Steps forward, steps back
Dates and times are given for U.S. Pacific Time zone. Click them to see the date and time where you are.
Blind spots revealed
Neptune stations retrograde this week (June 22, 2020, 9:32 pm PDT). Like the other trans-Saturnian planets, it’s retrograde for roughly half of each year, alternating in a sort of exaggerated version of day and night. Retrogrades of these slow-moving planets are mostly noticed, I find, in the few days either side of the station. In the case of Neptune turning retrograde, these are moments when mysteries are often unveiled, blind spots are removed, and we are revealed to ourselves in new and often surprising ways.
We’re highly sensitive when Neptune is retrograde; keep this in mind a couple of days later, when exuberant Venus turns direct. Just because you can do All the Things doesn’t mean it’s a good idea to do them all at once. Be sure to honor the quieter rhythms of Neptune with plenty of rest, quiet, and spiritual reflection.
Speaking of retrogrades…
Back in May, Venus turned Rx in Gemini, and it finally turns direct this week (June 24, 11:47 pm PDT) at 5.20 Gemini, on the Sabian symbol: Drilling for oil. After weeks of self-quarantine, many of us have a lot of pent-up desire for socializing, exploring, and spending. Most cities are “opening up” more in the past couple of weeks, but this symbol cautions us to take things a little slowly, like an athlete who has been benched for several months. After all, when you drill for oil you might well end up taking a shower in the stuff! And when you tap into a well-spring of Venus, you might also end up eating, drinking, and spending a bit too much, and generally disregarding prudence.
Also, while Venus will be direct, she’ll still be in her retrograde shadow through July 29 (when she reaches the degree where she turned retrograde). This means that taking a little extra time to consider financial, social, and relationship moves is still a pretty good idea until then.
Civilization
Most of us don’t consider ourselves particularly violent. But few have never squashed a bug, eaten meat, or delighted in the misfortune of a rival, and that’s the violence of Mars at work. If we are threatened, pestered, or prevented from getting something we want, Mars springs into action.
Mars has been in Pisces since May 12, and its bloodlust is usually greatly tempered in this gentle, sympathetic sign. But this week, Mars enters Aries (June 27, 2020, 6:45 pm PDT) for six long months. And in its own sign, Mars moves with speed, certainty, and occasional ruthlessness.
Perhaps it’s fortunate, if a little frustrating, that from the moment Mars enters Aries it approaches an aspect to Saturn in Aquarius (exact June 28, 2020, 3:59 am PDT)—also in a sign that it rules, and the immovable object to Mars in Aries’ irresistible force. However, it’s a sextile aspect, which offers an opportunity for these two qualities to blend together in a mutually beneficial way. Mars can motivate intractable Saturn, while Saturn represents the civilizing force that funnels wild Mars energy into productive channels.
On parade
From last week’s tribal, insular New Moon in Cancer, we move to the First Quarter Moon in convivial Libra (June 28, 2020, 1:16 am PDT). The First Quarter is for flexing our muscles, getting into motion, and pursuing what we want to get done – which, very often, requires that we gain the cooperation of important others, represented by Libra.
This First Quarter Moon falls on the Sabian symbol A blazing fireplace in a deserted home. The promise of this degree is that although we may need to “leave home” and what’s familiar in order to move forward, a blazing fireplace will be ready to comfort us when we return. The Sun at this First Quarter is on the Sabian symbol, Rabbits dressed in clothes and on parade. It’s a creative, playful symbol, but also suggests that gaining goodwill and help to get where we’re going can require a little bit of dress-up and play-acting. As long as we stay true to our ethics, dressing our ambitions in charm doesn’t have to be a bad thing.
Writing and collages © 2020 April Elliott Kent
Jen and I dig deep into all the week’s highlights
in our latest podcast episode,
31 | Mars in Aries and the Swivel Chair of Doom