Though first, Vesta conjunct Jupiter is radiating out of the chart, rising in the East as I write. This aspect brings together the devotion aspect (Vesta) with the knowledge aspect (Jupiter) in a sign devoted (in its highest expression) to communication. Yet it can often be a subtle language (such as one spoken only between a pair of twins, or ideoglossia). The language of erotic wisdom is indeed spoken among a few people at a time, and often, just two. And it is in truth a form of devotional practice. Talking about sex sincerely is a form of sexual contact.
This might include some expressions of Mars — the planet of desire — and Saturn — the one of containment. After a long retrograde in Virgo and a slow trek through Libra, Mars will be making a conjunction to Saturn this week.
That happens Wednesday at 6:15 am EDT, though the sensation of the aspect has been brewing for weeks and will come into focus as the next three days progress. Often to be expressed, desire needs to be focused, and supported by a structure at least as firm as an idea, or common frame of reference. That might include anything from being in the same room at the same time, to mutual phantasy.
[Note, I’ve covered this week’s aspects (described in this article) for the individual Sun and rising signs in my horoscope that published Friday, as well as the August monthly horoscopes that we published several weeks ago. Those help personalize the information.]
A conjunction of Mars and Saturn in Libra means both planets are in the same sign and same degree (or close). The chart I’m reading is the chart for the exact alignment. Saturn is strong in Libra; Mars is tempered. There is an image of expressing desire gently, respectfully and with a mind for context.
Another suggestion is that in matters of conflict, the party with the greatest authority (over self) will prevail, while the party that feels weaker — and perhaps less aligned and more aggressive — will tend to act in ways that are out of character, and that can be self-destructive. Therefore, be cool, or as cool as you can be in the midst of plenty to be concerned about. Let’s face it yet again: we live in troubled times.
Libra is a sign that includes the themes of relationships, balance and justice. Therefore, reach for a sense of balance and justice in your relationships. Remember the old phrase, “no justice, no peace,” and if you’re not feeling at peace, consider whether there is some kind of issue of fairness that needs to be addressed or resolved. If so, I recommend a low-pressure environment; this is not the week for showdowns or all or nothing ‘solutions’.
What’s called for is maturity. Venus recently ingressed Cancer after four months in Gemini. Doing so, it joined other planets in the cardinal signs, and this week makes an opposition to Pluto, a square to Uranus and a trine to Chiron. It’s also making a conjunction to an odd point called Kronos, which is saying skip the self-importance and pluck up some grounding and common sense. Having emotions is like having a dog; either you or they will dominate.
These aspects don’t describe a necessarily calm emotional ride. All options are open, though there seems to be a theme. The ‘attachment’ principle of Venus is undergoing some kind of change, raising questions about jealousy, emotional and sexual freedom and where the human need for nourishment fits the picture. There is an opening, however: Venus trine Chiron is saying if you stay with your feelings, they will take you someplace; you will see the meaning in the deep experiences. And Venus is trine Neptune, which is like the flow of imagination around the edges of your experience.
As this happens (as mentioned) we have activity in one of the signs that Venus rules — Libra. Mars and Saturn are about to make their long-anticipated conjunction. Think of this as energy meeting a structure from the inside. The setup among other things describes pushing the boundary of a relationship, or the idea of relationships in general. It could also involve working out some longterm frustration. Expect something to come to a head, and if handled well, to provide you with an authentic experience and then gently dissolve into the next moment.
The week is more than Mars and Saturn. We have two of the more significant new discoveries in the picture, right there in the same degrees of the cardinal signs. Eris is in Aries (Mars will oppose Eris this weekend). That is potentially violent, or offers a sense of acceleration and the need for self-control, which really means self-direction (rather than withholding per se). The Saturn principle applies: be conscious of your boundaries and the agreements you’ve made in the past. Varuna is in the picture, which is all about honoring those agreements. If you feel you have to renegotiate a commitment, do so openly, with clarity, compassion and curiosity. Don’t just assume.
Just as this aspect is exact, the Moon passes through Cancer, making a conjunction to Varuna and squares to Eris, Mars and Saturn on Aug. 15. This is one to feel your way through as much as you need to in order to balance those feelings with some mental clarity (fortunately, Mercury is direct for this one). The Moon then enters Leo and makes a conjunction to the Sun — this is the Leo New Moon, exact Aug. 17 and opposite Nessus.
I’ll be covering this in greater detail in Friday’s subscriber edition, along with a new interpretation for all 12 signs.
Welcome back, Amanda. Thank you for sharing your perfect, positive experience of the Mars-Saturn conjunction. It’s exciting and stimulating even as a vicarious experience. Even with the exertion and the travel, you must be quite refreshed.
got home from a blissful 4 days at dance camp late last night & just now reading this post; it occurs to me that i feel like i had a perfect, positive expression of mars conjunct saturn in libra over the weekend:
i took a class in duo acrobatics (standing poses) and then had an opportunity to practice/play/try new poses with the teacher. i may have to write about this more fully, actually, now that i think about it. but at essence, there was a marriage of the athletic drive and momentum of mars with very clear, precise structures in the poses — and they were *all* about balance!
holy cow… this is just sort of sinking in now. 🙂 i guess i’m still processing a lot of wonderful stuff from the last few days, but to connect one of *the* highlight experiences i had so clearly with the astrology is kind of amazing to me and really fun.
there was certainly an element of danger to what we did, yet at the same time, the acrobatics never veered out of control, even when there was physical momentum to the moves. and it was all a wonderful surprise.
wow. really, really fun experience and fun insights today!
Dear Len – words like “sufficient” and “satisfactory” are grossly inadequate here. Your generous interpretation and encouragement are beautiful, timely, enlightening, and received with profound gratitude.
I am – right now – in a MAJOR life/career transition that I’ve known I alone must define and give shape to.
And I am awed. You have shown me that this lifelong, gut feeling of mine – that the “what” doesn’t matter so much as the “how” – is not just some quirky, non-conformist perspective I have on life (I do have Sun conjunct Uranus), but its absolute focal point (My dad would be proud 🙂 ).
How liberating! This makes PERFECT sense to me in the context of my life choices and experience.
Goodness, Len, you have crystallized the central theme of my life! I am amazed, reassured, energized, and totally humbled by your words. The most meaningful way I can think to thank you, is to now heed them. Many, many thanks for your gift.
Janet: Thank you for confirming my request for clarification. Working to serve you through this mode of communication can get confusing fast. Always best to avoid mis-understanding on the front-end under these circumstances. First, please remember Eric’s encouragement to diplomatic. It used to be that diplomats worked to prevent war. That is still the purpose of diplomacy on the personal level. With Venus (the ruler of Libra and Taurus) near the top of your chart, you should have a lot of skill with good will. That is what authentic diplomacy is about – real, honest good will and good faith, employed so as to set an example and inspire others to respond in kind from their better nature. Your astrology says you were born to lead the way and that your purpose in life would be fulfilled by making it so. If you can do that, you will have acted to resolve the tension of the square of your natal Venus to your natal Jupiter-lunar north node conjunction and simultaneously opened a huge gate through which many will be able to enter a better future. Yes, you, are the one to do that. As Eric wrote last Friday (in the subscriber edition): “this isn’t about saving the world”, its about your dharma “acting as if to hold the world together.” That’s what it means. It appears as though you have some good will to spread and some good work to do over the next two years – starting now. Thank you for accepting my service to your question. Please let me know if it was not sufficient or satisfactory, or if you have any other questions.
Yes, Len – that’s what I would have said if I’d understood what was key here… and thank you for taking a look 🙂
jinspace (Janet): Please, if you and others will be so kind to accept my service to your question. Please, let me read back to you what i think you described: (1) your natal lunar north node and natal Jupiter are conjunct in Libra, astride the cusp of your 12th house. (2) The natal lunar north node/natal Jupiter conjunction are square your natal Venus in Cancer /9th house. Please is that correct?
Len, Eric – frankly, I feel like the entire sky is bursting out of the chart right now. It has been mesmerizing all summer, and the planets manifesting beautiful experiences that, for a change, far outweigh any negatives. I feel it constantly, though I’m fully aware, too, that I haven’t got a pinched nerve and numb fingers because everything’s so rosy. But there are times when attitude counts for an awful lot. Today the phrase ‘cosmic grace’ has popped into my head.
That said, may I ask your indulgence? The Mars Saturn conjunction transits my chart in a way that surely has far more significant implications than I am able to interpret, and I would so appreciate some insight.
This transit will align exactly with my North Node in Libra (24 deg./ 37′) in the 11th house. The north Node is conjunct Jupiter (25 deg/51′) in my 12th, which is in an exact square to Venus (25deg./57′) in Cancer in the 9th.
Can you suggest what I should make of this?
Many, many thanks,
Janet
Thank you Eric, its a beauty.
Huffy – I can totally relate – Ah, Yes!
Eric: What you wrote about Jupiter conjunct Vesta is huge. You are correct, it is radiating, expanding, even bursting out of the chart. Thank you so much for grasping and expressing the effusive yet profound connections so that we can feel them as well as conceive of them.
tomorrow is a day when I will face a fear of mine, flying and airplanes. I have been rather aware of my feelings lately and what it means to be afraid, rather than push it away I have sat with it, and much to my amazement I’ve discovered that it isn’t all that scary after all.
This is so beautiful. Thank you, Eric. “Venus trine Chiron is saying if you stay with your feelings, they will take you someplace; you will see the meaning in the deep experiences”. Yes.