Beginning its retrograde at 9 Aquarius and ending it at 26 Capricorn, Mars passes through the region of the Zodiac that symbolizes the cusp between the executive (Capricorn) and legislative (Aquarius) branches of government. Mars will trace a path three times over this region as it ends and then begins its current cycle. Mars will initiate some forceful action regarding the decisions and affairs that each of these two distinct entities face with one another.Whether it is applied to the highest levels of political office or to one’s own work team, sports team or family grouping, the energy demands some type of conflict resolution between the group leader and the group itself. But be patient. While Mars is in retrograde it moves very slowly, taking longer to complete its mission than normal.

To most observers of the USA birth chart, it is clear that Mars is dancing over the country’s natal Pluto, something that could be construed as a war dance or a victory dance, depending upon one’s perspective in the matter. This is especially true as it results in a democratic vote of confidence or no-confidence, and once the vote is cast, the appropriate action will be taken.

This bodes well for an angry population who would love nothing more than to capture the head of their leader and march it through the streets, the type of spectacle that frequently occurred in centuries past. But whether it seems like it or not, we are living in the Age of Democracy and situations like this are handled in the Capricorn Star Point era behavior of political correctness.

MARS Rx AND Direct CYCLE OF 2018:

5.13.18—Mars enters shadow—28 Capricorn

6.25.18—Mars goes retrograde—9 Aquarius

8.27.18—Mars is direct—28 Capricorn

10.10.18—Mars leaves shadow—9 Aquarius

ELECTION DAY 2018

We can see from the dates of the new Mars cycle that this is a 5-month period encompassing Capricorn and Aquarius. By election day 2018, Mars will still be in Aquarius, in a mutual reception with Uranus. That aspect becomes exact one week later, but will still be felt prior, making a somewhat agreeable aspect with one another (the sextile).

There are quite a few notable sign changes during the week of the election, including Uranus backing into Aries, Jupiter forward into Sagittarius, the Nodes into Cancer/Capricorn and But what is key about election day 2018 is the position of Uranus and the Nodes, in a tight cardinal T-square in late degrees of Aries, Cancer and Capricorn, right upon the US Pluto. This amount of weight-bearing energy from the cosmos landing on the nation’s Pluto is intensely tumultuous regarding the changes that will come about from this event. Considerable pressure upon Pluto in Capricorn which represents the executive branch of the nation could force a rupture and expose the dark secrets of an illegal and immoral under-cover op. With the US natal Pluto in the 2^nd House, it is quite likely that dark money is involved and exposed.

Inner Wheel: USA Natal — Outer Wheel: Election Day 2018

What about the Mars cycle on a personal level? Generally, Mars in Aquarius would indicate actions being taken to benefit the many, rather than the one (Spock here). In Aquarius, Mars bows to Uranus. There is a greater sense of freedom, independent action and risk-taking in this configuration. In Capricorn it supports achieving goals on a personal or professional level and bows to Saturn where honoring tradition helps one’s success. Mars and Saturn in Capricorn are strong. From August 12^th to September 10^th this is where we will find ourselves climbing a big mountain, but taking it one step at a time, observing and listening, will assist. The voice of the elders, the ones who have the experience and a solid record of achievement—we can look to them for guidance and support.

The summer months of 2018 bring three eclipses along with this Mars retrograde. Plans keep changing. Explosive elements are in the air. Summer’s festivals of music and outdoor activities seem like the right place to be with Mars in Aquarius, but these same gatherings can take on an element of explosiveness. Mars in Aquarius doesn’t just dance in the streets, it shouts so loud it lights up the airwaves and demands attention. By tackling controversial issues such as guns, gender, racisism, sexual harassment, immigration—all of the hot topics of today—social gatherings become politically charged events. It is is the voice of youth that makes the most difference in these matters. They, at a collective level, can be heard. It was the youth in the 60s that commanded attention and it is the youth of today that can effectively do the same.

Seven years ago, the divine rebel and change-agent planet, Uranus entered Aries.

It was March 2011, and the day this planet crossed the equinoctial point and entered the fiery sign of the ram, we witnessed the nuclear disaster at the Fukushima Power Plant in Japan caused by the nearby earthquake. A tsunami soon followed, spewing dangerous radiation throughout the region and spilling into the ocean.

Uranus is nothing, if not dramatic.

Here we are in the last days and degree of Uranus in Aries, before it enters Taurus on May 15th. Once again, this ‘shock and awe’ planet is making a dramatic exit from the sign as we witness the volcanic eruption of Kilauea in Hawaii, with evacuation orders being issued on the Big Island.

And it isn’t as if the last seven years hasn’t been exceedingly full of drama! In 2017 alone, record-breaking temperatures were held responsible for some of the worst disasters on record. Hurricane Irma in Florida, Hurricane Harvey in Texas and Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico are just a few natural disasters that impacted the U.S. Fires and floods in California and the dozens of other earth-shattering events around the world affecting India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Iraq, Afghanistan, Mexico, China ought to have issued a global wake-up call to just how severe the implications of climate change are in the real world. Now that Uranus is leaving Aries, what can we expect from Uranus in Taurus?

Uranus enters Taurus – Earth Changes

Probably the phrase that comes most to mind when thinking of this combination is “earth changes.” Taurus is an earth sign, a fixed earth sign at that. And fixed earth, while admired for its sturdy and solid nature, is also rigid to a fault. No pun intended here, but the fault lines around the Earth might seem to be most vulnerable during this transit.

Of course the metaphor here applies to all of us, not just the earth itself. What are we clinging to with stubborn rigidity that needs to be released? One thought that comes to mind is a lagging, backward set of political leaders who refuse to acknowledge climate change and who are investing little if anything into reversing the devastating affects of global warming and its resulting crisis to the earth.

Taurus isn’t just “earth”. It’s Mother Earth. Yes, it’s correct that Taurus is symbolized by Gaia, Mother Earth who mated with the sky god Ouranos (Uranus) and bore dozens of offspring, all whom were rejected by Ouranos. However unlikely a marriage this is, we find them together again for the next seven years. Gaia devised a plot to render Ouranos impotent by having their son Cronus (our Saturn) castrate him. Falling into the ocean, the severed genitalia of Ouranos gave birth first the Furies and ultimately Aphrodite.

This next seven years of Uranus in Taurus presents strong implications of raising enough havoc and destructive tendencies upon our Mother Earth to force something important to take place in the realm of turning our massive spaceship, planet Earth, around and steering it to a new, more sustainable direction.

Occupy New Ground

On a personal level we can envision how our next seven years, with Uranus in Taurus, will shape up. This is the time, mid-May 2018, when Uranus steps into Taurus for the first time in 75 years. Plant the seeds of change, whether earth change or personal change, that marches in step with the current conditions facing us.

Time to wake up the earthiness in all of us and get back to barefoot in the park.

We will awaken to the importance of nature in every day life and rituals/meditation/yoga will become mainstream

Read more about Uranus in Taurus here: 2018-coming-down-to-earth

Thanks, Catherine Boyer, for editorial comments and assistance.

With Saturn’s ingress into Capricorn, the Venus Star Point in Capricorn and Uranus’ entry into Taurus this year, the earth signs are prominent. Coming out of 2017’s intense planetary line-up of fire, earth feels like a relief. With its needs for practicality and grounding along with sensible actions, manifestation of those visionary dreams seems more likely. The focus is on slowing down, taking things one at a time. This is especially true after mid-May when Taurus receives Uranus.

URANUS IN TAURUS—2018 to 2026

Yes, the change-agent, revolutionary Uranus, comes crashing into the Bull this year. Taurus isn’t a sign that necessarily welcomes change, but for the next seven years, people who possess key planets in this sign, will find themselves making bold moves, performing actions they never dreamed they would undertake. The last day Taurus hosted Uranus was May 15, 1942. And on the 76th anniversary, precisely on May 15, 2018, Uranus returns to Taurus with the message: “I told you I’d be back!”

Venus and Uranus share an interesting mythological story. In fact, it is the seed of Uranus, thrashing in the ocean, that gave birth to Venus. Uranus entering Venus’ sign, then, marks an important meeting. First, it will be changing from a Mars-ruled sign (Aries) to a Venus-ruled sign (Taurus). With the goddess of beauty, love, comfort, security and pleasure hosting the change-agent planet, we are sowing a new cycle that may certainly bring us back to earth, but at the same time, encourages us to plant sustainable (hopes, dreams and wishes) seeds that we can watch grow to full maturity over this next 7 years. Some may be seeking to provision life on Mars. But with Uranus in Taurus—the message might be—occupy new ground, right here on Earth.

Venus will move three times over early Scorpio, Mars three times over early Aquarius and Uranus three times over early Taurus in 2018. This presents a classic T-square involving three fixed signs. Fixed signs are generally hard to budge off their positions. But this year, with all that activity, those who do have early degrees of fixed signs (between 0-5) will see their worlds re-arranged in great measure. And you know what? They just might be up for the change!

2018—THE YEAR OF THE RETROGRADES!

In line with the idea of slowing down and taking inventory, especially of one’s resources, many planets will be in retrograde motion this year. Every year the outer planets turn retro for about 5 months each, yet it is unusual that all three inner planets will have overlapping retrograde and shadow periods all at once. With the triple alliance of Mercury, Venus, and Mars all doing retrograde loops this year, it will be a time of many directional changes for us all.

MERCURY’S THREE RETROGRADES FOR 2018

I’ve always appreciated the three times per year when Mercury goes retrograde. Rather than be concerned if my computer, phone or car will break down, I am grateful for the slowing down and reversal of activity. With so much information pouring into us on a daily basis, along with increased amounts of physical activity, our nervous systems need a break. So every four months, Mercury is programmed to force us to take a step back, before moving forward. Clearing out old files and engaging in any activity that begins with a “re-“ such as reviewing, resting, retreating, “re-tweeting”, rewinding, remodeling, re-financing, re-establishing (you get the message?) are appropriate. And this is our chance—during Mercury’s universally acknowledged “Retrograde Cycle”. The other planets may be occupying earth signs, but for Mercury the messenger, 2018 is his elemental year of fire!

Mercury does its retrograde 3x per year, every year. But each year these Mercury retrogrades occur in a different element. (I recommend Gary Caton’s excellent new book Hermetica Trypticha, which discusses Mercury and the elemental year.) For this year, it is fire. In other words, the three retrogrades are as follows: 16 Aries, 23 Leo, 13 Sag. All Fire Signs will feel the impact of the three fiery directional changes this year. This means we must keep on our toes. Think of doing a tango. It’s hot and fiery, but it moves in very precise, intentional, directional ways.

Fire is an element of passion and spirit, risk-taking, speculation and adventure. One of its negative manifestations can be outbursts of anger. Fiery reactions coming from the subconscious can have disastrous effects, whether we are looking at a mass shooting or an ill-directed set of words that produce deadly consequences. It can also be destructive, as once a flame becomes ignited and gets any encouragement at all from the wind (air) it can destroy an entire village. We can use the directions of fire to focus our energy on a goal and cast our vision in that direction. Then let it go. The secret to achieving what we want, as many spiritual teachers have instructed, is in the letting go. Mercury retro periods offer us great opportunities for dreaming, inner focus, and most importantly of all—listening!

Shadow periods, listed below, are part of the Mercury retrograde cycle. The shadow periods both precede and follow the actual retrograde. During shadow periods, people will often ask, “Is Mercury retrograde?” This is due to the deceleration process of our speediest planet, which takes place during these times.

MERCURY RETRO CYCLE #1 OF 2018

3.9.18—Mercury enters shadow—5 Aries

3.22.18—Mercury enters retrograde—16 Aries

4.15.18 Mercury is direct—5 Aries

5.2.18—Mercury leaves shadow—16 Aries

MERCURY RETRO CYCLE #2 OF 2018

7.8.18—Mercury enters shadow—11 Leo

7.26.18—Mercury enters retrograde—23 Leo

8.19.18—Mercury is direct—11 Leo

9.2.18—Mercury leaves shadow—23 Leo

MERCURY RETRO CYCLE #3 OF 2018

10.29.18—Mercury enters shadow—27 Scorpio

11.16.18—Mercury enters retrograde—13 Sagittarius

12.6.18—Mercury is direct—27 Scorpio

12.25.18—Mercury leaves shadow—13 Sagittarius

THE MARS RETROGRADE OF 2018

Mars does its retrograde every 2 years. Its normal time in a sign is about six weeks. During its retrograde period, it can stay in a sign for five months, delivering a very Martian type of energy to that particular sign. Mars doesn’t mess around. It’s direct, to the point and seizes the moment. Mars hovering over a particular area brings decisive energy and action. Mars moves in on whatever has been hanging in the shadows.

The last Mars retrograde in 2016, occurred in Sagittarius. The big topic that year was immigration, a Sag-related theme. The one prior, in 2014, was in Libra. The big topic that year was same-sex marriage (marriage is Libra’s domain), and that was the year it became sanctified by law. This year it will retrograde in Aquarius, dipping back to the last few degrees of Capricorn. But most of its retrograde is Aquarius, an air sign. The entire airline industry may be scrutinized more closely at this time. As an air sign, Aquarius also rules media and media’s role is to report rather than create news!  Media’s principles could come under intense scrutiny. Watch for laws and regulations to be imposed on media networks and the free streaming of information, as well.

Because Mars will pass over both Saturn and Pluto in Capricorn on its way through the retrograde loop, there will likely be a number of trigger responses to current leadership (in all levels of government, corporate and even personal lives).

Yes, those that rule are in for a surprise this year. Many will fall. Although Capricorn is a sign of action (cardinal) it is also a sign of consequences—and the law. Repressive laws will cause suppression and suffering. But Martian energy through Aquarius motivates the people to oppose this by striking or striking back. Look for reversals of long-time pieces of legislation or legal actions taken. I would not be surprised if a precedent is set for bodies of the populace to file class-action, collective lawsuits against those in authority, for abuses of power and irreverent failings to support the constitution and the people they represent. Mars passes three times over the U.S. Pluto at 27 Capricorn during upcoming cycle change. As planets begin to mass around the U.S. Pluto, over the next several years (first the Mars retrograde this year, then Saturn in 2020, Jupiter in 2020 and finally Pluto in 2021) this particular theme will become more prevalent.

Look also to these next few elections. We are apt to see many incumbents ousted and many fresh new faces of change, especially female faces, pumping new blood into a dying, stagnant system that is all but on life-support.

MARS Rx AND Direct CYCLE OF 2018:

5.13.18—Mars enters shadow—28 Capricorn

6.25.18—Mars goes retrograde—9 Aquarius

8.27.18—Mars is direct—28 Capricorn

10.10.18—Mars leaves shadow—9 Aquarius

THE VENUS RETROGRADE CYCLE OF 2018

Venus goes retrograde every 1.6 years. Rarely do we find both Mars and Venus retrograde in the same year, but this year this is the case.

In fact, Mars and Venus are both in the shadow phases together—Mars leaving and Venus entering, in September. In the center of Venus’ 40-42 day retrograde cycle, she is conjunct the Sun, creating the astronomical “cazimi”, a term used to describe the planet moving into the heart of the Sun. This is the point I use as the Venus Star Point. Five of these points, over an eight year period, produce the brilliant and beautiful Venus Star.

THE VENUS/EARTH PATTERN

This year we get two cazimis of Venus with the Sun. Cazimi is a term to describe the planet in the heart of the Sun. The first Venus cazimi took place on January 9th with her exterior conjunction of the Sun at 19 Capricorn; the second one will take place with her interior conjunction of the Sun at 3 Scorpio on October 26th.  Upon January’s “kiss of Venus” we greet Venus in the western sky, visible after sunset. We will enjoy this glorious view of Venus in the evening sky through the spring, summer and fall months this year. But by mid-October, Venus will disappear from our sight, once again to kiss the Sun while retrograde and bestow her brilliance to us in the morning skies by early November.

January’s Capricorn Venus Star will be in effect for most of the year. This involves January/Capricorn EARTH – practical, organized fix home, garden, nurture body, grounding, well-being, action oriented to reach goals, Feminine; Matriarch, Crone, Wise woman – organizing to reach unprecedented heights because politically and socially they are on the RISE!

This backwards dance of Venus passes through both Scorpio and Libra this year. Scorpio is a Mars sign. Libra is a Venus sign. Venus and Mars represent the female and male principles in life, polarities that are possessed of a highly-charged reaction to one another. Were it not for this dynamic connection, we might be faced with a diminishing population, possibly verging on extinction. Instead, it is the vibrant meeting of these two energies that brings incredible desire and ultimate mating, accounting for the Homo Sapiens dominant population of today’s world. Yes, it is this reaction that brings male and female together.

Speaking of male/female, this is the year when the gender-bending phenomena could reach new heights. Mars, the male planet, reverses direction followed by Venus, the female planet reversing direction. Uranus, known for radical change, affects both. More people embracing the change and coming out could be met by more people causing an infinite amount of challenges and opposition. A battle of the sexes? Perhaps. New definitions of gender? Most likely. Think of it as though the current is flowing in a certain direction and cannot be stopped.

The next Venus Star Point, at 3 Scorpio, will occur on October 25, 2018, in opposition to Uranus at 0 Taurus. The Full Moon, just preceding that event, on October 24th, is at 1 Taurus. Individual and joint resources will be key issues of the time. This Star Point in Scorpio shifts later this year into the depths of the swamp just in time for the early November elections in the U.S. Did we hear someone say they were going to drain the swamp, two years ago at election? This will be the time. Election time will see many more women thoughtfully and intelligently railing against the body politic.  Sheer determination – it will be an unstoppable movement (Fixed energy)!

In 2017, Jupiter and the Sun met at 3* Scorpio. At that moment, a small group of women summoned the courage to stand up and speak out about the pervasive sexual abuse taking place in Hollywood, resulting in the now infamous ousting of Harvey Weinstein and scores of other sexual predators in the entertainment industry.

This giant #MeToo wave, born in response to the sexual abuse, traveled around the globe and revealed the issue is not unique to Hollywood. Indeed, universally, in almost every occupation and walk of life, women (and men) were joined to the #MeToo movement.

It is worth noting that 3* Scorpio is one of the Venus Star degrees of our time, as it sits on the 8-year, 5-pointed star pentacle. Underneath that Jupiter/Sun (famous men in power combo) sat the higher vibration of Venus, the sacred feminine, coming up from beneath the surface, announcing to the world: Sexual Tyranny Will No Longer Be Tolerated.

How many retrograde planets per month for 2018?

Mercury, Jupiter (2) – March

Mercury, Jupiter, Saturn, Pluto (4) – April

Jupiter, Saturn, Pluto (3) – May

Jupiter, Saturn, Neptune, Pluto (4) – June

Mercury, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Neptune, Pluto, Chiron (7) – July

Mercury, Mars, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, Pluto, Chiron (7) – August

Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, Pluto, Chiron (5) – September

Venus, Uranus, Neptune, Chiron (4) – October

Mercury, Venus, Uranus, Neptune, Chiron (5) – November

Mercury, Uranus, Chiron (3) – December

Content of this issue © Arielle Guttman, Sophia Venus Productions, Santa Fe, NM
Thanks to Catherine Boyer, for editorial assistance and research.

On April 17th, Mars turned retrograde. About every two years Mars goes retrograde. What does that mean for us personally, for the world and how do I best make use of it? Here are some phases (or steps) through the process that might help make sense of it.

Phase 1: March 6-April 17: MARS DIRECT IN SAGITTARIUS
Mars entered Sagittarius in early March. Sagittarius is the sign of the goal, or in this case, the destination. Where is Mars (planet of action) headed? Maybe it’s somewhere specific; maybe you don’t even know. What are you hoping to obtain? A new job, a new relationship, a new home? Or, perhaps it is something more intangible. Perhaps it’s the search for meaning in your life right now.
Mars is also the archetypal male and represents the male in any male/female pairing. How is the male energy focused and what is it focused on? Keep this in mind through these steps of Mars as the male/female energy, which is often more Martian, gives way to Venus, during the apparent retreat of Mars. It’s okay to step back and receive now, rather than push forward and produce.
Mars is moving along, driving the car, sailing down the road in Sagittarius until April, when it begins to slow down and suddenly come to a complete halt.

Phase 2: April 17-May 27: MARS RETROGRADE IN SAGITTARIUS
Mars is still on the road, headed toward the goal, but now it’s temporarily stopped and reversing course. This is the phase where we define “What’s holding me back?” Take this time to review what it might be. Maybe the vehicle broke down. Maybe the road was washed out. Maybe we forgot something important and need to go back and retrieve it. Maybe we just forgot to say good-bye properly to what we left behind before we set out on our journey to a new land.

Phase 3: May 27-June 29: MARS RETROGRADE IN SCORPIO
Mars goes back to Scorpio, re-visiting ground it has already covered a few months ago, during late February, early March. What is revealed to us now that was previously over-looked or not known? Use this time to “define the motive” behind what we’re setting out to achieve.

Phase 4: June 29-Aug 2: MARS DIRECT IN SCORPIO
Still in Scorpio but now in direct motion and moving forward once again, we may now experience true alchemy. In it’s own sign (Mars’ night sign) ask to bring forth the inner wisdom and get the confirmation or truth about the situation. An alchemical change will take place during this time as Mars in Scorpio is determined and delivers, no matter how tough it seems to keep up its strength, to keep up the fight.

Phase 5: Aug 2-Aug 24: MARS DIRECT IN SAGITTARIUS
We have just crossed the border now, into a new land. Proceed with caution, Mars is being told, as it passes the toll-gate of Saturn in Sagittarius and either pays the toll or is warned to slow down because there is a high price to pay here for speeding. In any case, still moving forward, Mars is now collecting the pieces it left behind in early March when it passed this way before.

Phase 6: August 24-Sep 26: MARS COMPLETES SAGITTARIUS
New ground! Finally Mars gets to a new place on the road, with clear sailing ahead. By the third week in September, the journey that began in early March, now seems attainable. We may not arrive at the destination we originally intended on this journey, but after having made the repairs and experienced the alchemical changes that were necessary, we reach the the goal! As our little navigational devices tell us, “You have arrived.”

Tune into Arielle’s presentation: “The Lovers of Mount Olympus” for a lively discussion on planet/asteroid connections between two charts. Date: Sunday, May 15th
Time: 11 am PDT, 2 pm EDT (adjust for your timezone)
Information & Registration: https://geocosmic.org/education/webinars/
Lecture Description: What is the chemistry between two people as examined by the astrological chart? What is this relationship actually based on? Is it love or is it service? Is it business or is it pleasure? Is this a soul-mate relationship? Does it sizzle with passion and excitement? Is it a fleeting love-affair or a long-term, sustainable partnership? Using planet and asteroid connections, Arielle will outline the primary basis of the relationship between any two people.