FEATURE — Stargazers and astrology enthusiasts alike are in for a rare treat this week as Jupiter and Mars will appear to almost touch in the early morning sky.

This planetary conjunction will peak at 16 degrees in Gemini on Wednesday, Aug. 14, at 9:21 a.m. MDT. Those hoping to see this alignment should look toward the eastern half of the sky before dawn on Wednesday. These planets will not appear this close again until December 2033.

A conjunction occurs when two or more planets appear to be in the same part of the sky and hold the same degree in a sign. When this happens, planetary energies merge and become amplified. Since Jupiter is a relatively slow-moving planet, the astrological influence will likely be felt throughout the week.

Jupiter, known as the great benefic and planet of luck, influences beliefs and worldviews. It seeks to expand our perception, broaden our philosophical outlook and deepen our connection with a higher power. Mars, the planet of passion, desire and drive, encourages us to take initiative and go after what we want. It boosts our self-confidence and favors those who take on a pioneering approach to life.

When these two planets come together, they symbolize a drive fueled by optimism, especially pertaining to themes encompassed by the mutable air sign of Gemini, such as communication, duality, perception, transportation, connection with others and how we adapt to change.

Heightening instinct and intuition, this conjunction stimulates physical vitality and self-confidence, pushing us to step on the gas pedal when it comes to our loftiest dreams.

Opportunities abound in the unknown when we dive into uncertain experiences and take the road less traveled, so to speak.

This Mars-Jupiter conjunction is forming a challenging alignment with Saturn, which some astrologers say could restrict opportunities, cloud vision and block forward momentum. This energy also heightens frustration, restlessness and harsh behavior.

Take a step back and see how you can transform this heated energy into fuel that powers your progress while also doing no harm to others.

So what does all of this mean for you? Find out below.

Aries
March 21-April 19

Opportunities for social connections and collaborations abound, dear Aries, as your ruler, Mars, links up with Jupiter in your communication sector. You could feel that your mental faculties are firing on all cylinders and that you are able to intuitively tune in to others’ perceptions, creating a fertile ground for launching inspiring projects, especially those pertaining to writing or relaying information. Rigorous conversations can clear muddied waters. You could also catch sight of a flaw in your perception that may be hindering your way forward. Acknowledge what comes up, but don’t let it deter you. As you allow new information to integrate and clear away the old, you could experience a massive paradigm shift.

Taurus
April 20-May 20

This Jupiter-Mars conjunction falls in your second house of self-worth and money, dear Taurus. If you’ve been brainstorming ways to grow your income, this week brings a powerful thrust to take steps toward that aim. You’re feeling more inspired and worthy to ask for more. For some, this could be negotiating a pay raise or moving forward with a financial plan. This need not play out in material gain; this is about investing in yourself. It may be that you are letting go of something that has been troubling you or causing you to devalue yourself. It’s time to clear away this psychological trash; it has nothing to do with who you are today.

Gemini
May 21–June 20

Do not let this week slip by, dear Gemini, as this planetary alignment is happening in your sign, signaling significant self-growth. You just have no energy left to lug around parts of yourself that aren’t yours anymore. And as these parts fall away, you feel supercharged to revamp how you present yourself in social interactions, as well as to your closest loved ones. It’s time to ask yourself: Are you really showing up as you? If not, this planetary conjunction brings a powerful surge of self-confidence to be your true authentic self.

Cancer
June 21–July 22

This Mars-Jupiter conjunction occurs in your 12th house of spirituality, dreams and subconscious programming, dear Cancer. When planets transit to this area of your chart, it’s likely you’ll feel a call to retreat into solitude, but instead of going to this place to rest, you are stepping away to take care of your work and health in new ways. You’re feeling more inspired to quit bad habits and take more time for spiritual practices. Pay close attention to your dreams throughout the week, as well as habits you use as a means to escape. Perhaps it’s time to cut ties with some of these activities if the only purpose they serve is to distract you from being in the present. This transit could have you feeling a little more restless than normal.

Leo
July 23–August 22

This Mars-Jupiter conjunction is happening in your 11th house of friendships and future dreams, dear Leo. This is a highly social sector of your sky and relates to how you connect with groups and associations and the role you play in society. This is a great time to go after long-term goals and connect with like-minded people, whether it’s taking a class, volunteering or connecting over a shared passion. As a result, your social network expands. A collaboration launched during this time will carry abundant optimism that further stokes the fire. Just make sure the fire doesn’t get too hot, as this conjunction may also bring about conflicts within groups. Remember that you can step away.

Virgo
Aug. 23–Sept. 22

Good luck trying to avoid the limelight this week, dear Virgo, as this planetary conjunction is happening in your 10th house of public image, career and achievement. You could receive recognition, career advancement or some other type of professional growth, marking an ideal time to take bold steps in terms of your career and long-term goals. This is not a time to blend into the backdrop. With your ruler Mercury at zero degrees retrograde in your sign when this conjunction occurs, you could be feeling a little hesitant about making leaps forward, but it may be due to having an overcritical eye. Shed yourself of this perfectionism and showcase your skills.

Libra
Sept. 23–Oct. 22

Sticking with the tried and true just won’t cut it this week, dear Libra, as Mars and Jupiter’s conjunction in your ninth house awakens your adventurous spirit and revs up your desire for new experiences. The ninth house also deals with higher education, beliefs, philosophy, legal matters and long-distance traveling. This is a favorable time to pursue educational or travel plans, as you are feeling inspired to expand your understanding of the world. This doesn’t mean you need to book a flight to foreign lands; rather, this is about seizing the moment and leaning into what makes you uncomfortable. And amid this unknown territory, you greet experiences with a mindset of exploration, which has the power to transform your core beliefs.

Scorpio
Oct. 23–Nov. 21

Profound change to your finances and bonds with others is on the horizon, dear Scorpio, as the Mars-Jupiter conjunction falls in your eighth house of shared resources, intimacy, transformation and the birth-death cycle. Largely, this transit is about your transformation in relation to other people, such as financial partnerships. Joint ventures, investments and side hustles could excel now. A counseling session or conversation with a close loved one, when you reveal intimate details about yourself, can prove deeply beneficial and catalyze psychological growth. Power struggles or oversharing your resources could occur, so it’s important you prioritize balance.

Sagittarius
Nov. 22–Dec. 21

Love, contracts, negotiations and commitments with others are under the influence of this powerful Mars-Jupiter conjunction, dear Sagittarius. This transit is particularly important for you, as it involves your chart ruler, Jupiter, which signals that impacts will be felt on a deeply personal level that stimulates your physical vitality and empowers you to take actions aligned with your heart’s desire. Relationships could undergo a powerful transformation, and the likelihood of meeting a romantic partner with long-term potential is on the table. But this could also play out in terms of forming alliances with those who serve a profound impact on your life’s direction. If conflicts should arise, seek compromise and open communication rather than getting caught in tit-for-tat confrontations.

Capricorn
Dec. 22–Jan. 19

How well are you taking care of yourself, dear Capricorn? This question underlies the core of this Jupiter-Mars conjunction, as it falls in your sector of work, health and daily routine. You may decide to take a different approach to how you care for your mental or physical well-being by employing better habits to maintain a work-life balance. You’re also driven to replace bad habits with healthy ones, which strengthens your inner resilience and serves as a message to yourself that your well-being matters. Your sign is associated with fearless ambition and prioritizing long-term success, which, as a result, can sometimes mean that you ignore your emotional needs in order to climb the ladder. But this transit encourages you to reconnect with yourself in a way that has nothing to do with material gain and everything to do with how you feel inside yourself.

Aquarius
Jan. 20–Feb. 18

Your sector of creativity, romance, children and self-expression receives a massive boost this week as Mars and Jupiter align in your fifth house, dear Aquarius. This is a time to take a risk in creative and romantic pursuits solely for the sake of enhancing your own happiness. Part of this means tapping into your inner child and expressing your true authentic self. While you already are a sign associated with authenticity, you are not immune to letting others’ opinions impact you. And this also rings true with romantic connections, as your humanitarian nature makes you prone to putting others’ needs above your own. But your happiness matters, too. This transit also favors exploring new artistic endeavors. A tendency to become overly indulgent or ego-driven also falls under this influence, so it would be wise to maintain a level of realistic self-awareness.

Pisces
Feb. 19 – March 20

Matters related to home, family and inner security take center stage as this Mars-Jupiter conjunction activates your fourth house, dear Pisces. This transit highlights your connection to your roots, your emotional well-being and how well your environment creates a place that brings you a sense of peace and harmony. As such, you will likely feel more driven to beautify your home, invest in your mental health and connect with your closest loved ones. Part of this could be taking a closer look at your ancestry through genealogical research. As you comb through the past, you discover parts of yourself that enhance how you value yourself, which could transform the self-image you project into the world. Be mindful that you don’t overcommit to familial obligations that you eclipse your own needs.

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For a more specific outlook, read the forecasts for both your sun and rising signs. If you do not know your rising sign, use this online calculator.

It’s important to remember that astrology forecasts are not meant to be fatalistic. Rather, they offer a window into current energetic influences, so we may work with them and help foster a more wise and loving spirit.

Ed. note: This information is composed by St. George News editorial staff for entertainment purposes only.

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