(Still) Expanding under Pressure

Astro Notes for New Moon in Cancer cycle (July 17-August 16)

One of the main themes of this astrological year is that it presents tremendous opportunities for creative expansion into the new while simultaneously demanding that we excavate and clear old karmic patterns at a deeper level than ever before. This dynamic can make us feel like we are being stretched in many directions at once. We may not know at times if we’re coming or going. Yet it can be helpful to remember that we are in a collective birthing process of epic proportions. This is just what it feels like to be in the squeeze of the birth canal.

This theme of going in-and-down while also going up-and-out is never more apparent than over the next month.

In & Down:

New Moon in Cancer

The new moon in Cancer on July 17 (which set the tone for the upcoming month) was opposite Pluto in Capricorn, bringing us into deep emotional waters and asking us to be honest with ourselves about something structural that needs to change in our lives. Then, in less than one hour after the new moon, the lunar nodes changed signs, with the North Node entering Aries and the South Node entering Libra.

Lunar Nodes changing signs

The Lunar Nodes changing signs is a significant event that will shape the collective zeitgeist in important ways over the next 18 months. The North Node signifies the evolutionary direction or goal we are headed toward while the South Node points to those qualities or patterns we are releasing or de-emphasizing (though ultimately the North and South Nodes always work together).

With the North Node moving into Aries from the fixed sign of Taurus, the zeitgeist will shift toward a much more vibrant, dynamic, action-oriented energy (“just do it”). It will call us all to move in fresh, bold, new directions, to assert our independence, to step more into leadership and stand up for what we believe is right. With the South Node entering Libra, we will be looking to release patterns of fence-sitting, conflict-avoidance, and accommodation. We will want to examine those places where we have been giving away too much of ourselves for the sake of relational harmony. The combined effect of North Node in Aries and South Node in Libra means that we all will be re-negotiating our relationships over the next 18 months so they come into a more truly equitable balance that better supports each partner’s need to self-actualize.

Pluto square the Nodes

When the Lunar Nodes shift signs, they will be in an exact square to Pluto in Capricorn. Again, Pluto is the great transformer, compelling us to look honestly at uncomfortable truths and make changes to bring us more into alignment with reality. The Lunar Nodes themselves signify our evolutionary journey, the direction we need to head toward to fulfill our soul’s potential.

Pluto square the Nodes will demand that we lift the veil of denial on any patterns holding us back from fulfilling our purpose. It represents an encounter with our karmic past, a ‘skipped step’ in our evolutionary development, requiring us to sit with material from the deep personal, ancestral, and even collective unconscious. While difficult, this transit offers a profound opportunity for us to let go of karmic burdens we may have carried for lifetimes.

Venus retrograde

This dynamic of deep inner review is reinforced when Venus moves retrograde in Leo on July 23 (and remains so for about 6 weeks). Venus in retrograde will bring a deeply personal dimension to this process, bringing our attention inward to reflect on Venusian subjects like our relationships, money, and self worth. Again, this period will bring under scrutiny anything not working in a relationship, and if the foundations of the relationship are not solid, it could in some cases lead to a decision to part ways. Those relationships that do rest on a solid basis, however, are likely to undergo a healthy re-negotiation that only strengthens the bond.

This process takes on heightened importance when we consider that Venus is the ruler of the South Node when it moves into Libra. This means that the demand to rebalance our self-actualization needs with our need for interpersonal harmony — a major theme while the Nodes are in Aries and Libra over the next 18 months — will be felt especially intensely within the first six weeks of this period.

Up & Out:

Leo Season

The Sun moves into Leo on July 21. This means that all of these intensely emotional and introspective transits will be occurring amid the general backdrop of Leo season, the most extraverted time of the year. Leo in the northern hemisphere corresponds with summer at its height, the Sun at its most radiant and resplendent. Leo represents the peak of personal self-expression, the courage to be vulnerable in revealing ourselves to an audience. So even though we may feel laden with emotional heaviness, we will have Leo’s confident aura supporting us to find a way to express ourselves and connect with others. Yes, with everything going on in the sky, this might be nothing more than tearful self-disclosure in front of a group of good friends. But Leo’s medicine is the human connection that comes from risking vulnerable self-expression.

Jupiter conjunct Uranus

On July 22, Jupiter moves to within 10 degrees of Uranus in Taurus, with these two planets moving toward an exact conjunction in April next year. After everything we’ve suffered over the last several long years, Jupiter-Uranus together in the sky offers genuine hope for relief. When we have Jupiter’s principle of expansion and growth amplifying the Uranian impulse of new beginnings, we get the possibility of unexpected good fortune and sudden emancipatory breakthroughs. While we will not experience the full effects of this potentially dazzling transit until next year, the doors of opportunity will start to open as early as this coming month.

Kite Aspect Pattern: Neptune-Uranus-Pluto-Mars

Finally, from August 8 through to the end of August, we have a very auspicious aspect pattern known as a kite involving Neptune, Uranus, Pluto, and Mars. The three outer planets — Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto — are all in harmonious aspect with each other, opening a creative channel for tremendously potent transformative energies to flow through into the collective. The bigger picture is that this transit represents the beginning of the Uranus trine Pluto transit that will shape much of the coming decade. Here we again have reason for optimism in that Uranus trine Pluto typically corresponds with periods of uplifting social and cultural progress, in contrast to the divisive and problematic forms of social change we have experienced over the last 12-15 years, when Uranus was square Pluto. This decade-long period of more harmonious progress will be ignited into action by Mars in August.

The toxins associated with the decaying structures of a dying era, in both ourselves and our world, are rising to the surface to be flushed out. At the same time, if we listen closely, we can start to hear the sounds of a band playing the music of the future. We may be a ragtag army at this point, covered with bandages, nursing our wounds, less united than before. Yet our job is still to move to the rhythm of the Cosmos as best as we can. As Nietschze said, "One must have chaos to give birth to a dancing star."

Expand under Pressure

Astro Notes for Cancer Season 2023

We are in an interesting phase at the moment where the new moon is occurring in one sign just before the Sun moves into the next sign. For example, this weekend we have a new moon in Gemini just before the Sun moves into Cancer on June 21. This means we have more of a blending of zodiacal energies during each astrological season than usual, which may be a tad confusing energetically. The general milieu of Sun in Cancer is one of emotional sensitivity, kindness, and inwardness. We are supported to feel our feelings, to take time to heal and be gentle to ourselves, and to enjoy nurturing our loved ones. With the influence of the new moon in Gemini, this year’s Cancer season may have more of a sped-up, mental quality than usual — we are being invited to stay curious in order to find new solutions that help us to heal.

New Moon in Gemini - We don't have all the answers (but God does)

This weekend’s new moon in Gemini brings pleasant feelings but it might be hard to feel like we are making strong progress toward our goals. The ruler of the new moon, Mercury, is in sextile to Venus, which brings a sweet and relaxed vibe. But the new moon is also in an exact square to Neptune in Pisces. Hard aspects (like squares) to Neptune can make us feel ineffectual, since our normal drive to achieve simply dissolves into the ocean of being. This might result in us feeling weakened or depleted in some way. The deeper purpose is to compel us to surrender to a higher perspective to find a new way forward. It’s not all up to us!

Jupiter sextile Saturn - Grounded hope for the coming age

If Gemini season was dominated by an intense pressure to change (wrought by a tense t-square between Pluto, Jupiter, and first Mars, then Venus), Cancer season brings more harmonious opportunities for growth. The stand out aspect is a beautiful minor grand trine between Jupiter, Saturn, and Sun/Mercury that is strongest around June 26-30. Jupiter in Taurus in sextile to Saturn in Pisces (strongest from June 14-22) is a significant transit in its own right as it is the first major aspect between Jupiter and Saturn since the so-called ‘Great Conjunction’ of Jupiter and Saturn in December 2020. That conjunction occurred at 0 degrees of Aquarius, and was thus seen to represent a seed for the emerging Aquarian Age.

If the conjunction represented an Aquarian seed, the sextile offers an opportunity for that seed to become visible in a concrete form. Regardless of our age, we are all growing into that version of ourselves that is in resonance with the principles of the dawning age. With Jupiter, the archetype of wisdom, in sextile to Saturn, the god of time and structure, we have the chance to gain insight into the long-term commitments we need to make to support our growth into what we are becoming. With Jupiter in Venus-ruled Taurus, these insights can include a clarified awareness of what it is we truly love, so that we can bring into the structure of our lives more of the joy and meaning that makes it all worthwhile. When the Sun and Mercury join the party toward the end of June, we have a beautiful opportunity for this vision to become fully illuminated by our conscious awareness, and to experience a balanced, grounded confidence for our future. The full moon on July 3 also involves a number of harmonious aspects that will further extend this window of opportunity.

But it’s not all plain sailing.

Mars square Uranus - unexpected shift of fortune

On June 25, a square between Mars in Leo and Uranus in Taurus may present an unexpected shift in material circumstances that compels us to make an abrupt adjustment to how we express ourselves creatively. While we may not initially welcome the change, it’s a necessary re-alignment that will ultimately serve to enhance our creative freedom.

Pluto in Capricorn - the final purge

Then we have the movement of Pluto back into Capricorn, which occurred on June 14. Pluto will remain in Capricorn until January 20, 2024. It will then be in Aquarius until early September 2024, when it returns to Capricorn for a short final stay before re-entering Aquarius ‘for good’ in mid-November.

Pluto in Capricorn has been with us since 2008. In that period we’ve witnessed the world being pulled deeper and deeper into crisis. Pluto brings total transformation to whatever it touches by remorselessly exposing to consciousness whatever is out of alignment with reality. In Capricorn, this has involved the pulverization of the established public structures of society — politics, finance, media, health, medicine, education, and so on. Nothing is working anymore.

In its final passage in the last degree of Capricorn over the next year and a half, Pluto will finish the job. Any structures — whether in the world or in ourselves — that are misaligned with the emerging operating system of the Aquarian Age will not be able to get through the gate. It’s a tough lesson. It’s not going to be pretty for our legacy institutions. It’s not going to be easy for any of us.

Yet Pluto’s goal is not to destroy us or our world, but to let the old forms die to make room for something new to be born. Humans have lived through countless times of crisis in the past, which have always served to activate within us deeper reserves of courage and fortitude than we thought we had. We’ve all heard stories of people who lived through periods of crisis like wartime speak almost fondly of those times for what it brought forth in themselves and their communities, despite the great strain. We are being asked to discover a new level of grit within, one that cuts through the more superficial layers of our personality to access something more real and substantial.

Summary

These transits exemplify the ‘preview and post-mortem’ dynamic that is an overarching theme of this astrological year. With Jupiter sextile Saturn, we have an opportunity to set our sights with optimism on the developmental journey that will carry us forward into the Aquarian era. With Pluto in Capricorn, we confront an immense evolutionary pressure to discard old structures that are no longer serving our growth. Holding the tension between these expansive and constrictive forces is one of the primary tasks of our moment.

Win the Peace

Astro Notes for Gemini Season 2023

On Tuesday (May 16) Jupiter entered Taurus, where it will stay for the next 12 months or so. Taurus is ruled by Venus, the goddess of love and beauty. Jupiter and Venus are considered the two ‘benefic’ planets in astrology, ones that bestow grace and good fortune. Thus when Jupiter is in Venus-ruled Taurus, it’s fair to say that sweet opportunity is likely to come knocking in some area of our lives. Furthermore, when Jupiter aligns with Uranus (which it will do in April 2024, though we will start to feel its effects as early as this northern hemisphere summer), we could find ourselves very pleasantly surprised by an unexpected breakthrough that will open a big channel of creative energy propelling us toward the future. Jupiter-Uranus has been called by some the “Praise the Lord” transit. After everything we’ve been through over the last few years, Lord knows we could use a little relief.

But before we open to these more expansive possibilities, we have to make it through a very sharp test.

Gemini season (May 20-June 20) actually began this year on the heels of a beautiful new moon in Taurus (May 19) that made only harmonious aspects — a sextile with both Neptune and Mars and a trine with Pluto. The harmonic energy of the new moon carried the promise to deliver a Taurean gift of relaxation and abundance.

But we might not have perceived this pleasant note amidst the overpowering clang of an extremely tense T-square taking place between Pluto, Mars, and Jupiter. On Saturday May 19, Pluto at 0 degrees Aquarius was exactly opposite Mars at 0 degrees Leo, with both in an exact square to Jupiter at 0 degrees Taurus. We'll feel this transit intensely until the end of the month at least.

Phew. Pluto opposite Mars is as feisty and confrontational an energy as it gets. With Jupiter squaring both planets, the energy is likely to be magnified. Be mindful of the high potential for volatility. Treat it as a spiritual test of your ability to master the wild forces within you, rather than lashing out at others.

Yet every transit has its purpose. The universe is asking us to take decisive action in some area of our lives to bring it into alignment with our true values. (With Jupiter in Taurus, this may well involve our relationship with money or resources.) We can’t simply sit on these energies. We have to ‘win’ the peace promised by the new moon. Do whatever you can to keep your vibration high over the next 10-14 days. Let your sincerity guide you to take the action you need to bring your life into greater integrity. Arm yourself with courage to meet the challenge of this T-square with the fullness of your life-force, knowing that there’s a sweet reward if you do.

This T-square action takes place against the backdrop of our shift into Gemini season. Sun in Gemini provides the base note, while the other planets provide the flourishes. Taurus is fixed Earth, while Gemini is Mutable Air. So the baseline mood or rhythm becomes significantly lighter, faster, and more mental. In developmental terms, Gemini corresponds to the phase of an infant’s life when language first emerges. Along with language comes an innocent curiosity that expresses itself through endless questioning. The function of Gemini season is to return us to that state of beginner’s mind. We cooperate with Sun in Gemini by being in the aliveness of the question.  As the zen saying goes, “not knowing is the most intimate”. If we allow a true question to pop the bubble of our certainty, we become immediate to the mystery of existence again. What assumptions about yourself or the world are you willing to question this month to make space for new possibilities to come in?

Mars and Venus both move into Leo during Gemini season. Mars enters Leo May 20 and Venus follows on June 5. Mars and Venus in Leo can turn up the razzle dazzle factor by a few welcome notches. Having the archetypal masculine and feminine personal planets together in the extroverted sign of Leo is likely to invite us all into a more sexy, playful, expressive mood. Creative or artistic activities in particular should receive a spunky boost of energy.

On May 30, Jupiter is conjunct the North Node in Taurus. If we have navigated well the challenge of the T-square, this transit could coincide with real opportunities for increased prosperity and abundance in a particular area of our lives (depending on where Taurus falls in our charts). It also favors building solid foundations — both internally and externally — for our long-term aspirations and the enjoyment of the simple pleasures of life on Earth.

Finally Pluto moves back into Capricorn on June 11, where it will stay for the remainder of 2023. Awwwwah! (Not sure if I’ve spelled that correctly.)  If you’re like me, you’ve been enjoying this little taste of the fresh new energies of Aquarius since mid-March. But Pluto still has an important job to do in Capricorn. We are in the intense final clean-up operation over the next 18 months or so as Pluto dredges up all the old patterns and structures in ourselves and society that will not survive our transition into the Aquarian Age. It’s still an intense time of purging, personally and collectively. It’s definitely no walk in the park, yet it presents an extraordinary opportunity for rapid spiritual purification for those of us willing to examine our shadows.