This week’s question comes from Karin in Amsterdam, Netherlands:

The upcoming Saturn/Pluto square is becoming tighter now. Can you tell us anything about it? And how will it affect the lucky ones with the conjunction in their natal charts? Mine has been sizzling for weeks now, scaring the hell out of me.

Neith’s response:

Karin, I think what you have been noticing is Saturn moving through the final degrees of Virgo, and once he is firmly established in Libra, you will find the effect less harsh for the next few months.

Saturn promises to be easier to live with in fair-minded Libra, even with the square to Pluto in Capricorn. Honest, equitable behaviors, especially in relationships, will stand us in good stead. You have your Moon conjunct Neptune in Libra as I do, and we lived through this transit in the early 1980’s. Think back to what was happening in your life at that time and that realize all you’ve learned in the intervening years will serve you well. Saturn is always much kinder to those of us who have seen a couple of Saturn returns.

You are also in the midst of another major life cycle transit, Uranus square Uranus. Because this transit triggers your natal Sun-Uranus square as well as your Ascendant and Midheaven, the period from May 2009 through January 2011 will be filled with intense moments of introspection about who you are, what you are doing in your career, and how you wish to be seen by others. Partners, both business and personal, may challenge you, too. The best thing about transits is they pass . . . so says someone who managed to live through her Uranus square Uranus transit.

My recommendation, Karin, is to live as much as possible in the present. Expectations, projections and good old-fashioned worrying are all stress producers. Dig out a copy of the serenity prayer and remind yourself daily you are making the best decisions you can based on the information you have – my mantra for Saturn in Libra!

Pat’s response:

Great question, Karin. A square between Saturn and Pluto does sound kind of ominous, doesn’t it? But honestly, I don’t see any relationship between your natal Saturn-Pluto conjunction and the square between transiting Saturn and Pluto.

The bigger issue for you is going to be the conjunction of transiting Mars on your natal Saturn-Pluto. Mars just entered Leo and will stay there for several months, since he’s retrograde from Dec. 20 to March 10. During this time, you may feel frustrated by circumstances out of your control, or you may encounter a person who is totally overbearing and attempts to have control over you. This could be a friend, or perhaps someone in an organization to which you belong. If you have children or grandchildren, there could be an issue there.

As for transiting Saturn and Pluto, they are hitting two key angles in your chart, the Ascendant and IC (fourth-house cusp). If I had to guess, I’d say this is the source of that “sizzling” feeling you describe. Saturn crosses our Ascendant once every 29 years, and we typically feel it as a heaviness, increase in responsibility, or major change in life circumstances. With Pluto on your IC at the same time, you likely will experience some radical changes involving your home or family, perhaps a change of residence.

Although these changes will be significant, there is no reason to fear this aspect or any other astrological influence, for that matter. As with bad weather, we just need to take proper precautions and not doing anything to invite trouble. If you’re really worried about it, consider a transit reading with an experienced astrologer.

Wishing you much courage, and thanks for writing.

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