“Horses Rearing Under Lightning & Stars,” by Jim Zuckerman.
from Corbis.

Uranus is the revolutionary; it tends to foster rebellion and strives for equality. Revolutionary fervor is high this month as Uranus applies pressure for a New Order to be created. The planet is tipped on its side, making it different than any other planet, and astrologically Uranus liberates us from the shackles of convention. It tends to instigate change, and we are certain to experience sudden shifts of direction. Astrologically, Uranus applies pressure on us to change wherever we have become stagnant. Uranus rules electromagnetic energy and is like a lightning storm that creates chaos as it cleans the air, revealing a fresh new world once the storm has cleared.

When planets appear to turn retrograde they seem to be moving backwards from our perspective on earth, and we tend to experience their influence on a more internal level. Before they appear to turn retrograde, their motion appears to slow down to a crawl, just as a car does as it prepares to make a U-turn on the highway. Uranus has been stationary all month as it prepares to turn retrograde on Monday June 19, tying in with the other significant planetary events that are occurring right now. Several astrological dynamics come to a head this month, and the shift of Uranus to a retrograde direction will assist in the transitions that arise from the difficult Mars/Saturn/Jupiter/Chiron system that is culminating now.

Uranus is currently traveling through Pisces, ruling the life of the spirit. In Pisces we deal with transcending material reality and delving into the unconscious realm. Uranus in Pisces can create disturbances on a mental level as it shakes up (Uranus) areas of the unconscious that need awakening. This is particularly true for individuals who tend to have a more rigid nature – resisting the Uranian influence of change can increase the wattage applied by Uranus to force change to occur. The Uranian “station” (where the planet has slowed down to a crawl prior to changing direction) forces us to notice it, it acts as if someone was standing outside your window bellowing at the top of his lungs.

Because of the electromagnetic nature of Uranus, we may even find ourselves experiencing anxiety or other nervous disorders as our nervous system is overtaken by a shift in frequency. Physical activity will help to ground you during this time and cool the heat of the Uranian influence so that you can take advantage of the energy for change that is available now. You will find it much easier to manage Uranus if you watch for areas where you are feeling stuck, and make a conscious effort to let go where change needs to take place. During the retrograde phase we often undergo the preparation for change which often waits until Uranus turns direct to manifest totally.

When Uranus retrogrades, there will be five planets in retrograde motion (including Jupiter, Neptune, Pluto and Chiron). This is relatively rare, occuring on an average of only fifteen days out of the year. When Mercury turns retrograde on July 3 there will be six planets retrograde, a very rare event that occurs only fifty-one days out of one hundred years. The combination of this heavy retrograde period with the other planetary events of the year and the conjunction of Pluto with the Galactic Center (of which we are still exploring the meaning) speaks to significant planetary evolution now.

It’s important not to fear this powerful time period, because ultimately nature strives for healing and transformation, and when we can let go to the Uranian process we will find ourselves moving into a new and dynamic level of human existence. If you find yourself experiencing mental distress at this time, here are some things that will help:

• Yoga is the best way to integrate the increased Uranian energy into the body and connect it with spirit. Yoga helps to ground us AND channel that energy in a way that awakens the mind as well.
• Vigorous physical activity (running, kickboxing, weightlifting) will help to release some of the nervous energy and help to ground us into the body.
• Swimming or spending time in water will cool the nervous system that may become overheated or agitated.
• Journaling will facilitate an understanding of the changes that are occurring.
• Energy work will help to clear blocks within the internal energy system and help that system to expand and integrate.
• Workshops or classes will add new levels of understanding.

All in all, this is an exciting time to be a human on planet earth. Life is changing in ways our ancestors could not have imagined, but understanding the process is becoming more and more crucial to our ability to successfully omve into the future.