This week the expansive urge of Jupiter bumps up against the contraction of Saturn for the third and final time in the current cycle.  This is the “Full Moon” phase of the cycle, the culmination of a pattern that began in 2000 with the conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn in Taurus.  Mundane astrologers, observing the effect of astrological patterns on nations and politics, connect the Saturn/Jupiter opposition with a crisis point or climax in global political events.

It’s hard to tell right now which planetary cycle is inspiring the political events unfolding on the ground, and I tend to think that Uranus entering Aries, being a more powerful planet in its influence, is primarily in play with the revolutionary fervor that is spreading around the world, including in the UK where hundreds of protesters rioted in London last weekend, protesting against the concentration of wealth and the reduction of goods and services for the common man.  This is very Uranian and a harbinger of what is to come over the next few years as Uranus and Pluto align in square formation.

Jupiter/Saturn alignments are often significators of financial adjustments, but stock market indices are relatively stable at the moment.  I have found that the square aspect (90 degrees) is usually more problematic than the opposition.  Oppositions create a tension, but the tension can be balanced and does not always necessitate a crisis for resolution.

However, with Mercury turning retrograde on March 30th, we are in the shadow of the retrograde which could bring about a downturn in the market.  Uranus in Aries is quite volatile anyway, and it won’t take much inspiration to create havoc in financial markets and stocks.  The retrograde turn of Mercury generally is tied to sudden reversals in the global markets.

It won’t help that Venus conjoins Chiron tomorrow and our values and the things we hold dear (Venus) are challenged by the necessity to bring healing and wisdom into our lives (Chiron).  Balance here is the key, but this is probably not the best time to get swept away in a fever of unrealistic optimism. At least not until the retrograde Mercury period is over!