Log on, dive in and cut out – Uranus, Pluto and Saturn's dance and what it means for you

For those of you who have become increasingly aware of a need to break free of limiting structures and to liberate yourself from rigid environments you are not alone. More and more recently there has been a growing dissatisfaction with those who have found themselves in an environment where the emphasis has been on security and societal expectation and where the individual was denied a voice. If we are to link this to the planetary alignments at play then we could say this began back on November 4, 2008 (when Barack Obama was elected president) in the first hit of five oppositions between Uranus and Saturn. We are now approaching their fifth and final face off on July 26. I have noticed people around me breaking away from their 9 to 5 jobs (some reluctantly and some by choice) to start more fulfilling business of their own. The structures and forms we have built around us have outlived their usefulness and are now limiting us (Saturn), it is time to shake things up and to breakdown (Uranus) the walls that are holding us back from living our own unique success stories.

I am not suggesting that we necessarily swing completely the other way and leave our jobs to join the circus (although if that's your dream don't let me burst your bubble). An opposition has a Libran quality to it, implying that this is not an either/or situation and that some level of compromise is needed here, as Libra represents the struggle to attain balance. We don't need to tear the whole house down if the foundations that exist are still good, perhaps we just need to knock down a few walls for more space, to open the door for fresh air and put in a few windows to let in the light. We all live on a planet with certain laws and conditions and thus we need to eat, pay rent & bills and be practical on some level. Perhaps we can utilize the creative innovation of Uranus and instead of asking for a raise, ask your boss if you can work 4 days a week and work towards your goals on the side; or open yourself up in some way to the Uranian flashes of genius, think out of the box and find a way to make money in your spare time on the internet. (Insert any other genius but practical plan that suits you here).

We are now coming into a time where people are realizing that with the explosion of the internet they are able to start new businesses with no overheads and have the freedom of working from home, or from anywhere for that matter. Uranus is also moving in to form its square to Pluto, and the last time Pluto and Uranus connected was in the 60s at the conjunction, a time of revolution of a stirring from the depths, a sudden emergence of our shadow into the light. "Turn on, tune in and drop out" is the phrase coined by Timothy Leary in the 60s which beautifully describes the counterculture of that time. Now with Uranus (planet of change and revolution) coming to form a challenging square to Pluto it is time to tap our own resources, to dive deep and look at what gems we have inside of us that need to be brought to the surface and nurtured. What are our unique gifts and talents and how can we use them to build a foundation for ourselves. Nurturance is the key part to this current conflict, as the empty leg of this configuration is in early Cancer. Have the structures of society and need for power pushed us to work and strive too hard, where in that we have neglected our inner world our personal lives and families?

On a planetary level I think a radical change is needed or pretty soon we are going to find that we have tapped all the natural resources of the planet and then... well then we're screwed. This is a time where we can find a creative way to use our technologies and inventions to heal ourselves and our environment. We have an opportunity now to restructure the way in which we live, for with computers being a prevalent part of our work day it is possible to work from home one or two days a week. Do we really need to have a 5 day work week and only 2 weeks off a year? Something's gotta give! Integration of these conflicting energies is needed, for if people were allowed more freedom and time to nurture themselves and their families they would be more fulfilled and productive at work and with the advances in technologies and communications there is always a way to deal with whatever work situations comes up.... as long as you can log in.

Now that I have made my case for those of you who resonate with the Uranian revolutionary energies, in true diplomatic Libran style (I can't help it... 5 planets in Libra) we also need to look at where we are disconnected and have been distracted. With the advances of technology (which is ruled by Uranus) it is not uncommon to sit at a computer all day, then get in your car and chat on your cell phone, get home, microwave your dinner and turn on the TV and then upload some photos on your facebook, read a blog or two, find out what George Clooney ate for lunch on Twitter, play some X-Box (or whatever the latest fad is these days?) before tucking yourself in and reading a bedtime story via an audiobook on your ipod of course. Do we really need to wait for a Mercury retrograde (a period where communication gets delayed in some way) to drop out, cut out or get disconnected so as to ground ourselves for a moment, go within and take stock. This is where the lessons of Saturn come in and ask us to slow down and to tend to what we are avoiding, to concentrate our energies in the area that will give us the most reward. Let's not forget our goals and what we want to accomplish or master in this life. Let's simplify and cut back on areas or things that are scattering and diffusing our energy.

I have been feeling this planetary line up on a personal level, as my identity and creative will has been dancing with Saturn for a wee while now (transiting Saturn conjunct my Libra Sun), so in essence I have been able to try on Saturn's clothes and play a new role for a period. I have to say it is quite the new experience grounding my metaphysical passion in a structured way and actually seeing tangible results. This alignment has me in the front lines and will also activate all of you with sensitive points in early degrees of cardinal (Libra, Aries, Capricorn and Cancer). As an astrologer I immediately groaned at the thought of this upcoming transit but I am pleased to report although it has been a lot of work, it has been a most rewarding time in the sense of practical output. My goals and dreams and creative endeavors now have the grounding energy and disciplinary support that I so needed. I have heard many an astrologer say that Saturn needs a project (I see all you Capricorns nodding in agreement) and with Uranus (planet of liberation) and Jupiter (planet of expansion) now in Aries (energy of action) it's the perfect time to mobilize! I encourage you all to look to which houses these planets line up in your chart and see where all the action will be taking place in your life. Where do you need to make a change, let something go and what unique gifts and talents do you have to offer?