Saturn Opposite Uranus

July 26, 2010:  Saturn opposite Uranus

Today, we experience the last of the five exact oppositions of Saturn and Uranus, an astrological alignment that has been coloring our recent personal and collective past. These planets began dancing in this relationship in 2008, with their first opposition occurring on November 4 (Election Day in the U.S.). This was followed by an opposition on February 5 and then on September 15, 2009. April 26, 2010 marked the fourth occurrence of the alignment. All except for the one today featured Saturn in Virgo and Uranus in Pisces; the one that marks this moment occurs with Saturn in Libra and Uranus in Aries.

On the surface, this push-pull between Saturn and Uranus can be extremely challenging; after all, they seem to represent polar-opposite energies. Saturn upholds rules and limits, promoting the status quo and all that has come before. Uranus, on the other hand, represents the revolutionary desire to upturn that which is accepted in hopes to find a solution that promotes evolution.

Simply said, with Saturn and Uranus, we have Same vs. Change. We may feel like we are on a see-saw, one minute wanting to “just throw it all away” and start fresh while the next minute holding on, with dear life, to all that we have created.

Yet, Saturn and Uranus can dance together really graciously. These energies can be rectified, dialoguing in a way that enables empowering and realistic change to come to life. Remember, Saturn provides structure in order to make things manifest. So if it’s change that you want, if you want to create something new in your life, Saturn can help provide the foundation and support to help make it happen. When making Uranian changes, just remember to pay homage to Saturn by infusing some pragmatism into your thinking when deciding how you can reinvent areas of your life.

Consider the proverbial apple cart as an example of working with the energies of Saturn and Uranus. During this time, you may feel a desire to overturn the apple cart. If you do, just remember to pick up the fruit and rearrange them (either on the existing cart or a new one) in a way that better serves you. This re-structuring (and Saturn-honoring) approach to change may be more productive than just moving on, with “apples” strewn on the ground, providing no benefit for anyone. Saturn/Uranus gives us a sandbox for structured chaos, which can be a really creative and provocative experience.

During this current opposition, Saturn will be at 0 degrees Libra and Uranus will be at 0 degrees Aries. These points–as well as those at 0 Cancer and 0 Capricorn–are known as the Aries Point. When planetary alignments connect into the Aries Point, it weaves the personal and collective together. We are reminded that what happens to the individual impacts the world and what happens in the world impacts the individual. Given that this is also the last of this cycle’s alignments, we may have a greater opportunity in the coming days/weeks to get a clearer sense of what was inspired and constructed both in our life and in the world during this significant time period, from the transits beginning in November 2008 through today.

While everyone experiences the energies of the Saturn/Uranus opposition, if you have planets or pivotal points (i.e., Ascendant/Descendant or Nadir/Midheaven) around 0 degrees of Aries, Libra, or the other mutable signs—Cancer and Capricorn—it may impact you more intensely.

Saturn/Uranus Opposition Apothecary Suggestions

Free-form dance: With Saturn ruling the body and Uranus associated with independence and individuality, free-form dancing—including Ecstatic Dance, Dances of Universal Peace, and others–can be a great approach to healing during this celestial alignment. Dancing allows us to move our bodies, enhancing circulation and promoting mind/body/heart connections. It can be especially helpful in times when there’s heightened energy (Uranus) that may have a tendency to crystallize (Saturn) in our bodies.

Walnut flower essence: Sometimes we want to make changes but feel blocked by a lack of confidence and certainty, which may have been instilled within us as a result of accepting others’ visions for how we should live our life. These self-limiting thoughts may often create doubt and stand in our way of pursuing our true path. If you need support committing to a change in your life that you know, in your heart of hearts, truly will help you to evolve (regardless of what the “old tapes” say), consider Walnut flower essence. (Flower essences are made from flower-infused water and work energetically to restore emotional and mental balance. You can find them in natural food stores or holistic pharmacies.)