“Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life. Don’t be trapped by dogma — which is living with the results of other people’s thinking. Don’t let the noise of others’ opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary.” Steve Jobs – Stanford Commencement Address, 2005

“You are brimming with original and unique ideas. You enjoy exchanging ideas with other people, particularly friends and groups of people. You are an inventive thinker, and may rebel against old and traditional ideas.” (Mercury in Aquarius – from Steve Jobs’ Chart Interpretation)

Watching the Emmy broadcast, I was shocked (as I always am) to be reminded that Betty White is almost 90!!! She was born in 1922 and, of course, she has to be a Capricorn. Capricorns are ‘old when they’re young and young when they’re old’.

Capricorns usually start out feeling that they have to earn their place in the world and it takes literally decades to relax and just enjoy.

Betty White not only has her Sun in Capicorn but Venus, the ruler of her Tenth or career house, as well. The conjunction of the Sun and Venus indicates attractiveness and appeal — and their placement in the Fifth house, that flirtatious, child-like kick. (Betty White’s Chart)

From Wikipedia:
Harris got his start as the grand champion of Star Search in its premiere season. He gained acclaim and became best known for his winning rendition of the song “Over the Rainbow” on the show… He is a multi-million selling recording artist with nine studio albums to his credit… He has toured extensively in concert and has played to sold-out audiences at major venues including New York’s Carnegie Hall, Los Angeles’ Universal Amphitheater and London’s West End. He has appeared with the Boston Pops Symphony Orchestra, at the White House and has sung on a variety of television specials and live productions…

Sam’s chart shows Saturn in Capricorn. Saturn is our fears, limitations, karma, blocks and – eventually – our greatest satisfaction. It is what you are here to learn. Saturn in Capricorn (or Capricorn on the Tenth house) has to do with achievement, success, reputation. Success will come slowly or there will be lots of ups and downs along the way. A strong Saturn or Capricorn influence tends to age well with true success coming in the later years.

As a long time fan of Sam Harris, I was thrilled to find the following video and laughed out loud when I looked at his chart and saw his Saturn in Capricorn. You’ll see…

At the time of the 911 attacks, Pluto was 12 degrees Sagittarius opposite Saturn at 14 degrees Gemini.

The astrological chart of the United States has 12 degrees of Sagittarius on the Ascendant and 12 degrees of Gemini on the Descendant so the two opposing planets lay on two critical points in the American chart.

The chart for 911 provided one of the more dramatic illustrations of the symbolism of astrology: Pluto (‘force majeur’, dynamic energy, transformation) in Sagittarius (religion, foreign culture, long-distance travel, transportation) opposite (confrontation) Saturn (structures, commerce, government, authority) in Gemini (‘Twins’, communication).

As Pluto opposed Saturn, it also crossed the Ascendant and entered the First House of the chart of the United States.

The Ascendant in any chart represents the ‘you’ that the world sees. When Pluto passes that point (as it would only every 248 years) the ‘you’ that the world sees goes through a transformational process often triggered by significant events.

The Ascendant in the chart of the United States is Sagittarius and that is what the world has seen…wide open spaces, the cowboy riding free on the range, the courage and curiosity, exploration and discovery, optimism, justice, education, religion.

Now Pluto has become part of what the world sees and the USA has become more like a Scorpio personality. The power and aggressiveness that was passive becomes active.

Pluto will be in the first house or section of the chart of the USA until 2016. The ‘personality’ of the USA will undergo a total and permanent transformation in that time. The American cowboy and astronaut are symbols of the past.

All of the aspects that Pluto makes during this period are confrontational and stressful, mostly oppositions, which indicates that it will continue to experience power struggles with others.

The physical appearance of the country will also change. Storms, earthquakes, global warming and its affects on the coastlines, changing weather patterns and the resulting redistribution of resources, dry areas that become fertile and fertile areas that become deserts.

The following is an excellent article written by Christine Barrere, reprinted with permission from her Starfires website.

As of July 2008, we are very different people than who we were even as early as last January 2008. We are clearer, more present with ourselves. We are more in alignment with an interior guidance.

May 1998 — as if an invisible force was no longer carrying part of the weight — the world changed — life got harder. Many more reports of depression appeared. Most of us have felt it. People asked me frequently, ‘What is going on, What happened?’ The optimism of the past was replaced with heavy responsibilities.

1998 through 2007 has been rough for many people, and our mental and emotional states have been deeply impacted by what we have had to deal with on a daily basis. The reason for this is not so much astrological but spiritual.

2005-2006 an age of accountability replaced the age of innocence. We have all been taking a crash course in handling more.

And we have been handling more.

Not only did these new battles strengthen us and enable us to develop and increase our mental, emotional and spiritual skills. Our discernment in understanding good and evil has grown. We have been educated to handle increased complexities.

When is the end of this particular training if we could call it that?

2012.

The eclipse in February 2008 and the conjunctions of numerous planets in the sign of Aquarius was a unique marker point which brought a new release of Aquarian cleansing and freedom. A significant transmutation occurred and as with every step up of frequency, there was an acceleration of awareness. This cleansing created increased abilities to handle more, and has been occurring at the same time where more and more disturbing activities are escalating in our physical world.

That is the dichotomy. We are at the beginning stage of this dichotomy.

2012 is approaching, and along with it are all the many predictions and implications surrounding 2012. What do we believe? What can we expect?

Some say Armageddon is nigh. Others say that the earth is going through a transformational shift where our planet, society will be so different from what we now know. Our today will be so different from our tomorrow.

Yes, the earth is going through a transition. There are more people than ever before. We have more ways to destroy ourselves than ever before, just as we have more ways to save ourselves than we’ve ever imagined.

Psychics predict earth changes. The Mayan calendar of thousands of years ends in 2012. Alien sightings are increasing.

And it seems everyone has the answer…

Our political candidates are all clamoring for change as never before. The media wants us to support their candidate. Big Corporations, Oil, Drug, Banking and Finance… all say that we should buy their version of hope and change.

The question is from where is the answer going to come? Will it come from outside of us in the form of bigger government or bigger business in the form of taking more and more control OR will the change come from within, from inside each of us?

Welcome to Pluto square Uranus.
Beginning 2011 through 2015, Uranus, the planet of innovation and freedom will be in square with the planet Pluto, notorious for its desire to exert subtle but relentless power over whatever it aspects.

This square will create a cosmic tension between freedom loving Uranus and power hungry Pluto. Who will profit and benefit from the creative innovative energies flooding from Uranus? The lovers of freedom, those free spirits with a desire to live their dream to bless the entire world with their brilliance. Or the controllers behind the scenes pulling the strings of governments and corporations?

The Uranian energy of Freedom and Innovation will leave Pisces May 27, 2010 and move into Aries. Aries is the pioneer of the Aquarian Age. May 27, 2010 is the date in which events will heat up. This is the date to brace yourselves.

This Uranian energy will be bursting forth in multiple duplications of itself, all over, popping up here and there, seemingly disconnected, but very much reacting from each other. Like squirting out inventions and inspirations coming through us, inspiring this and that new thing, unable to be contained, with a life almost of its own, transforming the planet through its agenda to upgrade, innovate and aggressively stimulate the impetus towards freedom.

Freedom in what way?

Technology, efficiency, medical, concepts and psychology, healing, machinery, space, matter, science and warfare, economically, nothing will be kept out of the influence of this electrical impulse to transform every part of life, and bring mankind into a higher truth and individuality.

This impetus is to realize our divinity within ourselves, our ‘I AMness’. The divinity of our individuality is to recognize and embrace that each person has their own grand design and purpose here. Aries is the sign of the I AM.

Innovations, inventions, solutions — in every area — will be accelerated. Consider all the advances we have seen in our lives. With Uranus entering Aries these advances will only seem like a warm-up for the real show. In other words, we haven’t seen anything YET!

Uranus in Aries will give us all an infusion of creativity and innovation. This cycle will usher in a dynamic exciting period of innovation where the intent will be to benefit all life. These innovations will have a profound and lasting impact on every facet of our lives.

But let’s be realistic, it is not going to be easy.

Pluto rules large bureaucratic organizations, such as governments and large business.

Can you really imagine any government or large bureaucratic organization not going after absolute power during a Pluto in Capricorn cycle? Not only will they not pass on the opportunity, we will find that they will be pulling out all the stops and really going for it.

Pluto will want Big Government and Big Business to control EVERYTHING, and if Pluto cannot control or profit from Uranus in Aries, Pluto will try to block it from coming forth.

Uranus will want to declare a FLAT OUT NO to anything that will try to limit, control or degrade its expression to serve all life through new ideas, innovations, inventions and solutions.

It is possible that during the Pluto/Uranus tug of war between freedom and control, there be periods of shortages, rationing and interruptions of services. These shortages could show up in any area where this Uranus/Pluto tug of war will want to play out. The undercurrent will always be a conflict between greater control or greater freedom. For example some areas where this conflict could be seen could be gasoline/food rationing, interruptions in electrical service. I suggest you consider acquiring some reserves and think of ways to weather through such a period.

Uranus in action during this time represents us. We are the new pioneers. We are waking up to discover our inherent divinity to create! This is Uranus checkmating the Pluto misuse of power.

Pluto will attempt to put down this spirit of freedom.

We can learn much from the last Pluto in Capricorn cycle, which was 1762 to 1778.

The beginning of that cycle was launched by the miscalculations of British Parliament to take the wealth generated by the colonies while keeping the colonists as 2nd class citizens.

Fortunately the last time Pluto was in Capricorn was a time that was well documented. Studying the thoughts of the people during this period can help us understand this cycle we are now entering. One of my favorites is: ‘The Letters Of Richard Henry Lee 1762-1778 by Richard Henry Lee’

So how could this look in practical terms?

The answer is ‘conflict’. Conflict that can take any number of different forms. From war between countries to war between controlling interests. War is always about who will be in control. ‘War’ when involving Uranus and Pluto always involves large bureaucratic organizations and the enslavement of the many vs. individual ingenuity and the greater freedom for all.

Remember.

Pluto in Capricorn empowers EVERYONE, THIS INCLUDES YOU! We are entering an amazing new era of more power given to us. We can qualify this power each day by making a conscious decision to blend our will with a higher will.

Prayer and meditation is the alchemical necessity to bring in the full benefit of this period AND to maintain our harmony through this transition

Mighty Divine Light! I call for Love to take dominion over the world!

We have a date with the Divine Mother. She is counting upon us to engage our own power with her intent to save the world.

Beloved Divine Mother, release your love, your wisdom, your divine power into my life and lives of all here and now, I call for the Golden Age to be born, remove the strife, the struggle, the ignorance and conflict now. I thank you and release all my will into this mighty Spirit of light to guide and direct the affairs of mankind in this country and in the world.

When we are confused or unsure of what to do, ask the divine light-energy all around you everywhere to move into action:

Miracle healing love pour forth everywhere and transform the earth. Remove the veils from our eyes and inspire us to concentrate through our hearts on truth and liberty in all its manifestations. Let the one true power — love — be infused into the nations and the world.

Look at all the ways people are assuming responsibility with such courage and empowerment. And for those of us still struggling to become more aware, just knowing we may need to go through this transition period in order to transform the complex falseness engrained in our world into truth and liberty, inspires us to keep on the path ever upward.

I know it is difficult to keep going. But you are changing the world. You are making a difference.

Did you ever expect it to be easy?

Vondir.

Christine

PS
When looking at the upcoming elections, I caution you to consider that Neptune is conjunct the U.S. Moon at 27* Aquarius throughout 2009. This will tend to inspire us to feel our needs are FINALLY going to be met nationally. You may think you’re getting a dream come true of a candidate elect but later realizing there is an Aquarian perversion. Rather than the candidate of our dreams we find out that we have another obedient servant to Pluto in Capricorn’s fallen agenda of control and enslavement.

This really is a time to step back and take a deep breath. Everyone.

How it affects each individual will depend on where it hits in your chart. You know by now where the tension has been rising for the past few weeks and today and tomorrow might not be the time to force the issue.

S&P downgrades U.S. credit rating By Charles Riley @CNNMoney August 6, 2011: 8:13 PM ETNEW YORK (CNNMoney) – Credit rating agency Standard & Poor’s on Friday downgraded the credit rating of the United States, stripping the world’s largest economy of its prized AAA status. more

Significant events appear in a number of ways in an astrology chart, repeating the same themes. (See Double Tragedy in Norway)

One of the most important benefits of being aware of current energies is the opportunity to face the difficulties internally. Just like in an individual’s chart, challenges that are not faced internally manifest physically in the outer world.

This is a truly challenging time for the United States and things are not going to return to the way they once were.

• Transit: Saturn Return and Pluto opposite Jupiter/Venus (See

  USA Debt Crisis)

• Solar Return:
  • There is a powerful 4 planet configuration in this year’s Solar Return, situated on the all-important angles… Pluto opposite Venus, Square Saturn, Square Uranus. This shows a year of dramatic, life-changing events and surprises. There is an emphasis on financial issues and values but virtually everything will be affected.
  • Solar Return Ascendant is 0 degrees Libra, the same degree and sign of the mid-heaven in the natal chart. This again signifies the importance of this year, particularly USA’s place in the world and it’s reputation.
  • The Sun is very important in a Solar Return and, in this case, has only a square to Saturn meaning that the efforts of the president and the government will continue to be stymied.

• Secondary Progression:
  • The points in a Secondary Progression chart move very slowly with the exception of the Moon which acts like a pointer to signify which part of the chart is particularly active. The Secondary Progressed Moon is 5 Libra so it moves right in to also square Jupiter/Venus.

• Solar Arc:
  • Pluto in the Solar Arc chart is now the same degree as Neptune in the natal chart. Ideals and beliefs are transformed through dramatic events.
  • Pluto in the Solar Arc chart is also now squaring Mars in the natal chart which indicates anger and possible violence.
  • This blending of Mars, Pluto and Neptune shows a dramatic need for change but Neptune confuses and disguises. Ego issues seem so important but the discourse has to be lifted above personal concerns or nothing can be resolved and the destructive possibilities inherent in the current energies will explode.
    ]]> http://www.thereluctantastrologer.com/2011/08/07/downgraded/feed/ 0 http://www.thereluctantastrologer.com/2011/08/04/barack-obama-is-50/ http://www.thereluctantastrologer.com/2011/08/04/barack-obama-is-50/#comments Thu, 04 Aug 2011 18:46:25 +0000 Dayel http://www.thereluctantastrologer.com/?p=2976

    Barack Obama’s Solar Return is ruled by a twelfth house Neptune directly opposite Mercury (retrograde!), the planet of communcation.

    Neptune is that lovely influence that offers spirituality, creativity, idealism…on one level. On a day-to-day, wordly level, Neptune is illusion and confusion. Buried in the 12th house, it is even more elusive.

    This is not the Solar Return that I expected to see for the year of what is sure to be a vicious presidential campaign year. Obama will have a difficult time communicating and being understood about practical matters although he may reach new highs in speeches that inspire. Fortunately, the Neptune effects are strongest for the next 5 weeks – which coincides nicely with the holiday period. It is perfect time for lying on the beach and communing with the sea!

    

    Aspects:
    
    Pluto is still in Capricorn, still presenting challenges for all governments. Right now, Pluto is square Uranus and opposite Mars indicating a period of increased stress. The year will be full of dramatic surprises.

    Most of the other aspects in the Solar Return show pleasant aspects. Again, not what I was expecting considering the year that Obama is facing.

    ]]> http://www.thereluctantastrologer.com/2011/08/04/barack-obama-is-50/feed/ 0 http://www.thereluctantastrologer.com/2011/08/02/double-tragedy-in-norway/ http://www.thereluctantastrologer.com/2011/08/02/double-tragedy-in-norway/#comments Tue, 02 Aug 2011 21:22:07 +0000 Dayel http://www.thereluctantastrologer.com/?p=2836 On Friday, July 22, 2011 at 3:26 pm, a bomb exploded in the center of Oslo killing 8 people and injuring dozens. Shortly after, a gunman starting firing on a nearby island that was hosting a youth camp for the Labour Party. Sixty nine were killed and many more were injured.
    
    An event as dramatic as this definitely appears in the astrology chart and appears in a variety of ways. This knowledge is useful as it helps us analyze not only what has happened but what is to come.
    
    I have looked at the Transits, the Solar Return, the Secondary Progression and Solar Arc Progression at ‘Tragedy in Norway’
    ]]> http://www.thereluctantastrologer.com/2011/08/02/double-tragedy-in-norway/feed/ 0 http://www.thereluctantastrologer.com/2011/07/30/usa-debt-crisis/ http://www.thereluctantastrologer.com/2011/07/30/usa-debt-crisis/#comments Sat, 30 Jul 2011 20:02:58 +0000 Dayel http://www.thereluctantastrologer.com/?p=2869
    There are two critical transits affecting the United States right now:
    • A – Saturn Return – Saturn takes 27 to 20 years to orbit and has, since early 2010, been hovering around Saturn in the USA chart.

      Saturn transits, particularly the Saturn return, represent exactly what has been created on the physical plane. This is reality with a capital ‘R’ and the effects will be felt for another month.

      A Saturn transit feels heavy and even depressing. It is not possible to lapse into false optimism. The gift of a Saturn transit is that you can see very clearly what needs to be adjusted.

      Saturn squares the Sun in the USA ‘birth’ chart so there is almost a doubling of the effect and a dampening effect on everyone, particularly the leadership.

      Saturn brings up unresolved issues from the past and presents another opportunity to make corrections.

      From Astrological Musings! by Lynn Hayes:
      The last US Saturn Return occurred in 1981-1982. Ronald Reagan was president, and his hardline posturing (Saturn) in the world (tenth house) created new alliances (Libra) with the new Russian leader Gorbachev. Although he had signed the Economic Recovery Tax Act of 1981, reality (Saturn) set in under the US Saturn return in 1982 and he was forced to admit that the nation was in a recession, and that balancing the budget was “not possible.” As transiting Saturn made an exactly conjunction to the US Saturn, unemployment reached a six-year high and Reagan’s promises of a balanced budget were deemed by his own Budget Director to be a “rosy scenario.”

    • B – Pluto Opposite Venus/Jupiter:

      Pluto’s orbit is approximately 250 years. Its effect on any point in a chart lasts for a period from one to three years and represents a ‘death and rebirth’ process that eliminates structures that are no longer working and plants the seeds for dynamic new growth.

      Pluto transits, particularly the opposition, involve power struggles and a period of severe testing. Pain is caused by trying to maintain old patterns instead of harnessing the powerful energies that are currently available to make exciting transformations.

      The Venus/Jupiter part of the opposition shows what areas will be affected. Venus represents what you love, value and possess. Pluto opposite Venus is often a time of dramatic changes to financial conditions. Pluto opposite Jupiter is often a period of legal struggles.

      ]]> http://www.thereluctantastrologer.com/2011/07/30/usa-debt-crisis/feed/ 0