Conclusion

Simply having one major aspect between two outer planets is enough to indicate turmoil in the world; certainly periods during which T-squares (three outer planets) occur  denote major epochs of change, sometimes for better, other times for worse.

This brings up the question many ask of astrology, as well they should, about free will versus destiny. If, for example, by examining history and comparing it to alignments of Saturn and Pluto, there is clear evidence of major war every time those two planets are in hard aspects, one could argue that it is destiny to go to war.

Conversely, free will is simultaneously at play. For example, a person could have a history of entering into personal relationships that are destructive, always choosing a partner who is an alcoholic, or someone who physically assaults or mentally abuses them. An astrologer can help identify not only a person who is likely to do so, but also the times when that person would be more likely to enter or leave such a relationship. The astrologer could help the client uncover the root of the behavior pattern, the unconscious or subconscious tendency which drives the client to choose unhealthy relationships, and thereby empower the client to make better choices for him or herself.

Therefore, astrologers can help nations in the same way. Identifying times when conflict is likely and illuminating what is driving the discord, allows for the opportunity to take a collective time-out (from childhood - when parents or teachers told children to stop what they’re doing, to calm down, and reflect on their misbehavior).

Astrologers are calling for a collective time-out during this T-square. Instead of following violent, greedy and vengeful drives, let us stop, calm down, and reflect on what kind of future we want. It is time to assess the efficacy of strategies employed in the past. Let us exercise our free will to choose wisely by embracing the lessons we should have learned in kindergarten: to share what we have, to get along with others nicely, and to have empathy for others who are hurting.

The T-Square During The Great Depression

Saturn was in Capricorn, Pluto was opposing from Cancer and Uranus was squaring from Aries. Back during the Great Depression, these three planets were aligned with each other more closely during a shorter period of time which meant that the effects of the T-square were more strongly felt; i.e. the economic hardships were severe, and social unrest was very high (the latter being often forgotten due in large part to focusing solely on the former).

What is a T-Square?

The definition of a T-square is the arrangement of three planets: two planets are 180 degrees opposite each other, and a third is mid-way between the two, at 90 degrees from each planet. Currently, Saturn and Uranus are opposing each other, and Pluto is at the midpoint of the two, squaring them. Considering the slow orbital speed of the outer planets [1], and the customary orb of 15 degrees used in mundane astrology [2], T-square configurations can last for many years.

In astrology: conjunctions, oppositions and squares are considered difficult or hard aspects whereas trines and sextiles (120 and 60 degree aspects) are usually experienced as soft or easy. A T-square is three difficult aspects happening at once.

Additionally, when the outer planets are in cardinal signs (Aries, Cancer, Libra, and Capricorn), as are these three planets now (and during the 1930’s), the T-square is experienced by the masses to a greater extent. Furthermore, the United States has six out of ten planets in cardinal signs in its chart. Hence, this T-square is affecting the United States chart making us as a nation acutely affected (at the least unconsciously) by this alignment.

What Does All This Mean?

Briefly, Saturn relates to old and traditional, the way it has been, restriction, conservatism, hardship and depression. Uranus’ energy is freedom, change, rebellion, social equality, the new way, and youth. Pluto’s archetype is associated with secrets being revealed, power struggles, and the process of destruction with subsequent renewal.

The three parts of the current T-square:

1) Saturn and Uranus combination archetypes:

When Saturn and Uranus are involved, such as now with their opposition, there is a struggle for freedom and equality, incumbent governments struggling to remain in power, conservatism v. liberalism.

1. • During WWII (1942), as Saturn and Uranus conjuncted, FDR ordered all Japanese-Americans to be interned, and the Nazi’s ordered Jews in France, Belgium and the Netherlands to wear stars.
   

2. • Concurrently there began many burgeoning resistance movements in Europe while race riots occurred here in Detroit and Harlem.
   

3. • Gandhi gave his famous “Quit India” speech promoting non-violent civil disobedience against the British (a method of protest which was to gain even greater visibility with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. at the opposition point of these two planets in the mid-1960’s during the height of the civil rights movement).
   

4. • In 1989-1990 when the Berlin Wall fell, signaling the collapse of the Soviet Union, Saturn and Uranus were conjunct. [3]
   

5. • Currently, they are in opposition; the first exact opposition of this set was on election day in the US in 2008 (Obama defeated the conservative John McCain with the Change You Can Believe In campaign).
   

6. • Saturn and Uranus have an approximately 40 year cycle (i.e. conjunction to conjunction) with each other.
   

2) Saturn and Pluto combination archetypes:

When Saturn and Pluto are in hard aspect there is governmental repression exemplified by totalitarianism and dictatorial regimes, major wars, and mass trauma to the psyche via violence. Also prevalent during these eras are religious conflicts between faiths with swings to the religious right in all denominations.

1. • Both World War I and II commenced during hard Saturn/Pluto contacts: WWI a conjunction, WWII a square.
   

2. • The partition violence between Pakistan and India,
   

3. • the commencement of the Cold War, and
   

4. • the beginning of the violence between Jews and Arabs over Israel in 1947-8 was during the a conjunction.
   

5. • September 11, 2001 was an opposition between Saturn and Pluto. [4]
   

6. • All of the hard Saturn/Pluto aspects in the last century were marked by war and violence.
   

7. • These two planets conjunct approximately every 35 years.
   

3) Uranus and Pluto combination archetypes:

When Uranus and Pluto are in hard aspect there are even broader experiences of revolution encompassing historic periods of unrest. Similar to Saturn/Uranus, the periods with Uranus and Pluto, because of their slow speeds, last much longer – a decade or more versus 2-3 years.

The last conjunction of Uranus and Pluto was from 1960-1972, exact between 1965-6. That era encompassed the civil rights movement and much violent turmoil with political assassinations, overlapping with the Saturn/Uranus opposition.

During Uranus/Pluto eras huge scientific breakthroughs occur which revolutionize human life on earth.

1. • The conjunction in 1450-61 saw the invention of the printing press, the beginning of the scientific revolution and the Enlightenment Period.
   

2. • The opposition in the late 1780’s-1800 was when the French Revolution occurred, and the invention of the cotton gin heralded the industrial revolution.
   

3. • At the last conjunction we witnessed man walking on the moon and the birth of the internet in 1969.
   

4. • These two planets conjunct approximately every 135 years.

Looking at a chart from 2010, we see that Saturn in Libra is in a wide opposition to Uranus in Pisces. From 2008-2011, Saturn and Uranus make five exact oppositions. Pluto is in Capricorn and squares the two planets.

By 2014, Uranus and Pluto will start to exactly square each other.

Footnotes

[1] Saturn’s transit time around the zodiac is 29.5 years, Uranus takes 84 years, and Pluto needs 246 years.

[2] Mundane astrology refers to the astrology of the earth and human civilization in general. The orbs used in mundane astrology are larger than those used in a person’s birth chart. Usually, in a person’s birth chart five-ten degrees is customary to define if two planets are in orb, whereas in mundane 10-20 degrees orbs are common.

[3] Also at that time, Jupiter was opposite the triple conjunction of Saturn, Uranus and Neptune. A rare a powerful combination indeed.

[4] The Saturn and Pluto opposition on September 11,2001 also occurred on a full moon creating what is called a Grand Cross. A full moon occurs when the Sun and Moon are in 180 degree opposition from each other, hence, a Grand Cross is a total of four planets in opposition and therefore all four are squaring each other (they are 90 degrees apart). This Grand Cross aligned with the chart of New York City indicating a time of a major catastrophic event.