A liminal week after some big shifts, a time to get acquainted and work with and within the new way of things. None of it has gone away: the Sun-Jupiter conjunction persists, elevating the ego’s hopes and engendering wisdom-in-action, though the connection will get weaker and fade as the week goes on; Venus is freshly ingressed into brainy Gemini, where fashions and forms of connection are varied and veer toward the cerebral; Mars in Cancer is still creating big moods, stores of anger and frustration, and may require a lot of self-mastery before our goals can be accomplished in a way that satisfies us. It is on Mars where we open, as an opposition from the moon may expose some particular difficulties with getting it together. Shortcomings around structure, hierarchy and discipline may become known, especially those that can be applied to one’s inner world, and may yield excellent lessons.

As the moon continues her journey through Capricorn today and on Thursday (4/13,) ways in which we’re expected to feel or behave may grate against insecurities and personal growth. Late on Thursday, the moon passes over Pluto and sees Venus, opening up possibilities for connections and desires that we may not previously have allowed. However, Venus’ square to Saturn perfects this day as well, so there may be significant boundaries or restrictions getting in the way.

One of the other big players this week is Mercury, who will be drawing closer and closer to a conjunction with Uranus. This may yield some unexpected conversations, revelatory research rabbit holes, sudden inspirations, and the like. This may be particularly potent on Friday (4/14) when the moon triggers this configuration by square – that means some of these surprises may be unpleasant, even aggressive somehow. It’s also worth noting, however, that this conjunction will not perfect. Instead, Mercury is slowing way down in preparation for his retrograde, which will begin next Friday. More on that in next week’s column.

The weekend passes without any significant shifts, though the moon will pass over Saturn late on Saturday (4/15) into Sunday (4/16,) which may create a more somber or repressed atmosphere, may move some to do more with less, or which may focus hearts around an objective. A positive relationship with Mars gives fuel to the latter and could lend to catharsis around the former. Monday (4/17) sees the moon on Neptune, an avenue to fantasy and wonder, but also to lies and self-delusion. Finally, Tuesday (4/18) has the Moon in Aries passing Chiron and squaring Mars, both of which could lead to some emotional rawness, some churnings of big feelings and itching of old, deep wounds. There is likely worth in actively working through such matters if they arise.

Next week: a big solar eclipse, Mercury retrograde, and the Sun enters Taurus. See you next Hump Day!

Yesterday’s Full Moon in Virgo may have created pressures which could make a person fall back into comfort areas – dogmas, fandoms, enjoyable excess – and which may see others striving ahead into unfamiliar horizons. We are also all still settling into Saturn in Pisces, freshly ingressed the day of the full moon and creating plenty of new perspectives on pressure in his own right.

There are many ways to think of Saturn’s new placement in Pisces, and we’ll have three years to figure out how to navigate its currents. I previously wrote about it as a fish ladder, an element put into place to help us control the natural world. Taxonomies of nature would also fall under this purview, and I think it is equally apt to think of Saturn in Pisces as the structures which naturally occur in the world, which we can only happen upon and correlate with similar structures of the great expanse. Applying this to our inner world will likely be on offer and recommended during Saturn’s stay in Pisces.

That aside, this week is largely colored by other activity in Pisces. There, the Sun creeps closer to Neptune while Mercury edges closer to Sol’s obscuring beams. A little on this from my Pisces Season piece: “The end of the Sun’s time in Pisces sees it drawing closer to Neptune…this means that an already very fluid, porous sense of self is going to pass through a giant ocean of the mythic and fantastic. Neptune is the collective unconscious, the great sea of dreams and nightmares, and celestial objects passing through its sphere of influence seem to undergo massive distortion. What’s more, Mercury will have begun to really catch up to the Sun by this time, its voice getting more and more drowned out as it gets further ‘under the beams,’ finally reaching a state known as combustion where the Sun is said to devour its power. This may feel reminiscent of a Mercury retrograde to some; communication may become difficult, brains may become foggier, technology may cease to function.”

This aspect will tighten gradually throughout the week, and its effects may be felt gradually, as well. More on this as the conjunction perfects next week.

We also still have the big pile-up in Aries to consider. Venus has moved on from her conjunction with Jupiter and Chiron, but is locking into a square with Mars that will be exact on Saturday, 3/11. This may cause friction between actions and values, and may also may cause extra sensitivity in matters of relationship. But squares inspire movement too, and in many ways this is a “shit or get off the pot” type of transit. Venus and Mars are opposites, one asking us to connect, the other asking us to sever. Here, they are in conflict, and some may find that spilling into their lives.

Meanwhile, Jupiter and Chiron are still conjunct, which might leave many with their insecurities and trauma around self-betterment and empowerment laid bare. On the same day that Venus and Mars make their exact square, Jupiter will be in a particle conjunction with two asteroids: wounded Chiron, yes, but also with Vesta. Vesta shows us that our efforts to improve and grow don’t have to be displayed on a leaderboard somewhere, don’t have to be publicized, don’t even really need to be understood by others. Your gifts are for you and for others like you, and your life may be immeasurably improved by making space in your life for an interest or activity that those closest to you do not care for. They don’t have to. It’s sacred to YOU.

Until next Hump Day!

We open in media res, albeit in a small break in the action. The moon is past all of her major aspects this morning, and so the day may begin feeling stuck in the mud, despite all of the momentum provided by last week’s dynamic movements of Mercury, Venus, and Mars. Things should get moving again by mid-afternoon, as the moon enters cardinal Cancer, and by evening will be shining her light onto exalted Venus in Pisces. The highlight on Venus should make it a pleasant night, though the impulse to deal with ongoing projects may feel like it’s intruding on pleasantries as the moon will also run into a square with Jupiter.

This array of aspects persists through Thursday (2/2,) where Venusian concerns may grow particularly hot and heavy, what with her making partile configurations to the nodes, and as she begins to lock into a square with newly-mobile Mars. Whether you’re making art or love here, or if you’re even just taking in culture, there’s a significance here which feels like a balloon of pent-up emotion being popped. Hopefully, it’s all the ecstatic parts or release for you, not another bubble being burst. The actors in this picture also point to the simple truth that making the sweeter things in life happen can take a little effort, and you may feel called on to roll your sleeves up and peel that delicious and juicy piece of fruit. This Venus-Mars square will perfect on the full moon. More on that in a moment.

Friday (2/3) brings a bit of a rollercoaster as the moon finds herself in opposition to Mercury in the morning, Pluto in the evening, and in a soft aspect to Neptune midday. Among other things, the moon represents hearts and appetites, and this will place a big brick wall between her and structured communication – not a productive day for office meetings. Pluto, meanwhile, turns the earth below into concrete; while you know something big is going on beneath the surface of things, it is either impossible to parse out what that is, or so repulsive that you wouldn’t want to. The trine to Neptune is a saving grace on the day, as we’re more likely to go limp and tune out into various comforts. There’s a higher likelihood of missing important messages this day, or flaking on important tasks, so don’t let yourself drift away completely.

Saturday (2/4) could be the fallout to something missed, or it could be a completely new issue, but it’s coming in hot either way. The Sun locks into an exact square with Uranus here, master of revelation and revolution. Surprises are likely, and while I don’t make predictions about such things, it is within expectation that we might see some shocking headlines about big-name figures on this day, especially those of a counter-culture or iconoclastic bent. You may see a smaller-scale version of this in your circle. The effect would be difficult to call given Uranus’ general unpredictability, but given that it’s a square, it’s probably not good: a sudden accident, a reputation-ruining scandal, that sort of thing. Though this aspect is just now becoming exact, it has been locking in for the past week or so.

In fact, as I write this I think of the recent news about Justin Roiland, who would probably fit this bill – if not for himself, then for the characters he gave life and voice to. Looking back on that particular story: the news broke just after the moon made contact with Mercury Rx (significant because the story was actually about a domestic violence allegation from two years prior,) and Mercury had just clicked into an exact trine to the North Node-Uranus conjunction. Then Adult Swim officially cut ties with him just as the Sun (fresh off a conjunction to Pluto) clicked into a square with North Node-Uranus, in what many would consider the minimum orb for the Sun. Worth noting and has been on my mind.

Sunday (2/5) brings us the Full Moon in Leo, which occurs in square to Uranus and the nodes. Whatever I said about Sun-Uranus matters yesterday goes double here. This occurs on the same day that Venus locks into a partile square with Mars (though she’ll be just past it by the time of the actual lunation,) so what was written above about their relationship also gets doubled-down this weekend. It’s a highly-charged day that carries the full boil of influences which have been bubbling up. Here is an excerpt from my Aquarius Season piece:

“The Moon in Leo is a demand for attention, a scream for the sensational amid all of this cold Aquarian logic, a cue for brightly-plumed personalities to take the stage. This lunation takes place square to Uranus and the nodes, meaning it may set some things into motion that can’t be taken back, for good or ill. There is also a trine to the pile-up in Aries: Jupiter, Juno, and Chiron…who will likely lend courage to many trying to project from their diaphragm. The moon will also be sextile to Mars, which should do the same vis-a-vis gumption, but this is also the same time that Mars will be square to Venus. Drama is likely with this moon, but so is self-assertion and self-acceptance.”

The wake of an intense weekend leads into Monday (2/6,) where the asteroids Juno and Chiron become conjunct. Juno asks us to commit, and Chiron asks us to heal. At the same time, Mercury will be making a trine to Neptune, structured logic dissolving as it explores a world of the ineffable. The whole array of aspects feels like art therapy to me. Take that as you will. Mercury also begins to lock into a conjunction with Pluto, a pressurized, airlock gate to the underworld through which we have recently seen both Venus and the Sun pass. More on this next week, but suffice it to say that some deep ruminations may be incoming or already underway.

Tuesday (2/7) has the Moon in Virgo opposing Venus, possibly providing reminders that what we are drawn to is not always what is good for us. Uranus and Mars are still in the mix of influences here, so the heads-up may not be so gentle. Enjoy with care.

See you next Hump Day!

Today may test our collective sea-legs; focus is thrown on stability and sure-footedness. Some may find themselves comfortably seated throughout any turbulence, others satisfied with their ability to correct their weight-distribution, others pitching ass-over tea kettle to the hard deck. We are experiencing what is known as a Grand Earth Trine, that is to say that three celestial bodies are very tightly configured in the earth element: Moon in Virgo, Mercury in Capricorn and Uranus in Taurus. This predominance of earth usually brings the element’s best qualities, a moment that is slowed and sheltered, where one can enjoy creature comforts and focus on practical matters. In this case, however, we’re dealing with unstable soil components. Uranus is the master of volatility and surprises, Mercury is fully retrograde, and the Moon is ruled by Mercury on this day. Hold fast!

As though in response to these deep rumblings, Mars begins to move once again on Thursday (1/12.) Mars has been retrograde in Gemini since the end of October, and I’ve banged on quite a bit about the potential dangers of this malefic planet moving backwards, many different flavors of frustration and self-undoing. By now, the hope is that lessons absorbed through a tough few months will lead to corrections and refinements of our methods, making us more effective in accomplishing our aims. Mars will station direct under the smiling influence of Venus in Aquarius, who should cool and ameliorate his influence, perhaps even directing this get-up-and-go current toward creative or romantic projects. But Mars also begins moving again in contra-antiscia to the Sun, a somewhat adversarial connection which should throw a spotlight of notoriety on the proceedings. This may come in the form of doubt or shame over efficacy. Bad actors may also be the focus of breaking news.

It should be noted here, while Mars’ retrograde is now complete, it may not feel like it just yet. We still have another week of Mercury retrograde, and Mars is currently taking his marching orders from the confused messenger planet. If it doesn’t feel like it’s time to act yet, it may be that more pieces are waiting to fall into place.

Thursday also sees Mercury Rx in an exact trine to the North Node; there is an opportunity to revise on a material level, but also a potential for mistakes made today to stick. Meanwhile, the Moon in Virgo opposes Neptune, opening stronger possibilities for delusions and distractions to knock us off course.

On Friday, 1/13, the asteroid Juno will enter Aries, entering into a conjunction with Jupiter. I wrote a few words about this in my Capricorn Season post, and will repeat them here: “I don’t pay attention to the asteroids much, but this was too cool not to take notice: in Greek and Roman myth, this is the pair that rules over the Pantheon. Of course, the planets and the gods are not a 1-to-1 equivalent. Most of the popular myths around this pair evoke marital discord, but I think we can expect the opposite here. Jupiter generally ennobles and bestows gifts upon what it touches; Juno, to my understanding, represents the things in life we feel drawn to commit to. With the two together, my feeling is that many will be drawn to actually capitalize on the blessings that Jupiter brings to their life by fully committing to their realization. Mileage may vary, as always. Look towards the area of your chart where Aries falls to see what this may represent.”

On the same day, the Moon will create a Grand Air Trine, touching Venus and a freshly-direct Mars. This configuration leads to effervescent conversation, freedom of thought, research. With Mars in the mix, a lot of folks may find themselves compelled to feverishly work items off of their hitlist. The Sun will be in a sextile to Neptune as well, so some may simply choose to binge it out on a new series.

Things settle down a bit on Saturday, 1/14, as the Moon makes positive contact with Saturn in Aquarius, a call for sober organization and planning. And right on time, Mercury begins to slow to his stationing degree on Sunday, 1/15, signaling that his retrograde will soon end. He won’t go direct until Wednesday. Monday, 1/16 sees the Moon in Scorpio triggering an active current that may kick things for our newly direct Mars, as some may feel suddenly compelled to declutter their spaces, sweat out their poisons, or otherwise purge.

The last big piece this week is the Sun’s conjunction with Pluto. It won’t be exact until Wednesday, the same day that Mercury goes direct, but Sol’s slow walk down the staircase to the underworld may create a mood of disquiet foreboding. For some, this may also be an echo of events and feelings stirred around New Year’s Eve, which is when Venus made this same passage through Pluto, which may have troubled the waters around issues of corruption and desire, power and control. The Sun’s passage involves many of the same themes, with an emphasis on sense of self – what waits just below the surface of what we allow others to see? What we allow ourselves to engage with? This may be a good week to probe such matters, to explore ideas around the dialogical self or “the shadow self,” as popularized by the Jungians. Whether or not this process is actively engaged with, this transit may prove transformative for some.

Until next Hump Day!

Happy Solstice to all! And Happy Holidays. The Sun enters Capricorn today, and the salty old sea-goat will play host to a labyrinth of celestial twists and turns over the course of this solar month. There will be challenges and there will be pressure, but they will be the type to refine uncommonly strong wills, akin to a tough little sapling bursting up through cracks in the asphalt.  

Nothing speaks to that more loudly than the New Moon in Capricorn on 12/23/22. Jupiter moved from its watery domicile in Pisces into brash Aries right before the Sun made its ingress into Capricorn, which immediately puts the two sky chiefs into an adversarial relationship This lunation serves as an exclamation point to that friction, but also as a jumping off point to the work they must do together. In Capricorn, the Sun’s light conveys cool control over its domain, a resource-oriented regent who wants his subjects to know that he runs a tight ship on every level. Meanwhile, Jupiter in Aries takes the archetype of the guru and trades out his entire lesson plan on interconnectedness for a playbook on will, power, and agency. He’s somewhere between fight coach and motivational speaker, but either way, he seems to want you to get your knees up and hustle for your personal betterment. The cultivation of these skills may not seem practical to the Sun in Capricorn, and practicality may seem banal and unimportant to Jupiter in Aries. The commonality here is efficacy, which is a quality that both planets prize. 

The new moon’s square to Jupiter marks the beginning of a period where a lot of growth is possible, but may be hard-won. All the more so because Jupiter in Aries takes his marching orders from Mars; Mars is still firmly retrograde, a commanding officer who is too busy and frustrated trying to clean and reassemble a gun they’ve taken apart to ever give a clear-headed order. It is likely that the way forward will not only be difficult and uncertain, but that it may require us to rethink our methodologies, whether that means getting inventive and trying something new, or as is often the case with retrograde planets, casting our minds back to reclaim strategies that have worked for us in the past. Another important component here is that Mars will not be retrograde for very much longer. More on that later.   

Chiron turns direct in Aries on the same day as the new moon, so we may expect that past doubts and insecurities are likely to creep into the picture. But for many, this may show the way to truly heal and move beyond these limiting factors, transmuting them into strength.

Mercury and Venus have been walking together for some time now, since mid-November, having spent the entirety of their time in Sagittarius walking hand in hand and never getting more than a few steps away from one another in Capricorn. When these two planets get together, clearer channels of communication open around love and aesthetic, art reflects the contents and processes of mind, casual conversation comes with a zest of the poetic. However, their time together is coming to a close.

First, the two planets will take turns making sextiles to Neptune. Mercury will do so on 12/24 and Venus on 12/27. Neptune is the planet of the great collective unconscious, and forms become more diluted in this space. But a sextile is an easy-going aspect, so even though it is an invitation to bathe in the potential for every other idea that’s possible, it is not a mandatory directive. Our minds and hearts should generally have a pleasant time slipping into this space, and good few days for indulgence into fantasy. For Venus, this is Step One in a process of being remade, and Step Two will be tougher. For the messenger planet, this dip in Neptune’s waters will occur twice more.

After a month of increasing distance between them, Mercury and Venus close the gap and form an exact conjunction again on 12/29, a culmination in the fusion of heart-mind. But they have only reconnected because Mercury has slowed down in order to turn back. On the very same day, Mercury’s retrograde through Capricorn begins. This retrograde lasts until 1/18/23, and the period will likely be colored by his conjunction and parting with Venus. The mind has to remember how to be the mind on its own again, separate from the heart. Neptune’s involvement in this retrograde station is also likely significant. Mercury doesn’t typically do well in aspect to Neptune, because Mercury is usually trying to work systems of communications, to transmit data, and Neptune is an ineffable sea of all available data. It would be like trying to print the entire internet. But in encountering that prospect, our minds may encounter koans which unlock deeper, more effective processes. This Mercury retrograde occurs in Capricorn after all, and as we discussed above, Capricorn likes getting things done. All the typical Mercury retrograde warnings apply: check your emails before you hit “send,” expect traffic and technological mishaps, try not to sign anything binding and official, travel during this period could be problematic, don’t break your cell phone, etc.

Venus will head in the other direction, casting off her vestments so that she can pass alone through the pressurized eye of Pluto on 12/31. Pluto is an intensity modifier, one that draws up what is hidden below the surface of whatever it touches. Part of Venus remembering who she is on her own is taking a long look at what she is getting from Capricorn’s controlling need to acquire. For some, this may mean interrogation of their hedonistic side to see whether or not they’re okay with a particular set of preferences. Should be an interesting New Year’s Eve! But seriously, there can be a huge array of emotional stirring from this type of internal process: shame, disgust, but also ecstasy and liberation. It may be a difficult transit for some folks, but an important one. Venus will then enter Aquarius on 1/3/23, ending her long rendezvous with Mercury. With Venus in Aquarius, we may be drawn to the contrary or uncommon. This is the realm of counter-culture, of sci-fi, of art with big ideas about the world, possibly informed by her recent time with Mercury.

On the other side of the zodiac, and as previously mentioned, Mars is still retrograde, a fact now complicated further by his rulership over Jupiter. That said, things are winding down. Most of the more problematic aspects on this journey are behind us, and the solar month begins only with a sextile to Chiron, which should offer entry points to therapeutically constructive use of Mars’ severing force. There are, however, a couple of contra-antiscial relationships to contend with. Antiscia and contra-antiscia are a different sort of connection in the chart, a sort of mirroring process that allows two planets to see each other despite not being connected by classic Ptolmeic aspect. To cut out the jargon, it’s sufficient to just call it a connection, one with significant charge. Mars will share this connection first to Mercury on 12/22, then to Venus on Christmas Day and Boxing Day. When Mercury and Mars get together, things might be said that can’t be taken back, anger and shit-talking are at a premium. With Venus, there may be unexpected passion in the mix, the kind that comes from opposites attracting.

Mars’ retrograde is usually a time where people feel their ability to implement their will is compromised, where things that have worked for them don’t anymore, where they feel impotent, pent-up, aggravated. I’ve written a lot about it in the past couple months, but it bears repeating that finding healthy outlets for this current is key. Self-destructive behaviors should be checked. And while we’re at it, check on your people.

Mars takes his marching orders from Mercury, as we just discussed, he’s going retrograde, too. So even thinking through solutions to Mars problems may prove to be shakey ground. Where to turn, then? Well, thankfully, the line of rulership terminates in a strong place. Jupiter may take his orders from Mars, and Mars may take his orders from Mercury, but Mercury in Capricorn is ruled by Saturn in Aquarius, who is a very strong and stern taskmaster. Thus, when in doubt, the best thing may be to fall back on the habits and routines that have proven most healthy and productive, and to cling to them for the time being. For those who have seen that Stutz doc, take care of your life force first.

And hey, it’s almost over: Mars slows way down and starts to station on 1/1/23, at 8 degrees Gemini. He stays put for almost two weeks, until he resumes direct motion in the late afternoon on 1/12/23. Mercury will be direct less than a week later on 1/18/23, at 8 degrees of Capricorn. Both planets will just hang out at 8 degrees of their respective signs until the end of the solar month. I’m not an astrologer who puts much stock in the meaning of individual degrees, nor am I a numerologist, but I bet someone has something to say about the significance of 8 degrees in relation to this doubled direct station.

That’s the big news, and takes us well past the holidays. A few other matters: the Full Moon in Cancer occurs on Three Kings’ Day, 1/6/23. The Moon will be right on top of the asteroid Pallas. Outside of Chiron, I don’t track the asteroids much, but I’ll sure pay attention when something big happens right on top of one. Pallas’ association with pattern-recognition mixed with the full-hearted moon in her domicile may mean it’s a good time to reflect on relationships with others and emotional processes on an internal level. This is the time when many have just reconnected with family and old friends, for good or ill, as well as the season of New Years Resolutions. All of this is a good excuse to take a good, long look at our own hearts and what they’ve been conditioned to do. The Sun will be conjunct a newly-retrograde Mercury, still trine to Uranus, just past a square to Chiron, a recipe for epiphanies which have been hanging out just at the tip of your brain.

The asteroid Juno then enters Aries on 1/13/23, making a conjunction to Jupiter. This becomes partile on 1/19/23. Like I said, I don’t pay attention to the asteroids much, but this was too cool not to take notice: in Greek and Roman myth, this is the pair that rules over the Pantheon. Of course, the planets and the gods are not a 1-to-1 equivalent. Most of the popular myths around this pair evoke marital discord, but I think we can expect the opposite here. Jupiter generally ennobles and bestows gifts upon what it touches; Juno, to my understanding, represents the things in life we feel drawn to commit to. With the two together, my feeling is that many will be drawn to actually capitalize on the blessings that Jupiter brings to their life by fully committing to their realization. Mileage may vary, as always. Look towards the area of your chart where Aries falls to see what this may represent.

Finally, the Sun will pass through the gates of Pluto, just as Venus did. For some, this will be an echo, a confrontation of what the redefinition of Venus says about one’s sense of self. This conjunction occurs on 1/18/23, the same day that Mercury resumes direct motion in Capricorn. We may expect the media cycle to focus in on corruptions within our civic systems, as the Sun’s flashlight is drawn to the vermin thriving off of the rot in these structures, totems of Pluto’s drive to consolidate power through unscrupulous means. The Sun will leave Capricorn a couple of days later.

Those are the headlines. Here are some notable dates:

12/21/22 – Moon opposite Mars Retrograde. Volatile stirrings of the heart.

12/22/22 – Venus’ exact trine to Uranus-North Node. Unexpected surprises, likely pleasant. Mars Rx sextile to Chiron in Aries. Mars-Mercury contra-antiscia. Cutting words may fly freely.

12/23/22 – New Moon in Capricorn square Jupiter in Aries. Chiron direct in Aries.

12/24/22 – Mercury exact sextile to Neptune. Moon will run across Venus, Mercury, then Pluto. A dreamy sort of Christmas Eve.

12/25/22 – Mars Rx contra-antiscia to Venus. Uncanny passions may be drawn out, and on Christmas Day!

12/26/22 – Moon conjunct Saturn in Aquarius. A day to get back to business.

12/27/22 – Venus sextile to Neptune. A pleasant window to escapism.

12/29/22 – Mercury goes retrograde in Capricorn. Mercury conjunct Venus exact. Moon sandwiched between Jupiter and Chiron. Don’t overthink a compliment, or other vessels of elation.

12/31/22 – Venus conjunct Pluto in Capricorn.

1/1/23 – Sun trine the Moon conjunct Uranus-North Node. A day for shake-ups and surprises. Mars begins to slow and station at 8 degrees Gemini.

1/2/23 – Mercury Retrograde sextile Neptune exact. Moon trines Mercury. We may be called to revise, rethink, redo.

1/3/23 – Venus’ ingress into Aquarius, sextile Jupiter in Aries. Moon conjunct Mars Retrograde. Careful of anger triggers.

1/5/23 – Sun trine Uranus exact. The air is thick with self-revelation. Mercury begins to lock into combustion, bringing the retrograde functions from bad to worse. Combustion is a condition where a planet grows too close to the Sun, its strength drowned out and stolen.

1/6/23 – Full Moon in Cancer.

1/7/23 – Mercury cazimi, a quick one, only in the early morning hours between 7am-9am. Venus begins to trine Mars Rx, cooling and bringing peace to the overheated warrior.

1/8/23 – Moon in Leo will touch the Uranus-NN by square, will oppose Venus, and Jupiter and Mars will be keyed into this by trine and sextile to the Moon. Mercury Rx trines Uranus exactly. Volatile and uncomfortable, but a day which may set things into motion by friction.

1/9/23 – Venus locks into an exact trine to Mars Rx, further pacifying him as he prepares to resume direct motion.

1/11/23 – Grand Earth Trine: trines between Mercury Rx, Moon in Virgo, and Uranus-NN. Possibility for foundations to shake.

1/12/23 – Mars goes direct in Gemini, in a trine to Venus in Aquarius, and in contra-antiscia to the Sun. Fresh from retraining, the warrior assesses targets and makes his preparations. Venus is in an exact sextile to Chiron. A window to work with our insecurities around our preferences and aesthetics opens. Mercury Rx is in an exact trine to the North Node. There is an opportunity to revise on a material level, but also a potential for mistakes made today to stick. The Moon in Virgo opposes Neptune. The possibility for delusions to knock us off course.

1/13/23 – The Moon in Libra passes over Ceres, opposes Jupiter and a square to Mercury Rx. She also creates a Grand Air Trine, sharing soft aspects with Venus and a freshly-direct Mars. The Air Trine invigorates minds and promotes freedom of thought, though some may find this disruptive and maddening. Juno enters Aries, making a conjunction with Jupiter. Sun in an exact sextile to Neptune.

1/14/23 – Moon in Libra trines Saturn in Aquarius, inviting us to examine ways to get comfortably organized.

1/16/23 – The Moon in Scorpio passes over the South Node, possibly triggering the destructive energy of the Uranus-NN conjunction. The Sun begins to pass over Pluto. Mercury slows, stationing at 8 degrees Capricorn.

1/18/23 – Mercury goes direct this morning, in a trine to Uranus-NN and square to Jupiter. A brains get a jolt in the right direction. The Sun is conjunct Pluto.

1/19/23 – Exact conjunction of Jupiter and Juno. The Sun is anaretic, which may make some mentally sluggish. Both Mercury and Mars are direct, but staying put at 8 degrees of their respective signs.

1/20/23 – The Sun enters Aquarius. 

Eclipse season! Mars retrograde! Saturn’s direct station! Jupiter returning to Pisces! Yeah, there’s a lot going on. Let’s start from where we are and tackle the above items as they come up, which will happen quickly.

The solar month opens in the wake of a big Venus cazimi, a special conjunction of the Sun and Venus which may have left reverberations of a big question ringing in your ears: something along the lines of “What do you want?” It seems easy enough to answer, but getting clarity on what our heart really wants can be a more difficult thing than expected.

There has been a lot of hubbub made over this past cazimi, as it marks a century-long shift in Venus’ orbit (see Arielle Gutman’s recent episode of the Astrology Podcast for more information,) but before even hearing about that, I was clocking 10/22/22 as an important date because it a) happens after a month of Venus accompanying the Sun through Libra, always just a degree or two away, and b) because it seems a precursor to a lot of the other dramatic events incoming in this solar month. As though the aforementioned question is a very important one and the upcoming events will help to shape and refine out answer to ourselves.

The Sun and Venus still walk together, but she will break away and finally begin to outpace him by the end of their tenure in Scorpio (mid-November.) Venus is not as strong in Scorpio as she was in Libra, her cravings more feral, her charismatic nature downgraded to “standoffish,” but she is her own creature. With her being previously so close to the Sun in Libra, it conjures the image of a powerful feminine figure in service to a weak and callow king, too in touch with his needs to parse out her own wants.

The two of them have left Mercury behind, though he will catch up with them shortly. Traversing the very end of Libra, he’ll be keeping minds sharp and curious, capable of holding and weighing opposing ideas in their mind. He’ll also keep minds aware of some of the tougher things brewing in the sky, as he makes contacts with most of the planets than could be deemed “malefic” or destructive.

Firstly, there’s Saturn’s direct station, happening now, which Mercury is just now departing from. Saturn is the planet of structure and discipline, of authority. He’s strong in Aquarius, but the department has been under renovations since Jun 4th, when he went retrograde. This summer may have felt like one where plans seemed unmoored, or where it felt like they way you organized your life was going through an overhaul. This direct station is a wake-up call for which there is no snooze button. Your mileage may vary depending on where it hits your chart, but for many people, the call to get back to work will be strong. This needn’t be the soul-crushing grind-type of work, and it may in fact be your heart work. It may be a clarion call to eat right and get back to the gym, or to be a better partner, or to get your mental health in order. But something in your life may well start kicking ass and taking names, and most people only have one of each.

If that weren’t enough, Mercury is also applying to a trine with Mars in Gemini. Mars is currently standing as still as Saturn, but for the opposite reason – it’s because he’s about to throw the truck in reverse. Mars goes retrograde every 2 1/2 years or so. The last Mars Rx was in Aries back in the Fall, from 9/9/20 – 11/13/20. Just as Mercury Rx has become short-hand for miscommunications or technological mishaps, and Venus Rx has become known for romantic discord, Mars Rx means that personal power is going through revision. That can feel like all your guns are backfiring, or that you forgot to sharpen your sword, or that someone stole your shield. Mars retrogrades are times when self-destructive behavior is stoked, where frustration and feelings of impotence are at a premium. This is not the time to go on a bender. This is not the time to blow your top. This is the time to step aside, take a deep breath, and think through a different solution. Retrogrades don’t happen to vex us, they happen to show us the faults in our method.

Being that it’s in Gemini, this Mars Rx may feel very similar to a Mercury Rx at times, because this is a Mars that relies on communication and gamesmanship to accomplish its goals. Its tools of combat may be the email, the smartphone, the microphone, the Insta/TikTok feed. This is a time when talking shit can go horribly wrong, so double-check everything before you send a message in anger, before you try to dunk on someone in a Twitter argument, whatever it may be. Gemini may mean that problems or options come in sets of two. Is there a third option? Because it might be that both are unhealthy.

Mars will be retrograde from 10/30/22 – 1/12/22. That’s a long time! Stay frosty, keep up the mental health self check-ins (or, if you are at risk, get someone else to check in on you,) and I can’t reiterate enough: watch the intake of potentially harmful substances. Particularly stimulants; Mars in Gemini craves speed and caffeination.

Returning attention to Mercury. His aspects to Saturn and Mars have largely been favorable. Perhaps not the subjects we’d like to have in mind, but the check-ins have been gentle. The car’s “check engine” light going on is a lot better than the catalytic converter just falling off mid-drive. Somewhere between those two possibilities, we have Mercury’s square to Pluto, a more contentious relationship with another (dwarf) planet who symbolizes hidden power and motivations, secrets, and the things which mutate us so we may adapt to the world. Many astrologers would say “transformation,” but I think Pluto’s changes are less pleasant than that. One instead thinks of a line from Aeon Flux: “Whatever does not kill us makes us stranger.” Mercury’s transit of Pluto probably won’t kill most people, but it may give you something to think about, something in the realm of prior topics in this article. What drives you, under the surface? Does it originate from you, or are you being controlled? Don’t fall into a paranoia hole, but consider your motivations and their sources. Also consider how you might need to change to see your goals through. The shape you seek may be far from what you are, which is not a reason to avoid change – it just means you shouldn’t do it blithely.

Lastly, Jupiter has been in Aries since 5/11/22, and has been retrograde since the end of July. In Aries, the planet of growth and expansion has been blessing those with a warrior’s spirit, has been increasing sense of agency and capability, and has generally been turning rock stars’ amps up to 11. On Friday 10/28/22, it’ll jump back into the last two degrees of Pisces for a few short weeks, turning direct at 28 degrees on 11/24 (just in time for Thanksgiving,) before making its way back into Aries on 12/20/22.

Pisces is one of Jupiter’s two domiciles, a place where he is his strongest. Here, he stirs the waters of the mytho-poetic, of religious devotion, of selflessness, of Bacchanalian revelry. While we normally think of Jupiter as a good thing, he is in a contentious position to retrograde Mars, and may exacerbate already-explosive issues brought up during this time. It is wonderful to let your heart sour and to be swept up by your passions, but stories may be just as intoxicating as any substance. Don’t let your own heart ensnare your. All Mars Rx cautions still apply. There are great gifts to be given by Jupiter, but they’re not likely to be given in Scorpio season. Keep your head in the game, and if blessings occur, all the better. Jupiter CAN simply operate as a soothing balm on irritating situations, but don’t mistake a topical treatment for a surefire cure, let alone the Answer to Life, The Universe and Everything.

Jeez, okay. So those are some of the major set-pieces. Now let’s talk eclipses.

We’re going to see a partial solar eclipse on Tuesday, 10/25. I wrote about this briefly last week:

“This is a funny one, as it doesn’t cast a tight aspect to any other planets, nor any antiscia, and it is ruled by the much-mentioned stationing Mars in Gemini. New Moons are said to act as chapter beginnings, and this chapter feels unsure of itself, a non-sequitur, a pair of characters entering a scene in medias res who are unsure how this setting operates. The coming months of Mars retrograde may prove disorienting to many, and this seems emblematic of that condition.

There are two trines to minor celestial bodies cast by this eclipse. I do not work with either often, but it seems like it would do a disservice not to try and parse out their meanings. The tight relationship to asteroid Juno would seem to me to indicate a dramatic (though probably not sudden) transformation for partnerships, relationships and fidelity. You don’t need a romantic partner to be a good equal in a relationship, and the watery connection between these two placements highlights the emotional give-and-take in life. There can be a lot of romance in relationships that do not seem classically, hug-and-kissy ‘romantic.’ A friendship can be a great romance. A professional relationship can be romantic.

Interpretations of Black Moon Lilith seem to offer a bit more variance, but one interpretation would be a dialogue with places we’ve felt ashamed, stilfed, or misunderstood. Other interpretations I’ve read seem to center on it being a place where we refuse to compromise. Either way, the isolation of this eclipse, along with the stillness of its ruler, Mars…this may all just be about taking time alone to get right with our hearts, both within our closest relationships and with ourselves. May any pain which bubbles up leave your heart less poisoned.”

Then we have its partner, a total lunar eclipse on 11/8/22. Unlike the previous eclipse, this one is occurring on top of the powerful Uranus-North Node conjunction. Eclipses often indicate something being taken away, reduced, de-emphasized, and this may speak to the sudden removal of something substantial element in life. What’s more, while it of course occurs opposite the Sun, the Sun is very tightly configured to Mercury and Venus on this day. Those planets in Scorpio conjure pessimism, cynicism, sardonic commentary. They loathe pretense, they prefer to focus on what’s important, what’s deeply held. That’s the kind of current that’ll be left in the wake of this eclipse. Mars is still the ruler of those planets, and it may be a natural progression of his retrograde that makes certain people in life, or certain parts of yourself, throw the brakes on and say “enough is enough, let’s cut the shit and hash this out.”

Some notable dates:

10/25 – partial solar eclipse in Scorpio.

10/26 – Mercury partile trine to Mars, followed by an exact square to Pluto. A day to reflect on methods and motivations.

10/28 – Jupiter Rx moves back into Pisces.

10/29 – Mercury moves into Scorpio, trading playful banter for Nihilistic barbs.

10/30 – Mars goes retrograde in Gemini. The Moon in Capricorn conjunct Pluto, potential for emotional heaviness.

10/31 – Happy Halloween! A stellium in Scorpio arranges Mercury, Sun, Venus and the South Node all in a line. Venus in particular is getting very close to the South Node. An annihilating force to this uniquely deep-felt, challenging feminine current, though the conjunction will not be exact for a few days. All three planets will take their turn at this gauntlet of disintegration.

11/2 – Venus’ conjunction to the South Node is exact.

11/5 – Venus now steps into an opposition with Uranus. More volatility and emotional surprises. Could be an ambush, could be a one-night stand, could be a song you haven’t thought of for years. Meanwhile, the Sun and Mercury take their turn crossing through the South Node, a membrane that may break down both cognition and identity.

11/7 – The moon on Uranus-North Node, another day for shake-ups and surprises. Meanwhile, Mercury makes cazimi today, spotlit by the Sun. A clear channel for thought and communication in a season where Mercury’s proximity to the Sun might be making that difficult.

11/8 – total lunar eclipse in Taurus.

11/10 – The moon makes contact with retrograde Mars, as well as a trine to Saturn. If Mars’ influence is bringing chaos and/or self-worth issues into your life, this could be a good day to draw on the order that a strong Saturn provides to provide healthy outlets for Mars, as well as new solutions to what he seeks to solve.

11/13 – The moon creates a grand water trine. A day of strong emotion, potential for obfuscation and delusion. Meanwhile, Mercury and Venus create a sextile to Pluto, plunging intensely-felt thoughts and feelings to even greater depths. These planets also tighten into a trine with Jupiter, which may uplift their influence. This could also be a great day for making art, and this influence should continue for a couple of days.

11/16 – Early in the morning, Venus makes ingress into Sagittarius, finally outpacing the Sun. Here, femininity is lit up in neon, a lively, playful and and boisterous spirit of attraction, beloved of bright colors and unabashed enthusiasm. The Sun, meanwhile, begins to lock into the same trine to Jupiter and sextile to Pluto that Mercury and Venus just passed through. More potential for art and expression, even for some strange and brutal fashion.

11/17 – Mercury makes ingress into Sagittarius as well, also early AM. Mercury is effusive here, and may have deep stores of knowledge, but tends to go on about that field alone, connecting everything in conversation to one realm. It’s not the best Mercury to talk to.

11/20 – Mercury and Venus are conjunct in Sagittarius. A great day for a party, for games, for extravagant entertainment.

11/22 – The Sun enters Sagittarius.