Ask Real Astrologers: Can’t Get My Head Around This Multiple Transit

This week’s question comes from Jonathon in Seattle:

I was born with a Jupiter/Uranus conjunction in opposition to a Sun/North Node. Of course, I’m currently feeling the ‘get out there and achieve something’ Pluto T-square with my Sun/North Node and Jupiter/Uranus. And, yeah, I’m gearing up for Saturn’s visit to my Sun. But what I can’t quite wrap my head around is the upcoming Jupiter/Uranus conjunction to my Sun/North Node. I’m wondering how these energies — forever in the push-pull of a natal opposition now joining to blend together via a conjunction in transit — might manifest.

Libra ponders . . .

Neith’s response:

Jonathon, the key to understanding a major transit like Uranus opposing natal Uranus is often to take note of how you feel when another faster-moving planet like Mars or Mercury crosses that degree in your chart.

Transits by the slower moving outer planets are not isolated events, either. There are plenty of seemingly unrelated events often coming to a head during the exact passes such as you will be experiencing next year. Think about what has been happening around you and what you have been feeling the past week or so during the cardinal T-square with Mars in Cancer, Mercury in Libra, and Pluto in Capricorn. Actually, keeping a journal might be a good plan.

Your Aries Sun is not only conjunct the North Node but is also conjunct Chiron. Chiron-Sun aspects often tell us the native is far better at encouraging others than themselves. Aries is usually associated with assertiveness and a willingness to stand up for oneself, but my guess is this does not come as easy for you. Being aware of what it means to be supportive of other people is a more familiar pattern with the South Node in Libra.

Uranus and Jupiter transiting over your Aries stellium will help open your eyes to what it means to be Aries with bells on. Plan on feeling restless and consider increasing the amount of physical exercise you are getting, because that is an effective way to help offset the nervous energy of this transit.

Hang onto your hat, Jonathon, because next year is bound to be one to remember!! Good luck!

Aquarius expounds . . .

Pat’s response:

Jonathon, my friend, if I were you, I would run, not walk, to your nearest friendly neighborhood astrologer and get a complete reading. We can’t even begin to give you the whole picture of everything that’s on the way for you in the next couple of years!

People with close Sun-Chiron conjunctions often are healers, and this is all the more true for you with your eighth-house Sun. The conjunction with the North Node tells me that this is your destiny, and it’s about to be triggered by the cardinal T-square in 2010. The trick is that we first have to heal ourselves, and planets on the South Node often give us clues for how to go about this. You may want to think about how you view material possessions and whether you would be prepared to give it all up if fulfilling your purpose in life depended on it. Moreover, you may want to meditate on how past and future are balanced in your present.

I am not well-versed in evolutionary astrology, but I know enough about it to know that you might benefit from a reading approached from that angle. There is way more going on here than meets the eye, as you obviously are aware. I don’t believe it will take much of a leap for you to make the connections, once someone connects a few of the dots for you and points you in the right direction.

Send us a postcard when you get there, and very best of luck to you!

Got a quick question? Click here to contact Ask Real Astrologers. You must use this form to contact us, or we don’t get your question. Be sure to fill out all the fields, and please spell out the month of your birthday. If you don’t know your time of birth, indicate “time unknown.” Thanks!

Full Moon in Pisces, September 4, 2009

Full Moon in PiscesAfter the drama of the past couple months due in large part to three eclipses, the mild-mannered Full Moon at 12°15′ Pisces on Friday promises to be much easier to live with.

Yes, there are a couple of sticky places – like Mercury stationing retrograde in Libra a couple of days after the Full Moon, and Mars in Cancer squaring Mercury, promoting yelling matches. But given the Pisces propensity for avoiding confrontation and encouraging good will, we may be able to slide on through without making too many waves. I don’t know about anyone else, but I can sure use a little peace and tranquility!

The Full Moon is also the apex of a Yod with charming Venus in Leo sextile Ceres in Venus-ruled Libra. It is the nature of Yods to create a certain amount of tension, pushing at us to stretch ourselves. However, this one is about as gentle a combination as I’ve seen. If there is a better time to make plans to spend time in a tropical paradise, sipping those delightful fruity drinks with umbrellas, listening to the surf washing up on the sand, I don’t know when it would be. Venus in Leo just loves a party and Ceres is willing to attend as long as it’s in a beautiful natural setting while the light of the Full Moon is so flattering to everyone. Most of us can’t begin to afford a vacation in a tropical paradise, but we can create a comfortable, relaxing atmosphere with a little ingenuity. Fresh flowers for Ceres, lovely scented candles for Venus in Leo, and fine potables for Pisces will do the trick.

We were introduced last week to the effect of Mars in Cancer squaring Mercury in Libra as part of a T-square with Pluto. For some, this T-square was very irritating, but for many others it turned out to be the key to breaking out of a period of extended stasis.

Unless you enjoy heated exchanges, steer clear of confrontation, because it won’t take much to set people off right now. People with planets or chart angles in early degrees of the cardinal signs – Aries, Cancer, Libra, and Capricorn – have short fuses at this time. Please sharpen your listening skills and practice speaking clearly, because the pervasive impatience is creating severe interference. We have all had the experience of attempting to communicate with someone who is obviously thinking about what they are going to say and not listening. That’s a pretty good description of a cardinal Mercury being squared by Mars!

Since Pat has a great post on the Saturn-Uranus opposition, I am going take a look at another aspect Saturn is making now – an inconjunct with Neptune in Aquarius. Imagine Saturn in Mercury ruled Virgo doggedly repeating himself in an effort to get his point across, while Neptune in Aquarius is saying, “I don’t care about the darn details, just the big picture. It’s the collective that’s important, not individuals.”

Both Aquarius and Virgo offer valuable contributions to humanity, but the manner they go about it is decidedly different. Detail-oriented, earthy Virgo tends to focus on what’s in front of them, while visionary, airy Aquarius is looking out for the collective as a whole. Read the headlines, and you’ll see this dynamic everywhere right now. Speaking from a Libra perspective, my suggestion is to table important discussions for now, if possible, and take them up after Saturn moves into Libra at the end of October. Hey, it’s highly likely there will be no resolution until then, anyway.

Juno in Aries is making a waxing square to Pluto in Capricorn. All I can say is that if you are in a committed relationship, don’t be surprised if power struggles emerge. In Aries, Juno can be quite headstrong and insistent on doing things her way, and we already know about Pluto in Capricorn’s firm belief that he is the ultimate authority. To avoid sleeping on the couch, seek a compromise both of you can live with.

The Sabian symbol for the Sun at 13 Virgo is, “A powerful statesman overcomes a state of political hysteria,” with the keyword CHARISMA. This corresponds well to the inconjunct between Jupiter in Aquarius and Pallas in Virgo. Pallas is capable of dispassionate insight and applying what she has discerned in an extremely effective manner. In this case, she uses her gifts on behalf of charismatic Jupiter, who needs help in presenting his message to the masses as clearly as possible in order to turn the situation around. This is a hopeful note in a polarized environment.

If we are willing to explore nonviolent means to resolve our differences, we can draw inspiration from the Sabian symbol for the Moon at 13 Pisces: “An ancient sword, used in many battles, is displayed in a museum,” with the keyword WILLPOWER. Pisces generally prefers to avoid combative encounters and often has learned to yield from a position of strength, no longer needing to use the sword to cut opponents down to get their point across.

With Mercury just about to go retrograde for the rest of September, it is my recommendation to step aside from opportunities to engage our opponents and celebrate this Full Moon in gentle Pisces by setting aside time for quiet reflection in as beautiful a setting as you can find. Many of us need time to recover from the turmoil of eclipse season and are in no shape to launch into another battle, further depleting our reserves. Be kind to yourself and others, as always.

Libra seeks balanceposted by Neith . . .

Weekly Forecast August 31: Full Moon in Pisces

Sunset in Bucarest. Photo by the AP.Most of this week should be fairly quiet. I, for one, will be very grateful for the break, but I’m betting that most of you will be, too.

Of course there are always exceptions. If you have personal planets or chart angles in early degrees of the cardinal signs — Aries, Cancer, Libra, and Capricorn — you may start feeling Mercury retrograde a week before the rest of us, thanks to a square between Mercury and Mars on Thursday. Arguments, equipment breakdowns, and delays could try your patience and make you feel downright paranoid.

Even if you don’t have these sensitive points in your chart, you should be wrapping up business and getting major purchases out of the way before next Monday, the sooner the better. We’re well into the shadow period, and most of the rules for Mercury retrograde apply. It would be OK to submit job applications early this week or to pitch your latest creative project to an agent, but then be prepared for it to sit on someone’s desk until late September. Indeed, hope it does sit there. The last thing you want is to be presented with a contract to sign while Mercury is retrograde.

For the fixed signs — Taurus, Leo, Scorpio, and Aquarius — you may feel a little edgy this week. This likely will have more to do with our friends Neptune & Co. than with Mercury’s station. The Moon is in Aquarius from Tuesday through Thursday, and she aligns with Jupiter, Chiron, and Neptune in turn on Wednesday and Thursday. This happens once a month, so you probably won’t be blindsided by some horrendous situation. Rather, you simply may be reminded yet again that you have some important healing work left to do.

Mutable signs — Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius, and Pisces — you get your turn at the wheel on Friday, with the Full Moon at 12 degrees Pisces. Anyone with major planets or chart angles near this degree will feel this Full Moon acutely, but even if you don’t, this is the one-month follow-up appointment for the Full Moon lunar eclipse in Aquarius Leo on August 5. Sometimes eclipse-related results are delayed until the next lunar cycle, so keep your antennae up.

As usual, Neith will have a full report, which we’ll post in place of this week’s Wednesday poll.

In the meantime, start planning ahead for Mercury retrograde, and also be mindful that the Saturn-Uranus opposition is closing in. There won’t be a lot we can do about it, other than to maintain our awareness and vigilance. In a way, we might be glad for this Mercury retrograde period, as it allows us a chance to slow down, catch our breath, and visualize our next move.

Wishing you all strong hearts,
Aquarius, the sign of astrologyPat

Image: Dog days: Sunset outside of Bucharest, Romania, after a hot day in August. Photo by Vadim Ghirda for The Associated Press.

Saturday Extra! Saturn-Uranus Opposition by the Numbers

Photo by Michael Buholzer for REUTERS

Lightning over the Swiss Federal Palace in Bern, Switzerland. Uranus rules electrical storms, while Saturn is associated with political hierarchy. This amazing photo was taken on July 17, 2009, by Michael Buholzer for REUTERS.

Since we’ve started talking about the upcoming Saturn-Uranus opposition, we’ve received many questions asking essentially, “What does it mean for me?”

In this column I’ll attempt to give you a quick rundown of what you might expect given where Saturn and Uranus are  transiting your natal chart. To see how this might work, check out yesterday’s Q&A. 

Most of you have enough knowledge of astrology to know your Ascendant and house delineation. If you don’t, I suggest going to Astrodienst and getting a free chart. It takes a few minutes to sign up, but it will be worth the effort. You can find out which of your houses Saturn and Uranus are transiting by clicking on the option “natal chart and transits.”

This article is very basic and doesn’t take into account whether you have key planets or chart angles being activated, nor could I possibly cover every foreseeable set of circumstances. This is just a starting point. The usual caveat applies: There is no substitute for a thorough reading with a professional astrologer.

First and Seventh

The first house is the most personal area of the chart and represents your physical body. The seventh house concerns one-on-one relationships. If Saturn is in your first house, you are carrying a heavy load and may be experiencing increased responsibilities. This is a maturing transit, and often relationships fall apart during this time, simply because you are changing. Uranus in the seventh house suggests radical changes in your close relationships.

With Saturn in the first house and Uranus in the seventh, you probably are going to experience some shakeups. As upsetting as this may be, it is a prerequisite to forming relationships that meet your needs better and are more fulfilling. Knowing your needs is a good start, and Saturn can help you with that. Remember that your needs are not simply physical, but spiritual and emotional as well.

With Saturn in the seventh house and Uranus in the first, you are in a period of extreme change. This is an exciting time when you can express your individuality and show the world who you really are. However, Saturn in opposition in the seventh house suggests that you may be under pressure by someone you love to stay as you are. Our loved ones don’t like it when we change, because it changes the dynamics of the relationship and in some cases can mean they lose you. You will need to find a balance, but if you try to sacrifice your growth to make others happy, circumstances will arise that ensure you follow your own path.

Second and Eighth

The second house is associated with money we earn through our work and with our material resources. It also represents our personal values. The eighth house is about resources we share with others. For example, if you’re married or living with someone, you probably have joint finances. It also is associated with income we get from sources other than a salary, such as rental income, return on investment, insurance payouts, and so forth.

With Saturn in the second house and Uranus in the eighth, you may have taken a cut in pay recently, or you could have experienced an increase in expenses. Perhaps you had to sell some of your valuables to make ends meet. Uranus is a wild card and indicates a total lack of predictability in other forms of income. If you’re married or living with someone, your partner may have a sudden change in income, and this may cause you to have to shoulder a greater share of your household expenses. If you’re not in a partnership, this opposition could indicate a deep personal transformation that causes you to reexamine the value you place on material things.

If Saturn is in the eighth house and Uranus is in the second, you may be struggling with whether to work for yourself despite the financial risks versus working for an established company that will provide you with health benefits and stability. The latter has great appeal in economically uncertain times, but it may mean that your talents are vastly under-utilized or that you have to put up with a corporate attitude that is totally at odds with your value system. It’s understandable that you’d want the security, but Uranus demands that we give the world our unique gift. Your challenge may be finding a way to do that without ending up living under a bridge on the wrong side of the tracks.

Third and Ninth

The third house rules how we communicate with others, as well as siblings. It also represents our immediate surroundings — our “own little world” — whereas the ninth house is about everything beyond, the great big world out there and all the wonderful things to be discovered. It is traditionally associated with higher learning, travel, and spiritual growth. Of all the places for Saturn and Uranus to be opposed, this is probably the easiest.

With Saturn in the third house and Uranus in the ninth, it may be time for you to explore how programmed behavior you learned as a child is preventing you from personal growth and spiritual awareness. Alternatively, you may be itching to travel or go back to school, but for some reason find that you are limited. You may have to wait more than a year for the obstacles to clear, but they will eventually go away.

The ninth house is actually a good place for Saturn to be. You may be in school or learning new job skills, or perhaps you are advancing in the “school of life.” If you’re distance learning, upsets in your surroundings may be impacting your study time, or maybe your pesky little brother keeps interrupting you. Alternatively, you may be overextended in terms of what you want to learn and are so scattered that you can’t focus on one subject.

Fourth and Tenth

The fourth house rules home and family and also can represent our childhood and “foundation.” By contrast, the tenth house rules our public persona, usually in the context our career.

Saturn in the fourth house and Uranus in the tenth is a classic setup for being on the verge of a career breakthrough or wanting to surge forward with your work but being held back by family expectations or obligations. These limitations can include the “tapes” in your head from childhood, telling you can’t or shouldn’t do something that allows you to follow your heart. Sherry has Saturn in the fourth house and Uranus in the tenth, so you can check out our answers to her yesterday for more information.

With Uranus in the fourth house and Saturn in the tenth, you may be faced with unpredictable circumstances at home or with your family, but you’re not able to deal with them because of work piling up on your desk. It may be so overwhelming that you feel constantly exhausted and disoriented or even depressed.

Fifth and Eleventh

The fifth house is traditionally associated with love affairs and children, while the eleventh house concerns friendship and your social life.

With Saturn in the fifth house, you may be having some difficulty with a child. Or, you may be in a romantic relationship that feels heavy for some reason. At the same time, Uranus in the eleventh house is shaking up your social life, which may be quite active and exciting. You can see how these two sets of circumstances would be at odds with one another. Indeed, when we’re deeply involved in an affair, we often withdraw from our friends and social life, even though going out would help us stay more balanced and healthy.

When Uranus is in the fifth house, our love lives can be exciting but erratic. It’s also a time when we are at our creative, innovative best. Saturn in the eleventh house demands that we work with others and meet our social responsibilities. Once again, you can see the conflict inherent here.

Sixth and Twelfth

The sixth house rules your health, daily routine, and service to others. The nebulous twelfth house concerns your deep psyche, spiritual beliefs, and solitude. Since it represents confinement, it is associated with mental institutions and jails. Hopefully none of you will find yourself there!

Saturn in the sixth house often corresponds to a time when you are working like a dog and not getting any credit for it. If that’s your case, then during this opposition you might suddenly rebel and cop an attitude. Be careful here, because you don’t want to subconsciously get yourself fired! Another possible interpretation is that repressed emotions may be bubbling to the surface as a medical condition. This is often the case for many people, but it may be more obvious than usual to you now.

Likewise, with Saturn in the twelfth house and Uranus in the sixth, you may be inclined to rebel against your daily grind, and you could get yourself in trouble if you don’t stop to think about what you’re doing. Saturn is asking you to think carefully about what hasn’t worked in your life so that you can make the necessary changes. If you can find a balance between these two opposing energies, you have the potential to make some very positive, creative changes, and in a much faster timeframe than you otherwise could achieve.

Much love and courage to all,
Aquarius, the sign of astrologyPat

Ask Real Astrologers: What Can I Expect from Saturn and Uranus?

This week’s question comes from Sherry in Pennsylvania:

On September 15, transiting Saturn will be in my fourth house opposing my natal Chiron in the tenth, and transiting Uranus will be in my tenth house conjunct my natal Chiron. Do you have any thoughts on what I should be expecting?

Aquarius expounds . . .

Pat’s response:

Oh, Sherry, you’ve got one whopper of a Saturn-Uranus opposition! As I’m sure you’re aware, this opposition is not only conjunct your natal Chiron but also involves your natal Pluto and Uranus, and it’s on your Midheaven and IC, to boot! This is all way too complicated to address here, though, so I’ll stick to your simple question (and thanks for keeping it to that) and recommend that you get a full reading with an astrologer for the rest.

With Saturn heading into your fourth house as this opposition peaks, you may feel more “stuck” than some others, and this could take the form of literally being stuck at home. Or, you could be stuck in some way with your family, perhaps due to caring for an aging parent. This would be challenging under the best of circumstances, but Uranus in your tenth house suggests that you are entering a period of changing careers or a big career breakthrough, and so being limited because of home or family problems is not going to sit well with you at all.

There are several ways to interpret Chiron on the Midheaven. It may simply mean that your calling is in one of the healing professions. Or it could indicate challenges in finding the right career or in how you come across in public (or your perception of how you are seen). Uranus has a reputation for blasting us out of complacency and the same old, tired patterns. So if you’ve been banging your head against the wall over and over trying to become “successful,” you could get an awakening now.

Of course, you’ll be trying to accomplish this with the above set of limitations. However, Uranus moves more slowly than Saturn, so eventually these obstacles will clear, and you’ll be able to advance with much less resistance.

Good luck with it all, and keep us posted!

Libra ponders . . .

Neith’s response:

This past summer, when Uranus was stationing opposite your natal Uranus, must have been a tough time for you, Sherry. While we Libras are typically perpetually seeking balance in ourselves and our lives, Uranus transits can feel like we’re running from one side of the seesaw to the other instead of strolling. Fortunately the last pass of this transitional transit will happen much more quickly in March 2010.

Your natal Chiron is also part of a Yod, or Finger of God, with your Libra Sun and Taurus Moon. Anytime we experience a major transit triggering a Yod, it will bring to the surface all the issues represented by the planets involved. Both your luminaries are ruled by sympathetic Venus, and your Chiron is in Pisces, another sign noted for avoiding confrontations. It would not surprise me to find out you have been placed in situations where you have had to stand up for yourself in a very public way recently.

Uranus at its best helps those of us who need it in looking out for our own best interests. With your Sun in your fourth house and Moon-ruled Cancer Ascendant, you are probably more comfortable at home than out in the public eye. The natal trine between your Moon and Uranus in Virgo does suggest you do have the ability to go with the flow, much needed right now.

Be brave, Sherry, and have faith in yourself. Once the dust settles, I believe you will find you like where you are. Even though it seems like the turmoil goes on forever, it doesn’t – honestly!

Got a quick question? Click here to contact Ask Real Astrologers. You must use this form to contact us, or we don’t get your question. Be sure to fill out all the fields, and please spell out the month of your birthday. If you don’t know your time of birth, indicate “time unknown.” Thanks!

Anna Paquin & Stephen Moyer of True Blood – Life Imitates Art

Anna Paquin and Stephen Moyer of True Blood

Anna Paquin and Stephen Moyer, who play lovers in the HBO Series True Blood, announced their engagement in early August, and I immediately had to look at their synastry chart. It appears that their real-life romance is every bit as passionate as their on-screen affair!

The series is based on Charlaine Harris’s wonderful novels about vampires, werewolves and things that go bump in the night, set in rural Louisiana. I am a huge fan of her writing and consider the Southern Vampire series among her best works. Anna plays heroine Sookie Stackhouse, while Stephen plays her vampire lover, Bill Compton.

Unfortunately, all I have to work with is their birth dates and places, but no times. Stephen is a Libra’s Libra with Sun, Moon, Jupiter, and Mercury in this fair-minded sign. Anna is a brilliant Leo Sun-Mercury person with her Moon in analytical Virgo. Anna’s Sun-Mercury conjunction is closely sextile Stephen’s Mercury and Uranus in Libra, creating the basis for good communication — always helpful.

But it is the role Pluto and Saturn play in their synastry that promises to keep them together as a couple. Taking into consideration Anna’s natal Mars-Pluto conjunction in Libra and Stephen’s Venus-Pluto conjunction in Virgo, you have two people who are intense and passionate as individuals. Then to find that both of their Moons are involved, it is easy to understand the deep emotional connection between them. Even without knowing the exact degrees of their Moons, I feel a case can be made for including them partly based on the nature of the roles they play as a vampire and his telepathic lover – a great representation of the dark undertow of Pluto flirting with intense emotions.

Her Saturn in Libra conjoins his Sun and Jupiter exactly, and his Saturn in Taurus closely squares her Leo Sun. In light of them publicly announcing their engagement, I see these Saturn aspects as a very good indicator the relationship will prove durable. As I have said before, Saturn is happiest when the legalities are met. It will be interesting to see when they choose to marry, because it is highly likely to happen during her Saturn return, when transiting Saturn in Libra hits one of his many planets in Libra. There is little doubt in my mind this will be a very equitable arrangement with willingness to compromise on both sides.

Another one of those little synchronicities astrology is so fond of revealing involves Neptune, which is frequently highlighted in the charts of artistic types, especially actors. Stephen has Neptune sextile his Venus and Pluto, and Anna’s Neptune is sextile her Mars and Pluto. I can’t imagine a better set of aspects for playing lovers on screen. The chemistry between them is almost visible.

In an interview in The New Zealand Herald, Stephen said they were immediately drawn to one another but kept the relationship off the set as much as possible to prevent problems with their cast mates. Their on-screen romance definitely benefited from their personal chemistry, and True Blood has become a huge hit. The show is in its second season with a third in the works.

So . . . which came first, the on-screen romance, or the private one? You guess!

Libra seeks balanceposted by Neith . . .

RELATED POST: Find out how the cardinal T-square of 2010 impacted the wedding of Anna and Stephen.

Verified Birth Data: Anna Paquin – 24 July 1982, Winnipeg, CAN, unknown time; Stephen Moyer – 11 Oct 1969, Brentwood, UK, unknown time.

Weekly Forecast August 24: Mercury, Venus, Mars Change Signs

Venus in LeoMercury, Venus, and Mars all change signs this week, and with the Sun newly arrived in Virgo, it’s as though the sands are shifting under our feet as we walk … just as we have to start walking a lot faster.

Overall, we’re in a period of shifting and swift change, and this can mean temporary disorientation and discomfort. Those of us with a lot of fixed signs in our charts will have a more difficult time, whereas the cardinal signs should be quite happy for things to get moving finally!

Mars enters Cancer on Tuesday, with Mercury entering Libra just a few hours later. This means they are square one another, and they both engage Pluto in challenging aspects on Wednesday — Mars by opposition and Mercury by square. Most of you know enough about astrology to know that when Mars and Pluto face off, we end up in power struggles. These can be with another person, or groups can oppose one another. Or, we may face internal conflicts. Perhaps we struggle with an addiction.

Normally, Mercury in Libra would be a good antidote, as Libra is the sign of peace, harmony, and conciliation. However, attempts to intervene between opposing parties could backfire this week, even with the best of intentions. If you find yourself in the middle of an argument or conflict of any kind, step back and think about what’s at the root of the problem. Unfortunately, since Cancer, Libra, and Capricorn are all cardinal signs, there’s going to be a whole lot of talking and action without thinking first.

Complicating matters is that Mercury is in pre-retrograde shadow. He’ll be retrograde September 7-29, during which he’ll return to Virgo for three weeks. During that time, we’ll get to reflect on any issues that come up this week and perhaps revise how we want to handle them. But there may be breakdowns in communications first. As always, when life is moving this fast, the best approach is to stay in the moment and not think too far ahead. There is a potential for rapid change now, and we’re going to have to stay in the flow.

As I mentioned in my Saturday Extra! post, the Saturn-Uranus opposition is creeping up on us. It’s within four degrees, which is enough for us to start feeling the effects. Most of you probably know by now where these two are transiting your chart. If not, look at the houses in which they’re opposed in your natal chart for clues. For example, if they’re located in the fourth and tenth houses, situations at home or with your family may be interfering with your effort to get a new job. An opposition in the fifth and eleventh houses could bring conflicts between caring for children and your social responsibilities, or perhaps you’re in a situation in which someone is transgressing boundaries between friends and lovers.

The good news is that Venus enters Leo on Wednesday, which brings some festivity into our lives. She’s out of synch with Mars, but she’ll be in a bright sextile with Mercury on Friday, and since Mercury is in her sign, this will be a good night for patching up disputes. Go out and have a good time together, and enjoy the moment.

Just don’t let it interfere with your obligations and responsibilities, because there’s no forgiveness this week for not meeting your commitments. I don’t mean to be a party pooper, but I need to let you know that failing to keep promises and commitments will be met with a swift reminder on Saturday, when the Moon in Capricorn triggers the Mars-Pluto opposition.

Much love and courage to all,
Aquarius, the sign of astrologyPat

Image: Venus in Leo is the party girl! Here, she’s wearing a beautiful beaded mask as she gets ready for a samba parade at Carnival in Sao Paulo earlier this year. Photo by Mauricio Lima for Agence France-Presse.

Saturday Extra! Preparing for the Next Saturn-Uranus Opposition

People's Liberation Army soldiers rehearsing a musical performance in Beijing. When I saw this, I immediately thought of the opposing energies of Saturn and Uranus. Photo by Kevin Zhao for REUTERS.

I almost hate to bring this up. We’ve just weathered a long summer storm, with three back-to-back eclipses, and now this.

If you’re like me, though, you’d rather know that more rough celestial weather is in store. We’re not going to worry about it, because that won’t make matters any better. But we can come up with a plan and a couple of backups, just to be safe.

Saturn and Uranus are in a rare, especially long opposition cycle. Normally, aspects between outer planets last several months to a year, and there normally are three passes as the planets move forward, turn retrograde, and return direct.

But this time, we’re going to experience five passes over the course of nearly two years. The first was on Nov. 4, 2008 — Election Day in the United States — at 19 degrees Virgo/Pisces. There weren’t any surprises; Barack Obama was the clear frontrunner and won in a landslide. However, his election marked the end of the Bush years and brought more youthful energy to the White House. We now have a first lady who steps off of Air Force One in denim shorts!

The second pass occurred on Feb. 5, 2009, at 20 degrees, and then we got several months’ relief as Saturn went retrograde. Once he turned direct on May 16, he began inching closer and closer to the third pass, which will occur on Sept. 15 at 25 degrees. Although the exact opposition is still a few weeks away, we’re within four degrees, and that’s enough to start feeling the pressure.

I have a feeling that this pass is going to be different from the others, as it is going to have stronger ripples into the Jupiter-Chiron-Neptune conjunction. Because Uranus and Neptune are in a special relationship (called mutual reception), whatever happens to one affects the other. Perhaps we will get even stronger reminders that we are all connected. With a global economy and instantaneous communications, actions in one country or group of countries can reverberate around the world.

Likewise, what we do as individuals has ripples into our families, social circles, work environments, and the collective. Especially the collective, and that’s going to be a big part of the message, I think. When we heal as individuals — and many of us have been working very hard on this task — it impacts the collective. Our connection to the collective and to universal energies is not one-way. We are constantly downloading and uploading at the same time. It’s more important than ever to remind ourselves that our thoughts and actions have far-reaching consequences.

The last opposition in Virgo/Pisces is on April 26, 2010, with the fifth and final pass at 0 degrees Libra on July 26. Of the five exact alignments, that one is going to be the most explosive, but we’ll have a lot to keep us busy between now and then, so for now let’s just concentrate on what’s immediately in front of us.

I’ll have more on this important long-term aspect in my weekly forecast late tomorrow or early Monday, and I’ll try to give you some idea of how it might play out in your life.

Until then, love and blessings to all,
Aquarius, the sign of astrologyPat

Ask Real Astrologers: Why Don’t I Feel Like Moon in Pisces?

This week’s question comes from Jean in Nicaragua:

I do not feel like a lunar Piscean, more like an Aquarian. I’m also not sure when my Sagittarius Ascendant will progress to Capricorn. For the first question, is it because Uranus is close to my Ascendant?

Libra ponders . . .

Neith’s response:

Jean, I am going to field your question on the progressed Ascendant and let Pat, our resident expert on Moon in Pisces, address your Moon issues.

The “year for a day” method of progressing a chart is easy to use for the planets, because all you need is an ephemeris and good eyes. Just count off the days starting from your birth date equal to your age and read the position of the planets on that day. For progressing the chart wheel, it helps considerably to use astrology software, especially for those of us who are not math whizzes.

Your Ascendant progressed into Capricorn in December 2002, joining your progressed Sun and Venus. By the middle of 2004, Mercury moved into Capricorn also. Since your natal chart is heavy to optimistic Sagittarius, this gradual shift to a preponderance in Capricorn does suggest you found yourself taking a far more pragmatic approach to decision-making than before. My own experience with progressions has led me to believe the influence is fairly subtle (unless your newly progressed planet is hit with a major transit, like being conjoined by Uranus for instance).

By the way, the Moon changes signs about every two and a half years by progression, and yours moved into Capricorn in August 2007. By December 2007, it had crossed the Ascendant. Did you notice any changes in the way you presented yourself around that time? For instance, choosing different colors to wear?

Jean, this is a great opportunity for you to learn about the effect of progressed planets, because this is a first house event for you. I would love to hear more about the changes you have seen, if any. When my Sun and Ascendant progressed into Capricorn, I noticed I gradually started choosing more browns and neutrals to wear after all the brighter colors of my Sagittarius years. Good topic, thanks for bringing it up!

Aquarius expounds . . .

Pat’s response:

I guess Neith considers me the “resident expert on Moon in Pisces” because that’s where my Moon is. I also happen to have Aquarius Sun and Rising, so I can indeed help you with this confusion, Jean.

First of all, I have to ask what you think Moon in Pisces should feel like. No two people experience their planets in exactly the same way. A lot depends on house placement, but you are right to consider other planets in the chart as well. Perhaps having Uranus on the Ascendant gives you some traits of an Aquarius, although for my money, I’d place my bets on Jupiter. As a Rising Sagittarius, you have Jupiter as your chart ruler, and he’s in Aquarius.

I also see that your Moon is square your Sagittarius Ascendant and also Uranus, and this may be inhibiting your tender Pisces Moon. Pisces is very adaptable, and your Moon may be “giving way,” as the Fishes often do, to more assertive factors in your chart. That said, never underestimate the strength of Pisces!

I have to tell you that I wasn’t aware of my Pisces Moon until well into my 40s. I had an intellectual job that fit very well with my Aquarian Sun. Still, I seemed to have a “nose” for certain things, and that is something that Moon in Pisces people often experience. Sometimes we “just know things,” even though we don’t know how we know. If this sounds like you, it’s a good sign that your Pisces Moon is hard at work, even if you don’t feel it consciously.

I hope that answers your question, and thanks for writing, Jean!

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Real Astrologer’s Poll: Post-Eclipse Evaluation

The Summer of the Eclipses is behind us, Jupiter is pulling away from Neptune and Chiron, and the next Saturn-Uranus opposition is about a month away.

We have a few moments to catch our breath before heading back into the fray, and I’m wondering how everyone is doing. Life around here is slowly easing back into a less stressful place, and I am so hoping it will continue to do so. I don’t need any more turmoil, thank you very much!

In this week’s poll, we’d like to know if you are planning your next move or still dealing with the fallout from the past few months. As usual, feel free to leave us a detailed comment.

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Libra loves balancetposted by Neith . . .