Astrology Insights

Current Transits

As the planets of our solar system orbit around the Sun, they move into mathematical relationships with one another. These relationships are called "transits." Transits operate like a pen highlighting words on a page - they draw our attention to a particular area. By understanding the meaning behind a specific transit we can understand the deeper meaning of events - both on a global scale as well as within our own lives.

Some transits move very quickly and are in effect for only a few days while others are in effect over months or even years. Shorter transiting events should always be viewed against the larger picture.

Jump to this month's Current Transits

Important Transits for 2008 -

2007 brought us the perspective to see just how much we have changed in the years since the Saturn / Pluto opposition of 2001. 2008 will be a transition year as we once again prepare for societal transformation. While most of the year will have the same energetic quality as 2007, this will change toward the end of the year. It is worth noting that the planetary aspect that most signifies this change - an opposition of Saturn and Uranus - will first come into effect in the fall of 2008. These two come into exact opposition on November 4, election day in the United States. Whoever is elected president will bring a redefinition of society to the U.S., and therefore to the world. Whatever happens as a result of this next presidential election, it will not be business as usual.

Saturn trine Pluto. The force for consolidation meets the lord of the underworld - the inevitability of the eternal cycle of life and death. A trine is a harmonious aspect. Saturn began this transit in Leo and Pluto was in Sagittarius. The first two exact trines occurred on December 6, 2006 and August 6, 2007. The final trine between Saturn and Pluto takes place in April, 2008 with Saturn in Virgo and Pluto in Capricorn. Slowly, gradually, our old world is dying and a new one is being born.

Jupiter trine Saturn. The principle of expansion harmonizes with the force for consolidation. Jupiter and Saturn were first exactly trine to one another on March 16 and May 6 of 2007, also in Sagittarius and Leo. They will form three exact trines in 2008 - on January 21, September 8 and finally on November 21. Jupiter will be in Capricorn; Saturn in Virgo. Another indication of a new order forming.

Pluto enters Capricorn. Pluto, the eternal symbol of death and rebirth, stays in a sign of the zodiac for anywhere from 12 to 32 years. Pluto's orbit is so elliptical that for a portion of its orbit it is closer to the Sun than Neptune; this happened when Pluto was in Scorpio, its natural ruler, from 1983 to 1995. Pluto was in Sagittarius from 1995 through 2007 and enters Capricorn in 2008. Pluto will move back and forth between Sagittarius and Capricorn during 2008. It first moves into Capricorn on January 25, will retrograde back into Sagittarius on June 13 and then back into Capricorn on November 26. Pluto will stay in Capricorn until 2024.

The importance of Pluto in Capricorn should not be underestimated. Capricorn is an earth sign symbolizing authority and eldership. Eldership can be protective and wise or, in its shadow expression, authoritarian, patriatrchal and unyielding. During the passage of Pluto through the sign Capricorn we can expect tremendous changes in the laws and mores by which society operates.

Saturn opposite Uranus. Aspects between these two planets, particularly oppositions and conjunctions, are historically associated with societal upheaval and change. These two were opposite from 1918 to 1920 and again from 1964 to 1966. They were conjunct from 1941 through 1942 and again from 1988 to 1989. Whenever they come into close relationship there are tremendous changes in the look, feel and customs of society.

A chick in an egg is a useful metaphor for understanding the effect of a Saturn / Uranus transit. Saturn represents the shell of an egg that has become too small for the chick within. Uranus represents the instinctive force that leads the chick to peck at the inside of the egg until it shatters - revealing a huge new world. Our old world has outgrown its usefulness to us - it is too tight and no longer nurtures us. Instinctively we break out into a new environment. What awaits us is not yet known.

Saturn and Uranus oppose each other on November 4, 2008, February 5 and September 15, 2009, and for a last time on April 27, 2010. Saturn is in Virgo; Uranus is in Pisces.

Mercury Retrograde. Mercury turns retrograde three times in 2008, for approximately three weeks at a time. Mercury is the planet of communication and governs transportation and communication systems. Mercury retrograde periods are times when we need to collectively retreat - to take stock of that which needs to be re-thought or re-done since the last Mercury retrograde period. It is difficult to move forward in the way society expects and wants. Transportation and communication systems sometimes literally break down during Mercury retrograde periods, forcing upon us a collective respite from forward motion. Mercury will be retrograde from January 28 through February 18 in the sign Aquarius; from May 26th through June 19th in Gemini; and from September 24th through October 15th in Libra.

Current Transits - Astrological Month of Cancer, 2008.

- June 20 - Sun enters Cancer; Summer Solstice -

- June 26 - Uranus turns retrograde at Pisces 23 degrees -

- July 1 - Mars enters Virgo -

- July 2 - New Moon at Cancer 12 degrees -

- July 10 - Mercury enters Cancer -

- July 12 - Venus enters Leo -

- July 18 - Full Moon at Capricorn 27 degrees -

- July 22 - Sun enters Leo -

The month of Cancer opens with both Mercury and Uranus stationary.

Mercury, the planet governing communication and transportation systems, turned retrograde on May 26th at Gemini 22 degrees. On this same day Neptune, associated with imagination, creativity, illusion and delusion, also turned retrograde at Aquarius 25 degrees.

These two planets retrograding on the same day set the scene for an unusually intense Mercury retrograde period, with increased potential for communication and transportation breakdowns.

Mercury turns retrograde three times a year for approximately three weeks at a time. These periods frequently bring difficulties in personal communication as well as communication and transportation system failures. It is difficult to maintain business as usual during any Mercury retrograde period. Mercury turned direct on June 19 at Gemini 14 degrees and is stationary as the month of Cancer opens.

Uranus, the planet governing sudden and unpredictable change, is also stationary and turns retrograde at Pisces 23 degrees on June 26. We can "expect the unexpected" during Uranus stationary periods.

Throughout 2008 Pluto will move back and forth between the fire sign Sagittarius and the earth sign Capricorn. Pluto is the lord of the underworld, the god of death and, ultimately, rebirth. On January 25, Pluto moved into Capricorn after spending 12 years in Sagittarius. On June 13, Pluto retrograded back into Sagittarius and will move back into Capricorn on November 26, where it will stay until 2024.

Sagittarius describes the philosophical basis upon which a society is run; Capricorn represents the rules and mores that implement those philosophical concepts. While Capricorn represents the actual laws and rules of a society, and the methods by which those laws and rules are enforced (the courts, the governing bodies), Sagittarius represents the belief systems that inspire those laws and rules. Debates and arguments over the "right" philosophical, religious and spiritual basis of society were heated during the 12 years that Pluto was in Sagittarius. The transition of Pluto from Sagittarius to Capricorn represents a codifying of societal systems based on philosophical choices. The movement of Pluto back into Sagittarius, from June 13 to November 26, suggests a return to the philosophical conflicts of the last 12 years. At times these conflicts proved deadly.

We do have a choice. The re-visit of the lord of the underworld to the philosophical Sagittarius can provide the opportunity to reawaken our most deeply held societal beliefs. We can reinforce our desire for a society that supports universal values of compassion and respect for human dignity. As Pluto retrogrades back into Sagittarius it moves back toward Galactic Center, located at Sagittarius 26 degrees. We can once again be reminded of the sort of planet we want to create; a world suffused with love, compassion and respect for all those who share this planet with us.

The most important period of the month is from July 3 through July 10 as first Venus in Cancer opposes Jupiter in Capricorn, Mercury in Gemini squares stationary Uranus in Pisces, the Moon in Virgo conjuncts Mars and Saturn and, over the next few days, Mars in Virgo moves into a conjunction to Saturn, exact on July 10.