Although the Corona Virus was first detected in Wuhan, China at some point back in November of 2019, the first death reported in the news headlines was on January 11th - just 1 day before the great Saturn Pluto conjunction in Capricorn. I’ve written about this many times before, but Saturn conjoins Pluto every 33-38 years or so. Every hard aspect these two planets have with each other, whether that’s a conjunction, a square, or an opposition, result in major changes worldwide. When Saturn opposed Pluto back in 2001, we had 9/11. When they conjoined back in 1914, we had the start of WW1. Clearly these two planets are powerful forces that have major consequences that have a ripple effect for several years. This time around, it was the subtle beginnings of a virus.
Although we heard about the first death resulting from Covid-19 in January with the Saturn Pluto conjunction, we didn’t start seeing the rapid spread of the virus until Mars entered the picture by entering the sign of Capricorn in Mid February. Mars is the Roman God of War - he rules over conflicts, weapons, anger, and divisions. In addition, Mars also rules over diseases and being a red, hot, fiery planet, he is also associated with being fast, rapid, and swift. Mars is exalted in Capricorn, meaning that Mars can do its will in this sign and more, and as a planet that is known as a malefic (meaning challenging), normally its will involves conflict, cutting away from things or people, or in this case, the rapid spread of a virus. It wasn’t until Mars traveled to the middle/later degrees of Capricorn that we started seeing the economic collapse.
To give some more background information, when Mars entered Capricorn, he was the 4th planet to enter the sign. Saturn and Pluto had been traveling in Capricorn together since late 2017. Jupiter entered the scene in December of 2019. Whatever Jupiter touches, he makes bigger and more exaggerated. Now, Jupiter isn’t necessarily happy in the sign of Capricorn. Jupiter is a planet of kings, royalty, and gods. He’s used to expansion, granting benefits, offering hope, and lending a lucky hand in affairs. But in Capricorn, a sign that is ruled by Saturn, Jupiter is restricted in his abilities. Capricorn is a sign concerned with security, boundaries, tradition, time and age, conservation, and the down-trodden - those on the fringes of society. It’s a sign that has to do with the boundaries, structures, and systems we rely on in our lives- namely, the government. Jupiter naturally wants to expand, to be generous, to have mercy, and to give gifts. In Capricorn, the main benefits Jupiter can give is from the government and to the lower-class. And to some extent, that’s what we’ve seen with Covid-19. Those of us who’ve been laid off from our jobs not only have gotten a $1200 stimulus check but have also gotten an extra $600/week deposited directly into our bank accounts in addition to unemployment benefits. And we started hearing news of these benefits right around the time that Jupiter conjoined Pluto in Capricorn - from March 22nd - 31st, 2020, signifying the collapse of the economy.
Our governmental systems are being tested right now to see if our foundation is built on solid ground. That’s Saturn’s job in the zodiac- to test our foundation. Pluto’s job is to dissolve; to compost; to break down and collapse, if need be. When our foundation isn’t built on solid ground, it collapses with the meeting of these two planets. Although we knew the U.S. had structural issues, we haven’t had to fully face it until now - until Mars reflected the rapid spread of this disease and the economy shut down. Now, even right-wing politicians are discussing the concept of Basic Income - of each American receiving a certain amount of money from the government each month. They’re talking about a pandemic policy. Universal healthcare is an issue now being discussed. This virus will lead to worldwide changes. Now, we are beginning to see restrictions lifted as Mars moves further and further away from all of these other planets and especially as Mars moves further away from Saturn, the other malefic. Likely come June, businesses will have reopened and life will return to a semblance of normalcy. But, we must stay prepared for what will come in the Fall, because the Astrology of Autumn suggests that we are not yet done with this virus.
Starting on July 1st, Mars will enter into his own sign of Aries. Mars is strong here - he can do what he wants. Normally Mars stays in a sign for about 6 weeks, but Mars will be going retrograde (moving backwards) in the sign of Aries, turning 6 weeks into 6 months. Simultaneously, while Mars is traveling through Aries, he’ll be making a sign-based aspect called a square to Saturn, Jupiter, and Pluto in Capricorn. Squares are 90 degrees between two planets and indicate strife, tension, conflict, and challenges. By this point, Saturn will have moved back into Capricorn until December and Pluto and Jupiter will be very close to the same degree of Capricorn they were at when the virus started taking off. This indicates that we are not yet done with this virus. Although it looks astrologically like things will be opening back up for the summer months - probably June through August - come September 9th, Mars will turn retrograde in Aries and start moving his way backwards. Now, a retrograde Mars isn’t normally a happy Mars. A retrograde Mars is a frustrated Mars, especially in his own sign of Aries, because ultimately Mars wants to move forward, get things done, and take action. Retrograde Mars in Aries indicates a review of events, a slowing down (or stopping), a feeling of “stuckness”. Essentially, it is my take that we might be dealing with another quarantine during the Mars retrograde. This will be between September 9th - November 14th of 2020. At the very least, we’ll be dealing with a serious aftermath of Covid-19 from July 1st - January 7th, 2021. Within that time frame, there will likely be another resurgence of the virus, another quarantine, and perhaps even stricter rules to follow.
I know this isn’t news that everyone wants to hear, but I believe it is better to be prepared for the worst. Viktor Frankl, the author of Man’s Search for Meaning, said that it was those who expected to get out of the concentration camps who didn’t make it. They couldn’t make it because the disappointment was so incredibly heartbreaking. Now, I’m not comparing this to the Holocaust. I’m simply saying that if we are psychologically prepared for crises, we can brace ourselves and make a plan to get through the worst of it. If you haven’t yet planted your own garden, now is the time! If you haven’t established a spiritual practice, now is the time! It is in times of breakdown and collapse where we can re-evaluate where it is we truly want and need to go, whether as a country, a state, a city, your family, or just individually. Please reach out for any questions or concerns.