How did we get here?

The Coronavirus pandemic is the catalyst to bring about the huge shifts heralded by the recent Saturn/Pluto conjunction (12/13th Jan 2020).

Neptune (Virus) in Pisces has been trailing behind Saturn/Pluto in Capricorn by sextile (by sign/degree) for most of last year and also 2020.

This great shift is also the preparation for the onset of the new era of Saturn/Jupiter entering the Air element after 200 years in Earth.

For the here and now, we need to “manage” the global pandemic.

I am using mundane astrology, and the whole sign house Aries Ingress chart, to assist in the interpretation of managing this watershed event and also highlighting how Australia managed to “flatten the curve”.

Chart standouts

The Aries Ingress is a strong chart. All planets are in the upper hemisphere – a bundle formation, telling us that its “all happening out there”. Perhaps we should all go within, self-isolate, to the lower hemisphere to get away from it all!

The chart has a predominance of Cardinal signs, in the Earth element, and Angular placements, giving us the message, to take concrete action, regarding the energies coming in on us.

Ruler of 6^th house (Epidemics, workers, health system) is Jupiter in Capricorn, in fall in 7th house. Jupiter conjoins with exalted Mars in Capricorn.

Domicile Venus in Taurus in 10th house, trines conjoined Mars/Jupiter in 7th.

These angular aspects tell a potent story..

Movement of Mars, Jupiter leading up to and beyond 20 March

Strategies to curb/contain spread are  implemented

•Virus has reached us – spread mainly through opened/activated portal of 7^th house ruled by Saturn.  Arriving travellers from overseas.

•Mars conjoined with Jupiter accelerates the spread.. numbers increase with the approaching conjunction.

•Mars the ruler of MC, the government takes action, things happen quickly (Mars).

•National Cabinet created – akin to War Cabinet, around 13th March during formation of Ingress conjunction.

•Strict social distancing, social venues shut down, overseas travel bans, borders are closed.

Venus in Taurus trine Jupiter/Mars

•Domicile Venus in 11^th house representing Parliament and aspirations of Government, trine Jupiter/Mars. They wish to avoid a recession (Venus sq Moon in financial 8th) and look after the well-being of the people (Moon). “Lives and Livelihoods” becomes the mantra.

• Government announces stimulus (Venus money) packages, the job-keeper package (note Uranus in Taurus also in 11th). A very unusual move for a Conservative government. “We are all in this together” a very Uranian theme is another mantra.

Jupiter conjoins Pluto on 31st March

This aspect indicates “strong plans leadership”. “Make a Million loose a Million”. (Job-keeper package 130 billion will increase deficit).

This aspect along with the conjoined Mars/Saturn in Aquarius, coincided with the Government’s action (Mars) of closing International and Domestic borders, as well as strictly enforced stay at home/self-isolation, quarantine and case tracing procedures. In hindsight, these actions along with these transits to the Ingress chart “flattened the curve”.

All these actions shocked/agitated the Nation, but as Australia has a Sun/Saturn conjunction in the Federation chart 1 Jan 1901, and with the nation’s Moon at 20 Taurus in a trine to the Aries Ingress chart “Coronavirus Stellium”, we complied.

After all, the Ingress Moon in 8th house presented us with a “life/death” situation. We do face economic challenges, however, the stimulus packages seem to allay any great fears at the moment.

The Sun – the Leader

The exalted Aries Sun, the only fire sign in the chart, falls in the 10th house. It squares the Nodes falling in Cancer and Capricorn close to the Ascendant/Descendant of the chart.

Our Prime Minister, Scott Morrison, had a shaky start to the year with our catastrophic bushfire season. Many were calling for him to step up to better leadership.

As the virus manifested in Australia, the Ingress saw him almost pivot in his leadership style. He became consultative with State leaders, followed the science, and fairly open with the press. He also showed empathy.

I guess this is how you see the ruler of the 10th house Mars working at its best in exaltation.

In Australia the Federal Government has a legislated mandate to take full control over pandemics, under the Quarantine Act 1908, now the Bio-Security Act 2015. So the Prime Minister was able to act using these powers, in a way which is reflected by the “Coronavirus Stellium” in the 7th house.

Mercury in Pisces trine North Node, sextile South Node

Mercury in Pisces is in fall, however a Morning Star, as it rises before the Sun, giving it better condition in a day chart. It’s also sextile Venus and Uranus by sign, and in positive aspect to the Nodes.

Mercury’s ruler is Jupiter and tied into the “Coronavirus Stellium”, so we see very early in the lead up to the Ingress, how travel bans from overseas are introduced, impacting negatively on our highly profitable tertiary foreign students programs (Mercury in fall).

However, during the progress of the Virus, the most controversial issue becomes the debate around “school closures”. Not surprising really given Mercury rules the 12th and 3rd house in the chart. Should children undertake online home learning, or should they attend school? Parents become involved, many withdrawing children on a voluntary basis (Cancer/Capricorn Nodes).

Interestingly, Education delivery is not a function of the Federal Government, being under State jurisdictions. The message from the Government becomes “confused” (Mercury in Pisces in fall). States and Territories differ in their approach, creating up to now, the only sign of disunity to the “National Cabinet” albeit behind closed doors (12th H), but somehow manage to convey a more unified message via their Press Conferences (3 H).Nevertheless, the public is still complaining about “mixed messaging”.

The Future?

The Aries Ingress chart can be used as a predictive tool for the whole year, however, in difficult times it is valid to also use the Cancer Ingress, Libra Ingress and Capricorn Ingress charts.

The most important pattern to watch is of course the “Coronavirus Stellium”. How do the stellium planets move by transit, quickly or slowly? Do they retrograde, change signs, etc?

Until the next Ingress, 21 June, Saturn goes Retrograde in Aquarius on 11 May, Jupiter goes Retrograde on 14th May. The Government is talking about very slow, cautious steps (Saturn) to lift some restrictions.

The Aries Ingress Venus has now moved into Gemini, of great significance as it will remain in Gemini for almost 6 mts. It falls in the 12th H, and 3rd H of the Ingress chart. Will the “Contact Tracing“ App be successful?

Up till now, the events surrounding the Coronavirus, have been described as fast moving and unpredictable. This Aries Ingress with Aries being the first sign of the Zodiac, the Pioneer, has moved us all into “unchartered territory”. We shall all have to step cautiously, taking calculated risks, according to the Ingress message of the “Coronavirus Stellium”.

Stay safe, stay protected.