The Uranus Pluto squares of 2012-2015
Uranus and Pluto have been playing hide and seek with one another for months. They have been within 4 degrees of orb of a square since May 11, 2011 (one year ago today), without ever reaching an exact square. The square between Uranus and Pluto with its accompanying turmoil and social shift hits the fan becomes exact June 24, 2012. This is the kick off point of a series of seven recurring exact squares between these two outer planets that complete in March 2015.
This first square might be particularly overwhelming since the transiting Sun will form a T-Square with these two planets just a few days later on June 29. Additionally, Pallas, the little asteroid that packs a big punch with logic, will be conjunct Uranus and part of the T-Square, so we will have yet one more planetary body at the party.
Free advice; DO NOT natalize anything of great importance during that week as the new chart will include a turbulent T-Square.
(In Magi Astrology, when we use the term “natalize” we mean taking any action which could create a new chart. For instance, getting married creates a wedding chart, signing a loan for a new car creates a new chart for both your ownership of the car and for the financial obligation, opening the doors to the public for your new store creates a new business chart and meeting a doctor or client for the first time creates a new relationship chart. The new chart is comprised of the world transits of the day you take this initial action. You can, however, get out of bed every morning, go to work, and kiss your sweetheart without natalizing anything because it is something you have done before.)
The Chicken Littles of the astrology world have been running around with “sky is falling” forecasts and predictions regarding the upcoming long lasting series of turbulent squares between these two outer planets.
(A square is an angle of 90 degrees between two planets and is a clash aspect that represents turbulence. If 3 planets are all 90 degrees apart then two square aspects plus an opposition are formed and called a T-Square. If 4 planets are all 90 degrees apart then 4 square aspects and 2 oppositions are formed and called a Grand Cross. Naturally, the more squares in the planetary geometry the more powerful the aspect will be.)
Thank Goodness, scientists have demoted Pluto to a mere planetoid, so maybe we don’t need to be concerned. After a demotion like that, why would Pluto bother? However, historically every time Uranus and Pluto have hooked up we have experienced a period of social or financial upheaval. This is probably because this set of squares recurs in every generation, so it could be considered a rite of passage for every generation. Uranus takes 84.1 years (a generation) to complete an orbit around the zodiac while Pluto takes 248 years. The two can therefore only meet up infrequently.
Of more concern is the fact that the Cancer Sun (13’ +) in the U.S. natal chart squares Saturn in (14’ +) in Libra. During 2014 and 2015 the Uranus Pluto squares will be hover and become exact at points that form a Grand Cross with the U.S. charts’ natal Sun square Saturn.
(Magi Astrologers use July 4, 1776 set for noon for the U.S. Chart until a time machine is built so we can a go back in time and settle the argument about the precise time for this chart).
Here are the exact dates and degrees: (g= geocentric, h = heliocentric) Time Zone: EST (5)
g 24 Jun 2012 04:10 Uranus 8’ Aries 23” sq. Pluto 8’ Capricorn 23” Rx
g 19 Sep 2012 01:01 Uranus 6’ Aries 57” Rx sq. Pluto 6’ Capricorn 57
g 20 May 2013 18:01 Uranus 11’ Aries 14” sq. Pluto 11’ Capricorn 14” Rx
g 01 Nov 2013 05:32 Uranus 9’ Aries 26” Rx sq. Pluto 9’ Capricorn 26”
h 23 Nov 2013 15:17 Uranus 11’ Aries 04” sq. Pluto 11’ Capricorn 04”
g 21 Apr 2014 14:19 Uranus 13’ Aries 34” sq. Pluto 13’ Capricorn 34” Rx
g 15 Dec 2014 00:18 Uranus 12’ Aries 35” Rx sq. Pluto 12’ Capricorn 35”
g 16 Mar 2015 21:52 Uranus 15’ Aries 18” sq. Pluto 15’ Capricorn 18”
Both Uranus and Pluto undergo frequent retrograde periods, making the squares more powerful since at least one planet will be moving more slowly than usual, and spreading this series of squares out over nearly three years.
(Retrograde motion is a term used when planets appear to move backwards due to the rate of change of the angular relationship of the Earth and the planet. A planet does not actually move backwards. Honest!)
Some astrologers have compared this period to that of the early 1930’s when the last series of Uranus Pluto squares occurred and Hitler gained power and world economic troubles led to major strife. This 2012-2015 series of recurring squares will be in force for 34 months while the series from the 1930’s only covered 21 months. Much has been made of the financial panic of 1820 right on the heels of another set of Uranus Pluto squares. Get your umbrellas, kids—Just in case the sky IS falling!
The thing is, “the times, they are a-changing.” We no longer live in the world of 1819 or 1932. Our world is smaller thanks to better communication. Uranus as a symbol of “global” means something different than it did 100 or 200 years ago. As generational indicators, Pluto represents power and Uranus represents rebellion – put the two together and you may see social struggles that result in the overthrow of dictators. Using the word “Socialism,” or “Republican,” might be politically incorrect, dependent upon whether you lean right or left. There may be drastic changes (Uranus) in banking industries (Pluto) or a power (Pluto) struggle (square) over the control of broadcasting and media (Uranus). Uranus symbolizing as technology has already made a drastic change in banking and investment strategies. Facebook, poised to offer the biggest Internet IPO in history, is a prime example of how power (Pluto) can be wielded by social media (Uranus).
Pluto, as a symbol of sex, added to Uranus (revolution) equals sexual revolution. In 1965 – 1966 Uranus was conjunct Pluto in Virgo, a period of time known for a sexual revolution, bra burning and filled with free love. Speaking of sex, right now political parties are fighting the “mommy wars,” gay marriage is on the political agenda, abortion is a social hot potato, and women’s rights are a heated topic. How apt for this time filled with social unrest and upheaval while non-conformist Uranus and sexy Pluto form a square.
But you, dear readers, should be more concerned with these squares if they make aspects with planets in your own chart. Rather than following Chicken Little to hide under the umbrella and worry about the sky falling perhaps it is time to check the aspects to your own chart. Plan ahead to get your own hen house in order so that if the sky does fall you are safe and sound on your roost.
Magi Bette is available for private consultations and specializes in planning sessions for the upcoming months. Contact her for details.