Saturn Opposite Uranus: Changing Times — and Minds

by Gary P. Caton

homas Paine wrote in The Crisis: “These wrote his immortal words. Pluto’s ingress into T are the times that try men’s souls.”1 Capricorn is the crossing of the winter sol- Clearly, it feels as though we are currently liv- stice point, the absolute darkest time of the ing through similar times. Ever since Pluto solar year (in the Northern Hemisphere). Yet, made the ingress into Sagittarius, all three of there is indeed light at the end of the tunnel. In the transpersonal planets have been occu- 2010, a 15-year period of transpersonal empha- pying the transpersonal signs of Sagittarius– sis will end dramatically as the final Saturn– Pisces. The outer planets are called transper- Uranus opposition in Libra–Aries moves across sonal because it takes longer than the average the cardinal axis. individual lifespan for them to make a com- The intense polarizations we have plete revolution around the Sun — thus, they recently experienced from Saturn’s opposi- are seen as significators of collective issues. tions to Pluto and Neptune are then likely to Similarly, the last four signs of the zodiac are ignite. Saturn and Uranus are basically anti- all about collective issues. The first four signs, thetical principles. Saturn is primarily cold; it Aries–Cancer, are personal signs, where the takes away energy. Uranus is primarily hot; relationship is to self — through dealing with it excites. When hot and cold meet in nature, primal, instinctive, survival-based issues we have thunderstorms. The Native Ameri- (Jupiter and Saturn were in this part of the cans called this interplay the Thunder-beings. zodiac at 9/11). The second four signs, Leo– They believed that these beings brought vital- Scorpio, are interpersonal signs, where the izing energy from the Sky to the Earth — to be self relates to another through dealing with used by humans. In Western mythology, the social and relationship issues. Again, the last interaction of Earth and Sky is no less intense. four signs, Sagittarius–Pisces, are transper- Uranus was the God of the Sky. Each night he sonal signs, where the self relates to the col- descended upon Gaia, Goddess of the Earth, lective through dealing with universal, tran- and out of their frequent union came many scendental issues.2 monstrous progeny. Uranus was displeased So, just like the last time Pluto transited and stuffed the undesirable offspring back into the transpersonal signs (1749–1822), we have Gaia’s womb. Saturn was given a sickle by been asked to integrate some very high-order his mother (Gaia) to put an end to his father energies. However, this time, both Uranus and Uranus’s denial. Saturn castrated Uranus — Neptune have added their particular dynam- unleashing the Furies from the spilled blood. ics to the transpersonal emphasis. The focus In the final phase of this myth, Saturn cast the has been on the forest — not the trees. This severed phallus into the sea, and Venus was has been a time of corporate scandals, regime born from the sea foam that arose from Ura-

Mercury Direct Mercury change, global war, and natural disasters — nus’s immortal flesh. not a time of anything “for the people.” After It is rather easy to see this stormy energy 2008, the transpersonals line up in reverse of the archetypal myths in action in the last planetary order (with Pluto in Capricorn, two sets of Saturn–Uranus oppositions in the Neptune in Aquarius, and Uranus in Pisces), 1920s and ’60s. Following the Napoleonic occupying the last three signs of the zodiac wars, European powers became increasingly in a transpersonal crescendo. Pluto will have intertwined, and pre–World War I Europe was returned to the sign it occupied when Paine a constellation of royal families who were 54 Mercury Direct related by marriage. No one imagined that Caroline Myss shows us that this process they could war against each other. Yet, when of questioning is integral even in the experi- the 1920s dawned, the old world order had ence of our most shining spiritual exemplars. been wiped away by Saturn opposite Uranus. In her classic book on archetypes, Sacred During the 1960s, we witnessed the release Contracts, Myss reminds us that Abraham, of the Furies, as the limiting (Saturn) govern- Jesus, Muhammad, and Buddha walked a mental and entrenched, racist social forces path that is archetypal — which means it is the attempted to castrate the limitless (Uranus) same path that you or I must also walk.5 Even freedom-based approach of the civil rights these great leaders were not without their own movements. Of course, this process also led doubts, fears, questions, and “stuck places” to the emergence of Venus — which we saw in on their paths. In fact, the word “question” a flowering of the arts — culminating in “the contains the word “quest.” Both are derived Summer of Love.” The upcoming Saturn– from the Latin quaestus (to ask or seek). Uranus oppositions will even occupy the same It can be construed, then, that the initial signs (Virgo and Pisces) as the last two sets, purpose of an opposition is to bring a until both planets cross the cardinal axis in person to a state of disorientation — 2010. only from there can the individual be Saturn is initiated into new levels of awareness. primarily cold; Opposites Instruct In short, without some sort of stressor When planets are opposed, it means to induce anxiety (an anxiety to which it takes away that we are being challenged to develop our there is no immediate solution), growth energy. Uranus is awareness. The opposition, by nature, is an is simply not possible. It is from the anx- aspect of tension. Nowhere is this more evi- iety of disorientation that growth and, primarily hot; dent than at Uranus’s opposition to its natal indeed, spiritual awareness are born.6 it excites. position when we are in our early forties. We The Buddha had to witness sickness, stand at the nexus of our existence — half of old age, and death before he could follow his it before us and half of it behind us.3 At this spiritual path. The opposition can ultimately point, many people no longer want or need to be seen to represent the “call to adventure” respond to the parental/societal programming (to quote Joseph Campbell) whereby “destiny of the first half of life. Yet, the rejection of this has summoned the Hero and transferred his programming entails a huge responsibility to spiritual center of gravity from within the pale redefine ourselves and our place in the world. of his society to a zone unknown.”7 Dane Rudh­ The anxiety this can evoke is clearly refer- yar explained the process of the opposition enced in the familiar term “midlife crisis.”4 in a very similar way: “There is for man … a Unlike the square, where we are often beginning in the darkness (unconsciousness, forced to choose one path over another, the that is) of instinct, and there is a beginning in opposition often presents no clear way out the full light of conscious intelligence … Form, of a situation. We are hit from both sides in revealed in a moment of lucid perception at a barrage from which there is no obvious the ‘full moon’ phase of any cycle … gradu- means of escape. It is easy then to become ally releases its meaning or significance as the besieged by doubts and even guilt — think- moon decreases in light.”8 ing that the situation is somehow a result of We are collectively undergoing a series a karmic mistake we’ve made. What are we of oppositions. Because of the transpersonal to do as we find ourselves pinned down by nature of the planets and signs involved, this forces that seem to surround us and arrest represents an extremely heightened transper- our movement and development? Well, in my sonal crescendo. This means that the call opinion, the first and best thing we can do is to adventure toward transpersonal or spiri- to give ourselves a break by recognizing that tual awareness is sounding on several levels. this is a fundamental part of the process of As Saturn opposed Pluto from the personal being human. to transpersonal signs of Gemini–Sagittarius June/July 2008 55 Saturn Opposite Uranus

in 2001, we in the United States were faced Pearson recognizes two “pre-heroic” with the grim reality of acts of terror on our archetypes, which describe a phase of nascent home soil. Saturn’s opposition to Neptune awareness, where one has either not clearly from the interpersonal to transpersonal signs of heard the call to adventure or has refused to Leo–Aquarius gave us pause to ask: “Is there a answer it. The Innocent is one who exists in a higher path?” Is the suspension of habeas cor- state of unity with the cosmos. This may be pus and indefinite detainment of the accused due to a happy childhood or romantic or mys- a higher or a lower resolution?9 Is an indefinite tical experiences. The Orphan is one who has state of war a real solution, or just an Orwellian fallen from this state of unity and is seeking to justification of a primitive path? Saturn’s return to the safety of innocence. The orphan oppositions to Uranus begin in the interper- wants to be rescued by someone else. Essen- sonal to transpersonal signs of Virgo–Pisces, tially, the orphan is one who refuses the call but eventually we return full circle to the per- to adventure. The orphan tries to hide from sonal realm, as Uranus enters Aries in the anxiety of the spiritual birth symbolized by 2010. This suggests that our question- the opposition. The hero, on the other hand, The path of ing, doubt, and fear must soon give way is one who takes responsibility for his or her the hero to positive action. The call to adventure own life purpose by setting out upon a path must be answered. toward self-knowledge. Yet, even those who is a process, Uranus, the Awakener, entering take up a heroic path may, from time to time, not a Aries signifies the waking of the people fall back into feelings of being orphaned. The from their collective slumber. Aries is path of the hero is a process, not a destina- destination. commonly associated with the myth of tion. As heroes, we must ever hearken to the Jason, for obvious reasons: The Golden call to adventure. Fleece came from a Ram and was Assuming that one hears the call to adven- deposited in a grove sacred to Mars. Innate in ture and does not refuse it, there are four paths the struggle of Jason is the overthrow of his the hero can take toward self-knowledge and “Terrible Father”10 and his restoration as right- spiritual awakening. These are the Warrior, the ful heir. This is a parable for casting out the old Martyr, the Wanderer, and the Magician. The ruling system — personal or social. Certainly, Warrior is the traditional figure we have come this will be a time of political unrest, as Saturn to identify almost exclusively with the hero. The opposite Uranus has clearly demonstrated in Warrior fights, slays, or conquers and learns the past. Yet, this does not mean that the call through competition. The Martyr appeases or to adventure will have a political current for sacrifices and learns by taking care of others. each and every individual — though it likely The Wanderer rejects what some would call will for many. safety — and flees it — learning, instead, by autonomy and independence. The Magician Elements of a Hero seeks to incorporate and affirm all paths and Carol Pearson is the author of an enlight- learns through peer relationship. ened series titled The Hero Within.11 Through Pearson observes that the typical path for these books, Pearson shows that, despite the men is to assume the warrior role; for women, Western emphasis on the warrior/hero, there it’s the martyr. This is changing somewhat in are indeed many ways to take up the hero’s modern society. Ideally, the hero experiences quest. I believe that Pearson’s model is of par- each of the other three heroic archetypes and ticular interest to astrologers because she sees winds up with a fusion of awareness as the the heroic journey as ultimately combining Magician. Pearson notes that many women these various heroic archetypes in a cyclical spend less time going through the masculine fashion. Better yet, I see her four basic heroic archetypes of Warrior and Wanderer — and archetypes as corresponding to the four ele- men may eschew the martyr role entirely, or ments that have been integral to astrology at least until midlife. Pearson also notes that since, at least, the Hellenistic era. psychological type theory may explain some 56 Mercury Direct individual differences in assimilating the four heroic archetypes. Feeling types have a greater affi nity for the martyr role, and think- ing types prefer the wanderer. Those of you who have seen delineations of Jung’s four psychological types, according to astrological elements,12 likely understand what I’m say- ing here. f R The Warrior archetype most closely resembles the element of fi re. The use of fi re, g after all, is largely responsible for differen- tiating our species from the rest of the ani- mal world. It is also no coincidence that the Uranus–Pluto conjunctions shifting to the fi re signs in 1090 heralded a subsequent explosion is no coincidence that this archetype is the in population and possibilities for humankind. most compatible with the Western world- The shift of the Neptune–Pluto conjunctions view. In fact, the modern Western hero, the to the complementary element of air in 1398 cowboy, is the perfect amalgam of the fi ery began almost 600 years of fi re/air dominance warrior and the rebellious outsider. It is inter- in at least two of the three outer-planetary esting that, as the Jupiter–Saturn conjunc- cycles. The capstone of this period began in tions have begun to mutate to the air ele- 1650 when the Uranus–Neptune conjunctions ment,15 “rogue nations” such as Iran and moved to fi re to form complete fi re/air dom- North Korea are asserting their rights to inance among the outer-planet conjunction explore nuclear technology — much to the cycles for almost 200 years. During this time, dismay of the original rogues who became Sir Isaac Newton’s synthesis of the knowl- fully industrialized around the Neptune– edge of the Scientifi c Revolution completed Pluto conjunctions in air (opposite Uranus in the transformation from an organic worldview fi re) in the late 1800s. to the mechanical world picture.13 Yet, as desperate as the current world sit- It is interesting that, in worldviews preced- uation may seem at times, there is another ing the now dominant Western one, water is story to enact that may counterbalance given priority. The Tao Teh Ching often states humanity’s current legacy of excess fi re and the virtues of the water element: “The high- air. The most recent Uranus–Pluto and Uranus– est form of goodness is like water … water Neptune conjunctions have occurred in earth knows how to benefi t all things without striv- signs. The malleability and affi rming nature of ing with them … the Tao is to the World what the earth element is indeed ours to tap into a great river or an ocean is to the streams collectively now. The earth element most and brooks … nothing in the World is softer closely resembles the Magician archetype. and weaker than water; but, for attacking the The Magician grows through peer relation- hard and strong, there is nothing like it!”14 ship by affi rming and incorporating the best The Martyr most closely resembles the water that others have to offer. This is the person element. Like the Martyr, the Eastern world- who thinks globally and acts locally. By sup- view stresses self-sacrifi ce, the collective, and porting like-minded individuals and sustain- taking care of others. able enterprises, the Magician weaves an The air element most closely resembles enchanted web of community for those who the Wanderer archetype. The Wanderer is eschew the extremes of fi re/air competition essentially an outsider who goes it alone and and isolation. As to the wisdom of the earth explores new ideas in his or her own way. This element of the Magician, the Tao Teh Ching is the self-made individual. I already men- states: “Truly, humility is the root from which tioned the compatibility of fi re with air, so it greatness springs, and the high must be built June/July 2008 57 Saturn Opposite Uranus

on the foundation of the low … in govern- the feminine polarity of earth/water. It seems ing a people and in serving Heaven, there is to me that this presages a change in direction nothing like frugality. To be frugal is to return of mass consciousness. The nationalistic and before straying … Because I am frugal, there- militaristic responses to extremist events under fore can I be generous … Difficult things of the Saturn–Pluto already appear to face a grow- world can only be tackled when they are easy. ing and active opposition. Saturn–Neptune Big things of the world can only be achieved caused many people to question these by attending to their small beginnings.”16 responses that have resulted in torture, the suspension of habeas corpus, and the limiting The Hero in the Mirror of civil liberties — all in the name of freedom So, as we await the collective call to and democracy. As in the ’60s, Saturn–Uranus adventure of Saturn opposite Uranus, I hope represents a revolutionary counterculture we can remember that there is more than response to the dominant Western paradigm one valid path the hero can travel. A hero is of fire/air. It is highly likely that we will see not only someone who achieves great feats, more and more resistance to Warrior/Wan- or rescues people from burning buildings, or derer agendas by a growing group of Martyrs invents some new technology. A hero is also and Magicians. someone who embraces diversity, affirms and Just as Bob Dylan prophesied back in supports others for their valuable contribu- 1963: tions, and engages in the healthy debate of peer relationships. A hero incorporates the The line it is drawn, the curse it is cast, best practices of all cultures/religions/political The slow one now will later be fast, systems into his life and finds win/win options As the present now will later be past, that support his agenda and help the collec- The order is rapidly fadin’. tive. One example of a modern-day hero is And the first one now will later be last. someone who does all the little things she can For the times they are a-changin’. to reduce energy consumption and become more carbon neutral. References and Notes In short, we all can be heroes. Further- 1. Thomas Paine, The Crisis, December 23, 1776; see more, we all have a variety of stratagems www.ushistory.org/paine/crisis/index.htm available to help us evolve on our heroic jour- 2. From Glenn Perry, An Introduction to AstroPsy- ney of becoming ourselves. I suggest taking chology, the Association for Astrological Psychology, a look at the elemental distribution in your 1998. Perry suggests that this can be seen in a simi- chart and seeing what it has to say about lar light as Maslow’s hierarchy, where more complex your dominant heroic strategy. Does it fit? If needs are met at each level until the individual reaches not, perhaps you have a huge new potential to “peak experiences” and self-actualization. tap into. If it does fit, perhaps you can learn a 3. This is admittedly an approximate figure and lot and have some fun by taking a break and assumes the reader is lucky enough to live in a devel- exploring some of the other strategies for a oped country. If you lived in sub-Saharan Africa, the Uranus demi-return (opposition) might more likely change — especially if your dominant element signal the end of life. Most people in the world cur- is either fire or air. If your dominant element is rently have an average life expectancy of 60–75 years; either water or earth, you may have felt like a the statistical world average is 67 years. stranger in a strange land for some time now. 4. It is interesting that the same basic energies of the But this is about to change in a big way. midlife crisis are being played out on the world stage Since both the Saturn–Pluto and Saturn– right now. Saturn is interacting with these energies in Neptune oppositions occurred in fire/air, the same order as the midlife transits of outer planets to Saturn–Uranus in water/earth does represent natal placements for the current generations: the Pluto square, the Neptune square, and the Uranus opposi- a new theme. Add to this the ingress of Pluto tion. Through successive oppositions to these same into Capricorn in late 2008, and we have a planets, Saturn is polarizing these issues in the world clear majority of outer planets residing within at large, so we are forced to become more personally 58 Mercury Direct aware. Saturn opposite Pluto and Neptune brought up J. DiLorenzo (see his book, The Real Lincoln: A New many important social questions. This questioning Look at Abraham Lincoln, His Agenda, and an Unnec- represents a sort of collective midlife crisis. essary War). 5. Caroline Myss, Sacred Contracts: Awakening Your The November 13, 2001 Presidential Military Divine Potential, Harmony Books, 2001, pp. 88–105. Order gave the president of the U.S. the power to detain a noncitizen suspected of connection to terror- 6. This is a basic tenet of many psychological the- ists or terrorism as an unlawful combatant — under ories. For a more thorough explanation of this pro- Saturn trine Uranus (synodic return for the Sibly cess, see, for instance, Carol Pearson’s Awakening chart). Former Attorney General John Ashcroft was the Heroes Within, HarperCollins, 1991, pp. 41–43; born May 9, 1942, under Saturn (just into Gemini) or my article in the Sagittarius 2007 issue of ISAR’s conjunct Uranus in late Taurus. Now holding that The International Astrologer, where I discuss at length office is Michael Mukasey, born July 28, 1941, under the astrological ramifications of Dabrowski’s theory of Saturn conjunct Uranus in Taurus. During the confir- positive disintegration. mation process, Mukasey said he believes that the 7. Joseph Campbell, The Hero with a Thousand Faces, president has the power to negate laws, and he would MJF Books, 1949, p. 58. not commit himself to enforcing congressional sub- 8. Dane Rudhyar, The Lunation Cycle: A Key to the poenas. Understanding of Personality, Llewellyn Publications, 10. See Liz Greene, The Astrology of Fate, Weiser, 1967, pp. 59 and 57. 1984, for an in-depth look at the innate archetypal 9. Habeas corpus — the right to question detention in struggle of Aries. court — appears poised to become one of the bigger 11. Carol Pearson, The Hero Within, HarperSanFran- issues of the time (for more about this, see www.com cisco, 1986 (original) and 1989 (expanded edition). mondreams.org/views05/0110-33.htm). I find it fasci­ 12. The basic idea is: Fire = Intuition, Earth = Sensa- nating and prescient that Saturn–Uranus is embedded tion, Air = Thinking, and Water = Feeling. in many of the people and events surrounding the principle of habeas corpus. 13. Dr. Robert A. Hatch, The Scientific Revolution, 1998; see http://www.clas.ufl.edu/users/rhatch/pages/ The Magna Carta (containing the first formal 03-Sci-Rev/SCI-REV-Home/ laws regarding habeas corpus) was signed under a Saturn–Uranus conjunction on June 15, 1215. The 14. Lao Tzu, Tao Teh Ching, translated by C. H. Wu, U.S. declared independence on July 4, 1776, under St. Johns University Press, 1961. Saturn trine Uranus. The U.S. Constitution (with a 15. Technically, we are under the dominion of the final habeas corpus suspension clause) came into effect on earth conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn in Taurus in March 4, 1789, under Saturn sesquiquadrate Uranus. 2000 — hence, the regressive governmental poli- South Carolina seceded from the Union on Decem- cies since that time. In 1980, the elemental mutation ber 20, 1860, under Saturn square Uranus. This led began, with Jupiter–Saturn in Libra, and starting in to the first suspension of habeas corpus by President 2020, Jupiter and Saturn will conjoin in air signs for Abraham Lincoln, born on February 12, 1809, under the next two centuries. a Saturn–Uranus semi-sextile; he has been accused of civil rights abuses by modern authors such as Thomas 16. Lao Tzu, Tao Teh Ching.

© 2008 Gary P. Caton – all rights reserved

Gary P. Caton has studied spirituality and metaphysics for 20 years. After mastering the Tarot, his life was changed in 1992 by a dream whereby he became an astrologer. Gary holds a degree in counseling and has devel- oped a system of astrology that addresses potential questions via psycho- logical, sociological, and evolutionary perspectives on a developmental continuum. Gary’s work has also appeared in Considerations, Horoscope Guide, Geocosmic Journal, and The International Astrologer. Gary is a pre- senter at UAC 2008 and enjoys frequent speaking engagements for local astrology groups. To arrange a lecture, consultation, or classes, contact him at: www.dreamastrologer.com

June/July 2008 59