January 2020: A new era in the world

Saturn is conjunct Pluto this month and the energy has been building throughout 2019. The transit becomes exact on January 12, but the energies have been felt for the past year. January 12-13, the Sun and Mercury join the conjunction and this represents the peak of this powerful energy, but the effects will be felt for a long time to come. This is a month we need to pay attention and be fully aware of where we are going and what we are doing.

This aspect has been playing out in the world in terms of increased tensions, protests, a Presidential impeachment in the US, Brexit in the UK, mass shootings, and hundreds of thousands of displaced people in the Middle East and other places around the world along with many other difficult to solve situations.

Saturn-Pluto is heavy energy subject to creating significant change. The best way to describe this is like an earthquake. If your building is well designed and secure it can survive the earthquake, if not it will collapse and many things will change at this time in the collective and in our personal lives. 

This transit will show you what has outlived its usefulness and what in your life needs to be. transformed. What needs change will be shown by where Saturn and Pluto fall in your personal chart.

Uranus turns direct on January 10, just before this aspect reaches its peak adding to the volatile energy, along with a powerful lunar eclipse in Cancer, that will ‘set off,’ the Saturn-Pluto conjunction on the same day.

This is a powerful eclipse at 20 degrees of Cancer and it (the Moon) opposes Saturn and Pluto, the Sun, Mercury and Jupiter creating a powerful stellium of planets in Capricorn. This eclipse will reveal new information in the world and in our personal lives. Moon opposing Pluto can bring up deep seated anxieties and issues concerning sex, money, and other issues buried in the subconscious mind at this time. Moon-Saturn transits can deal with women, those from our past and can seem negative and depressing. Some things will end at this time. Moon-Mercury relates to young people, speech and communication, and accidents. Sun-Moon transits amp up the emotional energies and it is important to be aware and not let this powerful energy spiral out of control.

We will see many events play out in the world in the days leading up to this eclipse.  Communication will be important at this time. This is the type of eclipse where violence can easily escalate into police or war situations. This eclipse aspects the charts of the United States (in a previous post, I predicted we could see a significant national death), and the rhetoric at this time and into the New Year will be bitter and ugly. The eclipse and Saturn-Pluto conjunction aspects many different charts including Donald Trump, Vladimir Putin, China, Iran, Iraq, the White House chart, NYC chart, and many others to name just a few. Many separate events will play out at this time around the world, and it will not be limited to one specific incident. This eclipse will show us the direction things will go in 2020. This period will prove to be a profound and historic time in history.

On a personal level the eclipse (and conjunction) will affect the cardinal signs in particular-Cancer, Capricorn, Aries and Libra, especially those with planets at 19-22 degrees. With the moon’s opposition to Pluto deep seated issues could arise, and this gives us an opportunity to work through fears and habits that we want to change in the New Year. 

Transformation is possible and even key, and with the eclipse’s trine to Neptune, this can give us hope for the year ahead as well as creativity and compassion.

As Uranus turns direct, this is typically a significant time in world events and this time will be no different. Uranus is the planet of coups, rebellions and sudden and unexpected changes and breaking free of situations or even people. We will see this play out in the world, especially as Uranus will square Mercury (January 17-18) in Aquarius, and then the Sun (January 22-23). Pay attention to these days as things can become volatile and changeable, especially if you have a fixed sign (Taurus, Leo, Scorpio or Aquarius at 1-3 degrees. If Uranus aspects something in your personal chart you may feel a need to break free of something that you have found oppressive or take a new direction in some way. Now is the time to make big changes that can last for a long time.

January 3, Mars enters Sagittarius where it will remain until February 16th. Mars rules and our action, ego and men. Mars in Sagittarius is subject to great bursts of energy, and we will be more flexible and changeable. Sagittarius is typically a positive and optimistic sign but it is important to remember it’s easy to overdo things and this can include our ego and that of others! Respect the boundaries of others and this can be a very positive time.

January 13, the Sun will conjunct Saturn and Pluto. This is a continuation of the Saturn-Pluto-eclipse energy and the buildup of the Capricorn stellium we are all under. In all likelihood, major world events will occur, and we need to be aware of our interaction with others as things could come to a head in terms of frustration or even anger. It is best to wait this energy out if possible.

Also on January 13, Venus enters Pisces and this will change the heavy energy to a degree. Love energy can become softer or more passive, and this time can be used in a healing manner. Venus in Pisces will work well for Water and Earth signs. There can be some confusion or lack of clarity with the sign of Pisces, but we could experience more creativity, psychic awareness, creativity and compassion and dreams will be more vivid during this time.

January 16, Mercury enters Aquarius where it will remain until February 4^th.  Our thoughts and communication will move at a faster pace, and we will feel more open to new ideas. Until Mercury crosses Uranus however, (after about the 19^th), we can expect the unexpected in our lives and the world. Sometimes we can get brilliant ideas with this transit and at other times our thinking can be disjointed and restless. Use caution, especially driving.

January 20, the Sun enters Aquarius and this creates a shift away from all of the serious Capricorn energy we have been dealing with. Like with the Mercury square however we can expect erratic energy, unexpected news and situations. After January 24, things will begin to get calmer.

January 23, Venus sextiles Jupiter. This is a positive aspect, especially for love, friendship and financial matters. Make the most of it.

This month’s New Moon falls on February 24, at 4 degrees of Aquarius, on the heels of Sun square Uranus. Because of the Moon’s square to Uranus it may seem more like a full moon, and we can expect unexpected and changeable events in the world and our personal lives. Venus is square Mars at 14 degrees of Pisces/Sagittarius and this transit can create friction between the sexes in more ways than one. Jealousy could rear its ugly head, unexpected issues can occur, and some may break up at this time. Alternatively, you could meet someone new on this day and if you do, sparks could fly, but the relationship will need to withstand the test of time to know if it is more than a physical attraction.

January 27, Venus conjuncts Neptune and squares Mars. This is a convoluted transit that will confuse, and produce a smoke and mirror effect, and will likely be another significant day in the world. Venus-Neptune can be confusing, misleading or dreamy, and its square to Mars relates to problems between men and women, but Neptune adds another layer to the confusion.  Anger and ego can come into play this day, so it is best not to get into contentious issues. Mars-Neptune transits relate to confusion, and we could see issues with gasses, chemical weapons, lies, and harsh weather conditions. This could also increase the spread of flues and other contagious diseases.

Here is wishing you are yours a very safe and prosperous New Year!

Saturn-Pluto 2020: Meeting the dark shadow

Saturn and Pluto are in a conjunction that becomes exact the week of January 12, 2020. This powerful aspect occurs about every 33-38 years, and brings global changes as well as personal change in our lives. January 2020 is a significant astrological shift and a new era in the world and evolution of man as Saturn, Pluto and Jupiter meet up in Capricorn during the year. At the end of the year Saturn and Jupiter will meet up a second time in the sign of Aquarius which rules the collective.

Changes occur as a result of pressure building in many areas that finally reaches a peak. We have been under this transit throughout 2019, but the two planets have not yet met up. Astrologers have been watching this aspect for years, and we have begun to see the results play out in 2019 in terms of increased global tensions, the rise of nationalism across the world, deep seated problems such as Brexit in the UK, and Presidential impeachment proceedings in the United States. Protests continue in Hong Kong, mass shootings have become common and polarization of political parties continue and deep seated issues concerning corruption, security and abuse of power have become the norm, as well as global concerns over climate change, fires and extreme weather conditions. These transits occurred in 1819, 1851, 1883, 1914, 1947 and 1982.

Abuse and abuse of power is always present during these cycles, but so is the push back and resistance to those things and individuals who desire to exert control over others just as this occurred at the junctures of WW1, WW2, and other eras that have gone by as Saturn connects with Pluto.

This transit will set the stage for the year 2020 and the changes we experience will alter some things forever. All is not negative however; as Pluto tends to remove things that need to make room for the new. As we move through January we will see a great deal of change, and unfortunately we will see a lot of collective stress as well that will set the stage for the New Year. This transit brings issues to the forefront so they can be dealt with and removed.

The last Saturn-Pluto cycle occurred in 1982 and 2019 is the end of a cyclical period that that began at this time. Now, different personal and collective patterns and cultural situations and values now must be addressed, changed or purged from society.  The exact conjunction at 22 degrees of Capricorn on January 12, initiates a new global and personal cycle that will forge new structures, ideas and attitudes and even governments that will collectively sustain us in either an uplifting or degrading manner in the years ahead. It is our job to sustain our own efforts personally and if we do so we will have new or stronger set of personal structures to support us that will endure.

Pluto in Capricorn

Pluto is considered the planet of transformation and it has been in Capricorn for the past 11 years or since November 2008. Its entrance in this sign coincided with the ‘Great recession,’ of 2007-09, the longest since WW11. Pluto will remain in Capricorn until late 2024. While in Capricorn, Pluto deals with big business and their global influence as well as organizations like NATO, banking, money, the earth, buildings and structures. Its reach however extends far beyond these things as Pluto is represented by the mythological Hades, the God of the Underworld, who governs over the dead. Pluto rules the dark side of the human psyche, the unseen and taboo, psychology and all transforming doctrines, sex and sex trafficking. Pluto rules crime, dictatorships and fascism, abuse and abuse of power and its reach is lasting and profound.

Saturn in Capricorn

Saturn entered Capricorn late 2017 and will remain there until December 2020, with a 3 month break when it enters Aquarius March-July 2020.

Saturn is known as the ‘taskmaster,’ and represents qualities like restriction, responsibilities, and learning our personal limits and boundaries, delays and obstructions as well as age and time itself. While Saturn has been in Capricorn you may have noticed a tendency or need to get more real, or get down to the basics. This is Saturn in Capricorn and it can represent both great wealth and great privation. Saturn in this sign produces conservatism, ambition, caution, perseverance and authoritarianism.

Saturn conjunct Pluto

When these two planets conjoin we experience major events in the world such as WW1 (Saturn conjunct Pluto in Cancer), the aftermath of WW11 and Hiroshima and (Saturn-Pluto in Leo), McCarthyism, the independence of India from the British Raj and bloodshed that followed. 1982 brought the outbreak and escalation of AIDS and the start of the gay rights movement  (Libra-1982). This time was also part of the Cold War and increased hostiles between the Soviet Union and the US, as well as the aftermath of the Iranian hostage crisis. We have also experienced economic downturns during these times and economic upturns such as the one after WW11. Saturn was conjunct Pluto in 1850, which produced the fugitive slave act which provided for the return of slaves that escaped to free states in the US and President Zachery Taylor died. (Saturn-Pluto in Aries).

There is often great progress during these times in terms of science and advancements in thinking and the arts. During each of these cycles certain things came to a head as new ways of thinking become common. None of these periods are easy times in the world but in the end they bring about much needed change. After 2020 we won’t have another Saturn-Pluto conjunction until 2052 when it will conjoin in Pisces. Saturn conjunct Pluto will represent the breakdown of structures, governments, institutions and perhaps the earth’s climate itself, to rebuild anew.

Saturn’s last conjunction with Pluto in Capricorn 1518

1518 was the last time Saturn was conjunct Pluto in the sign Capricorn. At this time the Catholic Church was all powerful in Europe. Local priests had a great deal of power as their teachings were all the local people knew, and the church was heavily involved in politics. In 1517 a monk named Martin Luther penned a document attacking the Catholic Church’s practices. This sparked the Protestant reformation and the Catholic Church was ever divided changing the religious and cultural history of the West forever more. During this period the ‘dancing plague,’ occurred in what is now modern day France, and by 1518 the first African captives were shipped to the Americas as slaves and these are just a few of the global events that occurred at this time.

Saturn conjunct Pluto and you

As in any other period of history there are those who will profit and thrive during the times and others who will be forced to make significant changes in their lives. As the conjunction is at 22 degrees of Capricorn those most affected will be born under Cardinal signs or have cardinal planets (Aries, Cancer, Libra and Capricorn at 20-24 degrees. These individuals will have to work harder and may meet with difficult to solve obstacles.

The Saturn-Pluto conjunction is not easy to understand as Pluto deals with that which is deeply hidden, and Saturn relates to structures, time and limitations. When combined with Pluto, Saturn becomes very demanding and certain things must be transformed during this period that can include many different areas of your life. Saturn-Pluto will test situations, things and people in our lives for resilience just as earthquake will tests a building's structure. A building that is structurally sound is much more likely to withstand the earthquake but a house built of cards will be eliminated. We are being put in a position to defend our positions on many matters and make changes, and some things will end at this time or have to be changed in some way.

Look at this list of sun signs to determine where the Saturn-Pluto falls in your chart and the areas of life it will affect. If you know your ascendants use that.

Aries-10^th house of career and priorities

Taurus-9th house of education, travel, legal issues and world view

Gemini-8^th house of sex, other people’s money, debt and taxes, death and transformation.

Cancer-7^th house of marriage and partnerships

Leo-6^th house of health and work

Virgo-5^th house of children, friends, creativity and love

Libra-4^th house of home, and the basic foundation of life

Scorpio-3^rd house of immediate family, co-workers, neighbors, thinking

Sagittarius-2^nd house of income and money

Capricorn-1^st house of personal matters and self

Aquarius-12^th house of seclusion, the subconscious mind, matter that are hidden, secluded places

Pisces-11^th house of groups, friends, hopes and wishes

Saturn-Pluto and the week of January 5th

Saturn and Pluto will be conjunct at 22 degrees of Capricorn the week of January 5th, 2020 and the transit will peak January 12, 2020 at 11 59 AM, EST. At this time it will also conjunct the Sun and Mercury. We can expect to see world events play out at this time that will involve serious and significant communication. In the US it will involve the President some type of information and it is volatile. Global events will occur in rapid succession on or around this time. While this represents the peak of the energy, things will be set into motion that will last throughout 2020 or longer. The peak of this transit is not the end as these planets will remain in close proximity throughout most of the year.

The lunar eclipse of January 10, 2020

A powerful lunar eclipse falls on January 10, at 20 degrees of Cancer, which will ‘set off,’ the Saturn-Pluto conjunction and we will see events connected to this transit occur at this time and in the days before and after.

This eclipse falls on the 4^th-10^th house axis which concerns home, the homeland, business and security.

Cancer is the most emotional of signs and as it opposes Pluto, Saturn, Mercury and the Sun it will be an emotionally challenging time for many. Many things will end at this time, or be transformed in some way. Moon-Pluto transits can bring up deep seated fears and anxieties. This can cause inner turmoil, drama in relationships and new information can be revealed. Something could change or transform in some way at this time. Pluto is an obsessive planet and we must use care at this time not to function off of obsessions, jealousy or fear Moon-Saturn transits tend toward negative thinking, and things may seem worse than they are. It can seem lonely, depressing or tiring. You could feel burdened or unable to express yourself.

Now is the time to set your plans for the New Year and focus on them to make positive use of this energy. This is an eclipse to use caution on, and be aware of your own actions and surroundings.

The Sun conjunct Mercury concerns significant communication and argument and accidents are possible, but with its opposition to Saturn and Pluto the energy is cold, it could seem oppressive and many things are subject to change. Now is the time to get rid of undesirable habits, situations and people that no longer serve your purpose.

Moon opposing Mercury relates to communication, young people travel and accidents. It causes polarized or unbalanced or biased thinking and can lead to arguments.

Moon trine Neptune is a mild influence with the oppositions but it can provide a glimmer of optimism, hope, compassion and faith.

On the world stage this eclipse will play out in terms of authoritarian and ruthless leaders, volatility and violence, and we could hear news concerning nuclear weapons and the like. Politics will be front and center and this eclipse could affect global trade in the US, financial markets and there could be a significant national death in the New Year.

Jupiter, Saturn and Pluto

Jupiter, Saturn and Pluto will all meet up within 5 degrees of each other July-October 2020 combining the energies of these 3 powerful planets. This will be a time of testing on the world stage in regard to politics, the financial markets, and those power brokers who wish to push their ideas on others. Jupiter-Pluto transits are associated with the rise of international terrorism.

Jupiter-Saturn transits occur every 20 years and these two planets are known as the ‘Great chroniclers,’ of the ages, and their cycle is considered to be the base of world development that marks the interaction between ideas, potential and possibility in the material world. It can be a clash of ideas where the old versus the new and is forced to reform in some way. Saturn and Jupiter will be exact at 28 degrees of Capricorn mid-December, and then both Saturn and Jupiter will ingress into Aquarius at the end of 2020. Many changes will occur at this time and Aquarius rules the 11^th house of the collective which will become all important.

How to make the most positive use of this powerful energy and make it work for you!

Life will go on with this transit, and with some awareness we can all make the most of it.

The first thing we must do is to be aware of what this energy is about and how it applies in your personal chart. Once you know the area of your life this energy will affect you can get to work.

As with all harsh Saturn and Pluto transits it is important to remember there are some things we can control and other things we can’t. We can’t control death, sickness, what happens in the world or another person’s actions. We can control ourselves, our focus and direction, and how we respond to things.

It is important to know that with a harsh Pluto transit something in your life will change if it is directly aspecting your chart. Pluto can seem harsh, and if something is going to change in many cases it may be out of your control. It is important to fight for what we want and need in life, but we must pick our battles carefully, especially at this time.

Let’s say for example, you are getting a good idea things aren’t going well at work, and your job could end. If you feel strongly about this, rather than wait for the shoe to drop, take action and start looking for another job while you are ahead. The same goes for other areas of your life. Pluto transits can be especially harsh if you try to hang on to things or situations that are clearly no longer working.

Saturn is called a harsh taskmaster but it does give us perseverance and determination. The energy is there, it is up to us to direct it into worthwhile projects and situations. Take charge of the energy and direct it, rather than letting it direct you. This is the most positive use of this transit. At times, things can come together on transits like this. Lastly, nothing is permanent, and all transits will pass. This is not the first time we have seen a heavy aspect like this one.

Best wishes for 2020.

December 26, solar eclipse in Capricorn: Wrapping up the decade!

The last eclipse of 2019 and the decade will fall on December 26, at 4 degrees of Capricorn and it is a solar eclipse. The peak of this eclipse will occur just after midnight, EST. This is an annular solar eclipse that cannot be seen from the US. 

Capricorn is the natural ruler of the 10^th house of business and priorities. Capricorn is ruled by Saturn, the planet of responsibilities, structure, and things and situations relating to the past. It is opposite the 4^th house which rules home and family, our foundations, and security and as this is the holiday season many will be celebrating with their families.

Capricorn is a disciplined and focused sign and rules buildings, building things, the earth, carpenters, banking, big business, cemetery workers, chiropractors, bone structures, civil engineers, contractors, government officials or service, employers, masonry, time keepers, osteopaths, orthopedists, politicians, sculptors, ice businesses, economists, dentistry, landlords, routine workers, watchmakers, night watchmen to name a few.

 A lunar eclipse in this sign and degree occurred December 25, 2000, so if you are old enough to remember this, you have a clue as to how this eclipse will affect you.

This eclipse is in a Cardinal sign which means action or movement. The term cardinal is derived from a Latin word that means important.

Eclipses are like wildcards, and one of the ways we learn how and what we need to change and evolve. An eclipse can seem good or bad, depending on what it aspects in your personal chart, and is often dramatic, or reveals important information if it aspects a significant point in your own chart.  An eclipse often brings news pertaining to life's biggest events. The energy of an eclipse can go for months and in some cases years.

Almost always unexpected information comes to light and at this time something may be eclipsed completely out of your life, or into your life. Eclipses can bring positive or negative events depending on what it aspects in your personal chart, and each person has their own experience that is personal to them.

This eclipse will conjunct Jupiter (in Capricorn) the planet of gain and expansion. This is generally considered positive. It will trine Uranus, the planet of sudden and unexpected events. A trine is a positive angle that produces and easy type of energy. This Moon (eclipse) makes no harsh aspects this time, so make the most of it!

What happens with you personally depends on what this aspects in your personal chart. By using the chart below you should have some idea how you will be affected. If you know your ascendant use this, otherwise use your Sun sign.

Aries-10^th house of business and career.

Taurus-9^th house of education, travel and world view

Gemini-8^th house of sex, other people’s money, debt, taxes, death and change.

Cancer-7^th house of partners, marriage, partnerships.

Leo-6^th house of work and health

Virgo-5^th house of children, love, friends and entertainment.

Libra-4^th house of home, family, the personal foundation.

Scorpio-3^rd house of co-workers, neighbors, immediate family, short travel, communication.

Sagittarius-2^nd house of money, possessions.

Capricorn-1^st house of self, new beginnings.

Aquarius-12^th house of hospitals, seclusion, issues of the subconscious mind, things that are hidden.

Pisces-11^th house of hopes and wishes, organizations, friends.

Full moon in Gemini: Make your choice

This month’s full moon falls at 18 degrees of Gemini, and peaks December 12, (Thursday) just after midnight. This will be the last full moon of the decade!

Gemini rules talk, communication and as its planetary ruler is Mercury. Mercury rules young people, travel and communication of all types!

As the full moon opposes the Sun, emotions may amp up in the days preceding this moon and at the time of the full moon. This can cause discord between men and women and relationships will be a theme for this moon as Venus conjuncts Saturn and then Pluto the day before (Saturn) and then (Pluto) the day after. Some relationships could end at this time, but only those with significant problems. Venus-Pluto can play out in obsessive thinking and behaviors, and at its worst, volatile behaviors.

This energy could also be worked out in terms of business and planning and it will show itself on the world stage in terms of issues relating to women, money, power and control, young people and significant communication and viewpoints on the world stage.

At the time of the Moon’s peak, it squares Neptune in Pisces creating illusion, delusion and smoke and mirror games and distractions. Moon-Neptune transits are prone to a lack of clarity in situations, lies or deception and it is important to speak clearly and make sure you understand the facts, which may not be clear. Neptune is also the planet ruling drugs and alcohol, and those who have substance abuse issues could escalate their behaviors at this time. Mercury also rules vehicles and accidents so use caution while driving.

Sun squares Neptune: Honesty vs. propaganda and confusion

The Sun squares Neptune and this energy peaks in the early morning hours of December 8 at 15 degrees of Sagittarius-Pisces. We will begin to feel this energy a few days before and at least 24 hours after its peak.

This is a low energy transit and don’t be surprised if you feel tired, drained or maybe ever burned out.

The conflict is between what we perceive and what is actually real. This will be a test of honesty versus propaganda, or deception. If something seems too good to be true, it may well be. Alternatively it can create confusing images, disjointed communication, or problems in being able to communicate or what you think is being communicated to you.

Neptune rules dreams which may be vivid at this time, spirituality, intuition and psychics, creativity and compassion. These things may come into play as well, and this would be the best possible use of the energy.

You will be affected to a greater degree if you have mutable planets (Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius and Pisces) at 14-16 degrees. If this is the case you also have a heavy Neptune transit at this time.

This energy will play out in the world in terms of propaganda, lies, smoke and mirrors, and those who would confuse the issues. We could also see or hear of water related weather conditions.

Saturn, Pluto and Venus: a peek into January 2020

Venus will conjunct Saturn and Pluto the week of December 8, at 19-21 degrees of Capricorn. We will feel this energy in the days before and a few days after. Venus conjuncts Saturn December 11 at 18 degrees of Capricorn, and then conjuncts Pluto December 13, at 21 degrees of Capricorn.

At the time of this post Saturn is rapidly approaching its conjunction to Pluto which is a major transit that will bring change in all our lives and on the world stage in 2020. This transit will peak on January 12, 2020 and will include Mercury in the mix along with the Sun.  This could be a tough few days for some relationships and some business matters. Look to be more affected if you have cardinal planets (Aries, Libra, Cancer and Capricorn) at 17-22 degrees.

While Saturn and Pluto are not yet conjunct or in non-astrological terms together, with the addition of Venus to the mix this powerful transit will be set off, showing us what to expect at least to a degree, during the pivotal month of January 2020.

Venus rules love, money and values and its conjunction to Saturn often makes people feel unloved and some relationships could end if this aspects your chart.

The alternative to this is a day you have to do something for a loved one that requires steadfastness. For example a surgical procedure, court appearance or something like this that requires your help could occur. It could be a necessary but not especially pleasant responsibility.

Venus conjunct Pluto tends toward obsessive thoughts and feelings about romance, love or money. Relationship issues may become compulsive and you may dig deeply to get answers. Pluto can however, transform, for better or worse.

This will play out on the world stage in significant ways. Expect to see new information connected to impeachment proceedings in the US, elections in the UK and other problems in the hot spots world. Also look for issues connected to trade, women, scandals, corruption and big business.