April 4th ~ 11th

Fate is strange. And our destinies can be shaped by very small decisions. ~ Emily Rodda (The Golden Door)

In the classic text, “Astrology for the Millions” Grant Lewi describes Mercury in Pisces as seeing, hearing, feeling and tasting what you want to. If you want to love a piece of pie because someone you love made it for you, it will be the best pie ever. But if you want to dislike a drawing that someone you dislike drew, you will think it hideous. There is something somewhat unreliable about Mercury being in Pisces. Are we truly seeing things as they are? Or are we being deluded by our biases? And as Mercury (finally) makes its direct station on Monday, it will be conjunct both Saturn and the North Node, shocking us all back into our senses, as well as reality, but with a bit of a caveat. Such as, which reality are we actually seeing? 

Mercury combined with Saturn as it stations direct can have all sorts of consequences, effects and ramifications. Often what seems like a really good idea, while Mercury is in its retrograde phase, will have its faults revealed later on. All the more so within the orb of no-nonsense Saturn. At the very least, what we can hope for with this station, is that we are able to see the results and ramifications of our decisions so clearly that we know precisely what we must do. What we must do. Mercury/Saturn gives us permission to just say No More, to cut back, to refuse. It also brings the stalwart determination to follow through with promises, make that commitment, and sign on the dotted line. But within the bounds of the North Node in Pisces, there is so much more involved here. The ramifications can be magnified, the ripples cascading endlessly, the inevitable conclusions reshaping our destinies in almost unfathomable ways. 

As Mercury makes its direct station at 26º Pisces 50’, it does so within a few degrees of the Lunar Eclipse that occurred on March 14th, just one day before the retrograde station of Mercury. Lunar Eclipses serve as culminations, showing us the results of decisions made in the past, and shows us what we were refusing to see. Saturn was directly opposite that Eclipse, as it is now also involved with Mercury’s station, and Saturn’s sharp sword of discrimination takes no prisoners, when it is channeled through Mercury. 

Mercury/Saturn can feel foreboding. We feel censored, criticized, limited, and fearful of getting in trouble by saying the wrong thing, or because of what we hear and see and learn. But the conjunction to Saturn will not perfect. Mercury will go direct before it reaches the degree that Saturn is in, leaving Saturn behind. So maybe the ultimate disaster we fear will not occur, or may even, possibly, hopefully, the causes of the disaster will be withdrawn? It is in the ambit of retrograde Venus forlornly navigating the impending catastrophe of an economy in upheaval, and alliances that are breaking. That certainly does not help, even if there are those who think it will. And it is also conjunct the North Node in the mode of “I told you so”. 

However, stationing Mercury is also sextile Uranus and trine Mars. In other words, there is a way to fix this if you are willing to see things from another perspective (Uranus), and put in the effort (Mars). A perspective that might even allow you to see the truth. Not just the relative truth. But maybe the actual truth. In some way, with all those Pisces placements trine Mars and sextile Uranus, we are being shown the truth, in no uncertain terms, and all we really need to do is really look with our eyes, and hear with our ears. The truth is out there for all to see. It’s just a matter of being objective enough, and willing enough to see it. 

On April 4th, Saturn makes an exact sextile to Uranus, a transit that will weave in and out over the year ahead. As Saturn enters Aries in May, and then Uranus enters Gemini in July, both will form what looks like a protective cradle with both Pluto and Neptune. Sextiles contain potential for good outcomes. But they are the sorts of good outcomes that require a bit of effort. They don’t happen automatically. And when both Saturn and Uranus are involved in any sort of aspect, it also requires a willingness to step out of our comfort zone to some extent, and/or be willing to do things in a new or different way. 

Even though Mercury’s station will probably be what’s dominating our personal lives, as we decide to sign those contracts, make our oaths and commitments to follow through on plans, and have the self-discipline to set goals and see them through to the end; it will be the sextile between Saturn and Uranus that will serve as a backdrop in our lives for a good part of the year ahead. So knowing that it is there, it may help to know what is being asked of us.

Some of the things that Saturn working constructively with Uranus can bring:

• Giving form to new and innovative ideas: which can include revolutionary advances in technology and industry.
• Putting a new label on old concepts, beliefs or objects: this can include things like antiquities and alternative ideas. And even Astrology! 
• The revamping of an Old Order: At some point we come to realize that old ideas, old ways, are no longer relevant for the people or the society in which we live. We are growing as a society and evolving. And so we are compelled to adjust and accommodate to that New Evolving Order. This aspect supports the ability to adapt and adjust to the demands of the time. 
• by contrast: The Resistance to and/or restraint of a New Order: which may feel too chaotic or too catastrophic in its sweeping changes. 
• Realizing that you don’t necessarily have to keep doing things the same way as you have the past. That there might be alternative, and even better ways of approaching a problem or idea. 
• Necessity is the mother of invention: The motivation to adapt and adjust to the demands of the time due to necessity. 

Times of uncertainty call for creative and alternative solutions. And the Saturn/Uranus sextile affords us opportunities to adapt in the best ways we can. Saturn/Uranus combinations are traditionally associated with invention and technological breakthroughs. But there are other breakthroughs that can occur now that have to do with the progress of Society. Saturn, is about trying to find our place, our position in this time of change and uncertainty, and along with Uranus means having to readjust our goals and strategies in the process. It also means to bring our personal goals and strategies more in alignment with our ideals, especially where it benefits a greater cause, whether that be to humanity as a whole, to support civil rights, the environment, or greater fairness and equality.

Martin Luther King, Jr. proposed that whatever career one might choose, that they also pursue an avocation along with that: to be a dedicated fighter for civil rights. In other words, in his words, to make a career of humanity. He asked of us, to:

Commit yourself to the noble struggle for human rights. You will make a greater person of yourself, a greater nation of your country, and a finer world to live in. 

Just the sorts of innovative ideas that Saturn/Uranus transits support. And so may it be. 

For Mercury’s station for your sign or natal house placement, check out this week’s horoscopes:

HOROSCOPES

Image: CrystalWind.ca