March 3rd ~ 10th
Far away there in the sunshine are my highest aspirations. I may not reach all of them, but I can look up and see their beauty, believe in them, and try to follow them. ~ Louisa May Alcott
On Tuesday, March 7th, Saturn dives into the diluvian depths of Pisces. Water wings are optional. It takes Saturn approximately 29 years to traverse the entire zodiac. So the last time Saturn was in this sign was (with some overlap in Aquarius) from 1993 thru 1996. For perspective, the times that Saturn was in Pisces before that were in 1935-37, and 1964-67.
Pisces is a sign of vast possibilities, usually unlimited by boundaries and rules. It speaks to us in our dreams, through a world of imagination and wonder, and deeply within our hearts with whispered hopes and wishes. Saturn is the planet of cold hard reality. So it could feel with Saturn in this sign that he is threatening to do one of two things: either dash our dreams to smithereens with the sharp edge of his scythe; or just maybe, he will show you the ways to make your dreams a closer and more practical reality. Most likely it will do both. But not without having to work for it. Saturn always makes us work for everything.
One of the first things Saturn will often do, is tell us what we cannot do, what is not achievable, what is impossible. But within the parameters of what is left, we discover what we can do, what is achievable and is possible. Saturn does not tell us not to dream. What Saturn wants of us is to believe in the dream, commit to making it a closer reality, and then look for practical ways to do so. It may not be perfection. But it will be more achievable.
There are many paths within the realm of Pisces, all of which seem to have an aspect of or an expression of what we think of as the divine (or an ideal) in manifestation. They may involve a certain amount of sacrifice, and probably won’t pay very well. But that is because the rewards of Pisces are not on the material plane. A Pisces path is more of a higher calling. Devotion to a cause. Or a path that will bring greater meaning and satisfaction to our lives. We need to remind ourselves of this as we are about to take the deep dive with Saturn into Pisces this week.
Where Pisces is in our chart is a place filled with euphoria and dreams. Saturn can be something of a buzz kill. But what it is really asking us, is how much we want this. And whether we are willing to put in the hard work that is necessary in order to make it happen.
Boundaries and Borders: Pisces is a sign devoid of boundaries. When Saturn enters Pisces we are being asked to reconsider the wisdom of leaving our borders and boundaries open (and therefore open to vulnerability); or reinforcing our borders and boundaries in order to make them stronger and more protected. The last time Saturn was in Pisces the North American Free Trade Agreement opened up free trade between Mexico, the US and Canada; while 26 countries in Europe eased Visa requirements in what is known as the Shengen Area. Should we ease up our boundaries and borders? Or should we defend and shore up our borders, as they currently are in the Ukraine, to keep the invaders at bay?
Charisma and devotion: There can be devotion to a spiritual ideal, to a charismatic spiritual or political leader, or to a higher cause or creative ideal. This sort of devotion can help to change the world, or it can lead us blindly to the dark side. In the 1930’s we saw the rise of fascism through devotion to charismatic leaders such as Hitler. By contrast think of the example set through the devotional speeches of Martin Luther King, Jr., who led the civil rights movement of the 1960’s. Charismatic leaders can be spiritually inspired, leading others from the darkness into the light. Or they can blind people to the truth, leading them down a dark path to evil.
Escapism: We can’t discuss Saturn in Pisces without addressing the elephant in the room. One of the inclinations within the realm of Pisces is to want to run away and hide from the pain. Intoxication, drugs addiction and alcohol may temporarily numb the pain, but it is also the stuff of which nightmares are made. When Saturn is in Pisces we cannot ignore the mental health of the most vulnerable within our society. It was in 1935, when Saturn was in Pisces that Alcoholics Anonymous was first established. And as it was in the 1960’s we are now facing a serious opioid addiction crisis here in the United States, as well as abroad.
Pisces is a sign of compassion, with an over-riding desire to relieve the suffering in the world. In order to experience compassion we need to be willing to let down our guard (Saturn) and allow ourselves to feel the suffering in the world. Then we can use Saturn to look for logical and practical solutions to relieve it.
Some of the ways that we can apply the Saturn in Pisces ideal:
Taking time out from your busy life for those practices or activities that promote emotional and mental well-being.
Taking a spiritual or religious vow. Or making a commitment to a regular spiritual practice.
Devoting yourself to a creative or artistic calling
Making a commitment to fulfill a higher cause.
Taking some sort of effective action to relieve the suffering in others, or in the world.
Devoting yourself to a healing journey
Make a career of humanity. Commit yourself to the noble struggle for human rights. You will make a greater person of yourself, a greater nation of your country, and a finer world to live in. ~ Martin Luther King, Jr.
For this week’s horoscopes, click below: