The Outer Planet Arrow
Pluto has dug deep into the early degrees of Aquarius since last year focusing power struggles in technological areas, especially the accumulation of electronic data and the use of AI. While Pluto in Aquarius transforms our approach to technology over the next 20 years, the arrow it forms with the other outer planets brings the most intensity.
In late May, Saturn and Neptune joined up in the early degrees of Aries. Neptune dissolves Saturnine boundaries like ocean waves erode stone walls. Both planets return to Pisces in the fall dulling the tip of the arrow they form with the other outer planets. While February finds them back in Aries aggressively washing away traditional structures, they won’t benefit from as much support from Pluto and Uranus. As the arrow tightens up again next summer, Neptune will hold the point without Saturn’s help.
Uranus entered Gemini on July 7th moving the outer planets into their first tight arrow formation. The planet that rules surprises creates whirlwinds in the quick changing sign of the Twins. With the support of Pluto in technological Aquarius as well as Neptune with Saturn in aggressive Aries, the winds of change blow strong and hot. In November, Uranus backs out of Gemini for 6 months slowing the wind speed. Its return renews innovation to communications and travel. Uranus in Gemini may also further separate people into opposing sides with the sharpening of the arrow formation next summer.
The Inner Planets form the Bow
With the outer planets forming an arrow pointed at the start of Aries, as planets enter Libra they oppose the tip of the arrow creating a bow that lends its strength to the arrow. Not only will that planet oppose Saturn and Neptune, they will trine both Uranus and Pluto. Instead of looking at each of the individual planetary interactions, let’s look at what qualities emerge when each inner planet fires the outer planet arrow.
Mars heats up the winds of change speeding the outer planet arrow in August. Mars with all its impatient action is at its worst in thoughtful Libra which makes the shots it fires more erratic. Mars, often the most challenging of the inner planets, shows its deficiencies as it draws back the bow. As if the harshest set-up for the bow wasn’t enough, it overlaps a Full Moon and Mercury Retrograde ending with an explosive opposition to Pluto. During one of the most difficult weeks of the year, frustration is inevitable, violent reactions can still be avoided. As a balm to the explosive tensions, Venus and Jupiter are teaming up to offer comfort. Focus on the Cancer area of your chart which brings amazing growth, luck and harmony through self-care and connection.
Venus delights in her home sign of Libra drawing back the bow with love and a keen sense of relationships in October. She releases Cupid’s arrows igniting radical empathy that inspires action and profound change. She launches arrows already dulled by Saturn’s return to Pisces at the start of September. Venus manages to release all her shots before Mercury meets Mars and starts slowing down for its November retrograde. Embrace Venus’ offering of balance and harmony made all the more precious by the contrast to what surrounds it.
Mercury raises the volume of the storm as it launches the dulled outer planet arrow in September. The planet of communication rapid fires stories as well as facts as it reveals secrets and inspires rebellion. Mercury handles Libra’s balance well enough, although the loss of details and decisiveness from being in its home sign of Virgo are sorely missed. The Mercury Cazimi in Virgo on September 13th offers more accurate insights than the current bombardment of sometimes dubious information.
The Sun struggles to draw the bow recently used by Mercury as it enters Libra on the Fall Equinox. With the beginning of longer nights than days the Sun’s power prepares to fade. The uncomfortable Sun wrestles with relationships and self-consciousness, less able to find the needed balance than its usual brilliant authenticity. This year annual conflict finds the Sun dimmed from the previous day’s eclipse. Instead of its usual illumination, the recent Solar Eclipse shrouds the impact of the arrows fired by the Sun. Although Saturn dulled the arrow when it slipped back into Pisces, the Solar Eclipse crashed directly opposite Saturn so the Sun still reels from the impact of the limitations it was forced to face.
Surprise! The Moon has more than one turn at the bow. The lunar cycle moves quickly, circling the Zodiac every month and allowing the her to grab the bow for half a day each of the 4 months the outer planet arrow is in formation. On July 29th the Moon stops firing arrows by noon which may result only in some odd dreams and a difficult morning. Use that brief glimpse as a window that allows you to prepare for the coming conflict. Unfortunately, the 12 hours the Moon holds the bow in August occurs during the day. Emotional responses will be heightened on August 25th compounded by harsh angles the Sun and Venus have with the outer planets in their tightest arrow formation. You may find you’ve got all the feels about the challenges Mars brought earlier in August. Take the time to process and tend your body as both help smooth the ground you’ll travel when it returns in September.
The Moon lets loose the outer planet arrow hours after eclipsing the Sun in September. The Moon rules the limbic system delivering emotional impacts and physical reactions that quickly follow Mercury’s blasts. Picking up the bow between Mercury and the Sun, the Moon adds emotional intensity to their otherwise intellectual shots. Fortunately, the Moon’s final turn comes in October with much easier circumstances. The Moon raises the bow the day after Venus sets it down giving an added emotional and physical impact to the urge for radical empathy. The Moon’s October turn ends by noon just as it did in July. Luckily the Moon then spends the rest of the day with Venus offering emotional harmony.
Uranus’ move into Gemini kicks off the tight arrow formation on July 7th. Neptune leaves Aries on October 22nd ending the strongest impact. While the outer planets will still be close enough to affect each other, the mismatch of their signs weakens their impact. Here’s the exact dates for the transitions of each planet.
Here’s a video about the Outer Planets that all changed signs in 2025, as well as blog about Pluto in Aquarius. You can join my Patreon for free and get articles like this every month.