will become amplified big time by the beginning of 2010 as this opposition moves into the cardinal signs of Aries & Libra, with both planets in square aspect to Pluto in Capricorn.

Libra, Sep 22 - Oct 21

Libra folks, being by nature inclined to fair play, esthetics and balance are experiencing a wild ride these days. Especially those that are born in the very first and last few days of the sign should fasten their seatbelts and take a deep breath.

Sep 23, Sun squares Pluto
This aspect comes with assertiveness, being ready and willing to face a challenge. Go ahead, make things happen.

Sep 29, Mercury SD
As Mercury dislodges from it’s backwards motion it’s high time for progress. No more hesitating, procrastinating or indecisiveness. Get busy, get going and do your thing.

Oct 4, Full Moon 11* Aries
This is a passionate Moon, likely to bring up intense feelings, steamy romantic encounters and shortened fuses all the way around.

Oct 7, Mercury conjunct Saturn
A fine day to revisit your agreements, focus on what needs to be done, and make plans for the future. You may also feel uncommonly tongue tied and have difficulty getting you message across. Practice patience and perseverance.

Oct 10, Sun trine Jupiter, Mercury square Pluto
Even though it’s the weekend, today is excellent for power talks and negotiations. Also facilitates study, letters and expanding ones social horizons.

Oct 12, Jupiter SD
Think big! Generosity and kindness are indicated. It’s okay to focus on the big picture, never mind the gritty details. Good for progress of any kind.

Oct 17, New Moon 25* Libra
The Moon trines the Jupiter, Chiron and Neptune in Aquarius: makes for great imagination, spurts of creativity, as it facilitates working with pictures and images, also visionary experiences. Enjoy! The air signs (Aquarius, Gemini, Libra) may need a bit of grounding today.

Scorpio, Oct 22 - Nov 20

Resilient, sexy and tenacious the Scorpios can be the tough cookies of the Zodiac. This resiliency may be well applied in the professional area these days, as their planet Pluto is making it’s way through Capricorn.

Oct 29, Sun square Mars, Saturn enters Libra
This can feel tense and edgy. The past is all gone and the future hasn’t quite manifested yet. Good for venturing into new territory.

Nov 2, Full Moon 10* Taurus, Venus trine Neptune
This’ll light up the annual Halloween / Day of the Dead celebrations, also good for romantic get-togethers. Passion rules!

Nov 4, Neptune SD
Intuition is at an all time high, and ’life is stranger than fiction’ these days. Your dreams may be more lucid or vivid than usual. Keep a notepad handy.

Nov 5, Sun conjunct Mercury
This opens deep insights into the working of things. Creates connectivity, which is good for outreach, studies and networking. .

Nov 10, Sun squares Jupiter
This goal oriented aspect is all about gathering energy. Make an effort to get ahead. .

Nov 15, Saturn square Pluto
The first of 3 squares in the next 3 months. Check the news for political shifts, the beginning of new power structures.

Nov 16, New Moon 25* Scorpio
An excellent time for going deep, either by introspection, counseling or the healing arts.

Nov 19, Venus square Mars
Likely to bring up latent relationship issues. Good for conflict resolution, dealing with the status quo.

Sagittarius, Nov 21 - Dec 20
The first week of Sag, Nov 23 - 30, comes with lots of minor Venus and Mercury aspects. It’s easy to connect with others, to share ideas and pleasant social activities.

Dec 1, Full Moon 10* Gemini, Uranus SD, Venus enters Sag
Variety is the spice of life, as Uranus triggers unusual ideas and solutions, and Venus in Sag loves adventure. Look out for sudden weather changes.

Dec 7, Mercury conjunct Pluto
Time to get to the bottom of things. Good for research, analysis and revelations of secrets.

Dec 10, Sun trine Mars
Here you can shine brightly, especially if you’re a fire sign (Aries, Leo or Sag) Comes with courage, pride and gutsy action.

Dec 16, New Moon 25* Sagittarius,
Here the Moon conjuncts the galactic center, which makes for easy access to the cosmic matrix. Good for downloading wisdom and understanding of the big picture.

Dec 17, Venus trine Mars
A fine time for couples, romance and pair bonding. Love Rules!

Dec 20, Mars SR, Jupiter conjunct Neptune
Mars turns retrograde until Mar 10, 2010. More on this in the next issue. The holiday season will be more mellow, graceful and compassionate, especially compared to last years… Enjoy!

To be continued

“A Slice of Heaven” is a quarterly Astrology column about making good use of the planetary influences. Lola Babalon is a Topanga Psychic, Astrologer and Herbalist. She provides spiritual counsel, hands-on healing and no-nonsense readings for individuals, couples and groups. She also produces local herb tinctures, fine aphrodisiac Love-potions and can be found online at www.sexpeace.net 310/455-0103