Tag Archives: Aspects

Mars in Virgo

Mars moves into Virgo on July 10th and will be moving through Virgo until August 27th. Mars has been in fire sign Leo, where it’s been acting out and doing the most. Mars is the planet of action and aggression, assertiveness and drive. In Leo, it’s about the self and getting ours. In Virgo, a mutable earth sign, it’s about ruthless prioritization. 

Mars in Virgo is cutting. Mars rules needles and sharp objects, and I think of Mars in Virgo as scissors (or maybe a machete). While Mars is in Virgo, it’s wise to assertively embody the more evolved Virgo qualities of preparedness, organization, efficiency, critical thinking, and discernment, but try not to lean into the less evolved Virgo qualities of being hypercritical and a perfectionist. It’s a good time for focusing our drives and energy on getting organized, making to-do lists, editing anything that needs it, and weeding out the superfluous stuff in our lives.

I think of Mars in Virgo sort of like Tracy Flick, the main character of Election. She knows she’s right, knows she’s the most qualified, and is singularly focused on her goals, but she alienates even the teachers (Saturn) in her pursuits. (I also recommend reading the sequel from last year, Tracy Flick Can’t Win, in which life has tempered her most abrasive qualities and she’s operating from a more evolved Virgo energy but of course still chafing against a misogynist society, people who aren’t as smart as her, and her own inability to get out of her own way.)

Transit-wise, Mars makes an opposition to Saturn later this month. That’s then followed by some more pleasant aspects in August and then finally an opposition to Neptune on August 22nd. Since it’s coming up, I want to focus on the Mars-Saturn opposition for now. 

Mars opposes Saturn on July 20th. In traditional astrology, Mars and Saturn are the two malefic planets, meaning that they bring with them some difficulty, and you have to learn how to work with them instead of just letting them do their thing. The way they will be situated, in opposition to one another, lends to culminations but also conflict. It’s a push-and-pull energy. Mars and Saturn were conjunct in Aquarius back in early April 2022. This opposition is another phase of that cycle, which would mean there’s a climax or wrapping up of whatever narrative began when Mars and Saturn aligned back in early April last year. 

Mars rules drive, and Saturn rules structure. Mars in Virgo is the car, Saturn in Pisces in the bascule bridge that lifts for the boat on the river below, causing you to be late on your way to an appointment. The way to avoid the situation is to have left earlier in the first place. So the second week of July, leave lots of extra time. Be prepared for obstructions of your efforts.

These obstructions then can lead to pushing boundaries. That can manifest literally, mentally, and physically, like with endurance. I was listening to The Astrology Podcast’s July forecast, and on it, the hosts agreed that while it’s OK to push yourself mentally during this time, physically you probably only want to push 80% because with Mars and Saturn, there’s a risk of injury. (The Astrology Podcast, if you aren’t familiar with it, is the gold standard of astrology podcasts, so if you’re interested in learning a lot more about astrology, it’s my first recommendation.) So please be cognizant to not overdo it in the days around July 20th!

Mars then moves on to form a trine with Jupiter in Taurus on August 1st. A trine is formed when planets are at a 120-degree angle from one another, and generally they are considered to be a helpful aspect, with the better parts of the planets’ energies in harmonious communication with one another. The best parts of Mars in Virgo will be given an expansiveness that comes from Jupiter. Mars also makes a trine with Uranus in Taurus on August 16th, which can bring disruptions. During this time, Mercury will be following closely behind Mars. Mercury never quite catches Mars, though, because it stations retrograde on August 22nd, then moves backwards through Virgo until September 15th. 

Finally, Mars will oppose Neptune on August 22nd. I’ve written about Mars-Neptune aspects before. With Neptune in Pisces, for all of Mars in Virgo’s ruthless efficiency and clear-eyed discernment, Neptune will be doing its best to make things murky and throw the to-do lists and mission statements into question. You may find yourself looking back at the plans you’ve laid out over the few weeks and thinking, “Do I really want to do this?” Best to let the Neptune fog burn off and wait a few days before making any adjustments. 

So that’s that on Mars in Virgo, which will take us through most of the summer. I’ll say more about Virgo (I love Virgos!) when it’s actually Virgo season. 

Full Moon in Capricorn

There is a full moon in Capricorn on July 3rd at 7:38 am EDT. Full moons in Capricorn are about balancing our pragmatism and our feelings. They occur in the midst of emo Cancer reason, and the moon is the ruler of Cancer. Capricorn, a cardinal earth sign, is all about getting shit done, so there’s a push and pull between the Saturnian urge to get down to brass tacks and forge ahead and the moon’s desire to honor our deepest feelings. Full moons are always about culmination and release, and this full moon encourages us to release the pessimism we may have been harboring about our goals and to use our wise minds (the intersection of our reasonable and our emotional minds).

Mercury, which is currently in Cancer and close to the sun, will influence this full moon, so communication is important, even if it’s just journaling or making lists for yourself. The day before the moon is full, Venus in Leo forms a square with Uranus in Taurus, so there could be twists, turns, and surprises in Venus-ruled areas (finances, relationships, resources) of your life. This full moon brings some grounding energy, though, because of its Saturnian earthiness. Also, the sun and moon are forming nice aspects with both Jupiter in Taurus and Saturn in Pisces, which lends a particularly helpful practicality. 

The full moon is taking place at 11 degrees of Capricorn, so you’ll feel it more intensely if you’re a Capricorn or Cancer rising or if you have an personal planets (the sun, moon, Mercury, Venus, or Mars) and/or sensitive angles (your ascendant, descendent, midheaven, or IC) between 7 and 15 degrees of Capricorn, Cancer, Aries, or Libra. 

I was going to write horoscopes for each sign, but I’m doing this late (sorry!) and if you’re feeling this moon, you already know how it’s unfolding for you, because its energy is already very present. For all signs, though, it’s a good time for making a concerted effort to balance emotions with rationality and proceeding accordingly.

Cancer Season: That Summer Feeling

On June 21st, the day of the summer solstice in the Northern Hemisphere, the sun moved into Cancer, where it will be until late on July 22nd. Cancer is a cardinal sign, representing the beginning of a new season, and it’s a water sign, symbolized by the crab. Cancer is ruled by the moon, so when the sun is in Cancer, it’s answering to the fast-moving moon. The moon changes signs every couple days, which makes Cancer season super moody. 

Cancer is associated with home, family, and feeling rooted. It’s sentimental and nostalgic, concerned with memory and the way we feel or felt. Jonathan Richman’s song “That Summer Feeling” perfectly encapsulates the Cancerian vibe. (His natal Venus is in Cancer.) 

Venus’s current journey through Leo is encouraging us to be social this summer, but Cancer can be a bit of a homebody. The best way to merge these energies is to socialize with those that feel like home to you. Cancer season brings about a desire to visit our hometowns or reunite with family or old friends, which is a good way to recharge. It offers some respite after the chaos and buzziness of Gemini season. 

This year, Cancer season brings with it some bumpy transits. Mars squares off with Uranus on June 26th, which can bring sudden, unexpected shocks. And Mars opposes Saturn on July 20th, which means there will be a push-and-pull between action and will (Mars) and structure and systems (Saturn). So those dates are ones to pay attention to and try to be patient and take it easy. However, with Saturn and Neptune both in another water sign, Pisces, the sun will make trines, or positive aspects, with each of these planets as it moves through Cancer over the next few weeks, which will be helpful. 

Regarding people with Cancer placements in their birth charts, they are often moody, sensitive, intuitive, and empathetic. Like crabs, they wear armor, so they may come off as hard, but inside they are soft and vulnerable. Cancers are thought to be conflict avoidant, shifting side to side to avoid head-on impact. However, they feel deeply and can be fiercely protective and loyal, so if you come for a Cancer’s loved one, the pinchers will come out. This protective quality contributes to the nurturing nature of Cancers, which is considered to be the mothering sign of the zodiac. Ruled by the moon, those with Cancer placements, even if they themselves don’t become mothers, are often cast in mothering roles by others. (Cancer men especially can have mother issues, which is why they can sometimes get a bad rap.)

For Bravo watchers, Vanderpump Rules is teeming with Cancers: Ariana, Sandoval, Stassi, and Jax are all Cancer suns, and those four actually have quite a bit in common. They are all extremely sensitive, even though they present as tough. 

They’re all very intuitive and can read other people and situations really well, which, as a shadow quality, can make Cancers good at manipulating others. Even Jax of all people has been weirdly right about a lot of things, especially looking back in the wake of Scandoval, and of course, he has used his intuition to his advantage, continually playing upon the sympathy of others and finding easy scapegoats in order to ingratiate himself back into the group after his truly terrible behavior time and time again. Sandoval has done the same thing, just in a very different way, but it will be interesting to see how that works or doesn’t work now.

Ariana’s diehard loyalty to Tom, despite his shortcomings and repeated mistakes in their relationship, is pure Cancer. I recently rewatched part of season 3 of VPR because Bravo was showing a marathon, and the way that Ariana staunchly defended Sandoval in the whole Miami girl situation, confronting Miami girl and excoriating Kristen (to a somewhat cruel degree) even though she knew Tom had, in fact, slept with Miami girl, is very Cancerian, for better or worse. 

Cancer season is a great time for spending a Sunday in and binge watching, so if you haven’t seen Vanderpump Rules, who even are you? I highly recommend it. It’s up there with Mad Men for the greatest show of our time and astrological archetypes are on full display. 

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New Moon in Gemini: Sleepytime

There’s a new moon in mutable air sign Gemini shortly after midnight (on the East Coast of the US) on Sunday, June 18th. In Gemini, this new moon is about flexibility and versatility. The main aspect this moon is making is a square to Neptune in Pisces.

Neptune makes things foggy, and with hard aspects to Neptune, such as the square (90-degree angle) the moon and sun are making to it, there are often disappointments or things don’t turn out as you had planned or hoped. So with this new moon, best not to manifest or lay out concrete plans but instead to focus on Neptunian things: our emotions, our vibes, our literal dreams, and our visions.

The new moon phase is often a time when we may feel more tired (vs. full moons, when many feel wired). With the sun squaring Neptune, this is especially true of this new moon. If you can, rest. Try to get a longer night’s sleep than usual on Saturday, and again, pay attention to the dreams you have and what your subconscious is telling you, but focus more on the feelings than making sense of them and planning action based on your interpretations.

Elsewhere in the sky, there have recently been some sign changes.

On Sunday, June 11th, Pluto, which is currently retrograde, went back into Capricorn. Since Pluto moved into Aquarius in March, we’ve seen increased focus on AI and technology. Now, with Pluto back in Capricorn, some of the major stories of the past 15 years will be revisited, so things may seem less future-oriented. In the news, the AI stuff may take a back seat to politics and the economy. With Capricorn representing the patriarchy and systems, and Pluto about power, we’re going to see more events where those who have power try whatever they can to hang on to it.

Pluto’s in Capricorn until January 2024, then it goes back into Aquarius. However, it moves retrograde back into Capricorn again later in 2024 and will be in Capricorn until Nov 2024 (where it will be during the next US presidential election–yikes!), when it makes its full transition in Aquarius. Unfortunately, there’s the Tr*mp of it all. The efforts to hold him accountable and the fights over whether he has executive privilege or is subject to the laws that apply to the non-rich and non-powerful are extremely Pluto-in-Capricorn and USA-Pluto-return vibes, almost a little too on-the-nose, if you ask me. 

Mercury also changed signs this past week, going into Gemini on June 11th. Mercury rules Gemini, so with Mercury there, Gemini season is really in full swing. Lots of talk, lots of communication, lots of movement, lots of duality and versatility and options and choices to make.

Venus is now in Leo, where it will be for a few months because it’s going to go retrograde in July. Venus in Leo is fiery and vibrant. I’ll write more about Venus in Leo and its upcoming retrograde next week.

Until then, get some sleep!

Full Moon in Sagittarius

On Saturday, June 3rd, at 11:40 pm Eastern, there will be a full moon at 13 degrees of Sagittarius (opposite the sun in Gemini). 

Sagittarius is a Jupiter-ruled fire sign. It’s about learning and exploration and spirituality and travel, and Jupiter is the planet of expansion and amplification. Full moons are always emotional and a time for release, but in a Jupiter-ruled sign, the emotions are going to be even bigger and more amplified than with other full moons. You may feel an intense desire to embark on Sagittarian-type activities. This full moon will likely be marked by a strong need to explore. 

Jupiter is currently in Taurus and is answering to Venus (the planet that rules Taurus), so this full moon is also likely to have Venusian themes, with a focus on relationships, love, and money. Venus is currently at the late degrees of Cancer and approaching an opposition to Pluto, still at 0 degrees Aquarius. That energy will be felt around the time of this full moon. 

Oppositions generally mark culminations or turning points, and with Venus opposite Pluto, the planet of transformation, you may experience some deep and long-lasting changes at this time. Venus-Pluto aspects can feel a little obsessive. This may tie into the Sagittarian themes, so a positive manifestation of this full moon may be an intense drive to learn more about a topic that interests you or to book a trip far afield. However, the energy of the full moon could also potentially manifest in feelings of jealousy and insecurity. You might be convinced your partner is keeping something from you, or you may be the one hiding something. Even in friendships and family relationships, we may be feeling extra sensitive, or power struggles can present themselves.

With the full moon in Sagittarius, a sign that is very much about truths, opposite the sun in Gemini, which is all about talking, there will likely be some secrets revealed. It should be an interesting weekend. 

Jupiter in Taurus

On May 16th, Jupiter changes signs and enters earth sign Taurus, where it will stay until May of 2024. 

Taurus is a fixed earth sign ruled by Venus, and it’s associated with money, commerce, the economy, values, resources, materials, stability, and sustenance. Jupiter is the planet of expansion and growth. With Jupiter moving into Taurus, we can expect to see expansion in the areas that Taurus rules. As Jupiter moves through Taurus, though, it will be in conversation with other planets as it moves through Taurus, which will shape its impact.

Right away, as Jupiter first ingresses into Taurus, it will form a square to Pluto, which is currently at 0 degrees Aquarius. When planets form 90 degree angles to each other, there’s tension between them. With Pluto’s movement into Aquarius, we’ve been seeing themes of transformation and regeneration in technology (particularly AI) and movements of collective action. As Pluto forms a tense aspect to Jupiter in Taurus, we can expect to see push-and-pull between the efforts to expand these things and the reactive efforts to tamp them down.

This is further emphasized by Mars, which joins the action as it moves into Leo on May 20th. Mars will be opposite Pluto and forming a square to Jupiter in a configuration called a T-square. The energy will be volatile, and because each planet is in a fixed sign, the conflicts that will arise will be more fraught because of the unmovingness, the unblinkingness, the sheer will of each sign. 

Once Jupiter moves past this initial aspect, its presence becomes a little more chill. That’s until next April, when Jupiter gets to the 21st degree of Taurus and it will form a conjunction with Uranus, the planet of disruption, rebellion, and revolution. Conjunctions represent new cycles, so when Jupiter and Uranus are conjunct in Taurus, we’ll see a new cycle of expansion and disruption in the realms associated with Taurus.

Taurus is about stability, so Jupiter will likely increase the ongoing disruption to stability we’ve been facing since Uranus moved into Taurus. Given that Taurus is an earth sign, there could be literal earthquakes and/or some major climate-related catastrophes. There could also be big changes to the economy, or the value that is assigned to certain things, i.e., currency fluctuations or jolts in the housing market.

It could play out in more positive ways too, though. Disruption and revolution can lead to great things. This transit could coincide with the proliferation and growth of more socialistic movements to check the effects of unbridled capitalism and/or more vocal and mass mobilizations for environmental protection and justice.

Jupiter’s transit through Taurus is a great time for us to examine what we truly value, and to grow our efforts and activism around those values. 

How Jupiter’s time in Taurus will affect you depends on the ways it will interact with your natal planetary placements, but based on your sun and/or rising sign, these are the areas in which you will likely see Jupiter’s influence play out. 

For Taurus & Taurus Rising: Jupiter will be working its way through your first house, the house of self, which relates to our appearances, our personalities, and how we experience the world. Jupiter in the first house can be a great time of personal growth, and because Jupiter is traditionally considered a benefic planet, meaning that its presence is generally thought to be positive, its movement through your first house and/or its proximity to your natal sun can lend to success in your endeavors. It’s an excellent time to hone in on what you really want out of life and take the initiative to make that happen. 

For Gemini & Gemini Rising: Jupiter in your 12th house lends its influence to the realm of your shadow self, your subconscious, and your mental health. This can help with matters of your mental wellness or growth in this area through meditation, therapy, or other practices. When Jupiter is squaring Pluto at the very beginning of its journey through Taurus, you may experience some crises or moments of conflict that affect your mental health or awaken buried parts of your psyche, but ultimately as Jupiter progresses, so will your outlook. 

For Cancer & Cancer Rising: When Jupiter transitions from your 10th house, where it has been in Aries this year, into your 11th house, it’s time to take the career goals you honed in on and act on making those hopes and dreams a reality. The 11th house is also the house of friends and community, so you’ll likely see some growth in these areas over the next year. You may shed some friends whose values don’t align with yours, but you’ll likely feel more compelled to put yourself out there socially and feel more at ease than usual doing so, which could help bring your goals to fruition. 

For Leo & Leo Rising: Jupiter will be transiting through your 10th house of career and legacy. The 10th house isn’t always just career focused, but it deals with the imprint we ultimately make on the world. With Jupiter, a benefic and the planet of growth, in this house, it’s an exciting year for you. You may see yourself getting a promotion and raise, or being elevated in a way that brings you accolades or renown in your field. If you aren’t loving your career trajectory, it can also mark the beginning of a time of exploration for you, where you may take the initial steps toward figuring out what you actually want to do or transitioning to a career that matches your passions. 

For Virgo & Virgo Rising: With Jupiter in your 9th house, you will likely deepen your interest in learning, and you may be asked to teach in some way. Once Jupiter moves further from the square it’s making with Pluto, it’s also a good time for long-distance travel. You may find yourself with an increased sense of wanderlust over the next year, and quenching it through some far-flung travel will be enlightening and feed your need to study.

For Libra & Libra Rising: The transit of Jupiter through your 8th house over the next year could bring about a few different things. The 8th house deals with resources, as Taurus also does, but it’s those resources we receive from others or owe to them. It’s inheritances and debts, and it’s also transformation. So you may experience some changes and growth on a psychological level. You may also see your partner’s income or resources increase, or you could receive some money that’s been owed to you. Jupiter is generally considered a benefic, or a positive planet that helps with success, but depending on what it’s doing in your chart, it could expand your debts as well, so this is a good year to be careful when managing your own and your partner’s and/or family’s finances. 

For Scorpio & Scorpio Rising: Jupiter will be moving through your 7th house, which will see an expansion of your partnerships. If you are in a relationship, you may feel renewed investment in that relationship and it’s generally a harmonious time (save for Jupiter’s interactions with Pluto at the beginning of its transit). You may also build other partnerships during this time, either business collaborations or other one-on-one relationships. If you’re not currently attached, you may be beginning a new romantic relationship at this time, or if you’re at the early stages, this is when you may get more serious or take that relationship to its next stage. 

For Sagittarius & Sagittarius Rising: Jupiter’s going to be moving through the area of your chart that deals with the day-to-day work you do, in your job or in caretaking, your co-workers, and your health. You may be taking on increased responsibilities or tasks at work, which one would hope would also lead to an increase in pay or a path to professional development. You could also find yourself increasingly focused on your health, so this is a good time to use Jupiter’s influence to commit to a more healthy lifestyle and/or implement any changes to your routine you have been thinking about or that your body’s been telling you that you need. 

For Capricorn & Capricorn Rising: The 5th house, where Jupiter will be in your chart until May 2024, deals with a few topics: sex and romance, children, creativity, and fun. Embrace joy and leisure time and just doing what you want to do during this transit. If you are single, this is a good time to put yourself out there because you may see some sparks in your love life. If you’re with a partner, it’s a good time for reinvigorating your sex life. You are also likely to find creative and artistic endeavors to be rewarding over the next year. If you do your morning pages, it may lead somewhere. With Jupiter all about expansion, if you’re looking to conceive, you may be more apt to be successful during this period, or you may actually have a child. For those with kids, you may just be spending more quality time with them or find yourself valuing your free time with them more over the next year. 

For Aquarius & Aquarius Rising: Your home and your family will be a focus for the next year, with Jupiter going through the part of your chart that deals with this. You may be buying real estate during this time or moving into a bigger place. You may also see your family expanding in some way, or your relatives and/or the people you live with may see their wealth or resources increase. Jupiter represents abundance, so when it comes to your home and family, this could also mean more abundant love, a compulsion to spend time with the ones you love. 

For Pisces & Pisces Rising: The next year will see some expansion in your communication, and you may feel more energized when it comes to socializing. There will be a buzz around you. Jupiter may also see you traveling a lot because the 3rd house deals with short-distance travel. You might be taking a lot of trips for work or spending the year taking a lot of quick weekend trips to visit friends and/or siblings who live in other cities, and it’s a great time for that. Because Jupiter is a benefit and the 3rd house also encompasses siblings, your siblings may be experiencing some successes or growth during the time that Jupiter is in Taurus. 

For Aries & Aries Rising: Taurus and the second house, which is where Jupiter will be in your chart until May 2024, have overlapping areas of focus: money, resources, and that which we value. Jupiter can signal successes in this realm, so you may find yourself getting a raise or growing your business in a way that increases your income. You may be focused on investing or building your savings accounts now, and it’s a good time to get more focused on your finances and your portfolio. It’s not just money we value, though, so this is also a good time for increased focus on the other things that matter to you. It could be your time, in which case organizing your calendar and ensuring you have more time to spend the way you like can also pay dividends. 

Just a reminder that astrology is for entertainment and is based on subjective interpretation of what’s happening with the planets in the sky. It’s not fortune telling, nor should it be interpreted as such, so take these horoscopes with a grain of salt. 

New Moon in Aries: Spark Notes

On March 20th, the sun moves into Aries. It’s the spring equinox in the Northern Hemisphere, and thus begins Aries season and the start of the zodiacal new year! Auspiciously, this is followed by a new moon in Aries at 1:22 pm EDT on Tuesday, March 21st. The new moon, which means that the moon is conjunct with the sun, occurs at 0 degrees Aries, the first degree of the zodiac.

Aries is a cardinal sign, meaning that it initiates, and it’s also a fire sign, so Aries is akin to a spark. It’s the striking of the match. Traits associated with Aries are bravery, impulsiveness, directness, forthrightness, impatience, and passion. Aries does not like to wait. When they get an idea, they want to act on it immediately. At the time of this new moon, there’s a lot of Aries energy in the ether. The sun and moon are in Aries, of course, but so are Mercury, Jupiter, and the asteroid Chiron. 

So that’s the vibe of this new moon, but because Aries is ruled by Mars, which the moon and sun are squaring off with, and Mars is still in the late degrees of Gemini and still in a square with Neptune, there’s a little bit of murkiness with it. Neptune casts a fog, and often when things are initiated under a Neptune transit, they are not what they seem. So while this new moon is ripe for manifesting and new beginnings, there’s a need for clarity, for sure. If new opportunities come your way this new moon, you may be tempted to act impulsively, but try to temper that, so that you can get all the details and suss out whether things truly are as they appear to be. 

Tuesday’s new moon is also in a cross-sign sextile with Pluto, which is still (for a couple more days) at 29 degrees of Capricorn, so the changes that come about during this new moon have more of a profundity and have the potential to be more transformative than with some other new moons. Pluto is about regeneration, about death and rebirth, so while this new moon is highly auspicious for beginnings, it’s also a good time for releasing and letting go of what’s holding you back. 

Later this week, Pluto moves into Aquarius for the first time in 248 years (wow!) and Mars moves into Cancer, part of the vibe shift I’ve written about. More on those movements soon! 

For now, this is the area of your chart where the new moon may have you focusing your attention: 

Aries & Aries Rising: New moon, new you. For you, you can think about this as your new year. What resolutions do you want to make now? Plant those seeds and follow through with action. 

Taurus & Taurus Rising: You may feel compelled to dig deeper into your inner self this week, and you even feel ready to begin a new spiritual or mindfulness practice. This new moon marks a good time for journaling, especially about what you want to let go of. 

Gemini & Gemini Rising: If you’ve been looking to get involved in a cause, this is a great time to do so, as long as you’ve researched and are confident you know the details of what you’re diving into. You may meet someone with whom a friendship will blossom, or you may accept an invite which ultimately leads to you joining a new group or collective. 

Cancer & Cancer Rising: Since Jupiter moved into Aries, you’ve likely had some action occurring in your career or in what you feel called to do. This new moon is a great time to release your blocks related to this area, if any, and lay further groundwork toward what you want to pursue. Don’t be afraid to put yourself out there. If you’re applying for jobs, use Tuesday afternoon and evening to send your resume out to those which interest you most.

Leo & Leo Rising: You may be feeling the urge to go back to school, or you may be struck with a new interest that sends you into a spiral of research. Embrace the desire to learn more during this time, because whatever your chosen interest or area of study, it could ultimately have a positive lasting impact for you. 

Virgo & Virgo Rising: This new moon can mark a time when you initiate some type of healing, or you may be helping others achieve this healing in your own lives. The eighth house is about others’ resources and our own relationship to them, so this is a time for letting your light shine for others. Partnerships or collaborations that arise during this new moon can be mutually fruitful. 

Libra & Libra Rising: This new moon could signal the start of a new relationship, so if you are looking, be open and put yourself out there. If you’re in a relationship, this is a good time to consciously shed anything that’s been feeling like a rut, especially through initiating honest, direct conversations with your sig oth. 

Scorpio & Scorpio Rising: Work can feel like drudgery, so this new moon gives you the opportunity to switch it up. Seize the moment to pitch one of your ideas for improvement to your boss, or implement a change to your daily routine to make the day feel less like a slog. 

Sagittarius & Sag Rising: Pursue pleasure and fun this new moon, and if you have something bubbling inside you artistically, this is a great time to just spend a few hours or more to just create. With Neptune’s presence, though, be careful when it comes to substance use, even though it may be fun. 

Capricorn & Capricorn Rising: This new moon is occurring in the area of your chart concerned with home and family. You may decide it’s time to move, or you may feel the sudden urge to renovate. This is a good time for laying the groundwork, but lean into your Capricorn tendency to responsibly research and prepare before diving in. 

Aquarius & Aquarius Rising: The third house, where this new moon is happening for you, can be a bit more subtle than some, because it deals with the everyday, the local, our neighbors, and how we communicate. However, the things this new moon kickstarts can ultimately have a long-lasting impact. Subtle shifts in your communication, e.g., making friendly small talk with your neighbors or signing up for a shift at the local food pantry, can lead to greater joy later. Try a new coffee shop or local bar, it could be kismet. 

Pisces & Pisces Rising: Occurring in your second house of money and resources, this new moon may bring with it an investment or job opportunity, or something may spark an idea in you that will ultimately allow you to grow your income and wealth. Pay attention, but be sure to think carefully and vet any offers that come your way. 

As always, take these with a grain of salt, because astrology is for fun, and it’s not fortune telling. And of course, depending on your own chart, the new moon may be hitting certain planets that give extra oomph or a different energy to what I’m interpreting here. 

Saturn in Pisces: Damming the Ocean

Saturn changed signs on March 7th, moving from air sign Aquarius, one of two signs over which it has rulership, into watery Pisces. Saturn had been in Aquarius since 2020, and prior to that, it was in Capricorn, the other sign it rules, since late 2017. That means for the first time in more than 5 years, Saturn is traveling out of its domain. It will be in Pisces until February 2026 (save for a brief foray into Aries from May to August 2025). 

More than most other planets, Saturn holds a special fascination in the zeitgeist because of the Saturn return, a transit in relation to one’s natal chart that first occurs for a person around the age of 29 or so, when Saturn is in the same location it was in when the person was born. When you go through your Saturn return, it can be harrowing and put you through your paces, and you come out on the other side of it feeling like more of an adult. Because people who are in their late 20s/early 30s experience this rough patch and often search for answers (why is this happening to me!?), the Saturn return seems to be one of the most popularly discussed astrological concepts, up there with Mercury retrograde. 

The reason it’s challenging is because Saturn is the planet of authority in the zodiac. It represents structure, seriousness, and responsibility. Until 1781, Saturn was thought to be the last planet of the solar system because it’s the farthest of the planets that are visible to the naked eye. Thus, it’s connoted with the concept of boundaries. It’s commonly known as the task-master of the zodiac. It’s also the auditor, and often also referred to as the daddy or father figure. 

I often think of Saturn as Dorothy Zbornak, portrayed with authoritarian aplomb by (Queen) Bea Arthur on The Golden Girls. Dorothy/Saturn is a judgmental tough cookie and will take you to task for your failings, but ultimately she wants to see you succeed. She wants you to learn your lesson, Blanche! 

With Saturn moving into Pisces, Saturn is going to have a more challenging time asserting its authority, so in general, we may see rules of many kinds get more bendable, since Pisces is a mutable sign. While Saturn is about boundaries, out of all the signs, Pisces is probably the least OK with boundaries, so it will be an interesting few years of boundary blurriness. Any remaining vestiges of Covid-related restrictions will diminish and disappear, and if there are any lingering feelings of being restricted with regard to the pandemic, those will be gone. 

However, because Saturn aims to set boundaries and build structures and have us take responsibility, it will be attempting to do this in areas associated with Pisces: water, emotions and feelings, dreams, unreality (vs. reality), escapism, drugs, art, religion, and spirituality.

Saturn moving through Pisces is like an attempt to dam the ocean. 

There are so many ways this could play out. For example, in the world, you will likely see more attempts to fight rising sea levels, which are going to become a growing issue over the next few years, as nations are going to have to do more and more to protect coastal cities. There will also probably be water shortages, and we could see both some big restrictions on water usage and also more pronounced campaigns and movements related to water conservation. 

We could see fights to make stricter drug laws for some drugs and to loosen restrictions on others. Art could take on a more severe quality, and gritty realism will probably be embraced more (grunge was big in the early to mid 90s, the last time Saturn was in Pisces). Personally, I’d love to see a more vocal, strengthened movement in the U.S. to demand we tax churches. There’s also probably going to be a backlash against both organized religion and the New Age-y stuff that’s risen in popularity over the last few years, including astrology. 

Saturn loves to teach lessons by making us face harsh realities, and for us personally, that means that we may see a few years of learning lessons in the areas of our chart ruled by Pisces. How it will affect you specifically depends on the placement of the planets in your birth chart, as Saturn makes new aspects as it moves through a new sign. But based on your sun and/or rising sign, here is taste of the areas/topics for which you may find yourself having to take some more responsibility and go through some challenges between now and 2026: 

Pisces & Pisces Rising: Saturn will be moving through your first house of self. This can mean your self-perception, your ideals of self, but it can also mean your physical appearance, how you present yourself to others, and your wellbeing. Routinized self-care can be helpful at any point, but especially during this time.

Aries & Aries Rising: The 12th house, where Saturn will be for you, covers mental health, the shadow self, sleep, dreams, and isolation. Implementing a regular meditation practice or other activities to tend to your mental health is a great use of this Saturn transit.

Taurus & Taurus Rising: Saturn will be in your 11th house of friends, networks, and the groups of which you are a part, so you may be taking on some responsibilities in those areas and/or becoming more of an authority figure or leader. 

Gemini & Gemini Rising: Saturn in the 10th can have you facing some challenges or steep learning curves in the area of your career. It could also mark the period where you step into your authority in your career or in the public sphere. You may find yourself taking on the role of a boss or mentor. 

Cancer & Cancer Rising: The 9th house focuses on spirituality, study, philosophy, long-distance travel, and the law, so Saturn touching these areas could mean that you seriously pursue an area of study, or it can find you stepping into a position of authority as a teacher of some kind. 

Leo & Leo Rising: This will bring focus into your 8th house of other people’s resources, which includes others’ money and emotional baggage. It’s also taxes, inheritance, debts, and loans, and in a more macro scale, trauma, death, and rebirth. You know, no big deal. 

Virgo & Virgo Rising: This will be in your 7th house of partnerships and relationships, so you may find yourself facing responsibility with regard to or needing to clearly assess your closest relationship(s). Saturn highlights what can’t be sustained. 

Libra & Libra Rising: Saturn will be moving through your 6th house of work, health, and daily routines. It’s useful to think about the ways that you want to harness what Saturn represents (hard work, structure, systems) to make the most out of this area of your life.

Scorpio & Scorpio Rising: The 5th house is associated with pleasure, fun, sex and romance, and children. Saturn can put a damper on these things when transiting through this house, but if you try to work with Saturn, you can find a way to apply its lessons to bring you joy.

Sagittarius & Sag Rising: Saturn will be going through the 4th house for you, which is the house of home, family, our roots, and our early life. You may find yourself having to embody a caretaking role or facing lessons and putting in work in one or more of these areas.

Capricorn & Cap Rising: The 3rd house deals with communications, including how we speak, think, write, and our discussions with others. This house also encompasses our neighborhood and neighbors and things that are part of our local life, as well as short-distance and domestic travel, and siblings, so Saturn may touch on one or more of these aspects.

Aquarius & Aqua Rising: Saturn will be moving through your 2nd house of money and resources. Saturn can have a contracting effect, so you could find yourself making do with less, but it’s wise to channel Saturn’s penchant for hard work, discipline, and auditing in this area, which can help you build financial sustainability.

As I mentioned in my last post, there are other major sign movements coming in March. We’ll gradually start to feel a shift now but will feel it more concretely in the coming months. More to come, but Saturn in Pisces is the first of these changes.

Full Moon in Virgo

Honestly, there’s just too much happening in March. March is going to usher in a big vibe shift. There are multiple planets/luminaries shifting signs, some of which are outer planets that have been in their current signs for years (and in the case of Pluto, more than a decade). 

A quick list: Saturn moves into Pisces Tuesday this week, then mid-month Venus moves into Taurus, Mercury and then the Sun move into Aries (and thus begins the zodiacal new year!), and later this month, Pluto moves into Aquarius, leaving Capricorn where it has been since 2008, and then Mars finally (FINALLY) moves out of Gemini and into Cancer. And of course the moon changes signs throughout the month, every month, hitting on different points and giving emphasis to the other changes.

It’s a lot to digest, but for now, let’s focus on the full moon happening this week. It is occurring on the same day, March 7th, that Saturn will switch signs, which may feel intense. That morning the moon is full in Virgo at 7:40 am EST and then within an hour, Saturn moves into Pisces (a separate post about that will be forthcoming). 

Virgo full moons are about releasing the little things that stress us. Don’t sweat the small stuff. Virgo is an earth sign, so it’s grounded. Virgo is also methodical, but as a mutable sign, is adaptable, albeit in well thought-out, incremental ways. A full moon there encourages us to formulate practical steps on how to move beyond the things we’ve outgrown or that no longer serve us. 

While Virgo is grounded, the full moon is opposite the sun in Pisces, which is associated with free flowing emotions. The sun and moon are both squaring, or forming 90-degree angles with, Mars (this is known as a T-square), which will create tension and push for action. 

This is what you may experience based on where it occurs in your chart. Read for both your sun and rising sign.

Aries & Aries Rising: This full moon can bring a culmination of some aspect of your work, or the wrapping of a project that you have been consistently spending time on. You may find yourself with some much needed free time on your hands. Before diving into the next area of focus, take the opportunity to make a list, journal, or organize your thoughts about what you really want to prioritize next. A full moon in Virgo is opposite the sun in Pisces, so best to balance practical feelings of obligation with your innermost aspirations and desires.

Taurus & Taurus Rising: The Virgo full moon can bring an opportunity for you to clear blockages when it comes to your creativity. Have you had writer’s block? Use the full moon to change up your practice to try to get your creative energies flowing again. With your ruling planet, Venus, currently in your 12th house, meditation, retreat, journaling, and other mindfulness exercises can be especially useful now and can help you tap into your inner artist.

Gemini & Gemini Rising: You may be having some emotionally charged interactions or discussions with your family this week. Mars is still in Gemini and making that t-square with the moon and sun, so family dynamics may be contentious. Take deep breaths and try to keep your cool if you find yourself about to erupt or act in a way that you may regret later. And if someone in your family lashes out, try to remember that it’s a full moon and Mars is in the mix and not take it too personally.

Cancer & Cancer Rising: There could be some mixing it up in the mundane for you. The full moon could bring changes to the way you communicate or the wrapping up of an ongoing activity related to your neighborhood or your building, if you live in an apartment. It could also indicate an emotional conclusion for a sibling of yours. The moon is your ruler, so you have a tendency to be a deeply emotional person, so try to lean into Virgo’s attributes for balance.

Leo & Leo Rising: This could bring some closure to either a way you earn money or a money matter with which you have been dealing. You’ll also be feeling a little tender when it comes to the resources you have. Maybe your income, your savings, or your assets aren’t what you necessarily thought they would be. Virgo loves logical, practical steps toward progress, so this is a great time for examining your budget and trimming back the superfluous spending to help you achieve the things you’ve been hoping for. 

Virgo & Virgo Rising: The full moon may be extra emotional for you, so much so that you may be tempted to or find yourself acting abruptly. You’re usually pretty measured and plan out your next steps, but with this moon opposite the sun in Pisces and squaring Mars, your emotional self can overpower your logical self.  It’s a lot. Let go of negative self-perception, and if you find yourself impetuously and emotionally making decisions, try to take a step back and use your wise mind.

Libra & Libra Rising: This could be a time where you find yourself self-sabotaging in one or more areas of your life. Use the power of this full moon to critically examine the habits and thoughts that contribute to your own undoing and contemplate how you can break those. Meditation and setting aside time to clear your mind would be especially restorative now. 

Scorpio & Scorpio Rising: The Virgo full moon is happening in your 11th house, squaring your ruler, Mars, in your 8th house. This could bring an emotional urge to have potentially fraught conversations with your friends about things that have been bugging you or ways in which you feel wounded by them. It could even see you scaling back your commitments with regard to friendship or the time you’ve been devoting to your friend groups or your community. It can be sort of a “taking my ball and going home” vibe. Take a beat and think logically about what you want to say before speaking and acting.

Sagittarius & Sag Rising: With this full moon, you will likely be experiencing a culmination of something in your career or in a public role. It could be the wrapping up of a project you’re leading that will earn you kudos or an emotional ending to a job that you’ve been at. There may be a moment of sadness or a feeling of loss, but focus on the accomplishments you have achieved and ruminate about what you want to take on next. 

Capricorn & Capricorn Rising: This Virgo full moon is occurring in your 9th house, which may have you feeling restless and looking for an escape. You may be tempted to plan a trip to a far-flung locale or just immerse yourself in a good book or an area of study. The moon is in a fellow earth sign, so if you do end up wanting to escape, make a clear, detailed, multi-step plan first. 

Aquarius & Aquarius Rising: Your emotions may be particularly intense and focused on what others have and what you feel like you lack. A full moon in the 8th house of your chart can bring about jealousy or even have you feeling taken advantage of by someone else. Virgo is about logic, so if you feel this way, objectively lay out the facts for yourself. You may find your jealousy to be unfounded, and/or you may find that you do need to set better boundaries with others. 

Pisces & Pisces Rising: Close relationships will serve as the primary focus during this full moon, and you may find yourself being more critical than usual. Instead of stewing about the shortcomings you perceive about your partner or others with whom you’re in close, symbiotic relationships, take the opportunity to reflect on your feelings and why certain things may be triggering for you. 

Take all of these with a grain of salt. Astrology is interpretative and not fortune-telling, so the full moon may manifest in different ways for you. 

Week of February 26th: Two Conjunctions

This week, we will be feeling momentum toward and then the apices of two big planetary conjunctions: Venus & Jupiter in Aries and Mercury & Saturn in Aquarius. 

Slightly after midnight EST on March 2nd, Venus will enter a conjunction with Jupiter in Aries at 12 degrees. Venus in Aries is fiery, passionate, sexy, and combustible. The day that Venus moved into Aries, I felt compelled to look up pole dancing classes. My favorite astrology Twitter account referred to it as “hoe era.” Conjunct Jupiter, we’ll see the expansion and spreading of those attributes. 

This transit could lead to burgeoning relationships becoming public or being taken to the next level. The “do now, think later” nature of Aries could mean that some people impulsively get engaged or elope. In Aries, Venus and Jupiter are in a sign ruled by Mars, which is still (yes, still, it’s been MONTHS) in Gemini, so there could be big talk of relationships or relationship changes. This talk may or may not pan out, but Jupiter’s presence means they are more likely to succeed. This transit can also mean sexual sparks flying and/or being with multiple partners. 

It may not be just or all about love and sexual relationships, though. At this time, you may start or grow other relationships that will be influential to you and affect your life in a positive way, or broaden your perspective. Or, existing relationships you have with others, even more casual, acquaintance-type ones, may bear fruit around this time. I’ve updated this post to add a real life example: my husband has been diligently working on getting all the paperwork and applying for his Irish citizenship for the last four years. His eligibility is based on his familial relationships. After years, his citizenship was finally approved and processed–with Jupiter and Venus both transiting and nearing their conjunction in his 4th house of roots, home, and family. Because of his family relationships, he’s able to connect more with his roots and heritage, and expand his home base. Astrology is wild!

This transit, because Venus rules money and what we value, could be lucky in terms of finances. Raises and promotions may come through, or you may just find a dollar on the street. The only minor caution here is to try not to be TOO spendy (Jupiter expands, so expand with money in, not out).

Chiron is also in the mix, within one degree of both planets, and Venus entering an exact conjunction with Chiron the next day, so some of the relationships that form may offer a healing quality to deep emotional wounds from early life. 

At the same time, Mercury is approaching Saturn, and those two planets form a conjunction several hours later in the early morning of March 2nd. This is in Aquarius, Saturn’s sign, so the Saturn influence will be strong on Mercury, and it’s at 29 degrees, the anaretic degree of Aquarius, so it’s mega Aquarian energy. There will be intellectual conversations, with the focus on the world outside of yourself.

On a personal level, this energy also makes for a good time for thinking about the systems and structures of your life and getting organized and practical, but in an inventive way (Aquarius). What can you do to improve the way you think and communicate? What are the systematic steps you can take? And can you use your voice to make things better in the world or community? 

Later on March 2nd, Mercury moves into Pisces, so our communications and our thinking softens, becoming a little more emotionally driven and intuitive. Mercury in Pisces is a great time to write songs and poetry. This week, with Mercury in conjunction with Saturn, with Venus and Jupiter empowering one another, it’s a good time to have potentially tough conversations. 

Next week, on March 7th, Saturn will move into Pisces, on the same day as a full moon in Virgo, which will usher in a major vibe shift. In fact, the entire month of March is about big sign changes, but more on that next week.