Today Jupiter and Uranus made direct contact in Aries, and while there is two more Jupiter to Uranus conjunctions coming in September and January, this is the only conjunction occurring in Aries. Short and simple, as Aries would like it: enjoy it. The energy is strong out there. Are you feeling it? No doubt, in some form or another you are. The qualities of being restless, frisky, motivated, chomping at the bit and even frustrated are symptoms. Resolution comes from declaring Martial Law. That’s right, follow the letter of the law of the planet ruling the sign in which Jupiter and Uranus now conduct their pioneering pilgrimage to perfect the path of pursuit toward life’s purpose - the quintessential quest - a sentence designed to comply with the thematic Mars in Virgo affirmation that watching perplexing p’s and quandary-ridden q’s agrees with the newly released marching orders.
First, though, a note about the surge of Jupiter and Uranus in Aries. To many, the momentum and urgency feel great. It’s like spring fever, and according to any planet entering Aries, it is time to spring forward with brisk steps in new adventures. Keep in mind that both planets soon retrograde - Uranus on July 5th (according to GMT) and Jupiter on July 23rd. Both planets take one last dip in the vast waters of the unconscious, creative and amorphous seas of Pisces; here again Uranus goes first in August, followed by Jupiter in September. And both return direct before the year is out; Jupiter in November and Uranus in December. And both return to Aries early next year; Jupiter in January and Uranus in March, marking two intervals in which collective briskness of energy returns.
The point of noting these planetary retrogrades is to prevent any possible feelings of psychic, creative or spiritual recession. The surge right now is great, but short lived. It will recede and later return with an abundant dose of gusto; that remains certain. As the two planets retreat it may be that frustration accompanies the retrograde cycles. People go off on all sorts of amazing fresh courses with enthusiasm, full fervor and likely with an expectation of immediate response from the collective and indications of Universal Sanction. Should a short time elapse and an interval of people being too overwhelmed to respond, or too confused by innovative ideas, or more rudely, plain ole disinterested, then setbacks may be perceived. Here, trust must be summoned. The seeds are going in the ground throughout the next month or so, and the sowing cycle occurs with great abandon. Seeds sown must be trusted to render their yield and must be allowed the natural growth curve for sprouts to rise from the underworld, flowers to appear, and fruit to grow. Not all seeds grow. Still, an abundant yield and harvest results if the seeds are given a chance.
During this invigorating Jupiter-Uranus era, plant seeds and cultivate efforts. When the prevailing winds of response that favor new efforts calm, simply return to projects previously in play. Polish them up. Perfect pitches. Before the next wave of Jupiter and Uranus in Aries, ensure all old business is off the table, or that such business morphs into new business. Combining the present surge and the upcoming honing of projects in hiatus, unfinished business can be smoothly woven together with current innovations. In so doing, frustrations, feelings of being setback and woeful laments are smartly averted.
So back to the helpful guidelines of the ruler of Aries, Mars, now newly in Virgo. Thank God! It seems that Mars has transited Leo since the last Ice Age given all the retrogradation. Of course, astrologers claim that about Mars every time he retrogrades. Mercifully he moves backwards only nine percent of the time, the second least following Venus’s minimal backtracking. So let’s see what the fiery Mars has to say for himself as he bakes the earthen qualities of Virgo into perfectly crafted and extremely valuable ceramic cauldrons in which life’s aspirations are cooked.
First, Mars aligns with Orcus (which he did early on Monday for most of the world). This connection with the Etruscan-based underworld lord inspires commitment, invocation, affirmation and stating claims that this or that must be done, and it must be done promptly and perfectly. Remember, Orcus will hold a person accountable for proclamations and promises rendered. Orcus disavows oath breakers.
Soon Mars trines Pluto. Behind the scenes, background and necessary developmental work precedes visible, tangible results. Given this passage on June 15th, perhaps work done prior to the first indicated launch date (two paragraphs below) with the surging planets in Aries, stuff in development needs to be kept out of view. Work behind closed doors. Keep cards close to the chest and remember what you think of wine served before its time... that’s right, it’s incorrectly labeled... should be dubbed vinegar.
Anyway, back to work. Follow well-defined, timely-ordered plans with Martian gusto. If the plan needs embellishment to add further perfection, let the clarification begin. Keep Pluto’s new work out of sight and in the mix.
As for new project launch points, though planets reverse courses in the near future, be not deterred. Consider July 16th a launch point as Mars comes up to square retrograding Ceres in Sagittarius. This is a launch for a cause/quest whose time has nicely ripened on the vine. If one wanted to argue that maybe Ceres should have worked with its previous direction motion, two things: First, Ceres has direct motion again in the near future; secondly, this process is that of allowing grapes time and sunlight to become organic raisins. When raisins result, along comes Mars in Virgo and culling commences.
The next launch point of new projects occurs on July 30th with Saturn direct and just prior to Mercury’s next retrogradation. Now Mars joins with Saturn in early Libra, on the heels of oppositions of Mars and Saturn to Uranus and leading up a similar zodiac stand off with Jupiter. This alignment occurs with the Super Galactic Center, which adds “consciousness octane” to the mixture and works to minimize contention within the opposition. As would be traditionally noted, Saturn adds stamina to the bursts of speed and activity Mars bears the reputation for enacting.
How can adding to an opposition aid in shunting adverse effects? The Super Galactic Center is a super massive black hole complex. A noteworthy quality of any black is their inherent ability to support paradox and contradiction. Many black holes through the process of absorbing light, actually become brilliantly luminous due to the energy emanation resulting from such consumption. Here we find that if a person does the soul mate thing, that is, completely merging their spirit/soul into their physical body/placement on the planet, they stand spiritually steadfast and unshakeable. In the face of nay sayers, nit pickers and the “world is ending soon, why bother?” proponents, they smile and make their collective splash anyway, giving new definition to undaunted.
Let us not forget another compelling component in this matrix, happening in July, preceding this opposition by a week. When Jupiter stations on July 23rd, he does so squaring Pluto. In consideration of mythic lore, Jupiter and Pluto can sort out even the most difficult circumstances, often favorably motivated by tense aspect circumstances. When they put their heads together in this opposition, they can discern the poles of greed vs. generosity, have vs. have not, and aspiration vs. hopelessness. If one does forget any arbitration required between mundane temptations and sacred aspirations, Mars who opposes Uranus within a day of this last “get it going trigger” of his conjunction with Saturn, puts his finger on the “are you really doing this for altruistic reasons?” button. That should sort remaining matters.
Mars lays down the last condition of surrender to the Greater Plan as he squares Pluto on August 3rd, conditions likely essential to perfecting aspirations, goals and belief systems. And as he squares Jupiter on August 4th, he encourages any remaining or required philosophical or attitude adjustments. All this just in the nick of time.
Indeed what an energy laden two month run we have ahead. Gotta love that Mars in Virgo! In this sign he is particularly good - as in good at being perfectly particular. With particular discernment in place, it’s easy to comply as Martial Law plots the course of the weeks ahead, permitting all to make something meritorious out of the stirring patterns between Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Pluto.
If these trends were to write a culinary prescription, they would suggest creating a richness of flavor by combining unlikely to be combined foods and herbs that reach across cultures and end up with a delicious and unusually tasty entree that appeals to the most refined palate. Just a safety tip to would be chefs: Mars in Virgo most respects fresh and organic herbs.