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During this period Saturn was conjunct Pluto in Aries between 25 Feb 1350 to 8 Feb 1351. It was exact on 13 April 1350. This is an interesting graphic showing the spread of the disease and the timeline as it moved across Central and East Asia and into Europe. It was thought to have been carried by fleas or black rats that travelled on the merchant ships spreading the disease across Europe. It was referred to as the Black Death but also the Pestilence, the Great Bubonic Plague, the Great Plague to just the Plague. The effects were devastating. It is regarded as the most devastating pandemic in human history. The death toll was estimated to be between 75 million and 200 million people. It peaked between 1347 and 1351.

Saturn is conjunct Pluto once again – this time in Capricorn between  28 Feb 2019 to 24 November 2020. It was exact on 12 Jan 2020 when news starting emerging from China that there was a problem. The earliest case has been traced to 17 Nov 2019 and the outbreak took hold in Dec 2019, the epicentre being Wuhan, China. WHO declared this a pandemic on 11 March 2020 as the virus had spread to every continent. Air travel globally has been severely disrupted as the world tries to slow the pace of this pandemic and flatten the curve of new infections.

Astrologically this is serious and needs to be treated this way. The lessons are about taking personal and collective responsibility to create a sustainable path forward. Fear is paralysing and is not going to help us solve this problem. This is a different kind of war – an invisible enemy – a virus that does not respect our man-made borders and boundaries. We need to imagine that we each have the virus and make decisions about our actions based on not wanting to infect others and in this way change our behaviour.

Saturn is conjunct Pluto and the signature for war and or financial meltdown are powerful.

Pluto is associated with atomic bombs, assassinations, bacteria, betrayal, catastrophes, cemeteries, coffins, convicts, crematories, crime, death, decay, decomposition, defiance, demolition, destitution, devastation, dictators, disasters, epidemics, evacuation, executions, extremism, filth, gangsters, garbage, mortality, murder, obituaries, plagues, plutonium, poison, pornography, procreation, prostitution, purging, rape, rodents, rotting, rubbish, sewage, suicides, swamps and bogs, taxation, tyrants, victims, viruses, volcanoes and wars.

As you can see this list is filled with associations we don’t particularly find pleasant. But there it is.

Saturn is a malefic planet – tending towards difficulty. It is also associated with death and endings, but its main message is to teach us about our personal and collective responsibilities and duties. Once again these are not light and fluffy associations – more like burdens.

Saturn is conjunct Pluto (28 Feb 2019 to 24 November 2020) and this planetary configuration is particularly challenging and doesn’t happen frequently making it more powerful.

Previous Saturn Pluto conjunctions since 1900.
• 22 July 1914 to 5 July 1915 – WW1Exact – 4 Oct and 1 Nov 1914 and 19 May 1915
• 2 Nov 1946 to 3 June 1948 – post WW2Exact – 11 Aug 1947.
• 21 Jan 1982 to 26 Sep 1983 – Cold War period (1979 to 1985 – threat of Nuclear War) and Falkland Islands War – Great Britain and Argentina (1982), Iran/Iraq War (Sep 1980 to Aug 1988), Lebanon War (1982)Exact 8 Nov 1982

It could be that the world is fighting a different kind of war currently. Covid-19 might just be what humanity needs at this time. Instead of waging conventional warfare as we have seen in our past history we are waging war against a virus that doesn’t respect international borders and boundaries. We might just realise that we are all connected and in this together. We will need to take individual and collective responsibility going forward. We will also need to realise that we are as strong as our weakest link.

The responses from certain countries in terms of lockdown are extraordinary when we consider that this is a time of peace. The financial disruptions and uncertainties are like no other as this is a supply crisis. With certain borders closed, travel bans in place, schools closing and sporting contests cancelled amongst many other interventions, the implications are vast and extensive.
The debt levels in society are extreme and unsustainable. People, businesses and countries are drowning in debt. When businesses are forced to close and life as we knew ceases to function as it did, the implications financially could be quite dramatic especially for any entity high geared. Debt requires income to service the debt and when the income dries up, the debt problem explodes. We would be naïve to think we have this under control.

The message is clear – we are on an unsustainable path going forward. Individuals, corporations and countries are drowning in debt. With an economic crisis those on the edge will falter. We will need to fundamentally restructure our personal lives, the way business functions and society and governments at large.

I wanted to see what was happening in his chart and it is interesting that he has transiting Saturn (1st house) squaring Pluto (10th house). This speaks about giving up a position of power and authority and finding a path independently. This transit starts in April and runs through until Dec 2020. In addition Jupiter (1st house) squares Venus (10th house) and this describes his desire to seek new opportunities professionally (Feb to Sep 2020).
Looking ahead transiting Neptune will oppose his Sun – May 2021 to Jan 2023. The Sun in his chart is in 9th house (places abroad and legal matters) and rules his 8th house (shared resources/inheritance). This will be a tricky time for Harry as the dream he envisioned is perhaps harder to achieve in reality than he anticipated. There is no doubt he wants to be abroad. He likes being abroad and likes to travel. It is great having access to resources of others to make this happen. Transiting Neptune implies that this access to resources is dissipating and changing. He may even feel that he has been deceived. But with Neptune we need to work out was is real and what is an illusion.
In addition from June 2021 to March 2022 transiting Uranus will oppose Saturn in his chart – this is an indication that he does need to reinvent his income stream professionally.

Mercury rules communication, technology, contracts, travel and cars. These are the aspects of life that may become troublesome during this period. Take time, check details in contractual matters – don’t get fussed with delays – these may actually be in your best interest. If you need to sign contracts during this time, be mindful that there may be delays or information could go missing. Did your email reach the recipient? Was there a hiccup with the server? Was you message understood as you intended? This is classically a time when there may be more misunderstandings. Be careful how you word your messages so that there is less chance of anything being misunderstood.

Back up computers and phones. There may be more problems with technical equipment. What about your house alarm?

Travel details may need to be revised. Once again check details. Allow extra time for delays and unforeseen issues. What about baggage going missing?

Pay attention on the roads – you don’t want any unnecessary issues with your car.

Be patient and use the time to reflect. You may need to be more patient.

17 Nov 1952

Soweto, Johannesburg

Sun and Moon in Scorpio – this explains a certain level of intensity. The Moon is uncomfortable in Scorpio. Moon rules our emotions and responses to situations and connects us to people. This may well describe how difficult it is for Ramaphosa to connect with ordinary people. He always seems awkward in his responses to situations – shocked at this or that. Scorpio is a mute sign – it has no voice. He feels deeply and yet perhaps finds it hard to articulate his feelings. His Moon is also connected to the star Agena which emphasises that this person identifies with some cause which needs to be healed or corrected on a personal or collective manner.

He was also born with Saturn and Neptune conjunct in Libra. Dreams vs reality and wanting a fair and just society knowing that those in authority are doing the right thing and not abusing their positions of authority in society. Being born in the apartheid era which was clearly an unjust system was good reason to want to change the system to a more equitable, fairer system for all. This was the dream and the challenge lay in making this reality. Saturn and Neptune are conjunct the star Spica in his chart adding to his brilliance in this regard.

He was also born with Mars in Capricorn giving him large doses of drive and determination to make things happen. Mars squares Saturn and Neptune giving him the drive and determination to imagine and change the existing system/status quo in society.

Uranus squares Saturn and Neptune creating the revolutionary spirit to challenge the status quo and imagine a new society embracing new opportunities.

This is the chart of an activist and someone that will be very successful in life through shear grit and determination.

Transits

Pluto conjunct Saturn/Neptune – 2019 and 2020 – this is a really challenging situation and requires a fundamental shift in his ideals for the society he imagines. It indicates that the imagined reality is not working and he must not be scared to let go of old models and beliefs around the ideal society and reimagine the possibilities. The dream did not materialise and a new dream needs to be imagined from the ashes of the current destruction. There is an implosion happening and fundamental shifts are required. This is happening to Ramaphosa personally but also very much about the SA he imagined. It has not worked out as planned. He needs to make a fundamental shift personally to create the change required in SA.

Jupiter square Saturn/Neptune – March to Nov 2020 – making space for growth around new dreams and ideals that can create a new reality. This is a time of opportunity even when things look so dismal and delusional.

Saturn conjunct Mars – Feb to Nov 2020 – decisions must be made and taken. Action must happen at this time. Duty to act responsibly and do the right thing. Jupiter conjunct Mars – April to Dec 2020 – giving much energy and opportunity to action matters of importance. This is not the time to be soft – the chart talks about a certain amount of resolve and determination to act. It is now or never for Ramaphosa.

Pluto conjuncts Mars in April 2021 and through to the end of 2022. This describes a situation of no more Mr Nice guy. It is time to get angry and tough. It is time for extreme measures to shift the fundamentals. This is described as a time of being ruthless. Is this when we see what Ramaphosa is made of? There have been many calls for Ramaphosa to grow a backbone – it is time. In 2021 Jupiter will square his Sun and Moon and give him more reason to be positive and optimistic.

We need Ramaphosa to succeed to turn SA around. Here’s hoping he has the balls to do what is required when we have our backs to the wall.

Mars square Saturn/Pluto and Jupiter. Mars in Aries – very powerful. War like archetype. Mars opposed Sun. Sun square Moon. Moon opposed Jupiter. Sun and Jupiter fallen. Leadership compromised. Truth and justice compromised. Saturn and Mars both in rulership. Action and doing what is right. Versus abusing authority and acting with excessive force. Moon in rulership – people strong.

These planets are conjunct between 28 Feb 2019 to 24 November 2020.
The conjunct is exact on 12 Jan 2020. This is a very powerful and destructive force for change. The only positive thing about this conjunction is that Mars and Uranus are not aspected in this chart and make no connection to this conjunction. These are 2 volatile planets – one associated with war and aggression (Mars) and the other rebellion (Uranus).

4 Aug to 19 Oct 2020 – Saturn conjunct Pluto, Mars in Aries, Mars square Jupiter/Saturn/Pluto. This is a very powerful and destructive period. The signature for war is very prevalent. Mars is very powerful at this time and connects to this powerful collection of planets in Capricorn.
Mars in Aries – 28 June 2020 to 7 Jan 2021.

Retrograde planets –

Mars 9 Sep to 14 Nov 2020

Jupiter 14 May to 13 Sep 2020

Saturn 11 May to 29 Sep 2020

Pluto 25 April to 4 Oct 2020

All these players are retrograde during this period too and once they travel direct things could shift dramatically. The signature for war is very powerful in 2020.

Previous Saturn Pluto conjunctions since 1900.

22 July 1914 to 5 July 1915 – WW1

Exact – 4 Oct and 1 Nov 1914 and 19 May 1915

2 Nov 1946 to 3 June 1948 – post WW2

Exact – 11 Aug 1947.

21 Jan 1982 to 26 Sep 1983 – Cold War period (1979 to 1985 – threat of Nuclear War) and Falkland Islands War – Great Britain and Argentina, Iran/Iraq War, Lebanon War

Exact 8 Nov 1982

Data wars? Data rights are new human rights. Data is now more valuable than oil. Data most valuable commodity. Personal data being used without our permission makes human beings commodities. Are we entering into a period of data wars?

The big emphasis in this chart is this concept of service to others. All emphasis is on the role of work and well being in your daily life. Doing the right thing and knowing how to use your power and influence appropriately day to day. It is important not to abuse this power and influence especially if you have a role that carries certain duties and responsibilities.
The chart describes that those who abuse their responsibilities will be accountable to the people and in all likelihood end up behind bars.
This chart emphases the importance of the institutions in our society and the public servants in our country and we, the people, need to hold those in power accountable. The activists need to stand up and be counted. It is time to work very hard at uncovering all hidden agendas and to expose those who have done wrong.
The chart describes the importance of functioning prisons and hospitals for the people. These require dedicated public servants to function appropriately. There is great tension here.
This chart also describes a time of illness and disease – some mysterious viral outbreaks that could be very difficult to deal with. If you are unwell it may be necessary to do some investigative tests to ascertain what is wrong. It may take time to understand the problems. Diagnosis could be very difficult. It could also describe that certain people end up in hospital as a result of disease. Women and children may be more susceptible.
William Lily describes in the 16th C that this eclipse foretells of diseases to the female sex and also sudden, miserable and unexpected deaths to many people, and of dishonourable births and or mean people.

We are entering an interesting period astrologically in the next few years. Jupiter entered Sagittarius on 9 Nov 2018. It will stay in this sign for about a year until 2 Dec 2019. Jupiter loves being in Sagittarius, the sign of its rulership. The attributes attached to this combination are of optimism, adventure, travel, trade and gaining a greater knowledge and understanding of the world.

But at the same time Neptune will square Jupiter creating some confusion and deception. This phase starts on 19 Dec 2018 and ends on 19 Oct 2019. It is exact on 16 June and 21 Sep 2019. Expressed positively this will create circumstances that are naively optimistic. Opportunities to speculate and gain with little effort. There will be a sense of endless positive growth and expansion. Expressed negatively this could lead to poor speculation and mass panic as people fear losing their wealth. Circumstances are perfect for scandals to flourish – ultimately caused by an underlying instability. The analysts may have a difficult time diagnosing the real issues. It is also likely a period of extreme greed and wastefulness. This period was last active in 1936.

In early 2019 Saturn will connect with Pluto. This period is effective from 28 Feb 2019 to 24 Nov 2020. This aspect is exact on 12 Jan 2020. This is a difficult combination of 2 powerful planets. Expressed positively it describes toughness and tenacity , extreme endurance and the ability to be disciplined while working in challenging conditions. Expressed negatively it describes a cold-hearted, hard and unfeeling disposition, with a tendency towards violence and fanatical adherence to principals once adopted – no matter the outcome. This is a very self-destructive energy and could imply the loss of one’s fortune or possessions. Pluto rules death, debt and taxes. A crisis will hit those who have not managed their financial affairs appropriately and are unable to service their debt. The tax authorities may eventually catch up with those who have evaded tax for a very long time. Banks may be forced to stop lending and the cycle of spending may cease or slow down dramatically. This period was active in 1914/15 and 1946/47/48 and then again in 1982/83.

In addition Jupiter will connect with Pluto. This period is effective from 29 Feb 2020 to 11 Dec 2020. This aspect is exact on 5 April, 30 June and 12 Nov 2020. Once again this is a powerful combination. It describes an extreme desire for power. Expressed positively it describes the desire to lead the masses and the need for social and or religious regeneration. It describes the search for justice of those oppressed. The world needs a moral and social rejuvenation. Expressed negatively it describes the pursuit of fanatical gains and the desire to exploit the masses. As the saying goes ‘power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely’. This is described as a period of massive social uprisings. The loss of social status and the possibility of losing all your worldly possessions. Excessive debt. It describes conflicts with those in power. This period was active in 1918/19 and 1930/31 and 1943 and 1955/56 and 1968/69 and 1981 and 1994 and 2007/08. We know what happened to the global economy in 2008. It all started in 2007 with the subprime mortgage crisis in the US. It soon resulted in a banking crisis with the collapse of Lehman Brothers on 15 Sep 2008. Excessive risk taking by banks across the globe magnified the crisis. Massive bail-outs by governments followed to avert a full blown global financial collapse. The European debt crisis followed.

This pressure cooker situation is at its peak between 8 and 24 Nov 2020. Let us hope that the global leaders can avert a crisis and make a commitment to address the global challenges related to debt, wealth and poverty. Citizens across the world need to hold those in power to account. Corruption and excessive greed and waste need to be stopped. Money and power needs to be used appropriately for the betterment of society as a whole. A new respect for all countries and cultures needs to be cultivated. The oppression of groups of people must stop. We have an opportunity to create a better world once we have made some fundamental changes in policy and application. We need dedicated and committed leaders who respect citizens and are working towards the greater good of the world and humanity.

• Saturn finds itself in rulership in Capricorn hence very powerful. This is the authority. Doing what is right and knowing right from wrong. Being responsible and taking charge. Setting limits and boundaries. Knowing and understanding what responsibility is and what it entails.

• Jupiter finds itself fallen in Capricorn – the real lesson here is knowing what is enough. Jupiter wants us to expand our knowledge and understanding of the world. The problems of greed and excessive use of authority will be problematic at this time.

• Pluto finds itself in Capricorn and one gets the sense that this is very much about power and authority and the use of this influence. So the saying ‘power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely’ seems to describe this time very appropriately. One can only hope that all that is wrong with the current system collapses at this time. Those who find themselves holding positions of power and influence who have not used these positions to create good in the world must take responsibility for this abuse of power. This applies to people as well as corporations, institutions and governments.

What is concerning is that Mars (God of War) is squaring this very powerful collection of planets. This is something that should have us all concerned. Mars finds itself in Aries and this is a powerful and aggressive Mars. Mars moves into Aries on 28 June 2020 and travels through this sign until 7 Jan 2021. It travels retrograde between 9 Sep and 14 Nov 2020.

The key planets will all be retrograde during this period. Jupiter is retrograde between 14 May to 13 Sep 2020. Saturn is retrograde between 11 May to 29 Sep 2020. Pluto is retrograde between 25 April to 4 Oct 2020. Frustrations may well build in these periods.

In 1940 and 1941 Saturn and Jupiter were conjunct (WW2). In 1914 and 1915 Saturn and Pluto were conjunct (WW1).

Jupiter conjunct Saturn – happens about every 20 years
Jupiter conjunct Pluto – happens about every 13 years
Saturn conjunct Pluto – happens about every 35 years

It truly does seem like the world needs to take stock of where we find ourselves and take responsibility for our actions and decisions taken to get to this point. One would hope that those found wanting end up paying the ultimate price for their abuse of power and that a new set of leaders can emerge at this time that want to do things differently for the betterment of society and humanity.