One area that really stands out in the US 2020 Aries Ingress Chart is the fixed star Caput Algol located near the descendant (7th cusp). Algol is considered the most malefic star in the heavens and should not be ignored when activated by an angular cusp. Algol is the gorgon Medusa’s head found in the Perseus constellation. The Chinese, refer to this point in the heavens as ‘piled up bodies’ and honestly not inappropriate to say, considering that we’re dealing with a pandemic not seen since the Spanish Flu of 1918. According to Oscar Hofman, in Fixed Stars in the Chart: Constellations, Lunar Mansions and Mythology, Algol with a Saturn/Jupiter nature, can denote, “Misfortune, violence, decapitation, hanging, electrocution, mob violence, dogged violent nature, death, glamorous power of attraction and seductive beauty.” Now of course, we cannot take these descriptions literally and out of context, but it does indicate that we can expect a crisis year before us.

This is not a standalone aspect. Algol was activated last year in the 2019 Aries Ingress for the whole world when it was conjunct Mars. In retrospect, we know it was referring to Covid19. In Medical Astrology, Mars is the natural ruler of viruses. In the 2020 Aries chart with Algol at an angle, we know this will continue for the better part of the year. We’re not going to be out of the woods. The Algol aspect at the descendant also activates the 2000 Grand Jupiter-Saturn Conjunction.

Jupiter and Saturn are the two great time lords. The conjunction marks major shifts every 20 years. In Mundane Astrology, grand conjunctions remain relevant for a long time, and will become activated by aspects from ingresses, solar and lunar revolutions, eclipses, and also transits. The next grand conjunction will occur this year on December 21. This year’s Algol conjuncts the Midheaven of the US 2000 Grand Conjunction, and Jupiter-Saturn are also conjunct there, thus activating the major crisis point. Covid19 is really Algol’s big send off before the next grand conjunction in December.

Now going back to the Aries 2020 Ingress chart, we can treat this like a yearly solar return, and be able to derive lunar returns from the chart to get a better idea of the year. At first glance, I see in the derived lunar returns Algol being activated twice more this year. The first is found in the May lunar return lasting until June (May 13 – June 10). Here, we find a major activation of Algol conjunct the Mid-heaven . Also, the Sun (life force and leadership) will be moving through this Algol zone. Mars conjuncts the descendant of the lunar return, and also conjuncts Mercury, Lord 10, found in the Aries Ingress chart linking these two charts together. Mercury, Lord 1, in the derived lunar return is separating from an opposition with Jupiter and then will oppose Pluto by antiscion. Saturn, Lord 6, of the lunar return is retrograding on the 6th house (public health) cusp. I think we can safely expect some very stressful and major hiccups during the ease up of social distancing and reopening the economy. The virus could become exacerbated around this time. I expect something not foreseeable as well.

The next derived lunar Algol activation will be in October (Oct 24 – Nov 20) preceding the presidential election set for Nov 3rd. Algol will be activated again on the descendant reiterating the 2020 Aries Ingress chart placement. We will see the full manifestation of Algol this year. Though, it’s not surprising to see another crisis point right before an election. Algol shows the election being very contentious with emotional extremes. Algol can show people lose their heads, figuratively speaking. Finally, on a lighter note, by December 21 when the next Jupiter-Saturn grand conjunction occurs, we can start to put this Algol stuff of the past 20 years behind us. A new cycle for the world will begin.

Bibliography:

Hofman, Oscar, Fixed Stars in the Chart: Constellations, Lunar Mansions and Mythology, Wessex Astrologer, Swanage, England, 2019.