In a political climate in which lying has become the new normal and alternative facts are presented as reality, a transiting aspect is coming along that may help to change those patterns. This month Jupiter in Libra will square Pluto in Capricorn. Jupiter represents higher mind thinking. It can pertain to the drive to expand our consciousness intellectually and spiritually. Its highest option is striving for an understanding of universal truth. Libra is the sign of balance and equality. It seeks justice both in personal relationships as well as in social contexts. Pluto is the energy of transformation. It enables us to penetrate the surface to investigate the deepest levels of reality. It excels at research. At its worst it can withhold information behind the scenes, preventing it from being seen. At its best, it wants to bring secrets out in the open so that it can be explored and seen in its truest sense. Pluto has been called the taboo breaker. Its drive for incisive understanding enables it to overcome obstacles generated by ignorance, fear or by those who seek some type of gain by obscuring what is real. Capricorn is a sign that likes to play by the rules. It is oriented toward tradition, conservatism and hierarchal power structures.
The square is a 90-degree separation between planets. It creates a challenge that can prevent either energies from being expressed in clear or direct ways. For example, Jupiter in Libra would prefer that ideas be shared in harmonious ways that seek to create or maintain justice for all. It brings to mind that famous cry from the 1970s, “power to the people.” Pluto in Capricorn might prefer to hide information behind a firewall of control. One of the interesting things about Pluto in Capricorn is that it can represent such institutions as international corporations, elected officials and the various spy networks that may or may not work for the benefit of either of those institutions.
It’s clear that the needs, drives and goals of the forces represented by these planets in these signs are at odds at this time. Hence the square is good news. It will not allow the continuation of their patterns as they have been manifesting. The way out of a square is to create new options for expression within which both energies can be present and part of the creative process.
The Jupiter-Pluto square has been called the truth seeker. While some might want to obscure reality by pretending that everything is just fine (Libra) and others may prefer to stonewall (Capricorn) this combination of energies can combine to bring about a different reality. Jupiter is about expansiveness. Its influence can help us to become aware of many different paths, truths and philosophies. Pluto provides the penetrating insight that enables us to perceive how various disparate perspectives can all lead to the same place. Philosophically this can provide one with clear insight into the nature of life itself. Politically this can reveal what is really going on, who is hiding that reality and who is benefiting from the obfuscation.
Libra can, at times, be rather superficial. As long as everyone is getting along, everything must be fine. But it is also the prime zodiacal driver to create fairness and equality for all people in all areas at all times. If that state of being is not happening it can be extremely proactive in bringing the power of law to establish those conditions. This is especially true when Jupiter, which represents the legal establishment including the courts, is transiting through Libra. Pluto in Capricorn is quite capable of transforming institutions that are being used for private power rather than benefiting the common good. This could be a month in which information previously hidden gets revealed. In turn this could lead to some type of significant changes within the power structure of governments all around the world. It could especially roil the alt-right movements that are becoming so popular in Europe and the US. Who is really benefiting by scapegoating minorities and those fleeing destruction in their homelands?
On a personal level, we can benefit from this transit by seeking to root out falsehoods that we have been telling ourselves about who we are and the quality of our lives. If we have an attitude that everything is just hunky-dory, this transit, combined with the Venus retrograde that has been going on since early March, can reveal the emptiness of that assumption. We can be confronted with the various ways in which our lives lack meaning, ways in which we have been hiding the truth about ourselves from everyone, especially ourselves. This transit can challenge us to let go of attitudes and behaviors that are unjust, manipulative or controlling. We can realize ways in which our actions are not in alignment with our philosophy of right and wrong. Although that realization could be embarrassing, even shameful, it’s beneficial to bring it to consciousness so that it can be transformed.
In another context, Jupiter, the energy of prosperity and abundance, square Pluto, the energy of death and rebirth, can reveal economic difficulties. Specifically, it has been called an aspect of bankruptcy. This could be collective, relative to political entities, or personal, relative to one’s own financial disaster. In either case, once we get over the mourning process, it’s time to establish new patterns in terms of budgeting, spending and projections for long-range economic health.
This is a time to update our lives so that what we believe and what we do in espousing and upholding our values coincide. It’s a time to let go of hypocrisy and strive to live in the light of truth.
Aries: This is a time to keep an open mind. Indulge your curiosity by seeking out new subjects or points of view. Growth can come from taking time to understand new ideas at deeper levels rather than just impulsively jumping to conclusions. Late month could open up interesting travel possibilities.
Taurus: Certain values and habits that you have upheld and maintained for a long time could be challenged this month. This is also a time when you could feel inspired to take some risks that enable you to feel both inspired to make changes and pleased with the results of them. Growth can come from not hanging on to outmoded patterns just for the sake of continuity.
Gemini: Two main patterns emerge for you this month. One is feeling inspired by new ideas and information. That could lead to stimulating conversations as well as to creative writing. The second is getting more deeply immersed in topics already well known to you. Growth can come from understanding familiar ideas at new levels and applying them in practical, grounded ways.
Cancer: The New Moon is in Libra on the 10th, in exact alignment with the Jupiter-Pluto square. This suggests a time of updating old behaviors and choices that have outlived their purpose. It’s also a good time to reaffirm those that still have meaning. The New Moon in Taurus on the 26th brings opportunity to get clear about concrete ways of implementing new activities.
Leo: Early month could bring challenges to your philosophical values as well as to your sense of personal authority. This is a time to realize that you may have outgrown certain points of awareness. By letting go of the familiar you are opting for growth in the new.
Virgo: This is time for review, specifically those paths of higher mind expansion that have been a pillar of support for you. If you are a student, reflect on what you have been studying this semester or quarter with the intention of understanding the material in deeper ways. The challenge for you is not getting caught up in too many details or the need for perfect understanding. This is a time of expanding the mind, not limiting it.
Libra: Relationship or financial challenges could arise in early month. Review, reflect on previous choices and behaviors to realize if they are still applicable. If not, it’s time to revise them. The Full Moon in Libra on the 10th could provide insight in the emotional base for some of those decisions. These realizations could also lead to new realizations. Implement them in slow and deliberate ways.
Scorpio: A push-pull period for you. You could feel like moving ahead in certain social activities, especially those that have some kind of practical outlet. Yet you could also feel a need to review some long-held beliefs. The former is more immediate, the latter deserves time and thoughtful contemplation before action takes place.
Sagittarius: This is a period when you could either feel challenged from external factors or feel a need for contemplation of rather heavy subjects. Clarity could emerge the second half of the month. This could, in turn, be shared by you in ways that are designed to help others work through similar difficulties in either context.
Capricorn: Relationship challenges or financial setbacks could prove troubling this month. Reflection and review are required. You could also feel inspired to take some risks and implement new behaviors in your social or business activities. Growth for you can come from being honest with yourself and others. Truth-speaking can lead to feelings of freedom about giving your unique self more exposure.
Aquarius: In a time when other signs are feeling challenged, you could experience a heightened sense of personal freedom. The confidence that accompanies those feelings could enable you to act as a way-shower to others. Communication is strong for you, especially in late month.
Pisces: This is a time when your idealism and compassion could prove problematic. If you find that you are being taken advantage of, or that others are not worthy of your devotion or generosity, it’s a signal to readjust your behaviors in those relationships. Although you may feel as if you are sacrificing time-honored ways of being, no one likes to feel used or taken advantage of.
Bio: Olesky has a bachelor’s degree from the University of California at Berkeley and a master’s degree from San Francisco State University. He has been a serious student of astrology since 1967 and a practicing professional astrologer since 1976. He is the author of Astrology and Consciousness, A Manual for the Modern Mystic and the Astroreader. He teaches beginning and intermediate astrology classes through community education at Santa Rosa Junior College and a weekly drop-in class on Tuesday evenings at New Horizons School in Santa Rosa.
