The flames of truth, authority, service and prejudice: The Jupiter-Saturn square (February-July 2016)

The flames of prejudice, projections and the need to inflict (yes, inflict) one´s personal views as absolute truth the rest of reality needs to follow – is going to be lit up pretty strongly at this time.

Much of this has to do with the Jupiter-Saturn squares (given to a 7 degree orb):
September 7, 2014 – December 17, 2014: Jupiter in Leo, Saturn in Scorpio
July 3, 2015 – September 9, 2015: Jupiter in Leo, Saturn in Scorpio
February 8, 2016 – July 5, 2016: Jupiter in Virgo, Saturn in Sagittarius

Personally, I see the first two periods of the squares, in 2014 and 2015, as the precursor to the current round, as it were. Leo and Scorpio challenged our expressions of passion and power, whereas Virgo and Sagittarius now challenge our journeys into service and new horizons. The former, in many ways, has set the seed for the latter (current) experience of the square.

The square goes exact around March 22-23, 2016 and May 25-26 2016, when Saturn and Jupiter reach 16, then 13 degrees of Sagittarius and Virgo respectively. Bear in mind that Jupiter and Saturn both experience their respective retrogrades, prolonging the duration of the square as both reverse, then go forwards once more.

Whilst this is a significant alignment for 2016, it´s not the only action we´ll see in the Mutable signs (Gemini, Sagittarius, Virgo, Pisces). The movement of the North and South Nodes through Virgo and Pisces and Neptune in Pisces also interact with Jupiter and Saturn. I´ll cover that in later pieces. Let´s just say that 2016 is the year of Adaptation, Navigation and Change. Or ought to be.

If you want an overview of the Dance of the Mutable Signs between May to September 2016, I refer you to this article. It´s going to be quite a ride.

But what does Jupiter in Virgo square Saturn in Sagittarius mean for us all?

Virgo represents the energy of the Priestess or Earth-Facilitator. She preserves, nurtures and heals through the combination of intellectual analysis and pragmatic, hands-on action. Virgo´s energy isn´t about standing on a pedestal and claiming to know a greater, absolute Truth for all to follow (like…ahem.. Sagittarius .. ahem) – instead, it focuses upon the little routines, the daily habits, rituals and ways through which we structure our lives for the better. For some, it will be a return to more ancient traditions that involve the archetype of the Priest/ess-as-Earth-Facilitator and for others, it will be a greater focus upon matters of health, nutrition, organizational or logistical planning, or simply hands-on, pragmatic methods of being of service. There´s plenty of ways this can play out.

Sagittarius´ energy is more about the Teacher pointing you to the way up the mountain, or simply showing you the road-map to your destination. It is more about identifying, or locating one´s sense of self, and Truth, within a larger collective understanding of the same. It is an energy that seeks to explore and expands it sense of self-awareness through the journey of discovery. Long-distance travel, academia, organized religion, etc. are some of the domains associated with the energy of Sagittarius. You can link it with the archetype of the Hierophant in the Tarot, the university professor, the fire-and-brimstone preacher, Indiana Jones (Jr. and Sr. ) on an adventure-quest for knowledge or with the image of the orator or public speaker addressing the masses. This is about communicating what you know to a greater audience.

Virgo´s shortcomings lie in its tendency towards being hyper-critical, or overly precise in its analysis of things. It may hold onto overly rigid standards of how things ought to be, couched in puritanical terms or standards. Sagittarius´shortcomings lie in its reliance on a hiearchical division of knowledge, i.e the creation of (ultimately dissolved) pedestals that seperate the Teacher from the Student, or the Speaker from the Audience. In other words, the Mutable (Adaptable) energies of each sign become harder to handle when interpreted and embodied in a rigid, non-flexible way. (Straightforward argument, really 🙂 )

The bodies that channel the square, or dynamic tension between the signs (with Sagittarius seeking to expand and project its energy outwards, and Virgo seeking to keep-it-real in the here-and-now) are Saturn and Jupiter. Saturn brings with it the test of consolidating our belief systems and expressions of an authoritative claim of knowledge, perspective and opinion – in Sagittarius. Institutions of authority such as government will essentially challenge us by seeking to structure our access to the freedom of ideas, information and expression. We are likely to see the rise of charismatic speakers and figures across the political spectrum, each garnering their own mass following. Some of these lessons carry over to Jupiter-in-Virgo as Jupiter is the ruler of Sagittarius.

Jupiter in Virgo tests us on how we choose to expand, explore and achieve a greater degree of self-knowledge through the structured, analytical and pragmatic focus of the healing/purifying/discerning Virgo energy. We are asked to see where such discernment is a boon, and how it becomes a burden when in excess. We will also be seeing many Teachers of such healing methods and paradigms appear and occupy a greater voice in collective public discourse at this time. Political matters and debates will ultimately need to focus upon the notion of service to the people, and to the planet as a whole – with greater recognition to the role of the Feminine in the process! These voices are likely to be challenged, especially when they present alternatives to the status quo. It is equally a challenge for us to discover the truths that matter to us most in our paths of healing, service and preservation of the Earth – and to act on those truths. And not everyone will come up with the same answer or vision.

No one can truly predict the shape and form this square will ultimately take. There are multiple options that are open to us all – as individuals, and as a collective. That being said, it is certainly a year to stand in your own truth, whatever that may be.

So, in other words, 2016 is equally the year of Ideological Conflict, a Clash of Societal Visions, and Warring Voices of Truth.

Here´s a couple of general notes that may help you navigate this square (and again, bear in mind that the Mutable dance continues for longer in 2016):

Keep exploring what is true for you, but remember that doesn´t have to be the same for everyone else. The validity of your truths, ideally, have nothing to do with how many people agree or disagree with you. If your Soul resonates with it, then that´s it – for you.

That being said, it is equally a time where you do need to put your foot down in the face of people or authority figures who tell you that you do not have the right, or freedom, to explore the truths that set you free. And to challenge the institutions that would seek to put such barriers to freedom.

As you speak and explore your own perspectives, center yourself first. Rather than the ego that reacts in defence, seek to speak from a deeper place, within.

But bear in mind the power of projection at the same time – before jumping the gun. What you react to may well be yourself, rather than anything or anyone outside of you.

The best thing you can do in the case of a dispute or argument is to take a few breaths before responding. Another option is to simply detach, but that really depends on your context.

And remember that the last week of March and May 2016 is when we´ll see the exact Jupiter-in-Virgo and Saturn-in-Sagittarius squares!

Blessings,

Bairavee Balasubramaniam

The Sky Priestess

 

Please note that the current round of Vesta/Eris Awakens/ Minisessions run between 24 May-23 June, 2016. Blessings.

Image: Galactic Center Of Milky Way..jpg – From NASA/JPL-Caltech (http://photojournal.jpl.nasa.gov/jpeg/PIA03653.jpg) [Public domain]