Astrologers (including myself) accurately predicted that social distancing and mask mandates would lift along with Jupiter’s ingress into Pisces. Ironically, we didn’t know how correct we would be. The national mask-mandate lifted on May 13th, 2021, the exact day that Jupiter entered Pisces. Astrologers also warned that this would be temporary – and that Jupiter’s transits through Pisces seemed to embody a cloud of wishful-thinking. Indeed, as Jupiter prepares to retrograde back into Aquarius this week, we are already seeing the warning signs of imminent revisions to how we socialize. The delta variant is suddenly spiking covid numbers again, and with the number of Olympic athletes testing positive for the virus, the Olympics are prepared to cancel at the last minute (as I predicted they might under last week’s full moon post). As we prepare to send our children back to school, certain states are defiantly passing legislation banning mask mandates altogether. It’s truly a scary time again.

The silver lining is that Jupiter returns to Aquarius, where humanitarian and scientific efforts motivate us to work together again to serve the greater good. However, Aquarius is a fixed air sign, reflecting crystalized opinions and ideals. While Jupiter travelled through Aquarius last year, life-saving vaccines were developed. Jupiter will revisit Aquarius from 7/28 – 12/28, reviving a period where vaccine development and distribution will become a major focus yet again.

Astrology Watch:

Mercury opposite Pluto (7/25)

Mercury enters Leo (7/27)

Jupiter retrogrades into Aquarius (7/28)

Mars+Jupiter opposition (7/28)

Mars enters Virgo (7/29)

Mercury opposite Pluto (7/25)

The messenger deity goes head-to-head with Pluto, the lord of excavation to reveal bone-piles we didn’t know we needed to exhume. Emotional reservoirs obscured beneath the beautiful surface spray into the open air for one final Cancerian tantrum before Mercury enters Leo on the 27th. Indeed, there may be some waterworks. This configuration will likely recall sticky situations from the past. This has been a running theme since the Cancer new moon on 7/9, as we continue to process areas of our life that make us feel vulnerable. Mercury’s opposition to Pluto can also conjure an obsessive research-y streak, imbibing our psyche with a deep commitment to personal truth, cultivating emotional stability and victory as a form of revenge.

Mercury enters Leo (7/27)

Shaking off the spookies from a standoff with shadowy Pluto, Mercury enters the sunny warmth of Leo. Our planet of communication is a refreshingly open book in Leo, confidently owning their valiance and imperfections. “It’s story time, and it’s a story about meee!” We are more generous with our narrative during this quick two-week transit. While the volume may turn up considerably for already generous protagonists, those who tend toward introversion or reserve will feel a stronger nudge to share more candidly about their own processes. Mercury in Leo gives us a little pomp and swagger, boosting the volume, the confidence, the drama and yes, the humble brags too. Hey- why not! Let that solar plexus burn a little brighter, and stand a little taller, babe!

Jupiter retrogrades into Aquarius (7/28) + Mars-Jupiter Opposition (7/28) + Mars enters Virgo (7/29)*

We’ve got a triple layered cake of celestial phenomena to sample today. First, Jupiter retrogrades out of Pisces and returns to Aquarius. Since Jupiter’s Pisces ingress, we’ve enjoyed a joyous period of reopening. Despite our understanding that the pandemic is far from over, we have willingly ingested enough anesthetic to return to “normal life” and attain sanity. Astrologers knew this period would be short lived, ultimately serving as a brief preview of what’s to unfold when Jupiter returns to Pisces in time for New Year’s Eve. For now, Jupiter has unfinished business in Aquarius.

Vaccine roll-out began as Jupiter first entered Aquarius on 12/19/20. We will likely see further developments of vaccines as mutations of the virus continue to proliferate. There will be greater emphasis on science and civic duty during this time. Jupiter in Aquarius highlights the necessity of group participation to achieve a common goal – and with Saturn’s copresence, the heaviness of it all is felt. Don’t worry! Jupiter will return to Pisces again just in time for the New Years’ parties and will remain in its expansive, hopeful domicile until May. Jupiter in Pisces has inspired us all to seek more meaning in our lives. We crave purpose, soulful relationships and spiritual substance in all that we do. We are dissatisfied with the plastic and the hustle. Despite Jupiter’s return to Aquarius, the seeds of soulful alignment will continue to germinate for each of us.  

Jupiter explodes into a face-off with Mars as it crosses into Aquarius – each occupying the anaretic degrees of the Leo/Aquarius axis – creating considerable tension, frustration, and urgency to act. With Mars also conjunct Regulus, we are dealing with wrath stubbornly rooted in pride. Fixed opinions spur  an unwillingness to back down without a pompous array of peacock feathers. “I’m right, they are wrong!”

I view this as a major point of contention in a super polarized climate. No one is going to be happy about donning a mask once again. Jupiter will try to inspire us to check our egos and do something for the greater good, but people have different ideas of what that looks like. 8 states have already defiantly passed legislation banning mask mandates in schools, all while the Delta variant seems to target younger people. It’s a scary time!

Mars’ opposite to Jupiter brings a truckload of passion, motivation, stamina and willpower. How will you direct this energy in your personal life?

On July 29th, Mars moves ahead into Virgo, with a core desire to improve and help out. Mars in Virgo imbibes us with the perfectionist spirit. We will notice the little ways in which we can elevate our endeavors, projects and rituals. With careful attention to detail, Mars in Virgo invites us to hone our craft, to become more helpful and to be more efficient with our time and energy.

Whew.

That was a lot. I hope this week is good to you, and if you’re looking for more support on your astrological journey, I’d love for you to join me in our next round of Timing With Transits!