Emotional Rogue Wave

The thirteenth of the year brings us a quarter of the way through the 24th year of the 3rd millennium of our common era of apocalyptical paroxysms. We complete saying a long goodbye to frustratingly slow progress and welcome: ...melancholy moodiness and cathartic processing.

This is our first week with Pluto in Aquarius as well as Saturn in Pisces. Beyond the extreme fatigue and wild ass dreams that Saturn's brought to us Enter Sandman style, there's a certain disorientation too.

We all got used to a certain pattern of Moon transit moods over the last couple of years: the optimistic and determined Sagittarius Moons are now kinda confusing – a weird mix of hope and then Saturn's morose ruminations. Where the Moon in Capricorn use to come with a regular purgation of power problems, and Aquarius with some grounding stability, now they feel kind of... spent, and exhausted, or maybe just adrift, now that Saturn is out to sea in Pisces.

The undulations of benefic and malefic enclosure (that extend into next week) are what really make this week one that can hold its own in comparison to the big ingresses earlier in the month. Particularly with Thursday's rogue wave right in the middle of the set.

The Good

The Sun in Aries means that Jupiter and Mercury get a big boost in their status. Though the qualities having to do with being under the beams of the Sun like being obscured or hidden still stand, Mercury and Jupiter are helped more than hindered by an exalted Sun.

What this means for you will really depend on whether/how those planets are activated for you and what you're up to in life already. Generally speaking, communication, thinking, planning, and advancement should all get a boost.

The Meh

Mars moving into Cancer is a definite downgrade in dignity. And one which tends to spell bad news on the mundane level. Defensiveness is likely to be on a high over the next several weeks.

The same few weeks that are our introduction to what Pluto in Aquarius feels like. We've got plenty in the source texts of the tradition that can tell us about what the traditional planets feel like, and even a full orbit's worth of observations for Uranus and Neptune. Not so for Pluto though. So take notes! These are astrology's first opportunities to observe this transit.

The Oh Fuck Me*:

Tuesday is likely to fucking suck. I'm sorry for all of us. Hopefully this is one of those instances where knowing forewarned really is forearmed and y'all are able to minimize the extent to which it sucks for you. Namely, by not being an asshole yourself.

On the other hand, spiritual bypassing and repressing real rage don't work – at least not in the long-term. (And it's arguable if they do in the short, but that's another story.)

*please note: "oh fuck me" is my way of subverting the normalization of conventional beauty standards; I'm not at all suggesting these outcomes are guaranteed, or that everyone is going to experience these undesirable manifestation. Rather, that in the RPG of life, these would be the chaotic evil playthrough of the same energies described by the good and the meh.

Week in (wal)Nut Shell:

How do you wrap up a month with an era-defining ingress? By finding ways to ground something that's going to span 20 years (a goodly chunk of most of our lives) with smaller digestible moments we can actually integrate. And the sky has plenty of that for us this week.

All the big headline transits are done, but that doesn't mean the confetti's been swept up yet!

Mercury's conjunction to Jupiter brings an opportunity to make significant headway with any legal, financial, and clerical work. Especially work that involved their intersection, like filing taxes. (Best to get that done before the shadow and retrograde begin.)

Venus joins up with Uranus in Taurus, bringing unexpected upsets and upstarts in the relationship department. Meanwhile while Mars in Cancer's brooding meets (trines) Saturn in Pisces heaping dose of nostalgia. It's a real blast from the past. And maybe, from the sound of it, part of the intensely vivid dreams everyone seems to be having since Saturn entered Pisces.

Sunday: healing words of wisdom
Monday: clearing up confusion
Tuesday: tbh, pretty shitty.
Wednesday: eruptive activation
Thursday: rogue wave
Friday: recognizing play
Saturday: benefic enclosure

Sunday the 26th

How's a little burst of energy in the ripping off of band-aids department sounds for ya?

The day is light on classical ray based aspects between traditional planets. Which just means that the energy of the day's transits is more subtle and less likely to be felt unless you're looking for it, or it's wired into prominently activated parts of your chart.

Early AM (midnight - 08:00, PDT):

04:03 am - Moon at 5° Gemini sextile Sun at 5° Aries

The opening sextile of the Moon is likely to bring a little burst of energy. And certainly first indicators about the way any Aries New Moon manifestation intentions might be faring.

Midday (08:00 - 16:00, PDT):

08:13 am - Moon at 7° Gemini trine asteroid Hygeia at 7° Aquarius
11:57 am - Mercury conjunct Chiron at 15° Aries

With the Moon conjoining asteroid Hygeia and Mercury coming together with Chiron we've got the planet representing our somatic bodies and mental faculties coming together with asteroids that representing soothing and cleansing acts (Hygeia) and the handing down of wisdom whose end result is healing or coming into greater degrees of wholeness.

Late PM (16:00 - midnight, PDT):

8:35 pm - Moon parallel Mercury
10:40 pm - Moon at 15° Gemini sextile Chiron at 15° Gemini

The Moon's parallel to Mercury is like one of those telephones made from tin cans and string strung from one bedroom window to another. It's not as clear as a walkie-talkie or telephone line, but it'll send sounds from place to another.

The Moon coming along after Mercury's conjunction to Chiron presents us with the ability and opportunity to digest the wisdom (and potentially painful dose of truth) that we received earlier in the day.

Given the Moon's conjunction to Chiron late in the evening, and then to Mercury and Jupiter during dreamtime hours, it might be fruitful to set the intention for a lucid or healing dream, or else simply to remember your dreams. Be sure to have pen and pad handy in the morning if you decide to begin a dream practice.

The Sun Surmises:

If we take the time to let the truth of the matter sink in: what hurt so bad, where we went wrong, what we failed to see, the things we're responsible for – irrespective of who's to blame – then we've got a good chance at ending the day feeling we deserve a W to our name for our efforts.

Monday the 27th

We're likely to be feeling quite social on Monday. The Moon's transit through Gemini is unimpeded by Mars for the first time in literal ages (e.g., about 7 months). The Moon indicates, on a personal level, how we're likely to feel while, and in Gemini that's communicative, social, and curious. Mercury is a planet that's all about that gift of gab. With Jupiter in the picture too we're likely to want to goof off, pal around, and have fun with those whose company we enjoy.

Early AM (midnight - 08:00, PDT):

00:39 am - Moon at 16° Gemini sextile Mercury at 16° Aries
03:57 am - Moon at 18° Gemini sextile Jupiter at 18° Aries

If you're not in bed by midnight, and/or you're prone to sleepless nights, disturbed sleep, or insomnia, you might be feeling that tonight. The Moon's

Midday (08:00 - 16:00, PDT):

10:26 am - Moon at 21° Gemini sextile Vesta at 21° Aries

This is a classical ray based aspect, sure, but the asteroid Vesta isn't a traditional planet. Vesta does indicate focus, and tends to be prominent in fields which require attention to having a clean space for whatever activity or operation we're undertaking.

This might be a good day for a little desk/cubicle/office spring cleaning.

Late PM (16:00 - midnight, PDT):

6:39 pm - Moon at 25° Gemini square Neptune at 25° Pisces
11:50 pm - Mercury conjunct Jupiter at 18° Aries

The Moon's square to Neptune tends to be a little foggy and sometimes a little groggy too. With the Moon in Gemini there may be slightly more emphasis on confusion that on the groggy qualities though.

The conjunction of Mercury and Jupiter give us two planets that are diametrically opposed (they rule opposite signs) and yet still friendly to one another in many ways. Mercury rules scribes and clerics, Jupiter – scholars and priests. This conjunction occurs in Mercury's term while Jupiter leads the fiery triplicity during their nighttime rendezvous. Mercury sets the agenda and Jupiter supplies the allies.

There's friendly support in the skies for quick communication and direct transmissions. Perhaps that's for clearing up the early evening confusion?

Monday's More or Less:

This might be an interesting night to try setting the intention to do some dream work.

Pursuit of pleasurable paling around is all well and good until the jokes go too far. Be quick to apologize and quick to make amends and all may well that ends well. Best to be clear about the spirit in which a thing is done or said though.

Tuesday the 28th

This is likely to be a rough day. Like waking up on the wrong side of the bed and so did everybody else.

Warning: blood is boiling with a chance of assholes.

Try not to be the asshole.

Early AM (midnight - 08:00, PDT):

03:21 am - Moon enters Cancer
06:19 am - Moon conjunct Mars at 1° Cancer

How's that for waking up on the wrong side of the bed?

The Moon's conjunction to Mars in Cancer can make for some powerful feelings. Sure, in some context that might be just fine. In many, maybe most, it means watching for anger, defensiveness (in particular). Guard against me-and-mine-ism on the personal level – the same dynamic that looks like patriotic nationalism blown up large.

Midday (08:00 - 16:00, PDT):

08:03 am - Moon at 2° Cancer trine Saturn at 2° Pisces
1:09 pm - Mercury contra-parallel Uranus

Melancholy mood, a touch of nostalgia, and the mental gears jammed. Or maybe... stick in second gear? That's how we end the malefic enclosure. On a very long minor chord style sad note.

Late PM (16:00 - midnight, PDT):

7:32 pm - Moon at 8° Cancer square Sun at 8° Aries.

The luminaries may be dignified here but the combination of what the malefics are doing relative to them, over in the water signs, makes for a rather tumultuous signature for this

Tuesday's TL;DR:

Today is likely to feel unpleasant. Intense feelings, potentially a lot of pent up anger in addition to whatever flavor of moody Saturn in Pisces has brought up for you. Probably more intense feelings of nostalgia if you have vivid memories of the last time Saturn visited their watery... vacation home (???) in the first decan of Pisces.

This is not a good day to indulge that vibe though. If you're going to listen to music, better to give yourself something soothing or uplifting to counter the vibe. And if you have the time to yourself consider avenues that will let you give vent to the feelings in a way that's least likely to cause accidental or direct and intention harm to yourself or others.

Wednesday the 29th

Overall, the scales of the day trend toward pleasant aspects you'd expect we'll find are nice to experience. The Moon's little tussles with Chiron and Uranus not withstanding. Those might be awkward impulses or reactions. Or, potentially embarrassment.

Early AM (midnight - 08:00, PDT):

07:29 am - Mercury parallel asteroid Hygeia

We're able to clear up something with our communication. Or, perhaps the morning ablutions help to ease the way for clear communication. Either way, there's no classical aspect, so we're coming into Wednesday morning on the heels of Tuesday's morning dose of malefic enclosure and its lingering aftertaste.

So be kind to yourself – and others.

Midday (08:00 - 16:00, PDT):

09:49 am - Moon at 15° Cancer sextile Venus at 15° Taurus
09:51 am - Sun at 8° Aries sextile asteroid Hygeia at 8° Aquarius
10:08 am - Moon at 15° Cancer square Chiron at 15° Aries
12:39 pm - Moon at 16° Cancer sextile Uranus at 16° Taurus
2:34 pm - Moon contra-parallel asteroid Vesta

The morning and midday are packed with action. A sextile between domiciled Moon and Venus is a little less than cozy, thanks to the co-presence of Mars and Uranus, respectively, and the aspect of Saturn over in Pisces. Still, it's possible to harness this particular type of energy to productive ends.

The Moon's aspects to Chiron and Uranus make for some tender touchiness and potentially knee-jerk reactions. Emphasis on the jerk thanks to Mars in Cancer.

Late PM (16:00 - midnight, PDT):

4:34 pm - Moon at 18° Cancer square Jupiter at 18° Aries
11:29 pm - Moon at 22° Cancer square Mercury at 22° Aries

A bit of levity to end the day is a welcome reprieve after Tuesdays bad-side-of-the-bed wakeup and most of today's un-comfy astrology. There's definitely the potential for a bit of overindulgence. If you're gonna, just make sure to apply some harm reduction strategies and that the cost is one you're able/okay with paying.

Wednesday's Words of Wisdom:

Watch for reactivity and do your best to use kindness and compassion to nudge them in the direction of deliberate response – if you can.

If you, or someone else, isn't able to, and bites someone's head off verbally. Extend grace if appropriate – particularly if the verbal reaction was simply careless and not callous.

Thursday the 30th

A busy day, with Mercury, Venus, and Mars making aspects to slower moving bodies in the sky. The trine between Mars and Saturn, and the conjunction between Venus and Uranus are of particular interest.

Early AM (midnight - 08:00, PDT):

00:27 am - Moon at 22° Cancer square asteroid Vesta
06:45 am - Moon at 25° Cancer trine Neptune at 25° Pisces
07:07 am - Mercury conjunct Vesta at 22° Aries

The early morning may make for particularly ripe writer's time. The Moon's aspects to Vesta and Neptune in turn bring focus and imagination, while Mercury's conjunction to Vesta supports initiating the act of writing, bookkeeping and other clerical tasks (have you done your taxes yet?).

Midday (08:00 - 16:00, PDT):

12:03 pm - Mars at 2° Cancer trine Saturn at 2° Pisces
03:25 pm - Venus conjunct Uranus at 16° Taurus
03:30 pm - Moon enters Leo
03:45 pm - Moon at 0° Leo opposite Pluto at 0° Aquarius

This is not the time for processing emotions. Unless you want to have a particularly forceful, defensive, moody, nostalgia-laced explosive eruption of catharsis to be part of that processing.

Could be wonderful harnessed in a creative pursuit. Particularly expressive and rhythmic arts like choreography and dance, music (percussion in particular). Think of 'beat' and 'beating' as avenues for somatically digesting big feelings: expressing things to the beat of powerful music, beating on your pillows, making beats.

Late PM (16:00 - midnight, PDT):

There are no aspects of any kind until tomorrow. Nary a parallel or Ptolemaic ray to be found. Which is probably just fine after whatever metaphorical power surge is coming with the Moon's opposition to Pluto earlier in the day.

Just Jot this for Jupiter's Day:

We can think of Mars in Cancer as a mobilization of our emotional defenses, and defense mechanisms. Saturn in Pisces as the aspects of hope that give rise to nostalgia and which feel rather melancholy. Already the combination of those two things looks like it could be a real perfect storm of emotions. Throw in Venus and Uranus and it's as if the demands that our relationships adapt to conform to our values, together with our big feels, get pushed over into an eruption or big activation once the Moon opposes Pluto.

Friday the 31st

The optimistic Leo Moon is infused with warmth and support by a supportive trine from the Sun in Leo. Unabashed expression of our hearts can be a way to reconnect with forgotten parts of ourselves.

Early AM (midnight - 08:00, PDT):

The last aspect made was the Moon's opposition to Pluto yesterday around 3:45 pm. As if we're being given time to feel into what the Moon in Leo opposite Pluto in Aquarius feels like.

Midday (08:00 - 16:00, PDT):

10:29 am - Moon at 9° Leo opposite Hygeia at 9° Aquarius
1:28 pm - Moon at 10° Leo trine Sun at 10° Aries

The Moon waxes gibbous and applies to an exalted Sun (the ruler of Leo). The reception may not be mutual, but it's strongly in the favor of the Moon. This might look like a moment of recognition, or an opportunity to advance your cause.

Late PM (16:00 - midnight, PDT):

7:41 pm - Mercury parallel Venus
11:01 pm - Moon at 15° Leo trine Chiron at 15° Aries

There's a underlying tone of relational harmony and social concord that the Moon's trine to Chiron builds upon. Playful authenticity facilitates healing, or at least pathways for integration.

Venus Votes:

Practices like engaging or learning an art you loved as a kid are ways of tapping into the playful, youthful, and healing significations of the Moon's trine to Chiron that are likely to come with the greatest degree of agency; which processing conversations about tender emotional topics is likely to be dramatic if not transformative (one way or another).

Saturday the 1st

There's a brief window of benefic enclosure of just over an hour. No April Fools here, though maybe a good-humored prank or two

Early AM (midnight - 08:00, PDT):

01:29 am - Moon at 16° Leo square Uranus at 16° Taurus
05:06 am - Moon at 18° Leo square Venus at 18° Taurus
06:24 am - Moon at 19° Leo trine Jupiter at 19° Aries

We may not have the best sleep, but at least there's a brief window of benefic enclosure that starts of the day. Just under an hour and half, there's feelin' ourselves, and feeling well appreciated too.

Midday (08:00 - 16:00, PDT):

3:25 pm - Moon at 23° Leo trine Vesta at 23° Aries

The Moon's trine to Vesta isn't one of the big aspects. Even for folks with Vesta or the Moon prominent in their charts, it's not likely that this aspect is going to be felt as a standalone unless Aries is activated somehow for you.

Still, for those attempting to tune into that energy, there's a combination of expressiveness – earnest authenticity – and focus that comes together with the two. This may look like nothing more than feeling centered and self-possessed.

Late PM (16:00 - midnight, PDT):

11:02 pm - Moon at 27° Leo trine Mercury at 27° Aries

Mercury is moving lightning fast. As they always do right after the superior conjunction and preparing to enter the pre-retrograde shadow as they are right now. It may be hard to slow the mind down enough to ease into steady sleep.

This is a good night to be fastidious about sleep hygiene.

Saturn's Summary:

Spontaneous fun and expected delights are potentially on today's menu of life. Particularly for the early risers among us. Midday brings the potential for a focus on expression, playfulness, or maybe even solo creative time.

A flood of dopamine can make it hard to sleep, and tomorrow's (Sunday) malefic enclosure will be a lot easier to endure with a good night's rest.

Have a question for Bear? Want to connect with other astrologers and astrology enthusiasts?

As always, I hope these words find and serve you well.

If you'd like to start a discussion or pose a question to your fellow members (and/or Bear) feel free to post down below!

If you'd like to reach out to Bear directly you can reach him at: contact@bearryver.com

Bear Ryver is a professional astrologer helping his clients hone strategies for grounded growth and embodied empowerment by bringing them back to the BASICS. Winner of OPA’s Most Promising Astrologer in 2018, Bear has lectured at conferences like NORWAC and ISAR. He holds certifications in Hellenistic, Electional, and Horary astrology, and specializes in Intersectional Astrology. He was a teacher for the Portland School of Astrology, and has volunteered as a mentor for AFAN. When he’s not talking stars, or pulling cards, you can find him climbing rocks and playing guitar.