Aaron's Free Online Horoscopes, Astrological Transits
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The Moon does not orbit the Earth. The Earth and the Moon share a common point of orbit called the barycenter which is close to, but is not exactly, the center of the Earth. Thus, the so-called satellite, the Moon, has its pull on the larger body, the Earth. The point is that even smaller bodies exert their influence on larger ones.

In astrology we have a strangely schizophrenic view of our relationship with the Sun, Moon and planets. In one sense we rightly make ourselves the center of the universe. We place ourselves in the center of the birthchart, defying the laws of physics, to reflect our person-centered view of reality. We then interpret the chart and the ensuing transits, progressions, etc. in relationship to our own lives. This is all completely fair and completely human. But we occupy the center without having influence on the planets. It is true that modern humanistic astrology has invested us with the power of choice so that we are no longer condemned to suffer under the "rays" of Saturn. But the choices are about our responses. In no way are we considered to be capable of affecting the planets themselves.

This is the year of the Uranus-Neptune conjunction in Capricorn. Astrologers have described eloquently and extensively the possible ramifications, transformations and mutations this pair's marriage symbolizes. We have been reminded that the last conjunction, also in Capricorn, corresponded with the birth of the industrial revolution and radical change in daily human life. It seems appropriate to predict similarly important changes this time around. Since Capricorn deals with institutions, we expect surprises, upheaval and discoveries in business, government, religion, family and so forth. Another institution ripe for change is astrology itself.

The Capricornian logic of astrology is that the cosmos is the grand source of energy and we are the beings who receive this energy here on Earth. Inherent in this is the essentially passive nature of humanity in relationship to the cosmos. How is it possible for tiny humans to influence the massive planets, the Sun, the Moon, and the stars? But in a post-Newtonian universe all is relative, and there are no forces which do not act upon the other forces of the universe. Just as the uncertainty principle has shown that the observer affects the observed, it is time we recognize that the observer (the person) affects the planets.

When one talks of the transit of Saturn to his/her Sun, there is no reciprocity. The personal Sun receives or is synchronized with the current forces of Saturn. The individual experiences the contraction, clarity, and heaviness of Saturn. Nowhere is there the notion that the natal Sun of the person influences Saturn. In fact, we are saying that there is a connection between the present position of Saturn and the birth position of the natal Sun. The vibratory rate is such that the two are linked by some kind of aspect. The aspect describes the nature of the link, but it is viewed as a one-way transmission. If the observer affects the object in a physics lab, why can't the person affect the transiting planet in the laboratory of real life?

At the heart of the issue is the nature of human existence. We perceive ourselves as small in relationship to the cosmos. We are temporal beings here for our average three score and ten, while even the puniest planet endures for billions of years. We perceive size (mass) and time as factors which tell us who is going to influence whom (or what). But this is exactly the kind of Capricornian stuff that we are now on the verge of leaving behind. In a relativistic universe all are connected all the time.

How do we measure influence? We have the sheer mass of the planets weighed against an individual person. If mass or size implies power, can we say that the Rocky Mountains are more significant than the thoughts of Einstein or the love we feel in our hearts? Can we relate the experience of being human to cosmic forces? Well, if the planets influence us, we must influence them. Energy flows both ways. The deeper message is that human experience has meaning beyond the personal. Life is cosmic. We are cosmic. And we are at a time in our human history when we are preparing to rediscover this. All of the current UFO stories are reminders that we are not really islanders separate from the rest of the universe.

In fact, we have already changed the planets in our changing consciousness of them. We have brought Uranus, Neptune and Pluto into the light of our awareness and made them active players in the field of human history. What were before only shadows now play consciously in our world. We have changed the face of Saturn. He, the devil himself, has been partially tamed as we have reassigned his most infernal qualities to newly-discovered Pluto. We have also changed the characteristics of Mars and Jupiter by replacing them as rulers of Scorpio and Pisces with Pluto and Neptune. Mars as the ruler of a water sign was still partially feminine. Pluto's displacement of Mars has left us with a less balanced warrior. Jupiter's exile from Pisces leaves him all judgment without compassion. These changes, brought about by astrologers, change the way we see the universe and the way we experience it.

Dane Rudhyar, who was the first to make us conscious of so much that is new in astrology, understood the outer planets Uranus, Neptune and Pluto to be transformational. It is only logical that their positions beyond the pale of Saturn connect us to the galaxy and pull us away from the solar system. Symbolically, this means bringing the individual beyond the ego and into connection with collective, universal forces. With Uranus and Neptune mating in Capricorn, we can expect the birth of a new aspect of humanity, one in which individual influence on the collective is more clearly recognized. As astrologers we can then begin to look at our transits as two-way events. Returning to our earlier example, we can ponder how the natal Sun of someone can influence Saturn, how the will, creativity and life-force of an individual can affect the collective limits that Saturn represents. Every transit can be looked at in this way.

Each of us is a transit. The birth chart is a set of transits that resonates within us. We aspect the planets and have our impact on the universe. We can examine our relationship with the cosmos in a less egocentric way when we recognize that we are not separate, not disconnected from the big picture, not passive recipients of cosmic forces. We can now look at each transit in a way that enlarges our view of ourselves and reintegrates humanity into the greater whole in which we live.

If Pluto is making a conjunction to your Moon, it is likely that you will experience considerable emotional change. Yet at the same time, you will also have the chance to nurture Pluto, to provide food for purification and transformation. You can bring caring to the death process so it may evolve just as you evolve as an individual. Is the transit of Neptune bringing confusion to your Mercury? Perhaps it also your chance to bring clarity to collective dreams, to help Neptune articulate ideals, to communicate its compassion. The transit of Uranus to your Venus brings chaos to your relationships? Perhaps Uranus needs your love, your approval, your artistic touch so that revolutions occur in more harmonious fashion.