Halloween/Samhain/Day of the Dead

My first Halloween in the U.S. in six years…gone are the trips to the supermarket where candy skulls, sugar cane, and pan de muerto are everywhere. I’m back in the land of, “What? Christmas stuff already???” But still, this week of the year is special and this year, thanks to the aspects and angles of the planets, is special. I hope everyone does something to soak in the goodness and magic and blessings of this week.

The ancients of several cultures including the indigenous Mexicans, Celts and other European stocks have celebrated this time of year as the time where our departed loved ones and ancestors come for their annual visit. It is a time of celebration and communion. Let’s see if we can blend the revelry of Halloween with some reflection on those who have moved on to the next world. If you have someone you love that has passed, try the tradition of placing a photo of them on a little altar along with some of the things they loved in this life. In Mexico, a seven-level altar is made but here we can get away with something simpler. On this altar is whatever the person enjoyed in this world, in this life…a type of candy or food, cigarettes, liquor, music, something they were very interested in…no shame or “Oh how awful and unhealthy” thinking allowed. It was their life and they enjoyed what they enjoyed. For me, it’s an exercise in acceptance and love. To remember in a factual way rather than judgmental. We can, indeed, combine traditions with our neighbors to the south.

I think many of us will be more than happy to see this year end, but we’re not done yet. Let’s use this week and Halloween weekend to call to our ancestors and ask for their help and guidance in these tumultuous and unstable times. It sure can’t hurt!

Have a lovely time, make this one special. You won’t regret it.

Aries (March 21- April 19): Step by step, inch by inch…mysteries unfold this week as we move into that magical time of year where on the surface we dress up and have parties and give out or go searching for candy and treats…the three planets that occupies your sector of relationships have now moved to your sector of intimacy/shared assets and things hidden…spooky, spooky! Don’t jump at your own shadow! We end October with a sense of pending mysteries…woo hoo!

Taurus (April 20 – May 20): Well, my my…who are we bobbing for apples with? The three planets who were in Libra have now moved into Scorpio, your sector of relationships. Love is in the air for you and if you’re single you may just be hit by a Cupid’s arrow during this mysterious week leading up to Halloween. Prepare do to a reckless high-dive for a minute (you don’t like not feeling the ground solidly under your feet) and just have a nice time!

Gemini (May 21- June 20): With everything you have planned, and all the things your busy hands are making, you are going to feel mighty good about your achievements this week! It’s rare this year that we have as harmonious a week as we do now, but we have one so go full throttle and get ‘er done! Your sector of work/health is lit up now, and your ability to focus is at full capacity. Wow. If you have ADD you won’t even feel it this week! Go! Go!

Cancer (June 21 – July 22): You are so on it! Your sector of creativity is occupied by three planets now, and with Halloween right around the corner you may be gearing up for festivities and making treats for one and all (unless you’re a real crab and don’t want to do any of it). You may feel like burrowing this week, especially if the weather isn’t conducive to dancing in the garden. But you’re certainly not glum now because what was stuck before is now unstuck! You’re focused and on target. Oh, this is good!

Leo (July 23 – August 22): Your sector of Home is sharply in focus now, so things previously hidden may reveal themselves that need to be attended to before winter. Don’t fret and fuss, just get it done by the best possible person in the best possible way. You are not happy with a damp den; you will have a warm and cozy winter if you tend to business. This is an extraordinarily good week where focus and flow come together in a way that has been very rare this year. Take advantage of it.

Virgo (August 23 – September 21): Okay, you have a total edge now so I expect you will do the right thing for yourself and get on it! Your sector of communication/thinking is sharpened to exquisite precision thanks to three planets in that sector now. Where you couldn’t find your feet earlier in the month, you now hit your stride. This is just so good! The planets are singing in water signs, a natural soothing balm. Wow, this is just so good for you. Enjoy this entire week and all it has to give you, give with discernment and receive gratefully, and don’t forget to thank your ancestors on Halloween night for surviving and producing you!

Libra (September 22 – October 23): Your sector of money is now highlighted since three planets previously in your sign have moved on. This is good. You have specific methods and a focused manner in which to gain lost ground this week; don’t waste time making stuff up to be afraid of! You have a chance to go for the gold now, so take it! This entire week will bring you the information you’ve been waiting for and the definition of the next steps will be clear. Take those steps gladly and watch it all fall into place! Don’t argue.

Scorpio (October 24- November 22): With three planets in your sign and Jupiter singing away to some of them, you are in mighty fine form this week! Being that this is the last week of the month and we now move into your time of year, you have an advantage due to planetary placements that are actually in harmony overall; a rare thing this year! Anything left dangling from earlier will now come to its conclusion and you will be able to engage in some retrospection to plot your next moves. Enjoy!

Sagittarius (November 23 – December 20): Finally things are beginning to take shape, and this week Mars enters your sign, giving you that much needed boost to chase away the gremlins just in time to celebrate Halloween/Day of the Dead! In general, things are going to look up for you now as we say goodbye to October and move into November. You will be in the spotlight, so comb your hair and spiff yourself up! You are able to complete things with speed and it’s a good thing because you have several things coming at you at once. This week, though, it all starts to come together. Yay!

Capricorn (December 21 – January 20): The results are in, you’re moving in the direction you need to, to correct your course, and your friends figure prominently now in a way you never thought possible. They will be there for you, so expect nothing less. You are surprisingly lovable (I know, you don’t think you are) and that will show now as folks step forward to embrace you warmly. I know this sounds all warm and fuzzy and you are skeptical. Never mind. Just go.

Aquarius (January 21 – February 20): Three planets move into your sector of Career now, and this week you are able to make enormous strides that will both close out this year in style and set you up for next year. Make tracks! Mars will move into a wonderful placement in terms of friendships, so plan on hanging out with your favorite people this weekend; it will catapult you into preparing for the holiday season with a big grin! Get the sparkly lights out because you love sparkly things!

Pisces (February 21 – March 20): Okay, Little Fishie, your time has come! No, this isn’t “for whom the bell tolls.” This is a call for you to come out and enjoy the fin and jump in puddles and just be silly. This is a happy week, one of celebration for no reason and you have a spring in your step. Don’t think there’s something wrong with you! Embrace it for all it’s worth and love this week. It’s rare that a week in this particular year has come up that offers replenishing, but this is it, so fill your tanks!