Monday 5/11/2020: Sneak Peek at a Jam-Packed Week, Part 1: Saturn & Venus Retrograde
It’s a busy week of planetary shifts — as Saturn, Venus and Jupiter reverse direction, demanding we slow down and REview. Mercury and Mars change signs, demanding an adjustment in matters of walking and talking.
Here’s how it goes:
- MONDAY — Moon picks up from where it was on Sunday, i.e., in Capricorn, driving the day with a need to Make Things Happen. As in baseball, no crying will be tolerated. At 12:09 AM ET, Saturn turned retrograde.
- Saturn refers to ambition, authority and necessary controls. It turned retrograde at almost exactly 2 degrees of Aquarius. It will back up into Capricorn on July 2nd — all the way back to 25 degrees of Capricorn — turning direct on September 25th.
- FUN FACT for Astro-Nerds: It will take until January 3, 2021 for Saturn to return to where it is right now. It is absolutely fascinating to note that when Mars turns retrograde this September, it will also take until January 3, 2021 for it to return to the place it will be at — 28 Aries — when it turns retrograde. January 3rd is the start of the 117th Congress. Hmmm.
You’re more personally affected by this Saturn retrograde if you have a planet around 2 Aquarius, Leo, Taurus or Scorpio. You are likely feeling a streamlining squeeze in the area of life the squeezed planet represents. Consult your astrologer for details.
In general, Saturn retrograde suggests a time to turn inward in matters related to ambition, structure, controls and authority. External authority figures may not be reliable — and may present delays, reconsideration or necessary revisions.
One theme we’ll likely see in the headlines: who has power over whom? Saturn in Aquarius would argue that authority belongs to humanity, networks of all kind (including technology); or a group of free-thinking like-minded souls. Saturn in Capricorn would argue that authority belongs to the Powers That Be; established corporate entities of business and government. Capricorn is often the “old guard;” Aquarius, the avant garde. See if you notice a shift in power dynamics when Saturn re-enters Capricorn on July 2nd.
The Sabian Symbol for Saturn at 2 Aquarius is “an unexpected thunderstorm,” which Sabian Symbol Sage Blaine Bovee suggests may be experienced as heavy rains turning an adobe hut into mud. “Man plans; God laughs” would also be apt.
Sabian Symbols tend to work in pairs, with the second half of the pair being a Symbol’s opposite. In this case, the opposite Symbol for 2 Aquarius is 2 Leo: “a epidemic of mumps.” Coincidence or conspiracy? Bovee advises us to watch for:
Things that spread rapidly, upsetting normal expectations…something that seems too good to be true probably is. Watch for immunity to current fads; cathartic turns of events; knowing when to be quiet…”
…and so forth. I recommend Bovee’s fascinating book on Sabian Symbols.
OK. Back to the day by day forecast:
- MONDAY (cont.) — coloring the past few days, exact at 3:33 AM ET, was a square between Mercury (how we need to think) and Mars (how we need to act; assertion). If you have a planet around 28 degrees of Taurus, Leo, Scorpio or Aquarius, you were personally affected by this supercharged pattern — and likely feeling called to battle in your personal crusade. Exhibit A: P45, who was on a highly aggressive Twitter meltdown yesterday, as these planets activated his regally entitled 29 Leo Ascendant — noted in the last and other prior forecasts.
- MONDAY (cont.) — at 5:58 PM ET, Mercury leaves Taurus and enters Gemini, one of the signs it rules. This is a comfortable and efficient placement for Mercury, so we can look forward to thoughts and communication in the headlines that are focused on presenting information that is clever, entertaining and intense.
- MONDAY (cont.) — the Capricorn Moon touches base with Neptune and Sun around dinner time ET, suggesting an easy flow of vision and/or faith added to today’s enterprising agenda. Tension builds after that, as the Moon meets up with Pluto on…
- TUESDAY — …at 2:14 AM ET. This is the weekly power play and/or emotional catharsis, as Pluto tears down, empowers and purges. Moon goes void on a jollier note, meeting up with Jupiter (planet of expansion) at 6:30 AM ET. If you are new to this forecast and unfamiliar with the term “Moon void” or “void of course Moon,” here is the primer. Basically, roll with whatever twists and flakes crop up that may disrupt your efforts to move forward in a straight line. Remember that crises which crop up during Moon voids are usually of little consequence. Chill!
- See if you notice the shift in focus at 11:39 AM ET, when the Moon officially enters Aquarius. Now is the time for social significance, intellectual innovation and networking panache. Hang with your chosen group of buddies and come up with a seriously sobering communications playbook. Around 3 PM ET, Moon meets up with “get real” Saturn and harmonizes with that clever Mercury in Gemini. At 4:14 PM ET, Mercury and Saturn are beautifully aligned — reflecting that aforementioned playbook.
- WEDNESDAY — Next up: Mars — symbol of action, courage and assertion — ditches Aquarius and its “rebel with a cause” agenda. At 12:17 AM ET, Mars enters Pisces like a hot poker plunged into a cauldron of cool water. Mars in Pisces invented the phrase “steaming mad” and co-invented (along with Mars in Libra) “passive-aggressive.” But unlike Mars in Libra, the energy of action reflected by Mars in Pisces needs to reflect awareness of feeling and ideals. We see the potential for action based on intuition, suffering, empathy, escapism — anything in the Pisces realm.
- Keep an eye on “Moscow Mitch” McConnell over the next few days, as his Pisces Sun is activated by Mars. Themes of provocation, assertion and/or aggression would not be surprising.
- WEDNESDAY — At 1:52 AM ET, Moon is squared by Uranus, suggesting a disruption to the status quo. Moon travels without speed bumps for the rest of the entire day. Go with the flow.
- WEDNESDAY — at 2:45 AM, Venus turns retrograde at 21 degrees Gemini — not to turn direct again until June 25th. What does this suggest?
Venus refers to how we need to express ourselves socially. It refers to women, art, beauty and money; in health matters Venus refers to the belt line area of the body (as well as the thyroid and the throat). Venus rules copper, which is an important indicator of economic growth in the commodities markets.
In our social interactions, Venus is the sugar that sweetens our demands, facilitating cooperation. When direct in motion, Venus supports social graces and words like “please” and “thank you.” When retrograde, courtesy and consideration do not come so easily — and relationships can suffer the consequences. The image I hold of Venus retrograde is one of those old-fashioned sardine cans — which you need a key to open. Roll back the lid of the sardine can and there you have it: stinky fish exposed, for all to see. There’s no hiding that smell!
Venus turns retrograde about every 18 months — less often than Mercury, which retrogrades 3-4 times a year. Venus retrograde may present challenges in relationship, finances or aesthetics. Wherever Venus is traveling in your horoscope (in this case 5-21 degrees of Gemini) is where a focus is likely. Look back to May of 2012 for guidance; this is the last time Venus was retrograde in Gemini.
Mindset and communication are Gemini’s domain. Therefore, pay close attention to what you think and say during this Venus retrograde. Do your words and thoughts reflect your true values?
This tweet from Anil Dash offers sage advice for Venus (who, what and how you need to love) retrograde (review) in Gemini (mindset) — especially in what you share on social media:
A reminder that may not be obvious: amplification on social networks has monetary value. Twitter’s algorithm counts it as engagement even if you shared a tweet to criticize it or mock it, and uses that signal to amplify the tweet further. Only RT what you would pay to promote.
The rest of his advice can be found on Twitter here. Meanwhile, this article by Julio Vincent Gambuto (reposted from last week) makes a compelling case for reviewing how you spend your hard-earned cash — eliminating indulgences that do not support your authentic self.
When Venus is retrograde, tried and true connections may be strained — but they will survive. Less sturdy bonds may snap. Celebrities may suddenly divorce. All that fishy smell can mess up our aesthetic senses, too. Be careful about starting a fling with that hot new thing, lest ye awake in a month or so with buyer’s remorse — or worse — the horrible panicked aftermath of a coyote date. This applies to all partnerships, not just romantic ones.
Exercise caution in matters of decor. If you’re planning on redecorating, you hopefully picked out your colors before the Venus retrograde. Putting in an offer on a new home? Look under the rugs, kick the tires — make sure you’re not seduced by surface charm covering up so much….stinky fish. As for cosmetic surgery? Meh. This is not the best time.
Gemini needs diverse, clever and intense entertainment. Gemini fears being boring — or bored. Gemini’s need for diversity leads to restlessness. The challenge of Venus retrograde in Gemini: moving forward too quickly on an aesthetic, monetary or social initiative out of restlessness and/or boredom. It will be interesting to see the results when hair salons can finally open.
So what good can come out of Venus retrograde? Abandoned artistic and creative projects may be ripe for a second chance. Relationships from the past may return. Review your finances. Review your values, so that when it is time to move forward, you can build something that isn’t thrown together out of a need for idle entertainment. Better to build a thing of authentic beauty that may last forever.
So much to cover during this busy week of planetary shifts! Stay tuned for Part 2 of this Sneak Peek at the Week — in which we’ll talk about Jupiter turning retrograde in Capricorn, exact on Thursday at 10:32 AM ET.
As for the news — that must also wait ’til next time — save for this fun tidbit. Avid Readers will recall from last Monday’s forecast that Saturn stationing in Aquarius suggested a focus on astrology. We were bound to see it in the news — and once again the New York Times delivered. “Will Coronavirus Kill Astrology?” the headline wonders.
Bless their hearts — and send them kudos for providing continued validation by once again publishing a story about astrology as anticipated, in sync with planetary patterns. Kudos also to Beth Owl’s Daughter’s Tarot Card of the Week — hot off the press — and also always in sync.
Thank you for reading this forecast. Here’s the 411 on personal consultations.
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