Saturn and Pluto: The Dance of Death and Transformation

"It is better to know some of the questions than all of the answers" James Thurber

Introduction: Saturn and Pluto and the 2010 Cardinal Climax

On January 31st, Saturn and Pluto trigger the 2nd of 3 very intense squares. This blog examines the dynamics of this potent combo, and their role as part of this summer's potent Cardinal Climax.

What is the Cardinal Climax?? Astrologically, "Cardinal" refers to the 1st signs of the 4 seasons (Aries, Cancer, Libra and Capricorn). "Climax" is the pinnacle, crest, culmination or apex of critical tension generated by a powerful phenomena. Visualize a building wave ready to break.

The Cardinal Climax aka the "Twenty-Ten Turning Point" is comprised of the simultaneous interactions between the planetary energies of Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Pluto during June and July 2010 in Cardinal signs of Capricorn, Aries and Libra. Five distinct critical tension points make up this very rare super cycle. They are: --Saturn square Pluto - Nov 2009 - August 2010
--Jupiter conjoin (meets) Uranus - June 2009 - January 2010
--Saturn opposing Uranus -  November 2008 - July 2010 - began on election day in 2008
--Jupiter opposing Saturn - May 2010 - March 2011
--Jupiter square Pluto - July 2010 - February 2011

Any one of these pairings would be considered "significant" and something to pay attention to. Amazingly, these 5 cycles come together in June and July. This convergence of energy contains the potential for a significant shift in human consciousness and expanded awareness over the next two years.  Further, the Cardinal Climax portends momentous changes are afoot on all levels of social interaction. How we choose to interrelate as individuals, communities and nations across the globe will be a focal point in the run up to the much heralded 2012 events. The choice is ours. May we choose with clarity and compassion.

For now, let's examine the role of Saturn and Pluto in this unfolding cycle. Future blogs will look at the other cycles making up this quantum shift.

Meet Saturn and Pluto

- who are these characters???

When these two dynamos meet in the conjunction, they initiate over a span of 32 to 38 years a planetary cycle of restructuring and melt-down. The most recent cycle began in 1982 and completes in 2020.

Within this cycle, Saturn and Pluto come together every 8 years or so and trigger a critical tension point. These mini-bursts of tension last approximately one-year, but their after or rippling effect lasts until the activation of the next tension point - in this instance approximately 8 years later. A desire to tear down (Pluto) stagnant or repugnant structures (Saturn), rather than attempting to modify or correct them, is typical behavior during these tense periods. One example is the rancor/anger from citizens now surfacing in the political process in the United States.

(Astroactivator© images by Kathryn Andren)

In part, the planetary archetype called Saturn represents what we know as tradition, structure, organization and flow, customs, rules or law, politics, resistance and fear. By contrast, Pluto represents the transformative energy that dissolves and reforms structures on the material, behavioral, and or perception realms. For example, the Hawaiian Fire Goddess Pele embodies this melt-down essence. Pluto dynamics also embrace power, secrets, and deep healing. When these two archetypes create an intense interaction, two very strong forces come together in a spiraling dance of death through transformation and rebirth.

Saturn's symbol:

A cross and a sickle. The cross represents how (1) "matter"dictates the tone of this physical reality - we are subject to gravity. The (2) sickle signifies how Saturn energetically cuts away excess to make things efficient.

Pluto's symbol:

Pluto has 3 components: the circle represents "spirit", the cup is "receptivity" and the cross is "matter". Here, the essence of spirit feeds physical matter through the medium of receptivity.

The Planetary Cycle

"Insanity: doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results" Albert Einstein

Just like the Moon cycle, every planetary cycle goes through its waxing and waning phases. In this example, I want to focus on the 4 major phases or four 90 degree angles or critical tension points of the current Saturn Pluto cycle. These four major parts include:
-- Conjunction (meeting) - faster planet energy catches up to the slower one initiating the cycle
--1st or waxing square - critical tension builds like an ocean wave
--Opposition - polarity or opposite forces reach their apex (culmination or pinnacle of energy) as the wave breaks
--2nd or waning square - critical tension dissipates (dissolution or decay cycle).

Conjunction - the door opens

In 1982, faster Saturn caught up to slower Pluto in the late degrees of Libra. As with any conjunction, the sign where the meeting occurs sets the theme for the entire cycle. In this case, Libra denotes diplomacy and relationships - both intimate and adversarial. Hence, transforming relationships and alliances became the focus for the entire cycle, or in this case 38 years. This opening augured a significant shift in the balance of power across the globe. By contrast the previous cycle begun in 1947 was in the sign of Leo, which is a dominant energy. Here, the rise of the United States and the Soviet Union as global super powers armed with nuclear weapons occurred.

What I find fascinating about the 1982 chart is Mars' position at 12 Leo. That's essentially the same degree as the coming Leo Full Moon (my next blog). Seems there's more to this story than meets the unsuspecting eye!

Background and events to the current cycle - new alliances and adversaries: In 1982, the Reagan Administration began to flex the United States' international muscle. A strong emphasis was placed on baiting and engaging the Soviet Union in answer to the Soviet Union's attempt to dominate countries throughout the Eastern Hemisphere. The term "evil empire" from the movie Star Wars, released between 1977-83, was used by the Reagan Administration to describe the Soviet Union system.

One example of engagement occurred in the remote country of Afghanistan, then occupied forcefully in 1979 by the Soviet Union. In 1982, the US Government decided to secretly fund the Taliban political group to stem Soviet aggression. In a sign of Muslim solidarity, freedom fighters throughout the Muslim world, including Osama Bin Laden, joined this struggle. The seeds of engagement had been sown. New relationships and alliances (Libra) of power (Pluto) were secretly formed (Saturn). In the ensuing 11 years, the Soviet Union collapsed in rapid fashion, the Taliban took control of Afghanistan in 1996, and Al Quida became a global force promoting terrorism in the name of the Muslim faith.

In the United States, tax legislation was enacted in the early 80's that significantly reformed the tax code. The result generated tax cuts for the wealthy (trickle-down theory), and boosted the role and influence of corporate America in the US political system. Again, new alliances, power restructuring and realignment occurred. 

1st or Waxing Square - critical tension builds

In 1993, Saturn and Pluto formed a 90 degree angle, or the first square since 1982. This dynamic continued through 1994. Saturn was in its natural sign of Aquarius; Pluto in its natural sign of Scorpio. Air (Aquarius) meets Hot Water (Scorpio) was the result - read "steam".

Background and events: In 1992, Bill Clinton was swept into office on a wave of popularity and change (sound familiar?). Yet despite the public's enthusiasm, Clinton's first year in office proved to be quite difficult and awkward. For example, health care reform was defeated in US Congress - corporate interest prevailed. Meanwhile, terrorism reared its ugly head as Al Quida operatives were linked to the 1st attack on World Trade Center. In the US, the Oklahoma Court House bombing was linked to domestic terrorism. The seeds planted in 1982 were quickly germinating. 

In the US, the 8 years leading up to the opposition focused on getting the economy back on track. On the international front containing Saddam Hussein in Iraq and contending with the growing threat of Al Quida, especially in Africa's Sudan and Asia's Indonesia and Afghanistan commanded world attention. Meanwhile, new alliances brought to power the European Union, the Asian Tiger economies and the economic emergence of China and India.

Saturn in Aquarius also led to a restructuring of the emerging computer and technology sector. In rapid fashion, significant power (Pluto) shifted to a large number of startup companies, culminating in the rapid financial rise and eventual fall of the dotComs between 1993 and 2000.

Opposition - polarity or opposite forces reach their apex

In 2001, Saturn and Pluto reached their opposition and the culmination or climax of building tension since 1982. The wave reached its crest. This opposition dynamic continued through May 2002.

Background and events: One month after the 1st of 3 oppositions, the World Trade Towers in New York City were destroyed. In part, Gemini represents the trickster or surprising energy. Saturn's movement there brought surprising challenges and upheaval to the Capricorn realm. Pluto's shadow in Sagittarius activates fundamentalism and religious extremism. Putting the two together generated a volatile mix of energy that literally shook the world consciousness. 

Since 2001, the ensuing 8 years leading up to the current 2nd or waning square have been one of adversarial interactions, including war and heightened concerns/fears about security throughout the globe. This rippling effect has had a profound impact on all aspects of social life.

2nd or Waning Square - dissolution or decay cycle

This past October 28th, Saturn moved into the sign of Libra (first time since 1980-82). By November, Saturn had reached its 1st of 3 waning squares with Pluto. The 2nd waning square occurs soon - January 31st at 4 degrees Libra (Saturn) and Capricorn (Pluto), and the final waning square occurs this August. The events of these interactions will set the tone for the next 10 years leading up to the conjunction of Saturn and Pluto and the next 33 year cycle. As underscored by the very recent Annular Eclipse in Capricorn, the alteration of structures over the next year will serve as a significant template for the emerging version of Capricorn in 2012 and beyond.

Who is Affected? Anyone with significant aspects in the cardinal signs of Aries, Cancer, Libra or Capricorn between 0 and 10 degrees are under the influence of the current trio of squares, as well as the Cardinal Climax. Best strategy is to breathe, exercise, create quiet time, and not push the proverbial river. There's some major transformation going on under the hood.

Background and events: Saturn in Libra focuses on the very nature and structure of relationships. Pluto in Capricorn desires to melt down Capricorn structures (Saturn) that no longer work. Pluto's movement into Capricorn was in January, 2008 and signaled financial upheaval throughout the world. Pluto was last in Capricorn in 1762-1777. The American Revolution was one of its gifts.

In this current waning square, there is an intense engagement of 2 very different agendas. Saturn wants to preserve and strengthen established relationships. Pluto wants no part of it. The decay of established alliances (one example is Corporations such as seen in the auto industry), legislation (Health Care) and possibly political party fragmentation or dissolution (rise of the Independent voter bloc in the US) are indicative of this cycle's effect. Note too, health care did not pass during the 1993-94 building square of this cycle. It's likely it will be watered down in its final version, or outright rejected again.

Conclusion

"Chance favors the prepared mind" Louis Pasteur

Once again, society stands at the threshold of significant change brought about by the dynamic tension of Saturn and Pluto. As shown in the above examples, this cycle augurs usually intense shifts of energy and awareness. However, as part of the Cardinal Climax, its effect becomes exponentially larger. More on this exponential effect in a future blog.

In the meantime, the focus is Libra and Capricorn. One suggestion: examine your relationships with others - intimate, work, friends, acquaintances etc. Note which ones feel easy; which ones don't. Those falling into the latter category are ripe for transformation, and perhaps even closure. The key here is to invite relationships in this evolving mythos (Libra) supportive of your life's structure (Capricorn).

On the bigger stage, be on the lookout for news headlines around the globe indicating the dissolving of old structures, rules, laws etc. in the realm of business and politics. As you notice these events, remember you are witnessing the dynamics of Saturn and Pluto at work and their dance of death and transformation.

Next Blog - Leo Full Moon: the Sleeping Lion Stirs

aloha from the tropics,


Starman, Joseph Mina


©Gemini Awakening 2010, all rights reserved

Astrology Chart Illustrations

Chart generating software - Time Cycles Research

Chart annotations - ScreenSteps