Wheel of Light Astrology by Rio Olesky - June 2017
In the Perspectives 2017 talk I gave in January, I noted that there are some challenging transits coming up this year that could negatively impact the chart of the United States. This is one of those times.
One of the inherent challenges of the US chart is a square (90 degree relationship) between the Sun in Cancer and Saturn in Libra. The Sun represents the leader, in this case the president. Saturn relates to the government itself, the laws and structure within which the president leads the executive branch. Throughout our history this has created a push-pull dynamic that is embodied in the executive, legislative and judicial branches of our government. When that square is activated by challenging transits, such as we experiencing at this time, the potential power struggle tends to feel more real.
The three prominent planetary transits are Mars, Jupiter and Pluto. They are in a T-square formation. Mars is in Cancer (conjunct the US Sun), and opposing transiting Pluto in Capricorn (which is opposing the US Sun). Both Mars and Pluto are squaring transiting Jupiter. Jupiter in turn is conjunct the US Saturn, hence activating the basic square in the US chart. This alignment suggests two potential expressions. First is the contention between the president and at least one other branch of the Federal Government. We have seen this already as the judiciary has stepped in to block Trump from certain executive orders pertaining to immigration. We have also seen it when the legislators in his own party prevented the implementation of Trumpcare as well as his idea of a budget. It’s possible that one of these two scenarios manifests again this month.
There is another potential manifestation, however. Mars represents anger; Pluto represents rage and Jupiter expands whatever it touches. Thus there is the possibility that this transiting T-square could coincide with the US becoming involved in hostilities with other nations. Note that Mars (anger, war) is conjunct the US Sun, which represents the president, and opposed by Pluto. Trump could feel cornered by ongoing investigations into his business or political activities (Pluto loves research) and lash out. Another possibility is that a judge or court prevents him from doing something. Saturn (limitation) is in Sagittarius (the legal system) right now and is in opposition to Trump’s Sun and Uranus. He could respond to this restriction domestically by railing against the press or the Democrats or some other scapegoat. He could also respond internationally by initiating some conflict in the world that would serve to deflect attention from his own problems. I noted in the Perspectives talk that there are certain times this year when the US could initiate or escalate armed conflict. Here we are.
Another potential manifestation of this transiting T-square is that some hard evidence about his income taxes surfaces or his failure to completely recuse himself from his businesses becomes the head line story it should have been all along. The end result is that which is being revealed continues to erode whatever power and legitimacy he has left. We have learned long ago that he never apologizes or admits a mistake. The action that he normally takes is to blame others or to set the public discourse in a different and obscuring direction.
One of the things that has been encouraging since Trump’s inauguration is the amount of protest and resistance emanating from people across this country. Another possible expression of this transiting T-square is that public voices demanding more transparency in our government and its leaders are finally heard in Congress. Jupiter is transiting through Libra, the sign of fairness, balance and equality. It is conjunct US Saturn, the lord of karma. Saturn in Libra prioritizes justice and can be quite punitive to those who are not playing by the rules.
This month could be a pivotal point in the direction of the current administration. For the rest of us, the potential for volatile expression is also present, even if not to the dire degree taking place politically. This is a time to be in touch with our anger. This is not a time to overcome feelings of hostility by being nice. Nor is it beneficial to project our anger onto external situations and cry victim. This is a good time, however, to act on our feelings of being taken advantage of, or to protest someone else’s attempt to disparage us unfairly in any way or for any reason. This is a good time to clear the air by letting negative emotions be expressed and released. This in turn can lead to a sense of new beginning, if not between ourselves and others then at least within ourselves. Initiating new behaviors that prioritize truth and honesty in our relationships is a good way to direct these transits this month.