// steam // jupiter in saj square neptune in pisces in 2019
(Image credit: “Sunrise and Smoke”, Felice Sharp)
We really need to talk about the Cancer north node. We really need to talk about the Capricorn south node conjunct Pluto and Saturn. We really need to talk about the coming cardinal square and the need to energetically launch ourselves fully into a new future, one that will be built entirely on the foundation that we lay over the next two years. These are big, heavy, long-term, life-changing things we need to talk about. But first we need to talk about Jupiter in Sagittarius and the coming square of this jovial, expansive planet to illusive, spiritual Neptune. Because we are already here, now, in the midst of the fog created by this aspect, and really the whole purpose of this mutable, malleable, effusive aspect is to pull us back from the future, to take us away from the past, and to remind us that right now, this moment, is really the only one that matters. So: let’s talk about Jupiter in Sagittarius.
// the journey of a lifetime //
And really, there is no more positive aspect to talk about than Jupiter in Saj, so it’s a great place to start.
Finally returning to it’s home sign of Sagittarius after a 12-year tour around the zodiac, Jupiter’s homecoming could not come at a better time: coming less than a year after Saturn’s challenging, restrictive transit through this sign of truth, expansion, philosophy and optimism, there is arguably nothing the world needs more right now than the warmth of Jupiter in Saj.
As the ruling planet of expansive fire-sign Sagittarius, Jupiter is concerned with living life out loud; this is the planet that wants us to learn through experience, to voice our truths through actions, to push out the boundaries of our comfort zones and expand our lives intellectually, emotionally, and physically. In archetypal astrology, Scorpio, the sign prior to Sagittarius, is the proverbial phoenix rising from the ashes; it descends down into the underworld of the psyche, turns inward, undergoes a trial by fire, and emerges transformed and empowered. But what with those ashes, and what with that fire? It’s the next sign, Sagittarius, that will take the ashes from that fire, the product of that lived experience, and spread them around as truth and knowledge.
As the sign/planet combo ruling the 9th house, Saj/Jupiter gives us an energy that deals with the higher aspects of the mind; whereas opposing sign Gemini and its ruling planet Mercury deal with facts, book study, and the communication that takes place between people in neighborhoods and close networks, Jupiter/Saj wants us to take that intellectual, factual knowledge and turn it into truth, to create philosophical frameworks based on what we’ve learned, and to test those truths out through living them. There is no use for Saj energy if it’s not being shared, distributed and acted upon, and it’s for this reason that we also associate things like laws, legal frameworks, and bureaucracy with this sign; we have learned through trial and error (ideally) that things work better when they are structured in certain ways. Publishing - in all of it’s forms, along with journalism, higher-education, international travel, and anyone who serves in the role of a guru, leader or teacher has roots in the energy of Saj and the 9th house, as does anything that benefits from a healthy dose of optimism and belief such as entrepreneurism and exploration of any kind. Life is nothing but a journey and Saj wants us to live it as one.
It’s the expansive, philosophical optimism of Jupiter in Sagittarius that’s going to help us as we close out one major phase of our journey as humans and collectively prepare to enter another. Starting now.
// expansive inspiration //
At the risk of continuing to sound hyperbolic, it’s important that we fully grasp the intensity of the current astrology...we really are not just closing out one cycle of our own lives, we’re closing out a cycle for all of history and humanity (but no pressure...j/k, there’s *tons* of pressure, but you can handle it, you’re here, now, for a reason...keep reading).
We are in the midst of a major paradigm shift, a complete sea change, one that’s going to ramp up in intensity over the next six-to-twelve months as the Capricorn south node meets up with Pluto and Saturn. We are being challenged, as individuals and by extension, to reorient ourselves towards a more sustainable, more nurturing, more holistic and authentic way of being, rebuilding our lives from the inside out. By the time that Saturn meets up with Pluto for their historic conjunction in January of 2020, there will be no question that our lives have changed (or will be changing very soon), and that we are creating a new future that will look ultimately look nothing like the old one.
This will be the work of 2020 and beyond, work that we will begin in earnest with a solar eclipse in January. But as we will be creating something largely from scratch in many cases, we will need a vision, a source of inspiration, and an abundance of faith.
Enter Jupiter in Saj square Neptune in Pisces.
Whereas Jupiter and Sagittarius are expansive in action and outward expression, Neptune and Pisces are expansive in inspiration, belief and vision. Jupiter is considered to be the ancient ruler of Pisces, and together these two planets - both in their home signs for the next twelve months - speak of a transcendent, powerful faith, once that exceeds boundaries and produces miracles. Both are boundless, both are limitless, both are expansive. As they square off over the coming year, Jupiter and Neptune are going to push us to expand our vision, to tap into a limitless source of inspiration and vision, to exceed our own imaginations and creativity as we work to bring a new paradigm into reality.
Neptune and Pisces are where boundaries, identity, and all things tangible dissolve. It is the last sign of the zodiac, the ending before the new life of Aries begins, representing something of a culmination and dissolution all at the same time. Ruling over the 12th house, this is the energy of everything and nothing, of all things infinite and undefined. It is here where we find the collective unconscious, and also where we find things like spirituality, divine guidance, and ultimately source energy. It is fluid, emotional, and unbound, and the more you try to define it, the more you try to work for it or look for it, the more it will elude you. It order to get the most out of Neptune, Pisces and the 12th house, you simply have to allow it.
Jupiter and Neptune are going to set up a square, a pattern of tension, albeit a productive and ultimately positive tension. It’s likely that in some way over the next twelve months our patterns of belief, our philosophical outlook, our understanding of the world will be tested in some way. This could be in a very literal level, perhaps in the course of a degree or licensing program (*ideal* time for any type of higher learning, by the way), or it could be more abstract, through a life event, possibly a journey of some kind. In order to pass this test, or to resolve this tension, we will have to draw on our faith and optimism in some way, to find a new form of inspiration, possibly leading to the creation of a new creative vision or a new intellectual paradigm.
This is highly mutable energy that will need room and space to change; don’t be afraid over the course of the coming year to give yourself room to adapt. The dissolute nature of Neptune tends to create a sense of loss or ending, when really it’s just a transition; new necessitates the ending of the old. Don’t fear the loss of an old belief, an old truth or an old way of living. In fact, the more you lean into this energy and release old ways, the more you will create space for the inspirational qualities of Neptune, and the more you will likely gain from this transit. The future depends on you releasing the old and creating the new...allow Jupiter and Neptune to help you with this.
For the next 12 months, three major outer planets Jupiter, Saturn and Neptune, now find themselves at home in their natural elements, expressing their native, most powerful energies (and for these final two weeks of November, Venus will be comfortably at home in Libra as well before heading back into Scorpio). This is powerful, foundational energy that we all should be focusing intently on maximizing starting right now. And the way we start is by taking the inspiration we received from this expansive square and bringing it into the physical.
// plant your vision, power your dreams //
Full disclosure: I always try to stay on the positive (if intense) side of aspects, but it’s important to remember that all energies come with a high and low expression. And the low expression of this coming energy is one we need to be well aware of.
When fire and water meet, as they will when Jupiter in fire-sign Sagittarius squares with Neptune in water-sign Pisces, they create steam. Steam can power, steam can purify, steam can cleanse. But steam can also obscure, it can obfuscate and it can dissolve, and under the energy pattern over the coming months we need to exercise caution that our productive dreaming and visualization doesn’t veer into escapism, illusion and loss. And we do that by tapping into the grounded, stabilizing energy of Saturn.
The question we all need to ask ourselves under this energy pattern is how can I build this? Or rather, AM I building this. Dreams become reality through effort, work and practical considerations. We will be reminded under this energy that everything, every single thing in the world, from a simple viral tweet, to a skyscraper to a multi-billion dollar business - all of these things originally began with an idea and a vision, something nebulous, unformed and relatively fragile. Everything. Ours a holographic reality, one simply filled with the outward manifestations of inward visions. Our visions are powerful, our dreams are pragmatic and faith is an absolute necessity. But none of these things matter without real, tangible effort in the physical.
Jupiter square Neptune will push us all towards a sort of utopian sense of idealism, and one that’s sorely needed and long overdue in the midst of a great deal of change, destruction and anger. These are energies that want us to universalize our positive experiences, to share our knowledge and wisdom, to leverage our faith to become something greater than we were, both individually and collectively. But the boundless, expansive energy that these two planets create can also spiral into illusion and mass deceit. And the way we keep our idealism positive and benevolent is through the work, effort and endurance of Saturn and Capricorn (I sound super Midwestern now don’t I?).
How you use the steam of this aspect will be important: is it powering your internal engine, helping you build something tangible? Or is it obscuring and hiding you away from reality? A good check-in along the way: how can you “plant” this vision or this dream? How are you bringing it down from the ether of inspiration and setting it into the soil of the physical? What *action* are you taking every day to bring this dream into reality? (PS, it probably has something to do with wherever Saturn and Capricorn are located in your chart). Are you willing to invest in this dream and vision over the long-term (Saturn), or is this simply something you’re using to escape reality (Neptune)? And finally: is this dream or vision something positive, productive and sustainable, for both yourself and others, or is it destructive, vindictive and/or insular? If you’re feeling at all pessimistic or hopeless during the coming year, it’s likely you need to either release something, let something go, or double-check that you’re not under the influence of some sort of deception or malintent (ahem, cable news).
It will also be helpful during this time that we also keep a balanced, watchful eye on the energies of the opposite signs, namely Gemini and Virgo, to ensure that we don’t stray too far away in either direction: in the case of Gemini, we need to make sure that our new truth, new philosophical approach, has a factual basis and can be clearly communicated; and with Virgo we need to ensure that in our quest for a Piscean spiritual idealism and perfection that we’re not abandoning our need for physical perfection as well vis a vis routine, health and practicality. Should you feel yourself drifting away over the coming year, simply creating a routine, a process or a (positive, productive) habit will go far to ensuring the durability and success of any inspired dreams or visions, no matter how seemingly distant or unachievable.
Make no mistake: wildest dreams will be exceeded over the coming few years, even yours. Those that are willing and able to tap into the powerful, inspired and constructive energy of the Jupiter in Saj, Saturn in Capricorn and Neptune in Pisces combo will manifest lasting success, however that may look to them. This may not be the easiest energy (in fact, give up the idea of easy energy for the next five-or-so years, it’s not going to happen), but it’s incredibly powerful. Don’t be afraid to let go of any sense of reticence, hesitation or holding back...it’s time to leave the past behind, and move confidently in the direction of creating the life of our dreams, one step at a time.
// Jupiter in Saj : By the Signs //
Aries Sun + Rising
The purest manifestation of this energy; you will expand and grow this year through travel, higher learning and philosophy. Optimism will come through movement, action and living your truth. Ground yourself through pursuit of professional accomplishment, achievement and levelling-up. Success happens in small steps over a long period of time. Avoid short-term thinking. Don’t be afraid to let go of old philosophies, and look to spiritual practices (meditation, prayer, charity, etc) for inspiration along the way.
Taurus Sun + Rising
You will expand and grow through internal transformation, making major changes to the way you live your life, overcoming obstacles and...sex and intimacy (saved that one for last). Optimism will come through intimacy and (healthy) obsession. Ground yourself through study, travel and developing a new philosophy and truth; stay big-picture. Don’t be afraid to let go of old friends and networks who no longer fit into your new vision or lifestyle, but also look to new networks and groups for inspiration along the way.
Gemini Sun + Rising
You will expand and grow through partnerships, contracts, one-on-one relationships, interfacing with the public and generally being seen by another. Optimism will come through other people, especially in one-on-one settings. Seek balance and equilibrium. Ground yourself through intimacy, financial commitment and investment; stay away from the superficial. Don’t be afraid to let go of outdated beliefs about your profession, status and accomplishments, and look to new life goals and new new professional paths for inspiration along the way.
Cancer Sun + Rising
You will expand and grow through routine, daily health rituals, sticking to a schedule and taking care of yourself and others. Optimism will come through attention to detail, order and organization. Ground yourself through partnerships and one-on-one relationships; commit to keeping another in the picture. Don’t be afraid to let go of old truths, teachings and philosophies, perhaps even parting ways with a former teacher or “guru” of some sort. Look to new spiritual belief systems, new ideas, travel and movement for inspiration along the way.
Leo Sun + Rising
You will expand and grow through fun, parties, self-expression, creativity, romance and children - all of your favorite things. Stay in your heart, in your warmth, and avoid detachment and logic. Optimism will come through the good things; if you feel good, and if it makes you happy, you are in your power. Ground yourself through routine, consistency and attention to detail. Meet your obligations, be on time. Don’t be afraid to let go of bad debt, stale investments and excessive charitable spending…save, acquire, stay in the tangible. Faith in partnerships and spiritual commitment will provide inspiration along the way.
Virgo Sun + Rising
You will expand and grow through lifestyle, your home, family and nurturing yourself and others. How you live your life will provide optimism. Ground yourself through children, building a lasting framework for self-expression and stable romantic partnerships. Avoid deception, illusion and too-good-to-be-true in one-on-one relationships. Don’t be afraid to let go of partners that are illusive, flakey or deceptive, but look for new “soulmates”, and those in spiritual professions for inspiration along the way.
Libra Sun + Rising
You will expand and grow through communication, writing, talking, selling (yourself and other things) as well as your local neighborhood and casual acquaintances. Optimism will come through connecting, communicating, sharing ideas. Stay light, stay factual, stay away philosophizing. Ground yourself through your home base; secure a safe space, build a nest, go where you feel safe and protected. Family will help. Don’t be afraid let go of routines that drain your time or energy, or that no longer feed your soul, and look to better nutrition, daily workouts and incorporating positive daily spiritual practices for inspiration along the way.
Scorpio Sun + Rising
You will expand and grow through your natural talents, generating income, improving your physical comfort, and moving towards those things that make you feel good physically and emotionally (sex too, prob w/ Taurus). Stay in the physical; accumulate, save, secure, but don’t invest or share. Optimism will come through the physical and tangible - things, materials, bodies, your body (get to the gym). Ground yourself through structured communications, building a solid, lasting local network, connecting with higher-ups. Don’t be afraid to let go of old romances, past loves, and old modes of self-expression, but look to spirituality, charity and the arts for inspiration along the way.
Saj Sun + Rising
FINALLY SAJ! IT’S YOUR TIME!! You will expand and grow through expressing YOU - a new identity, living a new truth cultivated after a tough few years and a stiff Saturn transit. You know what you need, what you want...live it, go after it (ethically, truthfully, honestly). Optimism will come through taking your own initiative and independence. Fly solo. Ground yourself through building a solid financial foundation; pay bills, save, work for you money, apply yourself. Stay healthy. Don’t be afraid to let go of a lifestyle, living arrangement or even a home. Look to freeing yourself from restrictions, liberating yourself from family obligations, and building a spiritual home rather than a physical one for inspiration along the way.
Capricorn Sun + Rising
You guys are incredible and your resilience is a never-ending source of inspiration… You will expand and grow through release, closure and endings. You are going to be needed in the coming years in a major way and we all need you to be ready. Let go of the old so that you can build the new. Optimism will come through freeing yourself of past burdens, and also through spirituality, spiritual practice and faith. Ground yourself by continuing to build a new identity, to take new initiatives, to plan. Seek partnerships and balance. Don’t be afraid to let go of a way of underselling yourself or diminishing your thoughts, words and feelings. Look to new ideas, new information and new local connections for inspiration along the way.
Aquarius Sun + Rising
You will expand and grow through networks, group that you identify with and friends. Optimism will come through optimism! Seek out those things that give you energy, light you up, make you feel alive. Ground yourself through spirituality, charity and staying humble; give in order to receive. Don’t be afraid to let go of physical attachments, tangible items and superficial intimacy. Release the need for more, share, disperse. Be charitable, give and you shall receive. Look to supporting artists, giving to charities and spiritual groups for inspiration along the way.
Pisces Sun + Rising
A big moment for you Pisces, even though you don’t really care for big moments… You will expand and grow by pushing for greater professional expansion. Meet higher-ups, pursue status relationships, push yourself out of your professional comfort zone. Optimism will come by building a name, a brand, a professional identity. Solidify yourself in the eyes of the world. Ground yourself through networks, friends, and people in positions of power; use their advice, heed their opinions. Be polished and on time. Don’t be afraid to let go of past identities, stagnant initiatives, or working alone. Look to the vision of the person you want to become, the dream you want to live, for inspiration along the way.