EYE ON THE SKY:Â POST ECLIPSE HANGOVERS
The ancients often talked about the impact of eclipses over the following two weeks after it happens and even having an impact until the next eclipse. Part of that is due to planets transiting the North or South Node around the eclipse. The Sun is moving toward conjunction with Ketu in the Mean Node system into Nov. 5th and in the true system a day later. Mercury is moving toward conjunction with Ketu into Nov. 7th in the true node system.  So between Nov 2-8th, the Sun and Mercury interact with Ketu into the Full Moon /Lunar Eclipse on Nov. 8th.
Mercury also goes over the Solar eclipse point on Sunday/Oct 30th at 7 degrees Libra and transit over an eclipse point and trigger and discharge the pent-up energy from the eclipse. This is happening on the day that Mars goes stationary and retrograde in Mercury’s sign of Gemini. Does that lead to some trigger-happy war escalation event? It is also happening on the day of the Brazilian election.
Sun is conjunct Ketu in the mean node system on Nov 5th at around Libra 7 degrees and there is usually a 3-degree orb of influence which means it will be felt Nov. 2-8th  and it is a kind of a post-eclipse hang-over.
Sun and Ketu are both fiery planets and their conjunct will increase that element. This transit brings up a lot of rajasic energy which creates a lot of fiery energy to want to change everything. There is not enough calming satvic energy to keep one balanced. One may want to fly off the handle in all directions or lash out at a boss or supervisor or loved one if you cannot reign in this energy. Drink coconut water or coconut milk to calm the fire. Channel the energy into exercise, drink calming herbal teas, and stay away from spicy food which will fan the flames. Find ways to ground yourself with gentle yoga, long walks in cool woods, or being near more water.
If you have this in your natal chart within 3 degrees it will be activated particularly if you have a birthday Nov. 2-8th this week. This can bring up past regrets and karma blocking living in the present moment. It could lead to a loss of reputation or embarrassment if you have that natal signature in your chart and you may feel unsupported by organizations or the government. It could bring up difficult energy with your father and wanting to shed past dark energy here and feelings of rejection or guilt. For Leo rising can lead to some low self-esteem as Ketu or a desire to go into deep meditation or take a retreat.
This combination can bring up disappointment and unexpected problems can rear up. Have to be careful with speculation and not beat yourself up too much as inferiority complexes can manifest. Stay on top of health, fatigue, resentment, rebellion and physical and emotional excesses as these can all manifest from this combination. Learn to be flexible and see other points of view as stubbornness and entrenched egos can develop and watch over work.
Again, charts are very individual and we do not ever want to stereotype people by sign but sometimes it’s a way of putting one’s finger right away on a core problem for the person’s entire life. If you are Scorpio Rising or Taurus Rising and if you key planets at 7-8 degrees Libra and if you are in a Sun/Ketu or Ketu/Sun period, then the impact of this transit may be most marked before and after the eclipse.
MERCURY CONJUNCT KETU:
Mercury the trickster will have its play with a  major opponent with Ketu, another trickster that diffuses and scatters energies and creates challenges on the material plane to point us toward the Divine.
We have a lot of Ketu conjunctions with Venus conjunct Ketu into Nov. 2nd now and the Sun moving into a conjunction with Ketu into Nov 5th. Â We now get Mercury moving toward Ketu and being within 3 degrees on Nov. 5th-8th and exactly on Nov. 6th.
Mercury, a benefic, will uplift the disturbing eclipse energies on Oct. 30th with the conjunction to eclipse point but the affliction to itself will disturb communication and probably create a new hornet’s nest around the media. Chances are a scandal involving the media will happen and they are happening every day as it is apparent every day that the media is more propaganda than anything as witnessed with the glazing over of the John Federman/Oz Pennsylvania Senate debate where Federman clearly showed the impact of his stroke was still present and that he was not fit for office.
Mercury is conjunct Ketu can also bring up quick shifts in thinking with spiritual undertones.
Thoughts may be subtle and highly intuitive during this transit so pay attention to those little hints and ‘ah-ha’ moments! This may be particularly true for Gemini and Virgo rising or those of you with Mercury in the 1st house.  This will be a good time to focus on spiritual and philosophical pursuits in career, hobbies, and writing. It’s also a good time to go on a pilgrimage or meditation retreat. Still, you have to be thoughtful, and discriminating and seek first to understand any new occupation that you undertake to avoid losing your mental stability.
Need help with your chart? Get a consultation from Barry Rosen at www.appliedvedicastrology.com.
Special thanks to Komilla Sutton and Prash Trivedi for their insights on these nodal conjunctions.
