One of the keynotes we discussed in September's newsletter was the concept of conservation of energy that comes from Saturn's movement into Scorpio on the 5th of this month. Saturn moving through this sign is like a distillation process where we are asked to concentrate our efforts and to only direct them toward avenues that yield a return-on-investment. We will take and eliminate all endeavors that are extraneous and unnecessary so that what we are left with is something very potent and effective - very focused effort. Consequently, what this is going to translate to on a global level is people being less inclined than ever to waste time and resources on things or people they deem to be a "drain" during the next 2 1/2 year period. If you've been taking more from the energy pool than you've been contributing, now may prove a time when the reckoning comes so consider this article my PSA ahead of this period. It is intended to serve as a preparedness kit that will help to pass some of the tests of the next 2 1/2 years successfully and "not suck".

Saturn teaches us that all things are finite and have their limits - with Scorpio we're dealing with energetic resources, both ours and others', so when these two combine we must be mindful of any running tabs we've been keeping open. We might think of this as an impending "credit crunch" of sorts and shades of this can already be seen on a literal level with banks implementing more stringent lending requirements during the last 4-5 years due to Pluto in Capricorn. When Saturn arrives in Scorpio in a few days, this influence becomes further strengthened as a so-called "mutual reception" is generated. In layman's terms, this transition produces a double dose of Saturn/Pluto energy and brings all issues related to these two planets out to the nth degree. One of the effects of this will involve having less capital to invest, so we will learn to only direct our efforts toward people and endeavors that have calculated payoff - we're inclined to want much more of a "sure thing" in regard to what we put in when Saturn hits Scorpio, both literally and metaphorically. If we don't feel we can achieve this, we are apt to pull out completely in order to cut our losses.

You can see how a lack of awareness of these parameters can lead to a potential "money pit" setup.  No one wants one of these situations in their lives where they just keep throwing in good money after bad, right? Saturn in Scorpio gives us a reality check, showing us when it is indeed time to withdraw and "fold 'em" for the sake of self-preservation. So going forward, you need to know the following should be your top priorities:

1) Do not invest your time, effort, and energy into situations or people unwisely. Be cautious, because you may well find yourself in a time and/or energy crunch during this period.

2) Settle any and all debts with others responsibly during this time. No one loves personal accountability and responsibility quite like Saturn - do right by him and you'll have nothing to be concerned about. Try to duck him, however, and you'll wind up staying after class with extra homework!  With this planet, you reap what you sow and you get what you deserve - nothing less, nothing more. Saturn is the Lord of Karma, so we might take a moment to reflect upon this - is there someone in your life you "owe"?  Someone you are beholden to who may have done you a favor?  Have they given out their resources for you to use one way or another - be it time, money, an ear to listen, or a shoulder to cry on? Now is the time to concentrate on doing the right thing and making good on anything you owe. If someone has given you money, pay them back. If you have been using something for free, offer up something else in return to make the exchange flow both ways even if it wasn't asked for - we might think of this as a barter regardless of the "currency" used. If you did not master the lessons of fairness and reciprocity during Saturn's passage through Libra, the road ahead will be a hard one as this is the time when the bill is marked "past due" and you have to pay the piper. If you don't, you will be cut off - it's that simple. The faucet just shuts off because people are simply going to be tapped out now.

We can also disempower ourselves when we give someone else the leverage of "owing them one", so we must reduce or eliminate our debt so that no one is able to play puppet master and manipulate or control us through fear. This is just one of the tests Saturn in Scorpio presents, but if we can focus our efforts on keeping the slate clean between ourselves and others and on paying our dues, we will certainly "ace" this portion.  Make sure you take note of all of this and do your best study and absorb the information contained in this article because - make no mistake - there WILL be a quiz at some point!  It may come sooner, it may come later, but you can expect a trial or test related to these issues to surface somewhere in your life during the next 2 1/2 years while Saturn remains in this sign.