As the planets of our solar system orbit around the Sun, they move into mathematical relationships with one another. These relationships are called "transits." Transits operate like a pen highlighting words on a page - they draw our attention to a particular area. By understanding the meaning behind a specific transit we can understand the deeper meaning of events - both on a global scale as well as within our own lives.

Some transits move very quickly and are in effect for only a few days while others are in effect over months or even years. Shorter transiting events should always be viewed against the larger picture.

Jump to this month's Current Transits

Important Transits for 2009 -

2009 will continue to be dominated by the opposition of Saturn and Uranus. This powerful transit came into play during the fall of 2008 with the first exact opposition on Election Day in the U.S. - November 4, 2008. This transit is an indication that powerful forces for change are at work on our planet. All else pales against the impact of the Saturn / Uranus opposition. The end of 2009 will bring the beginning of a square between Saturn and Pluto, another huge force for planetary transformation. As the year progresses, Pluto moves firmly into Capricorn after 12 years in Sagittarius.

Saturn opposite Uranus. Aspects between these two planets, particularly oppositions and conjunctions, are historically associated with societal upheaval and change. These two were opposite from 1918 to 1920 and again from 1964 to 1966. They were conjunct from 1941 through 1942 and again from 1988 to 1989. Whenever they come into close relationship there are tremendous changes in the look, feel and customs of society.

A chick in an egg is a useful metaphor for understanding the effect of a Saturn / Uranus transit. Saturn represents the shell of an egg that has become too small for the growing chick. Uranus represents the instinctive force that leads the chick to peck at the inside of the egg until it shatters - revealing a huge new world. Our old world has outgrown its usefulness to us - it is too tight and no longer nurtures us. Instinctively we break out into a new environment. What awaits us is not yet known.

Saturn and Uranus first opposed each other on November 4, 2008. They will move into exact oppositions twice in 2009, on February 5 and September 15. They will oppose each other for a final time on April 27, 2010. Saturn is in Virgo; Uranus is in Pisces.

Pluto enters Capricorn. Although Pluto actually entered Capricorn in 2008, this is a major astrological event and deserves recognition. Pluto, the eternal symbol of death and rebirth, stays in a sign of the zodiac for anywhere from 12 to 32 years. Pluto's orbit is so elliptical that for a portion of its orbit it is closer to the Sun than Neptune; this happened when Pluto was in Scorpio, its natural ruler, from 1983 to 1995. Pluto was in Sagittarius from 1995 through 2007 and entered Capricorn in 2008, moving back and forth between Sagittarius and Capricorn during the year. Pluto moved firmly into Capricorn on November 26, 2008 and will stay in this earth sign until 2024.

The importance of Pluto in Capricorn should not be underestimated. Capricorn is an earth sign symbolizing authority and eldership. Eldership can be protective and wise or, in its shadow expression, authoritarian, patriatrchal and unyielding. During the passage of Pluto through the sign Capricorn we can expect tremendous changes in the laws and mores by which society operates.

Jupiter enters Aquarius. Jupiter stays in a sign of the zodiac for about a year. Jupiter enters Aquarius on January 5 and will stay in this earth sign until January 18, 2010. Jupiter expands whatever sign it moves through. Aquarius is the sign of the visionary and emphasizes the needs of the collective. We can expect an emphasis on teamwork and creating a new vision for the collective during 2009.

Jupiter conjunct Neptune. Jupiter, the principle of expansion, aligns with Neptune, the planet most associated with imagination, illumination and cosmic consciousness, in Aquarius, the sign of the visionary. We can expect hopeful visions of our collective future to be put forth during conjunctions of Jupiter and Neptune. The shadow side of Neptune is confusion and delusion. Not all of the new ideas will be grounded in practical reality. Whether practical or not, they will bring hope. Jupiter and Neptune come into exact conjunction at Aquarius 27 degrees on May 27 and July 10; they will form a final exact conjunction on December 12 at Aquarius 25 degrees.

Jupiter conjunct Chiron conjunct Neptune. A triple conjunction between Chiron, the Wounded Shaman, Neptune and Jupiter will take place from May 9 through June 20 at Aquarius 27 degrees. Neptune turns retrograde May 29; Chiron on May 30. Jupiter, the principle of expansion, moves through a conjunction to Chiron and Neptune from May 20 through June 12 with exact conjunctions to Chiron on May 23 and Neptune on May 27. This rare triple conjunction describes a period of potentially great healing and spiritual growth.

Saturn square Pluto. Saturn, the principle of consolidation challenges Pluto, the great force for transformation and change. This is where the rubber meets the road. This square represents a crossroads in the new era that began with September 11, 2001. That fateful day fell in the midst of a powerful Saturn / Pluto opposition that began the summer of 2001 and continued throughout 2002. This square between Saturn and Pluto may be when the U.S. removes its forces from Iraq and we bring a close to this chapter of our history. It also will mark a time when we clearly acknowledge that our world is not the same. We are in a new era, never to return to the old way of doing things. Saturn and Pluto move into their first exact square on November 15 at Libra / Capricorn 2 degrees. They move into exact squares twice in 2010, first on February 1 at Libra / Capricorn 5 degrees and again on August 22 at Libra / Capricorn 3 degrees.

Mercury Retrograde. Mercury turns retrograde four times in 2009, for approximately three weeks at a time. Mercury is the planet of communication and governs transportation and communication systems. Mercury retrograde periods are times when we need to collectively retreat - to take stock of that which needs to be re-thought or re-done since the last Mercury retrograde period. It is difficult to move forward in the way society expects and wants. Transportation and communication systems sometimes literally break down during Mercury retrograde periods, forcing upon us a collective respite from forward motion. Mercury will be retrograde from January 11 through February 1 in the signs Aquarius and Capricorn; from May 7th through May 30th in Gemini and Taurus; from September 7th through September 29th in Libra and Virgo; and from December 26 through January 16, 2010 in Capricorn.

Current Transits - Astrological Month of Cancer, 2009.

- June 21 - Sun enters Cancer; Summer Solstice -

- June 22 - New Moon at Cancer 2 degrees -

- July 1 - Uranus turns retrograde at Pisces 27 degrees -

- July 3 - Mercury enters Cancer -

- July 5 - Venus enters Gemini -

- July 7 - Full Moon Lunar Eclipse at Capricorn 16 degrees -

- July 11 - Mars enters Gemini -

- July 17 - Mercury enters Leo -

- July 21 - New Moon Solar Eclipse at Leo 0 degrees -

- July 22 - Sun enters Leo -