When the Road Feels More Difficult
I have been quite in awe of the strong ongoing influence our four outer planets are contributing to our lives. I have not seen a time this intense in the many years of doing professional astrology readings.
When I analyze and share how the planets traveling through the sky are currently interacting with a person’s Birth Chart, there has been a consistent increase in the intensity of influences people are receiving. This is all because our 3 outer plantlets are continuing to travel though very similar degrees of their respective signs. Instead of just getting one influence from an outer planet, folks with the Sun, Moon, or even Rising sign in similar degrees to the outer planets are getting a triple dose of energy coming their way.
People who have their Sun, Moon, or Rising sign in an Air or Fire sign are often receiving inspirational and positive influences right now. These influences may help them move forward with their goals, hopes, and dreams. New ideas can emerge, motivation can increase, and opportunities may appear that help them take an important step forward. The Air signs are Gemini, Libra, and Aquarius. The Fire signs are Aries, Leo, and Sagittarius.
The experience can be quite different for people whose Sun, Moon, or Rising sign is in an early degree of the Earth or Water element. The Earth signs are Taurus, Virgo, and Capricorn. The Water signs are Cancer, Scorpio, and Pisces. These are the signs I want to focus on for this article.
This divergence of experience is occurring because the four outer planets of Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto are all moving exclusively through Fire and Air signs. When they connect with important pieces of our Birth Chart, that are also in Fire and Air signs, they form wonderful 120 & 60 degree angles, angles that allow the gifts of these planets to flow to us and can contribute to very positive events happening, seemingly out of the blue: a job offer instigated by a friend of a friend, or a home selling that had been lingering on the market.
Many people with Earth and Water placements in their Sun, Moon, or rising sign, are receiving more challenging angles from Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, or Pluto. Either a challenging 90-degree angle called a square or the 150 degrees angle called a quincunx which brings can bring about a positive change, but usually through something ending, like a job or a relationship. These aspects may create delays, uncertainty, resistance from other people, or circumstances that require a change in plans. This pattern has been active this entire year and will continue through the end of next year, with some let up during times when one of the planets is retrograde.
This does not mean that every person with their Sun, Moon, or Rising sign in Earth or Water will have a difficult year. The degree of the placement is important, along with the nature of the entire Birth Chart. However, people with one of these important Birth Chart positions between approximately 3 and 7 degrees may be feeling these influences more strongly because Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto are collectively traveling through that degree range this year.
Saturn is moving through a larger portion of Aries right now and may therefore be affecting an even wider group of people with Earth and Water placement, specifically those of us who have an Earth or Water Sun, Moon, or Rising Sign between 7 and 14 degrees. Next year its moves through the second half of Aries and will affect degrees15 though 27.
As an example, recently I had a reading with a lovely client who had moved to an area of the country where she had wanted to live for a long time. After arriving, she found it much more difficult than expected to establish herself. Her career was not moving forward easily, and finding the right housing had become complicated. She began to wonder whether she had made the wrong decision and should move back home.
When I analyzed her transits, it became clear that Saturn was making a challenging connection to her Capricorn Sun. Saturn can make plans more cumbersome when forming a 90-degree angle to one’s Sun or Moon, as it was with this client. This specific transit may bring delays, additional responsibilities, and roadblocks that make us question whether we are on the right path.
It was gratifying for my client to learn this was a limited phase. The difficulties she was encountering did not necessarily mean her decision to move was wrong. As Saturn leaves this challenging angle to her Sun, the possibilities surrounding her career and housing would most likely begin to open, even as soon as December when Saturn comes out of its retrograde movement.
Often, a delay does not mean we should abandon our plans. It may mean we need more time to establish a strong foundation, gather additional information, or make adjustments that will ultimately produce a better outcome.
When Pluto makes a difficult aspect to the Sun, Moon, or Rising sign, it can be one of the more demanding transits we experience. Pluto has us dig deeply into our values, our priorities, and what we stand for. It also wants us to hold our own and effectively deal with people who do not have our best interests at heart.
During a challenging Pluto transit, we may encounter people who try to manipulate us, control us, or deliberately interfere with our movement forward. This can happen in the workplace, within the larger family constellation, or in group setting. As unpleasant as these situations may be, Pluto is pushing us toward self-discovery and greater emotional intelligence. We are learning how to stand up for ourselves, explain the direction we want to take, and make it clear, not only to ourselves but to others, why that direction matters to us.
Pluto may ask us to develop a stronger presence, one that communicates that we cannot easily be controlled or pushed around. This is a learning process, but the strength we gain remains available to us long after the transit has ended. Ideally, we become so clear about our values and boundaries that we are less likely to attract similar situations in the future.
Neptune operates in a softer way, although it can produce a challenging phase. When Neptune makes a difficult connection to the Sun, Moon, or Rising sign, forming a 90-degree angle, it may muddy the waters. Our perceptions may not feel as clear as we would like, and we may become more indecisive. Instead of encountering an obvious external obstacle, the block may feel more internal. We may struggle to determine which direction is best or question whether a plan still supports who we are becoming.
Neptune does not want us to rush. It asks us to use our intuition and to give important decisions time to develop. Because Neptune is our spiritual planet, it also encourages us to consider whether our plans support our spiritual growth and our deeper sense of meaning.
This does not mean we must choose a career or lifestyle that is obviously spiritual. Rather, Neptune asks whether the direction we are considering allows us to live in greater alignment with our values, intuition, and spiritual awareness.
Uranus creates another type of challenge. Uranus ultimately wants us to move toward a life that feels more creative, inspired, and engaging. It wants us to have more zest for life and to be willing to explore new possibilities.
However, when Uranus makes those challenging 90-degree or 150-degree aspects to our Sun, Moon, or Rising sign, it may briefly gum up the works. A roadblock can appear just as we are trying to move in an exciting new direction.
Fortunately, the most intense phase of a Uranus transit is often relatively brief. As Uranus begins to move away from the exact contact, we may feel increasingly free to move forward. We might continue with our original plan, or the obstacle may encourage us to choose another path that is even more creative and interesting. Uranus loves a learning curve. What initially appears to be an unwanted disruption may push us toward an option we had not previously considered.
The most important thing I like to impart in my readings is that challenging aspects do not exist to cause trouble. They want us to take a few breaths and fully assess the direction we want to head. They create periods of adjustment, learning, and growth. They may slow us down, ask us to reconsider a plan, or require us to develop abilities we have not fully used before.
If you have an Earth or Water Sun, Moon, or Rising sign and life has felt more difficult lately, do not to assume that you are permanently blocked or that every decision you have made was wrong. Look carefully at what the situation is asking you to learn.
Saturn may be asking you to build a stronger foundation. Pluto may be teaching you to hold your boundaries and stand firmly behind your values. Neptune may be asking you to slow down and listen to your intuition. Uranus may be redirecting you toward a more creative and engaging path.
The road may be more complicated than you expected, but that does not mean it is taking you in the wrong direction. Sometimes the obstacle itself contains the information we need to create a better outcome.
Sending Love,
Corrie
