The Saturn – Uranus square is not easy, but this combination is like The Tower in the tarot. Something disintegrates, something can no longer continue in its existing structure, something’s gotta give. And as this first square forms with a stationary direct Mercury it indicates a tipping point, in our own decisions or in the shape of decisions that are made for us.
The second half of the week is much brighter as we have the annual beautiful Venus – Jupiter conjunction. These are the two “benefics” – Venus is known as the Lesser Benefic Jupiter as the Greater Benefic – so in other words they’re good for us. Between them they rule all the things that make life sweet, joyful or easier such as love and money (Venus), good luck, fun and optimism (Jupiter) – and this year’s conjunction also coincides with the New Moon – fresh starts, opportunities, new cycles, new faces.
Mercury is retrograde three times a year for three weeks at a time. The real meaning of retrograde in the astronomical sense is a planet appearing to make a backward loop as watched from our place here on Earth. As any planet starts (stationary retrograde) or stops (stationary direct) making these loops they appear to be at a standstill. These are therefore the moments to watch for turning points in our own lives.
The crucial part of the Ascendant in terms of predictive astrology is that it points us to the chart ruler. In other words, which planet is you in particular? Once you have the answer to that question you can then move on to a full “who’s who” and you can locate everyone else in your life, and those coming into your life, in your personal horoscope. Such is the magic of astrology.
Uranus has the upper hand, a status that is in bold and underlined as this planet is now “stationary direct”. Any planet switching direction, from retrograde to direct or vice versa, is an attention grabber. In your own chart you’ll find that these changes of direction either way, when they occur at the same position of any of your natal planets or Angles, mark notable turning points in your own life.