The Pluto-Saturn Cycle: Decoding History's Pendulum
Seeing Beyond the Chaos
Astrology is the study of cycles as they relate to human activity. We live by our calendars, which is the culmination of centuries of scientific, mathematic understanding of the movements of our planet in relation to the Sun, Moon and our surrounding solar system. Even though our calendar has its imperfections, nobody denies the relevance and functionality of using a calendar. Though plenty readily toss out all of astrology as bunk without understanding the best of what it offers. That’s a shame because understanding planetary cycles can help us see the bigger picture and recognize the futility of our current divisions.
The cycles of Pluto and Saturn are currently at play in the larger historical events that shape the storyline of humanity, but many people are not aware of it. Perhaps if more people understood how closely connected these waves of human and world events are to the movements of the planets, we would not send so many young men and women off to war thinking that is the only solution. Perhaps when we see the pendulum swinging back our direction, we will learn to duck before it hits us in the face.
Rick Levine lays out a pretty succinct summary of the Pluto/Saturn cycles and it reminded me why this matters and how I really need to mention this more with people. You can listen to his podcast with Guy Lawrence here for yourself. Richard Tarnas also discusses these cycles at length in his 2006 book, Cosmos and Psyche, but this read is not for those brand new to astrology.
What am I referring to? Basically, think of Pluto and Saturn as experiencing something like a New Moon and and Full Moon phase in relation to one another. When they are at the New Moon phase, they are together, conjunct, and when at the Full Moon phase, they are apart, at opposition. This cycle reveals some major turning point years in world events when you lay it all out. When these two planets move through their cycles, major events occur at their halfway point (aka the opposition) and the beginning/culmination point, (aka the conjunction.)
Below is a brief outline of the conjunctions and oppositions of Pluto and Saturn and the major world events at that time.
Pluto is associated with the God Hades. It has a 248 year cycle around the sun, while Saturn has a 29.4 year cycle around the sun. Pluto is the planet associated with the underworld, Earth’s material wealth, minerals, and therefore oil, gold, diamonds, and money. Pluto represents transformation, power, and the chthonic depths, associated with cycles of death, rebirth, and the hidden aspects of the psyche.
Saturn is the planet associated with time and the idea that we reap what we sow. Saturn is also associated with old age and death as a physical limitation, restriction, boundaries, structure, responsibility, discipline, and the wisdom gained through maturity and experience and facing challenges over time.
Astrologers know about these pendulum swings and how they tie to history, yet unfortunately people still get swept under the steamroller of the larger economic and political machinery. How can we avoid getting caught under the gears of the next set of tanks rolling toward us? That is not so easily answered, but it starts with our own maturity and level of thinking/consciousness.
I could relate to Levine’s comments that we will not be getting out of this by “my way instead of your way” or “your way instead of my way.” This reminds me of David Hawkins’ book Power vs. Force and Marshall Rosenberg’s Non-Violent Communication. I too have also noticed that fewer and fewer people seem to have real, adult, solution-oriented conversations with any element of listening or compromise. Blame solves nothing and wastes time, perpetuating resentments and war. Yet, our conversations have been too long focused on how we can further encamp and divide people on so many issues, such that any talk of solutions is generally laughed at by both sides. We forget that we are all in the same boat and the ship is taking on water now, with real people’s lives and livelihoods hanging in the balance. Meanwhile the steamroller keeps rolling slowly toward us. In the words of David Hawkins, author of Power vs. Force,
Power comes from insight and higher levels of consciousness. Force comes from fear and resistance and lower levels of consciousness. Our level of consciousness or energy level reflects our world view – power and perception go hand in hand.
When we vibrate at (a higher level) we help raise the consciousness of the planet by influencing the M-fields that connect everything. M-fields are morphogenic fields, first described by Rupert Sheldrake. They are invisible organising patterns that influence thought patterns and images, replicating beliefs and actions across time and space.
All choices reinforce the formation of powerful M-fields influencing others whether we wish to or not. Every action or decision we make that supports life supports ALL life, including our own. The ripple effect we create returns to us. This is why it is vital that we choose magnanimously and consciously what we think and how we act. Every choice contributes vibrationally to the M-fields and thus the world at large.
The mind makes choices based on processing millions of bits of data. This processing is far beyond conscious comprehension and time and is based on what Hawkins calls attractors. Attractor fields are calibrated energy reflecting Levels of Consciousness. These Attractor Fields serve as organising energies for widespread patterns of behaviour, and define the content, value and meaning we give to things.
My point here in mentioning all of this is that we have a choice in how we respond to world events, where we put our energy and the actions we take, the emotions we feed into. To me, astrology doesn’t mean planets dictate anything to us, telling us our future. But they do show us cycles.
This isn’t about convincing anyone to follow anything, and it isn’t about one or another side of a political issue being right or wrong. It’s about understanding that we are facing a historical trend, a wave that points toward war. If we cannot learn from our past, please go watch Oppenheimer to remind yourself. The up side is that previous generations found their fumbly way forward, and we can too.
The cycles of Pluto and Saturn serve as a reminder that we are part of a larger, interconnected story. We have the potential to break the historical patterns of conflict and create a more harmonious future if we can commit to listening more, raising our consciousness, engaging in compassionate dialogue, and choosing actions that promote unity. By doing so, we not only navigate these challenging times with greater wisdom, but we also contribute to a world where peace and understanding prevail. The power to shape our destiny lies within each of us.
