Transits – August 18 to September 16, 2020: Mars and Venus

We are moving into the homestretch of what has been a tumultuous year, marking the transition of a two century era dominated by Earth to a new era that will be dominated by Air.

For more information about the themes of this year, see:

2020 – An Earth-Shattering Year

Much of the year has been characterized by Jupiter and Pluto in Capricorn and the movement of Saturn between Capricorn and Aquarius.

Two new players will be joining the fray this next Lunar Cycle. These new players will be Mars and Venus. During the first half of this cycle, Mars will square Jupiter, Pluto, and Saturn. During the second half, Venus will oppose these planets.

For more information about Mars and Venus, see the articles below:

Mars 火星

Venus 金星

This year has been marked by large issues, including a global pandemic and race relations, particularly in the United States. Up until now, issues related to gender have mostly been in the background. This Lunar Cycle, however, it is likely that issues related to gender will move to the forefront.

On a personal level, many people will be feeling a great deal of tension and frustration when Mars and Saturn clash. Mars wants action, and Saturn wants to slow things down. This clash will be felt most severely by people with planets and chart points at the end of the Cardinal Signs, Aries, Cancer, Libra, and Capricorn.

August 18 to September 1 – Clash of the Titans

The New Moon chart of August 18 has good news and bad news. The good news is that there is a trine between the New Moon in Leo and Mars. This will bring energy and the desire and ability to make changes and to get things done.

The bad news is that this energy will be impeded by Saturn, as Mars is applying to a square with this planet. At the time of the New Moon, the square is less than 2 degrees apart. This will most likely manifest as people chafing at restrictions and the established power structure.

On a personal level, try not to get too frustrated if things take more time and effort than you planned. This is just a part of what is happening right now, and it is best to just accept it. As much as you can, give yourself extra time to account for difficulties and delays, and do not leave things to the last minute if you can help it.

Venus is in Cancer, ready to join the fray, but she has not stepped up to the plate as of yet.

August 19

Mercury will enter her own sign of Virgo. This will be a good development, leading the way towards better communication. On a global scale, we will start to get better information. On a personal level, this will be a good time to clear up interpersonal problems or miscommunication.

August 22

The Sun will enter Virgo as well. This will bring a calmer and more earthy energy to the forefront, as people start to get serious about school, work, and other practical matters.

August 24

This is the day that the square between Mars and Saturn becomes exact. This could be a very difficult day on the world stage and for many people on a personal level. Do your best to stay calm and try to avoid unnecessary conflicts.

August 25

This is the day of the 1st Quarter Moon. The themes of the month will start to sprout and come to light. This is also when Venus will begin to enter into the picture, starting with an opposition to Jupiter. Both Venus and Jupiter are benefics, so in ordinary cases, this would not cause much of a problem. Yet, because they are tied in with the Mars/Saturn clash, it could be more difficult than it ordinarily would.

Venus is in Cancer, so the best use of this energy is to try to be as gentle and compassionate as possible. This will act as a counterweight to the heavier and more volatile energy that is in the air.

Mercury will also trine Uranus today. This is not something that will impact most people. On the other hand, if you get any ideas, don’t act on them right away. Wait until the aspects are clearer.

August 27

Venus will trine Neptune today. This will not impact most people. On the other hand, you may be a bit more starry-eyed than usual. Feel free to enjoy it, but don’t make any decisions about relationships until the fog clears.

August 29 & 30

Mercury will trine Jupiter on August 29. This will be a nice aspect, which will be very good for matters concerning clear communication. The very next day, however, Venus will oppose Pluto and Mercury will oppose Neptune.

If you are not careful, the productive conversations under the Mercury/Jupiter trine could get lost in confusion and distrust. Trust in the positive conversations that you had, and ignore the temptation to succumb to your doubts.

September 1

Mercury will trine Pluto. Avoid any temptation to fall into dark or negative thinking, and this transit should pass by unnoticed.

September 2 to September 16, 2020 – Venus joins the Fray

The Full Moon chart of September 2, 2020 looks much calmer than the previous New Moon. Indeed, if we were only looking at this chart, it seems rather nice. Mars is separating from her square with Saturn. Mercury is moving into a lovely sextile with Venus and trine with Saturn. Venus is in a tight opposition with Saturn, but that could be seen to be a softening influence on the severity that we have seen during this year.

The problem is that Mars is not going to move on to Taurus. Instead, this planet will be slowing down and turning retrograde. Prior to that Venus will be squaring Mars. Venus will now be entering into the mix.

It is very likely that gender issues will come into play on the global level. Relationships may also become rocky as well. People have been under a lot of stress throughout this year, and this may finally take its toll on a personal level.

The good news is there is a possibility that the gentle influence of Venus in Cancer will help to soothe the tension that has been building up. For this to happen, people will need to get in touch with the love they have for one another and their capacity to care.

September 2 through 4

These next few days will see Venus oppose Saturn and the Sun trine Uranus on September 2, Mercury trine Saturn on September 3, and Venus square Mars and Mercury sextile Venus on September 4.

These transits will come together to put matters into focus. There will be tension, but the problems that have been bothering people will be out in the open so they will be able to be resolved.

September 5 & 6

Mercury will go into Libra on September 5, and Venus will go into Leo on September 6. Both of these planets will lose dignity when they change sign. This will also bring more heat to the air. The window that facilitated calm discussion and reconciliation will start to close.

September 9

The Sun will trine Jupiter, which will be a nice aspect. By itself, this aspect would bring a spirit of hope and good cheer. Unfortunately, this will happen on the same day that Mars will turn around and go retrograde.

Soon, we will be facing many of the issues that have come up recently a second time, but it is important to hold on to days such as today that are pleasant. Enjoy the trine, and let go of the stress and worries of what is happening in the world.

September 10

Today is the 3rd Quarter Moon. The issues of this Lunar Cycle will start to come to a close. This is a good time to do housecleaning or other tasks that you want to finish quickly.

September 11

The Sun will oppose Neptune. This is not an aspect that will impact most people on a personal level. The main thing to remember is not to believe everything that you hear or read.

September 12

After being retrograde since May of this year, Jupiter will turn around and start going direct. This aspect will bring a huge change in the air which will feel like a great relief. This will mark the beginning of a resolution to the issues that have plagued us all year. We still have a ways to go, but from this point on, things will begin to feel like they are moving forward.

September 14 & 15

The last two transits of this Lunar Cycle will be Outer Planet transits, the Sun trine Pluto on September 14 and Venus square Uranus on September 15. Like most Outer Planet transits, they are easily avoided on a personal level, by not giving in to temptation to become cynical or overly independent. It might be a good idea to avoid the news on these days, however.