The Devil Has its Day: Saturn in Capricorn and Other Influences from the Sky in 2018

You are the director of a film and the universe is the production company. The universe approaches you to announce the need for a film about war and peace. You can choose to direct this film on these subjects, or else someone else will. When we work with astrological influences,we have the same kind of power. The planets, the aspects, the houses and signs- the long term influences permeating from the time of your birth, the temporary ones that shine onto everyone from the current sky, and the dance between the two- reveal the themes of your production.

Themes are relatively harmless. Assuming there is any degree of wisdom in astrology, predictive themes will add new information, or at least suggestions, to the blindspots of your current perspective. The intent is to give you more information than you currently have to prepare for the coming mood and circumstances, so that you can capitalize on them to help you achieve your goals.

I try to stay aware of harmful astrology. On a certain level, everything we do is manipulative. Even innocuous automatic actions such as waiting in line at the grocery store, mark decisive turning points that influence the fate of ourselves and others, even though we aren't trying. The best we can do as astrologers and as humans is to stand by our values. When serving to help people heal and integrate, self empowerment is vital. Communicating about astrology constantly tests me to check every word against this value of empowering others.

I am always learning how to better empower others. I used to do readings over the internet without getting a sense of where the person was with the archetypes I was looking at but soon I noticed that this had the potential to feel remarkably unethical when discussing anything of weight or substance. Astrology scares people, I realized. An aspect I know to be a normal part of life might carry dramatic projections for to them, and I need to see their face or hear their voice to truly get a sense of how people are receiving the information.

So while every action in life is potentially harmful to someone, the intuitive arts have high potential to mess with minds, even when we are at our best, and the magic we work with our words is hopefully something that every astrologer, or every authority for that matter, takes into consideration.

My intention, as the messenger of the reality production company, is to give you all the inevitable themes scheduled to arise while holding that every set of influences is yet another opportunity for each of us to create our best reality. A Best Picture can be made in any genre. I want mine to include beauty, pleasure, humor, interesting characters, excitement and a full range of emotions- all of which I aspire to accentuate amid any astrological influences. Easier said than done sometimes, which is all the more reason to get a head start in preparing.

One more disclaimer before I get to the subject - I use two zodiacs in my readings. People all over the world are successfully using both the Tropical (typically Western) and the Sidereal (typically Indian) zodiacs. Thus it is impossible for me to ignore either. The sidereal zodiac refers to the actual location of the constellations in the sky which are constantly moving, though very slowly. The signs of the tropical zodiac are fixed- determined from the precession of the Equinoxes and beginning on the same day every year with 0 degrees Aries on the first day of Spring. These two zodiacs are currently about 23 degrees apart.

I tend to look at the sidereal zodiac as the objective and tropical zodiac as the subjective. For example, my sidereal Moon is in Gemini whereas tropically it's in Cancer. From a subjective point of view I feel protective and highly sensitive like a Cancer. But from an objective bird's eye view, as if told by a narrator reflecting on my life long after the fact, my mind (moon) could be seen as predominantly communicative in essence. Indeed, whether operating as a psychotherapist, a friend, a writer, or an artist I am wholly bent on communicating the swaths of data produced by the depth and complexity of my emotions. And if this is true for me, it is true for everyone with placements in the first 23 degrees of Tropical Cancer. Bur for the purposes of this post, this shows the way I can incorporate both the zodiacal placements into one interpretation.

In a similar way, I consider both tropical and sidereal signs when analyzing the current planets in the sky and what they mean for our collective patterns. I see the Western signs as the more obvious feelings and flavors of the experience, and the Sidereal signs as more indicative of our objective status.

It is particularly significant when a slower moving planet ingresses into a new sign. We see many Tropical Ingresses in 2018, and while I will refer mostly to the Tropical zodiac that is most prevalent in our collective Western mythology while discussing these ingresses, I'll also note the status of the energy in the Sidereal signs so that we can attempt an all encompassing synthesis.

On the Winter Solstice, we experienced quite a shift. Did you feel it? Not only did Mercury turn Direct, marking the sometimes chaotic end of our latest infamously tricky tri-annual period of nonnegotiable psychic reflection called Mercury retrograde, but he came to right next to the Sun in his seasonal Ingress into Capricorn- marking the longest day of the year and the first day of Winter. Saturn came along with these planets too, heading much more slowly, and will stay for a much longer time in it's very own home sign of Capricorn. We can expect a three year period of heavily pronounced Saturn in our shared world.

So what are the themes? Saturn in Capricorn looks like the implementation of long term systems that will result in consequences, be they happy or sad, based on our most firmly held values. Money, health, and conservative ideals are some of the more obvious priorities of solemn, enduring Capricorn.

Conservatism in government is very likely, and thus the call is upon each of us to consider our own conservatism and our own governance.

Let us think outside the political box as we consider this. Clean eating programs, timely and fair payment of taxes, rigid restrictions on an environmental pollutants such as plastic and pesticides - all are conservative endeavors in the true sense of the word. The US government seems to be taking its Conservatism in other directions, true, but it is crucial for each of us to implement our own sort of "conservative government" during this time.

Think long term well being. Whether as individuals, families, communities, societies, the Earth- what we do now creates significant long term results. (The last go round from 1988-91 brought us the Bush Era and related warfare.) Forewarned is forearmed. A lot of good can come from this period, but it's going to require work. As one of the co-hosts from Chis Brennan’s “The Astrology Podcast”declared on the subject: “short term pain for long term gain.” Remember this mantra in the coming three years to help keep you focused on your most grounded and sacred goals. The time is ripe and our attention is required now.

Chris Brennan also suggested an ideal day to begin such projects with ease- Monday, January 8th when Venus will be poised to lend a harmonious hand to otherwise boring or even grueling tasks such as filing, appointment setting, grant writing, or whatever else you have in mind as step one for your plan to create the best reality. Keep your eye on the prize.

Since Saturn is coming around to its home sign, I look at this as a collective Saturn Return. If you are unfamiliar with the Saturn Return, this is an influence we all feel around age 29, that whoops our ass if we're not on our soul's path. Many hard lessons are often learned and yet we are likely to be recognized during this time for our hard work that is in alignment. What conditions would be necessary for us to be happy in five, twenty, sixty years? Saturn smiles upon work done in service of the future. He may come off as cold or harsh in his moment of intervention but as astrology giantess Liz Greene has pointed as out, Saturn is in fact our Guardian Angel. Of course we want to maximize our short term pleasure and success if possible. The best approach according to Adam Sommer is to face experiences of limitation with compassion and humility. Saturn isn't trying to cut us down, he is conditioning us for a long term Win. But we've got to relent all superfluous ego to get there.

In the sidereal zodiac, Saturn is still in Sagittarius. This means that the ideology we've been carrying around for the last three years is still forming. A mass collective belief can transcend an old tradition (such as gender specific restrooms, or teaching evolution in schools). The structures we create are based on our beliefs. With Saturn moving from Sagittarius into Capricorn, the beliefs that inform the structures we create are coming of age- of the age to have an influence. This is not about what is right and what is wrong, but what values are the best fit for the desired future. Judgement is key. As are patience and temperance.

Temperance? Ha! Mars, another formidable hyper masculine influence will be joining Saturn in February for a much shorter but equally serious venture into Capricorn. While both planets are traditionally seen as malefic (not nice), they both play important roles in positive outcomes. So we should be happy to know that both planets are well placed in Capricorn. They like it here. Does it mean they’ll be nice? No, they're not nice. But they will be effective. So, how can you make Mars work for you?

When working with planetary energies, I like to consider the magical practice of leaving offerings for a deity in exchange for a requested outcomes. But rather than simply burning the correctly colored candle at the correct hour, I prefer to make this a more contemplative process. While leaving physical offerings may be an effective trigger to the unconscious, invisible worlds, in my experience these triggers work best when aligned with a deeper spiritual sacrifice. So I may very well burn a black candle for Saturn on Saturday on the South wall in hopes that my insurance will come through on an expense, but to really grind in the meaning of that offering I might also offer my own protective good will to a person in need. This is a useful mental exercise if nothing else. Or, I might forgive a helpful authority figure who has been harsh because I know they mean well. Diligence and compassion are tasty offerings for Saturn. We might offer Mars kindness, gentleness, optimism and encouragement as well as precise protection in his honor.

Mars is Urgency- that feeling that compels us to act. Capricorn lends Mars an unusual opportunity for cool headed maturity, but still comes as a strong force of fire alongside the restriction of Saturn. The two together must be watched. Consideration of impact will be even more important than usual for us collectively in February and March. Mars is going retrograde during this time, too, adding even more karma and consequence.

As we pray that our leaders practice temperance and feel in to their deeper love for all of humanity when considering their nuclear options, so too might we exercise our powers of patience and love when calling the shots in our own domains. Understand the areas you are most effective, use your power wisely there. Mars in Capricorn reminds us that the more effective we are, the more crucial it is that we do not make mistakes with force.

Like Saturn, Mars remains in Sagittarius in our other sidereal zodiac, showing that we are still exploring what world views and beliefs about humanity motivate us to act big. But with the Tropical Ingress into Capricorn, that action can start now. People will be acting on their values, and this is a very important time for anyone who has been a weary spectator to get on your feet and put your values into action. I promise to refocus on the sometimes grueling and overwhelming and yet so obviously right and needed chore of grassroots organizing. Our feelings are strong, our numbers are many, and the mess is real. Do something, because doing is in the air, and what gets done matters.

The final noteworthy Tropical ingress for 2018 is the exciting, shit stirring Uranus into the slow, sensual sign of Taurus. I won't lie; Astrologers agree that Uranus doesn’t function well in Taurus. But I know that challenge and frustration are sometimes necessary to yield new kinds of intelligence. What exotic crystals will be churned from Uranus in Taurus? We have seven years to find out, which feels like an eternity from Uranus' point of view.

Uranus is known for its fast moving unpredictability. This planet gives great electric excitement at times and sudden upheaval at others, possibly leading to shock. Uranus is often part of the recipe for the best of erotic encounters as well as the worst of earthquakes. Storm Cestevani of astrologygossip.com says that Uranus is always acting on behalf of collective progress. Uranus is cool in theory but sometimes a little overwhelming in practice.

To look a little closer at how you can prepare for this relatively lengthy transit, find the house ruled by Taurus in your birth chart. This is supposedly the part of life where you like it slow, reliable, and comfortable. And be aware because Uranus is none of these things, and would love to throw you for a loop here so you don't become stagnant or useless to the evolutionary potential. For as unimposing as Taurus seems, the shadow of this sign- true to it's form- is very stubborn. Fear of change or discomfort sums it up. For all of us, Taurus rules food, money, gardens, touch and all the wonderful and simple natural resources that make up our daily world. When it comes to these things, once again, we may need to get up on our feet and learn a new dance.

But it’s still your movie.

In the Keep it Magic podcast, Jackie Smith of Coventry Creations asks during a conversation about this ingress: “What would I do if money was no object?" This question can offer clues to something we are neglecting in our own personal development. My first thought was, regular detox spa getaways. This, as an example, might indicate that I should take a closer look at the energies I let in to my body and emotional field. Taurus falling on my sixth house, I could add to that "at work". And this gives me a jumping off point (ahhhh!) to begin making my offerings to Uranus.

Another inevitable question of such a transit would seem to be "What do you actually need for comfort snd security?" Many of us, especially if we have some degree of savings, equate money with comfort and security. It seems more of a symbol than a direct cause in many cases, leading to greed, hoarding and much anxiety- often driving us apart instead if bringing us together. (This is ironic to me since- and perhaps this is one of the enlightened realizations of Taurus- having a clan who you love and serve because they feel loved and served by you seems like the ultimate form of security.) If this transit of Uranus through Taurus brings instability to resources, we will inevitably be shown other ways to achieve comfort and security. We may truly surprise ourselves in what we are able to appreciate and what kind of "stuff" we really need to be satisfied.

For the past seven years, the sign of Aries cloaked the electric harbinger of sudden collective progress in the style of urgent self expression. I think of grassroots movements such as Occupy Wall Street, Black Lives Matter, and various Nationalist movements. Uranus is still in Aries in the sidereal zodiac. The way these highly expressive movements meet real world struggle will be highlighted over the next few years. We will all be called to ground, adjust, and probably even work together to some extent as real life circumstances prove to require a concerted effort. The agendas that energize us can be useful, but they may have to mature to be functional. Integrating the weight of our real world circumstances, we may feel our passions slow down. But this makes our movements no less real. The contrary is true.

It is easy for us to forget our appreciation for natural resources, or anything that feels like one. When our physical circumstances change, like when we lose wifi signal, or have to quit coffee, or must move in with roommates, our discomfort may grow in the short term but then we adjust to the rhythm of our new circumstances. And perhaps in that new rhythm we can learn to revere the sound of the wind, shared meals with neighbors, and listen to our inborn adrenaline regulation cycles. We may need to learn to harmonize and compromise in our moves for collective progress and humbly shift toward the desire for sustainable stability at the macro level.

We could be much more successful than we even realize, especially in areas where our privileges have made us too comfortable and thus stagnant.

In the coming seven years, Uranus will appreciate our attention to collective progress over personal comfort.

So in Saturn coming around to his home sign, he is also is making contact with the two outer (slow moving, collectively relevant) planets I have not yet discussed. Pluto has been in Capricorn for what feels like ages but has just been about ten years. Various plays on the theme of uprooting corrupt systems work in tandem with the new systems being devised by Saturn. The sidereal ingress of Pluto into Capricorn is not far off which means we are in our final months of uprooting pathological world views (Pluto in Sagittarius). May we all go for the deep cleanse, sooner rather than later, regarding our beliefs about humanity. It's a big deal, as my shadows are just as dangerous as those I see in my perceived enemies.

And Neptune, beloved (though sometimes dangerous) Neptune, is not in Capricorn but in a complementary sign of Pisces. This feels significant because, similar to Saturn, we have been in a collective "Neptune Return" for years now, and we will for many more. Still emerging from sidereal Aquarius, the magical potency of the tech revolution is still palpable. But increasingly, the fantasies that fuel our creativity, and our sense of unity with others will become less intellectual, and less focused on personal freedom. Neptune and Pisces suggest wholesale submission, submersion, and dissolution of boundaries. This can be drugs and this can be Jesus. This can be drowning, or the worship of the rescuer. The "American Dream" was established the last time Neptune was in Pisces. We need a new dream now.

My wish is for Neptune to soften the heart of Saturn, for Saturn to ground the escapism of Neptune. Water may be a natural resource we are reminded how much we value as Uranus sympathizes with Neptune from Taurus to Pisces. Let us hone and follow the visionary faith of Neptune so that we can find the most crucial values of our future. So there is not a question, when Mars joins Saturn next month, and for the duration of this period of work, what type of actions we must take to achieve our best reality.