It seems like everywhere I go these days, I get asked, “What’s going on up there?” and “When will it be over?”

My canned response to the first question is that the planets are in a difficult alignment that hasn’t happened since the beginning of the Great Depression. That’s a bit of an oversimplification, but I’ve learned that if I explain in detail as I do on my blog, most people’s eyes glaze over in less than 20 seconds.

There’s no quick answer to the second question. First we have to define “it.” Then we have to figure out which astrological signature is behind “it.” This is tricky, and astrologers all seem to have different opinions. The immediate “it” that I think most people are asking about is the stress and confusion over the past couple of months. I attribute it mostly to the Saturn-Uranus inconjunct, which was exact by degree for an exceptionally long period and therefore all the more crazy making. The source of obstacles and conflicts has been hard to identify, which in turn has made it near impossible to find a solution. Or, in some cases, we may have gotten to the root of the problem only to find the paradoxical immovable object meeting an irresistible force. The Saturn-Uranus inconjunct finally is waning and will be finished by the end of September.

However, we’re still in a long-term stress period astrologically, with the square of outer planets Uranus and Pluto at its base. This configuration is also the signature behind the bigger “it” – ongoing global conflict and in particular the wave of riots and revolutions resulting in the removal of corrupt leaders. There does seem to be agreement among astrologers about this. Indeed, many saw it coming.

As for when this worldwide conflict is going to be “over,” my answer to that is, “probably not for decades.” Of course, there’s always going to be geo-political conflict somewhere in the world, but that’s not what I’m talking about. There has been such a clear pattern to the protests and subsequent crackdowns by militarized police forces that even those with no knowledge of astrology are asking, “What’s going on?” Some identify these patterns as part of the cyclical nature of human history, triggered by technological advances and changes in economic systems.

I believe that’s true, but these cycles correlate to cycles of the outer planets. Moreover, we’re in an extraordinary Uranus-Pluto cycle, comparable to the one that started in 1597. That cycle culminated with the opposition of Uranus and Pluto in 1648, the year that a treaty was signed ending the Thirty Years’ War. I wrote about this back in March 2013. Last week I found an old article by Henry Kissinger, former secretary of state under presidents Nixon and Ford, who wrote that the current world order is based on that 1648 treaty. Now he’s got a new book coming out, aptly titled, World Order. In advance, he wrote an opinion piece for the Wall Street Journal in which he maintains the current world order has failed and must be replaced.

Obviously I don’t agree with everything Kissinger writes, but I simply want to note his reference to an event that correlates to an extremely powerful planetary alignment. That said, he’s no doubt right that a “New World Order” is emerging, because our entire view of the universe and our place in it is evolving. It’s not only the prevailing concept of world order that dates back to the 17th century; the entire basis of Western science and philosophy is 400 years old. It also just so happens that that’s when astrology fell out of favor as superstitious nonsense. The evolution of human consciousness is the game-changer that Kissinger and other old-guard thinkers don’t take into account.

Author David Stansfield addresses this theme in an article for CounterPunch, ironically titled, “What’s Going On?” It’s interesting reading for anyone pondering how the current Uranus-Pluto cycle might play out as dramatically as events in the 17th century. Stansfield discusses the concept of “singularity” and looks back at some visionaries who attempted to predict how breakthroughs in electrical transmission and communications technologies would affect humankind. I especially love his quote from Nikola Tesla:

The entire Earth will be converted into a giant brain, as it were, capable of response in every one of its parts.

Turning to this week, there are a couple of inconjuncts, which add to the sense of chaos and inability to find solutions. The most significant is the inconjunct from Jupiter to Pluto on Friday. The last time Jupiter had anything to say to Pluto was in April, when they were both part of the cardinal grand cross with Uranus and Pluto in an exact square. World events spiraled out of control during that timeframe, which also was difficult on a personal level for many of us.

Developments on the international front this week may refer back to that period, but even though an inconjunct isn’t favorable for compromise, this week’s isn’t necessarily a sign of a breakdown in diplomatic negotiations. It’s more irritation than anything else, and with Jupiter in dramatic Leo, we might hear a lot of inflammatory speech and posturing. This is likely just political theatre, meant to influence public opinion. There also are mitigating factors, which I’ll get to in a minute.

Mercury’s inconjunct with Neptune on Saturday emphasizes the gap between reality and imagination, which will have nothing to do with each other. Part of the problem, as I’ve stated before, is that facts are sorely lacking, at least in world affairs. Absent reliable information, people will make stuff up and concoct all kinds of conspiracy theories. The thing I learned about conspiracies as a reporter is that they do exist, but they are exceptionally difficult to uncover and even harder to prove.

In our personal lives, we know what we need to do to stay healthy and balanced, but overdoing it with the drugs and alcohol and tuning out is too much of a temptation. For some, this could cause a lot of guilt and self-loathing. Beating yourself up won’t help and will just keep you stuck. Gently try to get yourself back on track.

The Jupiter-Pluto inconjunct will have an “outlet” in the supportive trine between Pluto and the Sun. On the world stage, this suggests potential creative solutions, however temporary, to ongoing conflicts. Somewhere in the bravado, we might actually find some real leadership. That said, I see a possibility of behind-the-scenes deals between world leaders and those with the real power – the oligarchs and plutocrats – that might “keep the peace” in a way calculated primarily to protect their financial interests, possibly by dividing up the “spoils.” Under the Sun-Chiron opposition on Sunday (September 7), initial approval of leadership could turn to biting criticism.

The best transits this week are the entry of Mercury in Libra on Tuesday and Venus in Virgo on Friday. That means they’ll be in “mutual reception” – each in the sign ruled by the other, thereby reinforcing the ability to negotiate deals down to the minutest details. Discussions are tactful but truthful; the final product will be exactly what was agreed upon and something everyone can live with, even though they won’t get everything they want. This applies both to international relations and personal give-and-take, even if it’s just who takes out the garbage and who walks the dog.

Incidentally, this week’s image is a 17th century woodcut depicting the Defenestration of Prague, the incident that triggered the Thirty Years’ War. “Defenestration” is a fancy word for throwing someone out the window. Seriously, that is what triggered a war that reduced Europe’s population by one-third. To put it in context, it would be like John Kerry, Victoria Nuland, and Catherine Ashton taking a list of sanctions against Russia to a meeting with Sergey Lavrov and being thrown out a third-story window by his deputies.

By this weekend, we’ll be in the pull of the Full Moon, which peaks on Monday, September 8. All the angst, confusion, and frustration could be precursors to a very productive outcome. Just think of what they might be telling you. Hint: It’s not just you.

Wishing you all much love and courage,

Pat

© Pat Paquette, RealAstrologers.com, 2014.