Mars-Jupiter Conjunction

Mars-Jupiter Conjunction - Ungrounded Optimism

"There must be darkness to see the stars. The dance is always danced above the hollow place, above the terrible abyss."

— Ursula K. LeGuini

The work to be done this week has us focused on understanding and unwinding the intense and transformational energies that were unleashed under the Capricorn Full Moon (3:16 AM PDT 29° Capricorn/Cancer) that occurred at the very beginning of last week. We should not forget that there was extremely strong Neptunian energy that was infused into the strong transformational energy of Pluto and the highly disruptive energy of Mars and Uranus — all wrapped up into the Full Moon's imprint. Our inspiration has been highly charged by Neptune but there is little clarity or much real, tangible, substantive progress that we can clearly see. Mars arrived in Gemini just before last week's Full Moon and will head towards expansive, 'expectation raising' Jupiter all week. Mars will not actually complete the conjunction with Jupiter until August 14th. That Mars-Jupiter conjunction will be ruled by a retrograding Mercury, further suggesting unreliable expectations. Such expectations may be raised to extreme levels this week — especially if we aren't able to check or control the 'Leo-nian' pride in this environment. The Leo pride has the potential to encourage us to cut ourselves off from the support that we don't want to acknowledge that we need. Such support would help us to keep our expectations in line with tangible reality. There are, in fact, valuable gifts that are offered this week but these gifts aren't likely to be what any pride-filled, inflated expectations have us looking for. The actual gifts which are offered this week will be found in quietly shared 'pearls of wisdom', expanded perspectives and deep compassion. But there is real danger that many of us will find ourselves focused solely on the unrealistic expectations for tangible, material developments. We will need to remember that we are heading towards the 'dark of the Moon'. A Leo New Moon ( 4:12 AM PDT 12° Leo) will occur at the beginning of next week, on August 4th, just as Mercury is stationing to go retrograde (until August 28th). There is little clarity or light that is offered to guide our way. The promising key developments this week are centered on expanded perspectives and increased compassion and understanding. If we are only looking to find quick, tangible, material, mundane 'goodies', our expectations are likely to be dashed. What we are offered this week is profound spiritual growth but not the kind of material progress that some may be looking for. Clarity and tangible, material progress will eventual come through the process that we are continuing to move through. This week's gifts are incredibly valuable but we will need to be alert in order to recognize them.

High energy could quickly turn into recklessness on Sunday. There is strong Leo pride on display that may blind us to our connection to those around us. There is a clear need for balance on Monday. We may lose track of the need for 'deeper wisdom' and allow our expectations to grow out of control. There are 'pearls of wisdom' available on Tuesday but not if we've put ourselves 'out on a limb' with inflated expectations. Impatience may quickly derail any forward progress. The amiable atmosphere on Wednesday may cover up an undercurrent of impatience and even hostility. Our focus shifts on Thursday and we may find ourselves emotionally vulnerable to manipulation and trickery. It is important to stay calm and try to maintain some objectivity. Compassion and understanding seems to come forward on Friday but we aren't able to gain much intellectual clarity. It is important to put 'first things first'. We don't want to try to 'rock the boat' on Saturday. There is little clarity on which to rely.