AUDIO VERSION: Saturn square Pluto – Impasse?

Hello, everyone.

We’ve been examining the impact of the square between Saturn in Libra and Pluto in Capricorn.  The first exact contact of this square occurs on Sunday, November 15th; there will be a retrograde contact at the end of January 2010, and then the last exact contact will occur in October, 2010.  Usually, the first contact of a long transit like this sets the stage for the conflict and is most intense.

Symbol of Saturn

Symbol of Saturn

In a nutshell, Saturn in Libra challenges us to define our attitudes toward others in intimate relationships and business partnerships, as well as “others” in general.  Pluto in Capricorn will bring to light everything that is old and decaying in the structures that influence all of our lives such as government and big business and is calling into question whether we have placed our trust in the proper powers.

Clash of the Titans

So now let’s get down to business.  With Saturn in Libra we feel determined to form new alliances, to seek security through partnerships, and to bring our best ideas down to earth through expanding our fields of endeavors.  We’re ready to engage in new projects and we’re willing to put in the extra hours to garner new clients or make an impact on the world around us. 

Symbol of Pluto

Symbol of Pluto

We’re all set:  we’ve prepared our business plans and equipped our businesses and just as we get started we run into one of the most formidable energies affecting our planet today:  Pluto in Capricorn.  Saturn tries to form new alliances and implement new ideas and immediately meets Pluto in the process of tearing down the edifices in our lives. 

Client Examples

Here are some ways this is playing out in clients’ businesses:

  1. One client is trying to reach new customers (Saturn in Libra) while conservatism has gripped consumers (Pluto in Capricorn).
  2. Another client needs to form new financial alliances (Saturn in Libra) while potential partners are driven to protecting their own dwindling resources (Pluto in Capricorn).
  3. One client has a great new idea for expansion (Saturn in Libra) but can’t secure credit because his personal assets have lost so much value (Pluto in Capricorn).
  4. Another is launching herself as an artist (Saturn in Libra) when her potential clients’ discretionary spending is at an all time low (Pluto in Capricorn).
  5. One client wants to do justice to his employees in terms of wages and benefits (Saturn in Libra) but is experiencing financial shortages and has to implement staff layoffs instead (Pluto in Capricorn).
  6. Another client is trying to negotiate a fair resolution to some tax issues (Saturn in Libra) just when the state government is scrambling for revenue wherever it can find it (Pluto in Capricorn).
  7. One client is creating a new methodology in her field (Saturn in Libra) and running into vehement criticism from established corporate competitors (Pluto in Capricorn).

And a few government examples…

  1. Leading a nation using diplomacy rather than force (Saturn in Libra) when the economic and military foundations are crumbling (Pluto in Capricorn).
  2. Building bridges, literally or metaphorically (Saturn in Libra), when the underlying infrastructure is unsound (Pluto in Capricorn).
  3. Launching a new social program (Saturn in Libra) when people are terrified about their own material security (Pluto in Capricorn). 

Is this an impasse?  What does astrology suggest we do?  We’ll look at that in the next post in this series.

Do you have any personal examples?  Please share them in the comments section.