Catching the Tide, How the Walls fall down, Living the Dream & The Queen’s Reign
If you want to see the sign and degree of the planets in your own or any other natal chart – so you can check these against the signs and degrees important this week – here’s the link to Astrotheme. Enter your data into the boxes provided:
https://www.astrotheme.com/horoscope_chart_sign_ascendant.php
The Astrology Blog 28 January 2019
All times given are stated in GMT
‘There is a tide in the affairs of men, which taken at the flood, leads on to fortune. Omitted, all the voyage of their life is bound in shallows and in miseries.
On such a full sea are we now afloat. And we must take the current when it serves, or lose our ventures’
– Shakespeare Julius Caesar
In my former life in London, I once met a woman who taught meditation. I’m going back over 30 years, and she was then in her 80’s. I’ve never forgotten the most powerful thing she said to me:
‘The only things in life to regret are missed opportunities’.
This statement made a deep impression on me. I have no doubt that it contributed to my decision to come out to Greece and see if I could build a life here. The rest, as they say, is history.
And, as we often say, there’s nothing new under the sun. Shakespeare’s words above, apply to us just as much now, as they did to his audience over 400 years ago. If we don’t ride the tides of our lives we can miss that vital moment – the opportunity to explore the fascinating depths rather than forever splashing around in the shallows.
Astrology can reveal to us two main threads:
- Fated events – what will happen anyway
- And what can happen when we seek out and follow our path of good fortune
‘On such a full sea are we now afloat’.
This week is the beginning of the sequence of three aspects (It’s a sextile – formed when planets are exactly two signs apart). And it’s between the two major planets Saturn and Neptune (the Roman name for the god of the sea, who is Poseidon in Greek mythology).
As these planets are both slow moving and both spend long periods of time in retrograde motion, they’ll loop backwards as well as forwards. They will continue to cross paths and will align again twice, much later in the year. However the message starts now:
Thursday 31 January 2019
- Saturn 15 Capricorn sextile Neptune 15 Pisces 14.22
- Second sextile will be 18 June at 19 Capricorn/Pisces
- Third sextile will be 9 November at 16 Capricorn/Pisces
What’s the Big Deal?
The rarer the aspect, the more significant it is. So to put this into astrological perspective the last time these two planets met by sextile was also in a three-legged transit:
- 27 June 1995
- 17 August 1995 and
- 15 March 1996
And the next time they meet by sextile will be a one-off transit on 27 June 2031.
Saturn sextile Neptune
Interestingly, the last series in 1995/6 was when Saturn was in Pisces and Neptune was in Capricorn. it was the other way around from the picture now.
Which is stronger? The last time, note that these two planets were in ‘mutual reception’ – ie in each other’s signs. As Saturn was in Pisces (ruled by Neptune) and Neptune was in Capricorn (ruled by Saturn).
This time around they are already ‘at home’ being strong in their own signs.
My experience of the 1995-96 sextile
My life in Greece started in May 1995, as Jupiter transited my Sun, just three weeks before the Saturn – Neptune sextile started. And this was the backdrop for that whole year.
Saturn was transiting through my 4th House of home. A mutual reception indicates that a ‘swapping over’ can be made that is strengthening and beneficial.
My exchange of London (city life, Saturn) for a Greek island (living by the sea, Neptune) reflected the ‘living the dream’ symbolism to perfection.
2019 sextile
This time, 24 years later, it’s slow moving Neptune who’s now on his way through my 4th House and, as Jupiter has a 12 year cycle, I’m also having the same Jupiter transits. I await the events of this coming year with interest, but it has the makings of something transitional!
So, be aware of how the current symbolism relates to your own life. If you’re not already living your dream, what steps can you take to bring about the right kind of changes? As with all the major aspects we can learn about Saturn – Neptune combinations empirically, ie from history. let’s start by considering their main areas of symbolism:
Saturn symbolism
Saturn – main principle is Contraction (the opposite to Jupiter and expansion. If Jupiter is ‘yes’, Saturn is ‘no’.)
He is the bringer of solemnity, restriction, obstacles, boundaries and endings, ultimately death. Saturn is the enemy of the ‘Lights’ of life, (the Sun and Moon), and is in detriment in their signs of dignity, Leo and Cancer.
He rules authority, career, duty and responsibility. His nature is pessimistic, realistic and serious.
Saturn activity indicates:
- Work, effort, ambition, setting goals, responsibility
- Limitations, restrictions, frustration
- Illness, bereavement
- Events unfolding slowly or wishes being denied
- The arrival of those who are of professional value to us
- Those with whom we develop a serious relationship or with whom we feel a karmic connection.
Neptune symbolism
Neptune – main principle is Redemption.
Psychologically his realm is fusion
- The boundless watery world of the emotions.
- Ruling the fuzzy world of falling in love, right through to the suffering of loss or personal sacrifice.
- His nature is subtle, seductive, addictive, mysterious, magical, imaginative or disorientating.
- He has strong links with dreams and spirituality.
Neptune activity indicates:
- Confusion, uncertainty
- Delusion, deception
- Soul searching
- A lack of purpose or direction
- Being ‘all at sea’
- Grief
- Events that make no logical sense, mystical experiences
- Surrender, sacrifice
- The arrival of those who mesmerize, manipulate or idealize us
- Those we want to rescue or with whom we feel a spiritual connection.
In other words, Saturn and Neptune have absolutely nothing in common.
Saturn is the grown up, the rule maker, the reality checker and never moves the goalposts. Neptune just swims around everything and is uncontainable.
But bring the two together and the best possible outcome is that big dreams (Neptune) can become a workable reality (Saturn).
Alternatively, a broken dream may be the very thing that takes you back to the drawing board once you’ve stopped crying about it.
I also think that for many this is about rebuilding (Saturn) a life after grief (Neptune), which is one of the hardest things we can ever do.
Learning from history
Back to the point about learning from history. These two planets are conjunct (come together) every 36.4 years. Here are the dates for the time before last:
- 21 November 1952
- 17 May 1953
- 21 July 1953
The biggest national event in the UK at the time was the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II.on 2 June 1953 at Westminster Abbey.
In her natal horoscope the Queen has Saturn exactly conjunct the Midheaven (status and authority), her chart ruler is Saturn and so she has a Capricorn Ascendant.
The Queen’s natal Saturn is also the ‘T’ of a fixed T Square. The other two planets being the Moon in Leo opposite Neptune in Aquarius. Both planets are at 22 degrees.
The Saturn – Neptune conjunctions in May and July 1953 fell at 21/22 Libra – in exact aspect to this configuration. It may be that this year will be the last of her reign, especially as she now also has Pluto (both power and endings) going backwards and forwards over her Capricorn Ascendant. Pluto reached that exact degree and minute 21.26 Capricorn for the first time two days ago, Saturday 26 January. And Pluto will return at the beginning of August and end of November.
The last Saturn – Neptune conjunction fell in Capricorn:
- 3 March 1989
- 23 June 1989
- 13 November 1989
The Berlin Wall was thrown up on the night of 13 August 1961, which is the day after the freedom planet Jupiter moved into Capricorn, his sign of ‘fall’, ie the sign in which Jupiter qualities are in some way repressed. Saturn was also in Capricorn and retrograde.
28 years later the Berlin Wall fell, on 9 November 1989, just four days before the third Saturn – Neptune conjunction at 10 Capricorn. This was also exactly opposite Jupiter then in Cancer, his sign of ‘exaltation’.
This is a textbook showing of how Saturn builds barriers, Neptune dissolves them. Also note that it’s often the third of a series of three major contacts that brings the result.
The next Saturn -Neptune conjunction will be 20 February 2026 … and if Trump has his way there could be another wall to dismantle …
What Else is Happening this Week?
Mercury the communication and news planet is powerfully placed, at both the beginning and end of the week:
Wednesday 30 January
-
Sun conjunct Mercury 10 Aquarius 02.53
Sunday 3 February
-
Mercury 18 Aquarius sextile Jupiter 18 Sagittarius 21.36
You can see how fast Mercury is moving, more than one degree a day, so these two aspects may not be linked to the same thing.
Firstly the Sun illuminates, and Mercury is information, so Tuesday evening is prime time for finding out the things you need to know, for key conversations, decision making, sending or receiving important emails, or organizing anything to do with friends or group events (Aquarius).
In business it’s a fantastic time for networking.
Basically anything that comes under Mercury’s communication umbrella is being highlighted in a bright yellow or orange pen. Any planet conjunct the Sun to within 17 minutes of arc (i.e. just over a quarter of a degree) is said to be ‘cazimi’, or drawing power from the heart of the Sun. So if for any reason you’re awake in the early hours of Wednesday morning, you could have a brainwave or some piercing insights into your current situation or issues. Pay close attention to your thoughts and ideas in those quiet moments.
Mercury news
As I said last week the kind of news Mercury brings depends on the other planet he’s hooking up with. So this harmonious sextile to Jupiter is extremely promising for happy news, especially as Jupiter is currently in his own sign of Sagittarius. This means that he’s currently on a mission re presenting us with the things that make life bigger and better.
Jupiter is known in traditional astrology as the Greater Benefic, so he’s good for us, bringing opportunity, luck, liberation, good fortune, learning, truth and justice. Long distance travel is also part of Jupiter’s domain – so all things and all people related to overseas are part of this picture. Look out for the holiday bargains.
And don’t forget fun too. Mercury – Jupiter combinations are great for partying, being in stimulating company and remembering what or who makes you laugh. If you’ve been meaning to go somewhere special or gather friends together for Sunday dinner, then now’s the time to organize it. Alternatively, don’t hesitate to say yes to invitations coming your way.
Planetary teamwork
The Sun, Mercury and Jupiter are basically a team working together – we’ll get the Sun sextile Jupiter at the end of next week – so there’s a very sociable and cooperative streak running through this fortnight.
If you have planets or angles between 9 and 19 degrees of Aquarius or Sagittarius then something is definitely going your way, even if something else isn’t! Trust that you’re being pointed in the right direction.
Venus and Mars
The love planets Venus and Mars are also in the picture this coming weekend, but not in the easiest of ways.
Mars is in conflict with Pluto and Venus has her last aspect before changing sign:
Saturday 2 February
-
Mars 21 Aries square Pluto 21 Capricorn 03.16
-
Venus 29 Sagittarius trine Uranus 29 Aries 23.42
Sunday 3 February
-
Venus ingress Capricorn 22.30
Pushy Mars is dynamic in his own sign of Aries – but can also be overbearing or blinkered. Aries is the sign of Cardinal Fire – like a laser beam – going straight from A to B with no detours and no peripheral vision.
Squares to Pluto, god of the underworld and invisibility, equal black holes. So guard against being hell bent on getting what you want. And/or take other people’s resistance seriously.
Our own underworld is the unconscious or our deepest fears. We’ll get further if we stop and think about what really makes someone else tick or why they’re behaving in a certain way. Also be prepared for changes of plan for Friday night as the Mars – Pluto square is exact in the early hours of Saturday.
Challenging or decisive
If you’re in the wrong relationship this coming weekend will be challenging or even decisive.
Mars – Pluto can spell endings. And Venus linking to rebellious and sudden Uranus, just before changing sign, can also indicate the end of a relationship, possibly because of one person starting another.
Whatever falls apart at the time of this square is unlikely to be rescuable. Anyone notable by their absence is likely to be in extremis, so check up on your friends and loved ones. If you’re involved with someone who’s still in the process of splitting up from someone else then things could get messy.
It doesn’t mean that you should back out, it just means be aware of the aftershocks still rumbling away. As I said the other week, we go to extraordinary lengths to hold on to a relationship, even when it’s crumbling, making us miserable or even when it’s abusive. If this applies to you all of this week’s astrology adds up to get real, and get out. It will be the best thing you ever did.
Venus trine Uranus
Otherwise, looking at the Venus – Uranus aspect separately, they come together by trine, a harmonious aspect. This bodes well for a Saturday girls night out or spontaneous get-togethers.
This aspect falls in the last degrees of their respective signs so also look out for themes of last chances, last minute arrangements, turnarounds or 11th hour decisions.
This doesn’t apply just to romance but to anything Venusian – love, money, girlfriends, life’s pleasures. In terms of new attractions this is textbook stuff for meeting someone just when you least expected to, or just as you’d given up on the whole idea!
Venus enters Capricorn
Venus exits Sagittarius on Sunday evening and enters Capricorn. She’ll be travelling through Saturn’s sign for the rest of the month, and therefore will play into the Saturn – Neptune aspect in a couple of weeks time.
I’ll be talking about this when those dates roll around, and more next week about this particular combination and what we can expect from this new love cycle.
Until next week, keep working those dreams!
With love from Greece
Joanna