Circumstance

Uranus goes direct

The human creature is born helpless in a complex world and from the first breath, s*he creates patterns to rely upon with what appears to be predictability. Boundaries are set and control is maintained primarily with the use of the planetary entity, Saturn. Uranus follows Saturn in the cosmos and assures that the human does not get trapped and imprisoned inside these boundaries unable to move, grow, stretch, and evolve, thus the phrase associated with Uranus, Aquarius, and the 11th house -- circumstances beyond our control.

In the 11th, a person encounters for the first time the real unpredictability of events and the genuine nature of the future. In the 12th, it's fully understand that one can't control life on earth. The future is fundamentally unknowable as it should be and one is part of a universal current, ideally in synchronization and unafraid. The path to this knowledge is full of surprises.< <
People turn to metaphysicians, prophets, psychics, etc., to depict the future and these people are rarely right. And what if they were? People would hate it. The oppressive weight, the feeling of restriction and ultimate hopelessness. So humans continue the game, trying to predict what will happen, but knowing they can't and not really wanting to. This is the lesson of Uranus -- the craziness and absurdity of it all. A fool's paradise.

Surprise. Uranus is renowned for startling twists and turns, the opposite of what was thought, and sometimes the unsettling, disturbing, even shocking. Those with Aquarian points spend their lives learning to adjust to these curves and everyone does to some extent, related to natal placements in the chart. Because of the unusual nature of the entity, people think that circumstance is bizarre and uncertain at times. This is true.

Awareness. One of the most enjoyable characteristics of Uranus is its expansion of consciousness and the association with genius. Thinking travels on the oblique and all is questioned. Even the questions are questioned. End result: great intuitive knowledge and illumination connected to creative mentality, open to possibility. Highly charged flashes of insight are common. You just get it. "I know" are the keywords of Aquarius.

Emotional detachment. Uranus is known for being cool and aloof in relationship. This is employed to get things done without guilt and sentimentality. Acting on one's own against, or outside the grain, can sometimes be of value and occasionally is the only way to progress.

Unconventionality, physics, science fiction, and futuristic vision. Many of the greatest visionary thinkers are influenced by Uranus and the advancing technologies of the modern age come under its influence. Anyone can use this originality in everyday problem-solving with success and surprising results. Groupthink has its limitations, although good ideas and solutions can benefit the collective in time. Sometimes it takes a side trip first, however. Every invention, it seems, was considered bombastically eccentric in the beginning.

Tradition and rebellion. The breaking of traditions eventually becomes necessary and the planet is entering this daring phase in earnest. Obedience to authority causes incessant problems for mankind. On December 19, the north node goes into Aquarius and Jupiter crosses into Capricorn. The very same day, Saturn turns retrograde setting up this conflict between the established rule and the need for change. To add some hocus-pocus, Neptune will be at 19 degrees Aquarius. This is connected to the long mutual reception between Uranus in Pisces and Neptune in Aquarius. It appears to be the time to start putting the knowledge into action with much to do concerning the Saturnian and Uranian energies and the global need for advancement. I've always resisted convention and this is what happened to me:

My father was a Pisces with Mercury, Venus, and Uranus in Aquarius. Not your ordinary guy. When transiting Uranus was in Aquarius exactly opposite my Saturn, he was in the hospital dying, and I almost caved in, breaking tradition with my lack of tradition. My plane reservation was made. I remembered our last time together, our moment of truth, and how we said good-bye laughing in the Pennsylvania hills. That's the memory I wanted to keep with me, not the man with tubes everywhere, his body and mouth burned with radiation. I called and asked if I should come. He said no. Still I worried about my brother and sister as the pressure continued.

On the last morning he fell into a coma, not moving, speaking, nor responding. I phoned in the evening and asked my brother, a physician, to let me talk to him. My brother hesitated saying that he wouldn't hear me. I said he would, so he put the phone to my father's ear. I told him I wasn't coming and said my good-byes. Then from death's entrance came a small croaking voice. "Good-bye", he said to the shock of all. Three hours later he was dead. Had I followed tradition I never would have had such an amazing experience, nor would I have known the magnitude of his strength and the extent of his feelings.

So as circumstance spins out of our control and Uranus moves ahead, there is a lot to learn about courage to do what a person thinks is best even if it defies convention. There's also the knowledge of what traditions are useful and should be maintained. Along with the direction is the ongoing Mars in Cancer and all the tribal questions emerging. Many people are realizing that family includes the unexpected friends they've made in these last years and now is a perfect time to enjoy the fellowship, daring to remain unique, and helping this thing along.

Uranus goes direct.
Paintings: Outburst of Fear: Paul Klee. New York Movie: Edward Hopper. Philosophy: Hugh Ferris