This is Part I of an article that will conclude tomorrow. The planetary bodies in our solar system are engaged in a never-ending series of cycles that while repeating on a regular basis, continually unfold into a totally new experience of their effect on humanity. An opposition of Saturn to Uranus now will have a very different influence than it did 100 years ago because of the way human beings continue to change.
Saturn is now, in mid-October 2008, moving into an alignment with Uranus that will perfect on November 4 just in time for election day in the US. Saturn is the outermost of what we call the “personal” planets – the planets that describe the basic psychological experiences and needs that motivate us as individuals. Uranus is the first of the outer, or transpersonal planets which exert their effect on us from outside, creating experiences in our life that demand that we grow and evolve and transform.
In ancient and medieval astrology, and n Vedic astrology still, the outer planets are not considered, For these practitioners, Saturn is the most powerful of the planets – the Lord of Death and Karma, a “malefic” planet that would generally bring about bad things. Modern astrology tends to take a different view of Saturn – one that recognizes his ability to create form and structure, to organize humans into social bodies using customs, morality and rules of law, and to offer up the mundane virtues of discipline, hard work and a desire to achieve something in the physical world. In his guise as the Lord of Time he reminds us that life is fleeting and we’d better do something that will make our lives amount to something.
Uranus was not discovered until 1781 (coincidentally, Pluto at the time was in the sign of Aquarius which is ruled by Uranus). Uranus is the first of the “outer planets” and is associated with experiences that urge us to be free of the shackles of moral responsibility that Saturn enforces – to find our own personal and individual liberty in pursuit of an ideal life. The discovery of Uranus coincided with the spread of these concepts that resulted in revolutions in the New World and in France. These successful revolutions gave rise to a w
ave of revolutionary (Uranian) fever that spread to Russia, China, France, Peru, Serbia, Mexico, Argentina, Paraguay, Korea, Spain, Portugal, Greece and the Ottoman Empire over the next 30 years.
There is a dark side to the idealism of Uranus – in mythology, the god Uranus, Lord of the Sky, was horrified at the monstrous children that were the result of his union with Gaia, and banished them all to Tartarus (a form of the Underworld). He became a cruel and despotic tyrant, hated by all of his children. Saturn, one of the offspring of Uranus, conspired with Gaia to castrate Uranus and Saturn then inherited the government of the world.
The two planets are old enemies and fiercely competitive. Where Uranus urges us to seek the perfection of ideals, Saturn reminds us that the world we live in is full of challenge and shattered dreams. Where Uranus wants to break free of restrictions that bind us, Saturn binds us to our responsibilities and social morality. Uranus prefers chaos and the unlimited scope of new ideas and visions – Saturn requires that we crystallize these visions into solid structures that are acceptable to the society in which we live.
This opposition cycle will last longer than most as Saturn and Uranus face off a total of five times between November 2008 and July of 2010. Saturn and Uranus have opposed each other twice in the past 100 years: between 1917 and 1920, and between 1964 and 1967.
posted October 10, 2008 at 10:03 am
Wow! Great article Lynn! can’t wait to read part 2…
I’m curious to see how this will all play out in November. Especially since the 2 candidates seem like archetypal representations of Saturn & Uranus:
Because of his Aquarius ascendant & being the candidate pushing for a positive shift in the status quo, Obama seems to represent all things Uranus. And John McCain’s Capricorn moon seems to give him that undeniably rigid and oppressive energy that Saturn represents.
But what does the opposition mean for them? Any clues as to who may have a better chance?
posted October 10, 2008 at 11:11 am
The last time was 1964-1967? Oh, we are in for some fun times.
posted October 10, 2008 at 12:26 pm
Lynn, thanks so much for presenting a broader explanation of Saturn/Uranus. I look forward to Part 2. There’s so much being mentioned about this on other astrology blogs in terms of election day that I really appreciate this type of context and perspective. Your blog, by the way, is consistently fascinating and informative!
posted October 10, 2008 at 1:06 pm
Shouldn’t this be from 2008 (instead of 2009)?
posted October 10, 2008 at 5:04 pm
Great article Lynn, can’t wait for Part 2!
Just os happens the Saturn/Uranus thing is going right over my ASC/DESC… which explains a lot.
I too am wondering what will come on November 4th. These two candidates certainly represent the energies of the planets involved. But I don’t think we can draw any conclusions from that, except it’s what’s driving the collective consciousness (in the U.S. that is).
I imagine those time periods you’ll be looking it would be colored by the type of sign energy of the oppositions as well. Virgo/Pisces is tough.
Take care,
Sue
posted October 10, 2008 at 9:20 pm
If anyone wants to get a vibe on saturn/opposition uranus…do yourself a favor and plug into your search engine, The Year of 1965 news…. you will be astounded to look at the events.. In 1965 there were two exact hits and of course on that pass… Uranus was in Virgo and Saturn was in Pisces. The opposite of what we have now, curiously..but the signs will be going off once again.
But if you look it up, you will see MLK marched on Selma, Lyndon Johnson doubled the troops in Vietnam, Watts Riots, Draft cards were burned, Northeast blackout, worth noting big UFO sightings too…how aquarian…And then go look at 1966 where we had 2 m ore hits, one more in January 1967.
It will give you a good idea of some energy we migh revisit. just a thought.
posted October 11, 2008 at 8:12 am
The Year of 1965 news…. you will be astounded to look at the events.. In 1965 there were two exact hits and of course on that pass… Uranus was in Virgo and Saturn was in Pisces
Don’t forget that during that time Uranus and Pluto were conjunct which intensified the drama. This time Uranus and Pluto won’t aspect each other (in a square formation) until the tail end of the Uranus/Saturn opposition. Still, we’re in for an exciting ride I’m sure!
posted October 11, 2008 at 8:14 am
These two candidates certainly represent the energies of the planets involved. But I don’t think we can draw any conclusions from that, except it’s what’s driving the collective consciousness (in the U.S. that is)
You’re right, Sue. Saturn is the urge for same-ness, for consistency, for looking back to the past in a conservative mindset. Uranus is the one that is different – a new way of thinking about life, and that is frightening for people. McCain has been using this diametric on the campaign trail but it appears to be backfiring.
posted October 11, 2008 at 1:18 pm
True. We do not have the uranus/pluto conjunction. But then we are building for the cardinal –pluto/saturn/jupiter/mars Tsquare in 2010. And that might be the T-square of the century. I think I’m feelign it already, but I have a 1 degree cap MC so I might be getting it first..lol.
posted October 11, 2008 at 1:27 pm
Sorry–I left out Uranus. It is pluto/uranus/jupiter/saturn/mars Tsquare in 2010.
posted October 11, 2008 at 7:38 pm
I’m getting to the T-square in the next edition of the article Tracy. That will be REALLY exciting!
posted October 12, 2008 at 12:14 am
Looking forward to it.
posted October 25, 2008 at 7:47 am
The term personal planets in astrology can be a little confusing. Normally it refers to Sun, Moon, Mercury, Venus and Mars. We need a new name for the 7 classical planets as opposed to the transpersonal planets, maybe something like intrapersonal.
Great article – thanks
posted October 25, 2008 at 10:41 am
Thanks Susan – I view the 7 traditional planets as the planets which oversee our personal life and all of the matters surrounding that. Jupiter is our sense of meaning in life – our goals and philosophies. Saturn is our self-doubt and fear. It is only when we come to the outer planets that we begin to face transformational impulses, and that’s why I classify all seven planets as “personal planets.”
Evidently I’m not alone, as shown in this Wikipedia article: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Planets_in_astrology