MAJOR GEOCOSMIC SIGNATURES OF 2009-2010:
SATURN REALITIES,
JUPITER AND NEPTUNE HOPES

(Excerpt from Forecast 2009, written November 2008)

 As prominent as Pluto in Capricorn is as the center of the Cardinal Climax involving Saturn and Uranus, so too is Saturn important as the one planet making an exact opposition to Uranus and square to Pluto in 2009-2010. Saturn is not only strong because it alone makes these exact hard aspects to the other two planets over the next two years, but also because it rules Capricorn, and thus disposes Pluto. Therefore an understanding of the dynamics of Saturn is necessary in order to get an accurate picture of what lies ahead for the world, both politically and economically, in 2009-2010. It is very much “All about Saturn.”

 Saturn is one of the most complex planets to understand in the study of Astrology. There are more psychological concepts associated with Saturn than any other planet – concepts such as repression, guilt, inadequacy, fear, denial, parental, restrictive, limiting, and punitive, to name just a few. Its nature is to contract, as opposed to Jupiter, whose nature is to expand. As a personality, it is self-sufficient, controlling (in control, or self-controlled), demanding of perfection and exactness from others, and a rule-maker. It sets goals and develops plans to accomplish those goals. And once those goals are defined, it takes on responsibility and accountability of itself and others until those objectives are achieved. It knows it can succeed if it sticks to a well-thought out plan, and works hard to finish in a timely fashion. It fears it will fail if the plan is changed before the task is completed. Therefore Saturn is not very adaptive to changing conditions once a plan has been made, and the process of executing the plan has begun. To the contrary, Saturn can be very inflexible and intolerant of changes to this plan. It is said to rule the Establishment, the status quo, and has great respect for tradition and rules. Likewise it is hard to attain respect or trust from people who are Saturn-types until you prove yourself as one who is reliable and competent. Along these lines, Saturn puts much emphasis on the value of honor, truthfulness, and integrity. A person who says what he means, and does what he says, is considered honorable in the judgment of Saturn. And Saturn is very judgmental, although in his eyes, he is also very fair.

 But nothing comes easily when Saturn is in the forefront. Every gain must be earned, and there is no such thing as “luck.” All outcomes are a direct result of actions initiated. Reality is the consequence of what one has done. If one has done “good deeds,” and put forth the proper quality and quantity of effort, then the result will be success. If on the other hand, one has not performed with quality and proper effort, there will not be success. Furthermore, if one has done something inappropriate in regards to completing the project, then (s)he will be caught, and will have to suffer punishment accordingly for his/her lack of integrity. With Saturn, there is only reward for accomplishing things “the right way,” and there is usually punishment for doing things “the wrong way,” or for failing to accomplish the goal correctly in the agreed upon time.

 This is the kind of psychological climate we will be in during 2009-2010. Big Brother (government) is watching over you, and demanding your cooperation to his rules.

Saturn in Virgo-Libra (2007-2012)

 In its 29-year orbit around the Sun, Saturn reaches the middle of the zodiac when it transits through the signs of Virgo and Libra. These are the signs of equality, balance, a keen sense of fairness, and the demand for equal distribution of resources according to the amount of effort expended.  

 In its orbit around the Sun, Saturn will spend about 2-1/2 years in each of the twelve signs of the zodiac. Whatever sign Saturn is in represents a segment of the population that tends to feel repressed, restricted, held back, denied of what they deserve. It is this segment of the population that demands justice and equality, and until it is delivered, they tend to suffer and complain.

 When Saturn is in the middle of the zodiac (Virgo and Libra), there is the greatest sense of social injustice and inequalities. It is usually a time when the social division between the “haves” and “have nots” are at their greatest level. Prior to entering Virgo, Saturn is in Leo, the sign of the king, but also the sign of children. In Leo, the “child within us” wants out. It wants to have fun, and it tends to rebel against all parental (and governmental) authority. It is often a time of “conspicuous consumption,” where everyone wants to behave like a king. Economically, people tend to spend more than they have, so it appears they have more than they really do. But what happens is that such behavior inflates debt for those who do not make enough to cover their purchases. Before long – about the time Saturn enters Virgo - they cannot afford to play like kings.

 Suddenly, as Saturn enters Virgo, there is the awareness that the game is not fair to everyone. Virgo rules the workers, those who do the heavy labor and physical work to produce the goods that the owners and managers sell to make a profit. During the period that Saturn transits from Aries through Leo, the profit margins of the owners and bonuses to the managers tend to increase more than the wages paid to the workers who produce the goods. There is the realization that the workers are not sharing in the success of the system to the same extent that the managers and owners are. This plants the seeds of discontent, and a social or a workers’ revolt begins to take form. This condition is especially critical when Saturn and Pluto are in the waning phase, as they are now, from 2001-2020. Saturn is in Virgo September 2, 2007 through October 29, 2009. Then it enters Libra until April 7, 2010, when it returns for a brief period back to Virgo until July 21, 2010. It remains in Libra until October 5, 2012

 The workers’ revolt can take several forms. If it involves a government where the people have the right to vote for its leaders, it can take place during an election. The working class people will tend to vote for a candidate who stands up for their rights to share in the successes of a business, and/or the increase in their benefits as workers. Unions that represent the working force may increase their political strength at these times. But other variables may be at work now too, especially if the Saturn-Pluto is in its waning (downside) phase. That is, many companies may be experiencing financial problems all of a sudden, and with the demand of labor for higher wages and greater benefits, these companies may be in the process of laying people off from work. Unemployment may escalate, and new jobs may be hard to find. This is another aspect of Saturn in Virgo – tighter job market and greater unemployment, just following a period of great success and unequal distribution of profits. So the task of labor unions becomes complex. They want to protect the jobs of the workers and increase their benefits and wages, at a time that the company is contracting its work force and realizing less profits.

 In the event that a company continues to grow but does not share its increased gains with its work force, then the work force can choose to stop work (i.e. go on strike, began a “work stoppage”), thereby forcing the management of these companies to raise its wages and/or increase its benefits, thereby reducing the widening difference between the “haves’ and “have nots.” Until these demands are met, disruption of the distribution of essential goods and services can be experienced, creating havoc and dissent from the general population. Certain businesses can grind to a halt, thus causing problems with other businesses that depend upon those services being performed. In time, such disruptions can cause the general economy to suffer a downturn.

 In the United States, the victorious 2008 election of Barack Obama and Democratic Party to control the White House, Senate, and House of Representatives, relates to these principles of social inequalities pertaining to Saturn in Virgo. The division between the wealthy and not-wealthy in America had grown to the point that there was much talk of the disappearance of the “middle class.” The growth of wages of workers was stagnant, whereas the growth of salaries and bonuses to people in management was very strong. It created a great sense of resentment against the policies of the Republican Party leadership over the past eight years. Now the challenge for the new Democratic leadership is to reverse that trend, and start a new direction towards more equality – one that begins to reward more greatly those who actually produce the goods and services vital to the nations’ economy. But that will be no easy task, for the USA and much of the world are mired in the downside of the Saturn-Pluto cycle until 2020. According to Mundane Astrology, however, the patience of the work force will expect vast changes in their favor to be accomplished before Saturn leaves Libra in 2012. If not, then the pendulum will swing back, forcing the current leadership out of power and bringing in a new one.

 In fact, the working force may not even wait until 2012. A revolt could take place as early as the mid-term election of 2010, for Saturn will be making its two very important but “hard” aspects to Uranus and Pluto by then. These aspects often identify the precise time when the crisis symbolized by the planets in signs will erupt.

Saturn in Opposition to Uranus (November 4, 2008-July 26, 2010)

 There are no two dynamics that represent the degree of opposites in astrology as much as the principles of Saturn and Uranus. Whereas Saturn represents the Establishment, tradition, and ways of the past, Uranus represents the youth, the future, and the urge to get rid of the conditions of the past that appear to be restrictive and limiting. Saturn wants rules, laws, and compliance to those rules and laws. Uranus wants freedom and is willing to break those rules and laws that it sees as detrimental to its freedom and growth. These are the seed for a powerful – even revolutionary – shift in governance. In a country with free elections, this is a period when the “old guard” is voted out, and a leadership representing a vast change in direction is voted in. In a country where there is no election, a mass movement can begin to unseat the current leadership, via coup or revolution. Uranus is change, and Saturn is boundaries and laws. The boundaries of a country may change, and so too may the policies, laws, and rules of the new leadership over the old. Sometimes these changes are not so smooth, and the adjustment to the new ways is extremely difficult for the majority of the people. More revolutions may follow.

 Saturn is in Virgo while Uranus is in Pisces for the first four passages of the opposition phase of this 45-year cycle. The fifth passage in 2010 will be in the cardinal signs of Aries and Libra. To get a sense of the social restlessness of this combination, just go back to the last time these two planets were in opposition, which was 1965-1967. At that time, their positions were reversed: Uranus was in Virgo and Saturn was in Pisces. But history will show that the demand for great social changes was powerful, and led by the youth of the world. In the USA, there were massive protests against the U.S. government, including marches on the Pentagon and in opposition to the unpopular Viet Nam War. The chant of the youth was “turn on, tune in, and drop out.” A second mantra was “Never trust anyone over 30.”  The idea was to go against the Establishment, tradition and experience, and instead pursue paths where the highest values were freedom, independence, and equality (not to mention world peace and inner peace).

 In many respects, the importance of these “liberation” values has returned. With Saturn now in Virgo, workers want more equal distribution of resources. A voters’ revolt against the U.S. government has resulted in a total transference of power to the Democratic Party for the first time since 1994, with the election of 2008. As a side note, it is interesting to observe that in 1993-1994, Saturn was in its waxing phase and square to Pluto, and the Republicans swept back into power in the House and Senate in 1994 as a protest against the tax and spend policies of the Democratic Party. Will we see a repeat of that in the mid-term election of 2010 when Saturn and Pluto enter their waning square?

 With Uranus being opposed by Saturn in Virgo, the workers will want dramatic changes in policies that will benefit them, and perhaps “even the score” with regards to the policies of the last eight years, which was heavily weighted against them. But with Saturn and Pluto in the waning phase, they will be fighting a battle that will not be easy, because Saturn and Uranus in opposition is more likely to coincide with fewer opportunities to work, as more and more companies go out of business. An increase of benefits, wages, and working conditions will be at the expense of fewer and fewer job opportunities. These two principles do not match well for the next two years. Consequently the new administration will have its hands full in satisfying the demands of the workers of the nation. Instead of a situation where the management and ownership are successful and happy, while the producers (workers) of the goods are unhappy, we may see a period where both groups are unsuccessful and unhappy. It could become very intense, especially when Saturn also squares Pluto during this interval.

Saturn in Waning Square to Pluto (November 15, 2009-August 21, 2010)

 Most of this period overlaps the Saturn-Uranus opposition. Thus, this is likely to be the most intense period coming up, and quite possibly one of the most intense geo-political periods of our lifetime. These squares will find Saturn shifting from the mutable sign of Virgo to the cardinal sign of Libra. Although this could get extremely stressful, there is hope here too, for Saturn is exalted in Libra. With Uranus involved, the principles of freedom and change are powerfully matched against the forces of resistance and tradition. With Pluto involved, the specific issue may be about taxes or the hoarding of power into the hands of a few. If there is going to be a tax revolt, this is when it will likely peak. Neither side wants to give in. Both sides provide convincing arguments in their defense. Uranus wants to change the tax code to be one of more equal distribution of wealth. Saturn insists that it is not fair to take the income of those who have earned it and distribute it to those who have not earned it. In the end, it appears that Uranus wins. This is more consistent with the waning phase of the Saturn-Pluto cycle.

 The tax laws will likely be changed. Higher wage earners will pay greater taxes, as will successful businesses. And those under a certain income will receive greater tax benefits and even tax credits. They may very well receive more in tax credits than they paid in taxes. Many will applaud the decision as fair and equitable, for Saturn is in Libra, the sign of fairness and equality. But another segment will see it as a dangerous step towards government confiscation of their wealth and earnings, and over the next decade (until Saturn conjuncts Pluto in 2020), this segment of society will grow stronger and stronger. The question is will they already have massed enough discontent to alter the mid-term election in November 2010 in the USA? It is possible, for they did it after only two years of the Clinton administration in 1994. Americans may remember President Clinton’s promise of a middle class tax relief during his campaign in 1992.  But in his first two years in office, he instead brought in a great tax increase, which resulted in the tax revolt of 1994 that cost Democrats control of the House and Senate, and put Republicans back in charge of Congress. With Saturn so strong in 2009-2010, Americans will expect Obama to keep his campaign pledge to reduce taxes to 95% of the population. If he does, he will be fine. If he doesn’t, then the principles of Saturn will define him as untruthful and untrustworthy. In typical Saturn fashion, he will suffer the consequences of a broken promise in the mid-term election of 2010, much as Clinton did in 1994, and George Bush Sr. did in 1992. You cannot lie to Americans about taxes. They are unforgiving, because this is the very issue upon which the country was birthed (USA was “born” when Pluto was in Capricorn). That is the way it is with Saturn. You make a goal, develop the plan and come to an agreement, and then you live up to it and all goes well. But if you alter the plan, or change terms and/or don’t live up the agreement, you become the object of intense criticism and dissatisfaction, and you pay dearly if you break your promise, especially concerning tax relief, which falls under the domain of Pluto.

 There is hope, however. First, Saturn is in opposition to Uranus during this time, and hence many innovative ideas will be birthed. Concepts can be considered that are pioneering and which have never been tried before. In a sense, these new ideas for growth can be revolutionary, and in the spirit of Uranus. For this to work, these pioneering concepts must be presented in a logical and practical way. They must be well-thought out and presented with a sense of calmness and assurance. They must not be presented as radical, for this is the downside of Saturn and Uranus in this aspect. People will not accept easily that which they cannot understand, or which they view as too radical. Many good ideas in history have fallen by the wayside because they weren’t presented properly, in a way that allows others to consider and adjust to them. These “revolutionary minds” were considered too early for their times. This is the danger in 2009-2010. There may be great ideas to solve the problems of the world and the conflicts within this nation (USA). But they may be hurried and rushed, or presented within the context that we must act at once or else something catastrophic will happen. Indeed something catastrophic could happen under these aspects, but these ideas will not be accepted if presented this way, and the lack of an action could lead to a catastrophic event or result. In that case, both sides will continue to blame the other for this failure. But if those who support the revolutionary ideas of change and solution can make the effort to have their ideas accepted on a logical and “evidenced-based” argument – and one that doesn’t become hysterical or alarming – it can pass. It can be perceived as sound and fair by all parties involved, due to the Saturn in Libra placement (2010-2012). In this case, the success of Saturn’s goal depends as much on the nature of the ideas (which may be brilliant) as it does on the style in which they are presented. The leadership of a nation must understand this, or else it risks the very dire straits it forecasted as a result of inaction. For this reason, and according to Saturn in Libra, it is very important who the leadership chooses to make the argument, to represent the case for pioneering action. Libra is relationships, and does best with diplomacy. Saturn is there and thus diplomacy and graciousness are necessary. Uranus rules wildness and alienation, from Aries. It opposes Saturn, and thus becomes its own undoing if not expressed within the principles of Libra. And finally Pluto is in Capricorn, and so the issues in focus here are taxes, and possibly also power and national security.

 We haven’t discussed national security yet, but we will in the section on the United States of America and its president. Pluto in Capricorn has great relevance to national security, especially as Uranus enters Aries, the sign of military activity, and especially as we come to the waxing square of Uranus and Pluto, touching off the Sun-Saturn square of the USA chart in a T-square involving the USA Saturn return.

Jupiter and Neptune in Mutual Reception with Uranus (January 5, 2009-January 17, 2010); Jupiter Conjunct Neptune (May 27-December 21, 2009)

 In the midst of the intense challenging aspects involving Saturn to Uranus and Pluto, we find the diametrically opposite and dream-like signature of Jupiter conjunct Neptune in Aquarius taking place. Not only that, but as Jupiter transits through Aquarius, January 5, 2009 through January 17, 2010, it forms an additional mutual reception to Uranus, for Jupiter – like Neptune – co-rules Pisces. Uranus, co-ruler of Aquarius, is in Pisces, the natural home of Jupiter and Neptune. Jupiter and Neptune are in Aquarius, the natural home sign of Uranus. They are thus in each other’s sign for most of 2009. A mutual reception like this makes the dynamics between the involved planets much more powerful. Thus the qualities of Jupiter, Neptune and Uranus in combination will also play a dominant theme in the psyche of the collective this year. Whereas there seems to be only hard work, worrisome threats, and no magic with the Saturn aspects to Uranus and Pluto, there is also the immense hope – and maybe even unrealistic belief – that these threats and serious conditions will be successfully (and almost magically) solved. With strong beliefs, anything is possible. And so the year seems typified as a polarity between those who believe in miracles and those who do not, or between those who are thinking positively about the future and those who are engaged in negative thinking.

 Jupiter and Neptune conjunct in Aquarius three times in 2009: May 27, July 10, and December 21. Within this forthcoming two-year time band of hard aspects from Saturn lies this seven-month window when there is a great hope that something magical is transpiring. The world is fascinated by the fairy tale-like ascension of a young, eloquent, African-American, to its Presidency. It is the return of Camelot, of the glamour days of John F. Kennedy and his young family. Jupiter is hope and optimism.

 Neptune is the principle of romantic thoughts, ideals and altruism. Aquarius represents the principles of equality to the masses and the possibility of a bright new world and future. In other words, there is great concern and worry about the economy and financial markets as we head into 2009. There is the sense that things are bad and that they will get worse. But with Jupiter about to transit into Aquarius and form three conjunctions to Neptune, there is also immense hope that the new leadership will come up with innovative solutions to these problems. The masses are willing to give the new leadership this time to come up with the solutions. The masses want to believe. And the new administration keeps the hopes of the population – even the world - high by speaking to the noblest characteristics within their collective spirit. If nothing else, Jupiter in Aquarius is inspirational and uplifting. It is a time of tapping into the finest aspects of human potential. With Neptune in Aquarius also involved, large masses of people – maybe the “majority” - want to believe. With its conjunction to Jupiter, and both in mutual reception to Uranus, there may be a mesmerizing quality about the eloquence of ideas expressed, and the style of those who espouse these pioneering thoughts and new directions for humanity to follow with confidence. The campaign slogan was “Change you can believe in.” The book was “The Audacity of Hope.” These are key words for Jupiter, Neptune and Aquarius right out of classical astrology texts, and they apply to much of the world’s population in 2009, and in particular to the new leadership in the United States. Hopes are high.

 Barack Obama is truly an Aquarian-type of individual (he has Aquarius rising). He inherits the White House under difficult circumstances, but he represents change (Aquarius). He connects with the hopes of the collective (Jupiter in Aquarius). And for his first year in office, the majority of Americans (and others) will allow him this “honeymoon period.” Many will believe he can change things for the better, and that he can initiate dialogue and come to agreements with others. He will appear to be a consensus builder, a master communicator, one who is able to unite and bring opposite sides together. It is during this period – through December 2009 - that he needs to set into motion the programs and policies that will work, for this is the time he will have the most support from the greatest number of people. This is the time of the “Honeymoon,” a period when everyone seems fascinated with the new first family. After that, the nation and the world will expect results. Otherwise they will feel disillusioned and deceived.

 There are other ways that Jupiter and Neptune can manifest too, and not all of them are glamorous or positive, especially within the context of hard Saturn aspects to Uranus and Pluto. For instance, Jupiter rules exaggeration, or excess. Anything it aspects can be accompanied by “more than usual” amount of that principle. In addition to dreams and wishes, Neptune also rules water, liquids, and fluids. It is not unusual, for instance, to see great floods or oil spills that threaten lives, food supplies, or nature, especially with Uranus and Saturn so involved. Saturn represents loss, Uranus rules suddenness, and Pluto can represent the threat of destruction or death. Natural disasters may be in great abundance during this year, and even into 2010. But Neptune also rules tears and sadness. Symbolically, Jupiter with Neptune can correspond to a time of great sadness and many tears. Although it is not ethical for astrologers to predict death or assassination as a certainty, or to make any prediction of a dire nature that may be unduly alarming, it is their duty to point out times of potential danger within the context of possibilities related to the principles of geocosmic signatures in effect. With Pluto in Capricorn, especially being squared by Saturn, the potential for loss of a popular leader, or for large numbers of people through natural calamities like floods, earthquakes, tsunamis, and hurricanes, is within the realm of geocosmic possibilities in 2009-2010.

Summary

 2009 may be a year of extremes. On the one hand, Saturn in hard aspect to Uranus and Pluto indicates threats to stability that confront the world. These are in the form of economic and geopolitical uncertainty. There are dangers – the danger of falling into a deep recession and even an economic depression. There is the danger of an increase in terrorist attacks as Saturn moves into its waning square to Pluto, which is entering its next “hard aspect” phase following the opposition of 2001. There is danger of a return to a Cold War mentality between Russia and the United States with Saturn in opposition to Uranus (see last year’s book). There is danger of an increase in political assassinations throughout the world, with Pluto moving into Capricorn. And that same ingress points to the danger of unstable world leaders assuming dictatorial control over their nations, and inflicting terrible abuses upon their citizens in order to assert control by fear.

 And yet there is hope and belief. There is the belief that through positive thinking and supportive thoughts, certain leaders of the world can solve these pressing problems, and re-instill faith in a bright future. The hopes and dreams of the world are rising on these new leaders, and 2009 is a year in which these leaders can make great strides in the realization of those dreams that they have inspired. Their ability to follow through on their promises will make the difference between continued support and belief in the best qualities of humankind, or great disillusionment and disappointment. This is a year when many leaders can be united and commence new policies that effectively deal with today’s threats. The willingness of the masses to believe, and the wish of leaders to cooperate in order to manifest the highest ideals we can dream of, is as great now as ever before.

 It is the prospect of Camelot and the Kennedy’s all over again. It is the prospect of the Great Depression and 9-11 all over again. Fear and hope. They are both with us in 2009. As a global family, we may seem very dysfunctional right now. Saturn is about to enter its waning phase (opposition to conjunction) with Pluto, Neptune, AND Uranus. These are difficult times. But as long as there is hope, we can heal and move forward. After all, Uranus, Neptune and Pluto are all in their waxing phase (conjunction to opposition) to one another for many more decades, and these are longer-term trends and cycles than those involving Saturn. They offer great hope for the world to solve these problems.