Cate East's Blog

With the stellium in Pisces (especially Mercury), the 29th degree of Uranus, and the Zero-degree Aries Chiron all working together to deliver unpredictable and confusing events, miscommunication, blind rage, erratic emotions, and a whole cauldron of whatever else… how is everyone doing?

What a mouthful! I can’t quite seem to express myself clearly these days, with all this Piscean smoke in my mind.

I wish I could say that the unpredictable events have come to a standstill, but I must remain true to my warning (Cataclysms and the 29th Degree) and caution everyone about the upcoming Big Boss of all confusion and unpredictability tomorrow — the March 5-6 final day of Uranus in Aries, New Moon in Pisces, and Mercury station and retrograde at 29 degrees Pisces.

Just a little more, folks, and it will all blow over soon.

No, we probably wouldn’t die (but of course, it’s not completely out of the realm of possibility). What we can at least expect is a day where anything is possible: Uranus in Aries will not leave without driving home the changes it wishes to impose upon us, and the ultra-flexible, unrestricted energy of Mercury in Pisces will allow for almost anything to happen.

As previously discussed in Cataclysms, there is also an increased likelihood of disasters: earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, fires (especially electrical/technology-caused ones), accidents, violence, or terrorism/warfare. We may all feel on edge, yearning to break free from whatever restrictions we may feel. Combined with the Mercury station in 29 degrees Pisces, this makes the next 24 hours far more likely to lead us into road or traffic accidents, arguments, or other Mercurial problems. Confusion does not mix well with a restless mood.

But what about the Mercury Retrograde? Aren’t things about to get worse once Mercury actually goes retrograde?

That may be generally true, but Mercury Retrograde periods are not always so bad. In the cases when Mercury in direct motion causes more harm than good, such as in its detriment sign of Pisces now, Mercury Retrograde may actually be beneficial, for it allows a redoing of usually erroneous processes or communications began during the direct pass, leading to their ultimate correction.

And so, let us try our best to keep calm for at least another day or two more. And with a bang, we may even somewhat enjoy the last time we will experience Uranus in Aries in our current lifetimes. What changes occurred in your life in the last 8-9 years? Now would be a good time to reflect and wrap up. From March 7 onward, we’ll see a more stable, less volatile energy in our midst upon the opening of a whole new Uranian chapter in Taurus.

Disclaimer: The views and opinions in this article are based on astrological study and do not constitute a valid substitute for scientific findings. The author assumes no liability for any damage arising from the reliance on these views.

(Trigger warning: earthquakes, death, violence, disasters)

If you’ve ever done an exercise routine or crammed for a work or school project, you know the feeling of the “Last Push” — the last burst of energy you let out when the Finish Line is near, that last gulp of air and the last call for Divine help until your task is complete. It can be stressful, but at the same time, it’s also an exhilarating feeling: as if all our life force is concentrated onto a certain point and we are supercharged creatures, almost as if the adrenaline rush has granted us superhuman qualities. Once the line is passed and our mission is complete, we collapse into a smoldering heap, our fuel tank depleted, perhaps, but for those fleeting moments of hustling, we feel more alive than ever.

Like us, the celestial bodies also comply with the same pattern of the “Last Push.” Not going down without a fight, their powers are intensified towards the end of their own celestial ‘tasks,’ and a prime demonstration of this occurs whenever a planet, luminary or point approaches the 29th Degree of a Sign. This is all and well if the planet in question is a personal one with a short orbit period, like the Moon or Mercury, but the effect is much more potent when the planet is Generational. This is because Generational planets are slower in transit, generally leading to stronger effects. Ever had a Pluto transit before?

One of such Generational planets is Uranus, the planet ruling sudden events, instability, electricity, science, technology, intuition, and humanism among others. It is also widely regarded to rule earthquakes since these often occur unpredictably. And when Uranus transits the 29th degree, as it is doing now, it can bring rather potent effects along with it. Let’s take a particular case in the past.

On March 11, 2011, Uranus was in its final day in 29 degrees Pisces. Additionally, Neptune was easing into the 29th degree of Aquarius as well, forming a mutual reception with it. What occurred is probably quite known to you. It was the day of the 2011 Japan earthquake, a 9.0-9.1 magnitude quake which also resulted in a tsunami. Its total damages reached an approximated $360 billion USD and the death toll was just under 16,000. It also caused the infamous meltdown of the Fukushima Nuclear Reactors, whose nuclear waste humanity is still presently trying to clean up.

It certainly had all the elements of the planets and signs involved. A strong earthquake (29 degrees Uranus) unleashes a huge tsunami and damages a nuclear reactor (Pisces: potential energy). It may have even been intensified by the mutual reception with Neptune in Aquarius.

2003, the year that Uranus went from 29 degrees Aquarius into Pisces more than once, was considered the “deadliest year of earthquakes since 1990,” with 25 times the number of earthquakes compared to the previous year.

Now that Uranus is in 29 degrees of Aries, the events may be a little different. Since it is in Aries, we may see a major event relating to violence, warfare, explosions, terrorism, volcanoes, or even fire itself. Be careful with sharp objects. An earthquake is of course still possible. Mars is also about to conjunct Uranus next week, so it could add its lesser malefic powers to the potency of Uranus’ unpredictable strength, and may even trigger it.

The good news is that there is no longer a mutual reception with Neptune this time, so the effect is probably weaker. However, we still have that Mars conjunction to worry about that could escalate any possible conflict.

This is the second time Uranus is in 29 degrees Aries. The first time was on May 2018, the month of the Hawaii Earthquake and volcanic eruption, plus more.

I am not at all saying that only the 29th degree of Uranus can cause earthquakes, but rather that it is one of the periods when they are far more likely to occur. This is by no means an exact science especially with my limited mental capability to compute such things, but take good precaution at or around the following days:

I may have missed a few dates perhaps, but the general idea is to calm down and be more careful until Uranus eases up into Taurus on March 7 onwards.

As for our personal lives, we may see an uptick of anger and hatred among those around us over the coming few weeks as Uranus in Aries draws to a close. We may see more people suddenly fly into a rage or meet accidents and violence out of nowhere. The most important thing to remember is for us to be the better people and not to take part in the violence and anger ourselves even as these envelop us.

This is not a call for panic or alarm. Only a call for caution and mental fortitude. Death, after all, is not to be feared.

This is also a call for us to cleanse our intentions and meditate upon goodness in order to mitigate any negative energies that may beset us. Meditation in large numbers, after all, has been proven to reduce crime and benefit the world.

Stay safe, my friends, and may we all emerge unharmed.

While the Saturnian wave of Karma-slash-misery goes on, we find ourselves amidst a whole new storyline Monday morning.

Well, it’s not exactly new. In fact, it’s a conclusion of sorts to a project we set aside about one or two months ago that began around 11 August 2018. A creative or romantic one, perhaps.

On January 21, a Super Blood Moon Total Lunar Eclipse in 0 degrees Leo shall take place. This is a powerful Lunar Eclipse, the last Eclipse in the Leo-Aquarius axis for this particular set.

Solar Eclipses are pretty straightforward. They are overwhelming beginnings (New Moon) that are faced with challenges (Eclipsed, blocked) and often conclude within five or six months’ time (until the next Solar Eclipse). As we’ve seen in the recent Capricorn Solar Eclipse two weeks ago, the effect is quite direct: often there is a challenging beginning in our careers or life goals that requires work over five to six months (see North Node in Cancer: Responsibility Before Security for more information on this Solar Eclipse). This is Saturn’s eclipse, and he hasn’t so far wasted his time teaching us some valuable lessons in the areas he rules in our charts. Family, home and mental health–ruled by the Moon–must take the back burner for now.

Lunar Eclipses, however, are a bit trickier. They are often endings or culminations (Full Moon) of things that are not quite done or complete (Eclipsed, blocked) and so, unfulfilling. Some astrologers posit–and I’m inclined to agree–that their effects last about six weeks. In effect, it is akin to hitting the pause button on the sign and house of the Lunar Eclipse itself (Leo), to momentarily address issues with the opposite sign and house where the Sun is located (Aquarius).

In Leo, the Lunar Eclipse urges us to temporarily set aside what makes our heart beat. Leo symbolizes our creative impulse, our self-expression, our pride and joy in life. We may have to momentarily leave a creative project, our children, a beauty routine, or even a romantic relationship. It can even be as simple as our overall vitality and happiness. It goes without saying that it may prove unwise to get a haircut during this time–the damage may take six weeks to reverse! The house where Leo is located in your chart, the planets contained therein, as well as the sign and house of your Sun will hold clues as to what project must be delayed for now.

As above stated, the Eclipse event relates to a project that may have begun, or an event that occurred, around August 11, 2018, when the Solar Eclipse in Leo took place.

Anyway, there is a reason why this delay must take place, and that is because affairs of the opposite sign, Aquarius, currently have to take precedence. We are called to be more rational now, to blend in a group or organization, or pursue humanist purposes. The house of Aquarius in your chart, the planets contained therein, as well as your natal Uranus, will hold clues as to what matters must be prioritized.

These can be frustrating times indeed. Who wants to set aside something that isn’t done? As the Sun and Moon are in opposition, we are also compelled to perform a balancing act in the Leo-Aquarius axis in our charts, as well as the sign and house of the Sun versus that of Uranus. If you have planets close to 0 degrees of the Fixed Signs: Taurus, Aquarius, Leo, and Scorpio, you are bound to experience this Lunar Eclipse more strongly.

Thankfully, due to the Venus-Jupiter conjunction in Sagittarius, there is possibly some blessing to be had from this delay, which will ultimately be for the best.

In the end, we may very well rediscover our passions in the face of their restriction. We may even realize our true feelings for something or someone. After six weeks, we are free to find our heart’s calling and express ourselves again. Absence, after all, makes the heart grow fonder.

Great Teacher,

With the recent transits of Pluto, Saturn, and the South Node in your sign, as well as your powerful Solar Eclipse, you’ve made your presence known to us here on Earth.

Many of us crumble under your heel, beset with trial and tribulation one after the other. Our careers are mostly in a state of disarray or instability and nothing seems to go our way. Our Governments are the same, suffering and crumbling under the hands of incompetent leaders. Our bodies struggle under ill health as we aim to meet your stern demands. Our family lives have suffered and our emotions are insecure. Our houses are not homes. Our mothers are not mothers. We yearn for the Moon’s nurturing embrace, but you shield us from it.

How can we feel loved and fulfilled? Around us, there is only cruelty and heartless ambition. Abuse of power runs rampant and the weak are sacrificed like sheep.

You are an insatiable Master. Nothing we can do is enough. The summit is always a summit in your eyes, a point we will never reach. When will our efforts be enough? Are you even worth it? How do we know when to stop?

And yet, in all your darkness, the light shines through. There must be a lesson here somewhere. Great Teacher, it is you who rules Time and Success. You are the Bringer of Catalyst. Only by your withdrawal of all that is happy, beautiful, and fortunate can we know what is happy, beautiful, and fortunate. Only by your denying us success may we realize how much we want it.

In the end, only those that truly deserve your gifts shall remain. And even those of us that fail your tests will look back and see how far we’ve come under your guidance.

(Sorry for being dramatic, just went through a serious Saturn transit. – Cate)

What a month we’ve had.

The Capricorn Stellium, as expected, may have subjected us to heavy responsibilities to “keep up appearances:” public get-togethers, duties, and formalities to our families and homes. Overall, we had little choice but to perform tasks we ought to do, but may not necessarily want to. The Solar Eclipse in Capricorn made sure our paths are set to finish what we have to over the next 5-6 months. For more information on how the Capricorn saga will continue over the next 2 years, read my article on it here: North Node in Cancer: Responsibility. Or perhaps the effect of the Capricorn Stellium interests you more, which you can explore here: The Capricorn Stellium: Stress, Misogyny, and the Police State.

Capricorn, however, wasn’t alone in bringing forth this restrictive energy. Behind the scenes, it had an unexpected helper: Uranus.

Over the past three weeks, Uranus had been in stationary retrograde motion, capitalizing on our limitations and making us feel imprisoned. Uranus, being the planet of liberation and freedom, was in its weakest during this period, and the result, therefore, felt like we weren’t free to do what we wished or think differently from the norm.

If you have planets in Aquarius, you may have felt the most restriction in the areas of life those planets rule (if you don’t, check the house of Aquarius instead). For example, those with Venus in Aquarius may have felt unable to enjoy themselves or engage in romantic activities. Their wallet may have suffered. Those with Sun in Aquarius may have felt unhappy, unhealthy, or unable to be themselves. Those with Saturn in Aquarius may have experienced even more oppressive energies than the usual from their respective authorities or bosses. For better results, interpret the planet along with its house.

Thankfully, we now enjoy the first day or so of Uranus going direct, and the effect is nothing short of special. Uranus in its stationary direct motion is in its strongest. Coming from the stationary retrograde motion, it introduces a rush of liberating energy.

As if blessing this new energy, Venus has also begun to transit Sagittarius, soon to conjunct the uncontrollable Jupiter in Sagittarius. As we all know, Sagittarius is no stranger to freedom, and when the two benefics join hands in the sign, we may experience an additional sigh of relief. Watch your expenditures, though, as overindulgence and overspending can occur with this conjunction. Do not take unnecessary risks in your love life, as well, as more romantic “accidents” can occur in the sign of clumsy Sagittarius.

And so, there are pleasant times ahead. Over the next three weeks, we may very well reclaim any freedom we’ve lost in the past month.

Communication problems over the past 2 weeks? Bad judgment? Over-planning? Once again, astrology poses a possible reason.

Since December 13, Mercury has been in Sagittarius, joining Jupiter in sign for the past 2 weeks. It will stay there until January 5. Normally such a wide orb would not have such strong effects, but Jupiter in this instance is in domicile while Mercury is in detriment.

This means that Mercury is the obvious weaker of the two planets in this case, and indeed it submits to the power of Jupiter. Jupiter is strong in Sagittarius, and in conjuncting Mercury in Sagittarius it amplified the challenging effects.

Mercury is a planet of execution. It rules ways and means, communication, thinking, and application. It is domiciled in Gemini and Virgo, which are the signs it naturally manifests its energies through. They are, after all, very detailed and practical — qualities with which Mercury can execute gracefully.

However, in idealistic and theoretical Sagittarius, Mercury struggles to execute, having difficulty manifesting such grand visions and ideas into reality. Sagittarius loves abstract concepts and big pictures, which detail-oriented Mercury cannot implement easily. Normally, Mercury in Sagittarius alone brings us a weaker dose of this energy, but Jupiter in Sagittarius intensifies this effect.

As such, we may notice ourselves overidealizing our plans right now. Perhaps we dream big and execute small. We may over-promise and under-deliver. Maybe we cram excessive plans in small schedules. Perhaps we put too much hope on something that doesn’t quite materialize into reality.

Miscommunications are likely during this period as well as people have more trouble expressing the ideas and concepts in their heads right now. We are more prone to think now, making verbal expression a tougher feat.

The best way of handling this energy, perhaps, is to counteract the natural Sagittarian tendency of optimism and second-guess our ideas now. Sometimes, a dose of realism is good, and this period is one of those times. Perhaps our dreams and plans are too big for our own good right now and cutting loose some impractical parts can make them more realizable. Mercury, after all, prefers something real and solid to hold on to.

Want more astrology? Check out Cate’s new e-book on how to map your success over the years.

(Trigger Warning: attacks on pregnant women, attacks on children)

Having it difficult the past month? Thank Saturn.

I’ve written about this immense Capricorn energy before, in North Node in Cancer: Responsibility Before Security. However, the pervasiveness of this energy is not easily overlooked.

As you may well know, we have a heavy influx of Capricorn energy right now with Saturn, Pluto, the South Node, and now also the Sun in Capricorn. This puts three celestial objects under Saturn’s rule acting as its mercenaries to achieve its aims, while Saturn itself is strong and comfortable in its own sign. This makes this stellium act almost like a giant bully.

I do hear more complaints now about abusive authorities, bosses, or plain old bullies. While I don’t have hard numbers for this, it does seem like there is less compassion and kindness circling the globe recently. It’s as if everyone is in a hurry to be somewhere ‘more important.’ There is little regard for weakness and neediness as if an all-modern Survival of the Fittest.

We all seem to be swimming in duties and responsibilities now or burning the midnight oil to achieve success. Capricorns, however, mostly seem to be doing fine.

There is also an increase in misogyny, and strangely, attacks … on … pregnant … women as well as mothers … attacking … their … own … children. Cancer, after all, is the opposite sign of Capricorn and often associated with mothers and family. It’s almost as if there’s a hatred of motherhood right now.

Like a stern father, Saturn is in overdrive now, unflinching and unforgiving of our faults.

Over the first half of 2019, we may see more signs of this oppressive energy. I am of the opinion that if we ever will come close to an authoritarian government or police state, the period of years 2019-2020 may be one of the contenders.

In fact, censorship is on the rise now starting with Russia banning memes and the EU’s move to erase Youtube from memory (if you’ve read my post on Article 13, you may know that there is also an attempt to stop the censorship of such major media machines through the #SaveYourInternet movement).

Ultimately, some of us may decide that ‘enough is enough’ and raise our middle finger against abusive people in power. This can be seen in the rise of protests all over the world against oppressive governments. Most notably, we may observe it in the spreading wave of Yellow Vest protests all across Europe. Similar uprisings have been reported from Belgium, the Netherlands, and even Germany. 

In the end, as we wallow in this restrictive, heartless energy, may we all remember to be the light of a candle against the darkness instead of a part of it.

Update: My new e-book is out tomorrow (if you live in the US) or later (if you live outside the US). Success Astrology teaches you how to map and track your success highs and lows over the years.

Update 2: My e-book Generational Astrology is FREE for download only until December 24. If you liked my article about millennials and their astrological basis, you may want to get yourself a free copy before the chance expires.