There are those months when the New Moon feels like it’s arriving none too soon, and this is one of them. True, Mercury is still retrograde (in the sign where the New Moon takes place Friday afternoon). That often comes with the feeling of things being unresolved and not cooperating with getting any less unresolved. But Mercury has at least shown up for the fireworks with this extraordinary New Moon.
Most people will growl when you mention Saturn, but there is something reassuring about a New Moon precisely (to the degree) conjunct the planet of structure. The Sun and Moon conjunct Saturn is a renewal of the concepts of structure that keep us grounded and stable.
Speaking of, my congressman, Maurice Hinchey just walked into Dominick’s Cafe, where I’m writing this. He’s working in his home district office today, a few miles from where he lives.
“Uncle Mo!”
He opens his arms in a gesture of hello and makes a funny face. He’s one of those Scorpios who has figured out now not to take himself too seriously. He also has a great voting record.
I ask him, “So when is the country going to collapse?”
“It’s not going to collapse,” he says. “It’s going to gradually improve, if we invest in it. Of course we have a lot of people in Washington who are doing their best to prevent that. It seems that there are certain political considerations that keep coming up. Aren’t you surprised?”
I am not surprised. Most of congress is rented out to something besides the constituents. I also think that a lot of politics-as-usual is enhanced by how paranoid of change most humans are. When we hear change, we assume change for the worst. That’s not always true, and it would be true less if we drove with our hands on the steering wheel.
Then there is the service piece of Virgo. If there is one sign that refers to the spirit of service to humanity, that would be Virgo; and Saturn is reminding us how much focus this takes. The New Moon conjunct Saturn in Virgo is a reminder to take care of ourselves so we can take care of others; and to draw nourishment from taking care of others and the world — rather than depleting ourselves.
As people who are invested in some form of spirituality, growth or awareness, we are serving as de facto agents of change. Embracing change without feeling like the floor is being ripped out from under us is an important consideration for all of us right now. We are plugging along with business as usual, but nothing is really “as usual” lately. People wonder what 2012 is about, and it might perchance include hundreds of banks failing, which is an opportunity to restructure our financial system and economy. This is macroeconomics, but there are few big issues that have the potential to affect so many people.
Today’s New Moon ins also opposite Uranus. That’s to say, it aligns with the Saturn-Uranus opposition, which has been an ongoing source of impetus to change, and stressful change, going back at least 18 months, and its influence will last at least another year. The opposition represents on one level a collision of forces, and on another level, an attempt to integrate them. This has been going on for a while. Here is a short lesson in long-term astrology.
Three of the most potent outer planets, Pluto, Neptune and Uranus, are all on one side of the Sun, and since 2001, Saturn has made a series of oppositions to all of them. Each has come with a new set of challenges. The Saturn-Pluto opposition ushered in the 911/post-911 era. The Saturn-Neptune opposition could be nicknamed Katrina. Saturn opposite Uranus is the economic 911; the Great Recession and the bailout; the election of Obama and the last warning bell before the full-on 2012 aspects come into exact alignment next summer.
Today’s New Moon conjunct Saturn and opposite Uranus is a mile marker along the way. It’s a reminder that change is difficult but necessary. It’s about raising awareness of how progress and stability must work as partners and not as enemies. And I would suggest that it’s a reminder that we need to become the change we want to see — which is easier to do if we don’t forget about it five minutes later.
Hey Eric and all,
I’m continuing to percolate over the last couple of days about the connection between what’s happening now, personally and globally, and linking it back to the seeds of this Saturn Uranus cycle at their conjunction in Feb. 1988.
I realized in looking back that a profound experience of my ideal in the world was seeded on Feb. 13th, 1988, at the Calgary Olympic Opening Ceremonies, so I decided to look up when the 1st quarter square was.
And lo and behold, it was just at that time that I had a spontaneous vision after a class I took, and I realize now that it was directly related to my experience in the stadium in Calgary, but I had never linked the two.
This opposition has certainly brought a deep agitation, but in the days following I feel like I’m being asked to remember what I started back when the cycle began, to remember my ideal, and what I longed for in the world.
This feels like a chance for a major course correction personally, as we’re halfway around the wheel with the opposition. And as soon as I really dug in and took a look and acknowledged the places where I forgot what was deeply important, where I had gotten off course, and started coming back to centre with it, the agitation lifted.
I know there was work to be done in the intervening time and I’m sure that’s what I was busy doing while I seemed to be “forgetting”. We can’t claim our ideal without a truckload of work, that’s for sure.
I really agree with Shebear, on this. That when we remember, we can re-commit, perhaps daily, so we can sustain our efforts.
Thank you all for the dialogue….sj
Something just for fun. If “U” lays down it becomes a “C”.. sort of. I got this wild hunch re Senator Max Baucus. “Baucus” with u laying down, becomes “Baccus” as in asteroid. Just had to look it up and found it at 10+ Libra. Just past a trine to U.S. Uranus and on his way to a conjunction with U.S. Saturn at 14 Libra 48. This happens Thursday, September 24, the day after the transiting Sun squares transiting Pluto, and transiting Mercury opposes transiting Uranus.
As hunches go, this one seems to say (to me) that the evil healthcare bill he produced will be no more, if U.S. Saturn has his way. Keeping the faith . . . .be
Shebear’s got it, the definition of Saturn opposite Uranus and how to use it: the sustaining in change, making the opposite work together. Great, this one. Perhaps others have seen it earlier, but to me this perspective gives me hope that there WILL be change, despite all and everyone who’s fighting it. We ARE those planets, so let’s do it. Whoever told us we are powerless! Sustain in that change to begin with and tell everyone who gives you that feeling of powerlessness that you’re angry with a promising smile that that’s changed. And keeps on changing, no matter what!
Went to the new farmers market behind the White House yesterday evening. That was a breath of fresh air!!!
Michelle Obama is my new hero! That chick is cool! She just might be a real person?!! Not sure, but she sounds cool. We’ll see…
I agree with you wholeheartedly Eric:
“we need to become the change we want to see — which is easier to do if we don’t forget about it five minutes later.”
I think many are hearing this invite to becoming the change, but it is in sustaining the change, in the ability not to get mired in despair, that our commitment to change is challenged each and every minute it seems. Those of us who are seeking to heal are wonderfully supported and encouraged by this growing sense of community provided by PlanetWaves, where the opportunity to connect with like minded souls, renews in its readers a determination to recover from our individual and collective traumas. We are surely at a place of profound healing as we learn to pray, to meditate, show compassion and forgive ourselves and one other.
It is written somewhere that, as a twig is bent so the tree grows, but as a gardener, i know that with proper and steady support, consistent watering and the warm and healing rays of the sun, it is possible to re-direct growth. Who know what can happen when the same care is provided for humans?
Thank you so much Eric for this uplifting and hope filled post today. I embrace this New Moon as I write.
arghh, screw the banks Eric, screw the system at whole. These mother fuckers are collapsing. Everybody else, get your fucking head straight! Mama, and Dada dumb-ass are not coming to save us. Open up your freakin’ eyes, and exist! Live! This Is The Last Moment Of Your Life!! Accept it or don’t but, mother fucker, your existence is going down EXACTLY as you made it! WTF!! You don’t believe me?!? Look around, you freakin’ primate! Your connection is the only one you have. What do you see? What is reality too you? Scratch all the mundane scheisse, und project that which matters (truly makes a difference) that which makes you feel alive. Without that, fuck it, let’s all die. We’re fucking heading that way anyways. Fucking bullshit wars in Iraq, and especially Afghanistan, Fuck these dudes. I’m tired. I’m also full of too much injustice for those who TRULY DEAL WITH THIS SHIT!
I’ve vacilated between my virulent nature and my passive joint. You cats are the ones who’ve seen it. Sorry, and Thanks. I’m pissed right now. All the bullshit! FUCK YOU if you’re a sucker fish. I’ve no use for the B.S. politicians throw out.
WHAT THE FUCK ARE YOU, YOU, YOU, YOU, (DID YA FREAKIN’ GET IT??) doing?
Holy freakin’ laughter!! That’s some bad-ass shit.
Seriously man, choose your path… WTF! Welcome to the world!
I’ve got Saturn conjunct the moon in Virgo in my natal chart… which always brings up conversations about my mother and her absence or her difficult nature. But in your discussion the Mother is nowhere to be found. Tell me about this Eric– how do those aspects (mine) (and today’s) reflect each other? Impact me today? or do they?
Pan