In my first article for this month, "Astrology and Terrorism," I discussed the current opposition aspect between transiting Saturn and transiting Pluto and how it is influencing the horrifying events we see unfolding before us every day.
To recap briefly for new readers, Saturn represents authority and Pluto represents terrorism, while the opposition aspect shows that they are engaged in a "face off" with each other.
Of course, "authority" and "terrorism" are two choices out of many basic words that express the energies of these great outer planets. Certainly, there are many levels of expression involved here. On another level, Saturn can represent fear and Pluto can represent intensity. Thus, you have a situation (under this challenging aspect) that will evoke intense fear.
One of my astrology teachers once remarked that Saturn in our birth charts shows what we fear. Right now, transiting Saturn is in Gemini and we are being frightened - not surprisingly - by the constant communication (Gemini) on television and radio about the new perils we face. Meanwhile Pluto in Sagittarius, the sign concerned with belief systems, tightens the screws as we are forced to endure an intense "test of faith."
The planet Jupiter is the ruler of Sagittarius and is often viewed as a planet that brings great confidence and faith wherever it is found in a birth chart. This is because it is the great expander, and faith - in essence - is about opening our hearts to believe in the positive potential of the future.
Right now, Jupiter is in the sign of Cancer. Again, the symbols are clear. Cancer is about security and defense - of our home and, ultimately, our homeland. We are challenged to have faith (Jupiter) that something better will arise out of the ashes, when all around us threatening events strike fear into our hearts.
The next Saturn/Pluto exact opposition will happen on November 2. On that same day, Jupiter will turn retrograde. When a planet is retrograde, the energy turns inward. Here the challenge will clearly be to look inward for our source of faith and strength as we continue to deal with the effect of these two planets and their celestial battle.
In the end, the outer world will only be transformed when individual hearts and minds are transformed. In the battle of religious intolerance vs. respect for others, we are the ones who must focus and discipline our thoughts. Pluto in Sagittarius may well symbolize the intense stretching of minds needed worldwide to find a path to lasting peace.
