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The Surprising Reckoning: My Saturn/Uranus Journey

By Dana Gerhardt

 

The Saturn/Uranus square is a tight symbol for old worlds colliding with new ones. It’s easy to see the extreme divisions and dire straits all around. Clashes are ongoing and everywhere—between right and left, the powerful and the powerless, democracy and autocracy, the believers of reason and those who tell lies. Things are tense around the globe. That also means, energy is available for great change.

The third and final perfection of this transit comes December 23/24 (at 11 Taurus/Aquarius).  The first came February 17 (at 7 Taurus/Aquarius), the second on June 14/15 (at 13 Taurus/Aquarius). 

If I’d given it more thought, I might have done it differently. This was the second act of sympathetic magic in my year-long offering to 2021’s potent Saturn/Uranus square. Despite—or rather, because of its difficulty—I recognized this was a good year for all of us to realize impossible dreams.

First you needed aspirations—six impossible visions. The ritual gesture I suggested was to make an origami crane, so that your aspirations could take flight. The second act was for re-anchoring your commitment. You had to patiently build a marvel. A balanced stack of stones. I constructed mine outside, in a sparkly purple pot I’d placed between my shrines to Jupiter and Saturn.

And that’s where my stack toppled. Outside in the elements, my stone tower fell three times.  Making me regret the rocks I’d picked. There were so many subtle variations in weight and the surface of each stone, it was impossible to easily recreate whatever I’d done before.

I wouldn’t get on it right away—sometimes the toppled stones lay for weeks, awaiting my creativity.

My fallen/then-reconstructed towers were a fine symbol for the struggles of the S/U square. Throughout the year my hopes for the new world rose and fell many times. My 3 impossible dreams for the collective were wrapped in Divine Feminine values that would lift multitudes, bolster truth, and save ecosystems. I looked for positive news stories and found them. Other stories would then dash my hopes.

Passions shaken and stirred

Even now, at the tail end of this square, it’s hard to tell which world is dying and which world is being born. You can expect a struggle with Saturn and Uranus. These are two autocrats who ate their own children. That’s how fiercely these two sky gods aim to stop growth and get their way.

My most consuming journey came through one of my personal aspirations. I’d committed to writing the book that’s been collecting inside me for the last 7 years. Having no interest in this project as the year began, I was surprised it even got on my Saturn/Uranus list. But once it took hold, for weeks I’d work like a madwoman possessed. Then the flow would stop. Splayed out like my fallen stones. Then it would ignite again, burn for weeks, then disappear.

The wonderful thing about sympathetic magic is that you can often fix the energy by repairing the ritual element—as long as you join this with strong, renewed intentions.

But in this case, I didn’t want to do that. I loved the hard Saturn/Uranus truth of my toppled stones and vanished inspiration. Uranus is visionary and electric. Saturn is hardworking and constricting. When I felt energized, I rebuilt my tower. When I felt hopeless & overwhelmed, I admired the fallen stones.

Eventually I learned to live in the play between these two. Which is another way of saying I found the Saturn/Uranus gifts of strength and perseverance. Even so, I wasn’t prepared for what came next.

The gift of obstacles

About a week after a fierce wind storm had again dismantled my tower, I was struck by a startling realization. It came in unexpectedly—like a Uranus lightning bolt. It was hard too—like a punch from Saturn. Unhappily it also felt true. I checked the news against my pendulum. I did a Tarot spread too. Both agreed.

Apparently—the book I’d been writing for the past 9 months was not a book that anyone would want to read. I’d been writing to entertain myself alone. I sat slumped with my head on my desk, motionless for a long time.

There’s a Greek myth about a fellow named Sisyphus who has the most hopeless task in hell. Daily he must push a boulder up a hill—only to let it roll back down again. It’s meant to be a story about futility. But one day years ago my favorite therapist turned this myth on its head.

She said that for Sisyphus, each trip up the hill is an experience. Pushing the boulder develops his muscles, balance, and coordination. The work reshapes his psyche.  The rock may keep rolling back down the hill, but the rewards of his efforting are not lost. They’re still carried inside him.

I was quiet for a couple days. Listening to the silence. Then a strange thing happened. It was like in those movies about mathematical geniuses—how equations suddenly start dancing and floating inside their head.

For me, it was like someone was drawing boxes on architectural paper, then moving them around. After 3 days, I had the plans, structure, and chapter titles for a much better book than the one I had first designed.

It was the book I should have been writing all along.  And it’s the book that I’m happily writing now.  But I couldn’t see it.  Until I took my journey.

The gods are listening

No matter how you might think you screwed things up, when you sincerely perform a ritual gesture, you’ll invite a divine response.

And, you’ve heard this a million times: your journey matters more than your success. Whatever your story with the S/U square, if you joined me in the ritual, it’s important for you to pay attention to what happened. With interest. Not judgment.  What were the gods telling you?

During my S/U review, I couldn’t remember my third personal dream. When I took out my sheet of paper, even though I was home alone, my cheeks turned red. I was embarrassed.  It was a spiritual goal that I’d completely forgotten about.

It took me a week to realize that something inside had been utterly faithful nonetheless. As is the nature of spiritual aspirations–where you think you’re going is often very different from where you’re being lead. My mind had disconnected from my goal. But it turns out, my daily spiritual practice got me there anyway.

Another gift from the remarkable gods this year.  I wonder what next year will bring!  As always, stay tuned.

 

What’s happening in your chart next year?  Your Skylog report will tell you.  With great precision it identifies what I call “the lords on your altar” each year.  You can order yours here. 

 

Filed under: Home Full Moon Featured Article, Uncategorized

About Dana Gerhardt

A popular columnist with The Mountain Astrologer since 1991, Dana Gerhardt is an internationally respected astrologer. She has lectured extensively and written for astrology publications on several continents. Her ongoing passions are the moon and living the intuitive life. Dana worked for many years in the corporate sector, where she observed the undeniable influence of natural cycles. She graduated Phi Beta Kappa, Magna Cum Laude from Occidental College in Los Angeles and did graduate work in literature at Columbia University and CSULA. Dana can be contacted by email.

Comments

  1. Leslie Kirby says

    Dec 17, 2021 at 9:56 am

    Dana, I’m not inclined to speak out on public forums, but I have often wondered if you would write a book, I love your way of writing and I get so much from these monthly rituals and suggestions. I had been meaning to ask if you would consider writing a book on rituals and cosmic magick. I wish you the best, whatever the theme I will welcome it!

    Reply
  2. Jean Adams says

    Dec 17, 2021 at 5:17 am

    Dear Dana,

    I normally don’t leave comments but this story definitely resonates.
    I took a writing course early in the year and was very inspired only to have my job take all my energy.
    Something I found out may be of interest to you. The writers said sometimes you have to write a book no one would want to read, to get rid of the flotsam
    that is blocking your true message! Please don’t look at it as wasted time!
    Thank you for this website – I follow it every two weeks and take it to heart.

    Reply
    • Dana Gerhardt says

      Dec 17, 2021 at 10:42 am

      Thank you, Jean, and everyone else. I don’t look at it as wasted time at all. Not at all. I learned so much and developed some really good muscles for the book I’m writing now, as Venus retrogrades over my 5th house (of creativity) north node. I’m in heaven. I got exactly where I needed to go.

      Reply
  3. Sarah says

    Dec 17, 2021 at 2:19 am

    Ohh moved by this Dana!

    But also lightning bolt realisation in reading your journey .. that I may too have in fact had a similar realisation, something I was wanting to create was perhaps only a bridge to something else. Inspired by you I will listen to this and ask my deck.

    Thank you as always for sharing your heart and wisdom. Hope to join you in virtual ritual next year and share how things unfold!

    Blessings to you and those you Love as this year rolls into new!
    Sarah

    Reply
  4. mARIA mANUELA says

    Dec 16, 2021 at 7:29 pm

    Dear DANA,

    What a lesson you are giving to us.

    I love it.

    Very soon, I´ll be in touch with you.

    A question of BELLIVE, AND LOTS OF pATIENCE

    Reply

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The Moon is in its
Crescent Phase

in the
Sign of Libra


Today's Lunar Aspects (Greenwich Mean Time)
(subtract: PST -8 hours, PDT -7 hours, EST -5 hours, EDT -4 hours)

  • Moon opposite Jupiter, 1:13pm  Jul 6 2022
  • Moon square Sun, 2:14am  Jul 7 2022
  • Moon trine Venus, 5:54am  Jul 7 2022

Venus is currently
The Morning Star

in the sign of Gemini


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Astrologers use a variety of house systems, or methods of dividing up the sky into twelve sections. I use the Porphyry house system; another popular house system is Placidus (this is the default on https://astro.com). If the chart I send you looks different from what you are used to seeing, then likely a system other than Porphyry was used. Whole signs, Equal House, Regiomantus, and Campanus are examples of other systems. If you find all of this confusing, do not worry. It is likely not critical to your report.

m  Conjunction:  Like peas in a pod, planets in conjunction tend to come from the same place. They act together, but it’s also hard to tell them apart. This aspect can increase talent, focus, and intensity (“two are better than one”). Or one planet can disappear as the other dominates. Their connection feels so natural, it’s easy to think everyone blends these planetary energies just as you do—but mostly, they don’t!.

p  Sextile:  Planets in sextile are compatible, though without any fireworks. This aspect doesn’t demand your attention. It quietly presents an opportunity. You can join these archetypal forces. Donna Cunningham has called this the “Oh, that!” aspect, because that’s generally what her clients say when she describes their benefits.  To get the most from sextiles you need to actively work them.

q  Square:  Squares are wild and wonderful—but difficult too. The power struggle between these planets was likely defined in your youth, when they were impossibly challenging. People are usually aware of their squares. They force the issues that make you to grow. And that’s their gift. They ensure you learn your lessons. When you rise to the occasion, they bless you with energy, action, and success.

r  Trine:  Michael Munkasey has dubbed this the “goddess aspect” because it’s so lovely. Identifying talents you may have perfected in a previous life, trines can bring you joy. There’s a nice flow of energy between planets in trine. They support and reinforce each another. But without any struggle, you might take them for granted—neither using nor developing their gifts. An unattended trine can sometimes trick you into negative behaviors.

t  Inconjunct/Quincunx:  Your quincunx planets are innately incompatible. Bringing them into harmonious expression requires constant adjustments. This can be stressful, also motivating. You’ve got to keep changing your process, opinions or attitude—which promotes highly creative solutions.

u  Opposition:  They say opposites attract—and planets in opposition are never far from each other, though they’re constantly bickering. You may be triggered into awareness of this aspect by other people who seem to resist or undermine you.  An opposition can make you feel uncertain, insecure, or discontent, until you can accept and see yourself in both energies. Typically people find it easier to identify with one side and project the other onto unsuspecting others in the outer world.

First House: Personality, physical body, beginnings. Includes the Ascendant and rules physical appearance, the image you project to others, your general outlook on life, how you start things; may describe your role in your family system, often guides your first impression of immediate environment.

Second House: Money and personal finances, sense of self-worth and basic values, personal possessions, talents.

Third House: Communication, thoughts, language skills like writing and speaking, early schooling, siblings and neighbors, short trips, coming and going around town.

Fourth House: Your home, psychological foundations and roots, family, parents, domestic life, instinctive behavior, ancestry, your connection with the past, sense of security, domestic life, real estate. conditions at the end of life.

Fifth House: Children, creativity, romance; pleasure, entertainment, self-expression; all forms of “play”, speculation, gambling, and attitude towards taking risks; hobbies, attitude towards romance, lovers as opposed to partners, attitude towards having fun.

Sixth House: Work and job (as opposed to career), daily life, attitude towards service and coworkers, helpfulness, pets, attitude towards routine and organization, how you refine and perfect your skills.

Seventh House: Partnerships, one-to-one relationships, marriage, the first marriage, the “significant other”, business partnerships, competitors, open enemies, lawyers, mediators, counselors, contracts, negotiations, agreements. clients/the public.

Eighth House: Transformations and crisis, your ability to meet and rebound from crisis and change, sexuality; sex, death and rebirth, rituals and personal growth, your partner’s resources, addictions, psychology, other people’s money, taxes, divorce/alimony, inheritance.

Ninth House: Attitude toward expanding horizons, religious beliefs and personal philosophy, higher education, long-distance travel, morals, foreign languages and cultures, personal truths, publishing, commerce, advertising, your sense of adventure.

Tenth House: Career and profession, your contribution to society, social status, public reputation, material success, how you carve out a public identity for yourself; attitude toward authority figures, parents, caregivers, bosses, governments, attitude towards responsibility, desire for achievement.

Eleventh House: Friends, groups, organizations; hopes, wishes, aspirations, personal goals; your philanthropic attitude, concern for the collective, humanity; like tenth, can bring recognition and honors for fulfilling hopes and dreams.

Twelfth House: What’s hidden beneath the surface, karmic dustbin, limiting childhood/past-life messages, self-undoing, hidden enemies, hidden weaknesses, dreams, secret affairs, lost items, hospitals and prisons, hidden strengths, spiritual studies and soul growth.

A  Sun: Our vitality and magnetism; self-identity, ego.
Roles: The Self, the Hero, the Performer, the King.

B  Moon: Intuition, emotion, nurture.
Roles: The Mother, the High Priestess, the Child.

C  Mercury: Mind; physical dexterity and mental agility.
Roles: The Thinker, the Communicator, the Student, the Trickster, the Merchant, the Thief.

D  Venus: Our capacity for pleasure, receptivity, creativity, and social connection. Also indicates our relationships, self esteem, and financial abundance.
Roles: The Lover, the Seductress, the Artist.

E  Mars: Desire, initiative, anger.
Roles: The Protector, the Athlete, the Warrior.

F  Jupiter: Luck, opportunity, expansion, higher learning, religion.
Roles: The Scholar, the Gypsy, the Traveler, the Monk, the Professor.

G  Saturn: Hard work, commitment, focus, inadequacy, leadership, suffering, loss.
Roles: The Task Master, the Grim Reaper, the Wise Old Man, the Builder, the Cynic, the Boss.

H  Uranus: Change, breakthroughs, upsets, discoveries.
Roles: The Revolutionary, the Humanitarian, the Visionary, the Snob.

I  Neptune: Imagination, spirituality, idealism, addictions, deception, compassion.
Roles: The Artist, the Romantic, the Guru, the Addict, the Martyr, the Victim.

J  Pluto: Transformation, power, psychological dynamics, helplessness.
Roles: The Terrorist, the Detective, the Psychotherapist, the Dictator, shady people.

a  Aries: Pioneering, competitive, selfish, impatient, courageous, reckless, independent, dynamic, domineering, “Me first!”

b  Taurus: Patient, stable, lazy, dependable, practical, sensual, stubborn, artistic, possessive, greedy, gentle, loyal.

c  Gemini: Intelligent, curious, adaptable, quick-witted, restless, clever, scatterbrained, lacking follow-through.

d  Cancer: Nourishing, intuitive, protective, moody, sensitive, maternal, domestic, childish, cautious, creative.

e  Leo: Proud, dignified, vain, expressive, romantic, generous, childish, overbearing, self-assured, creative.

f  Virgo: Perfection-seeking, practical, methodical, petty, critical, studious, discriminating, cautious, never satisfied.

g  Libra: Charming, sociable, peace-loving, refined, diplomatic, artistic, indecisive, apathetic, easily deterred.

h  Scorpio: Passionate, secretive, penetrating, resourceful, suspicious, manipulative, jealous, sarcastic, intolerant, determined, aware.

i  Sagittarius: Freedom-loving, philosophical, optimistic, enthusiastic, careless, impatient, talkative, a know-it-all, broadminded, athletic, honest.

j  Capricorn: Serious, responsible, practical, hardworking, stubborn, brooding, inhibited, status-conscious, domineering, unforgiving.

k  Aquarius: Progressive, individualistic, unpredictable, cold, intellectual, artistic, eccentric, shy, impersonal, scientific.

l  Pisces: Compassionate, intuitive, ungrounded, romantic, impractical, self-sacrificing, seductive, musical, artistic.