Shutdown Ends, Mercury Retrograde Begins

The longest government shut down in US history ended Wednesday night by a vote that extends funding through January 30, 2026. The vote broke down mostly along party lines with the Republicans for it and 6 Democrats joining them. The issues that began the shutdown will arise again as funding is only extended until January 30.

The chart reflects the opposition between Pluto in Aquarius and Jupiter in Cancer. Expansive Jupiter is the Santa Clause of the zodiac and he squared off with Plutonian power - which can indicate corrupt and manipulative power games. Cancer is ruled by the Moon which represents the people, healing and feeding. Jupiter in Cancer blinked in the standoff, protecting SNAP benefits, but failing to secure the Affordable Care Act subsidies for healthcare.

Jupiter appears to be going backward over old issues now as it is in retrograde motion until March 11. At that point, Jupiter goes direct and reaches the degree it now occupies again in June , 2026.

The Moon (the people, the body) at 2 degrees Virgo (health & wellness) is the trigger point of a Finger of God aspect that inconjuncts (irritating adjustments!) Pluto in Aquarius and Ceres (compassion, healing) in Aries (courage) as well as Neptune and Saturn in Pisces (which can mean building an inspiring compassionate vision or descent into harsh gaslighting). Nothing is fated to occur, for or against healthcare, but the issue is fated to come up again.

SNAP benefits are now funded until September, 2026, to keep them from being a bargaining chip in the January negotiations (if the GOP agrees to negotiate), but the Affordable Care subsidies are scheduled to again be on the table. The Democrats are asking for a three year continuation of the subsidies, until another leadership vote can take place.

Underscoring all this, transiting Mars (force, aggression) and Mercury (communication) were conjunct. The solution was not negotiated, it was forced, and the pain of it borne by everyday working people. Mercury had gone retrograde on Monday, November 10. Things rarely reach a final settlement during a Mercury retrograde. Mercury will resume direct motion on November 30.

We are approaching solar maximum with several flares this week. Aurora Boreali were observed as far south as my home in St. Louis. Human activity becomes more frenzied during solar flares. As above, so below.

As always, keep your vibration high, take care of yourself, but do not become hopeless or lethargic. Our energy is as drops of water in a bucket - we create what the bucket holds. It is up to us to see that the bucket holds some good stuff, and our energies have never been more important.