It’s another week of uneven tides, and the regular routines of daily life—routines that haven’t actually been regular for so long it’s getting harder to remember when they were—suffer from the further strain of erratic cosmic rhythms. Try not to be too hard on yourself if you lose the thread of the what you thought was your first priority; it’s going to take patience pills, meditation, a multidimensional day-planner, and a reliable internal GPS system to track the multiplicity of events.
Today is probably the worst day of complex astral signals because they occur simultaneously, making it almost impossible to delineate what influence has the strongest reach or greatest gravitational pull.
(1) Jupiter, currently in Sagittarius, goes retrograde at 1:01 PM EDT and while Jupiter Retrograde isn’t such a big deal—it happens every year for approximately 4 to 5 months—this one has a dynamic emotional charge attached to it because Jupiter “turns around” in an exact opposition to the Moon in Gemini. Because both Sagittarius and Gemini are information junkies, you can expect an emotional brouhaha as a result of opposing opinions and interpretations of the facts. Oy—just what we need: more polarized points of view.
(2) Also today, the Venus/Neptune conjunction in Pisces is exact and separating. This is a highly imaginative combination that tends toward heightened sensitivities, often of an erotic nature, but sensitivities that are also based on high ideals and a great desire for love, if only because its value is felt deeply and personally. It would be wise to make good use of this influence by identifying who and what you love and having a day (or two or three) of devotion to those values. Be aware that this extraordinary sensitivity can also affect nervous systems—not necessarily the electrical wiring in the body, but simply by opening and deepening the ability to merge with the object of your affection, animate or inanimate.
(3) The Sun, in Aries, is exactly square Saturn in Capricorn today; Saturn is conjunct Pluto, also in Capricorn, and by Saturday, the Sun is exactly square Pluto. As the Aries impulse to move clashes with the Saturn/Pluto determination to stay put, lots of people are going to find themselves raging against the machine—any machine—that seems to have the upper hand. Aries isn’t inclined to think first and act later, and unfortunately, Saturn/Pluto isn’t inclined toward compassionate reprimands. So do your best to think before you leap into actions you might regret.
(4) The problem with restraining any impulsive behavior is that the Sun also trines Jupiter—not exact until Sunday, April 14—and while that is a positive alliance, it tends to encourage the kind of optimism that ignores warning signals. So rather than assume you’ll make it across the train tracks, wait until the path is free from danger. Saturn/Pluto is a tough taskmaster and even though this conjunction is currently unconnected to Jupiter, it is directly connected to the Sun, and the need of Saturn/Pluto to punish is extreme.
But that’s not all: By late in the day on Thursday, April 11, and continuing all day Friday, the Moon, in Cancer, opposes the ongoing Saturn/Pluto conjunction, once again upping the ante on this difficult configuration. Get used to it: each time the Moon makes an aspect to this conjunction, emotional reactions are going to override rational concerns, especially when the Moon opposes or conjuncts Saturn and Pluto.
As the week unfolds, make flexibility a constant companion—there will be lots of times when plans must be modified and shifts tolerated. As you adapt and accommodate your rhythms to those of others, try to keep in mind that the Saturn/Pluto conjunction, while exact in January 2020, is exerting its influence now. Not everyone will have this conjunction affect their individual charts—although some will, and they are likely to feel these disruptive rhythms more keenly than others. For those who aren’t directly affected, you’re not quite out of the woods. One of the biggest lessons of this Saturn/Pluto conjunction is that none of us exist in isolation from each other—we’re all in this together, and the sooner we live our day-to-day with that in mind, the easier it will be to heal the planet.
Sun Bursts: If you know your Ascendant and/or your Moon Sign, read that too.
Aries March 21-April 19
Jupiter is retrograde in your house of belief systems, and while those systems are important, there’s no time to get lost in an existential exercise. Rather than succumb to overwhelm, figure out how to pace yourself in the 3-D reality of every day. Those bursts of energy can get the job done, but it would be wise to reserve some of your strength in case you need it later.
Taurus April 20-May 20.
Jupiter is retrograde in your house of “other people’s money”—that sector of the chart related to shared financial resources, inheritance, and all financial matters other than personal resources. As it reviews its recent past, Jupiter asks you to look over the details of your financial arrangements, especially those that rely on others for solvency. Make the most of this process and you’ll strengthen your position.
Gemini May 21-June 21
Jupiter Retrograde is likely to stir your relationship pot, so be prepared for contact with significant others, past and present. This isn’t necessarily about reconciliation—although that’s a possibility. This phase is about noticing just how deeply you are affected by the needs of others, and how intensely those needs affect your moods and attitudes.
Cancer June 22-July 22
Jupiter is retrograde in your Solar House of health, making this an excellent time to pay attention to both large and small concerns you may have about how to adopt a healthier lifestyle. You don’t have to go to extreme measures to make the most of this phase; all that’s required is a willingness to see what’s needed to make better choices about the basics: nutrition, exercise, and rest.
Leo July 23-August 22
Jupiter Retrograde is an opportunity to review creative endeavors and make any necessary adjustments. It’s also a good time to have a good time—that’s right… fun is part of this phase. If you’re bogged down by responsibilities that make it difficult for you to find time to relax, find the time to relax, because all work and no play is never a good prescription for heart health.
Virgo August 23-September 22
Jupiter Retrograde stirs the bottom of your psychic pond, amplifying a process that brings several key issues of family and home to your awareness. Try not to shy away from exploring what these issues, because even though there are uncomfortable moments, if you embrace whatever is difficult to work through, this phase will help you clarify what you want and need from those you love.
Libra September 23-October 22
Yes, you are reviewing all those important conversations, and no, you’re not necessarily apologizing or taking back what you said, but you are reconsidering the wisdom of a hardline position that can’t abide an opposing point of view. This isn’t about right and wrong; this entire dialogue is about learning to listen with an open heart and open mind instead of maintaining a set of preconditions.
Scorpio October 23-November 21
Jupiter Retrograde reviews your personal finances and as it does, it invites you to put your financial house in order. You could be resistant to this process because it’s too much work or you don’t want to deal with reality—I can see the rationale for both positions. But Jupiter’s inviting you to create greater financial health by dealing with reality—that should grab your interest.
Sagittarius November 22-December 21
Of course Jupiter Retrograde is going to cramp your style a wee bit, but it is also going to offer opportunities for you to deepen your self-awareness by reflecting on all that’s transpired since November of 2018 when your Ruling Planet entered your Sign. It’s been a nonstop identity crisis ever since, and now you get to sort through what you like and don’t like about who you’ve become.
Capricorn December 22-January 19
There hasn’t been a lot of time for quiet self-reflection (or any kind of reflection). You’ve been too busy taking care of all that needs to be done. Now, Jupiter Retrograde provides the luxury of taking a deep internal breath. It’s not that the external hubbub goes away, but you are able to make time to reflect on several choices and if you’re so inclined, to reverse your position.
Aquarius January 20-February 18
Jupiter Retrograde fosters a convivial attitude that puts you squarely in the center of lots of social situations. But the problem with this high visibility is your desire to hide away and have a much-needed phase devoted to rest and relaxation. It’s a conundrum, but it’s solvable if you can figure out how to allot your time wisely. It won’t be easy saying no, but it will be worth it.
Pisces February 19-March 20
Jupiter Retrograde offers an opportunity for you to review recent events related to your career—even if you aren’t working, this can also apply to any volunteering you might be doing. Use this time to refine any areas in need of attention. This doesn’t have to be a complete overhaul. All that’s required is an increased awareness and appreciation of what’s working and what isn’t.