venus, mars, and jupiter are having a party.
On July 22, we get a Venus-Jupiter opposition at 0º of Virgo-Pisces. Exactly a week later, on July 29, we have a Mars-Jupiter opposition at 29º of Leo-Aquarius. 0º and 29º of a sign are both incredibly powerful, turning-point moments for any planet transiting through them. Jupiter attempts to find the balance between Venus and Mars as it leaves its nocturnal domicile to return to its co-presence with Saturn in Saturn’s home sign of Aquarius once again.
As soon as Venus enters Virgo, the sign of her fall, she locks eyes with Jupiter in the final days of their current stay in their domicile of Pisces, from across the room at a crowded party. The other planets, mostly hanging out in fixed signs, are doing their own thing, and picky Virgo Venus doesn’t like anyone here. That is, of course, until she sees Jupiter’s friendly face from across the zodiac, a much welcome sight after facing down Saturn in Aquarius a few weeks prior. Venus didn’t even want to come to this party, but Jupiter makes her feel less alone in this crowded space.
Venus-Jupiter contacts, even the harsh opposition, are inherently positive. They bring up our desire for abundance and grandiosity, whether that’s something that feels within reach or something that seems entirely unattainable. Jupiter in Pisces, the sign of Venus’ exaltation, wants to support Venus’ confidence. Venus in Virgo doesn’t understand how Jupiter can just befriend everyone without discernment, but admires them for it all the same.
Neither benefic does well in Virgo - the sign of Venus’ fall and Jupiter’s detriment - but both excel in Pisces. Venus wishes she could be as cool and laid back as Jupiter appears to be. Unfortunately, Jupiter was just about to leave. They’ve had a good time, seen the sights, mingled, but are burdened by responsibility and can’t spend much more time living it up in Pisces, at least for right now. Jupiter’s got unfinished business with Saturn in Aquarius. Venus and Jupiter share only a liminal moment, in the brief span between when Venus walks in the door and Jupiter walks out of it. Jupiter wants to make Venus feel accepted and loved no matter the sign she’s in, but can’t do all of the heavy lifting for her. She’s going to have to go it alone soon.
The two benefics talk and connect for a little while, and Venus makes it to 8º of Virgo when Jupiter leaves for Aquarius. Venus enters her own terms at 7º of Virgo, and finally gains a little agency of her own. Though still fallen, Venus has been equipped with the tools to stay at this party without Jupiter’s help, and maybe even enjoy herself while there. Jupiter has introduced her to their friends, namely the Moon, who transits through Pisces and who Jupiter promises is chill, just before Jupiter takes their leave, and renews Venus’ confidence in herself. Jupiter knows that Venus will be able to handle herself and take it on her own from here.
The Venus-Jupiter opposition activates our desire for more. Venus in Virgo’s skill for discernment clashes with Jupiter in Pisces’ inclusive and grandiose nature. We have a chance to lighten up during a time that has felt especially heavy as of late. Playfulness, joy, and affection are easier to access under this transit. Indulge in your desires, but don’t lower your standards just to experience a fleeting moment of excitement. Be careful not to ignore your boundaries for the sake of a fun time.
Immediately upon leaving Pisces for Aquarius, Jupiter is met by Mars in Leo. Mars loves to pick a fight, and his new target is Jupiter, freshly out of their domicile and faced with reality once more. Like Venus, Mars just faced down Saturn in Aquarius, an unfriendly and unflinching adversary that he perceives as always trying to shut him down. While Venus has already retreated into pensive and analytical Virgo to lick her wounds from this rough transit and receive guidance from Jupiter in their final days in Pisces, Mars remains in Leo to face Jupiter in Aquarius. Mars’ walls do not come down as easily.
Mars, to use the party analogy again, is the frat boy at the door aggressively questioning Jupiter on who they know here. “Nah man, I saw you talking to Venus in there. You can’t be stepping on my territory, bro. Venus and I are tight. You don’t wanna go fuck with Saturn again, do you? Because I can take you to them right now. You wanna go? You wanna fight? I’m ready, I can take you!” Mars yells at Jupiter, as the greater benefic retreats into Aquarius. “Hey man, I’m just trying to get home,” Jupiter responds, moonwalking away in retrograde motion. Jupiter doesn’t want to engage, but Mars in fiery Leo gives them no choice. Mars isn’t going down without a fight. Jupiter magnifies all they touch, and Mars’ aggression is no exception.
This Mars-Jupiter opposition is no-nonsense. The Leo-Aquarius axis is all about expression of identity, whether that is fulfilled through the Self (Leo) or the Structure (Aquarius). Mars, filled with the bravado of the Sun, wants to carve out space to be seen and radiate his power. Mars has been swinging punches at the Aquarius sector of the sky left and right, with the unbridled passion of a prize fighter. His need to prove himself is magnified by the Sun, his ruler’s, co-presence in Leo at the time of the opposition to Jupiter, and by this opposition occurring at the anaretic 29º of fixed signs. 29º of any sign is a crisis point for a planet there, a pivotal turning point between one energetic expression and the next. Mars, in his fixity, wants this final battle in Leo to be a glorious one, and will go down swinging until he has no weapons left to fight with.
Jupiter, on the other hand, has hit this anaretic degree in retrograde motion, reeling from nostalgia over living it up in Pisces. They need a calm, quiet moment to regroup. This doesn’t come easily with Mars guarding the door to the fixed axis. Jupiter needs to return to co-presence with Saturn to regain some discipline, something Mars could stand to learn as well. A reality check is required. The party is ending, and it’s time to sober up.
Mars in opposition to Jupiter is a drastic shift from the energy of the previous week. While Venus-Jupiter is about dreaming, Mars-Jupiter is about doing. Any actions taken under this transit have the potential to change the course of the whole game. Spontaneity and drive are amplified, and the mentality is very “no risk, no reward”. Be sure that the risks you take are calculated, as there is a tendency to go overboard here. Playing stupid games awards you stupid prizes. Jupiter’s co-presence with Saturn promises to deliver these stupid prizes if you don’t choose your battles wisely. Direct your excess energy towards things that bring you closer to your goals.
Check in with yourself in regards to the houses that Jupiter, Mars, and Venus rule in your chart, and where these oppositions take place for you. How have you grown since May, the last time Jupiter was in Aquarius? Where do you still have to put in work? Jupiter has unfinished business with Saturn, and so do you. Jupiter is returning to Aquarius to renew your commitment to making the changes vital to the structure of your life. The foundation has been laid, now it’s time to build. Jupiter in Pisces has been a breath of fresh air, but it’s time to go back under the water and dive deep. Jupiter in Aquarius requires breath control.
