(20 October 2024)  The transits this week could focus on the impact of the entry of Mars into sidereal Cancer.  Mars enters Cancer, its sign of debilitation, today (Sunday) and will thus reconstitute its square aspect to the Sun in Libra.  Mars is said to be more volatile in Cancer as its more aggressive side is more likely to come to the fore.  Its square aspect with the Sun injects a large dose of energy into leadership and governments, perhaps with more mixed consequences.  Our sense of determination may intensify under the Mars-Sun square but there is a greater risk of going overboard and not paying enough attention to the larger picture. This debilitated Mars can manifest as ‘trying too hard’ to reach goals without proper consideration of other factors or other people’s motivations.

While this Mars-Sun square may be weakening somewhat as it continues to separate, it could still be a force to be reckoned with since it aligns with Pluto.  The Sun-Pluto square early in the week implies the use of coercion in unequal power settings.  Corporate and government malfeasance is more likely to come to light under this Sun-Pluto alignment.  More worrisome is the approaching Mars-Pluto opposition.  Mars (assertiveness) and Pluto (power) can be a forceful combination and may be commonly found in violent circumstances.  However, this is still several degrees — and two weeks away (Nov 3) — from its culmination but it could ratchet up the pressure. Conflicts may worsen under this transit as both parties seek to assert their power without need for compromise.

Another source of frustration this week may be the approaching Saturn-Venus square.  This aspect will not be exact until next Monday, October 28, but its constraining effects may be felt this week.  Saturn tends to dampen or restrict Venusian matters such as happiness, pleasure and social harmony.  Feminine energy may also be subject to limitations under this transit, with possible negative effects on the campaign of Kamala Harris.  Since Venus is also associated with notions of value and worth, financial markets could also be under pressure from this growing Saturn influence.

Despite these sources of tension, Jupiter will remain in a close 60-degree alignment with Chiron again this week as both planets continue their retrograde cycles. This alignment may be acting as a reservoir of positive energy.  Projects and activities begun at this time can therefore assume some measure of good fortune, wisdom and “right action”, in keeping with Jupiter’s portfolio.  Later in the week, Mercury’s alignment with Jupiter and Chiron will provide an excellent planetary combination for all manner of activities, especially those focused on analysis, communication and transportation.  Saturday and Sunday may be more auspicious in this respect.