Hard choices offer optimum opportunities. As Venus conjuncts Pluto at the beginning of the week, each person is faced with speaking what is in their heart. What works for you and what is absolutely NOT working. This is particularly true in relationships. Sometimes the hard choice is the right choice. The right way to express it may not appear until after the Mercury conjunction to Sun on the 4th. With Mercury stressing Mars, be kind and come from the classic, ‘When you did this, I felt this and I wish you had done that’ verbiage. Prune emotional trees. And now!

Relationships begun under the conjunction of Venus and Pluto have the potential to transform your life. Unconscious issues may attract a partner who is difficult but it is necessary sometimes to be uncomfortable in order to grow. If you are in a relationship and feel the need to manipulate, coerce, or seduce as a means of getting what you want, then it is time to take a step back and ask yourself why? Is this an old outworn behavior that can be replaced by taking a confident and more honest approach?

This is the week the holiday season begins, officially. As you can see there is a lot going on this week, particularly the Mercury retrograde on November 23. This suggests a re-think regarding your dreams and visions as well as whether or not you attend classes to better envision your dreams. If you are a student, then this is definitely the time to research that paper and get it done. The Solar eclipse of November 24, which is a strong New Moon sets things in motion regarding travel, education, political freedoms and immigration discussions where new legislation is beginning implementation. Since 2° Sagittarius is close to the degree of flight, we could be seeing some new information regarding new ways of transporting people across cities and this country, particularly in about 90 days after this eclipse.

Chiron squares the Partial New Moon Solar Eclipse at 2° Sagittarius. A partial eclipse occurs when the Sun and Moon are not exactly in line and the Moon only partially obscures the Sun. This Chiron-Moon aspect can have you feeling very sensitive. Emotions can be raw. There can be a tendency for people to express their feelings and then feel self-conscious or awkward about it. This is not the time to say you are fine if you aren’t because that can only lead to seething resentment or dramatized emotions. Mothers may feel guilty for not doing enough for their children. This New Moon is a good time to set an intention to trust your instincts. Spiritually, having some kind of touchstone, like an affirmation, may help you build the emotional strength to responsibly deal with the abrupt changes ahead.

Last week set you on a path to change. There is more support to continue on this path with the Mars trine Jupiter this week and the Last Quarter moon which clears out space. And week’s end, honor some fun and relaxation with that Sun square Neptune aspect, which calls us to dance, see a movie, or just take a long nap. Sleepiness seeps in and out this week, but his is what happens when Neptune is exerting energy. In sleep you process information that is impossible to process when awake. You will need that extra rest for the activities of next week.

Mars, Jupiter, and Pluto form a Grand Trine in the early degrees of earth signs this week. With Mars in Virgo, Jupiter in Taurus, and Pluto in Capricorn, there will be a considerable amount of work involved and the best approach is a practical one. Grand trines generate opportunities and creativity. Triangles (trine) are often used to help strengthen load-bearing beams in construction. This celestial combination does the same. If you are ready to commit to a project, a dream, or a deal this would be an excellent time to do so. Those who have planets in early degrees of the earth signs will be most rewarded by this combination if they put forth the effort. A grand trine in earth may take some time to come to fruition and those who plan well are rewarded.

Neptune finally goes direct for the very last time in late degrees of Aquarius. This and the Chiron direct on the 10th are wonderful days to say good bye to the old and welcome the new energies coming into everyone’s lives. In addition, hard working Mars enters Virgo sending off some fabulous lines to Jupiter (great opportunities) next week and to Pluto (the planet that gets things down regardless of how hard one has to dig). The Full Moon sheds ‘light’ on what financial and budget changes you have to make to open the path for the new cycle coming in with the Dragon energy of 2012!

When Mars is in Virgo energy is focused on getting work done and improving one’s health. Where Mars wants to work to gratify the ego, Virgo demands that work be done in service to others. This transit may have you thinking about self-employment. Frustrated ego energies can result in health problems. A great outlet for any frustration is physical activity.

You asked for support. Good for you. Now your challenge is gathering the figures and organizing them and creating the reality. This could be a challenge with Venus and Mercury entering Sagittarius this week. Sagittarius energy would rather be out riding its horse or taking a trip, but it is a fortunate energy and can sell anything gathering support along the way. Since it is a First Quarter moon there is more capacity to build and organize. If you are struggling with focus, particularly as the planets move into Sagittarius, then at week’s end as Mercury and Venus compliment Uranus, which rules your friends and associates, you could get some help from them. They might even offer to do it for you! How lucky is that!!

Mercury’s visit to Sagittarius will be a long one, until the first week of January 2010! There is a retrograde period during that time but more on that later; let’s just say that it would be a good idea to have your party invitations sent before Thanksgiving. Retrograde aside; Mercury in Sag is a nice compliment to the holiday season because Jupiter, the magnanimous planet, rules Sagittarius and is associated with a sense of humor and good will. Jupiter is tolerant and expansive, bestowing gratitude, hope, good luck and bounty. And overindulgence, so start thinking about how to combat those holiday pounds with healthy exercise.

The Jupiter Pluto aspect highlights the week as opportunities are there for the taking. However it depends on whom you know and if you can get a hold of them. If you ask for help while suggesting a way to tackle a problem, this is the best way to get results. Reverse the role. Ask for suggestions because you can’t solve the problem yourself. There is a generous spirit that comes over many people when they are asked for help. Since this is also the week of a New Moon, which always suggests new starts, this is a perfect time to ask for support — whether it is information, a loan, advice, or even applying for a grant or a scholarship.

Venus and Mercury square Mars this week. Rather than argue about the toothpaste cap, take some time to emphasize why your relationship works. This transit is not just for lovers; it is for everyone who cares deeply about anyone. Venus and Mercury are conjunct in Scorpio. Scorpio, more than any other sign, will take you deep into the core of a situation. This is an excellent time to communicate the love you feel.

Talk, talk, talk is the theme for the week with that Mercury Jupiter. If you are in sales, that is okay as long as you stop to listen to the client. However, those around you may wish to think about what you present and ask for more time. It is suggested you give them that time then do a follow up call with them on a specific date that you sent with them. The Sun Neptune aspect calls out for incubating ideas that are presented plus when the Sun enters Scorpio, it will work more favorably with Neptune. Anyway, people will be more willing to spend money next week!!

As the days get shorter and the surge of holiday fever begins, this is a good time to schedule some relaxation. The Last Quarter Moon signifies the point in the cycle when you put the finishing touches on those projects you’ve been focusing on for the last month. Sun trine Neptune is a good time to meditate, do yoga, or spend a chilly afternoon watching old movies.

Your bosses or other authority figures may seem a bit tight this week as well they should be. Between the Full Moon on the 11th and the conjunction between strict Saturn and the Sun, leaders, it is time to get down to business and get things done. Don’t get into an argument with these folks, just listen, something often difficult to do on a Full Moon in Aries. In fact, if you are in negotiation for a project, you might want to wait until after the 14th or 16th when Venus, relationships, and Mercury, communications work favorably with opportunity and position.

The Full Moon in Aries shines the light of individuality, but the Sun in harmonious Libra needs fairness and togetherness. Venus in Scorpio, sextile Pluto (Scorpio’s ruler), may just want to blame others for unmet expectations. Do not feel compelled to give in or give up. Mercury sextile Pluto wants to solve this mystery, and will assist you in getting to the heart of the matter if you are open and willing to completely change what is no longer working. Again, instead of yelling and accusing, try, “When you said/did (fill in the blank), I felt (fill in the blank). What I would like for you to have said/done is (fill in the blank).” Take responsibility for your 50% of the relationship.

This is a sexy and sultry week as Venus seduces Neptune and enters Scorpio. This is a perfect week to get out the candle and the wine. If you have an agenda regarding business, this is also a good week to take out your best clients to the best restaurants and present them with your idea, but don’t do it until after Mercury conjuncts Saturn on the 6th, because you may suddenly rewrite the plan within just a few hours because it gels in a way that is unexpected.

Venus traveling through Scorpio brings an opportunity to understand your love relationships on a deeper level. How you relate to your lover directs the evolution of the relationship. It sounds so simple, but there’s that autopilot thing again. Venus moving through Scorpio remembers every transgression, every hurt and every forgotten anniversary. Have unfavorable habits developed, like showing less affection and consideration in your relationship? Relationships at this time are intensified, for better or worse. A little effort to make them better will go a long way. There is an old teaching, which is an excellent approach to communicating hurts. Instead of yelling and accusing, try saying something like, “When you said/did (fill in the blank), I felt (fill in the blank). What I would like for you to have said/did is (fill in the blank).” This is called taking responsibility for your Self and the 50% of the relationship that is yours.