January 2024; Pluto enters Aquarius!

 

2024 has finally arrived..Happy New Year!  There are many changes in January but none more important than Pluto moving from Capricorn into Aquarius, so the bulk of this newsletter will be devoted to this major event that will change our lives and change the world in major ways!

During January and every other month this year we are floating in a sea of Neptunian energy with both Saturn, the planet of structure and Neptune, the planet of illusions and dreams are both in Pisces. The end result of this is a year of confusion for many that is no different than things have been since March of 2023 when Saturn first entered Pisces. Is it real or are we just being gas lit?  This will be the lingering question in 2024. On the other hand, this may be a very creative year for those inclined in this direction and there is no telling the fabulous art and spiritual knowledge we can gain in 2024. Note- Saturn and Neptune in Pisces will be conjunct, or together January of 2026 and this will be another pivotal time and the Peak of all of the Neptunian energy.

January 1^st, Mercury turns direct at 22 degrees of Capricorn. While this is good news, remember it is stationary direct from January 1st-January 5^th, and this is frequently when things change direction once again so I would not start any new projects until after this period.

Mercury will remain in Sagittarius until January 23^rd, when it re-enters Capricorn once again and we can pick up where we left off in early December.

Mars enters Capricorn January 4^th and Venus joins Mars in Capricorn January 23^rd. This duo will dance together until February 13^th. When Mars and Venus travel together this presents unique opportunities for those looking to meet new people. If you are a Capricorn, Taurus or especially Virgo you have a greater than normal chance of meeting someone special at this time. Look at your chart and count the houses from the ascendant to discover where Capricorn falls in your chart.

Mars in Capricorn January 4^th-February 13th

Mars in Capricorn is ruled by planet Saturn, called the taskmaster by astrologers. Saturn is the planet of structure, restrictions and hard work. It rules the 10^th house of business and priorities and it is here our interests will lie during Mars transit through Capricorn. Mars is considered ‘exalted’ in this sign, which means the energy operates smoothly and easily so we can accomplish a great deal more now than during other times.

Capricorn is not a light hearted or frivolous sign. Mars in this placement is concerned with achievement, finding value in what we do, and stability.  Mars-Capricorn will enable us to harness the action oriented energy of Mars and direct and focus it in a patient and strategic manner toward whatever we want to accomplish.

Venus enters Capricorn January 23^rd-February 16th

Capricorn is ruled by Saturn, the planet of structure, work and responsibility and this will set the tone with our love interests as well as our values and the way we approach money matters and work until March of next year.

Venus in Capricorn gives love and social activities a more traditional, enduring and committed flavor. The focus will shift from fun and good times (Sagittarius) to the more practical side of love, which is of course necessary if there is to be a future together.  For example, rather than spending on a 10 day cruise with your significant other, you may decide to save for a home or something else significant and lasting.

Love and friendships may take on a more committed or serious tone during this period. Many will be looking for ways to make our lives and loves more real in a tangible sense.

Venus in Capricorn is interested in the practical side of love and romance. Our focus may shift to a more traditional outlook and concerns with questions like where would we live and how do we pay for it?

Sun-Pluto in Capricorn

January 19th, the Sun conjoins Pluto in the sky, only to move into Aquarius the next day. Sun-Pluto transits are harsh, especially if they hit your chart. Capricorn is a patriarchal and no nonsense sign sign and since 2008 we have seen the results. Look for this to be a stressful day in the world, and tomorrow, the Sun conjuncts Pluto in Aquarius which will be significant as well.

The Sun enters Aquarius January 20^th-February 19^th

When the Sun leaves Capricorn for Aquarius it is time to relax a little from the seriousness of Capricorn and take the time to approach things in a more open minded and receptive manner.  Capricorn is a sign associated with work and results while Aquarius is more about expanding our world, socializing and interacting with others and looking into new ideas and ways of doing and approaching things. Each sign has its purpose which shifts as the Sun changes signs.

Aquarius rules the 11^th house of the zodiac which is associated with groups, friendships and the collective so it is here our interests will lie over the next month.

While both Capricorn and Aquarius are ruled by Saturn, the planet of structure and responsibility, Aquarius has a co-ruler; Uranus. Uranus is the planet of unpredictability, changeability, freedom and innovation. Uranus is known for its quirkiness and at times sudden and unexpected change that can surprise and in some cases shock. Don’t be surprised at the unexpected twists and turns that may occur over the next month.

Uranus turns direct January 27^th

Uranus is an erratic and unpredictable planet in astrology that rules many things including electricity, aircraft, technology, revolutions, innovations, inventions and freedom which can take many forms. Each year Uranus retrogrades for about 5 months.

When Uranus is retrograde energies are more bottled up, and the individual becomes aware of the need for change in whatever area of the chart Uranus is transiting.  When Uranus turns direct those energies are often acted on either by design or at times it could seem the changes are coming at you. Events involving Uranus often seem shocking, but they are usually the inevitable result of a situation that is no longer working and Uranus wakes us up to what is really occurring in our lives for better or worse. While retrograde Uranus may seem ‘asleep,’ but as it turns direct we can experience brilliant ideas and epiphanies or in some cases shocking change.

Typically when Uranus changes direction we see significant world events occur.

New Moon in Capricorn January 11^th

We are in the Capricorn season and this is the companion New Moon. Capricorn rules the 10^th house of business and career. The New Moon peaks at 20 degrees.

This Moon trines Uranus which can be an opportunity to look at things in a new light. It also sextiles Uranus which is associated with compassion and creativity.

It conjuncts Pluto but with a very wide orb which means the energy is not as strong as it could be. Moon-Pluto aspects can relate to emotional issues, issues with women or family members. At times new information is revealed.

Pluto enters Aquarius January 20^th-September 3^rd

The 0 degree of any planet is known as the ‘world point,’ meaning events occur that we are interested in on a global as well as personal basis. When Pluto changes signs we typically see many events, especially on the world stage begin to shift and change; often in sudden and dramatic ways as soon as the planet enters the sign.

When Pluto enters Aquarius it is conjunct the Sun in Aquarius as well. This makes the entrance of this most powerful planet even more significant especially on the world stage. The Sun in mundane astrology rules leaders, rulers of countries and Presidents.

If you have a fixed planet (Taurus, Leo, Scorpio or Aquarius) in your chart at 0-3 degrees you will be affected to a greater degree than others, depending on what else if anything Pluto is aspecting. This will strongly affect those born April 19-23, July 22-26, October 23-27^th and January 20-24. If any of these dates represent your birth date you can expect significant changes throughout the year and possibly over the several days before and after the Sun and Pluto enter Aquarius.

If you are a Taurus born on those dates you could experience major career change. Leo can experience major change in marriage or partnerships. Scorpio will experience change in terms of home/family and Aquarius will experience major personal changes and a change of direction in all likelihood.

Since Pluto entered Aquarius for the first time late March-early June of 2023 if you were born on the above dates, you should have an idea of what to expect based on what happened earlier in 2023.

Full Moon in Leo January 25th

January’s full Moon falls at 5 degrees of Leo. This opposes the Sun/Pluto conjunction in Aquarius, while it also squares Jupiter creating a t-square which pulls in the energies of all planets involved. The Moon’s exact opposition to Pluto occurs January 24^th at 11:53PM, EST, so we can expect this to be a stressful moment, or number of days.

The combination of Pluto, Jupiter and the Moon can be an explosive mix that could erupt and explode without warning, especially on the world stage, but in our lives as well.

Moon-Pluto transits tend to bring up deep seated issues from the past and can reveal information concerning money, sex or relationships that can seem obsessive in nature.

With Pluto’s recent entrance into Aquarius look for this Moon to concern certain global events that could include bragging, grandstanding, propaganda and toxic politics and unexpected events. This will not be a light time.

This Moon looks significant in the chart of Joe Biden, Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelenskky to name only a few.

The role of Pluto

In astrology, Pluto rules the collective and is very significant in terms of world events and changes, although it is also significant for us on a personal level depending on what it is aspecting in your personal chart.

Pluto destroys and tears down to rebuild. It is supposed to rebuild in a stronger way, although it may not seem like this at the time if you are experiencing a hard Pluto transit in your chart. When a Pluto aspect occurs-positive or negative-it is going to change something, ready or not.

Pluto enters each sign with a bang

When Pluto entered Sagittarius in early 1995, we soon lived through the Oklahoma City bombing just a few months later, along with the assassination of Yitzhak Rabin and an end to US President Bill Clinton’s efforts to bring about peace between Israel and the Palestinians. It is ironic this issue has resurfaced at this time again, and hopefully Pluto in Aquarius will bring about a solution. The eyes of the world are on the Middle East and it’s hard to know what Pluto will do. Time will tell.

When Pluto entered Scorpio November 6, 1983 a bomb exploded the next day in the Senate Wing of the Capitol, apparently in retaliation of the US’s invasion of Grenada. 1983-84 also saw the rise of AIDS deaths in the US and around the world. This was a significant cycle and changed sex and relationships among other things with the advent of AIDS.

The sign Aquarius

Aquarius is the sign of the collective and the natural ruler of the 11^th house which also rules the collective. On an individual level we may be drawn to certain groups, organizations or philosophies that become important. The downside of this is that we can become too attached to our own ‘groups’ and ideas and fail to acknowledge that others can have good ideas as well, whether in a political or some other sense.

Since Aquarius is co-ruled by Uranus technologies will certainly boom, and we can already see the beginning of this with AI. Personally, I think this represents the future along with many ideas we may not even be able to conceive of at the present. 20 years before the internet boomed few individuals could foresee that it would change the world and society as we know it.

While Aquarius is a sign associated with war, it is also the most Democratic of signs. Democracy will become more important around the globe as ‘the people’ will rise up against authoritarian type rulers and governments during these years. Let us not forget the last time Pluto was in Aquarius the world saw both the American and French revolutions.

 While the true ‘Age of Aquarius’ timeline is somewhat elusive and mysterious, with the entrance of Pluto into Aquarius we will certainly feel this is the “Age of Aquarius,” and will be influenced by Aquarian themes such as;

-unexpected and explosive events

-new discoveries and understandings

-new technologies such as AI, but many more along with medicine

-uprisings around the globe associated with restrictions people no longer accept.

-aircraft/spacecraft and new technologies. Have you noticed how the US government has finally admitted they don’t know what UFO’s are. This is only the beginning and if there is ever a time we will discover more it is in these next 20 years with Pluto in Aquarius.

-stronger friendships with a greater emphasis on friends

- Some of the events that occurred when Pluto was in Aquarius 1777-1798

- Vermont became the first colony to ban slavery (1777) and the Vermont legislature moved to provide full voting rights to African American men.

--The American Revolution was being fought

-France entered the Revolutionary War

-The French Revolution occurred

-US drafts the dollar

-George Washington became first US President

-US Constitution drafted and signed

Pluto in Capricorn

When Pluto entered Capricorn January of 2008, it was followed by the US banking crisis, the harbinger of what was called ‘The Great Recession.” Many lost their life savings and the globe was thrown into financial chaos.

While Pluto in Capricorn has been about big business, patriarchy and plutocrats, Aquarius will be the opposite in the long run. While we have seen the rise of right wing extremism around the world, we will see the rise of the people and the desires of the majority as opposed to being governed by the few or a minority. None of this will happen overnight however, and it is important to remember that Rome wasn’t built in a day and the problems of the world won’t be all solved with this transit of Pluto. We are constantly a work in progress and will remain this way.

Pluto’s last dance in Capricorn

When Pluto makes its final swing through Capricorn at the end of 2024 it remains at 29 degrees. The 29^th degree is considered a critical degree, when we feel as though there is only a short time to make corrections.

Capricorn is the sign ruled by Saturn and Saturn is seldom easy. Very little has been easy in the world since Pluto’s entrance into Capricorn although there are always those who will prosper depending on what the planets are aspecting in their or your personal chart. The 29^th degree of any planet is considered the anaretic degree which means we feel there is only a short time to accomplish something. This is a critical and dangerous degree in the world as we have recently seen with all of the news.

If you are a Cardinal sign born in the last several degrees of that sign (Cancer, Libra, Aries or Capricorn) you will feel this energy more acutely at the end of this year, just as you have in December of 2023 and most of January 2024.

When Pluto finally re-enters Aquarius for the 3^rd time November 20^th, 2024 it will remain in this sign for 20 years. While it is not the focus of this newsletter, in 2025 Saturn, Uranus and Neptune will change signs as well, taking humanity to a different place altogether. I will end by saying it appears to be a re-start for humanity in a very positive manner.

‘We are stardust
We are golden
And we've got to get ourselves
Back to the garden’

Mercury is retrograde!

 

Mercury turns ‘stationary retrograde’ in Capricorn December 13-15th, and then begins its backward motion.  While 'stationary retrograde,' or even stationary direct, Mercury is at its most frustrating. This is the point where glitches and changes often occur and it may even be hard to think.

Retrograde Mercury is the planet that causes delays, glitches, breakdowns in computers and equipment, relationships, slowdowns and brings hidden factors to the surface. It is however part of a natural cycle, and this period is meant to recess, redo and reconsider plans and situations in our lives.

Plans can be put on hold, miscommunication can occur, relationships can end or change, and cars, computers and other machinery can break down at the most inopportune moment.

When planets retrograde, their effects on humans are different than when in direct motion. Thinking is deeper, situations often appear to go underground for a time, or change altogether, and sometimes our focus shifts. Mercury retrograde is the most talked about retrograde, because it is a fast moving planet that controls our thinking, speech, travel, and cognitive skills.

When Mercury retrogrades, I always tell people, ‘Mercury retrograde is a wild card.” Sometimes, relationships can be fixed and problems brought out into the open if it is worth saving. Sometimes the karma of a relationship will play out as retrograde cycles are karmic in nature.

 Expect delays, changes of plans and try and not have situations set in stone.  In other words, prepare to be flexible.  Mercury retrograde is often a frustrating time to be looking for a job.  Don’t give up though, just keep plugging on and stay on top of all communication. And make sure you are direct and to the point in your communication with others.  If you don’t understand what someone is telling you, by all means ask for clarification. When Mercury is retrograde it often reveals information we ned to know to move forward.

It is important to understand this process is nothing to fear although it can be maddening.  No is the time to re-access and re-do, not start or buy new things.  This is a natural cycle and more can be gained by going with the flow of it, than by fighting it.

As Mercury is in Capricorn we will be concerned with the basics: business, security, work, home and family, money.

Don't:

-Get married

-Buy a new car

-Buy expensive items or computers

-Paint or re-decorate unless planned well in advance and there are no guarantees even then

-Start new businesses

-Sign documents if it can be avoided

-Start new ventures

DO

-reconnect with those from the past

-Plan and re-access

-reconsider investments, job situations and moves, or anything else

-Clean out closets or anything else

-reconsider alternatives

Mercury re-enters Sagittarius

December 23^rd, Mercury re-enters the sign ruled by Jupiter where it will spend the rest of the retrograde.

When Mercury enters Sagittarius again we will repeat the last part of the Mercury is Sagittarius cycle that occurred November 26 -December 1. Does anything come to mind about this time, or has something been left unfinished? If so, don’t be surprised if the same things don’t re-occur as Mercury reenters Sagittarius.

Mercury turns direct

The planet of communication goes direct January 2^nd at 22 degrees of Sagittarius. Once again the stationary direct phase is the most frustrating and things can change direction once again.  Even though Mercury is direct, the cycle really isn’t yet over. The stationary direct phase will last from January 2-January 5^th, and is often a significant time. After the 5^th, Mercury slowly returns to normal, but is not out of its shadow period until January 20^th, when once again things return to normal.

The final New Moon of 2023 in Sagittarius

 

This month’s New Moon falls at 20 degrees of Sagittarius and the lunar peak occurs on December 12^th at 6:32PM, EST. Sagittarius is ruled by planet Jupiter and is the natural ruler of the 9^th house of travel, education, world view and foreign places and people. We may hear news of courts and laws with this Moon since the 9^th house also rules the legal world and foreign people and places. Education may be another issue in the news and at the time of this post the Presidents of Harvard, MIT and the University of Pennsylvania are being called on by some to resign over Anti-Semitism.  

As of late the New and Full moons have been especially harsh and this one is no exception. The Moon squares Neptune and opposes Mars.

The Moon’s square to Neptune leans toward powerful dreams, intuitive experiences, compassion and confusion.  Neptune transits tend to confuse the issue, obscure the facts and in some cases represent gaslighting.  All in all, this is not a good few days to make any important decision. Moon-Neptune aspects lean toward anxiety in individuals who are prone to this as well as drug and alcohol issues if they are already present. This Moon however, is not powerful enough to bring on issues like this that don’t already exist.

Moon-Neptune aspects are often associated with water related weather conditions like the tornadoes that swept across Tennessee leaving devastation and death in its wake.

Neptune’s opposition to Mars can be indicative of anger, frustration and upset especially among or toward women. Blow ups can occur along with emotional upsets and conflicts. The best way to handle this energy is to focus on the positive, and avoid situations and people that can contribute to these types of emotions. Physical exercise can be helpful at this time, and at times a transit like this signals busyness and activity.

Since Mercury turns retrograde on the same day as the New moon, events connected to the New moon may not play out immediately but at some point before the Full Moon on December 27. 

2024 astrology; Pluto in Aquarius is the game changer!

 

The most significant transit of the year and perhaps even the decade will be Pluto’s entrance into Aquarius on January 21^st. Pluto will remain here until September 2-November 19, 2024 when it makes one final return to Capricorn for that 2 months period. Pluto then re-enters Aquarius November 19^th, and will remain in this sign until January of 2044! Pluto in Aquarius will change the world as we know it.

Based on many things including the US natal chart, I do not believe 2024 will be a year that is any less stressful than 2023, I hate to say. Couple this with the fact that it is an election year, even more so.

Pluto in Aquarius

The 0 degree of any planet is known as the ‘world point,’ meaning events occur that we are interested in on a global as well as personal basis. When Pluto changes signs we typically see many events, especially on the world stage begin to shift and change; often in sudden and dramatic ways as soon as the planet enters the sign.

If you have a fixed planet (Taurus, Leo, Scorpio or Aquarius) in your chart at 0-3 degrees you will be affected to a greater degree than others, depending on what Pluto is aspecting.

Fixed Sun signs this year will experience a great deal of change this year if you were born;

-April 19-23 Taurus

-July 22-26 Leo

-October 23-27^th Scorpio

-January 20-24^th Aquarius

If you are a Taurus born on those dates you could experience major career change. Leo can experience major change in marriage or partnerships. Scorpio will experience change in terms of home/family and Aquarius will experience major personal changes and a change of direction in all likelihood.

Since Pluto entered Aquarius for the first time late March-early June of 2023 if you were born on the above dates, you should have an idea of what to expect based on what happened earlier this year.

The role of Pluto

In astrology, Pluto rules the collective and is very significant in terms of world events and changes, although it is also significant for us on a personal level depending on what it is aspecting in your personal chart.

Pluto destroys and tears down to rebuild. It is supposed to rebuild in a stronger way, although it may not seem like this at the time if you are experiencing a hard Pluto transit in your chart. When a Pluto aspect occurs-positive or negative-it is going to change something, ready or not.

When Pluto entered Sagittarius in early 1995, we soon lived through the Oklahoma City bombing just a few months later, along with the assassination of Yitzhak Rabin and an end to US President Bill Clinton’s efforts to bring about peace between Israel and the Palestinians. It is ironic this issue has resurfaced at this time again, and hopefully Pluto in Aquarius will bring about a solution. The eyes of the world are on the Middle East and this alone can change the situation.

When Pluto entered Scorpio November 6, 1983 a bomb exploded the next day in the Senate Wing of the Capitol, apparently in retaliation of the US’s invasion of Grenada. 1983-84 also saw the rise of AIDS deaths in the US and around the world. This was a significant cycle and changed sex and relationships among other things with the advent of AIDS.

Aquarius is the sign of the collective and the natural ruler of the 11^th house which also rules the collective. On an individual level we may be drawn to certain groups, organizations or philosophies that become important. The downside of this is that we can become too attached to our own ‘groups’ and ideas and fail to acknowledge that others can have good ideas as well, whether in a political or some other sense.

Since Aquarius is co-ruled by Uranus technologies will certainly boom, and we can already see the beginning of this with AI. Personally, I think this represents the future along with many ideas we may not even be able to conceive of at the present. 20 years before the internet boomed few individuals could foresee that it would change the world and society as we know it.

While Aquarius is a sign associated with war, it is also the most Democratic of signs. Democracy will become more important around the globe as ‘the people’ will rise up against authoritarian type rulers and governments during these years. Let us not forget the last time Pluto was in Aquarius the world saw both the American and French revolutions.

 While the true ‘Age of Aquarius’ timeline is somewhat elusive and mysterious, with the entrance of Pluto into Aquarius we will certainly feel this is the “Age of Aquarius,” and will be influenced by Aquarian themes such as;

-unexpected and explosive events

-new discoveries and understandings

-new technologies such as AI, but many more along with medicine

-uprisings around the globe associated with restrictions people no longer accept.

-aircraft/spacecraft and new technologies

-stronger friendships with a greater emphasis on friends

- Some of the events that occurred when Pluto was in Aquarius 1777-1798

- Vermont became the first colony to ban slavery (1777) and the Vermont legislature moved to provide full voting rights to African American men.

--The American Revolution was being fought

-France entered the Revolutionary War

-The French Revolution occurred

-US drafts the dollar

-George Washington became first US President

-US Constitution drafted and signed

Pluto in Capricorn

When Pluto entered Capricorn January of 2008, it was followed by the US banking crisis, the harbinger of what was called ‘The Great Recession.” Many lost their life savings and the globe was thrown into financial chaos.

While Pluto in Capricorn has been about big business, patriarchy and plutocrats, Aquarius will be the opposite in the long run. While we have seen the rise of right wing extremism around the world, we will see the rise of the people and the desires of the majority as opposed to being governed by the few or a minority. None of this will happen overnight however, and it is important to remember that Rome wasn’t built in a day and the problems of the world won’t be all solved with this transit of Pluto. We are constantly a work in progress.

Pluto’s last dance in Capricorn

When Pluto makes its final swing through Capricorn at the end of 2024 it remains at 29 degrees. The 29^th degree is considered a critical degree, when we feel as though there is only a short time to make corrections.

Capricorn is the sign ruled by Saturn and Saturn is seldom easy. Very little has been easy in the world since Pluto’s entrance into Capricorn although there are always those who will prosper depending on what the planets are aspecting in their or your personal chart.

If you are a Cardinal sign born in the last several degrees of that sign (Cancer, Libra, Aries or Capricorn) you will feel this energy more acutely at the end of this year.

Pluto’s entrance into Capricorn 2024

When Pluto enters Aquarius on January 21^st, it will be followed by a full Moon in Leo January 25^th. Since the Moon will oppose Pluto and square Jupiter, we can expect to see major events, even turmoil in the world around this time. Mars also conjuncts Mercury which signifies arguments, fighting and accidents.

Pluto also squares Jupiter with a 6 degree orb. This transit is typically associated with terrorism. Look for changes in the world, issues concerning love and children, and volatility at this time.

The world has been a mess with Pluto in the latter degrees of Capricorn in 2023; the war between Hamas and Israel, the Ukraine-Russia was genocide in Africa, political turmoil in the US. I could go on but will stop here. We will have one final pass of Pluto in Capricorn and we can expect it to be intense.

Saturn in Pisces

2024 is the 2^nd year Saturn transits through Pisces as it began its cycle March of 2024 and retrograded all the way back to 0 falls of 2024. This year it will transit from 3-19 degrees of this sign.

Pisces Sun signs

If you are born under the sign Pisces, then Saturn is in your sign until mid-February 2026 when it leaves for Aries. The last time Saturn transited through Pisces was January 1994-April 1996. To remember and relate as an adult to what Saturn did during its last transit through this sign you would need to be at least 48 years old.

When Saturn transits your sign and in particular your Sun, it is a significant turning point in life most of the time. Many things can change and happen during this time and in some respects it acts as a re-set in some way. In a young person this can sometimes coincide with things like starting college, entering the work force or other major events.

This is not necessarily the easiest time in life but it is generally a significant time. For women, the Sun in your chart rules men, in particular the boyfriend, husband or Father. There could be changes in these areas, but it depends on where the Sun is in your personal chart and other aspects that may be occurring.

In a man’s chart the Sun rules the Father as well, but again, what happens depends on where Saturn lies in the chart.

In either case, as Saturn moves away from the Sun it can be akin to starting over in some way. This is not necessarily negative. In some cases it may be, but if so things will change for the better as Saturn begins to move away from the Sun.

Saturn will conjunct your Sun this year if you were born between February 23^rd and March 11^th. Otherwise, it will occur over the next 2 years.

Saturn in the US chart

Saturn in Pisces will transit through the US chart’s 3^rd house. The 3^rd house rules neighborhoods and transit and is one of the houses concerning communication. It rules roads, bridges, railways and public travel. It is one of the communication houses and rules the Post office, internet and relations with neighboring countries.

It is a fact that US infrastructure is crumbling which is what the “Inflation reduction Act’ of 2022 was originally geared toward; infrastructure. At the time of this post 40,000 projects are aimed at rebuilding America. Of course Saturn in the US 3^rd house won’t be limited to this, but it will be a part of it, and the time for rebuilding is right.

Following are the aspects Saturn will make in the US chart in 2024.

Saturn trines Venus and Jupiter-January 1-29^th. These are positive aspects. Saturn-Venus can deal with women’s issues, finance and issues concerning those considered partners to the US. Saturn trine Jupiter could relate to some type of bi-partisan legislation or agreements.

Saturn squares Uranus- February 8-16^th. This aspect is prone toward unexpected events and is not necessarily positive. When this last occurred May-July 2023, the US experienced numerous mass shootings, political disagreements and infighting and turmoil over social issues, in particular relating to legislation concerning gender identity, gender changes and abortion issues.

Saturn trines the US Sun-march 25^th-April4th and October 7^th-December 24^th. This is generally a positive and stabilizing aspect for the country and the Sun represents the President who will be successful at this time.

Saturn opposes Neptune and squares Mars-Saturn will not be exact in its opposition this year but will fall within 4 degrees which will have an affect in June-July. Mars rules the US 7^th house of open enemies. The aspect will be exact in 2025.

Saturn-Mars indicates police action and anger and Saturn opposing Neptune can be a depressing transit. 30 years ago when this occurred we saw the Oklahoma City bombing.

 Jupiter conjuncts Uranus in Taurus; 2024 and 1941

What happens when Jupiter and Uranus meet up? Unpredictability of course, since this is what Uranus represents. Both Jupiter and Uranus are in the sign of Taurus which rules money. This sign is also connected with farming therefore food, land and agriculture, and Taurus is ruled by Venus, the planet of love, beauty, values and women under 50. The peak period of this transit is the last 8 days of April. Jupiter however, has an orb of 10 degrees so we will be dealing with this influence from mid-February until Jupiter moves into Gemini May 26^th.

Jupiter conjunct Uranus almost certainly has to do with money and finances which can go either way. Since Venus deals with values and women it is likely we will also be dealing with issues concerning women as well as our collective Values.

Every 14 years or so Jupiter catches up with Uranus and this is not all bad. We could see major medical or technological developments and we could see some colorful reboots such as societal upheavals or cultural breakthroughs. We saw the first Moon landing on Jupiter’s conjunction to Uranus in Libra and Uranus rules aircraft. More news concerning the government’s information on UFO’s? Possibly.

What happens in your life depends on how this conjunction hits your chart. If Taurus is making a positive aspect with planets in your chart you could have some unexpected opportunities or your career could boom. If it is at a bad angle you could suffer some setbacks. If you have planets in Cancer, Virgo, Capricorn or Pisces at 20-23 degrees, you should see some unexpected gain. Fixed planets or Taurus, Leo, Scorpio and Aquarius at the same degrees will have a more difficult time.

The last time Jupiter was conjunct Uranus in Taurus was in 1941 which was a pivotal year in world history. That year, it was a triple conjunction however that also involved Saturn, and Saturn conjunct Uranus is an aspect of global upheaval. This time, Saturn is not in the picture, thankfully.

1941 was the year Pearl Harbor was bombed on December 7^th. This lead to the US’s entrance into WW11. This year also saw Germany’s invasion into Russia and the US was in a still in a recession that began in 1929.By the end of 1941 however, the US came out of Great Depression after 12 years. The US sent a great deal of aid to our European allies in 1941.

Since Taurus is ruled by Venus there were gains for women that year. It was the year of Rosie the Riveter when women in the US went to work in factory jobs to supplant the war effort because their husbands were at war. There will surely be some benefits for the US as the Jupiter-Uranus conjunction will trine Neptune in Virgo in the US chart. Uranus however, is unpredictable and it may not all be positive.

Jupiter enters Gemini

Jupiter  or the planet of gain and expansion leaves Taurus for Gemini on May 25^th, 2024-June 9^th, 2025.

Gemini rules the 3^rd house of communication and its planetary ruler is Mercury, the planet of speech, communication, learning and travel. In the chart it rules how we think, speak and communicate within ourselves and with others.

The last time Jupiter transited Gemini was June 2012-June 2013.

When Jupiter transits our sign, once every 12 years it is typically a positive year where we feel good and new opportunities can present themselves, so this will be a good year for Gemini, or anyone with Gemini planets, or planets aspected by Jupiter.

This will also work well for Aries (3^rd house-communication), Leo (11^th house-friends), Libra (9^th house education and travel), Sagittarius (7^th house-partners) and Aquarius (5^th house-children, friends, love).

Gemini is a mutable Air sign. Mutable signs are changeable and Air signs like to take action. We will be more interested in learning and will be more open minded and able to see all sides of an argument.

There will be a far stronger emphasis on the intellect and will have a greater chance of seeing other perspectives.

How Jupiter affects you depends on where it is transiting through your chart and this is where you will find your luck and joy.

Everyone will benefit in some way. Following are the meanings of Jupiter through the houses. If you know your ascendant use this, otherwise your Sun sign;

Aries-3^rd house of communication and learning.

Taurus-2^nd house of money and income.

Gemini-1^st house-expansion of the self.

Cancer-12^th house-Places of seclusion and deep healing of the subconscious mind.

Leo-11^th house of friends and groups (organizations).

Virgo-10^th house of career

Libra-9^th house of travel and education

Scorpio-8^th house of joint finances and other people’s money.

Sagittarius-7^th house of partners.

Capricorn-6^th house of work and health

Aquarius-5^th house of love and children.

Pisces-4^th house of home and family

Mercury retrogrades

Mercury retrogrades 3 or 4 times a year. Typically retrogrades are in the same element; Air, Fire or Water.

The first full retrograde occurs in the Fire sign of Aries April 2-25^th.

The second retrograde falls in the sign of Virgo on August 5^th. While Virgo is not an Air sign, Mercury will retrograde into Leo which is an Air sign and turn direct in Leo on August 28^th.

The third retrograde of the year falls in the sign of Sagittarius November 26-December 15^th.

Most people are familiar with retrograde Mercury. If you are not, it is a period when things can slow down, information revealed, and meetings and new job hires tend to slow down among many other things.

Things tend to break on retrograde Mercury whether it is your car or coffee pot.

Retrograde Mercury is part of the natural cycle where we are supposed to re-access what we are doing instead of going full steam ahead. It is deeply tied to the past and people from the past and is said to be karmic in nature.

Mars retrogrades

Every several years Mars, the planet of actions turns retrograde and it does so in 2024 on December 7^th-February 24^th, 2025. Mars begins its retrograde in Leo and in January retrogrades back into the sign of Cancer where it will turn direct.

The planet Mars rules our action, our egos and men. It also rules passion and sex, our ability (or inability) to assert ourselves, and how we pursue our goals. It is the planet that rules war and police as well as guns and violence which is why astrologers refer to Mars as “The God of War.” Mars placement and sign it occupies in your chart indicate how you approach your objectives, take action and in a woman’s chart it shows the kind of man she is attracted to (along with the Sun and Venus). Mars is typically associated with men and Venus with women. 

When we have a difficult Mars transit occurring by square or opposition especially, we typically suffer some type of setback, agitation or anger. Mars transits can also indicate surgery or accidents but typically this is not the case, as we will experience multiple Mars transits each year. If a difficult Mars transit occurs along with another more substantial transit it can play a role in major life changes or events, but this does not happen every day!

When Mars turns retrograde it can coincide with major events if it is aspecting your personal chart as well as significant world events. People complain of low energy, tiredness, frustration and anger. We often become more accident prone with retrograde Mars, and we may reconsider many different situations.

Retrograde Mars can affect your love life and is associated with our sex drive and how we approach this area of life. Some may experience a low libido or even lack of interest in sex—or just the opposite!  Relationships can change or end altogether with a retrograde Mars, but unless your relationship is in trouble anyway, it is unlikely it will end.

Beginning a new relationship on a retrograde Mars is questionable at best. Even if it seems as though things are going beautifully, it could change when Mars turns direct. If you are single it may be a good idea to take some time out for you.  Do the things you like, start a diet or exercise program in preparation for when Mars does turn direct. Just take a break from dating new people, or move forward at your own emotional risk.

Mars rules metal and this includes cars and knives. It is important to remember when the warrior planet turns retrograde we need to exercise more caution in our day to day activities so we don’t end up in the emergency clinic. Don’t take unnecessary risks on a physical level or while driving. Mars also rules or stamina and if you seem overly tired you may simply need more rest during this nine week period.

Mars will make some significant aspects but none as difficult as its opposition to Pluto that occurs twice; November 5^th-7^th Mars at 0 degrees of Aquarius opposes Pluto at 29 degrees of Capricorn and it will repeat itself January1st-6^th, 2025 in Leo-Aquarius. Do these dates sound familiar? They should if you live in the US since the first one represents the US Presidential election and the 2^nd date represents the certification of the US election on January 6^th and the proceeding days. Both dates will be volatile.

January 6^th, 2025. You will be directly affected if you have fixed (Taurus, Leo, Scorpio or Aquarius at 0-3 degrees. This is a harsh transit prone to anger and upsets and will play out in the world. I don’t look for the same problems we experienced in 2020 because I believe security will be greatly increased according to what I read but it does look volatile.

 2024 Eclipses

We will experience 4 eclipses in 2024, the most significant being the total solar eclipse on April 8^th. This eclipse has also been dubbed ‘The Great American Eclipse,’ just as the last total eclipse on August 21^st, 2017. The dates and signs for the other eclipses are;

March 25^th-Lunar eclipse at 5 degrees of Libra

April 8^th-Solar eclipse at 19 degrees of Aries

September 18^th-Lunar eclipse at 25 degrees of Pisces

October 2^nd-Solar eclipse at 10 degrees of Libra

The 2024 ‘Great American Eclipse’ eclipse falls in Aries, the planet ruled by Mars. Mars is our action and represents the way we approach things.  Aries rules the 1^st house or the self, and at this time we will be focused on what we want and need versus others on both an individual and global level. Mars/Aries can represent force and/or power on a global level.

Aries is also the sign that represents innovation so we may see new ideas and technologies that come to light around this time or in the near future and in this respect it is a harbinger of hope.

Mars conjuncts Saturn and this is considered a malevolent combination. The peak of this aspect will occur a few days later. On an individual level we may experience a certain amount of frustration. At times this can represent temporary blocks to progress or a slow burning type of anger.

Pluto is in Aquarius, the sign of the people or the collective and it reflects changing world circumstances. This represents a new beginning in many ways for humanity that will deal with innovation and technology as well as the people making their voices heard. Aquarius is a democratic sign. Pluto’s sextile to Venus may help transform relationships and take them to a higher level if circumstances permit this.

The Sun and Moon are conjunct as they are on every New Moon. This can amp up emotions for better or worse, especially with those closest to us.

Ancient astrologers believed the eclipse path showed where major events would occur. The 2017 Great American eclipse in Leo cut the country in half. Never in our lifetimes have we seen the US so divided.  This eclipse in Aries will also cross the country cutting it in half once again.

The 2017 eclipse began on the West coast, and this eclipse begins on the East Coast. The two paths cross and meet up in Texas. Will the country continue to be divided like in 2017? Since this is an election year, it seems the answer is yes.

The eclipse can be seen in totality from the following cities;

 

Mexico: Mazatlan, Durango, Ocampa, Palau, Piedras Nigras

U.S.A.: Austin, Waco, Tyler, Dallas-Fort Worth, TX; Hot Springs, LittleRock, Jonesboro, AR; Kennett, Poplar Bluff, Cape Girardeau, MO; Paducah, KY; Sparta, Carbondale, IL; Bloomington, Indianapolis, IN; Dayton, Akron, Cleveland, OH; Erie, PA; Niagara Falls, Rochester, Watertown, NY; St. Albans, Burlington, VT; Jackman, Presque Isle, ME

Canada: Kingston (ON); Montreal; Woodstock (NB); Tignish (PEI); Meat Cove (NS); Codroy, Gander (NL)

 

Your place is here and your time is now.

Happy New Year and all the best to you and yours! Leslie