This week’s question comes from Helena in Florida:

I currently work in insurance, and the job is stable but dreadfully boring. I’m trying to figure out what my purpose is. Do I need to go back to school? I’d really love to study astrology, but the few astrologers I’ve spoken to say you can’t make a career out of it. I thought about psychology, but spending the next three years or longer in school seems daunting. I feel so impatient. Any advice?

Pat’s response:

Helena, as you noted, transiting Pluto is sitting on your Ascendant, and Saturn is transiting your ninth house. You also have a very lovely trine from transiting Neptune and Chiron to your Midheaven, which is the cusp of the tenth house of career.

I love this combination for you and feel very positive that you will find the right career move very soon. Saturn transiting the ninth house is especially wonderful news. It means that you are moving toward a new career high. The next couple of years are ideal for going back to school, and while it might seem daunting to you now, there’s nothing like Saturn in the ninth house to bring you the discipline you need to get through.

That said, the square between transiting Pluto and Saturn does suggest challenges in finding the right career move, so it’s no surprise to hear that you are experiencing some uncertainty and confusion. Also, you are going to be heavily impacted by the cardinal energy that’s building over the next couple of years. At some point, the changes in your life may start snowballing out of control, taking you toward your new career faster than you may be prepared for.

In the meantime, my advice is to go with your heart, and the rest will follow. Your “boring” job may be just the ticket to allow you to pursue a career that, admittedly, is not going to rake in the bucks. You might want to check out Kepler College (www.kepler.edu), which is mostly an online program. There are other online astrology courses as well. If you view your day job as supporting your eventual move to a more fulfilling vocation, you may find it less of a drag.

Best of luck to you, and let us know how it goes.

Diane’s response:

Helena, with Jupiter in Scorpio natally in your tenth house, it is no surprise to see you working in the insurance business and doing very well, but all of us need to make a change once in awhile. Your natal stellium in Taurus is going to make sure if you do set off down a new path, you will have the wherewithal to do it.

I always like to look at the sign on the Midheaven and aspects to the ruler of the Midheaven in helping to determine the best fit for career choices. For you, this is Libra, which is ruled by Venus. Now your Venus is very happily placed in Taurus, closely conjunct your Mercury, Moon and Saturn, but this stellium is about a strong preference for staying with the known.

However, your Venus is also the apex of a Yod, or Finger of God, with Neptune in Sagittarius sextile Uranus in Libra as the base. This configuration might be the reason you are drawn to astrology, which is associated with Uranus. The conflict inherent in this particular Yod is between Taurus, who always prefers the status quo and its comforts with the outré, adventurous energy of the base planets and signs. Sagittarius is often found pursuing something new and different, especially in aspect to eclectic Uranus in Libra located in Sagittarius’ home base of the ninth house.

While Venus in Taurus enjoys working in the financial world, you may want to consider Libra vocations related to making life more beautiful in some way. Do you enjoy making improvements around your own home? Are you interested in designing gardens or home interiors to make other people’s lives richer through beauty?

Please remember you have a very strong emphasis in your chart on the fixed signs, so change of any kind is not exactly a walk in the park. Not only that, but earth is far and away the dominant element. Take your time and explore all your options carefully before initiating your next move, but once you have chosen your new course, jump right in. Fixed signs do best getting changes over as quickly as possible so they can settle into their new routines.

As Pat noted about your Saturn and Pluto transits, Helena, you are a good place to set your new course. Best of luck to you!

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