Lynn Wilson Astrology

There have been many astrological interpretations of the election being forwarded and I usually look at these things as a bit of Monday morning quarterbacking. In this case it’s very easy to do – this election is easy to interpret as a manifestation of the changes we’ve spoken of in previous newsletters. Many of us have spoken often of the shift of ages which corresponds with all of the predictions: Hopi, Mayan calendar, astrological ages. The Mayans had two calendars: a secular and a sacred. After 52 cycles of the secular calendar the two coincide and that corresponds with a shift in dimensions. The year 2012 is given as the date of the next shift, and their calendar tends to be very precise. In western astrology the ages shift approximately every 2200 years, with the tropical and sidereal zodiac aligning every 25,920 years. These cycles are weaving themselves together during this point in time.

Most of the articles and discussions currently taking place point to an astrological alignment that occurred Nov 4th, 2008; the opposition between Saturn and Uranus. This aspect will recur on Feb 5 and September 15, 2009. The two most recent occurrences were in 1919-1920 and 1965-66, times of tremendous social change. It is important to realize we are always cycling through things. Time is not linear, as the ancients knew. All renewal is cyclic. I’ve always loved looking at periods of change through the prism of Jung’s description of the spiral. In 1977 I took part in a workshop in which we were asked to draw our lives. I drew a spiral and described my life as always cycling around the same issues, but with a higher and broader perspective with each cycle. I think the same notion can be applied to what we’re currently going through as a culture. A number of cycles are coalescing at the same time and we have an opportunity to shift our awareness to a higher vibration, literally. It is well known that anger and fear have a very low vibration, and love and compassion have a very high vibration. We have been given the opportunity to shift from the fear vibration to that of inclusion and acceptance (love) with this election.

If we look at the election (and other issues) through the lens of this Saturn-Uranus opposition we can see a choice between Saturn, last of the planets we can see with the naked eye, representing consensus reality; and correlated with boundaries (and the need for fear to justify those boundaries), with time, respect for the past, paternal authoritarianism, and security. Uranus is the next planet out in our solar system. He is the only planet who rotates on his side, and the only one to be discovered by an amateur rather than by professional astronomers. I always refer to him as Auntie Mame energy when he comes up in a session. He represents a break from the past and an unwillingness to do things just because they’ve always been done a certain way. Uranians tend to value experience more than security, and they willingly take risks. They are among the ranks of the self-employed and those who live more creative lifestyles. Uranus represents the process of individuation in psychology – being one’s authentic self and taking responsibility for one’s actions rather than relying on external authority to guide one’s actions and beliefs. In valuing safety, conformity and security, Saturnians tend to not “rock the boat.�? Their self-concept and self-worth are externally rather than internally derived.

All of the planets are important and each has a healthy and an unhealthy manifestation. For example, if change is instituted too quickly there is likely to be a pendulum effect, a reactionary swing back to old behaviors, whether we’re considering the individual or society. The 60’s brought the peace, civil rights, and women’s movements to the forefront, with demands for inclusion, and for equal pay for equal work (not yet realized). This current configuration gives us an opportunity to revisit these issues without the polarization of the 60’s. (The polarization is still there in some quarters in the form of anti-Islam and anti-gay sentiment.) In looking at these issues from an astrological perspective many have theorized that Obama is the Uranian candidate, the candidate of change, yet it’s also easy to view the religious right as the extreme party in this election. I see Obama as the candidate that bridges these two oppositional forces: he’s classically educated, he is thoughtful (his speech is actually grammatically correct), he wants to include people who have disagreed with him, rather than punishing them, and he’s a responsible, loving family man. In terms of traditional values he and his family are exemplary. The opposition holds rather radical beliefs and has engaged in rather reactionary behavior, both signs of an undeveloped Uranian temperament. When mature, Uranus will initiate change that is designed to increase personal freedom for all. When immature it’s an energy that is simply reactionary and unpredictable.

The bridge between these two planets is Chiron, a planetary body and mythological figure symbolizing the wounded healer. One hallmark of the healed wounded healer is that they will not demonize the “other�?, for their pain has sensitized them. Chiron was discovered in 1977 and the group of people who were born in the late 70’s and early 80’s have been very engaged in the political process at this time and have had a very deep impact. They are for the most part very aware souls and will continue to have a major impact on how the world is cared for. The environmental movement has also grown tremendously since the previous contact between these planets in the 60s, with major setbacks over the past eight years. One of the manifestations of the current return to the need for change will be re-enforcement of the clean air and water acts.

Many of you are understandably asking how these changes will affect you on a personal level. If we focus on the future (Uranus) rather than the past (Saturn) we can see this as a time of incredible opportunity. I’ve spent the past twenty years reminding clients that there is no external security, as evidenced by the current collapse of industries, pension funds, and financial institutions. The important thing is to focus on possibility – this is the highest use of Uranus. Saturn has been trying to shore up the foundation of outmoded institutions. Fear is a natural concomitant of this world view. Periods of transition are the perfect times to remind ourselves what it is we truly want to be doing with our lives. Many people have been staying in soul-deadening relationships and jobs for the feeling of security. The dissolution of that imagined security creates an opportunity to risk. Physicists and jazz musicians speak of creativity existing in “the gap�? and periods of transition are that gap - a perfect time to heal the fear and move forward. If not now, when?

There have been many people working hard for the past forty years creating new technologies: harnessing the wind, building solar houses, advocating for pedestrian communities, developing geothermal power, harnessing the waves and desalinating ocean water. Industries that support the earth and “do no harm�? are the ones to invest in, with time and money. Use this time to follow your dream. And be mindful of the information you pay attention to. Mainstream media tends to follow the Saturn model – spreading fear and causing people to look for external security: e.g. between 1990 and 1995 network coverage of murder rose by 336% while the murder rate fell by 13%. Fringe elements also tend to get too much press. The Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life has found that at least 70% of (North) Americans affiliated with a religion agree that their own way of knowing the Ultimate Truth is not the only way.

Uranus is a very youth–oriented planet. People who are Uranian tend to come into their own in their 80s. Examples would be Georgia O’Keefe and George Burns. More and more people are staying active into their 80’s and 90’s. You’ll find that people who are Saturn oriented (glass is half-empty rather than half-full) will become old at a much younger age. People who think in terms of opportunity and who are excited by what tomorrow can bring will tend to live longer and live happier lives. They have something to look forward to and are excited by possibility. Uranus and Pisces, the two outermost planets are also the most humanitarian in nature and it’s been proven that those who serve their communities live longer, healthier lives.

Periods of transition can be the perfect time for reflection and life review. An astrological chart is the perfect tool for facilitating this process. I’ve been able to put many clients’ minds at ease by providing a long range prognosis, highlighting times of well-being and times of concern. Most of the people I work with will thrive in this climate. And if and when I see a time when an individual needs to exercise caution (what I refer to as a yellow light) I will tell the person. Services and fees are listed on the website: www.lynnwilson.com. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions.