Tag Archives: Uranus opposition Saturn

The Essence for 23 June 2011: Pluto as Distraction

22 Wednesday Jun 2011

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Don't be distracted by Plutonian elements. By Bouguereau 1894 {{PD-Art}}

1:30 PM PDT the Moon squares Pluto, and this may bring forward some concern about the much-ballyhooed Cardinal Cross. Over the next 10 days the transiting Sun will fill in with Uranus, Pluto, and Saturn, and bring a lot of attention to this dynamic; but in reality, there is an ongoing, loose Cardinal T-square, not a cross, and this suggests that some may be sacrificing attention that should go to the T to a ‘problem’ that doesn’t really exist. The Moon hitting Pluto and aspecting the other components will perk up the emotions, then the Sun’s path will illuminate the T. We need to focus on the T and particularly on the interaction of matters represented by the trio of Houses in the natal chart affected. A T typically creates a dilemma wherein the arm of the configuration (in this case, Pluto) pulls attention away from the resolution of the opposition. So, Plutonian matters, or matters of the House where this is transiting, can act as a significant distraction from the uniqueness v. conformity, rebellion v. tradition, innovation v. the rules, and the myriad personal ways this can manifest. Uranus v. Saturn is the real issue. Don’t forget this, when Pluto pulls you under.

Focus on: Uranus Sesquiquadrate South Node + Mini ‘What You’re Asking’

25 Wednesday Feb 2009

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Starting tomorrow, February 25th, and lasting through March 29th, Uranus in Pisces forms a sesquiquadrate with the Leo South Node. A sesquiquadrate suggests we will experience a long-term adjustment, an irritation that seems to go on and on, related to the current role of transiting Uranus in our chart, and to the South Node. What we will likely find centers in a scenario of continuing upset springing either directly from our past or from those things we believed we’d already handled, and they will disrupt our individual innovative and creative expression, our role within the group, or both. Considering the signs involved, it may be a case where matters are presented as either ‘we do it for the group/ Collective’ (and that’s judged to be ‘good’) or ‘we do it for ourselves’ (with the implication that this is inherently ‘bad’). The most important thing to keep in mind is that we must choose and perform in such a way that we can exorcise the past while being true to what we as individuals choose–in this instance, consideration for the interests of the group can and should be secondary.

And now, a little ‘What You’re Asking’:

How long will Saturn oppose Uranus?

This pairing will move back out of and then into orb again several times before finally separating; the last exact opposition occurs at 00 degrees 25 minutes of Libra and Aries on 26 July 2010, with any leftover effects swiftly diminishing thereafter. The good news is that by then we will have been living with the opposition’s effects for so long that we will likely have long ago developed ways to accomodate its influence; the bad news is that once it goes the chances to reform old structures and strictures will be gone, as will the chance to make solid our inventions and our most original creative ideas. Ending in the Cardinal Libra and Aries also suggests that its final influences will be notably swift, sure, and in a much different vein than those of the Virgo/ Pisces time period. Saturn in Libra and Uranus in Aries suggest we could see solid new partnerships and perhaps martial revolutionary action before it’s all said and done.

How are Mars and Neptune alike?

At first glance this might seem like an odd and unanswerable question, but when I thought about it I realized that if nothing else they have strength of Will in common. Mars is known for his Willfulness, the ego ready to push his way to the front of the line, the Warrior who doesn’t hesitate to fight, and usually for a cause from which he benefits. Neptune is often characterized as soft, wishy-washy, illusive–but I think that’s protective covering for enormous drive to make the dream or ideal a reality. Even in its more negative manifestation, the strength of Neptune is impressive; it takes a tremendous Willpower to create and maintain a fantasy, a deception, or an escapist pursuit, and successfully shut out the world entirely. And when the two connect in the natal chart, we can be looking at one of the most persistent, determined, and yes, stubborn combinations around, if only because so much energy is devoted single-mindedly and with complete faith, to those Neptunian subjects.

Can a person breathe on Pluto?

Sorry. No.

Monday Poll Round-Up, and Identity Shifts: If Barack Obama Wins . . . .

03 Monday Nov 2008

Posted by in aspects and placements, astrology, current events in the sky, Pluto

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We either see change as fundamental to life, and therefore as having purpose, or we see it as threatening, and so consistently negative. Though I’ve warned of over-simplification of the concepts (particularly the Uranus/ Saturn opposition) that are accompanying the US Presidential election, there is a strong argument to support Uranus as fundamental change that Saturnian forces must deal with; and if that translates to an Obama win, then we have to ask ourselves: What fundamental changes will we feel at a personal level? And definite changes for two specific groups come to mind.

These shifts apply to a basic world view, as innate in what we know as gravity is to living upon the Earth. The first group, white men, will be faced with a symbolic loss of power. The power structure will for the first time in this country look profoundly different than what we are all used to, and for white men, this will be the first time they’ve looked at those at the very top of the pyramid, at the ultimate pinnacle of influence, and not seen themselves. Now, I’m not judging this, or saying that white men will all perceive this change in the same way, and I’m not saying that they think or act as a group, since individuality within all classifications and ways of grouping humans trumps a simple external likeness; but I am saying that in a patriarchal society built on the mostly unspoken presumption of supremacy of the white male as most ‘qualified’ to lead and arbitrate the social order, white men have always enjoyed the kinds of privilege allocated those at the top of the heap. They are more likely to be seen as serious and stable, and therefore a ‘better’ employee, they are in many instances paid more than minorities or women for the same jobs, and, since they ‘look’ just like the power that came before them, they’re more likely to be promoted and mentored by the white men who preceded them. Yes, these are all generalizations, and yes, there are many exceptions–but they typically prove the rule.

So for them, this election may skew the world view in such a way that they may not recognize the landscape as their own. I think this will be true beyond any racism or position of dominance; things just won’t look the same, which is true for all of us, but for the white male, it represents a command to loosen the psychic grip on the reins of power.

The other group affected by this at a profound level will, of course, be Black men and women. Justified pride in looking to the pinnacle of power and seeing one of their own is almost beyond expression for me; I can’t pretend to know the depths of feeling connected to this, but I can know that it will represent a fundamental change for them, too. On the one hand, it will be a peak moment of Collective experience in terms of a group that has been historically underserved, denied opportunity, and has suffered horrific prejudices and injustices, finally seeing a new dawn for themselves within the power structure. This will be undeniably sweet for many in the older generations, especially for the 109 year old daughter of a slave, Amanda Jones, who voted this week for Barack. And for the younger generations, a Black man ascending to the Presidency has to act as a beacon that shows them the truth of the idea that nothing is out of their reach. On the other hand, it makes a demand of the worldview, too: one cannot continue to define oneself as underserved or trodden upon to quite the same extent when one looks at ‘The Man’ (can you tell when I was young?!) and sees distinct cultural, racial, and experiential similarities–suddenly (Uranus) the social landscape changes, quite specifically for different groups (Uranus again) and our disparities may parse out more and more in cultural, educational, and economic spheres, and less and less (I hope) in racial ones. A scant few, married to a victim mentality, may stay with a victim mentality, just as there will be whites who will embarass themselves by railing against the country’s chosen leader, simply because of skin color (but there’s always a chance it’s out of a sense of intellectual inferiority, very Age of Aquarius!)–but there are always some who will be vessels of intolerance, and they come in all shapes, sizes, and colors.

The social landscape I speak of is Jupiter; right now it’s still in Capricorn, ruled by Saturn, but the trine it forms with Saturn does not perfect again; each energy goes its own way, Jupiter moves into Aquarius in early January 2009, and Saturn retrogrades December 31st, while Uranus goes direct late November. And what does all this suggest in terms of change in the social sphere? Inevitable, progressive change, the Saturnian grip loosening, forward thinking energies gaining; maybe this is finally, as the long-ago song suggested, the dawning of the age of Aquarius.

But I’m not entirely convinced that Obama will win, despite the polls. I’m feeling we’re in for some real upheaval, and I can’t put my finger on that nature of it. I’ve wondered if a natural event might not supersede the results of the election, not on the day but shortly thereafter; and I’ve wondered if this election might not turn into another contested catastrophe a la 2000, but with a different flair–or maybe Bush as a lame duck will try to institute changes that will bring everyone under pressure and up in arms (maybe literally–a draft?) At least, we don’t have long to wait to find out what happens.

We had only one poll this week. I actually put up two but Polldaddy has issues (!) so until they’re resolved we must be satisfied with having asked just one question: “How do you think Pluto’s move into Capricorn will affect you?” Overall, more people were positive about anticipated changes, or were neutral, feeling it was hubbub over nothing (55% total) than were concerned. A troubling few answered as if they are sure they will be victims of Pluto–but they should remember, as one of the options said, Pluto can’t do anything to us that we don’t agree to.

And have a great Monday!

Uranus-Saturn Opposition November 3-4 2008

25 Thursday Sep 2008

Posted by in aspects and placements, astrology, future events in the sky

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There’s been a lot of great commentary on this upcoming opposition, much of it focused on the political situation in the US, with good reason; even for those not politically inclined, the ‘coincidence’ of the election occurring with the exact Saturn-Uranus opposition is intriguing, and certainly suggests a significant effect is to be expected. Some of my favorite commentaries include this http://www.daykeeperjournal.com/murray.shtml , this http://astrologymundo.wordpress.com/2008/08/18/saturn-oppose-uranus-recycling-the-revolution/ , and this one, though not directly about the opposition, highlights what has led up to it http://starsoverwashington.blogspot.com/2008/05/is-voting-in-november-waste-of-your.html and this one addresses the effect on one’s love life http://jeffreykishner.com/astrology/love/2008/07/how-saturn-uranus-opposition-will.html , while this one touches on the financial ramifications of the current situation http://www.astrologyexplored.com/astrology-money-the-reason-to-start-your-christmas-shopping-now/. There are many many more I’ve not listed; read as widely as you can on this aspect, and gather as many viewpoints as possible–several are sure to apply directly in your own life. (Thanks to Urania, Jude, Monica, Jeffrey, and Beth for pointing the way. And apologies to all those not listed–there are only so many hours in the day!)

Now my take on things: the Saturn-Uranus opposition reaches exactitude on the 3rd-4th November; at this point, the Moon is in Capricorn, conjunct Jupiter and trine Saturn (and later sextile Uranus as the orb closes)–the emotional climate is exaggeratedly strained, critical, and precision-oriented, all in service of either preserving the status quo or in stabilizing the unstable, before the emotional need for change becomes obvious. There’s stress on Saturn ruler Mercury in Libra; it quickly sextiles Pluto, which itself is distressed at 29 degrees of Sagittarius, poised to plunge back into the rigorous sign of Capricorn. This suggests highly stressful and potentially destructive communications, between ‘partners,’ and about which others are willing to give no quarter. Mercury then briefly goes Void before entering Scorpio and becoming the midpoint of the Juno/ Ceres trine; these energies, too, are under stress, this time from their 00 degree placements. Energies very early in a sign tend to flounder a bit, and with Ceres and Juno involved we are likely looking at a pair of powerful energies, perhaps newly installed in their positions of authority, that appear to clash as they grasp for power and supremacy, but that are really working in harmony (trine), suggesting that they may work within a system of collusion, with co-ordination of the communication picture.

This scenario of energies at the extreme (Pluto, Ceres, Juno, and then Mercury joins them by the 4th) points up veins of tension that will run through many situations. Even more stress is apparent when we note a pair of Grand Crosses in effect at this time: the Sun/ Earth axis squaring the Nodal axis–this happens on a regular basis, and tends to indicate moments that are fate determining, no matter how subtle the course correction, and the other is made up of the Saturn/ Uranus opposition squared by a Venus/ Pallas opposition–here’s where things get a bit nasty. We may see an effect with the latter Cross where there is a feeling of forced values indoctrination, and this is so whether we see the status quo remain or whether change sweeps in–and don’t forget the Juno/ Ceres situation, which suggests that, despite a power stand-off likely couched in words and other Mercurial forms, the two powers fighting for supremacy are not really fighting at all–and this implies that the status quo may hold as much potential for revolution as does the force that claims change, and vice versa. Perhaps this is the result we can expect: that the two opposing powers will in essence be, while not the same, a mixture of both Saturn and Uranus–not at all what most of us, no matter our political or social inclinations, want to hear in such dire times.

So we look to the ruler of Uranus, Neptune, at 21 Aquarius, conjunct Chiron, trine Pallas, sextile Venus, and square Mars. This ties Neptune firmly to one of the Grand Crosses, and the question becomes, Does Uranus represent a force inspired, change that is delusional (and thus impossible to implement), change that may ultimately heal, may injure more than it heals, or is the spectre of change illusion, in the end being nothing more than another incarnation of Saturn? The involvement of Mars says that assertive energies will be brought to the fore in service of Neptune, and that perhaps active ideals can influence both the values picture (sextile to Venus) and will easily follow a wise course (trine to Pallas), and this suggests that Uranus, ruled by Neptune, will reign supreme. Then again, are we looking at revolution, or is this merely the triumph of technology, the modern sweeping over all and putting the determination of all our futures in the hands of a few? That’s certainly a possiblity, embodied by the incredibly faulty electronic voting machines that are more and more prevalent (and against which, as an electorate, we have less and less power to refuse their use).

These are troubling times; it’s up to good people everywhere, whether they seek to improve what is, to wipe clean the slate and start anew, or to bring a modified and more equitable vision into being, to see that this opposition brings hope, security, and stability to as many on the planet as possible.