Social Change, Upheaval, And War/Violence

One of the questions that I am frequently asked is how Astrology explains all the change, upheaval, and tumult going on in the world these days. These questions arise especially after events like the terrorist attacks in Paris and also the attacks on the Planned Parenthood facility in Colorado Springs.

It has to do with the long-term square aspect of transiting Uranus to transiting Pluto. It has been going on since the middle of 2011. And, we are at the tail end of that cycle. The two planets are moving closer to the square right now as Uranus retrogrades through Aries and Pluto is now moving in direct motion in Capricorn. Uranus turns stationary direct in late December (as a matter of fact, on Christmas Day). Look for the unexpected then … sudden changes, possible upheaval, and other such Uranian events/behaviors. Don’t think of it as good or bad … just unexpected and different. How you as an individual respond to the events is a different matter. And, then in late January, the two planets will move to within one degree of an exact square before they again begin to separate. This cycle will wind down, and it will give way to the current Saturn square to Neptune long-term aspect (which will probably be the main long-term mundane aspect next year).

Uranus is sudden change (like lightning). It represents independence and freedom. It rebels against (oppressive?) authority and (unnecessary?) responsibility. It is different and sometimes eccentric/odd. It is refreshing, but sometimes startling. It will awaken you, but what if you’re not ready to awaken from the dream? Pluto is power. It represents organizations with great wealth and/or political power. It is ruthless. It also represents change, except it is usually the slower and more transformational (death and rebirth) type of change. If you resist, don’t expect much mercy. So, get the two together – especially in a hard aspect like the square (which connotes conflict and exaggeration) – and, the effects can be pretty spectacular (not always in a good way).

When was the last time we had a similar configuration? In the mid 1960's, transiting Uranus and transiting Pluto were conjunct in Virgo.

Update 1: Astrologer Bill Herbst has an article up on astro.com which discusses this issue in greater detail. He also gives us a look at some of the other outer planetary aspects that will be in effect in our future. You can find that article here.

Update 2 (01/23/17): Transiting Jupiter is now added to the mix - by square aspect to transiting Pluto and by opposition to transiting Uranus. This will expand and increase this events.