Counseling Letting Go—

"Happiness can be defined, in part at least, 
as the fruit of the desire and ability to sacrifice 
what we want now for what we want eventually."

—Stephen R. Covey

"What looks like a loss may be the very event 
which is subsequently responsible for helping to produce 
the major achievement of your life."

—Srully Blotnik

In this month's non-technical article, A Guide To Letting Go—The Three "B's" we discussed the periodic necessity of getting rid of, of letting go of Belongings, Beliefs, and Behaviors that are no longer appropriate in our lives. For whatever reason, these B's are (or perhaps this B.S. is?) difficult to part with. These B's can easily become more burdensome rather than beneficial, stifling rather than stimulating, restrictive rather than rewarding.

Astrologically, there are predictable times when this principle is profoundly highlighted. For us all the Saturn Returns at approximately ages 29 and 58 (and 87 if we're fortunate), represent periods of dramatic shifts in focus. More than any other measurement, the Saturn Return represents a demarcation between different phases of our lives.

Around the first Saturn Return at age 29, we are (or at least should be) encouraged to "put away childish things". This semi-official entry into established adulthood often corresponds with changes in residence, relationships, career, and/or other significant life choices and decisions that will irrevocably influence our future. We recognize that some of our more youthful dreams and goals no longer represent what we now aspire to. There is more focus on other people--notably partners and children--and less energy focused exclusively on ourselves. Priorities change. Our bodies are not as invincible as we once believed. Sometimes referred to as our cosmic report card, the Saturn Return requires us to asses our progress to this point in our lives, and recognize that some things must fall away in order for us to continue to evolve and grow.

At about age 58, we experience our second Saturn Return and our focus may begin to shift away from the day-to-day workaday routine, perhaps into new pursuits or toward beginning to seriously plan the transition to retirement. If the kids haven't returned to live with us, there may now be a focus on grandchildren. Our own parents may no longer be living or their health may be deteriorating, encouraging us to shift our focus far away from the pre-age 29 invincibility, to a recognition of our own mortality, and extending to a concern for future generations. We may be shocked as we realize that less than half of our lives remain before us. This new perspective will probably stimulate us to reflect on what we've accomplished thus far and evaluate what we have yet to do on our cosmic to-do list with a revived and most likely a revised direction. 

If we live to see our third Saturn Return around age 87, we doubtless will have seen a lot in our lifetimes. We will reflect on people and events from our past, have both regrets and fond memories of our time on earth. There may be a deeper connection to religion or spirituality, accepting and perhaps embracing our own mortality, with a corresponding shift of consciousness. 

While the Saturn Returns emphasize the need for changing attitudes, they do not hold the exclusive rights to encouraging or forcing change.

When it comes to dramatic change, Pluto is the master. Pluto Transits and Solar Arcs to natal planets or angles (ASC or MC) suggest a major empowerment, transformation, and necessary inevitable change. Fortunately, part of the Plutonian package is a new perspective, i.e., a new priority list of what's most important to us. The Phoenix myth makes perfect sense in comparison, in that we must symbolically sacrifice so that we may arise reborn from the ashes. Pluto contacts are rarely pleasant, but by recognizing that the pending changes are indeed necessary and inevitable, our energy is much better spent by cooperating than resisting.

A close second to Pluto contacts would have to be Uranus Transits and Solar Arcs to natal planets or angles. Uranus contact tends to be absolutely, out-of-the-blue, unexpected...unless, of course, we have the benefit of astrology to suggest that we get ready for the unexpected. As with Pluto, Uranus contacts will not be denied, although by working with, rather than fighting against the influences, they can be markedly less traumatic and potentially much more beneficial. 

All these astrological influences carry with them a requisite understanding that things are changing. For us to get the biggest bang for our bucks and emerge relatively unscathed, we must embrace and take a symbolic leap of faith, recognizing that for better or worse things are changing...so why not extend efforts to make the change for the better?

If our lives are saturated with superfluous material belongings, stagnated beliefs, and outdated or inappropriate behaviors, we're not likely to reach our highest aspirations and goals. It's as though we're choosing to be burdened by these restrictive influences, when we have in our power to choose to let them go and move forward relatively unencumbered.

The above-mentioned astrological measurements offer us, as astrologers, a time to prepare and motivate our clients to embrace rather than fight these times of dramatic change, and encourage a new assessment of their Belongings, Beliefs, and Behaviors.