Spiritual Astrology in January-February 2008 Pt. 2 - Uranus Direct, Neptune in a Solar Eclipse, and Pluto Entering Capricorn

by Robert Wilkinson

With Uranus and Neptune passing over degree spans rehearsed in 2007, these "spiritual" forces at work move us over familiar territory reviewed in their initial direct, then retrograde phase. Pluto enters Capricorn for the first time since 1762, and like then, after a brief stay will RX back into Sag, finally leaving that sign for the last time this cycle in late November 2008. We're now definitely moving forward, and can use the skills learned in 2007 as Spiritual tools in the months to come.

In 2007 we "entered the Sanctuary" after which we "took a walk with our wisdom" and were invested with a certain power that we had to practice under difficult conditions to focus skill and valor. We got "rewards from Spirit" by inculcating feelings of appreciation and gratitude during the last half of 2007 while getting in shape and cultivating our "Spiritual vehicle." This prepared us to deliver our version of a higher power in 2008. Welcome to the "jumpstart" of that form of dynamic self-expression during this forecast period.

Through most of this period, Uranus finishes its quintile dance with Pluto and then re-enters a binovile in late February. As you know, Neptune and Pluto continue to anchor The Grand Irrationality. We are now in a time when the inner planets are in between Neptune and Pluto, closing the old year cycle to the former and opening the new year cycle with the latter.

Tremendous changes were kicked into gear in December as a result of transits from Sun, Mercury, Venus, and Jupiter conjuncting Pluto and septile Neptune. You can find a lot more about this long term irrational strange atmosphere by going to yesterday's article, Spiritual Astrology in January-February 2008 Pt. 1.

Another significant factor that showed a "changing of the guard" involved the Moon's Nodes leaving Pisces-Virgo and entering Aquarius-Leo. This moved the emphasis away from Saturn conjunct the South Node in Virgo and the seemingly endless grind and need to take care of a thousand details into more visionary developments. In fact, there are major transfigurations occurring in many lives between mid-December and mid-January 2008 which will become vitalized and given significant form between mid-February and mid-March.

This Nodal sign shift also turned the emphasis from Uranus and North Node in Pisces to Neptune conjunct North Node in Aquarius. This is important since it sets up a major Solar Eclipse in February with Pluto at 1 degree Capricorn, promising the emergence of new power figures on the world stage, and new authority to assert ourselves in our world.

Due to 2 Solar Eclipses in the past 16 months square Pluto while 3 Lunar Eclipses and the most recent Solar Eclipse conjuncted or opposed Uranus, we're still within a larger future oriented tide of evolution that is closing life chapters and opening new ones where we can become inspired, enjoy ourselves more, and light up our world in ways everyone can appreciate. The coming Solar Eclipse will be extraordinarily dynamic in propeling us into our future in a roundabout way, thanks to 5 planets in Aquarius, including Mercury retrograde and Chiron, all trine Mars.

Though I'll be composing more extensive articles on the coming Eclipses in a couple of weeks, here are a few factors to consider about the coming February Solar Eclipse. First, remember that all Eclipses shut old things down creating space for new things to appear, so expect new rhythms of activity based on a broader vision of things past and future in years to come. Mercury RX is a "back to the future" type of energy, and shows we'll have to resurrect old forms of protection as a larger unveiling process occurs.

This Solar Eclipse will help us focus on what we care for and about, and be more active in demonstrating that. We will learn to see through passing phenomena and glimpse wisdom in the passages. The line of greatest development is in working with foresight, preparing for things to come, having more faith that Spirit will deliver, or protect, or guide us into a state where we can demonstrate appreciation, gratitude, and compassion. Though there is a semisquare from the Aquarius stellium to Pluto, it is favorable to all the other planets except Saturn, which receive no aspects from the planets in Aquarius.

Saturn is important since it's the worldly ruler of the Eclipse, with Uranus the Spiritual ruler of the Eclipse. These two are in wide opposition, showing a polarization between the two energies that will yield realizations as well as polarizations. Saturn is retrograde, thus still receding from its coming opposition with Uranus in Pisces beginning in August 2008. This is giving us all a reprieve for a few months from this polarizing energy between the forces of service and deception on a global level, and between the progressive dreamers and those who would enslave the future in an avalanche of details, worries, and criticisms.

We can use Saturn to express the Uranus in Pisces energies of rebirth within a collective setup, but will have to find a practical use for the times where we must wait wisely. Overall, it seems that we can make tremendous material progress as a result of this eclipse coming. A final note is that the Eclipse Venus is the degree of January's New Moon, so we should be capturing pleasing forms of protection and power over the next few weeks, as well as in years to come.

This polarization between Saturn and Uranus will build for the next three years, with the back end of the period dominated by Saturn in Libra opposition Uranus in Aries, You should also check out parts 2 and 3 of that series to find out more about the long term squares and oppositions that indicate massive destabilization in our world and a radical turning point for humanity and our Earth.

As noted earlier, from mid-May through early August 2007 Uranus offered us a "walk with a Higher Wisdom" while giving us opportunities to show our world what we are able and ready to do. Especially in May and June, the outer planets were in unknown zones of Spiritual futures indicated by degree spans not experienced in close to a century or more. From August through late October, Uranus and Neptune both retrograde gave us a chance to look back, receive inspiration and Divine idealism, and prepare for new developments coming soon.

When Pluto is in late Sag from mid-June through late November 2008, it will again be in a zone squaring the late 2006 and the 2007 Solar Eclipse points. This will be a final activation shutting down old ways opening new futures, since it energizes similar degree sectors of Virgo and Pisces accented the past year. This reinforces the lessons unleashed in 2006-2007, with future effects triggered by planetary transits through Virgo, Sagittarius, Pisces, and Gemini through July 2010. Pluto's effect will certainly be strong for at least another year.

When Uranus and Neptune were retrograde, it was a time to review the paths and challenges from Spirit that brought us to the threshold of new beginnings as we took a new look at our ideals, the way we're relating to others and everything that is, consciously and unconsciously, and how we are willing to embrace our uniqueness or genius. Now they're moving forward, retracing degree spans we're already familiar with, giving us a chance to demonstrate those spiritual lessons and skills in ways that carry us into the future.

This period features Saturn moving out of its tredecile into a wide but significant trine with Pluto. This will begin to anchor the Earth energies in practical, simple, and very stable forms that will blossom when Jupiter trines Saturn the entire last half of 2008. January is especially important in setting future patterns, as Jupiter trine Saturn in early Earth signs this month anticipates what Pluto will bring forth over the next few years.

We have opportunities to find stable understanding, forms, and circumstances connected to whatever we are experiencing related to Pluto in Sagittarius conjunct the Galactic Center which now moves our Fiery Spirit Dharma into practical forms. That which was promised and set into motion by the Grand Fire Trines of 2007 anchored by Saturn in Leo trine Pluto in Sag is now in a phase of stabilization and anchoring in forms of personal power.

You can read a little about the long term Fire Trine influence in related to the March 2007 Solar Eclipse in The August 2007 Lunar Eclipse in Virgo-Pisces. Two more great articles that extensively go into the two types of Grand Fire Trines are Astrology for All in March-April-May-June 2007 - A Grand Fire Trine Begins To Light Things Up for Months which focuses more on the middle decan Fire trines, while Saturn in late Leo April, May, June, July, August 2007 Pt.1 – What it means for All Signs focuses more on the late degree Fire Trines.

Though past, these set major patterns into play that will be triggered from time to time well into the future, much as the multiple Fire Trines of the Harmonic Convergence of August 1987 (echoed in August 1988) set things into motion for years afterwards.

In Part 3 of this month's Spiritual Astrology series, we will explore more about the spans the outer planets are in as well as the times when planets will make dynamic aspects to the Invisible Triad, being periods when we are most challenged to cooperate with "Spiritual" energies.

© Copyright 2008 Robert Wilkinson

Comments

[Shireen]

Excellent article! - Thank you...

[AceStar]

thanks Robert for wonderfull insights in just 1 article i can read so much and wonder whatz next hehe :)
today New Moon conjunct my natal Sun 15 degree ... curious to know how it will effect me personaly!
thanks

good luck

[Jilly]

If you would have told me 10 years ago that I would be actively be campaigning for a Republican (Ron Paul) I would have laughed heartily. That's Pluto for ya I guess.

"Super Tuesday" is 2 days before the solar eclipse I think.

[Robert]

Hi Shireen - You're most welcome. More to come in a couple of days.

Hi AceStar - This New Moon will begin a new year for you, due to the Solar Return influence. Because it occurs just after the SR, it would imply that the coming year is completely future oriented where you can catch glimpses of seed ideas you're here to release into your world. Jupiter's transit of your Sun and then this lunation point will rapidly expand whatever this year is about for you. Your ruler Saturn at 9 Virgo challenges you to BE the unique, original, "tradition-less" expression of your artistic self. The beginning commences after you let go of old pressures you no longer need to bear. All in all, it should be an extraordinarily inspired year, very productive as you find the inner quiet to contact your inner knowing so you can fulfill some collective need that the collective doesn't even know it needs.

[Christine E]

Hi Robert,

Thanks for all this great stuff once again! I had a question about the Moon's Nodes...does it mean anything that I have the same nodes in my chart (aq/leo)? Can I expect those type of issues to be prominent for awhile?

Thanks :)

[Popplagid]

Curiously the first three new moons of 2008 will happen in 18º Cap, 18º Aqu and 18º Pis, the second is the eclipse happening around Neptune and the third happening around Uranus.
So, it will trigger any transits or natal planets on may have around this degree. In my own case, the new moons will trigger a Neptune trining Saturn and Uranus opposing Moon transits (and Jupiter will also be trining this in March too)! Anyone, also with transits or planets there?

[Joy L]

Whoo, Popplagid, thanks for that factoid re: new moons!

18 Cap is: conjunct my natal Sun, trine natal Mars, square natal NNode. (yes, 1/9 is my birthday.) For my birthday I got a new project and galvanizing work partner that have super-energized me, but are kind of off to the side of what I really want to do with my time and creativity.

18 Aqu is: conjunct my natal Chiron, trine natal NNode, square natal Mars, opposite natal Uranus. Mom goes in for surgery in late Feb, and I'm her caregiver in recovery, something that seems to be taking care of a lot of inner work for both of us.

18 Pis is: Sextile my natal Sun and Mars. I foresee many happy phone conversations.

Fascinating!

[AceStar]

thanks Robert! u cleared alot of things for me :)

Good Luck brother

[Robert]

Hi Christine - Yes, you're having a Nodal Return, which we all get every 17-18 years or so. We get "flipped Nodes" every 8-9 years. And yes, it would mean your natal issues around the lessons of the Nodes will be prominent for the next year and a half.

Hi Popplagid - Very frequently successive lunations occur approximately 30 degrees apart. Obviously they will trigger a sequence of aspects with the transiting outer planets which don't move very quickly, and any natal planets in the degree zone. For ex., Jan New Moon waxing squares my 19 Libra Neptune and quincunxes my 18 Leo Pluto, Feb Eclipse trines my Neptune and opposes my Pluto, and Mar New Moon quincunxes my Neptune and Pluto, thus forming a Yod. This is a very common phenomenon for those with planets in line with the lunations, which over time "retrograde" from late in the signs to the middle of the signs to the early degrees of the signs. Some months back, the New Moons were occurring in the last few degrees of their signs, thus influencing everyone with planets in the last few degrees of any sign. Now they approach the middle degrees. So millions have planets in affected degrees.

Hi Joy - Happy Solar Return and Birthday! Sometimes things seemingly "off track" help us develop skills, perspectives, and relationships that will help us to a more complete embrace of the original intention. As some long term readers of this site know about my own life, at one point in 1986 a 5 buck an hour temp typing job led me straight into years of being a television producer, director, and editor. You just never know what serendipity will bring if you're open to it!

Hi AceStar - Go forward, be well, do well, and BE the blessing and light in your world. Your chart shows phenomenal aptitude for offering everyone a more beautiful, fair, just, and balanced view of what's possible in a human life. Aum Namah Shivaya!

[Lina]

Hi Robert,
As usual, thanks a lot for the valuable information you always provide. I would be grateful if you could shed some light on how the February solar eclipse will be affecting me. At the time of the eclipse, transiting saturn will be conjunct my natal pluto (6 virgo) in my first house, and also (Saturn) square my natal sun (5 Sag) in my fourth house, plus trining my natal saturn (5 Cap) in my fifth house. My Date of birth is 28 November 1959 at 10:15 PM in Cairo, Egypt. The past 7-8 years were very difficult for me in most apects, and every eclipse shakes me heavily one way or another, as, if u look in my chart, most of my natal planets are in very close proximity to each other. I would very much appreciate your help in giving me an idea about the effect of the February solar and lunar eclipses, as you can see my natal saturn is being aspected from other very powerful ones, whereas you have mentioned that Saturn is the earthly ruler for this eclipse. Thaning you in anticipation.
Cordially,
Lina

[Robert]

Hi Lina - Of course a detailed analysis of your chart and all the implications of eclipses is not possible in a comment stream. As for long term difficulty, you've mainly been dealing with Uranus the past number of years square your Sun and Jupiter, but now that it's equally long term trine your Mercury and Mars your uniqueness should be able to be expressed more easily. This eclipse makes many quintiles in your chart as well as a trine to your Venus. What's not to like? It should take away blockages to your Sag gifts. The eclipse Aquarius planets trine Mars in Gemini all trine your Venus should bring beneficial associations, even though initially you're going to go through a swirl with Mercury RX conjunct Neptune square your Mercury and Mars opposition your Uranus. Get clear, inspired, slow down, allow things to develop over time, don't accept defeat too easily while looking at what's emerging so you can see what to let go of. Simplify, and learn to like things more than you have in the past.

[Lina]

Dear Robert,

Thanks a million for your reply.You have mentioned a very significant word "swirl", which is very expessive of what I feel I am (and have been) going through for some years now, as you can see, Neptune has been opposing my natal Uranus for quite some time. Thanks again for your concern and advice, and for your explanation of the planetary aspects to my Venus during the eclipse, which gives me some hope. As I had told u, I have had some very hard years, I feel so drained, yet at the same time I am always feeling that something wonderful (don't know what nor when) will happen. Guess this is my Sag nature. Thanks again for all your help and support.
Lina

[Robert]

Hi Lina - Well, we do get strained when we're pushing through old limits into new skills, strengths, and awarenesses. Our hearts and minds are like muscles - they do well when exercised, even if sometimes we get fatigued. And of course, when we stretch our limits, new vistas open up, as well as new abilities to use in future times. Life is not about being comfortable! And of course you're welcome.

[suz-d]

hi Robert...
long time since I"ve had time to tune in.
lots going on in both my music and film careers.

here's one thought I was curious about; and that is Pluto going into Cap, which I read is a real BIGGIE according to all the reports that are going around. I looked at my chart to see where my Pluto is and it's 29 degrees Cancer. My moon and mars are in Capricorn at 28 and 24 degrees respectively. My sun in Taurus at 18 degrees conjunct Uranus at 17 degrees. and there's more of course....

my question today is, with Pluto into Capricorn, it will be opposing my natal Pluto, right? but with my natal Pluto at 29 degrees, it will take a while to travel all the way up to 29 to become an opposing aspect, which sounds like trouble to me! Since I'm assuming, and dont really know, I await your always wise counsel...

anyways, the film project is starting to take off, a step at a time. we are in the fund raising stage, and I am watching how the economy seems to be getting worser and worser, and trying to keep positive about this being a favourable time for a far-out exciting ambitious film project that so far, everyone is really excited about, and anyone that reads it, just loves it!

as always your thoughts greatly appreciated...

suz-d

[suz-d]

well now that I look back at my chart, Pluto will be leaving Sag and going in the higher number degrees of Capricorn, so wont take that long to get to 29 degrees. well, am I in trouble Robert? just when I am about to go a lot more high profile?
thnx again

[Robert]

Hi suz-d - What you want would take more time than I can do right now. Will try to formulate a coherent answer in a few days when I'm off the road. Right now I must get some rest since tomorrow is more packing and a 500 mile drive followed by 300 miles Friday then 200 miles Saturday. Aum...

[suz-d]

no hurry R....
you take such good care of the rest of us,
please take care of yourself!
have a good safe relaxing drive with good driving weather,
and get some rest afterwards before you dive back in again...
luv to you
S

[Robert]

Hi suz-d - Pluto won't oppose your Pluto, conjunct your Moon and Mars for many years, or even trine your Taurus planets for another 7 or so. It's actually triseptile your Pluto at present, a very long wave broad based influence. Keep the positivity around your film project, since Jupiter in Cap this year should bring blessings for diligence, organization, and taking responsibility. Uranus is also favorable to your Cap/Cancer axis, so enjoy! April should be a doozy, with Mars in Cancer opposed Jupiter in Cap. Remember that oppositions can bring about awareness and bring successful projects to surface.

[suz-d]

great news..! thank you Robert.... I was prepared to hear just about anything, as these days are just kinda like that, one thing to deal with after another.

as to "diligence, organization, and taking responsibility" that's just par for the course now, because if one is tackling a large multi million dollar project, there's no other way to go!

it's always been music all my life, (accompanied by painting and sculpture.)
but FILM is EVERYthing all rolled into one:
light / sound / word / image / music / concept / special effects / etc.... a real multi dimensional journey. the idea of working with so many mediums at one time really excites my imagination, plus the huge potential a film has to not only reach millions of people, but to touch them and influence them for the better. to introduce them to higher level concepts while bathing them in sounds, tones and frequencies from the higher realms. all of is a huge turn on and a challenge to stay organized, focused, inspired. and on target.

thank you for the positive message, and blessings to you Robert

[Patricia]

I can't find your analysis of presidential candidates which you probably did two years ago knowing you . . . trying to choose between H. and B. based on relationship of their charts to Pluto in Capricorn. If you've addressed this thanks for helping me locate it. Hope you're doing well, staying true and avoiding consequences!

[Robert]

Hi suz-d - And now you know why I embraced producing and directing thousands of hours of television with such gusto! I believe film and video can unlock things beyond most people's imagination. When we learn the power of structured imagery to manifest higher possibilities of inspiration, the world changes almost instantaneously. And yes, it's a MAJOR turn-on!

Hi Patricia - I haven't done any astrological analysis of the candidates this election cycle. I'm in a strange head space regarding our busted system, since regardless of who is running, it's all about who counts the votes, and that's as rigged as it gets given the structure of the Electoral College and our so-called "free market" system. There's such widespread corruption in the electoral process due to what I term "the Diebold spread" that it almost doesn't matter who we vote for since the powers that be will never allow an outsider to win. At least this time it's widely known the electronic machines are extremely hackable, and the Fascists don't have the Abramoff slush bucket to move a LOT of money around to manipulate elections by the dozens.

Personally, I cannot endorse anyone who is so inside the system that they've been bought and sold sixteen ways from Thursday. Of all the candidates, only one seems not to have been consciously corrupted, regardless of how "naive" or "inexperienced" they are being painted to be. Unfortunately, neither the Democratic nor the Republican parties are our friends, and only one viable candidate was against the war from the beginning.

We cannot achieve a lasting hope for something better by electing those who participated in the bloated corruption of the past, regardless of what progress they seem to symbolize. Only when we open the electoral process to candidates not bought and sold by the corporations will we achieve real change. And I do believe we need to double the number in the House, add another 50 senators, cut all their salaries by half, and stick them all in a dorm. Then ban all campaign expenditures beyond a sane limit while insisting the media give lots of free time for public debate. That way we'd get some decent representation and our campaigns wouldn't be beauty contests for glib and well-oiled gasbags. (And now you know why I've taken a long break from political blogging as a consequence of finding the truth of just how rigged the game is....)

[suz-d]

" Hi suz-d - And now you know why I embraced producing and directing thousands of hours of television with such gusto! "

i didn't know that about you Robert! which programs?
I'll keep you posted about the progress....

as to presidential candidates, we are TOTALLY on the same page. Unless the Cabal approves them, they cant play the bigtime game. no wonder Ron Paul was OUT so soon, along with Kucinich, they were playing their own game. by this time, I know waaay too much about their game, so much so that I dont even see the point of voting anymore.

[Robert]

Hi suz-d - Back in the late 80s I did tons of programs on all kinds of things, from specials to series, for self and others, cablecast in Austin and access channels in other cities. As for political candidates, well.. (gives a huge sigh....) I'll vote, but pretty much holding my nose.

[Elyse]

Thanks for helping me try to understand my N.Node in the 9H conj Pluto & Uranus in Virgo. I am not an astrol-expert by any stretch, just beginner. As I put my chart together with one of the pres. candidates (IF I got his birth info correct), our synastry chart shows our planets hitched up around the MC. I feel so compelled to drop everything and go work for him, to promote him for these soul level/spiritual reasons related to better governance by raising human awareness and consciousness. It almost feels ... Karmic. Am I being delusional? Too idealistic? Or is this a legitimate call for growth and development? Me: Nov271960 7:27AM Providence, RI He:Aug041961 Honolulu 1:06pm My husband thinks I'm nuts, but I feel like this could change my life. Maybe you guys (SUZD & ROBT) know the impact of this feeling with your program efforts. Could you mentor someone who's about to buy a ticket to Texas? Or, am I misreading this synastry chart, and should just let it go? --Elyse

[Robert]

Hi Elyse - I would not put my life on hold or disrupt it to be a part of any temporary political circumstance, since the entire system is corrupt and guaranteed to disillusion any idealist trying to make a difference. In fact, I quit political blogging (despite the widespread recognition I was getting) because the system is broken beyond any single person's ability to make a difference. There are many ways to serve an ideal that do not involve destabilizing our lives. Though central Texas is about to be awash in wildflowers, it's also about to become very, very humid. Why not get involved in the national movement to get more accurate and accountable voting machines, such as the Velvet Revolution and Bradblog are attempting? Or write letters to Congress about important things they are trying to ignore? I believe Congressional reform is a very important way to affect things, since the Presidency is bought and sold. Or just become environmentally active, since that's the most urgent cause of our times.

[Elyse]

Robert, I agree with you about political corruption to an extent -- it motivated me to earn an advanced degree 15 yrs ago because I loved "working the maze" and being a catalyst for change. But I wonder, does politics have to be corrupt FOREVER? Is there proof that it evolves? For instance, consider that we evolved from a party loyal system to an issue-oriented system. Then is it possible that the Aquarian Age is attempting to usher progressive, idealistic energies forth to encourage governance to evolve and be more consistent with ethics and compassion and unified intent? Isn't Aquarian energy consistent with having something POSITIVE manifest (other than war, epidemics, natural disasters) that can encourage healing divisiveness in human relationships, elevating human consciousness, and ultimately transforming society? If so, how would that come about? Maybe I'm too idealistic, but I saw this candidate as an opportunity for those Aquarian energies to come through, and it captivated me. Indeed, environmental issues are critical, but perhaps the fundamental Aquarian calling of the times is motivating PEOPLE to come back to EACHOTHER as a result of being EMPOWERED to do so (instead of coming together as a result of disaster and sorrow) so we can more effectively SHARE responsibility for issues that confront us. This whole notion of competition, alienation, and "Us vs. Them" has really taken its toll. So, if an inspiring leader can open the door for Aquarian energies that speak to the evolution of our spiritual consciousness globally, should we dismiss him based on our judgements and experiences with politicians that were defined by the Piscean Age of consciousness? I wonder what you think about this, Robert. Your work is an inspiration to many people, and greatly appreciated! ~Elyse

[Robert]

Hi Elyse - What you bring up deserves more than a gloss in a comment stream. In fact, that's what my old political blog was about - it was a community blog dedicated to progressive solutions AND exposing corruption. Gandhi was the gold standard for enlightened politics. As long as we have political parties that are essentially two faces of one corporate money beast, then we'll not see much enlightened anything, since corporations are required by law to maximize profits for the investors, regardless of the damage that corporation and its products create. In the new era we must insist that our model of governance is that of "progressive, idealistic energies... to encourage governance to evolve and be more consistent with ethics and compassion and unified intent?" It will come about when we separate money and corrupt influence from the election system itself, so that money doesn't complete buy and sell everyone who would attain high office. That's why I've maintained for years we need to double the number in the House, add 50 to the Senate, cut their salaries in half, and limit campaign expenditures, insisting that the media provide LOTS of free debates in return for their privilege of using the public airwaves to make obscene amounts of money. More representation would dilute the power of money to ensure the fix is in for the moneyed class. There's more, but I have to go for now.

[Elyse]

Maybe it's time to re-boot your blog! ~Elyse