O V E R V I E W O F 2 0 0 3
This year has major changes since three outer planets are changing signs. Most importantly, Uranus is entering Pisces. Since Uranus stays in a sign for seven years, this signals a major shift in consciousness. Saturn is entering Cancer - Saturn only changes signs every 2-1/2 years. Since Jupiter changes signs every year, it isn't surprising that Jupiter is changing signs as well - this year it enters Virgo (see Jupiter in Virgo).
For the last seven years Uranus has been in Aquarius, with Neptune in the same sign. The last time Uranus was in Pisces was in the 1920s. When Uranus changed signs the last time the fear of radicals (Saturn sub rules Aquarius, see Uranus Rules Capricorn and Saturn Rules Aquarius: A New Look At Rulerships) gave way to humor about eccentricity. However, since Neptune is still in Aquarius, there will remain an irrational fear of people who are radical or different. For more information, see Uranus in Pisces. Of course, Pluto is still in Sagittarius. Pluto in Sagittarius, among other things, is the reality T.V. we are seeing, where "reality" (Pluto) means "gritty truth in a foreign land" (Sagittarius).
Saturn has its problems in Cancer as does Jupiter in Virgo. Both are out of their element. Saturn rules the opposite sign, Capricorn. The cool, serious, slow, conservative quality of Saturn doesn't do well in emotional, caring Cancer (for more detail, see Saturn in Cancer). Expansive Jupiter has difficulties in detail-oriented, worrying Virgo. Small details become overwhelming - the forest is forgotten in all the trees (see Jupiter in Virgo).
Besides the changes caused by outer planets changing signs, there are the assorted aspects of Jupiter and Saturn to other outer planets. Saturn aspects last for three weeks while Jupiter aspects last only a week. The greatest effect is during the week prior to the aspect date for Saturn and the three days prior for Jupiter.
Jupiter in Leo opposes Neptune in Aquarius in mid February and early June. There will be conflicts between the need to stand out versus the need to be a team player. When you excel, it feels great, but at this time you think it is "nice" to be friendly and free of ego.
Late June is when Saturn in Cancer trines Uranus in Pisces. This is the first major aspect for both these planets in their new signs. New, positive fads bring insight into your childhood and can be used to raise your spirits. Drugs can be used in new ways to relieve depression - and new research is done at this time.
In late June through early July our need to be bigger and better than everyone else, and perhaps, to stretch or embellish the truth will come out. Life will mimic reality television - and everyone will want to be the star. However, this can also be a time when many want to open up and explore their creativity (Jupiter in Leo) by being real, and truthful, with themselves and others (Pluto in Sagittarius).
Mars is retrograde from July 29th to September 26th. This retrograde movement of Mars happens every 2-1/2 years for about three months. However, this year Mars is closer than it has been in 60,000 years, so the retrograde only lasts about 2 months. During the stationary retrograde on July 29th, people will feel like they are on a treadmill. They will be putting out energy and trying to drive forward but nothing is happening. Mars stationary retrograde feels like being in a car with the brake on while trying to gun it forward.
During the retrograde, people's drive and energy will be low -- this will be especially true in Pisces since Mars in Pisces means energy gets dissipated. This is a good time to look into what drives you, what motivates you, what you desire. This is an excellent time to build your muscles, both actually and figuratively. It is not a good time to repress, to avoid looking at what you desire. With Mars in Pisces, people will want more spirituality in their lives, more dreams. Also, the unquestioning belief in force will lead to disillusionment -- this can be a time when people realize the emperor has no clothes. People will be angry about being confused or duped, or they will be completely submissive to force. Mars retrograde tends to bring up these dualities, as does dualistic Pisces.
Those people and cultures that repress rather than working on their desire natures, their drive, will find the repressed energies coming up full force during the stationary direct in late September. Hence, even if you don't repress, watch out for angry people at around that time.
Towards the end of August Jupiter in its new sign, Virgo, will oppose Uranus, also in its new sign, Pisces. You will feel torn between a need to improve your knowledge of facts and figures and the wish to flash on odd and unusual worlds far outside those facts and figures. Intellectual knowledge is challenged by intuitive insight. You may have more and more work you have to do (Jupiter in Virgo), but into your mind pops the desperate need to escape (Uranus in Pisces).
In September through November a yod pattern forms in the sky with Jupiter in Virgo sextile Saturn in Cancer with both quincunxing Neptune in Aquarius. Interestingly, all three planets are in difficult placements that make up this pattern.
A disjointed feeling occurs in September between a side of you that is very serious and a side that is more eclectic and friendly. Perhaps you are serious when it's time to be more outgoing or, perhaps, the opposite. In October you decide you have too much work to do - you can't afford to hang out with friends. Interestingly, throughout this period, the greater strength and long-range benefit comes in the more flighty moments rather than in the moments when you are applied to mundane affairs.
Finally, in November, you find yourself seriously applying yourself to your work. During this time people will be
very focused and perhaps even a bit depressed. However, a lot will be attempted. The problem is that, although a
lot gets handled, the really basic issues may get pushed aside in a flurry of detail.
Planets Changing Signs Mar 10 Uranus enters Pisces Jun 04 Saturn enters Cancer Aug 27 Jupiter enters Virgo Sep 15 Uranus reenters Aquarius Dec 30 Uranus enters Pisces Major Aspects Feb 16 Jupiter (11 Leo 17) opposition Neptune (11 Aquarius 17) Jun 03 Jupiter (13 Leo 06) opposition Neptune (13 Aquarius 06) Jun 24 Saturn (02 Cancer 42) trine Uranus (02 Pisces 42) Jul 01 Jupiter (18 Leo 03) trine Pluto (18 Sagittarius 03) Aug 30 Jupiter (00 Virgo 37) opposition Uranus (00 Pisces 37) Sep 05 Saturn (10 Cancer 58) quincunx Neptune (10 Aquarius 58) Oct 07 Jupiter (10 Virgo 25) quincunx Neptune (10 Aquarius 25) Nov 02 Jupiter (13 Virgo 15) sextile Saturn (13 Cancer 15) Mercury Retrogrades Jan 02 (28 Capricorn 24) - Jan 23 (12 Capricorn 18) Apr 26 (20 Taurus 33) - May 20 (11 Taurus 08) Aug 28 (26 Virgo 19) - Sep 20 (12 Virgo 13) Mars Retrogrades Jul 29 (10 Pisces 08) - Sep 26 (00 Pisces 08) Jupiter Retrograde Apr 04 direct (8 Leo 04) Saturn Retrograde Feb 22 direct (22 Gemini 08) Oct 25 retrograde (13 Cancer 14) Uranus Retrograde June 07 (02 Pisces 49) - Nov 08 (28 Aquarius 54) Neptune Retrograde May 15 (13 Aquarius 11) - Oct 22 (10 Aquarius 24) Pluto Retrograde Mar 22 (19 Sagittarius 57) - Aug 28 (17 Sagittarius 14)
copyright 1993 - 2002 by Ed Rose