 There is a lot of confusion on the internet about this transit, and while I do understand the correlation between Venus and finances, it is more nuanced than what a lot of astrologers would have you believing. I truly hate to say it but beware the click baiters who prey on a gullible audience.
What you need to know: Venus is about what and who we value. It is about how and why we value. Most importantly, it is a bar that we set for ourselves in all aspects of life. So when you have Venus in an aspect with Jupiter, whatever this is for you will be expanded. Yes, Jupiter is associated with opportunity. It's also associated with excess and too much of a good thing. So use the energy wisely, invest in yourself, and remember your inherent worth when this once a year transit graces our charts. Many of you have reached out to ask the same question: Is it just me?
Heaviness, anxiety, emotional volatility, and depression that just came out of nowhere. The sense that something is ending without any clue of what to do next. A back log of grief. No, it’s not just you. Yes, our nervous systems are navigating unprecedented levels of stimulation and stress. But there is also an astrological event worth paying attention to. Saturn joined Neptune at 0° Aries, just days after the solar eclipse in Aquarius. This is a once-every-36-year conjunction — a meeting between two archetypes that operate in radically different ways as Saturn governs structure, boundaries, accountability, and consequence. And Neptune governs dreams, illusions, spirituality, and dissolution. When they merge at the very first degree of the zodiac a new cycle begins. Not a gentle one, a catalyzing one. This conjunction initiates a restructuring (Saturn) of ideals and spiritual beliefs (Neptune). It also asks:
Astrologer Reda Wigle described this configuration as a conjunction that can bring “inspired revolution and/or the crushing realization that our ideals are misplaced, our idols are false, and our dreams are built on seriously shaky ground.” That’s the rub. Aries: The Archetype of Individuation. Aries is not subtle, it is igniting. Cardinal fire energy. Identity, selfhood, and primal will. In Pisces we asked "what are we leaving behind?" In Aries it's, "who am I becoming?" On a personal level, this transit can intensify relational tension especially around Aries/Libra themes of autonomy vs attachment. Hyper-independence and hyper-dependence may both flare. Those with anxious attachment patterns may feel heightened need. Those with avoidant patterns may feel trapped or suffocated. Neither response is wrong. Both are protective adaptations. But under Aries, anything that feels like restriction can trigger rebellion. The psyche is attempting to differentiate. To separate. To individuate. This is not necessarily a breakup transit, but it is a truth-telling one. Saturn + Neptune: The Dissolution of Illusion Neptune rules the psyche. It governs altered states, longing, transcendence and confusion. Like a riptide, it can pull us emotionally off center. Saturn brings gravity, consequence, reality checks. Together, they can manifest as:
Neptune dreams of escape. Saturn demands accountability. When these two dance, fantasies don’t survive long without structural integrity. Ouch, I know. Believe me... I know. This astrology is a bummer, but also the truth sets us free. What I feel in my body around this transit is something like a geyser swelling underground — pressure building beneath the surface, searching for cracks. For some of us, that pressure may manifest psychologically. For others, physically, and for many, relationally. We are 60% water. We operate on a delicately balanced hormonal system that regulates mood, sleep, stress, and connection. It does not take much to destabilize us. Add cultural instability and collective uncertainty to a Saturn-Neptune conjunction in Aries, and the nervous system is going to respond. Depersonalize what you can. This isn’t all about you. And it isn’t all about them. Collective Themes Emerging Historically, Saturn-Neptune cycles coincide with periods of ideological restructuring. Systems dissolve. Beliefs are tested. New paradigms attempt to form. I would not be surprised to see:
I don’t practice predictive astrology because I believe in creative potential. Astrology is weather, not fate. And the weather right now is volatile, uncertain, it requires us to be grounded. How to Work With This Transit Being stuck in your head is not the way through. Isolating is not the way through. (Ask a pro) Checking out is not the way through. Neptune amplifies escapism. Some of our coping habits may look like relief, but under Saturn’s watch they come with amplified consequence. Addictive patterns can spike during strong Neptune periods. Instead:
Giving yourself and others grace may be the only real assignment here. Judging, controlling, manipulating, or villainizing will likely backfire under Aries. The soul is attempting to know itself more honestly. Curiosity and humility are more useful than certainty. The Opportunity Inside the Pressure Richard Tarnas writes in Cosmos and Psyche that Saturn-Neptune periods can be among the most psychologically demanding — and also the most spiritually ennobling. They can break us open, refine us, strip us of our illusion and leave something more durable behind. There is equal potential for collapse and redemption. The question is whether the structures of your life are aligned with your deeper truth. If they are not, this cycle will make that clear. And clarity, even when painful, is a form of grace. You are not broken for struggling. You are not weak for feeling destabilized. We are living through unprecedented astrology. You are made of the same cosmic material that formed the solar system. Hold steady, stay embodied, and tell the truth. We’ll walk this one together. I found myself in a new role yesterday for the first wedding of 2025. The event took place at a historic guesthouse in the Treme neighborhood, and my dear friend and colleague Felli Maynard hired me as their assistant photographer. Felli specializes in collodion wet plate process, an early 19th century photographic technique that rose in popularity during that era. Here's a short reel I made for the archive. In Portuguese, the words todo o meu coração translate to "my whole heart." It has been almost a year since I have posted anything here. I began working for a foundation which has consumed much of my time and attention, however I still love to provide my services as a celebrant. If you are just discovering this site, I welcome you to peruse my virtual wedding album which captures so much of the joy these ceremonies have given me over the years. Today marks the 5 year anniversary of becoming a registered wedding officiant in Louisiana, and here are photos I took of my beautiful couple, Claudia and Luciano, last night. Proof that Spirit works in mysterious ways when we show up with our whole heart. When I think of New Orleans in September, three things come to mind- Saints football, Second Line Sundays, and WEDDING SEASON!! Here's a little glimpse of Gina and Kelly's wedding to give ya'll an idea of how we do things down here in the Big Easy. This year brought major energetic shifts, challenges and opportunities. Our personal relationships, finances, and values were put to the test- some resources fluctuated while others tanked completely. Some of us found ourselves reevaluating an approach to living that had been handed down, not chosen, and we saw the cracks in our foundations. We were stretched. And right when it felt as though we might snap, we expanded in unexpected new ways. Uranus’ rare conjunction to the N. Node in Taurus moved things swiftly, leaving us no time to catch our breath, and left with two options- to let go or be dragged- we followed our instincts accordingly. The soul wants what it wants. Breaking old patterns, ending cycles, facing addictions and meeting new aspects of shadow is the holy grail of our collective hero / heroine’s journey. And now we cross the threshold of a new year where it’s time to ask, “What am I building? Who am I building with? How will it serve humanity?” Because in this age of Aquarius, we gotta put our creative thinking caps on and consider the BIG picture. With Mercury’s station retrograde, there’s still time to reconsider, revisit, and revise the blueprint. Happy New Year from the Temple Blacksnake 🖤 With Sun in Scorpio and Moon in Taurus, this eclipse challenges us to face fears around very particular scarcity issues so that we can truly know our inherent value.
Mercury is conjunct the Sun, and it wants us to be direct, honest and clear. It’s also conjunct the S. Node so expect revelations and secrets… Scorpio rules unconscious depths and things we weren’t able to look at before are coming into the light. Because the eclipsed Moon is conjunct Uranus, our emotional stability is tested. How do we find it during such turbulent times? Venus, the ruler of the eclipse, has been rising in her power ever since 10/22 when she and the Sun met in Superior conjunction at 29° Libra. Venus has been doing THE WORK. Her journey during the Solar Eclipse last spring taught us that love and boundaries are interrelated. We can’t have one without the other. Emotional stability doesn't come from hiding in safety, it comes from standing in our truth and showing courage. In a nutshell, BIG PRIESTESS / ALCHEMIST ENERGY. Uranus invokes change, wants to free up what’s no longer meant for us, and with Mars in retrograde, expect to be re-routed… a lot. Patience and counting to ten can go a long way. When the Nodes are this close to an eclipse I can’t stress enough that impulsivity is not your friend unless you’re willing to sign on for the long haul. What we do now has long-standing repercussions & rewards. It's the perfect set up for karmic entanglement so choose wisely. Folks who accept whatever is happening as part of the bigger plan will have an easier time of it. People who try to force or enforce their will while ignoring the signs will have a struggle on their hands. For a deeper dive, book a reading with me. Oooh lordy there’s a lot of hyped up energy out there. I’m here to remind you that regardless of what you read or hear about this week’s astrology, you are never bound to someone else’s reality. Take what feels helpful and leave the rest.
Scorpio gets a bad rap in astrology. Even I’ll admit that some of my most difficult lessons have happened while the Sun was in Scorpio. But at the end of the day, it was all necessary. It’s the season we collectively pick up the rock to see what’s wriggling around underneath. It’s the season we explore darkness and build altars to the dead and dress like underworld creatures and eat roots. The compulsion to see it for yourself, to really understand what’s beneath the surface… that’s Scorpio. This Scorpio New Moon is conjunct Venus and shares space with the South Node. If you have any relationships that feel karmic (like you came together for the purpose of settling some ancient dispute lol) this is your opportunity to let that shit go. Also, obsessive thinking, jealousy, shame, power struggles… let it all go before it consumes you. Time to clean the slate, make room for something or someone new. Use that karmic poo poo as compost, ya heard? I’m probably gonna turn off my phone, avoid traffic, stay home, eat soup, read a book and make some art. See y’all on the flip side. I swear even if I didn’t study astrology, I’d know it was an Eclipse Week. It’s hard to articulate “eclipsey” vibes vs your average 2020-2022 craziness; suffice to say if you are feeling out of sorts or wondering if someone is acting weird, just file it under this week’s astrology.
First, Venus is about to be all up in our bizness, especially folks with personal planets in Pisces, Taurus, and Libra. Venus rules our self worth and everything we place value on. She also personifies how we identify in relationships so when she shows up hard in a reading, brace your heart for an upgrade. On Tuesday Ms Thing aspects the North Node, on Wednesday she meets up with Neptune, and finally on the day of the Solar Eclipse, she joins Jupiter… all in the sign of her exaltation, the archetype of the High Priestess. Meanwhile, Pluto is stationing to go retrograde on Friday and that just adds a whole other shade of weird to the situation. If you feel a power struggle brewing, just don’t. Pause is your bff The Solar Eclipse happens on Friday, and it’s conjunct Uranus AND (drumroll) it’s the eve of Beltane aka peak springtime. Then on Sunday Venus makes one more aspect to Pluto thus wrapping up a weird AF week. Instead of telling you what I think about how this could play out, I’m just gonna sit here with popcorn and watch. I’m feeling some Sansa Stark vibes (that could just be menopause) but like she went to a bunch of CODA meetings, found a good therapist and realized what a bad bitch she was. I mean nothing was more satisfying than watching that dog eat Ramsay’s face right?? Look, there’s a million astrologers out here in the metaverse. I’m just here to remind you that you matter, you’re a bad bitch, and you got this. Again, my Pisces, Taurus and Libra people are in for a wild ride. Buckle up |
