Saturn/Uranus Opposition, Part Three:
Nervous systems continue to chafe from the constant strain of uncertainty, and this week, the unsettled air is making many of us more than a little sensitive. Anxiety about the future is pinning personal meters in the red zone, so be prepared for all sorts of “normal” interactions to be anything but. Even casual comments made without malice have the potential to turn certain situations acidic. The best way through these uncertain times to take each day as it comes, and to stay focused on the “now” because that is, after all, where the past and the future converge.
The source of stress continues to be the Saturn/Uranus opposition. This week, it tightens its grip, and as it does, the Wheel of Life accelerates. Saturn represents stability, Uranus represents volatility, and oppositions indicate tension, all of which translates into collisions between stagnant structures and the inevitable power of change. For the last several weeks, we’ve felt the first insurgent tremors of this opposition in the financial world. And while I don’t want to be overly dramatic, those quakes are likely to continue for the duration of this Saturn/Uranus cycle, which last until August 2010.
But this week, the signature of this opposition moves from collective to the individual experience, and that shift excites emotional bodies, which means strong feelings and strong reactions. Don’t be surprised if your way of looking at the world is suddenly challenged by new information. And while that information may not be what you want to hear, that doesn’t mean it isn’t valuable. Pay attention: your strong reaction could be an indication of just how much you need to listen. Just don’t expect an obvious or traditional solution.
Also anticipate that once useful modes of behavior may no longer work. Getting high, for example, could devolve into acute paranoia rather than blissful anesthetization. Or you may find yourself or someone else saying “no” instead of “yes,” or “yes” instead of “no,” a shift that could engender resistance or criticism. Notice your reactions, especially if you’re feeling resistant. Resistive structures, while frustrating for others, are strong indicators of deeply embedded defense mechanisms — which could also be called internal structures — that have the potential to trigger regressive juvenile or infantile states. Regressive behavior isn’t easily explained; it’s just experienced. And change is hardly ever logical, which means intuitive skill is necessary to identify old patterns, and then to move through and heal those arrested states with awareness. If you don’t know how to do this on your own, don’t hesitate to get some help. This is a rare opportunity to get down to the bones of behavior we know intellectually doesn’t work but we keeping repeating anyway.
This week, avoid future shock by staying grounded in present time. Yes, the world is in upheaval, but that doesn’t mean it’s necessary to match external intensity with internal anxiety. Now is the time to put spiritual practices to the test and to live the highest ideals. Remember, karma yoga is the yoga of living with the awareness that action can be a form of love.
If you know your Ascendant and/or your Moon Sign, read that too.
ARIES March 21-April l9
You’re learning the difference between service and sacrifice. And while you may think you can already make the distinction, it would be wise to approach this process with deep, authentic humility.
TAURUS April 20-May 20
Foundations with friends or associates might be disturbed, especially as you move into a deeper understanding of what you want those relationships to be. Keep an open mind as well as an open heart.
GEMINI May 21-June 21
Even though it appears that way, the problem isn’t as simple as professional life versus home life. Pay attention to where you are attached to specific habits, and then contemplate letting go.
CANCER June 22-July 22
The focus is on words, only the emphasis is on what you say to yourself, especially about what you believe and why. Don’t be afraid to question your faith — it won’t evaporate under thoughtful scrutiny.
LEO July 23-August 22
A rigorous fiscal examination is a fine idea, but before you get lost in the details of finances, also contemplate how to create a greater sense of value from the inside out. You are your greatest asset, now and always.
VIRGO August 23-September 22
You are revolutionizing your partnership patterns, learning how to empathize without over-identifying. This is not an easy task, but you are up to the challenge of finding the positive ground of compromise.
LIBRA September 23-October 22
It isn’t always easy applying personal creativity to the workplace, but that doesn’t mean it can’t be done successfully. So spend some time contemplating how you might merge inspiration with aspiration.
SCORPIO October 23-November 21
Be prepared for a fair degree of emotional intensity. While this new level may be uncomfortable, it could also catalyze a new level of awareness. So rather than resist, be open to the process.
SAGITTARIUS November 22-December 21
Make your mantra “synthesize rather than polarize” and you’ll be able to recognize how to discard old attitudes without feeling as if you are abandoning an old friend.
CAPRICORN December 22-January 19
You can consider the situation a failure to communicate or a difference in style. Either way, your words carry great significance, so pay attention to what you say as well as what’s said to you.
AQUARIUS January 20-February 18
It looks like a financial dilemma, but it is a many-layered predicament. Delve into the nuances and you’ll discover valuable information that will help you reach a positive resolution.
PISCES February 19-March 20
Rather than despair that you will never get the relationship thing “right,” be brave and subject yourself to an unstinting self-examination of your role. Look honestly and you’ll find the missing piece.
