By Norma Jean Ream
Seasonal Shifts and Outer Planet Conferences
The end of Summer has us a bit weary after the turbulent month of August. The planets are finally leaving the Fire and Air signs, allowing for cooler temperatures and an ease of tempers. Mercury passed over the heart of the Sun on August 27, participating in the Lunar Eclipse and rapidly forming a 90Ò square to Uranus, the planet of the unexpected, radical, and inventive. Mercury was in early Virgo, its own exalted (special) domain, and Uranus is in Mercury’s other sign, Gemini. The challenges are in communication: precise language versus ambiguous verbiage.
On the first of September, Mercury is busy connecting with the outer planets, analyzing problems and clearing up issues in commerce and in government. Media is Mercury’s show. These are the days of culture bombardment, while there is still the glamour of Jupiter in Leo-type celebrity events and news. Mercury is in a negotiating aspect with Mars, in Cancer, a sign where Mars is problematic. Mercury is also trying to make compromises with Saturn, who is in a sign ruled by Mars, making a tricky situation that, without the Judicious guidance of Jupiter in harmony with Saturn, the first week of September would be quite different.
Saturn is the planet of management, organization, rules and regulations, boundaries, and limitations. While Saturn is in Aries, it is not comfortable or willing to be collaborative or cooperative. Saturn in Mars’s sign is self-oriented and tends to resist seeing both sides of an argument. Mars is moving slowly through Cancer, not a sign where Mars is being its brave, hero self or having good relationships. Mars is testy, jealous, and harsh.
Mars is square to Saturn at the beginning of September. These are the two malefics in a challenging aspect. The two planets are ready to attack each other. They tend toward threats and bullying. Mars will finish the second half of the sign by the end of the month. Nothing will come of the bluster. Mars will not make aspects to any other planet until it enters Leo on the 29th. It will then oppose Pluto in the first days of October. A power struggle will erupt and will pass quickly.
Venus is bright after sunset in the Eastern sky. It is in opposition to Eris, a dwarf planet that crusades for women’s rights and stands up against injustice for everyone. Venus is a natural advocate to empower Eris in her causes. Venus is finishing a cycle soon. We can watch her come down toward the horizon as she returns to the Sun. Venus enters Scorpio on September 9. Its first aspect is the opposition to Chiron, bringing up issues of health and healing.
The New Moon is September 10, at 18Ò Virgo, as Mercury, ruler of the sign, enters Libra. Mercury, as the Media, as the culture is looking for a new idea, something impressive and revolutionary. Virgo is a sign of helping hands, service to others, and support for those in need.
Mercury is now forming a Grand Trine in Air signs with Pluto and Uranus. This is a creative infusion of the collective power and heartfelt desire for change and a new way of doing things. An interesting thing is that 18Ò Virgo was a degree point where Pluto and Uranus made an exact conjunction in 1966, initiating a New Era. Rock and Roll, anti-War protesting, young people taking their Freedom, Civil Rights, Women’s Rights, Woodstock. Computers came out of this period.
Uranus is stationing Retrograde on the 10th at 5. 41 Gemini. Pluto is retrograde at 3.04 Aquarius. Neptune is stationing retrograde in early July at 4:25 Aries. These three outer planets will hold their aspect relationship between them. Consider that these planets are connected to the collective consciousness, the deepest resonance of shared humanity. When they are in these close angular relationships, we can witness something developing in the greater world. It is always the symptoms of growth and change within us all.
Mercury is fast in motion, separating from the Sun, just out of the beams and climbing in the evening sky. As it does over the next week, September 13 to 19, Mercury makes aspect to each of the outer planets systematically, as if each offers their perspective on the world’s activities. By the 18th, Mercury opposes Saturn for another round of stops, curtailments, or tariffs to be imposed on those who are not willing to agree with the authority holding the decision power. This Saturn resistance energy, after the infusion of the Air Grand Trine of Mercury, Uranus, and Pluto, which excites toward the future, for expansive and inclusive cultural changes, will surge past the barriers to change. Similar to the influences of the mid-1960’s.
The Seasonal Change is here. The third quarter of the year shifts our focus to pulling back from the outdoor lifestyle and gearing up for a wetter than usual season. There may be some feeling of confusion, disillusionment, sadness, or disappointment with the Sun in opposition to Neptune, and the sextile to Pluto, both retrograde.
The Sun takes a few days to stand in the Grand Trine Air position linked with Pluto and Uranus. Leadership has the power to transform the world by helping create harmony within the broader dynamics among nations. Ideals that unite with the themes that serve all people could seed change in social and economic betterment by recognizing the climate and atmospheric changes that affect the weather patterns and what drives them.
The harsh reality of Mars opposing Pluto opens up the release of suppressed and controlled information that can expose the powerful corruption going on for decades. This aspect of Mars also applies to the USA Sibley chart opposing Pluto at 27 Capricorn. Mars transits the USA Mercury could be a challenge to the nation from outside, from open enemies. That could also trigger a financial issue since USA Pluto is in the house ruling money.
Mercury is in a sextile aspect to Jupiter. The Moon is in Aquarius opposite Jupiter. Moon will quickly trine Mercury, allowing for an agreement that might work out resolutions to conflict. Mercury is the planet that negotiates, creates options, pitches the plan like the salesman.
The Full Moon is at 3 Aries 37, tucked between Neptune and Saturn. This is a situation called “besiegement.” The Moon is trapped between two malefics. In a difficult situation. In opposition to the Sun, it temporarily feels like capture. The Moon sets before the Sun rises. The Sun is still connected to the power planets, Pluto and Uranus. The Moon represents the people. This setup seems to be holding back what is needed for recovery and growth. The top issue is Housing for families affected by flooding and financial losses. Federal assistance is slow to come to Kau residents.
As Mars leaves the sign Cancer and enters Leo, the shift might be a sharp change. Mars is a planet that rules a Fire sign. Mars is associated with Fire and tools that cut and separate. Mars in Leo is dramatic, egocentric, often exaggerating to be noticed, or to get what they want. Mars will be in Leo until the 26th of November.
Just a little heads up that Venus will station retrograde on October 3 at 8 Scorpio, lasting until November 14, turning direct at 22 Libra. Venus only retrogrades every 19 months. More on this next month. Stay safe, everyone.
Norma Jean Ream
about Norma Jean Ream
Norma Jean Ream has been a resident of Kalapana SeaView since 1988. Astrology has been her passion since 1970. She has a B.A. in Astrological Studies East and West from Kepler College and NCGR Level 4 Certification. Her specialty is in Traditional Western astrology, and she writes articles on Mundane (world events) for her own website, www.AstrologyHawaii.com. She wrote and taught a course in Traditional Astrology for IAA, an online college for seven years. She serves clients with a variety of offerings including personal consultations, Electional timing, Relocation decisions, Horary questions, and Children’s Charts for Parents.