Times of renewal are not always determined by cycles of the Sun and seasons. There are rhythms that are not annual in nature. There are also patterns that do not repeat at the same time every day.
The ocean’s tides (largely governed by the Moon) are one example. Therefore, that which moves only with the tides comes and goes on a schedule of its own. The same can be said for cycles of the planets.
Among the more meaningful cycles of the planets are those that begin with conjunctions. When any two planets meet to share the same degree of the same sign, they renew a pattern uniquely their own.
After a typical one-off conjunction not complicated by a retrograde, the faster of the two planets moves on ahead to eventually catch up with the slower one again. Yet, because the slower planet also moves, the next meeting of the two is often, but not always, in a different sign, and on a different day than the previous meeting.
The renewal of such a pattern thus provides a different yet meaningful perspective on time compared to what you get from calendars. The nature of that perspective will depend on the nature of the two planets involved, and on how the astrology associated with their merger compares with the context in which the previous cycle started.
It is thus that the Virgo conjunction of Mars and Jupiter on Saturday, exact just before 6:40 pm EDT (22:39:42 UTC), will bear both watching and remembering. That’s because the immediately previous meeting of Mars and Jupiter took place on one of the most astrologically eventful days in recent memory. That day included at least one historical event that could turn out to be of far greater significance than anybody imagined at the time.
The last time Mars conjoined Jupiter was in cardinal, watery Cancer on July 22, 2013. That conjunction took place in a very precise grand water trine with Saturn in Scorpio and Neptune in Pisces. Later on the same day, Venus ingressed Virgo. Then the Sun entered Leo, followed shortly by the Moon entering Aquarius to precipitate a Full Moon.
Wow. It might very well be worth your while to remember what you were doing on that day, and contemplate it this weekend. You might gain some perspective that no conventional anniversary could provide.
There was one event that might help you remember July 22, 2013. Between Venus leaving Leo by the back door and the Sun coming in Leo’s front door, Prince George of Cambridge was born. While it would be interesting to see what sort of day the young prince has on Saturday, it would probably be best if you focused on your own life.
That’s because the next convergence of Mars with Jupiter this weekend will implicitly be a more focused event than its immediate predecessor. Given how the nature of Mars is energetic, and the nature of Jupiter is to amplify, it would probably be a good idea to be focused yourself, especially as compared to the last time Mars conjoined with Jupiter.
First off, the astrological context will not be nearly as busy this time. Hence, the consequence of Martian and Jovian energies merging is a lot less likely to be lost in the din.
Then, consider how Virgo (where Mars and Jupiter will meet) is a sign noted for its association with mental concentration. Some of that has to do with how Virgo is the only sign where the ruler (mental Mercury) is also exalted. Additionally, as Eric has often pointed out, there is a thematic correspondence between Virgo and another astrologically significant object, which (among other characteristics) is emblematically representative of focus: Chiron.
Interestingly, when Mars and Jupiter come together on Saturday, both will be moving to oppose Chiron in Pisces. If the message of that near opposition does not get through to you, there will be an even tighter aspect to consider: another trine.
This time around the conjunction of Mars with Jupiter will take place almost exactly 120 degrees away from Pluto in Capricorn, forming an earth-sign trine. Trines are known for being conducive to flow. That conduction in turn tends to connect the constituents of the aspect like a good connection on a long-distance call. The implication is that Pluto’s participation will be significant even if it is not strictly palpable.
If all else fails to get your attention, Pluto will. Hence, it will be better to bring your own attention, so to speak. That’s how this will implicitly be a weekend to both watch mindfully and remember consciously. Not in spite of the fact that most of the world will neither note this conjunction of Mars and Jupiter nor correlate the last one, but because of that fact. Indeed, this could very well be one of those times when astrology really helps you to accurately perceive and appropriately respond to an ebb and flow that cycles of the Sun and seasons would never by themselves reveal.
Offered In Service
Len! So great to see your beautiful, smiling face. : ) You more than strive .. You are once again, as always inspiring. In my eye, there is no greater value than this. Thank you.
I remember July 22, 2013 very well indeed. On first thought in looking back to forward, the day was momentanous in setting off a whole chain of events in relations concerning adaptability, communication and being in flow. This cycle’s commencement that brought me to where I am in relationship and every way today. Looking forward to what the full connection offers on Saturday.
P. Sophia: Thank you for being so kind. i must confess to not being so comfortable with showing my face, especially in photographs. Unfortunately, i do not have the same consummate skill with letters which allowed Pynchon not to reveal his face. Thank you also for finding my service here to be acceptable, perhaps even useful to you. It means a lot to me to know that.
I like your face too Len.
What do you think of this, my Natal Pluto conjunct my Natal sun at 8 Virgo? My Natal Neptune at 8 Scorpio. And yet I am feeling fine. It has been a troubling year or two for me but changes deep within have manifested. And I have no intention of retreating from these prior changes. I guess I feel like I am in a new world and life is going to be just fine. With the terror nibbling at the door it seems something big bright and beautiful is on the other side. I think I’m opening the door fearlessly now.
Cowboyiam: Thank you for your questions. Those born with natal Sun conjunct natal Pluto often face the challenge of having to work longer and harder to gain anything near equal trust (just as women must often work longer and harder for anything near equal pay). With that natal aspect, one might well feel like a stranger in a strange land: inherently vulnerable, required to adhere to unimpeachable of conduct (or else), but also gifted with an extraordinary opportunity to develop sincere and true compassion. Everybody born after WW II has their natal Neptune in at least a rough sextile with their natal Pluto, but adding the Sun as you have it makes you one of the few in which many others often see something of themselves which they do not trust. Thus, when you earn the trust of others, you liberate others to trust themselves. Not bad, eh? Handle the ride and you win the rodeo. As for how you feel now, that fits with Saturn having left Scorpio behind (and some other things), so yeah (heck yeah) go with that good feeling and fear not what is behind the door. Please let me know if my answer is not a satisfactory service to your question.
I am aware of the basic energy of these aspects and they do line up with my experience. You granted a richer view for me and that is appreciated. What I was really fishing for is how the current transits sitting on the Pluto Sun of my Natal might effect me? It does feel like a positive scenario for me right now.
I have been coming to terms with my true needs and desires over the past few years and it has dawned on me finally that I did not come here to please anyone. That is to say I cant do anything until I am willing to go it without the good opinion of others. Taking a pole to see how I feel about something is not my style these days. Right now I feel very courageous in this regard. Wondered if that makes sense astrologically speaking.
Something birthed a while back beginning to walk – I think.
My native Pluto and north node are both conjunct transiting venus (today, venus is directly on my north node). Unfortunately, I cannot recall the day of July 22, 2013 but I do recall the energy of that month and those weeks–intense things occurring in my life, somewhat difficult and exhilrating all at the same time.
Len, your picture is a wonderful addition to your post! Thank you very much for this insightful piece. As I began reading your prose, I felt as though I was reading of two persons encountering one another (conjunctions) occasionally at different locations (signs) or occasionally in the same place but at a different time (same sign/year). Either way, its never the same but still has some familiarity. You write that well and metaphorically, thank you for expressing it in such practical terms.
Thank you also for advising us that if we do not take notice of the Mars and Jupiter conjunction in opposition to Chiron in Pisces (where my natal Chiron resides) trine with Pluto in Capricorn aspects will otherwise get your attention and then you suggest that we should on our own volition take notice first. For me, I know what you are saying, I have put some things off in the Virgo sphere, it’s so counter to my Pisces state. It’s not that I can’t do these things, it’s that I do not enjoy doing these things. They are irritants. But I know I must and so I shall before I let it linger much long and bite me in the butt! Chiron the teacher and healer but you only heal when you learn otherwise you keep opening the wound! So, everything has my attention! Thank you!
I love your pic, too, dear Len! Many thanks for the heads up about this weekend. I should be able to remember what I was doing that day – as it was my birthday – but the only thing that I do remember is the birth of Prince George!
Well, well I find your picture today and it goes fine w/ my memory of your voice! 🙂