As last February and March, Saturn (brakes/reality checks and karmic school teacher) is now seriously once again speaking truth to Pluto (power). Both planets are once more close in the critical and powerful last 10 degrees of Capricorn (established economic system). Saturn is basically now putting a huge block on the idea of simply “getting back to normal”, especially re the economy, as is/was the hope.
The power and extreme rarity of this ongoing combination during 2020, makes it no surprise that we are still in the grips of this virus, as it once again, in so many places, is bouncing back and this is not something our civilisation is prepared for. It was never imagined as a likely global phenomenon.
August, astrologically, reflects the fact that it is a month of significant realisation as to the full scale of the current global crisis. A mixture of the virus, economic situation, environmental issues/climate change and the anarchic energies at work in countries, where the leaders are clearly at a loss as to how to cope with current circumstances has caused chaos. Pure ego is completely counterproductive in leadership qualities, as is becoming so obvious. Sadly ignorance and arrogance are twins, a combination, which, in some countries can also bring a gradual dissolving of once accepted moral obligations in leadership. Only wise, inclusive, big picture egoless leadership will do now, which we are now beginning to see in some countries.
We are desperate for “normal”, but we now have to question how our habitual normal, in terms of our global values and habits, has contributed to our current global situation on many levels. Neptune concurrently travelling through his home sign of Pisces (2012-2026, occurring only every 165 years) now is reflecting the power of a massive invisible spread of power in so many areas of life, not least social media, political interferences, climate change and now of course, a virus. Neptune in Pisces most essentially reflects the power of nature to show its power, if we in any way abuse it.
A global world has to be prepared to bear global consequences of actions in any individual country. Our power to subdue a virus is proving a huge scientific, social and psychological challenge, not to mention politically and the impatient hunger for economic growth again is putting our efforts to quell the virus at risk. Choices made under our present system are so hard and so impossible, given that the current style of global economy equals a matter of life and death in many ways too.
Jupiter (growth and optimism) has also been involved in this so rare conjunction in Capricorn, which has also given a hope and optimism, and in many cases an arrogance of assumption, that we can resume economic life as it was, but all too quickly and sadly, also over optimistically
A recent comment made by journalist George Monbiot, is hugely prescient… “We are acclimatising ourselves to an existential crisis”.
This crisis is actually a huge message to our planet that we need to have a fundamental change in what needs to be normal. We need to shift our values, expectations and rebalance our priorities in how we live our lives. Respecting our planet is a screaming necessity, as the power of nature is clearly telling us when we have abused it. Money and the unthinking pursuit of eternal economic growth, at any cost to our natural world, cannot continue to be the god of us all. It is that very value that has created this existential crisis. The huge uncertainty around us currently causes great anxiety, but out of uncertainty, creativity is born, as are new paradigms of being.
Uranus, which equals shock, disruption, innovation, the future and change, which is often ultimately liberating, is now in Taurus (money, value systems/ security/ and indeed the very earth itself) and has been committed to that sign since March 2019 and will stay there till the end of April 2026. This is and will continue slowly to bring a revolution in all those areas i.e. how we are forced to negotiate our needs/values in a new way. It’s a shock and game changing but necessary. That is the point of and purpose of Uranus.
There are only two certainties in life, and one of those is change.
Mars, remains in his home sign of Aries this month and has underwhelming through this sign since early July and stays there for an unusually long period, till January 6th. This is a powerful warlike position at worst, healthily determined and assertive at best. The recent chaotic unrest, in Hong Kong and of course in parts of the USA, which has been met by brutal governmental generated force, has reflected this powerful position. From the 13th to the 29th, this month, Mars aspects will likely then seriously generate more potential dangerous, forceful controlling abuses of power, which will be followed by serious frustration and resultant greater anger, (Mars squares Pluto and then squares Saturn during those dates.)
Mars will also between the 13th-24th seriously challenge Trump’s Saturn and Venus, by square aspect, which will create significant challenges to him internationally and legally, and which will almost certainly result in his desperate push to regain control with desperate, impulsive anger and action.
Trump’s chart has ongoing incredible challenges, not least Pluto opposing his Saturn (every 248 years). He has had this on and off since January and strongly since the beginning of July and most of this month and strongly again at the end of the year. This transit, when experienced, really pulls the rug from under your feet and an inevitable change in the status quo is indicated because of fated forces. It is powerful in terms of elimination of assumptions about ones position and resources. Fighting these forces successfully is only possible if you are totally on the right path and your conscience is totally clear. In Trump’s case, it is not helpful to his mental health either (Pluto in the 12th house in his natal chart). It can also possibly bring physical health issues to the fore, which can seriously affect one’s power to continue in one’s desired way.
We have however to remember that Trump does not respond like most people, because he chooses not to see facts or truth, as his ego is so delicate/damaged, so the truth is just not an option. In fact, he defies many basic laws of humanity…so he is immune to the normal responses in so many ways. He will fight in any drastic way possible to cling on to power. In late September and October he also has Saturn opposition his Venus (every 30 years), and along with Pluto’s influence, that is very stressful re work and his image in the world. It is a bit of a final straw of a reality check. Also Uranus is squaring his Pluto now till late September, which does not auger well for stability in many ways. In fact his own party and previously close associates are likely to dessert him, or at least distance themselves significantly, in order to protect their own status. But never underestimate Trumps popularity with core supporters. He is hypnotic to them, like a cult leader.
Looking at Boris Johnson, he has Mars, which is currently in Aries, going through his 7th house now (he has Libra rising) continuing till late January. That will bring significant challenges from others and from the outside world. Around the 13th of this month, he has Mercury squaring both his Neptune and his Jupiter. That will be a period where his statements and the facts of a situation, may well be rather at odds. His optimistic generalisations and any carelessness then, may not do him any favours. He also needs to be careful from August the 27th and all through September, when Neptune once again squares his Mercury (every 84 years and it was strong when he was hospitalised with the virus), as his health will again be prone to vulnerability, or at the least, his work will feel very stressful, and again, relations with other countries are strained. Lack of clarity then will especially be his enemy. Yet again, this period also shows that his idealism and fantasies may well outweigh facts in his statements and in his projected view of things.
However no Pluto, Uranus or Saturn challenges are in the air for Johnson currently, so he will muddle through.
Astrology is great at seeing how the planets are affecting the world and seeing the challenges that need addressing, but as to whether humanity is up to grasping the necessary nettle is another story … Change may well be forced upon us, such is the power of the astrological energies right now. The problem remains that it is short-term economic success that is the god of so many in power and indeed is the god of our globalised system. We may indeed be forced to remodel that god. Capitalism as it is , may well need to be recalibrated.
The optimistic news (yes, I can dredge some up) is that from mid/late December when Saturn and Jupiter, in their natural cycle, both move into and commit to Aquarius, (innovation /future/ technology/ big picture/wisdom) we will see not only serious indications of the coming conquest/control of Covid, but also the tentative beginnings of a very new value system starting to emerge, as many of us and indeed many of our leaders, all start, out of total necessity, to look outside our outdated and rather toxic box.
