Mercury: Irritations and innovations

Mercury enters Taurus this afternoon (April 27) and enters into a square with Saturn in Aquarius at 1 degree. Mercury square Saturn is irritating, tiring and slightly negative at times. You can however,  use this transit for critical thinking which can be helpful in some cases.

By April 30, Mercury is conjunct Uranus and we will feel the energy in the days before. This can be indicative of sudden and potentially brilliant ideas. If this happens to you write it down, as transits involving Uranus tend to disappear as quickly as they come to mind. There can be electricity in the air.

Use caution if driving as Mercury rules cars and can be indicative of accidents. This transit can also lead to erratic thinking, and if you are not well grounded you could experience mental instability or restlessness.

Uranus-Mercury transits lend themselves to sudden and unexpected news and information.  This weekend we experienced a Sun conjunct Uranus (unexpected events) along with the news N.K. leader Kim Jong-Un is either dead or in a vegetative state. The information is still unclear.

The Goddess of love and reason looks back

Venus turns retrograde May 13, at 21 degrees of Gemini where it will remain until June 25, when it turns direct at at 5 degrees of Gemini. It will remain in this sign until August 7^th when it enters Cancer. At the time of this post it has already entered the shadow period of its retrograde and energy is beginning to shift. Venus retrograde will be the time to look at the area of your chart Venus rules and prepare to re-access and re-view those things in the area of your chart Venus rules. A Venus retrograde is not the time to buy art, have cosmetic surgery, purchase anything expensive that relates to beauty, or get married or engaged.

Venus in Gemini

Venus is in Mercury’s sign and this means love energy is more intellectual than physical which seems to fit the times with Covid-19 quite well. The sign Gemini is associated with the intellect, thinking, ideas and reason.

Gemini is about adaptability, flexibility, and the evolution of ideas and thought.  It is during this period our thoughts and communication may become more open minded.  Ideas that have outlived their usefulness may be replaced with new ones, and we may all be a little more reasonable in our judgments, ideas, and attitudes that are formed during this time.

Gemini rules all forms of communication whether written, verbal or electronic. May and June are about communication within ourselves and others.  This includes the communication within our psyche of the constantly running mental tapes we all listen to-the ideas we have formed either correctly or incorrectly that color our world, our thoughts, reactions to others and activities. Now is the time to re-examine those mental tapes and determine if they are hindering or helping us in our lives and relationships with others. 

Those who were born with Venus in Gemini or another air sign may appreciate this period more than others, and those born with a retrograde Venus in Gemini will appreciate this period most of all as a time to reflect and re-design their emotional lives. Gemini is about the intellectual concept and value of love much more so than smoldering passion.

Relationships can change

 Love can slow down, and people often change their minds, or change their partners in a retrograde cycle of Venus.

As Venus retrogrades we have an opportunity to rethink and re-access our relationships with others and those closest to us. Love energy may be harder to come by during this period, but we may compensate for this by loving ourselves more. Feelings and intellect may become more defined giving clear ideas, originality and intuition, and an appreciation for all that is light and airy in relationships

If you begin a new relationship on a retrograde Venus it is said the love energy is never fully expressed. If this is the case, things could also change after Venus turns direct again and energy shifts. Venus retrograde is sometimes associated with those we have known in the past. At times we can reconnect, or take many trips down memory lane whether positive or negative.

Venus retrogrades repeat by sign every 8 years

Venus retrogrades every 18 months. The last retrograde of Venus was October 5-November 17^th, 2018 in Scorpio-Libra. The retrograde period lasts about 42 days. The last time Venus was retrograde in Gemini (as it will be May-June) was May-June 2012, and 8 years earlier May-June 2004. Before this it was retrograde in Gemini May-June 1996.  It can be interesting to look back at these periods and remember what its affect was in your personal life. Venus repeats it’s retrograde in the same sign every 8 years. You could experience something similar to the Venus retrograde in 2012 as Venus turned retrograde then at 24 degrees of Gemini, and turned direct at 8 degrees which is very close to its retrograde degree this time.

Venus retrograde and its karmic affect

Venus retrograde affects love, money and our social lives. When it is retrograde all of these things can become more difficult in some way, but at the same time we can gain more clarity as to where we are going and who we are going there with. Venus retrograde has a karmic affect and at times our love lives can take dramatic shifts one way or another.  The karma of relationships sometimes play out and relationships can end, or come back together. If a relationship comes back together it was meant to, and if one ends at this time it is granting you the freedom to find someone more appropriate.

Venus squares Neptune: Illusion

Venus enters a lengthy square to Neptune on May 4^thwhich will continue through May 23. Venus square Neptune is a confusing transit especially relating to love and money. Feelings are often confused or confusing and new information can be revealed. Venus begins its square May 4^th, and turns retrograde in its square with Neptune May 14. It will make one more contact with Neptune again July 27-28 after it has gone direct. Re-occurring themes can crop up during these times, or it could represent a larger cycle concerning something or someone specifically.

For some this time can manifest as magical and things can seem beyond the ordinary. Creativity, dreams and visions can be at an all time high. For others it is simply a confusing period with a lack of clarity. It is important during these times to remember that Neptune represents illusion, and this can include self illusion so it important to keep our feet on the ground now matter how perfect (or imperfect) things may seem. At worst this could represent a transit of theft that could involve money, possessions or even the heart. If anything seems too good to be true, it probably is.

Venus squares Mars

Another significant date is June 3, when Venus (retrograde) will square Mars. This can bring up friction and jealousies and it is not the time to be distracted by a passing shadow that in the end may do nothing but take you off course.

Venus turns direct, Mercury retrogrades

Venus rules women and Mars rules men and both will retrograde this year. Venus turns direct June 25, but by this point Mercury is retrograde (June 18). By the time Mercury turns direct July 12, we should be in touch with our feelings and know where we are going emotionally.

All of this will occur just before Mar’s powerful retrograde September 9^th when the energies will become more difficult as it clashes with the cardinal planets-in particular Saturn, Jupiter and Pluto.

Love, money and values

Venus retrograde will affect our personal lives and it will play out in the world as well. Venus retrograde will be followed by Jupiter’s retrograde on May 14, and this places both of the financial planets in a retrograde position. This means money may come in more slowly and it could have an overall economic affect as well as an affect on the progression of covid-19.

The US chart will be affected by Venus retrograde. During this time as a collective we will be forced to re-evaluate what is working, what is not, and what we value as individuals as well as a collective, and make changes toward those ideas that do not serve the majority well.

The Lord of the Underworld retrogrades

Pluto is the planet of change and transformation and is often referred to by astrologers as ‘The Lord of the Underworld.” If you are experiencing a Pluto transit you can expect significant change in your life in whatever part of your chart Pluto is aspecting. In mythology Pluto took Proserpina, the daughter of Ceres to the underworld to be his wife.

Pluto turns stationary retrograde April 25, and will remain in its retrograde position until October 4, when it turns direct again at 22 degrees of Capricorn.  Pluto retrogrades every year and is in fact retrograde nearly half of the time.

Pluto’s retrograde is typically significant and will especially be the case this year as it is conjunct Jupiter and both plants will be squared by Mercury in Aries.

Jupiter conjunct Pluto deals with extremes of all types and increases whatever it touches. This transit can have fanatical overtones.  We have seen this play out in the collective with Covid-19 which appears to have reached a peak during Jupiter’s last conjunction with Pluto the last week of March and the days after. As Mercury squares both Jupiter and Pluto we can expect to hear more news, or previously unknown information may be revealed at this time. On the world stage this can relate to medicine, foreign entities, the financial markets, bailouts and of course Covid-19. This will be a heavy few days news wise. We can expect the mood to be argumentative and prone to power struggles and those who try to push their agenda on others. This will be a few days of major revelations and information coming to light.

Pluto in the US Natal chart

In the US chart, Pluto turns retrograde conjunct Mercury in the US 8^th house of death, and international finance.  Mercury rules communication and the written word along with young people. Pluto has been conjunct Mercury (in the US chart) since late February when it became apparent Covid-19 was a going to be a major pandemic with loss of life affecting the young and the old. While Pluto’s retrograde will eventually move off the US Mercury and the mood will lighten up some, this heavy aspect will return once again to 24 degrees in late December 2020, and it will make several more passes in 2021. Many changes will occur between now and then and the ramification of this energy will be with us for some time to come.

Mercury square Pluto

Mercury square transiting Pluto is an obsessive transit prone to over-thinking matters or trying to figure something out. It can be good for getting to the bottom of some answer you are searching for but it can also lend itself toward arguments, and obsessive thinking that may be difficult to let go of until this transit passes.

On a personal level you can find out new information. Mercury square Jupiter is typically pleasant but things may be blown out of proportion, whether positive or negative. This would manifest as a pleasant transit if Pluto was not in the mix.

Cardinal planets at 23-25 degrees

Pluto retrograde is a significant shift if you have Cardinal planets-Aries, Cancer, Libra or Capricorn at 23-25 degrees. If so significant changes can occur at this time, depending on what else is in your chart. If you are experiencing a Pluto transit something significant is changing in your life and the retrograde period is typically the most trying.

Many issues relating to joint monies and investments, partnerships and sex will begin to be internalized during this period allowing us to look at things from a different viewpoint. Pluto is about making deep change that goes beneath the surface. One way of looking at Pluto’s retrograde is destruction of that which is no longer working, which will now become obvious. Pluto wants to uncover things and bring them from the darkness or hidden realm and into the light so positive change may occur.

Power struggles and delving beneath the surface

Issues involving power or power structures may appear to lose steam during this time, but they are not really going away, they are just going underneath the surface, where activity is still occurring that can be significant when Pluto turns direct again. In a sense we are backing up, to reconsider ideas and new information.

When Pluto turns direct again long term power issues will surface again both in our personal lives and the world. But, as Pluto retrogrades we have the opportunity to look at things from a different perspective and effect a transformative change.

New Moon in Taurus: Love, money and unpredictability

The April 22 new moon falls at 3 degrees of Taurus. It conjuncts Uranus and squares Saturn setting off the current Saturn-Uranus square. Saturn square Uranus is one of the major cycles of human evolution. The last square between these planets occurred July 1999-May 2000 with Saturn in Taurus and Uranus in Aquarius. This time it is exactly the opposite with Saturn in Aquarius and Uranus in Taurus. These cycles coincide with worldwide upheaval and change and are often indicative of economic changes. This is only the beginning of this powerful square and it will not complete until 2022. It will occur three times in 2020.

Taurus is the sign ruled by Venus, the planet of love and values, and it is one of the financial planets. It’s conjunction with Uranus can create an exciting energy subject to sudden change or ideas, or it can create  nervous tension and unexpected events depending on what it aspects in your personal chart. On its own the changes could be good or bad. You could make some kind of internal shift or change or let go of something that has outlived its purpose.

The Moon’s square to Saturn is a difficult transit and can tone down the upheaval and unpredictability of Uranus, but it can also feel restrictive and depressing. Many people have been in isolation for a while now, and this can become wearing at this time, with a strong desire to break free of limitation.

Venus trine Mars is a positive transit indicative of a desire to interact with others especially romantic interests, but with the Moon’s restrictive aspect this may not be possible.

This is significant new moon with its aspect to the Uranus-Saturn square. In the world we can expect unexpected events that can relate to the earth or weather, stock market and financial swings, issues concerning women, isolation and quarantine and global finances. Uranus can also indicate explosive events, explosions and rebellions.

The Cardinal clashes of April 2020

The Sun is currently in Aries, and on April 11, Mercury enters Aries as well and we are in the Aries season. Aries rules the first house of the zodiac or the self, and its planetary ruler is Mars, the planet of action, aggression and the ruler of young men. Aries is a fire sign that can denote bravery, as well as impatience.

The sign and planets in Aries create a square or a clash with Jupiter, Pluto and Saturn all in Capricorn. These planets together-along with Neptune in Pisces-are responsible for state of the world at this time. The Sun and Mercury clash with each of these powerful planets. When they do we will encounter more news and obstacles as a collective, and they will affect our personal lives as well.

There will also be a clash of mutable planets when the Sun and Mercury move into Taurus. I will list those as well.

Some of these dates will deal with news of Covid-19, but it is not limited to this.

Here is a rundown of what’s coming:

April 14-The Sun squares Pluto. This is an intense day and we can look for issues concerning power and control, corruption, loss, endings and this will be a major news day. On a personal level this is a day to be aware of your ego as well as others. Some things could transform or change.

April 15, The Sun squares Jupiter. This is typically pleasant although things could be blown out of proportion. We could hear news of courts and the law. Overindulge and you will pay the piper later.

April 21-The Sun in Taurus squares Saturn in Aquarius. This is tiring, negative energy prone to having to deal with responsibilities. News of money, financial markets.

April 25-Mercury squares Pluto and Pluto retrogrades. Another major news day with obsessive overtones. New information will be revealed.  Pluto rules death, control and power. This can be a day of deep digging for an answer and in this respect can be successful. With Pluto’s retrograde we will have to back up and reconsider our options but Pluto will move back at the point it has been this spring (24 degrees of Capricorn) by late December and at that time it will be determined what we have learned and how far we have advanced.

April 26-Mercury squares Jupiter and the Sun conjuncts Uranus. Sun conjunct Uranus has do with sudden and unexpected news. It could deal with financial markets, inventions, money or earth related events. Uranus rules explosions, explosive circumstances, coups, aircraft, earthquakes, electronic communication. Mercury square Jupiter is typically pleasant but can blow things out of proportion. This can be a day of abrupt changes or excitement and taking new and different approaches.

April 28-Mercury squares Saturn. This is a tiring, draining and potentially discouraging day. Responsibilities are front and center.

April 30-Mercury conjuncts Uranus –Sudden and unexpected news that could relate to finance or earth related matters. Brilliance can be revealed on a transit like this, but it can make some nervous and jittery.

Venus in Gemini: Don't bore me!

Venus moves into Gemini at 1:11 PM, EST where it will remain until August 7. Venus rules love, money, beauty and values. Venus typically spends a month or so in each sign, but will be in Gemini (Mercury’s sign) until August 7, due to its retrograde.

Venus retrograde is not the time to get married, engaged, buy art or have plastic surgery or invasive beauty enhancements. The shadow period of the retrograde begins on April 9. Venus retrogrades May 13-June 25. When it turns direct it will spend another 6 weeks in the sign.

Venus in Gemini means love is ruled more by intellect than emotions. Venus in this sign does not like to be bored, and is interested in travel, new things and fun. The way to the heart with this sign is through the intellect.  Venus in Gemini likes conversation and action, not sitting in front of the TV.

Mars in Aquarius is a good match for Venus in Gemini over the next month and a half, especially for Air signs.

I find that with Venus in Gemini chivalry is not really dead; it’s just on the back burner waiting to come out when Venus enters Gemini. It is time to lighten up as the planet of love is going to be in this sign for quite a while and with the state of the world, this may be a good thing!