(28 July 2024)  The dominant alignment this week includes the fiery planets of Sun and Mars and the shadowy lunar nodes, Rahu and Ketu.  On Monday and Tuesday, the Sun and Mars will form a 60 degree alignment which will facilitate a blending of these two often complementary energies.  The Sun symbolizes leadership and confidence while Mars represents action and courage. Together, these planets highlight opportunities for moving ahead with entrepreneurial projects, especially those that may involve some risk.  There could be a large reservoir of boldness and determination to draw upon in breaking out of dull and constrictive routines.

But the Sun-Mars alignment comes with a very big caveat: both planets will be aligned with Rahu and Ketu, the lunar nodes.  This means that the negative side of the Sun and Mars could manifest in some way.  The impact of Rahu and Ketu therefore introduces some instability into the mix which can increase the odds of unwanted outcomes.  By standard Vedic aspecting, Rahu casts its 5th house/120 degree aspect on to the Sun while Ketu aspects Mars.  The Rahu-Sun combination is a common astrological signature for leaders and bosses who undertake unusual and unpredictable approaches or resort to unexpected solutions when faced with a problem.  The Ketu-Mars alignment hints at sudden actions and conflict that may upset the status quo, especially if related to the military or perhaps within the realm of athletics, which is also ruled by Mars.

With the Olympics now taking place in Paris, the Ketu-Mars pattern would suggest some unusual and noteworthy developments in the sports world taking place.  While the Sun-Mars alignment is exact early in the week, the Mars alignment with Ketu doesn’t occur until next Saturday, August 3.  It should also be noted that due to Mars’ association with troubles and violence, there is some risk of unpleasant events in the Olympics next weekend.  The retrograde station of Mercury on Monday, August 5 also raises the possibility of trouble around that time.

Venus enters sidereal Leo this week where it conjoins Mercury.  This could boost harmony within the workplace and produce a more creative approach to communication and speech.  The square aspect between Venus and Uranus later in the week could make social interaction and artistic endeavors more interesting and stimulating.  Thursday and Friday are therefore good days for scheduling friendly outings and social engagements.  At the same time, there is an intense conjunction of Mars, Saturn, Ketu and the Moon in the Navamsa/9th harmonic chart which could coincide with some unnerving situations.  Friday seems most likely to suffer some temporary fallout from this pattern.  It may also be sufficiently powerful to upset financial markets.

We should also note that retrograde Jupiter continues to approach its square alignment with Saturn.  This pairing is exact August 19 and could coincide with ongoing and unresolved tensions between the belief in an expansive future and the necessity of tradition and importance of the past.  This sets up the possibility of some difficult or contested events relating to the Democratic Convention on Aug 19-22 where conflict could emerge between factions that embody the planetary portfolios of Jupiter and Saturn.