One thing alone is beautiful: setting off.
— Ko Un
Tonight, Jupiter and Pluto begin a relay of sorts that will include Venus and Mars in a daisy chain of flow, connecting all three earth signs for 48 continuous hours. The configuration, called a grand trine, is matter in motion. The planets making up the trine indicate how its energy will express. The time frame gives both the opportunity for this expression and its context. To make this astrology real, break from your routine sometime today or tomorrow, breathe in, feel your immediate material desire, make a space inside for it, visualize its location, and take one step in that direction. Just one step should be enough to get things rolling, like Jupiter and Pluto are about to do. Jupiter is the part of you that opens up to take things in.
When you are aware of your breathing, conscious of what you are eating, offering a hug or opening your door, that’s Jupiter real and present for you. Jupiter is in Taurus right now. As one would expect from a fixed quality and an association with elemental earth, Taurus is where life gloms on to matter, making more of both. Jupiter in Taurus is thus an invitation to open up to life and make more of it.
What life can make of you is where Pluto comes in. Pluto does not express as an invitation, but that does not mean that it is anathema to living. On this planet, at least, the process is cyclical, motivated and molded by the seasons, ending and renewing in succession. The inevitable changes wrought by the cycles of your life are Pluto up close and personal for you. Pluto has been in Capricorn since 2008 and will remain there until another decade has elapsed. As one would suspect from a long voyage through the realm of cardinal earth, Pluto’s mission is to re-initiate its authority as the common connection between you and every other being. What Jupiter and Pluto have in common right now is their position in signs that are distinguished by the same element. That’s a very special connection with a defining geometry.
Western astrology employs 12 signs; Aries, Taurus, Gemini, Cancer, Leo, Virgo, Libra, Scorpio, Sagittarius, Capricorn, Aquarius and Pisces. One of the characteristics employed to organize and distinguish signs are the four elements of ancient natural science: fire, earth, air and water. The elements are alternatively and evenly distributed around the zodiac wheel. Each element is thus associated with three signs that form the points of an equilateral triangle, hence the word trine. Trines function as a conduit facilitating flow.
When two planets are in the same place in different signs that share the same element they are in trine aspect and their expression flows from one to the other in effortless connection. If all three points of the triangle are occupied, the connection becomes a circuit taking the flow around and round in a grand trine. The third earth sign, after Capricorn and Taurus, is Virgo and Mars is there to complete the circuit.
Mars is, in the words of Robert Hand, “connected with work and physical energy,” but it has not been itself lately. Earth has recently passed between this planet and the Sun, making Mars appear to be moving backward from one night to the next, just as is the case with Saturn and Mercury right now. That apparent backward motion is called retrograde and it probably corresponds to a change in your own relationship to energy. If you have found yourself flagging today, you could credibly blame it on the advent of daylight savings time. Then again, it would be difficult to dismiss the timing as retrograde Mars prepares to plug in to the earth trine circuit. Fortunately, there is a fourth object very well placed to help out, Venus.
It is difficult to overstate how influential Venus is right now, in Taurus, where it rules, rapidly closing with Jupiter. Weather permitting, you can see the Venus and Jupiter conjoined in the western sky after sunset, unmistakable and powerful beyond words. Just one look and you will get it. If there is one aspect that connects objects more directly and efficiently than a trine, it’s a conjunction. This particular conjunction is timed perfectly to be part of the grand earth trine. Finally, no other object in the solar system can match what Venus does to awaken even a compromised Mars, drawing the energy you need to take your single, symbolic step and providing a direction in which to take it.
Even now, when many feet get little use, an ancient wisdom prevails. The longest journey cannot begin without a first step. Having been taken, that step is like the sight of Venus and Jupiter in conjunction, a moment of understanding through the body, never to be forgotten. That’s why it means something to make that moment happen over the next two days. It will connect you to the circuit connecting the earth under your feet with the brightest beacons in the sky. Take back a few minutes of your own life, take a breath with purpose, being present to what attracts you and where that is, then lift your foot and place it down in the direction your energy is drawn to go. Of course, there is a great risk involved. The other foot may decide to follow, and then what would you do?
Offered In Service
Len is available for astrology readings. You can contact him at lenwallick [at] gmail [dot] com.
Yeah! Go for it Vallin! Good luck.
You go Vallin; follow your heart, and your Pluto!
be
Mars (conjunct Eros and Psyche) is conjunct my natal/progressed Xth house Pluto. Jupiter and Taurus are in my 6th house, and Pluto is in my 2nd with the lunar transit. This trine forms a kite with my natal Neptune-ASC-Venus-Moon (and by extension my chart dispositor Mercury).
I made a schedule switch with a co-worker that now makes it impossible for me to hear the live weekly broadcast of A Prairie Home Companion. i don’t think the podcast would feel like the same thing. As one of my music career goals is to appear on the show, I’ve made the decision to move on with my music career which will involve extensive touring (I’m prepared), thus leaving Atlanta where I’ve resided for 5 years. I love my McJob and my co-workers, but even they know I love my music–and performing–even more.
Dear HS – just read your further comments. I’m glad you’re going to see a doctor. Take good care of yourself and keep us posted!
I’ve just gotten to your yesterday, Len. So beautiful, so beautifully informative. Thank you so much.
I’ve been watching the progression of Jupiter and Venus all season – thanks to you pointing them out months ago and beyond (your urging us to not forget the sky has indeed caused me to remember it.) They are compelling, and un-miss-able, even with the city lights.
Len, totally right! Thanks! I made an appointment yesterday. 😉
Hugging: A visit to a physician would probably be a good idea. At the very least, the information gleaned would do your mind some good by process of elimination. We all want you to be well in order to get the most out of your life.
dear Huffy, this feels like Kundalini. I’m sweating buckets and it’s kinda freaking me out. A couple of days ago, my heart went into a super fast palpitations that last over 3 minutes. I’m a fit dude so this is not normal. A couple of weeks ago too, after sex, I started sweating and couldn’t sleep.
Thanks dear! Sounds like you’re doing great! And meditation and rest is very wise, gently opening up to what’s coming up, and treating yourself with compassion.
Huffy, thanks, and you hang in there too my friend.
I’m really trying to adjust to a new sexual life with another. This energy is expressing itself out of me/within me, and along with it is some deep psychological stuff. I can try all I want to analyze it or let go, but it’s just there like an incessant migraine. I’m not sure what to do other than meditation and rest.
Len – no doubt also due to Mars riding shotgun beside my natal Mercury! This trine is mine 🙂 Thank you kindly for the very good and oh, so timely advice about form. I do have a tendency to let it rip…
Hang on in there HS! I’ve got this flu that keeps coming back too – after I think I’ve finally got over it. Seems to be the nature of this virus this year. But think there’s also deep cleansing taking place.
Len, thanks so much for that advice.
Huffy: You are most welcome.
jnspace: Thank you for sharing your experience. It appears that you are plugged into this grand trine circuit via your natal Mars and handling it with good form. Form is of the essence for you right now.
firegirl: Thank you for your kind words, please accept from me some advance notice. The Venus transit of the Sun on June 6 will be especially auspicious for you and a personal relationship (or two more probably two personal relationships that have a lot in common).
Prepare by being aware. Notice, note, file away, wait for things to collate before drawing any conclusions or making any judgements. Let time and your own intelligence do the work, you won’t have to dig.
Hugging Scorpio: Don’t be afraid of missing anything, please take care of yourself so that you will be strong and healthy when transiting Sun opposes your natal Sun so you can roll with what can’t be resolved and gain closure on what can.
It’s so beautiful to see this in the sky. What a gorgeous energy. But this Scorpio Moon we’re having has put me into some serious depth. Plus I have a fever and thought this cold was getting better! 🙁
Everybody’s out playing (the planets I mean!) and I’m sick. How can I be productive if I’m in bed??
“It will connect you to the circuit connecting the earth under your feet with the brightest beacons in the sky. Take back a few minutes of your own life, take a breath with purpose, being present to what attracts you and where that is, then lift your foot and place it down in the direction your energy is drawn to go. Of course, there is a great risk involved. The other foot may decide to follow, and then what would you do?”
WOW. If that isn’t a 2×4 over the head, I don’t know what is.
With sun conjunct great attractor and ascendant in opposition, I’ve been working through a major life change and about to take an important first step. Not sure I need anymore confirmation!
Thanks for this beautiful piece Len.
Flagging? Not today! At last, this morning I leaped (sp?) from my bed in a major flash of inspiration, suddenly shaken out of a tedious mental deadlock. I took that step forward and was met with all things positive. How refreshing!
Len, since the last new Moon I’ve been watching Venus cozy up to Jupiter each night – we have a big, open, unobstructed view of the sky where I live – and YES, just to see it is to know instantly that something ‘unmistakable and powerful is going on’. It’s the most amazing show, riveting and beautiful. But I’m deeply invested: my own natal Mars is taking part in this conjunction almost to the degree, and I have to say the transit has had me in one very good mood 😀
Amanda – heh heh indeed. That’s funny.
Thank you so much for this beautiful piece dear Len – much needed right now.
Amanda: Thank you for helping to put some spring in my work.
Mandy: Thank you for noting that dance does indeed follow from the second step.
be: Thank you for sensitive and thoughtful examination of a tragedy compounded. The darker side of a grand trine is that it can get away from you. Your insightful mastery of Sibley and its offshoots is once again appreciated as a source of sense even in the face of that which is senseless.
paola: You are very welcome.
KathyC: You are not alone. Please consider breathing into the feeling until the compass needle comes to rest.
Error alert. . . in 4th paragraph of my earlier comment it should read “In this chart the Moon is in the 8th degree of Sagittarius, the same degree as the transiting north node (and opposite the U.S. natal Uranus which is conjunct the transiting south node).
Also just found out that transiting Psyche, the asteroid, is i the 10th degree of Virgo; the same degree as transiting Mars, and both retro.
My apologies.
be
I need to go in 2 directions- I will have to pick the first one that leads to the second. But in another perspective, I need to follow the second one because it will lead to the first. Le’ sigh… this freezes me in my tracks. ok, I’ll go with the first one- I think.
Thank you Len, for this beautiful article!
Beautiful & useful.
Thanks Len, I hope the rain and clouds are gone soon enough to be able to see what will be a beautiful sight of Venus conjunct Jupiter. Hoping I can tap into that flow of earth energy and am visualizing even as I type.
I’ve been wondering about that guy who slaughtered all those civilians in Afghanastan; trying, through astrology, to see what might have set him off. I did find something and wonder if this grand trine in earth might have facilitated his action. Right now the north node has moved into the 8th degree of Sagittarius, which is opposite the U.S. Sibly natal Uranus in the 8th degree of Gemini. It was “unexpected” and “shocking” so that rings true of Uranus.
Next, in the United States solar return chart, Mars is in the 10th degree of Gemini, making the transiting Mars exactly in the same degree square this (U.S. Solar Return) Mars, and that’s a lot of martian energy in an uneasy relationship with each other. With the SR Moon in the 9th degree of Virgo, it means the transiting Mars has moved to within a degree of being conjunct that emotional Moon. However transiting Jupiter in the 9th degree of Taurus and trans. Pluto in the 9th degree of Capricorn are already in a “grand” trine with the U.S. solar return Moon, making it very easy to express those emotions in a big and fearsome way. It’s also in the 12 house.
Getting back to the startling and unexpectedness of the act, there is another chart to look at for clues. The first ingress of Uranus into Aries had Jupiter conjunct Uranus, although in the sign of Pisces which, among other things, can express as delusional. In this chart the Moon is in the 8th degree of Sagittarius, the same degree as the U.S. natal Uranus. In this Uranus ingress chart, she (the Moon) is the discharge point of a yod being triggered by a sextile of Venus (9 Cancer) and Mercury (11 Taurus). This time the Moon is opposite the Sun (6 Gemini) in the same chart, who is acting as a stabilizer to help balance and distribute all the energy being released from Venus (values), Mercury (thoughts) and Moon (feelings). My guess is this guy must be emotionally overwhelmed (who is the good guy, who is the bad guy?) and totally worked up enough to feel increasingly (trans. Jupiter) empowered (trans. Pluto) to take action (trans. Mars).
Interestingly enough, the President’s natal Moon which is in the 3rd degree of Gemini is pretty close to the Uranus ingress chart’s Sun in the 6th degree of Gemini. it could be that maybe the talents of Gemini (seeing it from both sides), manifesting through the President, will act as the balance point of the yod energy in that chart.
I think that’s what I’m going to visualize. We already have enough problems after accidently burning Afghanistan holy books, that it will take a grand trine or maybe two to convince those poor people that we aren’t evil beasts. They could be right, but I’m going to make my foot move in the direction that brings peace of mind and heart to those folks who have already lost so much.
be
“The other foot may decide to follow, and then what would you do?”
In honour of my Irish roots, I’ll dance a Jig all the way to the end of the rainbow.
ok, spring is definitely getting near. when i first glanced at the quote above, i could have sworn i saw, “One thing alone is beautiful: getting off.”
heh…. 🙂