THE SATURN - PLUTO CYCLE & OPPOSITION
 

     The Saturn-Pluto Opposition cycle begins on Aug 5, 2001 and completes with a very powerful alignment on May 25, 2002. The two are opposite in the Heavens--Saturn in sidereal Taurus and Pluto in sidereal Scorpio (Ophiuchus). Their retrograde periods create this cycle of three triggers. Many will think this ominous, yet when we explore the stars and see this cycle in the context of our greater evolutionary unfoldment, we realize its role in our greater evolutionary awakening.
     The Saturn-Pluto Opposition, although stretching out over several months, is but a transition point in the much longer Saturn-Pluto (synodic) cycle that began on Nov 7, 1982 when Saturn and Pluto conjoined. The opposition occurring now marks the halfway point in this embracing cycle of ~37 years. The opposition point in a cycle is much like the Full Moon in the Lunar Cycle--a time where "Vision and Enthusiasm" builds to a peak, and then shifts into a sobering, "Realization of the Theme."
     Before exploring the star alignments of the opposition, let us look at the embracing theme of this cycle as defined by the star alignments occurring at the beginning of this cycle in 1982.

      During the Saturn-Pluto conjunction of 1982, Saturn was "Under the Skirt of the Virgin"--just past the base chakra of the Virgin, which is marked by the star Spica on the cusp of sidereal Virgo-Libra. Pluto was slightly north.
     The embracing mythological picture of this part of the heavens is of utmost significance to understand what is occurring for humanity in this 37 years period--a mythological picture of the Virgin giving birth into the reincarnational clutches of the Scorpion. This image is one that had been long lost in both the astrological and astronomical worlds.
 
 

THE VIRGIN GIVING BIRTH & REINCARATION

     Although the constellation of Virgo begins at the Leo / Virgo cusp, it extends into the first 17 degrees of the sidereal sign of Libra. The Virgin lies supine with her head at the beginning of Virgo--with Coma Berenices, the Halo of the Virgin just above. (Coma Berenices is home to our Super Galactic Centre--the spiritual center in which our galaxy nests). The Virgin's base chakra (Spica, Alpha Virgo) marks the cusp of Virgo / Libra, while the Virgin's legs extend well into Libra, with her feet marking the center (15 degrees) of sidereal Libra. The constellation of Virgo embraces ~46 degrees of the zodiak.
     The two primary stars of Libra, (Zuben el Genubi and Zuben es Chamalli ), in modern illustrations, form the balance or scales of Libra. They respectively lie at 20 degrees and 24 degrees Libra. These two stars actually are the "Chelae of the Scorpion," extending from the other direction, from the sign of Scorpio back into Libra. They are the karmic and dharmic seats for the incarnating soul; and form a triangle with Dschuba, the Head of the Scorpion, the administrate seat directing reincarnational affairs for the incarnating soul. The image of the Virgin giving birth into the Chelae of the Scorpion articulates the birthing of the soul into the reincarnational entrapment. This mythical articulation was destroyed in recent (Chaldean / Roman) times: The Scorpion's Chelae and the Virgin's legs had both been severed from our stellar mythos, and so, too, its profound significance.

     The embracing astronomical image, and the individual star themes creating the qualities of sidereal Virgo and Libra, (obscured and now hidden--under the skirt of the Virgin), reveal the truth of that which is required to ensure a pure birth and ascension. This image articulates how to support attainment of evolutionary freedom from perpetual reincarnational entrapment in the Clutches of the Scorpion.
 
 

BOOTES THE PROTECTOR

    Another part of this embracing picture, one significant here, is that of Boötes standing directly over the Virgin.

     Boötes the protector, who is of pure intent is the Virgin's true soul compliment. Boötes stands directly over this creative process exemplified by the Virgin giving birth. Archturus, the primary star of Boötes, the 4th brightest star in the sky, marks the genitals in the figuring and embodies the Essence of Boötes. Archturus lies directly over, and conjoins Spica, the base chakra / vagina (Vesica Pisces) of the Virgin, (the vessel of the primordial fluid of opposite Pisces)--marking the Virgo / Libra cusp. Boötes is protector and provides semen (the seed of man) for this pure birth. This conjunction reveals the genitals of Boötes and the vaginal portal of the Virgin are synthesized and destined as One--in a sanctified and perfect Divine Union. It is not God, nor is it just anyone that can fulfill this union. It is only those who are destined--properly aligned in the Heavens--in spirit.
     In our stellar image, Boötes is holding off the fallen, religious-political, authoritarian, global powers (of nearby Benatnasch, the tip of the tail of the Great Bear, Ursa Major) who claim to be the intermediaries between God and man, and who wish to manipulate evolutionary affairs. Boötes is creating and ensuring a proper energy environment for a safe and pure birth / and subsequent capacity for ascension of the soul out of re-incarnational entrapment. Boötes is looking up at the Northern Crown, which lies above the feet of the Virgin and the Chelae of the Scorpion. The Northern Crown embodies the fullness of this ideal attainment; i.e., Boötes' vision is fixed upon ensuring evolutionary freedom from perpetuated reincarnational entrapment in the Clutches of the Scorpion--from the karmic-dharmic path of soul growth.
 

     More embracing and controversial text of the Virgin and Boötes (Mary and Joseph in modern-day Christian myth); and the suppression of this astronomical truth by early Greco-Roman, religious-political powers about the role of the divinely intended male (true soul partner) seeding the pure birth through the Virgin, and the importance of the proper biological and ecological conditions can be found on the Lunar Planner WEB site at the following link.

     This greater mythical image, and the individual star themes creating the qualities of sidereal Virgo and Libra, (obscured and now hidden--under the skirt of the Virgin), reveal the truth of that which is required to ensure a pure birth and ascension. This image not only articulates the soul re-birthing into the reincarnational process, but also how to support attainment of evolutionary freedom from perpetual reincarnational entrapment.
     The stars of early sidereal Libra specifically pertain to the environment in which we live, and maintaining the purity of genetic and reproductive energies to ensure spiritual evolutionary freedom of the soul. Biological manipulation and entrainment of natural Earthgrid resonances that block our evolutionary fulfillment are a significant part of this theme. A beautiful and harmonious environment is essential for the proper formulation and maturation of human consciousness. (Destroy the environment and what breeds but pestilence, disease, degeneration and death.)
     Saturn began its retrograde cycle under the skirt immediately after the Saturn-Pluto conjunction of 1982. This was a period with need to be responsibly structuring, with karmic repercussion, appropriate ways in using our environment. (How did we do?)
     Pluto, at that time, was several degrees north of Saturn, just over the legs of the Virgin. Pluto was observing from under the legs of Boöte, and providing warning of the serious ramifications for not heeding our responsibility under the skirt of the Virgin. Boötes is he who oversees and ensures the safe birth and ascension of souls.
     Thus, our original Saturn-Pluto theme is one regarding responsibility and karmic ramifications of inappropriate use of reproductive energies and manipulation of Earth's natural resonance and environment. Now, in 2001-2, as we move through the Saturn-Pluto opposition and into the several years ahead, we find ourselves about to have the sobering realizations of our actions since 1982.
     On the Global scene this is in regard to manipulation and alteration of Earth's natural resonances with unnatural means, such as inappropriately applied electromagnetics which is devastating to humanity's harmonious awakening. Ramifications regarding use of the environment for oil and power are also of issue here.
     On a personal level, addressing the ramifications regarding the use of biological manipulation, and the use of our sexual energies and reproductive capacities with inappropriate parties or in inappropriate ways is also of issue. Specifically, issues arise that are related to the blood and blood line. The ramifications for all of this are at hand over the immediate few years ahead, and are those that affect not only our human experience but also the destiny of our souls.
 

Commentary added Nov 7, 2001:
     It is not surprising we are now dealing with the ramifications of the devastated environmental conditions in Afghanistan  (caused by the US and Russia to start with in the late 1980s), the Heroin and Opium problem there, biological terrorism in the US and elsewhere, and the oil issues; i.e., tapping and piping oil down through Afghanistan and Pakistan, and the environmental issues of tapping oil in Alaska. These are all environmental / biological issues of early sidereal Libra--under the skirt of the Virgin--the theme of 37 year, 1982 Saturn-Pluto Cycle.

SATURN - LORD OF KARMIC RETRIBUTION

       Saturn is of structure & form, and all that is concretized and fixed. Father of Time and Lord of Karma, Saturn demands responsibility for the timestream uniting our past and future. Saturn is of knowledge and tradition, and all that endures through time. Saturn is disciplined, accountable, dependable and stable. Saturn is of rules & regulations, of impositions, restraints, sacrifices, denials, and of mourning. Saturn can be conniving and covert, although it also is methodical, investigative and planning. Saturn reveals where and how we confront our fear. Saturn brings us the capacity for concentration and moderation; the ability to apply past principles and knowledge in confidence, structure and form; and honors and embraces family, tradition, and soul heritage.
       Saturn, in its less than mature expression, can be quite controlling, with need to own others and dictate their behavior--a defensive expression hiding our inner fears. Saturn can be jealous, expressing as a fear of intimacy, touching and embracing, all of which must be controlled instead. There may be an inability to be self-responsible, to own life's experience as our creation. Instead, we believe that others or life itself is responsible for our personal experience. We can become lost in victim consciousness, blame and denial. Ultimately this is an avoidance of our responsibility and accountability for our karmic / dharmic path of experience.
       Immature Saturn can express in denial of our genetic and family heritage--especially of father and blood line--with a fear to use one's birth / family name, or to be counted. There can be difficulty with physical things, to be accident prone, with an inability to ground, concretize and structure life. Saturn can express in judgment of form, structure, organizations, legalities, and bureaucracies, with a fear of investing our resources and energy in an expression that is for something other than self. There can be a fear-based adherence to obsessions of all kinds, especially with the past and dogmatic belief structures. Debilitated Saturn can express in all forms of rigidity and inflexibility, resulting in an inability to change. As a restrictor, Saturn can express as paralysis and physical deformations. Immature Saturn can express as an imposer of law and inflictor of bondage, pain and injustices, with a projection of our beliefs and morals onto others in a forceful, highly judgmental, and adamantly righteous way.
       Saturn's associated bio-energy centres: Inherent Mental brain centre (brain-stem and mid-brain); skeletal structure, teeth, nails and hair; all calcium based organs; bone and musculature of the hips (which are of foundation / support).
 

THE SHIELD OF ORION

       Now, 18 years later as we begin the opposition, Saturn lies in sidereal Taurus just past Aldebaran, Eye of the Bull, and lies directly over the Shield of Orion.
       Aldebaran, Alpha Taurus, is one of the "Four Royal Architects," bringing order to the heavens. Directly opposite Aldebaran in the ecliptic is Antares, Heart of the Scorpion, both marking the centers of the respective signs. In classical lore, Aldebaran is Eye of the Bull. In galactic lore, Aldebaran is Vision Holder for the Starseed Mission on Earth, defining what Emissaries of Light (global leaders) can best accomplish to serve humanity through the evolutionary transition. Aldebaran holds the vision for global leaders and world servers, inspiring the administrative planning of world affairs. This vision specifically is for physical logistics and a supportive global infrastructure designed to support humanity through evolutionary unfoldment and global change. Prominent alignments with the Aldebaran / Antares axis generally express into the political and global arena.
       The Shield is a sub-constellation of Orion. Its theme is that of protection. As we begin this cycle, Saturn will also access the qualities of Kursa, the first star on the River of Life, Eridanus, which is of new beginnings, especially upon enterprising pursuits.
       Sidereal Taurus is of family and business, and all that is physical. Orion is of entrepreneurial and architectural enterprises.

       While Pluto destructures that which is not in the highest interest for soul's evolutionary unfoldment, Saturn's alignment in this part of Taurus, and its forthcoming retrograde cycle opposite Pluto and over Aldebaran (throughout later 2001 and into 2002), will offer opportunity to redefine and build new infrastructures that support the physical well being for the Human family.
 
 
 

     The role of Jupiter and Sirius aspecting the Saturn-Pluto opposition while in the sidereal sign of the Twins  is discussed in the snippet Jupiter & Sirius, the Great World Teacher (an excerpt from the Oct 2001 Lunar Planner--revealing the message behind the destruction of the World Trade Towers - the old infrastructure of Global Economy and use of resources.
     The second trigger of the Saturn-Pluto opposition was also discussed in the Oct 2001 Lunar Planner, as well as the theme of the Saturn and Vesta retrograde cycles around Aldebaran. The Saturn-Vesta theme is presented in the snippet The Full Moon, Saturn, Vesta & Aldebaran.

PLUTO - LORD OF DEATH AND REBIRTH

       Pluto ensures Soul Integrity prevails: Pluto will destruct personality alliances and personality driven motivations to ensure soul's mission is attained, even at the cost of the personality life. This implies a need for letting go. The nature of the alliances destructed is a function of the location of Pluto in the astrological chart. Pluto is independent, individual, autonomous; the revolutionist and extremist. Pluto is of isolation and aloneness. Pluto fears not battle, war or death. Pluto is also where, generationally, unacceptability occurs--where the antiquated must be destroyed, in the genetic / cellular patterns carried in self and so in those expressed in the world.
       Pluto works totally for the soul--at a cellular and primordial level, with pre-birth & past lifetime incarnational issues. Pluto can invoke cellular level stored fear regarding death, transmutation and survival issues; as well as all early childhood programming. Pluto is an "opener" and a "deprogrammer" that provides doorways for new growth and unfoldment to occur and should be worked with in this capacity.
       Pluto is actually a dual planet: the Pluto-Charon System, two bodies rotating around a common (barrycenter) point, in spin orbit synchronicity. Pluto has an extreme eccentric orbit and an ecliptic (orbital inclination) that is tilted 17.2° with respect to Earth's--partly why it cuts through the incarnational issues. Its rotational tilt is ~122°. The diameters of Pluto and Charon (not to be confused with Chiron) create a very slow beat frequency--part of its multifaceted astrophysical parameters responsible for undermining cellular patterning.

       From its location in Boötes / Virgo in 1982, Pluto has moved into sidereal Scorpio, but is quite north of the ecliptic, in Ophiuchus--exemplar over the forces of life and death--he who has attained evolutionary freedom from entrapment in the reincarnational clutches of the Scorpion. Pluto's movement through Ophiuchus over a many year period is a main reason we are exploring new and alternative forms of healing and life extension, including our tampering with genetic engineering and biological chemical agents, i.e. learning to master the bio-logical forces of life and death. Moreso, we are finding interest in humanity's awakening and well being beyond treating mere symptomology of disease.
       Far north over Ophiuchus lies Hercules, and north of the head of Hercules lies Restaban, Beta Draco--eye of the Dragon. Restaban conjoins Pluto and sets the theme of the several month Saturn-Pluto opposition now beginning.
 

EYE OF THE DRAGON

       The stars of the Dragon which encircle and guard the pole of our ecliptic--the king-dome of our Heavens--embody a wide diversion of stellar qualities. Restaban and Etamin (the latter oversees Galactic Centre and the Gate of God of the Holy Cross) are the eyes of the Dragon. They are stars of a high order in the hierarchy of our heavenly cosmology.
       Restaban, in an office of the Godhead, holds responsibility to oversee those who truly serve the freedom of incarnate souls. Expressing through Hercules and the shoulder of Ophiuchus, Restaban allows passage through primordial forces that otherwise are blocked for those of selfish or manipulative intent. Restaban will open doors in the physical world that simply are not visible or accessible to most. In the context of our Lunar Cycle theme--portals opening for those living from their Heart and Soul--this is quite fitting.

       Saturn's cycle in Taurus is of structuring concretized form for our fulfillment and wellbeing at a very human level. Pluto is at home in sidereal Scorpio / Ophiuchus and demands we master use of raw creative forces. Pluto, as the opener it is, accessing the essence of Restaban, will serve to make passage for those living this level of integrity in life; while others focused manipulatively, or in denial of their Heart's Truth, may find doors slammed shut, and false and inappropriate structures torn mercilessly apart. As always, the choice is ours.
       This Saturn-Pluto opposition will ensure that which we build in our physical lives, and in our relations and families as we enter our new millennium, is in the higher interest of our greater evolutionary well being. Saturn and Pluto will ensure we address our denials and live true to the Heartline of our Souls.