Ariadne’s Thread: Hidden Conjunctions & The Pisces Lunar Eclipse

There are some powerful transits between the Virgo New Moon on August 23 and the Pisces Full Moon Total Lunar Eclipse on September 7 2025.

But I want to talk about something a little more subtle, yet just as important as the current transits are leading up to the next two eclipses. So, this isn’t going to be a typical eclipse delineation or forecast.

I’m going to be talking a lot about specific degrees from the past where certain transits took place and how they’re connected to the present positions of the planets and are forming “hidden transits.”

So this might be a little more technical than usual, but hopefully still insightful and helpful. But I’ll try my best to keep soul and spirit intact and keep a Virgo/Pisces balance.

The degrees of significant transits from the past are often reactivated in some way when a planet passes over them later. These can be eclipse degrees, station degrees, lunation degrees, personal midpoints, etc. I’m calling these “hidden transits” here.

These degrees are often forgotten about, so when a planet hits one later in time, something might occur related to a past astrological event, but it could seem disconnected from the current astrological weather, seeming out of place somehow.

These transits occur in a hidden space, or “behind the scenes,” so to speak. I find conjunctions to these forgotten degrees the most potent. You can think of them as trigger or pressure points with the potential to reopen dynamics or situations from the past in some way, moving them forward toward resolution or new developments.

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Eclipses tend to deal with much larger intervals of time compared to typical monthly lunations. The upcoming lunar eclipse is tied to the last Pisces Lunar Eclipse on September 17 2024 at 25 Pisces. We also had a Virgo Lunar Eclipse back in March that occurred while Venus was retrograde and Mars had just moved to 18 Cancer — just one degree from its direct station on February 23.

I see these lunar eclipses as intimately tied to the Mars retrograde that occurred late 2024 into early 2025. Partly because the majority of this retrograde took place in lunar-ruled Cancer where Mars is considered in its fall. But there’s much more to it than that. Later, the Capricorn Full Moon that took place July 10 at 18 Capricorn comes into focus. There’s a lot to mine there.

To understand the hidden transits leading up to the Pisces Lunar Eclipse on September 7, we have to look back to the fallen Mars retrograde in Cancer and Leo between December 6 2024 and February 23 2025.

But I’m going to expand that timeframe to include when Mars passed its station degrees pre-retrograde and post-retrograde, or the shadow window of the retrograde. In my experience, hints of what a retrograde might be about appear around that time, sometimes even before, when the planet enters the sign it will retrograde in.

Make a mental note of anything that occurred around these dates: Mars entered retrograde shadow October 4 2024, stationed retrograde December 6, stationed direct February 23 2025, and left shadow May 2 2025.

The degrees are 17 Cancer and 6 Leo.

The hidden transit I’m looking at here, that I’m going to assume is very rare, is a simultaneous conjunction to both of these degrees on August 30 2025.

On that day, both benefics will be at these degrees, as if standing at the gates of the Mars retrograde window.

Jupiter will be at 17 Cancer and Venus at 6 Leo. Jupiter on the Mars direct station degree and Venus on the Mars retrograde station degree.

But to be precise (Virgo), on August 27, Jupiter hits 17 Cancer and stays there until August 31. Venus won’t hit 6 Leo until August 30 and is there only that day.

For some, the story could be rather banal, merely frustrating — maybe home renovations were under way or the HVAC broke down, and in the meantime your family had to relocate to a hotel for a few days. Inconveniences. Frustrations.

But for others, the experience was life-changing. You could’ve experienced something as devastating as the Los Angeles wildfires that took place during that time; the loss of a baby; the loss of a home; domestic violence; the death of a family member; home invasion — anything related to the cutting, severing or destruction of the Cancerian parts of life such as home, family, mothering, nurturance, fertility, protection, and so much more.

So much depends on the chart. Is Aries, Cancer, Libra, or Capricorn rising? Does 17 Cardinal thru 6 Fixed contain stelliums or the host of Mars? What is the condition of Mars? Where is Cancer, Aries and Scorpio? Is Mars angular? Are Aries or Scorpio angular? What is the Moon’s relationship to Mars in your chart?

Remember when Jupiter entered Cancer and everyone was so excited and hopeful because Jupiter was entering its exaltation? Remember when Mars wreaked havoc while retrograde in Cancer and it was said that once Jupiter enters Cancer it will act as a kind of balm for the heat of that Mars experience?

Well, this week could be the week when that actually starts to happen and Jupiter starts to feel more “exalted” for some of us, especially those most affected by Autumn (in the North) 2024 and what unraveled or burned down during the months surrounding the Mars retrograde.

From August 27 onward, I believe Jupiter truly begins healing whatever damage was left in the wake of the Mars retrograde in Cancer.

MARS

But we need to look at the current condition of Mars.

Mars is a bit of a wounded warrior now until it reaches Scorpio the day after the Virgo Solar Eclipse September 21 and immediately squares Pluto. Hopefully, whatever tension has been building within such a debilitated Mars doesn’t erupt around that time. I’ll talk about this more as it gets closer, because this will be a strong intensification of Mars energy.

Now, however, Mars is in Libra and much weaker than usual due to being opposite one of its domiciles, Aries. It recently opposed Saturn in Aries, also in poor condition and conjunct Neptune, both retrograde. This was around August 6.

Something could’ve come to a head around that time, marking an ending or cutting away of some kind. Look to the houses Libra and Aries occupy in your chart for more clarity. I can help you with that if you’d like.

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Pluto in Saturn-ruled Aquarius is woven into the Mars retrograde story as well, and is one of the reasons it might’ve been more brutal for some.

During the time between when Mars entered retrograde shadow and finally left it (Oct 4 2024 until May 2 2025), there were three Mars/Pluto oppositions.

The Mars retrograde effectively bookended these three oppositions, contained them like a ring of fire.

The Mars shadow window and Pluto’s recent retrogrades are also linked. Two days after Mars left shadow on May 2, Pluto stationed retrograde; and, back on October 11 2024, when Pluto stationed direct, Mars had just entered its retrograde shadow as of October 4.

Both of Pluto’s stations occurred when the Sun was in Venus-ruled signs, Libra and Taurus, which I just find interesting.

However, Mars in Libra is hosted by Venus now; in Leo as of August 25 opposing Pluto in Aquarius hosted by a weakened Saturn in Aries slowly backing into Pisces on September 1.

Once Saturn retrogrades back into Pisces, both malefics will be in benefic-ruled signs.

SATURN

Two days after Jupiter and Venus sit at 17 Cancer and 6 Leo on August 30 at the same time, Saturn retrogrades back into Pisces September 1. This happens almost exactly in between the August 23 Virgo New Moon and the September 7 Pisces Lunar Eclipse and is significant because Saturn is moving back into the Pisces/Virgo axis just in time for the eclipses.

Saturn retrogrades back to 25 Pisces and will station direct on November 27 2025.

But it will stay at 25 Pisces from October 27 until December 28 — extremely still, yet loud, at the same degree for two months, making Saturn’s influence powerful and focused.

25 Pisces is important in 2025, and where we can expect hidden transits in the future.

Saturn moved into retrograde shadow at 25 Pisces on April 5, the same day it conjoined retrograde Venus for the second time. So there’s a sense of melancholy there, perhaps a sense of separation or sober devotion.

The last decan of Pisces is a very important part of the zodiac. It represents the very end of the wheel, where the waters wash away what was before and make way for what’s to come. It represents an End.

But this year, it’s especially significant because Saturn and Neptune are ending their respective cycles around the zodiac at the same time, and therefore starting a new cycle together. And earlier this year, there was a lot of transitional activity in this part of the sky.

If you feel like 2024 and 2025 are years you’ll never forget, this is one of the reasons why.

Saturn only retrogrades back to 25 Pisces, but below, in bold, are the degrees Saturn will pass back over the coming months that were degrees where significant new cycles began and ended earlier this year. Those in italics will happen in the future. As you can see, it’s a lot:

• 20 Pisces: Mercury conjunct Saturn

• 22 Pisces: Sun conjunct Saturn

• 24 Pisces: Venus direct station

• 25 Pisces: Saturn direct station, Venus Rx conjunct Saturn

• 26 Pisces: Venus/Saturn/North Node conjunction, Mercury direct station, Ceres conjunction North Node

• 27 Pisces: Sun conjunct North Node, Venus conjunct North Node, Mercury conjunct North Node, Venus conjunct Saturn

• 28 Pisces: Venus/Neptune/North Node conjunction

• 29 Pisces: Sun conjunct Neptune, Venus Rx conjunct Neptune, Mercury conjunct Neptune, Ceres conjunct Saturn, Neptune direct station

Saturn will go back over these degrees twice more before February 13 2026.

There could be a last look, an opportunity for forgiveness, a final goodbye, or a graceful ending to a long hard-won chapter in life.

25 Pisces is also significant because the first eclipse in the Virgo/Pisces axis occurred there September 17 2024. (Interestingly, during that eclipse, Saturn was retrograde at 15 Pisces, the degree of the upcoming total lunar eclipse on September 7 2025.)

These two eclipses are intimately tied together, as is the Virgo Lunar Eclipse March 14 earlier this year.

On a personal note, one mysterious way I’ve seen hidden transits work is related to my wife’s father’s passing back on March 15 2024. March 15 happens to be 25 Pisces.

A lunar eclipse in Libra followed on March 24, directly on his birthday degree 5 Libra. 5 Libra happens to be where my wife’s South Node is. My Moon is opposite at 5 Aries. The lunar eclipse on September 17 2024 I just mentioned was at 25 Pisces, a day that marked a tremendous intensification of the grieving process in my home.

My hope is that as Saturn retrogrades back into Pisces, crosses back over the last five degrees of Pisces, then sits for two months at 25 Pisces before retracing those degrees again, my wife and her mom reach new thresholds of healing as they continue to grieve the loss of a great man.

Being that Saturn and Venus conjoined at 25 Pisces on April 7 2025, I can’t think of two better powers than the god of Time and the goddess of Love to aid in that.

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Here’s where we can tie back in our Mars retrograde stories to the eclipses.

Mars entered Cancer on September 4 2024, having just squared the Nodes from 6 Cancer. This was just two days before the September 17 2024 eclipse.

Look back to July 20 2025. This is when Mars crossed over the South Node in Virgo, and about 10 degrees from where the solar eclipse September 21 will be.

What began late 2024? What was understood to be fading away around July 20? What now might be feeling as if it’s about to be released so real healing can begin?

On September 2, right after Saturn moves back into Pisces, Mars squares 17 Cancer -- its direct station degree from February 23.

With Mars at 17 Libra at this point, let's take a look at the last lunation Saturn ruled: the Capricorn Full Moon on July 10 at 18 Capricorn.

This Full moon occurred four days after Uranus entered Gemini and two days before Saturn stationed retrograde on July 12.

On September 4, exiled Mars exactly squares exalted Jupiter at 18 Libra/Cancer. This means Mars at 18 Libra is squaring the Capricorn Full Moon axis at 18 Capricorn/Cancer, and Jupiter sits at the degree where the Sun was at the full moon.

On September 5, something very unique and interesting happens — multiple planets line up by exact degree to where planets were on July 10:

• The Sun was at 18 Cancer. Now Jupiter is there.

• Mars was at 13 Virgo. Now the Sun is there.

• Mercury was at 13 Leo. Now Venus is there.

• Venus was at 6 Gemini. Now Mercury is at 6 Virgo square 6 Gemini.

inner wheel is the July 10 full moon, outer wheel is September 5 2025

The fact that Uranus and Saturn both made major shifts on either side of the July 10 full moon is also something interesting to note:

1. Then, Uranus entered a new sign and Saturn stationed retrograde, one week apart.

2. Now, Uranus is stationing retrograde and Saturn is re-entering a sign, five days apart.

This seems significant, and kind of wild, to be honest.

But, the most striking thing about the July 10 full moon’s connection to the Mars retrograde is that 18 Cancer — where the Sun was then and Jupiter is September 5 — is also where Mars was at the time of the last total lunar eclipse back on March 14 at 23 Virgo.

At that time, Mars had just left its direct station degree and was starting to pick up speed.

March 14 2025 Virgo Total Lunar Eclipse

And, if we want to take it deeper and weirder, Mars and Venus renew their cycle at 18 Capricorn on January 7 2026, the Sun conjoining them the next day.

It seems very likely there will be echoes or new threads woven into a story related to the Mars retrograde, the last two lunar eclipses, and the July 10 Capricorn Full Moon.

Can you recall anything of significance that occurred around July 10? Was it connected to the past? Did it involve relationships, family, or both? Go all the way back to September 2024. Was there something of consequence that happened between then and March 2025? What developed after that? Did it culminate around mid-July?

Has what’s developed since July feel as if it might be reaching a new phase or a point of culmination or release now?

TIMELINE

August 11: Even though cycles have no real beginning or end, I think we need to go back to the Venus/Jupiter conjunction on August 11 and treat is as a new moon starting point in a way.

August 14:  On this day, Venus crossed over 17 Cancer, perhaps marking a turning point of some kind in our Mars stories. Mars was separating from its opposition to Saturn/Neptune and was relatively quiet.

August 16:  Mercury and Mars formed a sextile — Mercury at the Mars retrograde station degree 6 Leo. This was potentially decision-making energy, possibly a decision or conversation marking a release from the fading Mars story as Mercury moved beyond this degree the next day.

August 18: The Moon moved into Cancer, joining Jupiter and Venus, but squaring Saturn.

August 19: The Moon passed over 17 Cancer, conjoining both Jupiter and Venus that day.

August 23:  The Virgo New Moon at 00 Virgo.

(the present moment)

August 25: 9:08 am CST, the Moon enters Venusian Libra, re-activating the Grand Air Trine and Kite pattern Mars first activated on August 6. Just a few hours later, at 11:27 am CST, Venus enters Leo and sextiles the Moon, also reactivating the grand trine and forming a second Kite pattern as Venus applies in opposition to Pluto. Mercury leaves retrograde shadow at 16 Leo. Venus trine Saturn.

August 26: This could be a very triggering day — the Moon catches up to Mars at 12 Libra at 9:25 am CST. Later this evening, the Moon squares the Mars retrograde direct station degree 17 Cancer from 17 Libra. Venus trine Neptune.

August 27: At 12:53 am CST Venus opposes Pluto retrograde at 01,51’ Leo/Aquarius. At 2:46 am CST Jupiter hits the Mars retrograde direct station degree 17 Cancer. Over the next 24 hours, and into August 28, the Moon will move from Venus-ruled Libra into Mars-ruled Scorpio, square Pluto and then Venus.

*August 30: Jupiter remains at 17 Cancer and  Venus hits the Mars retrograde station degree 6,20’ Leo at 6:29 pm CST. Both benefics are on the station degrees at the same time. A few hours later, the Moon enters Sagittarius and enters mutual reception with Jupiter in Cancer, going on to square the Nodes on

August 31: The Moon squares the Nodes from 18 Sagittarius.

September 1: 8:50 am CST, Saturn retrogrades back into Pisces. Over night, Immediately before entering Capricorn, the Moon squares Saturn, now hosted by Jupiter in Cancer.

September 2: Mercury enters Virgo, sign of its exaltation, immediately squaring Uranus.

September 4: The Moon enters Aquarius and conjoins Pluto. A few hours later, exiled Mars squares exalted Jupiter at 18 Libra/Cancer.

September 6: Uranus stations retrograde at 1 Gemini

September 7: The Pisces Total Lunar Eclipse on September 7 at 1:09 pm CST.

I hope this was interesting, insightful and helpful. Subtleties like hidden transits and the significance certain degree points can have over time only deepens the mystery and spiritual depth of astrology for me.

If a difficult story in your life that started late 2024 feels on the verge of great transition, I hope that whatever comes to pass in your life this eclipse season taps into the deep wells of knowledge within you and helps bring forth the healing you need and clarity you deserve to move forward. 

Virgo and Pisces offer this now.

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If you’d like to learn how the upcoming eclipses might affect you personally, please consider booking a reading.