Astrology Guide to Gemini Season May 20–June 20: Venus Retrograde in Gemini

Note: This will be my last monthly astrology guide for the time being. I plan to still post occasionally when I have something worth writing about a particular transit or time period, but I am taking a break from regular guides to reconsider and reconfigure my work / life / side-hustle balance. To stay up to date on my occasional astrology writing and other tarot/astrology projects, you can join my mailing list here.

The context at the beginning of Gemini Season: 

Just after the Sun enters Gemini on May 20, Venus (moving retrograde through Gemini since May 13) hits her second square with Neptune. Mercury has only just come out from under the beams of the sun to become visible as an evening star, and is applying to a head-on conjunction with retrograde Venus. The Moon begins Gemini Season exalted in Taurus but closely conjunct disruptive Uranus. Mars is in watery Pisces with Neptune. Saturn is moving retrograde through the early degrees of Aquarius, which he traditionally rules. Jupiter and Pluto are moving retrograde through Saturn’s other domicile Capricorn. The Moon’s nodes have recently moved into Sagittarius and Gemini, meaning we’ll be seeing eclipses in those signs over the next year and a half, including a penumbral lunar eclipse this Gemini Season.

Venus Retrograde in Gemini

As I mentioned in my astrology guide to Taurus Season, Astrologer Nick Dagan Best has described Venus retrogrades as times when social conventions come up for review. For this Venus retrograde in Gemini from May 12–June 25, it is pretty easy to pick out a few social conventions that are in the process of changing (social greetings, face masks, isolation, etc.), though there are bound to be some surprises as well. With Venus retrograde completing three exact squares with nebulous Neptune, we can expect pretty things and creature comforts to be especially distracting at this time. With Mercury conjoining Venus in a tight square with disorienting Neptune on May 22 (coinciding with the new Moon right at the start of Gemini Season!), we can expect some of the trappings of  Mercury retrograde as well such as problems with communications and technology (and even more so when Mercury actually stations retrograde in Cancer near the end of Gemini Season on June 17).

Note: I’m posting this a little late (about a week into Gemini Season), and the beginning of Gemini Season has already seen some major social “norms” come into question.

Twitter’s fact checks and flags on recent tweets from President Trump prompted him to sign an executive order reinterpreting a 1996 law that affects the liability of social media companies for content posted by users (the law went into affect just before another Venus retrograde in Gemini, which occurs regularly on an 8-year cycle). While it is unlikely to hold up legally, this order has called into question the role of social media companies in protecting users from false and/or harmful content, the sometimes conflicting First Amendment rights of social media companies and their users, and under what circumstances might a social media company be considered a publisher and held responsible for content posted by users.

But most notably, the tragic murder of George Floyd, an unarmed black man, by a white Minneapolis police officer has spurred nationwide protests and has drawn significant attention to the issue of police brutality against Black People. It is difficult to know what changes may come from this tragedy (and difficult to be optimistic when racism and violence against Black People have been baked into U.S. culture from the very beginning). Yet there is still hope that this may be a tipping point. We can’t afford to be patient or complacent. BLACK LIVES MATTER.

Astrology Guide to Taurus Season 2020: Saturn and Mars in Aquarius, and Several Planets go Retrograde

The planetary context at the beginning of Taurus Season

The Sun enters Taurus on April 19 applying closely to a Square with Saturn, setting the tone for a Saturn-tinged Taurus Season. Mercury, having passed through a retrograde and other disorienting misadventures in Pisces, begins Taurus season in much better condition moving quickly through mid-Aries. Venus is slowing down in Gemini in preparation for her retrograde period. Mars and Saturn are both in Saturn’s home sign of Aquarius. Jupiter and Pluto are both in Saturnian Capricorn along with the inauspicious South Node.

Notes on the astrology of Coronavirus/COVID-19:

The exact Saturn-Pluto conjunction in January coincided pretty closely with the spread of the new Coronavirus picking up momentum.

Several signifiers in Capricorn indicated “massive expansion” or “exponential growth.” Pluto is associated with extremes of scale (like a grain of sand compared to the size of the galaxy), and astrologer Alan White used to say that Pluto makes big stuff small, and small stuff big. A perfect example: something as small as a virus spreading to inhabit the entire world. Jupiter, another signifier of expansion, joined Saturn and Pluto there at the start of December, around the time of the first known cases in Wuhan, China. Jupiter is usually a positive influence, but is pretty much doing the bidding of strongly placed Saturn, who rules the sign they are sharing. Mars joined the group in mid February, lending speed and malefic influence to an already dire situation.

Saturn and Mars in Aquarius

Saturn and Mars entered Aquarius and conjoined there late in March. Since the exact conjunction, the two planets have been separating. Slow moving Saturn has stayed in the early degrees of Aquarius while Mars has continued marching on through that sign. But with the two traditional malefics in the same sign for the majority of Taurus Season, it is still one of the defining signatures of this time.

Mars tends towards speeding up while Saturn tends towards slowing down, and the two often don’t combine well (as we have seen from their time together in Capricorn since mid February. So far, we have seen: 

• a will to quickly get individuals tested for the virus come up against regulatory tape and delays and problems with the tests

• rapid spreading of this disease simultaneous with the slowing down of daily life and economic activity as more and more people are staying in.

As Taurus Season begins, we are seeing a fractured response to the pandemic in the U.S. with a few states speeding to reopen (Mars) while most so far are remaining under some version of stay-at-home orders (Saturn). We can expect to see a lot more of this tension between reopening the economy and staying isolated for public health and safety at least until Mars enters Pisces on May 12. Peaks in this tension may occur around April 20 (Sun square Saturn), April 28 (Mercury square Saturn), and especially May 10 (Mercury square Mars as Saturn stations retrograde). I don't hold much hope for national agreement on the issue or a more cohesive federal response anytime soon. The first window for something closer to a consensus (or coordinated) approach may be late June with Mars and Saturn in their domiciles (Aries and Aquarius) in a harmonious sextile with one another, though this is a short-lived transit with many positive and negative indicators occurring simultaneously. More on that transit in future posts….

Saturn, Venus, and Jupiter all go retrograde

The end of Taurus season is primarily characterized by three planets stationing retrograde in quick succession: Saturn on May 10, Venus on May 12, and Jupiter on May 14.

Saturn retrograde in Aquarius, heading back toward Capricorn.

I’m not expecting Saturn’s retrograde station on May 10 to trigger any major fireworks (leave that to the Mercury-Mars square on the same day). The significance of Saturn’s retrograde period this year—in keeping with the outermost visible planet’s slow nature and slow retrograde cycle—will take time to actualize, with most of the drama occurring after Saturn moves back into Capricorn in early June, shifting the world’s attention back to some of the Saturn-Pluto difficulties we’ve already seen (disagreements over borders, inequality, isolation) and perhaps peaking in the fall when Saturn approaches within 3 degrees of Pluto before stationing direct and heading back towards Aquarius.

Venus retrograde in Gemini

Astrologer Nick Dagan Best has described Venus retrogrades as times when social conventions come up for review. For this Venus retrograde in Gemini from May 12–June 25, it is pretty easy to pick out a few social conventions that are in the process of changing (social greetings, face masks, isolation, etc.), though there are bound to be some surprises as well.¹

Jupiter Retrograde in Capricorn

With Jupiter in fall in Capricorn, in the domicile of strong and malefic Saturn, and under the influence of Pluto (also in Capricorn), Jupiter has been less indicative of his usual positive significations like abundance and more indicative of malefic twists on those themes like the “abundant” spread of a virus to become a global pandemic. This retrograde won’t help Jupiter get back to his benefic self; in fact, the retrograde motion will lead to two more conjunctions with Pluto—one in late June and one in November, both of which are near to Saturn whose dark influence reigns Capricorn.

Notable Transits:

• Apr 20 Sun square Saturn: Extra emphasis on Saturn. With the bright, hot sun squaring dim, cold Saturn, there is a tension between opposite alternatives.

• Apr 22 New Moon in Taurus: Though the moon is exalted in Taurus, a square with Saturn and applying conjunctions with Uranus make this New Moon very unpredictable.

• Apr 24-25 Mercury squares Pluto and Jupiter as Pluto stations retrograde: We may see important information coming out about Covid 19 and the government response to it. With Mercury in the inferior position to Pluto and Jupiter it may seem too little too late, or it may be dwarfed by more negative, sensational news.

• Apr 25 Sun conjunct Uranus: This may be a particularly restless or rebellious day.

• Apr 27 After racing through Mars ruled Aries, Mercury moves into Taurus: I’m not expecting the news cycles to slow down too much, but many will find it easier to stay grounded despite the noise with Mercury in Taurus. Overall, Mercury transiting Taurus (4/27-5/11) is good for taking time to process the information that’s coming in and sort out what is useful and accurate (though this may be more difficult around April 30 when Mercury conjoins Uranus).

• Apr 28 Mercury square Saturn: Extra emphasis on Saturn. 

• Apr 30 Mercury conjunct Uranus: This transit may come with disruptions in communication and technology, but may also come along with fresh, groundbreaking ideas.

• Apr 30 First Quarter Moon: Though not close degree-based aspects, the Moon is making a sign-based opposition with Saturn and Mars, bringing strong malefic influence to this moon phase.

• May 3 Venus square Neptune: Many will experience this as a creative and nostalgic time. Venus has been closely chasing a trine with Mars that never goes exact, which potentially brings in a romantic element or passion project that never quite goes anywhere. Pretty things and creature comforts may be particularly distracting around this time.

• May 4 Mercury cazimi: A moment of insight, or secret coming to light.

• May 4 Nodes enter Sagittarius and Gemini: After a year and a half in Cancer and Capricorn, the lunar nodes (points where eclipses happen) shift into Sagittarius and Gemini. We haven’t yet seen the last eclipse in Cancer or Capricorn, but this is still a welcome shift away from the constant emphasis on the Saturn-Pluto action that we’ve seen with the most recent eclipse cycles.

• May 7 Full Moon in Scorpio: With the moon in Fall in Scorpio applying to a square with Mars (and a sign-based square with Saturn), this is a particularly rough Full Moon not well suited to manifesting anything positive.

• May 9-10 Mercury trine Pluto and Jupiter: These may be days for good (or at least somewhat reliable) news regarding the spread of COVID-19

• May 10 Saturn Retrograde: A little extra emphasis on Saturn, though the biggest implications of the Saturn Retrograde will come in June and later in the year as Saturn moves back into Capricorn and nears Pluto. (See above for the details).

• May 10 Mercury square Mars: Communication may be aggressive, and potentially negative. This may also be a day where we hear more about reopening from COVID shut-downs (Mars) than we hear about the shut-downs themselves (Saturn).

• May 11 Mercury ingress Gemini: Mercury enters their domicile Gemini in the best shape they’ve been in for quite some time.

• May 12 Mercury trine Saturn: News may skew back toward shutdowns (as opposed to reopenings.

• May 12 Mars ingress Pisces: Mars gets a little space from Saturn (giving us a little breathing room too). Mars in Pisces with Neptune gives off Don Quixote vibes (railing against imagined enemies), so we can expect this to mark a time of misplaced aggression based on bad information, conspiracy theories, or just unchecked impulses.

• May 12 Venus Retrograde: Changing social conventions (see above for more details)

• May 14 Jupiter Retrograde: Further weakening of Jupiter, who may be even less able to stand up to the malefic influences of Saturn and Pluto.

• May 14 Third Quarter Moon in Aquarius: This 3rd Quarter Moon, co-present with Saturn in Aquarius and applying to a conjunction with Mars, has a strong malefic influence.

Moon Phases:

Apr 22 New Moon in Taurus

Though the moon is exalted in Taurus, a square with Saturn and applying conjunctions with Uranus make this New Moon very unpredictable.

Apr 30 First Quarter Moon

Though not close degree-based aspects, the Moon is making a sign-based opposition with Saturn and Mars, bringing strong malefic influence to this moon phase.

May 7 Full Moon in Scorpio

With the moon in Fall in Scorpio applying to a square with Mars (and a sign-based square with Saturn), this is a particularly rough Full Moon not well suited to manifesting anything positive.

May 14 Third Quarter Moon in Aquarius

This 3rd Quarter Moon, co-present with Saturn in Aquarius and applying to a conjunction with Mars, has a strong malefic influence.

Astrological Elections for Taurus Season:

Electional Astrology is the practice of choosing auspicious times to take an action or begin a project based on the astrology of that moment. Here is an election I noticed while studying this time period.

• May 13 5:52-7:43am. In my area, Somerville, MA, this is especially good around 6:05am with Mercury on the Ascendant and the moon on the midheaven. If you are somewhere else in the world, be sure (at the very least) that Gemini is rising. This election is great for 1st house matters (the self, physical appearance), 4th house matters (the home), and 9th house matters (travel, higher education, spiritual development). Avoid initiating anything related to relationships or career. Topics related to children, creative projects, and mental health may have unpredictable outcomes.

• May 14 5:50-7:40am. In my area, Somerville, MA, this election will work best at 6:55am with Venus on the Ascendant and the moon on the midheaven. If you are somewhere else in the world, be sure (at the very least) that Gemini is rising. 

Notes:

1. Every eight years, Venus goes retrograde at almost the exact same day and almost the exact same spot in the Zodiac. We can look to these eight year repetitions to see what themes may present themselves in the upcoming Venus retrograde in Gemini. Very close to the time Venus stationed retrograde in Gemini in 2004 and 2012, important events in the history of U.S. marriage rights occurred (the first legal same-sex marriage in the U.S. and President Obama’s public endorsement of marriage rights for same-sex couples, respectively). Perhaps the institution of marriage—or at least traditional weddings—will be “up for review” as early wedding season comes when there are no major gatherings happening at all.

I present to you “The Cherophant.” The Hierophant is the Major Arcana card in the tarot that is associated with Taurus. Cher is everyone’s favorite Taurus. I originally made this image in collaboration with Jeff Hinshaw for the Queen of Taurus segment of his podcast, Cosmic Cousins.

Astrology Guide to Aries Season 2020: Saturn and Mars in Aquarius

The context at the beginning of Aries Season: 

The Sun enters its sign of exaltation Aries at the end of the day on March 19, just minutes before the stroke of midnight (in the Eastern time zone, anyway). Mercury, having recently finished a rough retrograde period, is in it’s shadow period retracing its steps through Pisces and approaching a disorienting conjunction with Neptune in that sign. Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, and Pluto are gathered in Saturnian Capricorn along with the inauspicious South Node. One bright point in the chart is Venus in her home sign of Taurus, just far enough to be mostly out of the influence of disruptive Uranus (also in Taurus).

Notes on Coronavirus/COVID-19:

The Saturn-Pluto conjunction is a big deal. It only happens every few decades, and it historically coincides with periods of war and oppression (including World War I and World War II). We've been experiencing the effect of Saturn and Pluto sharing the same sign for over 2 years already through the themes of oppression, borders, nationalism and xenophobia—Saturnian themes blown out of proportion by Pluto—but the exact Saturn-Pluto conjunction was in January (as the spread of Coronavirus was picking up momentum).

There are currently multiple signifiers Capricorn indicating “massive expansion” or “exponential growth.” Pluto is associated with extremes of scale (like a grain of sand compared to the size of the galaxy), and astrologer Alan White used to say that Pluto makes big things small, and small things big. A perfect example: something as small as a virus becoming as big as the world. Jupiter, another signifier of expansion, joined Saturn and Pluto there at the start of December, around the time of the first known cases in Wuhan, China. Jupiter is usually a positive influence, but is pretty much doing the bidding of strongly placed Saturn, who rules the sign they are sharing. Mars joined the group in mid February, lending speed and malefic influence to an already dire situation.

In early to mid January, the Sun and Mercury were also in Capricorn. Around the time of the Mercury cazimi (Mercury conjunct the sun, usually indicating a moment of clarity), The CDC published an emergency health advisory regarding the alarming outbreak of pneumonia cases of unknown origin in Wuhan, China (which was seemingly largely ignored). The Saturn-Pluto conjunction went exact in mid January, and the first known case in the US occurred shortly after, with Saturn and Pluto still sharing the same degree.

Saturn and Mars in Aquarius

After 3 years in Capricorn, Saturn enters Aquarius late on March 21 (just before midnight Eastern Time). Slow moving Saturn will stay in the early degrees of Aquarius This will hit everyone’s chart a little bit differently, but many will experience this as a slight decrease in the combined intensity of the difficult Saturn-Pluto-South Node-Mars activity in Capricorn. If you’ve been denying or resisting the difficult times we have found ourselves in with the Coronavirus pandemic and it’s economic and social impacts, the beginning of this transit (March 21-March 31) may come in the form of acceptance—or at least resignation.

Subsequently, we can anticipate an overall re-escalation of difficulties and conflicts (both internal and external) as Mars enters Aquarius and conjoins Saturn there on March 31—especially with Jupiter applying very closely to a conjunction with Pluto in Saturns other sign of Capricorn at that time. In other words, the planets together in Capricorn that have been most relevant to Coronavirus will have divided up into 2 signs, but remain intensely interconnected.

Mars tends towards speeding up while Saturn tends towards slowing down, and the two often don’t combine well (as we have seen from their time together in Capricorn since mid February. We’ve seen a will to quickly get individuals tested for the virus come up against regulatory tape and delays and problems with the tests. We’ve seen the rapid spreading of this disease simultaneous with the slowing down of daily life and economic activity as more and more people are staying in. Given present circumstances, it’s safe to say that many will experience the exact Mars-Saturn conjunction on March 31 as intense stir-craziness. But I fear it may also indicate a further acceleration of the pandemic combined with further stalling of the world economy.

Notable Transits:

• Mar 20 Mars conjunct Jupiter in Capricorn. Good for tasks requiring assertiveness. Experiences will be mixed, depending on whether you are on the giving or receiving end of the aggression.

• Mar 21 After 3 years in Capricorn, Saturn moves into Aquarius, for a temporary stay through early July. More details below.

• Mar 22 Mercury in Pisces sextile Uranus in Taurus. Venus in Taurus sextile Neptune in Pisces. Moon in Pisces. Looks like a potentially dreamy, creative day—if you allow yourself the freedom to daydream.

• Mar 23 Mars conjunct Pluto. Escalation of hostility and conflict. If there were specific martial events in your life on March 20, this may be a continuation (and intensification) of that narrative.

• Mar 24 New Moon in Aries square the nodes. Changes in fortune/momentum. Things look like they are going one way, but begin to go another. A new beginning.

• Mar 27 Moon and Venus in Taurus trine Jupiter. This is a very strong position for the Moon and Venus. Could be a good day for love, friendship, creativity, gatherings, and potentially finances.

• Mar 30 Mars ingress Aquarius, transiting through mid May (more below)

• Mar 31 Mars conjunct Saturn in Aquarius.

• Apr 3 Venus ingress Gemini

• Apr 3 Mercury conjunct Neptune (retrograde-like)

• Apr 4 Jupiter conjunct Pluto

• Apr 7 Mars square Uranus - struggle against restraints

• Apr 7 Full Moon in Libra with sun in degree of exaltation in Aries

• Apr 10 Mercury in Aries

• Apr 14 Sun square Pluto and Jupiter

• Apr 17 Mercury sextile Venus (in Gemini)

• Apr 18 Mercury (in Aries) sextile Mars and Venus

Moon Phases:

Mar 24 New Moon in Aries square the nodes. Changes in fortune/momentum. Things look like they are going one way, but begin to go another. A new beginning.

Apr 7 Full Moon in Libra with sun in degree of exaltation in Aries

Astrology Guide to Pisces Season 2020: Retrograde Mercury Floundering in Pisces

Quick note at the time of posting this: For the next 24 hours only I have the perfect thing on Kickstarter to help you get through this rough Pisces Season. It also makes a great gift for the Pisces in your life: http://kck.st/2Sp4yBt

The Context at the Beginning of Pisces Season

The Sun enters Pisces on February 18, joining Neptune and a badly debilitated retrograde Mercury already in that sign. Most will experience that Mercury retrograde as the most significant transit of Pisces Season. More on that below.

Additionally at the start of Pisces Season, the long term stellium in Capricorn (Jupiter, Saturn, and Pluto) is recently joined by Mars (just a couple days earlier) and the moon (the very day the sun enters Pisces) putting extra emphasis on this overall dark, Saturnian part of the chart.

Venus is in fall in Aries, but moving toward her home sign of Taurus where Uranus waits.

Here’s what you’ll need to know!

Mercury Retrograde in Pisces (and Post-Retrograde Shadow Period)

Mercury’s movement through the zodiac is retrograde from Feb 16—Mar 9, triggering miscommunications, plans going awry, and tech malfunctions. Many will find this Mercury Retrograde extra disruptive, since Pisces and Neptune can also interfere with Mercury’s normal functions. Afterwards, you can expect to be revisiting (and fixing) the Mercury retrograde issues during the Post-Retrograde Shadow Mar 9-23. Unfortunately Mercury will remain weak in Pisces and afflicted by Neptune into April.

So how can you prepare? I’ve said this before and I’ll say it again: like all transits, this will affect every person differently. But there’s actually a pretty good way to predict the types of issues and themes that may come up this Mercury retrograde! There was a Mercury Rx in Pisces with Neptune in March of 2019, and you are likely to experience this one similarly. Check a diary, date book, social media, or email archive to jog your memory about what was happening in your life at that time.

Avoid overbooking your schedule for this time period. While you can’t (and shouldn’t!) put your life on hold just because of the retrograde, you should absolutely be careful (and, if possible, avoid) signing contracts, purchasing technology, and starting Mercury-dominant projects (things requiring lots of communication/planning/technology).

Stellium in Capricorn: Pluto, Saturn, Jupiter, Mars

Mars enters Capricorn just before Pisces Season begins, and will remain there with Pluto, Saturn, and Jupiter for the full month of the sun’s time in Pisces (and a little longer). Mars is actually in very nice condition in Capricorn—as is Saturn—but having the two traditional malefic planets in this sign will only serve to emphasize the dark Saturn-Pluto themes that have been playing out since late 2017 like conflict, oppression, borders, and walls.

Notable Transits

• Feb 18-20 Moon in Capricorn emphasizing malefic themes in Capricorn. Conflict, oppression, borders.

• Feb 23 New Moon in Pisces emphasizes Mercury retrograde and Neptune. Problems with communication and technology may be a little more apparent on this day.

• Feb 25 Mercury retrograde cazimi. Things are going to feel a little hazy this Mercury retrograde, but when Mercury conjoins the sun on the evening of the 25th there may be the moment of clarity or insight you are looking for.

• Feb 28 Venus square Pluto—watch out for an emotional escalation.

• Mar 3 Mercury moves back into Aquarius. While Mercury is still retrograde, this marks the beginning of a brief respite from Mercury’s extreme debility in Pisces with Neptune.

• Mar 4 Venus moves into domicile sign of Taurus—great for Venus things (love, friendship, art, beauty).

• Mar 7 The Sun-Neptune conjunction is one final emphasis on Mercury retrograde before Mercury stations direct a couple days later.

• Mar 8 Venus-Uranus conjunction. Venus in Taurus loves stability, and Uranus's tendency toward destabilization is harshing her mellow. Some folks may be able to wrangle some extreme creativity out of this transit. Most will probably have better luck with Venus activities once this conjunction is a few days behind them.

• Mar 9 Mercury stations direct (the retrograde is over!) but remains in post-retrograde shadow through the March 23.

• Mar 15 Mercury moves forward again into Pisces, covering the same ground as the retrograde. Expect to revisit the same themes and fix some of the problems from the retrograde.

Moon Phases:

This Pisces season, all the major moon phases place extra emphasis on a floundering Mercury. Expect some extra Mercury issues on these dates (see “Mercury Retrograde in Pisces” section above for details).

• Feb 23 New Moon emphasizing Neptune and Mercury retrograde—confusion, not enough information, being "in the dark"

• Mar 2 1st Quarter Moon—some emphasis on Neptune and Mercury retrograde

• Mar 9 Full Moon in Virgo—heavy emphasis on Neptune as Mercury stations direct.

• Mar 16 3rd Quarter Moon—slight emphasis on Neptune and Mercury retrograde shadow

Image of The Moon card from my Space Cat Tarot—a work in progress

The sign of Pisces is a dream-like territory where boundaries and categories dissolve away. Quick-thinking, logical Mercury is going to flounder (get it?) through a retrograde period here—especially in the presence of Neptune.

Astrology Guide to Aquarius Season 2020: Mercury Retrograde in Pisces

The Context at the Beginning of Aquarius Season

Aquarius Season begins as the sun enters Aquarius on January 20 just a few days after Mercury. Saturn and Pluto remain closely conjunct in Capricorn continuing to bring conflict, as Jupiter gradually catches up in that sign. Venus is in her sign of exaltation, Pisces, with Neptune—bringing a soft, kind, and creative influence at an otherwise dark and Saturnian time. Mars begins Aquarius Season in Sagittarius, and Uranus remains in Taurus.

Mercury Retrograde and Pre-Retrograde Shadow Period in Pisces

Mercury stations retrograde a few degrees short of Neptune on Feb 16, just a few days before Aquarius Season ends and Pisces Season begins. But we’ll spend much of Aquarius Season in Mercury’s Pre-Retrograde Shadow period (the time when Mercury is moving forward through the part of the Zodiac it will soon be passing backwards through). Plans and actions from the pre-retrograde shadow period (Feb 2-15) may have to be revisited during the retrograde.

Mercury is in it’s detriment in the sign of Pisces, and Neptune in Pisces casts extra fog over Mercury. With a badly debilitated Mercury, the shadow period leading up to Mercury Retrograde may feel a lot like the retrograde itself. You can expect the typical Mercury Retrograde stuff from February 2nd or 3rd through the end of Aquarius season and all the way through Pisces Season: miscommunications and problems with information, plans, and technology.

Like all transits, this will affect every person differently. There was a Mercury Rx in Pisces with Neptune in March of 2019, and you are likely to experience this one similarly. Check a diary, date book, social media, or email archive to jog your memory about what was happening in your life at that time.

Notable Transits:

• Jan 24 New Moon in Aquarius square Uranus - a very "Aquarian" New Moon

• Jan 26-28 Moon-Venus-Neptune Square Mars: Venus conjoins Neptune almost exactly as Mars hits a square (90° angle) to those planets. The moon catches up on the 28th. A little bit "Don Quixote", a little bit Casanova? Try to avoid conflicts on these days - you probably don't have all the information. On the upside, it could be experienced as a particularly creative or inspiring time.

• Feb 2-15 Mercury Rx pre-shadow period. Plans and actions at this time may have to be revisited during the retrograde.

• Feb 3 Mercury enters Pisces, joining Neptune there. Pisces is a rough sign for Mercury, and Neptune is a rough planet for Mercury. With a badly debilitated Mercury, this shadow period leading up to Mercury retrograde may feel a lot like the retrograde itself.

• Feb 5 Venus in degree of exaltation (27 pisces). Do something romantic! Do something creative! It will likely happen pretty naturally with this lovely Venus.

• Feb 7 Venus enters Aries. The exalted Venus doesn't last long before entering Mars's sign of Aries (where Venus is in detriment). Happily, this transit will be over in a month and Venus will move on to her home sign of Taurus.

• Feb 16 Mercury Rx in Pisces: problems with communication, information, plans, and technology

• Feb 16 Mars in Capricorn - Mars can often be worked with productively in Capricorn, but the additional malefic emphasis on Saturn and Pluto is not ideal.

Moon Phases:

• Jan 24 New Moon square Uranus. It's a very "Aquarian" free-thinking New Moon with the strong Uranus influence, and Aquarius’s traditional ruler Saturn in his other domicile Capricorn.

• Feb 1 1st Quarter Moon in Taurus; somewhat Uranus flavored (unpredictable, likes to shake things up)

• Feb 9 Full Moon in Leo: little planetary influence on this one, other than a loose sign-based square with Uranus.

• Feb 15 3rd Quarter Moon in Scorpio. The Moon isn't the most comfortable in the sign of Scorpio, and is applying to an aspect with malefic Saturn - though it’s a relatively harmless sextile aspect. While it’s not looking overwhelmingly positive, I'm not too concerned about this brief transit.

Astrology Guide to Capricorn Season 2019-2020: Saturn-Pluto Conjunction

The Context at the Start of Capricorn Season

Capricorn Season begins with the Winter Solstice on December 21. The sun joins Jupiter, Saturn, and Pluto in Capricorn, where Saturn and Pluto are approaching a conjunction that only happens about once every 35 years, marking the peak of the dark Saturn-Pluto themes that have been playing out since the end of 2017—like conflict, oppression, borders, walls (and border walls). Venus has just left Capricorn and is transiting Saturn's other sign: Aquarius. Mars begins Capricorn Season at home in Scorpio. The slow moving outer planets Neptune and Uranus remain in Pisces and Taurus respectively.

Saturn-Pluto Conjunction Peak January 10-13

The exact Saturn-Pluto conjunction is a big deal. It only happens every few decades, and it historically coincides with periods of war and oppression (including World War I and World War II). We've been experiencing the effect of Saturn and Pluto sharing the same sign for over 2 years already, so we kind of know what to expect at this point. But the exact conjunction on January 12 will likely register as a more overt or intense manifestation of those themes—especially with the extra emphasis provided before and after by the nearby Mercury cazimi (Jan 10), lunar eclipse opposition (Jan 10), Mercury conjunctions with Saturn and Pluto (Jan 11), and then sun conjunctions with Pluto then Saturn (Jan 13). In other words, the days of January 10-13 will all have a lot of emphasis on Saturn-Pluto themes.

In world events, we are likely to see news regarding escalation of conflicts and widespread oppression. Don’t be surprised if old clashes over geo-political boundaries intensify or new ones crop up.

On a personal level, folks with Capricorn placements (sun, moon, rising, and personal planets) are more likely to feel the effects of the transit on a personal level—especially if those placements are near 22° of Capricorn. This could manifest as a connection or heightened sensitivity to the events on the world stage, or other intense manifestations of the Saturn archetype (depression, anxiety, injury, setbacks).

Notable Transits:

• Dec 25-26 Christmas Annular Solar Eclipse in Capricorn. Eclipses are not typically auspicious times to start new things, and this one is definitely not an exception. Eclipses often bring change—best to roll with it.

• Dec 27, Sun conjoins Jupiter exactly and the Moon conjoins Saturn and Pluto, emphasizing all the good and bad elements of the stellium in Capricorn.

• Dec 28 Mercury enters Capricorn. Mercury will act out Saturn themes via communication and technology for most of Capricorn Season (until ingressing into Aquarius on Jan 16).

• Jan 2 Mars enters Sagittarius where it will remain for a month and a half. This may be experienced as a reduction in energy and motivation. For most, it won't be too significant until the first half of Aquarius Season.

• Jan 10 Mercury cazimi with lunar eclipse opposite. Secrets may come to light.

• Jan 11 Mercury conjoins Saturn then Pluto

• Jan 12 Saturn-Pluto conjunction: Peak point of Saturn-Pluto themes like oppression, borders, walls (and border walls), 

• Jan 13 Sun conjoins Pluto then Saturn.

• Jan 13 Venus (love, art) enters Pisces and will remain there (exalted!) through Feb 7

• Jan 16 Mercury ingress Aquarius

• Jan 17 Moon-Mercury-Uranus T-square in fixed signs. This configuration suggests new radical ideas may come into conflict with the status quo. If mutually exclusive options present themselves, it may be best to sleep on it rather than making a hasty decision.

Moon Phases:

• Dec 25-26 New Moon Solar Annular Eclipse: may bring change - roll with it.

• Jan 3 First Quarter Moon: Be cautious of Saturn-Pluto influence.

• Jan 10 Full Moon Penumbral Lunar Eclipse: An intense lunar opposition to Saturn-Pluto and Mercury cazimi. High emphasis on the upcoming Saturn-Pluto conjunctions.

• Jan 17 Third Quarter Moon emphasizes Saturn-Pluto in Capricorn through a square aspect.

Astrology Guide to Sagittarius Season 2019

The Context at the Beginning of Sagittarius Season 2019

Saturn and Pluto are still in Capricorn, Uranus in Taurus, and Neptune in Pisces. Mars arrived home in Scorpio a few days before Sagittarius Season Mercury has just stationed direct in Scorpio and is still in post retrograde shadow. Venus and Jupiter are nearly conjunct in the late degrees of Sagittarius. The Sun enters Sagittarius on November 22, with Venus and Jupiter nearly conjunct in the late degrees of Sagittarius.

Planets in Sagittarius

• Sun enters Sagittarius Nov. 22

• Venus conjunct Jupiter Nov. 24

• Venus and Jupiter move on to Capricorn in late Nov. early Dec.

• Mercury enters Sagittarius Dec. 9

Just two days into Sagittarius season, the much-anticipated Venus-Jupiter conjunction goes exact on Nov. 24 (keywords: generosity, abundance, and friendship). The party doesn’t last much longer though. Venus moves on to Capricorn just a couple days later. Jupiter sticks around for U.S. Thanksgiving festivities, but follows Venus into Capricorn in early December. Mercury enters Sagittarius on Dec. 9. It’s not a great place for Mercury, but nothing as dramatic as the Mercury retrograde we just got through in Scorpio Season!

Planets in Capricorn

• Venus enters Capricorn Nov. 26

• Jupiter enters Capricorn Dec. 2

• Venus conjunct Saturn Dec. 11

• Venus conjunct Pluto Dec. 13

The Sagittarius party is over and Venus and Jupiter move on to Capricorn. The two benefics might help a little to cheer up Saturn’s dark home (and house-guest Pluto), but Jupiter is debilitated in Capricorn and Saturn is the boss. Venus will align with restrictive Saturn then explosive Pluto in quick succession (December 11 and 13 respectively). One potential manifestation of this transit December 11-13 is the bottling of emotions and then an intense release. Be mindful of your own feelings and those around you, as it could be an emotionally charged time.

Grand Trine in Water Signs

• Grand trine Dec. 13: Moon in Cancer, Mars in Scorpio, Neptune in Pisces

Mars in Scorpio forms an exact trine with Neptune in Pisces on Dec. 12. The Moon catches up in Cancer Dec. 13 to complete the grand trine in water signs. Moreover, Mars and the Moon traditionally rule the signs they are in, and Neptune is considered the modern ruler of Pisces. I’d expect most to experience this configuration as an especially imaginative and creative time, though you may also encounter deception and delusion. If you feel motivated to begin something new at this time, be careful what you commit yourself to. It may be wise to think things over for a couple days before committing.

Sagittarius Season Moon Phases

The major phases of the moon all emphasize hard aspects with Neptune in Pisces this Sagittarius season, so it may be easier than usual to “lose yourself” in distractions (Netflix, social media) or substances at these times.

New Moon in Sagittarius Nov. 26

The New Moon in Sagittarius on Nov 6 occurs with joyous Jupiter still there in Sagittarius, which looks very nice overall! Just be careful not to over-imbibe, with the influence of boundary-bending Neptune in a sign-based square to this lunation. Pace yourself - Thanksgiving is still a couple days away!

1st Quarter Moon in Pisces Dec. 4

1st Quarter Moon in Pisces Dec. 4 is especially Neptune-flavored, so (again) be careful with substances and distractions—or just plan on having an unproductive day and roll with it!

Full Moon in Gemini Dec. 12

Full Moon in Gemini early Dec. 12 is somewhat colored by Neptune and Mercury in detriment. You could think of this day almost like Mercury Retrograde Light™

3rd Quarter Moon in Virgo Dec. 19

The moon and sun have a little distance from their hard aspects with Neptune (though still configured by sign). Mercury in detriment hits an exact square with Neptune on this day, so you can expect some of the trappings of Mercury retrograde (not a great day for technology, paperwork, communication, that kind of thing). An exact trine between the moon and lovely Venus helps to ease this transit.

Electional Astrology for Sagittarius Season

Electional Astrology is the practice of choosing auspicious times to take an action or begin a project based on the astrology of that moment. Here is an election I noticed while studying this time period.

Saturday Nov. 23 Pisces rising with Venus applying to Jupiter in Sagittarius on the midheaven and the Moon applying to a trine with Jupiter. This is around 1:20-1:30 PM where I live in Somerville, Massachusetts, but use a tool like https://www.astro.com/cgi/genchart.cgi to see when you Pisces is rising (and preferably after the ascendent has separated from Neptune by at least a few degrees). Best for actions and initiatives related to the 10th house, like career and public facing stuff.

Hint: once Jupiter has moved into Capricorn, the Sagittarius rising and Pisces rising elections that have been so great for so long will no longer be any good. From December 2 through January 2, Mars in Scorpio elections are your best bet (very early morning with Scorpio rising or, to a lesser degree, afternoon charts with Aries rising). Again, you can figure out the rising sign at any given time with a free tool like https://www.astro.com/cgi/genchart.cgi

A famous Sagittarius: Tina Turner has the Sun, Mercury, and Venus in Sagittarius, and was born under a full moon.

Astrology Guide to Scorpio Season 2019

The Context at the Beginning of Scorpio Season 2019

The sun joins the inner planets Mercury and Venus in Scorpio on October 23 marking the beginning of Scorpio season. At that time Mars is in detriment in Libra, Saturn and Pluto are still in Capricorn with the South Node, Uranus is in Taurus, and Neptune is in Pisces.

Planets in Scorpio

• Sun joins Mercury and Venus in Scorpio on October 23

• Sun opposite Uranus October 27

• Mars enters Scorpio November 18

Matters that require finesse (Venus) and force (Mars) may be especially rough in the first week of Scorpio season 2019. Venus is in detriment in Scorpio, and Scorpio’s traditional ruler Mars is in detriment in Libra. The Sun-Uranus opposition on October 27 through Mercury’s retrograde station on Halloween look like an especially chaotic few days that could set the tone for the entire Mercury retrograde (October 31 - November 20). Things improve a bit when Venus escapes watery detriment in Scorpio to join Jupiter in Sagittarius (November 1) and Mars enters Scorpio (November 18), but the Uranus opposition to Scorpio and Mercury retrograde in Scorpio keep the overall vibe messy.

Planets in Sagittarius

• Venus joins Jupiter in Sagittarius November 1

• Building up to Venus-Jupiter Conjunction November 24

The condition of Venus improves significantly beginning November 1 when the planet moves from detriment in Scorpio to joining well-placed benefic Jupiter in Sagittarius. While other signs of the zodiac may still look rough, keywords like generosity, abundance, and friendship apply to this part of the sky as we head toward a Venus-Jupiter conjunction early in Sagittarius season.

Mercury Retrograde in Scorpio

• Pre Retrograde shadow period October 11-31

• Mercury Retrograde October 31—November 20

• Mercury Retrograde cazimi (conjunction with sun) November 11 configured to Saturn, Pluto, and Neptune

• Post Retrograde shadow period November 20—December 7

A Mercury retrograde period’s effect on an individual can be extremely significant or somewhat inconsequential—depending on the individual’s chart and other factors. To identify themes that may be significant for you this Mercury retrograde, consider the pre retrograde shadow period October 11-31. Often themes from the pre retrograde shadow are revisited during the retrograde. Work from the pre retrograde shadow may have to be rethought or redone entirely during the retrograde. Mercury retrograde conjunct the sun (cazimi) is often a moment of clarity in a period of confusion. But this time around, Mercury’s retrograde cazimi November 11 is configured to Saturn, Pluto, and Neptune, and the best one might hope for is a creative solution within the constraints of a major challenge. Mercury stations direct November 20, but there is likely still some unfinished business that will only get resolved in the post retrograde shadow November 20—December 7.

Scorpio Season Moon Phases

New Moon in Scorpio October 27

The moon is considered in its fall in Scorpio, and the October 27 New Moon in Scorpio—in exact opposition to Uranus and concurrent with an exact Mars-Saturn square—is looking pretty rough. Destabilizing is a key word that comes to mind.

1st Quarter Moon in Aquarius November 4

The 1st Quarter Moon on November 4 is a similar flavor (though not quite as dramatic!) with some emphasis on Uranus and concurrent with the Mars-Pluto square.

Full Moon in Taurus November 12

This full moon is a mixed bag. The Moon is typically strong in Taurus, but the November 12 Full Moon shares Taurus with unpredictable Uranus and highlights the Mercury Rx through a close opposition. Actions taken and projects completed at this time may have radical and unanticipated consequences.

3rd Quarter Moon in Leo November 19

This easy-going 3rd Quarter Moon in Leo on November 19 is a bright spot for this lunar cycle, in an exact trine with Jupiter. It’s a great day for some electional astrology (see below!).

Electional Astrology for Scorpio Season

Electional Astrology is the practice of choosing auspicious times to take an action or begin a project based on the astrology of that moment. Here is an election I noticed while studying this time period.

Tuesday November 19 a little after sunrise with Sagittarius rising. This is at 8:02-10:23 AM where I live in Somerville, Massachusetts, but use a tool like https://www.astro.com/cgi/genchart.cgi to see when Sagittarius is rising on November 19 where you live. At this time, Venus is applying to a conjunction with Jupiter in Sagittarius and the Moon is applying to a trine with Jupiter. This election is a good time to initiate matters relating to the self, travel, foreign languages, studies, friends, acquaintances and gatherings.

Scorpio has long been associated with darker themes, like death. Georgia O’Keeffe, born with the Sun, Moon, Mercury and Jupiter in Scorpio is famous for paintings of animal skulls and bones in desert landscapes, and closeup images of flowers that many have interpreted as a representation of genitalia (another Scorpio theme).