Saturn-Moon: I Want My Mommy!

Transiting Saturn has been opposing my Aquarius Moon, and due to its retrograde motion, the planet of restriction and deficit has been hanging out there too long. The most pressing theme of this aspect has been a longing for Mother. No offense to Mom, but she could not have met each and every need of mine as a child. We all make do with what parenting we've received. I invested in about fifteen years of psychotherapy (and became a shrink myself) to heal my own wounds. I got to a place just a few years ago when I felt I no longer needed therapy, and I've functioned more-or-less fine without falling apart. But the ache for a mother figure still comes up -- especially when transiting Saturn puts a focus on my 'planet' of nurturance. Growth for anyone, in my definition, is being able to just be with the loss without filling the hole with compulsive behavior, or shutting down completely.

This is no small task. Part of growing up requires that we develop an "inner mother" to help us self-soothe when we feel small or anxious. In psychonalytic terms, we "introject" the mother, we take her inside ourselves. When do you know you've successfully done that? When you stop sleeping with your teddy bear? When you stop looking for mother figures in your lovers, your teachers, your friends?

It may be a life-long task. We all, from time to time, want our mommies. Life is scary. We take on new things, and want reassurance that everything will be OK. We want advice that only a mother can give. And yet, she's not available. Our real mothers might have passed away, or they just might not be very maternal. The archetype of the Perfect Mother who is all-compassionate is just that -- an archetype. More like Quan Yin than the woman who smacked you for talking back.

So with Saturn pressing down on my Moon, the lack is all the more apparent -- forcing myself to grow a mom inside myself. This looks different as I grow older. In my twenties, I felt like I was literally going to die if I felt an ache in my heart-center. Now, I experience that as a benevolent opening -- intense, yes, but not dangerous. I can tolerate my emotions better. In astrological terms, I can contain (Saturn) my feelings (Moon).

Everyone has a different Moon, depending on its sign, house placement and aspects to other planets. This complex combo will provide a picture of how you experience Mother, nurturance and feelings.

Everyone also has an inner mother. How we treat ourselves is often how Mom treated us. No better time than a Saturn transit to drop what doesn't work. And with transiting Neptune conjunct my Moon, no better time to introject the Compassion of the Divine Mommy.

New Moon in Sagittarius - December 20, 2006

This New Moon is closely conjunct the Lord of the Underworld, Pluto, and also trine Lord of Extreme Hardship, Saturn. I'm not a big fan of Saturn-Pluto (see "9/11"), but this time these hard-core planets are making a generous aspect to each other, with Saturn supporting our desire to transform ourselves -- it is easier to implement change and make it stick. Saturn is trine Pluto through Fall 2007, and the New Moon in alignment with this combo gives us a taste of the larger archetypal dynamics in play for the next year.

Pluto in Sagittarius relates to all this religious extremism we've been witnessing, as well as the uncovering of abuses in the church and publishing over the past few years. Saturn in Leo is hopefully forcing our leaders to be accountable for their actions (GWB!) and making us take our creativity seriously.

The New Moon in Sagittarius is a great opportunity to make a new start in changing our beliefs, pursuing an advanced degree, travelling the world, studying philosophy and world religions. Pluto brings to the surface old belief systems that are no longer in alignment with our true selves (if they ever were). Once we are aware of them, we can let them go and embrace a view of life more in tune with who we are. Saturn's trine supports us in creatively turning these beliefs into reality -- they are more likely to stand the test of time, since we have the discipline and patience to carry them out over the long haul.

If you approach this New Moon with a lack of consciousness, Pluto could simply intensify your current beliefs to such an extreme that you are not open to any other point of view!

This New Moon is most likely to impact natives with personal planets around 28 degrees of mutable signs (Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius, Pisces) or the very early degrees of cardinal signs (Aries, Cancer, Libra, Capricorn). If you've got a birthday around March 18, June 18, September 20 or December 19, prepare to be transformed!

Full Moon in Gemini - December 4, 2006

There are ideas, and then there are philosophies. Our chattering mind is constantly running. What gives our thoughts a sense of cohesion is an over-arching framework -- something that gives the many little facts in our heads a sense of meaning.

Facts are the realm of Jeopardy. But of what use is information -- other than winning on quiz shows -- if these bits and bytes do not cohere into something bigger?

Of course, the danger of a belief system is that we tend to filter out the data that does not fit our philosophy. Whether you're a Christian, a Nietzschean or an astrologer, you seek out evidence to support your view of the world.

There's nothing inherently wrong with this. Life can feel pretty empty without a sense of meaning guiding us, so we latch on to a philosophy or religion that inspires us. But there's no one "truth." The realm of facts and figures is quantifiable, but the domain of meaning is subjective. We can all agree that an Electric Mini can go from 0 to 60 in 4 seconds, but this statistic will inspire some (greenies, car enthusiasts) and do nothing for others.

The Full Moon highlights this conflict between ideas (Gemini) and philosophies (Sagittarius). Our will is directed towards expansion and inspiration, while our comfort needs are met by solving Sudoku puzzles and reading gossip blogs. Geminian pursuits provide pleasure, but reading about Britney Spears doesn't significantly enlarge our perspective on life. (Or does it?)

Uranus in Pisces is making a square (a 90-degree angle) to both the Moon in Gemini and the Sun in Sagittarius, challenging us to shake up those ideas, opinions and beliefs of ours that have stagnated over time. Uranus introduces information to shift our paradigms, to bring fresh insights into our lives. During this Full Moon, you may receive a shocking e-mail, or you may have a conversation that disrupts your mental equilibrium. Since Gemini also relates to short-distance travel, neighbors and siblings, you may have an unpredictable encounter with the girl next door, or get into a bicycle accident. Wear a helmet!

This Full Moon will most directly impact people with planets or angles around 12 degrees of mutable signs (Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius, Pisces), as well as those with birthdays around March 3, June 3, September 5, and December 4.