Saturn inconjunct Uranus: Reality as a Reason to Change

A photo of Saturn showing a giant storm in Saturn's northern hemisphere

(photo credit: NASA/Cassini - December 24, 2010)

As planets cycle around the Sun, they come to moments when they strike angles to each other, which metaphysically describes periods when the whole world seems caught up in some ‘mood.’

In this case, Saturn is inconjuncting Uranus. Inconjuncts (also known as ‘quincunxes’) are 150-degree angles which come in two…um…we’ll call them “flavors.”

The reason why there are two variations on this theme is pretty obvious if you think it through…

And yes, there is a difference between one flavor of inconjunct and the other. But they’re both based in the same idea: adjustment. Whichever way you go, adjustment is required.

So we have two rules to apply here. The first (and generally more basic) is which is the faster moving planet? Since in real-time motion, that planet will be “catching up with” the other (in theory, of course!) that planet is applying the force that the ideals, aims and energies typified by the other planet will have to adjust to.

Since we’re talking about Saturn and Uranus here, that makes Saturn is the adjuster and Uranus (and all things Uranian) the adjustee (as it were!).

The net of this? The net here is that the whole of the period between November 4th and November 27th is going to effectively be a very Saturn-inconjunct-Uranus period.

The technicals here are as follows: Saturn comes within the 1.5 degrees orb (of allowance) to ‘inconjunct range’ to Uranus on November 4th. The inconjunct between Saturn and Uranus ‘perfects’ on November 16th. And Saturn (which is direct motion) exits the 1.5 inconjunct orb-allowance to Uranus on November 27th.

The last time this ‘discomforting’ relationship occurred between these two planets was back in July/August 2006. I don’t know where you were or what you were doing, but I do recall that as a period of time which while perhaps not quite as raucous or contentious as the one we’re in right now was nevertheless rather snarky.

If you want to know what the astrological indicator would be as to why our current Saturn-Uranus inconjunct is so unsettled and unsettling, my first answer would be “Pluto’s conjuncting Facies. Isn’t it a frolic?” (Not!)

But my second would be about the signs Saturn and Uranus were in at that time: Saturn was in Leo (not Saturn’s most graceful position, but workable!) and Uranus was in Pisces. This combination – on both sides – would have engendered some degree of instinctual ‘trying to hold it together,’ particularly as Pisces is all about that underlying emotionalism which at pretty much all costs we try to not contend with.

Uranus in Pisces (the basic dates for which are March 2003 – May 2011) was a very ‘emotionally escapist’ time. There was a lot of looking the other way, a lot of ‘oh, that won’t happen!’ and a whole lot of rose-colored glasses thinking going on. The Uranian tendency to separate the reality from the theory worked rather well with the side of Pisces which doesn’t want to feel the feelings which go along with life’s hard-and-fast truths. There was a lot of substituting of theory (and beliefs) for reality which took hold in this time.

And now we are getting our next celestial lesson in how that does and doesn’t work according to the signs Saturn and Uranus are now in.

Call it ‘how we will deal with realty 2012-style.’

  In Greek mythology, Ouranos (from which we get the name 'Uranus') is the wide open sky and Saturn is one of Ouranos' children. As you can tell in this painting 'The Castration of Ouranos by Cronos' by Georgia Vasari and Cristofano Gherardi (c 1560) where Cronos is the embodiment of 'time' and time is Saturn, we can tell that this is far from a happy primeval family.

With Saturn in Scorpio, as we have been saying, there is a necessity to care about the ‘other guy’s needs (wants, aims). And the difficulty? That’s pretty simple: nobody likes being told what to do or how to do it.

Depending on what sign and house your natal Saturn is in, you have a set of goals and standards within which you live. Call them boundaries, call them expectations…whether they’re cultural, parental, peer-group or dreamed up in your own substantial noggin, they are what they are.

Saturn in Scorpio is all about testing those standards. And no matter where your Saturn is natally, that feels either like a challenge…or like your belief system (see: Saturn/Uranus 2006) is being challenged. Either way, that’s a lot of work and a lot of soul searching. Saturn represents our ability to build…and our tendency to build walls. One is expansive and one is self-limiting. And whoever you are, this November is going to test those concepts at a level you will be aware of.

Remember – planets don’t just strike a harmonic then let it go. Life presents a problem or a challenge and we take it on (or slough it off) and go on dealing with those results for a good long time, tinkering and (yes) adjusting as we go.

As far as that goes, this particular Saturn/Uranus inconjunct is going to revisit us in September/October of 2013. By then, while both still in the same time, Uranus will be (again in retrograde) inching back out of 2nd decanate (emotional) degrees into change-what-you’re-doing/who you are 1st decan degrees as Saturn (in direct motion) is moving from Scorpio’s 1st decan personal/action degrees into the Scorpio uber-test of our emotional ability to deal with stability-instability/certainty-uncertainty which is Scorpio’s 2nd decanate.

Oh joy, oh rapture, right?

That Uranus is currently in the first decanate of “I Am” Aries has given us a lot of ‘trying out new things’ and changes of stance or direction (which may explain a lot). And much of that is good – Uranus in Aries is absolutely all about changing your Self, your sense of self, your direction in life and/or how you’re going about trying to reach your various aims and goals.

The test here really is why. Speaking as an American it’s an interesting fact (or factoid, depending on how interesting you really find it to be) that as soon as Saturn entered Scorpio back on October 5th, politicians on both sides of the aisle started shifting some public positions. (Or at least how they were presenting those public positions!)

 1000 Cubes by Nevit Dilmen (2002)

And this makes sense. They were trying to find ways to reach the people and create cohesion among/with voters, which would be entirely Saturn in Scorpio. After all, whether you believe them or not, whether you like their positions or not, the shift of tactic is very Scorpio. And their efforts are very Saturn - as is the job of President they're trying to secure.

The changes...and that they may be saying they're the person who can create change? That's entirely Uranus (change) in the "I Am" sign of Aries.

And the adjusting of positions? Or their assertions that we should adjust how we see or do things? That's very much the essence of Saturn inconjunct Uranus.

Mind you, there are astrologers who work full-time with what’s known as ‘Greek Whole Sign Astrology.’ Such astrologers just look at planets in signs - wherever they are in that sign, saying ‘for the whole of the time that those planets are in those signs, the RELATIONSHIP holds.’

And that does seem to hold merit. After all, the candidates (and maybe many of us) shifted our positions pretty much as soon as Saturn moved into Scorpio.

But there's something very much also to be said about planets being in aspect. Call it 'whole sign astrology on steroids' or something like that. So if you appreciated that first dose of planetary shift, you’re going to appreciate this November 4-27 shaking of our marimbas that much more.

Or maybe not. After all, Hurricane Sandy came into destructive being pretty much exactly as Saturn and Uranus came into a 3.5 degree orb of inconjunct.

The standard orb is 1.5 degrees. And personally, I work with 2.0 degrees when it comes to inconjuncts because that's where I find the effects most obvious.

Not that Superstorm Sandy wasn't obvious, no...and to be complete here here, Sandy hit the US eastern seaboard as Saturn and Uranus hit a 2.5 inconjunct orb. But  as an astrologer - specifically as someone who spends a lot of time writing and teaching to those who may not know all that much about astrology - I try as much as possible to keep things simple.

And they aren't simple, are they? But then, neither is life. Neither is our universe, or our existence.  

So looking back...what started at the end of the first week of October as a cosmic nudge has now become a blatant reality. We do need to change. We need to change what we're doing and how we're doing it. We need to change our outlook on life, what life is or can be and maybe most of all, the Aries 'me' versus the Scorpio 'all of us' of it all.

That said, ‘adjustments’ the techicals here are that we make will be based on six things:

1. Where Saturn is by sign, house and condition in your natal chart.

2. Where Uranus is by sign, house and condition in your natal chart

3. Where Scorpio and its rulers - Mars and Pluto - are in natally your chart

4. Where Aries and its ruler (Mars) is natally in your chart.

5. Current Mars (in Sagittarius) effects in your chart

6. Current Pluto (in Capricorn) effects in your chart.

Take a minute...look at your chart, whether you have it in hand or you go to a place like Astrolabe (alabe.com) or Astrodeinst (astro.com) to get it cast reliably and for free. This is the glyph you're looking for... 

The reason to look first (and foremost) for Saturn is that Saturn represents all those things which we can reach for. And that we can change, build, restructure or otherwise work on.

Next, remember that chart houses are counted from what we think of as "9 o'clock" in a counterclockwise direction.

Got it? Okay...then here are some basic basics:

IF YOUR NATAL SATURN IS IN...

1st House (or) Aries: Uranus inconjuncting Saturn says that at some level, you need to change what you do or how you're doing it. Don't think you and your efforts don't matter - they do, and you'll find that out through doing.

2nd House (or) Taurus: Don't be defensive, be proactive. It's through your relationships with others and what you learn through others that your life feels more whole, more secure and something you respect more deeply.

3rd House (or) Gemini: Your growth, your changes will come through thinking, and in terms of understanding the power of your mind. Whatever you choose as a personal standard, hold yourself to it. The more you offer others, the more you will achieve. 

4th House (or) Cancer: Your task is to build for a future which will not wait because you are afraid of that which is no more, whatever that may be. What you've learned to this point needs to be applied. Don't wait for the optimal, deal with reality. Create new opportunities.

5th House (or) Leo: During this period you may feel overwhelmed. Hopefully that will fuel your determination, as finding long term solutions which don't depend on others is important. Look to what you can do, not who you/what are. 

6th House (or) Virgo: Cut back to the truly necessary so that you have the time and energy to develop, learn about and implement that which will create a new path for you going forward. Know your limits - and those of others.

7th House (or) Libra: Be honest with yourself about what means what in life. Time counts, right? Devote yours to doing something worthwhile enough that you earn your own self respect. Such things will earn you applause - and more than that, help others, which matters to you.

8th House (or) Scorpio: You're in a period of testing when the most important thing is to prioritize. Don't let difficulties stop you. Believe it or not, what they're taking away is unneeded right now - you can succeed despite all.

9th House (or) Sagittarius: Changing values are a natural manifestation of this time. You can change what you're doing or life will change it for you. The lesson is about growth and how any given thing is but a step in your process. It's time to take another step - a hard one.

10th House (or) Capricorn: It's time to move into a more inclusive, multi-lateral, multi-faceted means of making life work. Join with others. Let others join with you. Some letting go is needed in order to move ahead.   
 

11th House (or) Aquarius: Taking on responsibilities, keeping yourself on track and not overburdening your resources is essential now - and going forward. Comfort cannot be the aim if situations are going to improve.

12th House (or) Pisces: Face your fears. Work on being as realistic as you are optimistic. Life will settle down as soon as you stop thinking some thing or person will release you and take on the challenge of freeing your own soul and feelings. 

  As photographed by Cassini, Saturn and Saturn's shadow, something of a

perfect metaphor for all those things we're afraid to 'turn around and see.'

(photo credit: NASA-JPL)

Not into looking at your chart?

Okay...if you’re not all over that, the pageant which is the US Electoral process is still giving us all a good look at how things can change.

And how things need to change.

And how we will go about trying (or attempting) to change them...and change with them.

Whoever wins this election (and that doesn't just for for the President, that goes for the President and Congress and whatever other office or propositions Americans may be voting for this year). They're all being voted in or out under this Uranus/Saturn inconjunct. So we can expect difficulties, protests, and unexpected problems with the process, and in the wake of the election.

As a matter of fact...let's see...as pertains to this election in particular...the Saturn/Uranus inconjunct will 'perfect' on November 15th (adjusting for local US time zones). That's nine days after election day, right?

That tells us that nine days, nine weeks, nine months and nine years (yes, I said years) are the points at which the choices made on this election day will surface and show their pluses and minuses. 

Meanwhile, back on the campaign trail, presidential campaigns are a good example of how this inconjunct works. Candidates may have come to a point (presumably when Saturn entered Scorpio) when they realized they wanted to change some of their rhetoric. Or when they needed to change a position or two. But when they get to that 'uh-oh' moment, there are already miles of speeches speech-ified and engrained in stone. There are acres of votes, acts and deeds already on the record books and there are those who have already decided that they each or dislike each candidate.

How to change and not alienate those folks?

It's a classic Scorpio tangle. For yes, while Scorpio asks that we find solutions which work for everybody, most of us arrive at the Scorpio situation with our wants and aims in mind. We declare ourselves by getting involved, taking a side and picking a stance.

Then we find out we may not be right. For whatever reason. We may figure out we're not even in the right arena.

It's not often the physical 'how to change' which is the Scorpio problem - that's Uranus in Aries. But the cost? Be it emotional, ethical, financial - the cost?

That's Scorpio.  

Oh yes...Saturn in Scorpio is the land of 'they’ll get me if I do that' and 'they'll hate me if I don't do that.' Emotions rise as we deal with others (and as they deal with us) and the temptation to ‘work’ the situation to our benefit or pleasure is absolutely there.

But...how to achieve all that and still be true to who we are?

That's the question. And what happens when you realize that who you 'are' is really not who you will be happy with yourself for being?

You get my Scorpio/Saturn point? 

Maybe you're reading that last and thinking ‘oh, that’s not me!’

If it isn't, congratulations. Since most of us do fall into one of those Scorpio slots, I might question that, but if it's really not you then, lucky you!

And welcome to the world of others not liking you for not being as mortal as they are.

Irregular Moons being discovered around Uranus

(photo credit: NASA-JPL)

The Saturn quality here is a question of the aim. Since Saturn is always the premise that life teaches us how to succeed in part through seeing how we deal with the reality or even just the threat of failure, Scorpio in Saturn tests our ability to navigate interactive waters with attention on keeping and even keel and eyes on the prize. That person who irritates the tar out of us is life not about how out of line or ridiculous they are, but how well we can work with or around their klunkiness.

That’s one part of ‘adjusting’ ourselves. The years of Uranus in Aries will have us all being more easily set off and excited. They’ll also be years during which we learn more about ourselves than at many an other time. So those who get in our way or who frustrate or irritate us are really teaching us perseverance, forbearance and ingenuity. Being that this is Saturn in the interactive challenge position, the test is whether we can innovate, renovate (old habits and ways of operating) and in general come up with solutions not to their idiocy, but to our tendency to get bothered and to that extent, distracted from our growth, our goals, our aims.

You know, all that Saturn stuff.

For some, Saturn passing through Scorpio will bring on a heavy dose of karma. With Uranus in Aries, this can take a very unpleasant toll on our lives – or even our physicality. Where we have neglected ourselves, November is likely to stumbling us into a wall we’ve built through neglect.

Have you overstepped your bounds? This is the kind of combination which is going to deliver the news that you have (as they say in the Peter Principle) risen to your level of incompetency.

Uranus in Aries is the kind of transit under which some people reach for things they are totally not suited to. we hope they get their fingers out of the door before life slams it shut.

Uranus in Aries is also the kind of transit which causes people to want to ignore all the rules. Arrogance bubbles to the top of their personality and society (Saturn) does a Scorpio boil-over and tells them to put a lid on it.

So we have this transit running all month long. Mercury retrograde will start under this adjusting, side-stepping, coping, frustrating, provocative influence. A solar eclipse will occur just before it perfects.
Saturn inconjuncting Uranus is going to be like an electronic hum which goes on (just about) all month long. Like any such sound, it tends to become background. We get used to its presence.

But that doesn’t mean it isn’t there.

That’s the hard part of transits like this one: we accept them and pretty much forget them. And because we do that, we tend to fall afoul of the pitfalls.

Fortunately blog posts stick around. So if someone drops a house on your foot, after you shriek OUCH and hop around for a while cussing and yelling, you’ll be able to put your foot up and come back and do some reflecting.

Which is rather the point of the transit to begin with, right?
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Uranus at 29 Pisces

  Uranus and a few of its moons

photo credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech

Consider this handwriting on a digital wall: as of late on Monday, February 21st (UT/+0), Uranus will move into 29 Pisces – the last degree of the zodiac.

Any time a planet, asteroid (whatever) moves into 29 degrees of any sign, things get more intense. They feel a little more crazy precisely in the way or in the areas that sign describes. The means by which we encounter that pressure, that intensity, that stress or urgency is described by the planet or other celestial object.

Uranus is one crazy-odd planet! It’s the only planet we know of which doesn’t stand even remotely ‘upright,’ presenting its revolving face to the Sun. No, Uranus rolls around its orbit, each of its poles getting about 40 years of full-on sunshine at a time.

And you’d think that would make that one pole the hot place on the planet, right? Nope! Despite all, the data says that it’s still the Uranian “equatorial” region which is warmest.

(That is, of course, granting that the whole of Uranus is something like a couple of hundred degrees below zero as the Fahrenheit scale plunges!)

Uranus ‘breaks’ the rules. The mere idea of what Uranus is as a planet shakes our concepts of what planets do and how they operate.

Wherever we see Uranus, that’s where our thinking gets ‘shaken up.’

For the past eight years or so, Uranus has been transiting Pisces, the most universal and ‘collective-oriented’ of the zodiac’s three emotionally oriented signs. In Pisces we feel so that we can understand that feelings are universal. Because of that, we hopefully learn to take others into account. We also learn more about ourselves.

Unless of course, we live in Piscean denial. When things get too hard, we tend to just shove or ‘shut’ them away. During these past years some of us have done just that. Some of us have broken out of denial. And the world has become more aware of what emotional trauma can do.

As we have grown more aware of our emotions, we’ve also gotten more ‘touchy.’ And in need of something (or someone) to hold onto. Faith and spirituality have had a huge upsurge while Uranus has been transiting Pisces – people needed faith more. Then again, some found uncomfortable with the idea of any kind of faith at all.

There really is very little difference between these two poles from the metaphysical, Uranus-Pisces perspective. The going towards or away from something, the ‘owning’ it or ‘disowning’ it, the coping or lack of ability to do so – they’re all emotional reactions to feeling something about some part of life. 

That’s Uranus in Pisces.

 Lightning strikes on the Columbia River

Lightning is a very Uranian thing because it's a 'sudden change of status quo,'

because it provides a 'burst of light,' because it startles us, because it

literally disrupts or 'breaks apart' the air flow as the lightning bolt strikes and

because Uranus is associated with all forms of energy (that which can provide

the means for or provoke a change of status) with electricity being at the top

of the Uranian/energy list - as are any systems which carry energy (especially

electrical grids, power plants, etc.) and anything which uses electricity, which

makes it highly apt and meaningful that our world has become so technology-

oriented as Earth moves into the Aquarian Age, Aquarius being the sign

in which Uranus is secondary ruler.

The above scenario, which has lightning striking into water seems like a

prefect image for the moment as it combines the Uranian lightning with the

Piscean element of water - though Pisces is actually most properly symbolized

by the open ocean, particularly at depth.

photo credit: Ian Boggs (2007)

And that’s what will now – as of Monday - reach a fervent pitch as Uranus reaches 29 Pisces, a degree which is known for aptitude when we’re following instructions yet which can veer off into going astray when the necessity isn’t both proscribed and overseen.

This is not the most ‘responsibility’ laden moment, and given Uranus is moving through this degree, that lack of responsibility may become an unsettling, or even jarring force.

Remember…we’re talking about how you react here. This isn’t about the event or situation being upsetting in and of itself – this is about how people react to situations and/or how they react to realizing what they’ve gone through.

It also seems sensible to bear in mind how this isn’t just the end of a sign but the end of a 12-part zodiac process, we can expect a greater sense of urgency to be floating around too. Don’t be surprised if for reasons you don’t quite understand you get into one of those ‘it HAS to be now!’ moods. 

That isn’t a justification, it’s just a fact. It’s going to happen. We’re going to hear a lot about it happening here and there around our world!

Uranus will be transiting 29 Pisces until it makes its Aries ingress on March 12 at just after midnight Universal (+0) Time. Will things get more intense as we close in on that moment?

Possibly. There are a couple of moments between now and then which will certainly generate a blog note!

So just keep this in mind....and don’t be surprised if you feel a little more reactive. It’s a moment for it! This doesn’t have to be bad – far from it: this can be a highly productive time of breakthroughs and ‘getting to the heart’ of various issues. You may make a great discovery, or break free of some restriction which has been dogging you.

Uranus is the planet of the unusual. All you have to give up on at the moment is your allegiance to the status quo. But hey – that could be fun, right?

Or maybe you just know this is the time to finally let go and allow yourself to try. 

That would be Uranian too!

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Uranus goes Direct

This is going to be a really wacky post. Maybe not to you, but to me...yes!

But then, it should be. Why? Because Uranus symbolizes all which is odd, funny, bizarre, shocking, surprising, unexpected or unconventional.

Uranus also represents the heart and soul of all which makes us unique. So my version of wacky shouldn't be your version of wacky. (And if it is, leave me a message - we should talk!)

More importantly, that 'odd, funny, bizarre...etc.' list should imply something else - the part of Uranus symbolism most important to us individually: the more comfortable, complacent or married to some 'business as usual' status quo we may be, the more disorienting, disruptive and sometimes disturbing are the effects associated with Uranian timing.

Ah yes...a little good with a edge of 'oops!'

Of course, this news can't be all that entirely unexpected. After all, since there is restlessness, anxiety, shocks and surprises good and bad in this world, something astrological has to stand for it in symbol form, right?

That 'something' would be Uranus, the planet which rolls around the Sun like some giant, icy bowling ball. No being upright and spinning like a top for ol' Uranus...no, this planet has to do everything differently.

Interesting how astrology noticed that close to a hundred years before scientists understood that sideways would be the way planet Uranus rolls, don't you think?

And whether we're stale, bored, feeling limited or cooped up...or if we're totally dug in and refusing to change our ways...

Anyway...this comes down to one of those quirky life rules - namely the idea that we don't get to go through life redecorating the same old rut!

That's actually how Uranus got explained to me when I was just a young, pencil-pushing naif of an astrologer. Uranus, he said, will at the very least make sure that you change ruts once in a while. 

And what happens in your life, how Uranus manifests for you, that has a great deal to do with how you deal with or embody the principle of change. You're going to change. So what does it take for you to evolve?

Some of us need enough pressure to rip us out by the roots. Or blast us out of our hard-headed mindset.

Whatever it takes, that dynamic gets logged in under the Uranus column. And just in case you're one of those people who really likes being footloose and free, without a care, unbound by rules and unfettered by repetition?

For you, Uranus represents a whole other basket of goodies. When Uranus comes along in your life you get confronted with the need to build, structure and adhere.

Got the point? Whatever you are, Uranian forces are what it takes to effect change. It can be fun, or it can be fearsome. You can feel like your on an adventure of discovery or being thrashed by a trash mill.

What's the purpose? Uranus is ultimately about growth. About keeping ourselves fresh and vital and interested and (oh yes...!) interesting! Heaven forbid life should be boring. Heaven forbid WE should be boring!

But sometimes we are. Sometimes life is. And that's when you feel Uranian energy as an itchiness, an anxious restless nervousness which won't let you rest. People who don't deal well with Uranus as well as people who have it prominently placed in their chart know this energy really well. All too well, most likely!

As for the rest of us, the Uranus urge comes and goes like some unbidden prompter: life as an anarchist, cattle prod or surprise party.

And let's not forget - what you call anarchy may well be what someone else calls a party. In such differences lie the friction which leads to discoveries of a hundred different types...some about other people, and sometimes about ourselves. 

In a wacky little nutshell, it's all Uranus. And now at a Uranian 'turning point,' don't be surprised if 'turnabout' becomes fair play. That's most likely if Uranus' taking a station at 26 Pisces aspects your chart square on, but considering that Uranian moments such as this one often needle many and shock a few, don't be surprised.

And what else does Uranus going direct on December 6th at 26 Pisces tell us? Besides how Uranus in the latter part of Pisces can produce quirky humor and a lot of bizarre choices...besides that, there's a couple of other things.

First is that circumstances which may either ignite changes or french-fry us emotionally are in progress. Twenty-six being a third decanate degree, like all third decan degrees of any sign (the third decan being the range between 20 and 29) ...we aren't in control of what happens. We just get to react.

And given this Uranus in Pisces - a very emotional sign, one can figure there's a lot of feeling and reacting going on!

Then there's the fact that this is Uranus symbolizing the types of changes going on. Many will be unanticipated. Some will be just shocking. And some will involve that which cannot be predicted.

Some of us will rebel at changes now. How DARE anything change! Some of us will just be enormously and inordinately upset.

But who are we upset at?

Lest you get into finger pointing (which is likely to be very, very tempting for some!) whoever or whatever you would be pointing your finger at - be that a person, company, system, rule or anything else...that's not in control either. Life, changing times, evolutionary forces - if you were to be able to ask, you'd find every one of these folks and entities think life is on their back too.

The whole idea that nobody is wrong can be totally shocking. Then again it can be illuminating.

It’s all a little like lightning.

 

Lightning hitting a tree – photo credit: NOAA (2001)

Another aspect of the specific degree here (26 Pisces) is that by nature it is emotional. Pisces is a sign which tests not just our emotional standing, but our ability to deal with emotions – ours, and those of other people. Part of this test is just our emotional tolerance – do we feel safe enough to allow ourselves to feel or be emotionally vulnerable or involved? Can we do that and still maintain perspective, maybe as a parent, spouse or friend? How about as an emergency worker, health caretaker or in some sort of crisis?

Where we are weakest, that’s where life tests us – life’s purpose always being about making us bigger, stronger and more adept. Where we’re strong, we don’t need to grow. Or maybe we’re maxed out in our growth potential.

So life always prods our vulnerabilities.

Is that fair? No! But is that life? Yes!

Plus…not to put to fine a point on things, but  Uranus is going direct in an exact semi-sextile to Neptune/Chiron. That’s a pretty good description of an extra-special test. Or even testiness, in some cases! Neptune/Chiron can be the need to go without. Or the need to care. Or the need to ignore how much you really don’t want to deal with the truth.

It can also be the urge to damage the Self, whether through self sacrifice or an abandonment of hope. So don’t be surprised to hear this is a trying time for many…that would be natural, actually, considering this ‘turn of events’ is also one made to call upon our compassion.

The good news is that if we actually try and deal with things which crop up now we can even surprise ourselves with how capable we really are.

And yes, there are those who will be disappointed to realize they can actually ‘do’ what they’ve been trying to avoid doing!

It’s a funny sort of moment, this one….

Uranus in a comparison with Earth and Earth’s Moon

photo credit: NASA

At the bottom of it is a curious sort of problem posed by Neptune/Chiron being specifically in Aquarius with Uranus being in a Piscean degree which has a reputation for being centered on two things – materialism and religious beliefs, either of which can now be taken to, or defended as of one’s very life is at stake.

That this station takes place at 1:51am (UT/+0), only a few hours after the Sagittarian New Moon occurs at a degree also known to focus on money (especially when people aren’t able to get beneath that to the real question of values)…this would tend to say that issues of the moment center very much on values. What are they? Do we agree? Are we in sync with others on what’s important and what’s merely a flight of conceptual fancy?

Whatever happens, that this station takes place in the weeks prior to an eclipse and with Mercury about to go retrograde cautions us not to act in haste, lest we repent in leisure. What happens now may lead us to considering a few regrets in life yes, but better that we should work through them thoughtfully and come to a decision as to how to proceed in life than to do something now we may regret later.

Remember, it’s okay not to know. Considering all that’s going on astrologically, this would be a time when like as not we simply won’t know all the answers. Admitting that may seem dangerous, but so long as it’s honest…

…We can’t be happy in a world or a life where we aren’t honestly dealing with what's true, realistic and forward looking. Good, bad, ugly and glorious, this is a revealing time and a time which reveals stuff not about ‘them’ …no, no matter what we'd like to think think (or what we’d like them to think!) the reality is that we're the ones who need to change.

All of us. And how shocking is that! The joke is really on us if we get it here - and it's absolutely on us if we don't get it that it's what we don't deal with in and about ourselves which are our own worst traits come to life AND what fosters all we say is so bad, sad and regrettable.

It's our world - so the world doesn't have to change. We do!

(And so ends my odd blog on all things odd!)