Each planetary archetype represents a pathway of growth. As the goddess of love and beauty, Venus sets our path through matters pertaining to our heart and aesthetic sensitivity.

To whatever degree we have been able to accept and love ourselves, we’ll be able to generously share that love and acceptance with others.

Those with Venus in 7th or 11th house similarly need to learn to build up their partners and friends before being able to experience the reciprocal appreciation.

Cultivating the habit of appreciating others will serve to attract the same in return, as well as transform the negative, critical thought patterns into positive, edifying ones.

Those with Venus in Earth signs (Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn) place greater value on practical contributions as opposed to warm emotions and loving words. Whether it’s by taking care of the family financially, fixing things around the house, or helping someone stay organized, their contributions need to have tangible results in order to be satisfying.

Those with Venus in 2nd, 6th or 10th house more or less need to feel that they can contribute in a real way. For them, financial success may become one indicator to assess their level of contribution to the world.

Through helping our partners in a solid way, we learn that love can be shown through silent, every day contribution.

Whether through greater self acceptance, emotional healing, appreciation or contribution, we increase our capacity to love through developing in the ways suggested by our Venus’ natal placement. While it’s not possible to please everyone, enough of “right people” will come into our lives as we continue this journey of the heart, so that we’ll always have people to love.

Each astrological archetype represents a unique pathway of development. We could metaphorically say that astrology is a school, and planets are the teachers.

In Neptune’s case, his lesson is to remind us of our boundless nature, through dissolving the false limitations we’ve imposed upon ourselves over the years.

Neptune and Dreams
We can experience Neptune most strongly at the moment between dreaming and waking.

In many dreams, we are a different person with a completely different purpose and a mission. When we wake up and regain our normal identity, we somehow feel refreshed and expanded for a time.

This is because our consciousness is boundless by default, and it doesn’t react very well to being confined in ego’s narrowly defined identity. Dreams (and other Neptunian activities) let us escape our self defined barriers for a time, and allow our consciousness (our real self) to become whole again.

The blissful sense of wholeness that we experienced as a newborn child could be said to be the normal state of consciousness. But the wholeness slipped away from us little by little, each time our ego was defined by boundaries such as gender, race, nationality, religion, and countless judgments we received from others regarding our ability, intellect, attractiveness and lovability.

As a result, our ego is like a thin slice of the vast pie of consciousness; it represents only a fraction of who we really are.

These socially defined boundaries give us a sense of identity necessary for functioning in the world. But so often we acquire false beliefs that don’t serve us, which limit our growth. Neptune can dissolve such unnecessary limitations and increase our resourcefulness in life.

Neptune in Houses
Here are some examples of how Neptune might function during transit to a certain house. Natal house placement of Neptune may also behave similarly:

• Neptune in or transiting 1st or 7th house: The relationships that define our identity might be dissolved. This period can offer inspiring opportunities to redefine and expand our self definition.
• Neptune in or transiting 2nd or 8th house: Our standard for self-valuation might be gradually dissolved and expanded. We may begin to value different things in others as well. The traditional measures of valuation (money and success) may stop functioning altogether, or may be redefined as means to help others.
• Neptune in or transiting 3rd or 9th house: Our mind will learn to expand beyond traditional ideas and beliefs that are common in the culture we’re born in. Some grounding is necessary to keep everything real.
• Neptune in or transiting 4th or 10th house: Our family or career could undergo a process of dissolution. There could be a feeling of uprooting or a “wipe out.” Our sense of belonging and life direction will be dissolved, and then expanded afterward.
• Neptune in or transiting 5th or 11th house: This transit dissolves the boundary of our social circles. Your circle of friends may expand, or dissolved to be completely replaced. This might be a good opportunity to let go of limiting beliefs concerning love and creativity.
• Neptune in or transiting 6th or 12th house: The consciousness might be drawn to explore itself through meditation and other subtle practices, striving to escape the shackles of ego in some way.

Conclusion and Examples
Our identity is fiction, and is based on myriads of opinions placed upon us by others since birth. Much of unnecessary suffering is based on this false sense of self, and Neptune offers a way out through temporary or permanent dissolution of these limiting boundaries.

I have Neptune conjunct Moon and square Ascendant, and had to find a way to experience the vastness of who I felt myself to be, through undoing years of conditioning. Music helped me, and so did meditation or reading fiction. My natal Neptune is in 9th house, and now I live on the other side of the world from my country and feel quite at home. My spiritual search has taken me away from traditional worldview, and I feel alive and grateful because of it.

How does Neptune work in your chart? Feel free to share through emails or comment…

In this Saturn post, we’ll discuss the often underrated Servant archetype in connection with its counterpart, the Master/Ruler archetype.

Transformation of the Servant to the Master/Ruler (Or Vice Versa)

In Judaic myths, the servant archetype is often associated with future elevation. The story of Joseph the slave becoming the ruler of Egypt is well known. It’s interesting that even in his elevated position, he was essentially the servant of the king – so the archetype was consistent despite his changed circumstance (i.e. the ruler.)

Another well known story is that of Elisha following and serving the prophet Elijah until his death, afterwards receiving the power to work powerful miracles and becoming a prophet himself. In these and other biblical stories (starting with Moses), the leader of men are portrayed to be the servant of the Creator, despite all their power.

In India there are stories that go in the reverse direction, where kings, prince/princesses go seek the wisdom of spiritual masters, who are often in the serving class (a weaver, shoemaker, gardener etc.) Some of them give up their wealth and status to become the servant of these lower-born sages.

While the difference of life direction suggested by the Western and Eastern myths is interesting in itself, for our purpose it’s sufficient to see how the archetypes of Servant and Master/Ruler seem to be connected, like two sides of a coin.

Saturn Cycle and the Evolution of Servant/Master Archetype

Wherever Saturn is found in the natal and transit chart, there could be a sense of mastery and authority that accumulates as a result of years of service (i.e. work done in a spirit of cooperation, improvement, or love.) As a result there could be elevation of status or increase in responsibility.

Another possibility is that you temporary experience katabasis (descent) and even feel “down and out” in the life area suggested by Saturn, as a process of intense learning and self knowledge. (Consider Joseph being thrown into a pit, then becoming a slave, then becoming imprisoned. That’s katabasis.)

Saturn’s 29.5 year cycle could be divided into roughly four 7 year quarter-cycles. We could experience some rise and fall (and rise again) as Saturn makes its hard aspects (conjunction, opposition, squares) every 7 years with a given planet or a point. Here are some examples:

Saturn conjunction, square or opposition to natal Saturn: As Saturn represents our core structures in life, Saturn’s transit to its natal position every 7 years could signify major changes in our social status, including work, marriage and family. Frequently there are greater opportunities to serve. Sometimes there are necessary experiences of descent. [Note: Saturn’s transit to Midheaven could be interpreted in similar way.]

Saturn conjunction, square or opposition to natal Venus: Venus represents our ability to create emotional connection with others. We ‘serve’ in relationships all the time, but every 7 years our depth of commitment to serve those we love is being tested. [Note: we could interpret Saturn’s transit to the Descendant in a similar way.]

Saturn conjunction, square or opposition to natal Moon: Moon represents our emotions and inner being. Every 7 years the Servant archetype will clash with our emotional needs (I put it this way because most of us are not emotionally wired to serve – serving is a learned behavior.) During this period we might need to put our own emotional needs aside for the sake of others – or figure out a creative way to serve in a way that somehow satisfies our own needs as well.

Saturn conjunction, square or opposition to natal Mars: Mars is the sword of the Sun – it represents our power to act and achieve our objectives. Every 7 years this power clashes with the Servant archetype, and must be harnessed for the sake of others – or else there could be frustrations.

Conclusion & Personal Example

Each time transiting Saturn approaches a certain point of your horoscope, it may be useful to consider how you might be facing an opportunity to serve in greater ways. Your natal Saturn placement through sign, house and aspect may also suggest ways in which you’re being called to serve – in this case, transit to natal Saturn will reinforce this natal tendency.

My natal Saturn is square Mars, and throughout my life I’ve had to learn to submit to various authorities, while working on understanding why it was making me so angry. I could say that my natural tendency was to use whatever abilities I had for purely personal goals, but that somehow wasn’t working – which prompted me to seek out agreeable ways of serving others while using my Mars talent (which happens to be in Scorpio & 8th house).

If you can relate with Saturn and the Servant/Master archetype in your horoscope, please feel free to share your thoughts and experience through emails or comments.

Being in touch with the Uranus archetype (the Wild Man/Woman discussed in part 1) means you’re true to what makes you happy, and is able to choose a lifestyle (e.g. vocation, hobby, relationship, spiritual practice) that uniquely fulfills you, no matter how “different” it may make you from others around you.

During important Uranus transits, you may realize that you are not being fulfilled – perhaps even bored – within the current life direction you’ve chosen. This means it’s time to question your values and motives – is “playing safe” and “not rocking the boat” suppressing your creative spirit? What’s to stop you from pursuing a new course of action?

Significance of Transit or Solar Arc Uranus
Often we may choose to suppress the part of ourselves that don’t fit in, simply because it’s often the wise & necessary thing to do in order to keep the career or the marriage going. But there may come a time when the cost of suppression becomes too great, and trying to conform may damage the integrity of your soul.

Such turning points come several times in everyone’s life (consider Uranus’ transit or Solar arc to the Angles, or the Uranus’ transit opposition to its natal place that happens when we’re about 42 years old.) During such times, you would definitely want to consider taking extra time and space to be by yourself, questioning your values and reexamine what is meaningful and important.

If the Uranus transit involves a relationship (e.g. transit to Ascendant-Descendant axis, Venus and/or the 7th house ruler), this suggests that a time of testing for the relationship has arrived – you may need to have the courage to pursue what feels important to you without necessarily having the approval/involvement of someone close to you. In some cases your partner will be the one that can encourage you to take the plunge into the new direction. Either way, a new element will be introduced into your current relationship.

If the Uranus transit involves a career (Midheaven–IC axis, 6th or 10th house ruler), you may need to consider the possibility of a vocational development that is more in line with your true interest/passion – is your current job merely a result of conforming to other people’s expectation (i.e. paying bills and supporting a family)? Could the transit be suggesting that you’re actually in a position to be able to pursue the work you really love?

A few more Uranus transits to serve as examples:

• Uranus transit within Ascendant (1st house) and its ruler helps us to ask the question “who am I and where am I going?” Odds are that by the time the transit is over, our answer will be different from before.
• Uranus transit to Venus or 2nd house (and its ruler) brings up the question “How valuable am I?” Usually financially and socially. There is going to be an intensified drive to prove (and confirm to oneself) one’s unique value through relationships, work or hobbies.
• Uranus transit to Mercury or 3rd house (and its ruler) may require that we switch our mental gear and seek out new, stimulating information that energizes us (traditionally this transit is also associated with “sudden travel plans,” which may have the same effect of stimulating our mind.)

Conclusion
In this way, you’ll have opportunities to update or reprogram the areas of your life touched by the transit/Solar arc of Uranus. Sometimes a person or a group will come into your life that help you to go into the new direction. For me, last year’s Uranus transit over my Ascendant changed everything through bringing me into new responsibilities, social contacts, and long term goals – and I had several mentors who played a very important part in making the transition.

During 2010 Uranus will be in late degrees of Pisces, except when it starts to go into 00-01 degree of Aries between May-July. If you have pertinent examples or a story regarding a key Uranus transit in your life, please feel free to share through emails or comments.

Every person deals with the world in a skewed way, only we each do so a little differently – many of us learned to be good at hiding our own particular quirks early on (since the alternative meant risking rejection from others.) But underneath, we’re still a little bit weird (or unique.) In astrology, Uranus is the symbol of that quirk.

If you ever feel less than excited about your own potential, consider where Uranus is emphasized in your natal chart through house rulership, placement and aspects: chances are that you will find plenty of energy there, just waiting to be released from our self-created constraints.

A Few Images for Uranus Archetype
In the language of archetypes, Uranus is the Wild Man (Woman), or Mad Scientist, or the Rebel of the psyche: this part of us is ferociously independent, doesn’t care about people’s opinions, let alone rules and regulations. It wants space to be itself, and likes to follow its own path into the woods, into the trails less traveled.

Understandably, the Wild Man elicits fear from the more civilized part of our being – God knows what’ll happen if we let it out at work! What would happen if we let the Mad Scientist out in a business conference?* Can the manager let their inner Rebel run the show?

There is a good chance that the Uranian energy will not be welcomed in a peaceful and orderly environment, where we’re doing business as usual. So often we just exile this part of ourselves, and choose to be more or less like everyone else (follow the news, talk about investments, economy, politics etc.)

Uranus in a Natal Chart
Like other outer planets, Uranus must be somehow integrated into the overall expression of the psyche before we can experience its intensity in a healthy manner. Because this part of us always likes to “push the envelope” of what’s possible, there is a fresh energy to be had each time we visit it, if we’re able to release the conformist fear that says “this may be too weird, what will people think of me?” etc.

Consider the following:

• Uranus aspect to the Sun brings the issue regarding conformity to the center stage of our consciousness. There is an acute awareness of our difference from others – often this difference marks the existence of some challenges as well as gifts.
• Libra is more or less about conforming (and being popular among other conformists.) If your Libra and/or Venus is involved with Uranus, the challenge is to step out of the conformity in a graceful manner.
• Mars or Aries is more or less about doing one’s own thing – when combined with Uranus, the intensity of ego’s pursuit can be a bit too much for others – it’s like Wild Man with spears – of course others will feel threatened. How/where do you direct such temperamental energy?
• Uranus in Angular (1st, 4th, 7th and 10th) houses suggests active, visible utilization of our unique energy by the personality – making the person unforgettable in some way to others (some examples: 1st house – because of the way I look, act and speak; 4th house – because of my parents; 7th house – because of who I’m in relationship with; 10th – because of what I do for a living.)
• Uranus in hard aspect to Saturn means at some point, Saturn will need to let Uranus out of jail – meaning that new modes of thinking, talking/behaving must be cultivated in the area represented by these two planets. Noel Tyl calls this aspect “clash between the old and the new.”
• Uranus in or ruling the 12th house suggests that this archetype either acts up in self-defeating ways (e.g. through rebellion and indifference to others), or you’ve banished it into the far corners of your psyche, thereby losing touch with it completely.

No matter where you find it in your horoscope, this archetype will be highly charged, ready to give us energy and direction if we’ll suspend our fear of rejection long enough. If you relate to your natal Uranus placement, please feel free to share your story/experience through emails or comments.

In the next part we’ll discuss Uranus transits and ways to be in touch with the Wild Man.

*Actually it could turn out to be wonderful. Like Hans Rosling (not to say he’s a mad scientist, but we can feel similar intensity and genius when he talks.)

Neptune and Pluto: Collective Unconscious + Desire for Power
In Escape from freedom, social psychologist Erich Fromm suggests that the reason Hitler was so successful in gaining power over people was that he has expressed what the masses felt at the time: “the craving for power over men and the longing for submission to an overwhelmingly strong outside power.” Astrologically, this domination/submission instinct is represented by Pluto (which is often associated with sadomasochism.)

Neptune rules mass consciousness (or collective subconscious): for example, it rules television and arts, which are both transmitters of the collective desires and values of that time. Noel Tyl ascribes the element of “charisma” (a power to attract and influence others) to the combination of Neptune and Mars in the natal chart.

Interestingly, Hitler has Neptune conjunct Pluto in his natal chart*: this suggests that the issue of dominance and submission was coming up in the collective unconscious at the time of his birth – and Hitler became the chosen representative of the era as he became the focus for this collective energy, to express and act out the darkest possible spectrum of human desire for dominance and submission.

There are other famous leaders born with the same conjunction: Mao Zedong of China, Ho Chi Minh of Vietnam, and Dwight D. Eisenhower of United States – each of them expressing their political power quite differently.

Other expressions of the Neptune-Pluto combination, in natal chart and in transit/solar arc:
Pluto-Neptune conjunction can be seen in a number of well known spiritual leaders that you might have heard of: Paramhansa Yogananda, Swami Sivananda, Sri Meher Baba, Jeddu Krishnamurti. The transit or Solar Arc involving the conjunction, square or opposition of Neptune and Pluto is known to correspond with a time when paranormal or spiritual dimensions of life is emphasized in the individual’s life.

In science, Niels Bohr, a Nobel Prize winning physicist who was involved in the creation of atomic bomb (symbolized by Pluto,) has Neptune conjunct Pluto. There are two other Nobel Prize winners with the same conjunction: Walher Bothe (radiation of neutrons) and Louis de Broglie (wave theory.) So we could think of the combination of Pluto and Neptune (in natal chart and transit) to include the openness to explore a deeper, more subtle dimensions of life.

Whether it’s science, spirituality or politics, the combination of Neptune and Pluto in a natal chart will reflect humankind’s collective subconscious desire to gain power. Most people will not come in position to wield much power over others, but those that do will be challenged to use it wisely, for there will be a lot of power to do both good and harm, affecting possibly millions of people.

*This is an extremely rare historical conjunction, occurring just under every 500 years. The next conjunction will be in 2384…perhaps a plenty of time for mankind to forget its lessons learned during the 20th century – should we inscribe a warning for a second Hitler on a stonewall somewhere? (Just kidding…or maybe not.)