Aries Stellium at Sunrise
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Consider this a compendium piece to my article Mars Gittin' Jiggy which can be found here:
On April 18, 2026, at 6:24 am in Washington, DC (latitude ~38.9°N), four planets will align in the eastern sky and be visible about 30-60 before sunrise. Those four planets are Mercury, Mars, Saturn, and Neptune. This "planet parade" is notable because all four planets appear clustered along the ecliptic in a compact grouping, a relatively rare dawn alignment. However, don't expect a perfect straight line; they just appear close together from Earth's perspective.
Planet | Visibility | Notes |
Mercury | Naked eye | Low on horizon, tricky to spot |
Mars | Naked eye | Brightest of the four |
Saturn | Naked eye | Moderately bright |
Neptune | Telescope/binoculars needed | Too faint for naked eye |
What makes this significant are two things, its relatively rare nature, and that it occurs in the middle of a window during which transiting Mars is activating the Saturn/Neptune conjunction. That period lasts from April 13–19 as Mars leaves its fiery tracks through its Aries castle. Because DC is north of 30°N latitude, the planets will appear very low in the sky, making this a challenging but potentially rewarding observation if you have a clear, unobstructed eastern view. If you get a chance to look, Mercury will be the hardest to spot due to its low position and the brightening sky and Neptune will likely require binoculars or a telescope, as it's too faint in dawn twilight.
According to NASA, lineups of 4–5 naked-eye planets with good visibility happen roughly every 2–5 years. To put this in context, in February we had an even rarer event when there was a six-planet alignment of Mercury, Venus, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune which was spread across 3 different zodiac signs. This makes the alignment taking place in April of high importance given all the planets will be astrologically in a tight conjunction in one sign. Here is a summary of the February alignment:
Planet | Zodiac Sign (late Feb 2026) |
Mercury (retrograde) | Pisces |
Venus | Pisces |
Saturn | Aries |
Neptune | Aries |
Uranus | Taurus |
Jupiter | Cancer (higher in the sky, not part of the tight western cluster) |
Six planet alignments occur once every 10–15 years with good visibility.
To grasp the energies involved when this perpetually spiraling celestial wheel significantly impacts our earthly concept of time, I have developed a "chart of the moment" for this specific alignment in Washington, DC. This chart can help us comprehend the potential developments. Here is the chart:
Let's begin with the big picture. From a modality perspective, this moment is strongly Cardinal in nature. For those unfamiliar with this term, Cardinal represents the energy of beginnings, initiation, and ignition. If Cardinal had a motto, it would be "let's get this thing started". Adding fuel to the fire, so to speak, the dominant element of this chart is Fire! This also aligns with initiation, impulse, and bursts of inspiration (though often hasty). Finally, when examining more ancient forms of astrology, such as Hellenistic and Medieval, we find this chart has a temperament known as choleric. This is associated with energies that are driven, assertive, and impatient. It is undoubtedly a creation moment, but we are not yet certain of what.
Let's now turn our attention to an entirely different branch of astrology, Modern Psychological Astrology. Marc Edmund Jones was one of the leaders in this field. He was known for something referred to as the Jones Temperament Patterns. The chart above reflects a pattern known as a bowl with the edge planets being Pluto in Aquarius and Jupiter in Cancer. Quoting Marc Edmund Jones:
"When the planets lie to one side of the zodiac, dividing the circle in halves, they create one of the simplest of all possible patterns. This can happen anywhere among the main axes of the houses, the horizon and the meridian, the additional distinction establishes a hemisphere emphasis, one of the most useful of all focal determinators. The basis of the distinction in hemisphere emphasis, as well as other half-zodiac concentrations which are at least equally common, is a special type of conscious self-hood. This marks the bowl type of temperament. Fundamentally it is an extreme self-containment. A bowl holds things, and the bowl individual (or moment, I added this not Marc) is one who always has something to bear."
This pattern exists when all planets are contained within 180 degrees. Again, in the above chart we find that the planets are concentrated in the eastern hemisphere. This too is a place of initiation and go-getters. It is also the place of very independent energies. It's important to note that the half of the chart that isn't occupied in this bowl pattern is the western half. This area of the chart is about others. What this potentially means is that this moment is drowning in autonomy, self-definition, and forging one's own path, but seemingly at the expense of deep one-on-one relating or collaboration.
A secondary factor of the Jones Pattern is what is known as the edge planets. These are the planets that sit at the leading edge of the bowl pattern, in this case Pluto and Jupiter. These two planets are important as they frame the concentration of energy and represent the tension between two life poles.
Looking at Pluto in Aquarius, a generational transit which began in 2024 and will persist until 2044, we find the energy of profound, and often shocking catharsis. When in Aquarius the potential for a drive to redefine authority, break from traditional structures, and establish a unique, possibly unconventional legacy. Pivoting briefly to what the 10th house means, where Pluto is located in this moment, we find that in Mundane astrology we are dealing with the Executive Branch of the United States government. This includes the President and his Cabinet. It is the power and authority of the government. This is interesting to consider as the fiery stellium in Aries of Mercury, Mars, Saturn, and Neptune is in a sextile to the crucible of evolution, Pluto in Aquarius. Will some conflict or forceful event arising from the energies unleashed by this powerful moment ultimately lead us to some disruptive transformation?
As a side note, Pluto is also conjunct Juno during this 4-planet stellium. This combination infuses the aforementioned interpretation with themes of commitment, partnership, and soul contracts (Juno), all channeled through the innovative, revolutionary energy of Aquarius. This aspect indicates intense, transformative experiences in relationships, and in this chart/moment, it appears to involve the Government and the People. This could signify the start of a period where there might be a rebirth in how the government dedicates and commits itself to the people. Something destined is present in this moment. Old ways must collapse to allow for a new relational dynamic.
At the other edge of the bowl lies the planet Jupiter in Cancer. This is a powerful placement as this is where Jupiter is exalted. Being in the 4th house we find that the tension between these two edge planets also incorporates (in Mundane astrology) the people. What this moment seems to suggest is that powerful transformative events in the government are a direct challenge to the people but with the presence of Jupiter in an exalted state it would seem that even in the face of explosive and potentially destructive developments, the people will be an honored guest in the equation. This doesn't mean challenging times won't exist, it simply points to it being something that ultimately benefits the people.
We must also recognize that this chart aligns with a New Moon period. The New Moon in Aries occurred on Friday, April 17, 2026, at 7:52 AM EDT, just one day before the significant four-planet stellium in Aries. Notably, it happens at 27° Aries 29, a late, influential degree in conjunction with Chiron, the Wounded Healer, making this lunation particularly powerful for initiating healing related to courage, self-assertion, and taking bold actions despite past wounds. It's essential to understand that a new moon phase is dark and connected to the unseen, representing the realm of the collective subconscious. It also signals renewal and the birth of new forms. This is strongly emphasized by this new moon occurring in Aries, the sign that heralds the beginning of spring. It's as if this new moon, taking place less than 24 hours before the four-planet stellium in Aries, activates the collective's deep psyche to comprehend the direction of future developments.
The following information comes from this inclusion of several asteroids in this same Aries Stellium chart. Given the environment we find ourselves in, that being a war in progress, Operation Epic Fury, I thought it might be of interest to include a few asteroids that are directly associated with the topic of death. Sorry, but it's what happens during wars. The asteroids I felt prompted to examine and which had meaningful placements in the chart were: Sekhmet (Taurus 01:56 and OOB), Kaali (Aries 26:27), Libitina (Capricorn 09:32 and OOB), Ixion (Capricorn 09:02 and OOB, Rx), and Requiem (Libra 07:12 and Rx).
Beginning with Sekhmet we find that this asteroid (#5381) is in a square to Pluto (3 degrees and applying), and a conjunction to the Sun (3 degrees and separating). These orbs are a bit wider than most astrologers prefer 1-2 degrees, however, given the other themes and energies present in this chart this asteroid seems important. Who is Sekhmet? According to Britannica she "was an ancient Egyptian goddess whose name means "She who is powerful" or "The One who loves Ma'at" (cosmic order). She was depicted as a woman with the head of a lioness, often wearing a sun disk and cobra (uraeus) on her head."
Further and from the website www.historyhit.com we learn:
"Sekhmet was the goddess of war, the hot desert sun, plague, chaos, and healing—a striking duality. According to myth, the sun god Ra created her from the fire of his eye to punish humanity for disobeying Ma'at. She became so bloodthirsty in her rampage that Ra had to trick her into stopping by pouring 7,000 jugs of beer dyed red with pomegranate juice; she drank it, became drunk, fell asleep for three days, and awoke healed of her bloodlust."
And finally, and on a positive note from the website www.ancientegyptonline.com we read:
"Despite her destructive capacity, Sekhmet was also the patron of physicians and healers, called "Mistress of Life." Pharaohs like Ramesses II invoked her as a military protector, while Amenhotep III commissioned hundreds of her statues to guard his temple and ensure healing in the afterlife."
In astrological interpretation, Sekhmet represents a range of possibilities when in a conjunction with the Sun. The Sun (in Mundane Astrology the Sun is the leader of the country or in the case of the United States the executive branch and in this case positioned well in the 1st house, and the Sun exalts in Aries). This appears to be a tricky placement to interpret so I will provide both sides of the narrative. Sekhmet correlates with rage, anger, and destructive impulses. Interestingly, these same energies in the Sekhmet story also correlate into how to transform these into protective, healing power. There is also a connection with healing through crisis, which could initiate the capacity to alchemize trauma, disease, or conflict into renewal. The presence of Sekhmet with the Sun can be indicative of someone acting powerfully and leading through a crisis.
There is a challenge in all of this, as the conjunction of the Sun and Sekhmet is squared by Pluto. This could lead to a different dynamic in how Sekhmet manifests. It might result in power struggles (internal or external) related to control, authority, and survival. Alternatively, there could be confrontations with shadow material, such as repressed rage, trauma, or fears of being overwhelmed or destroyed. Additionally, there might be tension between the desire to heal or protect (Sekhmet–Sun) and feeling manipulated, controlled, or threatened by others' power (Pluto). The square to the Sun at this moment suggests that there are dark or hidden forces compelling destructive actions by the government, particularly the Executive Branch.
A final word about Sekhmet. At the time of this chart being cast, she was in a condition known as out-of-bounds (OOB). This tends to imbue energies with a very disruptive and Uranian manifestation. OOB planets or asteroids, hear their own drummer, do their own thing, and make their own rules.
Next, we find the asteroid Kaali in a conjunction with the Sun (and an even tighter conjunction with Chiron). This to me is both encouraging and troubling. Kaali is the goddess of death, time, and endings. Kali (Sanskrit: Kālī, "the Black One" or "She Who Is Time") is one of the most powerful and complex goddesses in Hindu mythology. She is the fierce embodiment of Shakti, the divine feminine creative power and represents both destruction and liberation. This placement to me is very ominous in that it is not only connected to the Sun but Chiron as well. Is this a marker of the death of old structures, ironically conjunct the Executive Branch, and the ushering in of a time of healing through the divine feminine? Kaali represents destructive creation. From the website www.loveyourdesign.com we learn:
"She symbolizes the necessary death of old structures—ego patterns, relationships, identities—that no longer serve authenticity. Like her myth, she "drinks the blood" of what must die so nothing toxic can replicate."
Further, from the website https://astrogarden.proboards.com/thread/1372/4227-kaali-love-asteroid we can synthesize the following:
"Kaali burns away inauthenticity. She's described as the "fire of truth" that destroys everything false, even if the process feels violent or terrifying."
Contributing to her assertive nature is her position in this chart under the sign of Aries, which is the main focus of this article on an Aries stellium.
The extremely tight conjunction with Chiron, which was just activated by the Aries New Moon less than 24 hours before this important 4-planet alignment, adds emphasis. Further, Kaali is rising in this chart, which I find fascinating as the symbolism can't be ignored. The Divine Feminine rising is definitely the healing needed at a time when the world is once again at war and in a moment when Aries energy is so strong. Add to that its conjunction with Chiron, and we see the potential for liberation from our societal wounds. Again, a cautionary note, as indicated, Kali "drank the blood of what must die" and is the "destroyer of everything false". Truthfully, when I see the Sun, flanked by two such powerful mythic Goddesses who are associated with the death of the old structures and healing, one has to ask the question if there might be some form of crisis or event involving the Executive Branch of the United States?
Moving now to the asteroid Libitina in the 9th house and conjunct with the asteroid Ixion. From the website www.journeyingtothegoddess.com we learn this about Libitina:
"Libitina was an ancient Roman goddess of funerals, burial, and the physical passage of the corpse from life to death. Her name became a poetic metonym for death itself, and Roman undertakers were called libitinarii because they worked under her patronage."
Ixion was a mortal king of the Lapiths in Thessaly in Greek mythology. According to the website www.centreofexcellence.com:
"Ixion was infamous for committing two grave sins and becoming the first human to murder a family member. His story is one of the most cautionary tales of hubris, betrayal, and eternal punishment."
So, immediately we see that asteroid named after the goddess responsible for the physical passage of the corpse after death (Libitina) in an entanglement (conjunction) with an asteroid associated with someone had committed grave sins (Ixion). Further these two asteroids are in the sign of Capricorn, in the 9th house of the chart and in a square to Aries Saturn, the ruler of Capricorn, and part of the Aries stellium. Saturn is also a planetary energy associated with death, funerals, and undertakers. This is a lot of the same energy and in an antagonistic aspect of a square! Also, when we consider the placement, in the 9th house, we find among other topics in the world of mundane astrology, religion. Is this a signal of a funeral of perhaps someone of authority who is marked having too much hubris or excessive pride? Did this individual betray some sacred trust or act in some self-sabotaging manner? Might there be some connection to religion if this occurs? Time will tell but this placement, particularly being square to Saturn which is domiciled in the 12th house of this chart, the place of secret things intelligence agencies, and the criminal underworld.
Adding to the above plot, we find that Libitina is retrograde and Ixion is Rx OOB. A revisiting or review of the past through these myths that shows once again where extremes can lead?
Finishing now with the asteroids of interest in this chart, we find the asteroid Requiem, retrograde and in the sign of Libra in the 6th house. Asteroid Requiem (2254) is named after the Catholic Requiem Mass—the funeral service for the dead. It was discovered on February 7, 1978, by Paul Wild, who named it in memory of his mother, who died on the very day of its discovery. When I saw Requiem's opposition to both Mars and Saturn in Aries in the 12th house, I must admit I was stunned. The orb is also extremely tight at a mere 30 minutes for Mars and 28 minutes for Saturn. Further, Requiem forms a square to the conjunction between Libitina and Ixion. Yes, this is a T-Square composed of an opposition between Requiem and Mars/Saturn and then a square by both of these to the Libitina/Ixion conjunction. It seems the pressure or conflict present with Mars/Saturn in opposition to Requiem finds its manifestation through a religiously motivated (or some other high-minded philosophy) through the death of some individual who is perceived through the lens of Ixion.
Perhaps a little more information on Ixion. In astrology, Ixion has shown up in the charts of persons who have committed ethical violations after being trusted with power. It is also prominently featured in the life of traitors. It is also to connected to what are called "Frankenstein Dilemmas" which are situations created that turn destructive.
In conclusion, the alignment of four planets on April 17, 2026, is set to be a significant initiatory event. This article has diverged from the typical astrological approach and included some less commonly used techniques and cosmic bodies. Asteroids represent a new frontier, while the seven traditional planets have been utilized for centuries. I acknowledge that these interpretations might be unsettling for some. My hope is that the asteroids selected may ultimately have no relevance to this event. However, as an astrologer who weighs evidence, the chart's emerging themes prompted me to search for specific patterns. The reality is that we are currently in a state of conflict, and how it will resolve remains uncertain. The astrology of 2026 strongly suggests a year characterized by dramatic change, possibly including civil unrest. As always, I fervently hope that we will eventually awaken to the fact that this is not a sustainable way to live. We can do better, and perhaps this is the year we finally embrace that idea.