I thought the image that goes with this post very aptly portrays the feeling of the grinding Saturn/Pluto square that has been in effect for a while now. At least this is how I have been feeling, but from what I hear, others are feeling the same.
Because Saturn is trudging through Libra, relationships of all kinds are most certainly highlighted, as Libra rules relationships. Saturn is about being responsible, working hard, putting forth effort, making things right, and getting real. He's is the Grand Taskmaster. Saturn in Libra demands that once and for all, we take responsibility for and get real about our relationships and the ways in which we relate...and he is one tough cookie. He's like a big mean guy, sitting on our shoulders, shaking his finger at us, letting us know what is not right, and belligerently stating what needs to be fixed. No picnic, but no one ever said life was. If we want quality, we've got to be willing to work for it and with Pluto In Capricorn (again, hard work and taking responsibility) squaring Saturn in Libra, we are going to be forced to work on (and transform) our relationships...like it or not! Old, toxic structures, beliefs, and values we hold regarding relationships and relating will be purged (Pluto)...they will crumble, along with relationships themselves (in some cases). Unhealthy patterns will be eliminated and wiped away, Pluto will make sure of it, and not in a pretty way either (nothing is pretty about these 2 planets), as Saturn and Pluto are in a
square formation, which signifies tension and stress. And while its not pretty, its necessary. Good things in life just don't come for free. If we want to improve our
relationships and heal our wounded hearts (Venus/Libra), we have got to do the work required of us. However, humans have a funny way of being complacent, and change only when the bough is about to break. This is the ultimate purpose of this square (later to become the Cardinal T- Square), to create stress in order to bring about change...to light a fire under our butts, if you will. The square in the Cardinal signs, and at the early degrees says change is needed, and ensures that change will happen. We will change deeply, at a core level, and so will our relationships.
Pluto is squaring Saturn in Libra, and is here to shed some light on our old, outworn, and toxic relationship patterns. If we are partnered to the wrong person, this will become blatant. If we are lacking in self love, this will become blatant. If we give too much and
don't receive enough, this will become
blatant. You can expect any and all types of relationship issues and issues that have to do with love (as Venus rules Libra) to come out into the open
with this aspect. Pluto loves to dig deep and uncover things that have been hiding out in the corners of our unconscious, and not in the prettiest of ways either (especially with a square
formation), but there is no other way to heal, is there? In order to heal, we have got to feel, and that takes conscious awareness of our issues and dysfunctions. A lot of emotional purging will occur, with our fears, wounds and unconscious issues coming to into our awareness, because this is what Pluto does. Thankfully, Saturn in Libra will afford us the opportunity and give us the gumption to build new and more sound structures in the area of relating, after the plutonian purging.
Why is all of this happening now you may be asking. This square (soon to be the T-Square) is ushering in a much needed evolutionary leap in consciousness, both personal and collective. If you take a long, hard look at the state of the world, you would see that a shift in consciousness is desperately needed at this time if we are to survive and thrive as a species. These planetary energies are changing us at a core level, slowly but surely. Because Saturn is in Libra, our relationships (Libra) are creating the backdrop through which this change in consciousness is happening. It goes something like this; either we are being changed directly by our relationships or stress in some other area of our lives (look at the house where Pluto is transiting in your chart) is changing our relationships. The entirety of this process is causing a personal and collective soul evolution, and shift in our
love consciousness and our hearts. As an example, look at what is happening within the United States government at this time. We are divided completely between the democrats and republicans...a truce almost seems hopeless right now. This partisanship is causing significant
stressors within our country, and creating
divisiveness that has many negative implications. This very important "relationship" is becoming the catalyst for a change and transformation in the way this government operates, and the way this country operates as a whole. We must find a way to get along, to heal this great divide. A healing and transformation must occur, personally and collectively, these planets are demanding it!
We cannot question the cosmic timing of this square, we can only go along with it, and realize that change is a very necessary part of life. Humans do not like change (especially of the Saturn/Pluto variety), because many times change is painful, especially where relationships are concerned. Loss is painful, and many are experiencing this right now. Saturn demands realism, hard work, and responsibility (in
relationships)...and that is no picnic. We are transforming and evolving, independently and as a whole species, and the process of transformation can be difficult and unnerving at times. Knowing that we are all in this together may take some of the sting out of this very intense experience.
Starting in the late spring, Uranus, the planet of awakening and radical change will join in this
existing Saturn/Pluto square and create a t-square formation. This will start the process of radical (Uranus) change and transformation, personally and collectively. The Uranus archetype is the "Radical". Uranus will cause a "quickening", and really speed up this whole process of change. Its like the existing Saturn/Pluto square will receive a cosmic kick in the pants, so to speak. Change will come about
swiftly, and abruptly. Sudden realizations are likely to overcome us, and cause us to make much needed changes that are long over due. Saturn and Pluto have been working on us for a while now. By this time, we all know what needs to be changed and transformed in our lives. Uranus will step in and give us the means to make those changes. He is revolutionary...he brings us fresh new ideas and insights. Our lives will receive a big jolt of energy and thrust us into taking action, to create new
beginnings (Cardinal)...much needed and long awaited ! And yes, this will most certainly affect our relationships, as he will be in the sign of Aries, eventually opposing Saturn in Libra (relationships).
Ok, so what to do with this planetary conundrum and how to handle all of this change? Here are some things you may want to consider to make this process go a little smoother:
1. Making a serious assessment of our current one on one relationships, and eliminating any and all unhealthy patterns that we have been carrying around. It may be necessary to schedule alone time in order to re-asses and meditate on how we relate to others in unhealthy ways and how others relate to us, and make necessary changes to better our lives.
2. Realizing and coming to terms with the fact that change is a necessary part of our human existence. All things evolve and change, if they didn't, we could not make any progress or move into healthier states of being. Embracing the idea of change right now, especially within our relationships is essential if we are to go with the flow of these planetary energies. Here is an article on dealing with change:
http://www.naturallysavvy.com/inspiration-and-motivation/embracing-change3. Cultivate compassion and
understanding. We are going
through a difficult transformation and transition period, and that process must be respected. We must be gentle and compassionate with ourselves and our loved ones right now. A lot is being changed, eliminated and reconfigured with regards to ourselves and our relationships.
4. Fortify your body, mind and spirit. Change is hard, especially when it is forced upon us, so we must work to cultivate strength at our core selves, especially ones who are more sensitive. Physically, this includes eating right, getting quality rest and exercise. Mentally, this means cultivating a positive mental outlook on life and seeing change as a good thing. Spiritually, we all need to be engaging in a spiritual practice that fits our spiritual belief system, that inspires and uplifts us in this time of change.
5. Learning to let go. We cannot always know, with our small minds, what is best for us. There is a greater cosmic force at work out there, that can see much more than our limited vision. When we are open to other
possibilities for our lives, letting go becomes easier. The reality is that
sometimes our current situation is not the best for us, and the universe steps in and brings us something else, something better. The more we
resist, the more pain we experience. Try and let go of things that just
aren't serving you anymore (they are going to be taken away anyway with Saturn/Pluto), as hard as it may be.
6. Release emotions. With Pluto involved in the
square, we will be purging and letting go of a lot (people, beliefs, behaviors, attitides and the resulting emotions from loss). Emotions, like clouds, are fleeting and transient, they pass as
quickly as they came in. This time has been very emotional for many, and holding emotions in is just not healthy, nor is
attaching to and magnifying them. Remember, to maintain emotional balance and health, let them just pass like clouds... feel and let go.
It's been 7 days now since Mars has re-gained its foreward momentum in the sign of Leo, however things are still slow going. I see Mars going direct, or any planet for that matter, like a bear coming out of hibernation. The planet may move a little like molasses as it first regains its direct motion, up until the time it clears its retrograde zone. Anything waking up from going inward is going to take some time to feel stable again as it moves outwardly. Given that we are dealing with Mars, which is a very dynamic, outward energy, we are still likely to feel some of that frustration, irritability, and depression that we were feeling when he was retrograde, when his energy was really being thwarted. It will be like a steady and slow process of building momentum from now until May 17th, when Mars leaves its retrograde zone. This is a good thing, even though it may not feel so good to us, as the Mars energy in all of us wants things to start moving already. Mars energy is hot, quick and impulsive. It is for the best that he takes things slowly as he picks up his momentum again. We don't want to do anything rash and impulsive, unchecked and unrestrained. The right moment will come eventually. He will clear his retrograde May 17th, and dont forget the Jupiter - Uranus conjunction in Aries on starting June 8th. Talk about full steam ahead!! I would say enjoy the slow period now while you can, because things will surely be moving mid May into June.
