When you consider only planets visible without magnification, there are no conjunctions right now. Mercury is in Taurus. Venus is direct in Aries. Mars is well on its way through Gemini. Jupiter is retrograde in Libra, and Saturn is likewise in backpedal mode, but in Sagittarius.

Of course, there are exceptions. Conjunctions of other objects are undeniably a salient part of astrology right now.

First, of course, is the monthly meeting of the Sun and Moon — such as the two luminaries sharing the same degree of Gemini for a New Moon yesterday. It is never advisable to take a New Moon (and what initiates with it) for granted. Specific to our current era, the Aries conjunction of Uranus and Eris is also indisputably a dominant long-term astrological theme.

After the Sun and Moon, it is legitimate to consider the visible (also frequently called: “classical” and “traditional”) planets to be next in order of astrological importance among solar system objects. We have been observing them for a long time. We know them pretty well. You might say humanity grew up with them. That’s how you can say a disparity of conjunctions among the members of such a small club is significant in itself.

Any aspect between successive conjunctions represents a stage of the cycle. It is not uncommon for astrologers to consider the opposition (halfway through a cycle; for example: Full Moon) as a time to evaluate both the previous and next conjunction. That’s how the impending opposition from Mars in Gemini to retrograde Saturn in Sagittarius may be considered significant as well.

With aspects involving Mars, it’s best to look at (and work with) them in advance. That’s the reason to consider Mars opposing Saturn now, even though they will not occupy the same degree of opposite signs (Gemini for Mars, Sagittarius for Saturn) until shortly before 3 am EDT (06:54:45 UTC) on Monday.

In an evolutionary sense, we are still growing up with the planets. Astrology’s perception of both Mars and Saturn is one case in point. As premier astrologer Robert Hand wrote in the 20th century: “Mars has traditionally been considered a malefic planet in astrology, that is, more likely to produce evil than good. But this is not so.”

Now, with all planets, there are no black or white hats. Rather, there are gradients between complementary upsides and downsides.

Broadly speaking, Mars is what Robert Hand called “an energy planet.” More to the point, Mars has to do with the types of energy better mastered than mastered by. The energy that goes with desire is but one example.

Saturn has a similarly broad tableau, generally having to do with form, order and structure. Think of Saturn’s upside as that which defines, and the downside as what confines, to get the idea. In combination with energetic Mars, then, the possibilities represented by Saturn can range from liberating to laborious — depending on which part of their respective gradients you are aligned with.

If you are running your energy more than it is running you, you are in good with Mars. If you are choosing to define (rather than confine) yourself more often than not, you can apply the Martian energy so as to create a container for your life that is easier to live with.

Slow-moving Saturn had already been in Sagittarius for nearly one continuous year when they last met up in the 10th degree back on Aug. 24, 2016. That conjunction was the beginning of their current mutual cycle. Now, with their opposition, their sequence of successive aspects (leading around to their next conjunction) is nearly halfway complete. Hence, it’s now a good time to review not only where you have been putting your energy, but also how things are both tangibly and metaphorically shaping up.

Just as it is advisable to get a jump on Mars aspects, it is also often helpful to be patient with Saturn. Here, at the opposition of Mars and Saturn, you have had enough time to see consequences. There is also much time remaining for you to act on evident results. You have the opportunity to change their direction or patterns as you please before Saturn and Mars meet up again to conclude the current cycle; they’ll begin a new one in early Capricorn as March segues into April next year.

For astrologers, oppositions represent the complementary far more than the conflicting. We have also evolved to understand that both Mars and Saturn are not destined to wear only black hats. You have a word in the matter.

If you can see all of that operating this weekend, in context with what has happened in your life since late last year, you will know something of where you are. You will also have information to help you decide where you want to be (and how to get there) by the time Mars and Saturn initiate a new mutual epoch — one that can be marked by constructive activity when 2018 is still young.

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