Tag Archives: Saturn-Uranus opposition

Full Moon in Gemini, December 12, 2008

Moonlight Night Winter by Maxfield ParrishThe chart for the Full Moon on December 12 shows an incredible amount of energy and force contained at this moment in time by a grand cross formed in mutable signs with the Sun in Sagittarius, Moon in Gemini, Saturn in Virgo, and Uranus in Pisces, all around 21 degrees.

The key is to be aware that this is all potential energy, not actual, because we are dealing with a stable structure in the grand cross. Unlike a T-square, where the planet at the apex acts as the focal point and shows us the path of least resistance, a grand cross offers no clear outlet but forces consideration of all the avenues on each point. So if you feel like pressure is building and nothing seems to be happening, this is why. Having Mars conjunct the Sun in Sagittarius really does not help, because Sagittarius just naturally loves to be moving and Mars-Sun conjunctions are power generators plus.

However, the Moon in Gemini is always happy to discuss options, Saturn in Virgo is great for making sure all the bases are covered, and Uranus in Pisces is wonderful for thinking outside the box. Overall, this Full Moon offers an opportunity to put together a really great plan, or plans, as the case may be. Another factor to keep in mind is that Saturn is at a virtual standstill for most of December, preparing to station direct on December 31, and this is also putting a damper on initiating action despite the fact no planets are retrograde now. Yes, we may all be extremely frustrated for awhile, so use extra care not to take this out on your nearest and dearest.

As an indicator of things to come, Pluto conjoins Mercury in Capricorn in this chart, supporting all forms of research and digging deeply within to ferret out underlying issues in our lives. This conjunction is excellent for coming up with practical solutions and is also great for keeping us all grounded in reality, something we need help with right now. The waning trine of Jupiter in Capricorn to Saturn in Virgo can offer a modicum of support, but this effect is definitely fading.

There is a waxing conjunction between Venus in humanitarian Aquarius and the North Node in Aquarius that will be exact on December 17. While Venus is rather detached and cool in Aquarius, she still brings kindness and compassion to the table, making this a good time to promote good will to all and an awareness that we are truly citizens of the world and very much interconnected. This is a reminder to offer what support we can to our favorite charities and humanitarian causes, preferably in the form of time.

The Sabian symbol for the Full Moon at 22 Gemini is, dancing couples in a harvest festival, with a keyword GREGARIOUSNESS. This is a lovely symbol illustrating the need to take time for simple pleasures and recognition of our accomplishments as well as renewing our attunement with nature’s cycles and seasons. With the winter solstice almost upon us, this is a perfect time to reflect on where we’ve been and where we wish to travel next.

For the Sun at 22 Sagittarius, the Sabian symbol is, a Chinese laundry, with the keyword SELF-CONTAINMENT. Sagittarius is the sign that most enjoys embracing the richness of diversity while respecting cultural differences. It is important to realize we can draw on those cultural differences as a means of support with no loss of appreciation for the surrounding groups.

As we all struggle with our personal frustrations and the demands of the holiday season, please remember to exercise the gift of Jupiter-ruled Sagittarius, a sense of humor. This is always a great time of year to cultivate one’s appreciation of the absurdity of life on this planet and laugh rather than cry. Remember to practice kindness, because it’s always preferable to avoid doing something in the first place that we’ll need to ask forgiveness for later!

**Please do read Pat’s weekly forecast for this week, December 8, too. With the dynamics in the sky right now, additional perspective can only help.

Libra with Scorpio risingposted by Neith . . .

Ask Real Astrologers: What the Heck Is Going On Up There?

This week’s question comes from Deanne in Gresham, OR:

Could you please tell me what the heck is going on in the firmament? I tripped and fell last week and broke my arm. It’s in a bad spot — way up near the shoulder joint — so I’m working closely with a physical therapist for the next six weeks until the bone is healed and real therapy can begin. Three weeks before I fell, my husband slipped on the golf course and ripped the patellar tendon completely from his knee cap. He had surgery a few weeks ago and is looking forward to at least four months of healing. On the bright side, we have to support each other in almost everything and are enjoying this strange relationship of mutual dependency. We get a lot of laughs putting on each other’s socks and tying shoes.

Libra ponders . . .
Neith’s response:

Wow! Talk about examples of how the Saturn-Uranus opposition can affect one’s life. Deanne, the trigger in your chart was most likely Saturn (skeletal structure) opposing Uranus (accidents) forming a T-square with your progressed Mars in Gemini in your first house.

This particular opposition represents the conflict between the urge to move quickly and the need for cautious action, and I’m sure there are lots of other people out there who are being thrown off balance and having accidents. Progressed Mars in Gemini is very much given to dashing about, and the Saturn-Uranus opposition put paid to that.

In your husband’s case, Saturn is transiting his first house, Uranus his seventh, and the pair of them is forming a T-square with his natal Uranus in his tenth house. Yup, Saturn really curtailed his ability to move about normally in the world at large and in his career. Uranus transiting his seventh can represent your unexpected injury and the need for the two of you to cooperate to do simple tasks.

One possible way to handle this opposition is creative (Uranus) restructuring (Saturn) of the way we manage those areas of our lives where this ongoing opposition falls, because we’ve got two more years of this opposition to work with. Good Luck!

Aquarius expounds . . .

Pat’s response:

Well, there is certainly more than one way to look at a chart, which is the whole point behind this column!

While I agree with Neith that the Saturn-Uranus opposition is wreaking havoc with many of us, I see the Scorpio-Taurus lunar cycle written all over this one, as well as the eclipse cycle in Aquarius and Leo.

Although the New Moon in Scorpio on October 28 and the Full Moon in Taurus-Scorpio on November 13 do not exactly correspond to the dates of your injuries, they are close enough, and these lunations were the midway point between important eclipses in August 2008 and January/February 2009. The reason I feel that these are driving factors in your situation is that you and your husband represent all four of the fixed signs. You are Taurus with Taurus Rising and Moon in Scorpio, while he is Aquarius with Leo Rising. This is a strongly fixed-sign relationship, and sometimes it takes crises to knock fixed-sign people out of old habits and into healthier ways of living and being.

You are so good-humored to see the absurdity and irony in the situation, but this is right-on astrologically. I have written a lot here and on my personal blog about this eclipse cycle and its unique opportunity for healing, including deep wounds stemming from an ancient separation between male and female. And here you are, joining together through remarkably similar injuries! I’m not sure I’d recommend this as the best means for healing a relationship, but whatever works!

Much love and courage to both of you, and keep us posted on your progress.

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Weekly Forecast December 1: Venus conjunct Jupiter

Venus and Jupiter aligned with the Moon on December 1, 2008Wow, can you believe it’s December already? I was in Macy’s last week, and the obnoxious Christmas music was blaring. Does that stuff really make people buy more? It just made me want to race out of the store.

As we approach the winter holiday season, there’s growing tension that is going to knock many of us off balance. The change we’ve been wanting may come all at once, at the least convenient and comfortable time. As the old saying goes, watch what you wish for …

This week begins on a quite lovely note, though, with a positive vibe through Wednesday, so take advantage while you can. Venus and Jupiter conjoined early this morning on the West Coast of the United States, and the Moon will conjoin them both later today. We had pea-soup fog here all day yesterday, but it looks like it’s going to stay clear today, so I’m hoping to be able to see the spectacular show this evening. This is such a rare wonder that even astronomers are talking about it. There’s a great article on Space.com, if you’d like to know more.

Astrologically, this is a wonderful occasion for visualizing what you most desire. Go ahead, write a letter to Santa. Seriously, isn’t that the earliest experience with visualization and manifestation that many of us have? A bit simplistic, but it worked a lot of the time, too!

The Moon spends most of Tuesday and Wednesday in upbeat Aquarius, and aside from the little twinges we might get when she conjoins Chiron, the general mood should be friendly and social.

The shift begins subtly on Thursday, when the Moon enters Pisces, and the tension starts to build early Friday when Mercury squares Uranus, which just turned direct last week. If he doesn’t bring swift and sudden news, the Winged Messenger at least will direct your attention to the handwriting on the wall.

We are well past the exact opposition of Saturn and Uranus, which won’t align again until early February. However, as I’ve noted before, we will feel this energy periodically as it is triggered by the lunar cycle and other planetary transits. With the Sun, Mercury, and Mars all in Sagittarius, we are moving toward a T-square in the mutable signs, which generally coincides with rapid change. With Uranus involved and the Moon amplifying its erratic energy, we can expect unpredictable events and upsets. Next week’s Full Moon is a going to be a whopper, but I’m getting ahead of myself.

The Sun and Mars conjoin on Friday at 14 degrees Sagittarius. This is a lot of firepower, and you can use it favorably to achieve certain goals, depending on where this conjunction falls in your chart. Still, even positive changes may require you to totally rearrange your life. Mutable signs are pretty good at this. Those of us with a lot of fixed energy in our charts face more of a challenge.

On Saturday, Mercury squares Saturn, with the Moon aspecting Uranus, Mercury, and Saturn. This is a day for heated arguments, so follow the advice that Neith always gives at the end of her lunation posts and try to be kind, no matter how angry you may be. There are ways of expressing your anger without deliberately inflicting wounds on others. As humanity progresses toward higher consciousness, we are becoming more and more aware that when we hurt others, we hurt ourselves.

Later on Saturday, Mercury forms a favorable sextile to Neptune in Aquarius, so if you’ve had a hurtful argument, this is your opportunity to patch things up right away and perhaps break through to higher ground. Sometimes we need to clear the air in order to get to the bottom of a problem.

On Sunday, Venus enters Aquarius, not a sexy sign for her to be in, but she’s friendly and outgoing — nice energy for the start of holiday party season.

Neith will have her Full Moon post up on Saturday or Sunday, so be sure to check back.

Much courage and love to all…

Aquarius, the sign of astrologyPat

Image: This incredible photo was taken on December 1 by astronomer Martin Lewicki, who kindly granted permission for us to use it here. Martin is an educator at the Adelaide Planetarium in Austrialia and hosts a website called Astrolab, astronomy for astrologers. (Thanks to Rossa for the lead!)

Ask Real Astrologers: Saturn-Uranus Opposition Aspecting Natal Jupiter

 This week’s question comes from Elizabeth in Minnesota:

I’m wondering what to expect from the Saturn/Uranus opposition in my 8th and 2nd houses, when Uranus is conjunct my natal Jupiter in the second. How might it all play out?

Libra ponders . . .
Neith’s response:

Elizabeth, you are wise to start focusing on this process now, because you are moving into a period of intense adjustment and reevaluation. As the Saturn-Uranus opposition continues to unfold until July 2010, it will trigger your nodal axis, with your Sun conjunct your North Node in Gemini and your Moon-North Node conjunction.

The interplay between your sixth house Sun and twelfth house Moon is underscored by Saturn in Virgo, ruler of the sixth house, and Uranus in Pisces, ruler of the twelfth house. Your routines, both health and job related, will affect your self esteem and your willingness to be open to frequent revision of plans is key to the process. It is also important to allow your natural optimism to lead the way and avoid as much as possible getting caught up in paying too much attention to the tiniest details.

When Uranus turns direct on November 27 it will square your Nodal axis exactly in late December and for most of January 2009 for the final time. This transit can bring people and situations into our lives to jump start our awareness. Thankfully your Gemini Sun and Sagittarius Moon both enjoy new ideas and concepts and embrace change with more enthusiasm than others.

If there is any particular theme to hold in your mind and heart it is to always go for the big picture, the inclusive philosophies that embrace many different ways of thinking and being. By the time 2010 rolls around you may have come up with a whole new way of generating income for yourself most likely through service to others in some capacity.

Hey, at least Pluto is done turning you inside out emotionally and you will not be bored – Gemini’s least favorite thing. Good luck and do your best to be kind to yourself and all those who cross your path.

Aquarius expounds . . .

Pat’s response:

Well, as usual, when I let Neith go first, she makes all the salient points! What I can add, though, is that I, too, have the Saturn-Uranus opposition in my second and eighth houses, and so I’ve thought a lot about what this might mean.

With the U.S. economy in dire straits, we all want some security. I was a freelance writer, editor, and consultant for years, but being without health insurance and facing the feast-or-famine aspect of self-employment is wearing on me. This past May, I decided to take a day job, and this could turn into an opportunity for job security with great benefits, too. This is the Saturn side of the equation, and especially Saturn in Virgo, which is thinking about all the practical necessities. To get even more Virgo about it, I’m in a service career for the first time in my life rather than an intellectual desk job.

However, I expect the Uranus side to rebel sooner or later — likely sooner, as he comes out of retrograde next week, and then I think we’re going to see some rapid change. Uranus doesn’t like being put in a box, and in Pisces he wants to exercise creativity. In your second this house, this means earning a living through your creative, innovative side (as Neith noted, you likely will find a new way to generate income).

So you can see how these energies are opposed: one wants security, while the other wants freedom to create. I am hoping to find a way to integrate the two, and I wish the same for you, Elizabeth.

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Weekly Forecast November 17: Sun and Mercury enter Sagittarius

Thy Templed Hills, Maxfield ParrishWell, I certainly can tell that Mars is in Sagittarius! The traffic picked up this weekend, I burned a bunch of food, and people weren’t shy about expressing their anger.

Unlike Mars in Scorpio, which tends to seethe silently, Mars in Sagittarius tells you exactly what he thinks. Sagittarius is ruled by Jupiter, the god of extremes who throws a volcanic temper tantrum, gets it out of his system, orders a round for the entire house, and insists that everyone drink and be merry.

Mars rules motors and moving parts, while Sagittarius rules vehicles. Put that together, and you’ve got a lot of people on the go in planes, trains, and automobiles. But Sagittarius also is the hunter and lover of the great, wild outdoors (thus my image for this week). They seem incongruous, but then, as I mentioned above, this is a sign of extremes.

Sagittarius is definitely the theme this week, with Mars as the advance party for the Sun’s entry in the sign of the archer on Friday and Mercury’s arrival on Saturday. This is the start of the winter holiday season in much of the world, too, although I have to tell you that it sickens me to see all the Christmas displays in the stores so early. I know that’s their way of dealing with a sinking economy, but still…

On a day-by-day basis, here’s how the week stacks up:

On Monday, Mercury in Scorpio squares Neptune in Aquarius. It may be time for a reality check, but don’t assume that means your bubble is burst. Sometimes we don’t give enough credence to our dreams, since society in general tends to discourage this. And while I’m a big proponent of staring truth directly in the face, I also know that there are times when fantasy and imagination can be survival mechanisms. As with many things, the key is awareness. As long as you know you’re doing it, it’s probably OK.

Tuesday through Thursday are fairly quiet, except for any activity that might be stirred up by Mars in fast-moving Sagittarius. Friday is the big day, when the Moon in Virgo activates the ongoing Saturn-Uranus opposition, Jupiter trines Saturn, and the Sun changes signs.

The Moon is just one activator that will keep the Saturn-Uranus opposition in flux even though the first exact pass is behind us. Neith and I both have written a lot on this topic, and you probably know by now how this aspect is playing out in your life. Jupiter’s trine to Saturn provides an opportunity to take steps toward making real changes in your life. Uranus is stationed, about to go direct next week. Once that happens, change will come swiftly and may feel out of control. Having some long-range goals in mind will help you make on-the-spot decisions, if necessary, and will provide grounding.

We all should feel some lightening up once the Sun and Mercury enter Sagittarius, so plan something fun this weekend. That said, Mercury is in his detriment in Sagittarius, mostly because he tends to blurt out the truth without thinking. This is definitely not the time to ask, “Honey, do I look fat in these jeans?”

Love and blessings,
Aquarius, the sign of astrologyPat

Image: Thy Templed Hills, by Maxfield Parrish, 1936.

Ask Real Astrologers: Will Pluto Help My Career?

This week’s question comes from Deirdre in Dublin, Ireland:

Pluto will trine my Ascendant early next year and the question I would like to ask you is, what can I expect and how can I prepare for this? Saturn’s transit on my Ascendant right now is hemming me in on all sides. Will I ever get a chance to shine in a career again? I was wondering if perhaps next year’s trine might help me to do just that.

Aquarius expounds . . .

Pat’s response:

Deirdre, Pluto’s trine to your Ascendant certainly couldn’t hurt, but I wouldn’t count on it to override other, more compelling transits that are in fact quite challenging.

The biggest issue I see for you is that transiting Saturn is conjoining your natal Pluto. Everyone born in the mid-1960s will experience this difficult transit over the next year or so, although it will be different for everyone depending on the location of Pluto in their natal chart and aspects to other planets. What you all have in common, however, is the complication of going through this transit during the opposition of Saturn and Uranus.

Typically, Saturn transiting natal Pluto feels like being stuck and getting slammed from all sides. I’m sorry to have to report this, and I don’t mean to scare you. But just know that it’s hard to make progress during this period, and trying to swim against the current likely will tire you out with no visible results. It’s almost better to do nothing, or at the very least save your energy for one or two priorities and put everything else on the back burner.

With Uranus in opposition, you will have the added factor of upsets and surprises, all designed to get you to make sweeping changes in your life. If Saturn weren’t in the picture, you’d be able to adjust fairly well, and you’d probably see the opportunities opening up to you, unless you’re the kind of person who fights change and needs to be forced to let go of people and situations. However, Saturn is a limiting presence, and no matter how much you may welcome change, something or someone may hold you back.

In your case, this probably will have to do with money, since Saturn and Uranus are opposing on your second and eighth house cusps. There will be changes, though, and some of them may come in surprising ways, totally out of left field. My best advice to you is to conserve your energy, hang in there, and don’t give up! It’s just a matter of waiting out the storm.

Libra ponders . . .
Neith’s response:

Having Pluto trine your Ascendant-Jupiter will very likely be more helpful than not, Deirdre, but the second Saturn-Uranus opposition at 20° is the transit with the most potential for affecting the way the world at large sees you. Saturn will exactly conjoin your natal Pluto in Virgo on February 2, 2009, with Uranus opposing it from your seventh house.

The first pass from Saturn takes place the latter half of November 2008 and will introduce you to issues of import for you. Yes, you may feel hemmed in and weighed down, but the beauty of Saturn is that if you step up and take responsibility for your actions and continue to do the work, the rewards will come. I am willing to go so far as to say it is critical for you to address issues arising from the first pass of Saturn over your Pluto, because the second pass brings Uranus into the picture, and Uranus demands change.

Another important factor is that this transit will trigger your natal Yod with your Moon at the apex and your Sun sextile Pluto as the base. A Yod is comprised of two inconjuncts and a sextile and is also called the “finger of God.” This transit may bring into sharp focus the contrasts between your home and family oriented Sun in Cancer and your Moon in emotionally detached Aquarius. The other point of this pattern is, of course, your Pluto in detail-oriented, earthy Virgo, the sign traditionally associated with the sixth house.

All of these elements bring first-house, sixth-house, and eleventh-house matters into play. In other words, your presentation of yourself, especially in the workplace, is connected to your hopes and dreams and becoming your most authentic self. It may seem simplistic, but if you pay attention to how you feel (the Moon) on the job and observe how others respond to you (first house), you will gain insights into who you really are and your place within the big picture (Sun in the eleventh house).

Good luck on your journey!

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Weekly Forecast November 10: Full Moon in Taurus/Scorpio, Venus and Mars Change Signs

Walking a tightropeThere’s a lot going on this week, and no matter what your Sun or Rising sign is, you’ll feel a shift.

We’re still in the wake of the Saturn-Uranus opposition, a long-term aspect with far-reaching consequences. The effects are going to take a couple of years to shake out. The challenge here is to walk the fine line between making much-needed changes in your life and being practical and grounded.

Throughout the week, major aspects will release the energy of this opposition, much the same way that an earthquake releases pent-up earth energy. Most of these aspects are positive, and I’m hopeful that this will help tip the balance in favor of maximum change while keeping within tolerable bounds the disruptions that inevitably come with that change.

On Monday and Tuesday, the Sun in Scorpio makes favorable aspects to both Saturn and Uranus, along with Jupiter, which currently is sitting at a near-exact sextile to Uranus and trine to Saturn. Jupiter, a benevolent influence somewhat tempered by his residence in Capricorn, moves into an exact sextile with Uranus on Thursday and trines Saturn next week. Growth starts in your head; what you think and what you believe, both about yourself and the world, can limit your possibilities. New doorways will appear, but to see them, you may have to be ruthless in examining errors in your thinking.

On Wednesday (late Tuesday in later time zones), Venus conjoins Pluto in the last degree of Sagittarius before moving into Capricorn several hours later. Depending on where this conjunction falls in your chart, you may become obsessive or possessive about something or someone. The feelings themselves may be fleeting, but don’t discount deeper, underlying motivations. It all flows into better self-understanding.

Also on Wednesday, the Moon in Taurus amplifies the Saturn-Uranus opposition and forms a grand earth trine with Jupiter and Saturn, providing still more cosmic support for keeping an even keel while abruptly changing course, if necessary.

Thursday is the Full Moon, with Sun in Scorpio and Moon in Taurus (the Full Moon always falls in the sign opposite the position of Sun). Neith has written a full report already, and she also noted that this is the start of Day 6 of the Galactic Underworld (according to Calleman; I’ll have more on this in a day or two over on The Pisces Chronicles). Not only will this Full Moon activate events of the current eclipse series, but it marks a major shift in planetary energy.

Mercury squares Chiron on Friday, calling attention to our deepest wounds. This is never comfortable, but it is a necessary part of the healing process. Accepting the pain, even for an hour or two, will do you more good than resorting to your favorite painkiller, be it an actual drug or escapist behavior.

The Moon enters Cancer on Saturday and, along with Mercury, keeps the energy of the Saturn-Uranus opposition in full flux for the entire weekend. Add to that the entry of Mars in dynamic Sagittarius, and we’re all in for a wild ride. I’ll have more on Mars in Sag in next week’s forecast.

To sum up, if you’re overwhelmed and feeling a sense of inner chaos, so is everyone else, and this is not a bad thing. We’re all ready for change, and this is a necessary phase.

Much courage and love to all…

Aquarius, the sign of astrologyPat

Image: World High Wire Championships in Seoul, South Korea, in October 2008. Photo by Lee Jin-man for the AP.