(3 February 2021)
As the world enters its second year of the pandemic, progress is very
much a mixed bag. On the plus side, several highly effective and safe
vaccines are now being rolled out in most countries around the world.
While there have been significant bottlenecks in production and
distribution, there is a widespread expectation that herd immunity
through mass vaccination can be achieved by the end of 2021 in some
countries.
On the other hand, several new and more dangerous variants of the
SARS-CoV-2 virus have emerged in recent months. The new variants from
the UK, South Africa and Brazil are more transmissible and have somewhat
higher rates of mortality. However, the current second lockdown seems
to have helped to limit the spread of the virus so that new case
numbers are starting to decline.
It is difficult to say at this point if the current lockdown will be
enough to contain these more dangerous mutations of the virus. Outside
their place of origin, the variants are not yet the dominant strain of
the virus. Therefore, it is too soon to tell if current suppression
measures will be sufficient to keep the pandemic under control until
full vaccination is reached.
Planets of illness: Saturn and Neptune
Unfortunately, the astrological influences suggest the very real
possibility of more disruption throughout this year. There are three
potential trouble spots. First, malefic Saturn is due to conjoin the
South Node of Neptune from April to June at 19 degrees of Capricorn.
Saturn is due to station retrograde on that degree in late May and thus
the conjunction will last for an unusually long time.
The combined symbolism of Saturn and Neptune is decidedly difficult.
Saturn represents obstacles, disappointment and suffering, while Neptune
symbolizes illness, weakness and liquids. This is a very appropriate
combination for pandemics as Saturn also conjoined the Neptune node in
June 1918 during the first wave of the Spanish flu.
The second potential problem is that Saturn (12 Capricorn) is due to
form a significant 45 degree alignment with Neptune (27 Aquarius) in
September and October. Here again, Saturn will station at 12 Capricorn
and thus provide an unusually long time period for the negative
energies of both planets to resonate. We will recall that a similar
Saturn-Neptune aspect was prominent in the New Year's horoscope for 2020 and may well have foretold the pandemic.
Thirdly, the horoscope of President Joe Biden is heavily afflicted by
the Saturn retrograde station in May. As president, Biden's chart takes
on a special significance for the US as a whole, and by extension, for
the world. Saturn (19 Capricorn) will station in an exact square with
Biden's Mars at 19 Libra. Like all planets, Mars has both natural and
temporal significations. By its intrinsic nature, Mars represents
conflict and war, of course, but Mars' rulership over the 1st and 6th
houses in his chart also offers other possible meanings for this
Saturn-Mars square. The 1st house represents the nation as a whole,
including its well-being, while the 6th house symbolizes health and
illness. Thus, the Saturn affliction of Mars greatly increases the
possibility of suffering and disappointments from illness.
To be sure, it is possible this health concern could pertain to Biden himself rather than the nation as a whole. However, the simultaneous conjunction of Saturn to the Neptune node is one reason why we could have a pandemic setback. We can also see that transiting Rahu will conjunct Biden's Saturn during May. This is another indication of problems and hardship, either to do with Biden himself, or more likely, with the US generally.
Taken together, these three configurations in 2021 suggest the road back to normal is unlikely to be a smooth one. There are several possible manifestations of these alignments, perhaps including a new, and even more dangerous variant, or a variant that is resistant to vaccination which further postpones the end of the pandemic.
Weekly Market Forecast
Stock markets have been mixed over the past week as the uncertainties raised by GameStop saga appear to have faded for now. Stocks have rallied thus far this week after declining around last week's Full Moon and the Venus-Pluto-Saturn Node conjunction.
Thus far, we haven't seen any bearish fallout from this week's Sun-Mars alignment. Since tomorrow's square will be punctuated by a 90-degree alignment with the Moon, there is an elevated downside risk there. Friday's Venus-Saturn conjunction is a bit of a wild card, however. Saturn is usually associated with declines but this conjunction with Venus also aligns with Uranus and Chiron. These additional influences could mitigate the negative bias of Saturn but I am open-minded about outcomes. Next week is looking much less positive as Mars is again front and center through its alignment with the Lunar Nodes.
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