(1 September 2024) The transits this week focus our attention on the symbolism of Saturn and Ketu. The early week New Moon occurs at 16 degrees of sidereal Leo in close opposition to Saturn. As the planet of duty and tradition, Saturn’s alignments with the Sun and Moon highlight times when actions are guided by order, rules and regulations. This Saturn opposition to the Sun and Moon suggests that interactions that respect the necessity of order and established routines are more likely to find favor and success. However, the opposition aspect can often manifest the difficult side of Saturn as the need to abide by tradition can repress the urge to act freely without constraints. Monday and Tuesday are therefore not good times for starting new projects unless these incorporate Saturnian notions of duty, obligation and upholding existing social structures.
Since the Sun is associated with authority, this week we could see tensions and delays related to government as laws and regulations may be subject to increased criticism and resistance. While the exact Sun-Saturn opposition won’t occur until next Sunday, September 8, this aspect could exert its influence for most of the week. Bosses and authority figures seeking compliance and compromise could therefore have a more difficult time imposing their wishes on their underlings.
The Ketu influence could also be important this week as it conjoins Venus on Wednesday, September 4. Ketu, aka the South Lunar Node, is associated with the transcendental, non-material world. It is therefore connected with renunciation, spiritual aspirations,and the human impulse to seek higher meaning. As a mode of being, it can bring about changes and the tendency to dissolve fixed foundations of life. Ketu can also be highly creative, as it erases boundaries and conventions and opens the mind to different ways of doing things.
Its conjunction with Venus could promote a new-found appreciation for religious ideas, especially those that involve women in some way. Social and romantic harmony are more likely to undergo some revision from this conjunction as the usual relationship arrangements may feel outmoded or constraining. Since the Venus-Ketu conjunction occurs in Virgo, a sign where Venus is debilitated and thus weakened, there is some risk that love matters could fare poorly or become more mercenary in nature. Symbolically, the notion of the female could suffer some kind of setback. This could even manifest in the political campaign of Kamala Harris since she is arguably the most symbolically important woman in the world right now.
Even though Ketu often speaks to higher spiritual values, its connection with Venus introduces some tension in matters concerning the material world. Financial matters may do less well early in the week as Venus, the planet of value and luxury, is afflicted by Ketu. Once Venus transits past Ketu on Thursday and Friday, there is a good chance for a return to normal approaches to value and finances. The Moon’s conjunction with Venus and alignment with Jupiter would also suggest a better outlook for the economy and financial markets. Thursday and Friday are therefore probably the best days this week for making business appointments and meetings and starting any new projects or making purchases.
