November began with the planet of intrigue, imagination, illusion, confusion, the magical and the mystical moving forward again after travelling retrograde since May. On 2 November, this powerful planet, Neptune, started its journey toward bringing deception into the open and the dark into the light. All of the planetary archetypes have their positive and negative expression. In its negative form, Neptune takes us through the lows of deceiving and cheating, whereas positive Neptune takes us to the highs of compassion and unconditional love. The essence of Neptune is the unseen, including everything from shady tricks to benevolent spirit guides. From here on in, with Neptune moving Direct, it should be easier to see what’s normally hidden, including the truth behind spin, and the sublime in the ordinary.
Yet the biggest news this month is the planetary alignment between Saturn and Uranus. These two made their first exact opposition on 5 November and continue their contest right through until 2010. These major archetypes will make five exact alignments over that time. The months in which they make their alignments are likely to highlight the tension between the old ways (Saturn) and the new (Uranus). These are the exact dates:
5 November 2008
5 February 2009
15 September 2009
27 April 2010
27 July 2010
Yesterday, at the first alignment, we witnessed Barak Obama voted in as the first African-American President of the United States. Uranus won that contest. And here in Australia, the Victorian Police Commissioner, Christine Nixon, resigned yesterday after 8 years in office. Again, an old era (Saturn) is ending and a new one beginning (Uranus). This week’s Melbourne Cup, however, saw another win go to long-time successful (Saturn) Bart Cummings who received his twelfth Melbourne Cup trophy. In this case, the old traditional (Saturn) ways won. But the winning horse, Viewed, was an outsider, bringing in a Uranian flavour.
Our challenge over the next 1.5 years will be to discern which bits of the old are worth keeping and which need changing. Often it will seem like we don’t have much personal choice, as collective energies that have been building for a long time (Saturn) break through and express themselves (Uranus). Interestingly enough, the last time Saturn (Capricorn’s ruler) and Uranus (Aquarius’s ruler) were in a similar clash was in the 60s (between 1965 and 1967), during the ‘dawning of the Age of Aquarius’. Certainly there was a consciousness shift in the world at that time, especially regarding liberated sexual expression and rebellion against war (both Uranian breakthroughs).
Between now and the middle of 2010, Saturn and Uranus lead another big consciousness shift. An ‘up’ of these changing times is that Uranus can break us free from aspects of tradition that burden us. A ‘down’ is that Uranus can destroy all that Saturn has dedicated itself to building up. For example, if Saturn is a seaside town, Uranus is a tsunami. Uranus is a wild anarchic energy, the likes of which we saw on September 11, 2001. Saturn represents established structures, just like the Twin Towers. Uranus is associated with planes and air travel, so the image of planes destroying the twin towers awakens both the Saturn and Uranus archetypes. With Saturn now opposite Uranus, the issue of terrorism again looms large and old fears within the collective psyche are being retriggered. Uranus can prompt feelings of anxiety and panic, so in many ways it’s fortunate to have Saturn opposing Uranus – this will help us stay practical, sensible and realistic throughout these changing times.
While going through their tug-of-war, Saturn is in Virgo, a very earthy combination, bringing to mind Mother Earth, yet Uranus is in Pisces, creating a chaotic and unpredictable energy. Under the Saturn-Uranus tussle, climate change is likely to escalate with land masses (Saturn) being subjected to unpredictable shifts (Uranus). In addition, Saturn often limits or restricts the zodiac sign it’s in, and Virgo is the sign of grain. Saturn in Virgo offers an image of the ‘elite’ or those in control (the ‘old guard’) holding the grain, and Uranus in Pisces is an image of revolutionary forces freeing the grain from the rich and sharing it with the masses. The ‘grain’ is also a symbol of the life-sustaining food that we need money in order to buy. With Saturn in Virgo and Uranus in Pisces, financial structures that adversely affect fair distribution of wealth are likely to be radically altered. We’re seeing the early signs of this now with the recent global economic crisis.
Each of us in our individual lives is likely to be faced with choices between doing things the old way or the new. Sometimes the old way deserves to ‘win’ the battle if it’s proved its worth over time. Yet there is much evidence that many of the ‘old’ ways simply benefit the privileged minority. Uranus is particularly intent on overthrowing those kinds of structures. In every Virgo moment, in every seemingly small thing, a big choice is now asked of us. For example will we continue to use plastic supermarket bags or will we say ‘no’ when offered one? With Uranus in Neptune’s zodiac sign, Pisces, we are asked to come to the highest of the Neptune energy and remember compassion for all life forms on this planet in every decision we make. Saturn reminds us of the consequences of not slowing down in each moment and reconsidering options; for example, the sad fate of ocean creatures that choke on our plastic bag refuse.
One of the great things about Saturn opposite Uranus is there’s little time for doom’n'gloom thinking (negative Saturn) because Uranus will surprise us out of dark moods with enlightened, innovative solutions. What an exciting time to be alive. Uranus is associated with Prometheus, the being who stole fire from the Gods and gave it to humans. ‘Fire’ is a symbol of consciousness and our abilities as creators. Uranus/ Prometheus is back in force again, this time inspiring us to use our creator energy to birth peaceful change (Pisces = peace) wherever possible. Saturn in Virgo offers an image of being patient with the old structures until the new are in place. Seeing the queues of Americans waiting hours to get their chance to vote yesterday was truly encouraging. Many of those waiting in line commented they were so inspired by Obama that they were prepared to wait (Saturn) for as long as it took to make their vote count. So let us patiently apply persistent change, and in doing so, let’s point the collective Uranus energy toward a steady current of innovation that keeps us ‘on fire’ with Uranian/ Promethean passion for a more enlightened world.
Now to this month’s Full and New Moons:
The Full Moon in Taurus (at 21 degrees 15 minutes) on 13 November at 5.18 pm (AEDT) is likely to bring clarity over financial issues. This Full Moon encourages slowly taking steps towards a more financially sustainable future. Around the days of this Full Moon, Uranus makes an exact alignment to Jupiter bringing opportunities for new positive directions in the economy. Yet if fear or greed get the upper hand, or the old flawed system is stubbornly adhered to, the Jupiter-Uranus alignment might provoke an enormous blow-up. On a personal level, Taurus asks us to get clear on our values and find ways to simplify our lives without sacrificing life’s pleasures. After all, Taurus does love to indulge. It’s a great time to take a lazy stroll, admiring everything from tall gumtrees to tiny ladybirds. Or visit your local parks and gardens, smell the roses, hug a tree, lie on the grass and enjoy a picnic. To top things off consider sharing hand and foot massages with partner, family or friends – you’ll be in Taurus heaven.
The New Moon in Sagittarius (at 5 degrees 49 minutes) on 28 November at 3.56 am (AEDT) brings the perfect energy for establishing new inspirations. If it doesn’t feel yet as if spring has sprung in your life this year, this Sagittarian New Moon offers a second chance. Sagittarius is a fire sign associated with taking risks and adventuring. Hope, optimism and enthusiasm are on tap, motivating us to go beyond doubts and worries and reach for our dreams. To awaken the flame of Sagittarius within yourself, bounce ideas off friends, join a course, browse your local library shelves, plan a party or book a holiday. Allow yourself to feel free and spontaneous so that the cosmos can work some positive synchronicities through you. The energy of this New Moon is particularly boosted by Uranus, which moves forward on the same day (the 28th). After travelling backwards since June, Uranus comes out of its slumber and starts bringing change. Being a New Moon, this is a seeding time so don’t worry if all your plans don’t take off immediately. In addition, Uranus will need a week or two to pick up speed before bringing change. Use this New Moon to explore, dream, put the feelers out and build faith in an abundant world that meets everyone’s needs.
In summary, November is a month that continues the ‘dawning of the Age of Aquarius’. Each of us has a role to play in envisioning the future. Uranus says ‘aim high’, Saturn says ‘be realistic’. Somewhere between the two lies what we are all currently creating. Let’s have fun as we innovatively co-create the future.