(17 August 2022) As the rising cost of living forces consumers to cut back on spending, it seems the risk of recession is increasing. The economic outlook remains very uncertain despite encouraging signs that inflation may be moderating while employment continues to grow, albeit largely from part-time jobs. Nonetheless, recent data is very much a mixed bag. This week’s housing report came in below expectations and July’s ISM manufacturing data extended its downward slide, even if it not quite showing a contraction. Perhaps more worrying is that China’s stubborn adherence to a zero Covid policy is wreaking havoc on the world’s second largest economy as this week’s data was weaker than expected.
As we know, Saturn is the planet that is most closely associated with recession. As the planet that symbolizes caution, pessimism and loss, Saturn is usually prominent by aspect and sign placement during times when the economy is slowing. During the initial Covid outbreak and subsequent lockdowns in early 2020, Saturn was doubly prominent since it entered the sign of sidereal Capricorn and conjoined Pluto. At the time of the financial meltdown in 2008, Saturn formed a very rare, simultaneous alignment with Uranus, Chiron and Neptune.
Therefore, if there is going to be a recession, we should also see some similar Saturn influences in the transit chart. In previous posts, I have documented how this year’s slowdown was correlated with the Saturn-Neptune-Rahu-Jupiter alignment that was within range between April and July. While that alignment has now separated and exerts a diminishing influence, we can see that Saturn is due to form an alignment with Uranus in October. The Saturn-Uranus square will be closest at the time of the Saturn direct station on October 23. While this single aspect may not not sufficient to signal a recession, it nonetheless increases the likelihood of further slowing, if not an outright recession by that date.
Another intriguing perspective on the US economy can be found in the inauguration horoscope of the current president. The inauguration chart represents the “re-birth” of the country every four years and thus generates a map of its changing planetary fortunes, both for the president and the nation as a whole. What stands out here is that the this fall’s Saturn-Uranus square will almost exactly align with the natal Mercury (24 Capricorn) in the inauguration chart. This is very difficult alignment that greatly increases the likelihood of problems and setbacks for the US during October.
While the Saturn-Uranus square is in itself a negative influence for the economy and the stock market, its impact on natal Mercury could further undermine economic activity since Mercury symbolizes commerce, transportation and communication. Since all three areas are directly connected with the economy, any specific damage to one of them would have a detrimental effect on GDP.
Mercury’s symbolism is not limited to the economy, however, as this affliction could also coincide with tension and conflict associated with the midterm elections slated for early November. At its most general level, Mercury represents rational thought processes such as counting and calculation, so its affliction by Saturn and Uranus could translate into unusually divisive troubles related to the often contested terrain of US politics.
Besides this Saturn-Uranus aspect, Saturn will also form some difficult aspects in the inauguration chart in the spring of 2023. First, Saturn (5 Aquarius) will align with Pluto (5 Capricorn) in the winter of 2023, although this alignment may only have a limited recessionary impact since it will be relatively short-lived.
The more worrisome aspect occurs from May to July when Saturn stations retrograde in the 11th house of income at 13 Aquarius and thereby casts its full-strength 3rd house/60 degree aspect on the dangerous Mars-Uranus conjunction in the 1st house at 12 Aries. While Mars does have any direct connection with the economy, it is associated with military action. The Saturn influence here upon Mars-Uranus suggests increased risk of major economic losses from military conflict. And with Pluto also conjoining the natal Sun at that time, there is an additional layer of affliction here that could bring an unstable geopolitical situation that further undermines economic confidence.
All in all, these different Saturn influences over the next year or so greatly increase the risk of a recession in the US. Even if the Fed ultimately succeeds in taming inflation, unemployment is likely to rise significantly by next year while the stock market should trend lower.
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