Nov

22

Surrender when stuck

Filed Under Astrology trends | 6 Comments

collisionHere’s a moment that best sums up my experience of the Pluto/Saturn square: I was stuck in a car with an emergency break that wouldn’t release—as a speeding bus headed toward it. “It’s going to hit us,” my son yelled. In that slowed-down time of impending doom, I was oddly comforted by the realization that I had absolutely no control over what would happen next. I relaxed and the bus stopped within an inch of my rear fender. I’ve had other Pluto/Saturn challenges this month—as have many clients and friends, our country too. The world is heavy with these two planets, accelerating us towards impasse, sudden losses, or situations so out of control even strong wills can’t fix them. With Pluto and Saturn, what is broken must eventually shatter and be remade. But what do we do in the meantime? What is being asked of us?

I was trying to hurry out of town the night my emergency brake stuck. After I called AAA, hopelessness and self-pity readied their voices for a familiar dark song against my life—when I was touched by grace. I was moved to do and think nothing. I just sat. I watched my son texting to his friends. The cell phone I rarely use was in my hand. “Can you show me how to text?” Soon we were texting back and forth. Like a small gift sent by a secret admirer, it was an unexpected joy. I’ve faced bigger problems these past two weeks—my partner got laid off, my father is ill, my dog is sick too. But it has helped to remember that night’s simple teaching: At an impasse, just sit and surrender to the place of not knowing. Not knowing what will happen, what you should do, or even who you’re becoming. Wait until your eyes get used to the dark. You’ll see the one small step that comes next.

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Nov

12

From Breakdown to Breakthrough

Filed Under Astrology trends | 5 Comments

tower-tarot-cardI remember an exquisite moment after the World Trade Center Towers fell. The international outpouring of compassion and grief grew so strong, it seemed we might suddenly ascend and enter a whole new era, one in which the forces of love and peace became stronger and more viable than the forces of violence and hate. Sadly, the moment quickly passed and the US leadership drove us in the opposite direction. Still, creating a new and better world is just the kind of the spectacular potential that’s available whenever Pluto—planet of transformation—meets Saturn—planet of the status quo. In 2001, Pluto and Saturn were in opposition. Now and through 2010, they are in square, in fact, exactly so as we approach this Scorpio New Moon. It’s important to look at current events in this light—particularly those experiences of violence and grief, like the recent massacre at Fort Hood. We should wonder about the shooter’s motives, but more deeply, we should wonder about the insanity of war itself. Is such institutionalized mayhem really viable? What does today’s world gain from killing so many innocents and maiming the ones who live?

Pluto/Saturn transits represent a strong invitation to transform our world. All great transformations begin with sacrifice. When there is a sacrifice, but no transformation, we’re left with just meaningless violence.

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