STARFIRE

October 2006

October 2006 - Jupiter Squares Saturn
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JUPITER SQUARES SATURN AGAIN

Jupiter’s cycle with Saturn is one of the best-known economic cycles. And since it also marked presidential assassinations from Lincoln through Kennedy, the conjunction between the two planets took on celebrity status unlike any other economic cycle. (The conjunction no longer seems to kill our presidents, although it’s unkind to them. President Reagan escaped an assassination attempt and appeared to move into the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease after the conjunction during his Presidency; Clinton’s reputation was damaged and hearings about impeachment took their toll during the most recent conjunction.)

Now we come to the first square, the testing point, in the new cycle that began in the summer of 2000, before the 2000 elections and certainly before the great shifts in our economic plans and production after 9/11. It’s been a long test, which began when Jupiter and Saturn (retrograde at the time) were 90 degrees apart in December 2005. The planets danced away from the square and met again at the Summer Solstice in June 2006, now with Jupiter retrograde. In their final pass, both planets will be direct.

The third pass of outer planets always intrigues me. One the first pass, the issues are defined. Nothing happens, or nothing but talk. By the second pass, it’s usually clear what action is required–but again, not much happens. If anything, the second pass is quieter and more internalized; we come to terms with what it takes to move forward. With the third pass, we either get back on track or adjust our goals and correct our direction.

ANCIENT ROOTS, MODERN EVENTS

Although we Americans tend to think of Jupiter-Saturn as “our” cycle, it’ not. It’s one of the oldest and most traditional business cycles, cross-cultural and international. (The cycle that most clearly predicts the United States economy–what’s actually being produced, not the stock market–is the cycle of the Nodes of the Moon, peaking when the Nodes move from Leo to Cancer and bottoming out when the Nodes move from Aquarius to Capricorn.) Jupiter represents the economic principle of supply and expansion. Saturn is demand, constriction and the bottom line dear to accountants.

In May, 2000, Jupiter and Saturn were conjunct in Taurus, a good practical financial sign, but the predominant tone of the chart was Gemini, a sign that is often entertaining and chatty, but not known for its stability. And oh, yes, the Dot Coms stock were still inflated; Gemini did rule. The United States economy wouldn’t peak (Nodes cycle) until mid- to late-summer, and stock prices were still rising. Astrologically, we could see the economy was peaking–and we still didn’t know how to evaluate the Dot Coms.

Six years later, we’re older, wiser, and know we got off the track. The scars are showing in all our pocketbooks, and let’s not even talk about the national budget. The national savings level is so low it barely registers. There are rumors where I live that only the drug dealers can afford to cruise the streets at night; the good kids can’t buy gas.

So we’re at the first square, the reality check where we dust ourselves off like cowboys getting back on a horse. And what do the planets tell us now?

IT’S A VERY FLUID SITUATION, BUT MORE STABLE

In a business or economic chart, one thing astrologers want to see is stability. We get stability from planets in Earth signs (Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn) and also from planet sin fixed signs (Taurus again, and also Leo, Scorpio, and Aquarius).

There are no planets in Earth signs in the Jupiter Squares Saturn chart, so there’s no financial stability to count on. The chart is also void of planets in Cardinal signs (Aries, Cancer, Libra, and Capricorn). A lack of Cardinal signs indicates lack of initiative–so there aren’t going to be magical answers to the world’s economic problems in the next few years, either from our government or from other international agencies.

What we do have is emotional tenacity. We have a full stellium, five planets in Scorpio, and the planets in the stellium include Jupiter and four personal planets (Sun, Mercury, Venus and Mars). Scorpio is the sign of stagnant, even polluted water; it’s a sign of transformation and rebirth, representing the sinners and the healers of a society. The sacred lotus grows in slimy water.

The key words most astrologers attribute to Scorpio are “I want”, representing greed on the lower level and the power of spiritual intention and magickal works on the higher level. With four personal planets and Jupiter in Scorpio, the chart is a clear call for personal initiative, for individual cumulative action.

Six of ten planets are in Water signs, so these will be emotionally demanding years. Important financial decisions will be made emotionally–greed and scandal, but also leaders standing out for their integrity. One of my mentors, Kaye Shinker, points out that the Baby Boomers will be less interested in possessions and toys as Saturn trines Pluto, the symbols of their generation. We have a generation of healthy, effective executives moving into retirement, and the probability that their generation will make personal initiative as important as it was during World War II.

Of course, that Scorpio stellium also represents gas and oil reserves, and Jupiter in Scorpio suggests an expanding supply, expanding access (delivery), perhaps new fields or alternative fuels that supplement oil and gas supplies. Demand may be down; international travel seems less appealing, and many families will stay home or travel within their own regions.

A POWERFUL CHANGE OF DIRECTION

This is a powerful chart.

The stellium alone would make any astrologer pay attention to a chart–especially a chart that included a powerful aspect such as Jupiter square Saturn or Saturn trine Pluto. This chart has the stellium and two major aspects. The Saturn-Neptune opposition is out of focus for the moment, but it’s in the background. Mercury will add its own emphasis by going retrograde October 28.

It is a focused chart. Nine planets occupy just 10 degrees more than one-third of the circle, technically just more than a wedge, but still much more focused than a hemisphere. All the energy of that wide wedge is focused out through the lone planet on the other side of the wheel: Saturn.

Saturn brings restrictions. Saturn in Leo make us feel less powerful, less playful, less creative–but it also makes us pay attention to strength, courage, and genuine creativity. Saturn make encourage us to save money and play games at home with our families. Saturn may cut down on shopping. With the Scorpio Stellium, we can be sure Saturn will help us focus our individual and collective energies on achieving what we intend with our whole selves.

It’s a frightening chart. There’s no foundation to support the work that needs to be done.

It’s the most hopeful chart I’ve seen for a long time. It offers five to seven years in which we as individuals can reclaim and transform our world.

It’s going to be interesting to see what we make of it.

Mary O’Gara, Ph.D.