Astrology Class - How Do Planetary Cycles Work?

by Robert Wilkinson

Up to this point we have discussed many elements of the series of conjunctions Jupiter is making with Pluto, Neptune, and Uranus. This sets potential influences into long wave motion, but what actually triggers these outer planet conjunctions at specific points in time?

Briefly, the outer planet conjunctions show long term influences. While Jupiter's conjunctions with the outer invisible triad show influences that last 12-15 years, Saturn's conjunctions with the outer planets set cycles into motion that last decades. Cycles involving Uranus conjunction Neptune or Pluto last over a century. Whenever the planets from Jupiter out make conjunctions with those further out, these points mark endings and beginnings on a global scale. The lessons and changes associated with these are set into motion anew each time any of the inner planets crosses the outer conjunction points.

Obviously, the Sun, Mercury, and Venus make conjunctions with every planet outside their orbits, as well as all the planets in our charts, every year. These bring a new year cycle for areas governed by those planets. However, when Mars conjuncts any planet, it activates those energies for two years, and when Jupiter crosses a planet, it activates those energies for the next twelve years.

Each planet, as it transits the conjunction point, infuses the larger cycle pattern with its own energy which demonstrates the nature of that planet. The Sun vitalizes whatever it touches. The Moon gives form to whatever it touches. Mercury brings information, insights, and ways of coordinating our lives within the larger pattern.

Venus brings us things and people within the larger pattern, while Mars energizes the process through spurring activity. Jupiter's influence is much longer, and these conjunctions bring new expansion, teachings, and larger visions of truth to everything connected to whatever it touches.

That's why December 2008 was so very important. Though the Jupiter-Pluto conjunction fell in late 2007, Mars didn't transit that point until December 2008. That would indicate that throughout 2008 the vision developed, the seed forms expanded, and the transformational process was "dormant and potential" until triggered by Mars in late 2008.

That process is now in full motion, and will play out one way in 2009-2010, and differently 2011-2012 due to Mars again triggering the conjunction point in Sagittarius in late 2010, setting a new two year cycle into motion. This will continue through the next Jupiter conjunction Pluto in 2020.

Mars recently conjuncted Jupiter and shortly afterward conjuncted Neptune. Since Mars activated its two year cycle before Jupiter's conjunction to Neptune, the activation of the Mars-Neptune cycle at 25 Aquarius is more anticipatory of Jupiter's coming conjunction with Neptune at that degree in January 2010. Mars won't activate the Jupiter conjunct Neptune 27 Aquarius points until its next pass in February 2011.

The last major cycle yet to be set into motion involve the Jupiter conjunctions with Uranus, first in early Aries, then in late Pisces. The first conjunction falls at 1 Aries in June 2010, after which both retrograde back into Pisces. The second conjunction falls at 29 Pisces in September 2010, and the last one occurs at 28 Pisces in January 2011.

This cycle will be first boosted by Sun, Mercury, and then Mars moving through late Pisces and early Aries in March 2011, followed in April by Venus. Since Uranus will then be in Aries for many years, as these planets cross through late Pisces and early Aries, the Aries quality of the cycle will be more prevalent than the Pisces elements.

So far we've dealt only with conjunctions beginning long cycles being activated by other conjunctions. The major turning points in these cycles are marked by the outer planets making significant angles to the conjunction points, but that is a very vast subject not suited for focused lessons such as this.

However, for those who want a hint at what this may yield, we'll note just one important thing related to this study. When Jupiter makes its first conjunction to Uranus in Aries, it simultaneously makes a waxing (lower) square to its 2007 conjunction point with Pluto. Thus this time will mark an ending and beginning of a major Uranian cycle, as well as the "first emergence" of the larger Galactic Center influences set into motion when Jupiter conjuncted Pluto.

As an aside, let's not forget that Uranus in mid-Pisces marked the midpoint of the last Uranus conjunct Pluto cycle begun in the mid-1960s. Jupiter has boosted that cyclic energy numerous times since then, in 1968, 1979-80, 1991-92, and most recently 2003-04.

You can see there are many dimensions to what is happening at any given time, given the number of cycles set into motions in the past, some of which go back many, many years. The study of the interlocking cycles between the various planets is an area that will yield rich rewards for those who pursue it, since these larger transit to transit cycles are the means by which we can see the progress of societies and our world as a whole.

© Copyright 2009 Robert Wilkinson

Comments

[alexandra]

Thanks Robert!
Very helpful...

[Joanne]

Thank you Robert, this is just another way to explain the depth ivolved in our lives, that many choose to ignore. Most only function on the surface layer. What's your sign? lol

I ran my solar return chart yesterday, (since it was my birthday Mon.), and I have 8 planets in two houses (7th [Aquarius/Pisces] & 8th [Pisces/Aries]). I've been able to get the information on most of the planets, but am having a hard time finding the impact information for Chiron (7th house in Aquarius) and North Node (6th house in Aquarius). Can you provide some information about Chiron and North Node? I've been searching/surfing online.

You're a gem.
Peace, love, & light
Joanne

[Morvah]

Hi Robert
Finding you was nice, just before solar and lunar returns today. Some angel must be around then! It's not Mars obviously - what's going on there? All sweet charity one minute and spanner in the works the next!
Aum, shanti
Morvah (Cornwall UK )

[Morvah]

Whoops! Saturn on my MC compells me to correct that - Solar return and lunar conjunct.
Morvah.

[duse]

As an 8th House 00 degree Aries Sun/North Node with Jupiter/Uranus at 1 and 2 Libra in my 2nd, I have a great interest in seeing how the upcoming Jupiter/Uranus conjunctions on my Sun/North Node may play out.

Reading your site certainly points me in the right direction, Robert. Thank you.

[Robert]

Hi Alexandra - Sure. You're most welcome.

Hi Joanne - My sign? Born with one of the more blessed/cursed charts to come down the pike. 1 April 1951, 1:13:40 pm, Upland (Chester) Pennsylvania. But I am living proof of the old dictum "what does not kill me makes me stronger." (Thanks to Nietzsche.) Do the solar return with equal houses. Interpreting solar return charts is NOT what is popularly done, since there are specific "rules" for interpreting how the SR relates to the natal and progressed. I suppose you can interpret them as you would the natal to some degree, but it all relates back to the natal, regardless of the SR positions. As I had to note with someone who didn't understand the dynamics, the SR in and of itself doesn't create anything, since everything must be related to the natal rulers and progressed Moon.

Hi Morvah - Mars can be an angel when we're confronted with the duality of "sin v. grace." I also have a SR coming in a few days, so I'm sure there will be correlations. Mars is better this year than last, despite the opposition to Saturn.

Hi duse - Those conjunctions will revolutionize your life and line of evolutionary development, even as Saturn structures and crystalizes a new form of your Jupiter and Uranus functions. I would think you'll find a whole new line of growth beginning late April into early May, with new ideals, truths, and visions coming by October-November.

[duse]

Yes, Robert. I believe you're right. With my P2 Sun beginning his journey over my MC -- as well as Solar Arc Jupiter/Uranus traveling over my IC --, I imagine my career will somehow be highlighted as will, due to the effects of Uranus, my individuality.

But with Tr Saturn opp my Sun as well as conjunct my Jupiter-Uranus -- with retrograde motion, a total of three passes --, I also trust there will be a lot of hard work, a "taking of stock", if you will, of what works and what doesn't as well as a coming-back-down-to-earth for that often overly-optimistic Jupiter/Uranus.

Hopefully being aware of what Saturn, Uranus and Jupiter are up to will in some way make the experience a little easier than if I were completely in the dark and left blaming Fate or something.

A lot of changes underway, that's for sure. I'll keep you updated from an astrological perspective. :^)