Later the Moon exalted in Taurus, once again trines Saturn dignified in Capricorn. This sounds reasonably positive, in a dour kind of way. As Taurus is the sign of money, finance and security, these issues could be affected more beneficially.
The general Taurean lunar mood will be of steadiness, encouraging us to appreciate the good things of life, though as the trine applies, maybe particularly for Taureans and Cancerians, there will be a more serious air as the weekend starts, which will encourage the acceptance of duty and conducting oneself in more responsible ways – not exactly weekend party time.
Loosen the air
Nevertheless, with Venus in Gemini and Jupiter retrograde in Sagittarius in their loose opposition, social conviviality, plus encouragement towards a more philosophical appreciation of life, will continue to loosen the air somewhat.
However, later the Moon trines Pluto once again; there is potential for more changeful happenings, maybe something ‘underground’ from fall out from political situations, which could easily turn out to be beneficial.
Mary Cassatt seated in a chair with an umbrella. Verso reads “The only photograph for which she ever posed. Courtesy of Durand-Ruel.” By Durand-Ruel –Â The Frick Collection/Frick Art Reference Library Archives., Public Domain, Wikimedia Commons.
Although born near Pittsburgh, USA in 1844, Mary Cassatt spent most of her life in France.
For someone who came to epitomise the ‘new woman’ of the time, who never married, and developed a career of their own, it is perhaps no surprise that we find Aquarius rising in her chart.
Aquarius is independent, freedom loving and likes to break new ground, yet can remain quite conservative at heart. This is shown in many aspects of her life. One of her primary subjects was women and their relationship to children, a traditional, genre.
The new feminine
Interestingly as well, we find Neptune in Aquarius in the first house. Neptune I equate with femininity and in Aquarius this is coloured by looking at it in new, independent spirit.
She clearly identified with this. Neptune’s quite tight trine aspect with Mars in Gemini in 5th house, adds much creative flair to her artistic expression. It was fellow impressionist, Degas, who introduced her to pastel and engraving, both genres she went onto master, testifying to her latent abilities.
Mother and Child Before a Pool By Mary Cassatt – Online Collection of Brooklyn Museum; Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 46.106_transpc002.jpg, Public Domain, Wikimedia Commons.
Professional opposition
We also find Saturn quite close to her ascendant in opposition to the Moon in Leo in the 7th house. Saturn here indicates caution and her strong moral fibre, but the opposition to the Moon reveals troubles and frustrations in her life, particularly within herself, in relationships and professional life. The Moon in Leo in itself is naturally creative and artistic.
Both the Moon and Saturn are in good aspect to Uranus in Aries in the 2nd house, further supporting her kind of organic, sensible way of breaking new ground by truly living the part of the ‘new woman’.
Creative releases
Also, Saturn’s trine to Mercury in the 5th house, shows an easy creative release for her through something which is manually dexterous, like painting. Mercury also in good aspect the Moon in Leo supports this release function through some kind of creativity.
Finally, I come to Venus, essentially unaspected in Cancer in the 6th house of work. I found this a little surprising at first, though a prominent Venus isn’t a necessarily a prerequisite for artistic ability.
Enjoying work
Venus in Cancer is tender, likes the home and family and is another symbolic representation of what she painted a lot of, women and children. In the 6th house, this is a classic indication of working artistically, or simply loving work.
Also, an unaspected planet can often ‘shout’ to be heard, so to speak. It may well have spoken to her creatively, but is this Venus also symbolic of the fact that she never married, that she was tied to her work?
So in all, Mary Cassatt may have been something of an enigma. She lived the life of a ‘new woman’, widened the boundaries of art through her involvement in the impressionist movement, yet inwardly, she retained strong moral values and a liking for tradition.
Once more the Moon moves into the fixed earth sign of Taurus.
She is said to be exalted in the Bull, that is, she is thought to work at her best.
We could look at it as the Moon finding the most fertile ground for establishing her caring, protecting and nurturing qualities.
Fertile
Taurus, as the second sign, seeks to establish something permanent from the initial thrust of Aries. In the Ram, the Moon can be impatient, angry even.
In Taurus, which is ruled by Venus, things generally calm down and become more settled. A good time to plant and to grow, to get out into the garden, or visit a well established one. Put simply, enjoy the good earth for the next couple of days.
Bad moods
Right now though (am UK), the Moon in late Aries squares Mars in Cancer, causing irritation, exacerbating moods and the emotions, perhaps especially in the home, so best to keep calm about most issues.
Then, as soon as the Moon enters Taurus she squares up to Mercury in Leo, so there may be more than a sense of mental agitation around, probably showing up in areas like communication, the media, short travel.
And then later, the Moon conjoins Uranus in the Bull. Potentially there may be more sudden, even unexpected news about the financial and business world. Again, home and family matters also likely to be affected. Be prepared.
Ciscography 