When planets with long cycles change signs, it’s big news. They bring their energies to new areas of life and for a time, they accomplish their work by impersonating different characters. This fall, Jupiter changes signs for the first time in a year, and Saturn moves into a new sign for the first time in nearly three years. Scenes from a couple of well-know films set the stage
Jupiter in Scorpio (Oct. 10, 2017 – Nov. 8, 2018)
The lord of beliefs, expansion, knowledge, and travel
The sign of the underworld, secrets and mystery, intimacy, and permanent change
MACNEIL HOUSE- FRONT DOOR- NIGHT
A cab pulls up to the house in long shot. Out of the cab steps a tall, old priest, carrying a battered valise. A hat obscures his face. As the cab pulls away, the priest stands rooted in the mist, staring up at the second floor window like a melancholy traveler frozen in time.
MERRIN:
I would like you to go quickly over to the residence Damien, and gather up a cassock for myself, two surplices, a purple stole, and some holy water, and your copy of The Roman Ritual. The large one. I believe we should begin.
# # #
In The Exorcist, a world-weary priest has come to do battle with an ancient, ugly foe that has taken possession of a young girl. He is armed only with the tools of his profession and the courage of his convictions.
Jupiter, the planet of convictions, has entered (as of October 10) the sign of Scorpio, guardian of power and psychological strength. Jupiter stays in a sign for just over one year, so through next November the stage is set for a battle with hobgoblins and monsters – but mostly the ones that live in our own hearts. The way to prevail is to make peace with our faults, accept our imperfections, and put our trust in beliefs that greater and stronger than we are.
Where will your faith be tested? Look to the house or houses in your chart where Scorpio guards the gate, and any planets that live there. Then, review Jupiter’s most recent journey through Scorpio (October 2005 through November 2006). What were your struggles then, and how bravely did you confront them?
Scorpio represents difficult territory, but also the potential riches of self-knowledge and integrity. And Jupiter is the holy man in this story, ultimately delivering growth and blessings to your gate. So take a deep breath, and gather your supplies. I believe we should begin.
Saturn in Capricorn (Dec. 19, 2017 – Dec. 16, 2020)
The lord of time, boundaries, maturity, discipline, and ambition
The sign of business, nations, parents and other authorities, goals, reputation
INT. DEATH STAR – CONFERENCE ROOM
Eight Imperial senators and generals sit around a black
conference table. Imperial stormtroopers stand guard around
the room. The Grand Moff Tarkin, governor of the Imperial
outland regions, enters. He is followed by his powerful ally,
The Sith Lord, Darth Vader. All of the generals stand and
bow before the thin, evil-looking governor as he takes his
place at the head of the table. The Dark Lord stands behind
him.
TARKIN
The Imperial Senate will no longer
be of any concern to us. I’ve just
received word that the Emperor has
dissolved the council permanently.
The last remnants of the Old Republic
have been swept away.
TAGGE
That’s impossible! How will the
Emperor maintain control without the
bureaucracy?
TARKIN
The regional governors now have
control over territories. Fear will
keep the local systems in line.
# # #
INT. LUKE’S X-WING FIGHTER – COCKPIT
Luke is at ease, and his eyes are closed.
BEN OBI-WAN KENOBI’S VOICE
Remember, the Force will be with you… always.
Early astrologers painted Saturn with a grim countenance. He was the dark, menacing Sith lord Darth Vader, determined to use the Force for his own gain rather than the good of all. But there is another Saturn, dressed in Obi-Wan Kenobi’s clothing: the champion of just causes, the loving paternal mentor who urges us toward our highest calling.
Here is our choice while Saturn transits Capricorn (Dec. 19, 2017 – Dec. 2020; briefly in Aquarius between March 21 and July 1): Will we serve the light or the darkness? There are no easy solutions to the problems the world is facing, and we will be called to make hard, imperfect decisions. Saturn presides over the most difficult tasks, the hardest labor, the least popular decisions. When he is ennobled, it’s because his motivation is a desire to further the interests of those entrusted to his care, rather than serving his own selfish desires.
Saturn was last in Capricorn in 1988-1991, coming off a conjunction to Uranus in late Sagittarius and moving toward Neptune. This was an era of radical change and dissolution of boundaries and borders. This time, Saturn in Capricorn will approach a rendezvous with Pluto, exact in January 2020 (within a few degrees of the U.S. natal Pluto), for the first time since November 1982. The structures, bureaucracies, hierarchies, and societal rules we’ve come to rely on are changing—permanently. Take up your light sabers, and refuse to be “kept in line” by your fear. If we are on the side of the good, the Force is with us …always.
© 2017 April Elliott Kent
