Saturn and Uranus have been locked in an aspect known as a quincunx (150 degrees) at 16 degrees of their respective signs since June 30, 2014, which lasts until August 10, 2014.  This constitutes six weeks of two antithetical planets locked into a specific degree of the zodiac which is going to imbue a whole lot of energy into that point.  These two planets also did a bit of a dos-a-dos when Saturn stationed direct on July 20 and Uranus stationed retrograde on July 21.  At this point the aspect was within only 8 minutes of arc from being exact.  The question, of course, is what effect will that have? 

The Uranus Station chart to the left shows this aspect as a thin, blue line connecting these two planets.  To figure out what to expect from it will first require breaking down the individual parts.

First, let's look at the quincunx, an aspect that is also called an inconjunct which you may have never heard of if you're not an astrologer.  This is an aspect that links together two signs that have nothing in common.  They are not of the same elemental family (Fire, Earth, Air, or Water) or modality (Cardinal, Fixed or Mutable.)  They are not even compatible as far as the elements are concerned, where Fire and Air or Water and Earth tend to get along.  In this case we have Aries (Cardinal Fire) connecting with Scorpio (Fixed Water).  Whether it's real life or figuratively fire and water do not tend to get along without strong and deliberate mediation.  The one thing these two signs do have in common, however, is that they have shared Mars as their ruler, at least as far as traditional astrology is concerned.  This lack of affinity between the signs lends a tremendous amount of instability.  The effects of these aspects are difficult to predict because there is often no clear indication which energy will prevail so it often comes across like interference or static; especially in this case, where we're dealing with Aries and Scorpio, neither of which is to be trifled with.  Other sign combinations could possibly provide a hint or two which would be strongest but this is not one of them. 

The usual delineation of a quincunx relates to an adjustment, change of course, need to defend your position or sometimes a Catch-22 situation where you're damned if you do and damned if you don't.  Clearly, something has to give.  They are not only inherently unstable but also uncomfortable.  The status quo has to go.  Most people have a natural fear or suspicion of change which is going to happen, one way or the other, in this situation.

Aries, the 1st sign and house of the zodiac, is the sign of the warrior.  It is energetic, impulsive, unilateral in its decisions, and not afraid to fight for what it wants.  Fire signs are the creative life force and demand attention.  If you choose to ignore Aries you do so at your own risk.  Scorpio is an intense and passionate Water Sign that runs deep, as reflected by its modern ruler, Pluto.  Scorpio rules the 8th house of the zodiac which includes intense experiences, sex, death and rebirth, debt and transformations.  If an Aries gets into a fight he wants to win but if he doesn't he's likely to shake hands with the winner and call it good.  If a Scorpio loses you better watch your back.  They have long memories and won't forget you bested them and additionally, as a Fixed sign, they can be very, very patient when it comes to such things as revenge.  Neither one is prone to compromise.  So that is the general climate as it relates to the signs involved.

Now let's look at the planets.  First of all consider that both are outer planets.  Saturn takes 29 years to go around the Sun and Uranus about 84.  Since they move slowly they can obviously stay in the same position for a long time, especially when retrograde motion is factored in, when they move even slower to the point of being stationary (thus the term "station retrograde" or "station direct").  When this occurs, a lot of cosmic energy is dumped into that degree which can make it "hot."  This is what undoubtedly is happening here.  In other words, when other transiting planets or a lunation occurs at that degree it could trigger something far stronger than you'd expect, kind of like stepping on an astrological landmine.  Station points can hold this energy and in this case we have two in the same degree.  Events to watch for?  How about these dates?  The Full Moon on 9 September occurs at 16:19 Pisces and on 8 October,  at 15:05 Aries.  You might want to take note of those dates and see what happens.  I have.

So we have two antithetical signs which both have the potential for very unfriendly vibes.  Considering Scorpios long memory and propensity for revenge, that sign in particular could really be up to something.  But let's get back to the parties involved, Saturn and Uranus.  These two aren't compatible, either.  Not in the slightest.  Saturn represents conventionality, tradition, authority, responsibility, ambition, structure and conservatism.  He institutes boundaries and delays, especially when retrograde.  He's not in a hurry and rules Capricorn, sign of the goat who takes his time climbing that mountain.  How's he going to behave in Scorpio?  I would say with even deeper commitment and determination.  This is the angry, passionate despot who will get his way at any price.  Think of what you might encounter if you were scuba diving and happened on the lair of a sea monster and disturbed his afternoon nap.  Yeah.

Then we have Uranus, planet that represents sudden change, rebellion, technology, explosions, anything unconventional, disturbances, surprises, breakthroughs and breaking free.  This propensity is immersed in Aries, making him ready to fight for what he wants, whatever it takes.  Aries can be very spontaneous and Uranus, likewise, can act suddenly.  This is a very volatile combination to say the least.  Think of any riot you choose where there was a lot of violence, fire and destruction and you have this combination.  (You might also want to refer back to my blog "Uranus in Aries.")

If these two planets were in opposition it's possible that balance or comprise might come about.  With a quincunx it seems more likely that one or the other will prevail.  Personally, my bets for the long haul would be on Saturn, but you never know.  At the least, Uranus will leave a helluva mess to clean up.

Translating this to the mundane scene has endless possibilities.  Politically, it's a no-brainer since that arena is already seething, albeit relatively quietly, at least in the USA.  Not so elsewhere, needless to say.  Just how much of a trigger it may take to set things off is hard to say.  Perhaps that lunation in Aries in October, beginning of the governmental fiscal year, will bring something interesting. 

At this writing, on 25 July, here are a few things to consider which have already happened this month.

1.  Al-Wadi Al-Gedid attacks which, according to Wikipedia, was an attack by unknown assailants (Uranus in Aries) versus the Egyptian army (Saturn in Scorpio.)  The "unknown" part could have some Scorpio influences as well since this sign rules secrets.

2.  Malaysia Airlines Flight 17, shot down by pro-Russia separatists per Wikipedia. Separatists (Uranus in Aries) rebelling against an airliner, which apparently represented authority or something.  Malaysia Airlines is certainly having a very bad year.

3.  The Gaza-Israel conflict increased in tension on July 8.  Story in the usual place, i.e. our friends at Wikipedia, here's the link.

4.  On June 29, the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant declared themselves a caliphate.  Their status is as an unrecognized state (Uranus.)  Details here.

5.  Kidnapping and murder of Mohammed Abu Khdeir, supposedly an act of revenge against the kidnapping and murder of Israeli teens a while back.  More here.  Kidnapping and revenge certainly have a Scorpio flavor and the fact they set the youth on fire sounds like Uranus in Aries to me.

6.  Moscow Metro Derailment, possibly caused by terrorist action (Uranus in Aries) against public transportation (Saturn). Story here.

Clearly these fit the energies of that Saturn - Uranus quincunx though granted such events have become all too commonplace in today's world.  Whether the number, intensity or implications are intensified by this aspect is the primary question.  By looking at the chart above you can also see various other unfriendly aspects.  Uranus is in wide but viable square with Pluto, which certainly isn't helping matters.  Going back to the fact that Mars is the ruler of Aries and traditional ruler of Scorpio is a reminder that both Saturn and Uranus in their current placement disposit or defer to Mars, which at the time of the above chart was still in the sign of his debility, Libra, where he has been cooped up for a long time, on the order of several months due to retrograde motion, and undoubtedly too long to suit the Red Planet.  Mars enters Scorpio on July 25 at 9:24 pm CDT which will make him much stronger as the dispositor to Saturn and Uranus.  Mars will be squared by the Moon as she enters Leo about 12 hours later. Jupiter, the Sun and the Moon are all conjunct and all squaring Mars, with the New Moon occurring approximately another 7 hours after that which constitutes another energy burst.  I suspect that after this time, especially with Mars in Scorpio, that things will heat up substantially.

I'm not going out on a limb here and making any bold predictions but it certainly looks as if it will be a long, hot summer.  Keep an eye on the news and see what you recognize as related.

As far as what you might expect at the personal level, consider that Uranus rules electronic devices.  Various people have mentioned to me that they have been having cell phone and computer problems reminiscent of Mercury retrograde.  I would point to this aspect for that.  My cell phone has been having great difficulty holding a charge.  Struggles between the status quo and breaking away are likely, even if they're on a small, personal level.  What is oppressing you which makes you want to rebel and break free?  I've recently had a fight with my water company because the post office lost my last payment and they slapped me with a late fee.  This is a private company and the water that comes out of my tap has three times the FDA limit for combined radium, a fact of which they notify us quarterly year in and year out.  They are also too behind the times to allow automatic or online payments, which would preclude lost checks.  In this case I was Uranus, they are stubborn, outdated Saturn.  (It also undoubtedly related to the fact I have transiting Neptune opposing my natal Mars.) Are you duking it out with a bank, corporation, government agency or some other form of authority figure, perhaps your boss?  I'm also having internet and web hosting problems which represent me going up against a corporation or conversely perhaps my desire for stability (Saturn) versus the quirky behavior of technology (Uranus).  What kind of battle are you waging?  Are you reacting more strongly than usual?  Have you finally had enough?

More on the effects for your individual sign were covered in your July 2014 horoscopes and I'm sure it will come up again for August.  Feel free to email me at whobeda@valkyrieastrology.com if you have any interesting happenings to report that relate to this aspect.  At the least it should be quite interesting.

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