The Great Awakener
Uranus takes 84 years to transit the entire zodiac, around 7 years to transit one constellation. Depending on where it was placed natally in one’s chart, it is quite likely that one might not live to see Uranus transiting all houses in the chart, unless one is fortunate enough to live beyond 90. In modern astrology, Uranus rules Aquarius, the humanitarian water bearer. Oddly, although the sign is represented by the symbolic water bearer, the element that Uranus or Aquarius corresponds to is fixed air.
Discovered on 13th March 1781 by William Herschel, Uranus was named after the mythological father of Saturn and grandfather of Jupiter- Ouranos. It is the only planet in our solar system whose axis of rotation is tilted sideways. So, its north and south pole lie where the other planets have their equator. So, right off the bat, it signifies non-normative values, going beyond well established boundaries and innovation.
This divergent, unpredictable energy is challenging in a birth chart because it seeks to break limits, rules and tradition. It is electric, chaotic, futuristic and freedom seeking. Expect the unexpected in the house ruled by Uranus and where it is placed. If it is placed near the angles, then ones life is often a series of ‘tower‘ moments where old structures are broken down seemingly out of the blue to make way for newer things.
Not all Uranus placements are created equal. In my experience, the planet becomes significant only if it fulfills the following criteria:
- It squares or opposes an inner planet within a 2 degree orb.
- It is placed in the 1st, 4th, 7th or 10th houses in the tropical chart.
- It squares the nodes within a 2-3 degree orb.
- Aquarius Ascendant and/or multiple inner planets in Aquarius.
Managing the inner chaos
Most chart holders with a strong Uranus placement know they’re different from the norm. Not different as in weird, but different as in eclectic, individualistic and restless. The Uranian restless differs from the Martian/Plutonion restlessness because I have found Uranus tends to influence thought rather than physicality, thus the mind is often quick and needs intellectual stimulation like one needs air to breathe. Mercury in aspect to Uranus is the visionary. Venus in aspect to Uranus is the one with the most unusual aesthetic sense- the trend setter or the one who prefers polyamory. Sun in aspect to Uranus is the true individualist. Mars aspecting Uranus would be the natural athlete who effortlessly performs physical feats that seem astonishing. Moon to Uranus is the adventure seeker, the world traveler.
As long as one acknowledges the Uranus within, the energy will express itself in a healthy way. If the Uranus dominant suppresses this energy, it will find a way out of your psyche in rather volatile and unpredictable ways.
My next post will describe the potential fall-out when a Uranus dominant individual tries to fit in with the mainstream.
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