Tag Archives: Saturn

Some Rough Air Ahead

We’ve had kind of a break since the wild ride of mid-July. The Mercury retrograde we’re currently experiencing seems pretty mild compared with the astrology of last month. But now, we’re gearing up for some more interesting transits next week, and it looks like things are going to get turbulent again. 

On Wednesday, August 14th, Mars, which is now in buzzy Gemini, is going to align with Jupiter, forming a conjunction. On its own, a Mars-Jupiter conjunction could signify an expansion (Jupiter) of aggression and assertiveness (Mars). Mars is also about passion, and with it and Jupiter both in Gemini, you could be feeling the urge to vision board and make grandiose plans. You may send rambling texts to your friends with big ideas for the future. It’s cocaine energy. Mars and Jupiter are about dreaming big, but not so much about the details. And in the news, we may see some big protests and/or some large-scale threats of violence. 

With both Mars and Jupiter approaching squares (tense aspects) with Saturn in the days following their conjunction, there’s going to be conflict between the big, passionate, grandiose visions and movements and the harshness of reality. Saturn puts a damper on all that. It asks how you’re actually going to accomplish those pipe dreams of yours. I have both a Saturn-ruled sun and Mercury in my chart, and I feel like so much of my job is pressing my colleagues on how they are actually going to achieve those things that they are planning. I often ask, “OK, but what can you realistically do in this timeframe?” Saturn says no, which can be really frustrating, but sometimes we need the reality check!

The Mars-Saturn square will be exact on August 15th and the Jupiter-Saturn square is exact on August 19th. In the news, this coincides with the weekend leading up to and the beginning of the DNC. There’s been both astrological and non-astrological focus on how 2024 has paralleled 1968 in so many ways. The Astrology Podcast, the gold-standard of, well, astrology podcasts, had a really great breakdown of this in its August forecast episode. In the U.S., we’ve had student protests, an incumbent choosing not to run for re-election, an assassination attempt, RFK, this time Jr., and a planned DNC in Chicago of all places. Does that mean that the 2024 DNC is going to be the kind of chaotic shitshow that 1968’s was? TBD. But with the Mars-Jupiter-Saturn configuration, I could definitely see some large scale protests and demonstrative actions that are harshly suppressed by law enforcement.

Speaking of the sixties, I really love Mad Men. I want to go back and rewatch season 6, which felt super disjointed, but the point of the dissonant tone of that season was to show just how insane 1968 felt to those living it. There was a whole episode on the MLK assassination, and then in a subsequent episode, the RFK assassination appears merely as a last-couple-minute coda, as if to say, another one…when will this end? Megan weeping quietly on the bed, listening to the morning news, as Don numbly gets ready for work….how much of this year has felt that way? Then the credits roll to Friend & Lover’s bubbly “Reach Out in the Darkness”. The mindfuckery we’re experiencing now isn’t totally unprecedented, but that doesn’t make it less exhausting and anxiety producing.

One last potential manifestation of this transit: with both Mars and Jupiter in air sign Gemini and Saturn in Pisces, the most watery of the water signs, there’s big hurricane energy (i.e., big fierce wind up against water). Not a surprising parallel given this summer’s active hurricane season.  

And the Mars-Jupiter-Saturn of it all is just one strand of the astrology of this upcoming week.

On August 18th, there’s a Mercury-Uranus square, so another tense aspect, this one between the messenger planet of communication and technology and the planet of disruptions and surprises. This is another transit that drums up anxiety. Our thinking during these few days may be less rational than usual. Just take a beat before acting on any quick thoughts or impulses you may have. This is also the second time we’ve had this transit because Mercury is retrograde now; the same configuration also occurred on July 21st and will happen again on September 6th & 7th. So if you think back to what stories occurred on July 21st, both personally and in the zeitgeist, there may be some revisions to narratives or further developments, with the conclusions coming in September. 

And finally, on August 19th, there is a full moon in Aquarius at 27 degrees, opposite the sun in Leo, which is also aligned with Mercury. The moon and sun sidle up to that Mercury-Uranus configuration.

Whew. This is a very interesting full moon, compounding the energies described above. There are just a lot of things that are going to culminate, and the full moon, in the sign associated with innovation and the collective, is going to shed some light on our own roles in shaping our collective future. Leo is very much about ego, but the moon in Aquarius balancing it out encourages us to think less about the “me” and more about the “we.” What can we do for the betterment of our communities, for all? Reach out in the darkness, indeed. 

Of course, take this all with a grain of salt. Manifestations of these themes may be big and loud, but they could be small and quiet, too. Ground yourself and don’t freak out–we have a long way to go.  

New Moon in Taurus

There is a new moon in Taurus tonight, May 7th, at 18 degrees. This new moon is glorious for two reasons: 1) it is supported in rulership and by aspect, which I’ll get into, and 2) it marks the end of eclipse season. 

How was your eclipse season? Every single eclipse does not have world-shaking, life-upending implications for every person. However, if you think back through your life, many of the most unpredictable, wrenching events that have occurred likely did so around eclipses. 

I’ll offer a case from my own life. Libra falls in my 4th house, which has significations of home and family, and Aries in my 10th, which relates to career and public identity. Coinciding with the Libra lunar eclipse, my mother was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer, and my world has changed. This has resulted in shifting things around, pulling up stakes to change my home base, and the importance I place on my work and my public life sloughing away, like skin shed from a snake.

This has also meant that I haven’t been writing or consulting current astrology as much of late, but I know it’s there, a constant, and I see the impact unfolding for me personally. I’m ready for this eclipse season to be over, and with this eagerly anticipated new moon in Taurus, it will be. FINALLY. 

And this new moon is resplendent (figuratively). It’s in Taurus, a fixed earth sign. The moon is exalted in Taurus, meaning that when the moon is in Taurus, it is like a special guest star, with fanfare and a spotlight. It operates with aplomb.

Taurus is practical and deliberate. The energy is slow and grounded. This new moon takes place between Venus and Jupiter, also both in Taurus, and both planets are benefics, which means that in ancient astrology, they were considered favorable (vs. the malefics Mars and Saturn). 

The moon in Taurus is ruled by Venus, which, because it’s in Taurus now, is firing on all cylinders. Taurus is Venus’s domicile (along with Libra), so Venus has no barriers when it is in Taurus. Venusian energy, with its focus on relationships, love, luxuries, and values, is unfettered and prominent with this new moon. 

The moon is also making a supportive aspect to Saturn in Pisces. Saturn lends it some stability, and in earth sign Taurus, this new moon becomes an auspicious time to lay the groundwork for new projects and for working toward our desires. It could be an especially potent time to start new physical routines and to focus on your self and your body. The Saturn aspect imbues anything we start now with some extra discipline, much needed after the chaos that the eclipses and Aries season wrought. 

And because it’s in Taurus, the earth goddess sign, it marks a great time to garden and plant flowers, to buy a new piece of clothing or jewelry, and/or to learn to make a new signature dish or dessert. It’s all about beginning anew with mindfulness. Get out in nature if you can. In the words of English rose Natasha Bedingfield, feel the rain on your skin; no one else can feel it for you.

The new moon inspired me to write again and to do a little ritual, which I also haven’t done in a minute, because of the hope springing from it. And then I wait to see how this personal eclipse story of mine will conclude in March of next year, when the final eclipse of this cycle will occur. The rest is still unwritten.

Full Moon in Virgo

There’s a full moon in Virgo coming up, exact at 7:30 am on February 24th. The moon will be at 5 degrees of Virgo and the sun at 5 degrees of Pisces. We’re already feeling it (along with all the Mars-Venus-Pluto stuff that’s been going on) and will be feeling it throughout the next week. I need to make sure I actually go out and catch a glimpse of it. If you have anything from about 0-10 degrees of a mutable sign (Virgo, Pisces, Gemini, or Sagittarius) in your chart, you’re going to feel the effects of this full moon more than most. (And if you don’t know what’s in your chart, book a reading with me!)

The Pisces-Virgo axis is marked by deep feelings and adaptability. Virgo is an earth sign and way more grounded than Pisces, but it’s still a mutable sign. When changes arrive or are needed, a Virgo can shift gears and recalibrate relatively easily. Pisces, a mutable water sign, is boundless. Virgo is a caregiving sign but can be harshly critical, while Pisces is compassionate and empathetic but can be so caught up in their own feelings that they ignore your needs. They make for an interesting combination. There’s a lot of caring here, but how it manifests can vary.

As for full moons, one occurs when the moon is opposite the sun and fully illuminated, reflecting the sun’s light. It’s the culmination of the lunar cycle, and it represents a time to let go. This full moon is an especially opportune time to release because it’s the last full moon of the zodiacal year! Pisces is the last sign of the zodiac, and with the spring equinox, Aries season begins, as does the new astrological year. So this is truly about letting go. It’s also the last full moon before the next set of eclipses, so if you’re someone who manifests or does any sort of ritual work around full moons, this is your last chance for a couple months. 

With the moon in Virgo, this means that we may be feeling called to let go of something in our daily routines or our annoyances, our judgments, our critiques. It’s a good time for cleaning the house and sweeping the dust away. With Virgo-Pisces, I think of making a list (Virgo) of the shadow qualities (Pisces) we want to work on. Or cathartically releasing emotions while doing housework or crafting. Cry and knit. Listen to the most maudlin music while you scrub your bathtub. Make a commitment to start a daily yoga practice.

Pisces is associated with the Moon card in the Tarot. I love the Moon card as illustrated by Pamela Colman Smith. Even the crustaceans respond to the moon’s power.

The sun at 5 Pisces is also between Mercury and Saturn, both in Pisces, when this full moon occurs, lending some discipline and some thought to it. So while we’re all likely to feel super emotional, it’s a little more grounded (from the Virgo moon + Saturn’s presence) than we’d feel during a Pisces season in another year.

Mercury in Pisces is interesting because Mercury is in its fall in Pisces, meaning that when it’s in Pisces, it’s harder for us to think clearly and connect the dots. Our thoughts and words are more abstract than usual. However, Pisces’s ruler is Jupiter, and Jupiter is in Taurus, another earth sign, so we can tap into the practicalities and realities of where these abstract thoughts and emotions are coming from if we try. 

This is all to say that if you find yourself crying over the next few days, and you ask yourself why you’re so emotional, remember that it’s just another full moon, and it’s during Pisces season, and let yourself ride the waves over the next couple weeks. (The state of the world right now doesn’t help; if you’re not despondent, I’m not sure how.) Over the next couple days, though, if you are in a list-making, task-mastering, cleaning, and clearing zone, the moon is on your side. 

Of course, astrology is not fortune telling, and this is simply my interpretation of what’s going on with the current transits in the sky. Take all of this with a grain of salt, as always.

New Moon in Capricorn

On the morning of January 11th, at 6:57 am EST, there is a new moon at 20 degrees of Capricorn. This is the first new moon of 2024. When a moon is “new,” it’s aligned with the sun, and this represents the beginning of a new cycle. 

Given that this is the first lunation of 2024 and it’s in cardinal earth sign Capricorn, which is about practical initiation, this is an excellent opportunity for setting intentions or making your New Year’s resolutions. And because of its positioning in relation to the nodes, currently in Aries and Libra, these intentions may not be just for the year ahead, but more aligned with your soul’s purpose or ultimate destiny. Dream big.

Not only is the new moon in a sign that’s about taking charge and setting plans in motion AND in relationship with the nodes, but there are other aspects at play that make it auspicious for laying the groundwork for what we hope to achieve.

First, both the sun and moon trine Uranus, the planet of disruption, revolution, and change. This means the moon, sun, and Uranus are all lending one another big time support. The intentions you set now could lead to major changes ahead. Or you may get some surprises around this new moon that contribute to your self-reflection and the goals you want to set. All of these guys are in earth signs, which grounds the big shifts and disruptions that come from Uranus. And with Uranus in Taurus, all topics financial would be especially relevant for this new moon.

Concurrent to the new moon, Mars, the planet of action and drive, is also in Capricorn, a sign it loves. And it’s in a supportive trine with Jupiter, the planet of expansion and growth, which is also in Taurus. This is helpful for taking practical action on big plans. And with both in friendly aspects to Saturn, the planet of structure and longevity, concrete plans made now have a good chance of sticking. 

I was going to write up horoscopes for this new moon, but then I thought best not to lead you to focus on one particular area of your life and chart where the new moon occurs over others. This new moon is a good time for setting your intentions to align with your big-picture plans and soul’s desires, so why limit it to one area of your life? 

The astro forecast gets more tumultuous from here on out, especially in the months to come (ahem, April), so this marks a good time for getting your ducks in a row and ensuring your structures are solid for any bumpy weather to come. 

The Solstice and Capricorn Season

It’s the solstice! Fire up the yule log, light the candles, pour the wine, eat the pudding, and listen to the solstice carols. Gods Rest Ye Merry Pagan Folk! In the Northern Hemisphere, it’s the longest night of the year, and from tomorrow onward, we get a little more light each day. 

The sun moves into Capricorn on December 21st at 10:27 pm EST, and Capricorn season begins.

The chart for this is lovely. Let’s hope this is indicative of the year ahead. The sun is conjunct Mercury, which is still retrograde and encouraging us to reexamine, reflect, and revise. Both the sun and Mercury form positive aspects to Saturn at 2 degrees of Pisces, which lends some help if we need to concentrate or structure our communication, which may be feeling scattered with the retrograde. Also at the time the sun moves into Capricorn, the moon is at 0 degrees of Taurus, forming a trine to the sun. A trine is an unfettered, supportive connection, so on this day, we have support in aligning our purposes with our emotional and especially our physical (Taurus) needs.

So, about Capricorn. Capricorn is a Saturn-ruled sign. Saturn is the disciplinarian and the authority figure of the zodiac, a slayer of nonsense and excuses. (Saturn = Dorothy Zbornak.) Capricorn is a cardinal sign, meaning it’s a sign of initiation, and it’s an earth sign, signifying practicality and pragmatism.

Capricorn is symbolized as the sea-goat, a mythical creature. Its tarot card is the Devil.

Both of these speak to the complexity of Capricorns. A stereotype of Caps is that they are all business, but that’s not true. Caps can be some of the most hedonistic people out there. It’s the work hard, play hard ethos. 

Characteristics commonly assigned to Caps are that they are hard-working, responsible, driven, motivated. But motivated by what? For less evolved Capricorns, it can be power and status. For more evolved Capricorns, it’s a motivation to honor oneself. 

Astrologer Steven Forrest, in his seminal book The Inner Sky, discusses Capricorns’ truthful state as being purely themselves everywhere, in both private and public. There are no hidden motivations. With evolved Capricorns, what you see is what you get. People with Capricorn placements are comfortable being alone, and solitude is productive for them because the best thing they can achieve is to truly get to know themselves. Katie from VPR and Kyle from RHOBH are both Capricorns. Katie has finally shed that weight that was Tom Schwartz and is living her life, single and with her stellar haircut. Kyle, on this most recent season of RHOBH, talks about how she’s done trying to please others and is going to be fully herself. That is Capricorn evolution! 

Because of the solitary nature of Cap placements, it can make it hard for others to get to really know them. Their embrace of solitude can be confounding. Partners of those with Cap placements may always wonder what’s really happening inside the head and the heart of the Capricorn person. But Capricorns know themselves, deep down, and the evolved Caps lay it all out there with no pretenses, no masks, no need for questioning. Needy people may find and attach themselves to Capricorns because they want someone to tell them what to do (ahem, Tom Schwartz) and Caps take charge, but Capricorns are at their best if they partner with people who aren’t so needy and give them their space to be themselves and do what they want.  

It’s also often said about Caps that they age in reverse. Cue the Dylan. Someone with a Cap sun or Cap ascendant may have a chip on their shoulder when they are young because no one else can do anything right and they are surrounded by idiots. But as they get older, maturity and life experiences help to mellow them out and become more accepting, both of themselves and of others. Can you imagine what Saturnian Dorothy was like as a youth? Probably way more rigid and judgmental, but in her golden years, she’s chilling with her mom and two other weirdos in Miami.

Capricorn season always encompasses the holidays, which is interesting because it starts off with that truly weird and hazy period between Christmas and New Year’s (a ripe time for Capricorns’ hedonistic pursuits). Having the New Year in Capricorn season makes a lot of sense. Making resolutions and taking action to launch new projects are very Capricornian. 

This Cap season, we have a full moon at 4 degrees of Cancer on December 26th. Cancer is an emotional water sign, and this full moon occurs while Mars and Mercury are aligned, so it’s probably going to be very emo. The fact that it’s the day after Christmas, when a lot of us will be spending time with our loved ones, is maybe not ideal, but it could represent a catharsis. It’s a time to release any tension, anger, and stress that came to a head in the days leading up to the holiday, but that’s best done in a productive way (scream therapy or a nice long bathtub cry). You may want to be cognizant to not pop off on your family, partners, co-workers, and friends and tear them to shreds, because with Mercury retrograde, you may really regret what you say and have to go back and apologize later. 

The new moon in Capricorn on January 11th is a little more auspicious, and this lunation is kind of like the real new year, at least when it comes to planting the seeds for what you’d like to achieve in 2024. Mercury will be direct once again and our thinking should be clearer. Horoscopes for that new moon to come in a bit. 

But for now, solstice greetings and glad tidings! Get some rest before the heady work of Cap season ramps up.

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. 

The Week of April 9th: Venus in Gemini & Jupiter-Sun Conjunction

This week starts off with a couple really great aspects on the 11th, then gets a bit more challenging closer to the 14th. 

After midnight EDT on Tuesday, April 11th, Venus enters Gemini. Gemini, a mutable air sign, is about talking, listening, thinking, synthesizing. It’s nimble and quick but can suffer from a short attention span. It’s also about duality. Gemini is represented by the twins, and when a planet is in Gemini, the things that planet rules have two sides. Gemini gives us options. Two roads and all of that. (Robert Frost was an Aries, but maybe he was a Gemini rising.)

With Venus, the planet of values and resources, including relationships and finances, in Gemini, it means that we are going to find ourselves placing greater value on connecting and communicating. Time to talk. Gemini loves tips and tricks. It’s pithy. Read about budgeting hacks. Figure out the quickest way to get to your friends’ apartments. We’re going to want to learn more and feel more connected to people and to ideas with this transit, so you’ll likely find yourself asking more questions of the people you meet or have surface-level relationships with, and you’ll also likely find yourself with 2x your normal number of browser tabs open.  

Once Venus moves into Gemini, it will form a trine to Pluto in Aquarius. Pluto is about birth, death, transformation, and regeneration. This is a good transit for changing up something in your look, or the way you manage your finances, or something in your relationship that has gone stale. Pluto’s influence can help us examine the things we value more deeply, discard what is not serving us, and really support or improve what we hold dear. 

Also on April 11th, the sun, which is in Aries, meets up with Jupiter, forming a conjunction. Jupiter is the planet of growth and expansion and generally considered beneficial, and the sun is about vitality. This is generally a pretty great transit. This is a good time for shining your light and focusing your physical and mental energies on something that you want to grow. What area of your life or project could use a boost? On Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, give that your attention. The only potential negative with any Jupiter transit is that we can be or do too much, so it’s a good time to be mindful of not over-exerting yourself, or over-committing yourself, or over-indulging. 

On Friday the 14th, the vibe changes a bit as Venus forms a square with Saturn in Pisces. Squares cause tension and can generate some conflict. And Saturn is a planet that is typically associated with limitations, contractions, and boundaries. So whatever Venusian ideas or things have been our focus for the past few days may hit some snags, or we may feel limited in those areas. After all, nothing gold can stay.

If you haven’t done them already, I wouldn’t suggest doing your taxes later this week, even though they are due on Monday the 18th. My unqualified advice would be to do them on Tuesday the 11th instead, when Venus is well-aspected. Saturn could also have us feeling a little stifled in relationships, or making us feel disappointed in the way we look. Just know that because Venus moves relatively quickly, this transit is fleeting, and those feelings will pass.

Enjoy the week! And take this all with a grain of salt, as always. Astrology is for entertainment purposes only. 🙂

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.