Astrological Forecast for Fall/Winter 2019–2020

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“Every living being in this world is knowingly or unknowingly on a spiritual pilgrimage.” — Sathya Sai Baba

The road ahead may or may not feel like a pilgrimage, but it is a journey into uncharted territory with vast potential for awakening and change. This winter, history is being made. Because Pluto was unknown before 1930, we are the first generations to consciously experience a conjunction of Pluto, Saturn and Jupiter in Capricorn. Respectively, these are the planets of power and transformation, responsibility and expansion. 

The slow passage of Pluto through Capricorn, the sign of big business and big government, began in 2008. As expected, Pluto has spotlighted the existing hypocrisy and corruption in our major institutions. Saturn’s 2018 arrival in the sign of the goat only increased the exposure of abuses of power. Attitudes towards politicians, plutocrats, religious leaders and the news media will grow more contentious with Jupiter in the Capricorn mix. Responding to Pluto’s lowest vibrations, we will also continue to see gross examples of how entrenched the darkest of human emotions truly are. 

Within the impressive healing potential of Pluto lies the redemption of fear, hatred and cruelty. Indeed the coming months are rich with the possibilities of consciousness raising, unity of purpose and applied wisdom. Ultimately, the stars provide energy. Each of us must decide what to do with that energy. There will be plenty.

September 2019

The month begins with a burst of enthusiasm and a great desire to squeeze as much into each day as possible. Mercury, the Sun, Mars and Venus are conjunct in Virgo while also harmonizing with Uranus in Taurus and Saturn in Capricorn. This earth sign grand trine configuration says “Make it real, make it count.” Bear in mind, the Virgo planets are also opposing Neptune. While some folks do their best impression of an idealistic Don Quixote, others may make silly mistakes. As best you can, deal with people you know you can trust.

High hopes and spirited times continue as the Moon waxes full. Be careful the night of Friday the 13th. The full “Harvest” Moon in Pisces holds sway. Exact shortly after midnight on Saturday the 14th, the Moon is conjunct Neptune and the Virgo Sun is conjunct Mars, a volatile configuration. Feelings are super sensitive. Much is in flux on this full moon day. Mercury and Venus enter Libra, and Mars is opposite Neptune. Communicating can be challenging. Stay calm and work at it.

Saturn resumes forward motion on Wednesday the 18th. The direction shift may bring new life to some stalled projects. Jupiter forms the final of three squares to Neptune at the last quarter Moon of Saturday the 21st. This is the stuff of overly optimistic expectations, misplaced trust and false information. Get your facts straight. It may be several days before progress can be reliably made as mixed trends dominate the week of the 23rd.

The Sun arrives in Libra, signaling the autumnal equinox on Monday the 23rd. For a brief time the forces of darkness and light are balanced. Focus now on peaceful relations, especially as the Libra new moon on Saturday the 28th emphasizes partnering. Fortunately, Venus’ timely sextile to Jupiter the same evening helps usher in a new, more cooperative phase.

October 2019

Easy does it on the 1st. Venus is at odds with Pluto and the planet of transformation is stationed in preparation for turning direct on Thursday the 3rd. Give loved ones and essential allies respect but stand firm against those who make unreasonable demands. A series of planetary sign changes, Mercury into Scorpio, Mars into Libra, and Venus entering Scorpio, add to instability this first week of October. When the Libra Sun squares Saturn during the afternoon of Monday the 7th, it’s time to face facts. Walk away from no-win situations. 

An opposition between Venus and Uranus precedes the full “Hunter’s” Moon in Aries on Sunday the 13th. A break-up could feel liberating but with Pluto in the mix, obsessive thoughts can be haunting. Look beyond apparent losses and dramas. Trust that room for new opportunities is being created. Spirits are renewed the weekend of the 19th and 20th. 

Autumn deepens when the Sun enters Scorpio on Wednesday the 23rd. Moods turn more pensive as the hours of daylight decrease. The Scorpio new moon on Sunday the 27th coincides with a square between Mars and Saturn. This celestial time of new beginnings carries with it a stern reminder from the cosmos. Be sure you know what you want and be willing to work for it. The Scorpio Sun/Moon tandem is also opposed to Uranus so plans are apt to change. 

Mental Mercury and loving Venus join forces on Wednesday the 30th, a fine time to say, “I love you!” However, make sure you really mean it. Words have consequences. The next morning Mercury turns retrograde and second thoughts could lead to different opinions and feelings. Halloween festivities are pleasant but relatively subdued as the Sagittarius Moon travels void of course.

November 2019

The month begins on an upbeat note. Venus pops into cheerful Sagittarius on the 1st. The skies are mostly mellow during the first few days of November. Things grow more heated on Tuesday the 5th, Election Day. A Mars/Pluto square ushers in the dawn. The explosive alignment underscores the behind the scenes battles that impact elections at every level, from school committees to national office holders. 

On Friday the 8th the Sun sextiles Saturn and trines Neptune. Saturn is also sextile Neptune. If you have a dream, this is the time to make it come true. The waxing Moon and retrograding Mercury’s sextile to Pluto help facilitate progress. The full “Beaver” Moon in Taurus is exact Tuesday morning, the 12th. Mars’ sextile to Jupiter adds passion to ideas and principled positions about truth, law, and politics. Discussions remain animated on the 13th. Ideas are visionary, and at the same time, practical. A meeting of hearts or minds may prove elusive on Thursday the 14th when Venus squares Neptune. Watch your valuables.

Slow down and pace yourself the second half of Sunday the 17th. The Moon tests Mars and then Uranus, increasing the risk of an accident. Keep the concerns of partners close at heart in the last quarter Moon phase on Tuesday the 19th. Fortunately, Mercury resumes forward motion on Wednesday the 20th, in plenty of time for the busy holiday travel season. Movement is also supported by the Sun’s arrival in Sagittarius the morning of Friday the 22nd. The weekend is socially active. Venus is conjunct Jupiter, a celestial green light for parties and other celebrations. However, Mars forms a dangerous opposition to Uranus just before noon on Sunday the 24th. Watch your speed and handle tools, machines and sharp implements carefully.

The new Moon in Sagittarius helps make Tuesday the 26th a first-rate travel day. Neptune resumes forward motion Wednesday morning. Weather may well impact travel. Pay attention to news reports and check schedules. 

Thanksgiving Day features two magical alignments, a trine between Mercury and Neptune and another trine between Venus and Uranus. Gratitude is contagious. Love abounds as the Moon overtakes Venus during the mid-afternoon. Friday the 29th is comparatively quiet, with practical concerns paramount as the Moon passes through Capricorn. Be alert Saturday night when a lunar square to Uranus again raises risk levels.

December 2019

Jupiter begins a year-long visit to Capricorn on Monday the 2nd. This is especially good news for Goat clan natives as well as those born under the other earth signs. Expect a lot of discussion about the use of resources during the coming year. Fortuitous aspects make Tuesday the 3rd seem to zip by in a flash. Venus is sextile Mars, igniting flirtations and energizing social encounters. It’s a fine night for a date but the first quarter Moon energy can dash hopes for those who carry on after midnight. 

Faith may be tested on Saturday the 7th. The Sun is at odds with Neptune. Avoid taking risks. Venus and Neptune help turn Sunday the 8th into a fairy tale ending. This is a good day to visit an art gallery or take in a concert. Venus’ conjunction with Saturn on Wednesday the 11th is a make-or-break moment for some couples. Emotions are super heated, as the full “Cold” Moon in Gemini is exact just minutes after midnight on Thursday the 12th. Love proves more resilient than expected on Friday the 13th. Venus is conjunct Pluto. Don’t ever underestimate the power of love.

The weekend of the 14th and 15th is great for a travel adventure. Jupiter is trine Uranus on Sunday, a fine omen for mind-expanding, heart-opening experiences. Try something new and different.     

Be wary of missed communications and other mix-ups when Mercury squares Neptune on Thursday the 19th. Do your best to eliminate confusion and mistakes. The winter solstice, the shortest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere, is on Saturday the 21st. The Sun enters Capricorn late that night. Venus tests Uranus early the next morning. Hopefully the ensuing string of harmonious aspects offsets any friction between partners. 

These dark days of early winter do have bright spots. The Sun makes a fabulous trine to Uranus on Tuesday the 24th. An air of expectancy and excitement is palpable. Intuitive types find their hunches are on the mark. Christmas Day plays out under a cheerfully mellow void of course Sagittarius Moon. This is also winter eclipse season. The Capricorn new moon occurs minutes after midnight on the 26th and eclipses the Sun. Such precise alignments provide short-lived opportunities to tune in to one’s higher self. Integration of the physical, emotional and spiritual bodies is within reach. Meditation and breath work can pave the way to higher consciousness.

Friday the 27th has a comfortably busy, upbeat vibe. The Capricorn Sun and Jupiter are conjunct. This aspect and Mercury’s trine to Uranus on Monday the 30th are wonderful omens for travelers and spiritual seekers alike. New Year’s Eve celebrations are enhanced by a conjunction of the Moon and Neptune. Pursue recreational fun responsibly, and have a happy new year!

January 2020

New Year’s Day sees five of the ten major planets in gritty Capricorn. The Sun and Mercury are relatively short-term visitors but Jupiter, Saturn and Pluto stay a while. This concentration of celestial energy highlights the seriousness of peoples’ concerns about long-term security. Fortunate trine aspects from Uranus in Taurus to the Sun, Jupiter and Mercury support hopes for a healthier environment and a more egalitarian future. Technology may prove instrumental in overcoming many challenges.

Travel is facilitated by Mercury’s conjunction with Jupiter on Thursday the 2nd and Mars’ arrival in Sagittarius on the 3rd. The pace picks up noticeably as the Moon is waxing, to be full in Cancer on Friday the 10th. This full “Wolf” Moon is also a lunar eclipse. That same day Uranus turns direct. There’s a whole lot of shaking going on. Be prepared for revelations and shocking news. Good or bad, karma is very much in play from the 11th through the 13th as Mercury, Pluto, Saturn and the Sun form a tight stellium. We reap what we sow.

Moods soon lighten as Venus slides into Pisces and forms a serendipitous sextile to Uranus on Wednesday the 15th, a great date night. Plans as well as minds are likely to change later in the week. Winged Mercury is at odds with Uranus. Uncertainties continue when the Sun enters Aquarius on Monday the 20th. A solar square with Uranus leads to a great many unforeseen complications and adjustments around the 23rd. Help comes from unexpected quarters.

On Friday the 24th the new moon in Aquarius initiates another activity cycle. Set your intentions and look for early signs of spring. Romance is in the weekend air due to Venus’ conjunction with dreamy Neptune on Monday the 27th. Lies are exposed when Mars tests Neptune the morning of Tuesday the 28th. Use caution if you’re traveling. The weather can be tricky. A few quiet days close the month.

February 2020

Recommit to your intentions as February begins with a motivating first quarter Moon in Taurus. Slow and steady wins this race. Saturday the 1st also provides an evening of lively discussions and warming affections. Mercury’s midweek sextile to Uranus gives glimpses into the future for those who are tuned in. Trust your intuition. 

The full “Snow” Moon in Leo is exact during the wee hours of Sunday morning, the 9th. Cascading moonlight sparkles on the winter landscape. Find ways to express your creativity and nourish your pure child within. The mid-February skies are mellow. Our annual celebration of love, chocolate and roses, St. Valentine’s Day, falls on Friday the 14th. With the Scorpio Moon sextile Jupiter that night, tastes are extravagant. Whatever your budget may be, the stars support generosity of spirit.

The weekend of the 15th and 16th brings challenges. On Saturday afternoon, the tense last quarter Moon leaves some folks feeling confined. Mercury turns retrograde on Sunday. Talking things over requires extraordinary patience and compassion but with help from Jupiter, it is well worth the effort. 

The Sun reaches Pisces on Tuesday the 18th and soon occasions an upsurge in healing energy as well as progressive thinking. Jupiter favors Neptune on Thursday the 20th, inspiring artists, visionaries and humanitarians. Mars, newly arrived in Capricorn, makes a trine to Uranus early Friday morning. A technological breakthrough could be under way. 

On Sunday the 23rd, the new Moon in Pisces, the last of the astrological year, is a fine time to launch projects. With retrograde Mercury hovering nearby, some abandoned causes and plans may be revisited and found worth pursuing. Keep an eye on costs as Venus’ square to Jupiter points to the possibility of runaway expenses. Upbeat trends dominate the last week of February. Physical energy levels are strong as the Sun sextiles Mars on Monday the 24th. High spirits are also felt during Mardi Gras celebrations on Tuesday the 25th. 

Be attentive to partners when Venus tests Pluto on Friday the 28th. Fortunate aspects help offset insecurities and jealousy. Longer days and Mercury’s sextile to Uranus late Friday afternoon remind us that spring will soon be here and life keeps moving along. Keep looking up!

Eric Linter offers a complete range of astrological services including readings, classes and his “On Top of the Stars Monthly Guide” for making inspired career and personal decisions. Contact Eric at ericlinter.com and read his daily forecast on the Spirit of Change homepage at spiritofchange.org.