May 2023's Fixed Grand Square: Mars-Pluto-Jupiter

by Jude Cowell

For those who may wish to chance a reading of the following marked-up bi-wheel of DC Horoscopes, kudos! Be brave, because an influential Fixed Grand T-Square of rigid, forceful energies form via a Mars-Pluto opposition across the Leo-AQ self-will axis with transit Jupiter @00Taurus (May 17) becoming the apex planet of the dynamic T-Square of May.

A midpoint picture may be considered as well between the planetary trio with mixed potentials such as 'unusual success, enjoyment of freedom, organizing ability, using extreme measures, publicity, energy and resources to make things happen, and/or the big plan comes into focus' (N. Tyl, R. Ebertin, M. Munkasey). Results from this planetary pattern for the American people will depend on whose 'big plan' is implemented, yes? A kinder Democratic plan or the GOP's sadistic plan of loss of freedoms, barbarism, cruelty, and death.

Now it's true that the Mars-Pluto duo can relate to military and police actions (ex: police state), extreme efforts, and even brutality and primal violence in some cases, all of which now target, or have targeted, American society in a purposeful and violent campaign to destroy or diminish democracy in the US in order to implement the authoritarian agenda favored by seditious 'maga' Republicans - as they follow the instructions of their wealthy domestic and foreign backers, saboteurs all.

Better Call Jupiter, the Great Benefic!

Meanwhile, my personal hope is that apex Jupiter squaring the May 2023 opposition will expand protective functions and moderate the difficult situations, blocking them when necessary, which may be created by the transiting Mars-Pluto opposition, for my objectives via Political Astrology have always been on behalf of the common good and on the promotion of progressive improvements for America and for my fellow Americans - m'peops! And it's worth remembering that the Fixed T-Square's energies, both positive and negative, will pass.

So below is a bi-wheel showing the current Mars-Pluto Cycle (inner chart) which began March 23, 2020 (Covid time of "traumatic transformation" under Trump: his natal Neptune of deception, fraud, contagion at Midheaven, the Goal Point), and the upcoming Mars-Pluto opposition (outer chart) of May 20, 2023 at 11:11:15 pm edt Washington DC (00Leo/AQ16) with 8Cap20 conjunct transit Bacchus Rx rising along with starry Facies (ruthlessness or the victim):

One stand-out factor is that restrictive Saturn @00AQ04 in 2nd hou$e on March 23, 2020 is now affected by the Mars-Pluto opposition of May 20, 2023. Finances seem to be involved in May 2023 (2/8 axis) relating back to Trump 2020 events, and potentials are for 'frustrated goals, those with forceful personalities but limited influence, and/or hard work that usually pays off'. Obviously, mundane Saturn also represents the legal profession (lawyers, judges) along with lawsuits and other legal entanglements, plus, middle management workers.

In Aquarius in 2020, Saturn leaned toward extravagant expectations that led to disappointment, and/or ambitious plans with no real foundation. Positively, Saturn in Aquarius indicates reliable partners, and serious people such as policy wonks and intellectuals with a progressive Aquarian bent. Although we should note that Aquarian energy can be awfully quirky, erratic, and radical when it prefers to be. Plus, with 2023 Pluto conjunct 2020 Saturn, someone's refusal to accept limitations in the past may now be regretted. Is this a reference to Trump's current legal troubles and his recent arraignment in New York and with more charges to come? Lifestyles can be completely transformed under such a Pluto-to-Saturn transit.

But now in Pisces, Saturn conjunct 2020 Mercury in 3rd house, denotes 'struggles with opponents' (R. Ebertin), and conjunct Mercury suggests restrictions on relationships with young people such as students: loss of life in schools due to firearms follows Trump's 2017 inaugural-address threat of "American carnage." Plus, Saturn to Mercury also relates to the current book banning craze of the Republican Party along with their attempts to limit free speech and ideas in America despite the US Constitution.

Note: And if we're feeling quirky enough, we could consider the May 2023 Mars-Pluto opposition in similar fashion to "unbirthdays" which occur 6 months after a birth (or event) date, the halfway mark, when goals should be reassessed and courses changed in order to improve the odds that objectives can be reached going forward. Just a thought!

Significant to the May 2023 T-Square pattern is that 00AQ+ is the January 20th position of US Inaugural Sun (POTUS' Oath of Office, the presidency) and also the position of the current Jupiter-Saturn Cycle which began @00AQ29 on December 21, 2020 (also under Trump), a cosmic signal of a new order starting (a 20-year cycle), and the planetary pair signifying government officials. Then with transit Pluto hitting this degree (00AQ), there are potentials for 'immense efforts, restrictions, separation, and/or violent changes (R.E.). Noel Tyl adds, "major changes; fearlessness; tremendous perseverance; and/or control of the situation".

As for the Fixed Grand T-Square, its energies work out more easily than Fixed Grand Crosses which have a fourth planet involved which complicates matters.

May 2023 Fixed Grand T-Square Implications in Society

Determination to succeed at any cost relates directly to current conditions and actions of saboteurs and malcontents in US society, as you know, with democracy vs fascism, a constant stalemate between liberals and Democrats, and Republicans-turned-fascists, a turn-about no longer hidden beneath the GOP's "compassionate conservatism" slogan of their former political days.

Values are tested with Fixed Grand Squares, and a powerful urge exists to keep hold of possessions (the way the power elite and wealthy classes do - they don't like to share). Obsessions lead to stalemate situations as rigid demands tend to block the demands and needs of other people (debt ceiling stand-off?). Yes, the pattern's fixed energies provide enormous staying power (stubborness) and the emotional stamina to withstand setbacks without giving up. This refers, of course, to both sides of a stalemate. A singe-minded approach expresses within the Collective as goal-oriented folks use these energies for their particular purposes.

Meanwhile, as apex planet and catalyst of the Fixed Grand T-Square, Jupiter must use moderate pressure and common sense upon the Mars-Pluto opposition to effect best results in a variety of situations while taking baby steps of diplomacy toward resolution.

Now all or any of these indications may be cosmic descriptions of Russia's war in Ukraine, and/or other violent conflicts, but for the sake of this post's brevity, that would be another post for a different day.

Recommended for additional T-Square info, and more, is Bil Tierney's Dynamics of Aspect Analysis #ad.

Notes on America's Jupiter-Saturn Square

by Jude Cowell

As we see in the US Horoscope of July 4, 1776 5:10 pm LMT Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US Jupiter @5Can55 widely squares US Saturn @14Lib48 with both planets happily compatible, even exalted, within their respective signs. Yet when we consider Jupiter's expansion principle squared by Saturn's principle of restriction, their square aspect during that era when America was establishing herself must add a measure of complexity to conditions, then and now.

Sabian Symbols of their rounded-up degrees: Jupiter '6Cancer' = "Game Birds Feathering Their Nests" which to me sounds like America's Founding Plutocrats, and subsequent ones through the years. Saturn '15Libra' = "Circular Paths," which can be a basic reference to cycles and repetition, but also to the practice of Astrology - and curiously, this symbol was operative on 9/11/01 as Dubya's plane left Florida and was flown round and round - an attempt to thwart his enemies, one might assume.

Now the Jupiter-Saturn duo contains multiple implications as everyone knows, not the least of which is their status as the two societal planets, plus, all the roles that both planets can play separately in mundane horoscopes. Examples are: Jupiter the banker, guru, corporatist, explorer, military general, philosopher, and Saturn the manager, the senex, the boss, teacher, lawmakers, authority figures.

Additionally, the two planets may be referred to as 'the flywheel of the Universe' due to their expansion-restriction principles (yin-yang!) that keeps all the planets in our Solar System orbiting 'in their courses.' And fortunately for faith-based folks, this relationship can be labeled comforting especially for those who consider that, "Thy rod" (Saturn) "and Thy staff" (Jupiter) "they comfort me."

Yes, it's the Great Benefic vs the Chronocrator, aka, as the 'Time Lord'!

But now let's turn profane and note the planetary pair's effects in Politics - first, the fact that in July 1776, the two societal planets were in square aspect (which on a personal level suggests internal obstacles as square aspects will do and which may signify an essential quest). In 1776 Politics, we could assume that Jupiterian and Saturnian figures were debating difficulties concerning the risky declaration of our independence and related matters on that fabled day (July 4, 1776). A Jupiter-Saturn square implies restlessness, and a tendency to go on to a new project or new phase of an endeavor before completing current matters. Inertia often results as the energies can neutralize each other.

This sounds to me like a description of the day's events because the more complete signing of the Declaration of Independence took place later, on August 2, 1776. So perhaps the Jupiter-Saturn square represents on July 4th a 'shelving' of the matter since there were practical reasons for the delay (and with a retrograde Mercury, a later signing when the planet of signings, documents, details, commerce, and negotiations was moving direct, a more lasting implication for such a document!).

Meanwhile, it's only realistic to admit that a Jupiter-Saturn square can cause misfortune and problems in business and financial affairs, usually through faulty judgment, or, through downright corruption, schemes, and theft. With the square, cautious long-range financial planning may be neglected or be error-filled while a lack of opportunity can affect matters as can bad timing.

However, in Politics a positive indication of the pair is America's tradition of "checks and balances" which has always been an excellent use of these energies - until domestic and foreign saboteurs determined to undermine our government into a state of chaos and collapse, as we now see. Tragically for the world and for Democracy, theirs has been a long-range plan now on steroids since Tr*mp. Timing is everything.

Then on a basic level, over-materialism can be one underlying result of a Jupiter-Saturn square along with ethics and moral issues embedded within a tendency toward over-conservatism such as we see with certain cultish politicians who care more for party than country. Obviously, Predatory Capitalism chimes in with corrupt practices and exploitation which forms an unequal condition in which karmic Saturnian energies overwhelm Jupiterian generosity - with Saturnian austerity measures promoted for and enforced upon the masses while members of the elite and ruling classes enjoy the largesse and good fortune of jolly Jupiter. Autocracy, Plutocracy, Authoritarianism, Dystopianism - we Americans can label it whatever we like but if fully implemented, we will not like it.

My suspicion is that current progressives easily recognize such unbalanced tendencies by "others don't cooperate as they should" and the ever-popular "denial of guilt by responsible parties." Yet we know that politicians cannot legislate (Saturn) morality (Jupiter) but some of the theocratic ones, backed by power-mad financiers, pretend that they can. Besides, role-player Jupiter is also the thespian in their political theater performances.

So here are potentials of the Jupiter-Saturn duo in Politics and Business as provided by master astrologer Michael Munkasey in Thesis-Antithesis form:

"Thesis: The serious side of justice and the law; processes concerning checks and balances; changes in the governmental, religious, or social orders; repression based on morality instituted by law or religion; an expansion within the rocks in the ground.

Antithesis: Too many restrictions on the operation of justice; a judicial system at its breaking point; pessimism about the ability of the police to control lawbreakers; leniency and harshness vie for balance within the overall social and economic systems."

Related is a previous post concerning the Great Conjunction (or Mutation into the Air sign of Aquarius) of Jupiter and Saturn, with their 20-year cycle timing major changes and reforms in society.

A Closing Note: Any reader with more financial savvy than I possess (a low bar!) may agree or disagree with the tendencies noted in this post and it would be interesting to read your on-topic observations via a courteous name-tagged comment left with this post, if you wish. But as always, no ads. jc