The energy is all about initiating change, but unfortunately it’s geared towards confrontation and conflict. This relationship between the shit-stirring planets across the cardinal signs has been playing out for the past two years, and really nails it next year. Geo-politics does appear to have been picking up on it too… Remember Egypt during the Saturn-Pluto square? London riots on the Saturn-Uranus opposition, and now again today? Poor poor Japan in the Pluto-Uranus square… The GFC and subsequent close calls, almost perfectly timed to each of these planetary configurations.

Nobody likes a Doomsday shrieking freak, so let’s not dwell on that stuff, but the idea is to learn from those geo-political examples in your own life. Right now, for example, while Mars squares everything is the worst time to be an authoritarian overlord bossing people around. You get nowhere fast, there will be (symbolic maybe) effigies of YOU burning in the streets in no time.  Laying down the law, throwing your weight around and declaring war are all really ill-timed maneuvers at the mo.

Likewise, trying to re-brand and re-package bullshit is about as productive as polishing a turd right now. Mars-Pluto does not provide foundations for inauthentic structures. (Can someone please get the US government an in-house Astrologer?). An honesty overhaul of any relationships, projects, or systems in your life that are teetering is the only way out. For example, mortgaging your pretend money in order to borrow more pretend money from people who don’t have much pretend money is a Mars-Pluto house of cards waiting to fall, and Mars-Pluto really enjoys kicking things down. AND COULD WE PLEASE ALL REMEMBER THAT MERCURY IS RETROGRADE.

Keep it REAL. Take care. Take a chill pill. Take a holiday if you can…

But most of the retro is in Leo, so it will probably focus itself on more Leo-ish lifestyle elements – public appearances, arts and crafts, glamour and personal-appeal (do not, I repeat, DO NOT opt for a make-over or new do until September!).
Once in Leo (at the start of next week), it’s a bit of a slow burn as the retrograde slides Mercury ever closer to the Sun and Venus, until all three meet, mid-Leo, on the 16th-18th of August. Those three days will be INSANE. Truly. It could inspire the ultimate grand-scale romantic melt-downs, and suitably public, melodramatic and ‘shared’ a la Leo. It would even be worth keeping a cam-corder on you just in case you capture the next YouTube sensation in the streets. So diarise that one, and for Hades’ sake, DO NOT go on a date.

The final stages, on the last weekend in August, have a bit of a hot-head and snarky quality to them, courtesy of aspects to Lilith and the Mars-Saturn situation that will be unpleasantly in play by then, so that’s your real duck-and-cover, double-triple-check for errors few days.

The low-down on that time…
Saturn in Libra
Pluto in Capricorn
Uranus in Aries
Mars in Cancer
All in early degrees of their respective signs, each opposing or squaring each other. It’s one giant throbbing red X in the skies.

These kinds of aspects naturally trigger change, as they highlight faults and fuck-ups in your plans, schemes or dreams, and have you on edge enough to be more reactionary in your behaviour. Not necessarily a bad thing in some scenarios, but the key to that 5 weeks is going to be all about cool composure under fire, level-headedness, and to use the crumbling of any structures you’ve set-up as a guide for how to better build your empire / relationships / inner-world.

This is just a heads-up, we’re not on high alert yet – but my theory on the weekend’s moon-sun square is that the numero uno issue of the Cardinal Cross FOR YOU will be sign-posted, so keep an eye on those signs.

But had a look at the astro just to see and have to say, it looks to be pretty smooth sailing. Items to note: the Sun is moving from Taurus into Gemini over the 21st, and whilst that could feel a little unsettled and skittish for some, it hardly screams “end of days”. The moon will be in Capricorn alongside Pluto, which is revelatory, in a sense, and could inspire some melancholy, paranoia even, but don’t go on a last minute confession-a-thon as Mars, Venus and Mercury are all conjunct at 6/7 degrees Taurus, trining Pluto, so romantic affairs get a touch of the melodrama. It is great sex stars however, GREAT. So if you wanna have a go at convincing someone for a last-hurrah sorta thing, just in case you never get another chance, give it a red hot go. The truth is, peeps are more likely to be in raptures than the actual Rapture this weekend, if you know what I’m saying.

Neptune now in Pisces is here to initiate a new age of spiritual growth, collective awakenings and interconnectedness, but I tend to think being courteous in the supermarket and toning down on the obnoxious perfume on the bus is probably more what we’re aiming for than mass scale Ascension and likewise damnation of those who threaten your personal politics. Let’s leave the battle between good and evil for the  cardinal cross coming later in the year, shall we.

Speaking of which, while The Rapture is suppose to begin sometime on Saturday (wish they’d give an exact time and location so I could work out the house placements…), they say the actual end of the world is October 21st (aah Christians, Scorpio-phobic much?), but apart from a Moon-Mars conjunction in loud-mouth Leo, that day seems even more peaceful than this one…

Let’s go with the no holds barred genius! Let’s be our most ambitious selves. Let’s milk the short-term-relationship mojo for all it’s worth and, simply, DAZZLE.

Don’t forget, Taurus is the sign of the entrepenuer, and all the Aries backing only empowers it.

This is ‘nothing is forever’ astro but ‘let’s make this moment count’ so go forth and conquer and just be as brazen as bananas can be. This mad-fucker astro lasts for but a few days so honestly, take advantage and just spin into the world your wildest, most reckless and brave idea…

With Saturday comes the Libra Moon which opposes the massive mash-up of half the solar system in Aries. Libra rules relationship issues and negotiations with significant others, so expect any conversations, confrontations or confessions you’ve been avoiding to come to a head along with the lunar cycle’s apex. The Full Moon is conjunct Saturn so people can’t help but want to set boundaries in place. Loyalty and integrity are buzz issues.  Meanwhile the Mars and Jupiter oppositions she casts get you focused on WHAT YOU WANT and the ambition to go after it. But be careful what you wish for…

Mercury is still retrograde and will be seriously tweaking all weekend, it’s the peak in this retro phase so if the electronica of your world go on a total bender, remember the standard Merc-Rex rules, wait it out and seek repairs / maintenance in a week from now. Complex / complicated emails or missives of any kind are NOT encouraged until at least Tuesday when the Moon is safely in Scorpio.

Things STRONGLY encouraged under the Libra Full Moon: look hot at all times, self-pamper, spring clean, make art and execute random acts of kindness. Singles, yes there is massive romantic tension and opportunities abounding all weekend, but remain mindful (and sane) as the motivations are most likely temporary.

Sure there’s a grumpy, suspicious Mars-Pluto square happening underneath it, but even that gets a de-stress boost and rather transforms itself into a cluey keyed-in creative edge.

(if your jaw dropped as low as mine, you should check out all 12 of this guy’s Sun Sign Songs. Just. Too. Hysterical)

We could expect some crazed bust out of over-zealous explosive energy if it wasn’t for the cooling effects of the New Moon, which beautifully draws the energy inward in a reflective, highest-principle Aries way. That would be: ambition, determination, action orientation, eternal optimism and noble gesturing.  The things to watch for: impulsive choices, impatience, unwarranted aggression, naivety. But let’s stick with the positives and look at where you are receiving this amped up priming of pro-active potential.

(RISING SIGN ASTRO ALERT, if you don’t know your’s head to astro.com with your birth time and find out for free….)
Aries Rising is on a mission and possessing a confidence that even exceeds them; Virgo Rising is on heat with the most major libido stars they’ve seen in yonks, while, like Pisces Rising, they also have mega money mojo;  Taurus Rising is tapped into spooky psychic sensations, intuitive on-the-mark epiphanies abound; Libra Rising is totally on-form as the ultra-hi-frequencies infuse the house of Significant Others and relationships, which they rule, so are making peaceful partnerships left right and centre; Gemini and Aquarius Rising are both in top social form, renovating their social circle, commencing a PR junket and managing their message; Cancer Rising has business smarts and genius schemes to envy, while Leo Rising is seriously up for adventure;  Scorpio Rising is on a health kick and image make-over, while Capricorn Rising is into home reno, relocation and casting off shackles of the past; Sagittarius Rising is struck by an artsy-fartsy muse, possessed to create, make, emote and inspire.

This Merc Retro is happening in Aries, shortens the gap between Mercury and Jupiter, and on Monday has a New Moon nestled beside it. It’s hyper. But I quite like it. Despite the inevitable technological wig-outs and miscommunications, the Aries energy and Jupiter serendipity pumps the more subliminal aspects of the Rexing.

Perfectly Natural Mercury Rx Impulses:

• Run into the arms of an ex lover, OR, send that bitchy “I never told you this when we were dating, but…” missile missive.
• Break the diet / exercise regime and attempt to self-pickle with vodka or Lager IV drip.
• Forget to write that all important document because you’re too busy reinterpreting nursery rhymes or story-boarding your amazing coffee table book idea.
• Prioritise sex drive over housework.
• Spend money you don’t have on things you don’t really need.

See, it’s not all bad, it’s fun.

DOs: scheme, dream, revise, reminisce.
DON’Ts: sign, sell, purchase, upgrade, outsource, hire.

Simple. It’s only three weeks.

This is your opportunity to shake it off, let it go, bury a hatchet, forgive and forget.

Search for it, there’s something, and purge it. The age of Uranus in Aries and Neptune in Pisces is so NOT about grudges. You are both connected to humanity and your own personal goals, the high road runs so much smoother, and who the fuck has time for bitchin when there’s hearts and minds to inspire and new opportunities to exploit (ah, read: explore).