Mr. Stone Cold Reality stations direct on June 12 at 8:51 p.m. PDT / 11:51 p.m. EDT, after being retrograde since January 25th. Saturn represents our limitations, boundaries, obligations, responsibilities, challenges, and the hard work and perseverance required for success in endeavors. As written on previous Saturn posts:

Jupiter expands. Saturn restricts. Jupiter idealizes. Saturn realizes. Jupiter, adventurous. Saturn, pragmatic. Jupiter, gigantic and playful. Saturn, stern and determined. Now these two celestial bodies are in a tug of war one final time.

Jupiter first opposed Saturn at 28 degrees of Pisces/Virgo, respectively, on May 23, 2010. With mutable signs at the helm, their energy was demanding but not necessarily forceful as with the now cardinal energy. A few months later, they were opposite one another again in mid-August 2010 at 3 degrees with Jupiter in Aries / Saturn in Libra, and that opposition was part of the Cardinal T-Square. This t-square was at its most intense and powerfully influential period from June to August 2010, of which the longer term impact in our personal world, as well as globally, have yet to be determined.

This time around Jupiter opposes Saturn on March 28 and occurring at 15 degrees of Aries and Libra, respectively. An opposition is challenging. It's conflict. But unlike a square (as with last month's Jupiter-Pluto square), an opposition can have an ideal outcome of harmony, balance, a win-win for parties involved. What do you want? (Jupiter) What are you gonna do about it? (Saturn) It's win-win when your aspirations are grounded enough in reality and you don't allow the limitations to become a source of discouragement. Instead, you rise up to the challenge by using the knowledge of what the restrictions/blockages may be and commit yourself to the hard work ahead on the way to achieving set goals, despite how daunting going for it seems to be. Let Jupiter fuel your determination and Saturn plan your course of action.

With this Jupiter-Saturn opposition being a repeat occurrence, perhaps what was brought to light or what might have begun last year, especially between May and September, has a chance for completion now. Or maybe another look, if it's been neglected or put on hold. Or even still, perhaps it's time to take things to the next phase. However this energy may manifest in your world, it is an opportunity to bring about change/improvement to your situation. It will require commitment, perseverance, hard work and openness to new ways of thinking/communicating/doing things.

Although Jupiter and Saturn opposing each other influences us all, those with cardinal sun signs or have natal planets/house angles on or around 15 degrees of cardinal signs may experience this opposition more strongly than other.

For me as a late-decan Virgo-rising, this opposition happens in my natal 1st (self/potential where Saturn transits) vs. 7th (others/relationships where Jupiter travels) houses and as a Cancer-Sun, happens in my solar 4th (family/the past where Saturn is visiting) vs. 10th (career/the future where Jupiter transits) houses. Transits/activity in angular houses (1, 4, 7 and 10) tend to have a more forceful, powerful impact -- who we are (1st), who we are within our relationships (7th), where we've been (4th) and where we are going (10th). So, this opposition and last year's t-square, plus the Cancer-Capricorn eclipses that started in 2009 and Pluto opposing my Sun while Neptune squares my Neptune have all been rocking my world! I'm so used to my ground shifting that I wouldn't recognize stability if it fell on my head like an anvil. Okay, I wouldn't really want anything falling on me, let alone like an anvil :) But I want a win-win with this Jupiter-Saturn opposition. So, I will make an extra conscious effort to get out of my own way (1st) and really figure out what of the past remains useful (4th) and only take those going forward (10th). And note to self - Accept help when offered for no man or woman is an island (7th).

How might this opposition manifest in your world? Look to the houses where 15 degrees of Aries and Libra fall to see where in your life this energy might be experienced and whether there are links made to natal planets/house angles. Unsure where 15 degrees of Aries/Libra are on your chart or if you have natal planets/house angles around 15 degrees of cardinal signs or which signs govern your natal houses? Cast your own birth chart at alabe.com for use as reference -- birth date, time, and place required.

Alternatively, I am also available for customized readings tailored to your needs. Are you celebrating a birthday? Or know someone who is? Schedule your session for a Solar Return (birthdays) or 3-Chart Reading (detailed natal & overall outlook for the next 12 months) or request a quote for a more customized reading tailored to your needs. You might also consider giving a loved one the gift of insight.

Have a question? Ask me here. Or maybe cruise on over to the AstroCreeps and TarotFreaks Forum* to start a discussion.

Related articles:

• Jupiter in Aries
• Saturn in Libra
• Saturn Retrograde ~ January 25/26 to June 13, 2011
• Current Planetary Transits
• Solar Returns Explained ~ your personal year
• Pisces-Jupiter Oppose Virgo-Saturn ~ May 23, 2010
• Cardinal T-Square with Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus & Pluto

Saturns stations on January 25 at 10:10 p.m. PST (January 26 at 1:10 a.m. EST) in preparation for retrograde motion. For the next five months, the planet of reality and restrictions turns his focus inward. As written on previous Saturn posts:

• Aries-Sun or Aries Rising ~ 7th House
• Taurus-Sun or Taurus Rising ~ 6th House
• Gemini-Sun or Gemini-Rising ~ 5th House
• Cancer-Sun or Cancer-Rising ~ 4th House
• Leo-Sun or Leo-Rising ~ 3rd House
• Virgo-Sun or Virgo-Rising ~ 2nd House
• Libra-Sun or Libra-Rising ~ 1st House
• Scorpio-Sun or Scorpio-Rising ~ 12th House
• Sagittarius-Sun or Sagittarius-Rising ~ 11th House
• Capricorn-Sun or Capricorn-Rising ~ 10th House
• Aquarius-Sun or Aquarius-Rising ~ 9th House
• Pisces-Sun or Pisces-Rising ~ 8th House

It's the final round for Saturn square Pluto. The bout between Saturn in Libra and Pluto in Capricorn first occurred on November 15, 2009, then was revisited earlier this year on January 31st, and finally, the last of their knock down, drag out fight happens on August 21st.

One big difference with their beat down this time around is that the culmination of square is a part of an ongoing Cardinal T-square that's been building since late May. This makes their fight or flight energy even more incontrovertible and urgent.

Saturn remains in a tight opposition with Jupiter in Aries, who also tightly squares Pluto. This Jupiter-Saturn-Pluto alignments form a Cardinal T-square. As explained in a previous post,

The Cardinal T-square has been in full force since Saturn (reality/hard work) returned to Libra on July 21st, then followed by Mars (aggression/action) entering Libra on July 29th, and soon Venus (relationships/worth) will join the cardinal party when she transits her home sign, Libra, beginning on August 6th. This cardinal t-square currently involves Saturn (and soon Venus) in Libra opposing Uranus and Jupiter in Aries; and all are putting an extreme amount of pressure against Pluto in Capricorn who may be having a difficult time catching his breath as he feels the squeeze. Those who are early-born December Capricorns or June Cancers (also, early degree Capricorn/Cancer risings) may feel this energy stronger than others.

As I've mentioned before, this cardinal energy climaxing now has been brewing since late May starting with Uranus' entrance in Aries and its influence is long term. This cardinal force's impact on us, as individuals and as people sharing a world together, will continue to unfold for months/years to come.

Now, adding to the strain of this Cardinal T-square to form a Cardinal Grand Cross is the Moon's (heart/inner drives) transit in her home sign of Cancer during the early degrees, just as Venus also begins her transit in fellow cardinal sign, Libra. This occurs around August 6 or 7 depending on where in the world you're located.

I've previously explained what a Grand Cross is on a post for the recent Full Moon/Lunar Eclipse in Capricorn on June 26:

For months, I've spoken of this cardinal t-square. It finally culminates in these last days of July through to August, following Saturn's return to cardinal sign, Libra and quickly opposing Uranus and Jupiter in fellow cardinal sign, Aries. All three are in a fight or flight conflict with Pluto in Capricorn, another cardinal sign, and feeling like he's shoved up against a wall with no other recourse but to push back.

This is the energy of the cardinal t-square that has been building up for months now -- a tense, do or die, tug of war between Saturn (reality/hard work), Pluto (elimination/transformation), Uranus (awakening/revolution) and Jupiter (ideals/opportunities). During the last days of July, Mars (aggression/action) joins in on the fun as he enters Libra, blends energies with Saturn and mimics the alignments Saturn makes (opposing Jupiter and Uranus while also square Pluto). And in early August, Venus (relationships/money) also enters Libra and makes the same alignments Mars will have just made with the main T-square players. This is all happening between zero and 4 degrees of cardinal signs -- Aries, Libra and Capricorn. Those with natal planets or house angles within zero and 4 degrees of cardinal signs experience the strain of this cardinal t-square much stronger and undeniable than others. Then on the 21st, Saturn and Pluto complete their series of challenging squares, continuing to fuel the cardinal t-square's fire.

This energy is active, dynamic and impatient. It's easy to leap without looking or take action driven by frustration/anger which are not the ideal ways to manage this energy. It can also make some buckle under the pressure and choose inaction or avoidance. Decisions or actions taken now (or not taken due to fear or laziness) have longer term effects and full impact will continue to unfold for months, maybe years to come, depending on how this cardinal t-square influences your birth chart. Measured steps and well thought out actions motivated by the goal of achieving objectives would serve us all better. While this energy has been strengthening, there should have been something within each of us that was stirred and demanded to be recognized because some things needed to change. If you have been ignoring it or had not realized the scope of its importance, now is the time to bring that issue closer to the top of your priority list. Make time to deal with it. This cardinal t-square demands action, whether it's your doing or not. It's ideal to the one initiating the changes/work to be done instead of one that's reacting to whatever is happening in your world. There are situations that will be beyond our control so, it's best to take the initiative when we can.

For me, as a cardinal Cancer-Sun, this t-square is all over my house angles (4th=the past/roots/family; 7th=partnerships/relationships; 10th=the future/goals/career). Together with eclipses in Cancer and Capricorn, plus transiting Pluto's lingering opposition to my Sun and Neptune square my Neptune, 2010, to date, has been super challenging personally and professionally. This second half of the year will prove to be even more of a challenge but, in the bigger scope of things, this is kind of a turning point for me ... an ending in many ways but a beginning in even more ways. It's difficult, a little scary, sometimes confusing and can be stressful. But it's also always proven to be rewarding. I make sure to celebrate my successes because I do give myself a hard time for the mistakes along the way.

How might this cardinal t-square manifest in your world? Look to the astrological houses where zero to 4 degrees of Aries, Libra and Capricorn fall in your birth chart. Unsure if you have natal planets or house angles within zero to 4 degrees of cardinal signs? Cast your own birth chart -- birth date, time and place required.

Are you celebrating a birthday under these tense celestial skies? Schedule your session for a Solar Return (birthdays) or 3-Chart Reading (detailed natal & overall outlook for the next 12 months) or request a quote for a more customized reading tailored to your needs. You can also give a loved one the gift of insight.

Have a question? Ask me here. Or maybe hop over to the AstroCreeps and TarotFreaks Forum* to join in or start a discussion.

Related articles:

• Cardinal Forces & Empowerment ~ An introduction to the potential summer 2010 offers
• Jupiter Oppose Saturn-rx ~ May 23, 2010 (Teaser alignment #1)
• Jupiter Conjunct Uranus at Aries Point ~ June 8, 2010 (Teaser alignment #2)
• Grand Cross & Lunar Eclipse in Capricorn ~ June 26, 2010 (Major event - 1st of 3 installations)
• Cardinal Grand Cross ~ August 6/7, 2010 (Major event - 3rd of 3 installations)
• Saturn Square Pluto-rx ~ August 21, 2010
• Saturn in Libra ~ October 29, 2009 to October 5, 2012
• Uranus in Aries ~ May 27 to August 13, 2010
• Jupiter in Aries ~ June 6 to September 9, 2010
• Mars in Libra ~ July 29 to September 14, 2010
• Venus in Libra ~ August 6 to September 8, 2010

Saturn returns to the relationships sign, Libra, on July 21 and while at Aries Point opposes Uranus, who is also at Aries Point in Aries. Their opposition perfects on July 26 and is the final installment of a series of Saturn-Uranus oppositions which first culminated on November 4, 2008, then again on February 5 and September 15, 2009, and followed by April 26, 2010. Whatever may have begun or initiated, as early as 2008, culminates during this last meeting between Saturn (old) and Uranus (new), two polarizing energies that seeks balance between getting rid of the old and adopting the new.

This time, however, the element surrounding their challenging alignment is cardinal energy and at Aries Point. Cardinal signs take action; their energy leads, creates and initiates. Here, esteemed astrologer, Celeste Teal, explains the term "Aries Point":

Saturn leaves Virgo for the last time and re-enters Libra on July 21 at 11:10 a.m. (EST). He won't return to the sign of Virgo for another 28 or so years. This should make any Virgo or Virgo-rising a happy camper, especially late-born Virgos or third decan Virgo-risings.

Saturn initially entered Libra on October 29, 2009, stayed through April 7, 2010 then returned to Virgo during his retrograde cycle. From July 21st through much of August, Saturn retraces his steps from November 2009 through mid-January 2010. Don't be surprised if issues or events occurring presently are either linked or reminiscent to that period. The rest of July and August are ideal to find a resolution, tie up any loose ends and finally break from past events or situations should you find yourself "reliving" late last year.

Per my original Saturn in Libra post, I described this Saturn transit as:

Whew... Time for another eclipse again? It's an extra trying one this time. The Capricorn-Lunar eclipse further stimulates the tension surrounding cardinal energies as it conjuncts Pluto and activates a Grand Cross involving the Sun (conscious will), Mercury (thought), Jupiter (opportunities), Uranus (radical change), the Moon (internal drives) and Saturn (restrictions) - with the exception of Saturn, who is making his way back to Libra, all are within 5 degrees of cardinal signs. We will no doubt experience the impact of this eclipse for months/years to come, in our personal lives as well as globally.

So, what does it all mean though -- Eclipse, conjunct Pluto, Grand Cross? We'll start with eclipses. Eclipses are supercharged full and new moons with influence extending up to six months. Full Moons signify endings, the culmination of what may been initiated during the previous New Moon in Gemini which encouraged us to expand our minds, improve our internal dialog & external conversations and shift our perspective to 'see' the bigger point of view. Per my original post on understanding eclipses:

Click image to see larger

• Aries or Aries Rising ~ 10th House
  
• Taurus or Taurus Rising ~ 9th House
  
• Gemini or Gemini-Rising ~ 8th House
• Cancer or Cancer-Rising ~ 7th House
  
• Leo or Leo-Rising ~ 6th House
  
• Virgo or Virgo-Rising ~ 5th House
• Libra or Libra-Rising ~ 4th House
  
• Scorpio or Scorpio-Rising ~ 3rd House
  
• Sagittarius or Sagittarius-Rising ~ 2nd House
  
• Capricorn or Capricorn-Rising ~ 1st House
  
• Aquarius or Aquarius-Rising ~ 12th House
  
• Pisces or Pisces-Rising ~ 11th House

After being retrograde since January 13, Saturn stations on May 30 to begin direct movement. He is currently in Virgo, after having returned on April 17. However, Saturn will re-enter Libra on July 21 to stay until October 2012.

While retrograde, Saturn's focus was turned inward and we may have found difficulty getting our plans to move ahead or had to get through more obstacles/delays than anticipated. Saturn is the taskmaster of the zodiac. He teaches us lifelong, karmic lessons. He is disciplined, pragmatic and a hard worker. By showing us our limitations, obligations and the realities of our situations, he enables us to find a way work through them, around them or with them so we can achieve our objectives. In Virgo, he is analytical, meticulous, a perfectionist, a list maker, critical, nervous, practical and adaptable. As he begins moving direct again, we're able to move forward taking measured steps and well thought out actions, finally making a dent on our to-do list. Virgos born on or around September 20 may feel the effects of Saturn direction change.

Upon re-entering Libra on July 21, Saturn will trigger the powerful cardinal force when he joins Uranus/Jupiter in Aries and Pluto, who will continue to be retrograde in Capricorn, in a forming a Cardinal T-Square (which is a combination of 2 squares & an opposition in cardinal signs). Square=conflict; the need for action, to manifest something into the tangible world; opposition=tug of war, requiring balance between opposing sides. Cardinal signs embody independence, self-motivation, ambition and are often initiators, leaders. This cardinal t-square is an active energy that requires movement on our part. We cannot be lazy. We must act for if we ignore it, we may find ourselves reacting to what is manifesting around us instead of having some control on the what and when of things.

Tensions run high within the next few months. This cardinal energy is an impatient but dynamic energy that requires action. Allow Saturn's direct movement in Virgo to pave the way toward helping manage however the cardinal energy may be manifesting in your world.

Elsewhere in the sky, only a few days before Saturn's direction change, Uranus entered Aries on May 27 which also stimulates the upcoming cardinal climax occurring in July and August, even if its effects/influence felt long after those two months. Jupiter will soon follow Uranus and also enter Aries on June 6. But before that Neptune joins Pluto in retrograde motion beginning next week on May 31, helping us get to the root of whatever it is we are seeking to know.

How does Saturn's transit influence your birth chart? Look to the natal house/s ruled by Virgo and Libra. Match the signs with the house cusps on your birth chart. Use the list of zodiac signs below to identify Virgo and Libra zodiac signs on your birth chart then click here for a brief explanation.

• Aries-Sun or Aries-Rising ~ 7th and 6th houses
• Taurus-Sun or Taurus Rising ~ 6th and 5th houses
• Gemini-Sun or Gemini-Rising ~ 5th and 4th houses
• Cancer-Sun or Cancer-Rising ~ 4th and 3rd houses
• Leo-Sun or Leo-Rising ~ 3rd and 2nd houses
• Virgo-Sun or Virgo-Rising ~ 2nd and 1st houses
• Libra-Sun or Libra-Rising ~ 1st and 12th houses
• Scorpio-Sun or Scorpio-Rising ~ 12th and 11th houses
• Sagittarius-Sun or Sagittarius-Rising ~ 11th and 10th houses
• Capricorn-Sun or Capricorn-Rising ~ 10th and 9th houses
• Aquarius-Sun or Aquarius-Rising ~9th and 8th houses
• Pisces-Sun or Pisces-Rising ~ 8th and 7th houses

Our solar system's two biggest gas giants meet in an opposition on May 23rd in the last degrees of Pisces (Jupiter) and Virgo (Saturn). Jupiter hasn't been in Pisces since 1997-1998. Saturn, however, is still retrograde and now revisits October 2009. Some issues, events or situations you're dealing with now may be reminiscent or even linked to last fall. This presents an opportunity for closure or movement, if blockages have been met, or clarity, if necessary information has been missing.

In addition, just last month on April 26, Saturn opposed Uranus, and we remain under the umbrella of that opposition now as Saturn finds himself opposed to Jupiter. It's almost as if the opposition between Jupiter and Saturn picks up, supports, or reenergizes the opposition between Saturn and Uranus while Jupiter and Uranus strengthen their growing alliance which perfects on June 6. The current tension between Jupiter and Saturn may provide the necessary insight, push or opportunity to move forward with whatever's been started.

Jupiter is the planet of luck, bliss, opportunities, ideals and, in general, expansion. Whatever you have or may be offered or can conceptualized or able to produce, Jupiter expands. Saturn is the planet of reality, hard work, obligations, and, in general, restriction. Whatever your situation may be or possible opportunities you may be offered or aspirations you may have, Saturn restricts by showing you the reality of the situation. So what happens when the planet of expansion is at opposing sides with the planet of restriction? Ahhh, therein lies the conundrum :)

It's really not much of a rub, though. Dreams, aspirations, goals -- they aren't tangible and tend to remain in the realm of our minds and hearts. Saturn gives our dreams legs to stand on -- he reaches from the deepest parts of the self that desires and brings out those desires to be dealt with in the visible world. How can it be a possibility? What makes it impossible? What resources can you use now? What would you need help with? How might you get that help? What kind of timeframe do you want and what do you realistically have to work with? Saturn hammers it down to manageable, measurable steps. In Virgo, Saturn breaks it down to the details, anticipates pitfalls and analyzes situations with precision. So, dream big with Jupiter; in Pisces, keep hope alive. But get down to business with Saturn.

The opposition between Jupiter and Saturn occurs at 28 degrees of Pisces and Virgo, respectively. Although we are all influenced by this rare alignment, those with natal planets or house angles on or around 28 degrees of mutable signs may feel the affect more strongly than others.

For me, this opposition hits me in a similar fashion as last month's Saturn-Uranus opposition. The opposition stimulates the same spot in my birth chart: