(16 December 2024) The transits this week offer a mix of themes with varying degrees of hope and tension. With the entry of the Sun into sidereal Sagittarius on Sunday the 15th, it sets up a tense 6/8 house alignment with Mars in Cancer as Mars is now eight houses/signs away from the Sun. Typically, these kinds of 6/8 relationships create problems for the portfolios of both planets. Therefore, government and leaders (Sun) could be subject to more conflict and opposition over the next few weeks, and military actions (Mars) could become more cruel and punishing. The fact that Mars is currently debilitated in Cancer increases the odds of excessive and aberrant behavior involving the armed forces.
Jupiter continues its retrograde cycle as it approaches its square alignment with Saturn on Dec 24. The Jupiter-Saturn square is not a full-strength Vedic aspect but it nonetheless warrants our attention is it will eventually form an exact conjunction in the D-8 Ashtamsa chart (aka the 8th harmonic). Jupiter and Saturn are already widely conjunct in Taurus in the D-8 chart, although this conjunction will tighten as we move closer to Dec 24.
The Jupiter-Saturn square describes a tense blending of Jupiter’s faithful optimism with Saturn’s restrictive nature and its insistence on order. The square aspect may coincide with unresolved situations where the need for societal traditions and foundations confronts the desire for growth and expansion. The incoming Trump administration in the US may embody this awkward synthesis of tradition and optimism as the planned mass deportations may be at odds with labor requirements of the American economy.
While the square will be exact later in December, the Jupiter-Saturn aspect will remain within range for the first half of 2025. This could reflect the ongoing tension in the first year of the Trump administration as it attempts to implement its policies. Trump is attempting to reformulate Jupiterian optimism through an assertion of conservative first principles (Saturn) such as law and order and an America First tariff policy. It seems unlikely it will be smooth sailing for Trump, especially since Saturn will conjoin Rahu and Neptune in mid-2025.
Nonetheless, the Jupiter-Saturn square could get a helping hand from Venus this week. Venus will be aspected by Jupiter on Wednesday and Thursday and this could coincide with some constructive political and economic developments. Although brief, Venus aspects are usually favorable for collective sentiment. In financial terms, they may coincide with rising prices and optimism in the markets. Interestingly, this week’s Venus-Jupiter aspect occurs right after the Fed policy statement on Wednesday. This increases the likelihood that Jerome Powell’s statement will be fairly upbeat and thus well-received. However, this positive reaction may be short-lived.
Friday’s Moon-Saturn opposition implies a more serious tone. Meetings and appointments are more likely to be business-like with a minimum of good humor and sociability. This is not a great time for socializing, although if there is an agenda with a clear set of goals, interactions can still be productive.
Saturday looks better as the Moon aligns with Venus and Chiron. This is generally a better day for get-togethers of all kinds, especially in the afternoon and evening (EST).
Sunday may be more troublesome, however, as the Moon conjoins Ketu and squares the Sun. There is an imbalance here that could undermine efforts to build harmony and consensus. The Ketu influence on the Moon suggests sudden changes in mood and behavior. On the plus side, this could be a good day for considering unorthodox solutions.
