Paola Emma’s astrological musings for October-November 2022: the ongoing Saturn-Uranus’ saga

A shorter version of this post was publishe in issue 126 of 'The Uki Village News'

Between the intensity of Scorpio-Taurus Eclipses, the Retrogradation of Mars and the ongoing Saturn-Uranus’ square we will need to be flexible, because our long term plans may need significant adjustments to eventually succeed.

On October 25 a Solar Eclipse (02° Scorpio New Moon) will energize the early degrees of the Fixed Signs (0-5 of Scorpio-Taurus-Leo-Aquarius), potentially altering our perspective on life in profound ways, and thus creating pathways for future progress.  

On November 8 a Lunar Eclipse (16° Taurus Full Moon) could have an emotional impact on the middle degrees of the Fixed Signs (Taurus-Scorpio-Leo-Aquarius). An emotional climax of sorts may be on the cards, resulting from the way we may have dealt with previous experiences. This could be a time for profound realizations about the past, when you will look inward for answers.

The Saturn-Uranus’ square: this ongoing transit is maintaining its formidable hold on world affairs and many people’s lives. The degrees 16^th to 20^th of Taurus-Aquarius-Leo-Scorpio will be especially under this transit’s radar. We could be driven into taking some serious decisions, between contrasting, even conflicting choices, creating inner tension as well as strain in our personal relationships and environment, while hopefully moving us on from humdrum situations (see 2021).

Collectively, economies and governments around the world could also witness the escalation of tension and be forced to make hurried choices to implement urgent socio-economic changes. Make or break decisions, for better or worse, will decide the world future direction for the next ten years or so.  

The Sun, Mercury and Venus will become catalysts for the manifestation of the Saturn-Uranus’ edgy energy, between the first and second week of November. Furthermore, on November 8, the last Lunar Eclipse of this year (Taurus-Full-Moon), will conjunct Uranus and form a 90 degrees angle to Saturn in Aquarius. The US crucial mid-term elections in early November will have to deal with a share of this disruptive energy. Lunar Eclipses represent the climax of matters that have been maturing for a while, like a crop ready to be harvested; and also the start of more conscious new cycles. This particular Eclipse, aligning with the most transformative transit of the year could indeed carry a punch and not just for the US.

An escalation of the Russia/Ukraine conflict and others around the world is very possible too. While the same transit was active, on and off, in 2021, when relations between the two countries were becoming steadily worse, the invasion itself took place at the end of February this year, when Saturn had temporarily separated from the transit but was sitting on the very same 18^th degree of Aquarius that it will occupy in October and November; the November 8 Taurus Lunar Eclipse will be part of the mix too!

The United Kingdom is also closely aligned to the Saturn-Uranus’ unsettling transit, as well as the Lunar Eclipse, via Neptune in Scorpio 18° and Venus on 16°Aquarius, within England’s Natal Horoscope (January-1-1801). The Solar Eclipse (Scorpio-New-Moon), on October 25, will also be conjunct the United Kingdom’s Natal Jupiter. These synchronicities could indicate a difficult and uncertain transition for the present king and the British monarchy in general, marred in controversies and unforeseen events.  

New Zealand’s Natal Pluto (Natal Chart cast for June 18 1852) will be aligned to the October 25 Scorpio Solar Eclipse, while Jupiter and Saturn are loosely aligned to the November 8 Taurus Lunar Eclipse as well as the Saturn-Uranus’ transit.

The Natal Chart of modern, non-imperial Japan (April 28, 1952) has also Pluto in Leo at right angle to the November 8 Lunar Eclipse and the Saturn-Uranus’ transit. Some important event may befall both countries in the next few months.

Jupiter’s Return into Pisces

For a brief spell of seven weeks (October29-December21) Jupiter will be retracing its steps into Pisces. For people with the last two degrees of the Mutable Signs highlighted in their Birth Charts (Pisces-Virgo-Gemini-Sagittarius) Jupiter’s return visit could bring to fruition a wish, a dream, an opportunity they recently thought was close to be realized but then seemed lost. For some though attaining it may not bring the perfect fulfilment they hoped for.

Mars’ Retrogradation in Gemini

In October Mars is slowing down because it is due to turn Retrograde on the 30^th, an event taking place every two years. Turning Direct on January 13 Mars will exit Gemini only on March 25 next year. This planet signifies the function of assertion in action: when we want to achieve something how we go about it: in a timid, self-doubting way; or in an overly assertive, insensitive way; or fairly? This Retrogradation represents an opportunity to reconsider the way we usually act to get what we want and also the way we handle disagreements and conflicts in our lives. How effective and fair is the way we assert ourselves when we are challenged? Do we give our opponents space to make their point, or we just want our viewpoint to be heard?  Perhaps we have the opposite problem: we let others win an argument for the sake of peace or become overly emotional, to gain the upper hand by manipulative ways?   

A 90 degrees angle from Mars to Neptune, becoming exact three times, during and after its Retrogradation (October12-November20-2022-March15-2023), happens to be one of the most challenging in the coming months. The function of these two planetary energies is in fact naturally at odds. Mars is physical and ‘yang’; action and assertion its key words. Neptune is instead a ‘Yin’ planet, yielding and metaphysical in nature. The square aspect always tends to pit one planet against the other. So it is action or non-action? Is it assertion or surrender? It could get confusing to decide the right course when torn between these conflicting drives. I could compare their successful combination to a type of martial art, where physical skill and stamina combines with a dance form and spiritual philosophy to realize the perfect, non-aggressive self-defence practice.

Astrology of the 2022 Australian Federal Election

Welcome to my astrological survey of the 2022 Australian Federal Election.

First of all a disclaimer: the purpose of this post is not to pick the winners in this upcoming election. Astrology is not an exact science but rather an amazing and age proven craft whose aim is shedding light on the connection between cosmic phenomena and events on earth. If read properly it can indeed clarify the reason behind any turn of events and thus also guide us to see the potential outcome of any situation.

It is amazing how the current transits reflect the level of ambivalence the electoral polls are showing. Few hours away from voting the pollsters are still very much muddle-headed as to who may end up holding a clear majority, if anyone. Some experts are even mentioning the possibility of a ‘Hung Parliament’, a rare event in modern Australian federal politics,the two most recent occurrences dating back to the 2010 and 1940 Elections. After winning by a narrow margin in 2010 Labor Julia Gillard formed a minority government with the support of three Independents and one Green MP. Seventy years earlier, in 1940, a conservative coalition won also by a narrow margin, but,only forty days after forming a minority government under Menzies, was beaten by Labor, led by John Curtin. Menzies had to wait until the 1949 Election to become Prime Minister, office he held until 1963.

Considering the significant impact that Independents, minor parties and an estimate 5/8% still undecided voters, and the fact that Labor has lost some points while the Coalition has gained a few since the campaign started, the polls as well as the astrology seem to indicate a very tight race whose winner may not be decided immediately.

The odd choice of date

Here is Canberra Sunrise Horoscope for Election Day, May 21 2022.

Astrologically speaking the chosen date is odd for many reasons:

• The Sun will be moving from Taurus, a traditionally conservative Sign, to Gemini, a more progressive Sign, at 11.22 am on the very day. The last degree of every Sign is a sort of twilight zone, often a place of confusion and uncertainty, when a change is close at hand but not yet materialized, the pull of the past remaining strong for a while, slowing progress.
• Mercury is still retrograde and also shortly moving from Gemini back into Taurus (on May 23), the reverse of what the Sun is doing.  Sun and retro Mercury will meet, while moving in opposite directions, just before sunrise on Sunday May 22, in what is called their Inferior Conjunction, when Mercury aligns with our planet while orbiting between the Earth and the Sun.Any student of astrology could tell you that the period of Mercury retrograde is not ideal to begin new ventures, sign important contracts or make long term plans. All sorts of misunderstandings and delays are often the outcome of action taken during these periods.
• The Aquarius Moon will be waning;also not an ideal phase to start anything, while the Moon’s Sign seems to indicates also a shift toward more inclusive and progressive trends.

All the above describes a time of transition but also of great uncertainty, with the results of the polls perhaps delayed, and a clear majority difficult to ascertain; with the real potential for a minority government or even a hung parliament, a rare but not unheard of event, especially in times of general turmoil like the ones we are living.  In 2010Labor Julia Gillard won only by a narrow margin, during a retro station of Mercury. Also in 2010 as well as 1940 the Sun was closely approaching a new Sign on Election day, but not as close to the cusp as it will be during this coming election.

Looking ahead the Gemini New Moon, on May 30, and Mercury’s return to direct motion, on June 3-4, may indicate a more suitable time for the emergence of clearer results and the beginning of a new political phase.

The two contestants

The transits affecting the two main contestants in the race, Scott Morrison and Antony Albanese, could shed more light on the possible outcome. Unfortunately neither of the two leaders’ time of birth is available, denying us some crucial information that could have helped filling in more details into the picture. In particular we are missing the general orientation of the celestial bodies, above or below the horizon, east or west, defining their respective areas of influence.

I have cast their horoscopes for the time of the local sunrise in the birth place on the day of birth, a traditional method recommended in such cases.

Scott Morrison: Taurus Sun, Scorpio or Sagittarius Moon  

Here is Scott Morrison’s Sunrise Horoscope and Data Page:

We need to remember that in this horoscope the Moon could be either in Scorpio or Sagittarius, depending on the birth occurring before or after 11.53 am. The Scorpio Moon typically gives a secretive, intense personality that could attract enemies, but also attain to positions of authority and control through the use of will power and sometimes emotional manipulation. The Sun in Taurus coupled with a Scorpio Full Moon will in fact strengthen the will considerably and also the need to control one’s environment. If born after 11.53 am Morrison would have a Sagittarius Moon instead. This usually gives a brash, self-confident and gregarious personality.  A Sagittarius Moon, coupled with his Gemini Mercury and Mars, would make him a natural salesman, skilled with words but not necessarily trustworthy. The Sagittarius Moon would be my choice for him if I were into guessing,with perhaps boisterous Jupiter rising in Leo (Leo Ascendant).

Scott Morrison’s current major transits

• Scott Morrison is at present experiencing the intense emotional effect of the May 16 Scorpio Lunar Eclipse (the major phase during which the election will be held), when transiting Sun and Moon in Taurus and Scorpio aligned closely to his birth Sun, Sunrise Moon and Neptune, also in Taurus and Scorpio. The South Lunar Node was very closely aligned to the sunrise Moon and to Neptune during the Eclipse itself, while the North Node will be exactly on his sunrise Sun, at election time.

Morrison was born few hours after the Scorpio Full Moon, fact that accounts for his forceful personality and compelling ambitions; the May 2022 Full Moon Eclipse is certainly testing both. These special lunar phases, when aligned to planetary positions in the Birth Chart, represent significant turning points in life with the potential for profound realizations through crisis, helping the development of personality and unfolding of destiny. In particular an Eclipse Season in Taurus and Scorpio is bringing to light things which were hidden, hopefully encouraging some serious soul searching for our current leader.

Here is again Morrison’s horoscope surrounded, in the top image, by the planetary positions at the time of the May 16 Lunar Eclipse in Scorpio, and, in the bottom image, by the positions on Election Day 2022, on Canberra’s sunrise time.

• Transiting Saturn in Aquarius has recently reached a 90 degrees angle (square) from Morrison’s Natal Sun (April 2) and it will return in August and at the end of December, very much covering the whole year, with a square to natal Mars looming for next year as well.
• The transiting Saturn will shortly also begin to square his natal Neptune (first pass in direct motion on June 1, second pass on June 8, in retro motion; third and last pass, in direct motion, on January 27, 2023). Both Saturn’s square to his natal Sun and Neptune are happening for certain on the given dates, not depending on an exact birth time.
• Saturn is also squaring his sunrise Moon, but the dates for this transit cannot be certain, due to the lack of a birth time and an exact degree placement of the natal Moon.

Saturn is aptly known as the ‘reality check’ planet. Its major transits to an individual’s Sun degree force him/her to experience the world in a starker light than usual, lowering self-confidence and often dashing expectations in order to build character and limit ego expansion. So, even if the Liberal Party is meant to win this upcoming election it will be very difficult for Morrison personally to keep the level of confidence he has displayed so far. External challenges and inner doubts will make his leadership experience far from smooth, as we have seen happening already in recent times.

Possibly even more difficult could be Saturn’s square to his Natal Neptune, with him for nearly another year. This is an extremely difficult transit to experience during such an important contest. While the role of Saturn is to establish firm foundations with focus on achieving goals through hard work and discipline, Neptune has the power to erode all the above, making all efforts null and void, aiming instead to attain non-ego-centric ideals. These two planets are in fact natural enemies, one busy creating structures and security while the other is intent at dismantling them. This difficult contact can cause great confusion, irrational thinking and behaviour, and grave disappointments, especially in the sphere of worldly ambitions. I feel this particular transit is one that indicates losing rather than winning this election.

The birth position of Morrison’s Saturn in Aries often indicates a powerful father complex potentially leading the individual to become extra competitive, in need to prove himself at all cost. This trait could lead to aggressive and bossy behaviour, to make clear who is in charge. Any transit of Saturn, like the ones I just described, will stimulate this tough, uncompromising side of his personality.

Antony Albanese: Pisces Sun, Taurus or Gemini Moon  

Here is Antony Albanese’s Sunrise Horoscope and Data Page:

Same as before, when looking at his opponent’s horoscope, we need to remember that, in Albanese’s own horoscope, the Moon could be either in Taurus or Gemini, depending on the birth occurring before or after 7.38 am. The Taurus Moon typically gives an intense, affectionate but also wilful personality that may find difficult to adapt to changes or to move on from stuck circumstances. If born after 7.38 am Albanese would have a Gemini Moon instead. This usually gives a lighter, more social, intellectually curious personality.  A Gemini Moon, coupled with his Pisces Sun and Jupiter would make him more adaptable and easy going, but not the best at focusing his will toward a set goal; sometimes easily swayed by events and others’ opinions or stronger personalities. A study of his lifestyle, family life, interests and hobbies could help me to make an educated guess on his Moon Sign and possible Rising Sign. I don’t know enough of the man, apart from his often unassuming public image, to even start guessing.

Antony Albanese’s current  transits

Here is Albanese’s horoscope surrounded by the positions of the Sun, Moon and planets on Election Day 2022, on sunrise:

While Saturn is prominent in transit for incumbent Prime Minister Scott Morrison, forcing him to face some hard facts and accept unwelcome limitations, Pluto, planet of destruction and regeneration, and Uranus, the ‘shaker and mover’ planet, are instead prominent in transit for Antony Albanese. Jupiter too is playing an important role especially at election time.

2022 is also a Saturn Return year for Albanese, the second in his life, as he will turn sixty next year. The Return itself took place on February 13, only one pass. This once in thirty years transit is neither positive nor negative. It represents just a coming of age when, having reached a degree of psychological maturity, the individual should be ready to embrace the final years of his/her life assisted by the wisdom of experience.

• Pluto: no matter if he will end up winning or losing this election, some profound inner transformation is taking place and difficult experiences are testing Albanese’s resilience and personal power right now, making his life feeling all together more intense than ever before. Pluto began its once in a lifetime conjunction to his natal Capricorn Venus in January this year and will remain very close to Venus at least until the end of the year. Despite its difficulties this is an empowering transit at the end of which the individual should be able to identify with a more authentic version of oneself, if he survives the test without cracking under the intense stress.

This conjunction, despite its negative potentials, seems to me a sign that Albanese could win this election because he is giving it everything he has got, and more.

• Uranus: thanks to Uranus the wind of change could reach cyclonic strength in Albanese’s life this year and beyond, another sign that this is a turning point for his life and career. He should expect disruptions to his best laid plans and face the need to embrace a less conformist, more radical outlook on many matters, in his personal and political life.

Uranus in Taurus is in fact forming a 90 degrees angle (square)to his Saturn and Mercury, conjunct in idealistic, friendly Aquarius in his Birth Chart.These challenging but potentially exciting and life changing transits, already brewing during the election campaign, will become exact for the first time between the middle of June and the end of July, return between September and November, and finally complete their course between March and May 2023.

• Transiting Jupiter in Aries is forming the first pass of a difficult semi-square with Albanese’s natal Saturn, starting just on Election Day. Later it will be doing the same with his natal Mercury. These challenging angles will remain active, on and off, until January 2023. When Jupiter, planet of expansion, challenges Saturn, planet of restriction, the need arises to find a working balance between realism (Saturn) and idealism (Jupiter), an opportunity to curb exaggerated expectations without losing sight of one’s dreams and aspirations.

Conclusion

In my view this is going to be a tight race whose outcome may not be certain for a while (Sun between two Signs; Mercury Retrograde and also moving Sign). Neither of the two contestants really emerges as a clear winner; both are going through some major challenge that could represent a turning point in their careers.

Scott Morrison is going through a big reality check at the moment, but one not too dissimilar from others he has experienced before, part of the ups and downs, learning curve of life.  He is also going through an intense emotional time due to the recent Lunar Eclipse, but none of the slow moving, life changing planets, namely Uranus, Neptune or Pluto, will achieve prominence in his life until next year, when Uranus in Taurus will reach the degree of his natal Sun.

Personally I put my money on Albanese. I feel he has more chances than Morrison to win this election, not because his transits are easy and wonderful but because they are actually life changing. The fact that Pluto and Uranus are becoming active at the same time show that a critical point has been reached and there is no turning back; it is a make or break situation for him.

It is now just past midnight on Election Day.  I need to publish this post immediately, but run out of time to discuss the crucial role the Minor Parties, the Greens in particular, could play in this election; as well as the significance of the women and LGBT community’s votes to reshape Australian government’s approach to fundamental issues such as climate change, sexual, racial and religious discrimination, the Aboriginal question, human right, treatment of refugees, affordable housing, mental health, environmental protection, sustainable living etc. Because all the above topics are becoming more and more relevant to an ever increasing number of people it is perhaps a good thing if elections, still based on the traditional and obsolete two parties system, do not lend themselves to reliable polling and experts’ predictions anymore. More independents candidates and minor parties will be needed in the future to reflect the diversity of the modern electorate and the wide range of ecological, social and economic reforms people are clamoring for.

February- March 2022 Astrology Highlights

Jupiter Image from Juno Mission

Australia has recently entered a new phase in the pandemic saga. The reopening of businesses and states borders has in fact coincided with the much more rapid spread of the new Sars 2 Omicron variant. As a result the number of infections, hospitalizations, fatalities and general pressure on the health system has never been as severe in Oz as now. Can Astrology help us to throw some light on the possible outcome of this new phase? Let’s see what we can gather from the transits trend in February and March 2022.

For the whole of this year Jupiter, transiting between Pisces and Aries, appears to be the main actor in the cosmic play. This is good news, our giant neighbour usually bringing opportunities for improvement all round, including in people’s mood and expectations.

Despite the climbing number of casualties from this insidious virus we all feel a return of hope and a degree of optimism that the situation seems hardly to warrant! This is the Jupiter effect, always projecting the psyche toward the future and to problem solving rather than pessimism grounded on past negative experience. Through Jupiter energy we perceive the evolution of situations and feel definitely less stuck and powerless.
Jupiter in fact may even have the effect of exaggerating positive expectations, anticipating too early a happy end to the crisis. The transits of Sun, Mercury, Venus and Mars in February and March are in fact still difficult and seem to suggest that, despite improving trends, with the end of lock-down and borders closures and a milder variant of the virus, we may better remain cautious and patient in our response to the situation. 

The most significant transits will be:

• February 1: the 12 degree Aquarius New Moon will be conjunct Saturn and at right angle to Uranus in Taurus, thus becoming a powerful trigger for the square Saturn-Uranus whose last exact pass occurred at the very end of 2021. Possible outcome: more issues regarding people versus government mandates and regulations. The New Moon setting the tone for the whole monthly lunar cycle.
• February 5: the conjunction of Aquarius Sun to Saturn, a yearly reality test, demanding a practical and responsible approach; no flight of fancy.
• Between February 6 and 12: Aquarius Mars and Sun square the Taurus-Scorpio Lunar Nodes, a temporary block of collective energy, cause and effect in stark display for all to see.
• February 17: the Leo Full Moon (27 degree) usually indicates a creative/social time of the year, enhanced this time by the Venus-Mars’ conjunction in Capricorn, happening on the same day. The combination of a Full Moon with Venus-Mars alignment could be conducive to new romance and friendships, stimulating creative impulses, intense and somewhat unexpected (Aquarius Sun, Leo Moon), but not ephemeral (Venus-Mars in Capricorn).
• February 18: Pisces Jupiter sextile Uranus in Taurus, the most positive transit of the period will be exact today, active for a week or so, before and after. Sextiles in Astrology (60 degrees angles) are considered positive, stimulating creative way of expressing the energy of the planets involved. Here we have expansive and forward looking Jupiter working in harmony with Uranus, the planet of breakthroughs and lateral thinking. A novel approach to problem solving and eureka moments all around. 
• February 24: Pisces Jupiter semi-square Capricorn Pluto. This is undoubtedly the most difficult angle for the period under review. Jupiter in fact tends to exaggerate the effect of any planet it forms significant angles with. The semi-square is a difficult angle, not as powerful as the square but still challenging. And Pluto is a symbol of hardships, always testing our strength and resilience in adversity.  
• March 2 to 5: a cluster of potentially difficult  transits could mark an another knotty period  for the world, calling for all the resilience and positive thinking the overall power of Jupiter can provide us. These transits are: March 2: Aries Chiron semi-square the Lunar Node. On March 3 and 4: Aquarius Mercury conjunct Saturn; Capricorn Mars conjunct Pluto; Pisces Sun semi-square Pluto and Mars; Capricorn Venus also conjunct Pluto. And, to top it up, the Pisces New Moon, on March 3, may cause the above transits to stretch their influence for the whole lunar month ahead.
• There will be many shifts from March 6 onward, with the fast moving celestial bodies entering new Signs, Venus and Mars Aquarius on the 6th, and Mercury Pisces on the 10^th, and Aries on the 27^th.
  Between the 6^th and the 13th the Sun will also form its yearly conjunctions to Jupiter and Neptune, enhancing optimism and greater receptivity to spiritual influences. These alignments are also precursors of the much anticipated conjunction of Jupiter to Neptune, exact on April 12/13. Jupiter-Neptune’s conjunction is the one transit this year most astrologers believe to promise greater understanding and tolerance between people and a general improvement in the collective psyche.   
  Notable is also the fact that, after the first week of March, all the fast moving bodies will be out of Aquarius and Capricorn, the Signs occupied by Saturn and Pluto, the planets at the center of the still current crisis. These two slow moving trouble makers need in fact the fast bodies to be stimulated into action. To see however the end of this dark period we will have to look more toward 2023 when they too will move Signs, Saturn entering Pisces and Pluto Aquarius.
• March 18: the Virgo Full Moon will not just oppose the Pisces Sun, but Neptune also. A Neptunian Full Moon could positively be full of mysteries, romance, aesthetic pleasures, even out of this world experiences, but negatively could foster instead confusion, mistrust and a vague sense of unease we cannot quite put our finger on.

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 outlook for August September 2021 and beyond: Saturn versus Uranus; stationary Pluto

A summary of this article has been published in issue 119 of the Uki Village News (August September 2021)

The big picture: darkness and light

‘Allegory of Life ‘ by Pierre Puvis de Chavannes

Watching the news or connecting with world events through social media we know that our beautiful planet is going through a difficult period of transformation. We are all asked to master our inner resources and be ready to change ingrained habits in order to restore some balance to a severely lop-sided world.

It is often difficult to remain hopeful and upbeat when things seem to be getting more difficult for many of us. A serious astrological assessment of the global situation may sound negative at times, but it simply reflects the enormous challenges we face, while also showing how the same energies that are disrupting the status quo are also harbingers of future renewal, fostering the vision of a better, cleaner, more just and united world.

The present difficulties should truly force us to embrace the changes we need to make. In Astrology we call ‘transits’ the ever shifting mutual relationship between Sun, Moon and Planets, meaning that those relationships, by their own nature, are, transitory. Good news if you are looking for the light at the end of this tunnel.     

Many Planets in retrogradation

In August and September 2021 all the major planetary players, Jupiter, Saturn, Chiron, Neptune and Pluto will be traveling in retro motion. And Uranus will join them soon, turning Stationary Retrograde on August 20. Between October and December they will all turn Direct again. 
A period with many Retrograde could mean that time seems to stand still; things do not change as quickly as we wish, while unresolved issues are still simmering below the surface, ready to fully manifest again in the near future.

Saturn versus Uranus

For instance, the most important transit of 2021, the 90 degrees angle between Aquarius Saturn and Taurus Uranus, is not anymore exact (the second pass was in mid June) and will be exact again only on December 24, moving away for good after that.

This is the transit epitomizing the severe limitations the Covid19 pandemic has placed on everyone (Saturn), as well as the resentment and desire to rebel against those same limitations (Uranus). The same transit has also manifested into the rapid escalation of conflicts around the world as well as the weather extremes coming fast upon us: sweltering heat in Canada and Siberia, deadly unprecedented floods in Asia and Europe, destructive bush fires in North America the Middle East and Europe; as well as many countries on the verge of economic and social collapse, civil unrest, even civil wars; and a new Cold War afoot.  All these events, in a relatively short period of time, should make us more aware of the need for urgent and radical measures to uphold unity in the face of many mutual dangers; to counteract social inequalities, the global threat to democracy and the ultimate challenge of climate change, with the very survival of the planet at stake.

This divisive combination of antagonistic energies will remain active the whole year, more keenly felt when close to being exact or when other celestial bodies set it off by transit.  

In August, for instance, Sun and Mercury in Leo will connect with the Saturn-Uranus’ transit, by opposition and square, between August 4 and 8. 

The August lunar cycle will also tend to activate Saturn and Uranus: on August 1, the Taurus Last Quarter Moon will be conjunct Uranus, while at right angle with Sun and Mercury; on August 8 the Leo New Moon will be opposing Saturn and squaring Uranus too; and, on August 22, the last degree Aquarius Full Moon will instead align to Jupiter, another major player in the evolution of the global crisis we are still caught up in.
The fact that the Moon will be so involved in the current planetary dynamics could stir even deeper emotions, leading to outbursts of passions, falling out between people, more clashes with authority and social unrest.

Where is the positive in all of this? Is Saturn just a sadistic master squeezing the world into its authoritarian fist? Doesn’t Saturn represent rather the sense of responsibility that we need to develop, as people and nations, to become truly adult individuals?  Does it not represent also the willingness to make personal sacrifices for the benefit of society as a whole (Aquarius)? The need to be more realistic, limiting our wants to reduce their destructive impact in an ever more fragile environment?

Is Uranus just a destroyer of peace, source of divorce and war, alienating people and countries from each other? Or is not rather the light of intelligence illumining the new paths we need to take, to bring the changes we can imagine possible? Is it not Uranus anticipating future trends and overcoming negative past conditioning and prejudice? In Taurus Uranus is here to especially show us alternative ways to make a wiser use of the Earth’s depleting natural resources.

Stationary Pluto

What about Pluto in Capricorn?   With his ‘God of the underworld’ persona, not a reassuring bedfellow either!  This planet has been one of the main actors in the pandemic’s play, bringing personal loss and a sense of fate to our collective experience. We are facing a global catastrophe, the virus just the tip of the iceberg. In many unhappy places this is a war of people versus the virus, people versus authorities; people versus people; the environment versus people. Opinions abound and they are all fiercely defended as the gospel. From now to the end of 2021 Pluto will remain stationary on the 24^th degree of Capricorn. This degree is the same that was activated in a big way by the transits of Jupiter in 2020. For this year, at least, this degree will remain the focus for the expression of Pluto’s dark energy.

There is another side to Pluto’s coin though: the Pluto’s experience, at the personal or collective level, should ultimately empower us, making us aware of our resilience in the face of very difficult, even unprecedented circumstances. Pluto is a symbol of survival, of defeating the greatest odds, of facing the deepest fears and come out winning.

Jupiter and Chiron

Retro Jupiter re-entered Aquarius on July 28, ending then a two and half months foray into Pisces. Jupiter will transit Aquarius until December 29.  The second pass of  Jupiter semi-square Chiron in Aries, exact again on August 18, is a reminder that this is still a time for greater collective vulnerability to negative external agents (from viruses to misinformation). Gentle healing will be needed, to restore hope and confidence in better things to come. This transit too will not be over until nearly the end of 2021 (third pass on November 18).

Jupiter’s function is to seek the philosophical aspect of all our experiences, to view our personal circumstances as part of a much bigger, universal picture, thus gaining a wider perspective on everything.  The difficult link between Jupiter and Chiron, the planet of wounding, illness and healing, has an obvious significance. What larger understanding of life and ourselves can we glean through the ongoing difficulties and dangers? What are we learning from this historical crisis that could make much better prepared for other unavoidable challenges? I believe that Jupiter will help us to become more aware of the profound connection we share with all other people on earth, of one nation to all other nations (Aquarius/Pisces). Tackling this medical crisis in one country will be only part of a more global solution. The same can be said for all other crisis facing the world, climate change in the first place. We could tackle the challenge successfully only if we work together toward a solution.

2021 Astrology’s hopes unfounded? Covid and Pluto’s Station

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Giorgio de Chirico's 'Mystery and Melancholy Of A Street'

The hopeful view I and most astrologers put across at the end of 2020 was for the pandemic situation to definitely improve in 2021. The main reason for optimism was the December 2020 Jupiter and Saturn’s splendid conjunction on the threshold of Aquarius. That rare transit ended in fact their passage through Capricorn where their alignment to Pluto had proven so disastrous for the world. But the hoped for positive impact on the pandemic didn’t eventuate the way many expected.

The world’s economically leading countries have seen undeniable changes for the better in 2021. After imposing strict and often controversial borders closure, lock downs, social distancing, masking mandates and vaccinating a great number of their citizens these countries seem to be on their way out of the wood. It is a different story globally though, with infections on the raise and the death toll actually worse than in 2020.

So what happened? Why is it taking so long for things to really improve? To better understand the situation astrologically I had another look at Pluto, because it was after all Pluto, ancient god of the underworld, of dire losses and deep transformations who mainly contributed to paint this period in such dark hues.

One of the most important tenets of astrology is that degrees highlighted by significant transits remain sensitive for much longer than the actual period when the transit makes an exact hit. Because of this the area affected by the significant alignments of Jupiter-Saturn to Pluto will remain sensitized for a long time, easily brought back to life by any challenging transit from fast moving celestial bodies (conjunctions, 45, 90°, 135° and 180°) or by any stations of planets. The latter are the degrees when a planet seems to stand still before it turns retrograde or direct. These degrees become always a strong focus for the expression of that planet’s energy. 

For example Pluto was Stationary Direct on the 24^th degree of Capricorn (the same degree where the conjunction with Jupiter occurred between March and July 2020) at the end of April 2020 (one of the pandemic peak period in Europe) and will be again Stationary Direct on the same degree on October 7 2021! At the end of this year Pluto will move for good from that fated degree; hopefully good news for our tired world.   In the mean time however Mars, the catalyst in chief, will activate that degree again on June 6 (opposing Pluto from Cancer), and on October 22 (squaring Pluto from Libra), as it did three times in August, October and December 2020 (squaring Pluto from Aries during a long retro period), with dire effect on the world.

At this point, despite everyone’s understandable wishes for a rapid recovery, I don’t think the brutal effect of the Covid pandemic could really end until Pluto will move out of Capricorn. And that will happen only between March 2023 and November 2024. Mine may seem like a very pessimistic outlook, after my hopeful early outlook, but what I am talking about is a global recovery not just confined to some ‘lucky’ countries.

On a more positive note and despite serious setbacks (not just regarding the pandemic), the alignment of Jupiter-Saturn in Aquarius has already began to deliver some of its promises for a more just and inclusive mindset in the world. It seems to be unavoidable that this should prevail in the course of the next twenty years. We are still however only at the inception of this progressive trend and a long way from fulfilling it.

Astrology and the Australian floods, April-May 2021: Jupiter’s first ingress into Pisces

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A shorter version of this article was published, in late March, on the Uki Village News

Astrology and the Australian Floods In ancient times the art of predicting the weather was one of astrology’s most valuable uses. In the absence of scientific instruments astrological weather forecast was naturally of the greatest importance for early agricultural people who relied on it to decide the best times for sowing and harvesting. Meteorological astrology is an art in itself, with very complex sets of laws of its own. I am not an expert in this specialized topic, but I can very much appreciate the cosmic synchronicity that I observed at play during the recent Australian floods.    Astrology is an amazing mirror of both ‘reality’ and ‘psyche’. In its cosmic mirror the two merge: the outer life of events and experiences and the inner life of thoughts and feelings. Becoming aware of this underlying nexus is at the heart of our art, opening up a fascinating view of the world and ourselves. That is why for me it’s not farfetched to hear the sound of rain in the Water Signs; to feel warmth, dry weather in the Fire Signs; temperate, moist weather in the Earth Signs; cooler, windy weather in the Air Signs; as well as identify possible extreme events in some intense planetary configurations. The lunar cycle, during which the peak of the floods has occurred, began at the Pisces Water New Moon, on March 13, with increase in rain activity in many parts of the country. During that phase the Moon and Sun weren’t just transiting a Water Sign but were also in close conjunction to Venus and Neptune in Pisces too. At the time I began writing, March 20, day of the Aries Equinox (yearly ingress of the Sun in Aries, a crucial time in the cosmic calendar), Venus was still in Pisces and again conjunct the Sun! Early on March 22 the First Quarter Moon, another crucial phase of the lunar cycle, fell in Water Cancer, at a significant distance of 120 degrees (trine) from Pisces Mercury. All the above suggests water events and also translates as a highly emotional period, when compassionate and loving feelings prevail (Water), within families (Cancer) and communities (Pisces).  April 2021 During the first two to three weeks in April the focus will be on the Fire and Air Signs: Venus transiting Aries from April 1 to 15; Mercury will be in Aries also, April 4 to 19; Mars, in Gemini since March 4, will be in this Air Sign until April 23; Jupiter will remain in Aquarius until May 14; Saturn will be in Aquarius all the way to early 2023; Chiron in Aries until 2026. Only the trans-Saturn planets Uranus, Neptune and Pluto are found in Earth and Water Signs. The Fire and Air Elements cause a planet to express its particular power in an outgoing and sometimes even forceful manner, showing more oomph, but also less sensitivity. This will be a great time then to walk the talk, putting into action our ideas with confidence and optimism.  Aries Mercury and Gemini Mars are in fact bouncing off each other by occupying each other Signs for a while, what is known in Astrology as ‘mutual reception’. Venus in Aries encourages us to be more assertive in our relationships, if less emotional and diplomatic. Jupiter and Saturn in Aquarius remain a great stimulus for everyone to participate more in the life of the community, getting involved in collective projects, making new friends and trying new and exciting things, including social dissent. Independence and self-motivated actions are the keys to make the best of this period. By far the most important transit, exact on April 7, will be the 45°angle (semi-square) between Aquarius Jupiter and Aries Chiron. This difficult transit between the planet of expansion and the planet of illness and healing, peaking again in mid August and mid November, seems significant, with the world still in the grip of a pandemic and the southern hemisphere entering the year’s colder months that have proven so difficult for many during the North American and European winter. On April 19 Mercury and on April 23 Venus will enter Taurus, the same day Mars will leave Gemini to enter Cancer. Mercury and Venus’s transits in Taurus will last only until May 4 and 9 respectively; while Mars will remain in Cancer until June 12.  These are the three faster planets, affecting the way we deal with life from day to day and week to week. Their shift into the Earth and Water Signs indicate a less independent period for many, when relationships and feeling will come more to the fore, helping us to establish stronger emotional connections with family and loved ones.   May 2021 The month of May opens with the yearly conjunction of Sun-Uranus in Taurus, in itself a sign that some unexpected and sudden events are on the cards. The Sun will become, at this time, a powerful catalyst for the energies of both Uranus and Saturn by also squaring Aquarius Saturn on May 4. These transits could anticipate the challenges of the upcoming second pass of the Saturn-Uranus’ 90° angle, exact again on June 15. Escalation of personal and collective conflicts is likely, as we have seen happening around the world recently. The need for change in our social structures, laws, cultural bias etc. are compelling this year but also enormously challenged by the world’s most conservative mind set. As it was impossible to sugar coat the difficult transits of 2020 so it is for the Saturn-Uranus square, the most powerful and difficult transit of 2021, another clash of Titans. Jupiter in Pisces, May 14 to July 28 The Mutable Signs will become more active this month and in June-July. Mercury and Venus will enter Mutable Gemini in May 4 and 9 respectively. Most importantly, on May 14, Jupiter will leave Aquarius, Sign it entered only on December 19 2020, to enter Mutable Pisces. Jupiter’s stay in Pisces will not last long, covering only the first two degrees of the Sign. Jupiter in fact will re-enter Aquarius in retro motion on July 28 (until December 29). Jupiter will end its transit in Pisces on May 11 but will return to this Sign again for a short period, between October 28 and December 21 2022, date of its final ingress into Aries. Jupiter enters the last of the Water Signs about every twelve years, ushering a period when we are encouraged to listen more to our inner self, be inspired by heightened imagination and sensitivity. We could also become more responsive to the feelings of others, seeking to identify with their souls, their emotional needs and suffering. And, on a grander scale, we could become more open and receptive to the soul of the planet and all its creatures; an especially urgent need during the immediate drama of the Covid pandemic and the ecological tragedy looming on our world.  Feeling of collective empathy and compassion should inspire our life philosophy if we are able to respond to Jupiter’s amazing prompting. Of course there is always another, darker side to all coins, including ‘beneficial’ Jupiter’s. Pisces sensitivity often means a lack of boundaries and proper discrimination, the qualities of its opposite complementary Sign of Virgo that Pisces is in great need of consciously cultivate. We could then run the risk, as a collective, to be contaminated (for lack of a better word) by all sorts of fanciful notions, from wild conspiracies theories to actual physical infections. These could in fact spread even more readily under this influence. Let’s hope that rational thinking and Pisces’ uplifting spiritual insight will prevail, for the good of the planet. Upcoming Mercury’s retro period in Gemini and the first Eclipses of 2021 The Mutable shift will be also significant because of Mercury’s Gemini retro period (from May 30 to June 23), causing our little brother to transit Gemini for a protracted period, until July 12. To add to this, the first Eclipses of 2021 will fall in Mutable Signs too: a Lunar at the Full Moon in Mutable Sagittarius, on May 26, and a Solar at the Gemini New Moon, on June 10. The emphasis on these Signs will make this period feel more transitional and uncertain, on the bright side stimulating us to adapt better to swiftly evolving circumstances.

Breakthroughs in December 2020 and January 2021: Jupiter conjunct Saturn on the threshold of Aquarius; Uranus in Taurus; Gemini-Sagittarius Eclipse Season

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Just as it began, this fateful year ends with two eclipses, major planetary shifts and a historical conjunction. As different planetary patterns take hold things around the world should start to improve.

My Ganymede, Cup Bearer of the Gods

Critical Dates

In December 2019 and January 2020 the focus was on eclipses and conjunctions in Capricorn-Cancer, while all the major alignments involved Pluto. This planet in astrology is symbol of all ultimate experiences, death, loss, as well as profound personal/collective transformations. Pluto, in Capricorn until 2023, still remains active in the short term though, especially from late December 2020 to end of January 2021. Dates to watch are those when fast moving bodies will form challenging transits to the slow moving ones, in particular to all mighty Pluto. Here are some:
December 24: Mars in Aries square Pluto in Capricorn – December 30: Venus in Sagittarius square Neptune in Pisces – January 7: Mars enters Taurus – January 9: Venus enters Capricorn – January 13: Mars in Taurus square Saturn in Aquarius – January 18: Jupiter in Aquarius square Uranus in Taurus – January 21: Mars conjunct Uranus in Taurus – January 23: Mars in Taurus square Jupiter in Aquarius – January 29: Venus conjunct Pluto in Capricorn.

Despite all of that now that Jupiter and Saturn have separated from Pluto its power for destruction is definitely reduced. Regeneration comes after destruction; hope after despair, and resilience too, allowing us to tap onto those inner resources we all need to thrive in a difficult world, the very positive aftermath of all Pluto’s transits.

Jupiter-Saturn momentous conjunction in Aquarius

As they quickly move away from Pluto Jupiter and Saturn are getting closer to a right angle to Uranus. But, first of all, they have a date to keep: December 22 (few hours past the Capricorn Solstice) when they will finally become conjunct on the threshold of Aquarius, marking the beginning of a brand new twenty years cycle. These recurring conjunctions are important because they show the direction the world is going in the areas of government, law, religion, ethical issues etc, for the whole of two decades. The current twenty years event is particularly special because it begins an even greater cycle. This will last roughly two hundred years, during which Jupiter and Saturn will become conjunct mainly in Air Signs. Astrological researchers have found that the transits of Jupiter-Saturn in Air Signs (also known as the ‘humane Signs’) tend to move the world’s political needle toward progressive trends, strengthening a collective spirit of reform and innovation. Aquarius in particular is the Sign of individualism and friendly cooperation.

With Aquarius and Uranus thus strongly highlighted progress seems certain, if slow and fraught with difficulties. In the coming year, for instance, Saturn will undoubtedly attempt to slow down the process of reform and innovation (square Uranus), manifesting the karmic consequences of the Covid19 crisis that has widened rather than reduced the gap between the ‘have’ and ‘have not’ of this world.  2021 critical dates for the difficult Saturn’s square Uranus will be: February 18, June 15 and December 24.

Witness the conjunction with your own eyes

Even visually this conjunction is an event we could do well not to miss, the two planets appearing closer to each other than they have been in 800 years! Look west in the early evening, on December 21 and 22. Jupiter, the brightest, and Saturn will be so close to appear as a double star. We will need not only a clear night though, but also a clear view of the westerly sky. The two planets will be in fact near the horizon and quickly sink out of sight.

Uranus in Taurus, a come back

With all the attention given in 2020 to the fateful Capricorn alignments, no much thought has been given to the transit of Uranus in Taurus, one of the most significant in recent years. It was easy enough to predict that, during the seven long year of Uranus’ passage through Taurus we could see changes of great magnitude happening in the financial and business world; as well as major challenges to our sense of security and wellbeing. Uranus in Taurus is coming to the fore again in 2021.

Jupiter will be the first to reach the right angle to Uranus, one and only time on January 18, a transit that could bring significant breakthrough in the area of collective cooperation, to do with the global availability of Covid19 vaccines and therapies for example, also inspiring greater confidence in the eventual improvement in the economic and security future of the world, and encouraging more risk taking in the areas of alternative technologies and more sustainable ways to do business. We could even experience an excess of enthusiasm for a while, driving us to make changes before we are truly ready for them. The same transit could bring also some unusually extreme weather globally and worsen the autocracy/democracy conflicts proliferating around the world; change will not come without formidable global grassroots movements. Negative outcomes possible, especially while other challenges are active from Mars and Venus to the end of January and afterward when the Saturn square Uranus will become active (first pass exact on February 18).  

Saturn in fact will significantly make three passes of the square to Uranus, the most significant planetary theme of 2021. Uranus always suggests the need to do things differently, to find new untried ways, to re-invent ourselves if necessary.  Saturn in 2021 will severely limit our collective drive toward real deep reforms, a new economic model, or enacting sufficient countermeasures to climate change and social injustice.  In a period when the drive for change is so compelling this slowing down will be a frustrating trend, but it could prove necessary to obtain more ground braking results in the long run. Personal responsibility and greater grassroots involvement in social issues will be a must.

Gemini-Sagittarius Eclipse Season: Lunar at the Gemini Full Moon, on November 30, 7.29 pm; and Solar at the Sagittarius New Moon on December 15, 2.16 am.

The Eclipses in Mutable Signs end the year showing the need for greater adaptability and a more optimistic and open minded approach to problems. If, in your Birth Chart, the Sun, Moon, any Planet or Chart Angle happen to fall around the 8^th degree (Lunar Eclipse) or 23^rd degree (Solar Eclipse) of the Mutable Signs (Gemini, Sagittarius, Virgo, Pisces) these cosmic events may affect you in more personal and tangible ways.

The Lunar Eclipse could manifest as a significant emotional climax in the area of experience indicated by the sector of your Birth Chart where it will take place (the Houses of the Horoscope). For some will be relationships, for others work, career, health, study, family etc.  And not just for now but possibly for many months to come, depending how close the alignment is.

The Sagittarius Solar Eclipse will be a very special New Moon if closely aligned to sensitive points in your Birth Chart. It could mark the beginning of a brand new phase of your life, extending far into the future. The area of your Chart where the eclipse falls will determine the experiences and opportunities driving you toward the goals you seek.

Capricorn Solstice 2020, December 21, 8.02 pm

The seasonal Capricorn Solstice is this year simultaneous to the double ingress of Jupiter-Saturn into Aquarius and their rare conjunction. This synchronicity indicates that the Aquarian effect will strongly persist over the whole three months of the new season, summer in the southern hemisphere, winter in the northern. This is indeed a real opportunity to choose the collective good above more ego-centered tendencies, striving toward humane reforms against stale conservatism.

Changing Times: October and November 2020 Astrology: Saturn and Pluto’s Stations in Capricorn. Jupiter-Pluto’s conjunction

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• This is a longer version of an article published in issue 114 of the Uki Village News (link).

The Babel Tower

October and November 2020 will be abuzz with cosmic events. We are nearing the last stage of the planetary saga that began at the end of last year and has dominated the world since. In December Jupiter and Saturn will finally align in Aquarius, ending this tough Capricorn year with a promise of redemption. Here are the highlights for this interim period, as I see them.

Saturn and Pluto packing a punch during their stationary periods

Between mid September and early October all three history making planets transiting Capricorn, Jupiter, Saturn and Pluto, turn Direct, beginning thus the last lap of their 2020 momentous alignments. When planets begin and end their retrogradation they enter a stationary period during which they sit on one degree of the eclipse for a sustained period of time. This makes their influence more intense and longer lasting. Saturn will pause on the 25^th degree of Capricorn until the end of October and Pluto on the 22^nd until the third week in November. If these same degrees of Capricorn, Cancer, Aries, Libra (the Cardinal Signs) were occupied by Sun, Moon, Planets or Angles in your Birth Chart this is for you a time of serious adjustments and even profound changes. It could become a necessity to establish more realistic foundations for your future, moving away from past choices, even if the process of doing so can disheartening at times. The whole of this year we have been urged by circumstances and inner feelings to take a stand, to reinvent ourself using untapped before inner resources.  This is one of the last calls this year to embrace courageous if difficult choices because they feel deeply right.  

An example in point: transiting Saturn and Pluto will be, for a long while, stationary opposite US President Donald Trump’s birth Cancer Venus-Saturn, the challenge of a lifetime, just during his struggle for a second term. At the same time the USA itself is preparing for its first Pluto’ Return since independence from Britain, one of the most intense period of transformation any country can go through; a lengthy and difficult process of shedding its old skin, very close now and in 2021, exact in 2022/23 and ending only in early 2024.

Jupiter last historical passes in Capricorn

In October and November it is Jupiter though that will take front stage again, forming the last ‘passes’ of two major transits: the harmonious angle with Neptune in Pisces, exact for the last time on October 12; and the difficult but transformative conjunction to Pluto in Capricorn, exact for the last time on November 14.  Both these transits influence will last until December, when a new shift is on the cards. We can thus expect Jupiter to amplify again the current health/economic crisis, as well as manifesting as extreme weather events, social-military conflicts and social unrest on a grander scale than usual. As it has already done this year Jupiter could be also prying open boxes full of secrets and scandals, exposing corruption, propaganda and misinformation,  

The conjunctions of Jupiter and Pluto are not rare events, occurring roughly every thirteen years. At times they acquire greater significance however, happening simultaneously with other major planetary shifts, as it has been the case this year, when Saturn also aligned to Pluto.  Here are just a couple of examples astrologers have ascribed, at least in part, to the effect of the Jupiter-Pluto’s conjunction.

• 1930-31 in Cancer: the Great Depression that spread from Wall Street to the world and its aftermath.
• 1955 in Leo: the day of conjunction, November 1, became the earliest date for the official recording of American combat deaths in Vietnam, as well as the start of the social unrest against it that continued to divide America and the world to the war’s bitter end in 1975. 
• 2020 in Capricorn: the first pass of this conjunction occurred in early April when the pandemic became more widespread and serious. The second pass happened on June 30, four days shy of the horrible explosion that rocked Beirut, exposing the criminal neglect and corruption of the Lebanese government.  July was also the month the pandemic took a turn for the worse in many regions of the world. On November 14 we will witness the last of these fateful alignments. It is not all bad news though! Being the last of these alignments this should also bring the beginning of closure to the issues that have plagued the world thus far. Whenever Jupiter is involved in a major transit, even a difficult one, the aftermath is often a collective expansion of consciousness, greatly helping to make sense of otherwise inexplicable misfortunes.

Mars still extremely active and influential

Mars, Retrograde since September 10, ignites the current period with the second pass of its frustrating angle to Saturn in Capricorn (90 degrees) on September 30, an alignment whose influence will spill over the first two weeks of October and yet return in mid January 2021. This is the transit so far principally responsible for the social unrest we have seen enacted in a number of countries all over the world: related to the intense frustration caused by the unprecedented government measures to minimize the spread of the pandemic, as well as exasperation with rigged elections (see Belarus), governments’ failures and corruption, endemic racism and police brutality.
Retracing its steps through Aries, Mars will also reach again its challenging angles to the other two planets in Capricorn, forming a 90 degrees angle to Pluto on October 9 and to Jupiter on October 19 (both angles to be repeated for the last time on December 24 and January 23 respectively).  These transits could again escalate social unrest all over the world, exasperation with governments’ failures, political and ideological divisions. We have seen the power of Mars (the God of War) to instigate conflicts and rebellion, to jump into the fry without thought of consequences, following an often blind instinct to head on address real or perceived wrongs. Another period likely to produce open conflicts and widespread intolerance is approaching. More of the same is on the world cards, not just for the rest of this year but also the beginning of 2021, when things should hopefully begin to ease up.  

Retrogradation of Mercury from Scorpio back into Libra (October 14 to November 4)

Last but not least Mercury will go through its last retro period of 2020, from on October 14 to November 4, moving direct only after the US presidential elections. This seems to highlight the potential for communication breakdowns, general chaos, mistrust and flourishing of misinformation during the last league of this historic campaign.

On October 14 Mercury will become Stationary Retrograde between the 11^th and 12^th degree of Scorpio. On October 28 Mercury will re-enter Libra and continue to transit this Sign all the way to the 25^th/26^th degrees, becoming then Stationary Direct on November 4, to re-enter Scorpio for good on November 11. Of great significance during this Retro period will be three passes of difficult angles to Uranus in Taurus, Neptune in Pisces and Chiron in Aries, in early and late October, and again in mid November.
During the whole of Mercury’s Retro period avoid, if you can, to make serious commitments or big purchases, as circumstances are likely to change in the near future, so that early choices may give cause for regret.

Lunations in October-November: Aries Full Moon, October 2, 7.05 am – Libra New Moon, October 23, 5.30 am – Taurus Full Moon, November 1, 0.49 am – Scorpio New Moon, November 15, 3.07 pm – Gemini Full Moon, November 30, 7.29 pm, also a Lunar Eclipse.

Critical days in October: September 30: Retro Mars in Aries square Saturn in Capricorn – October 2, 7.05 am : Aries Full Moon – October 8: Mercury in Scorpio opposition Uranus in Taurus – October 9: Retro Mars in Aries square Pluto in Capricorn – October 11: the Sun in Libra square Jupiter in Capricorn – October 12: Jupiter in Capricorn sextile Neptune in Pisces – October 14: Mercury turns Retrograde + the Sun in Libra opposition Mars in Aries – October 15: the Sun in Libra square Pluto in Capricorn – October 18: the Sun in Libra square Saturn in Capricorn – October 19: Retro Mars in Aries square Jupiter in Capricorn – October 20: Retro Mercury in Scorpio opposition Uranus in Taurus – October 23, 5.30 am : Libra New Moon –

Critical days in November: November 1: the Sun in Scorpio opposition Uranus in Taurus, as well as Taurus Full Moon, 0.49 am – November 4: Mercury turns Direct – November 14: Jupiter conjunct Pluto in Capricorn – November 15, 3.07 pm: Scorpio New Moon – November 17: Mercury in Scorpio opposition Uranus in Taurus – November 30: start of the last Eclipse season for 2020: Lunar Eclipse at the Gemini Full Moon, at 7.29 pm. The next Solar Total Eclipse, at the Sagittarius New Moon, will occur on December 14.

The activation of Regulus, Leo’s Little King, in the Birth Horoscope of Donald Trump, as he is diagnosed with the corona virus

Regulus of Leo, the Star of Donald Trump

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Like most people around the globe I was shocked to hear the news of US President Donald Trump diagnosed with corona virus, after many months of downplaying the illness’ dangers and need for caution.

I looked again at Trump’s current transits and found some particularly telling aspects that I like to share with my readers. To make these transits more intelligible I am also adding, at the end, a link to an old article I published about the meaning of the star Regulus in the Astrology of Donald Trump, as it has become very relevant in the present circumstances.

An example from  my Regulus post: Guido Bonatti, a 13th century Italian mathematician, astronomer and astrologer, advisor of Frederick II, Holy Roman Emperor, wrote that this Star, when acting in a negative way, signifies that ‘the Native shall die an unhappy death; or at least that all his honors, greatness and power shall at last suffer an eclipse and set in a cloud‘. A very poetical description. Not my words, but those of an ancient scholar, long dead. Time will tell.

♣

Here is Trump’s Birth Chart surrounded by the transits for Friday, October 2, 2.54 pm Washington time, when the president announced, via Twitter, that he and his wife’s have tested positive. Hope Hicks, the woman who allegedly passed the virus to them, tested positive the previous day, Thursday. Knowing this fact about his close associated, who traveled with him and his entourage for days previously, did not stop Trump going ahead with his campaign schedule in New Jersey and other places, until his own diagnosis, thus potentially infecting other people (see Regulus and hubris).

Donald Trump Transits at the time of corona virus diagnosis

The first thing that jump to the astrologer eye is the transiting Venus sitting on the same degree of Trump’s Ascendant as well of the star Regulus (the hubris star in the 29th degree of the Leo constellation), as this event unfolded. Venus meets this degree about once a year, a significant transit but not rare or usually life changing. Not this time though, due to other transits involving hard task master Saturn and the ultimate transformer, god of the underworld Pluto, to his natal Venus. In this scenario the quickly moving Venus in transit becomes the perfect catalyst for bigger, life changing cosmic events. To add to all this Retro Mars in Aries happens to be also connected with the transiting Venus (a trine, 120 degrees angle, adding to his natural vanity and misplaced self confidence) while in square (difficult 90 degrees angle) to all the Capricorn planets. At the same time transiting  Retro Mars in Aries is also squaring his natal  Cancer Venus and Saturn, transits that will conclude only at the end of 2020.

Venus represents women, young women in particular as glamorous Hope Hicks. Venus is a prominent planet in Trump’s Birth Chart being aligned to natal Saturn, and not connected to any other planet by a major aspect. This has made Venus, as symbol of women and also of pleasure and money,  a prominent but not well integrated energy in his psychological makeup, and therefore potentially problematic. He obviously likes women, pleasures and wealth, but this trifecta has also caused him a lot of trouble and could even become the cause of his downfall, due to the close alignment to Saturn. Saturn in fact represents karma, helping us grow through severe limitations and hard lessons.

Of course Venus transiting over his Ascendant is only one of numerous signatures for trouble that are currently active for Trump. I suspect, for instance, that an alignment between this same Venus and Trump’s fiery Mars in Leo may have marked the time he was infected, September 27 to 30, before the first presidential debate.

Other transits, on October 2, point to many difficulties. Here is a list:
Tr. Libra Sun square Natal Cancer Mercury (lungs planet).
Tr. Aries Moon (Full Phase, as it was when Trump was born) opposition natal Libra Neptune and, like the Sun, square Mercury. Tr. Aries Moon was also opposition natal Libra Chiron (the wound, the healer) and opposition natal Libra Jupiter, later in the day.
Tr. Lunar North Node conjunct natal Gemini Sun and Tr. Aries South Node conjunct natal Sagittarius Moon.

I add here a table with all the transits becoming exact between October 2 and 3.

Trump Transits October 2 and 3 2020

This negative trend will actually continue for weeks, with the fast moving celestial bodies forming intense transits to Trump’s natal chart.

The big ones however are the current transits of karmic Saturn in Capricorn just at this crucial time when he is seeking re-election, just separating from the opposition to his own position at birth and getting closer to an opposition to natal Venus on October 21! To aggravate this already difficult cosmic tale Jupiter and Pluto, also in Capricorn, are preparing to form an opposition to Trump’s Saturn too and, eventually, his Venus. And Jupiter, right now, is also square Jupiter’s own placement at birth, increasing Trump’s grandiosity and penchant to take risks. Please also notice the fact that the transiting Lunar Nodes (axis of destiny) were aligned to Trump’s natal Sun opposing natal Moon, just on October 2 (19 years cycle). These are all potentially life changing and difficult transits; not good news for him as they become active just during the presidential election period.

There is a lot more to tell about Trump’s astrology and I’ll hopefully write more extensively about this before and after the presidential elections. This post however has been mainly inspired by Venus aligning to Trump’s Ascendant and the star Regulus that was rising at the time of his birth. Here is a link to an earlier post I published about Trump and Regulus. Reading it will explain the connection not only to Trump’s personality and destiny but also to his current predicament.

 

August-September 2020 timeline of major astrological aspects

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‘Waves’ by Paola Emma

August 2020 timeline of major astrological aspects:

On July 21, the Cancer New Moon began the August lunar cycle in opposition to the Capricorn game-changer planets, showing that the power of their historic alignment is hardly spent yet.

August 1: Mercury in Cancer opposition Pluto in Capricorn.

August 2: Sun in Leo square Uranus in Taurus.

August 4: The Aquarius Full Moon and the Leo Sun will be at right angle to Uranus in Taurus. + Mars in Aries square Jupiter in Capricorn, first pass. + Mercury in Cancer opposition Saturn in Capricorn.

August 5: Mercury enters Leo.

August 6: Venus conjunct South Lunar Node in Gemini.

August 8: Venus enters Cancer.

August 10: Mercury in Leo square Uranus in Taurus.

August 13: Mars in Aries square Pluto in Capricorn, first pass.

August 16: Uranus Retrograde, on 10°41’ of Taurus.

August 17: Venus in Cancer square Chiron in Aries.

August 19: at the Leo New Moon the Moon, Sun and Mercury are all at a very special distance from Saturn (150°). Saturn rules!

August 20: Mercury enters Virgo.

August 25: Mars in Aries square Saturn in Capricorn, first pass.

August 30: Venus in Cancer opposition Pluto in Capricorn.

August 31: Mercury in Virgo opposition Neptune in Pisces.

September 2020 timeline of major astrological aspects:

September 2: The Pisces Full Moon and the Virgo Sun are in aspect to Pluto in Capricorn by somewhat difficult angles, echoing the theme of the early months of this year.
+ Venus opposition Saturn.

September 4: Venus in Cancer square Mars in Aries.

September 6: Mercury enters Libra; Venus enters Leo.

September 10: Mars Retrograde, from Aries 28° to 15° (November 14).

September 11: Mercury in Libra opposition Chiron in Aries.

September 12: Sun in Virgo opposition Neptune in Pisces.

September 13: Jupiter turns Direct (17°24’ of Capricorn).

September 15: Sun in Virgo trine Pluto in Capricorn.

September 16: Venus in Leo square Uranus in Taurus.

September 17: At the Virgo New Moon Sun and Moon trine Jupiter, Pluto, Saturn in Capricorn while opposed to Neptune in Pisces.
+ Mercury square Jupiter.

September 21: Mercury in Libra square Pluto in Capricorn.

September 22: The Sun enters Libra. Libra Spring Equinox, with a Waxing Crescent Sagittarius Moon, 11.30 pm local time.

September 23: Mercury in Libra square Saturn in Capricorn.

September 24: Mercury in Libra in opposition to Mars in Aries.

September 27: Mercury enters Scorpio.

September 29: Saturn turns Direct (25°20’ of Capricorn).

September 30: Mars in Aries square Saturn in Capricorn, second pass.
+ Sun in Libra opposition Chiron in Aries.

 

 

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

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‘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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‘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.

 

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 Astrology for December 2019 ~ January 2020. Jupiter in Capricorn, conjunction to Saturn and Pluto; Capricorn/Cancer Eclipse Season

A shorter version of this article has been recently published in the Uki Village News, issue 109.

We are now at the end of an eventful year and the beginning of a decade that will be remembered in the annals of the world as a watershed of immense consequence. Where we are going from here will very much depend on the action or lack of action the world nations will take in the area of natural resources exploitation, climate crisis, the planet endangered ecology, social justice, ongoing conflicts, proliferation of weapons of mass destruction etc.  To anyone who is keeping abreast of the national and international events it might seem that I am just stating the obvious here. The fact is that the global astrology for the upcoming period shows also very clearly an escalation, not an easing of the present crisis, social, political and ecological. At the personal level some individuals could be impacted more deeply, but we are all in it, one way or another.  We have to remind ourselves though that the extreme and volatile events we are witnessing here and around the world, as well as the intense transits I’m discussing all have a bright silver lining, providing the momentum, power and resources for addressing the unprecedented problems the planet is facing.

To start from the beginning, on December 3, Jupiter has moved Sign (a yearly event) to enter Capricorn (a twelve years cycle), indicating that the collective mindset should become more realistic in the coming year, ditching grandiose schemes for a more practical hands on approach.  Capricorn is very much a matter of fact Sign (Earth Element), as well as an active and motivated one (Cardinal Mode), so that the philosophy that Jupiter’s symbol embodies will be embracing viable alternatives rather than impossible to achieve ideals and difficult to maintain standards. Of interest to astrological students is the fact that the ingress of Jupiter into Capricorn corresponded, to a day, to the beginning of the UN Madrid Conference on Climate Change (December 2 to 13, 2019) !

What is especially significant here is that Pluto and Saturn, since 2008 and December 2017 respectively, have been also transiting Capricorn, the most important planetary indicators of the make or break nature of this historical period. Pluto will remain in Capricorn until 2023/24, while Saturn will hover on the first two degrees of Aquarius between March 22 (around the Aries Equinox) and July 2 2020, when it will re-enter Capricorn, transiting this Sign again until December 17 2020, day of its proper ingress into Aquarius. After that Saturn will remain in Aquarius until March 8 2023.
Jupiter then is the last of the history making planets to enter Capricorn. Being faster than the other two it will act as a catalyst for their energies, hopefully having a positive impact.

All these transits in Capricorn are becoming more critically significant due to the already active Saturn-Pluto’s conjunction, becoming exact on January 13 2020; undoubtedly the most important transit for the whole of 2020 and beyond. Among other factors this conjunction will also be the first, since 2009, to mark a waxing cycle of Saturn, a sign of active changes in the political and ideological leadership around the world.

The Sun, Mercury and largest asteroid Ceres (Earth Mother symbol) will also be in Capricorn, becoming aligned to Saturn-Pluto the day before and after their conjunction, strengthening the impact of the alignment. Furthermore, on January 11, Uranus will turn Direct, potentially accelerating the pace and increasing the scope of the alignment.

The frequency of such planetary configurations varies because Pluto has a very elliptical orbit, spending different lengths of time in each Sign, so that Saturn would take more or less time to catch up with it. There were three such alignments last century: the first in 1915, at the onset of the Great War, in the Sign of Cancer; the second in 1947, in Leo, when post war upheavals changed the face of Europe, the Middle East and the Indian subcontinent, historical events of enormous consequence for the whole world. The cycle that will end in January 2020 began in November 1982, with a conjunction in Libra, reaching its mid-point, a sort of climax, in August- November 2001, around the events now known as 9/11. That cycle is closing now and this could be good news! A new cycle always representing an opportunity to make a fresh start.

A factor that could make this conjunction more intense and relevant for future developments is that two Eclipses are in the cards for December 2019 and January 2020. A Solar Eclipse on the fourth degree of Capricorn will occur at New Moon on Boxing Day and a Lunar Eclipse on the 20^thdegree of Cancer will follow on January 11, when the Sun, Mercury, Saturn, Pluto and Ceres will all oppose the Cancer Full Moon and align with the Sun in Capricorn! Big stuff. Eclipses often mark eventful times, individually and collectively, crises encouraging significant changes of perspective.

Before we can find in history the same conjunction of Saturn and Pluto, in the same Sign of Capricorn, we need to go much further back in time, to January 1518. This was the beginning time of the Protestant Revolution of Martin Luther. These events and their aftermath changed European culture in a big way, in particular helping to separate the religious authority from the secular. That revolution introduced new philosophical concepts centered on human rather than divine law and justice. It is odd that the 1518 historical alignment occurred around the same time of the year, on January 3 of the Julian calendar which is eleven days behind the Gregorian calendar we use now, introduced only in 1582. This means that the Sun was around the same degree of Capricorn as it will be on January 13 in 2020. Furthermore Uranus had also just entered the Sign of Taurus, as it is the case now!

Comparing the historical changes that occurred then could provide us with some inklings of upheavals this conjunction may bring, with due consideration for the obvious differences between then and now. The Protestant revolution, with all it failings and horrors, was basically a rebellion against the Catholic Church’s autocratic rule and its authoritarian high jacking of both worldly and spiritual laws. Capricorn represents in fact the power that is established by tradition and the passing of time. Pluto‘s function is to shake Capricorn’s established order from its roots, eliminating those aspects that do not align anymore with the growing global consciousness and the current needs of the planet. It is also in the nature of Pluto to create power struggles that can destroy our collective sense of belonging. Pluto is not a gentle energy but a rather forceful one, when issues are faced squarely and often ruthlessly. It is the planet of necessity rather than choice, when things have to happen, no matter what. A plutonian transformation is like birth or rebirth, never an easy process. Saturn, on the other hand, aligning with Pluto, can provide practical ways to address the challenges those radical adjustments present, realistic guidelines that could bring the collective to some very positive outcome, if we don’t put up too much resistance, leaning hopelessly toward the status quo, the devil we know. Saturn could add the resilience and efficiency needed to address the challenges the Pluto’s radical adjustments demand. Ultimately their conjunction indicates a strong drive toward major re-distributions of power around the world.

One person who may do well to watch out for these complex cosmic event is USA President Trump because the zodiacal degrees involved are in near perfect opposition to a conjunction of Venus to Saturn in Cancer in his Birth Chart. Also Neptune transiting Pisces will soon reach a difficult ninety degrees angle to his Birth Gemini Sun and Sagittarius Moon, his very own personal Full Moon! No wonder he is already feeling he cannot trust anyone and cannot see his future from the fog. We could prepare for even more irrational and misleading performances from this controversial man.

If you like to celebrate the Capricorn Solstice, the ancient pre-Christian winter festival, the date and time this year will be: December 22, 3.19 pm local time.