Update
We are now just finishing the first week of the protracted opposition of Saturn to the US Venus (3Cancer06). The first phase began on July 22 and will peak on August 10, thereafter diminishing but remaining in effect through September 5, and then waxing strong again through October 3. This combination of Saturn and Venus brings some contraction to the US economy and threatens our general sense of well-being. This is also a transit of sorrow and loss, already manifesting in the monstrous destruction and loss of life from the California wildfires. With the current transit of Mars square to Uranus from July 28 through August 1, these fires have been raging out of control and are particularly devastating.
In addition, August 8, 9, and 10 will bring triggers to the Saturn/Venus stresses due to transits from the Moon, Venus and the Sun, respectively. There may well be other events of national interest during those days that are perilous and upsetting for a large number of people.
It should be noted that the very same Saturn transit (July 23 to October 4) is also impacting the Trump/US composite chart, the chart of the relationship between Donald Trump and the US. In this chart, the Sun is at 3Cancer08, exactly conjunct the US Venus, which probably accounts for his otherwise unexplained success and popularity among some segment of the population. During this transit, at least some of that support will diminish through early October.
Next year, 2019, will also see a protracted Saturn transit on the Trump/US composite chart, this time conjunct the North Node (13Cancer42) and opposite Venus (14Cancer25), from August 4 to October 13, 2019. This is likely to also be a time when the president’s popularity is under great stress, and resentment builds even among his base. With the US Saturn at 14Libra48, this 2019 Saturn transit to the Trump/US chart will be mostly simultaneous with transit of Saturn square to US natal Saturn (July 29 to October 22, 2019). This latter transit suggests a significant diminishment of US power and prestige in the world, and perhaps some kind of humiliation on the world stage.
And one final planetary transit of note in the coming month is the Mars station quincunx Trump’s Ascendant (29Leo55) from August 8 through 13 and then again from August 28 through September 11. For a man who is already known for his easily aroused anger and impulsiveness, this does not bode well for those within range of his temper. This transit suggests increased irritability, impatience, and anger, and we can only hope it doesn’t bleed too much into anger-fueled policy and remains focused more on his entourage of devotees and sycophants. Given that the last few days of this Mars transit are simultaneous with the Saturn transit to the Trump/US Sun and the US Venus (September 6 to October 4), however, it seems likely the Trumpian Mars eruptions will not be happily received in the country, at all.