Mask of God or Heralds of the New Age?
The significance of the present conjunction
(Preliminary note:) There are various ways in which this conjunction may
be approached and by which its meaning may be explored. You can investigate
its historical forerunners, i.e. the contexts of previous conjunctions.
You can view outstanding individuals born at that particular time as well.
On the other hand, adhering to classical astrological methods meams to
observe and combine the traditional analogies of the planets and signs
involved...
This essay will be using both approaches.
Historical forerunners (previous Uranus-Neptune constellations)
- 1953-56 (Uranus in Cancer square to Neptune in Libra):
There were uprisings in the GDR, Poland and Hungary. In general this was the period of de-Stalinisation in the former East bloc countries.
In North Africa (Egypt, Algeria, the Sudan) and in the Far East (Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam) they had wars of independence. - 1905-12 (Uranus in Capricorn in opposition to Neptune in Cancer):
Revolutions or constitutional changes in China, Portugal, Russia and
Turkey;
a series of earthquakes, mainly at the coasts of the Pacific Ocean and in Central Asia - including the famous San Francisco earthquake (in 1906) and that of Messina (1908); and the Tunguska meteorite (1908, Siberia) - 1866-72 (Uranus in Cancer square to Neptune in Aries): National unification in Italy and Germany; black Americans succeeded in obtaining their civic rights (as a result of the War of Secession).
- around 1822 (conjunction in Capricorn, as at present): They had liberation
wars in Central and South America (e.g. Brazil, Mexico and Peru gaining
independence); and there was the Monroe Doctrine.
National insurrections also took place in southern Europe, i.e. in Greece, Italy, Portugal, Serbia and Spain. - around 1650 (conjunction in Sagittarius): Subsequent to the Peace of Westphalia (the end of Thirty Years' War) there was a strengthening of the territorial states as opposed to the emperor's centralized power.
- around 1479 (conjunction in Sagittarius again): the age of the Renaissance,
of Humanism and Secularisation (i.e. turning away from the Church's
sole dominance);
the activities and influences of personalities such as Albrecht Durer, Erasmus of Rotterdam, Martin Luther, Leonardo da Vinci and Nicolaus Copernicus - around 1308 (conjunction in Scorpio): There were the first "seeds" of parliamentarism: the English House of Commons and the French General Assembly.
Due to its closeness to the present time and because it was the two planets' first linking since the great Aquarius conjunction (of all classical planets) in February 1962, the sextile of 1966-68 (Uranus in Virgo, Neptune in Scorpio) is of particular significance and interest: Those were the times of the Middle Eastern Six Day War, of the Chinese Cultural revolution and the Vietnam War. In Europe they had that political "springtime" in Prague (an attempt to liberalize orthodox Communism) and student rebellions in France and Germany, in Great Britain there were the Beatles. In the United States racial conflicts occurred, resulting in the Civic Rights movement (Martin Luther King); not to forget the anti-Vietnam and Hippy movement.
The conjunctions of Uranus and Neptune take place every 171 years - regularly twice in the same sign. So the next two conjunctions (around 2164 and 2336) will occur in the sign of Aquarius. Since the current conjunction is the first after we "discovered" Neptune, the planet's weight and influence this time is stronger, the conjunction's expected effects altogether being of much more importance than formerly.
Some personalities born during the previous conjunction
- Friedrich Engels, 11/28/1820, 21 h 45 LT, Barmen/ G
- Theodor Fontane, 12/30/1819, Neuruppin/ G
- Karl Marx, 5/5/1818, 2 h LT, Trier/ G
- Louis Pasteur, 12/27/1822, 2 h LT, Dole/ F
- Johann Strauss, 10/25/1825, 2 h LT, Vienna/ A
- Queen Victoria, 5/24/1819, 4 h 15 GMT, London
- and the City of (Greater) London, 3/15/1824, 9 h 21 GMT
Despite the selective choice, these persons may be validly seen as typical or significant representatives of their time, some of them being of outstanding importance for the era following - so to speak "bearers" of the Uranus-Neptune quality... The persons listed can be characterized as pretty far-sighted (by no means narrow-minded), as pioneers with trail-blazing discoveries and visions going far beyond the horizon of their contemporaries.
The Analogies of Uranus, Neptune and Capricorn
(Some words about the proceedings:) The method used in dealing with the planets and the sign of the conjunction is an analytical, differentiating one, trying to give more clarity and structure to the subject. Various levels and areas of the symbols' effectiveness will be investigated. Their meaning will particularly be discussed regarding individual/ psychological respects on one side, and collective or mundane matters on the other - i.e. in relation to the fourth and tenth houses or to the lower and upper quadrants. (Of course, you could also refer to other phases, e.g. the seventh, containing thinking and relationships, or the second house, i.e. existential, social and legal security. However, the fourth and tenth house have priority, they deserve our main attention, the vertical axis being the most important.) The slow moving planets are of a collective character anyway, i.e. their impact and influence are connected closely with contemporary events. And with the sign Capricorn involved the conjunction additionally is related predominantly to political and social affairs.
The structural proceedings chosen are intended mainly to exclude that widespread tendency among astrologers to jump too quickly to interpretative conclusions. But it is also helpful to present an overall view and synthesis of the subjects discussed. By way of illustrating many facettes, with the support of manifold associations the constellation's whole 'picture' will be illumined thoroughly. (By this kind of encircling a question the answer psychologically becomes more complete and 'round', its symbolic and mythological contents getting more clear and conscious.) Unfortunately, with this method it is impossible to absolutely avoid overlapping and repetition. But our way of investigation is much more compatible with the true essence of astrology than those scientific, positivist or statistical approaches to the phenomenon - astrology being some sort of non-linear ("illogical", "ana-logical" or dream-like) world view, in which "magically" all things are interwoven with each other, "everything is connected with everything else"...
URANUS
All world events taking place at the time of a planet's astronomical discovery give us hints to its meaning. Those things happening synchronically enable us to draw important conclusions as to the symbol's contents. From parallel events we can infer some quite relevant statements on the effect or nature of the planet in question. In fact, by studying history we learn a lot about the specific energies bound up with Uranus and Neptune.
At the time of Uranus' discovery (1781) for the first time a colony (i.e. the USA) was fighting for its independence from the mother country. As a result of the French Revolution and the founding of the United States the ideas of European Enlightenment achieved a political breakthrough, universal human rights receiving their first constitutional form. The familiar quotation "liberty, equality and fraternity" can be directly related to Uranus. Moreover, many new technical innovations and pioneering discoveries furthering the Industrial Revolution (like steampowered engines, spinning machines and mechanical weaving looms) followed.
The abstract meaning of Uranus (as it is also traditionally derived from Aquarius and the eleventh house) may be described as "that which is unexpected", "extraordinary" or "sudden". Uranus symbolizes a break from the old, the shaking up of seemingly solid and established matters. It is "thunder and lightning", a release of tension, an explosion. Uranus may lead you "going off the rails", it interrupts continuity and developments, removing every one-sidedness and centredness, liberating from deadlocked, fixed or dependent states. The archetype of Uranus stands for the principles of change, uncertainty and questioning.
Individually-psychologically Uranus is driving you towards
independence, freedom from restraint or from being possessed. The wish
for self-determination might generate allergic reactions against being
pressurized or patronized, even rebellion against authority. Uranus instinctively
causes opposition to every kind of persistence or to stick-in-the-mud.
There is something very individual and special about those persons with
a stressed Uranus: you can't press them into stereotypes! They are constantly
surprising, so to say, their adventurousness being ready to take any risk.
Typical negative traits are nervousness, restlessness, changeability,
lack of self-confidence, erratic and hectic behaviour. They are prone
to irritability, particularly psychological-emotional disorders ("propellers
in the stomach" being a possible symptom). Not unusual is a tendency
towards agitation, over-excitement and tension. It seems that emotions
and feelings have to be held at a certain distance. In fact, Uranus causes
you to flee from any social or emotional ties. Especially in transit it
has the effect of instability, i.e. putting things out of gear, shifting
the regular course of events, "waking you up" pretty harshly.
Uranus' impact may be experienced as a shock or a threat to survival,
accompanied by an emotional reaction of total appalledness. However, it
helps you out of dead ends...
Finally, on the mental (knowing) level Uranus symbolizes new ideas and
possibilities, associations, inspirations and intuitions, irony, flashes
of cosmical (comical) wit. It means an exalted plane, a bird's eye view
of worldly things.
Politically-mundanely Uranus stands for some restructuring
of society, for reforms, renewal and progress; it`s the future, the modern
and the unconventional. Metaphysically it is re flected in social utopias,
ideas of the people's sovereignity. It means freedom, emancipation, humanism,
in other words democratization. Uranus symbolizes standing up against
oppression ("tyrants"), it is anti-authoritarianism, opposition
to authorities like state or church. Socially, Uranus is represented by
the youth, by your friends and allies, all the like-minded - inviting
you to form cliques or interest groups (e.g. trade unions). We may also
see it in internationalism and cosmopolitanism.
Meteorologically or climatically, Uranus can be observed in thunder, lightning
and in winds (especially heavy ones, i.e. storms, tornados).
Last but not least it is reigning over present-day media and communication
systems (telephone, radio, satellite); it is responsible for electricity
and computers.
NEPTUNE
At the time of Neptune's discovery (1846) nationalism and the 'bourgeoisie'
(a new social class) were awakening. In Europe
this produced a break up of the Continent (cf. the new nations of the
Balkans) and some (partly new) attempts of democracy, particularly in
France and Germany (1848). The Nineteenth Century can validly be called
the century of "isms": of Darwinism, Marxism (Communist Manifesto
being published in 1848), of anarchism, anti-semitism, capitalism, atheism
- and spiritualism (also starting in 1848).
Contrasting the latter, in those days the physical and natural sciences
(medicine, chemistry, etc.) began their triumphal march. Industrialisation
caused a flight from the country to the towns - which meant urbanisation
and serious social problems, the uneducated masses forming the disadvantaged
'proletariat'. Hunger, poverty, diseases and population increase gave
rise to "waves" of emigration (mainly going overseas, "pouring"
into the United States).
Economically, liberalism was prevailing, the free trade establishing a
world market, (interestingly) laying particular emphasis on the oceans
and the fleets - and spear-headed by the island nation of Great Britain.
Abstractly, the principle of Neptune (of Pisces, the twelfth house, the last phase of astrology's development cycle) symbolizes dissolution - dissolution of what has come into existence at the "entrance gate" of the Ascendant, what has been filled with life by the Sun (and so on). Neptune represents the ultimate reality, the limitless realm of all potentials and possibilities - where all those archetypes are gathered and "slumbering" in formless latency, "breeding the germs" of new forms of life and existence... Neptune symbolizes the otherworldly and transcendent, the invisible, "meta-"physical or nonmanifest, that which to us is inexplicable, incomprehensible, mysterious and incalculable (nirvana!). It operates subtly and secretely ("by chance"), i.e. in a seemingly chaotic or archaic way.
On the psychological plane Neptune is quite dazzling, ambiguous,
i.e. difficult to understand or grasp. In fact, Neptune may be everything,
but it is definitely irrational: this includes dreams, hopes and longings,
fantasies and wishes (that may never be fulfilled), distortions like falling
in love, being in trance, ecstasy, in a magical world of wonders. Neptune
encompasses vagueness, unclarity about yourself, an ill-defined identity,
(potentially) the alienation from your own being. Its unreal character
often leads to desillusionment, to harsh and bitter disappointments, painfully
denying things to yourself. Neptune represents the (collective) unconsciousness,
all that is suppressed - every once in a while our consciousness being
flooded with those unintegrated, undigested contents. It can produce a
paralysis of your will or ability to act. At any rate there is some weakness,
confusion of the mind and lack of orientation. It causes a loss of certainty
(mentally or physically): nothing seems to function properly any more.
Sometimes this is coupled with intoxication, narcotisation or addiction.
With Neptune you may slide into a crisis or an illness, into a hole of
emptiness. Especially at the times of a transit that feeling of "yawning
chasms" is not unusual - Neptune by no means being as gentle as often
described in the literature! On the contrary, it may give rise to great
fear and dread (due to a disregard of fate's warnings)...
Socially, Neptune (or the twelfth house) brings so-called "maladaptation",
isolation and loneliness, feeling strange, awkward, not being understood.
There may be some kind of alienation with corresponding complexes of inferiority,
shame or guilt (basically due to being different from others). All this
may cause phases of withdrawal, avoiding any "danger" of being
grasped, trying to hide oneself, being inconspicuous and lacking in contures,
preferring to operate out of the stillness or invisible background ("dark").
'Neptune people' may easily be reigned by pity or compassion. They have
tender feelings, really great sensitivity (accompanied by vulnerability);
very typical is that gift of empathy. They even tend to receive presentiments
and visions, possessing some kind of antennae for the transcendental and
mystical (i.e. for channeling, mediumship). They have a talent for going
beyond boundaries, the expansion of consciousness, for the spiritual realm
(all that is holy), for silent prayer, yoga and meditation. So-called
peak-experiences, states of rapture, bliss or ecstasy are not unusual.
With Neptune it is important not to hold on too much to external objects,
being able to offer supposed security, to letting go of your need to control,
i.e. to allow things to happen, wholeheartedly to agree and to trust -
mainly in super- natural powers like God, destiny...
Mundanely, Neptune traditionally is linked to the health system,
to illnesses (especially to cancer, cf. Doebereiner). It is assigned to
hospitals, sanatoriums, to social care and welfare, to humanitarianism
in general. House twelve encompasses the marginal groups, the poor and
needy, the outcasts and misfits (society's "enemies"). It signifies
poverty stricken areas, social crises, desolation and destitution, hunger,
nuisance, altogether so-called Third World.
Generally ascribed to Neptune are "atmospheric conditions" such
as influential social currents and opinions. Neptune is all those collective
phenomena and mass movements like fundamentalism, socialism, also populism
(the politician's promise of "prosperity for all") - and the
danger of collectivization, that is cutting off individual differences.
Neptune is the mass media and communications, being overflooded by the
rays of the artificial, glittering TV world, etc. And it's that stereotyping,
ever expanding consume - reaching us via automation and chemical or plastic
products. As a result of the latter, it also symbolizes the pollution
of the environment. But at the same time we notice Neptune's effects in
growing ecological (holistic, even spiritual) consciousness - of the fact
that 'everything is connected with everything else'.
Climatically it may be observed in the shape of floods.
URANUS-NEPTUNE
Abstractly, these two planets represent a combination of the astrological cycle's last two phases. They embody transpersonal, non-subjective truths, so to speak the highest, non-material reality, our "share of the heavens" (as Doebereiner has put it). On the material and psychological level Uranus-Neptune may bring forth a "shock of suppressed truth", i.e. quite a portion of confusion and turbulence. We may imagine this planetary combination as the "waves of the subconscious being whipped up by some heavy storm". The constellation can be pictured as both centrifugal and centripetal, kind of a "fateful whisk" stirring or whirling up all that exists - thus forcing us to find a new level (within), a new centre of consciousness.
Individually-psychologically Uranus-Neptune means, especially
at the times of a transit, that we are losing our reference points to
the external world. Every firm grip is vanishing, the ego is afraid of
being overwhelmed or even destroyed. The individual soul fears the unknown
and threatening; you may be caught in a state of panic and despair, reacting
with fright, bewilderment and helplessness. Typical is that "merry-go-round
effect": the faster this thing is turning (in the shape of outside
events), the more urgent the necessity becomes to return to your true
inner centre! With Uranus-Neptune you are thrown back on yourself, on
your inherent power and strength. All those illnesses which occur, those
breakdowns, that acting out and destructivity actually are only on the
surface [according to Humanistic Psychology they are reactions to your
inner nature's previous suppression]. - Quite on the contrary, survival
crises and radical change of events are setting free an enormous amount
of productive energies. A new creativity is enabling us to handle exactly
those incoming subconscious energies and to master the chaotic external
situation. Basically, Uranus-Neptune has to do with inner growth, the
transformation of the self, overcoming the ego - thus approaching your
true identity, your essential, inner-most being (which is identical with
your fate and destiny).
Concerning these characteristics of Uranus-Neptune, it would be helpful
to be fundamentally open towards change, to have some kind of inner 'stable
flexibility' at your disposal (even though this sounds paradoxical). On
this condition you can accept and "channel" those threatening
impulses, those frightening, "evil", etc. contents of the subconscious!
It is with Uranus-Neptune that new - and at first crude, uncut, raw -
aspects of your hidden personality show up; the final goal of such processes
being your psychological expansion and development, i.e. your soul's differentiation,
refinement and reintegration.
Mundanely, Uranus-Neptune generally symbolizes precipitous,
flood-like, sweeping events going beyond the previously conceived or imagined.
Meteorologically, we expect bad weathers, even catastrophes like landslides
or earthquakes. Uranus and Neptune are turning things upside down (which
often have been built up so carefully), bringing about a radical change
in circumstances, turning them inside out. However, with Neptune usually
the cause of such revolutionary events remains blurred, veiled and unclear!
Social and political upheavals do occur, an individualisation of ethnic
groups taking place. We notice a drive of underprivileged parts of society
towards self-determination, towards some share in the distribution of
power. The social processes may even result in mass movements or huge
streams of refugees blasting national borders. Regarding domestic politics
we watch social restlessness and revolts, i.e. social revolutionary tendencies.
The trade unions are strengthened; it is a time of associating, forming
collective communities of interests. There is more uniting, co-operating,
a re-awakening of solidarity. Culturally, socially and politically a new
spirit makes its appearance, a new generation or former minority (embodying
zeitgeist) becoming dominant. Looking at the chart of Weimar Republic,
we see Aquarius and Pisces (corresponding to Uranus and Neptune) located
in the first house. In the beginning of that historical 'Uranus-Neptune
process' we find a splitting up, i.e. polarisation of German society into
Right and Left - and serious confrontations, accordingly. However, after
some time a unifying collective movement (neutrally formulated) arose:
the so-called National Socialists, trying to integrate both Nationalism
and Socialism... This example doesn't mean that every type of newly realized
Uranian-Neptunian unity needs another dictator. Quite on the contrary,
if a process of Uranus-Neptune does not fail, it will be characterized
by respect and tolerance for opponents and dissenters - in order really
to do justice to society's increased complexity, to handle those various
social realities in a constructive way. In fact, Uranus-Neptune essentially
revitalizes humanity's most ancient but fundamental ideals. This combination
of planets basically reactivates our highest, most important and holy
principles and values!
In meterological respect Uranus-Neptune is signifying some bad weather
catastrophes, also landslides; geologically there should be a higher frequency
of earthquakes.
Spiritually each Uranus-Neptune conjunction marked a further
step in mankind's development of consciousness. Each may be seen as a
new stage in spiritual growth, particularly in realizing that God is to
be found ("incarnated") both within ourselves and in nature.
The current cycle of 24 (or 23) conjunctions began around 575 BC - a time
which was quite a significant and decisive period, kind of a turning point
in history (called "axis time" by the philosopher Jaspers).
It was the era of the Buddha, Laotse and the Upanishads. Those spiritual
"highlights" scattered "seeds", so to say, which are
(hopefully) bearing fruit in our day.
Each conjunction can be described as some heightening or acceleration
of human consciousness's vibration rate, giving rise to a spiritual revolution
that fundamentally is shaking (throwing overboard) the previous epoch's
dominant value systems and views. As a result of this a new understanding
of the world evolves, and a new concept of God, too, i.e. some new and
intensified spirituality. It should be noted that - in analogy to the
image of dancing Shiva, treading on human bodies - the holy, numinous
or divine not only contains pretty or pleasant aspects! However, in terms
of the ultimate reality, it is just our limited (and timid) perception
explaining events as terrible, horrible, demonic, diabolical, etc. (Cf.
the Bhagavad Gita as Arjuna is unable to bear the sight of Krishna in
his total reality, i.e. beholding God without outer form or disguise,
without those helpful and shielding veils of Maya...)
CAPRICORN (or Saturn, the MC)
can abstractly be defined as structure, form, framework or that which is forming and restricting. The tenth phase represents objective laws and general rules. By this cosmical principle every excessive growth is cut down to size, all maldevelopments are being corrected - which is hurting particularly those subjective and vital elements of fourth and fifth phase (i.e. Cancer-Moon and Leo-Sun). In house ten we localize the important and meaningful, moreover, the individual's task and destiny (dharma!). Standing at the gate of ultimate reality (i.e. fourth quadrant), "gatekeeper" Capricorn lets only the genuine and valid pass through - timeless truth being its guideline or standard of measurement. Saturn symbolizes the order or co-ordination of time and space. Its essence is to be found at the junction ("crossing") of time's quantitative and qualitative aspects.
Psychologically Capricorn means acquired habits, it is the Freudian
instance of control and censorship - but some kind of higher consciousness
and awareness as well, i.e. our inner voice and authority. It represents
a tendency of discipline or suppression, mainly to regulate (unwanted)
sudden impulses (our feelings, needs and weaknesses). The danger of phase
ten is to be separated from your inner wishes, in severely educating ("punishing")
yourself and thus becoming emotionally harsh and stiff, consequently generating
barriers, inhibitions and complexes within your soul. With Saturn restrictions,
hardening and denying tendencies may seem to be necessary. Tensions, stress,
burdens and privation may make life hard to bear, leading to oppressive
narrowness and fear. In fact, all those demands upon you, those assumed
duties, particularly those achievements aspired to really take their time.
They require endurance, perseverance and patience, which means to proceed
slowly ("step by step"). With Capricorn and Saturn crucial tests
(of long duration and great difficulty) require quite an amount of work
and effort. However, such abilities usually are at the disposal of a true
Capricorn...
How to deal constructively with that old "malefactor" Saturn?
Especially external problems, resistances, hurdles and obstacles should
be taken very seriously. You should understand them as some kind of "stop
signs", as signposts to the correct way! Saturn demands concentrating
on that which is really essential, urging you to clarity and a definite
standpoint. Moreover, honestly to become aware of your psychological "shadow"
(the personality's dark side) is the prerequisite and foundation of personal
maturity - enabling you to take full responsibility for yourself, to be
obliged to and to rely on yourself, finding your "backbone's"
stability.
Mundanely phase ten symbolizes politics in general, it is the state, law and order - and their keepers: the police and civil servants. Capricorn is embodied in the lawmakers (legislative), i.e. Congress; in a certain sense it`s the government directing the state, the President as setting the guidelines of politics. Saturn and Capricorn particularly stand for the traditions handed down. In phase ten we find the moral codex (mandatory rules and prohibitions), social norms and conventions, manners and customs.
URANUS in CAPRICORN (or in tenth house, Uranus-Saturn)
on the abstract level is a barrier breaker, some fragile, ever changing form. Figuratively, this constellation may be translated as "crumbling or toppling aged walls". It is some kind of a "whistle in the ears" or "deafening crash" (the ears being under Saturn in astromedicine). Generally, here the new rubs against the old, the progressive and revolutionary stands against the conservative and preserving, freedom is colliding with necessity. With Uranus-Saturn stability, security and order are under attack; there is a lot of tension, "pulling and grinding"...
Psychologically, Uranus in Capricorn means a questioning of
patterns of thought or action. Especially in transit the combination Uranus-Saturn
indicates necessary changes of your life's framework - i.e. regarding
your vocation, existential basis and relationships. It may mean quite
an incisive turn, a call for re-orientation and readjustment. The constellation's
aim is you to discover and develop new (i.e. your individual!) standards
or guidelines. According to Doebereiner in a birth chart this constellation
signifies the existence of incompatible elements within your soul. It
indicates some fundamental ontradiction of form and content, of the inner
and the outer. These strong dissonances either lead to a semblance of
harmony, portraying the problems given in glossy and aesthetic colours,
which actually means being stuck or fixed in the false and inconsistent...
Or Uranus-Saturn generates some definite separation (divorce!) from your
previous surroundings, thus enabling your true and original life's power
to emerge again. In a certain sense this constellation is demanding the
seemingly impossible: to attempt an integration or synthesis of extremely
different parts of your personality.
Politically-socially Uranus in Capricorn announces some tense, explosive, "crackling" situation. It means unrest, up-heaval and renewal. In a more narrow sense it is accidents, breaking the law, bomb threats and (attempted) assassinations. With this constellation we expect a shake up of the state's structures - both domestically and internationally. However, (in a compensatory movement) at the same time there will be cramped and pacifying graspings at antiquated maxims and strategies - which in the meantime are hollow, i.e. lost their meaning.
NEPTUNE in CAPRICORN (or in house ten, Neptune-Saturn)
abstractly can be defined as some (Neptunian) "dissolving
of (Saturnian) borders". With Saturn being the stronger participant,
it may also mean an excluding of the transcendent, i.e. "building
dams" against the mystic and occult. We can view Neptune's stay in
Capricorn as another attempt of those fantastic and heavenly realms to
incarnate into material, worldly form. Yet, in most cases, the result
is some kind of "island-building"...
Usually Saturn's "vessel" cannot contain the fullness of Neptune.
So this combination of astrological symbols generally means a gradual
softening of longstanding traditions and structures - just like the river
is smoothening (and overcoming, in the long run) the rocks, slowly but
steadily. Such processes result in blurred, wishy-washy contures (i.e.
all differences becoming indistinct); disintegration and decay also being
possible. (At its best Saturn-Neptune would be the ability to discern
that maybe chaotic outer appearance and true inner essence.)
Psychologically Neptune in Capricorn indicates the danger of
losing control and security - your "car's lever slipping out of gear",
so to speak. Especially in transit that solid ground under your feet might
vanish, conscious behavior or volitional acts becoming impossible. With
Saturn-Neptune the attempt to master the subconscious does not promise
success; at least this proves to be quite a laborious task - like building
a house on a marshy site. More probable is psychological inflation, i.e.
being swamped by the unconscious, or a syndrome of misjudging reality,
combined with carelessness in everyday life. Regarding this constellation,
Doebereiner tells us about some "necessity to separate the worlds":
we are forced to distinguish ordinary reality from the world beyond. The
worst problem is that some kind of a social "island" might seem
necessary to us (to live our dreams)...
Typical of Saturn-Neptune is that lack of clarity and standards (regarding
right or wrong), as well as inconsistency, instability and missing discipline
(being unable to finish what you have begun). The process of your self's
separation from others proves pretty difficult; a tendency is prevailing
to see others' problems as one's own. Usually this is accompanied by a
bad conscience, feeling responsible for others and having to help when
someone else is in bad shape.
At the same time with Saturn-Neptune you try to avoid outside pressure
whenever possible. There is a pushing aside of society's restricting norms.
You are attracted towards the socially ostracized, thus problems with
honesty or public morality arise... The belief that your true needs only
can be fulfilled in deviating from the norm or at disreputed places naturally
leads to some kind of social hostility! (Needless to say, symptomatic
of Saturn-Neptune is some personal or subjective fear to fail; you are
afraid of not being able to line up to society's expectations. )
Secretely those unfulfilled longings cause a great deal of suffering (pains
in withdrawing projections, respectively). However, keeping those dreams
and ideals in your heart is quite important: you should not give them
up or suppress them. (This does not necessarily mean some drifting away
or being lost in an unreal, illusionary, alienating fantasy world!)
Consciously trying to face those (easily overflowing) fears, as far as
possible, is another task. You should not allow those complexes, hardening
or withdrawal tendencies to dominate your inner state. The unconscious
has to be held onto as well as be let go of, quite according to its nature,
so to say. You should listen carefully to its messages, so in the long
run become aware of and (devotionally) build upon the spiritual and transcendental
realms concealed therein. Saturn-Neptune wants you to practice spirituality
in everyday and ordinary life; the constellation's aim being some kind
of meditational openness for inspiration and revelation.
Socially Neptune in Capricorn means political confusion and crises, some danger of chaos, anarchy, lawlessness, the decay of law and order. It stands for some disintegration of the old structural order, sweeping away barriers by social mass movements (cf. the Fall of the Berlin Wall, 11/9/1989, 18h57m CET). Saturn-Neptune symbolizes a general (creeping) decline and loss of morality, i.e. corruption, scandals, intrigues and demagogy, people being fed up with those "dirty politics". The rate of criminality is rising, the Mafia ("state's enemy") becoming more powerful. We also notice an increase in unemployment, in working without paying state taxes, in drug problems and epidemies (like aids). Saturn-Neptune generally means all social outsiders, eccentrics. It is symbolical of other forms of living, i.e. alternative scenes and subcultures (having withdrawn into existing niches). The constellation corresponds to all those who are not participating in social welfare, and it is linked to the charities and social institutions supporting the disadvantaged. Another effect of the constellation is the exclusion and expelling of foreigners as undesirables... Superficially, Saturn-Neptune requires more socially-oriented governments and politics. On a deeper level, however, this combination of astrological symbols is about recognizing mankind's highest values and true ideals - that is, not to give up our fundamental hopes, moreover, to attempt some integration of social utopias into political reality. (Note: at the time of Martin Luther King's "dream" Saturn was in Pisces.)
URANUS-NEPTUNE in CAPRICORN
Abstractly, this constellation unites all symbols or phases of (mundane) fourth quadrant (called "causa finalis" by the German astrologer Doebereiner). In quadrant four we find a chart's owner's ultimate (final) goal, his life's direction and true significance. Here we recognize a person's or process's mission or destiny, all which is going beyond the individual or subjective. Here those cosmic, transpersonal energies can be seen at work that we are unable to manipulate - quite on the contrary, they determine us! The fourth quadrant contains three different types of fate, so to say; its corresponding planets acting as "fate's regulators" upon the phases and planets of the other quadrants. Those essentially spiritual planets Neptune, Uranus and Saturn come into effect when our body, soul or mind does not develop according to (our higher self's) plan, when we are no longer in harmony with (our inner) cosmic law... Basically, the combination of Uranus, Neptune and Capricorn announces and requires some fundamental change of direction - in all areas of life.
Psychologically, this constellation stands for the self (in
the sense of Jung or Maslow), i.e. the personality's hidden centre. The
fourth quadrant deals with individuation; it aims at some broadening of
our consciousness, integrating new or previously unconscious parts of
the inner world - thus attaining a more profound self-consciousness. To
the individual the last three astrological phases or cosmic principles
may appear quite dangerous. They are threatening, questioning and shattering
your material, emotional and social stability, which means your "old
boat" of "I" consciousness "pitching and tossing",
finally being forced to diverge from the course designed. Externally,
this could mean some people cracking up (psychosis, hysteria)... However,
from the fourth quadrant's (the self's or heaven's) point of view all
those dramatic processes and awful things taking place are only superficially
destructive. It is a psychodynamic law that all first-time manifestations
of new dimensions of the subconscious behave rather violently and aggressively
- but their true essence is neither bad nor negative! Maturity or adulthood
entails the separation from that which we are used to, i.e. leaving behind
old (outworn) patterns and complexes. At a certain point in the process
of growing up it becomes necessary to destroy some of our basic projections
and ego structures, to untie and free ourselves from those outdated concepts
of self.
The effect of Uranus and Neptune in Capricorn may be compared to a shamanic
healing or initiation process. For your ego, your emotions and thought
mechanisms this means to become reoriented towards transcendental aims,
to be directed towards new ideals and standards of existence - truthfulness
and honesty being decisive qualities to develop. As Kalweit (in Grof)
says, "from time immemorial there is no change without resistance.
Instinctively we strive against any alteration of our physical or psychic
conditions. Rejecting the new and unknown is an all too human theme. But
to be is to change..." - this exactly is the message of Uranus-Neptune
in Capricorn! The world is getting more complicated. Each individual`s
lesson is not to cling to antiquated perceptions, structures and formulas
any more - but to let them go and open our heart for new experiences and
experiments, metaphysically and physically to set up new, multi-dimensional
buildings, "temples" ready to incarnate the living spirit...
Mundanely this constellation indicates serious social and political
problems. There could be an economic breakdown (stock market crash, inflation),
social insurance and taxation system being overstrained. There might be
earthquakes, nature's elements (e.g. winds and waters) being out of control.
All this may provoke some necessity of crisis management, as the old recipes
and solutions are failing... The whole world seems to turn topsy-turvy;
we notice "storms" and "floods" also figuratively,
on the political and social plane - with some threat of the "weirs
breaking". The majority of people is feeling dissatisfied with the
conditions existing (whereas most of them were happy only a couple years
ago). Caused by a growth of the individuals' self-consciousness people
become recalcitrant; there are protests and turmoil, strikes paralysing
public life. The law is not obeyed any more, people just do what they
want, they seem to turn crazy: like in a chaotic civil war everyone might
fight everyone else (look at former Yugoslavia). Both on a large and on
a small scale the component parts progressively split apart from the whole,
wishing to be independent - quite analogous with the disease process of
cancer. With Uranus-Neptune in Capricorn previously suppressed classes
or social groups are becoming more self-conscious. The former unity and
harmony, that which bound society together, those former feelings of solidarity
and community seem to get dissolved or lost - the result being some sort
of separatism, i.e. to leave the existing social and political union (which
step by step is divided into lots). Traditional ruling structures and
power blocks are brought down; by way of revolutionary movements the outdated
social privileges (of the 'bourgeoisie') disappear...
In science Uranus-Neptune in Capricorn fosters a more holistic and increased
ecological orientation, also reintegrating arts and belief into scientific
activities. Last but not least the constellation corresponds to nuclear
fission and fusion. It is linked to the deepest and innate nature of physical
matter and material universe. We all know very well this energy to be
the strongest and potentially most dangerous (i.e. radiating, contaminating)...
However, those cosmic energies radiating out to us basically are connected
with more social and humane structures (in almost every area). Above all
the constellation is about fundamentally new cultural impulses. In the
face of that current growth of anonymity, personal isolation and the threatening
loss of individuality (by way of automation and technical progress) Uranus-Neptune
in Capricorn ultimately urges us to develop our own personality - and
to meet others on a personal level, too, i.e. really to care about them!
(Arriving at the basis of our individuality, i.e. our inner nature or
true self, social feelings, compassion, etc. emerge quite naturally -
as Maslow showed.)
In the economic sphere it will also turn out necessary to achieve some
renewed sense of community, this at the same time being coupled with creative
individuality... Economic associations should arise that are based both
on common interest and personal inclination (ruling out those involuntary
collective, so-called socialist institutions). As Steiner outlined in
his socioeconomic writings, there is need for some special facilities
to regulate economy, but the point is them to be sufficiently flexible,
i.e. really to be able to change in accordance with current conditions
and necessities. In no way should today's rigid institutions and organizations
survive - which actually tie, "enslave" free trade, suffocating
creative spontaneity and true economic life. Essentially, Uranus-Neptune
in Capricorn wants mankind to find again its lost spiritual unity - which
is nonetheless common to each and everyone of us! This means a social
unity that is no longer just an instinctive one (reigned by "blood`s
ties" and alike) but one on a higher, more conscious and universal
plane.
On the level of states and nations we are urged to go beyond a purely
bureaucratic union of Europe, for example, or no longer to feel the United
Nations to be just another (hollow) organisational frame. This century's
most important constellation encourages some kind of joyous but respectful
cooperation of groups and nations - taking into account each member's
individual characteristics and rights. Uranus-Neptune in Capricorn tells
us that in future only decentralized political arrangements will be possible
or practicable (i.e. "thinking globally, acting locally"). There
will be loose associations rather than centralized structures or states.
Concerning the EU we will have an explicitly regional Europe. Generally,
groups and especially networks will arise, their communications and interrelations
being based on mutually respecting the others' independence. The many
individuals' progressive development or expanding consciousness will bring
forth an increased complexity, differentiation and variety of society
and the peoples - who are becoming multicultural and international. With
this growing multiplicity social consensus plays an ever new and important
role. With so many splinter groups (both nationally and internationally)
we need some new political and social concept to combine unity with diversity.
We particularly have to establish decision-making structures that do not
let minority votes fall under the table: pioneering examples are the "Round
Tables" in changing Eastern Europe just a few years ago, where every
societal group was represented and a reborn "spirit of unity"
considered each of them...
Uranus-Neptune in Capricorn ultimately wants us to create some kind of
grassroots structures, a more direct and democratic system in the true
sense of the word. Actually, traditional system does not make much sense,
a system which - by means of a few percentage points more or less or the
many non-voters - enables one political party to stay in power for years,
without any continuous contact to the people they are supposed to serve!
In spiritual respect this constellation expects us to leave
behind naked materialism or pure rationalism (i.e. one without a soul
or spirit). Our culture has to proceed to some new mystical or holistic
philosophy, that type of understanding of "everything being connected
with everything else". With Uranus-Neptune in Capricorn a new sense
of sharing is about to rise, a new spirit of brotherhood and love. In
theosophical terms this could mean the manifestation of the Cosmical Christ
or - as the Gospel keeps on saying - Christianity's consummation by way
of sending ("pouring out") the Holy Ghost. The transcendental
or heavenly realms (of fourth quadrant) wish to take form in this material
world - maybe disguised as social utopia. The "Light" or Logos
wants to be conceived in Mother Earth's (Gaia`s) "womb". This
century's most striking conjunction may be heralding the New Age, that
flowing of some higher, "divine" consciousness into the various
areas of earthly existence (i.e. into ordinary work, science, technology,
economy, communications, culture and politics). Naturally, the transitional
period of such a basic change never takes place without strong frictions,
enormous problems ("birth pains"). Likewise the messages from
Findhorn tell us that the "old world" must pass before the new
really can emerge. One of the main concerns of Uranus-Neptune is us to
leave behind the traditional view of God, e.g. no longer to be attached
to those sentimental, childish, simplifying (and false) concepts of the
"good God" or "sweet baby Jesus". Of course for the
first, second and third quadrant (i.e. our body/ ego, soul/ emotions and
mind) it is nearly impossible to grasp the fullness of Uranus, Neptune
and Capricorn. But in the long run those archetypes of the last quadrant
(the "gods") will not allow us to misinterpret or misunderstand
them. Our greatest difficulty is that on the surface their power and glory
often seem so horrible, demonic or catastrophic...
With Uranus-Neptune in Capricorn we are confronted with some heavy cataclysms
- first of all in social and political respects. However, those events
are kind of a "grimacing mask" of the gods, i.e. the phenomena
experienced are mainly outward appearances (maya), they do not hit the
core of the processes going on. In fact, those frightening catastrophes
fall into the background when we know the true aim and intention (finality)
behind the incidents. Individually, Uranus-Neptune helps to overcome that
intricate distance to God and our destiny, achieving a more direct relationship
with the divine - the term "enlightenment" not being inappropriate
for such a state of consciousness! In future there will be no need for
representatives of God in the sense of a hierarchical church any more.
One of the constellation's main aims and perspectives is to guide us to
the "kingdom within", to comprehend God as living and existing
in everything and everybody (in the form of the higher self). Uranus-Neptune
in Capricorn wants every single person to be some kind of a mediator,
becoming literally "personic", permeable and open to those higher
vibrations of quadrant four. Such a consciousness consequently leads to
a spiritualisation of everyday life, i.e. conceiving daily work as a sacred
ritual or divine service. Uranus and Neptune are promoting spiritual attunement
and communication even with other planes of creation (e.g. nature spirits,
UFOs, angels). However, with Capricorn we won`t fall another prey to glamorous
illusions.
And it will be impossible for us to use the newly conferred energies and
abilities egoistically or manipulatively, i.e. for the purpose of the
other quadrants (in the sense of black magic) - the old concepts of power
and dominance having lost their pull! In terms of the Vedanta the astrological
cycle's last three phases may be called the three characteristics or components
of the absolute or divine, namely sat, chit and ananda.
Sat or being corresponds to Capricorn, chit or consciousness is related
to Uranus, ananda or the state of mystical bliss occurs in house twelve
or aided by Neptune. From this spiritual point of view the ideal way of
dealing with the three phases' combination would be some kind of "knowing
delight regarding the facts or conditions existing", i.e. to accept
and understand all those ongoing processes as necessary and essentially
positive... Parallels of Capricorn, Uranus and Neptune may also be drawn
to the Hindu trinity of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva or to the Christian trinity
of Father, Son and Holy Ghost.
Outlook
Basically the conjunction discussed is effective from 1991 to 1995.
Crucial developments, especially from the collective point of view, are
taking place every year in the months of April/ May and September/ October
- when Uranus and Neptune are stationary.
As an individual you are particularly affected if in your birth chart
a planet or axis is located between 14 and 25 degrees of a cardinal sign.
At the same time (since 1991) Saturn is moving through Aquarius, which
is equivalent to the constellation Saturn-Uranus - thus reinforcing Uranus'
stay in Capricorn. From 1994 Saturn moves through Pisces: this situation
reflects Saturn- Neptune, i.e. supporting Neptune in Capricorn. As in
both signs Saturn's position is relatively weak (especially in Pisces),
it will no longer be possible for us to cover up all those tensions existing
(both on a large and on a small scale)... We will not be able to hold
back problems as in the days of the Saturn-Uranus conjunction in Capricorn
(anno 1988). In 1996 Uranus moves into Aquarius, i.e. its own sign or
ter ritory, where it is supposed to express itself more clearly - with
all its "revolutionary" features... In 1998 Neptune is going
to join Uranus, this situation (Neptune's stay in Aquarius) again being
analogous with Uranus-Neptune! The same is true of Uranus' sojourn in
the (Neptunian) sign of Pisces from 2004. From 2012 ruler Neptune itself
moves through its territory - and we may expect quite an amount of "Neptunian
contents" being "floated" to the coastline of our consciousness...
So the constellation Uranus-Neptune will be with us for a couple years.
Far into 21st century the astrological circle's final phases are emphasized
- and activated. This means we'll have to live with some more fateful
crises. However, it also means those challenges to broaden and change
our consciousness, those chances of individual and collective growth to
continue!
References
Doebereiner, Wolfgang, Patterns of Experience in the Astrological Diagnosis
and Homoeopathic Treatment of Illnesses,
Munich 1983 (in English)
Grof, Stanislav and Christina (eds.), Spiritual Emergency, Los Angeles
1989
Jung, Carl G., The Collected Works, London 1953 ff.
Maslow, Abraham, Toward a Psychology of Being, Princeton 1962
Spangler, David, Revelation - The Birth of a New Age, Forres 1977
Steiner, Rudolf, The Renewal of Social Organism, New York 1985
Vetter, Richard, Living Astrology, Basle 1989 (in German; partly translated
manuscript available from the author) - , Uranus/ Neptune and the Self,
in: "Astrologie Heute" no. 34 and 35, Zurich 1991/ 92 (in German)
(originally written in 1992)