Today is Tuesday, Oct. 18, 2016
Hebrew date is 16 Tishrei 5777
Islamic date is 16 Muharram 1438

Mayan Tzolk’in Day is 10 kab’an
Mayan Long Count is 13.0.3.15.17
Julian Day is 2457680

Today’s Birthdays: Isabel Briggs Myers (1892-1980), Chuck Berry (1926), Peter Boyle (1935-2006), Jean-Claude Van Damme (1960), Wynton Marsalis (1961), Ne-Yo (1979), Esperanza Spalding (1984), Freida Pinto (1984), Zac Efron (1987).

“I think that virtuosity is the first sign of morality in a musician. It means you’re serious enough to practice.”
— Wynton Marsalis

Special Comment: Mars conjunct Pluto
Monitor carefully the situations in your life that you want to resolve. There’s probably just one. It might be professional in nature; it might involve your family; it might involve some government entity. Pay close attention and make sure you understand the way the chess board is laid out before you move another piece. Bide your time and determine consciously when to assert your influence. Your overall approach to the situation is probably the right one; that is, the one that will get the best results for everyone. Yet if there’s a matter of ego involved, you’ll need to acknowledge that first, and find a workaround. This thing called the ego is inherently political. It lives in a world of winners and losers. This is the thing you must see through, and present in a way that somehow bypasses the defenses of powerful people.

Moon Phase: Moon is in Full phase and enters waning gibbous (Disseminating) phase on Oct. 19 at 1:49 am PDT / 4:49 am EDT (08:48:57 UTC).
Next New Moon is in Scorpio on Oct. 30 at 10:38 am PDT / 1:38 pm EDT (17:38:08 UTC).
Corresponding Full Moon is in Taurus on Nov. 14 at 6:52 am PDT / 9:52 am EDT (13:51:59 UTC).
Moon Sign: Moon is in Taurus and enters Gemini today at 7:30 am PDT / 10:30 am EDT (14:29:41 UTC).
Sun Degree: 26-27 Libra.

Planetary Stations and Sign Changes
Venus enters Sagittarius at 12:01 am PDT / 3:01 am EDT (07:00:37 UTC).
Moon enters Gemini at 7:30 am PDT / 10:30 am EDT (14:29:41 UTC).

Interesting Selected Aspects | Data from Serennu
— Venus semi-square Pluto at 12:56 am PDT / 3:56 am EDT (07:55:40 UTC).
— Mercury opposite Echeclus at 12:27 am PDT / 3:27 am EDT (07:27:07 UTC).
— Mercury trine Pallas at 12:40 am PDT / 3:40 am EDT (07:39:55 UTC).
— Venus square Rhiphonos at 12:41 am PDT / 3:41 am EDT (07:40:57 UTC).
— Venus conjunct Huya at 2:17 am PDT / 5:17 am EDT (09:17:06 UTC).

If Your Birthday is Oct. 18
(The Day of Personal Leadership) | Get Your Libra Birthday Reading
Think of this as a time of endings in preparation for a vast new beginning. You have your idea, your vision, for what that beginning is going to be. Now you must do the work of closure, of completion, of resolution. You might feel vulnerable bringing your profoundly personal idea of what you want to do with your life to the surface, knowing that you must take steps to get there. Be dauntless in this process.

Written in the Planets
Venus is now in Sagittarius. This may be a welcome relief after spending these recent weeks in Scorpio, though this seems to be about preparation for a meeting. Venus is semi-square (45 degree, hot angle, possible clash) to Mars and Pluto. We might ask hypothetically: how might a woman (represented by Venus) meet and even confront the male-dominated power structure? The answer would be: by accessing all of her spiritual resources. This is not about “doing good” or “being ethical.” It’s about getting something necessary done as effectively as possible. Whoever Venus represents might find herself actually challenged, on the level of power. Her task would be to rise above that challenge; to see the scenario on a new level and from a different angle. Said another way, once you figure out where people are coming from emotionally, you will have most of the advantage. You get it. Now use what you know.