Music pauses.  Silence in a song packs a profound punch.  When the music starts to play again, the melody will be drastically altered.  The Saturn-Pluto conjunction in January and Saturn’s ingress into Aquarius March 21 signify turning points leading up to this pause.  

Positive thinking has its merits, yet forced positivity stifles emotions crying out for expression.  How can pain and suffering be sensitively acknowledged?  How can the stars be read accurately without sugar coating their message?  A fine balance is sought between communicating astrology truthfully and having those words seen as prescriptions.  Interpretations are suggestions, as astrology is not one size fits all.  Each person has an individual way of coping, yet people are being asked to come together as a cohesive group in radically different ways than before. 

3 planets have recently entered air signs (Saturn & Mars in Aquarius and Venus in Gemini). Along comes an uptick in surfing the airwaves through technology to communicate with one another when meeting physically isn’t an option.  It goes without saying that technology isn’t accessible to all and staring at a screen for hours on end can have negative impacts.  Communicating and expressing oneself need not be limited to technology.  

Wild expressions of ideas through music, journaling and poetry while convening with nature as spring reawakens deepens the connection to oneself in the natural world.  Uranus in Taurus, planet of rebellion in a slow moving earth sign, radically changes how the earth is treated.  Reveling in nature and listening to its rhythms becomes its own form of worship of the sacred earth.  The decrease in car traffic has begun to lower air pollution as the rampant, frenzied pace of the modern world is brought to a halt.  Ancient earth-based wisdom such as herbalism, gardening & farming are revered as the old world ways renew.

Wednesday April 22 (9:27pm, CT) the new moon is in Taurus conjunct Uranus.  

The sign of Taurus is in the element of earth, craving security, dependability and is  fixed in quality to maintain steadiness.  But the new moon’s conjunction with Uranus, the mover and shaker, indicates a holding pattern of tumult.  A dynamic between order and chaos continues, yet a potential for breakthroughs exists within confinement.  How can necessary structures be held in place while fielding unpredictability?  As the sun enters Taurus, new patterns are solidified.  Cautious boundaries are indicated.  But can cautious boundaries open another channel with loved ones, deepen a connection and foster a breakthrough that wouldn’t have been possible otherwise?

In springtime, the newly thawed earth is readied for planting season as Taurus is connected to fertility and wealth.  “Seeds” planted during this new moon integrate technology and out-of the-box methods within strict parameters.  How can this be used as a motivating force?

Venus in chatty Gemini is inspired by Mars (the go-getter) to make a virtual connection.  Venus in Gemini shares ideas & love through communication.  An aspect between Neptune and Venus hits a note of sadness and longing.  A romanticized ideal of the past clouds clarity.  All is not what it seems when needing an escape route.  Yet this can also inspire the imagination and fuel creativity.  

Notice any strong winds in the weather?  Recently the planets have moved into more air signs (Venus, Saturn & Mars) and the weather patterns mirror this!  

Coming up in May is Venus’s retrograde in Gemini (amongst other astrological events of note).  Venus retrogrades are known for breaking rules and shaking up patterns in love; re-identifying what is of value in relationships and money.  More to come later . . . take care.

The moon is full in Libra April 7(9:35pm, CT).  Don’t be fooled by the term “pink” moon, which implies soft candlelight, bubble baths and champagne.  It is anything but!  Instead, the term Pink Moon refers to the moss pink flower, which begins to bloom during this time.  It is a “super moon” because the fullness occurs when the moon orbits closest to earth in a “perigee syzygy” & appears larger in the sky!

The sun in Aries opposes moon in Libra, counterbalancing “Me” and “You”, negotiating between self and others.  Saturn’s recent entrance into the sign of Aquarius asks to balance individual needs with the needs of the group.  Jupiter & Pluto in Capricorn square the sun and moon, intensifying challenges and using measures of control to navigate turbulent times.  The tension between order (Saturn) and chaos (Uranus) ignites as this disruption of the norm catalyzes great change.

Venus, the planet of love and attraction, is in communicative Gemini.  Gemini is an intellectual air sign- the airwaves and technology provide a structure of connectivity & information sharing during physical separation.  Technology isn’t accessible to all, so what other modes of creativity can be tapped into without the use of a screen?  What outdoor and fresh air activities connect to nature and a higher power?

Also, Saturn’s entrance into Aquarius dons a keen awareness surrounding the wellbeing of the group and teamwork.   Group dynamics become more important.  But watch for preachy pontificating about whom is most worthy and deserving, amassing into a pressure-cooker of self-sacrificing heroes.  That said, what vital steps could be taken to protect the most vulnerable?

Saturn’s entrance into Aquarius asks how solitude and isolation as separate individuals unite us closer together as one diverse group of people?

The moon is new in Aries (4:28am, CT) on March 24.  Aries, being the first sign in the zodiac, is concerned with beginnings.  March 19 the spring equinox occurs (10:49pm, CT) with equal light and dark hours.  This point marks the end of the long, dark winter as a spring of lighter days is leapt into!  March 21 Saturn enters Aquarius.  The new moon coinciding with the equinox and Saturn changing signs emphasizes the theme of beginning anew in unknown territory. 

The demolition phase of Saturn and Pluto’s conjunction is ending, asking again what structures will remain newly renovated, and what will collapse into the ground?  6 planets currently transit the element of earth.  The physical and the tangible, such as the body, health, money and work, take precedence.  New dynamics come into play involving rules, regulations and requirements.  Are the societal structures in place supporting the people?  How can society abide by rules that are more people friendly?  A motivating, yet uncomfortable push for rules encompassing equality and fairness for the diversity within the group depicts the new journey. 

Sun joins watery Neptune in Pisces as the moon reaches fullness in Virgo on March 9 (12:48pm, CT).  Pictures and images of reality intertwined with fantasy come to fruition.  Surrealness bends the lines of what is possible and makes it seem dreams are reachable.  Discoveries demystify situations that don’t align with truth. 

The same day Mercury ends its retrograde, rubbing the sleep out of our eyes upon waking from slumber. Insights and epiphanies come to light, making sense of what the subconscious resurfaced over the last 3 weeks. 7 planets are in the element of earth this full moon. Abundant earth asks for the physical and tangible to be paid attention to. Is the soul music of internal life matching the external world? Discordant notes show up for re-tuning. How can the “real” world better match visions of imagination?

Saturn moves from Capricorn to Aquarius on March 21.  Before it changes signs, Saturn sits in the late degrees of Capricorn, heavily emphasizing those traits.  Capricorn is practical, ambitious and rule-bound.  These traits can be useful but also function on over-drive during the culmination phase of Saturn’s time in Capricorn that began in late 2017.  Though Saturn ingresses into Aquarius in March, it later retrogrades back into Capricorn July 2020 to December 2020.  More on that later . . .

Mercury retrograde rewinds and replays past situations and in the sign of Pisces could facilitate reconnection to heal the past.  That said, 4 planets are in Capricorn: Mars, Jupiter, Saturn and Pluto.  Saturn in Capricorn shows what separates people from each other, with the effect of re-inventing healthy boundaries but also building up overly protective and confining walls that block connection.  A dichotomy exists in the urge to merge with others and the trend of separation from those deemed “other” or “unsafe”.

The new moon is in Pisces February 23(9:32am, CT), falling into a deep slumber in the depths of the sea.  Information rolls in like the tide, the ebb and flow of the subconscious coming in waves.  The new moon falls closely with Mercury in Pisces, which is retrograde.   The mystique of this combination incites creative visions at best, but can also blur the edges into a fuzziness of confusion and slipperiness.

The moon-sun combo in Pisces is at the midpoint of Mars, the feisty aggressor, and Uranus, the rebellious change-agent.  It vibrates on a geometric pattern where reflection, rest, and imagination allow for future visions to come in before guiding what action is taken in the enfoldment of revolutionary ideas.  The image of a mermaid comes to mind as she deep-sea dives.  Consider coming up for air at times, as none of the planets are currently in that element and there’s a risk of drowning in one’s emotions.

A calmness and stability set the tone, as harmony ensues with practical and methodical (at times cold and exacting) planets in earth-bound Capricorn.  It seems serene, except for one planet, Venus in Aries.  She butts her head up against Jupiter, Saturn and Pluto in Capricorn.  Her fiery need for action to “go big” gets constrained and cooled, with strong boundaries and dedication in relationships and money.  Mars conjuncts the south node in Capricorn, asking to be mindful of overblown anger and aggression that isn’t productive.

Image of “The Mermaid” by Edvard Munch, 1896

The moon is full in Leo on February 9 (1:33am, CT) opposite the sun in Aquarius.

A majority of the planets have been residing in the element of earth this winter, calling attention to the physical realm.  The body (that houses the soul), homes & dwellings (that house the body) and work & money (that pay for them) are thematic of these times. 

Slowly navigating the trenches of winter, a tiny spark of fire flashes ahead!  The moon in Leo prompts dramatic expression, bringing levity out of the trenches of winter.  The question is, by what means?  How can a vocalization, a temper tantrum, a hug, or a heart-based action help to melt the ice and warm the people?   

This moon, as it climbs to fullness, briefly forms a yod, or “finger of fate”, with Jupiter and Neptune.  What idea, art project, fashion show, or long-term project is ready to be showcased in the spotlight?  The yod, or “finger of fate”, points to the moon in Leo.  Flexibility and adjustability help to change the destination route if needed. 

A week after, Mercury begins retrograde in the sign of Pisces on February 16.  Hits of psychic information roll in, perhaps during a dream or trance state. 

Photo credit: Shutterstock

The moon is new in Aquarius on January 24(3:42pm, CT).  Popping out new patterns spontaneously?  Eclipses in December and January help to define limits and boundaries, with practical concerns and realities weighing in heavily.   This is the first new moon after them.  What clean breaks (or starts) restlessly edge into the picture?

Aquarius asks what is best for everyone, acknowledging the diversity of the group.  What is fair and just for all, taking into account the unique background of the individual?  Judgmentalism is rampant now, but this new moon in Aquarius hints at something different.  Saturn in Capricorn is good medicine for accountability and work ethic.  Having a rule-bound approach can be useful. But it can also become dogmatically rigid where scales tip out of balance and compassionate humanity gets side-checked.  These themes are highlighted when Saturn enters Aquarius in March of 2020.

Icicles and snow cover the landscape in the deep winter, how can freedom be found in this climate?  Is it through winter sports like skiing and skating?  Or is it through a riveting new novel or television series that opens doors and adds a fresh perspective into life?  Perhaps music or a painting will provide a portal out of the blizzard and into another world.

The full moon is January 10 (1:23pm), with a penumbral lunar eclipse occurring shortly beforehand at 19˚ of Cancer (1:09pm).  The sun, earth, and moon align imperfectly during a penumbral eclipse.  The earth blocks some of the sun’s light from reaching the moon’s surface and covers all or part of the moon with the outer part of its shadow, called the penumbra.  Eclipses reveal obstacles.  The truths that come to light during this time help to release blockages and redirect the flow.  A letting go or an ending that precipitates transformation is shown as the moon forms an opposition to Saturn and Pluto.

The sun, Mercury, Saturn and Pluto fuse together in Capricorn, facing off with vulnerable moon in Cancer.  Effects of this eclipse may be more keenly felt if a person has planets or important natal point in a cardinal sign:  Aries, Cancer, Libra, or Capricorn.  Saturn in Capricorn symbolizes structures, rules and tradition.  Pluto influences the decay which breaks down these said structures.  When Saturn and Pluto join forces, there exists the potential for re-birth after a long demolition process.  This could apply to familial, governmental, and cultural structures, as well as “real” structures like homes and buildings. 

January 7 until January 14, Saturn and Pluto in Capricorn meet in the same degree (22˚) to form a conjunction.  The tightest orb, or most exact conjunction, is on January 12.  Some astrologers do not integrate Pluto into practice.  Whether or not this is the case, many astrologers look at this conjunction as demarcating an important turning point.  These conjunctions occur around every 33 years.  The last occurred in Libra in 1982, before that it was in Leo in 1947.  

Also, on the evening of the eclipse on January 10, the planet Uranus goes direct after retrograding since mid- August.  Uranus, currently in Taurus, symbolizes change and revolution.  What ideas that were in the strategizing and planning stages are now ready to break on through to the other side?  The direction changes of the outer planets, such as Uranus, can be a catalyst, especially if a person has planets or natal chart points (around 1˚-8˚) in a fixed sign:  Taurus, Leo, Scorpio, Aquarius.

Image Credit: https://www.flickr.com/photos/johndal/19956322691?fbclid=IwAR3OPD676rfUrOY6okkMhklUSPQNjupiUCAsKj6GcuXO0fp1bpo9j4DCxv8

December 25, also known as Christmas, an annular solar eclipse occurs on the new moon in Capricorn (11:17pm). The new moon momentarily blocks the sun’s light, leaving the sun’s visible outer edges to form a “ring of fire” or annulus around the moon.  This ring of fire depicts the maximum stage of an annular solar eclipse. 

Weighted down under a heavy wool blanket of planetary bodies in the element of earth, what Christmas dreams will transpire while perspiring under the warmth of the covers?  An image of an earthy goddess comes to mind.  What wisdom does she have to impart? 

Jupiter has recently entered the sign of Capricorn and forms a conjunction with the eclipse.  Ingenuity is called for as the new moon harmonizes with Uranus in Taurus, enhancing thriftiness and craftiness.  Jupiter in Capricorn is a grounding influence, helping to materialize dreams.  Yet this Jupiter in Capricorn is a sly fox, using unorthodox methods to succeed. 

Eclipses are known for bringing the hidden to light.  They typically occur in pairs, bookending a time frame of 2 weeks.  One is a solar eclipse and one is a lunar eclipse.  This two-week period in-between can be a time of flux and uncertainty, ushering in change. 

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