Mercury, Venus and Uranus all reach the 29th degree as they make their respective transits this week. This “anaretic degree” is the last degree of a sign and relates to issues of finishing the business of the particular planet’s transit through the particular sign. This can correlate to a sense of urgency or a sense that time is running out to get something done. On March 1 Venus in Capricorn forms a tense square to Uranus in Aries at 29∞47’. Venus’ transit through Capricorn that ends just a few hours later is a relatively short 25 days. Uranus ending its transit through Aries on March 6, however, is a big deal astrologically. Uranus spends approximately seven years in each sign and about 84 years to finish one cycle of the zodiac. Its last aspect to Venus at this time takes on greater significance and could bring about surprising shifts in relationships or what we value (Venus) with respect to Uranian themes of freedom of self-expression, innovation and focus on where humanity is headed.
Venus in Capricorn expresses as a need for stability in all our interactions with others. It values and wants to attract others that exhibit a high level capacity for integrity and taking on responsibilities. If we are not pulling our load in our relationships or have been slacking in our performance, we may hear about it. Uranus in Aries has correlated to an explosion of individual self-expression over the last seven years, particularly in social media and other technology, which is ruled by Uranus. The prevalent impulse to shout out to the world that we exist and we matter – the Aries movement of self-determination – has revealed a deep need for change in how the individual is regarded within our massive systems for living. More on what Uranus in Taurus may bring about will be expressed in subsequent articles, but this last major aspect Uranus makes (other than to the quick moving Moon) with the ruler of Taurus may bring about events that point to the kind of radical shifts in our personal and collective values we may need to navigate in the coming seven years. Venus square Uranus can open us to receiving feminine forces that can bring balance and harmony back to our lives. Women may break out into unexpected roles or suddenly be recognized for their leadership and pioneering talents.
On a personal level, Venus in square to Uranus indicates a compelling need to develop one’s artistic gifts and to recognize unique talents in others. To get a feel for this aspect, it can be helpful to look at how it plays out in individual charts. Bradley Cooper has Venus in late Capricorn square Uranus in early Scorpio in his natal chart. In the highly acclaimed film he directed, co-wrote and starred in, A Star is Born, he plays a character that discovers, collaborates with and launches the career of a singer/songwriter with a unique voice. In real life, his impeccable work on the movie radically changed the game for his own artistic career and it also did so for Lady Gaga, who he cast in her in her first major acting role. Lady Gaga has Venus in Aries in trine to Uranus in Sagittarius, which expresses as a more flowing approach to uniqueness. Dramatically changing her style visually and artistically is her hallmark. The square aspect, however, can be felt like a challenge that cannot be ignored to be different, or an absolute necessity to do something that is uniquely your own, which is what Bradley Cooper did in making the film.
Mercury in Pisces has also been aligning with Venus for the past two weeks in a close sextile formation, emphasizing congeniality in our conversations that focus on relationships, feminine issues, and what we like or don’t like. Their alignment is unusually long because Mercury has been slowing down and will turn retrograde on March 5 at 29∞38’ Pisces. Mercury has been in its “shadow” since February 19, which means everything we have been thinking or talking about since then will come under review during the retrograde period that will last until March 28. Mercury in Pisces symbolizes a spiritual or artistic way of perceiving the world. It favors poetry and hazy romance over attention to detail. Paying realistic attention to earth matters may not seem pleasant but it may be necessary if we are to avoid having to clean up our messes during the retrograde period. Commencing at the 29th degree of the last sign of the zodiac further intensifies this last phase of the Mercury cycle when unfinished business piles up. This could lead to a state of feeling overwhelmed or a desire to escape our responsibilities so we’ll need to summon up the courage to stay present with it all and prioritize what is most important. If we can remain centered, we open ourselves to the magic of Mercury in Pisces that calls in help from unseen forces to gather us all up into a state of love.
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