Mercury is very fast as well, but not as fast as the moon. Mercury has more time to ponder, to think, to gather information, to consider. Thoughts and communication travel very fast but survival reactions override logic to...ensure our survival: just like a mother, who protects us at all costs. As I considered the relationships of the planets, considering their speed, everything really began to open up for me. I began thinking about all the planets in terms of cycles and the grand cosmic rhythm began to illuminate.
Jupiter takes about 12 years to complete a cycle, which is about a sign/house a year. Let's say the average life is 84 years. That would be 7 chances for expansion/fortune/benefit in any given area of life. People say 7 is a lucky number...Coincidentally, Uranus takes about 84 years to complete its cycle, which is fortunate for an individual lifetime. Uranus is a transpersonal planet that is all about individuality and uniqueness. As a transit, it is said to "speed up" whatever it aspects. Could that speed be a result of awareness around the uniqueness of this lifetime, like a sense of urgency? I believe in reincarnation but that there will only be one me. It would make sense if Uranus was telling me, "hey, this is a once-in-a-lifetime chance to assert your individuality, regardless of societal expectations/limitations (Saturn)."
Pluto takes about 248 years to complete its cycle...which is about 3 lifetimes. Considering Pluto in this light, it makes sense that Pluto, in its grandest sense, is about something bigger than us. Of course, we can consider Pluto's meaning in this lifetime many different ways but it is ultimately about our life in the eternal context. What impact will we leave for future generations? How will we use the power we have been granted as temporary unions of cosmic energy, called human beings, towards our karma, which lasts eternally? How will we transform/change society as individuals and as a collective? We will never see Pluto complete a cycle...the challenge is acting towards selfish ends or selfless goals.
Isn't this amazing to think about? Considering the relative speeds of planetary cycles, it really clarifies their relationship to us. The Sun and Moon correlate to a yearly/monthly rhythm, like two hands on a clock: the sun is the hour, the moon is the minute. The luminaries tell us about daily life, which we can consider in the grander context of our lifetime and beyond, represented by the transpersonal planets (Uranus, Neptune and Pluto).
We respond to the moon's energy via gut or subconscious reaction because it is too quick to assimilate consciously. We respond to the sun's energy very consciously because as a species, we understand that our survival is dependent on it. I don't know about you, but the luminaries (Sun and Moon) are the easiest to identify with, which makes sense: both rule childhood. We have been consciously and intuitively aware of their energies from a very young age. Soon, we begin to learn to communicate (Mercury) and share/love with others (Venus), as well as assert ourselves towards desires (Mars). I would say that the further planets are from the Sun, the longer it takes for us to consciously assimilate their meaning.
However, though the universe is ordered, it doesn't always follow such a linear path. Let's say I'm born a Sagittarius, making Jupiter my ruling planet. What does that mean? It means, I am more naturally attuned to Jupiter's energy signature and movements. Ahhh, so that's why I'm such an optimist! I have a natural awareness of the opportunities that surround me in life. At some level, I understand that I may get 7 or more chances to succeed in any area of life. So why wouldn't I be more speculative or friendly? I figure, there's plenty to go around! I have a very opportunity-aware consciousness.
The signs are telling us the way we are attuned to various dimensions of human experience. The houses are telling us where we are naturally attuned to experiencing the various dimensions of human experience. The planets are telling us what dimension of human experience we are attuning to. It really all makes sense now. Astrology allows us to consciously engage life in a way that can maximize our potential and live holistically. There is much wisdom to be gained from its study, especially when we engage with the dimensions of transpersonal experience. As our awareness grows and experience accumulates, we can derive even more meaning from our natal placements. In this way, it is easy to see how everyone is eternally a student.
-Shade
