With all the polarization evident lately – in the news, in the legislative process and even interpersonally – you are probably feeling just as sad and perplexed as I am. What could possibly break up this pattern? Sure, we all have our own opinions drawn from our unique life experiences, but how can we move forward or find harmony while locked in disagreements? Under the current polarized conditions, no progress and no harmony are possible.
Astrologically, we have been under the influence of Saturn’s ongoing opposition to Uranus since late 2008. The first exact meeting was Election Day 2008 and their last was just in mid September. As that conflict between old and new wanes, we now start to experience Saturn, soon-to-be in Libra, square Pluto in Capricorn (exact 11/15/09, 1/31/10 and 8/21/10), which ramps up issues surrounding power and its right use (see Astrological Coming Events for 11/15). Fortunately, Saturn will be “exalted” (said to be more positively powerful) as it enters Libra Oct. 29 and remains for the next two and a half years. Issues of interpersonal relations as well as international relations will be emphasized, stressing the need for diplomacy and understanding. The question that arises for me is how do we move forward, finding solutions for our problems, creating new possibilities, when it seems we are acting like two prize-fighters bouncing around in opposite corners of the ring waiting to come out and clobber the other one?
In the personal realm, how does any relationship continue when, in an argument, they each dig in their heels and won’t budge? Divorces are made of such behavior. I have had one of those myself and, yes, it was because we both were in separate corners in our own minds. There’s a vision that came to me of two rivers, the headwaters of each originating in very different climes, which flow toward a place of meeting, a “confluence.” From that point, they merge and become a single awesome, powerful river that fertilizes land for miles around.
How can we find the meeting place, the confluence of our separateness, where our differences bring blessings to the outcomes based on finding common ground? To begin with, we will not find the confluence by holding to the idea of “right” vs. “wrong.” Life is too complex to be boiled down to just two truths. Right and wrong are completely situational. What is right in one situation is often wrong in another. In the end, we can’t know what is right for another – only what is right for ourselves.
The confluence can only be found by opening up to more than we already know. We might need to accept that all the wisdom in the world does not reside in our brain. If we do, we have the opportunity to discover new information that possibly reveals new common ground. Common ground is what paves the way to agreements. Agreements move us toward progress and harmony. So simple to talk about, but not so simple to discover while we still think we are “right.”
Is there someone in your life with whom you don’t see eye-to-eye? What if you dropped defending your position and asked questions to learn about their position, why they feel that way and how they got there? You’d be surprised how quickly the tension defuses. As a result, it becomes much easier to find the confluence. I know because it is a process my husband and I use whenever our inevitable differences in opinion appear. Wistfully, I dream of convincing the rest of the world to work diligently toward common ground, but then I remember we can only fix ourselves by taking responsibility for how we behave in our own lives.
Happy kayaking as you paddle the river of life, seeking the confluence of your life’s river with the river of others!
A Quote of Note
The unlike is joined together, and from differences results the most beautiful harmony. ~ Heraclitus
Dianne Answers Your Questions
If you have a general question about Astrology, send it to SpiritinMatters@aol.com. I will try to include an answer in a future issue. Since no one has responded I’ll just pick another common question I am asked.
Isn’t Astrology a belief system? Do I need to believe in it to get any benefit?
No. I do not see Astrology as a belief system. You do not need to “believe” in astrology to find value from it. Would you ask an electrician if they believed in electricity? No one has ever seen electricity, but they certainly have felt its effects.
In like manner, Astrology is, for me, a valuable tool because I continue to be in awe of how it works. For example, when Saturn returns to the place it was when someone was born (called a Saturn Return), I know that person is going to make a major decision as they face a moment that calls for greater maturity. They are at a crossroad, when they need to leave behind the values of their parents and venture forth into adulthood on their own terms. It may manifest as a new job, a marriage, a baby or a move across country, but whatever the outcome, it launches them forward into greater self-responsibility. Think back when you were 28-30 years old (the time that Saturn returns), what shift happened in your life that expressed greater self-responsibility? Would it have been easier to go through if you had known it was a natural process that everyone needs to handle? Knowing ahead you could have considered your options with greater ease. Making decisions and taking action is so much easier when you have a sense of the road ahead. That is the value of Astrology!
Astrological Events
NOTE: These days contain strong energies that influence everyone to a greater or lesser degree. For more personal information, consult me or another astrologer.
Sun Oct 18, 1:33 AM ET – NEW MOON at 25 LibraThis New Moon holds a theme of hope for peace and harmony since it is linked to the Jupiter/Chiron/Neptune grouping. But by squaring the Moon’s Nodes, however, the grouping challenges us to put these values into action, not just talk about them. It’s a lovely day to broaden connections by including unusual people into your life. If you wish upon the New Moon (within 3 days before or after), you have the possibility of fulfillment by the time of the Full Moon. Libra New Moon wishes relate to: marriage, negotiation skills, harmony, teamwork, sociability/diplomacy, refinement, and healing codependency.
Tue Oct 20 – Mercury in Libra trine Jupiter in Aquarius -Today’s planetary link can book excellence in thinking and communication. Use it to solve a problem or make a sales pitch with the extra verbal abilities.
Sat Oct 24 – Sun in Scorpio sextile Pluto in Capricorn, Mercury in Libra trine Neptune in Aquarius -With perception sharpened, you could use it for careful discernment of any issues at hand. Mercury with Neptune bring into play the imagination to resolve problems and inspiration for what comes next.
Wed Oct 28 – Venus in Libra trine Jupiter in Aquarius, Mercury in Scorpio sextile Pluto in Capricorn- Mixed energies may have you enjoying a feeling of camaraderie with others while also holding back and keeping your views in reserve.
Thu Oct 29 – Sun in Scorpio square Mars in Leo, Saturn enters Libra – Be careful that you don’t go cruising for a fight under a feisty Sun-Mars aspect. Hopefully, Saturn’s entry in Libra for the next 2 ½ years, will help you consider the other person’s position. Hopefully, some of the constant fault-finding and bickering in the public debate will diminish now that Saturn leaves Virgo. Human relationships, diplomacy and compromise, the stuff of Libra, will be under Saturn’s microscope. Good relationships will get stronger and difficult ones…well; there will be work to be done. Fortunately, Saturn is exalted in Libra, which is good news suggesting a move toward less polarization and greater sensitivity to the needs of others.
Sun Nov 1 – Mercury in Scorpio square Mars in Leo – Fast talking, fast thinking and inspired ideas can come from this link. But so can aggressive conversation and verbal attack. Be careful your words don’t provoke conflict.
Mon Nov 2, 2:14 PM ET – FULL MOON at 11 Taurus, Venus in Libra trine Neptune in Aquarius – Financial matters and personal values are emphasized. Full Moons are oppositions creating tension and this one can be quite intense as the desire to keep things as they are battles with the possibility of transformation. Fortunately, Venus and Neptune contribute compassion to soften the stress.
Wed Nov 4 – Neptune in Aquarius turns forward – The spiritual, creative and imaginative powers of Neptune are prominent as it returns to forward motion. Consider your spiritual journey. Envision the possibilities now unfolding.
Sun Nov 8 – Mercury in Scorpio square Jupiter in Aquarius - The match has a really “can-do” attitude that may include being overbearing as you try convincing others you are right. Over-optimism and over-enthusiasm doesn’t necessary win friends and influence people.
Tue Nov 10 – Sun in Scorpio square Jupiter in Aquarius – It may seem like the “sky is blue” today, but little details could poke holes in your balloon. Remember your dreams are important enough to be grounded in realistic expectations.
Wed Nov 11 – Mercury in Scorpio trine Uranus in Pisces and square Neptune in Aquarius – For all who need to open up the box in your mind, today Uranus brings in higher inspirational thinking and the possibility of ingenious ideas. However, Neptune may unbalance that brilliance with the fog of misunderstandings and delusions.
Sat Nov 14 – Sun in Scorpio trine Uranus in Pisces – A great night to do something new, Uranus encourages innovation and getting free of restriction. Nothing is likely to be routine about today. Kick up your heels tonight!
Sun Nov 15 – Sun in Scorpio square Neptune in Aquarius, Saturn in Libra square Pluto in Capricorn - Taken on its own, the Sun-Neptune aspect would suggest a lazy Sunday with nothing important getting done. Great for watching a football game! But this first of three power-mongering Saturn-Pluto match-ups (also Jan 31 and Aug 21, 2010) may spell frustration and angst personally. On the world stage, look for possible eruption of armed conflict or even the earth may quake. After all, it was during Saturn opposing Pluto that the World Trade Center was attacked (9/11/01). We are now dealing with the waning square, which in “cycles theory” is expressed as “a crisis of consciousness.” Originating at the conjunction of the two planets in the mid-1960s, something now will play out to awaken and evolve our understanding of the right use of power. This is not a friendly energy for the status quo in the economy, the government or international relations. Individually, we can have a positive effect if we all personally do our best to use our power intelligently as we interact with others, by honoring our own needs as well as the needs of others.
