The transits of the planets

Uranus - Introduction

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Uranus is the first of the modern planets to be discovered. Like all the bodies found since the 18th century — Neptune, Pluto,1 and the many minor or dwarf planets, Kuiper belt objects, and so on — it is invisible to the naked eye. A mechanical device that extends human vision, namely the telescope, is required to see it. Symbolically, this shows that Uranus represents energies that hover on the edge of ordinary awareness and everyday social reality, and these energies often threaten to disrupt both. Consequently, Uranus has earned a reputation in astrology for being disruptive, unpredictable, radical and unstable. There is some truth in that view, yet it does not capture the planet’s essence. At its core, Uranus breaks down arbitrary and unnecessary boundaries that limit human consciousness, allowing it to expand into realms not normally accessible. In doing so, Uranian energy keeps individuals and societies from becoming rigid, static and inflexible. Think of it this way: when a farmer prepares a new field, the first step is to plow the ground so that its fertility can be released and the newly planted seed can grow without being choked by existing weeds. In the same manner, Uranus breaks up old social structures that have outlived their usefulness so that new ones can come into being.

It also represents new forces in the world that challenge the status quo. Some of these changes bring benefits that are almost immediately noticeable, while others take longer. A striking example of a Uranian force is modern computer technology, which has already transformed the world and will clearly continue to do so. Astrologically, there is a strong connection between cutting-edge technology and Uranus.

The main difficulty with all this is that, no matter how flexible you may be or how fond you are of things that are new and exciting, Uranian energies can still feel threatening and disturbing. Wherever possible, it is wise to make room for what these energies signal. When the energies of Uranus are resisted, they do not disappear; instead, they build up pressure and can become explosive. Even in the human body, if a developing ailment that calls for lifestyle changes is ignored, it may erupt as a stroke, heart attack, seizure or other sudden, life-threatening symptom.

On a global scale, many of the major problems now afflicting our time (written in early 2018) result from resistance to change. If these Uranian forces are not ultimately accommodated, a new social order is likely to arise not through careful planning but through chaotic and disruptive breakdown.

Qualities of Uranus

As one of the planets discovered in modern times, Uranus has never been classified according to the ancient scheme of the Hot, the Cold, the Wet and the Dry. Even so, it is not hard to place Uranus in that system. The difference is that its qualities appear in an extreme form, and this applies to both of its major attributes. The Hot traditionally represents high energy and rapid activity; Uranus exhibits this quality so strongly that it is difficult to exaggerate. The Dry traditionally represents that which separates, breaks apart and defines, although in the case of Uranus real definition usually occurs only after the dust settles. This, too, is an extreme expression of the Dry. If its energies are accommodated gradually so that society can adjust, Uranus proves beneficial, as we see in modern computer technology. While disruptive at first, it has become the backbone of a new world. If early human culture passed through the Stone, Bronze, Iron and Industrial Ages, our era is the Information Age, driven by the technological breakthroughs symbolized by Uranus.

Sect

It is hard to classify Uranus strictly as a diurnal or nocturnal planet. If diurnal planets are defined by consciousness and clarity, Uranus is more diurnal than nocturnal, because when its energies operate in darkness they tend to be destructive. Yet, on another level Uranus, Neptune and Pluto transcend sect altogether, for sect belongs to what I call "normal consciousness," and all three outer planets operate beyond that realm.

Ease or Difficulty of Dealing with Uranus

Many people find Uranian energies challenging; much depends on one’s attitude toward change. In The Illuminatus Trilogy, Robert Anton Wilson and Robert Shea divide humanity into two broad categories: Homo Neophobus, who fears the new, and Homo Neophilus, who loves it. Although few can embrace the unprecedented without hesitation, the Neophilus type has an advantage in dealing with Uranus.

In general, the more you stay alert to subtle changes in your environment and try to adapt to or even exploit them, the friendlier Uranus becomes. For this reason, Uranus favors social groups that are tolerant, liberal and open to new ideas, and is less kind to those that are not. That said, Uranus can also manifest in movements on the extreme right, as in Nazism or, in our own time, certain radical militant groups in Islam. Both cases grew out of long-festering issues that were largely ignored until they erupted.

Function in the Natal Chart

Inward Manifestations

Inwardly, Uranus often appears as a sense of unease or nervousness with no obvious cause. Its energies can manifest as tension and an inability to relax. When the body’s energies are seriously out of balance, Uranus may be associated with illnesses that emerge suddenly and apparently without warning. The warning signs, however, are usually present but overlooked.

At its most positive, Uranus symbolizes breakthroughs in understanding, personal discoveries about oneself and the world, and even enlightenment — from everyday "Aha!" moments to the profound liberation that comes with spiritual awakening.

Outward Manifestations

Uranus also stands behind new inventions and discoveries. The revolution in electronics, computing and information management that has unfolded in recent decades is aptly symbolized by this planet. The more benevolently Uranus is placed in your birth chart, the more easily you adapt to such changes; if the placement is difficult, you may find them unsettling.

Uranian energy likewise fuels social and cultural movements judged to be radical, disruptive or outside the mainstream. Depending on how Uranus is situated in your chart, you may be drawn to such movements or view them as threatening to your way of life. Either way, Uranus ensures that, at times, you will confront social elements and ideas you find challenging.