Astro-Noetics.com
July 2006
July Forecast
Jupiter, Uranus, Sun Grand Trine 1st—8th
Saturn opposite
Saturn square Jupiter All Month
Venus opposite Pluto 9th—17th
Jupiter, Uranus, Venus Grand Trine 26th—31st
July witnesses the final Grand Trines involving the planets Jupiter and Uranus. For nearly a year, Jupiter will be in trine (or 120 degree aspect) to Uranus. The pinnacle of expression for this aspect will be in the months of May through July, as the trine aspect between these two planets forms a series of Grand Trines (triangular formations involving three or more planets) with other planets. Mars, Mercury, the Sun, and Venus will are the planets completing these Grand Trines, and they act to heighten and maximize the potential inherent in the trine between Jupiter and Uranus. These inner planets act to liberate the creative novelty and expansion that is intrinsic to the Jupiter-Uranus planetary pairing. As July comes to a close, this chapter of enlivening Grand Trines ends. Thus, July represents something of a final exhibition of this highly innovative, highly ingenious planetary combination.
The optimistic, dazzling creativity of these Jupiter-Uranus configurations contends with the broader pattern of the Saturn-Neptune opposition. While the Jupiter-Uranus manifestation is beginning to wane, the Saturn-Neptune opposition, reaching close to five degrees of an exact opposition by the end of July, gains in strength. In order to identify the difference between the qualities of these alignments, it is perhaps best to personify their expression. If the Jupiter-Uranus pairing represents something of the wonder and amazement of a child as she opens up to the creative novelty of the universe, the Saturn-Neptune pairing is analogous to a mature adult, who, after tasting from the diversity of life’s various bemusements, recoils from life and is forced to ponder the imponderables in silent and deep reflection. Both expressions are necessary, and neither is intrinsically “better” than the other, but their features are nearly diametrically opposed. Arguably a good way to identify this changing pattern inside one’s self is to notice a subsiding of a creative, buzz-like optimism and a burgeoning deep, solemn, and reflective energy.
The similarity between these two configurations comes from their discontent with the staid and status quo; however, their remedies for change are quite different. Looking out upon the world, the Jupiter-Uranus configuration suggests something like, “How can I improve upon the world-as-it-is? How can I make this flat, boring world more exhilarating, more creative, more brilliant. How can I make this world, with all its restraints and conditions, freer, pleasurable, comfortable, and intellectually stimulating?” Saturn-Neptune looks upon the world-as-it-is and shares Jupiter-Uranus’ sense that the world could be better. However, rather than take a proactive, optimistic stance with the goal of improvement, Saturn-Neptune is more grief-stricken, and sees the production of novelties as but a temporary relief from the fact that the world remains in a state of perpetual divorce from transcendent, divine beauty and grace. Both archetypal need each other, for Saturn-Neptune penetrates into the core of the ills and problems of the world yet lacks a proactive, optimistic stance toward change. Jupiter-Uranus is not unlike a magical wizard, producing dazzlingly brilliant gadgetry, yet the configuration needs Saturn-Neptune’s mature vision and deep humanitarian reflection so that innovation doesn’t simply become technology for technology’s sake.
The Saturn-Neptune configuration is arguably the great Zen koan of the astrological pantheon, for it forces Saturn, the symbol of the real, tangible, and limited world of three-dimensional reality, into uneasy cohabitation with Neptune, the planet of the imagination, the infinite, and the transcendent. A forced dialogue between these archetypes makes one consider such difficult-to-answer questions like, “How did this whole show of existence come into being anyway, and why is it that the real world, with its suffering, impermanence, and imperfections, contrasts sharply with this inner sense and feeling that things should be more ideal, utopian, and beautiful?” There is no easy answer to this question—perhaps no answer—and yet such questions give rise to wonderful philosophies, sublime works of arts, religious orientations, and extraordinary acts of compassion and kindness.
Throughout the entire month, Saturn is also in difficult, hard aspect (90 degrees in this instance) to the planet Jupiter. In order to understand the implications of this particular alignment, it is perhaps best to widen our perspective considerably. From an economic point of view, the Jupiter-Saturn cycle often correlates with modes of production and phases of financial “boom and bust.” The period of 1980 through 2020 can be seen as a transitory phase between a primarily industrial economy to an informational economy. By the year 2020, the Jupiter-Saturn cycle will have entered into a long period of cycles within Air signs of the Zodiac, which are predominantly mental and conceptual. Thus, this current square between these two planets can represent something akin to growing pains between industrial and information-based economies.
Finally, in mid-month, Venus opposes Pluto. On the collective scene, this short-lived opposition can coincide with romantic scandals, the surfacing of unpleasant taboos in celebrity relationships, or art and entertainment that is often graphic, erotic, or explicit in nature. In intimate relationships, the Venus-Pluto pairing can often signal a time of deepening intimacy through bold and frank confrontation with shadow material or denied subject matter.
June Review
Arguably the most potent alignment of the previous month was
the Jupiter trine (or one-hundred and twenty degree) alignment to Uranus.
Thoroughly optimistic, future-oriented, and brightly creative, the
Jupiter-Uranus trine allows the engines of progress and the light bulbs of
creativity full expression. Instead of giving a litany of its current
correlations, it is perhaps best to focus on two news events which typify
Jupiter-Uranus phenomena. One such event is the grand opening of the flagship
Apple store in
A second manifestation of the Jupiter-Uranus influence
includes the recent meeting between Bush and
Finally,
the entire month of June observed a conjunction between Saturn and Mars. As
Saturn is the planet of restraint, diligence, and caution, it temporarily fused
with Mars, the symbol of aggression, leadership, even belligerence. June
witnessed talks and negotiations surrounding the possible
In the
Spotlight
Last month, Microsoft chairman Bill Gates announced that he will step down from his day-to-day duties from Microsoft in mid-2008 so that he may devote more time to his philanthropic and charitable endeavors. As an interesting astrological synchronicity, in mid-2008, the planet Uranus will be transiting (that is, located in the same position as) Gates’ Midheaven, at twenty-two degrees Pisces. The Midheaven of the birth chart (literally the point where the ecliptic meets the meridian line in the Southern hemisphere, at least for those born in the Northern Hemisphere) is typically reduced to the keyword of “career,” however, in its fuller manifestations, the Midheaven maybe be thought of as our highest aspirations, our maximum fulfillment of potential in this world. Where the Sun in the birth chart may represent the ego in isolation, the Midheaven is more of a crossroads between ourselves as individuals and some greater social whole.
When Uranus crosses over a significant point in the birth chart, it typically typifies change relative to the meaning of the planet, house, or other point in the birth chart that Uranus is transiting. Internally, the change that Uranus may bring can be recognized as a sense of being restless, stifled, or bored with the conventional and status quo. Thus, Uranus transiting the Midheaven for Gates may correlate with a growing impatience and agitation in his role as Chief Software Engineer of Microsoft. Externally, Uranus transits can imply chaotic, unforeseen events; not only does Uranus tend to catalyze a lot of sudden and quick changes in our lives relative to the area it is transiting, but it also typically correlates with renewed interest, excitement, and revivification relative to the point that it is transiting.
In the greater scheme of things, Uranus transits help to liberate us from old, outworn conventionalisms and attitudes—imposed by others or even or own inner voice—so that new growth can occur. In a psychological sense, Uranus transits are the motivation for what Jungians would individuation, the process of becoming a whole, unified individual and becoming a fully realized self, apart from collective definitions and societal expectations. So, the transit cycle of Uranus—one full cycle lasts approximately one lifetime—typically manifests many potentials that were unconscious at the beginning of life. The process of individuation often demands that we break free from previous bonds and definitions and breakthrough into new, undefined territory.
When transiting Uranus crossed over Gates’ Sun in early
Scorpio, Gates made the bold, risky, and unanticipated move of leaving Harvard
before graduation and stated his small company. In 1975 and 1976, the idea of
Gates becoming an entrepreneur at such an early age and in a still-fledging
industry may have seen unwise at the time, but Gates was following his own rhythms.
When transiting Uranus formed a square (or ninety degree aspect) to his natal Midheaven in the late 1980s, Microsoft was going through
forced changes, as the square aspect often indicates tensional crisis and
transformation. At this time, Microsoft moved to
Planetary
Cycles
The middle of July observes the opposition of Venus in Gemini and Pluto in Sagittarius. With this aspect, Venus, the carrier of sensuality, pleasure, sociability, and artistic tastes meets Pluto, the great seat of evolutionary power and passion. In Western cultures, with its puritanical emphasis on thrift, hard work, and moral abstemiousness, the combination of Venus—the pleasure principle—and Pluto—the passionate, chthonic, darker side of nature—is often considered taboo and licentious, yet, strangely, the archetypal influence has an extraordinary power because it is often pushed into the recesses of the social unconscious.
As Western cultures have primarily received their legacy from
Greco-Roman and Judeo-Christian influences, the sensual, dark feminine
represented by the Venus-Pluto combination is often cast in the role of social
“other.” The Olympian deities of
What can be seen as something akin to cosmic irony, the greater degree of outspoken judgment and polarization with the realms represented by Venus and Pluto, often the greater “fall from grace.” Such is the now-familiar plotline of the religious fundamentalist rocked by a scandalous, erotic imbroglio.
Individuals born with significant Venus-Pluto aspects not
only resonate with the powerful, magnetic passions as symbolized by Venus-Pluto
but must also contend with cultural inheritances as well, which can cause some
degree of ambivalence and stress in the psyche, even if the planetary
combination in the birth chart is considered harmonious or “soft.” The
following represents a far-from-complete inventory of typical expressions of
the Pluto-Venus planetary pairing: (1) There is often
a need for intense and powerful aesthetic experiences with the combination.
While some seek out art, music, and entertainments to tune out or to
temporarily escape the burdens of reality; however, often possessors of Venus
and Pluto aspects crave aesthetic experiences which promise ecstatic, almost
ritual-like intensity. Rather than seek superficial delights, individuals with
Pluto-Venus combinations feed off of or crave experiences that hyper-intensify
life. Moreover, there is often seen with this combination a preference for art,
music, and décor that deals with themes of eroticism, death, darkness,
existential intensity and drama. With this combination, the closer an aesthetic
experience comes to something like orgiastic intensity, the better. (2) There
can be intense ambivalence around platonic and romantic relationship with this
combination. On the one hand, relationships are something like the lifeblood
for individuals with this combination, and living without intense and deep
bonding for this combination is like living without water. However, this
combination can also instill some degree of hesitancy around relating, as
sometimes individuals with this combination can be deflowered—both in a sexual
sense but also in a more generalized way—quite early in life and relationships
can be seen as somewhat territorial, wounding, painful, and highly dramatic.
Often when a sense of trust or healing is established in relationship, an
individual with a Pluto-Venus combination can allow their natural propensity
for deep, soulful connection to unfurl. (3) In heterosexual men, the anima
figure tends to be darkened and more primal, as if there is an erotico-shamanic snake goddess from ancient
The following examples elucidate some of the dynamics of the Venus-Pluto combination in well-known individuals. As the Venus-Pluto constellation can manifest in a variety of expressions, the below individuals only represent a fraction of ways in which the Venus-Pluto combination can shine forth in the individual.
Bob Crane
Born with a Venus, Pluto, Sun triple conjunction, the star of the successful television series Hogan’s Heroes displayed many of the classic characteristics of a powerful Venus-Pluto combination. On the surface, Crane appeared to radiate a wholesome and charismatic “family man” image, often appearing in such safe and tame productions as The Donna Reed Show, The Dick Van Dyke Show, and Disney films. However, as Crane represented a “rated G” life on the surface, he had a notorious “rated X” life behind-the-scenes. In the late 1960s, at approximately the time that transiting Pluto formed a sextile to his natal triple conjunction, Bob Crane seemingly became discontent with his conventional marriage and developed an alternative lifestyle. At this time, Crane developed a fascination with the world of underground pornography, and wedded his interest in film production with his infatuation with initiating multiple sexual liaisons. The recent film Auto Focus explores Crane’s alleged fascination with amateur pornography; however, like many biographical films, the accuracy and themes portrayed remain in dispute. Greg Kinnear, who possesses a Venus-Pluto square aspect in his natal chart, portrayed the role of Bob Crane in the biographical motion picture.
Brian De Palma
If Pluto aspects represent something of an obsessive theme
in our lives, then certainly Brian De Palma’s film career is testament to this
assumption. Beginning with Sisters
and culminating in the present with the yet-to-be-released The Black Dahlia, the obvious leitmotif in all of De Palma’s work
is the exploration of the dark feminine. Whether it be
the presentation of the empowered, if not exploitive, femme fatale or the woman
in the clutch of overpowering terror, De Palma appears fixated on giving
onscreen expression to his Venus-Pluto alignment. Two notable motifs that
consistently appear in De Palma’s filmmaking are often classic Venus-Pluto
phenomena. One, De Palma consistently employs the usage of a split existence,
either in the individual who has a dark, hidden half, through the use of
doppelgangers that haunt his protagonists, or through an individual who is
lured into a seedy, shadowy underworld. Two, De Palma repeatedly utilizes a
vixen or black widow-type character, a woman who enmeshes innocent men into a
web of intrigue, suspense, and mystery.
In a recent interview, De Palma suggested, “I love these women who are
sexy and lure you to your doom.”
Theda Bara
Although not well-known in contemporary times, Theda Bara was one the biggest stars of the silent era of film. Born with a Venus square to Pluto, Bara appeared to portray this archetypal confluence repeatedly onscreen. Through movies such as Siren of Hell, The Vixen, and The She Devil, Bara popularized “The Vamp” character, a succubus who had the ability to entice men into the underworld. Bara’s streak of roles during World War One contrasted with the virginally pure characterizations of other silent stars, such as Lilian Gish and Mary Pickford. Bara certainly possessed an alluring charm, yet the extreme usage of kohl (a cosmetic used to ashen eyelids) and the creation of false biography by studio executives (she was said to be born in the “shadow of the Sphinx” although she was born in the more quotidian, less exotic city of Cincinnati), added to the mystery of her aura which captivated fans of the era.
Elizabeth Taylor