AstroCast: May 26 – June 8, 2019

The intensity of late continues as two outer planet alignments in effect all year are activated when faster moving planets create complex configurations with them. The Jupiter/Neptune square with three exact passes this year (January 13, June 16 and September 21) is activated first by Mercury (May 29 to 30) and then by the New Moon in Gemini (on June 3). The planets in Gemini create a tense T-square alignment (two squares and an opposition) with Jupiter and Neptune that requires some form of release to resolve it. Jupiter in Sagittarius represents the movement of expansion and correlates to a need for freedom to explore the unknown, whether it involve foreign lands or the frontiers of thought. This can lead to experiences from which we create our worldview. It motivates us to seek the truth and hopefully brings wisdom in the process. Neptune in Pisces symbolizes an all-inclusive cosmic love that corresponds to compassion and a sense of sacred connectedness with life. To Neptune everything we experience goes into shaping who we are, the good, bad and the ugly, as much as we may be in denial about the latter. The square between these two planets can be inspiring and spur us to have enlightening experiences. But it could also lead to ‘irrational exuberance’ that renders us unable or unwilling to see the fullness of something, including both positive and negative aspects. 

Mercury in Gemini moving into this alignment suggests these archetypes will intensify in a mercurial way. The planet of perception and communication takes in data and analyzes it to form ideas that can then be articulated. Yet facts are relative to Mercury in Gemini so as it triggers the outer planets we will need to put careful attention to being as clear as possible in our thinking, speaking and writing, and perhaps most importantly how we perceive the information we encounter from others. The current political state in the U.S. for example is consumed with the Mueller report and related investigations into Trump’s personal and business finances. New information could be revealed at this time that takes the debate to a new level, yet with the prevalence of fake news, there may be efforts to obfuscate the truth and perpetuate a sense of confusion, no matter how specific and well documented the new information may be.

The Mercury transit sets the stage for further developments that unfold during the next lunar cycle commencing with the Gemini New Moon that opposes Jupiter and squares Neptune. Gemini is about expression and the Sun/Moon activation of the outer planets suggests we need to speak our truth as we see it in the moment. As a mutable sign, Gemini understands that the truth is ever changing, which makes it even more imperative to maintain focus on the core truth of our being as it evolves with increased wisdom. When we express our truth we will sense its veracity by how it feels. It connects us with something deep within. The Sun and Moon, representing our will and feeling nature in a united front can lead to speaking our soul truth in a way that has a releasing quality. The pressure of a T-square including the luminaries could trigger this release of inhibition so something we’ve been keeping to ourselves can be put out in the open. On the political stage, there may be more leaks of information related to the investigations that leads to decisive action. 

The second outer planet alignment to be activated during this period is the Saturn/Pluto conjunction, which is in effect all year but does not have its first exact pass until January 2020. Nonetheless its potent consolidating force is palpably active as discussed in previous posts. Saturn teaches us to see things as they are rather than how we would like them to be. When we acknowledge the reality of a situation we can then deal with it more effectively. Pluto represents the process of evolution, of endings and beginnings. It teaches us to accept the impermanence of life in a state of eternal renewal. Venus in Taurus forms a trine to Saturn and Pluto May 31 to June 2. This three-planet trine in earth signs acts as a grounding force to counteract the more volatile nature of the T-squares in effect. Venus in its home sign guides us to determine what we value, material things as well as relationships. Its alignment with Saturn/Pluto suggests we may have greater appreciation for expressions of love – including to self– that are reliable and authentic. The trine is a harmonious aspect that could easily be taken for granted. For it to be productive requires effort, which if made, could result in a feeling of empowerment and authority. Venus takes the edge off the often-harsh effects of Saturn/Pluto by expressing the softer side of strength with grace and harmony. Yet this flowing Venus/Saturn/Pluto alignment can correspond to a focused, disciplined and mature approach to life that makes us seem like pros at anything we do.