Mercury’s Square to Saturn is Setting Up the Next Jupiter-Saturn Dynamic

Hey everyone, this is Adam Elenbaas from Nightlight Astrology. Today, we're going to take a look at Mercury square Saturn. Mercury is in the sign of Sagittarius, making a square to Saturn in Pisces. We’ll be exploring this aspect through the lens of the upcoming Jupiter-Saturn square, which Mercury is deeply involved in. We will examine this sequence of aspects and take a bigger-picture look at the Mercury-Saturn square. I’ll also give you some things to watch for, not just now, but as this entire process unfolds.

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This week is your final chance to sign up for the first-year course, "Ancient Astrology for the Modern Mystics," which starts this Saturday, November 16. It’s not too late to enroll, and there’s need-based tuition assistance available at the bottom of the page for those who need financial support. We always strive to make astrology accessible, regardless of where you’re at financially.

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Now, let’s turn our attention to the real-time astrology. Today, we have Mercury in Sagittarius forming a square to Saturn in Pisces. This square is perfecting now, and we could spend time discussing Mercury square Saturn on its own, but what’s more interesting is how this aspect is part of a larger process. Let’s walk through this sequence of events, as Mercury moves through several key aspects over the next month.

The next aspect Mercury will make after this square is the opposition to Jupiter, which will perfect around November 17–18. We've already talked about this opposition in a previous meditation on "Two Things Can Be True," where we explored the idea of Mercury and Jupiter being in mutual reception but in detriment. It's a fascinating combination that suggests a complex relationship between expansion and limitation. After the opposition to Jupiter, Mercury will station retrograde in Sagittarius around November 25–27, and the retrograde will take Mercury back into the opposition with Jupiter. Meanwhile, Jupiter’s retrograde will bring it within three degrees of Saturn, starting to form the Jupiter-Saturn square again.

As we move into December, after Mercury’s conjunction with the Sun, it will square Saturn again around December 6. This square will be significant because it happens as Mars is stationing to turn retrograde as well. Mercury's retrograde will bring the square to Saturn into focus once again. By December 16–17, Mercury will station direct, and as it moves forward, it will once again engage the Jupiter-Saturn square. This is an important moment because, as Mercury picks up speed, it will connect with both Jupiter and Saturn in the final days of December. Mercury will oppose Jupiter around December 26 and square Saturn around December 27.

The dynamics of the Mercury-Jupiter-Saturn T-square will be in full force by Christmas Eve, December 24. As these aspects perfect, it will be significant to track Mercury’s role in this ongoing cycle. Mercury’s movements—its retrograde and its aspects to Jupiter and Saturn—are key to understanding the larger themes of this cycle, which you should track through the mutable signs in your own birth chart (Sagittarius, Gemini, and Pisces).

We’ve already seen Jupiter-Saturn squares earlier this year, but this current square is unfolding within an ongoing Mercury retrograde, which makes it especially important. The retrograde suggests that the themes of this square can be tracked through Mercury’s movements. This gives us a unique perspective on the square and invites us to pay attention to the entire sequence of events, not just the moment of the square itself.

To summarize the key dates: Today, we’re experiencing the first Mercury-Saturn square. The next event is the opposition between Mercury and Jupiter on November 17–18. Mercury

I would watch for these transits to coincide with a reworking or examination of our beliefs and philosophical positions. This is something to consider as we move toward the end of the year while these dynamics unfold. The second thing to note is the potential for a new strategy, idea, or approach, and the slow, gradual implementation of these ideas in various aspects of life. This could involve business, relationships, parenting, or personal crafts and skills. Given the dynamics between the three planets and the Jupiter-Saturn square, this period could suggest a shift in how we approach things or a new idea guiding our actions. This is a process that could also have roots in Pluto's placement at the zero-degree of Aquarius, which is significant in our personal charts.

Another key possibility is major revisions to existing systems or structures, rather than entirely new systems. These revisions would typically be informed by a change in approach, value, or philosophy. For example, changes to a business model or shifts in how we approach personal growth could fall under this theme. These changes might not be about creating something entirely new but refining what already exists, making adjustments to improve functionality or effectiveness.

The fourth point to watch for involves conflicts of values or ideas. For instance, in the legal system, how we interpret laws often leads to debates about their intended meaning or application in specific situations. This is a good analogy for what might arise for us now, where differing beliefs or opinions come into play. There may be conflicts about how we should move forward from here, whether in personal, professional, or societal contexts. These conflicts are meaningful and can be part of a larger process of revision, especially when it comes to institutions or beliefs. The conflicts may take the form of debates, where differing perspectives must be worked through. This could involve opposing ideas about the future of a business, relationship, or even personal life.

The fifth thing to watch for is transitions between different eras or periods. These transitions often happen within systems, structures, or even personal paradigms. For example, as a parent, transitions are crucial, and even the smallest transitions, like a car ride from one activity to another, can have a big impact on how things unfold. Similarly, the Jupiter-Saturn square can signify transitions from one phase of life or societal structure to another, often accompanied by conflict or tension. The challenge lies in creating smooth, healthy transitions during times of change. Understanding how to navigate these transitions—whether they are personal, professional, or societal—is key.

The people most affected by these dynamics are likely those with planets around 15 degrees of the mutable signs (Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius, and Pisces). If you have planets near 13 or 14 degrees of these signs, you may feel this transit more dramatically. People with planets at zero degrees of the fixed signs may also feel this influence, as Pluto is now moving through the zero-degree of Aquarius, which echoes the Jupiter-Saturn conjunction that took place in December 2020.

This transit is not just about the current moment but reflects broader shifts that have been building for some time. By tracking the Jupiter-Saturn square and its connections to Mercury, we can gain a better understanding of how structural, systematic, and paradigmatic shifts are unfolding. These shifts are often subtle, especially in our personal lives, where we may not always notice the changing of our attitudes, beliefs, and outlooks. Ancient philosophers warned that if we don't examine our lives consciously, our beliefs can be shaped unconsciously. While we don’t need to be constantly aware, it's important now to pay attention to how our ideas, values, and life structures are being subtly remade.

For me, it’s been fascinating to track this in my own chart, particularly looking at the houses of Pisces, Gemini, and Aquarius, where Pluto is entering. If you're tracking these changes in your own life, these transits offer an opportunity to see how shifting beliefs and structures are impacting your life at a deeper level.

That's it for today. After I sign off, there will be an informational video about the upcoming Year 1 program, which begins this weekend. It's not too late to register, so make sure to do so if you're interested. And remember, we offer need-based tuition assistance for those who need it. The video will tell you more about the program, and I hope to see some of you in class this weekend. Take care and talk soon!