The Astrology Blog 28 February 2022
All times in GMT
“Cry ‘Havoc!’, and let slip the dogs of war.”
Mark Antony in Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar
“You can’t wait until life isn’t hard anymore before you decide to be happy.”
Jane Marczewski-Claudio “Nightbirde” – 29 Dec 1990 – 19 Feb 2022 (age 31)
EVENTS AND COUNTRIES HAVE HOROSCOPES TOO
A much longer blog than usual this week – for obvious reasons. I’m sure I’m not alone when I say that the feelings this last week have been very similar to those engendered by the beginning of the pandemic. A strange virus in a city that most of us had never heard of started as a rather horrible story on the other side of the world, to be read, wondered at and then forgotten.
Only when we realized that it was something deadly and heading our way did we really sit up and take notice. We’re only human. Astrologers were possibly slightly ahead, the hallmark for the start of the event being the massive Saturn – Pluto conjunction. That was never going to be anything easy.
News of Putin amassing troops on Ukraine’s borders filtered through to us in the same way, another news story to be read and wondered at. What’s he up to? Ah well, better cook the dinner.
But, again, our collective attention is being captured as we come to realize that this is something that might not, again, stay contained within some distant land. References to WW3 litter the news and social media posts. Just as the world was beginning to feel like a safe place again … we thought we’d seen the back of words like “lockdown” and “curfew”.
Christina Rodenbeck points out that the chart for the invasion bears chilling similarities with the chart for WW2 and you can read her analysis here (thanks Anne A for sending link) –
https://oxfordastrologer.com/2022/02/the-invasion-of-ukraine.html
In spite of the constant reporting it was interesting that nowhere did I find conviction, nobody categorically said Russia is going to invade, it just looks suspiciously like it. But maybe they did and I missed it. But Putin’s denials and accusations of western propaganda were however reported, as if to sugar the pill, as if we were supposed to be believe those too.
INVASION
Last week Mercury came out of shadow at 5am GMT on Thursday 24 Feb, which means returning to the exact position at which he originally turned retrograde (10.18 Aquarius on this occasion) just 2 hours before the moment of invasion. To recap from last week’s blog –
The moment that a planet comes out of shadow also means, astronomically, that the planet is back up to full speed. Symbolically then this translates into the same thing happening for us – as above, so below. It also implies the revelation of that which has been hidden or unknown up until now. In this sense it’s a bit like Eclipse symbolism, shadows falling and then lifting again to reveal a new picture.
Note however that this can swing both ways, that not everything coming into the light will be welcome, the situation in Ukraine being the most obvious example …
So if you’re up against any kind of distortion of the truth – you’re having an affair aren’t you, no I’m not, don’t be silly (from my client work last week) – then events unfolding this week are likely to reveal the reality.
There’s a minor aspect (Jupiter – Pluto) this week that is clanging a few alarm bells, especially as it falls within just a few hours of the Mars – Neptune aspect (Mars god of war rules the military, Neptune stealth) and 7 hours before Mercury comes out of shadow.
I don’t know why I didn’t think to look at Putin’s chart sooner but here it is –
https://www.astrotheme.com/astrology/Vladimir_Putin
The key astrology is that he has Scorpio rising, and is therefore ruled by Mars. He also has Venus in Scorpio (one of Mars’ signs, and thus one of Venus’ signs of detriment as one is always strong where the other is weak) in his 1st House, traditionally where we locate the self, and often the issues that are down to us, the things that can’t be delegated.
Scorpio’s other planet Pluto, Putin’s co-ruler, is smack on his Midheaven (status, leadership). And just in case you were wondering yes, Pluto rules nuclear power.
He also has Jupiter square Pluto, and a Sun – Saturn conjunction in Libra square Uranus. In astro language that means that Jupiter (the Greater Benefic, freedom, justice, human rights) and the Sun (the life force) are “afflicted” by being sabotaged by the heavy outer planets. He must be a bundle of joy to live with.
Transits? The most obvious is Uranus, who has a cycle of 84 years. So if we’re lucky enough to live to 84 we get our Uranus Return, and in the process of making the full lap transiting Uranus crosses over all our other natal planets and Angles just once in a lifetime.
So Uranus is currently halfway through Taurus, the opposite sign to Scorpio. On the day of the invasion Uranus was at 11.23 Taurus, so opposite Putin’s Venus at 11.42 Scorpio by less than a third of a degree. Given that Uranus can’t be opposite his Venus for another 84 years that is what you call exact.
But note that Uranus also has a reputation for “partile” aspects (those that are exact to the minute of arc) and the opposition to Putin’s Venus will be exact this coming Saturday, 5 March.
Uranus – main principle is change, especially of the sudden or shocking kind, the “bolt from the blue”. Uranian events are innovative, explosive, sudden, unexpected, erratic or unpredictable.
Havoc, chaos, the dogs of war are unleashed. I’m definitely not saying that this is the beginning of WW3 but this is serious stuff. It remains to be seen how Putin can be stopped. His personal synastry with the charts for both Ukraine and Kiev doesn’t bode well.
UKRAINE AND KIEV
Back to the point about countries and places having horoscopes here are the links for Ukraine and Kiev –
https://www.astrotheme.com/astrology/Ukraine
Ukraine has a Capricorn Ascendant, therefore ruled by Saturn who’s at 1.31 Aquarius. Next big transit to that point will be Pluto in March 2024.
Moon (in charts for countries Moon rules the people) at 22.24 Aquarius – smack opposite Putin’s Pluto 22.43 Leo. Saturn will be transiting this degree from April to the beginning of next year. The Moon also rules homes. Chillingly accurate symbolism for displacing thousands who won’t be seeing their homes again for a very long time, possibly never.
https://www.astrotheme.com/astrology/Kiev_(Ukraine)
Most striking feature of the chart for Kiev is a tight Sun – Saturn conjunction at 21/22 Taurus. Echoes of Putin’s chart, same aspect but different sign. Uranus will get to this degree next June. Also same as Putin, a Jupiter – Pluto square. When you read about Kiev’s history you can see these hallmarks, the anti-life of the Sun – Saturn and the Plutonic “death and rebirth” symbolism, jumping off the page. It’s not the first time the city has been destroyed –
Completely destroyed during the Mongol invasions in 1240, the city lost most of its influence for the centuries to come…. The city prospered again during the Russian Empire’s Industrial Revolution in the late 19th century … The city was almost completely ruined during World War II but quickly recovered in the postwar years (Wikipedia)
UNIVERSAL V THE PERSONAL
When you read the news now it’s as if nothing else is going on in the world. Just as when the pandemic started nobody can talk about anything else. Alongside the world’s reactions are our individual feelings, and the questions of how we cope with absorbing yet more fear.
Because of the nature of what I do – I’ve done 25 readings in the last six weeks, heard 25 individual stories of personal relationships, experiences, struggles, desires, challenges, all British but could be any nationality, the human condition isn’t racist – my thoughts inevitably swing to the very human stories that have now been upended for thousands. The love affairs, the career aspirations, the home hunting, the holiday plans – all snuffed out and replaced with raw survival.
I can really understand survivor guilt. No matter where we are, we’re all connected. The stories of fleeing expats obviously resonated with me at a terrifying level. On Friday night I hugged my dogs extra hard – I would’ve hugged the cat too but she won’t let me – and felt unspeakably lucky to be in my own warm home. I had a virtually sleepless night in my own comfortable bed. Again, am sure I wasn’t alone.
This didn’t stop me from getting impatient yesterday morning when the dogs were under my feet, the garden out of action in the pouring rain, and I was trying to get my tired brain into writing mode. We’re only human. Quick memo to self, continue to be mindful, thousands of Ukraine dog owners would sell their soul to be in your place Jo.
But it’s like when we hear about a personal tragedy for someone we know. We say, And I thought I had problems! I’ll never forget saying that once to Kim Bennett who runs Serenity Retreat (mindfulness and meditation) here on Lefkada. Her immediate answer was, You do. Oh.
So no matter what is unfolding in other countries, no matter how little or how much this might impact on us now or in the future, you still count. Life can change in a heartbeat, with the Uranian pull of the rug under our feet, but it goes on.
So let this time in the world make us more determined to do justice to our life. You don’t need that ex lover who doesn’t need you, you don’t need the commitment phobe or the person who’s never available when it matters, you don’t need the support of the person who always makes every issue about them, you don’t need to stay in a job you hate, you don’t have to live your life in a way that suits everyone else but isn’t that great for you, you don’t have to drag the ball and chain of past hurt or abuse around with you. Repeat after me – Do you?
Make yourself count even more. Hence the choice of quote this week from Jane “Nightbirde” who has just died at the age of 31. She shot to fame last year when she performed an original song on America’s Got Talent. I remember watching it. Stick thin, elfin faced, ethereally beautiful and having just been given a 2% chance of survival she sang “It’s OK” which she said later that she’d written for her own dark night of the soul –
I moved to California in the summer time
I changed my name thinking that it would change my mind
I thought that all my problems they would stay behind
I was a stick of dynamite and it was just a matter of time, yeah
All day, all night, now I can’t hide
Said I knew myself but I guess I lied
It’s okay, it’s okay, it’s okay, it’s okay
If you’re lost, we’re all a little lost and it’s alright
It’s okay, it’s okay, it’s okay, it’s okay
If you’re lost, we’re all a little lost and it’s alright
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CZJvBfoHDk0
In her feedback chat after her performance, when her smile and energy were commended, she delivered her “smacks you between the eyes” line that’s quoted at the top of the blog. And she’s right. Life is always going to be hard in one way or another, so happiness, so very often, IS a decision. How wonderful to make that decision before time runs out?
WHAT ELSE IS HAPPENING THIS WEEK?
This was always going to be a big week. Let’s start with an at a glance list of the lineups that are all packed in between Wed and Sunday morning –
Wednesday 2 March
- Venus out of shadow 26.29 Capricorn 02.00
- Sun 11 Pisces sextile Uranus 11 Taurus 05.06
- Mercury conjunct Saturn 19 Aquarius 16.34
- New Moon 12 Pisces 17.36
- Moon conjunct Jupiter 14 Pisces 21.25
Thursday 3 March
- Mars conjunct Pluto 27 Capricorn 08.40
- Venus conjunct Pluto 27 Capricorn 17.53
Saturday 5 March
- Sun conjunct Jupiter 14 Pisces 14.08
Sunday 6 March
- Mars ingress Aquarius 06.24
- Venus ingress Aquarius 06.31
- Venus conjunct Mars 0 Aquarius 07.14
THE LOVE STUFF
Venus planet of love, relating and life’s pleasures brackets the week’s events, emerging from shadow in the early hours of Wednesday, continuing to travel side by side with Mars until they both arrive in the next sign of Aquarius virtually at the same time, and then immediately making their exact conjunction less than an hour later.
Crucially though both Venus and Mars meet up with Pluto along the way, both on Thursday, one in the morning and the other early evening. As Pluto keeps cropping up in the astrology at the moment here’s his job description –
Pluto – main principle is endings/beginnings, often starting with significant loss, death of the old and the birth of the new, starting from scratch, those who are physically or emotionally absent, transformative processes, deep healing, resourcefulness, secrets, taboos, empowerment, control, power, use or abuse of control/power, uncompromising, finality, wealth of the individual (plutocracy or plutarchy being a society ruled or controlled by people of great wealth or income)
Venus coming out of shadow in itself is enough to bring things out into the open, and if you’ve been wanting to find out someone’s true feelings then this is the week for declarations and truth time.
But, as I wrote for Mercury coming out of shadow, it can swing either way. For some this will certainly be out with an old relationship and in with a new one. If you’re in any kind of triangle, or any secret romance, then Pluto stuff is notorious for sorting out winners and losers, and no going back. Pluto slams doors shut and stomps off. It’s the end of the road for carrying on anything in secret or any unrequited love. Look out for tipping points.
The fact that this next Venus – Mars conjunction is the second in the space of three weeks makes it extra significant. This happens because last time (16 Feb, in the middle of Capricorn) Venus had recently turned direct (29 Jan) and was still picking up speed, so we had the rare event of Mars actually moving more quickly than Venus – it’s usually the other way around.
So Venus getting back to full speed and catching up with Mars again repeats the conjunction BUT in a different sign (Aquarius) AND at 0 degrees. This is known as a “critical degree” – powerful beginnings, the start of a whole new chapter.
If you’re single and searching a) cut the ties literally or symbolically with an ex who’s filling up the partner shaped space in your life b) pay special attention to anyone coming into your life at this time c) choose a top quality dating site as Aquarius is THE sign of technology and rules groups of all kinds.
We won’t get another Venus – Mars conjunction for two years. Here are the conjunctions from the last two years and the ones to come over the next few years.
Venus Conjunct Mars Dates
- 24 August 2019 – 4 Virgo
- 13 July 2021 – 19 Leo
- 16 February 2022 – 16 Capricorn
- 6 March 2022 – 0 Aquarius
- 22 February 2024 – 7 Aquarius
- 8 January 2026 – 18 Capricorn
THE SOLAR STUFF
Lunations happen every two weeks. The Full Moon is when the Moon is exactly opposite the Sun, the New Moon is when the Moon is exactly conjunct the Sun, they’re universally important but especially significant at a personal level if they match up with your own natal planets or Angles.
Either side of the New Moon we see the Sun playing into the Jupiter – Uranus alliance that was exact as we tipped into Friday 18 Feb but still only 3 degrees apart as they are slow moving. This in turn means that the Pisces New Moon herself falls sextile (harmonious, 2 signs apart) Uranus and conjunct Jupiter. The exact Sun – Jupiter conjunction (once a year) falls on Saturday –
Wednesday 2 March
- Sun 11 Pisces sextile Uranus 11 Taurus 05.06
- Mercury conjunct Saturn 19 Aquarius 16.34
- New Moon 12 Pisces 17.36
- Moon conjunct Jupiter 14 Pisces 21.25
Saturday 5 March
- Sun conjunct Jupiter 14 Pisces 14.08
Look back to see what was happening for you around 18 Feb when that Jupiter – Uranus was exact. I remember reporting that it showed well for me as Jupiter rules all foreign travel and learning of the higher mind kind, and Uranus rules groups, and bookings for the Summer School in May took a sudden upswing. So I expect more students will now firm up their places.
If you’re planning any kind of travel then this is the week to look out for the bargains. It’s also brilliant astrology for any kind of new opportunity or celebratory event as there’s nothing more life affirming than Sun – Jupiter combinations. If you’re all work and no play then lay down your tools and get out there to have some fun.
The other side to life affirming and generous Jupiter in redemptive Pisces, who also connects to the 12th House of suffering or sacrifice, is the archetype of The Rescuer. I think this astrology is already reflecting the aid pouring in for Ukraine.
At a literal level Pisces is the sign of mutable water and Mr Big Jupiter = lots of. Look out for plumbing problems! A special thought for Australia, with practically the only other story that found its way into the news this morning –
Intense rain and record-breaking floods have hit eastern Australia, killing eight people. A river in the northern New South Wales town of Lismore has broken its banks and risen to 14.37m (47ft). Meanwhile in Queensland, the Brisbane River is flooding, causing extensive damage (BBC)
Last but not least just note that an hour before the Full Moon there’s a sobering Mercury – Saturn conjunction (a once a year aspect, next one is March 2023). This is a combination that’s packed with all kinds of possibilities and, as Mercury winged messenger of the gods is the news and info planet, certainly includes things like news that’s hard to hear or tough decisions. Confidentiality will be important, think twice about what you post on social media.
But as both planets are strong in this sign it can also indicate decisions or commitments that will stick and stand the test of time, even if they come with a price tag at the beginning. It can be things that are “for your own good” or the discipline to tackle any kind of written work or research. It can be information that changes other plans. Look out too for reality moments, the things you need to take more seriously and don’t try to force square pegs into round holes. Not worth the effort!
Until next week, with love from Greece
Joanna