To know what’s going to happen in upcoming months, first you have to look at the big guns. The slow planets cause encompassing effects over a period of months—and even years. Then, look at the smaller, quicker-moving planets and how they connect with those big fellas—as well as with each other. We note the retrogrades, which cause us to review where we have been before, to see if we have learned anything from our last journey through certain energies. And we look at the planets that now have decided to move forward, perhaps retracing a retrograded area—did we learn, or is it a “three strikes, you’re out” scenario? In other words, did we flub it again, or have we now made a resolution and a determined change, as a result of balls that were thrown at us?
In September, we have, most notably, Pluto retrograding into Capricorn, to give us a final view of the old, traditional, and perhaps hackneyed, ways that Pluto in Aquarius will require us to ditch whole-heartedly in April of next year. There will be no looking back then; so get your last taste of the decades-old stew. I say, good riddance. We no longer need Scroogey attitudes, backward and repressive ideas and laws. Women worked hard to get their votes. Unions fought hard to give workers safer environments in which to work, better pay conditions, a few days off, and shorter workdays. Civil rights activists fought and died to acquire their right to LIVE with some measure of equity—and all of them are still fighting, to some degree. No, greed isn’tgood, whatever the movie says. Why do you think Scrooge—and the Grinch—had changes of heart? If you watch feel-good movies and heroic tales, the difference between right and wrong is pretty clear. There’s a reason why these stories end the way they do. No one cheers the bad guy, so we clearly know who they are.
Remember that Pluto moving back into Capricorn mimics the days prior to our country’s revolution. We signed the declaration of independence, and then the war was on—this revisitation, along with Neptune in Aries coming in April, signifies a new state—or country—of being, a “revolutionary” one--this is Pluto in Aquarius: new ideas, new solutions, the individual helping the group, a humanitarian view—or shall I say, a more compassionate way of living—since I am not so sure that humans are “humanitarian” in the strictest definition of the word.
In September, back we slide. From September 1stto November 19th, just think of how you were feeling at the end of last year and beginning of this year. Most folks I know were just coming out of a slump and a sluggish rebound after the traumatizing years of COVID. Many were trying to pick themselves up and gather some energy and get the guts to step out of the house, after all that! We were an agoraphobic world. We have just gotten OUT of the house; let’s not do that again! Pluto stays at 29 degrees; this is called an anaretic degree, crucial in that it signifies a tipping point and a last hurrah for the old goat. Pluto will then be in Aquarius until 2043. I’ll probably be dead by then.
Uranus in Taurus (the disrupter of tradition and steadiness) and Sedna (the victim who is not a victim) are still holding hands, but the grip is starting to slip. Sedna may have seen Uranus in Taurus as an exciting rebel with a cause, but maybe she’s beginning to come to her senses, thinking, “Hmmm, all this drama is not as exciting as I thought it was! In fact, I think I’m going to try to get out of here!” Does she, or doesn’t she? Only her hairdresser knows for sure…Hah! But as astrologers and relationship experts know: as soon as she thinks she’s free, that erratic charmer comes back—that’s the nature of retrogrades—and they sometimes make for long-lasting but torturously insecure partnerships.
Jupiter has been having a good old time in Gemini. Jupiter in Gemini is a spreader—good for marketing, promoting—and misleading folks. He’s been having a grand old time during this election season, and he ain’t done yet! Jupiter goes retrograde on October 9thand doesn’t move forward until February 4th of 2025. He won’t even leave Gemini until June of 2025. That’s a lot of mucking and spreading he’s still got to do! I like it, because I have Gemini Rising, and my Jupiter is in Gemini, too. I’m having a field day with websites, media, YouTube and Zoom channels, and TicToc vids. But the retrograde period can slow things down or make messages more confusing, and considering we are in election time, that is NOT a surprise. The medium is the message, didn’t Marshall McLuhan say that? (He actually said, “the medium is the massage;” perhaps he was stressed.) 😉So, I say, when one message goes afoul, try another medium. And a retrograde will certainly confound or delay the message, so be open to try, try again!
Jupiter, while he had fun spreading the dirt with Mars during the summer, will find that Mars has gone home to Momma—the sign of Cancer. Again, all that heckle and jeckle-ing has gotten a bit too much, even for Mars. Mars wants to do more than talk, which Gemini likes. Mars is feeling like he wants to get all nursey and do some caretaking of family and others. Mars really is a MARTYR, folks. We think of him as a warlord, but his true mythology is that he gives something up for the betterment of mankind. He may have gotten tied to the idea of war, because so many men have given up their lives for their countries—and for greedy and power-hungry kings and rulers. But Mars is really a worker bee. Let’s give him a break. And he’s fed up with Gemini all-talk/no action. He probably just wants to go home, heat up some tomato soup, make a grilled cheese sandwich, and vege out in front of the telly with a furry friend beside him and the kids and Mom nearby.
Saturn and Neptune are still retrograding in Pisces. Not so good for Saturn, because he just can’t sink his teeth into anything…(get the reference?) Neptune doesn’t want to, anyway. Pisces (ruled by Neptune) is notoriously a sign of hedonism, procrastination, and, yes—laziness—but it has its uses for us as well: stop and smell the roses, stop being such a Capricorn workaholic and take a break, meditate and explore your creativity. Be a lovebug. Saturn, together with Neptune, at their best, can be a create-your-own-reality couple. Envision (Neptune); then, discipline yourself to practice (Saturn). But they are both retro in Pisces, so the energy for disciplined change is weak. Saturn moves forward November 15th, which will help a bit, just in time for us to cook Thanksgiving dinner, and Neptune will go forward on December 7th, headed towards Aries and a new era that will last until 2039. I may be dead by then.
And that dang Chiron! It’s going to stay in Aries until summer of 2026. I am glad I won’t be dead by THEN, at least! Aren’t you so OVER this pain of being alone and taking risks and having to handle everything by yourself? It’s the COVID aftershock. Jeez. That Saturn/Neptune stuff sounds better and better all the time. Yeah, give me a Long Island iced tea and a beach chair, so I can sit and watch the tsunamis and sharks come on in.
The larger, more over-arching aspects between the big guys are as follows. Uranus In Taurus is still trine Pluto in late Capricorn/early Aquarius until December 9th. Trines are usually considered good aspects, but they may not be. When we are considering Uranus in Taurus being like an earthquake, and when we look at the chaos that Pluto in late Cap caused, what we CAN say is that creating more upheaval with a lasting effect will be easy to do. Really, not a surprise, considering we’re going to repeat everything we endured after the 2020 election. Do you REALLY think that whole thing is going to go smoothly? Think again.
In addition, Neptune will be in that mix, until the week after the election, and you know what Neptune does, right? Obfuscates, fogs, deceives, and sometimes outright lies. (And people make fun of Geminis!? Jeez!) Even after Neptune leaves the T-square, he’ll still square Uranus, so the after-election effects will continue to be crazy and upsetting. Think of a road after a major flood or major heat wave—or a major earthquake. Those pictures have been in the news enough lately; you can imagine. The road will not be smooth, and it will definitely need re-paving next year. Yup.
Saturn in Pisces squares Jupiter in Gemini through September 19th, and they re-square in November, due to Saturn moving forward and Jupiter retrograding, staying that way until two days after the inauguration in January. Squares are considered difficult, because both Pisces and Gemini (in this case) are too changeable. As a result, getting things done is a bear. My suggestion? I often say, with Jupiter Retrograde anyway, just to hibernate. If you don’t want to sleep the cold months away, bring a flashlight and a book worth studying, some musica, and prepare for when Jupiter allows the cave door of opportunity to re-open.
From September 4 to December 2, Chiron in Aries and Jupiter in Gemini sextile one another. Again, considered an “easy” aspect. What I see happening here is: all Gemini will want to do is TALK about their pain and loneliness. The good news? Releasing your pain by talking or writing is healing. So, go ahead! But don’t be surprised if friends and family say, “Ca suffit!” (That means, “Enough!”) My suggestion: get a journal, write it all down, and come next Spring, turn it into a book to help others identify and cleanse their own post-COVID pain. I’m a Gemini/Virgo. I’ll help you!
On Black Friday in November, the North Node in Aries—all about being independent (which we were supposed to learn during the COVID years), will sextile Pluto in late Cap/Aquarius. Pluto is always about generational change, and North Node is about destiny. Looks like we’re all destined to start our own businesses, ey? Eh, why not? Just may take a while. Big changes afoot.
Beginning after Thanksgiving weekend, Pluto in Cap/Aq forms an annoying aspect called the sesquiquadrate (135 degrees) with Jupiter in Gemini. Until December 21st. The transitional phoenix of Pluto may not be able to jive with mercurial Jupiter, who wants change and wants it NOW. My suggestion? Count the days down till the aspect is over. Meditate, medicate, and don’t take what happens or what people say, personally. The holidays are upon us, after all, at that time. Everyone is usually stressed or depressed. Just know, if you are in a draggy Pluto “I-don’t-want-to-change-so-fast” mood—remember that Gemini only wants to help, and they’re always in a hurry. Besides, Gemini is usually fun, so if they annoy you, maybe instead of fighting them, join them. Jupiter in Gemini may just have the true holiday spirit. If you’re still not in the mood for their Pollyanna-in-an-ugly-Christmas-sweater ebullience, grab your flashlight and your book and go back to your cave. Bring a Walkman with you.
Now let’s talk about Mars, who has a huge role to play for the end of the year and the beginning of 2025. You may recognize a similarity to the end of 2020 and beginning of 2021. Does January 6th ring a bell? Trump refusing to admit he lost? Lawsuits and fights over election ballots? Riot and attacks at the Capitol? Inciting of violence by elected representatives? A hangman’s noose meant for Mike Pence? Oh, yeah, you remember. Do you think this election cycle will be smooth? LOL!
Well, it’s not exactly the same. Mars did go retrograde in Aries in the fall of 2020, just like this year’s Mars is going to back up in Leo/Cancer. Mars enters Cancer September 5th. Remember, I said Mars may want to escape Gemini and go all homey/family Cancerian on us? Not a bad idea, right? You can get all your honey-dos done, now that the kids are back to school. Throughout September, Saturn in Pisces trines Mars in Cancer. See the two water signs? Emotional. But Saturn is a suppressor. Well, there are several ways to read this. Saturn is a karmic binder. With these two, family or partnerships, almost like family, can be created and bound together. Saturn also disciplines. So, what you DO must follow rules, regulations, or at least the advice of HONEY, if you know what I mean. Saturn can also be a suppressor. No Gemini I-just-wanna-have-fun here. Toe the line, Bro. He’s the apex of a T-square, having to do with where you come from and where you’re headed—the joining of past and future. This is an important transition point for those deciding to be in a relationship—or partnership—or not. In fact, there may be a serious proposal offered. Doesn’t have to be marriage, but could be. Could also be a business merger of sorts, anything where the decision is, “Should I go it alone or not?” Just letting you know, the partnership is the older, more traditional way. The way ahead is more of a spear-like trajectory, independent. With a Venus/Pluto aspect, there could be a parting of ways. Or, if the emotional pain of solitude is healed as it opposes Venus, the Pluto can transform the traditional duo. Perhaps a new sort of family is created,
In October, Mars enters into the T-square after Venus has departed. There is communication and perhaps arbitration or negotiation. This literally could involve legal stuff like lawsuits but could also simply be drawing up rules for a partnership or working out details for something new with intensive discussion. Venus is trine Neptune, so there is a lack of clarity in the way forward that needs to be addressed. Emotional healing may be necessary, so call your friends and family and therapist, if necessary, to be as clear as you can be while going into the talks. Also, USE YOUR INTUITION. What do you REALLY think is the right thing to do? If the fog has set in over the meeting, your gut may be all you got. Venus heads into Sagittarius, opposing Uranus, and, honestly, that’s typically an indicator of someone going away quite suddenly and not looking back. Chiron is still in independent Aries; Pluto in Aquarius is also independent—or at least, erratic in relationships—Aquarius CAN commit but needs LOTS of space. Mars is going to head into Leo, which is the Look-at-me Lovable Leader. This Leo Mars is at the apex of the relationship. Can you be with a partner who gets and wants a lot of attention from everybody? Venus in Sagittarius is like an arrow, and it’s pointed AWAY, going out into the world. Will that serve you and your partnerships? The partnership may suffer from separation, and strong Scorpionic words may be used in mid-October. You know about those, right? They are passionate, and they often sting. Oops. The not-knowing is the worst, but I think you know what’s right. You will have good intuitive sense about this; believe your gut.
As we head towards Halloween, Mars opposes Pluto. This combination will either augment the Cancerian/Leonine Martian energy—devoted and loving—or will break the two apart, creating a situation where ACTION (Mars) cannot be taken—or where action is useless. I’m getting a vibe here of people sensing that things are going to change, even though they may not want them to change, and there may be a feeling of uselessness—and possibly anger—over that lack of control. But those who follow I Ching, or even God, must know the plan is not really ours. There is a greater cosmic plan, so you can’t lose. If things go south, know that, as Babe Ruth said, “it ain’t over till it’s over” or—on the other hand, maybe we all dodged a bullet! Is this about our new country that’s coming, our reconstruction? Is this about your new world, YOUR personal reconstruction? Think about it.
Let the past go. Let bygones be bygones. Move on. Get a life. We’re ALL getting new lives. It’s going to be okay. At least, we’re not in a pandemic, y’all! So, start your business on your own, live your dream, check things off your bucket list, and as the song says, “Don’t worry, be happy.” Make that your mantra. Onward and upward! The arrow soars.
Mars enters Leo the day before Election Day. People will be taking action to lead and to choose the next “lovable leader.” Mars then goes retrograde in Leo on December 5th. As Jupiter opposes Mercury in Sag, take some trips. As Venus conjuncts Pluto, go on your own, or take a friend. As Mars retrogrades back into Leo and then Cancer, opposing the Venus/Pluto conjunction—which, by the way, separates—there may be an opportunity to revisit the negotiation table with loved ones and partners left behind. Remember that retrogrades have us re-experience issues we have already seen. We DO INDEED get second chances. Perhaps some gentle heart-to-hearts, instead of those Scorpionic fightin’ words, could rescue that which needs still to stand. Early December will be all about possible reconstruction, rebuilding of partnerships. With both Venus and Pluto in Aquarius, a certain measure of detachment can be helpful. Once Mars goes back into Cancer, use the hard crab shell to protect the softer parts of yourself and your interrelations with others as you revisit feelings and actions taken in September and October.
If there is a feeling of hopelessness in December because of that Mars/Pluto opposition aspect, remember that all things must pass. I like to count down difficult or depressing aspects, reminding myself that they will transform into something else—the only thing we can count on is CHANGE. This aspect is so LONG because of Mars being retrograde until February 23rd. When speaking about the election results, we will indeed revisit what happened in 2021, with lawsuits and battles over the final results. There will be a lot of things suppressed and secrets withheld from the public about what was truly going on before, during, and after the election. We may even revisit what went on in 2020 and 2021, as certain folks, who think they got away with sh**, finally get held accountable. On the “large stage,” there will be battles and stand-offs. On the personal stage, arguments and cutting off of communication may occur, but there are always opportunities for reconciliation, especially when Jupiter moves forward again in Gemini. As Scarlett O’Hara says at the end of Gone with the Wind, “After all, tomorrow is another day.” After the train wreck and the war, of course, there is hope and a future. Nope, it ain’t over till it’s over. Babe and Scarlet got it right. Don’t let yourself get dragged down if things don’t go the way you wanted. Stop trying to control what already is. The planets know. Let them unfold their wisdom and accept. We have to do far less than we think, if we can just let go. Let go and have fun.
December will be all about expansion of opportunities and new stuff, and it’s a good month for trips. Some folks who don’t get to join you on the trips may feel left behind; some people will feel completely detached from loved ones and the holidays. The solitude-lovers (Aquarius?) may enjoy this. The watery signs may feel pretty down-in-the-dumps, or jilted, even. So, if you have a Cancer or Pisces friend who has been left on their own in the holiday season, check in on them, invite them to your party—even if it’s just you two—invite them to go shopping or caroling to distract them from the funk. We usually go through the detachment phase AFTER New Years and BEFORE Valentine’s Day (so folks won’t have to buy presents they don’t want to give). This year, the detachment phase is beginning in December. What did I ask at the beginning of this write-up? What did you learn from COVID? You learned how to go it alone and that you COULD. I’m not saying you will have a lonely winter holiday. But I AM saying, GET A LIFE. Other people do not determine your life or your happiness. YOU DO. The planets offer you tests. This is the test. What are you going to do? Here is the answer: CHOOSE HAPPINESS. No sad movies, only happy songs, have a few drinks, let your hair down, and enjoy the sacred life you have been given. AND, maybe give to someone less fortunate than you. What does the song say? “You better not cry; you better not pout.” Others have it much worse than you. We forget that WE ARE NEVER REALLY ALONE unless we trick ourselves into thinking that. Santa is a wise man, you know, and he’s watching. Get your act together, bub!
With that Mars opposing Pluto from Christmas through Inauguration Day, we may be snowed in or flooded in for a month anyway. Whatcha gonna do? You have your cave with your eBook reader, new iPhone, and iTunes subscription, plus a few bottles of wine—or that fancy coffee and coffeemaker you got for Christmas. Enjoy the cave. And remember, COVID gave us ZOOM, our lifesaver. Fire that sucker up!
