NorthPoint Astrology Journal
Your guide to astrological energies for September 14 to 20, 2009
Written by Pam Younghans
"The energy of 'Opposites' will help us taking a little distance in
order to create clarity in what seems to be chaos. Because this chaos
is an illusion. Instead these experiences in opposites will help us in
making the right choices. Don't let these opposites bring you off
balance."
We have powerful energies to work with this week, with the Uranus-
Saturn opposition being the primary player. The alignment is exact and
therefore strongest on Tuesday -- but its effects are extended into
the next several days due to the Sun's alignment with Saturn on
Thursday and Friday's New Moon conjunct Saturn and opposite Uranus.
As I mentioned in last week's Journal, we already have been working
with the effects of this Uranus-Saturn opposition for about a year,
with times of strongest influence occurring on November 4, 2008 and
February 5, 2009. This planetary alignment is the energy behind many
of the changes that occurred around those dates. Now, as then, we are
challenged to embrace new, higher perspectives as a means of
navigating the deterioration of old forms.
Saturn in Virgo has been making it clear which organizations and
methods are no longer viable and practical, and is asking us to take
responsibility for doing the work to make improvements. This process
of pruning, weeding and resowing has been occurring on personal,
interpersonal, societal and global levels.
At the same time, Uranus in Pisces has been rapidly and sometimes
unexpectedly altering our understanding of reality. Uranus is the
planet of higher consciousness, and so has been working to liberate us
from the limitations of the mortal perspective. This energy is
reawakening the dormant abilities of the pineal gland, and is
accelerating the growth of spiritual awareness around our planet.
Both planets have honorable intentions, and we have much to learn from
both. But one is focused on the practical world, and the other on the
ethereal realms, and both are vying for our attention. How do we find
the balance point, when we feel like we're being tugged first one way
and then the other?
The answer, and our challenge, is to utilize the higher vibration of
both planets and both signs involved. Even though Saturn and Uranus
seem to be pulling us in opposite directions, if we rise above the
apparent conflict, we can see how each is helping us utilize the
positive traits of the other.
The goal of Saturn in Virgo is to help us analyze current conditions,
to see what isn't working so that we can discard what has outlived its
usefulness, and put effort into repairing those areas that are still
of value. However, we can get caught in the lower vibration of this
energy, which manifests as criticalness, fear, depression and
cynicism. The negative voice can take over, telling us that things
will never get better. We can feel overwhelmed and inadequate for the
tasks we are called to undertake. We may fall prey to the Chicken
Little syndrome, believing that the sky is falling, and looking
outside ourselves for answers and reassurance.
As a first step in shifting this perspective, we must begin to use
Saturn's energy in positive form, by taking concrete steps on our own
to make improvement. Even very small steps are amply rewarded, and the
resulting feeling of accomplishment helps counteract the pessimism
that may have seemed rampant just moments before.
The small step can be as simple as cleaning one room of the house, or
cleaning out one drawer in a desk, or weeding one corner of the yard.
The key is that we are doing the work ourselves, which validates our
ability to take charge of and improve our lives. The energy of
improvement then builds upon itself, and the energetic balance is
shifted to the plus column.
Currently opposing Saturn in the heavens, Uranus offers what may seem
to be a very different perspective, and yet we find that it is also
complementary. Uranus assists in our handling of Saturn's energies by
reminding us of the higher perspective, and by encouraging us to
connect with our innate spiritual and creative guidance for ultimate
solution. Uranus in Pisces also reminds us to have faith in as-yet-
unseen outcomes, sometimes in the midst of radical change.
These are just some of the purposes of Uranus in Pisces. Others
include the creation of spiritual community, the joining together with
those who are also dedicated to conscious living.
The lower vibration of this influence leads to escapism, by which we
avoid the truth of the situation. At this level, it becomes tempting
to withdraw from earthly reality, to disappear into a world of
fantasy. In this world there is no awareness of cause and effect, and
also little opportunity to grow and make positive changes.
When we use the energy of Uranus in Pisces to our benefit, we tap into
the levels of consciousness that allow us to see the scope not only of
current issues, but also how they relate to our entire lifetime.
Extending this further, we begin to see how what we do and who we are
affects all lifetimes we have lived or are living. And, extending our
awareness even further, we begin to understand the interconnectedness
of all life, and the importance of every healing and growth step we
take, in terms of the larger perspective.
Saturn in Virgo helps us work with Uranus' energies by bringing us
down to earth and reminding us of the need to do the practical work of
living. Through applying the insights of Uranus to our present reality
in concrete ways, we are doing the work we came here to do -- becoming
our higher selves while in physical form.
Another theme being raised by the Uranus-Saturn opposition is the
release of victim/martyr/perpetrator roles. Saturn in Virgo calls us
to take responsibility for our lives, while Uranus in Pisces teaches
us to embody forgiveness and compassion.
And, since alternate names for Saturn are Father Time and the Lord of
Karma, the two-year period in which this opposition is in effect
( fall 2008 through summer 2010) marks a shift point, where we move
beyond the constraints of karma and time. Uranus is known both as the
god of Chaos and the Lord of the Starry Heavens -- which presents some
compelling images of how the process of moving beyond time and karma
is accomplished.
The New Moon on Friday is in Virgo, within one degree of being
conjunct Saturn and opposite Uranus. This lunation reinforces the
shift from old ways to new ways. And, being a New Moon, it indicates
we are at an important time of initiation, one that will help us
create a new vision and a new future for ourselves and for the planet.
The Sabian symbol for 26 degrees of Virgo, the location of the Sun and
the Moon at the time of the New Moon, reads:
"A boy with a censer serves the priest near the altar: The first stage
of actual participation in the great ritual of planetary evolution."
We have been in various stages of apprenticeship throughout our many
lifetimes, leading up to this time of merging responsibility and
perspective. This symbolic image verifies that now we are stepping
into more active roles.
The question becomes: whom do we choose to serve, and what gods do we
choose to worship? Will it be the god of Fear or the god of Personal
Authority, the god of Chaos or the god of Enlightenment and Higher
Consciousness?
The additional interpretation of this Sabian symbol by astrologer Dane
Rudhyar reads:
"The individual is led out into the world of transcendent activity,
the world of archetypal performance. He must learn to serve, humbly
and with intense attention, in what as yet is beyond his spiritual
understanding. He learns to perform every action superpersonally. He
learns to Practice in the Presence of God."
We are taking vital steps in our process of enlightenment this week.
There is likely to be tension in the air, and perhaps some unexpected
shifts in our reality. We are challenged to find our point of balance
between the polarities that present themselves, and to use our
powerful intentions to align with the highest frequencies of Love and
Light.
There are many ways to work with this influence for positive benefit.
For some, it may be personal energy work, meditation, or joining with
others with the intention of increasing our shared Light. For others,
there may be specific situations that arise, providing opportunities
for moving beyond existing limitations. And for others, there may be
very practical chores to be done to whittle away the excess that is no
longer needed or productive.
Whatever manifests in your life, I send you many blessings for your
path to unfold in grace and ease. And for those who are signed up for
our workshop on Saturday (see below), I look forward to seeing you
there!
___________________________________________
NorthPoint Astrology Blog: Remember to check out my blog during the
week for periodic astrological updates -- and post your own comments
and personal stories: http://northpointastrology.blogspot.com/.
Highlighted Aspects
Monday: Jupiter biquintile Mars, Chiron quincunx Sun, Saturn quintile
Mars; Tuesday: Uranus opposite Saturn, Neptune opposite Venus, Uranus
quincunx Venus; Wednesday: Jupiter biquintile Sun, Neptune quincunx
Sun; Thursday: Uranus opposite Sun, Pluto square Mercury, Saturn
conjunct Sun, Mercury re-enters Virgo; Friday: New Moon 11:44am PDT,
Pluto septile Chiron; Saturday: Sun trine North Node; Sunday: Mercury
conjunct Sun, Venus enters Virgo, Chiron biquintile Mars, Pluto trine
Venus
About the Journal
Astrologer Pam Younghans writes this weekly NorthPoint Journal based
on planetary influences and guidance received. Her hope is to offer
perspectives and insights that will assist you in utilizing current
energies for your greatest benefit and for the benefit of All.
Astrology Readings
To request a personal astrology reading, please e-mail
pam@northpointastrology.com. Or, see the "Readings" page at
www.northpointastrology.com for more information.