August 1st ~ 8th
Just so. Opening your eyes is all that is needing. The heart lies and the head plays tricks with us, but the eyes see true. Look with your eyes. Hear with your ears. Taste with your mouth. Smell with your nose. Feel with your skin. Then comes the thinking afterward, and in that way knowing the truth.” ~ George R. R. Martin ~ A Game of Thrones
Saturn is a planet of leadership, authority, rulers, rulers, laws and the infrastructures of our lives. The very things that we rely on, that support us, and keep us grounded. Saturn in Aries can have something of an authoritarian quality to it. Like a 5-star general, Saturn in Aries takes command and lines up the troops. But when Neptune is involved, as it is this year and through the first few months of 2026, it can undermine, diminish, weaken and mask all these important structures in our lives… and we feel adrift…ungrounded…unsure.
When Saturn the planet of reality is conjunct Neptune the planet of illusion, the truth becomes a lie and the lie becomes the truth. So it is hard to believe what we see, hear or sense. We find it difficult to believe what our own eyes are telling us. Perhaps we ignore what is right there in front of us. But over the next few weeks the obvious will be hard to ignore.
As the people you are accustomed to having there for you, or certain structures begin to crumble, dissolve and fade like so many ashes, it can leave something of a void. And so we attempt to fill in that void with our own dialogues, our trepidation, fear and imaginary outcomes. We simply cannot see where this is all leading, but we’re beginning to get a glimpse. And the uncertainty can feel so uncomfortable. But truly the only way to work through times of uncertainty is to be as present as possible, moving through time and space one day at a time, one step at a time.
As different as these planets are from one another: Saturn’s firm grasp on reality and the material world, it’s pragmatism, and authority vs. Neptune’s illusory world of the imagination, the dream world, our wistful hopes and dreams; These can be reconciled. When our ideals are also practical, when our dreams are actually realistically achievable, the conjunction of these two can be far-reaching in laying the groundwork for fulfilling some of our more utopian ideals. Right now it can feel a bit like all those dreams are being put to the test.
Conjunctions are indicative of new beginnings. All the more so in the very first degree of the first sign of the zodiac, Aries. And so Saturn and Neptune seem to be ushering in a new era. Not unusual for these Saturn/Neptune cycles to begin by first dissolving the old era, either symbolically or actually. And then envisioning a new one.
This Saturn/Neptune cycle is unusual for a few reasons. For one it is in this very first degree of the zodiac. Combined with all of the other outer planets also changing signs, it could feel like the whole world is shifting on its axis, and bringing us all along for the ride. Another reason this ingress of the Saturn/Neptune cycle is unusual, is that it falls at the exact midpoint of a trine between inventive Uranus and transformational Pluto. This is indicative of an incredibly illuminating and creative period of our lives.
We will see the effects of these transits manifesting in the outer world over the next few years. But there will also be times when these transits become more personal. And the next few weeks are going to be one of those times. This is because several of the ‘inner’ more personal planets are getting involved, which then culminates at the Full Moon in Aquarius on August 9th.
Even when Mercury stationed on July 18th for its retrograde phase, it was making a sesquiquadrate to Saturn and Neptune. Even then the planetary gods were asking us what it is that is standing in the way of us living our own best life:
Is there something that you have been in denial about, but now can no longer ignore?
Are there certain truths about a situation that are coming to light, shattering your illusions?
Is there something you did not want to have to admit or face, but now must?
Is there something you an do about your current circumstances? And if not, what can you change in your perspective that will better help you to cope?
On Thursday, Venus entered Cancer, and is now making a square to Saturn and Neptune. This is a transit of conflict: Conflict between what you want to be true, and the way things actually are. This can be a time of disenchantment and disillusionment. We feel unsupported and cut off from what we want, wish or desire, and question what we are actually seeing with our own eyes. At times it seems easier to believe a familiar fantasy, wistful hope or dream, than it is to admit an uncomfortable truth.
Retrograde Saturn is asking us how much we really want this person, this thing, this goal. It will toss all sorts of challenges and obstacles in our path, delay things, even stop us in our tracks. And retrograde Neptune is asking us what we are (or are not) willing to sacrifice in order to manifest our goals. It may seem at this time that we are hard pressed to decide, in the face of what feel like mounting pressures and obligations.
On Wednesday, Mars enters Libra and will oppose Saturn and Neptune testing many alliances, agreements and treaties. Those that are already struggling will feel the strain. Even good, solid relationships will be tested in this weather. And by the time we reach the Full Moon on August 9th, there will be no room for evasiveness, or trying to avoid a situation that can no longer be ignored. Secrets will be revealed, illusions shattered, and things once hidden are brought out into the light of day. This is also when any unrealistic expectations begin to fall away.
As we approach the Full Moon in Aquarius on August 9th we are going to be given an opportunity to see things in a whole new light and from another perspective. In the mean time, be present focusing on what is right here in front of you. And take one step at a time, one day at a time, welcoming in whatever each new day brings.
For this week’s horoscopes, click below: