by Lynn Hayes
As we begin
the final square of the current cycle in the dance between Saturn and Pluto,
what can we expect? The opening salvo in
this square occurs on November 15, and Saturn and Pluto will be in a tight
aspect through the second phase of the cycle in January of 2010. The Saturn/Pluto cycle operates on a global
level, but also on a personal level.
What will we need to let go of personally (Pluto) in order to achieve a
firmer footing (Saturn) in our lives? Where do we need to face the hard truth
(Saturn) and break through barriers for change (Pluto)?
The fact that
Pluto is traveling through Saturn’s sign of Capricorn is significant, as it
provides a double emphasis on the need to build a strong foundation
(Saturn/Capricorn) from which we can derive real power and transformation
(Pluto). Anywhere we have been deluded
or swayed by mass hypnosis into unconsciousness, we will have an awakening that
can be exhilarating or rude in accordance with our ability to understand the
process.
The impact of
this Saturn/Pluto square will be particularly powerful in the United States because it is affecting the
Midheaven of the US
chart, the point of the government and its standing in the world. Events that were set in place during the
opening square and the opposition will come to fruition now, for better or for
worse.
The conflict
between Saturn and Pluto often generates a great deal of fear, particularly in
the face of intense events that occur around us. Any time we encounter Pluto in its guise as
the Lord of Death we can become fearful in the face of the certainty of endings
and change. But Saturn requires that we
face our obligations and work diligently to overcome them, regardless of the
obstacles that are placed in our path.
In doing so we become stronger and more powerful; better able to
navigate any rough waters that we encounter.
If this
planetary combination affects your own chart, you are being called to find the
delicate edge between control (Saturn) and surrender (Pluto). This is a creative balancing act that is
taught in many yoga classes, where we become aware of the edge of our ability
to control our lives and our experience, and then we surrender as we release
that control to go beyond those limits.
In the square aspect, such as we
see here with Saturn and Pluto, there is the potential to integrate the power
of the two planets in an experience of powerful transformation. But first we must embrace the darkness and
dive into the unknown with perfect love and trust.
posted November 15, 2009 at 2:08 pm
i feel the transit of saturn in my 4th house in libra Sun in sco i have mars in libra.pluto transit my 6th venus and my moon,i have a cancer asc, and pluto in my first house.i reall y feel the efect in my 4th libra,having problems with pluming.and relationship.i see were some changes are needed.my earthday is nov.18th,i,ll be 73so i,ll welcome a few new changes…….
posted November 15, 2009 at 3:33 pm
SATURN HAS HIT ME OVER AND OVER JUST HAD IT IN VIRGO,LEO,CANCER AND NOW IN MY PROGRESSED CHART LIBRA.BUT YOUR SHOW TODAY TAUGHT ME SOMETHING I DID`T REALIZE HOW DIFFICULT MY CHART IS ALL BUNCHED UP IN MY 1ST,12TH,11TH HOUSES. THANKS FOR SHEDDING SOME LIGHT!
posted November 15, 2009 at 3:45 pm
I FORGOT TO MENTION I’VE BEEN THE POSTER CHILD FOR PLUTO FOR DECADES NOW! LIKE YOUR HUSBAND RICH I BELIEVE I’M IN MY FINAL STAGES NOW.
posted November 15, 2009 at 6:52 pm
I’ve been stuck at home for the past 5 days sick from flu or food poisoning & lost 8 lbs during that time looking rather skeletal, with no human contact, no television and no phone calls, and then today there is Saturn squaring Pluto. In my natal chart I have my Saturn in Libra only a few degrees away from transiting Saturn, as I am nearing my 2nd Saturn return. in addition, by transit Pluto is conjunct my natal Chiron in 11th house Capricorn, and also loosely conjunct my Sun..thank goodness I am a Sagittarius…
Considering all of this it might be a miracle that I’m not in a dark corner filled with scorpions curled in a ball drooling on myself and sobbing hysterically. lol. only other people who are familiar with astrology might understand how I’m feeling.
posted November 15, 2009 at 8:16 pm
Control/surrender. Since I’ve had some practice with that, I guess I can do it. Again and again and again.
posted November 15, 2009 at 10:44 pm
While Pat’s personal question, which doesn’t quite belong here, would be anyway hard to answer quickly and well, a quick check at the ephemeris gives a few clues to the problem.
It shows Mars in worrisome perfectionist Virgo square nervy Uranus, betraying an inherent tendency to worry and probably stress almost regardless of outer circumstances. The conjunction of natal Sun Pluto and Mercury would also incline to dramatic death and doom scenarios mentally (the admitted worry about 2012 and the pressent world) and in a fixed sign without much flexibility of treatment. One is in danger of getting stuck there.
All sorts of issues might need to be attended to from the Virgoan subject of diet to help soothe nerves and give energy to cope, to arriving at convincing and adequate notions of God who is perhaps subconsciously feared and receives projections regarding 2012 etc.
It’s not widely claimed among astrologers but I am a strong believer in the idea Pluto can be taken as the biblical Creator God, the OT God whom the prophets see as both lord of light and darkness, life and death together, rather than just Lord of Death. The oneness of deity the subconscious may need to come to terms with then comes against the Jupiter/Venus in Cancer in this pattern which is more polytheistic and mother peace orientated. A lot needs to be thought about in this tricky pattern, but coolly, not in a fit of anxiety!.
posted November 16, 2009 at 7:10 am
Rollan, I invite my readers and commenters to ask questions about their charts, that’s how everyone can learn. I responded to Pat at the location of her inquiry.
posted November 16, 2009 at 12:19 pm
Lynn -
I like your characterization of this energy that’s afoot, exacerbated by today’s new moon in Scorpio. In my own chart Saturn/Pluto is conjuncting (Saturn) and squaring (Pluto) my moon in Libra – though separating by close to 2 degrees, still felt. I have a real problem with letting go and the Universe has presented me with an AFGO (another flippin growth opportunity) as a relationship that seemed to me to be “the One” ended in August and i can’t seem to let go. But I am hopeful yesterday’s energy and today’s as well as some ritual work I am doing will ameliorate that change. Thanks for your perspective!
Diane
posted November 16, 2009 at 4:31 pm
Hi, Lynn..!
)so I linked to you.. 
I discovered that you and I have been blogging about the same transit, (although I did it in Swedish
Hope you don’t mind..?
Sam
posted November 17, 2009 at 7:24 am
Sam – of course I don’t mind, I’m always glad to have my posts linked elsewhere.
However, whenever we have to let go of something under a Pluto influence we can trust that it’s our higher self at work, removing anything in our path that isn’t serving us. Even though it’s not what we ourselves would have chosen.
Diane, I understand all too well how difficult it is to let go, with my Moon/Pluto conjunction which squares Scorpio Venus.
posted November 17, 2009 at 12:17 pm
I am a total mess and need some guidence. I am in my 2nd saturn return at 1 degree Libra. My 2nd return begin on 1111, the new moon, the squaring with pluto. Will I live? Absolutly nothing goes my way lately. Is this normal?
posted November 17, 2009 at 12:26 pm
I myself am watching how this manifests on a personal basis, whatwith being born with Sun-Aries at 2 degrees. I like your interpretations, in the big picture sense.
posted November 17, 2009 at 7:43 pm
Hi Lynn,
Thank you for such clarity as to how pluto/saturn difficult aspects manifest in our personal lifes.
I will soon have a saturn/pluto opposition and wonder how it might play out in my life.
I have saturn and north node in cancer in the 6th house and as Pluto moves to the 10th degree it will be opposite these planets. I am wondering how this manifests in my chart-as pluto and saturn were opposite on 9/11. Seems like it will be very powerful.
My birth data is born Boston, Ma 20:40 pm,June 2, 1945
Thanks so much,
Bailey
posted November 18, 2009 at 12:05 pm
Tom, please provide your birth data so that we can take a closer look.
posted November 18, 2009 at 3:33 pm
Feb 17, 1951 0315 Houston Tx, Harris county
posted November 18, 2009 at 6:02 pm
am a sag – 11/23/47 A 4:42 am eastern standard time
is the problem over my animals going to resolve itself? when? am I going to get any money out of it?
& them returned
posted November 19, 2009 at 12:47 pm
Tom, it’s not surprising that you’re feeling a bit stressed. Your Saturn is squared by both Chiron and Uranus and this can be a challenging dynamic. Saturn square to Chiron typically requires us to constantly be experiencing our pain so that we can move through it, and your Moon in Cancer, very sensitive, is involved there too. Pluto started working on this trio back in 2008 and now Saturn is engaged, all around your second Saturn return. YES! You will survive. If you hang in there, and work on the details of your life which is what Saturn requires, you will come through this time period stronger than you were before. Saturn will be finished by the summer. But this is a transformative period for you – you have the opportunity now to shed old habits and patterns (with Chiron coming up to conjunct your Sun) so try to make the best of what’s happening and HAVE FAITH in the process!
posted February 1, 2010 at 11:00 pm
lots of required transformation in area of relationships – ugh! A break any time soon?
dob 5/5/49, 6:51 a.m. Bangor, Maine
posted February 2, 2010 at 9:32 am
Sally, your chart shows some challenges in the areas of relationships that were intensified in 2007-2008, but there isn’t really anything working on relationships specifically right now. Still, perhaps something was activated during that period a few years ago that is still at work.