Historical planetary shifts unfolding: December 2022 and January 2023 Astrology: Jupiter in Aries, Saturn in Pisces, Pluto in Aquarius, Mars Retro in Gemini

A shorter version of this article was published by the Uki Village News, issue 127

DECEMBER 2022

This month is not just the close of another year but also the completion of the difficult 90 degree angle between Aquarius Saturn and Taurus Uranus, active since 2021. The November 8 Total Lunar Eclipse in Taurus, aligned by conjunction to Uranus and by square to Saturn, has intensified and prolonged the effect. The whole configuration has in fact generated extreme tension between the urge to progress and embrace evolutionary changes and the need to maintain a sense of permanency and the safe foundations we have relied upon for a long time, in our personal lives as well as our collective experience. 

For many this transit has signified having to move away from their comfort zone, further away perhaps that they may have envisioned possible. For others the change may have come as bewildering but otherwise positive developments, causing rapid psychological advancements, even epiphanies, brought about perhaps by unusual circumstances or encounters. The end results of this long lasting influence will become more obvious early next year, in ways that perhaps we didn’t see coming.

December and January will also be the forerunners not only of a new year but of imminent cosmic shifts destined to affect all our lives in 2023 and beyond. 

MARS RETRO

Until Mars continues its backward appearance (until January 13) the progressive effect of other transits (in particular the expansive effect of Jupiter returning to Aries) may seem to stall, forcing us to go over again old terrains we thought we have covered. Forward action may be held in check for a while, but there are visible openings, especially when the next Mercury’s retro period in Capricorn will also end (December29-January19). The Mutable Signs will be the most obviously affected by this transit (Gemini/Sagittarius-Pisces/Virgo).  Not only this retrogradation will keep Mars in Gemini for nearly five months (from October 30, 2022), but Mars will also be out of bounds’ (exceeding the Sun’s north declination), operating like a maverick, in unpredictable ways. A recurring square angle from Mars to Neptune in Pisces calls for extra caution too, to avoid falling into make believe traps that could bog you down for a while (last pass on March 15, 2023).

JUPITER RETURN TO ARIES

Just in time for Christmas, school and work holidays, on December 21, Jupiter will enter Aries and transit there until May 16 2023. This transit represents a four and half months window of opportunity to embrace a more optimistic, confident, forward looking mind set, encouraging energetic, enterprising, even militant perspectives, particularly in the Fire/Air Signs (Aries-Leo-Sagittarius-Libra-Aquarius-Gemini) and the other Cardinal Signs (Libra-Capricorn/Cancer). 

The time will be right to take decisive initiative and to make bold choices, putting into actions matters we had to keep on the back burner for a long time. Driven by faith and vision in better things to come we can sweep aside difficulties that might have seem insurmountable earlier. For many it could mean also to take a courageous stand to fight for what they believe in.

MERCURY RETRO

Mercury will retrograde in Capricorn (24°-08°) from December 29 to January 19. It could be advisable to postpone serious New Year’s resolutions until after the retro effect has passed. People more directly affected will be the Cardinal Signs (Capricorn-Cancer-Libra-Aries), having to revisit practical matters and commitments that may not be as solid as they thought they were. These are only temporary glitches however and, positively, they will urge you to be more conscientious and methodical when dealing with important practical matters next time.

SATURN INGRESS INTO PISCES

Now direct and gaining speed Saturn will cover five degrees of Aquarius during December and January (20°-26°). The ringed planets is in fact preparing to leave Aquarius (February 7, 2023) to begin its nearly three years transit through the Water Sign of Pisces. The whole transit will last until May 24, 2025; then return between September 2025 and mid-February 2026,  the cycle ending with the historical conjunction to Neptune on the threshold of Aries (February/March 2026), another game changer, like the alignments of 2020 have been (Jupiter-Saturn-Pluto).  

Saturn is the most solid of all the planets, intent at growing roots, establishing rules and limits, helping us to deal successfully with the practical demands of life. Saturn will find itself in a strange environment in the inconstant, emotionally receptive waters of Pisces, the least firmly anchored Sign of the whole Zodiac! How the world is going to deal with it this time around?

Saturn’s transit through the last zodiacal Sign marks, I feel, the end of an era on so many fronts, from down to earth experiences of the world to our collective spiritual path. Would we put our ability to build and make secure on less materialistic foundations? Or would we be swamped by escapism and make believe, becoming victims of our own blundering?

Aquarius and Pisces, last two Signs in the cycle, in a world-based astrology, represent our evolutionary struggles as a collective,  entire cultures, Eco-systems etc, toward progressive thinking (Aquarius) and spiritual realization/redemption (Pisces). All the way to the end of 2025 the opportunity is here to take responsibilities and work for the benefit of a wider world than our own private, egocentric domain. Could we as a collective meet the challenge of chaos and misinformation with disciplined minds and facts-based perspectives? I hope we will.

In my view, to all of us Saturn in Pisces will not be a care free period. Pisces, as the last Sign, encapsulates in fact collective and individual karma accumulated in the last thirty years, now materializing in our lives, mostly past our ability to control. 

PLUTO FIRST ENTRY INTO AQUARIUS, 2023-2024

2023 will be the testing ground for this twenty years long transit, lasting until 2044. After sixteen years in Capricorn Pluto will take its time to leave, at first transiting Aquarius between March 23 and June 12, to enter this sign for good only on January 22 2024.

To get an idea of the type of influence we are looking at, the last time this transit occurred was during the ground-breaking end of the 18th century (1778-1798), period epitomized by the French, American and industrial revolutions, marking the beginning of our modern version of the world, a powerful upgrade that changed everyone’s lives and also the natural world in very radical ways. 

Changes of immense magnitude seem to be on the cards for our planet then; not just because Pluto is changing Signs but because Uranus and Neptune, the other two giant at the edge of the solar system, will also shift Signs by 2025, respectively in Gemini and Aries. We are in for a mighty turn of the screw; hopefully we will not crack under such pressure.

August-September 2022 astrological musings: Mars long transit in Gemini

Ares

A shorter version of this article was published in issue 125 of the 'Uki Village News'

Mars in Gemini

Mars take usually two months to transit a Sign. This time though, due to Retrogradation, it will remain for a whole six months in Gemini, from August 20 2022 to March 25 2023, operating as a slower moving planet and therefore exerting greater and longer lasting influence.  

This period may activate, energize, instil courage, enthusiasm and initiative in many people’s lives and/or generate antagonism, strife, restlessness, frustration, open conflicts, especially verbal conflicts. Directly affected by this transit will be those whose Birth Charts feature Sun, Moon, any planet or Angle (Ascendant-Descendant-Mid-Heaven-Lower-Heaven) in Gemini or, to a lesser degree, in one of the other Mutable Signs (Sagittarius-Virgo-Pisces), especially if placed between degrees 8 and 26 of these Signs.

Starting in September a difficult angle from Mars to Pluto in Capricorn (135°) could prove volatile, bringing to light in a forceful way many unpalatable truths, with the need to face issues with honesty and courage, but shunning thoughts of revenge. Personal and social conflicts could be exacerbated by this transit, if misused. The exact dates are September 10, December 19, 2022, and February 15, 2023; keeping in mind that the effect may become apparent at least a week before and linger for a week after the actual given dates.  

Mercury’s Retrogradation: 08° Libra to 24° Virgo, September 10 to October 2

During this period we will be asked to move from an idealistic frame of mind (Libra) to a more realistic, down to earth one (Virgo). We will have to work a bit harder at making our communication as rational and our living and working spaces as clear of clutter as possible. Activities may slow down for a time, while we take care of unfinished business to begin on a new footing once the Retrogradation is over, from October 2, and especially from October 11 when Mercury will return to Libra, a more social and enterprising Sign.  

Aquarius Saturn square Taurus Uranus

This difficult recurring Saturn-Uranus’aspect will be the most powerful in the months ahead, remaining active until December this year. It will begin gathering strength in August, then return to full force from mid-September. The square will reach maximum intensity during the last week of November, when Saturn will be stationary for a while. Its influence could last to the end of the year.

The very same transit was the toughest planetary configuration in 2021, the cosmic signature of a year that saw ideological, cultural, generational and political conflicts becoming more intense and relevant for a large number of people.

It is important to remember that this transit represents one of the four major phases of a 45 year dance these planets perform with each other, cyclically.  

Since 1988 (first conjunction in Sagittarius), every 11 years or so, Saturn reached a critical distance from Uranus: a 90°angle (1999 square), a 180°angle (2009 opposition), and, at present, the last square (2021/22) before the next conjunction in Gemini (2032).  The effect of each of these transits lasts from a few months to a year. During these crucial times these two planetary drives are compelled to work together, each tending to pose great obstacle in the path of the other. At these rimes reconciling their differences is the task of society as a whole and also of individuals.   

We could look at these planetary energies as two very distinct ways of approaching life. Saturn, often depicted as an older man bent under the weight of age and worries, but also rich with the wisdom of experience, is the one who embodies a conservative world view, based on practical considerations, tending always toward caution, not inclined to take risks.  

The main negative aspect of the saturnine drive is its rigidity, a conformist frame of mind, afraid to move out of the established confines of conventional thinking. Conformist Saturn looks back to the past, to the ones who came before and left a secure legacy, like a map we can follow. But this tendency of looking back could actually stifle the desire to try new ideas, to think out of the box, to aspire to more evolutionary ideals, as a society and individuals.  Inertia, fear and greed often resulting from the mishandling of Saturn’s power.

In order to preserve the status quo Saturn can and does often slips into authoritarian mode, putting up walls and restrictions that are unfair and unhelpful, especially to individually minded temperaments. Fear of change the dominating reason behind Saturn’s approach.

During the Saturn-Uranus’ crucial phases the saturnine abuse of authority is met, head on, by Uranus’ drive toward radical changes. Uranus manifests as a youthful, arrogant spirit of independence and rebellion, fiercely defending itself against any limitation to its freedom and self-determination. Due to its radical tendencies and despite its democratic leanings, Uranus too can become a dangerous autocrat, especially at the ideological level. We have recently seen these tendencies enacted in the cyber and personal clashes between conflicting belief systems and even alternative versions of reality, the eccentric side of Uranus introducing a rather irrational element to the mix.

Very relevant at present is the all-out war between conservative and progressive world view on the crucial issues of climate change, social justice, gender and cultural/religious equality. The Uranus side is obviously getting more impatient for changes that should have been implemented long ago and are still being denied, as the conservative side, represented by Saturn, slowly responds with insufficient measures while throwing more spokes in the wheel of progress.  We may witness more of the same in the months ahead.

Hopefully, as we edge closer to the end of this transit we should be better equipped to reconcile its opposing forces.

Saturn, in its benign form, plays in fact a positive moderating role, its function to guarantee the success of every enterprise via practical, realistic means. Uranus, in its best form, represents the collective and individual drives toward an ideal, fairer and more inclusive experience. By keeping alive from our cultural past what is still highly valuable (Saturn), while opening our minds to more adventurous and original views (Uranus) we could step into our evolutionary future from the springboard of stored knowledge and the wisdom of the ages that preceded ours. We will be then at less risk of ‘throwing away the baby with the bath water’, often the effect of too radical and hasty revolutions.

Are we ready for the middle path? If not, conflicts will always be the result of such transits.

This year we celebrate the Libra Spring Equinox on September 23, 11.03 am, local time. 

The Astrology for August-September 2020: the crisis continues… Focus on Mars and Jupiter trine Pluto

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Ask the Wild Bee what the Druids knew…

‘Monks’ Garden’ by Catherine Nelson

A shorter version of this article has been published in issue 113 of the Uki Village News.

The Big Picture

All serious practitioners could tell you that predicting anything via astrology is an enterprise fraught with difficulties and pitfalls. In fact, at any given time, many factors play upon the cosmic stage, creating a medley of often discordant voices. There are special times however, like the present, when it is relatively easy to match the planetary chorus with the exceptional events we are experiencing. The astrology has tellingly shown us the peaks and valleys we have gone through as the transits of the major actors, in the Sign of Capricorn, reached their climatic alignment, slowly separated, only to gain strength again. The peak times, so far, have been March/April and June/July.

August and September may seem less eventful as the slow moving planets Jupiter, Saturn and Pluto separate from their fateful alignment and the eclipse season is behind us, even if not quite spent. The next major peak, with the third and last Jupiter-Pluto’s conjunction should not happen before mid November. That is, if it were not for Mars’ prolonged transit in Aries; more of Mars later.

Capricorn Jupiter’s harmonious angle to Neptune in Pisces

A beautiful Jupiter-Neptune’s transit (second pass of a 60° angle, exact on July 28) shines a bright light on an otherwise difficult period ahead. This particular influence, whose first pass was one of very few positive aspects last February, will remain active this time well into August and then return, for the third and last time, on October 12. The energies of those two Planets, when in harmony like now, promise a reawakening of spirituality and goodwill, and an evolving philosophy of compassion and acceptance that could help us greatly to deal with the challenging trend still in the cards for the next few months.  Considering the power Mars is gaining from now to the end of the year, through a long period of retrogradation and difficult transits, this harmonious alignment could help to develop the qualities that are now more than ever needed to avoid all out conflicts, in our personal and social lives.

Focus on Mars

Mars entered Aries on June 28 and, due to Retrogradation (Sep10-Nov14), it will transit Aries all the way to January 7 2021. This is very important because some of the Red Planet’s difficult transits, becoming exact at first in August and September, will re-occur from October to December, even spilling over into 2021. These transits will be triggering again the planets at the centre of the present crisis.  A transit of Mars lasts, on average, from a few days to a week. In this instance however Mars’ motion will slow down considerably, fact that will cause its transits not only to last longer but also to be more intense and problematic.

The astrological Mars controls our physical drive, spontaneous reactions and the desire to act upon our impulses, to be direct and assertive or, negatively, manifests as our uncompromising, confrontational, aggressive, me-first tendencies.

Mars square Jupiter: August 4 – October 19 2020 + January 23 2021
The Mars in Aries’ transits will begin on August 4, with a right angle to Jupiter in Capricorn. The same will be repeated on the 19^thdegree of same Signs on October 19 (and, from Taurus to Aquarius, on January 23 2021!). This is a transit for risk taking and the irrepressible urge for freedom of action and expression. A sense of self-righteousness may prevail in the collective, as well as an exaggerated sense of entitlement, lack of caution and forethought. While it could be a positive thing to fight with courage for our rights, personally and collectively, it could also lead to more severe confrontations and divisions.  An exhalation of emotions and passions is likely around these times.

Mars square Pluto: August 13 – October 9 – December 24 2020
Next will be the right angle Mars-Pluto, on August 13. This transit will repeat on October 9 and December 24, on the 23^rd degree of these Signs, the same sensitive degree where the Saturn-Pluto conjunction occurred in early January, the aspect at the center of the whole Covid saga and its aftermath. During this transit our drive for self determination will encounter obstacles that may seem at time insurmountable. We could find ourselves in a situation we cannot control, particularly resenting its negative impact on our lives. A similar transit became active in March at the heights of the restrictions most governments had to put in place to deal with the worsening pandemic.

Mars Square Saturn: August 25 – September 30 2020 + January 13 2021.
This must be the exemplary transit of frustration and angry discontent. The desire to act out our desire is strong with Mars in Aries. It is now finding though powerful obstacles stopping us in our tracks. It could be anything, from bad luck to lack of opportunities, even other people standing in our way, making duties, obligations and commitments harder to bear than usual.

The Libra Spring Equinox, Waxing Crescent Sagittarius Moon,
September 22, 11.30 pm local time

 

click to view larger image

This is the yearly time to celebrate or sanctify the emerging of a new season, Spring in the Southern Lands and Autumn in the Northern, the Libra Equinox.

The Horoscope of this special event shows a near perfect opposition of Mercury in Libra and Mars in Aries, a difficult balance between the drive for direct action (Aries Mars) and the need for careful deliberation before taking action (Libra Mercury). Both Mercury and Mars are at right angle to Saturn and Pluto in Capricorn (t-square), stressing the potential for conflict and power struggles, and also again highlighting that the end of this global crisis is still in the future. Because the planetary configuration at this crucial time could mean a bumpy start to the new season, its celebrations could include some symbolical reminder of the need to create harmony and accord out of disharmony and discord, a balanced mind (Mercury) over unruly impulses (Mars).

The Astrology of June July 2020, with an eye on the Covid crisis. Jupiter-Saturn-Pluto alignment and Another Eclipse Season. The role of Mars

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Ask the Wild Bee what the Druids knew…

‘Temple Garden’ by Catherine Nelson

This a longer version of an article published in the Uki Village News issue 112, for June-July 2020

The big picture

A highly unusual astrological narrative began unfolding in early December with the ingress of Jupiter in Capricorn, joining Saturn-Pluto as they approached their historical conjunction.
During the coming months of June-July we will see a continuation of the same, with a new Eclipse season, and Jupiter’ second pass alignment to Pluto.

In astrology Jupiter has the function of expanding our understanding but also of magnifying events, for better or worse. Capricorn is known as the Sign of Jupiter’s ‘fall’, a term indicating a uniquely challenging environment for this planet.

The long anticipated Saturn-Pluto’s conjunction in Capricorn was of concern to many astrological seekers because both planets portend difficult and even traumatic transitions in our personal and collective lives. Joining together they foretold hard times ahead.  We know now that they brought even greater disruption and upheaval than anyone anticipated, marking a truly ‘karmic’ time for the whole planet.

Fortunately Saturn moved ahead of Pluto rapidly, leaving Capricorn by March 22. It will return to Capricorn between July 2 and December 17, but without reaching the degree of Pluto again, something we can all be grateful for. It could have been even worse!

The alignment of Jupiter to the Boxing Day 2019 Solar Eclipse, very close to the Capricorn Solstice, the start of a new season, was further confirmation of the powerful role Jupiter will play in shaping the major events of the coming year. Furthermore the January Cancer Lunar Eclipse was also aligned (opposition) to the Saturn-Pluto conjunction, another sign of the far reaching consequences of their encounter.

The narrative has not ended though because it has been and continues to be the role of Jupiter, and also of Mars, to trigger the darker energy of Pluto, until at least the end of this fateful year.  A highly activated Pluto can manifest as grievous losses and serious control issues, as shown by the draconian measures governments had to put in place and the resentment some of these have fueled in many people.

Pluto also has increased the need for honest appraisal of any situation, no by embellishment or false hopes, but by dealing with the starkly sad realities life is presenting to us at this moment. We can choose to be empowered or be crushed by it. If radical changes are not implemented now, in the way we govern ourselves, the hard lessons will have to be repeated and things may actually get worse rather than better in the future.

While Pluto forces us to confront our deepest fears, Jupiter transiting Capricorn and aligning with Pluto three times (April 4, June 30, November13) is making the impact of the Saturn-Pluto conjunction more profound and far reaching, it is also offering a new vision for the future though, a new philosophical outlook on life that will stretch well beyond the present crisis. This is obvious observing how many of us are heeding the call for change to the way we live, accepting personal sacrifices to stop the abuse of the natural environment, the exploitation of resources and of people less fortunate than ourselves. The unprecedented emergency is showing that things could be different, that our future doesn’t have to be a repetition of the past. There is certainly hope, but the outcome is, to a great extent, up to us. The old maxim that ‘the stars incline, they do not compel‘ is forever true. We can make the best or the worst of any difficult transit; as we can enjoy or spoil the positive ones.

The Eclipses

The June Eclipses, Lunar (June 6 Sagittarius Full Moon) and Solar (June 21 Cancer New Moon) are showcasing a difficult Sun-Moon angle to Mars-Neptune, the latter becoming conjunct in Pisces on June 14, also aligning then to the Last Quarter Moon, a critical time in every Moon cycle. This whole configuration could aggravate the collective tendency toward flights of fancy and unrealistic thinking, challenging our ability to see through the fog of misinformation.  It could also make us more impressionable and thus prone to errors of judgement, as well as aggravating our collective susceptibility to negative energies, psychological as well as physical. A healthy grip on common sense will be a must, in this confusing and anxiety riddled period. I fear that many could relax their guard too soon against the still clear and present danger of the pandemic (see the end of June second alignment of Jupiter-Pluto), or become easy prey to the numerous extravagant narratives that have been widely circulating since the start of the emergency.

The last Eclipse, a Lunar at the July 5 Capricorn Full Moon, concurs with the Jupiter-Pluto conjunction (already exact on June 30), the Moon aligning with them early on July 6. This particular event speaks loudly of the still present impact of all that went on previously, demanding a cautious and realistic approach to the crisis in order to master the unruly emotions and passions that could lead us astray.

The role of Mars

Let’s not forget that fiery Mars, who played such an important role in the escalation of the crisis in March, when transiting Capricorn and aligning to Pluto-Jupiter-Saturn, will enter Aries on June 28. Due to Retrogradation (September 10 to November 14) Mars will transit Aries until January 7 2021, again interacting by difficult 90 degrees angles with Jupiter-Saturn-Pluto, between August and October, December and January.  So, in my view, it is not over until is over.

The good news is that Capricorn, the central character of this entire saga, is a highly productive and realistic Sign, so that, if we manage to navigate these troubled waters with patience and a down to earth attitude, we will find plenty of strength and amazing resilience to cope with anything life may throw at us.  And, last but not least, the amazing conjunction of Jupiter to Saturn on the threshold of Aquarius, on December 22, is a beacon of hope for a better future if we embrace a spirit of reform and cooperation.

 

August 2018 Astrology: The longest Lunar Eclipse of the century, multiple retrogrades and the ongoing risky dance of Mars-Uranus

A slightly shorter version of this post was published in early August 2918 in the Uki Village News.

Last Eclipse Season for 2018

Spanning the months of July and August 2018 the Eclipse season will be intensified in its effect and extended in its duration by the fact that many planets are going retrograde, including our closest brothers, Mercury and Mars, with Saturn, Chiron, Neptune, Pluto and, from August 7, Uranus also. Mercury’s retro period in Leo will go from July 25 to August 19, while Mars’ current retrogradation, between Aquarius and Capricorn, will last until August 27. On top of this Mars has been closest to our planet for a number of years, fact that tends to make his war-like nature more evident; while, between July 7 and September 24, Mars will also be ‘out of bounds’ (beyond the usual 23° declination), another factor that could make the martial energy more erratic and unpredictable .

The Cancer Solar Eclipse of July 13 began the cycle and the August 11 Leo Solar Eclipse will end it. The July 28 Total Lunar Eclipse represents the culmination of the whole period, right in the middle of it, and it is indeed a very special event, not only to astrologers but astronomers as well, because of its length, a whopping one hour and 42 minutes, the longest lasting of the whole 21^st century.

Many Retrogrades

In August and September the July 28 Total Lunar Eclipse in Aquarius will still dominate. The reason for this is that during the eclipse Mars is closely conjunct the Moon and thus the difficult ongoing 90° between Mars and Uranus (active at least until October) will also involve the Moon, the Sun and the Lunar Nodes (T Square). This is a combination of energies that could sorely try our collective patience.

This transit acquires strength due to the Lunar Eclipse, thus extending its influence beyond the month of August, but it started having an effect already in May 2018, when the first pass of the Mars-Uranus’ Square took place, just as both planets were entering Aquarius and Taurus respectively (exact on May 16).

The fact is that while Mars, in backward motion, implies that we are required to soften our stance, looking inward rather than outward for the causes of conflicts and misunderstanding, the strong involvement of Uranus could make it a lot more difficult to find the patience and calm needed to review the way we usually deal with conflicts. And retro Mercury will not help by aggravating any difficulty in communication.

Mars retro always represents an opportunity to avoid arguments by maintaining a calm and detached attitude, remaining centered in the eye of any storm that may come our way, avoiding unfruitful retaliation. The angle with Uranus, especially coinciding with such a full on eclipse, could make this task ever more difficult, because we are, at the same time, pulled toward a more antagonistic and rebellious way of dealing with confrontations, while our reactions could be exaggerated and compulsive. Uranus is in fact the least diplomatic, more radical and uncompromising planetary energy there is!

Again the Fixed Signs of Aquarius, Leo, Taurus and Scorpio are the ones that could be more directly affected by these events, especially if the 4^th, 5^th or 6^th degrees (Lunar Eclipse) or the 17^th, 18^th or 19^th degrees (Solar Eclipse) of these Signs are highlighted in your Birth Horoscope. Because the nature of these Signs is wilful and focussed there is here a need for everyone to be more flexible and tolerant.

The Lunar Node involved in the Lunar Eclipse is the South, indicating that whatever we need to face now, individually and collectively, has to do with negative patterns established long ago, and that this could be an ideal time to recognize and release them.

Positive Transits

To help dealing with the emotional extremes and frustration of the Mars-Uranus’ aspect, Jupiter in Scorpio, is forming a harmonious angle (120°) with Neptune in Pisces, exact on August 19, and active until early September. Here perhaps is one cosmic key to survive and thrive through this challenging and intense period: the cultivation of compassion, closeness to nature and any activities that can help you relax and unwind, thus reconnect to your emotional/spiritual source.

Another helpful transit, active between August 7 and September 9, is the passage of Venus through Libra, the Sign of cooperation and justice, showing us a way of reconciling differences and finding a middle ground from which to work out these differences in creative rather than disruptive ways.

September 2018

Past August the month of September looks mild in comparison, with a stronger accent on the Earth Signs, implying a more practical and realistic outlook that will help all of us to stay more grounded.

Mars will then be direct in motion too, encouraging the start or re-start of any enterprise and project we may have had to put on halt during retrogradation. The effect of all the aspects I discussed before will be still lingering though, if not as intense.

The second pass of a crucial transit: Mars in Aquarius square Uranus in Taurus, things are shifting fast, plans go awry.. Remaining calm in the eye of the storm

‘The Tower’ edited Tarot Card – Alistair Crowley deck

Apologies to Living Moon Astrology subscribers if you received this post twice in your email box. It was sent in error with a different heading.

Today, August 2, Retro Mars in Aquarius completes the second pass of its momentous 90 degrees angle to Uranus in Taurus.

Uranus is slowing down considerably, nearly ready to become Stationary Retrograde, on August 7. This fact, coupled with Mars’ Retrogradation, will contribute to keep this transit active for the foreseeable future (to around the first week of October 2018).

An important thing to remember though is that this transit not only will extend its influence beyond the month of August but that it started having an effect in May 2018, when the first pass took place, just as both Mars and Uranus were entering Aquarius and Taurus respectively (exact on May 16).

The third Eclipse of the season (and the last for 2018) is also looming for the upcoming 18 °Leo New Moon on August 11 (Partial Solar), adding intensity and a more obvious cosmic purpose to this period, in the lives of many individuals, and generally the whole collective (more about the August 11 Solar Eclipse in another post).

Changes may be coming rapidly, perhaps too rapidly and even disruptively for some of us. Things may feel more out of control than usual, particularly in the areas of experience indicated by the Houses in our Birth Horoscopes where these events occur.  The effect would be accentuated and deepened also by alignments with one or more of our Birth Planets (conjunctions, oppositions, squares, trines, sextiles).

Remember that, due to the 90 degrees distance between Mars and Uranus, during this transit they will occupy any given Houses in our Birth Horoscopes at that distance from each other; the First and the Fourth, the Second and the Fifth etc.

04, 05, 06 degrees of Aquarius, Leo, Taurus and Scorpio will be directly aligned to this event.

Exciting or upsetting, opening up new channels and opportunities in your life or filling you up with apprehension and frustration, this transit is meant to accelerate necessary changes and alter the way you act in the areas indicated by the Houses. Staying relaxed and consciously focused in the eye of your own personal storm will bring its reward when the waters will be calm again and the purpose of all the upheaval will become evident.

 

Exciting or unsettling,

Major Transits active in June and July 2018: Mars Retro in Aquarius; second Eclipse Season 2018; Uranus in Taurus

Mars Retro in Aquarius

A shorter version of this post was published in the 100th issue of the Uki Village News, in early June 2018.

We are now well into the Uranus in Taurus era. As usual astrology seems to have anticipated much of the tensions and disruptive events, as well as the breakthroughs and evolutionary upheavals in store for the world at this time.

June and July 2018 sees a return of some of the most intense transits already active in mid May, while another eclipse season is upon us too. It will start at the July 13, Cancer 20° New Moon Partial Solar Eclipse, continuing to the July 28, Aquarius 04°Full Moon Total Lunar Eclipse, and will end on the August 11, Leo 18°New Moon Partial Solar Eclipse; three events rather than the usual two.

If your birthday falls very close, a day or so, from these dates the eclipses could prove significant for you, marking an emotional climax of some kind (Lunar Eclipse) or new beginnings in some area of your life, responding to a new level of awareness within (Solar Eclipses).

Similar effects are possible if the Moon or any planet or angle in your Birth Horoscope happen to be on or around 20^th degree of Cancer, Capricorn, Aries or Libra (Lunar Eclipse), and/or the 4^th/5^th and the 18^th degrees of Aquarius, Leo, Taurus or Scorpio (Solar Eclipse).

The Taurus Uranian era will last for the seven years stay of Uranus in this Fixed Earth Sign (until 2025). In the long or short term, depending on our personal alignment to these cosmic events, it will be better if we prepare for major and rapid transformations in our world. Being complacent could find us unprepared for the necessary adjustments to new circumstances.

The very positive side of all of this will be about aligning ourselves to our truer purpose, asserting more openly our individuality, breaking with old moulds and taboos by defying social and family convention/conditioning. In the line of major impact will be the Fixed Signs, Taurus, of course, and also Scorpio, Leo and Aquarius.  This transit will hopefully shift those Signs from their proverbial tendency to become stuck and their stubborn avoidance of change, without completely upsetting their sense of security and belonging.

Depending on the exact position of Sun, Moon and planets in our Birth Horoscopes these transits will be close and personal to us, or manifest mainly as changes in the general environment, impacting on our life in an indirect way.

From the time of writing, end of May 2018, to mid August, than again from the end of August to September 11, Mars will transit the Fixed Air Sign of Aquarius. Salient transits of Mars will be the alignment to the Lunar Nodes on June 8 and July 20, and the Mars-Uranus 90 degrees angle, from the week of May 16, to the weeks of August 2 and September 19. These difficult angles and the also challenging 45 degrees angle of Uranus to Neptune (June 16, December 15, 2018, + May 2, 2019) will dominate the whole period.  Rebellion and defiance are in the air; everybody seems more opinionated and stubborn than ever; the world is not shying away from open confrontations. Conflicts of ideas and ideologies could prevail; rationalism versus idealism; technology versus ecology. Many will need to stand up to uphold or defend the evolutionary principles and ideals of a just and tolerant world, because reactionary and ultra conservative traditions will not give up their grip on the planet without a good fight (Mars).

Manifestations of these conflicting forces are the present increase in tectonic and volcanic activities and in war-like posturing from world leaders. Look historically at the high cost modern democracies had to pay to stay alive during the last Uranus in Taurus epoch, 1934/35 to 1941/42.

With all the differences between the world now and the world of 84 plus years ago we are facing somewhat similar challenges, with rapid increase in governments power mongering, with the surge of dictatorship and general war-mongering around the globe, and the ever greedier big corporations and financial institutions’ control over our lives.

Timeline for the Mars’ Retro period

• Mars turns Retro in Aquarius on June 27
• Mars re-enters Capricorn on August 13
• Mars turns Direct in Capricorn on August 28
• Mars re-enter Aquarius on September 11

Let’s stay cool but alert, embracing the changes that come our way. They may seem daunting but they are really opportunities to rise above stagnant situations, allowing better things to manifest in our life.

 

Lunar and Solar Eclipses, Mars in Leo, Trump’s Astrology, Jupiter aligned to Pluto-Uranus and Mercury Retrograde, a lot to process in August and September

a picture is worth a thousand words

This article was published, in a shorter form, in the Uki Village News, at the beginning of August 2017

Mars in Leo aligned to the August Eclipses. Whoopee!

An intense Eclipse Season is again upon us, this time aligned to the axis Leo-Aquarius (and indirectly to Taurus-Scorpio) and made livelier by being associated with Mars. The Eclipses are: a Lunar at the Full Moon in Aquarius (opposite Sun-Mars conjunct in Leo) on August 8, and a Solar at the Leo New Moon, on August 22, aligned this time to Uranus in Aries, the traditional Sign of Mars, while Mars itself will be by then conjunct the Moon’s North Node, an interception point on the Earth orbit which is connected to Eclipses.

The Mars theme is obviously strong at this time, enhancing the possibility of confrontations, conflicts and escalation of issues that may have been dormant for a while. In a positive sense this means a clearing of the air and a healthy moving away from stale situations, especially after the second Eclipse. The August 8 Lunar Eclipse represents in fact a climax of some kind, when things are revealed or realized, while the Solar Eclipse, on August 22, signifies a cutting off from the past and a radical new start.

Mars in Leo

Mars, the main catalyst of all these cosmic energies, will be transiting Leo between July 20 and September 5.

When Mars moves Sign, every two months or so, a shift occurs in the way we act out our desires, assert ourselves and defend ourselves from real or imagined dangers. Naturally people with different planetary placements in their Birth Charts will respond to Mars’ changing energy in their own individual way.

Mars in Leo provides the type of energy that can be spontaneously channeled into creative activities. The energy should be high and focused. Brightness and warmth accompany this placement when found in a Birth Chart. Collectively also this Mars’ position can provide added warmth, brilliance and passion to everyone’s life.

Mars will remain in Leo until September 6. Leo is considered a positive placement for Mars, providing the fiery passion the Red Planet feeds on, but also containing that passion and controlling it, enabling us to utilize the positive energy for creative and enterprising feats.

Donald Trump’s Astrology

A case in point:  the transits to the Birth Horoscope of USA President Trump. Around the time of the Lunar Eclipse, on August 8, transiting Mars will be aligned to Trump’s Birth Pluto (one explosive conjunction, like putting a live match in a keg of dynamite); while, during the second event, Mars will be close to his Birth Mars and the Solar Eclipse degree will be in near perfect alignment to his Birth Ascendant (born in NY on June 14 1946, official time 10.54 am). Both Mars and Jupiter are soon due to return to his Birth Horoscope’s positions, marking endings and new beginnings. At the same time Saturn is forming the last alignment to his Moon (conjunction) and Sun (opposition) in August and September, the same transit active since his presidential inauguration, making the job itself feel very hardous to Trump, the routines tiresome, the responsibilities heavy. All these combined factors further stress the significance of this period in his life.

Two New Moons in Leo, one on July 23, the other on August 22

The first New Moon in Leo occurred on July 23 2017, at 7.45 pm. The New Moon fell on the same day the Sun entered Leo (1.15 am), and just about an hour after the ingress of the Moon in Leo (6.33 pm). Because that New Moon was at the very beginning of the Sign there will be another Leo New Moon on August 22, on the 28^th degree of Leo, just before the Sun‘s ingress into Virgo. This latter New Moon will be the Solar Eclipse spoken of before.

Jupiter alignment to Pluto and Uranus

Collectively, to add to the intensity of all the above, Libran Jupiter will be forming its last major alignments to Uranus and Pluto (before entering Scorpio on October 10): a right angle to Pluto in Capricorn on August 5 (close to the Lunar Eclipse) and an opposition to Uranus in Aries on September 28. In this case the Cardinal Signs are highlighted, also showing that accelerated changes, even upheavals, are now possible and the start of brand new phases in the life of the collective as well as many individuals. The role of Jupiter is to help us strive toward greater understanding of our place in the world, lifting us up and out of a too personal outlook on life. Its alignments to two of the most powerful ‘astrological transformers’, Pluto and Uranus, is now matching Jupiter’s widening of perspective with greater willingness to embrace radical changes, even if it means cutting the roots of deep attachments and lifelong habits.

Mercury Retrograde, a reminder…

Finally to make the period even more ‘interesting’ Mercury will turn Retrograde between August 12 and September 6, from Virgo back into Leo. To read more about Mercury’s Retro period  please navigate to my July post HERE.

Happy transits everyone.

June-July 2017 Astrology: Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter and the Cancer Solstice

The Cancer Solstice – June 21 2017 – Winter Solstice

Cancer Solstice 2017 – click to view larger image

Cancer Solstice 2017 Data – click to view larger image

This article was published in early June in The Uki Village News; the following is a slightly extended version.

Hi everyone, welcome to my take on the astrological period June-July 2017, gearing up to be full of surprises and new developments.

June: in early June Mercury, Venus and Mars shifted Signs around the same time. These are known as ‘Personal Planets’ because they tend to dominate our personal, day to day life for shorter spurts of time than the more distant planets, who take care instead of the big picture behind any given period.
Mars will transit Cancer from June 5 to July 20: a time that could prove emotionally challenging to the Cardinal Signs (Cancer-Capricorn-Aries-Libra). There is a real risk of falling into emotional extremes and give into irrational or aggressive behaviour: moderation and control of impulsiveness key words here. To put this transit to good use we could all employ the extra energy to tackle practical tasks and activities that need drive, initiative and courage.

On June 6 Venus entered Taurus and will transit this Sign until July 5. This is a positive shift for the Fixed Signs (Taurus-Scorpio-Leo-Aquarius), stimulating creativity, enjoyment of social activities, loving opportunities and financial ease.

Between June 7 and 21 Mercury will transit its own Sign of Gemini, a helpful development for the Mutable Signs (Gemini-Sagittarius-Virgo-Pisces), bringing greater ease in communication, learning, encouraging  travel and all activities that require mental flexibility and rapid responses.

Entering the Water Sign of Cancer on June 21 Mercury will align with Mars on June 29, greatly stimulating communication and travel, but also increasing restlessness and exacerbating the risks of confrontations and disagreements, especially for the Cardinal Signs (Cancer-Capricorn, Aries-Libra).

On June 15 the Sun will reach the yearly opposition to Saturn, the best time to observe the ringed planet in the night sky, rising as the Sun sets and climbing up throughout the night. Astrologically this is the time when we confront the results of the previous six months activities, checks and balances, successes and failures.

If you plan to celebrate the Winter Solstice (= ingress of the Sun in Cancer, its northernmost declination), this year it will fall on June 21, 2.24 pm, NSW standard time.

July: From July 5 to August 1 Venus will grace the Air Sign of Gemini, helping all of us to bond our creative talents to our ability to communicate the same to other people, an exciting influence especially for the Mutable Signs (Gemini-Sagittarius-Virgo-Pisces). This is a great stimulus for travel, friendship, parties, get-togethers, creative writing and the arts.  Mercury in Leo, between July 6 and 26, will also encourage creativity, playfulness and spontaneity, especially for the Fixed Signs (Leo-Aquarius-Taurus-Scorpio).

Mars will transit Leo from July 20 to September 5. Leo is a more compatible Sign for this fiery planet, not much oriented toward the past as Cancer, but rather projected toward the future and its brighter possibilities. This could be a positive, outgoing, creative energy especially for the Fixed Signs (Leo-Aquarius-Taurus-Scorpio).

Looking at the bigger picture now: on June 10 Jupiter will turn Stationary Direct in the middle of Libra, powering on toward its next destinations, its last difficult encounters with Pluto, on August 5 (close to a Lunar Eclipse on August 8) and Uranus, on September 28, to finally enter the Sign of Scorpio on October 10. All the developments that began earlier on in the year, but were considerably slowed down by Jupiter’s four months Retrogradation, will once more gain rapid momentum, inciting unexpected breakthroughs and radical changes, but also greater volatility and unpredictability in our personal and collective life.

Happy transits everyone

August 11, 6.30 pm, Eastern Australia, looking at the Moon to find Mars and Saturn

Here is a snapshot of the sky from the astronomical program Stellarium. The time is tonight around 6.30 pm, looking up. It shows the yet to form conjunction of the Waxing First Quarter Moon to Mars and Saturn, edging closer to each other. You can observe the Libra and Scorpion constellations behind them. In the Tropical Zodiac however the Moon is actually transiting through the end of Scorpio, while Mars and Saturn are transiting in early Sagittarius (they will becoming conjunct in Longitude on August 24). To better understand the difference between Sidereal (Constellations) and Tropical or Seasonal Zodiacs please navigate to this tutorial of mine.

Note also bright Spica, alpha star of Virgo, the ear of corn in the Maiden’s hand, lower, toward the western horizon. This star could be easily confused with Jupiter or even Venus which are also visible in the early evening, the latter still setting only shortly after the Sun.

More about the visible night Planets in the next few days….

Sky Constellations Planets August 11 2016 630 pm

Mars in Sagittarius, August 3 to September 27 2016

‘Parsifal’ by Jeanne Delville

MARS re-entered Sagittarius on August 3, at 3.49 am after. It took a long time!

Mars entered Sagittarius earlier, on March 6 2016. The Stationary-Retro period began on April 17, between the 8th and 9th degree of Sagittarius. Mars then re-entered Scorpio on May 28; it became Stationary-Direct on June 28, on the 23rd degree of Scorpio, and Direct on July First, leaving Scorpio for good only on August 3.

Mars direct in Sagittarius (August-September 27) could propel many of us into new adventures, physical and of the mind. Time to explore, travel, learn, take risks, get into action, especially if you were born a Fire Sign (Aries, Leo, Sagittarius) and/or the other Mutable Signs (Gemini, Virgo, Pisces). Also the other Air Signs (Aquarius, Libra) could find great stimulation from this transit.

The risk would be to overdue it, to stretch to the limit our inner and outer resources, thus becoming ineffectual and un-grounded. Beware also of the self-righteous, holier than you attitude that could be fanned by this transit of Mars.

Mars will form some difficult angles with Chiron in Pisces (square on August 16), with Saturn (conjunction on August 24), with Neptune (square on August 26), with the Lunar Nodes (square on August 30). At these times we could all take extra caution, curbing impulsiveness and avoiding energy dissipating confrontations.

Mars turns Direct, end of June 2016: sowing the Dragon’s teeth

Sowing the Dragon’s Teeth by Brian Fisher

We should congratulate ourselves if we are still here and in one piece after the harrowing period of Mars Retrogradation (April 17 to  June 28). From the blazing Fire of Sagittarius to the deep Waters of Scorpio, as I put it in my previous post on the Retrogradation of Mars.

Now we are going to retrace our steps, hopefully with a new awareness of how to direct our desire-energy and basic instincts (Mars) into constructive rather than destructive or self-destructive attitudes.

Mars will slowly transit the remaining degrees of Scorpio (from 26th to 30th) in the month of July and early August, finally re-entering Sagittarius on August 3.

When moving in direct motion Mars is actually well placed in Scorpio, his own Sign (according to the old tradition), providing experiences and insights to become aware of the palpable effect of our will and personal power in shaping events in our lives.

With Mars retro in Scorpio we have been forced to go deep to confront inner and outer demons, to feel more intensely anger and resentment, going to the roots causes of problems, if we had enough courage to look at them dispassionately. A big ask because Scorpio is a Sign of  emotional involvement, not innately detached and objective.

Negatively during a Mars’ Retro period personal and collective hurt simmer below the surface in search of some emotional release and often finds it.  The Brexit is an example of it, with people, now that the retrogradation is over, asking themselves what prompted them to take such a radical and irrevocable decision, one they already feel they may regret.

Positively this Retro period of Mars could have helped us transform our natures for the better, finding more mature ways to manage inner, unexpressed, frustrated, resentful anger and also better, more constructive ways to handle external conflicts.

Mars goes Stationary-Retrograde on April 17 and will turn Direct again on July 1, between the blazing Fire of Sagittarius and the deep Water of Scorpio

***

Mars’ Facts: Mars entered Sagittarius on March 6. The Stationary-Retro period began on April 17, between the 8th and 9th degree of Sagittarius. Mars will then re-enter Scorpio on May 28; it will become Stationary-Direct on June 28, on the 23rd degree of Scorpio, and Direct on July First,  leaving Scorpio for good only on August 3 2016.

***

Please note the synchronicity with the Australian Government Double Dissolution Elections, decided on April 18, as Stationary Mars turned Retro, and planned for July 2, just one day after Mars will turn Direct again! This means, among other things, that the whole electoral campaign will happen during the Retro period of Mars, first through Sagittarius (to May 28) and then through Scorpio (to July 2).

***

If your Birth Chart is aligned to the present Mars’ transits, you may have to put some of your projects on the back burner and wait for a more suitable time to carry them out. This could sound as a warning to our present leadership that will have to revisit old issues and device different tactics of action throughout the upcoming campaign, especially during the Mercury Retro period in Taurus (three weeks between April 28 and May 23).
***

Please CLICK HERE to go to the end of this post to find out who will be more likely to feel the effect of this special Mars’ phase.

Mars becomes Retrograde once every two years or so, for a periods of about three months. The Retrogradation of Mars can limit our ability to act and to assert our desires, but can also help us to rethink the consequences of our actions, encouraging us to slow down And take it easy.

It could be difficult for many of us to freely express our passions and highly charged emotions or to go after what we want in an effective way. This could be particularly true for the birthdays given below  and also for those whose Mars was in a prominent or difficult position at birth. In particular individuals who had Mars transiting Sagittarius or Scorpio the day they were born and will experience thus the all important two yearly Mars’ Return during the retro period.

When Mars moves retrograde his energy, usually spontaneous and outgoing, is somewhat internalized, to serve psychic rather than physical purposes. There arise the need for re-thinking the way we go about asserting ourselves, our modalities of action, in our personal lives as well as communities of people and nations.

If our habitual behavior has often created strife and attracted opposition in the past perhaps now is the right time to look into these issues and the way we normally handle conflicts in our lives.  Because Mars, during Retrogradation, becomes somewhat frustrated in his desire for action, we got to find another way to deal with anger, and with all the unspent energy that boils beneath the surface.

The Astronomy of Mars Retrograde: every two years or so the earth in its orbit around the Sun catches up to Mars, passing between it and the Sun. This year this will happen on May 23. Astronomers will say that Mars is in opposition to the Sun around that time, at its brightest for observation. Then, for a while, Mars will nearly match Jupiter in brightness. Mars will then be rising in the east as the Sun sets in the west, not unlike a Full Moon.

 

People directly aligned to this special phase of Mars, between April 17 and May 28 this year.

• Sagittarius whose birthday falls between November 22 and December 2/3, of any year.

• Gemini whose birthday falls between May 21 and 31, of any year.

• Virgo whose birthday falls between August 23 and September 2/3, of any year.

• Pisces whose birthday falls between February 18/19 and March 1/2, of any year.

There will be a direct alignment, during the same period, also if your Moon, or any Planet and/or Angle in your Birth Chart is found between the 9th and first degree of Sagittarius, Gemini, Virgo or Pisces.

***

People directly aligned to this special phase of Mars, between May 28 and July 1 this year.

• Scorpio whose birthday falls between November 15 and 22, of any year.

• Taurus whose birthday falls between May 14 and 21, of any year.

• Leo whose birthday falls between August 16 and 23, of any year.

• Aquarius whose birthday falls between February 11 and 19 , of any year.

There will be a direct alignment, during the same period, also if your Moon, or any Planet and/or Angle in your Birth Chart is found between the 23rd and 29th (last) degree of Scorpio, Taurus, Leo or Aquarius.

Highlight on dreams, intuition, creativity, with ‘a get real’ twist: Mercury, Venus and the Solar Eclipse in Pisces, Mars in Sagittarius, and Jupiter in Virgo to the fore at Sun opposition

Big changes are happening on the cosmic canvas this week. In the space of a few days three of our closer neighbors are changing Signs, while a Total Solar Eclipse is looming, heralding the first Eclipse Season of 2016.

Mercury entered Pisces on March 5; Mars Sagittarius on March 6; then, on March 8/9 (depending where you are in the world) the Pisces New Moon will be a Total Solar Eclipse. On the same day mighty Retro Jupiter in Virgo will reach his yearly opposition to the Sun (while Sun, Moon and Jupiter  will be at right angle to Saturn in Sagittarius); and finally, on March 12, Venus will enter Pisces also.

The week before a New Moon is always an important time, when we feel a change is in the air, but it is still just floating within us, not yet affecting our external circumstances, until the seed of that change will be released at the New Moon and begin manifesting outwardly. This is even more so if the New Moon is also a Solar Eclipse. This special phase, combined with the highlight on idealistic/dreamy Pisces and philosophical/inspirational Sagittarius, could indeed make us feel slightly unhinged for the time being, perhaps unable to perform our daily tasks as efficiently as we wish.

When Pisces is highlighted by many transits, as it is at present, we are all given a chance to explore the psychic openness and mental fluidity of this watery Sign. Pisces can encourage us to go with the flow of things, to surrender to what cannot be changed and to find spiritual and uplifting meaning in all our experiences.

If you are the type of person who values dreams and the symbolical life, if you are an artist or would-be artist, or are already conscious of psychic or mystical tendencies, these transits will suit you well, helping you to pursue these interests in a deeper way. They could also make you even more dreamy and unpractical though (no good if you are trying to get a job or to put your house in order!).

On the other hand, if you are mainly a practical person, busy with your family and career, goal oriented and used to get your own way,  you could find this great number of Pisces’ transits a somewhat bewildering experience, bringing you out of your comfort zone, in strange and foggy back alleys, where you feel you could become irreparably lost. Your efficiency level may drop and things which are usually simple for you will seem rather complicated and muddled. If this is the case, the best thing to do will be to slow down, learning to relax and to purposely lose control of your situation, now and then, so to realize that things can run their own curse even without your constant intervention. A more spiritual, less straight and controlled life is beckoning, it would be sad if you miss that call. The dissatisfaction about your present circumstances,  the lack of direction and low energy are all telling you that there is more to life than chores, business or paying the bills.

Said that, the present Pisces transits, enlivened by the transit of Mars in the questing Sign of Sagittarius, are only half the picture because, at the same time, Jupiter, in practical Virgo, is reaching great prominence via his opposition to the Sun/Moon at the Solar Eclipse, while Sun, Moon and Jupiter are all at right angle to pragmatic Saturn, and all in positive aspect to Pluto (Jupiter trine Pluto – Eclipse sextile Pluto). These are all signs that pursuing our dreams and ideals is not going to be enough to make us feel good. We will have to try to squeeze our ideals into the straight jacket of reality in order to take better advantage of these transits. And not just for now. While a regular New Moon exerts its influence for one lunar month (until the next New Moon) a New Moon which is also a Solar Eclipse can exert its influence for many months, some would say until the next Eclipse Season (this year August/September).

The picture that seems to come out of all of this is that dreams and ideals need to be acknowledged now more than ever, without however losing sight of what is possible and what may be impossible to realize, at least for now. Jupiter is retrograding in Virgo (until May 9), meaning that we will need to revisit our ways of working, our daily habits and routines in order to achieve the results we envision, if not immediately in the near future. Next May/June the same transits of Jupiter will repeat with the planet in direct motion, a promise of fulfillment and reward for the efforts we may put in now. At least that’s my plan! On this positive note, see you next time…

Mars in Virgo 2015: bad news?

Ancient War Helmet, a ‘martial’ iconic object

As i discussed at length earlier the really important developments now and for 2016 are the mutual relationship of Jupiter, Saturn, Neptune and Chiron, locked in a T-Square in Mutable Signs (Jupiter in Virgo opposing Neptune-Chiron in Pisces and squaring Saturn in Sagittarius, while Saturn squares Neptune-Chiron). These transits will be active, on and off, until September 2016. Neptune has been transiting watery Pisces since early 2011 (to 2024), Jupiter moved into earthy Virgo on August 11 (for one year) and Saturn into fiery Sagittarius on September 18 (until 2017).

Mars joined this historic configuration by entering Virgo on September 25 (until November 13), adding fuel to the fire of these challenging angles. We could console ourselves thinking that this is an aspect of relative short duration. It is actively inflaming many situations and brought others to an acute state, but it will pass by the middle of November.

We have seen the Mars’ effect recently in the unexpected and controversial intervention of Russia in the Syrian conflict and general escalation of conflicts and destructive ‘natural’ events.

Here are the dates of Mars’ major transits up to his ingress into Libra on November 13:

September 26 = Mars square Saturn. Two days later, on September 28, Putin proposed the creation of a coalition against ISIS insurgent group in Syria. On September 30 the upper house of the Federal Assembly of Russia approved Putin’ request to deploy Russian air forces in Syria. On the same day the controversial air strikes began. On October 1 the Russian attacks intensified and on October 3 Hezbollah and Iranian fighters were preparing major ground offensives in coordination with Russia. In the December 25 Horoscope for the birth of modern Russia (December 25 1991, 7.25 pm, Moscow, click Here to see it) the Moon and Jupiter were transiting Virgo (present Jupiter, Mars and now Venus’ Sign), while Mercury and Mars were in Sagittarius (present Saturn’s Sign).

October 7 = Mars in opposition Neptune (Putin’s birthday)

October 16 =Mars trine Pluto

October 18 =Mars conjunct Jupiter

October 23 =Mars in opposition to Chiron

November 13 =Mars conjunct Lunar North Node

Venus follows suit with the same transits on different dates:

October 11 = Venus square Saturn

October 17 = Venus in opposition to Neptune

October 23 = Venus trine Pluto

October 26 = Venus conjunct Jupiter

October 28 = Venus in opposition to Chiron

November 3 = Venus conjunct Mars

Here are some thoughts on the Jupiter-Saturn-Neptune’s configuration, from a previous post: ‘…. 2015 and ‘16 are important years for the Jupiter-Saturn mutual relationship: they have reached a distance of 90 degrees from each other. This coming and going aspect will punctuate the next nine months, with the risk of a general economic downturn very present; recession continuing in some countries and food shortages worsening in less developed ones. This should be a lesson in humility and ‘make do’, getting used to live within our means in the developed countries, to restore some balance to our lop-sided world. …. We could embrace our reduced circumstances as real opportunities (Saturn) to find more lasting values in our daily life and work (Jupiter)….

…. The August 90° between Jupiter in Leo and Saturn in Scorpio coincided (no coincidence here!) with the huge and yet unresolved China’s crisis, being a classic aspect of economic and social downturn. The world has not done with it though. It will in fact return in March and May 2016, between Virgo and Sagittarius.

Jupiter and Saturn are also in turn aligned to Neptune and Chiron in Pisces, making their interaction more complex by introducing a spiritual element, the theme of the global environment, the dream of a united, at peace humanity, the gift of compassion and inclusion, and the poignant need for healing of rifts between cultures and ongoing damage to the global environment. (Germany opened its door to thousands of refugees in September, around the time Jupiter opposed Neptune, September 17). Pisces is the Sign of the great Ocean Mother to which everything and everyone return in the end. The issue of rising sea levels and more frequent destructive weather events, in Australia and around the world, will be big in the news during the active period of these planetary configurations.

The Jupiter opposition Neptune effect is now passing, but the square Saturn-Neptune has still to become active, in November 2015 and again in June and September 2016. This transit describes a powerful tension between our best humanitarian aspirations and the realistic limits of implementing them…. ‘