Practical Astrology in February-March 2010 - What's Happening With Saturn square Pluto and Those Interlocking Yods?

by Robert Wilkinson

A few days ago I wrote about a rare configuration happening now, involving two Yods, or Fingers of God, that interlock. Mars in Leo has been double quincunx the Jupiter in Pisces sextile Pluto in Capricorn, and Jupiter in Pisces was double quincunx the Mars in Leo sextile Saturn in Libra. So how have these manifested in our world?

It's important to note here that Jupiter is now moving out of the Yod while boosted by Venus the past few days also quincunx to Mars and sextile to Pluto. This should bring us Venusian experiences helping the previous Jupiter energy become clearer.

Now we''ll see the Sun in the Pisces zone illuminating and powering up the Yods, and March 1 see Mercury in the Pisces zone bringing us insights, information, signs and signals of what this has been all about. So we'll continue to experience the effects for two more weeks, even though Mars will move out of the quincunx to Pluto and into the triseptile, triggering the Grand Irrationality from late February through late March.

From a practical, "real world" angle, these multiple "expansion through sacrifice" energies have triggered some very "hard adjustments" and forced some major shifts in whatever life areas they influence. Let's take a look at just a few things that have been going on during this time of interlocking Yods.

First, the Vancouver Olympics with their equipment malfunctions, weather issues, ticket cancellations, and safety problems. They began with the death of Georgian luger Nodar Kumaritashvili last Friday, forcing a rearranging of the luge course to slow things down. Then the games began with one of the columns of the Olympic flame not rising as it should.

The weather has totally messed up the Alpine schedule, wiping out the first two races on the opening weekend of the games as well as a bunch of training runs necessary in order to hold actual races. This is because Cypress Mountain, site of freestyle skiing and snowboarding, has not had enough snow.

Organizers covered the course with hay bales and dumped snow on top, but heavy rains washed much of it away. Organizers then canceled tickets for all snowboard events -- men's and women's snowboard cross, halfpipe and parallel giant slaloms. That's six events with no spectators lining the course, a total of 28,000 tickets requiring refunds of $1.5 million.

The reason? The snow washed away to the point where people were sinking up to their knees, and in some case even deeper, putting many spectators in very unsafe conditions.

Fans can't get into events for which they bought tickets, and can't even see the Olympic cauldron since it's a restricted area, creating mass discontent. Athletes are competing in less than stellar conditions -- Tuesday's snowboard cross competition was a fall-riddled nightmare, and the speedskaters were less than pleased to be kept waiting to compete Monday night because of a malfunctioning ice-resurfacing machine. Or, like the Alpine skiers, they aren't competing at all, or even getting in training runs.

I couldn't help but note while viewing the couples figure skating competitions that I've never seen so many falls in any Olympics I've ever viewed. The judges were actually awarding high marks even when one or both skaters fell in any number of ways. I believe it's because skaters are always pushing to exceed the old standards, and some jumps they're attempting are almost impossible anyway. It's easy to see how some adjustments might be in order just to keep from falling on their bums. The judges sure had to adjust their standards relative to past Olympics!

Besides the Olympic mess, there have been other major events going on as well. There is the seemingly never-ending stream of bad news for Toyota, with multiple brand recalls for a fairly large spectrum of problems. We've also seen many announcements of retirements from the US Congress including an unexpected death due to complications from surgery. (Update: There are 45 so far, one of the largest waves of retirements in history!)

The Taliban's number 2 guy has been captured along with several Taliban "Shadow Governors," the Ukranian election results have been suspended amid allegations of fraud, and in a very bizarre turn, an Alabama college professor went berserk and killed several colleagues. Upon further investigation, it has been found she killed her brother years ago in very peculiar circumstances, and was even a suspect in a bomb plot at another university a while back!

I'm sure there are more events that are indicative of Saturn square Pluto with multiple interlocking quincunx energies, but these are the ones that have happened so far that I know of. Oh yes, and one of my favorite poets died, Lucille Clifton.

It would seem that the times are truly a wild ride, with more to come once Mars goes direct!

For more on the recent Yods, please revisit Astrology in February 2010 - Entering the Mars in Leo, Jupiter in Pisces, Saturn in Libra, and Pluto in Capricorn Yods, or Fingers of God.

For more on how the Grand Irrationality is at work right now, here's Spiritual Astrology in December 2009 and January-February 2010 part 1 - The Grand Irrationality and Forks in the Road for All Signs - An Overview

and

Spiritual Astrology in December 2009 and January-February 2010 part 2 - The Grand Irrationality and When It Will Be Set Into Motion For Aries, Taurus, Gemini, Cancer, Leo, Virgo, Libra, Scorpio, Sagittarius, Capricorn, and Pisces

© Copyright 2009 Robert Wilkinson

Comments

[Joseph]

Totally concur about your interpretation of the 2 Yods and their effect on the Pisces zone. Thanks for exploring these dynamics in a holistic fashion.

A number of astrologers I follow thought Jupiter/Venus in early Pisces would be a good thing, which I thought was quite off the mark. Instead, Jupiter amplifying the Yods has given it a feel of Mercury Retrograde on steroids, as it added quite a punch via the Quincunx to Mars retro and semi-sextile to Mercury.

I see the on-going Saturn-Pluto square as the linchpin and linking force between the two Yods. How that square matures has a significant determining effect on the vibration and synchronicity of the Yods and how they function together. Given society's tendency to resist change, the results so far (as you posted) have not been encouraging. Sure sets an intense precedent for the coming Cardinal Climax. Oh boy....

[Anita Kennedy]

Compassionate choice ... flow ... patience & perserverance in the face of adversity. The world comes together to compete and the stories that emerge have the power to change lives forever. The level of commitment & discipline & shere will by all athletes go up against the forces of nature which man has no power over. Ride the wave ... chop wood ... carry water ... make snow! As an athlete I'm moved to the deepest level of my core at the power on display ... the power of the human heart in all its glory ... full of compassion, frustration, joy, sorrow and above all else ... the power of forgiveness as the world evolves pushing and enduring beyond our wildest expectations. Pluto square Saturn reaches inside and rips apart all falsehoods ... falling to our knees, heads down, tears pouring onto the canvass of our lost dreams ... time for change ... time for prayer. Blessings to the planets athletes! And when they ski, those phenomenal alpine competitors ... may they ski in the silence of their own hearts for themselves and in all their glory away from & beyond the worlds podium. Here's to the world uniting & to the great Canadian spirit & humour. Our humility allows for tremendous awareness and when things go wrong we know we must continue to chop wood, carry water & make snow ... light the flame of compassion & endurance & forgive our flaws ... the innocent & the blatant.

[Sue Moon]

Joseph, totally agree! Jupiter conjunct Venus that I had looked forward to was completely squashed in strong disagreements with co-worker and family. I just want to come out of this in the highest possible way, so I'm going to be writing a lot more and making plans to let go of the albatrosses and fly free without fear. Phew!

[Joseph]

Sue, I've seen a number of really odd situational dynamics occur between people over the past week. Looks like we're all getting a force feeding of the "cosmic kool-aid".

The big wild card has got to be the current solar maximum cycle. Would not surprise me to see signficant solar flares this summer in time for the cardinal climax.

[Maria]

There sure is craziness around... At my workplace some of my colleagues started shouting at each other the other day and the boss punished everyone including me (I so felt like I'm in kindergarten all over again!). Since then the tension's been growing and I'm thinking of leaving my job because of the bad vibes I'm getting.

If this is going to get worse next month it's hasta la vista, baby!

[Cheryl]

More to come?!!
You have no idea! (kidding)
This is either very tragic or very awesome!
Thank you so much for your insights. You do light my way.
Cheryl

[Valerie]

Wow, all that just from the yods?! I've been watching all the Olympics wierdness happen and wondering myself. Interesting that the weather should be so WET, strange and uncooperative, and excessive to boot, with Jupiter in Pisces, a very wet sign. Sometimes astrology can be so literal. And I find all the political departures interesting to watch, deaths and resignations. Change is definitely in the wind. Can't wait to hear what our media (falling) star Tiger Woods will have to say for himself tomorrow. It's been a wild ride, alright. Rock on! :)

[caliban]

Pluto? Saturn? I see it now. Helps me to understand my natal square. Packs alot of power. More than what mama's arms could hold.

[Siri]

There is now news from Austin, TX that a man angry with the IRS has committed suicide by flying a small plane into a building there.

And there was yelling at my office yesterday as well, rather atypical.

[cheryl]

Well then why is it that I seem to be having so much fun? Am I a nutter?
Maybe...
Or is it that I am a pisces and we can ride this wave with more levity and facility than most.
Just curious.

[WarriorLady]

In a way, I'm glad that the standards in the Olympics have changed. I was just commenting to my husband that I was more impressed with Winter Olympic athletes than summer ones because of the treacherous snow and ice they speed all over. If the fact that they're stellar and talented competitors isn't enough, I don't know what can possibly be. These athletes practically possess the physical strength of superheroes in the grand scheme of things, for goodness sakes. I mean, I can only wish I could skate like those ice-skaters-- talk about control and grace in the midst of danger of great bodily injury!

Great article.

[WarriorLady]

As for me, I have a pain in my neck. Literally. All tension. Think it might be time for a quick massage.

[tolly]

So far I've had intense dreams of being under water, communications with dolphins and beings from other places. I've been feeling like I've been hit with a rainbow or something. After reading about the general chaos that others seem to be experiencing with these astro configurations, perhaps I should brace myself for something to come. For now though it has been dreamy and luscious. Only, I haven't been able to get much done with all this dreamtime.

[BigKahunaKitty]

More??? With Mars at the helm? Say it ain't so!!!

[Sue Moon]

Warrior Lady, I so get that pain in the neck (literally and figuratively)as mine just won't go away even with massage! A dear friend of mine believes that we have a psychic astrological wheel around the head and that the astrological vibrations come in at the base of the skull/top of neck. Explains a lot to me! Now if I could just learn to quit blocking all of this power!

[Orenda]

I've been having vivid dreams this week too, one about swimming very well in a garden pool(yet,in waking-life I dont swim at all!) Also, just concurring with some of you about the chaotic interactions going on. Mine started a week ago, but just in the last 3 days, a long time friend died, another long time friend had to kick his daughter out and yet another long time friend had her alzheimer-ridden mother accidentally o.d. on meds.
Yes, it IS like Merc. Retro on steroids, very much. This double Aquarian's trying to ride the wave too. My days and nights are strange on a regular basis but this is something else altogether.

[Sean in Australia]

Surrender to the chaos and work with it. My Pisces moon is becoming a Godsend in these change-able times. I have noticed a crisis (not the norm) at a work place in the last two weeks. It had been coming to be sure, but how it's being dealt with (including the "team" dynamics) is, so far, far from ideal. Good luck to those resisting fate, destiny and the Universal Will. Surrender now, before you tear yourself to shreds among these winds of change, lol ; )

[Sophia]

Also add the extreme weather around the world Italy landslide in Calabria, huge floods in Spain snow in Washington, Texas and Alabama. Not to mention Greece in economic dire straits being in a saturn zone.

[Robert]

How about the whale killing the trainer at Seaworld?

[cathy cataldo]

A whale does not belong in a zoo.

[Robert]

Hi Joseph - Yes, it's been quite a wild ride! As for universally favorable interpretations of conjunctions to Jupiter, that's the most common error most novice astrologers, as well as supposed experts, make.

It's really too vast a subject to go into here, but just because something conjuncts Venus or Jupiter, the supposed "lesser and greater benefic" of yore, does NOT necessarily mean it's "good" given that the Sacred Seven Planets all have their duality of function, which I've written about. Really, it's the Mars RX nozzle that gives the impression of "Mercury RX on steroids," which is a really great phrase to describe this constantly adjusting squeeze. Your note of the Saturn square Pluto being "the linchpin" is also very accurate, since it's the dynamic that links both Yods. At least Mars has been and will be sextile Saturn for a few weeks.

Hi Anita - The Pisces energies are productive despite the hard adjustments focused in that sign. After all, this is the time when Pisces comes to the fore, so it's a phase of the natural process which we all get to experience however we will whether we want to or not. Pisces is the repository of the stories and myths, timeless legends that link us all together across space and time. There are some herculean tasks polarizing our world, as well as olympian fortitude being demonstrated.

I will admit we need more play and less "us v them" competition. I'm all for friendly competition, and it's a joy that so many of the current Olympians are showing class, style, and affection in their regard for their fellow athletes, with a few notable exceptions. It's also very human (and passe'!) that there is bound to be at least one spoilsport in any gathering of strong beings. The new era will not show the same type of relating as the now dying Age, since after all we ARE collectively on the Path of Return. Humor is indeed uplifting in its essence, and humility is said to be the Way of Sages.

Hi Sue Moon - Being a bit of a hermit is always good from time to time, as is saying goodbye to that which needs to leave. No fear is always best!

Hi Maria - Very strange stuff coming down all over, too much to chronicle. The news just seems weirder and weirder.... If it's time to go, make sure you do it with the right plan, right humor, right resolve, and at right time. That way you take back the power and initiative, and will feel lighter by letting go of the heaviness. An uncertain possibility is always better than a certain drag!

Hi Cheryl - Always more waves to surf that we may become expert in our balance, perspective, adjustments, and enjoyment of the ride! Tragic and awesome seem to describe the human condition.... Light is my Life Angel. Gotta love those sparklers!

Hi Valerie - Weather has been very interesting. Besides disrupting the Olympics so far, many travelers have had to make forced adjustments due to flight cancellations in other parts. And I just heard there may be a blizzard coming in to Canada which if it comes will force further delays.

Hi caliban - That is truly one of the most powerful of potentials for good or ill, depending on how it's expressed. When you master that square, you'll master any situation where it's operating, or become the embodiment of the "corrective force of Nature Herself" as that energy must operate due to what's happening. The Law is the Law, and those who are in harmony with the Law become Nature's servants. That's the true blessing of the difficult aspects. And of course, this is grist for an article.

Hi Siri - The suicide flyer is a paradox that shows the futility of the wrong use of force despite articulating a prevailing ideal, however imperfectly. And it does seem that those who are unstable are coming out into the open!

Hi cheryl - I also am having fun, except when I'm getting hit by 2 ton vehicles.;-) We always choose whether we're having a good time or not. Also remember than this is a time when what must be adjusted will be adjusted, and if we've already done that or are doing that in the right ways and times, then there's nyet problema! And yes, this is the time you're most familiar with, and the Great Expander is visiting your table. Welcome to the end of 12 years of one kind of magical energy, and the beginning of a new 12 year quest.

Hi WarriorLady - Yes, while I used to be a pretty good swimmer, I never entertained the idea that I could snow ski and not come up with a busted leg sooner or later! Some of the moves I've seen are truly remarkable! That said, some years ago I had an Olympian gold medalist as a client, and he too was a human with all his hopes, fears, frustrations and triumphs. The challenge for most of these youthful demigods will be once they hit their Saturn Return and must turn their prior skills into something more useful for them, their group, and their world. Being a good Exemplar in one field shows the path to being a good Exemplar in more fields. It's all a matter of what floats your boat.

Hi tolly - Sounds Pisces to me! Whale and dolphin wisdom-energies are said to have originated from our Mother Star, Sirius. It's also interesting that the Chumash are said to be the dolphin people who, crossing the rainbow bridge, chose land instead of sea (or so I was once told by a Medicine Woman, Chief of the 108 Tribes). Perhaps you are here to link realms.....

Hi BigKahunaKitty - If you want focus, Mars isn't so bad a nozzle. But at 1 Leo? Wow! Welcome to the Grand Irrationality!

Hi Orenda - Swimming is a true Pisces thang! Used to swim in the ocean a lot as a Jupiter/NN in Pisces kid in Florida, a Pisces state. Maybe swimming in a dream symbolizes the ability to flow in a foreign (to you) medium. A garden symbolizes everything from sacred space to personality to life, and a pool allows both reflection, recreation, and peace.

Hi Sean - Yes, you're sensitive to the larger natural energies of this time, and can be nurtured and nurture others in perfect ways. I'm sure you have flow down, especially in emotional situations. Resisting anything showing us the path to our Higher Way is ego's sure path to frustration!

Hi Sophia - Yes, it does seem that the global weather is rather chaotic! Greece, Spain, and many, many more. I see signs that the global shell game of globalization is about to crumble of its own weight and excesses.

Hi Robert - While I respect the incredibleness of the name, please give another initial (or whatever) at the end of your name so people don't get confused between your comments and mine. Not that there's anything wrong with your comment, but it's nice when people know who's commenting.....

As for the whale, he has been in captivity the longest of any whale in the US. No whale should ever be in captivity, any more than any human. They are more intelligent than we are, you know. If brain wiring means anything, they are so much more evolved than we are that they are as gods to us being little more evolved than goats. That would imply that while the trainer might be an "innocent participant" in the whale's continued subjugation and servitude, it should be no surprise if an intelligent being eventually gets tired of the game of being captive to human entertainment. All creatures eventually hit their breaking point if forced by another to be something they're not.

Hi cathy - I believe I've made myself clear in the past paragraph. Whales are worthy of veneration, and should not be objects of forced "entertainment."

[RL]

My apologies if I caused any confusion (Though Robert is a great name). Regarding the venerable whale (Pisces) turning (retro-mars) on it's trainer (Saturn square Pluto) resulting in death (a great tragidy by the way) at a entertainment park (Leo) with children looking on; seemed to me to be on target with the conversation at hand.

[Robert]

Hi RobertL - Yes, I do honor all those Roberts out there, since it has been said the name means "teacher of others" (or so I read a couple of places).

Orca may not be the most evolved of the species, but they are still highly intelligent creatures, and yes, you're spot on with the astrological analysis. I once heard the legendary educator John Silber state on television that one of the greatest failures of education in America was/is that we do not teach our children that death is a fact of life. I couple that with the failure of imagination in the supposedly adult custodians of our countries, world, and global cultural heritage. These two things have created a) a self indulgent childishness in the US, and b) the present global mess. While the children at Sea World were exposed to a violent experience, perhaps they needed to see that death is pandemic in Nature, and that humans should not be in the same tank as Orcas. "Entertainment" gone wrong tends to make those things not so entertaining in the future. This applies across many life areas.

[caliban]

Is life so bad in a private plane?

Do whales experience Saturn returns or trainers Uranus oppositions?