LOVING URANUS
Even when it hurts
Welcome to the Solar System's weirdest planet and the ruler of the weirest sign, Aquarius. Uranus is the one most dangerous to our human plans and expectations; it is a fact of life, so get used to it.
By Ivana
THE RAZOR OF REALITY
URANUS CAN CUT EITHER WAY
Now that we have the yur-RAN-us name problem out of the way, let’s cast our star gazing to the first one of three outer planets and the one closest to the Earth: Uranus is god of different. This planet is the first one in the solar system not visible to naked eye, which is why it is associated with breakthroughs and modern technology. In stark contrast with its larger neighbor and patriarch, Saturn, Uranus rules all things new, brilliant and revolutionary.
Uranus is also viewed with the same suspicions Luddities had against machinery. Uranus’ moves are unique; the planets rotates on its side, is riddled with moons, and actually has faint rings around it. Some astrological Traditions cast Uranus as the enemy, where different is dangerous and devilish. In relationships, for example, the Uranian devil has a reputation for breaking couples up. We can only see the superficial effects the planet has upon us, but in order to find out the true meaning of a planet, we have to ask ourselves its purpose.
Ruler of large communities and friendships, Uranus is the spark inside of every man and woman that inspires them to be true to themselves and contribute to humanity. This applies to the macro, like social reform and new technology or seemingly small changes, like finding a different approach to personal relationships. The Uranus personality paradox is that the same planet that rules love of humanity has an impossible time relating one-on-one. Fairness and justice for a fellow man is perfectly understood, intimacy is not. Uranus rules Aquarius; a dry and windy air sign and one of three symbolized by a human. Consequently, Aquarius understands relationships conceptually, but lacks emotional depth to bond intimately.
As if romantic relationships aren’t problematic enough, when Uranus enters the picture with two unevolved humans things can rapidly disintegrate. In synastry and composite charts, Uranus interaspects create a feeling of urgency and desire to speed up the relationship. A couple with these connections rushes to get married, and likewise to get divorced. Relationships begun under Uranus transits are intense, exciting and thrilling, but without a stabilizer like Saturn in the picture, usually don’t last.
Is there a positive purpose for Uranus transits and interaspects in synastry? Wreaking havoc and destroying marriages may seem to be the only effect, but there are important benefits to this interaction.
When Uranus transits a personal planet or an angle in a person’s horoscope, it shakes things up and changes a person in the area of life represented by the planet, angle and house in question. One of the reasons Uranus transits are often experienced as stressful is that people rarely enjoy changing their habits. Keeping the status quo and staying inside one’s comfort zone is much easier. With Uranian influence, one has to be willing to try a new and different approach to the matter signified by the planet and house transited. Inflexibility leads to even more chaotic circumstances, forcing change anyway. Sometimes we can be yearning for change and when this transit hits we can finally break free.
In synastry, when a partner’s Uranus contacts our personal planet or angle, it means he or she is trying to consciously or unconsciously teach us a new, counter-intuitive approach to the area signified by the transited planet and its house. The personal planet partner helps their Uranus partner feel loved and appreciated for their uniqueness. Uranus contacts add spark to our relationships, interrupting routine and complacency. When Uranus’ energy manifests harmoniously, people value freedom and uniqueness, their own and other’s. Uranus will open the doors to possibilities you may not have known even existed.
A healthy shot of Uranus ensures that the relationship is energized and interesting, however, an overdose can make one or both partners reluctant to commit to a LTR. Sadly, some people with lots of this energy don’t care who they hurt with half-baked ideas or cold-blooded attitudes.
Hard Uranus contacts can make one’s behavior go from original to reckless. You could quit your job, move away, lose family and friends, before you realize it, you’ll be irrevocably changed by the momentum of this planet. The areas of life where this takes place is described by the planets in contact with Uranus and the houses involved.
As with any planet, especially an outer one, much of how its energy is manifested depends on the sensitivity and maturity of the individuals involved, but it can be difficult to handle even for those with experience. If you strive to assimilate the desirable characteristics of Uranus, invention and love of freedom, you must also be willing to face the less desirable ones, anarchy and alienation, when they appear; then the planet’s energy won’t cause you grief and you can accept change with open arms.
