There are too many cosmic events going on at one time, and not enough time to document them. Our lives are similarly affected. This summer is anything but boring. In fact, if you haven’t experienced this time as one of the following adjectives, you’re hiding from important lessons…probably for fear of change.
We are in the midst of two weeks that have potential to be transformative, stressful, aggravating, highly active, intense, and self-educational. There is no doubt the wheels are turning with great force, and things stuck in the mud will either dislodge or get left behind.
Since last week, on the 27th, Mercury has been feeling right at home in Virgo. Mercury (the planet of communication) rules Virgo (the sign of order, improvement, and healing). This Mercury in Virgo transit lasts until October 3rd and promotes problem-solving and establishing healthy routines. We first had to cut through the confusion and opposition…but our minds are getting back on track and better able to focus. Hold that focus this summer, because we’ll all be needing it.
Mars entered Libra Thursday night and will be in this sign of Venusian harmony until September 14th. This positioning of Mars is called ‘in detriment’. When planets are in the sign of their detriment, they often have difficulty operating positively. Those who have Mars in Libra in their natal chart (like myself) have usually grown accustom to this energy, and thus can offer some insight in how to balance it.
Mars is the warrior planet and rules action, desire, and confrontation. Libra is ruled by Venus, and is the sign associated with relationships, fairness, and friendliness. So, our actions and desires during this transit become focused on our relationships and we will feel the urge to fight for equality. The discomfort comes from not being able to push full force into action because of the consideration of others’ feelings and rights. Actions will need to be focused on harmony during this transit, no matter how irritated we might get.
Over the weekend, we had Mars and Uranus exacting an opposition on Friday…challenging us to balance realization with articulation. This aspect can cause surprises and accidents. It’s also pitting the warrior against the innovator. On Saturday, we had Mars conjunct Saturn…placing even more emphasis on expressing yourself (and your desire to improve) to others. These two together are formidable opponents to the new ideas and pioneering coming from the Uranus-Jupiter conjunction. On a global scale, these oppositions are strengthening on both sides. On a personal level, try not to be too hard on yourself and others. We are all being held to high standards, and we’re being challenged to take on more responsibility than we thought we could manage. How we handle this is an indicator of our evolution. Not only is this all very stressful and active, it can also be very productive. Use your time wisely, tempering randomness with routine, and you might just come out of this completely unscathed…with wisdom attained.
Lughnasadh (August 1st) was bound to be busy. The challenging aspects of the weekend were still in effect and the Moon being void-of-course all day gave plenty of fluctuating circumstances to our efforts toward solidifying the things we’ve been pushing toward all summer. Fortunately, the morning and late night provided some emotional nurturance and spiritual solace.
The Moon is now exalted in Taurus, meaning our emotions are comforted in this energy of practical integrity. Yesterday the Taurus Moon made an Earth Grand Trine between Pluto, Mercury, and finally the North Lunar Node. This kind of aspect configuration may have been just what we needed to plant the seeds we’ve been accumulating in all this business and finally produce what we’ve been working toward. Monday was the day to get down to brass tacks and straighten everything out while we had the focus.
Juno, the asteroid of partnership and commitment, entered Leo at noon yesterday (August 2nd). Leo is a dramatic sign and is very demonstrative and romantic. Those of you in relationships, especially married couples, may benefit from a little more fun and creativity in your love life. After midnight, Juno and Uranus formed a trine…giving a sense of spontaneity (or possibly some mental stimulation) to relationships.
But even though there were good things yesterday, there was still another cavalcade of challenges. The Quarter Moon, energizing 11 degrees of Taurus and Leo, is inclining us all to use great care in nurturing the good spirits of others in order to manifest our best intentions. This may be difficult, because Jupiter and Pluto are clashing in a square again (the first one happened on July 24th, the next one happens Feb. 25th, 2011). The square was exact at 12:34am (August 3rd), but stays in effect before and after that. This is the retrograde version of what began less than two weeks ago. Whatever lessons we missed last time are up for review again. This is a contact with global implications, and is a major part of the Cardinal Squares of this summer.
Other irritations (similar to the ones we thought we relieved during the weekend of the Full Blessing Moon) may crop up, forcing more changes. It comes down to everyone needing to be in the same boat in order to accomplish goals that benefit the group. The happy-go-lucky Jupiter energy may find it hard to enjoy the order and force of necessary changes that Pluto is providing this summer. Learning to trust others, as well as ourselves, is still our key to security.
All day today, Mars is building up more tension in the Cardinal T-square. Tonight, Mars exacts an opposition to Jupiter (11:21pm) and a square to Pluto (11:59pm). Mars tends to get arguments heated, so be careful that you’re not feeding into that energy. The positive vibrations of Mars have to do with taking action and being energetic. Despite the planetary alignments currently set against each other, impeding progress and causing friction, there is a way to tweak it to a more productive (and friendly) experience.
Mars right now is transiting the 3rd degree of Libra and enters the 4th degree at 4:22pm. So, Mars is going from the Sabian Symbol of ‘The dawn of a new day with everything changed’ into ‘A group around a campfire’. So, hopefully, we woke up this morning able to let the past go and embrace the new day. Because tonight, we’ll be needing to surround ourselves with warm sociability and support from friends in order to ignite illumination and awareness in our current situations.
It’s bad enough that these alignments are inclined to add heat to current social and political climates. Not everybody exercises the positive side of squares and oppositions. Many people are more reactive than that, and Mars carries an aggressive energy. Compromise is key, yet…in group dynamics…it can be hard to have everyone on the same page. When you are aware of this energy, and you see people becoming explosive or irritable…either stay out of their way or (if you can’t avoid them) try to calm them by being a good friend.
And speaking of friends, Friday night (August 6th) Venus will also enter Libra (the sign she rules). She’s very at home in this peacekeeping sign and hopefully she will help to temper the harshness of Saturn and Mars in the squares. Venus will be in Libra until September 8th, and relationships get another boost during this transit. It’s still not going to be easy during this week, but soon the squares will soften and we can all have some semblance of a normal life again.
The first contact Venus makes to this T-square is on Saturday, August 7th in the early morning when Venus exacts an opposition with Uranus. Unusual attractions can occur under this aspect, as well as issues between freedom and closeness in relationships. Surprises may occur, challenging our ability to stay connected. Sudden realizations are par for the course, and articulation is once again the key. This opposition has the ability to boost a current situation (or relationships) into new, and perhaps even better, territory.
Just after noon on Sunday, August 8th, Venus conjuncts Saturn in the 2nd degree of Libra. The Sabian Symbol here is ‘The light of the sixth race transmuted to the seventh”. This is one of the more esoteric symbols, as it indicates the threshold between spiritual dimensions. This conjunction has to do with the evolution and expansion of consciousness through building upon a foundation of love and dedication. We may feel ourselves entering an advanced state on Sunday, after the harshness of the squares begin to subside. Our new experiences will restore equilibrium. Our challenge is to set free our limiting thought processes, which will support the planetary ascension process.
Fortunately, this conjunction inclines us to not waste our time with frivolity. We will all be more attracted to maturity, wisdom, and solid values…and commitments in relationships and business are favored at this time. By the same token, other relationships may need to be cut loose, or at least worked on seriously…particularly any that were suffering in the squares of this summer. This energy might also cause some to feel withdrawn in a crowd, and many of us might just want to be alone or with a close companion by the end of the day. This is a good time to reflect, set priorities, enjoy simple pleasures, and appreciate quality time with those you love.
Love and Gratitude,
Felina Lune Kavi
