Saturn opposite Uranus happens every 40 years or so. It is a culmination of a cycle that begins when Saturn conjoins Uranus. This year’s opposition is the culmination of the Saturn Uranus cycle that began in 1988. Last time we saw Saturn opposite Uranus was in the mid 1960s.

Astrologers watch the movement of planets through the heavens, which form and release connections with each other in a cosmic square dance. We can’t change the energy, but we can become aware of it and dance with the beat rather than against it. Astrological awareness is not a scary prediction of good or bad events to come. It is simply another piece of information you can use to make sense of things.

Clash of the Titans

Saturn and Uranus are mortal enemies in mythology. They aren’t great together in astrology either. Their meeting signals tension and irritability, technology problems, and folks who are offbeat or out of step. Issues and problems that have been festering beneath the surface for a while are emerging in a way that probably shouldn’t surprise us, but it does. The rules of the game are changing, folks.

Saturn in Virgo affects our guts and digestive systems. Uranus in Pisces amps up the nervous energy in and around us, affecting our endocrine balance and sleep patterns. According to Ebertin in Combination of Stellar Influences, Saturn with Uranus brings “inhibitions of rhythm.”1

These inhibitions of rhythm kick us out of step on many levels— health, relationships, work. Disruptions in our routines. And we often experience electrical disturbances or technology problems when Uranus is under stress. Uranus energy brings change through instability. There are often sudden and unexpected events that shake our foundations and force us to look at things in a new way. This is the blessing of it. When old structures and connections are broken, we have the opportunity to update with something new and better.

Experiences

In my own experience with Saturn Uranus transits in my natal chart, the changes are unwelcome at first. Circumstances were foisted upon me from the outside, causing great inconvenience, discomfort and frustration. But in the end, if it hadn’t happened, I would still be stuck in that same old place. Saturn Uranus moved me out of my comfort zone and forced me to do something better. I have seen this happen with others too. If you’re struggling with changes right now, try looking at it with this new perspective. What opportunities is this pain-in-the-butt circumstance forcing you to explore?

On the world stage

Talk about discomfort in our world right now… presidential politics, volatility in the markets, an economy teetering on the brink— and this is just the beginning! This month’s opposition is the first of five occurrences that will take place between now and summer 2010. As such, it marks the beginning of a process, a rite of passage for our country that will have several intermediate events and steps along the way. I am hopeful that this is the beginning of something better for America.

Fear

What I have been noticing most with Saturn in Virgo and Uranus in Pisces is fear. It has come up a lot in my work with clients. Fear can get you all tied up in knots so that you aren’t thinking straight. Then you make bad decisions, which have bad consequences, which makes you more fearful. It’s a vicious cycle. If this sounds like you, here’s my advice— you need to realize that the fear is the #1 problem. The fear itself is, in all likelihood, a bigger problem than the object of your fear. Take care of the fear first. This is not so hard if you take it one step at a time. Remember to breathe deeply, remember to eat well, take care of your body and your mind. Nourish, nourish, nourish. Remember that what you focus on gets bigger. And you are in control of your focus. Don’t focus on how and where you are powerless. Focus on your options for solving the problem or making it through the hard times. And keep breathing!

Other interesting articles

Merriman on the Saturn Uranus opposition