Astrology for Tuesday, October 13

There has been the darndest parade of retrograde planets this summer. Now Pluto has gone direct, so Mercury has decided to begin retrograde motion.

Mercury begins retrograde motion today, and will stay that way until November 3, Election Day. Yes, Election Day. Misunderstandings and delays are common when Mercury goes retrograde. We may have long lines for those that vote in person, a miscount or breakdowns in voting machines. Since we have already been warned that the election's validity may be questioned and delays may happen, I'd say it is a certainty. Take a chair, distance in line, and wear a mask. Be prepared. The last time Mercury went retrograde on Election Day, we had the hanging chad fiasco of the Bush vs. Gore contest.

I am pretty sure the outcome of the election may be unclear - at least in the early part of the day, and maybe we won't know the real winner until sometime after November 13, when Mars in Aries goes direct.

Personally, a Mercury retrograde period is noted for difficulty in communication, electrical devices, lost keys, hearing aids, missed appointments. If you can avoid signing a long term contract during that period or buying a big luxury item because after the retrograde period, you may feel it isn't all that great, after all. Same goes for contracts and major purchases, but if you must go forward, read the fine print. Make sure you understand the details.

There is a lot of tension between the personal needs (Sun in Libra) and the traditional authorities (Jupiter in Capricorn - the king). There is a lot of frustrated anger toward authority (Mars in Aries, retrograde, in conflict with Jupiter/Pluto/Saturn in Capricorn).

The president has entered a period where his health and finances are being tested (Uranus in Taurus), most acutely through October 18, but anything can happen the rest of the month

. He'll have quite a bit of difficulty in both areas this month. His chart is loaded with karmic action kicking in, and difficult aspects abound - none of which involve more transparency. I think he's about to sow what he has reaped.