Astrology of Friday, March 20

I can't ignore what is on so many minds right now - COVID 19. To keep things in perspective, we have lived through pandemics before, although not in our lifetimes. This is a crisis that demands we step up; for most it will be a lie changing event, but not a life-ending event.

That said, it is really important to realize that the number of reported cases is deceptive; we don't have adequate testing to know the actual number of cases. I do feel that Jupiter is a factor in this crisis. Jupiter expands and spreads, and Jupiter has joined Saturn and Pluto during their historic coupling this January. Jupiter has also conjoined Mars, an action planet. And the center of the Universe, the Sun, is rapidly moving up to Chiron, the wounded healer.

All this makes me think we are in a period of rapid transmission of the virus. We are vulnerable, and while it is impossible to know the extent, be conservative and self-isolate. Be cautious. We will not know the extent of the transmission currently happening until next week.

Believe it or not, this disease is a mechanism to bring about social change. Finances and banking were destined to change; any astrologer could see that some time ago. New technologies will arise. While Jupiter is involved in this pandemic, good aspects to Jupiter later this year, and the optimistic, hopeful nature of Jupiter itself, make it likely the outcome will be better than expected. That doesn't mean we won't see real societal change. We will. When have we ever had significant change without being pushed into it by a crisis?

We have to take the long view. For astrologers. or anyone with a planet or point at 20 degrees Capricorn, Aries, Libra or Cancer, you are carrying a very sensitive point in your chart. Transiting Jupiter and Mars are at that sensitive point. Every time a transiting or natal planet goes into that 20 degree territory, you have hit a region as sensitive as a stubbed toe. Observe when that point is stimulated. What is going on?

During the next 1-5 years, the American people will be deciding who they are and what values they have. The virus is just a mechanism. We are breaking down and will eventually break through, but old systems must die because they are broken. Patriarchal power, money systems, health care, to name a few. Who will we be? Let's hope that we value and stand up for each other - even if it is staying away from each other that proves it.