Sun, Venus, Mercury in Libra, Opposite Jupiter

On Monday Oct.17 the Sun joins with Mercury and Venus in Libra. The sign of Balance, Harmony, and Agreement gets extra attention during the next couple of weeks. The Sun represents Authority, including Governments, Mercury is the Intellect, including Ideas and Decisions, and Venus wants Everybody to Be Nice. The potential is there for Compromise, Treaty, Successful Contract, etc.
Jupiter is still retrograde on the opposite side of the zodiac, in Aries. Jupiter's aspect on the Libra combination is mostly Positive: the planet of Wisdom and Faith helps by giving Optimism to the Sun-Mercury-Venus energy pattern. But Jupiter is Retrograde. In Vedic Astrology the aspect of a retrograde planet, even if benefic, can retard any real action or accomplishment. Thus there is a lot of Hope and Talk, but nothing concrete.
On Sunday, Oct.16, Mercury will be exactly opposite Jupiter. The planet of Expansion influences the planet of Ideas =Big Ideas. In Libra, the sign of Social Idealism, the discussion continues over what sort of society we want to live in.
Mars is still in Cancer, at 90 degrees to the Libra-Aries pattern, and therefore at odds with the energy for agreement. Mars is Impatient for Results and prone to Anger in the emotional sign Cancer, sign of The Public. The energy of Mars in Cancer gets a boost when Moon transits through Cancer, from Wednesday through Friday, Oct. 19-21. The potential for Violence is strongest on Friday, when the Moon will be exactly conjunct Mars.