A Manifestation of Energy

Saturn / Pluto

By C. Michael & Jacquie Smith

It`s a strange world we live in. Read the headlines of any newspaper, watch the nightly news - major changes are taking place. The current Saturn/Pluto configuration represents tremendous transformational potential at a global, as well as deeply personal, level. We are on the threshold of a whole new way of life.

If the entire world seems to be in chaos, the very foundation of your life seems to be breaking apart, you are being awakened to the symbology of the familiar astrological/alchemical adage "As Above, So Below".

The last Fixed-Sign hard aspects between Saturn and Pluto occurred in the late 1940`s with Saturn conjunct Pluto in the mid degrees of Leo, and again in the mid 1950`s with Pluto square Saturn in Scorpio. People born at these times, and indeed everyone with mid-to-late degree Fixed planets, are undergoing profound life transitions. All of us, are experiencing this powerful energy in some way. Possibilities for manifestation vary with the inherent natal factors and the current Saturn/Pluto house positions and aspects to sensitive points in the natal chart.

We recently had an experience affect our family unit which clearly illustrates one manifestation of these energies at work in each natal chart. (this article was first published in the Mountain Astrologer - fall 1992)

Bill, our family companion, a beautiful dark red, hand picked (and almost hand delivered) very well-mannered golden retriever who had travelled with me nearly 300,000 miles in 3 1/2 years, was hit by a car just 2 blocks from home. To say the least, we were devastated. See Bill and another pic

With Venus at 19 conjunct the Moon at 20 Leo, in my own natal chart, I have been dealing with this Saturn/Pluto dynamic for quite awhile. I felt I had a fair understanding of the energy potential and was attempting to manifest it in positive, creative ways (one of which was tearing down and rebuilding the walls in our home). The sudden shock of Bill's death unleashed a torrent of deeply buried emotions. I cried uncontrollably for days. My emotions stripped by Pluto to their very essence. I came face to face with long-repressed issues of authority, support and nurturing, my relationships with women/Mother and my relationship with my own feminine energy.

In Bill's death chart, Mercury at 17 Leo and Mars at 24 Taurus aligned with Saturn and Pluto forming a Fixed Grand Cross. We will not delineate the death chart itself, but rather show how it establishes the event in the natal chart of each family member.

The 4th, 8th and 12th houses are traditionally the houses of endings. You will note a preponderance of transits to these houses in each family member's natal chart. For myself Uranus/Neptune is in the 4th, Mars in the 8th. For Jacquie and our daughter, Sica, Uranus/Neptune is applying to the 8th house cusp, with Saturn in the 8th and Mars in the 12th. Mars also squares the MC/IC for Sica, Pluto squares the MC/IC for Jacquie. Our son Brian has Saturn transiting his 12th house and Mars in the 4th. (Bill had transiting Uranus/Neptune in the 8th, Mars in the 12th and Jupiter in the 4th, opposing the Moon, squaring Saturn ruler of the 8th).

Relating pets to the 5th/6th houses (objects of spontaneous affection/subordinates), in my chart transiting Saturn (ruler of the 5th) squares natal Saturn and opposes the 11th house stellium. In Sica's chart, transiting Pluto (ruler of the 6th) conjuncts natal Mars in the 5th; transiting Mars conjuncts natal Venus (ruler of the 5th) in the 12th. In Jacquie's chart transiting Uranus/Neptune squares natal Neptune on the cusp of the 5th; transiting Pluto is on the 5th/6th house cusp; transiting Venus (ruler of the 5th) conjuncts natal Moon, opposing natal Mars in the 8th.

The transits to our son Brian's chart are perhaps most clearly illustrative of the event. Transiting Uranus/Neptune opposes natal Venus in the 5th, squares natal Pluto in the 8th (note the tight orbs). Transiting Saturn in the 12th squares natal Uranus (chart ruler) and opposes Mercury (5th house ruler) in the 6th. Bill's death occurred within minutes of Brian's precessed Solar Return. Consider the transiting Moon/Jupiter opposition activating the natal Neptune, Mars/Moon, Saturn/Node angular T-square. Brian's "right of passage" into manhood on his 13th birthday.

The language and symbolism of astrology are useful tools to aid each of us in our individual search for meaning and understanding of the world around us. Analyzing the tragic loss of our beloved family member astrologically, while not diminishing the emotional pain, has helped us to understand and accept the cosmic law of change.

Remember, we are the vehicle for change, as well as the vehicle that is changed. We have embarked on the ride of our lives with no way of going back or getting off. We can choose to close our eyes tightly, kicking and screaming with every dip and curve, or we can ride with our eyes open, watching ahead and undaunted by the next turn. If we use the current Saturn/Pluto square's vast amount of energy as an opportunity for growth and personal transformation, make a conscious effort to meet the inevitable losses and changes with willingness and grace, we can emerge from this critical time period purified and strengthened.

C. Michael and Jacquie Smith welcome reader comments. They can be reached at:
S.O.S. Consulting
P.O. Box 18, Paris, MI 49338
(616) 796-0173
Email: sos@netonecom.net

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