The planets Saturn and Uranus are in opposition to each other between October 2008 and Aug 2010, and will come to an exact degree 5 different times during this timeframe. These planets carry very different signatures energetically, so when they are in opposition to one another, it feels like a pendulum swinging back and forth. In our personal experience, it may feel like everything is greatly accelerated and fluctuating wildly out of control, making it difficult for us to find our bearings and hold onto that which will serve as a reliable and stable "anchor".

When the pendulum swings to the Saturn side, we favor stability, security, though we may also feel static, contracted, caught in a "chop wood, carry water" phase. We feel the density of our physical bodies and the efforts of dealing with the physical plane. We worry about money and the uncertainty of the future. We resist change, as we resist having to face those nagging doubts, fears and worries which keep coming to the surface.

When the pendulum swings to the Uranus side, we make great effort to break free, to escape the "hold" of those Saturnian limitations. We frantically search for that which will give us a framework for all that we are experiencing. We take bold strides and make strong statements to strengthen our sense of freedom, independence and individual expression. We make deals with God - I"ll make the effort to go with the flow in the wake of these huge changes taking place on Planet Earth, if you"ll personally share with me what your plan is!

How will this play out in the world?

Saturn represents the patriarchal system, which will attempt to hold on tightly to the old, tried and true ways, especially within the framework of government and society.

Saturn will resist change and the unknown and do everything to maintain control and wants a plan in place before it acts. On a more positive note, we will identify ways in which we can exercise self discipline in our lives, and live more simply, with less stress.

We will strive toward making health care available to everyone and find better solutions to caring for the elderly. We will seek ways in which we can be of service.

Uranus strives for progressive change, especially in regard to the rights, liberties and freedom of the individual. It will assume a bold role, challenging and ultimately breaking down traditional structures and systems which are not working effectively. It will strive toward the new, developing a plan, but trusting intuitive trends and will know that the original plan will need to be altered along the way as new and unexpected challenges are encountered.

We will recognize the need to learn about and become proficient in the use of technology, recognizing it as the way of the future. We will learn that we cannot ignore what is happening in other parts of the world, as we are all connected and will ultimately face the same problems and challenges, even if in different measures. We will learn that we must align with the ways of nature and take care of our planet for it is a part of us and we are a part of it!

We will witness economic structures breaking down and see a great deal of debate, in how to "fix" the problems. The Saturn approach is to pull back, wait for more stable ground, and use solutions which have worked in the past and will bring things back to "normal". The Uranus approach is to act swiftly, go into the unknown with a progressive plan offering solutions which may not have been tried before, while taking into account global conditions and changes likely to come into effect some years down the road.

We are likely to witness unrest, dissatisfaction and frustration in the average person who has had a great deal of expendable income these past many years and is now challenged to "tighten their belts considerably" and who may end up working the same hours for much less pay.

We will also notice that in these turbulent times, many more groups of individuals will come together in public protest, especially in countries where leaders have had exercised rigid, excessive political and religious controls for some time.

How might we experience the dynamics of these energies within ourselves as individuals?

The dynamic energies of these planets bouncing off of each other tend to operate like a computer program constantly working in the background. We can"t put our finger on it, but we somehow feel constantly off center and more prone to stress. We seem to lack a sense of deep peace, clarity and restfulness.

If the opposition of Saturn and Uranus is also triggering planets in your natal chart, you will feel these feelings in "spades". When Saturn in the sign of Virgo is operating from its "shadow" side, we can experience fear, anxiety and depression. Saturn in Virgo is related to health, so we may also experience fluctuation in the state of our health and wellbeing. We may also feel trapped and "stuck" within our current circumstances.

When Uranus in the sign of Pisces is operating from its shadow side, we will experience an emotional urgency to break free of what binds us at all costs, hence we may act impulsively without thinking of the future consequences or we may seek to escape the emotional intensity we feel by sinking into old self-destructive behavior patterns, giving into our addictions.

When we utilize the positive energies of Saturn in Virgo, we are practical and proactive in taking care of our selves and our health; we tackle one thing at a time, persevere until it"s done. We recognize the need to be patient and to go with flow, even if the flow is much slower and less predictable than what we are used to. We need extra time to "digest" all of what is taking place within our lives and the fluctuating manner in which we are experiencing it. We know we need to create inner and outer "space" to manage this, which we make a priority.

When we utilize the positive energies of Uranus in Pisces, which embody Universal energies, we long to gain insight into spiritual and universal perspectives. We are drawn to explore new ways of thinking, understanding and "being". We may choose to explore universal practices and techniques which help guide us toward strengthening our connection to our inner life, and help us create energetic "shifts" which promote self healing and self awareness.

When did the opposition of these two planets last take place?

Not surprisingly in the 60"s! Saturn was in opposition to Uranus from March of 1965 through March of 1966 and again from October of 1966 through Feb of 1967. And if you remember the turbulent years of the 60"s, and the aftermath that followed, hopefully you will also remember the amazing expansion in consciousness which took place within a massive number of individuals.

Not surprisingly the 1960"s followed the restrictive political times of the McCarthy era, as these current times follow the patriarchal, let"s to go war, Bush era.