Hi Mystic,
I cooled off on a car purchase early this week because I thought I was being impulsive. but now I am having second thoughts.
Every single car I have owned in my life has been the choice of the man in my life. My dad, boyfriends, and husband. Now I am 45 and separated, with a 15-year-old car in need of repairs, I have been thinking about getting some new transport.
Last week at work, I blew others away (and myself) at how extraordinarily capable I have become. Years of being highly sensitive and responsive to others are now equally matched by confidence. I have a high level of expertise, a capacity to get stuff done, and the ability to support and influence others. I feel humble and powerful. Thanks, Pluto transit!
I thought it was appropriate to mark the moment with something symbolic. I want to choose for myself the vehicle in which I determine the direction I am traveling, where I stop and how fast I go.
It’s not an outrageous purchase, it’s still a second-hand car. My questions are – am I being reckless with this realization of my own power? Is this a mid-life crisis in disguise? Could I take some more time to reflect? Or is it an empowering time to mark this deep internal shift with a material/symbolic object and just go for it??
Thanks
Newly Independent Sea Goat.
Hi Newly Independent Sea Goat,
You know what? I KNOW there is a school of thought about not needing a material THING to symbolize your independence or power. But I am FEELING this for you. Your reasoning resonates with me. It would be a brilliant apres Pluto transit purchase and I think you should hustle down to the car place a.s.a.p. It’s like a ritual!
Optimally, get your new wheels ON the Solar Eclipse. And while we are at it – Uranus is in Taurus now. The planet of rad in the sign of money. Provided you can afford it without violating financial sanity rules, why NOT an outrageous purchase? Why not make this super-talismanic, get numbered license plates & every desirable feature that you can fund?
Perhaps in the alternate dimension version of the Persephone story, she motors on out of Hades in a red Maserati or something. Even if it were a mid-life crisis, so what? Crisis = Opportunity and all that. Get one with a fantastic sound system so you can roar around the place blasting inspirational anthems. Or Disco. Whatever you want. You earned this. Choose amazingly.
Whenever we’re making a move of this ilk, really crusty old demons seem to emerge. Their chorus is along the lines of “who do you think you are?” Or “you can’t do something vulgar and show off.” “If you’re going to be successful and independent, at least feel bad about yourself.”
Fuq all that. You don’t even need analysis. Tune out those crappy and outmoded inner voices by blasting your new car stereo super loud. Capricorns are more prone to self-guilting trips than practically any other sign and it’s not necessary. Nor is it even productive. You’re an Earth sign so a literal symbol of your success is worthwhile.
Congratulations on your well-earned success and independence. What does everyone else think?
Image: Gene Laurents
Go for it. Don’t live with the regret of not giving youself what you have chosen as most desirable, and affordable for you. Nothing else will satisfy … and that is costly emotionally and is accompanied with lowered self esteem. xoxo
Yaaasss!!!
I think there is enormous power in choosing something for yourself. I had a similar epiphany decluttering clothes that my mom bought me when Jupiter entered Scorpio – shedding the skin of other peoples perceptions of me that I literally wore for too long. Go for it! And cheers to your new independence! Btw – I totally screenshotted this letter. I’m inspired to make some affirmations!
omg yesss dooo ittt
Thank you Mystic, and to all of you for your comments. Such affirming advice! I had been thinking about this puchase for a while, and had a car in mind. I did a web search last Fri and a car came up that ticked all boxes and more. I took it for a test drive, saw the impeccable service history, fair price, got a good trade in offer for my old wheels, signed on the dotted line… the ensuing panic came because i only looked at one car before deciding. One car. This is when the reckless/impulsive thoughts arose. But I didn’t feel the need to check any others out… I have resolved that this is a transaction made easy. Thanks universe. I’m ready to accept this new Mars energy in the form of a red car. I shall use it wisely, with the tunes cranked high! Xx
Yes! Congratulations! As a fellow Cap (and with many Cap family and friends) I always feel so happy to see someone doing something for themselves. Far too often Caps deprive themselves (a habit I have been happy to shed). Don’t forget to name your new car. Names have power.
I say do it. I think there’s something in the waters. I just bought a new flute the other day. It seemed like an impulse buy but even before I’d been to the music shop, I’d done some checking out on-line and I kept coming back to the same instrument. When I got to the place I could even see it waiting for me in the display room. (There is something very Pan going on here––better check that asteroid in my chart I guess.) When I played it, it just felt so right. I tried a few more flutes, but kept coming back to the same one. Even the woman in the shop thought it sounded like the right one for me.
It was a massive purchase. I’ve been playing the same flute since I was eleven but its time had come to retire. I even went and bought another a year ago off Gumtree but it too, had kind of had its day, and was cheaper but not necessarily the purchase I should have made.
The thing is, even though I drove home feeling queasy at the spend and whether I should have been so fast to buy (I suspect the coming eclipse in my 2nd house at work) it felt right because I wasn’t spending money foolishly, I was investing in myself. And heck, I’d been saving so there was no debt involved in this transaction. (Hello, pending eclipse again …)
Materialism aside, I think what’s going on here is that you’re acknowledging your self-worth. You deserve to have things around you (literally) that embody who you are. A new car? Yes to all that and more. Whilst you’re at it, maybe a pair of black leather driving gloves? I’d imagine also a lovely scarf in some funky but earth coloured pattern that keeps you looking assured and well managed as you drive off down that new life highway you are heading.
P.S. Turns out that Pan is conjunct my sun natally. Go figure.
Do it!
If the pang of regret is coming from the gut or a place not anchored in egoic-proving something or someone else wrong or inferior, then I would has this pang to be an energetic thing. A car is a mars thing (at least to me).
I remember not long after my dad died I realised I really needed to get a new car. My little 2 door lancer that I had for 16 years just wasn’t going to be able to cut it for the next chapter of life. I had a 3 year old child that I had been moving in and out of the back seat via the front. I needed more space and the ability to move bigger things around. So what car would be the symbol that aligned, approving such a purchase? It had to be black. It needed to be able to go off-road, it had to be within a certain budget, without any mechanical issues. Believe me when I say the night I saw this car online, it was actually the numberplate that phoenitically spelled my nickname, and the numerology added up to my lifepath number. All the other required boxes were ticked as well.
It seemed counter intuitive financially, but not negative.
I have never regretted buying that car. It was the right decision, at the right time & the right car. Life has evolved since then too.
Do it. Do it for all those right reasons.
Yes Sea Goat, get that car! It sounds like you’ve truly earned it, and will gain so much joy and meaning from it – who gives a stuff what anyone else thinks (because you know that deep down, the knockers are just envious anyway)? Trust your instincts and burn rubber into your beautiful, bright future! You’re an inspiration (as is Mystic’s response to your question)!
Newly independent sea goat, it sounds like everyone wants you to have new wheels, and as a cap moon I’d add that (despite my comment below) a key motivator here is the potential expense of ongoing upkeep of your current car (my first awesome set of wheels was 14 yrs old when I bought it, but I did a trade off of maintenance vs cost of a new ish car, and I also really liked this one for practical reasons, and I had an awesome mechanic who I liked working with (side q: is Venus in aries lucky for mechanics?)). This car did indeed see me though a breakup etc but eventually got too expensive to keep fixing.
As a cap i doubt that you’re going to make a hasty decision about spending your hard-earned, and i assume your natural process is to get all the relevant automotive and legal checks on a car and its ownership before you decide to buy it.
So if anything, your hesitation need not be socio-psychological (am I being impulsive etc), but more “is this a reliable car and a good buy”. If it is second hand there will always be an element of uncertainty, like getting married I guess! Of course something might go wrong. But it’s not the end of the world, and that’s where Jupiter & saturn comes in, we check the landing point, test the wind direction, check the wingsuit, radio the team for whatever, and then if that’s all good then we jump and hope like hell it all works out
Re: Venus in Aries: I’ve had the same mechanic working on my old Volvos for 17 years… a right wing nut but he saves me a ton of money! But before him I’d been royally screwed by another. My Aries Venus is retrograde though.
Buying a car during Mars retrograde? Is that not exactly what you should avoid?
Unless she is buying a car to ram raid a Gucci store or rob a bank, i think it’s fine. I see this as her reclaiming her Mars Vibe and making a powerful talismanic purchase on the Solar Eclipse opposite Pluto, post Pluto transit
Yaaaaas Sea-Goat, get it!!!! Ride these Plutonian ecliptic waves then screech off on a new set of wheels once you land.
There is a marked difference when purchasing something that is not just consuming or a more mundane at need basis. There’s something palpable to it. It sounds like you’ve done all the work behind being in a place to not only choose this new vehicle, but also to afford with no worry of financial hemming and hawing. Treat yourself, indulge yourself, and grin like a goofy kid as you drive for the first time, letting those memories of when men in your life choose the wheels that drove you leak on out the window and mingle with the exhaust of your forward motion!
My New Moon purchase is a brand new bed with a frame I’ve always wanted. It will be replacing a boxspring/mattress ensemble that is a twin bed AND it belonged to my ex long before we had it while we lived together. I’ve been sleeping on this thing for 2+ years and BY GOD I’M SO EXCITED TO SLEEP ON WHAT IS MIIIIIIIINE. Deep sleep is going to get a whole lot more powerful. My first snooze will be just after the New Moon tomorrow. Definitely will be so happy that I’m going to weep laugh cry.
A new bed is fantastic house witching – SUCH a good move
Mid-life crisis???
Mid-life AWARENESS!
Go for it – you deserve good things.
Yes to eclipse purchase! “Get your motor running” (Born to be Wild – Steppenwolf). You’ve earned it. Every time you crank up the stereo and plant your foot on the accelerator, you’ll remember and be proud of your journey. As a former leadfoot, I’ve chosen my own motorbikes, then cars (no regrets) after falling in love with “Easy Rider” Peter Fonda, Denis Hopper and THAT music! (preferably not British Racing Green, even with Uranus in Taurus, could be a Thelma & Louise). Look forward to hearing your decision.
I want a remake of Thelma and Louise – starring Charlize Theron and Thandie Newton and they do it more like a guys movie. Nobody drives over a cliff. They pull some fantastic heist and the Brad Pitt character isn’t a grifter. Or they’re lesbians, whatever. Instead of Harvey Keitel, a Hemsworth would be the cop trying to get them to turn themselves in.
yes please !
Yep to someone more articulate than dreaded Brad and some edgy Aussie gals, rather than blockbuster same old, same old US formulaic pretty girls …..
Directed by Rachel Perkins (Jasper Jones). Simpson Desert, no cliffs, pleth of awakenings round campfire/waterhole chomping bush tucker with a haunting Paul Kelly/Nick Cave/Tex Perkins soundtrack. One night the Moon meets Picnic at Hanging Rock, sans the cheesecloth.
Have you seen Jack Irish lately? Guy Pearce, et al. Authentic script and stellar cast
This is fire <3
What an amazing question. Go for it, Sea Goat! Get the most amazing car you can get. Get something that makes you oh so happy, (but is also reliable), get it in your favorite color and give her a fitting name. (My favoritest car was named Hilda and she was a bottle green, big bum Mercedes station wagon) And drive it with joy!
Agree!!!!!! Do it. Enjoy it!
Dear NISG, congratulations! Your new-found self-confidence leaps off the page. If you’ve just had a Pluto transit that included a divorce, then you will most definitely have done the numbers and the research. So I reckon you should go for it!
It’s so interesting as I am sort of in the same place. I’ve had my beloved little car for 18 years and am thinking of upgrading to a flash SUV. I will need to replace the car soon, good quality second hand cars are now very cheap where I live, and it will set the tone for the next phase of my life – more travel, outdoor adventures and a dog. (Pluto-moon transit just finished)
On a side note, the cube farm is completely imploding in what appears to be a textbook pre-eclipse dark moon clusterfuq/ego driven war. I am cool as a cucumber and people are starting to comment on how calm and measured I am compared to everyone else.
I thought it was just me… seriously today I was wondering if everyone’s water was spiked
Do ***NOT*** do this with Mercury about to go retrograde in 2 weeks!!! Mercury has dominion over cars, and we’re in the shadow period now even though the Rx doesn’t officially kick off until the 26th. You may wind up with buyer’s remorse and what could possibly be a worse feeling than taking your first crack at automotive autonomy only to have it blow up in your face? There’s a higher degree of likelihood that a vehicle purchased during the energetic influence of Mercury Rx might have mechanical issues/weird “quirks”, that you’ll think you’ll love it only to turn around later and ask yourself “What was I thinking?!”, or that it might be an “accident magnet”.
If you buck this advice (and I have a feeling you may), at least do yourself this favor and make sure whatever vehicle you do buy secondhand has meticulously documented service records so you know the previous owner kept up with the maintenance, and do have a reputable mechanic give it the once-over before purchase. It would make no sense to buy another vehicle only to find out it needs even more money dumped into it because it’s due for a major service interval, needs 4 new tires, or has serious powertrain issues because the prior owner never changed the oil/transmission fluid. Or find out that it had been in a major accident and poorly repaired – I’ve seen a lot of things that can go wrong when buying a vehicle and would like to save you from the unnecessary hassle/expense. Best wishes.
Signed,
An Astrologer Who Was In The Automotive Biz
I did think about this but i decided the Pluto-hyped Eclipse over-rules Mercury in Shadow…I think if we observe Mercury Shadow so far as not buying things, it takes out about 18 weeks of the year…Mercury actually Retro – yes – NO car. But i stand by my idea that the Solar Eclipse would be a fantastic time to do this post Pluto transit talismanic purchase
MM, just want to clarify that in no way was I suggesting you hadn’t taken this into account – I recognize the care and thoroughness with which you always respond to “Ask Mystic” queries <3 I also appreciate and respect that sometimes we simply approach things from different points of view and hope it’s OK to hold contrasting perspectives.
A bit of background on how my opinion was formulated: It’s informed by a decade+ in the auto industry. I was a student of astrology long before my foray into the automotive field and after observing literally 1000’s of cars in relation to the effects of Mercury Rx, though I’m not one to hype these periods overall I have indeed noted the pre-retrograde “shadow” and the Rx itself being problematic; less so for the post-Rx shadow once Mercury’s back up to speed. Because I see this as a Mercurial matter, I personally tend to weight the influence of Mercury more heavily when the question involves things like a car, cell phone, or even a job (Virgo facet of Mercury). I’m also coupling this with an horary perspective; noting the Gemini Moon VOC while simultaneously observing that Mercury itself is presently applying to a position where it’s wedged between a rock and a hard place that consists of receiving inconjuncts from two 2 Outer Planets. Some would gripe over my contemplation of a non-Ptolemaic aspect, I’m sure, but when the post asks for peoples’ thoughts and I note all the preceding, this is what led to expressing my differing view. I feel like the overlap of astrology with anything automotive-related is generally a wheelhouse from which I’m able to offer a well-informed opinion about in service to the OP – again, no disrespect at all to your own .02; I just see the question differently is all <3
You totally are informed! And yes it is like emergency room workers believe in Full Moons and Eclipses because they’re the ones literally running around mopping up blood and whacking tranquilizer i.v.s into peoples veins. Still, i stand by my suggestion that she go for it with the Eclipse. I feel like the emotions expressed in there were so beautiful and the moment SO eclipse apt it would work.
Obviously if it were a consult, i would weigh everything up to an insane degree. I also got the impression that she’d already identified a vehicle pre Mercury shadow so picking it up/completing the purchase during the shadow would not be that big a deal.
I agree, get the car. It’s your old inner doubts, and possibly fears of biting off more than you can chew, that are getting to you. Perfect time to let go of all that tomorrow night so, yeah, I think you should get the car tomorrow on the eclipse. You should even plan a road trip over the weekend. 🙂
Get the car. Life is short. Get it! Get license plates that speak to you. I’ve been seeing some great ones lately: MASTER, 666NAG, OKBYE (my personal fave). ECLIP5?
OKBye!! Love it.
I always bought my own cars, trucks, houses anything. Never thought it was anything ususal.
I think if you want a new car, get a new car, even if it is second hand, and don’t overthink it. Cap knows at heart when an upgrade is needed. It sounds like it as simple as you not being used to making these decisions. A new car is like a new haircut, but better. You’ve driven that car all through your marriage ending and driving it after fights in a shitty mood, whatever. Upgrade your Chariot. Love pi xx
And I bet as soon as you make the decision, someone will come along to buy the old car from you! X
I think you should go for it. Most people argue that cars lose their value as soon as they leave the lot but, for that exact reason, I think you should go for it. You’re going to spend a fortune repairing that guy when a new car — an exciting symbol of independence and a visible, tangible object that will make you feel new and fancy (cars are an accessory! I got a new car and I feel so much more put together now compared to before in my used junker) — will come with a warranty and no existing problems.
Having said that, the end of the summer is when the old cars move off the lots to make room for the new ones and there are more dealer incentives, rebates, and discounts for you… maybe wait? But definitely do it.
My friend bought a car yesterday. Me in typical Debbie downer mode texting her what she needed to check, how much she should get off the price etc as she sat like a small woodland animal in front of the car sales wolf.
Then she declared she’d signed. Too late to get any more sage (haha my ego) advice and you know what, I was proud of her.
She works hard. She’s had her car for 20 years and I have no idea how it’s still capable of starting, let alone getting anywhere.
She deserves a new car. She always puts others first and would give you her last dollar if you needed it even though she probably needs it more.
Don’t second guess yourself – it’s probably others voices still stuck in your head or what you think they’d say to you. You are not them or subject to their will.
I vote- Get the car
. (Just not a Jag… don’t get me started on those buckets of crap)
Oh for heavens sake, go get the car. You are obviously really feeling it and wanting it and by all accounts it is perfect timing. Sounds like there are a few demons still lurking in there that question you and your validity about taking something for yourself but you are now at the point when you can hear that, take it for what it is and move on past it. This is your life to do with what you wish.
And and what is a mid life crisis but a turning point in which we inject the new. It is about taking all we have learned and mixing it all up for the next section of our life. Does a toddler have an early life crisis because he or she learns to talk or wants to climb the railings or opens the door to outside? No. they are simply increasing their understanding of themselves and the world. It doesn’t change. When we hit 40 or 50 we are still doing just that. We still have a long way to travel so buy the car and do it in style!
The only choice is which colour. Back in the day it was reasonable for men to “mid-life crisis” with a new toy (Harley, Porsche, Mistress, Scuba diving excursions with mandatory equipment) and others (men) thought it was a sweet move. Now we all know better. I am not man bashing but I guess I am talking about my Dad and his submissive wife (my Mother). Not mid life…I say Fuq it! Well deserved reward! bells and whistles, why not? mmm my car is 18 yrs old? Food for thought 🙂
Ha I’m about to get my scuba qualifications ! Prompted by loving a fire fighting course I did in March and it proved I can handle breathing apparatus in the most dire of situations! Mid life crisis ??? Nah just new found freedom from old life and stepping into the new !!!!
AWED
Hey N.I.S.G
I’m 46 and just past a Pluto square transit myself (Libra Stellium) – I finally learned to drive during that transit. I’ve had 3-4 years of questioning whether its a mid-life crisis and decided if it is I’m going to enjoy it.
I agree wholeheartedly with Mystic – rock that ‘new’ car and appreciate yourself – don’t let all that stuff Mystic mentioned that ‘society’ says put you off. xx