Saturn is the big news this month —and really the only news. It entered Libra on October 29, and as Saturn begins its new phase, we begin ours.
Almost all new beginnings spark excitement, so don’t be surprised if you are feeling the thrill of a fresh start. Just be aware you might also feel agitated or apprehensive about what lies ahead. Saturn is, after all, also called the “Lord of Karma”—a moniker that’s held up despite all attempts to soften its influence. It is infamous for delivering the bill that divvies up credits and debits—karmic red threads, physical, mental, emotional or spiritual—still in need of work or refining.
Libra is all about relating, which means the one thing we know for sure is that Saturn’s two year-plus journey through Libra will put the emphasis on relationships of every denomination. Anticipate encounters with current, recent or long-gone lovers, friends and other intimate partners. Those meetings can occur in a variety of dimensions—dreams, meditation, memories, therapy, or at the grocery store, gas station or swap meet. No matter where this potential for close encounters unfolds, keep in mind your primary relationship is with yourself. Ask, “What is my spirit trying to learn from this experience?”
Remember, the people who are important to us always mirror our deepest issues. The reflection may not be exact, but the theme is always shared.
Libra, symbolized by the scales, signifies an active process. Relating is dynamic, not static, which is why relationships often have us swinging back and forth, weighing information, emotions, desires, expectations, disappointment, uncertainty, awareness, resilience—as well as increasing our capacity to give and receive. Those fluctuations, while often frustrating, especially when we don’t get what we want, or confounding, when we realize we aren’t in control, are opportunities to live in the fundamental terrain of the heart. Relationships—all of them—are how we live. When we experience our reactions, we have a chance to learn first about ourselves, and then about others, no matter who or what that other may be. And all too often we are far more intimate with friends than we are with lovers or family.
On its transit through Libra, Saturn’s square to Pluto (exact on the 15th) dominates the entire month of November. This is significant for several reasons: Because Saturn is the planet of structure, rules and regulations and Pluto is the principle of death and rebirth, any hard or difficult interaction between them has a tendency to turn human interactions severe. This square is generally characterized by a hard-hearted approach to just about any situation.
What’s more, each planet exacerbates the harshness of the other, which is why the square so easily morphs into cruelty, to self or to others. Be careful not to devolve into self-destructive behavior, and do you best to avoid blaming others for what isn’t working in your life.
The good news about this square is it supports determination and discipline. But in order to transform its severity, you have to make a commitment to the sort of spiritual growth that puts egoistic aims aside.
Pay attention to how the first contact of this square plays out. (Two more squares complete this series—in January and August of next year.) Here’s why:
We are nearing the conclusion of a Saturn/Pluto cycle that began in 1982, during Reagan’s first term as president. The first square occurred three times between March of 1993 and January of 1994, and by the fall of 1994, the “Contract with America” slogan of the Republican agenda became a household phrase. The next hard angle was the Saturn/Pluto opposition that took place in August 2001; we need no reminder about what was set in motion then.
Now we are at the last, waning square of this 37-year cycle. Politicians of both colors continue to use its contractive power for their own purposes, continuing to ignore the possibility of any moral obligation for the good of all beings rather than just of a privileged few. We have certainly seen the many ways one can argue against, obscure, or flat out deny the moral responsibility we have to one another by virtue of sharing the gift of life. As the healthcare reform crisis comes to a head this month, it will be interesting to witness exactly how much weight the rhetorical obscuration that began under this Saturn/Pluto cycle still has. Or perhaps there is a chance that people will throw off the shackles of misinformation and take what would be the “life forward” step for all of us.
In Egyptian mythology, a scale was used in the judgment of the dead. Maat, the Goddess of Law, Truth and Justice, would either place herself or a feather on one side of the scale, and on the other side, the heart of the deceased. If the heart were heavy with the weight of hate or other offenses, Ammit, “the Gobbler,” with the crocodile head, would eat it. And that soul would cease to exist.
A heart as light as a feather is an interesting symbol to contemplate during Saturn’s transit through Libra, especially in connection with partnerships past, present, and future. It’s true—Saturn can be a harsh taskmaster. It is the voice of reality, a voice that never denies what needs to be learned. Those lessons will be personal as well as collective. Affairs of the heart are mostly delicate matters, and its lessons sometimes painfully hard to learn. Don’t let that stop you. As Saturn ventures into the deeply emotional terrain of Libra, venture forth into your own heart. Make a commitment to healing the wounds you discover, and you’ll lighten the load of your soul.
Aries March 21-April l9
Saturn’s transit through Libra is all about finding and maintaining your relationship balance, which of course means strengthening your inner equilibrium. Take your time with this process and you’ll discover deep intuitive resources.
Taurus April 20-May 20
Saturn will stimulate a desire to make tangible progress, particularly when it comes to work and the sacrifices made for success. Contemplate how you can realign certain habits to produce better results.
Gemini May 21-June 21
Be direct and clear, with yourself and others, about where your energy will be best spent. There’s nothing you like more than a fast pace, but only if you’re involved with plans and projects that are never boring because they keep your interest.
Cancer June 22-July 22
Saturn is at the bottom of your psychic pond, probing issues of safety and security, as it also stimulates the longing to belong. Rather than jump to conclusions or make precipitous decisions, simply show up, be present and let this exploration unfold.
Leo July 23-August 22
Saturn implements a new look at the day-to-day reality of life. Don’t mistake this new perspective for a routine reorganization. This is an opportunity to make significant a leap in how you experience intimacy, as well as how you express it.
Virgo August 23-September 22
As Saturn leaves your sign, it moves into your solar house of Value, determined to reform your relationship with money, as it simultaneously explores self-worth. Pay attention: This is a pole shift in self-esteem, and as the wheel turns, so will certain key areas of your life.
Libra September 23-October 22
Saturn is in your sign—and you already know you’re in an identity crisis. The core of this next phase of personal work is recalibrating your relationship to yourself. Embrace this process, and you will become even more comfortable with your deeply passionate nature.
Scorpio Oct 23-Nov 21
Saturn focuses on your interior world—dreams and visions, as well as deep psychological patterns that may be inhibiting your free expression. While some of what occurs may be confusing, if you are patient through this period, you’ll emerge with strong self-awareness.
Sagittarius Sept 23-Oct 22
Saturn concentrates on community, asking you to contemplate where your gifts might be best spent in relation to your neighborhood and social sphere. Be objective through this phase, as well as willing to restructure your attitude about “helping” and you’ll gain clarity and insight.
Capricorn Dec 22-Jan 19
Saturn—your ruling planet—zeroes in on your career and professional concerns, insisting that you create greater clarity regarding your goals. Prepare for this intensity by reviewing where you’ve been, what you’ve learned, and where you want to go.
Aquarius Jan 20-Feb 18
Saturn sends thunderbolts of lightning across the sky of your spiritual quest, and as it does, it illuminates fundamental ideas about how you see the world. Even if Saturn’s activity causes several belief systems to tremble, this process will ultimately deepen your devotion.
Pisces February 19-March 20
Saturn provokes a deep transformational process that could turn certain aspects of your life upside down. Don’t worry—what goes topsy-turvy isn’t random. It’s exactly what needs to change so you can grow.
© 2009 by Ralfee Finn
Visit Ralfee’s website at www.aquariumage.com or email her at ralfee@aquariumage.com
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Articles by this Author:
The Aquarium Age: 2010 and beyond
