Firstly ... note that Uranus and Pluto are exactly square each other on Tuesday March 17th at 02.54 GMT. This final square is the only one which occurs with both planets in Direct motion!

 

This offers a lovely symbol of entering a period of time during which changes which have been 'pending', or still on the drawing board, will begin to manifest. The possible, or the inevitable, begins to actually 'happen', and we find ourselves able to deal with the changing situations in 3-D, as distinct from planning, scheming, or worrying!

Squares are aspects of 'happening', and they do sometimes signify the conflicts which arise in the process of creating something new. However, both Uranus and Pluto are outer planets, signifying something 'bigger than us'. We cannot always directly 'work with' the energies of the outer planets, as we are changed by their energies! And sometimes, allowing inner change requires that we refrain from too much 'outer' activity, or from fretting over decisions which in fact are not ripe to be made, or are even not necessary! The words of Rudolph Steiner come to mind ... 

 “He who would create the new must endure the passing of the old in full tranquillity.”

("The Soul's Awakening", Temple Lodge, London 1994, p.3)

The cultivation of tranquillity can help us discern what indeed is 'the old' and what is 'the new'. For if we become too agitated during a process of change, we risk pouring new wine into old bottles, so to speak. Often, this agitation can be traced to a fear of 'getting it wrong'! Detecting this uncomfortable feeling refers us to Saturn ... read on!

Saturn ...
In these times of intense global changes, some man-made, and some natural, the process of 'change' can become a kind of 'addiction' in itself, a way of sustaining the illusion of being 'in control'. Paying attention to our Saturn can be a valuable exercise during such times, and the week ahead is strongly coloured by Saturn's first Station Rx in the sign of Sagittarius. (March 14th, 15.03 GMT) Indeed, we can see that any period of intensified change will throw a spotlight on our own Saturn, inviting us to explore it and become aware of the sometimes uncomfortable feelings there.

It is Saturn's job to build and manifest, and to hold the integrity of our life-structures on various levels ... so, to resist change! Sometimes, therefore, the key to joining a stream of change which our life may be presenting, is to patiently approach and compassionately understand our inner areas of density, resistance, doubt or hesitancy. This requires some time and commitment, but will often yield a renewal of strength and energy, newly focused and 'descended' from the realm of 'the possible' into the realm of 'the actual'. The more deeply we can attune to what we are actually experiencing, in all its manifold layers, the less likely we are to feel blocked by unconscious Saturnian energy as we reclaim our energy from the intrusion of the 'Superego' (the 'shoulds' and 'oughts' which keep us complying with introjected authority figures!)

Saturn's first station in Sagittarius may bring to our awareness unconscious beliefs we hold. About ourselves, others, life in general. Stayed tuned for some 'interesting' revelations about attitude, bias, prejudice ... as the Soul Work of Sagittarius progresses. We are invited to become conscious of our own 'natural philosphy of life' ... what is the nature of the universe we inhabit? Is it a friendly place? A scary place? And how do we react when the universe doesn't match up with how we believe it to be? Do we go into denial? Anger? Fear? Exasperation? Humour?

As well as seeing how we oppress ourselves with false beliefs, while Saturn is in Sagittarius, we are supported to make conscious choices about which beliefs we will nourish, and which we will not give energy to. In this way, we realise the deep influence of our beliefs ....

Solar eclipse ...
The New Moon on March 20th is a Solar Eclipse, in the very last degree of Pisces, which is the last sign of the zodiac! The picture below shows where it can be observed, either partially or totally. Do check out this useful page, and see the beautiful simulation, too.

 

An elegant and inspiring symbol presents itself, right before the March Equinox when the Sun enters Aries, and the cycle of the zodiac begins! Remember that eclipses are always about endings, of one kind or another. Here it is perhaps 'the ending of the endings'!

Honouring the two eclipse seasons which occur every year means taking the time to feel our accumulated grief, to honour and celebrate the forms which are passing out of our lives, and to wait in the fertile darkness for the light to return. Learning about our defenses against grief can be very illuminating. We might get into 'busy-ness', anxiety, addictions of various kinds .... rather than sit and simply feel what we feel. If we can experiment with accepting the temporary 'Darkening of the Light' (see Hexagram 36 in the I Ching), we may find ourselves better able to accept its return
 

The closer an eclipse position is to a conjunction or opposition with any natal planet, the more likely it is that its process will manifest literally, with actual changes and endings. But all eclipse seasons are valuable for the contemplative process, as they assist in the inner process of unhooking from identifications and self-images which hold us back. The 'endings' we've been waiting for, but which are 'invisible'!

Saturn again ...
Try and find a way to make the most of what the cosmos has on offer during these times! Creating a precious segment of 'empty time', perhaps. This can mean the need to block out time in my schedule, and say 'No' to distractions, however delightful! Having your 'holy books' to hand, and your journal ... anything which supports contact with or entry into the inner world. Time to walk, sit, dream, ruminate, do nothing. We can usefully 'engage Saturn' for this. Meaning that without some planning, it's usually not possible. 

So within the limitations (Saturn again!) of this being a super-busy time, seek quiet and contemplation ...

Sabian Symbol ...
In Rudhyar's beautiful book 'An Astrological Mandala', we read of the final degree of the cycle, which inspires us with the sense of preparing for a new beginning ...

A MAJESTIC ROCK FORMATION RESEMBLING A FACE IS IDEALIZED BY A BOY WHO TAKES IT UP AS HIS IDEAL OF GREATNESS. AS HE GROWS UP, HE BEGINS TO LOOK LIKE IT.
The power of clearly visualised ideals to mold the life of the visualiser.

It is 'as if' this evocative symbol is referring us to the 'future form' of the archetypal energy which is being felt. The future 'Saturn'!! So let us contemplate this ... what qualities of this 'rock of ages' will draw us into our own future?

 

And Onwards ...

Although the final exact square between Uranus and Pluto occurs in March 2015, they will stay within orb of this square for a few years to come! The graph below shows this:

 

 

In 2018 (to the right hand side of the diagram), you'll see two blobs on the line representing Uranus. This shows when Uranus moves into the sign of Taurus. As you can see by the proximity of the two wavy lines (Uranus and Pluto) across the page, this marks the ending of the period within which they are moving in and out of being within range of square each other.

 

This also means that every year, significant dates occur when these two planets turn direction, plus the dates on which they comes into conjunction or opposition to the Sun. You can expect the process of change brought about by the pressure of the exact squares (2012-2015) to be continued. Situations become more formed as circumstances unfold, momentum increases, things come to light which influence decisions. And through it all, we are put on notice to remember that as Uranus and Pluto are outer planets, their connection brings a powerful opportunity to allow new insight to develop as we are challenged to move beyond our own inner 'status quo' into new understanding, which in turn gives space for change to occur, or to be initiated.

 

Here are the key dates in this process (downloadable pdf):