Saturn in Sagittarius ♄ Sep 17, 2015

Saturn first entered Sagittarius on December 23, 2014 and will transit here until December 2017

Click here to learn about Saturn. Click here to learn about Sagittarius.

Since October 2012, Saturn transited fixed water sign Scorpio. This was a time of intense scrutiny. Here we examined the dichotomy of faith versus control. This was an exceptionally difficult period. We will rise up now with unprecedented confidence.

Saturn in Scorpio was a (re)discovery of our worth. While Saturn constantly clawed at our most hidden, visceral insecurities, Scorpio desperately tried to cover them up: vulnerable yet restricted. In the process, we came ever closer to the Self and were forced to confront fears, particularly the fear of rejection. We wanted to bare our soul completely, but this very thing was the most excruciating. This is how Saturn operates! We were asked us to peer into the heart and gut to see all that hurt us, all that we lost and all that made us less than happy. We had to feel everything at the deepest level before we could move forward. Ultimately Saturn in Scorpio aimed to teach us how to be close to the Self - to know and love the Self inside and out, no fear or judgment. We were reminded that the Self is the only agent who controls and creates reality.

Saturn in Scorpio demonstrated how we must give up perceived power to gain new understanding - this is not easy! We learned that leaning on others from time to time is perfectly natural. We also learned how and when these dependencies can become unhealthy. Like a phoenix rising from the ashes, we transformed heavy emotional baggage. No matter, Saturn in Scorpio did not allow us to cast blame. This was a critical period in which we reclaimed personal accountability.

This transit encouraged us to recognize change as vital and to sit calmly with fear and depth. We were pushed, not led. Our first inclination might have been to shy away from that which was actually there to heal us. The source of bad habits, compulsions, debts and addictions was revealed so that whatever was truly missing - whatever it was that led us to a state of imbalance - could be illuminated. Saturn in Scorpio plunged us into the subconscious realm so that we could see what truly matters and what doesn’t. If balanced, you will walk away now with the ability to find meaning even in darkness, mystery and confusion.

To say the least, we are entering a completely different cycle now. Saturn is all about contraction, Sagittarius expansion. The challenge is to stretch and spread, but not in an unruly way. Saturn in Sagittarius demands that we grow rapidly, yet still within a framework, structured and disciplined. Sagittarius rules truth, morality and personal codes. This is where Saturn directs his iron first now: are you living in accordance with your code? Do your beliefs reflect your true Self? Rather than moving in, we’re going out now. We seek wisdom, experience and all that connects us to something greater than the Self. We are on a quest to learn about anything and everything. However, we must move with caution. Saturn will not let the centaur be irresponsible or reckless, as is the nature of this mutable fire sign. We feel a constant need now for greater awareness but will not be allowed to lose touch with reality. From CafeAstrology:

Sagittarius can be a little “messy” in its pursuit of new knowledge and experiences, and Saturn wants to clean this up. Sagittarius focuses on the big picture and gains confidence as a result, but Saturn wants us to fill in some of the details. Positive thinking is wonderful, but if it doesn’t have basis in reality, it can lead us astray or to disappointment, and this is another of Saturn’s lessons.

As with all things related to Saturn, we must continue to examine issues of control. This control now centers on information and belief systems, ruled by Sagittarius. Are you content with your personal beliefs, or do you try to persuade others of “the truth”? And are you walking the talk - you know, the moralistic talk?

This transit encourages movement: move your body, and the mind moves too. To melt the proverbial ice, we must incorporate heat and friction. You may take an interest now in sports, in particular those which are solitary. At a very basic level, it is important to be active every day, even if that just means walking or stretching. Saturn in Sagittarius wants us to circulate ideas - there is no better catalyst for such a thing than moving the body.

Coming into alignment with philosophies that uplift and empower is the goal now. This may include an interest in religious or spiritual teachings. One thing is sure: Sagittarius is a free thinker. However, this is not how I would describe Saturn. Best case scenario, we’ll find freedom in our responsibilities. Consider the following paradox: we have more freedom if we first give attention to our responsibilities - getting all of our work done gives us more time to be! To live! To run around! One place we can find this freedom is in new skills and knowledge. This is the perfect time to get certified in a trade or go (back) to school.

Normally Sagittarius has absolutely no filter, but Saturn’s influence will temper this. Whereas the centaur archer is usually comfortable just shooting the shit and saying whatever, Saturn will force us be precise. Are you really that confident, or just spouting off? A keyword here is authenticity. It will quickly become clear who is genuine and who’s just putting on a show. Speak and act sincerely and you’ve got nothing to worry about. Expect mentors to begin entering your life; this is what happens when Saturn the Patriarch joins up with Sagittarius the Just. One more from CafeAstrology:

Our faith can be tested, and we may be questioning our most basic of assumptions about life, initially not knowing who or what to trust. Until we adjust to this energy, we can experience a fear of the future, some dashed hopes, worries of public disapproval (an especially real concern with social media), and fear of being held back, limited, restricted, not free, or caged in.

Many will now experience a Saturn Return. More to come on that! To find out your Saturn sign and whether he was direct or retrograde at the time of your birth, click here.

Mantra: I am in control

Jupiter Retrograde in Leo ♃ Dec 8, 2014

Jupiter is retrograde in fixed fire sign Leo from December 8, 2014 to April 8, 2015

Click here to learn about Jupiter. Click here to learn about Leo.

I recently posted about Neptune turning direct after being retrograde for more than 5 months. Click here to learn about retrograde motion. Jupiter is retrograde approximately 4 months out of the year. This transit will herald Jupiter’s nearest position to Earth until June 2019. Cool tidbit of information from EarthSky:

On February 6, 2015, Jupiter will be at opposition […] If you could look down upon the solar system plane on that day, you’d see the Sun, Earth and Jupiter making a straight line in space, with Earth sitting in between the sun and Jupiter.

2014-dec-9-jupiter-moon-night-sky-chart
Where to look on Wednesday night, courtesy of EarthSky.org

To be very clear, planets in retrograde are not actually spinning backwards – it is entirely an optical illusion as seen from Earth. Backwards motion appears to happen when Earth passes slower moving planets in the outer solar system. In astrology, this illusion manifests as a sort of “backwards” functioning of the planets and their roles.

2014-dec-9-text-jupiter-regulus-moon-night-sky-chart
Where to look for Jupiter, courtesy of EarthSky.org

Journeying within

Jupiter is concerned with spirituality and higher learning. One might describe this planet as jolly and generous, much like Santa Claus. Areas associated with this planet are law, ethics, education, justice, fairness and equality. When Jupiter is retrograde, our quest for greater understanding becomes an inward journey.

There’s really no need to panic with this transit; as with the other gas giants, this retrograde period is quite tame when compared to, say, Mercury. In any case, it is advisable, as with all things in life, to adopt a healthy attitude here and see this as an opportunity to stop, take a step back and get a good look at where you’re heading. Jupiter encourages us to be aware of our horizons and so-called boundaries. Now we turn this awareness within so that we may evolve spiritually and emotionally. In pausing and reflecting, we come to better understand who we are now and what we can change in order to move forward more quickly and efficiently. From the Daily Defenders of Good Karma:

It’s also a time to look at the details that are a part of our larger plan. Because Jupiter in forward-motion promotes activity and going out into the world, Jupiter backwards is all about knowing ourselves and our emotional life. Reconsider truths you previously thought to be self-evident.

Setting a goal

Jupiter will work diligently for you if you set a definite goal - he loves nothing more than goals! I don’t use the word “enlightenment” lightly; after all, it takes many lifetimes to achieve such a state. However, if this is something you yearn for, now is the time to cultivate the necessary discipline and self-control. Jupiter is encouraging you to communicate with the Self. Deep within is an eternal wellspring of perfect wisdom; with a quiet enough mind, you just might be able to hear it begin to bubble up.

We are now more preoccupied than usual with our path: where am I going? Am I becoming the person I want to be? One more from the Daily Defenders of Good Karma:

Instead of the happy-go-lucky planet pushing us to go go go, Jupiter will now go slow slow slow — which means it’s the perfect time to take a time out and examine our personal philosophies and reevaluate the beliefs that motivate us on a daily basis.

Returning to old lessons

Jupiter Rx does not equate to total introversion or constant delays in projects and plans. Plenty of exciting opportunities will still be available to you, but these Jupiterian good fortunes will likely be connected to lessons you failed to learn the first time around. Retrograde periods ask us to return to that which has been ignored, forgotten or discarded. In particular, Jupiter Rx might lead you back to school or to mentors/friends who have wisdom to share.

When direct, Jupiter asks us to reach beyond what we think is possible. When retrograde, we reach instead for the highest version of the Self. The paradox with all retrograde periods is that the very thing you are encouraged to do is in fact the most difficult; for example, gaining access to spiritual insight may not happen effortlessly now. However, this is precisely what makes these transits so rewarding and powerful. These obstacles force us to jump higher and higher; with each successive transit we are ever stronger and more knowledgeable. From astrologer Kerry Shamblin:

Planets when retrograde gain ‘chesta bala’ which is strength to act. This implies that while Jupiter is retrograde, we may have to struggle more to gain the fruits indicated by Jupiter. We all expect exalted Jupiter to shower us with abundance, knowledge and spiritual fulfillment. With the retrograde status in effect, we cannot expect this shower without doing some work of our own in these arenas.

To find your Jupiter sign and whether he was direct or retrograde at the time of your birth, click here. It is interesting to note that, if you were born with Jupiter Rx, you may not notice the effects above as strongly, if at all. More to come on natal Jupiter Rx!

If you are curious about how this transit affects you personally, please contact me for more insight.

Mantra: I reach within