Saturn Journeys

Saturn moved into Libra on 29th October 2009 where he will stay until October 2012.  This is part of a series of articles starting first with Pluto in Capricorn and ending with Uranus in Aries aimed at discussing how best we can utilise these energies in what is and will be a very challenging period.

Saturn's transits denote a period of slowing down in some area.  The energy tests and restricts carefully that part of our lives under the microscope.  At its best he can solidify and crystallise resulting in increased authority and strength; at worst he can drag us down-exposing weaknesses and flaws.

In Libra Saturn has moved half way through the natural zodiac having weighed in on the more personal signs, and is now turning his attention to how we relate what we are and have accumulated.  This then is a test of partnership - the dichotomy of retaining a sense of self, allowing its expression, and sharing with others.

In relationships this is a period of examining commitment.  If we have bonds that serve us but are feeling run down then any hard work involved in making it work again is in order.  This could take many forms: Giving each other freedom to express individuality outside of the relationship, committing to share moments together that reaffirms the partnership, resolving to face your individual and joint pressures together or simply taking the heat out of other issues by being together and enjoying quality moments - there is a lot of strength to be gained with this approach.  If couples have been living with issues for some time and have perhaps been putting up a front then Saturn in Libra could well expose this.  For people in these scenarios relationship counselling would be an excellent way to work through it.

Whilst Saturn is in Libra Uranus moves into Aries - there is therefore a need to see both sides of the coin.  A partnership will not be successful if we're not personally invested in it - similarly if we're not investing in ourselves.  The whole period is strong for personal and inter-personal development and the challenge here is keeping the scales balanced by investing time and energy in both.  Some relationships will end at this time and letting go may not be easy.  If this happens to you then its worth keeping in mind that letting of something that doesn't support or sustain you will serve you well in the future.  For you, this might be a time to affirm yourself and recognise what you've projected onto partners - idealisms, dreams and fears that had no basis.  Working hard to be the person you want to attract might be fitting and productive now.

Saturn responds best when we put the effort in - he is a hard taskmaster but responds in kind with qualities of foundation, authority, stability and security - you somehow feel more grown up after his work - more authentic.  These gifts tend to last and the movements of Saturn in Libra should be seen in that light - a chance to build bridges and cross bridges.

More Saturn in Libra articles discussing the retrograde period into Virgo and other themes can be found here. Other articles related to the Cardinal Grand Cross can be found here.

Note: This article is featured in Saturn in Libra and Relationships, published on Sasstrology as Part of the 2010 International Astrology Day Blogathon. The purpose of this web-based event is to create a permanent library of articles about how to deal with the stresses of the Cardinal T-Square of Pluto, Saturn and Uranus. The main page for the Blogathon collections is at The Cardinal T-Square of 2010: Saturn, Uranus, Pluto. 

A number of very affordable Chart Reports are available that investigate your innate character, love life, childhood and transit forecast for the year ahead.  Why not order one today and put your future in your hands.

Picture copyright Claudia Meyer

Pluto Journeys

Pluto, the great transformer enters the 5th degree of Capricorn on 26th February 2010.  This is an important moment symbolically as the planet will stay at this degree point throughout March up to the point it goes retrograde on April 7th 2010.  Once it goes direct again it will not reach this point until the end of December.

The Sabian symbol for this moment is intriguing and strengthens the Pluto in Capricorn theme of transformation of structures.  It reads "Ten logs lie under an archway leading to darker woods".

What seems to be required now is a thorough look at what kind of baggage we're carrying - and begin to prune.  This could well take the form of emotional remnants of the past - feelings that we have which no longer serve our life purpose.  The opposing Sabian symbol reads "In spring game birds are feathering their nests".  We are in the midst of a financial downturn, and one that looks set to deepen.  What's being spoken of here is consolidating and securing our positions - principally our finances and home base.  In times of trouble it is these places we draw strength from and retreat into (relationships are also emphasised here with Saturn in Libra squaring Pluto).

This then is a time to gather sticks, consolidate areas that support and sustain us - and rid ourselves of those things that don't.  The lunar and solar eclipses over the New Year also spoke of these themes.

A lot of fear could be generated now and some perspective on the process would be extremely valuable.  Whilst there may be significant challenge it might be helpful to consider it a time where a tree is being planted - one that needs to be tendered and watered from below and the suns rays to blossom from above - it also needs to be pruned and shaped - these are necessary steps to personal growth.

The Sabian symbols throughout the early degrees of Capricorn (and through all of this year) are below.  As Pluto goes retrograde we will have a further opportunity to develop these six areas - any effort expended on these themes could prove enormously helpful to our life stories and challenges this year.


1. Rising to the challenge - not to give into fear
2. Repair, renewal and sanctuary - going inwards to find strength - repair from in to out
3. Manifestation into reality - make concrete plans that affirm your position
4. Cooperation - group effort - seek help and counsel and offer it to others
5. Determination and vigilance - be strong and alert amidst the challenges
6. Change, prune - simplify, reduce, sustenance through change, walking new pathways

It is also worth remembering that our children, boss, neighbour, friends and family will also be experiencing these shifts.  The development of compassion and understanding with others will serve us well.

Other articles related to the Cardinal Grand Cross can be found here



A number of very affordable Chart Reports are available that investigate your innate character, love life, childhood and transit forecast for the year ahead.  Why not order one today and put your future in your hands.






Picture copyright Griszka Niewiadomski

The Pulse Synaptic

It's been a pretty fraught kind of week.  Misunderstandings seem to have abounded everywhere - the sky is quite 'touchy'.  Mercury Mars in opposition, yods and of course the backdrop of the challenging Pluto in Capricorn Square Saturn in Libra.  Uranus in Aries will soon join those two bringing more 'electricity' to the tension.  Most of the planets are backed up in Aquarius and Pisces creating dreaminess, possibilities, hope, community, healing - signaling forthcoming endings and new beginnings and dragging its feet as the themes play out.

This lovely poem by Anne Stevenson might sum it all up rather well:

"The way lives touch touch and spring apart, the pulse synaptic, local, but its stretch electric - as when cities lose themselves in velvet under winking planes, binding black hostilities with gold chains."


Picture copyright Jason Aaburg

Moon in Aries

The other day I was sat reading in a busy coffee shop and in walks a man and his daughter.  I normally lurk in the corners in these places but because it was so busy the comfortable places were taken - I hence had to sit in the middle seats.  Upon entering the store the man immediately pointed over my head to 2 comfortable leather seats that had just become available and said to his daughter 'They're nice chairs, grab them'.  Off she went.  This man gets to the counter and is served, gives his order and then gets confused - whereupon he shouts across the shop 'Sorry, I didn't ask what you wanted'.

This is a very typical Aries quality - direct, spirited, action oriented, impulsive in a childlike innocent sort of way.  Aries is great at starting something but the follow through to produce is usually left to someone else.

The Moon is in Aries now for the next few days.  It's great for shifting stuck energy, being spirited, creative and starting something new.  If you don't consider others along the way you may find them mopping up after you :-)

Picture copyright Gyom Seguin

Valentines Day New Moon

There is a New Moon in Aquarius on December 14th at 02:51 Universal Time which also coincides with Valentines Day.

This New Moon is rather a mixed picture.  The romantic signs at first seem very productive - The Sun and Moon are conjoined with Chiron and Neptune - an opportunity therefore is available for compassion and healing.  Added to this the two 'benefic' planets of Venus and Jupiter are together in Pisces - Venus in Pisces is highly romantic and Jupiter expands this to paint a picture of the romantic couple - lost in each other.

However, there is another side to the Valentines Day coin.  Pluto and Jupiter are Sextile and Quincunx a Retrograde Mars - thus forming a Yod or 'Finger of Fate'.  Adding to the Yod configuration is Mercury opposing Mars and therefore on the reaction point of the aspect.  What on earth does all this mean I hear you ask?

Well, in practice this might be like one person wanting to eat Chinese for dinner, the other wanting Indian.  The prospect of being out of step with each other might get highlighted and communication difficulties could then ensue.  The New Moon, whilst being a seed point, is also a time where we are literally 'in the dark'.  The key to this New Moon and to Valentines Day is going to be in recognising the other person's individuality - any attempts to mould, coerce or manipulate the events will inevitably backfire.  What is required is adjustment - if we can shift position to accommodate the values of our partner then the promise of this New Moon (mentioned earlier) will come alive.

Venus in Pisces is a sign of being in love with love - during Valentines it would be appropriate to question that notion - am I really here? What is it I love? We should perhaps also lower our expectations.  If we can do that, then a nice time will be had by all.



Picture copyright Cecile Graat

Venus in Pisces

Venus enters Pisces on February 11th at 12:09 Universal Time for a month long sojourn until March 7th.

Venus in Pisces is the poetic muse, the incurable romantic and the agony aunt rolled into one.  Seduced by Neptune she wears both the agony and ecstasy of romance, the enhanced creativity of an artist, painter or musician and the absorber of emotions that can make a compassionate and caring friend.  This then is a highly spiritualised Venus that knows no boundary.  In love you may at times not notice her there at all - so indulged is she in the universal love that the mechanics of it may seem, well, rather banal.

All manner of partners may knock at her door looking to capture that wonderful amorphous energy and give it form.  For instance, a Mars in Virgo man who organises, tidies and fixes the partnership - someone who also may be cutting and damaging to her sensitive soul.  Or perhaps a Mars in Scorpio man - she'll be in awe of his depth and power.  He'll metaphorically want to kidnap her and drag her to his lair - such a willing victim too good an opportunity to miss.  He'll take her fawning nature and indulge her in it even more.  At first she'll love being whisked off her feet - a fantasy come true.  But then realism dawns that this is not a place of wonder.  Demons lie in the Scorpio caves and Venus in Pisces wants nice dreams - not nightmares.

If you hurt a Venus in Pisces person they'll feel it deeply - their revenge may be in clinging to the source of the pain.  Irrationality and obsession could surface driving her to evoke the warrior Venus 'Athena' - complete with battle armour and a sword of truth in her hand.

So, for a month this love energy is in the sky - beautiful, tempting, soft and subtle - rather fitting for Valentines Day week.  Indulgence is there for the taking.  Just be careful how far you place your hand in the fantasy cookie jar.  You may not be able to get it back out :-)

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Picture copyright Julian Freeman-Woolpert.

Tuning In

Mercury moves into Aquarius on 10th February at 09:05 where it will stay until March 1st.

The planet has been in Capricorn since December 5th so this might seem like a welcome relief.  Mercury in Capricorn brought a serious edge to our thinking - since December we may have been laying the groundwork and foundations, working on plans, making lists - the retrograde phase over Christmas and the New Year further emphasised and deepened this mindset that is looking intently at how it presents itself.

This move into Aquarius then may feel like the first release or shift from these feelings - a sort of 'loosening of the bolts', a chance to think a bit more three dimensionally again.  The long Capricorn stint may have become to drag - perhaps we made lots of plans, laid groundwork, but then...there was an impasse.  Mercury in Aquarius offers the opportunity to enliven again, to think of alternatives.  Mercury was the messenger of the gods and being stuck in one place for too long weakens his message gift - no one sees or hears it! 

So, for three weeks we have a chance to tune in again - free the mind to buzz and dart - to awaken, rather like having a cold bucket of water thrown over you by the water bearer.  The energy of the sky is still rather 'stilted' with action planet Mars still in its long retrograde but this transit affords us the chance to listen to the music of the spheres again.

Photo copyright H Berends