Pic by me. A barong dancer in Bali.

A friend gave me a fridge magnet the other day that said:

Life Begins at the end of your comfort zone.

How very Uranus in Aries.

So many people have been asking how Uranus in Aries will impact them. For the next few weeks I will post on each of the houses but for now, the technical details.

The Houses

• If your Sun or Ascendant is in Aries- Uranus will be in your 1^st house
• If your Sun or Ascendant is in Taurus- Uranus will be in your 12^th house
• If your Sun or Ascendant is in Gemini- Uranus will be in your 11^th house
• If your Sun or Ascendant is in Cancer- Uranus will be in your 10^th house
• If your Sun or Ascendant is in Leo- Uranus will be in your 9^th house
• If your Sun or Ascendant is in Virgo- Uranus will be in your 8^th house
• If your Sun or Ascendant is in Libra- Uranus will be in your 7^th house
• If your Sun or Ascendant is in Scorpio- Uranus will be in your 6^th house
• If your Sun or Ascendant is in Sagittarius- Uranus will be in your 5^th house
• If your Sun or Ascendant is in Capricorn- Uranus will be in your 4^th house
• If your Sun or Ascendant is in Aquarius- Uranus will be in your 3^rd house
• If your Sun or Ascendant is in Pisces- Uranus will be in your 2^nd house

Also:

• If the transit is happening in your 1^st house, look also to the 7^th, 10^th & 4^th for impacts
• If the transit is happening in your 2^nd house, look also to the 8^th, 11^th & 5^th for impacts
• If the transit is happening in your 3^rd house, look also to the 9^th, 12^th & 6^th for impacts
• If the transit is happening in your 4^th house, look also to the 10^th, 1^st & 7^th for impacts
• If the transit is happening in your 5^th house, look also to the 11^th, 2^nd & 8^th for impacts
• If the transit is happening in your 6^th house, look also to the 12^th, 3^rd & 9^th for impacts
• If the transit is happening in your 7^th house, look also to the 1^st, 4^th & 10^th for impacts
• If the transit is happening in your 8^th house, look also to the 2^nd, 5^th & 11^th for impacts
• If the transit is happening in your 9^th house, look also to the 3^rd, 6^th & 12^th for impacts
• If the transit is happening in your 10^th house, look also to the 4^th, 7^th & 1^st for impacts
• If the transit is happening in your 11^th house, look also to the 5^th, 8^th & 2^nd for impacts
• If the transit is happening in your 12^th house, look also to the 6^th, 9^th & 3rd for impacts

The Aspects

• If you have planets or chart points in Aries, Uranus will at some point during this transit conjunct these.
• If you have planets or chart points in Libra, Uranus will at some point during this transit oppose these.
• If you have planets or chart points in Capricorn or Cancer, Uranus will at some point during this transit square these.
• If you have planets or chart points in Leo or Sagittarius, Uranus will at some point during this transit trine these.
• If you have planets or chart points in Gemini or Aquarius, Uranus will at some point during this transit sextile these.

What does this mean? With thanks and full credit to Bernadette Brady’s The Eagle and the Lark (because she says it best):

• When Uranus is conjunct a planet or chart point, his energy is fused with that planet. He takes over that planet. His energy is stronger than the planet he is invading.
• When Uranus is opposing a planet or chart point, “someone or something “out there” is doing something to you and furthermore, it’s their fault.” A decision is necessary.
• When Uranus is square a planet or chart point, there is tension and frustration- something happens which will force you “into a mode of action that you have not yet explored…results stimulate actions rather than decisions.”
• When Uranus is trine a planet or chart point whatever is going to happen will happen quickly and relatively easily. Obstacles will be removed. This doesn’t mean that it will be good or painless, just that whatever is going to happen will happen quickly and relatively easily!
• When Uranus is sextile a planet or chart point opportunities may arise. As there are two masculine signs involved (Aries and Gemini or Aquarius) something may just drop into your lap. Sounds good? Not necessarily. “If you are not in a position to take up the opportunity, then the sextile can symbolize quite a dramatic event to create the space in your life for new options.” If the door is closed, it can be blasted open.

The Timing

OK, every astrologer has a different rule of thumb. Here is what I use:

• I use orbs of 1 degree applying and separating with the following exceptions:
• If the transiting planet applying to the aspect turns retrograde before it actually perfects the aspect, I think you feel the energy, but not the impact so much until it comes back direct. Eg Uranus turned retrograde in July 2009 at 26 Pisces 37’ less than a degree from my Moon at 27 Pisces 23’. I didn’t feel the impact of this conjunction until Uranus came back direct within a degree of my Moon.
• I use whole signs only. Eg Even though my natal Saturn is at 0 Aries 58’ I didn’t see the aspect as within orb until Uranus actually moved into Aries.
• If Uranus stations direct or retrograde on a planet or chart point take notice. Highlight it, put it in flashing lights or whatever. Just. Take. Notice.
• Outer planets generally have 3 (sometimes more) hits at a planet- the 1^st direct is an uncomfortable shock, the retrograde is about absorption of the lesson & the last can be the knife in the back that jolts you to take notice.

2011

• March 2011 Uranus moves into Pisces.
• 10/7/11 Uranus retrograde at 4 Aries 34’
• 10/12/11 Uranus direct at 0 Aries 38’
• If you have planets or chart points between 0-5 degrees of the signs above you will be receiving that aspect during 2011.

2012

• 13/7/12 Uranus retrograde at 8 Aries 32’
• 12/12/12 Uranus direct at 4 Aries 37’
• If you have planets or chart points between 0-9 degrees of the signs above you will be receiving that aspect during 2011

2013

• 17/7/12 Uranus retrograde at 12 Aries 31’
• 16/12/12 Uranus direct at 8 Aries 35’
• If you have planets or chart points between 3-13 degrees of the signs above you will be receiving that aspect during 2012

Want to know when it hits your planet? Check out the online ephemeris at astro.com.

© Braendan Yong | Dreamstime.com

More later, for now, here is the link to YouTube and Katy Perry’s song. Baby You’re a Firework- make em go oh oh oh as you shoot across the sky. Buckle in Aries.

© James Steidl | Dreamstime.com

Mercury is conjunct Uranus almost exactly almost now-ish…and I for one have had a couple of damn good ideas today…if I do say so myself…from completely unexpected areas. Not real sure just how practical they are, but seriously, I do think we make way too big a deal about practicality. It all started when I was listening to breakfast radio this morning…but no, that would be giving it all away…

Also right now the Moon is forming a nice harmonious trine aspect with Pluto…that is, if anyone can have a nice, harmonious aspect at all with Pluto. I guess if you do things his way & follow the rules and do the whole earthly one step in front of the next we’ll get there in the end thing, it can be a harmonious aspect. If you don’t? Hello fridge. Speaking of fridges, I am really craving chicken satay sticks with crunchy peanut sauce & Bintang beer- just like I had in Bali this time last week. Sometimes I think that is the worst part of a holiday, the “this time last week” comments that seem to come way too soon after the “this time next week” countdowns. Speaking of which, the henna tattoo I had put on my ankle is still showing no signs of fading & hubby is starting to get just a tad suspicious… it is fake, I promise!

Venus is getting very close to linking up with Jupiter. Hmmm pleasure principle meets more please…and I want it now! Jupiter/Venus linkages can often hint at excess, but this one is just…nice. Beneficial stuff will be there if you want it or look for it. Excess will be there if you go after it. Just nice.

Mercury will be in Aries by the time the Sun is up (Sydney time) tomorrow morning. I posted a bit of a blurb on this earlier in the day (I Like it Loud), so if you have ever wondered how to talk to an Aries, keep his interest from wandering or bore him stupid, read this. Check out also a link across to Your Career & the Cosmos for more on Mercury in Aries: Lets Get Loud.

Uranus leaves Pisces for the next 80 odd years in the next few days. And what a ride it has been for us fishies over the last 7 years! I will try & post my impressions of a 1st house Uranus transit over the next few days, but then, I am still working through all the AskJo Pisces File questions which I need to post before the Sun moves into Aries & it is all about them…isn’t it always? In the meantime, check out There’s Only So Much You Can Learn in One Place.

There’s only so much you can learn in one place,

The more that I wait the more time that I waste

Symbalon Cards

Uranus is now in Aries, albeit briefly. He turns retrograde by July 6 and will be back in Pisces for one last burst by mid August before leaving the sign of the fishies in March 2011.

Uranus takes around 84 years to make his way around the zodiac, so spends around 7 years in each sign. Because of this, Uranus (along with the even slower moving Neptune and Pluto) are referred to as being generational planets- rather than defining an individual, they have the ability to define a generation. How they become individual to your chart is by their house position and aspects to any personal planets.

Because they move so slowly, anytime that any of the big 3 outer planets change signs, it becomes a pretty big deal. It is the aspects they make to your personal planets and chart points by transit that makes astrologers sit up and take notice when it comes to Uranus, Neptune and Pluto. Their speed (or rather lack thereof) is such that the change they bring when they connect with your chart is karmic and major.

On the flip side, transits by the quicker moving planets affect little more than your general mood on a particular day. For example, a connection by transiting Venus to your ascendant should mean that on that particular day you will feel pretty oh so pretty. At the very least, your hair will behave itself and that looming pimple won’t raise its angry head.

If that transit to the Ascendant was made by Uranus, expect some major changes. The transit may last for a number of months as you can get up to 3 hits (possibly more if we are talking about Neptune and Pluto) as Uranus may cross the same point direct, then in retrograde and then re-tracing his steps when he turns direct again.

As an example, Uranus was within 2 degrees of my ascendant (and squaring my mid-heaven) for a couple of months in 2006, most of 2007 and through to around April 2008. During that period of time, my physical appearance underwent massive change. In short, something clicked in my brain and I had a restlessness in my chest that couldn’t be ignored. I grew my hair long (for the 1^st time in my life), discovered curls I had no idea existed and refused to straighten it. I started adding a few blonde foils until I was virtually blonde, lost 15kgs extremely quickly (and unhealthily) and added some ink to my hip. My corporate suit separates went into the charity bag and I began studying astrology seriously. I did some other pretty stupid things too. Essentially by the time the transit was complete my mask had been transformed and the new me was no longer bright and shiny.

My husband has been heard to comment that at times during that period he had no idea who he was married to (but is now getting used to the new substantially more defiant and less pliable version). I get questioned by Immigration every time my passport is examined (thankfully it is nearing expiry and can be refreshed) and my mother is still says how much more sensible Joanne looked when her hair was shorter- so much tidier and more professional. When I first started studying astrology my poor father spent some anxious moments trying to work out where they had gone wrong: “where does she get these ideas from? She was more sensible before she grew her hair”. And as for my work access card…well, suffice to say that needs to be updated as well.

Indeed, the impact of a Uranus contact is substantially more life changing than a good hair day.

Uranus is the Joker in the planetary pack. He shakes up life, coming at you from completely unexpected directions, all the while causing havoc wherever you need a nudge to get moving. The area of life that will be taking the impact will be the house that Uranus is moving through. Sudden flashes of insight will come from nowhere. The only thing that is predictable with Uranus is his very unpredictability.

The other thing that can be expected with Uranus contacts is that the more you resist the harder you make it for yourself. This is probably the most important take home message about Uranus. If, like me, you have always been the good girl, done exactly what has been expected of you, studied hard and followed the path that was neatly laid out, if that path is not right for you, if you have been faking it or living someone elses idea of What Your Life Should Be, a Uranus transit will come along and knock you for absolute six… and there is no going back- no matter how painful and disruptive the whole thing feels at the time.

Uranus is asking you to be real and individually you in whatever area of life he is transiting. In my example, he moved straight from my Mercury to my Ascendant to my Sun, Chiron and my Moon (which will get another two passes before Uranus leaves Pisces for good) and between them all a few times. This is a pretty major 1^st house transit by any standards. Because of the way my chart is structured, every planet and chart point has been directly impacted by Uranus over the last 4 years. That is, with the exception of Saturn who, in the 1^st degree of Aries, is enjoying all the attention now.

So, what can we expect with Uranus moving into Aries? What happens when the Great Individuator (yes, that is a made up word, but given that I am talking about Uranus, it is perfectly acceptable to invent words) moves into the most staunchly independent sign of all?

Uranus demands rebellion and revolution… and in JFDI (Just Flipping Do It) Aries, that is exactly what can happen. Absolute Pandemonium. Cool.

Just about every sports advertising slogan has been based on Aries. No Fear. Write Your Own History. Don’t Back Down. No Way Back. Losing is Not an Option. Aries is the adventurer, the pioneer, the warrior. Aries is impatient, intolerant and has to be first with no time to wait. Absolute Pandemonium. Cool.

I haven’t got much time to waste
It’s time to make my way
I’m not afraid of what I’ll face
But I’m afraid to stay
I’m going down my road and I can make it alone
I’ll work and I’ll fight till I find a place of my own

My friend AstroSparkles had this to say about the global energy:

“Do not be surprised if this energy, combined with that of Pluto in Capricorn, causes more uprising, more revolution, more war. Primarily because Pluto is shaking things up on the authority front – and Uranus is bringing about the challenge, change & revolution, courtesy of the sign of war. Aries is not a tolerant sign – and tolerance, the domain of Pisces, is being left behind.”

If you have planets or chart points (in particular the Ascendant, Sun or Moon) in the 1^st few degrees of Aries, Libra, Cancer or Capricorn get ready for a wild but hugely exciting ride. Those with planets in the early degrees of Leo and Sagittarius will also get a wake-up call as Uranus will form a trine aspect to these points.

A Uranus transit can be the roller-coaster thrill ride of the zodiac. Will you be jumping into the carriage and belting yourself in with anticipation or offering to stay below and hold the bags? Personally, I hold the family record for the most number of times on the Corkscrew at Sea World in a row (14 in case you are interested) and am the first to grab the adrenaline rush that is rides like Extreme Speed at the Easter Show, so really there was no question of hesitation. Will you?

 Are you ready to jump
Get ready to jump
Don’t ever look back oh baby
Yes, I’m ready to jump
Just take my hand
get ready to jump

…Life’s gonna drop you down like a limb from a tree
It sways and it swings and it bends until it makes you see
…I’ll work and I’ll fight till I find a place of my own
It sways and it swings and it bends until you make it your own

Lyrics from Jump, by Madonna.

What a week! There have been days this week when Sydney-siders have seriously been looking for animals going two by two, the rain has been so consistent. Apparently we need it but… and winter has now officially arrived.

Personally speaking, though, I have felt totally alive this week. It has been a great week. Amazingly and rather unexpectedly so. Somehow it is always nicer when it is unexpected.

It is like something in my brain has clicked and things are falling into place. Even as I rub yet more nutmeg oil into screaming shins and replace bandaids on the blisters on blisters that filled my trainers with blood the other day and my butt muscles feel like…well muscles…there is a sense of achievement. With the help of a friend I managed to last 2 ½ hours on a treadmill- 14km at an incline- the other day. I am a woman on a mission…whoa.

At one point towards the end of the ordeal (which there is no way I would have lasted if I was on my own) Bon Jovi’s Living on a Prayer came onto the ipod and if I didn’t think my friend would have killed me on the spot for stealing his water bottle, I would have used it as a microphone to belt out the chorus…but I think that was just delirium!

Seriously though, as wasted as I felt, the adrenaline kicks in and the feeling is totally addictive- sweat becomes sexy (hey, I have Venus in Aries and Mars in Scorpio…what can I say?) and there is no denying the sheer luxury of sliding totally knackered feet into a pair of uggies and trackie dacks.

Aside from that major milestone, I got 4 chapters of my book written and sort of edited. Ticks in boxes all round really.

On the Blogs

I still haven’t got around to doing anything on Uranus in Aries… will get there… but have finally completed a couple of Gemini blogs. One is a little sentimental and dedicated to my Gemini girlfriends (they know who they are) -Words don’t come easy to me & Hello Hello- Gemini with some help from the Cat Empire.

On my mind all week has been the Gabriella Cilmi song I am a Woman on a Mission. In fact, it helped get through the treadmill ordeal (which as much as I disparage it was some of the most fun I have had in ages… sort of sad really…). Anyway, the song just screamed Jupiter in Aries to me. So, I used it. Jupiter is in Aries, like, now! Check it out here.

Which got me thinking- what is on your ipod when you need to just get moving?

Aside from Gabriella,  I have a couple of versions of Pandemonium (plus a heap more by Pet Shop Boys), Let Me Entertain you & Karma Killer(Robbie Williams), some Madonna (Jump, Give it 2 me, 4 minutes), a heap of Rogue Traders, Nat Bass, Veronicas & Vanessa Amorosi. Some Foo Fighters (Pretender), the above mentioned Bon Jovi, embarrassingly some Backstreet Boys, Mr Brightside (the Killers), Lady Gaga’s bad Romance & a heap more. What’s on your move it or lose it list?

What’s happening up there?

As I start to write this (Sunday 5pm Syd time), Jupiter has just moved into Aries. In fact Jupiter, Uranus and the Moon are all at 0 degrees Aries. The Moon moves pretty quickly, but for now, that is one hell of an energetic blast. Astrologically speaking, this is a pretty big deal.

Uranus is pretty difficult to predict, and Jupiter is so incredibly expansive that who knows what it will bring.

Mars moves into Virgo & Mercury into Gemini this week…. and there is a New Moon in Gemini on Saturday. Looks like a busy week for this little blogger.

Anyways, Sunday night is Masterchef Invention Test, & I have at least a 3 glass ironing load tonight, so I better keep moving. Until next time,