by Karin Ugander
We live in historic times and the world around us has changed, once again. We have just survived what was hopefully the peak of the COVID-19 virus and now the war in Ukraine is shaking the stability in the world. How do things like that make sense? And how do you continue with your life when the world around you is uncertain and feels unsafe? Let´s take a walk around the heavens and see if we can find some points of hope and strength.
Pluto – the slow brewer
Pluto is connected to the Greek god Hades, ruler of the Underworld. It takes Pluto about 248 years to orbit the sun. That´s a long time. Just like the in the Underworld, Pluto has its own sense of time. During a personal Pluto transit it can be really hard to access what kind of process is going on without plunging deep into the subconscious. This is where therapy, shamanic work, and magick come in. They can give us keys to enter into the underworld (our subconscious) and create a change and transformation that is more in beauty.
So why is this important right now?
First of all the planet Pluto (yes, in astrology we still consider it a planet) is a key player at the moment. It is right now at 27 degrees in Capricorn (rules, governments). Second, we really need to take in that the conflicts, problems, and anxieties happening now have been going on for a long time. Pluto is a slow brewer and whatever that is surfacing right now has been stirring around in the underworld for a long time. Fears, anxieties, jealousy, hidden desires and hidden motives. But also the longing for transformation, freedom, and unfolding of the Soul. All of that deep stuff we all have a tendency to push down into the subconscious.
Sometimes we get a signal that everything is not as it should be, but we say: Nah, that can´t be right. That´s just my mind playing tricks with me. All is fine. And so we continue with our lives. Until….along comes Mars.
Along comes Mars
There´s a special connection between Mars and Pluto. Both are connected to aggression, war, and intense emotions. In old times Mars ruled the sign of Scorpio (transformation) now ruled by Pluto. If and when we experience a deep and strong Pluto transit it usually takes time. It wears us down. It is like being in the grinder without any hope of getting out. Then when Mars makes a transit (orbit time 687 days) over the transiting Pluto and passes by the position of Pluto, we suddenly get a chance to break free and make our move. It can appear as a sudden explosion, an unexpected event. But in truth it is Mars that is releasing the bigger energy and transformation created by Pluto that has been brewing for a long time. The same thing can happen when other personal planets pass over and by a Pluto transit, but usually not as strong and direct.
Example: A woman was having a Pluto transit during in which she understood that she was living in an abusive marriage. In the beginning of the marriage there was physical abuse but as the time went by it changed into mental abuse and she convinced herself that she was fine, even though she lived everyday walking on eggshells. Every step she took towards a separation was met with resistance and threats. The whole situation escalated slowly. On the outside, the family conditions looked fine and social helpers, family, and friends had a hard time understanding just how dangerous situation she was in. And then along came the planet Mars. When Mars made a transition over her Pluto transit, all hell broke loose for all the world to see. The husband showed his true face in public. Suddenly, there were no more secrets and she got the help she needed to make the divorce complete. Mars gave the final push. (She is now fine and very happy and can´t really understand why it took her so long.)
Another example: A man was living in what he at the moment believed was the right relationship for him. He was happily married and they had children together. Then at work he met a woman he just connected to in every way. To him it felt like this woman woke him up from a spiritual slumber. During the Pluto transit he was torn between the love for the family he had and the connection he felt for this new woman. He had not expected this to happen and in the eyes of everyone else he had everything in this marriage. Should he gamble with the happiness everyone believed he had? Should he follow his instinct and throw everything up in the air and see how things would fall down? Above all, he did not want to lose the contact and relationship with his children.
When Mars arrived at the scene, passing in transit over the transiting Pluto in his natal chart, he walked out the door. He decided to follow his heart and the deep connection with the new woman. What then surfaced was that his wife was having a relationship with his friend and neighbour. A whole lot more than he had realized was going on under the surface.
The time that followed was chaotic and shocking for the network of family and friends. They went through with the divorce with new eyes and new insights. (Everyone involved is now fine and they have all been living in happily in their new family constellations for over a decade.)
Right now both Mars and Venus have just passed over and by Pluto in the sign of Capricorn. On the 3rd of March they all met up at 27 degrees. On Sunday the 6th both Venus and Mars entered into the sign of Aquarius, releasing a lot of energy and perhaps making us seeing with new eyes as well.
Questions to ask: Am I listening to the signals from my subconscious? Is there a big change going on that I am desperately trying to avoid? Do I feel free or limited? If I had the power to change my situation, what would I do? What do I secretly desire?
Pluto entered into Capricorn the 26th of January 2008 and will leave the sign in the 21st of January 2024.
Vesta and Powerful Altars
The goddess asteroid Vesta is at 28 degrees (initiating number) in Capricorn, right next to Pluto at 27 degrees with both Mars and Venus. She is making a good aspect to the north node (the future) in Taurus. Vesta has a very protective energy and is connected to holy places and sanctuaries. This energy can be used to make extra powerful altars for love, protection, and sanctuary for those in need. Making an altar can be just as easy as lightening a white candle standing on a clean surface and asking for protection and peace. Whatever your altar looks like, simple or more sophisticated, making it will be extra powerful right now.
Aquarius – a sign of cooperation and joint forces
Right now Venus (love, romance, harmony) and Mars (power, will, passion) are joined together in the sign of Aquarius. That is a sign connected to big organizations, international work, and joined forces. On a global plane this helps nations and organizations to work better together. On a personal plane it helps us to communicate with those around us. This is a good time to do work together with others, communicate, and share information and resources.
Mars and Venus are also making a good aspect to the goddess asteroid Ceres (nourishment) in the sign of Gemini. That tells us about how important it is for us now with communication. That talking to friends and being part of a larger community (Gemini) can really be supportive and nourishing (Ceres). Remember that things that are easy for you to do might be someone else’s big challenge and the other way around. Maybe you are excellent at baking but find it difficult to write a flyer. So, swap with someone else in the community. By sharing gifts and talents everyone becomes richer.
Mars and Venus are joined together until the 5th of April.
Venus is in the sign of Aquarius until the 6th of April
Venus is making a good aspect to Ceres until the 24th of March
Mars is in the sign of Aquarius until the 15th of April
Mars is making a good aspect to Ceres until the 1st of April
Hope and Compassion
Jupiter (hope, expansion) is now joined together with the Sun (light, hope) and Neptune (spiritual power) in the sign of Pisces (compassion, union). This has the power to create a beacon of light, compassion, and hope. This is a well-needed energy with the power to balance some of the deep transformations going on with Pluto in Capricorn.
People born with Neptune / Sun aspects are many times accused of being too optimistic, light-hearted, dreaming, and too far away from the realities of this world. But this creative, positive energy also has the power to strengthen our wings, allow us to believe in miracles and that everything is possible. Perhaps this is exactly what we need right now? A sprinkling of optimistic fairy dust on our wings, to make us powerful and able to shine in the dark.
The Sun and Jupiter are joined together until the 16th of March.
The Sun and Neptune are jointed until the 22nd of March.
Jupiter and Neptune are joined until the 22nd of May.
Blessings! / Karin Spirit Talker Turtle Red
Karin Ugander (Spirit Talker Turtle Red) is a spiritual channeler living in the south of Sweden. In Scandinavia she is known for the AstroNumerology and psychic readings she’s been doing for over 20 years. Together with her husband Niklas, she runs KaniSkolan, a school of astrology, numerology, tarot, StarCode Healing, and natural medicine. They are also the founders of Alven Inner Ring tradition, a Scandinavian mystery school with roots in shamanism and magick. Karin loves to create magickal oils, flower essences and sigils she combines in her “Karin Victoria” sigil candles and flower sprays. In her spare time she likes to travel, walk in the forest with her dog, and spend time by the ocean. Karin is an ordained high priestess and graduate of the Temple of Witchcraft’s seminary program. Her work can be found on Instagram @flowerpowerwitch and @karinuganderofficial and she can be reached at [email protected].