Planetary news this week: Mars, Jupiter & the Pisces Stellium
Astrological update for the week of February 26 - March 4, 2024
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Mars square Jupiter. Mars, planet of action and desire, is fresh off of a conjunction to Pluto which was like filling it up with rocket fuel. Mars is in Aquarius right now, a sign of the intellect rather than fiery anger, so any conflict is likely to be waged in the field of ideas and opinions. Still, the challenging square from Mars to Jupiter could further inflame a situation and make it difficult to find an exit point.
Jupiter tends to expand the energies of any planet it comes into contact with, and we can react impulsively when Mars and Jupiter face off. My best advice for this week, especially Monday and Tuesday, is to take a beat before taking any action, and don’t forget to breathe. Fortunately the Libra Moon will harmonize with Mars and Venus on those days which will hopefully ease tensions so that we can benefit from this amplified Mars energy.
Sun conjunct Mercury.  The dance of the Sun and Mercury is an ongoing cycle of action and witness. This week we have the superior conjunction which occurs when Mercury is farthest from Earth, traveling in direct motion; The Sun illuminates Mercury and encourages clarity of thinking. Mercury will turn retrograde on April 1 when it is closest to Earth, and will once again conjoin the Sun, this time in Aries.
The ancients feared the conjunction of the Sun to the planets, believing that the Sun would blot out the light of the planet and create a malefic situation (combustion). More recently I've been seeing traditional astrologers speak positively of these conjunctions, especially the "cazimi" where the Sun is within half a degree (depending on who you talk to) to the planet and bestows illumination and blessings.
Saturn enters the Stellium. The conjunction of the Sun and Mercury also includes a conjunction to Saturn, with the three of them aligning in a "stellium" - a grouping of planets in the same sign. The presence of Saturn, which is currently in harmonious aspect to Jupiter, adds a benevolent note of hope and faith which would not normally be present in this environment. This week is a time to dream and imagine (Pisces) but not let your dreams dissolve into the ether; instead, Saturn encourages that we give shape and form to our imaginings and birth them into solid form.Â
Here’s else you need to know this week. (Dates and times are for the Eastern time zone, here is a time zone converter to adjust for your locality.) Here is a link to an ephemeris if you would like to check the degrees of these planetary placements.
Monday February 26. The Moon enters Libra Monday morning and closes the book on the Virgo Full Moon. When the Moon is in Libra we tend to desire closeness and connection, but also the equanimity of knowing that our emotions are in balance. The planetary influences are generally favorable on Monday, but the Mars/Jupiter square described above is building (culminating on Tuesday).
Maintaining an inner sense of control will go a long way towards getting the positive energy out of Mars and Jupiter, rather than reacting and finding ourselves in a situation we did not intend. (Moon enters Libra 9:39 am, Moon trine Pluto 11:46 am.)
Tuesday February 27. Today is the square from Mars to Jupiter. Pleasant lunar aspects will help us to use that Mars energy for good rather than evil, especially since the Venus-ruled Libra Moon adds support and good will to the energies of the day.
The energies of the Pisces stellium are building on Tuesday to peak on Wednesday, which could add a touch of confusion since we’re dealing with watery energies of Pisces blurring the fire of Mars and Jupiter. Watch for a few hours of emotional reactivity in the evening which should dissipate quickly. (Mars square Jupiter 3:29 am, Moon trine Mars 7:51 am, trine Venus 1:21 pm, opposite Chiron 8:15 pm.)
Wednesday February 28. Wednesday is peak Pisces, with the Sun, Mercury and Saturn all combining to infuse us with gold dust. Wednesday is the perfect day for rituals and routines which help to unlock our creativity and inner wisdom. The practical drive of Saturn helps to ground the magical vision offered by Pisces, and the Mercury/Saturn aspect helps us to plan and see the next steps with greater clarity.
The Moon is still in Venus-ruled Libra until late evening (EST), adding a touch of beauty to the creative mysteries of the day, and a lovely Mercury/Jupiter aspect helps us to expand our thinking and enlighten our thoughts. (Sun conjunct Mercury 3:42 am, Mercury conjunct Saturn 10:07 am, Sun conjunct Saturn 4:25 pm, Moon enters Scorpio 10:09 pm.)
Thursday February 29. When the Moon enters Scorpio late Wednesday our feelings may change and intensify, especially just after midnight EST. But that Mercury/Jupiter dance will open a window of positivity to help smooth the way forward. The Moon is busy that evening: Helping to focus our intentions, align with our highest goals, expanding our confidence, and illuminating our ideas and helping us express them clearly.
The Sun and Jupiter are beginning to find each other to bestow blessings and great hope in an aspect which will peak on Friday. We may feel luckier than usual, or simply feel an urge to go on an adventure, big or small. (Moon square Pluto 12:32 am, Mercury sextile Jupiter 4:53 am, Moon trine Saturn 5:51 pm, trine Sun 7:52 pm, opposite Jupiter 8:39 pm, trine Mercury 11:18 pm.)
Friday March 1. Friday’s astrology brings all kinds of benefits to the table. There may be a bit of discomfort or unease just after midnight EST, but that will soon clear and the Sun/Jupiter alignment will boost our mood and outshine any potential storm clouds.
This is also a good day to mend fences in personal relationships if any are broken, especially in the morning, but there may be some tension in the early afternoon for just a few hours. (Moon square Mars 12:07 am, Sun sextile Jupiter 7:14 am, Moon square Venus 8:08 am, Venus sextile Chiron 9:57 am, Moon opposite Uranus 12:53 pm.)
Saturday March 2. A burst of creativity is possible in the wee hours of the morning EST (later in other parts of the world), and the Moon leaves intense Scorpio for Sagittarius at 8:56 am to further infuse us with that longing for adventure or to expand our world.
Lunar aspects are harmonious on Saturday, but a Venus/Uranus aspect is building which could create tension in our relationships. Venus is in detached Aquarius so we are already less emotional than we may otherwise be, and Uranus pressures us to be our authentic self and not bow to the desires of others. (Moon trine Neptune 2:47 am, Moon enters Sagittarius 8:56 am, Moon sextile Pluto 11:20 am.)
Sunday March 3. The Venus/Uranus aspect culminates in the morning and will gradually fade throughout the day. The Moon is quite busy which can suggest a bit of a roller coaster, but because the Moon is in Sagittarius we are generally looking for happiness and will find a way to make it all work. (Moon square Saturn 4:11 am, Venus square Uranus 8:17 am, Moon square Sun 10:23 am, sextile Mars 1:11 pm, trine Chiron 5:28 pm, square Mercury 6:39 pm, sextile Sun 11:00 pm.)
A pretty nice end to the week! Stay tuned for next week’s forecast which will include a New Moon SuperMoon. 🌙
I hope you have a wonderful week! 💖 If you would like to know more about how your own chart is affected by these influences, consider a personal consultation.