Saturn in Libra (posted 11-09)
Well, it’s been a while since I have written anything new here. This has been partly because the outer planets move slowly, but also because my life has been a blur of activity this year, leaving little time to sit and write after dealing with clients, planning a wedding and helping to throw a milestone birthday party for a beloved sister. I should have gotten to this news about Saturn moving into Libra sooner than now, but ask your indulgence in giving the news a little more tardily than I would have liked. As I write this, it is November 1, 2009. Saturn made its move from Virgo, after being in that sign since September 2, 2007, on October 29–last week. As I mentioned when writing about Saturn through Virgo regarding Saturn’s movement, it usually stays in a sign for about 26 months. The sign it is in and what that sign represents is what those months will highlight in the outer world. As we all know who pay attention to any news outlet, healthcare has been the overriding issue on the domestic front for months now, as the government tries to iron out a passable bill which will possibly cover the majority of the citizens it represents. Virgo rules the idea and focus regarding health, especially physical health and well-being. As the sign Saturn is in changes to the next sign, the pressure or intensity of any undone agenda regarding the last constellation it moved through gets a specific focus to finish what it needs to in order for Saturn to turn its new focus on where it is going next and what that sign may mean for the next sojourn pattern. In this case, Saturn, as I have said, is now in the sign of Libra. It has not been in this constellation since the years 1979 though most of 1982. It will now, approximately 30 years later, be in that sign once again between late 2009 and late 2012. It will be somewhat longer than the average duration, but that is fine. It is typical for Saturn when it connects with this sign to do so. So we see the world moving on and the categories we will be inundated with and will obsess about for the next 3 years (with a short, clean everything up that has been left undone in the sign of Virgo retrograde visit into Virgo for one last gasp between 4-8-2010 and 7-21-2010) will be Libran in nature. So what does Libra rule? A laundry list of things: the arts, the courts, aesthetics, marriage and partnership, the concept of balance and fairness. It also has auspices over ones feelings of attractiveness, with an extreme connection to vanity. It covers the concepts of symmetry, harmony, and beauty. Honesty and justice are also highlighted. To review the kinds of things which were in the headlines as an outward manifestation of the energy which existed between Saturn and the sign of Libra the last time it traveled here, we need only look at the wedding of Charles and Diana which was broadcast across the globe as being the "fairytale" and we know how it turned out later. With Libra, we have to watch the tendency to only see what we want to see–the old adage about Libra being the optimist or always seeing the glass half full is a plus but also can be a minus if we turn a blind eye to anything that challenges us or is unpleasant or messy in any way. Libra rules diplomacy, and through that art, we finally saw the hostages released after 444 days held captive in Iran all those years ago. Saturn can be seen as a teacher, tester, stabilizer and builder, but it is a challenging energy which will inevitably give us a run for our money no matter what sign it is in, because it acts like a traffic cop which tries to funnel us where we are supposed to go to learn what we need to to go forward and improve and evolve. While it is doing this important job, it often may seem that we are being constricted or caught in a vice of sorts at times. Those who are born in the sign of Libra are the ones who will have the most opportunity for growth through these obviously challenging events for the next three years–it is their turn. This also includes anyone with Libra connected to their planets or their ascendant or mid heaven. So if you have the moon in Libra or the like, even if you are not born a Libra sun sign person, Saturn’s movement through the constellation will promote growth through challenges which hopefully create wisdom gained through those experiences. Those of us who also have any of the cardinal signs–these being the first sign of each season: Aries, Cancer, Libra, and Capricorn–will also feel the potential for growth through more intense experiences. There can be a massive push to succeed or a limping along under a cloud depending upon ones attitude. Jimmy Carter was and is a Libra sun sign and did not get re-elected when Saturn moved into his own sign back then. The constricting or dampening force of Saturn seemed to work its magic at the time, much to the displeasure of anyone who may have wanted him to stay for another term. Who was elected in that time frame was, of course Ronald Reagan. He was an Aquarian and the trine or harmonious angle between his Sun and transiting Saturn both in "Air" signs, which are communication signs, paved the way for what was perceived as his special ability to communicate to his people and to others across the world. He is largely given credit for the diplomatic connection he was able to forge with Mikhail Gorbachev, which helped to create the dissolution of the Soviet form of government in what is now known as Russia and a number of smaller, now sovereign government bodies in eastern Europe today. What is likely to happen presently with this latest movement of Saturn through Libra? Perhaps we will see more states adopt the policy of marriage laws which allow those who want to marry each other to do so. Fairness and equity for all being the balancing which Saturn wants to accomplish. In astrology, there are certain combinations between planets and signs which work well, some combos which are neutral and some which are like oil and water. Then there are those which work in such a supreme fit that they are called "exalted." Saturn when it sits in the sign of Libra is one of these exalted combinations. It marries the responsible and stable attributes of the planet with the fairness, honesty and just focus of the sign together in such a way that the energy is a cut above. It makes us all want to rise to the best we can achieve instinctively and reactively. Kind of like when you know better you must do better. The last time we had this combo in the heavens I got married. The marriage had its challenges as most do, but some were extreme. There was substance abuse, an intensive care stay in the hospital after a serious auto accident, separations, family dependence, infertility and eventually a final break. But the kind of "crazy glue" of getting married in this pattern of Saturn in Libra allowed my former husband and I to continue to try, to forgive, to see the other person’s point of view–all typically Libran tendencies. But the Libra influence also can make us talk ourselves into only seeing what we want and projecting that to the world–the everything is fine statement. We stayed married for 25 years and had a fairly amicable ending. In 5 weeks, I will walk down the aisle one more time and once again, true to form, I will be taking vows to be the best I can be as a partner in this institution while Saturn is again in the sign of Libra–an interesting symmetry to be sure. Life is always going to give us a chance to practice what we have learned and to repeat those lessons which may be needing more work. At 52, this current relationship is blissfully stress free and easy. I will be able to see what I have learned about relationships and finish anything which may still be left to do. Life is very resilient. Moving on regarding what else this combination may do currently, Saturn rules three dimensional structures and Libra rules the beauty of that structure so this kind of pairing often sees leaps forward in architectural designs, but always with a nod to the classic Greek designs--masters of symmetry themselves. We also may see real reform regarding our legal system, i.e., trying to bring that bloated machine in some way to heal. But Saturn is a very black and white energy and Libra sees all the shades of gray so there is a conflict potentially between these two energies in this regard. There may be less tolerance, say for the practice of plea bargains and more call for swift and concise justice that has more crisp and what is thought by most to be fair and equitable justice without the loop holes or back room dealings which take the law out of the legal system. New fashions and beauty may emerge in the next 3 years which will perhaps be more "classic" regarding what is considered beautiful. The asymmetrical one shoulder strap on women’s dresses may retreat once more, as Libra is much more about the balanced visual. Libra is also about "open enemies." We seem to know who these may be but the open dialog is the thing that has the focus at this time. Might there be a break in finding a famous fugitive we would like to see brought to justice? As always, time will tell us. Meantime, I look forward to what these years will bring. Thanks for checking in.
Pluto in Capricorn (posted 11-08).
About every 248 years, the (dwarf) planet Pluto makes its way in its eliptical orbit around the sun. It moves through each of the 12 Zodiac constellations in their sequential turn--some in only about 12 years and others may take twice that long for Pluto to move through that part of sky. On Thanksgiving eve, November 26th, 2008, at exactly 9:05 PM, ET, Pluto will enter the sign of Capricorn and will remain in that constellation until November 18, 2024. That's a fairly long time. Capricorn is the sign of responsibility, utilitarianism, conservativism, politics, government, reserve, history, stability, construction in 3-dimension, constriction and the ideas that less is more, and quality vs quantity are revered. That last time it was in this sign was between 1762 and 1778--the years leading up to and the beginning of the American Revolution. It was a time of sacrifice, change and the birth of a new government, here in what was then known as the colonies of Britain. It wasn't an easy time for any. Recently, we had a brief taste of Pluto, which is an extreme, intense energy moving into the sign of Capricorn earlier this year, but only for a little minute and then it backed into the sign of Sagittarius, where it has been for the last 13 years--years of growth, and over-extension, wealth and the idea that "more is more." In those years we had big spending, big cars, big houses being built and no thought for tomorrow. When Pluto (which has an out of bounds element to it) moved into the sign of Capricorn, things started to change and change fast. We had the truth show itself in the banking industry; we had oil prices sky rocket to all time highs in the states, making us consumers think twice about how we were not only using our fuel, but our resources in general. We began to prioritize about where we spent our funds. Even now with the gas prices at a comparatively low rate, we are not spending in any willy-nilly fashion. Capricorn's conservative nature has grabbed hold of us and is not going to let go. The "green" movement is part of this situation, where we are looking with wide open eyes at what we are putting in our trash--can it be reused? Recycled? Given away? What is your carbon footprint? has become part of the cultural vernacular. We are waking up from a 13 year orgy of waste and excess and we all are deciding on big levels and small to go on a diet of sorts. If we look at what history can teach us, the last time Pluto was in this position, government changed. In the past month we can see how government is changing again, with the election of the 1st African-American President since the birth of our nation--we are beginning a brand new chapter in American history, as the wheel turns and Pluto's transformative role grabs hold once again. If there have been those in authority who have had the responsibilty to safe-guard our assets and have not even come close to doing so, their lack of stewardship has become apparent, and Capricorn is a black and white energy. There is no shades of gray. Thus the toppling of financial giants, and the continuation of the process as truth comes to light and the economy goes on a tailspin as a direct result of ill-used power. Remember your American history lessons about why we decided to pull away from the crown of England? They were misusing their power regarding finances. There was a lot of talk and rhetoric, which eventually turned into action back then, which resulted in full-fledged war to separate ourselves from that bloated power and a call to be able to govern ourselves. For all intents and purposes, the Revolutionary War was our first Civil War. There were those who wanted to remain true to the old ways and the crown and there were those, of course, as we know, who did not. The "Patriots" eventually won that conflict and the colonies became a new country. This time around, we are in the eon or age of Aquarius, which began in 2000 and will last approximately 2600 years. We were not in that age the last time Pluto was here--and that is another issue to speak of for another day--about the ages, however, being now in the Age of Aquarius, we will not rebel against an unjust government so much as unjust policies, and lack of leadership and lack of involvement by the general population. This last election saw a record turnout of people trying to have their voice be heard; to use the government the way it is supposed to be used; to exercise what democracy is supposed to be. This is the tip of the iceburg. We live in a global environment--not only regarding consumerism and pollution, but also financial markets. We live in one big fishbowl and what is done in one area affects the whole environment. Things are becoming more unified as a world view. It will not be "we the people" this time around, but "we, humanity," which we will recognize. Personal responsibility and putting a stop to fractious thinking or waste of resources is what is coming to the fore. In Astrology, when a planet moves half through its sojourn through a sign, it eventually comes to a midpoint. These are important and pivotal points, which mark the halfway point of a planet in its orbit, or the halfway point of a planet through a constellation. When Pluto reached its midpoint around the sun from the starting place of it being in Capricorn during the birth of this nation, it did so on 7-7-1913, and stayed in the sign of Cancer (the opposite sign to Capricorn) until 6-14-1939. Think about the amazing changes which took place in those years: World War 1; Women's Sufferage; change in moral compass in society; the 1929 stock market crash; the splitting of the atom being tested; the depression; the dustbowl; women going more into the workforce as men were once again gearing up for another World War to fight. In those years, the planet Pluto was conjunct, or sat right with the four planets in the United States' chart which are in the sign of Cancer. Remember, Pluto is extreme and intense and all about transformation. Think about what we know about Cancer, as a sign and how it relates to our culture: Cancer is the collector of the Zodiac, and we shop and consume as a culture; Cancer's glyphic symbol is the breasts and stomach in the human female body. It represents how we nurture our young and ourselves with food. We eat for recreation as well as need in our culture, unfortunately. Cancer is about home--the crab symbol is always at home, and the main part of the American dream is having ones own home. Cancer rules comfort and security, and when we have enough financial wherewithal, we say, "I'm comfortable." The crab doesn't walk forwards, he walks sideways, taking the path of least resistance, and has given rise to things like the drive through window, the lazyboy armchair, casual Friday, the remote control for every contraption imaginable. The only time we really get riled is when our security and home is threatened, and then the crab claws come out snapping. Right now, Pluto is in the opposite place to where it was in those years--it is moving through the US chart's second house--a place in the chart which represents earning and the management of those resources; our values; views; self-esteem; and spending some of those resources. An opposition in astrology is about awareness taking place. It is like someone tugging at your sleeve to get your attention. There is tension felt and not really able to be ignored. This is where we are now. A place which makes us look at ourselves. A place to realize no one is coming to save us, we have to save ourselves. I listened to the talking heads this morning on the news, all in alarm over the fact that it looks like we, the "consumers" will not be spending up a storm this holiday season. We are opting to spend cash and not charge things. Many people have lost their jobs already and it seems there is more of that to come. It is a big transformation which makes us wake up to our own actions and comportment and how what we do today will affect us tomorrow in every way. It seems like such a scary mess, but it is the only way out. Personal responsibilty is what we should have as watch words for the next 16 years. Pluto can help us create balance in the world in these years, if we let him. I think we are making a good start.
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So many clients have emailed over the last while regarding the change in status of Pluto from a "planet" to a "dwarf-planet" with concerns as to how this may have affected past astrological information given them during a session with me. Here is my stand on the issue.....The fact that man calls something one thing doesn't diminish the reality of it having its energetic effect, regardless--asteroids, such as Chiron seem to affect us without "planetary" status. As far as I'm concerned the energy is the same, regardless of what its designation is. A dwarf planet is a planet nonetheless. The only difference they could see is that at times, Pluto's orbit comes inside that of Neptune, as opposed to having a free intact separate, non-contact orbit which is what all the planets before it have. I just think some had a problem with its size, but interestingly from an astrological prospective, it is supposed to be extreme in its mass regardless of size--it rules electro-magnetic energy, traditionally. Nothing about your reading changes. I will continue to include this heavenly body of transformation and desire in all my readings.That's my take on the subject. Hope that's clear! Smiles, Nancy.
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HELPFUL INFORMATION
For those of you who may use Jim Maynard's Pocket Astrologer--this and other helpful astrological tools in print can be purchased usually by the end of October for the next year from: Quicksilver Productions, P.O. Box 340, Ashland, Oregon, 97520 U.S.A. www.QuicksilverProductions.com 541-482-5343, usually about $6.95.
Also, another wonderful service you may be interested in is: www.BWCInnerStrength.com, a website for the mind and spirit, but treats ones wellness as a whole.
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NancyMurdockAstrology.com Current Schedule:
Usually, I am scheduled about a month from whenever it may be you are inquiring about availability. I speak to clients on the phone Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays @ 9:00am, 11:00am, 1:00 pm, and 3:00pm, ET for 90-minute sessions, typically. Less time can be scheduled if that is a request due to time constraints of the client. If you need a Monday, evening or weekend appointment, we would have to do our work through email, as I am otherwise occupied these times of the week. If you live outside the U.S. (except Canada) email is recommended, as I do not pay for overseas phonecalls. However, regarding international calls, if your calling plan provides you with unlimited long-distance, you are welcome to call me at the appointed hour, instead. We can also do a Skype call via our computers through our email addresses, which is talking to each other face to face long distance via our webcams. This is a free service! Saves on long distance phone bills. I have spoken to clients all over the world at no cost to either of us this way.
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