By Patricia Darrow, Astrologer
We all experience times in our lives when we are required to let go of someone or something, or to give something up. Even though the weeding out of whatever or whoever this is, is usually in our best interest, we frequently choose to cling to the past and to that which has become familiar, even though we know deep down inside that it would be in our best interest to let go. For many, it is human nature to resist and fear change, because it usually represents the unknown.
That which is to be given up can be anything. It can be a material possession, such as a house which has become too big or too costly to maintain, a habit, an addiction, a personality trait, an irrational belief, a job, an activity, a relationship, a person, or the need for control, to name a few. Whatever or whoever it is, it is taking up in your life valuable space which is needed for new growth and opportunity. Think of your life as a tree or a plant. It is necessary to prune away the dead leaves and branches from time to time to promote new growth. Say, for example, that the job you were so excited about having five years ago has now become tedious and boring. That is a sign that it is time to start thinking about moving on with your career. When it becomes time to make a major change in any area of our lives, the universe does us a favor by making whatever needs to be gotten rid of very distasteful to us in some way. This makes it easier for us to part with it. By parting with whatever it is, we clear a space for something better and more appropriate for that time in our lives.
What most people are unaware of is that these cycles of letting go are predictable through the use of astrology. Most cycles of having to give something up are caused by an eclipse, or by a transit or aspect of Saturn or Pluto. The type of letting go which takes place depends on which planet, luminary or house is being affected by the eclipse, aspect or transit.
Let’s start with eclipses. Eclipses usually bring opportunity. The changes brought by an eclipse are never subtle, but are usually sudden and unexpected. If something or someone is blocking the path to opportunity, it must first be removed in order to clear a space. Let’s look at that tedious and boring job. As long as you hold onto that job, there is no room for advancement. If you have known for a long time that you need to quit and move on but have not, when an eclipse comes along and makes a hard aspect to your Jupiter, you are likely to get fired or to quit in the middle of your shift without giving notice. This may initially appear to be a catastrophe. However, in the long run, it will prove to be a blessing in disguise. By quitting suddenly or getting fired, you are forced to look for something better. Since changes brought on by an eclipse are always in your best interest in the long run, you will probably discover that a better, more interesting and fulfilling job was out there waiting for you all along. However, you never would have realized this, had you not been forced into looking for it. It takes six months to a year to experience all of the long term effects of an eclipse.
There will be three eclipses taking place in July of this year, two solar eclipses with a lunar eclipse in between them. This is highly unusual, since eclipses usually take place in pairs, one solar and one lunar. A large number of people will be profoundly effected by the intense energy of these three eclipses.
Saturn-caused re-evaluation and letting go is a much longer process than that of an eclipse. Cycles caused by Saturn take one and a half to two and a half years to complete. As with an eclipse, Saturn gives us opportunity and incentive to let go of whatever is no longer appropriate before whatever needs to be gotten rid of is taken away by force. A career change caused by Saturn may involve a longer more planned for process, such as systematically sending out resumes or going back to school to obtain a degree in order to attain a higher career position.
Pluto transits last longer and one usually has to endure a major crisis which forces one to deal with their life honestly and to let of unhealthy attitudes. Sometimes one has to let go of personal attachments, materially as well as behaviorally, and flow with the changes. The growth, most of the time is profound.
Whether letting go is caused by an eclipse, Saturn or Pluto, it is important to remember that releasing is necessary in order to clear a space for something better or more appropriate in our lives.