On January 13th Jupiter and Neptune are set to square one another. This is their first square in a series of three this year. In astrology, squares are considered to be the most contentious alignments. Even in oppositions, the involved planets are on the same axis, each representing an extreme. Forming a 90 degree angle, the planets of a square are on separate axes. These collisions tend to force issues to the surface. Although Sunday’s match will involve the normally flexible mutable signs of Sagittarius and Pisces, this clash is likely to unearth matters that we’ll be dealing with for most of 2019. So what exactly is involved?

Interestingly enough, both planets are in their home signs. This strengthens their respective characteristics. The friendly, optimistic fire sign of Sagittarius is home to Jupiter, while spiritual, holistic Pisces is Neptune’s domain. Both planets and signs are prone to excess and both lack grounding. The archer of Sagittarius aims for the distant horizon while the shifting oceans of Neptune can be unfathomably nebulous. Sagittarians are susceptible to wishful thinking and Pisceans addictions and escapism. The three squares of 2019 have many interpretations and will play out uniquely in each person’s chart and life. However, they certainly signal a time to examine our indulgences and the soundness of our plans.

Jupiter informs our beliefs and philosophies and Neptune our spiritual essence. The shadow side of Jupiter can manifest in fanaticism, in political or religious beliefs for example. Delusions are Neptune’s shadow. The challenging pairings ahead suggest that some soul searching is in order. Are we practicing what we preach? Are we being the change in the world that we wish to see? Are we doing unto others as we would have them do unto us? Etc.

One last consideration is the company these giants are keeping. It will change during this series. Right now the flames of Jupiter’s exuberance are burning brightly and being fanned by Venus, also in Sagittarius, and by Mars at home in headstrong Aries, along with the moon and game-changing Uranus. This is adding a lot of gusto to our energy levels. Neptune’s allies are in Cancer and Capricorn. The North Node is in Cancer where it is concerned with emotional security, nurturing and care-giving. The Sun, Mercury, Saturn, Pluto and the South Node have formed a huge stellium in Capricorn, where they are supporting a sober assessment and pragmatic action. Fire (Sagittarius and Aries) is an outgoing, masculine element with a positive polarity, and water (Pisces and Cancer) and earth (Capricorn) are inward and feminine with a negative polarity. Thus, the battle lines are drawn. Note what issues come to the fore during January, especially around the middle of the month. The next squares are set for June and September.