March ended with Mercury in retrograde motion (looking like it is moving backwards in the sky relative to the Earth). This creates a cycle of reviewing those things from the past that need to be re-examined. In addition, on March 18th Mars moved into Capricorn. Mars will conjuncts Pluto at 21 degrees of Capricorn on April 26th. This will reactivate the Capricorn stellium from January 2018 and, as I mentioned before, creates a laser-like focus on material concerns (Capricorn and Saturn) and to the US’s natal houses that are ruled by Capricorn (the 2nd house) and Cancer (the 8th house).
Some issues getting attention now include public health, Medicare, issues of race/ appearance, banks, debt, finance, investments and material possessions, emoluments, money in general, the stock market, legal issues and contracts, public gatherings, and taxes. Since the Mars-Saturn conjunction opposes the USA’s natal Jupiter, I expect to see the stock market continue to gyrate. In addition, negotiations, contracts and agreements, and foreign affairs will be volatile. Jupiter also rules tariffs.
In mid-May Mars will also square Uranus. So, in general, the end of April through mid-May is an astrologically tense period of time. Being aware of this general energy will help us stay calm, cool, and collected. The Mars-Uranus square will continue throughout the month May, but when those two planets move into fixed signs, the energy may feel a little less potentially volatile. On May 15th, Uranus moves into steadfast Taurus, a sign that prefers the status quo to revolutionary ideals. However, this may be an opportunity for technological Uranus to have more impact on the human and planetary bodies (as represented by Taurus).
With Saturn, Uranus, and Pluto all in feminine Earth signs I think more attention will be drawn to the plight of Mother Earth and her more vulnerable inhabitants. In addition, when Mars moves into Aquarius on May 16th, environmental groups may start to be more active and vocal than they have been since the Keystone pipeline issue. This could continue through the summer. More planets will move into Earth signs as 2018 progresses. If we don’t stand up for Gaia, she will start standing up for herself. Uranus in Taurus is likely to increase the frequency or intensity of Earth’s efforts to bring her self into balance by producing earthquakes, volcanic activity and extreme weather.
Mars will continue to square Uranus for many weeks this summer. Tempers may continue to run high, so stay calm and centered. In general, the summer months may feel frustrating. That is because so many planets will be retrograde. Three to five planets will be retrograde throughout June. Four to six planets will be retrograde in July. And 4 to six planets will be retrograde in August, including Mars and Uranus, which will still be in a tense 90 degree square aspect.
There will be a solar eclipse on July 12th at 20 degrees of Cancer and a lunar eclipse on July 27th at 4 degrees of Aquarius. This solar eclipse will be in opposition to Pluto. It will be conjunct Mercury in the 8th house of the USA’s natal chart and make a wide opposition to the natal Pluto in the 2nd house. This will have a big influence on the nation’s finances over the following 6 months. It will probably set things into motion that will resurface down the road during the USA’s Pluto return in 2022. This will amplify and heat up the national dialogue about hidden matters concerning taxes, income, debt (including the national debt), insurance of all kinds, tyranny, and sex.
The lunar eclipse will loosely conjunct the USA’s natal south node in the second house. The nodes of the moon are considered to be points of dharma / karma. Because this eclipse and node are in Aquarius, I think the dialogue around the insidious nature of “fake” news and social media will continue to be a hot button topic. It will also emphasize 2nd house money related issues. Mars will conjunct that lunar eclipse and square Uranus, amplifying the emotional component of the country. Honestly, if you can get away on a retreat in July, then by all means go. The whole month will be a good stretch of time to meditate and reflect on much needed planetary healing and world peace.