New York City’s Penn Station experienced two train derailments in less than two weeks – a New Jersey Transit slow-speed derailment on April 3 and an Amtrak partial derailment on 3/24/17. In addition, there was a Long Island Railroad service train derailment on 2/8, and a LIRR morning commuter train crashed into Atlantic Terminal on 1/4. What’s going on?

The horoscope for Greater New York has Venus conjunct Mars in Sagittarius in its 3rd house of transportation, which trines the Moon in the 7th in Aries. These planets in fire signs show the importance of transit to New York and the many different railroad, bus and subway systems that speed through the City each day.

But with Saturn in Sagittarius stationing near both Venus and Mars this month, transit has been snarled. Saturn takes its time, and may create delays. As it stationed, Saturn remained less than a degree and a half from conjoining Mars. This is one of those aspects that tends to have a definitive effect. It can cause damages, equipment failure and human error. On the plus side, new ferry service from Queens and Brooklyn to Manhattan begins this spring.

New York experienced its Saturn return, also in the 3rd house, in late 2015. The new Hudson River tunnel plan and Penn Station train hall on Eighth Avenue both appear to be stalled. This is the nature of Saturn, which can bring growing pains. When the 3rd house aspects are finished late this year, hopefully plans will be adjusted or solidified. Governors Cuomo and Christie have asked for a review of Penn Station’s infrastructure.

In the meantime, on Good Friday, 4/15, over a thousand New Jersey Transit commuters were trapped in an overheated train for several hours due to a power problem, and frightened crowds surged as a police Taser went off in Penn Station (Mercury retrograde aggravating the situation). Saturn backs away from NYC’s Venus and Mars in April, but will return to complete the aspects in December of 2017. Be cautious. And as the MTA often advises, allow additional travel time.

Greater New York was created on January 1, 1898 at 12:01 AM, New York, NY.