There’s only so much you can learn in one place,

The more that I wait the more time that I waste

Symbalon Cards

Uranus is now in Aries, albeit briefly. He turns retrograde by July 6 and will be back in Pisces for one last burst by mid August before leaving the sign of the fishies in March 2011.

Uranus takes around 84 years to make his way around the zodiac, so spends around 7 years in each sign. Because of this, Uranus (along with the even slower moving Neptune and Pluto) are referred to as being generational planets- rather than defining an individual, they have the ability to define a generation. How they become individual to your chart is by their house position and aspects to any personal planets.

Because they move so slowly, anytime that any of the big 3 outer planets change signs, it becomes a pretty big deal. It is the aspects they make to your personal planets and chart points by transit that makes astrologers sit up and take notice when it comes to Uranus, Neptune and Pluto. Their speed (or rather lack thereof) is such that the change they bring when they connect with your chart is karmic and major.

On the flip side, transits by the quicker moving planets affect little more than your general mood on a particular day. For example, a connection by transiting Venus to your ascendant should mean that on that particular day you will feel pretty oh so pretty. At the very least, your hair will behave itself and that looming pimple won’t raise its angry head.

If that transit to the Ascendant was made by Uranus, expect some major changes. The transit may last for a number of months as you can get up to 3 hits (possibly more if we are talking about Neptune and Pluto) as Uranus may cross the same point direct, then in retrograde and then re-tracing his steps when he turns direct again.

As an example, Uranus was within 2 degrees of my ascendant (and squaring my mid-heaven) for a couple of months in 2006, most of 2007 and through to around April 2008. During that period of time, my physical appearance underwent massive change. In short, something clicked in my brain and I had a restlessness in my chest that couldn’t be ignored. I grew my hair long (for the 1^st time in my life), discovered curls I had no idea existed and refused to straighten it. I started adding a few blonde foils until I was virtually blonde, lost 15kgs extremely quickly (and unhealthily) and added some ink to my hip. My corporate suit separates went into the charity bag and I began studying astrology seriously. I did some other pretty stupid things too. Essentially by the time the transit was complete my mask had been transformed and the new me was no longer bright and shiny.

My husband has been heard to comment that at times during that period he had no idea who he was married to (but is now getting used to the new substantially more defiant and less pliable version). I get questioned by Immigration every time my passport is examined (thankfully it is nearing expiry and can be refreshed) and my mother is still says how much more sensible Joanne looked when her hair was shorter- so much tidier and more professional. When I first started studying astrology my poor father spent some anxious moments trying to work out where they had gone wrong: “where does she get these ideas from? She was more sensible before she grew her hair”. And as for my work access card…well, suffice to say that needs to be updated as well.

Indeed, the impact of a Uranus contact is substantially more life changing than a good hair day.

Uranus is the Joker in the planetary pack. He shakes up life, coming at you from completely unexpected directions, all the while causing havoc wherever you need a nudge to get moving. The area of life that will be taking the impact will be the house that Uranus is moving through. Sudden flashes of insight will come from nowhere. The only thing that is predictable with Uranus is his very unpredictability.

The other thing that can be expected with Uranus contacts is that the more you resist the harder you make it for yourself. This is probably the most important take home message about Uranus. If, like me, you have always been the good girl, done exactly what has been expected of you, studied hard and followed the path that was neatly laid out, if that path is not right for you, if you have been faking it or living someone elses idea of What Your Life Should Be, a Uranus transit will come along and knock you for absolute six… and there is no going back- no matter how painful and disruptive the whole thing feels at the time.

Uranus is asking you to be real and individually you in whatever area of life he is transiting. In my example, he moved straight from my Mercury to my Ascendant to my Sun, Chiron and my Moon (which will get another two passes before Uranus leaves Pisces for good) and between them all a few times. This is a pretty major 1^st house transit by any standards. Because of the way my chart is structured, every planet and chart point has been directly impacted by Uranus over the last 4 years. That is, with the exception of Saturn who, in the 1^st degree of Aries, is enjoying all the attention now.

So, what can we expect with Uranus moving into Aries? What happens when the Great Individuator (yes, that is a made up word, but given that I am talking about Uranus, it is perfectly acceptable to invent words) moves into the most staunchly independent sign of all?

Uranus demands rebellion and revolution… and in JFDI (Just Flipping Do It) Aries, that is exactly what can happen. Absolute Pandemonium. Cool.

Just about every sports advertising slogan has been based on Aries. No Fear. Write Your Own History. Don’t Back Down. No Way Back. Losing is Not an Option. Aries is the adventurer, the pioneer, the warrior. Aries is impatient, intolerant and has to be first with no time to wait. Absolute Pandemonium. Cool.

I haven’t got much time to waste
It’s time to make my way
I’m not afraid of what I’ll face
But I’m afraid to stay
I’m going down my road and I can make it alone
I’ll work and I’ll fight till I find a place of my own

My friend AstroSparkles had this to say about the global energy:

“Do not be surprised if this energy, combined with that of Pluto in Capricorn, causes more uprising, more revolution, more war. Primarily because Pluto is shaking things up on the authority front – and Uranus is bringing about the challenge, change & revolution, courtesy of the sign of war. Aries is not a tolerant sign – and tolerance, the domain of Pisces, is being left behind.”

If you have planets or chart points (in particular the Ascendant, Sun or Moon) in the 1^st few degrees of Aries, Libra, Cancer or Capricorn get ready for a wild but hugely exciting ride. Those with planets in the early degrees of Leo and Sagittarius will also get a wake-up call as Uranus will form a trine aspect to these points.

A Uranus transit can be the roller-coaster thrill ride of the zodiac. Will you be jumping into the carriage and belting yourself in with anticipation or offering to stay below and hold the bags? Personally, I hold the family record for the most number of times on the Corkscrew at Sea World in a row (14 in case you are interested) and am the first to grab the adrenaline rush that is rides like Extreme Speed at the Easter Show, so really there was no question of hesitation. Will you?

 Are you ready to jump
Get ready to jump
Don’t ever look back oh baby
Yes, I’m ready to jump
Just take my hand
get ready to jump

…Life’s gonna drop you down like a limb from a tree
It sways and it swings and it bends until it makes you see
…I’ll work and I’ll fight till I find a place of my own
It sways and it swings and it bends until you make it your own

Lyrics from Jump, by Madonna.

My latest post for ivillage is here.

Robbie Williams at Albert Hall (Pic from BBC.co.uk)

Robbie Williams, Live from Albert Hall, on YouTube

Everyone has a song (or two or three) that makes them pick up a hairbrush, wooden spoon, wine glass, bottle of beer- whatever you have handy-  and sing into it. These are your own personal power ballads. One of my faves is Bon Jovi’s Livin’ on a Prayer, but I also love doing the drum solo in Kiss’ I was Made For Loving You and just can’t help doing the dance to Mamma Mia (complete with scoop step and back to back bits). But my absolute all time can’t help but belt it out really loud (and tunelessly)song is Frank Sinatra’s My Way. 

A few years ago Robbie Williams, as part of the incredible Swing When You’re Winning album, did a single show at the Albert Hall. He ended that show with one of the best renditions of the song I have heard. Last night as I was cooking dinner (prawns marinated in beer with asparagus & cooked on the BBQ) this song came on my ipod. As I finished serenading the dog (who was, I must say, impressed) it occurred to me that this could very well be the quintessential song for Aquarius, sung by Robbie, the quintessential Aquarian (albeit with a Scorpio Moon- possibly an irresistible combination).

Aquarius is one of the most misunderstood signs in the zodiac. The squiggly lines which form its glyph look like water- yet it is an Air sign- the squiggles are supposed to be representative of knowledge. Aquarius is associated with all that is free and laid back and flexible- yet it is a fixed sign. Aquarius is associated with rebellion and fresh ideas and innovation and rage against the machine- yet its traditional ruler is Saturn.

Aquarius has a vision, a theory of humanity, an idea of the way things are Meant To Be. The substance behind that may be a particular cause, a firmly held opinion or simply a rebellion for no real reason.  At the root of all Aquarian visions is the idea of personal freedom and individuality.

My friend, I’ll say it clear
I’ll state my case of which I’m certain

Aquarius is a fixed sign, and like all fixed signs resists change. Where Taurus will hold onto possessions, and Leo needs to maintain a strong grip on his ego to feel secure, and Scorpio keeps grasp of her emotions, Aquarius will stubbornly hold onto an idea- regardless of whether anyone else believes it. Aquarius has the mental capacity to think outside the square and the ability to communicate their view of the truth clearly. He will also use that fixed energy to pursue that idea through to the bitter end.

Regrets, I’ve had a few
But then again, too few to mention
I did what I had to do
And saw it through without exception

Aquarius is about so much more than personal ego. As the opposite to Sun ruled Leo, Aquarius resolutely takes the crown off his head, throws it away and twists the spotlight around to focus on what matters more than himself. We see this every day in freedom fighters, humanitarian aid programs, every time the Sea Shepherd takes to the Southern Ocean in defence of whales. We are seeing it now with the Haiti Relief efforts. We see it every time a group of people come together and put their own personalities aside.

I planned each charted course
Each careful step along the byway

Anytime a cause or a common belief is able to galvanise a group of people towards action, structure is needed in order to build real lasting change. This is where Saturn comes into the picture.

Saturn is the traditional ruler of Aquarius, whilst Uranus is the modern ruler. Uranus the quirky, electrical, unpredictable bringer of things to shake us out of our lethargy and Saturn the mature, responsible builder of structures and boundaries.  How can this be?

Uranus provides the zing, the impulse to think and theorise in a new and innovative way. Uranus provides the impulse to rebel outside of the conventional structures of society. But all of this will mean anarchy without the commitment, maturity and internal structure offered by Saturn. This is how change happens.

Yes, there were times, I’m sure you knew
When I bit off more than I could chew
But through it all when there was doubt
I ate it up and spit it out
I faced it all and I stood tall

Although initially revolutionary change is constant and evolutionary. Once implemented, it becomes part of the structure of society and conventional. It is at this point we can meet Aquarius’ shadow. Change for the greater good requires the ability to detach oneself from the ego and the emotions. It is here also that we meet Aquarius’ shadow.

Aquarius can be stubborn, holding onto an idea long after its sell by date- just for the sake of “seeing it through”. At this point there is no freedom of thought or end position of greater good involved, just a stubborn principle. It is at this point too that we see rebellion for no real reason other than for its own sake. This is not progressive or forward thinking or belief orientated- it is destructive. This is the teenager who insists on looking or behaving in a way which goes against societal norm just because she can. This is pure Uranian anti- Saturn rebellion.

To think I did all that,
And may I say, not in a shy way…

Despite their reputation for coldness, Aquarius is as human as the next person. It is his ability to detach and analyse his thoughts and feelings which can make him seem aloof, uncaring and commitment-phobic.  Despite his wit, his surface lightness, his apparent sociability, through detachment Aquarius can feel alienated. In order to feel complete, he must also recognise that others are not so able to compartmentalise their feelings or put aside their ego. He must learn to recognise his own achievements for what they are and remember that although he is part of something bigger, all groups are essentially still individuals.

Back to the divinely inked Mr Williams…In the video clip you can see him getting all emotional at the end. I love that part the best- where we see that emotional Scorpio Moon & the pride of his Leo Ascendant. Aside from the normal distractions (:)), watch the clip closely and listen to the essential message of Aquarius:

Oh, and more, much more than this
I did it my way 

Birthdata from a number of sources on the net, including www.astrotheme.com, www.bbc.co.uk. If anyone is interested in looking at his chart, I have printed it below.

“There’s only so much you can learn in one place, the more that I wait the more time that I waste” Jump, Madonna

Photo by Ccaetano, Courtesy www.Dreamstime.com

A few years ago, I was introduced to astrology beyond the Sun signs. I was in Melbourne for work and had taken the opportunity of flying down over the weekend to grab some early Spring sunshine and a tarot reading at my fave Melbourne institution Spellbox. For the previous 12 months or so I had been feeling particularly restless. There was a real physical ball of electric energy in my chest that just wouldn’t go away. It would wake me up at night with the feeling that something really exciting was brewing, an almost constant feeling of an impending ‘something’, an urge to tread dangerously and take risks.

When I tried describing it to the Reader, her response was “Well, Uranus is moving through your sign…” She went on to explain to me that the ruler of Pisces, Neptune, was in Aquarius & the ruler of Aquarius, Uranus was in Pisces- the result of which would make Aquarians softer and possibly dreamier and Pisceans would become more electric.

At that point I really didn’t understand what she was talking about, but it made me want to learn more about the type of influences that could make someone like me, who had always done what was expected, want to party all night, break free and run away to join the circus, metaphorically speaking. Looking back, I don’t think I had ever felt more uncertain about everything, but nor had I felt more alive that I did during that time & the following 6 months.

With hindsight and the benefit of an ephemeris I can see that Uranus at that time was within a couple of degrees of meeting my ascendant. It had hit a peak a month or so before and was now retrograde. What I really wanted to escape from was myself, or rather, my image or label of self. In doing so, the impact was felt in my home, my relationships and my work patterns.

Uranus is all about making you confront your own individuality. It pokes and it prods until you have no choice but to make the changes that are necessary to become yourself. Uranus is uncomfortable and indiscriminate. The harder and longer you resist its’ force, the more painful the transit is. If you have always fitted into the box that others have categorized you in, be prepared for some pain. If you think that you can control your environment, think again- the area of life which Uranus is transiting becomes totally unpredictable.

As with all the outer planets, Uranus is at its strongest and most unpredictable when retrograde. While its’ motion is direct, the impulsive charges and flashes of insight or intuition become almost expected. During the retrograde period, however, you take more of the Uranian energy inwards where it can and will explode unexpectedly and uncontrollably.

Likewise, with all retrograde periods, the “re” prefix is important. In the case of Uranus the term “re-awaken” is the most apt. During the retrograde period, the freedom urge is reawakened. With it comes the urge to rebel and break out or release yourself from wherever you feel confinement (real or imagined) in your life. But, as with all retrograde periods, this is not a good time to make changes, no matter how much the urge bubbles inside you or how exciting the thought is. Dispassionately analyze where the universe is prompting you to make changes, feel it, process it, be aware of it, but try to resist actualizing or externalizing any of these changes until Uranus goes direct.

Where is Uranus in your chart? The cause of the transit can be found where Uranus is natally. The house through which Uranus is transiting is where most of the action is taking place and the house ruled by Aquarius is the area where the transits’ energy will be manifested.

Uranus is currently stationing at 26 Pisces 37’. It begins its’ retrograde on Wednesday 1/7/09. It will turn direct at 22 Pisces 42’ 2/12/09 and will retrace its steps coming out of its’ shadow in March 2010.

Who does this affect?

• Aquarians
• Pisceans- particularly those with planets or chart points between 27 and 22 degrees.
• Anyone with planets or chart points between 27 and 22 degrees Gemini, Virgo or Sagittarius
• Anyone with a strong Uranian chart signature eg, if Uranus falls on an angle in your chart natally  (1^st, 4^th, 7^th or 10^th house); or if Uranus aspects the Sun or Moon closely (especially consider conjunction, square, opposition)

What is Uranus trying to tell you that you need to change? Where do you need to be ready to jump?