I had a nice, happy little post planned about the positive ways in which the current Uranus-Pluto square can manifest in individual lives. The charts of Michael Phelps, Gabrielle Douglas and Usain Bolt all have natal planets in close aspect to the transiting pair, and these three stunningly talented athletes have used the power of Pluto and the electrical energy of Uranus to show us not only what the human body is capable of, but the heart and spirit that drive exceptional achievement. I was going to look at their charts in a bit of detail, and it’s a post I would have enjoyed writing.

But the shooting in Wisconsin made that post impossible — at least for now. Right now, I think it’s important to reflect on the ways that each one of us can utilize the current astrological patterns to help create the changes that are so desperately needed in our world. The terrible events that scream across the headlines do not create the need for change — they only illustrate the underlying decay and ongoing dissolution of both the structures and the resources of our global society and the challenges that we face. 

Let’s take a closer look at the signs and planets involved. Pluto, which by itself is a significator of big institutions — corporations, government, etc. — is in the sign of Capricorn, which rules a society’s structures, both material and governmental. Pluto’s mandate is to compel transformation and empowerment. The mandate of Uranus is to emancipate, to awaken, innovate and surprise, to destabilize. Uranus is a significator of technology, sudden changes, discovery, and it is in Aries, the sign of the warrior, the leader, the individual. If you have any familiarity with astrology, you will not be surprised to discover that Pluto was tightly opposed the Midheaven and Uranus oppose the Ascendant in the event chart of the Wisconsin shooting. 

So how do we respond personally, magically to events like this? There will be more unexpected violence and over-the-top destruction. There will be ongoing troubles with technology, with availability of resources, with climate change and environmental destruction. One of the first things a magician must do is realistically assess the situation they wish to change, and trying to pretend that we can continue to happily reproduce and consume without severe consequences would mean that both our lives and our magic were based in illusion. Pluto in Capricorn asks for deep, honest, realistic assessments, and Uranus in Aries demands that we find the courage of our convictions.

An essential response for effective magic, then, would be to take a deep look at our lives and at where we see the trajectory of current events taking our society over the next decades, then consciously deciding what changes we believe need to be made. Once we have clearly assessed where we are at and where we need to be heading, then we can make the appropriate changes in our own lives, deciding where to put our focus. For instance, knowing that institutions will change or fail means we can help direct the changes, and build new structures that serve a peaceful, sustainable society.

The Indian blackout on July 30 and 31  — the largest in history — is another event that is illustrative of not only just the kind of thing we can expect under the series of Uranus-Pluto squares on deck over the next two and a half years — sudden events that reveal the underlying weaknesses of government, corporations, and other large institutions —  but also of the likely responses over the effective ones.
The outage began on Monday, with the Moon in Sagittarius, opposing Venus, on the Ascendent/Descendent axis on the event chart. Neptune in Pisces was still conjunct the Midheaven — a reminder of our interconnectedness.

The system was almost fully restored, then went down again the next day. The chart of this event shows the Moon in Capricorn, having just squared Uranus and conjuncted Pluto, moving into an exact square with Mars. Mars is frequently a trigger for events related to outer planet transits, as is the Moon. By the time of the Full Moon — which opposed a Rx Mercury and was blessed with some flowing aspects from Uranus and Jupiter — those affected by the outage were back online and putting the pieces back together.

But a piecemeal approach to solving the problem of a failing electrical grid, trying to keep the old system from collapsing, is not going to to do the trick. The long-term solution(s) will be found in the kind of pioneering and populist technological developments that characterize Uranus in Aries — small scale solar, for instance, or an entirely new approach to electrical distribution. The solutions that work will involve the death of the old system, and plenty of people will fight the necessary changes, because change is hard, and scary.

Similarly, calls for better gun control, though a step in the right direction, are not going to solve the problems of violence that plague our society. What is needed is a complete overhaul of our social structure, an overhaul that will happen from the bottom up, not be imposed from the top down. A new, workable social structure for a non — or at least less — violent society, must have its basis in a grassroots insistence that violence is not a viable solution — ever. This means talking — openly and freely — about the problem, and developing a tribal-level social structure that tends caringly to those who are ill, whether their illness is mental or physical. The level of disruption needed for this kind of sweeping social change to occur is vast, and will ask all of us to look carefully, first, at our own lives and deeply within our own hearts.

The disruption will happen — we stand at the brink —  and it will require hard work and change on all levels, physical, mental, emotional and spiritual. Are you ready for change? Do you have a clear vision of the future you want to build? Insisting that you want a peaceful society while spending your Friday evenings watching violent movies or your Saturdays playing violent video games is futile. Gandhi was right — you have to be the change you want to see in the world, which means giving your time and attention to your visions, standing up for your core values, and finding the courage to face your fears.

You want to do something constructive with these transits? Then walk away from the game controller and the TV for a while, and spend some time figuring out what you can do in the real world to help change the place you wake up in every morning — the one right around you. Volunteer for a cause you believe in that helps people in your neighborhood. Interact with others in real time, think about and discuss how you can create a more caring, compassionate and encompassing social structure right where you live, then do the needed work. Empower yourself and others by making change happen, instead of waiting until it happens to you.

The gods are calling for major transformations, and getting with the program involves hard work, flexibility, and a willingness to change. Stepping up to the plate and doing the work puts you in the game. Denial, shaming, finger-pointing and pearl-clutching are the strategies of cowards and disempowered people, and put you in the collapsing bleachers. You have choices to make. Make them wisely, because the gods ain’t kidding about this.

Now, a bit about the week ahead.

Today, Monday, just about the time I will post this, the Moon will square Pluto and conjunct Uranus in Aries. Again, a trigger for this long-term transit. By the evening, it will oppose Mars in Libra. The whole day’s likely to be itchy and aggravating at best. When you find yourself being triggered emotionally, use these triggers to help you identify emotional issues you need to work on, then take them to your altar later. Letting the Moon opposing Mars help you confront your own anger issues is a great use of this transit.

Tuesday morning sees Venus moving into Cancer, over the sensitive, triggering, Aries Point (zero degrees of Cardinal signs). With the Moon still in Aries, and opposing Saturn later in the afternoon, there is likely to be a bit of drama and a lot of emotion floating around. The instinct to protect what is ours will be powerful — watch out for controlling behavior, both in yourself and others.

Wednesday begins with the Moon moving into Taurus and squaring a stationary Mercury (it turned direct at 1:33 a.m, but is still in the same degree and minute) at 6:30 a.m. (all times EDT). Yes, Mercury is finally direct! But it takes a while — at least a few days — to build up some momentum, and this early-morning square presages a problematic rush hour and a lot of heels-dug-in resistance to change.

Thursday brings the quarter Moon —  a Taurus-Leo square, which will likely bring the economy and concepts of effective leadership into focus nationally. Personally, issues of values vs. self-expression will be emphasized.

Friday the Moon moves into Gemini, then sextiles Mercury and squares Neptune later that evening, setting the stage for a sociable, if perhaps over-indulgent, weekend. Saturday afternoon Moon conjuncts Jupiter — be careful of making promises you can’t keep. This is an excellent aspect for visionary work in ritual, or to look closely at your core values. Moon trine Mars and Saturn on Sunday makes it a good day to get some work done and plan out the week ahead.

See you next week.