This is a continuation of yesterday’s Part I. I have repaired some typos and unmangled some syntax in the original article.
We can learn a great deal about the effect of the opposition between these two planets by looking back to the post. Back in the fall of 1917 Saturn in Leo began a series of oppositions to Uranus in Aquarius, and halfway through the cycle Uranus entered Pisces followed by Saturn’s entry into Virgo to mirror the opposition that is beginning in November. World War I was already in progress, having begun in June 1914 with the assassination of the Archduke Ferdinand in Austria-Hungary by a Serb nationalist, just two months after Pluto entered Cancer in April. Cancer of course is the sign of the homeland, and Pluto’s journey through Cancer witnessed a world war (Pluto) over national boundaries (Cancer) and the subsequent complete redrawing of the world map. These new national boundaries gave rise to cultural sensitivities (Cancer) that fostered the beginnings of World War II as Pluto left Cancer for Gemini.
Putting the Saturn/Uranus opposition in the context of the greater Cancerian dynamic, the most interesting timing coincidences of this period is the Balfour declaration which establishes a home (Pluto in Cancer) in Palestine for the Jewish people and the Bolshevik revolution in Russia just as Uranus and Saturn aligned in opposition. The Old and the New, battling for supremacy. During this period too, women (Cancer) all over the world won the right (Uranus) to vote and to become a part of the political process (Saturn)
It wasn’t until 1920 that Uranus had moved into Pisces and was opposed by Saturn in Virgo. At that time the Russian Civil War had turned the liberation (Uranus) of the Bolshevik revolution into the repressive regime (Saturn) of the Soviet Union. The Irish fought a war of independence (Uranus) that was brutally quashed by the British (Saturn).
In the battle between Saturn and Uranus, it is difficult to predict who will be the winner. Often there is a dialectical process in which a successful Uranian rebellion brings a period of Uranian chaos which is then followed by a Saturnian repression in order to consolidate order, but the old way of doing things has been irrevocably changed.
The next Saturn/Uranus opposition occurred in the spring of 1964, this time with Saturn in Pisces and Uranus in Virgo. This effects of this opposition are inextricably woven in with the conjunction of Uranus to Pluto that occurred at the same time, so the pressure for conformity of Saturn was battling not only with Uranus but also with the powerful climactic urge of Pluto for change and transformation. This was a period of unprecedented cultural rebellion and revolution: so-called “free love” and open marriage, revolutionary ideas in psychology and psychiatry, Black Power and the civil rights movement, Women’s Liberation and the battle for female equality. The Beatles and the British Invasion, and Chubby Checker brought black music into the homes of middle class white folks for the first time.
It is said that the easiest way to tell a liberal from a conservative is to ask them about the 60s. If they say “it was a great time,” they’re a liberal. If they say “it was horrible,” they’re conservative. The liberal mind loves change and easily embraces new ideas (Uranus). The conservative mind abhors change and seeks security and stability (Saturn). This is the underlying dynamic in the opposition between these two planets.
So what is in store for us over the next two years? Tune in tomorrow for what I promise will be the last installment of this series!
posted October 12, 2008 at 8:49 pm
It’s interesting to cast the current Presidential election in terms of Saturn vs. Uranus. I wonder, though, which candidate most closely represents which planet?
On the surface, it would be easy to ascribe Uranus to the young, dynamic, inspirational, bi-racial, Obama while having Saturn represent the older, more establishment-oriented McCain. But when I look at these two men’s campaigns, the opposite seems to be the case.
Over the last few months “The Maverick” McCain’s decisions have been the definition of erratic and revolutionary. Just about all the choices he has made (from his off-the-cuff remarks about Iran to his selection of Sarah Palin as a running mate to his sudden campaign “suspension” so he could race back to Washington to help out with the Paulson bailout plan) appear almost improvised in their novelty and lack of foresight.
Also, it’s important to keep in mind that McCain is representing the party that has proven itself to be the most radical and revolutionary political force in decades, both in terms of their vision for how America should be and the way they govern.
Obama, on the other hand, has been calm, steady, stately, unflappable, and remarkably consistent in his messages – very Saturnian traits. The way he organized his campaign to take down Hillary Clinton and get to the general election will be studied for years. His ability to put that structure together also suggests Saturn influences.
One of the criticisms about Obama is his LACK of fire and passion, that sometimes he comes off as too cool and calculated. Similarly, an examination of his policies shows a person who is not looking to rock the boat as far as wild new policies. Obama, the former law professor, is much closer to a Saturn persona than McCain, the former fighter pilot. These are two very different men in key ways, and the Saturn-Uranus opposition is a great representation of this.
posted October 15, 2008 at 3:29 pm
Even tho I would tend to align with some of what was said here, I still am having difficulty seeing McCain as “Uranus” in nature. Mccain, to me, represents the “status quo” – Bush administration which will go down as the worst in American history – but I also know that Mccain is a Virgo (interesting that Palin is an Aquarian) – and Obama is a Leo (Bill Clinton was a Leo). Joe Biden is a Scorpio. Hillary Clinton is a Scorpio. Anyway, Leos are known for being calm in the face of challenges (if you think Leos represent the roar of the lion, that is true, at times, but are hardy when it comes to challenges. McCain, as a Virgo, just on the surface, can go back and forth (I myself am a Virgo, and I go back and forth). So in my estimation, Uranus represents change; Saturn represents status-quo. But I think fates are at work here, and no matter what we do, it’s predestined…
posted October 15, 2008 at 9:36 pm
I still am having difficulty seeing McCain as “Uranus” in nature. Mccain, to me, represents the “status quo
You are absolutely right. If I categorized McCain as Uranus I was in error, I will check that again.
posted October 17, 2008 at 2:48 pm
One can make a case that Obama and McCain each represent Saturn and Uranus. McCain’s “maverick” is pasted onto old ideas that don’t serve the future IMHO, and with some of the decisions he’s made, he’s being perceived as unpredictable and erratic. Obama’s a huge symbol of change and Uranian vision since he’s the first person of color to (probably) be elected to the Presidency, even if he shows Saturnian traits of organization etc. Saturn and Uranus in opposition challenge each other, but what we all hope for is a balance of each, not either/or, but responsible revolutionary change. Let us hope! I’m also interested in the Neptune-Chiron conjunction in Aquarius coming up in the next year. With Jupiter joining the conjunction, don’t you think this gives humanity as individual and collectively its best chance for a vision and good ideas for the future?
posted October 19, 2008 at 8:36 am
I’m also interested in the Neptune-Chiron conjunction in Aquarius coming up in the next year. With Jupiter joining the conjunction, don’t you think this gives humanity as individual and collectively its best chance for a vision and good ideas for the future?
This is certainly a possibility Nancy, and one we would hope for. With the conjunction of Chiron to Neptune (and I’ll be writing more about that as we get closer) there is also a possibility of escapist behavior (Neptune) to avoid painful issues (Chiron), and Jupiter’s expansion can exacerbate that. The expression of these planetary cycles can vary greatly depending on what is going on at the time and where we are stuck.
posted October 24, 2008 at 12:13 pm
I’m intrigued in how Neptune is playing out in the election process. McCain’s natal Venus is conjunct Neptune in the USA Sibly chart (on one leg of the T-square from his Jupiter to Venus oppose Saturn)Obama’s Mars is also conjunct Neptune in the Sibly chart(his Mars also opposes his Pallas). Transiting Neptune is making a Quincunx to all three, along with a conjunction to Palin’s Sun, Mars and Saturn in Acquarius (which are conjunct the USA Moon). On election day transiting Mars will square transiting Neptune, sextile the nation’s Neptune, McCain’s Venus, and Obama’s Mars. Also, on election day transiting Neptune will be exact on Palin Sun. As for Biden,his Mercury is at the same degree of transiting Mars as it squares transiting Neptune. Neptune is definitely in the mix; but can’t it be positive? After all, the USA also has natal Neptune square natal Mars.
posted October 29, 2008 at 6:26 pm
Another major occurrence in North America during fall,winter,spring of 1918-19 while Uranus Saturn were respectively in late Aquarius and Leo was the Spanish Flu epidemic. A Uranian plague came out of nowhere and the medical profession (Saturn) was at a loss to tame it.
posted June 20, 2009 at 10:55 pm
I have been going through a lot of guilt, regret, shame about my behavior in the 60′s. Thank you for clarifying the underlying dynamics for me.