Pluto’s
transiting return to its 27°+Capricorn Sibly position, first
exact on February 20, 2022 (outer wheel, biwheel below) is not happening in an
astrological vacuum, but within the context of interacting outer-planetary
cycles that together produce the collective reality we will experience . It’s
as though the “picture” capturing that return is slowly developing in a soup of
outer-planetary “chemicals” and is materializing as we approach that timeframe.
I’ve offered
some thoughts on the significance of this event in the two prior posts (“Pluto
Returns to Roost” and “The Big Bad Wolf Comes A-Knockin’”); here, I’m hoping to
fill in some blanks about the planetary cycles we will want to be aware of
between now and that return point in 2022.
Some of these cycles (detailed in
Table 1 below) have already begun and are still in progress (as noted by an *
after the “1st exact” date). Any new cycles beginning before Pluto
returns in 2022 are listed below those still completing. Also noted with each
cycle are the major aspects the cycles formed at their inception to the Sibly
chart (thus pointing to important possibilities). Following the table below, I’ve
offered some preliminary thoughts on these cycles—your input is welcome!
Outer Planetary Cycles completing and beginning before 2022
Planets
|
1st
exact -0-
|
Degree
|
Major
aspects to Sibly
|
Jupiter-Saturn (20-year
cycle)
|
12/2020
|
0°+Aqu
|
0-Plu; 120-MC, Ura; 150-Ven
|
Jupiter-Uranus (14-year
cycle)
|
06/2010
|
0°+Ar
|
60-Plu; 90-Ven, Jup;
180-MC
|
Jupiter-Neptune (12-year
cycle)
|
05/2009*
|
26°+Aqu
|
0-Moon; 30-Plu;
120-Mars
|
04/2022
|
24°+Pis
|
60-Plu; 90-Mars;
120-Merc; 180-Nep
|
|
Jupiter-Pluto (12-year cycle)
|
12/2007*
|
28°+ Sag
|
30-Plu; 60-Moon; 90-Nep; 180-Mars
|
4/2020
|
24°+Cap
|
0-Plu; 30-Moon; 90-Chi; 120-Nep;
180-Merc
|
|
Saturn-Uranus
(45-year cycle)
|
01/1988
|
28°+Sag
|
30-Plu; 60-Moon; 90-Nep; 180-Mars
|
Saturn-Neptune
(36-year cycle)
|
11/1989
|
10°+Cap
|
150-Ura; 180-Ven, Jup,
Sun
|
Saturn-Pluto (33-year
cycle)
|
01/2020
|
22°+Cap
|
0-Plu; 90-Chi; 120-Nep;
180-Merc
|
Thoughts on these cycles
Jupiter-Pluto
Associated with overblown power
ambitions, the present Jupiter-Pluto cycle began at the highly sensitive
Galactic Center (GC), in Jupiter’s home sign: megalomania (a pitfall of this
duo) dies hard, but it is likely to hit a high point before the new cycle
starts in April, 2020 that says “enough is enough.”
The current “income inequality”
debate raging (a national and global
issue, with the top 1% globally said
to own 50% of the world’s wealth) may, indeed, be the hot topic of this cycle
because it speaks to the excesses of this cycle. Though the cycle began at a
point sextile to the Sibly Moon (ordinary citizens and their concerns), the
cycle hasn’t offered the broad “golden opportunity” we might have liked—a
return to better employment figures,
yes; real prosperity, not so much.
Chances are the sextile has been outweighed by heavier aspects we’ll discuss
ahead.
In any case, the tone of the
income inequality debate has taken a serious turn since early 2011 at the
square phase (during our “jobless recovery”), and has escalated through its
trine (Taurus Jupiter-Capricorn Pluto) and inconjunct phases (Leo
Jupiter-Capricorn Pluto). The issue now promises to be a key issue in Election
2016. By nature, Jupiter and Pluto are more concerned with the growth and
control of wealth than they are with equitable economics—i.e., spreading the
wealth through decent wages and benefits—which perhaps explains why the
economy’s robust growth since the “great recession” has primarily benefited the
“1%.”
Jupiter-Neptune
The 2009 Jupiter-Neptune cycle
began conjunct the Sibly Moon, which probably undermined some of the
opportunity promised to the Sibly Moon (people) by the Jupiter-Pluto cycle: our
national ideological assumptions have certainly been changing, and while this
duo has its light moments, it hasn’t all been for the better. One retired
senator recently noted there’s been a real “sea change in Washington”—apt
symbolism for this cycle. Jupiter unleashes and amplifies whatever forces it allies
itself to, including environmental crises (several, with increasing frequency)
and mass migrations—both in Neptune’s wheelhouse. The latter issue hit home with
a steady stream of Central American child migrants seeking refuge in the U.S. in 2014,
during this cycle’s trine (Cancer Jupiter-Pisces Neptune) and inconjunct phases
(Leo Jupiter-Pisces Neptune).
Economic and territorial
insecurities (a pitfall in any Neptune cycle) raised the debate over
immigration to a shrill pitch during that 2014 period, with no real resolution
today. Jupiter may have helped exaggerate such insecurities to the point of
paralyzing rational action. “Build a wall” has been an appealing mantra in
these times because—whether perceived or actual—the Neptunian erosion of
boundaries has stimulated fear and in some cases, a troubling return to
xenophobia (both here and abroad). The challenge of human migration continues
worldwide (a story for another day) and will hopefully force sane immigration
policy reforms before this cycle closes out. Unfortunately, the insecurities raised
by this cycle have amplified the keen disillusionment so many feel with
Washington D.C. today, making the business of government all the more
difficult.
Chiron-Neptune
Though not a conventional
outer-planet cycle, it’s worth noting that Chiron and Neptune joined forces
within 4 degrees orb of the Sibly Moon through much of 2009-11. This mirrored
the period between 4/1762-1/1765, when Chiron transited the same point, opposite Neptune in Leo. In that cycle,
the vision of liberty (Aquarius) transcended the vision of monarchy (Leo) and
caught on—to repeat John Adams’s words, “in the minds and hearts of the
people.” The 2009-11 return to this point by both bodies perhaps inspired the passage
of the Affordable Care Act (a more compassionate, if not perfect approach to
health care) and the outpouring of support for both the Tea Party (2009
inception) and the Occupy Wall Street (2011 inception) movements. The clash of
these movements’ opposing ideologies—at the heart of our national gridlock and
sure to be a focus of Election 2016—ripped open an old wound (Chiron) inherent
in American consciousness and politics. Do liberty
and equality work hand-in-hand in
American democracy or don’t they?
Jupiter-Uranus
The Jupiter-Uranus cycle
initiated in 2010 at 0° Aries may explain the
overwhelming shift to Republican control of the House in the midterm elections,
and some of the early enthusiasm for rebellious candidates like Ron Paul. Uranus
is thought to lean to the right politically, and this cycle has allowed newly elected
super-conservatives (now known as the “Freedom Caucus”) to gain a foothold in
Congress. Both the Tea Party in Congress and those idealists on the left
(Occupy Wall Street’s territory) want a new social contract—they just don’t
agree on what the contract should say.
The lines of battle were
certainly drawn during the controversial passage of the Affordable Care Act,
which could be considered a social contract revision,
if not “rewrite.” It affirms that healthcare will (with some unfortunate
exceptions) no longer be treated as a privilege, but as a consequence of
citizenship. The magnitude of this change is starting to find its way into
national health statistics at this writing. The Act was argued and debated through
2009 and signed into law on March 23, 2010, as Jupiter was closing in quickly
on Uranus to begin the new cycle. Not surprisingly, it was immediately
challenged in the courts (social contracts don’t get rewritten that easily),
but it was upheld by the Supreme Court in a highly controversial decision on
June 28, 2012. Saturn and the Moon were conjunct in late Libra, trine the Sibly
Moon the day it was upheld.
Saturn-Neptune
This cycle could well be seen as the "quagmire" cycle: earth (Saturn) + water (Neptune) = mud! This "mud" can be considered literally (witness the treacherous mud slides in California in today's news), or figuratively, as in "clear as mud"--an apt description for the opaque, irrational nature of so many policy quandaries the nation faces today. Beginning opposite our Sibly Cancer positions (Venus, Jupiter, Sun), this cycle relates to the many passive aggressive ploys used to produce gridlock in Congress (i.e., attaching impossible conditions to bills so they will be dead in the water). As the current final square (Sagittarius-Pisces) is getting underway, with Saturn inching towards the Sibly ASC and Neptune holding court in the 4th, more attention from both parties is being directed to the dangers of such obstructionist tactics.
Saturn and Neptune clearly evoke fear and insecurity about the erosion of boundaries, and with these emotions comes power to those who know how to use it. In this way, this cycle--which will find both Saturn and Neptune in Pisces for a stretch--will continue to figure into our public affairs and policies, especially about immigration (crossing borders) and the environment. Water, oil and natural gas issues, especially as regards regulations and territorial concerns, will likely surface.
Saturn-Neptune
This cycle could well be seen as the "quagmire" cycle: earth (Saturn) + water (Neptune) = mud! This "mud" can be considered literally (witness the treacherous mud slides in California in today's news), or figuratively, as in "clear as mud"--an apt description for the opaque, irrational nature of so many policy quandaries the nation faces today. Beginning opposite our Sibly Cancer positions (Venus, Jupiter, Sun), this cycle relates to the many passive aggressive ploys used to produce gridlock in Congress (i.e., attaching impossible conditions to bills so they will be dead in the water). As the current final square (Sagittarius-Pisces) is getting underway, with Saturn inching towards the Sibly ASC and Neptune holding court in the 4th, more attention from both parties is being directed to the dangers of such obstructionist tactics.
Saturn and Neptune clearly evoke fear and insecurity about the erosion of boundaries, and with these emotions comes power to those who know how to use it. In this way, this cycle--which will find both Saturn and Neptune in Pisces for a stretch--will continue to figure into our public affairs and policies, especially about immigration (crossing borders) and the environment. Water, oil and natural gas issues, especially as regards regulations and territorial concerns, will likely surface.
Saturn-Pluto
Incredibly, a new Saturn-Pluto
cycle begins within 8° of Sibly Pluto, just 2 years
before Pluto’s return. Out with the old—the old social order begun at the Libra
Saturn-Pluto conjunction in 1982—in with the new Capricorn reality, that is.
This cycle should act upon (cardinal inception) whatever the other cycles have
wrought from 2007 to 2020. With the cycle beginning at a point roughly square
to the 1982 cycle’s late Libra conjunction, renewed power structures and a new
social order that challenges the social agenda of the 1980s will be on the
agenda. Policies impacting natural resource conservation and management will be
highlighted.
Launching in the Sibly 2nd
house of big finance and national values, this cycle could see pressure to
dismantle the Federal Reserve and seriously reform our current election system.
It’s also possible our financial system will be seriously re-regulated by that
time, to prevent meltdowns such as we saw in 2008 and to “unstack the deck”
disadvantaging the middle class. The environment and stressed natural resource
reserves could weigh heavily on public policies affecting immigration, and on
the nation’s willingness to wage and support foreign wars. This cycle may help
restore public confidence in the “American Dream” (trine to Sibly Neptune), but
the usual media “spin” (opposition to Sibly Mercury) will also be a continuing
factor, so the reality may fall short of the illusions.
Jupiter-Saturn
The 2020 Jupiter-Saturn
conjunction at 0°+Aquarius should be a blast of
fresh air. As a “Mutation Conjunction,” (the first of a long series of
Jupiter-Saturn cycles in a new element), this cycle will serve to fundamentally
reorient society and implement Saturn-Pluto’s “new order.” The so-called Aquarian
Age should start to feel like it’s arrived at this point, although it may not
resemble the original vision. New ideas and possibilities will manifest in
technology, space travel, the sciences, communications and social relations. Also
launching in the Sibly 2nd house, these technical and social
developments will work to regenerate the nation’s economy for the new Pluto in
Aquarius generation to come, beginning in March, 2023.
Raye Robertson is a practicing astrologer, writer and former university English instructor. A graduate of the Faculty of Astrological Studies (U.K.), Raye focuses on mundane, collective-oriented astrology, with a particular interest in current affairs, the astrology of generations, and in issues of public importance such as education and health. Several of her articles on these topics have been featured in The Mountain Astrologer and other publications over the years. Raye can be contacted by comment here, or at: robertsonraye@gmail.com.
© Raye
Robertson 2015. All rights reserved.