Saturn is the making-it-real planet, as well as the one that reflects the establishment of systems within culture. Therefore, in addition to how it may impact us personally depending upon our natal chart, Saturn transiting into and through a new sign—something it does about every two and one-half years—can have very clear effects upon collective trends and social consciousness.

Saturn is a taskmaster whose aim is to help us create structures of lasting value, those that are reality-based and purposeful. As such, Saturn tests limits, finds the weakest link, and applies pressure—all for the sake of showing us how to forge a creation that has integrity and meaning. Given that Saturn is about doing the work, and not about the quick-and-easy, many people struggle with the energies of this planet. Yet, if we listen as Saturn provides us with guidance, following its one-foot-in-front-of-the-other reality-based tactics, we will be rewarded tangibly since Saturn represents the material and the mundane.

When Saturn transits through a sign, those areas of life ruled by that sign are what the planet of structure focuses its attention upon. What does and doesn’t work is brought to light in a way that we often become very aware of; you can see a lot of it if you focus on themes in the “news.” Hopefully, once faced with knowledge of what doesn’t work, we—both individually and collectively—take this awareness and responsibly work to refine and recreate the broken pieces so that the whole better serves our needs.

Saturn took a break from its recent residence in Virgo (where it had been since September 2007) to do a several month stint in Libra (October 29, 2009 through April 7, 2010). Now, on July 21, it returns to the fairness- and beauty-oriented sign for an extended tenancy, ushering in a new mini-era of collective zeitgeist and cultural trends.  Saturn will remain in Libra through October 5, 2012.

Looking Back to Look Forward

Looking back to the past two-plus years that Saturn has been in Virgo can serve as a great way to see how this planet works when it transits through a sign, giving us a foreshadow of what Saturn in Libra may offer. Read More…

Saturn is the making-it-real planet, as well as the one that reflects the establishment of systems within culture. Therefore, in addition to how it may impact us personally depending upon our natal chart, Saturn transiting into and through a new sign—something it does about every two and one-half years—can have very clear effects upon collective trends and social consciousness.

Saturn is a taskmaster whose aim is to help us create structures of lasting value, those that are reality-based and purposeful. As such, Saturn tests limits, finds the weakest link, and applies pressure—all for the sake of showing us how to forge a creation that has integrity and meaning. Given that Saturn is about doing the work, and not about the quick-and-easy, many people struggle with the energies of this planet. Yet, if we listen as Saturn provides us with guidance, following its one-foot-in-front-of-the-other reality-based tactics, we will be rewarded tangibly since Saturn represents the material and the mundane.

When Saturn transits through a sign, those areas of life ruled by that sign are what the planet of structure focuses its attention upon. What does and doesn’t work is brought to light in a way that we often become very aware of; you can see a lot of it if you focus on themes in the “news.” Hopefully, once faced with knowledge of what doesn’t work, we—both individually and collectively—take this awareness and responsibly work to refine and recreate the broken pieces so that the whole better serves our needs.

A new Saturn mini-era is upon us since on October 29, 2009 Saturn will move into Libra where it will stay until April 7, 2010. After a three-month retreat back into Virgo, Saturn will again take up residence in Libra on July 21, 2010, where it will remain until October 5, 2012.

Looking Back to Look Forward

Looking back to the past two-plus years that Saturn has been in Virgo can serve as a great way to see how this planet works when it transits through a sign, giving us a foreshadow of what Saturn in Libra may offer. Known as the sign of the harvest, Virgo rules agriculture and our food supply as well as healthcare, crafts, labor, and pets. These are among the areas that have caught our collective attention during this time.

For example, questions about the integrity of our food—Where and how is grown?…Is it safe?…Is it genetically modified?—are now on the minds of a much broader audience than in the recent past. As we’ve seen the fallibility of the commercial food industry in such instances as salmonella-contaminated peanut butter and e. coli-tainted hamburgers, we’ve also see the rise of farmers’ markets and the grow-your-own-food movement as well as an increased scrutiny about the way our food is grown, processed, transported, and sold. Another example of Saturn making its way through Virgo is our focus on healthcare, a premier Virgoan arena, something that has taken center stage during this time in the United States.

Saturn in Libra Trends

Saturn in Libra will have impacts upon varied aspects of our culture. Under this sign’s purview are law, femininity, relationships, art, fashion, cosmetics, weights and measures, and other areas related to the Libran ideals of fairness and grace. These sectors of society are likely to face scrutiny and go through litmus tests as we also turn our eyes to focus on questions related to equality and justice. That which has integrity will likely flourish while transience is uncovered. Saturn through Libra will potentially expose areas where fairness may be a concept or ideal but is not being practiced as a reality.

This period of Saturn in Libra is certain to be evocative. That’s because while Saturn’s cleaning house in Libra-related areas of our lives, it will be doing so with assistance from other planets with whom it’s in relationship: transformative Pluto (Saturn/Pluto square: 2009-10), unconventional Uranus (Saturn/Uranus opposition: 2010), and expansive Jupiter (Saturn/Jupiter opposition: 2010).

As I find Saturn transits fascinating, it’s tempting for me to write more here about a wide array of potential trends. But, I want to honor Saturn and create a narrow framework for this article, one more in sync with Planetary Apothecary. Therefore, I’m going to hone in on how its residence in Libra may affect some of our perspectives on health as well as the wellness trends it may usher in, while offering suggestions on self-care practices that may be especially beneficial during this time. Read More…

The Moon has been in earthy and sensual Taurus all weekend. During the Taurus Moon, that which is practical and pragmatic comes to the forefront as we lay the groundwork for the foundation upon which growth can occur.

I’m in this stage of creation for upcoming article for Planetary Apothecary and thought I’d take a moment to give you a glimpse of what’s coming up in the 7-10 days.

I’m currently working on the next installment of my Let Food Be Your Medicine series, with an article on fenugreek. This spice, a mainstay of curries and other Indian dishes, not only adds a unique flavor to recipes but also many healing benefits, balancing blood-sugar levels. This past week, I sprouted fenugreek seeds, which was delightful to do concurrent with the beginning of springtime. While I’ve sprouted beans, nuts, and other seeds before, it was my first time with fenugreek; yet, it will definitely not be my last time since I am enamored of its aromatic flavor.

I am also working on a post about sonopuncture, the use of vibrational tuning forks for healing. This morning, I was lucky enough to have a sonopuncture treatment courtesy of my friend Jeannie Lehner who is an herbalist. As she was using the forks to stimulate pressure points on my face and head, I realized how perfect the timing was for me to be enjoying this therapy, with the Moon in Taurus (which governs the senses, and the rhythms of sound) and the Sun in Aries (which rules the head and face in medical astrology). I included sonopuncture in my book and am excited to write more about it here.

And, with Wednesday signaling the commencement of a new month, look for the April Wellness Horoscope to be posted this week. Speaking of astrological events, we’re more than halfway through this year’s Venus Retrograde, which began March 6 and concludes April 17 (click here for a refresher on what this period signifies and the amazing lessons that can be gleaned during it).

I want to close this post by leaving you with this thought, which seems very reflective of the Taurus Moon. Yesterday, I was fortunate to attend a talk at Seattle’s Green Festival given by Alice Waters, the founder of Chez Panisse and a beacon in the sustainable food movement. From a space of humility, she said many things about food, culture, and agriculture that resonated strongly with me. Yet, the one that was most memorable and which I continue to reflect upon is that if you want to make change in this arena, the best way to do so is by “feeding people the message.” It’s not about talking or proselytizing. It’s about reaching out and helping people to actually eat a garden-grown vegetable, a dish prepared with local ingredients, or a piece of fruit right off the tree. When people taste and experience real food, something happens. They can taste the difference, which leads to knowing the difference (it’s a great example of the Taurean way of learning). This can lead to people really embracing the fact that, as Waters says (and I strongly believe), ” good food is a right and not a privilege.”