Astrology Class - The Dynamics of the 2009-2010 Jupiter Oppositions to Saturn

by Robert Wilkinson

Yesterday I introduced some ideas about the on-going Jupiter oppositions to Saturn, and how this aspect may manifest in our charts. Today we'll examine more dynamics of this important polarizing energy bringing new possibilities to the surface of our lives.

This article is written for those who know some astrology and want to examine several possible ways this opposition can manifest in a chart. It can be a useful tool for beginning students of the craft as well, since these concepts can help us dissect how this important energy works on many levels. The concepts I offer today can be extrapolated for other configurations as well.

The section on the planetary dualities will be useful for all who are treading the Path of Hastened Attainment. This opposition is forcing some qualities to the surface that must be dealt with in an appropriate manner to bring forth our Higher Self rather than stay stuck in ego limitations. By knowing what Jupiterian and Saturnian qualities we're dealing with, we can quicken our spiritual growth.

First, let's explore one obvious element of this opposition. Any opposition polarizes a planetary ruler of two signs with another planetary ruler of two signs. In this case, the ruler of Sagittarius and Pisces is opposition the ruler of Capricorn and Aquarius. That puts those areas in our charts under a relative tension.

Remember that all frictional aspects bring tension, there are favorable kinds of tension and unfavorable kinds of tension. As noted yesterday, an opposition can bring head butting or pulling apart, but also awareness and opportunity involving what Rudhyar termed "repotentialization." An opposition can reveal a new potential because of the shift in view that an oppositional tension brings forth.

In some kinds of polarization, a quickening may be just what is needed to deal with the oppositional tension. We are all experiencing a polarization between the houses (life affairs) that Jupiter and Saturn rule in our charts. This is helping us become more aware of what to say yes to and what to say no to in those life affairs.

Then in another set of houses we have the oppositional energies working directly where transiting Jupiter is opposing transiting Saturn. Last year it was in those houses where we have late Pisces and late Virgo. The current opposition is happening wherever we have early Aries, and early Libra. For most, that will be the same house of late Pisces-Virgo, but for some it will fall in the cuspal zone of the next house.

We experienced Saturn in early Libra through the Autumn and Winter 2009-2010. It's now back and establishing itself for the long haul wherever it's transiting. We've just experienced Jupiter in Aries, a promise of things to come in 2011. This is where the current opposition is happening. The one coming in 2011 will be wherever we have mid-Aries and mid-Libra in our chart.

The houses that Jupiter and Saturn are now transiting in our charts will show major events defining how functionally or dysfunctionally we're dealing with those planetary energies. Those houses will be expanding or contracting in specific ways, growing and/or structuring major Jupiter and Saturn developments.

Each of the "Sacred Seven Planets" has a duality of function and dysfunction. In mastering the dualities we master our inner "Lights," and thus have skill in demonstrating positive response in any given situation. You can find more about all the dualities in my article, Duality: Good and Bad, Dysfunction and Perfection.

This material was originally published by the legendary Paul Foster Case, a Western Kabbalistic Arhat. We find that Jupiter's duality is Wealth/Poverty and Saturn's duality is Dominion/Slavery. From the article:

Jupiter - Wealth/Poverty. This is the aspect of consciousness showing how we are grasping circumstances with abundance or neediness.

By our Jupiterian function we waste time, energy, or money, or are merciful in ways others can mistake for weakness, teaching us to understand the eternal abundance of the Universe in giving us what we need when we need it, and accept it.

Saturn - Dominion/Slavery. This is the aspect of consciousness demonstrating whether we are limited or limiting others in helpful or hurtful ways.

By our Saturnian function we are slavers or enslaved, controllers or oppressed, and through these come to a patient and mature conscious participation in the Great Work, actively accepting our higher responsibilities and higher work to help our world.

Thus there is some tension in our life affairs that involves one of the six possible ways a tension can manifest between these four qualities: There is a tension between Wealth and Poverty, Wealth and Dominion, Wealth and Slavery, Dominion and Poverty, Poverty and Slavery, or Dominion and Slavery.

Obviously the dysfunctional snares of poverty and slavery must be dealt with in a way resulting in a form of Wealth and/or Dominion. I would also substitute the Jupiterian virtues of Mercy, Protection, Blessing, Humor, Forgiveness, and an Abundant View for "Wealth," and the Saturn virtues of Discipline, Perseverance, Maturity, Patience, Authorship, and Understanding for "Dominion."

I'll comment on how this opposition fits into the larger cycle that began with the last Jupiter conjunction with Saturn in 2000 in a future article. Until then, please note how this opposition is bringing some things to surface in your life, while other things sink into the past that's already on its way out.

Copyright © 2010 Robert Wilkinson

Comments

[jan]

Wow. Amazing food for thought... excellent clues for better decision-making. Muy amable, Roberto!

[reefaroundme]

This is so timely for me as I am experiencing transiting Saturn conjunct natal Jupiter (which is in the end of 7th house) and transiting Jupiter opposite natal Jupiter, both exact within days of each other! I have natal Jup. conj. Uranus, complicating the matter, but it was helpful for me to understand the decisions I have to make right now in terms of the dualities and tensions you listed. I'm feeling it as tremendous pressure to push toward my life goals, and having to choose a very challenging but temporary teaching job in order to do that. It requires giving up a stable, pleasant job that I don't really care about but does provide some longer-term security, and also pushing past my fear and indolence-- that part of me that just wants to hide from being the adult. Oy vey. Just typing it out here is helping me find my thoughts! Saturn rules my 1st and 12th, Jupiter rules my 1st (intercepted house) and 10th. Time to grow up, but by choosing the less-safe option? Okay, gotta love astrology for telling you exactly what's going on! Thanks for the class...

[Mary]

Long time since I wrote a comment. I have been experiencing the push and pull as well as the taking away as well as the restoring of things that I thought were gone forever. I have learned to be stronger and hang in there inspite of overwhelming fear of calamity. I have hit what seems to be,more peaceful waters but I remember the year 2000 well and the death of a loved one two years later. Iam weary from all the stiff upperlip that I have had to display for the last 3 years. I am hoping that jupiter has more power to create positive change and that I will recognize the positive when it manifests. Thanks for two great articles, Robert.

[Robyn]

This tells me a lot about my personality. Being that Jupiter resides over my first house and how i am viewed by others. This aspect of consciousness shows how I am grasping at circumstances with neediness. (For this truly is what i'm going through).

That function shows me that I waste time, energy, or money, and am merciful in ways that others mistake for weakness and is teaching me to understand that the universe does give me what we need when we need it, and accept it when it is there. For this is truly the case but i have a hard time believeing it.

Saturn resides in my 3rd house of intellect. This aspect is of consciousness demonstrating whether how i am limited and limit others in helpful or hurtful ways. This is true! My opinons tend to limit people and prevent them from doing the wrong thing. It also hurts people by not letting them be who they are by this limitation.

I really have a lot to think about. thank you. I too haven't posted in so long.

[caliban]

Hi Robyn, I lack understanding of housing, but I do grok your last comment. About a year ago, someone I loved very deeply made this life altering err in judgement. I listened, but I was steaming. Returned home and screamed and hollered and writhed in the pain. It was so bad I decided I can't care like this, it hurts too much. Realized that my well being was dependent on the other's well being. It just isn't "their" responsibility. We still have a relationship but it is different. The experience took me to a new level of acceptance gradually. Still working out the kinks. At first, I felt really cold, like I was uncaring. But I think it opened up energy so that I can be of assistance as needed in my day to day. There sure isn't any lack of work these days. It was good to read your post and be reminded. Thank you.

[ull]

Jupiter Opposition to Saturn -
We need to change (in a positive way..)and expand (we don´t see the whole world..)
- but do we have the resources?

[Layli]

Is Jupiter moving faster than usual lately, or is it just me? I thought that Jupiter usually takes approximately a year to go through a sign, but lately (at least with Pisces and Aries), it seems to be moving much faster. It just has me wondering. P.S. I appreciated your material from Case in this article. Very thought provoking. I am actually more curious about the Jupiter/Saturn conjunction, which occurs in the charts of many of my friends and loved ones born around 1961...