The Sky Now

July - September

A solar eclipse in 19 degrees of Cancer on 11 July is in very close harmonious aspect with Mars [in the same degree of Virgo]. So, amidst the generally tough celestial conditions (see below) which reflect so accurately what’s going on for the world at present, there is a very constructive element here, pointing up the ability to work hard, make plenty of effort and put one’s energies into many forms of service. The effects of eclipses generally last for several months after they occur, in fact usually until overridden by the next one (in this case at the beginning of 2011).

The configuration of ongoing interest, which began in the spring and remains within orbs until early next year, is the protracted conjunction between Jupiter and Uranus. Both planets are presently in the early degrees of Aries but will move back into Pisces in August-September, moving forward again into Aries as the conjunction dissolves early next year. The second [of three] exact conjunction falls on 19 September, near the end of Pisces. More often than not, Jupiter-Uranus conjunctions last (i.e. remain within orbs) only a few weeks, as did the last one in early 1997, but this one is exceptional in its duration. One can therefore expect some exceptional manifestations. The succession of Saturn square Pluto earlier this year, followed by the advent of Jupiter conjunct Uranus, and then Saturn square Pluto again (on top of the Jupiter-Uranus, as it were) is already more than noticeable in the unusually large number of ‘earth events’ – the many earthquakes and volcanic eruptions, for example. Saturn-Pluto often has to do with hidden and underground matters, literal or metaphorical, while Jupiter-Uranus is often implicated in situations where tension is suddenly released, whether that be in the earth’s crust or in some smaller way.

With Jupiter-Uranus still emphasised we must continue to expect the unexpected. There is a need to be open and flexible, prepared to change plans – or attitudes – at a moment’s notice. The conjunction has a kind of revelatory power: it is the combination which symbolises the ‘Damascus moment’, if you like, and can bring about changes that are as unlooked for as they are drastic. Jupiter-Uranus ‘thinks big’, and those who have it in their own horoscopes tend to do exactly that, or are outstanding for other reasons. This is never a planetary configuration that makes one one of a crowd; rather, it is out in front, very obvious, unconventional and impossible to ignore.

Readers with good binoculars or a small telescope will be able to observe the conjunction for themselves; Jupiter, as always, will appear very bright, while Uranus will be much fainter and a little to the north of Jupiter.

As July progresses into August and September, the square between Saturn and Pluto that was so much a part of the scene late last year and early this year returns, but for a shorter period, gradually dissolving again during October. However, while it is extant, there will be much ‘celestial tension’, as other planets also aspect it. The Jupiter-Uranus conjunction opposes Saturn and squares Pluto until about mid September, and while this is the case, faster-moving planets will continually pass the point opposite to Pluto, completing a grand cross which is mainly at the beginning of the cardinal signs, though as Jupiter-Uranus retrograde later in the year they will be at the end of Pisces, a mutable sign. All this suggests both a lot of tension and incessant activity. In many ways it is good for getting things done and helps us to develop a determination to overcome obstacles, but it is definitely not a configuration for a quiet or easy life!It’s time to roll up our sleeves and deal with the many problems at hand.

The opposition between Saturn and Uranus, part of the grand cross, which has been going on, on and off, since last year will dissolve during September, having been exact for the last time on 26 July. Saturn and Uranus are very contrary in some ways, Saturn representing the old, tried and tested, while Uranus is the new and unconventional. Saturn is traditional, Uranus innovative. This final time, though, the opposition falls not in Virgo-Pisces but at the beginning of Libra-Aries, denoting a definite movement into new territory; while still emphasising the need for balance, this time it is between the needs of self (Aries) and others (Libra).

Neptune, near the end of Aquarius, is still in aspect with both Saturn and Uranus for a while longer, continuing to show that the real way out of the tensions of the opposition is through altruistic and group endeavour – helping the world forward into a better future. We may not get it completely right this time or for a long while, but at least we have the opportunity to take some more steps in the right direction. The world may seem to be lurching from crisis to crisis, but it is actually moving rapidly forward in many ways – we just need to try to look beneath the apparent chaos for the underlying pattern, which of course is where astrology proves so useful!