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.

The astrological end of 2021, another dramatic year: Pluto in Capricorn square Eris in Aries. Venus Retro in Capricorn. Will 2022 bring more of the same? Our reasons for hope. Last Eclipse of 2021

A shorter version of this article has been published in the Uki Village News issue 121, December 2021 – January 2022.

Last eclipse season for 2021 and last pass of the Saturn-Uranus’
to farewell another difficult year

The Sagittarius Solar Eclipse (December 4, 6.42 pm, dls), connected to Uranus, planet of revolutions and upheaval, will be a rather special New Moon, setting the tone not just for the month ahead but for the next six months or more.   The adventurous Sagittarius New Moon, occurring around this time every year, marks usually a time when we are eager to turn a page on the past, feeling ready to embrace the future with renewed optimism and vision; time for aspiring New Year resolutions, seldom destined to withstand the test of time. This time the Moon is eclipsed while, due to the collective experiences of the past two years, we feel more impatient than usual to move ahead. The Sun and Moon, during the Solar Eclipse, will also connect directly with Uranus, planet of revolutions and upheaval (extremely close 150 degrees or inconjunct aspects).  Again, finding ways to moderate extremes of feelings and passions will be a must in the coming months, to maintain a modicum of peace and harmony in our lives.
Because the third/last pass of the Saturn-Uranus square is still approaching (Christmas Eve) our impatience will be yet tested by limiting circumstances (Saturn’s effect) but also fired up by a spirit of rebellion (Uranus’ effect). This significant transit, that permeated the whole of 2021, remains influential, especially because it occurs around the Capricorn Solstice, heralding the New Year. Must this still be a recipe for frustration and antagonism?  Or an opportunity to find a healthy medium between social responsibilities and our innate desire for self-determination?
For sure, next year the challenging right angle between Saturn and Uranus will be over, getting closer again in September-October but not becoming exact again. Jupiter though, transiting Pisces on and off in the coming year, will form difficult if minor angles with both Saturn and Uranus (semi-squares). It could then, in 2022 and early 2023, become an agent for those two sworn enemies’ ongoing feud. 
Hopefully Jupiter in adaptable Pisces could also play the role of a deal-breaker, by providing greater tolerance of differences, with the ability to forgive and move on.

The Retrogradation of Venus in Capricorn

This loop takes place every eighteen months or so and represents an opportunity for self reflection in the area of relationships. One of the major consequences of this transit will be to greatly intensify and extend in time the effect of a Venus-Pluto conjunction. The Retrogradation will last from December 19 2021 to January 29 2022, while Venus transits backward between 26^th/11^th degrees of Capricorn. Usually a yearly transit that remains active for just a few days, this time the conjunction will repeat three times: on December 12-25, and again on March 4 2022.

These events could shape our attitude on relationships and love (Venus), presenting to us in a revealing light some recurrent negative patterns we experience, while also providing us with the psychological tools to tackle them. In particular matters of shared assets and/or finances could come to the fore, as well as issues of control, jealousy, repressed resentments, perhaps feelings and thoughts that have remained hidden for a while or that, for peace sake, we have evaded so far (Pluto). What are we seeking from those who are close to us?  What are they looking for in us? This is not time to be content with superficial answers. Not only there is a need to be more realistic (Capricorn), but to be also ruthlessly honest, first of all with ourselves (Pluto).   

2022 Jupiter’s journey between worlds: from Pisces to Aries and back again

Just as the year ends, on December 29, Jupiter will be moving into Pisces and transit this last Zodiacal Sign until May 11, when it will enter Aries, first in the sequence. Due to Retrogradation it will re-enter Pisces again, just for a few days, between October 28 and December 21.
Jupiter is well placed in Pisces, having been associated with this Sign since antiquity.
In Pisces the philosophical function that Jupiter represents merges with our collective longing for spirituality, unity and compassion. It could be especially so in 2022, because Neptune, the metaphysical function within our collective psyche, is also still transiting Pisces (until 2025) and Jupiter will become conjunct Neptune on April 13. Regrettably there will be only one pass of this beautiful transit, enough hopefully to inspire the collective to embrace non judgemental, non divisive ways to deal with each other and our ailing blue planet.
It has been this year that pharmaceutical companies began to make public some of the positive results of new anti-viral drugs, while some of those have already become available to help in the fight against covid19. Jupiter has already entered Pisces earlier this year (May 14 to July 28). This synchronicity could be a sign that Jupiter’s return into Pisces at the end of December will bring some improvement and progress in these areas too, Pisces being the Sign of drugs and medications and Jupiter the planet of expansion and optimism.
The transits of Jupiter through Pisces could also encourage the grassroots involvement of people from all walks of life in the fight against environmental crimes and neglect. Many will respond more readily to the calls for help the natural environment and its creatures have been sending us for a very long time.
When in Aries (May 11 2022 to October 28 2023) Jupiter will be likely to inspire us to embrace a more militant mindset, eager to change the world. Actions will speak louder than words, our collective mind expanding by being more courageous and driven.

Pluto in Capricorn square Eris in Aries

Another positive change happening now is the near end of Pluto’s square to Eris, a very difficult transit, active since 2019/20. This aspect has been a powerful ingredient of the extreme experiences we have had during the last couple of years.
 
Eris (at first known as Xena) is a dwarf planet, only discovered in 2005, orbiting the outer reaches of the solar system, at three times the distance of Pluto from our Earth. Eris is part of the so called Kuiper Belt of which Pluto is also a member. Its orbit around the Sun is a very slow 558 years! Due to its extremely elliptical orbit Eris spends different lengths of time in each Sign.  Eris is not just a generational planet but rather a multi-generational planet. For instance Eris is now transiting Aries, having entered this Sign in 1926. It will be 2048 before she leaves Aries to enter Taurus.  Its influence then has more to do with slow historical trends, developing over centuries, rather than specific events within a number of months or years.  
 
Who is Eris astrologically? She was the Greek Goddess of strife and discord, wicked sister of sweet Harmonia, Goddess of peace and harmony, and of ferocious war mongering Ares (Mars).
 
After the discovery of Eris and other dwarf planets (within the space that is now known as the Kuiper belt) astronomers decided to demote Pluto from its status as planet to dwarf planet. The first effect of her introduction in the planetary pantheon was thus to disrupt the status quo, creating controversies that are still raging today.  Many astrologers have found fault particularly in the demotion of Pluto, fact that seems to somehow belittle its amply proven impact on our lives.
 
Curiously the same name of Eris was also given to another, not so unpleasant Goddess, who presided over good works, in particular cultivation of the land. She exerted her power by stirring people into action when they compared themselves to more successful and ambitious neighbours!
Both forms of Eris were known for causing some form of strife, but while one was mainly negative, encouraging violence for violence sake and pitiless if righteous revenge, the other Eris had a more constructive role.

Of course there is a very positive and evolutionary role for the first Eris to play too, in particular regarding the emancipation of women and their still fierce battle against misogyny and inequality. While transiting Aries this Goddess has taken a more militant form, pro-active and courageous rather than just vengeful. Seeking revenge can be viewed in fact as a form of passive aggression, when direct opposition is not an option.  

After the profound crisis caused by the First World War, during which many women took on more masculine roles, in the absence of husbands, fathers and brothers figures, the 20s ushered a time of greater freedom for women, continuing unabated to the present day.  A good example, now part of the history books, was the massive and global Women Marches of January 2017 (estimated five million worldwide), when revolutionary Uranus became conjunct to Eris (transit active from June 2016 to March 2017).

In 2020 and 2021 the difficult angle between Pluto (ultimate experiences, power abuses, trauma) and blood-thirsty Eris contributed, together with other cosmic clashes, to the discord and violence that spread all over the globe, not just in response to the pandemic measures, but also via proliferation of conflicts in countries fighting for basic democratic rights and social justice, as well as governments’ fierce resistance to relinquish their grip on power.

Furthermore, due to the dramatic tension between Pluto and Eris, much corruption and dirty secrets have been revealed, with major beneficial results. The same transit though has also fomented much paranoia and misguided mistrust among people and people/governments/main stream/social media, wrecking more havoc that has added to the pandemic many challenges.

Pluto is still close to the square aspect but it will not return to it in 2022 or for the foreseeable future.

2022 and beyond

2022 seems to be a transition year for the world, hopefully less eventful and unsettling; said that, many astrologers, including myself, have been prematurely optimist before. We really need to wait and see how long and how severe the global crisis will still be.

For a while now some extraordinary planetary dynamics have been pointing out at spectacular shifts impending on the world, on many levels. These cannot be summed up just by few dramatic events, but they will be rather part of a long drawn and difficult process of transformation and rebirth.

In my view the existential treat of the climate crisis, with an ever more populated world scrambling for resources, is at the root of our collective angst. This pandemic and possible future ones are just symptoms of the general malaise the world is suffering from: the lack of the spiritual values needed to turn things around and speed up our human evolution.  

All we can say is that the effects of the dramatic 2020/21 transits are still lingering, but no major alignments will be activated in 2022. 

Amazing cosmic shifts loom in the future though: Saturn will enter Pisces in 2023; Pluto Aquarius, in 2023/24; Neptune Aries and Uranus Gemini, in 2025; and Chiron Taurus in 2026. Pluto’s exit from Capricorn many astrologers consider to be particularly significant when looking for an end to the pandemic crisis, with all its dark connotations.
 
The world could indeed look like a different place when all of the above have come to pass.

The wheels are turning, if ever so slowly: October-November 2021 astrological highlights: Mercury Retro in Libra and more …

Mercury’s Retrogradation and more

Welcome to my thoughts on the 2021 October-November‘s astrological highlights.

This year’s third and final retro period of Mercury began on September 27 and will end on October 19, between the 25^th and 10^th degrees of Libra.

Extremely significant, during this time and into early November, is the thrice recurring and difficult 90 degrees angle (square) from Mercury to Pluto in Capricorn (September 22, October 2, November 2). This is an intense transit, affecting in particular they way we are communicating with each others, personally and collectively. Deep resentments, feelings of mistrust, desire for addressing what we perceive as wrong doings and to explore hidden agendas are prevalent and could cause violent and divisive clashes of opinion, where emotions and prejudices can overtake reason and balance (Libra).

Great examples of this effect are the events that took place around the time of the first pass of the Mercury-Pluto square (September 22); just to pick a few:  substantial and rare earthquake in Victoria (September 22); first (ongoing) volcanic eruption in fifty years in the Spanish Canaries Islands, that began destroying homes and livelihoods on September 19.
As volcanoes were blowing fire and the earth trembled, violent protests also erupted in Victoria and elsewhere, where negative sentiments against anti-covid measures reached a fever pitch. I believe that more of the same is in the cards for October and early November. Saturn and Uranus will be more highlighted instead in November.

In October the Mercury-Pluto square will be compounded by the October 6 Libra New Moon, when Sun and Moon will be aligned to fiery and antagonistic Mars; the October 10 conjunctions of Sun to Mercury (when Mercury orbits at its closest distance from us, within the Earth’s orbit) while both will conjunct Mars; the 90 degrees angle from the Sun to Pluto, on October 17, and of Mars itself to Pluto, on October 22; as well as at the Aries Full Moon, on October 21, when both Sun and Moon will be in square to Pluto. Navigating these severe transits will be a challenge for everyone, no matter your view on things. To positively deal with these difficulties we need to cultivate self reflection, to cast light on our psychological projections, always at the heart of fierce enmity and obstinate postures. We could then find in ourselves what it is really that we are fighting against, the enemy within.

Pluto, Saturn and Jupiter turning Direct, October 7, 11 and 18 October, respectively

The end of these cosmic timekeepers’ retro periods seem to me important, considering that it was they which marked the 2020 global crisis we are still deeply immersed in, with their conjunction in Capricorn.
It has to be a positive development that Pluto will be slowly but surely moving on from the degree/s that were highlighted by the conjunctions.  Saturn, by moving forward, will be getting closer to the third square with Uranus, authority versus rebellion, in Fixed, highly opinionated Signs of Aquarius and Taurus (the very last pass exact on Christmas Eve), hopefully putting an end to the intense antagonism that has brought so much disturbance at the collective and personal level, fuelling feuds within countries, communities, families and friends.  In December also Neptune and Chiron will turn Direct; and Uranus in January 2022. Things should start to move on in new directions because we may have done, for a while, revisiting the past, over and over.

November 2021 Highlights

The Scorpio Sun will square Aquarius-Saturn (October 30) and oppose Taurus-Uranus (November 5). Then Mercury and Mars, also in Scorpio, will conjunct on November 10 and also form the same square and opposition to Saturn-Uranus on November 11-14-18.
Furthermore the Scorpio New Moon, on November 5, will oppose Uranus and square Saturn also. And the Full Moon, on November 19, will be the last Lunar Eclipse of the year, when Sun and Moon will instead form a right angle to Jupiter. This Eclipse Season will end on December 4 with a Solar Eclipse in Sagittarius.

In November then the Sun, the Moon, Mercury and Mars will all become suitable conduits for the polarizing square Saturn-Uranus, by anticipating and perhaps enhancing its disruptive nature: more wars of words, more emotionally charged confrontations, and an even greater need to find some middle ground, where different viewpoints can be shared without escalating into full blown conflicts. As Pluto in October warned us not to project our dark shadows into others, Saturn-Uranus in November warns us against becoming again pray to rigid and uncompromising ideologies.

It is interesting to notice that the Glasgow Climate Change Conference will take place between October 31 (the same day Mars enters Scorpio) and November 12, when all the transits described above will be active.

Astrology for February-March 2020 and beyond, by Paola Emma: Saturn in Aquarius, Pluto in Capricorn, Mercury Retro

‘Morning On The Seine In The Rain’ by Claude Monet

A shorter version of this article was published in issue 110 of the Uki Village News

The big picture

No doubt the January 11 Full Moon Eclipse in Cancer brought a major shift of energies to our region, with rain finally falling on our parched land. With the Eclipse’s extraordinary alignment to one of the major astrological occurrences in recent year, the Capricorn Saturn-Pluto’s conjunction, the weather change was only one of the many events that this powerful transit brought in its wake.  This regional experience reflects the fact that the long awaited and by many dreaded alignment is now technically behind us, even if still powerfully close. The numerous thunderstorms we are experiencing are just another sign that a massive pent-up energy is being released. Many of us feel lighter and more optimistic; also awed by nature’s uncanny power to surprise us.

We are certainly not out of the wood though. The failure of the December 2019 UN Madrid Climate Conference to achieve significant commitments from participating countries clearly demonstrates that we are still hovering at the edge of a chasm, separating us not only from viable solutions to the pressing climate crisis, but also from a unifying vision for the future: first world countries versus developing ones; aging politicians and plutocrats versus angry activist teenagers; science versus conspiracy theory etc.

Pluto in Capricorn is destined to bring profound changes that could be lethal if we do not take responsible charge of the situation. Allowing Pluto, ancient God of the Underworld, to do his own thing could mean unprecedented ecological disasters, massive extinctions and consequently social upheavals the world has not seen in a long time. Positively the slow passage of Pluto through Capricorn (2008-2023) could instead provide us with the moral courage and resourcefulness to tackle this crisis and indeed survive it, if not completely avoiding the dangers we are facing, as the Australian fires have sadly demonstrated.

Saturn, known as the Lord of Karma among other titles, is not missing this opportunity to deal out some heavy penalties for our past transgressions and callous indifference. For this reason it is considered by most astrologers an ominous companion for Pluto. To me Saturn represents also a hopeful side of this difficult equation though:  the down to earth, responsible attitude that is absolutely crucial to the success of any human intervention. Like knowing, for instance, the limits of what can be realistically achieved, finding viable local and global solutions, rather than aiming for the stars only to fail miserably.

Apart from all that, there is indeed a light at the end of this tunnel because Saturn will soon be leaving Capricorn (March 22) to enter Aquarius. This transit, due to retrogradation, will last only until July 2. When Saturn will re-enter Aquarius for good, on December 17, it will also, few days later, become conjunct to Jupiter, on December 22. This alignment could indeed bring some welcome opening to unity and humanitarian reforms, all sentiments that seem unattainable under the ominous shadow of the current conjunction to Pluto.  Furthermore the Jupiter-Saturn conjunction in Aquarius is not just one of their regular twenty year meetings. It represents in fact the momentous shift of these alignments from the Earth Signs (where most of these conjunctions have occurred since 1802) to the Air Sign (where most will occur until 2140!). Astrologers throughout the ages have considered the alignments of Jupiter and Saturn extremely influential in shaping world’s history, its prevalent ideologies and socio-political leanings. While collectively the Earth Signs are driven by the need for material security and a pragmatic view of life, the Air Signs are driven by ideals and a reforming, sometimes even revolutionary spirit.

However 2020, with Jupiter in Capricorn also activating Pluto in early April, at the end of June and again in mid November, will see most probably an exhalation of similar issues to the ones we have experienced in 2019. Only at the very end of the year Jupiter’s ingress into Aquarius, with Saturn, could mark a positive shift. The next UN Climate Conference will be held in Glasgow, England, on November 19 2020, just a month before the Aquarius alignment. There is hope that the Aquarian spirit of mutual understanding and friendship may prevail over our differences and that more visionary, idealistic goals could drive the discussions toward the more radical approach needed in this grave emergency. Pluto, in Capricorn until 2023, can in fact provide enough down to earth focus to manifest ideals into practical forms.

In the short term

The Sun

It is that time of the year again, on March 8, when the Sun will align to mystical Neptune in Pisces, encouraging us to become more conscious of our innate intuition, imagination and compassion. It will be easier to forgive and forget, washing past resentments into the unifying water of this oceanic Sign. With Mercury, returning in Pisces, after retrogradation, from March 16 to April 11, the gentle, artistic, dreamy influence of this Sign will remain with us, softening the harsh realities of the intense Capricorn experience.

The Retrogradation of Mercury between Pisces and Aquarius
February 17 to March 10

Mercury is ready for its regular loop, reminding us that it is time to review our thinking and the way we communicate our thoughts, to achieve the best possible outcome personally and in our social life. People who happen to have the Sun, Moon, Planets or Chart’s Angles in the first half of the Mutable Sign of Pisces-Virgo-Sagittarius-Gemini or the last two degrees of the Fixed Signs of Aquarius-Leo-Taurus-Scorpio will be more directly affected by this retrogradation.

To avoid feeling severely ‘muddled headed’ (a common side effect of Mercury in Pisces, even when not retrograde), we could all try to take it easier at this time; not attempting to deal with too many matters or to stick too strictly to plans and routines. The best would be to stay mentally pliable, in order to adapt to shifting circumstances. It could also be wise to be tolerant of confusing or mixed messages we may receive from other people. Whom can we expect to trust when we cannot even trust ourselves?

Venus

From February 8 to March 5 Venus will transit fiery Aries, where she takes on the role of Warrior Goddess, fighting against injustice and inequality. During this transit she will cross swords with all the Capricorn planets: first with Jupiter, on February 24, then with Pluto, on February 29, and finally with Saturn on March 4. This could mean heightened chance for disputes and open conflicts, when ‘winning’ is the whole point. On the positive side, things that need facing, directly and courageously, can be faced at these times. All will be well if we manage to move on afterward. No time for regrets and looking back when Venus is in Aries.

Venus will transit Taurus from March 5 to April 4, a more relaxed and affectionate place for Venus, when art and pleasure could inspire creativity and also ability to focus more intensely on whatever we do. Said that, just as the Sun separates from Neptune (March 8) Venus becomes conjunct Uranus (March 9), bringing two powerful outer planets to play on the daily stage of life and relationships. Despite the loyal and steady nature usually attributed to Venus in Taurus the alignment to Uranus will bring up the more rebellious side of the Goddess, if for a few days.  New and exciting relationships could spring up as from nowhere, and perhaps opportunities for adventure or to just prove our independence.

Mars

From February 16 to March 31 Mars will be transiting Capricorn, joining the planetary group already there, Jupiter, Pluto and Saturn. This will be therefore an important transit because Mars’ role is to bring things out into the open, also activating into action the slower moving celestial bodies. Mars will first meet Jupiter on March 20, then Pluto, on March 23, and finally Saturn but not before both entering the Sign of Aquarius, between March 31 and April 1. As with Venus activating the same planets earlier, this Mars will increase the chance of open conflicts at these times; the sort of confrontations when we test our strength against another, trying to establish ‘who is the boss’. Moderation is recommended, remembering that Mars can cut bridges permanently if let loose.

The final alignment to Saturn, on April 1, could manifest as a strong drive to action but also great frustration as we face delays and limitations that could severely try our patience. No time to expect immediate gratifications.

Positively the whole period of Mars in Capricorn could prove particularly constructive, helping us to get things done, putting in the extra effort and discipline necessary for success, making a ‘real’ difference: a test of our self confidence and leadership abilities.

The Aries Equinox

If you would like to celebrate the advent of autumn, the Aries Equinox will occur this year on March 20, at 2.49 pm Eastern Daylight Saving Time. The map of this cosmic event, the traditional beginning of the astrological year, the Ram leading the flock, shows, in a nutshell, the transits that will be relevant in the next six to twelve months. As it has been the case in recent months the accent is on the Earth Sign of Capricorn where many planets are still congregating at the time of the Equinox, namely Mars, Jupiter, Pluto and Saturn, the latter though on the verge of entering the next Sign of Aquarius.  The fact that, just around this crucial time, Saturn finds itself at the threshold of a new Sign (together with Mars!) seems to me indicative that during the next few months the world will be at an important crossroad, the growing aspirations for meaningful changes (Aquarius) still held back by the powerful pull of the past and the way things have been done until now (highlight on conservative Capricorn).

For more insightful Astrology please visit my site: livingmoonastrology.com

Paola Emma’s October-November 2019 Astrology: Mercury Retro in Scorpio and more

This article has been already published in early October 2019 in the Uki Village News.

October-November Astrological Highlights

Apart from a gentle angle (60 degrees = sextile) between Saturn in Capricorn and Neptune in Pisces, exact on November 9, encouraging a practical take on our ideals and aspirations, there are not, at this time, other significant alignments between the slow moving planets, time keepers and destiny makers of our solar system.

Big events are on the cards for the near future, but, at present, all is calm in the far reaches of the solar system, from Jupiter outward. The historical alignment of Saturn to Pluto, at 22°46’ Capricorn, will be exact only on January 13 2020. Saturn is now moving again in direct motion and accelerating toward that conjunction, but it will be still several degrees away from it in October and November.  Before that anxiously anticipated event mighty Jupiter will enter Capricorn too, on December 3, a once every twelve years transit and a promise that hopefully (a Jupiter’s word!) we may find more just ways to govern ourselves in the coming year.

October and November will not be uneventful however; on the contrary. The Sun itself, as well as the fast moving planets closer to our Earth (Mercury-Venus-Mars) will form such angles with the slower planets to set them off, so to speak. The faster celestial bodies perform in fact the function of ‘go between’ the Earth and the slower moving giants, being the channels through which the latter transformative energy can find expression in our lives.

Here are the critical days for these planetary channeling.

October 1: Venus in Libra at right angle (square) to Pluto in Capricorn, when intensity of feeling need to find positive outlet or could otherwise cause destructive episodes in intimate relationships, jealousy, resentment, wilfulness. It could be a great stimulus for creative output and to express passion, but with the risk of going to extremes.

October 7: Mercury in Scorpio in opposition to Uranus in Taurus. Here the collective mind is highly stimulated, even over stimulated, a tight rope between genial ideas, eureka moments and wacky, unpractical flight of fancy. Keep one foot on the ground if you can.

October 8: Sun in Libra at right angle to Saturn in Capricorn. Hard work seems not to deliver the desired results, fear of failure and lack of confidence could make any enterprise feel more arduous than it actually is. Do your best now; in a couple of days you will see things in a different light.

October 13: Venus in Scorpio in opposition to Uranus in Taurus. A strong desire for independence and freedom may clash with that for intimacy, trust and emotional security. We may feel inclined to defy relationships that in any way stifle our individual self expression. Separate yourself from the situation, remain objective. The picture will not appear so black and white in a few days.

October 14: the Aries Full Moon and the Libra Sun, from opposite hemispheres, are both at right angle (square) to Pluto in Capricorn. This is an intense and deeply transformative Full Moon energy that could help you move on from toxic situations or relationships, but not without some drama and danger. Combined with the lingering effect of Venus’ yesterday transit it could a real challenge to avoid emotional extremes.

October 28: Mars in Libra at right angle to Saturn in Capricorn. Restrictions and delays seem to frustrate our best plans; our ability to act and our patience are severely tested by less than ideal circumstances. If we proceed progress could be slow but the end results will repay the effort, in due time.

On the same day the Scorpio New Moon will see Sun and Moon opposing Uranus in Taurus, another transit full of unpredictable and exciting potential. We better be ready to embrace the new in the lunar month starting today, or we will be left behind.

November 1 to 21: Mercury turns retrograde between the 27^th and 11^th degrees of Scorpio, another proof of the mental and emotional intensity of this period. A little walk on the dark side could reveal the ambivalence of every situation and relationship, the secret side of every interaction. Putting on our psychic goggles will help us see things usually kept secret, in ourselves and others, thus deepening our understanding of the hidden dynamics of every relationship.

November 5: Mars in Libra at right angle to Pluto in Capricorn. This is perhaps the most volatile aspect of the whole period, with the potential for escalating conflicts on many levels. There is a risk of becoming ruthless and judgmental while we confront what we consider negative or obsolete in our life, be our work, career or relationships. Extreme measures could work but also prove emotionally costly.

November 15: Venus in Sagittarius at right angle to Neptune in Pisces. Things may not be quite what they seem during the few days around this date. We may be deceived by other s’ promises and flattery or simply deceive ourselves that the situation is rosier than it actually will turn up to be, when the fog will lift. Enjoy the dream remembering it is a dream and you will soon have to wake up.

November 25: Mars in Scorpio in opposition to Uranus in Taurus. This is another intense transit that could force separation and ending in the pursuit of our individual goals. There may be a exceptional flaring of activities, sleepless nights, over excitement and nerves. Like high voltage electricity the advice is to handle with care. This week could be very productive but also disruptive of our peace of mind and harmony in relationship.

 

 

August and September 2019 Astrology by Paola Emma: Uranus Retro in Taurus; the allure and danger of Neptune in Pisces

This post was published at the start of August in the Uki Village News.

August Astrology: a fresh start

By August 1 we will be leaving behind us the quirky retrogradation of Mercury, now again a more reliable Morning Star, rising before the Sun, encouraging clearer thinking and decisive action.

The Eclipse Season has also ended with the July Lunar Eclipse in Capricorn. The next Solar Eclipse will also be in Capricorn on Boxing Day 2019. The Cardinal Signs of Capricorn, Cancer, Libra and Aries (in particular Capricorn and Cancer) will be dealing still with life changing events and emotional upsets for a while longer.

For many the times ahead could be less dramatic and complicated than the recent period.
The end of Mercury’s retrogradation, on August 1, corresponds with the Leo New Moon, both events indicating the beginning of a new phase, when initiatives and plans may actually bring the results we are hoping for.

Jupiter Direct

On August 11 mighty Jupiter will also turn Direct, after his yearly four months retrogradation, beginning then the last league of his journey through Sagittarius that will end on December 3 with the ingress into Capricorn. A forward moving Jupiter will give new impetus to projects and aspirations that may have been kept in the closet for a while.  Optimism and hope will brighten the days of many people, in particular those born under the Fire Signs of Sagittarius, Aries and Leo.  To strengthen this trend Mercury will transit a Fire Sign too, Leo, between August 12 and 29, a brighter, more creative collective mind set.

Uranus retracing his steps

On August 12 Uranus will turn retrograde on the sixth degree of Taurus, turning direct only on January 11 2020, on the second degree of Taurus.  This will ensure a continuing trend of unexpected happenings, amazing breakthroughs, difficult upheavals and even life changing events for those who have these degrees highlighted in their Birth Charts (and, to a lesser measure, the same degrees of the other Fixed Signs of Scorpio, Leo and Aquarius). If Uranus in Taurus is forming a conjunction, opposition or square (90 degrees angle) in your Birth Chart, especially with one or more of the so called ‘Personal Planets’ (the Sun, the Moon, Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn) this is a once in a life time astrological event that could turn your life around, eventually helping you to strike a truer individual path beyond early conditioning and restrictions.

Highlight on Virgo

By the middle of the month of August the spotlight will shift to the Earth Sign of Virgo, with Mars entering this disciplined and practical Sign on August 18, Venus on August 21 and the Sun on August 23. These many planetary entities in Virgo, plus Saturn still slowly plodding through Earthy Capricorn, could be positive for working in a more methodical manner at any project generated by the Fire Signs creativity during the first half of August.

The highlight of this period will be the conjunction of Venus and Mars in Virgo, on August 25, encouraging romance and a pro-active approach to seeking new relationships and/or creative outlets.

September Astrology: the allure and danger of Neptune in Pisces

In September we will experience many oppositions of the Planets still transiting Virgo to mysterious and ambivalent Neptune in Pisces. Neptune is the archetypal power behind dreams, visions, spirituality, as well as illusions, delusions and deceptions of all kind. Venus will oppose Neptune in Pisces on September 4, Mercury on September 7, the Sun on September 10 and Mars on September 14. All these aspects will be strengthened by the last pass of the square between Jupiter and Neptune, on September 22, transit that has been with us, on and off, since January this year. While it could be easier at this time to let ourselves be swept off our feet by grand dreams and romantic wishes, a keen discrimination would be necessary not to be caught into emotional, mental or financial booby traps (Virgo to the rescue). We may dissipate a lot of our energy in chasing pipe dreams and riding tangents that may bring us nowhere in the end.

Positively Neptune may bring romance, poetical feelings, artistic inspiration and even spiritual experiences in our lives, opening our psyche to unworldly dimensions. It could be wonderful so far as we are aware of the danger involved and succeed in making a safe landing when this dreamy period is over.

We can celebrate the Libra Equinox and the advent of spring on September 23, at 5.50 pm local time.

My Uranus Stencil

 

May 2019 astrological updates: Ephemeris, Astro-Calendar, All Transits, All Lunar Phases, All Ingresses into Signs and Retro Periods

Pisces Balsamic Moon, May 1, 11.17 am.

Taurus New Moon, May 5, 8.45 am.

Cancer Crescent Moon, May 8, 11.50 pm.

Leo First Quarter Moon, May 12, 11.12 am.

Libra Gibbous Moon, May 15, 8.30 pm.

Scorpio Full Moon, May 19, 7.11 am.

Capricorn Disseminating Moon, May 23, 0.52 am.

Pisces Last Quarter Moon, May 27, 2.33 am.

Hi, friends of astrology.

Just letting you know that I have updated my site with all the information astrological seekers may need in the month of MAY 2019.

I have posted links to All Transits active in May (including the Moon’s and minor aspects); All Sun, Moon and Planets ingress into Signs; All Moon Phases, including the intermediate, such as Crescent, Gibbous, Disseminating and Balsamic; the May 2019 monthly Ephemeris, which includes the positions of the four major Asteroids, Ceres, Juno, Pallas and Vesta; as well as the Black Moon Lilith.
Also the May 2019 Solar Fire Astro-Calendar with the list of All the Moon Voids of Course.
Cheers

Click this link to view/print a LIST OF ALL TRANSITS ACTIVE in MAY 2019.

• Click this link to view/print the dates and times of the MOON’s PHASES for the month of MAY 2019.
• Click this link to view/print the dates and times of the MOON, SUN and PLANETS’ ingress into Signs for the month of MAY 2019, plus ALL PLANETARY RETRO and DIRECT PERIODS.

Click to view larger image

Click to view larger image

 

April 2019: All Transits, Ingresses, Retrogradations’ lists + Ephemeris and Astro-Calendar

Hi, friends of astrology.

Just letting you know that I have updated my site with all the information astrological seekers may need in the month of APRIL 2019.

I have posted links to All Transits active in April (including the Moon’s and minor aspects); All Sun, Moon and Planets ingress into Signs; All Moon Phases, including the intermediate, such as Crescent, Gibbous, Disseminating and Balsamic; the April 2019 monthly Ephemeris, which includes the positions of the four major Asteroids, Ceres, Juno, Pallas and Vesta; as well as the Black Moon Lilith. And the APRIL 2019 Solar Fire Astro-Calendar with the list of All the Moon Voids of Course.
Cheers…

 

 

Cosmic February and March 2019: keeping it ‘real’: Square from Jupiter in Sagittarius to Neptune in Pisces; Mercury Retro in Pisces

A shorter version of this article has been already published in the Uki Village News in early February 2019.

The Earth Signs

A shift toward the Earth Signs will characterize the astrological months of February/March 2019. Venus will be transiting Capricorn from February 4 to March 2 (marrying creativity with business sense), and Mars Taurus from February 14 to March 31 (a dogged, often hard working position for Mars). The historical ingress of Uranus in Earthy Taurus will take place on March 6, this transit continuing to 2025/26. Of course Saturn, the Lunar South Node and Pluto are also still in Earthy Capricorn, to 2020 and 2023/24 respectively.
To add to the above the Chinese Lunar New Year has welcomed the smart PIG, this time associated with the EARTH ELEMENT, the last Earth Element Animal before the switch to the next Element, Metal, from 2020. Each Element lasts in fact for twelve years and is in turn associated with each of the Twelve Animals.
So, for the long term as well as the short term, planning, discipline, dedication and hard work are top prerequisites for success.

Jupiter and Neptune

On the other hand, the 90 degrees angle between Jupiter in Sagittarius and Neptune in Pisces represents, this year, the biggest challenge to the Earth Signs’ need for realism and practicality (January14-June 17-September22). Jupiter is in fact the planet of expansion as well as exaggeration, and Neptune the planet of spirituality but also of confusion and passivity, together encouraging divorce from reality and from what is truly possible in the circumstances. And this is, after all, the most powerful transit of 2019!

We will all have to struggle somehow between these opposing Earthy and Psychic forces, their high contrast making our collective approach to problem solving fraught with contradictions and some paralysing moments. We will need to find ways to reconcile them and make their union fruitful.

In the short term the prevailing energy is encouraging us to work through difficulties rather than sweep them aside or avoid them. The Earth Signs will make sure that things eventually catch up with us and we will have to face the music. Prevention is definitely better than cure for the Earth Signs.  Getting too emotional will not serve our purpose either. Clear, practical, viable solutions will be available but we will need to put some real effort in, downsizing our expectations and waiting patiently for results. Immediate gratification of desires or easy windfalls will not be in the cards for most of us at this time.

Venus in Aquarius

From March 2 to 27 Venus will move to Aquarius, a lighter, more socially minded position for Venus, marking an ideal time for group works, friendships and love matches founded on mutual respect, learning, traveling, mixing with different people, networking of ideas, emotional independence etc.

Mercury Retrograde in Pisces

In Pisces since February 10 Mercury will turn retrograde on Pisces’ very last degree on March 6 (same day Uranus enters Taurus). This period will last until March 29. People who were born with Sun, Moon, any Planet or one of the Four Angles (Ascendant – Descendant – MidHeaven – LowerHeaven) in Pisces or in any of the Mutable Signs (Virgo-Gemini-Sagittarius) will experience more personally the effects of this retrogradation: delays, communication breakdowns, misunderstanding, mechanical problems, tech issues, as well as striking insights, flights of intuition and creative  imagination.

Uranus in Taurus

On March 6 Uranus will enter Taurus, for good this time, until 2025/26. This extremely significant shift will gain even greater momentum in 2020, when the Saturn-Pluto’s conjunction in Capricorn will contribute to a quickening of planetary, political, social, economic and cultural transformations, with make/break situations for individuals and the planet to face squarely.

For in depth analysis of the transits of Uranus in Taurus and Chiron in Aries please navigate HERE to my April 2018 article.

Chiron in Aries

Worth of mention is also the unobtrusive final ingress of Chiron in Aries, on February 18 (until 2027), marking a whole new cycle for the planet of Healing! Looking back at the most recent times Chiron transited Aries (1918/1926-27;1968/1977), we see much struggle to realize historical social reforms: women suffrage, gender equality, sexual revolution, peace versus war. Aries, symbol of unbridled and often toxic masculinity, is going through a face of healing and higher learning from which it will emerge transformed.

 

 

October-November 2018: retrograde Venus, the light of Earendil

Light of Earendil: remember the White Witch Galadriel, in the Lord of the Ring? How she gave Frodo a crystal phial containing “the light of Earendil our most beloved star. May it be a light to you in dark places when all other lights go out.”? She is another embodiment of Persephone, dubbing in dangerous powers throughout the tale, to finally overcome the Super-Ego’s temptations of the Ring and sail to the West (the Isle of the Blessed).

***

A shorter version of this post has been published in the issue 102 of the Uki Village News community paper

The Retrogradation of Venus
(October 6 to November 16)

In Scorpio since September 9, peace loving Venus will continue to explore the depths of this emotional Sign in October, returning to Libra on November 1, and finally back into Scorpio on December 3. Only on January 9 2019 Venus will finally leave Scorpio to enter Sagittarius.

You will be aligned to this Venus ‘event if you happen to have the Sun, Moon or any Planet/ Angle on the first ten, eleven degrees of the Fixed Signs (0-11° of Scorpio-Taurus-Leo-Aquarius), or the last five, six degrees of the Cardinal Signs (25-30° of Libra-Aries-Cancer-Capricorn).*

I know it may sound complicated to beginners but accuracy is the only way to avoid useless generalizations, a common fault with astrological writings. Being born under the Sign of Scorpio, for instance, doesn’t make this retrogradation a personal experience for you, unless, of course, the position of your Sun, Moon, Angle/s, Planet/s at birth align with the transits of Venus during this Retro period.

At the Sun-Venus Conjunction, on October 27, Venus’ orbit will carry her between the Sun and Earth, closer to our planet as she can ever be. This occurs once in every 584 days cycle, marking the end of Venus’s apparition in the evening sky and the beginning of her predawn rising.

It is a common belief that Venus is exclusively the planet of sensuality, love, relationships, art and creativity.  She exerts in fact also great influence on self image, aesthetic tastes, likes and dislikes, finances, assets and all things contributing to comfort and joy in our lives. Venus’ retrogradation can then offer significant insights into all these areas of experience, according to age and circumstances.

Scorpio, Sign traditionally ‘ruled’ by macho Mars and the all powerful masculine Pluto, is a strange dwelling place for feminine Venus, alluring and dangerous at one and the same time. We may be tempted to explore areas of experience and relationships we felt were taboo before but now prove irresistible. This can indeed be true not only of actual relationships but of the way we relate with our creativity and the way we choose to interact in our social life, in a deeper and more honest way, investing more energy and feelings in whatever we do, seeking real intimacy, emotional, physical, intellectual with others, meaningful not superficial experiences.

At this time Venus will also dance a strange dance with Mars in Aquarius: at first an intense tango (the recurring square between Fixed Signs, whose crucial days will be September 10 and October 11/12), then a romantic waltz (the harmonious Air Signs trine, whose crucial day will be November 10). With the emphasis on Venus-Mars and Scorpio-Libra many relationships, romantic, sexual, financial, legal, could take a beating during this period or, positively, find new levels of connection and honesty.

We could dig out some disagreeable truths about ourselves and/or meaningful others, but also realize the potential for transformation and redemption. With Venus moving inward, so to speak, the first relationship in the line of fire will be that with our own selves, our self image, the confidence or lack of confidence defining our social interactions. How comfortable do we really feel about our public persona, our physical appearance, mode of dress, the way others may perceive us? Retro Venus has the power to lay bare lots of submerged unconscious stuff that secretly affect our lives.

Perhaps we may learn the hard way whom we can trust and who will be willing to truly support us emotionally, financially, legally through hard times. We will be putting on the detective goggles when it comes to emotions, discerning things from ours and people actions/words to which we may have been blind before.

Relationships, artistic or financial enterprises beginning at this time will prove challenging at first, but could eventually bloom into something really special. During a Venus Retrograde period people from the past often reconnect with us, allowing forgotten or repressed feelings to flood back into our lives. Negatively we could get obsessed and emotionally stuck about someone or something, experiencing emotional, financial or creative blocks, all generating some difficult and depressing feelings for a while: insightful or disturbing, depending how we look at them. How much are we repressing within and/or hiding from others? How many unresolved issues are still marring our relationships or relationship potential? Venus retrograde could be the ideal time to find out and face the consequences.

At its ideal level of expression Venus retrograde represents feminine empowerment and feminine wisdom, not gender but soul defined, acting as midwife to some profound transformation of consciousness. The time is ripe for some depth psychological work and truth seeking, shining the light of Earendil on our personal and collective psyche.

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.