In the name of keeping up with current events, I again postpone Part II of the Astrolocality discussion. There’s another intriguing astrological ingress (or time when a planet makes a change of sign) to discuss; January 2004 marks the month Uranus enters Pisces where it stays until March of 2011. Uranus, the Facilitator is now leaving his electrically charged domain in Aquarius and entering the magnetic mysticism of Pisces.
Mutual Reception
Uranus was discovered in 1781, the first planet to be found with a telescope. With an 84 year orbit, Uranus opens the doorway to the ‘modern’ or outer planets: those which symbolize humanity’s grasp for personal freedom and higher consciousness. Next in line, Neptune came to light 65 years later, in 1846. Neptune’s orbit takes 165 years. Uranus has been passing through Aquarius, his sign of astrological rulership for the past eight years. In Pisces, Uranus must again learn to speak the feeling language of deep water and waves. Part of what makes this change of Uranus into Pisces so intriguing is that Neptune, planetary ruler of Pisces, remains in Aquarius. This relative positioning between the two planets and signs is called ‘mutual reception’ and is part of what makes the upcoming years ever more filled with unknowable potential.
Old and New
Both planets are inspirational. Uranus’ motivation is expression of power and personal freedom to be One; that of Neptune and Pisces is dissolution of boundaries in order to blend into unity with the One. Neptune infuses heart and soul into the ethers of Aquarius. Astrologer Evangeline Adams (1868 – 1932) eloquently describes Neptune in Aquarius as the ‘flame of conscience’ with spiritual courage, idealism, and vision. Adams cites the French Revolution as well as the fighting spirit of American Civil War soldiers as examples of Neptune in Aquarius- being willing to give one’s life for a humanitarian ideal. These days we have suicide bombers. Uranus can be thought of as a planet of individualized will; part of Neptune’s function is a willingness to surrender to a higher ideal. In keeping with this urge to blend, Neptune also has great healing powers, and surely as this planet continues its transit through Aquarius we will benefit from ancient therapeutic modalities being given new recognition. With complement, as Uranus enters Pisces, old systems develop new methods of delivery; especially when assisted by the effect of mutual reception.
Roaring 20’s
The Jazz Age. For clues about the seed energy of Uranus in Pisces, one place to search is the history books. Uranus last entered Pisces in January of 1920. At that time, Neptune was at 10 ° Leo. This time, January 2004, Neptune sits just opposite, at 10 ° of Aquarius. Aided by objectivity of time and experience, a marked contrast emerges between the dark and light side of the 20’s. Art Deco, dance, and creative expression are part of the memory bubble; but so are prohibition, race riots, and the rise of the Nazi party which held its first Congress on January 27th, 1923. In keeping with the Piscean aspect of surrender one can look back on the rise of fascism as a movement that surrendered individual will (Uranus) in hope for redemption (Pisces) through a charismatic (Leo) leader. (Pluto in Cancer lends the archetype of a ‘bad’ parent.) Unfortunately, many of the redeemers (Neptune) of the 20’s were self serving despots. Not all, though. In August of 1920 the US congress passed the 19th Amendment, granting women the right to vote. And, by November over one million people were out of work because of labor disputes. This is an example where the workers organized (Uranus) and demanded to be part of (Pisces) the company’s profit plan.
Intuitive Technology
November 1920 brought the first live radio broadcast, and by January 1923, the first wireless telephone call was sent from New York to London. Clearly Uranus the Creator likes invisible energy transmission, especially those that inform or awaken us. Knowledge is power; and now we take the technological strides gained as Uranus transited his domain in Aquarius, while adding the watery merging qualities of Pisces and Neptune. Inevitably, these energetic transmissions will become more and more sophisticated, especially as scientists look deeply into the natural world filled with mystery. What new creations step out of Neptune’s watery primordial matrix? Thinking computers; reasoning robots? At what point does consciousness imbue persona into man made machines? It seems the message of our age is one of accepting our mantle of co-creators and true children of ‘the One’, call it spirit, creator, or God. Truly, we are becoming empowered, and as we learn to accept responsibility (gotta have that Saturn) our creative abilities will grow. It’s the ultimate redemption.
Artistic Originality
I find it a bit sad that the mass media feels a need to air re-runs of sit coms from the 70’s. Even music is sadly lacking in inspiration. Contemporary artists who want a ‘sure hit’ often go back to performing earlier songs that assure acceptance. Another change I see on the horizon as Uranus enters Pisces is true originality in art and music. Again, it goes back to that primordial creative spark. The 20’s were a renaissance with shortened skirts and lowered hemlines part of the memoir. Ouranos (Uranus) is Father of Saturn and consort of Gaia; the original ‘wild man’. He may be a bit awkward with the arts, but cut him loose in Pisces, and wow, watch for the fireworks. Inventiveness, expression, and acceptance now become viable parts of the artistic world.
Fantastic Voyage
How can this ingress not be just one of the most exciting events of the year? A most powerful image for Uranus is that of lightening over water and the resulting rain that pours down; the essential force of creation meets divine matrix. Indeed, we are setting sail today into a world filled with trepidation but also wonder. Realistically, we know all is not rosy in the world picture, either; humanitarian concerns must be addressed. Little tests prepare us for big tests. Magically, if we each give a little, the results increase exponentially. And, what better place is there to begin than at home and in our everyday lives? Yes, the world grostyle increasingly impersonal and complex, but our true needs remain simple. Shamanic journeys and trips around the world all begin and end at the same place; with love and a pure heart.
