This week’s brief transit of Jupiter opposite natal Mercury prior to the long Saturnian to follow coincides with memories of firsts and lasts. Reagan’s inauguration 1981 was one of the last times we rode together as siblings in a vehicle driven by our father for a family event before we all began living variously elsewhere. It was our father’s idea to excuse us from school for the occasion.
This also coincides with Jupiter conjunct the USA South Node of the Moon which has happened a few times in the years since: March 1985 [and October station at 7° 04′], February 1997, February 2009, and this week January 2021. The one in February 1997 stands out as corresponding with the last comet the Shoemakers observed together, and an image of it sent to the Moon with his cremated remains.
Saturday, January 16, 2021, 12:00 CST:
Jupiter 6° 26′ conjunct USA South Node of Moon 6° 36′ Aquarius
Tuesday, February 18, 1997, 20:00 EST:
Uranus 6° 05′ conjunct Jupiter 6° 36′ Aquarius
Image: February 18, 1997, 10:05-10:50 UT at Astronaut Memorial Planetarium & Observatory, Cocoa, Florida, by observer Ian Griffin in images collected by JPL for February 1997.