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 2010 -

Incredibly powerful forces for change are at play with an on-going opposition between Saturn and Uranus and a continuing square between Saturn and Pluto. Jupiter, the principle of expansion - Horus, the young king, in the Egyptian pantheon - will come into relationship with all three of these powerful planets during 2010. Jupiter expands and intensifies planetary relationships. This is a year when the old king (Saturn - Sobek to the Egyptians) will be forced to yield to the expanding life force energy of Uranus (Wadjet) and the undeniable process of death and regeneration represented by Pluto (Osiris).

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. Sobek, the old king, is shattered by the vibrant life force energy of Wadjet. 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 and moved into exact oppositions twice in 2009, on February 5 and September 15. They will oppose each other two more times in 2010 - on April 26 and again on July 26. Saturn is in Virgo and Uranus in Pisces for the first opposition of 2010. The second opposition, and the last of an unusual five exact oppositions, will take place in Libra / Aries.

Saturn square Pluto. Saturn (Sobek - the old king), the principle of consolidation challenges Pluto (Osiris - death and regeneration), the great force for transformation and change. 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.

The first phase of the square between these two, during the winter of 2009 / 2010, has brought an intensification of the US involvement in Afghanistan. The question arises - are we doing things differently or is the old king Sobek still clinging to the reins of power? Saturn and Pluto moved into their first exact square on November 15, 2009 at Libra / Capricorn 2 degrees. They move into exact squares twice in 2010, first on January 31 at Libra / Capricorn 5 degrees and again on August 21 at Libra / Capricorn 3 degrees.

Jupiter enters Pisces and Aries. Jupiter stays in a sign of the zodiac for about a year. Jupiter enters Pisces on January 17 and will enter Aries on June 6. Jupiter will then retrograde back into Pisces on September 9 and will re-enter Aries on January 22, 2011.

Jupiter, the young king Horus, expands any sign or planet with which he comes into relationship. Pisces is a water sign, sensitive, compassionate and dedicated to planetary service. In the Egyptian pantheon, Pisces is aligned with the star Sothis, home to many of the neteru and a place of higher love, wisdom and the bodhisatva nature. Aries is a fire sign, impulsive, energetic and open to change. Aries is associated with Kephera, the neter associated with the morning sun and a reminder that every day is a new beginning. In 2010 Jupiter will come into relationship with both the opposition of Saturn / Uranus and the square of Saturn / Pluto, intensifying the effect of these already powerful transits.

Jupiter opposite Saturn. Jupiter (Horus), the principle of expansion, opposes Saturn (Sobek), the principle of consolidation. Exact oppositions take place on May 23 at Pisces / Virgo 28 degrees and on August 16 at Aries / Libra 3 degrees. A third exact opposition will take place on March 28, 2011 at Aries / Libra 15 degrees.

Jupiter conjuncts Uranus. Jupiter (Horus) conjuncts and expands the energy of Uranus (Wadjet). Jupiter and Uranus will be exactly conjunct on June 8 at Aries 1 degree, on September 18 at Pisces 29 degree and for a third and final time on January 4, 2011 at the 27th degree of Pisces.

Jupiter squares Pluto. Jupiter (Horus) squares Pluto (Osiris) with exact squares on July 24 and August 3 at Aries / Capricorn 4 degrees and on February 25, 2011 at Aries / Capricorn 8 degrees

It is worth noting that there will be a loose t-square (a powerful alignment of aspects involving three or more planets) between Jupiter conjunct to Uranus, square to Saturn, and opposite Pluto during June and July. In late July and continuing on for most of August, there will be a t-square between Jupiter opposite Saturn with both square to Pluto. The summer of 2010 brings a most intense relationship between four planetary giants.

Uranus transitions into Aries. Uranus, the planet of sudden and unpredictable change, enters the fire sign Aries. Uranus stays in a sign of a zodiac for approximately eight years. Uranus, Wadjet to the Egyptians, enters Aries (Kephera) on May 27 and retrogrades back into Pisces on August 13. Uranus will re-enter Aries on March 12, 2011. Uranus will remain in the fiery sign of Aries until 2019.

Mercury Retrograde. Mercury turns retrograde three times in 2010, 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.

2010 begins with Mercury retrograde in Capricorn, having turned retrograde on December 26 at Capricorn 22 degrees. Mercury will turn direct on January 15 at Capricorn 6 degrees. Mercury will be retrograde from April 18 through May 11 in Taurus; from August 20 through September 12 in Virgo; and from December 10 through December 20 in the signs Capricorn and Sagittarius.

Current Transits - Astrological Month of Aquarius, 2010.

- January 19 - Sun enters Aquarius -

- January 30 - Full Moon at Leo 11 degrees -

- February 10 - Mercury enters Aquarius -

- February 11 - Venus enters Pisces -

- February 13 - New Moon at Aquarius 26 degrees -

- February 18 - Sun enters Pisces -