Jupiter opposes Saturn at 1:45 pm PDT August 16. This is a naturally intense opposition as Jupiter and Saturn are , in many ways, opposite in nature.

The general theme when these two forces clash always revolves around restriction and expansion in some way. Saturn is a notoriously difficult energy to work with. Even though most modern astrologers acknowledge the positive influence of Saturn, his transits and activity are still dreaded by many. In spiritual matters, Saturn is cast in a much more favorable light.

Saturn is the ruler of, among other things, wisdom. Jupiter is known as the planet of belief and faith – making him a very important influence in spiritual matters. These two concepts may seem vaguely related, and quite compatible. However, as Jupiter and Saturn oppose we will see these concepts clashing – in the typical expansion/restriction way of Jupiter and Saturn.

Wisdom, knowledge, and information are very similar in many ways, and the terms might even be used interchangeably by some. In reality they are vastly different. Bits of information may or may not bring knowledge – it depends on how well you understand and interpret them. Knowledge may or may not bring wisdom, it depends on how well you use it. To Pagans, the distinction is easily defined in a single word: Crone. Saturn, associated with The Crone, relates to wisdom.

Enlightenment, ideas, experiences, and revelations are inspirational and exciting; laced with endless possibility. To allow yourself to believe is to open yourself to the possibilities. When you cast aside fears and doubts, taking a leap of faith, it can be a monumental experience. New worlds open up; excitement and enthusiasm abound. This is Jupiter’s territory.

Expanding your horizons, accepting new beliefs, and taking that leap of faith are all necessary at times if you are striving for growth (spiritual or otherwise). However, this type of belief does not meet Saturn’s criteria for wisdom. There is no experience, no history, and no deep down certainty.

Jupiter urges us toward expansion and growth. He urges us to seek bigger, better, and more. Stretch for what is just within (or just beyond) your reach. This is uncharted waters, possibilities, maybes… Saturn perpetually asks "Are you really sure?" In uncharted waters, possibilities, and maybes the answer is "No."

In the name of wisdom – born of experience, certainty and depth – Saturn can smother sparks of enthusiasm. On the other hand, Jupiter – armed with passion and faith, can lead us to throw wisdom (along with caution) to the wind.

There is nothing exciting about wisdom. It, in itself is not inspirational. It is deep, calm, sure and Earthy. In fact, the greatest value of wisdom reflects the most hated realm of Saturn’s influence – restriction.

Genuine wisdom is sought after for a reason. It means you know the right answer, the right thing to do, or what not to do. This isn’t always (though it may be) doing the right thing morally when it’s unpleasant. The right answer may be exactly what you want to do, or the last thing you want to do. It depends on the situation, the subject, and your criteria for determining what is right. However, with enough wisdom, you know. You don’t think maybe, or make an effort to believe – you know the right answer. No dilemma, no maybe maybe-not, no possibilities, no excitement…

This is where we encounter the catch-22. Jupiter is pushing for growth and expansion; learning and experiencing. This is how we acquire wisdom. Some of the greatest lessons in life are taught by some of the most fantastic mistakes. Some are taught by the most fantastic successes. Be it a good or bad experience, you come out of it (ideally), a little wiser for it. But existing wisdom may tell you not to take the chance in the first place. "Remember the last time…"

Now it’s Jupiter’s turn to ask "Are you sure?" Is that really wisdom talking or is it fear, bitterness, and pessimism? But why take a risk, when there is a tried-and-true option? But how will you grow if you don’t take a risk? Round and round, in the true challenging nature of an opposition, you will find the Saturn-Jupiter war playing out somewhere in your life.

So, how do you solve the dilemma? Always, with an opposition, you need some degree of balance. However, as this opposition is part of a larger T-square, it requires decisiveness. Strive for balance, but this brings the kind of situations where you must choose to tip the scale definitively one way or the other. Especially with Saturn currently in Libra, the only option for complete balance is inertia and stagnation.

The tricky part is choosing what direction to tip the scales. That, only you can decide. There is no right or wrong planet in an aspect. There are right and wrong uses for the energies of the aspect, but it is right or wrong for you and your life. The answer must come from within.

The issues triggered by this aspect will depend on your individual chart, and your current circumstances. Watch for inner struggles of tried-and-true, proven methods, tradition, and wisdom opposing opportunity, growth, and inspiration. Watch for times when it feels foolish to believe, yet oppressive to be wise. Whether it a major decision/event, or a trend of minor things it points to something deeper.

We accumulate unfounded beliefs (or unfounded rejection of beliefs) We confuse unresolved fears or unhealed wounds for wisdom. We reject our deep down wisdom in search of something more appealing than reality. We hold beliefs closer to out hearts than we know until they are tested. This opposition is bringing these things to the surface, to light where they can be confronted.

There is usually no easy answer to these questions (unless you are very self-aware). The easy-sounding answer is listen to your heart. However, you need to go through layers of conscious ideas and pre-conceived notions before you can hear your heart. These issues may be a good topic of meditation during this coming Mercury retrograde – beginning August 20th.

Learn more about Mercury Retrograde here

  On July 25th the Full Moon will shine upon us from Aquarius, with the Sun in Leo. Electric, eccentric Aquarius is the sign of the genius and the rebel. When this lively, free-spirited Moon faces the dramatic and fiery Leo Sun – sparks fly. It’s a bit like a flash of lightning.

Full Moon is the time of enlightenment, challenges, emotions and – most of all – power. The Moon Goddess and the Sun God are face to face, illuminating, reflecting, attracting and repelling. The light, growing and building for two weeks – has reached it’s dramatic climax. We see the shower of lovely silver light, cast upon the dark earth. We feel the power of this direct Sun-Moon contact.

Lunar lore abounds; a great portion of it centered around the Full Moon. This single event provides more evidence and documentation of astrological influences and the power of the Moon than anything else. It is also fodder for a lot of paranoia and unnecessary drama. Not every Full Moon is wild and crazy. Not every Full Moon brings about dramatic events. Some are rather peaceful, gentle, and mild. Not this one. This month, she lives up to her reputation.

An Aquarian Moon is potent, and this one falls in amazingly close aspect to Uranus, the ruling planet of Aquarius. He is the planet of dramatic changes, freedom-seeking, alchemy, and totally unexpected events. Beyond this, we also have Jupiter squaring Pluto, and Saturn opposing Uranus the day before and after (respectively) Full Moon. As you may know, these are major aspects, part of a configuration (Grand Cross and T – Square) that is shaping the long-term instability and upheaval this year.

In short, the skies are busy this Full Moon. And busy in a rather chaotic, dramatic fashion.

The winds of change are blowing

It’s difficult to pin-point the theme of this Moon, with so much going on and Uranus being notoriously unpredictable. However, if I had to sum it up in a word that word is change. Besides the highlights mentioned above, there are many changes imminent or quite recent I won’t even attempt to list. Full Moon – literally, emotionally, and spiritually – brings illumination, reflection and revelation. What this Moon reveals are the changes coming or happening now. Even more importantly are the changes needed.

There is unrest and uncertainty in the air, it’s an ongoing phenomena. We all see and feel it personally, spiritually, romantically, globally, politically, socially, environmentally… The list goes on and on.

It’s human nature to resist change, yet seek it. Under current aspects, it may feel like resist or seek are far to mild of terms. You feel changes looming, threatening, and somewhere in your mind is the thought "just don’t rock the boat". On the other hand, is the sense of stagnation, the overwhelming feeling that something’s got to give, a craving for change so strong you don’t want to just rock the boat – you want to turn it over and freely swim, or trade it in for a plane and get out of the water!

Depending on your chart, and your life, you may find yourself facing issues of change on several fronts. Some things just have to go, while others represent frightening instability. You may (and most likely will) even feel both sides of the board on the same issue.

Wherever the focus of upheaval in your life, that is where this Full Moon shines the brightest. The light cast by the Full Moon is that of the Sun reflected. This reminds us to use Full Moon for reflection in our own lives. If changes you’ve worked long and hard for are beginning to come to fruition, you may be getting cold feet. When you’ve fought change until you are weary, yet still it looms, you may be tempted to just give up in defeat – or fight to the death (figuratively). The challenge here is to stop, think, and reflect before you give up, charge forward, or back down.

This Moon speaks to the soul, though the mind may try to answer. Reflecting upon your life, self, challenges and opportunities does not mean practically analyzing – at least not right now. The reflection that is needed here is within – deep within. Let your soul speak, and let your mind listen. This is a crossroads, at time of opening and closing doors.

On the surface lies tough decisions, challenges and frustrating circumstances. On the surface it takes some common sense and determination to best cope with what you are confronted with on a given day. What about beneath the surface and beyond the day?

In the long-term, we are in a time of shaping destiny. We see that globally in political, environmental, and social struggle. Progress vs.. tradition. Each, in their own way, seem promising and frightening. There is a feeling we must choose one or the other, go back or continue on. Yet too much has changed to go back as it was before, and too much has changed to continue on where it was meant to go. This same feeling resonates within each of us and our individual lives.

In the short-term, this Full Moon is a powerful time, a potential turning point in the bigger things. When we can not go forward or back, we must blaze a new trail. That can be exciting, frightening, and intimidating. Whether your chosen method is ritual work, karmic work, spiritual work, and/or practical planning and hard work – the common theme is work, and a lot of it. Even in a spiritual/esoteric sense, when the word "work" has pleasant connotations not associated with labor – it still requires a patience, commitment and input of effort.

The temptation is to retreat, or continue pushing the direction you’ve been trying to go even if you are not getting anywhere. The opportunity is to heal old wounds, remove energy blocks, break addictions, release negative emotions… end whatever is holding you back. The challenge is summonsing the creativity, bravery, strength, enthusiasm, and power to make it happen. The reward is opening a path reflective of your true self, spirit and soul rather than one reflective of old wounds, outgrown ideals, and external influences.

Meet Saturn

"Where Saturn goes, trouble follows" so the ancient (and even some modern) astrologers would tell you. Unfortunately, where there’s smoke there’s fire. Saturn events are difficult. However they are also (or at least they can be) enlightening and empowering.

Saturn, the planet of strength and challenge, is heading for new terrain. After a couple of years in Virgo he briefly entered Libra last October, only to retrograde back to Virgo in April. Now, on July 21st he returns to Libra – this time to stay. On average, Saturn spends about two and a half years in each sign of the Zodiac. He will not leave Libra again until October of 2012.

Saturn is a great teacher, if you are willing to learn. In the world according to Saturn, challenges are opportunities, failures hold valuable lessons, hardships build strength, and experience transforms to wisdom. Hard work and patience pay off. Not everything in life can come easily, what does isn’t Saturn’s terrain.

Mythology, and the deities associated with planets can tell us a great deal about the astrological influences of the planet.

Saturn (or Saturnus) is the ancient Roman God of agriculture. The nature of agriculture is challenging. The seasons must be followed, tasks must be completed at the correct time, and losses are inevitable. Planting (preparation and beginning) is one of the most difficult parts. If this is done correctly, all that is needed is diligence, patience and consistently dedicating a small amount of time and effort. Slowly but surely, the tiny seed grows into a big, strong plant – and the fruits of your labor begin to ripen. Then comes the other difficult part. Harvesting (reaping the rewards) is perhaps the most laborious time in agriculture.

Saturn, and even more so Cronus his Greek ‘counterpart’ was the God of time. This trait is deeply ingrained in the planetary Saturn as well. From traditions to past lives, Saturn relates to what takes time and what has time already invested. This is the planet of karma. What you have projected, be it good or bad, comes back. Deeds of the past are connected to ‘luck’ of the present. All in time, you reap what you have sown.

Saturn contact ages, matures, and strengthens. He is the Crone of our Solar System. This statement alone explains how we come to earn the greatest gift Saturn has to offer: wisdom.

Introducing Libra

As he travels through the Zodiac, Saturn evolves and changes. The Wheel of the Year turns with the Sun’s journey through the Zodiac. Every planet makes this same journey; changing, evolving, opening and closing doors in an endless cycle. Saturn is now reaching the cusp of Libra – the who is host to Lughnassadh in the Sun God’s journey.

Lughnassadh, when the Sun reaches Libra, is the point in the year when day equals night- perfect balance has been achieved. However, as perfect balance equals inertia – and everything exists in a constant state of change, the scales must be tipped. As we celebrate the balance and beauty of Autumn, we are slipping into the dark of the year.

Like all signs of the Air Element, Libra is a sign of duality, and paradox. The concept of the scales of justice, as it refers to Libra, is in itself a paradox. In reality it applies to much more than justice. Libra’s scales are the scales of balance.

If the scales are tipped in one direction, there must be a shift toward the other if we are to achieve balance. If the shift is too dramatic, the scales must be tipped the other way again if we are to find balance. If the shift is not to dramatic, and absolute balance is achieved the momentum ceases. Then we have an imbalance of another kind – all the weight is on the side of balance, and none on the side of change and evolution. Again, the scales must tip.

Mark Twain said "moderation in all things, including moderation". When speaking of Libra we could say "balance in all things, including balance".

When Saturn is in Libra

Now the formidable force of Saturn will be holding the scales. The first thing this brings to mind is Saturn’s association with karma. Karma is considered by some as the justice system of the esoteric world. As Saturn travels through Libra, you may find the scales in your life tipping according to what weights you’ve put there in the past.

If you find yourself confronted with a mess of your own making – be it through karma, or logical cause and effect – Saturn leaves only two options. Give up and let it consume you, or clean it up and tip the scales in another direction. He gives no easy out, and no quick fix. Saturn challenges us to make the effort, and learn the lesson. Knowledge may come easily, but wisdom does not.

Saturn in Libra operates with a paradox – setting and testing limitations, building and testing strength. He challenges you to face your own imbalances and stagnation.

Where you believe you have strength, stability, and consistency in your life, he may drop a few weights in the other side of the scale. What if people, things, or situations you take for granted were no longer there, or no longer rock-solid?

Both Saturn and Libra relate to harvest – the fruits of your labor. Part of agricultural harvest is weeding out the chafe, deciding what to keep, what to discard , and what to let ripen for next year’s seed. Likewise, in life, we must decide what is worth the effort of harvest. Saturn is reminding us that change is inevitable – and there is no such thing as a guarantee.

If you want to hang on to that which seems to be slipping away, it takes a commitment and effort. He will remind us it’s not as it always was, and you aren’t who you always were. Everyone and everything is a little different with each breath. In time, those subtleties accumulate.

When we ignore, take for granted, parts of our lives or selves we forget to look at the reality of this moment – we are working with a static mental image of some time in the past. In an ever-changing world, a static image isn’t an accurate one. Are you willing to take the challenge of re-acquainting yourself with whatever Saturn takes down from the shelf and dusts off? Is it worth the effort of reintegrating it into your life? Or will taking an honest, hard look at the reality of it show you that you’ve evolved in another direction? Is it worth the effort of removing it from your life?

These are not easy questions to face. The seemingly easy answer is to not answer. Ignore it, it’s just not worth the effort, why try if it’s going to be this way… The darker side of Saturn offers the simple solution of "give up if it’s too hard, and don’t bother if you might fail". Giving up, turning a blind eye, learning to expect failure – as we know, evolution is inevitable and this is a recipe for evolution in the wrong direction

Saturn is known as the planet of maturity (remember, he carries the energy of the Crone). He does not throw blockages in your path just to trip you, although it can seem that way. The concept that everything happens for a reason is very Saturnine. Maybe there’s a reason you needed to stop at that point. You may miss it if you don’t bother to look around. Maybe there are lessons to be learned, or skills to be gained in the process of getting around it. You’ll miss out if you don’t try.

Navigating Saturn requires a leap of faith, in a way. He’s a great teacher, but he doesn’t show you the lesson plan. Only after the challenge has been met do you realize what you really gained from it. If you meet Saturn’s challenges by drawing upon wisdom and strength you already have, and the intent of gaining more wisdom and strength you will be rewarded.

    This month began with a major shift in energies with Saturn turning direct, and Neptune turning retrograde at the end of May. Talk about turning things upside-down (or maybe more like inside out)

These two slow moving planets have fairly long retrograde periods, and even longer direct periods. For most of the year practical, analytical Saturn has focused his attention inward while dreamy, intuitive Neptune has focused outward. Now the tides have turned.

Saturn is the great teacher, though his methods are often undesirable. Rewards of wisdom, maturity and strength wait at the end of a long and difficult journey. If we refuse to learn his lessons, we can always appeal to the other side of Saturn for comfort. Then we can sink into comfortable apathy, depression, bitterness…

Retrogrades of Saturn are a time of intense inner focus. Depending on your chart this may or may not be a conscious process. However, odds are over the last few months you have learned a little about yourself in the last few months. Perhaps you revisited some old hurts and disappointments; considered your ability to take on challenging new opportunities; contemplated where you went wrong, or were wronged in the past. Now the question is what did you learn?

A Saturn retrograde can leave you feeling as if you’ve been through an emotional wringer if it touches sensitive point in your chart. Even if it doesn’t you may still feel a bit of this. The challenge is to take all of that new insight and use it wisely. Shore up your weak spots, let go of the old baggage you’ve dredged up and let past follies guide you around future pitfalls – all the while dodging the feeling that it’s too much, too hard, or too depressing. A wisely navigated Saturn retrograde leads to greater strength and maturity.

Meanwhile, Neptune has been direct – focused outward. He is the imaginative, creative, soulful, spiritual, sympathetic, empathetic, and sometimes gullible dreamer of the cosmos. Direct is the natural motion of the planets – onward, upward, forward, and outward is the natural direction of progress and evolution.

Neptune’s influence promotes the awareness of subtlety and possibility. Opposite of Saturn in many ways, Neptune resists boundaries and erodes walls. There are no certainties, facts or impossibilities in Neptune’s world. He is the cosmic ‘checks and balances’ for narrow mindedness. He is also the planet of oneness, blurring the lines between the seen and unseen, this world and the other world, Mother Earth and her children, one person and another – just as he blurs the lines between fact and fiction, reality and imagination.

While Saturn has been testing and challenging our inner selves, Neptune has continued in his normal direct manner softening the outer world. Now they have swapped. Retrograding Neptune encourages us to explore the inner planes in a gentle, flowing often subconscious process vastly different from Saturn’s harsh scrutiny.

A Neptune retrograde turns inner awareness toward the subtle, spiritual, and uncertain. It sparks the imagination and stirs dreams or fantasies sidelined by Saturn’s all-business approach. If you feel like you haven’t cut yourself any slack, let your mind wander, and let yourself dream in a long time – you probably haven’t!

Now that Saturn is direct, and Neptune retrograde there is a bit more of a tendency to get serious with what you are doing. There is a more intense focus on the practicalities and realities of your current situation, surroundings, habits, relationships etc.

A renewed sense of inner strength, and determination in forward momentum can be harnessed into a formidable force for progress in the external world, especially after Jupiter enters fiery Aries on the 5th. At the same time, Neptune is exploring the possibilities of mind, spirit, and soul. This brings an opportunity to overcome circumstance, lack of confidence, lack of resources or whatever ‘practicality’ has been holding you back.

In the best case scenario, we can go with the flow in an energy shift like this and work miracles. Sometimes all we need is the creativity to solve a problem, the belief that it’s not really impossible, or the spiritual grounding to gather power. However, Neptune’s creative force can venture into bizarre, and faith in possible can turn to foolishness. Be careful not to waste a great deal of effort, energy and enthusiasm on a Neptunian delusion.

This shift will likely benefit those with ‘bleeding heart’ tendencies. Neptune retrograding pulls the compassionate, changeable, understanding sympathetic focus inward a bit. We are less likely to put ourselves in someone else’s shoes, while taking more time to contemplate how it really feels to be in our own shoes. However, those with more self-centered or hardened tendencies may have to try a bit harder to be understanding and open-minded to other’s needs.

Neptune retrograde decreases the natural connection, not only between people but also between us and other worlds. Neptune is one of the most important planets in spiritual, psychic and esoteric matters. His retrogrades, turning the focus inward, are a perfect time for connecting with one’s own spirit and soul. It is good for developing skills, exploring paths, chakra work, power building… the list goes on and on. It just makes connection and communication with other entities/worlds a bit more challenging.

In magickal practice, it may be a little harder to call desired entities (not impossible at all, just a little more static than usual), but Neptune retrogrades often heighten personal power and spiritual energy plenty to compensate.