The Discovery of Uranus
In the triad of transcendent planets, Uranus is the first to be found outside Saturn’s ring. Due to the shape it has, it represents a ringed planet. If you look at the rings of Saturn and Uranus, you can see the similarity because they both have a bluish structure. Uranus itself is a blue planet, so generally, the color used for invoking Uranus is light blue or sky blue. The name Uranus, or Ouranus, means Heaven in Greek and represents the God of Heaven.
William Herschel discovered Uranus in the 18th century on March 13, 1781. The time of discovery is 10:39 p.m., not far from London. This event marked the beginning of a new era in astronomy. It was the first time a planet had been discovered using a telescope.
The Mythological Significance of Uranus
In Greek mythology, Uranus was the god of the sky and the heavens, and his name means “heaven” in Greek. Uranus was the first offspring of Gaea, the personification of Mother Earth and Pontu. Eventually, he married his mother, Gaea, and together they formed a primordial partnership that gave birth to the cosmos, as the Greeks knew it. Uranus was the father of the first generation of Titans.
You can read more about the mythological part of Uranus here: Uranus in Mythology and Astrology: Symbolism of Change and Liberation
Chart of Uranus’ Discovery
Uranus represents a point of contradiction, a condensed opposition. It is a planet that is opposite everything, and its discovery marked a significant turning point in the history of astronomy. In the astrological chart below, we will discuss more about this inherited opposition of Uranus.
Here we have the chart of the discovery of Uranus (made in professional astrological software, Kepler 8.0):
Every time a transcendent planet, Pluto, Neptune, and Uranus, was discovered, the Moon was in the sign of Scorpio. Here we have again the Moon at 15° Scorpio, on the Ascendant itself, which is at 13° Scorpio.
Mars was the ruler of the Ascendant in the chart of discovery. Mars was in conjunction with Saturn and in opposition to Uranus at the time of its discovery. This opposition reflects the conflict between the child and the parent (Kronos and Uranus) and the need for a change of power within the system of governance.
It represents a point of contradiction, a condensed opposition. Uranus itself was at 24° Gemini in the 8th house, opposing Mars at 23° Sagittarius. This is very important, because the ruler of the Ascendant, Mars, was exactly at the center of the galaxy at that time (the center of the galaxy is now at 26° Sagittarius).
To put it another way, it is the discovery of a single center around which the entire universe revolves. This center is in conjunction with Saturn. On the other side, in opposition, we have Betelgeuse, the Polar Star, which was once placed at 23°, or 27°–28° Gemini in modern times. This indicates that there are usually two main points of authority that humanity opposes. The entire Sun revolves around one, the galactic center. On the other side, the Polar Star, which is visible from Earth, is the core around which everything revolves. Uranus carried this opposition at the time of its discovery.
The Impact of Uranus on Human Society
New York is astrologically connected to the Polar Star and Betelgeuse. We can say that New York City itself serves as both the global hub and the location of the majority of the world’s institutions. The position of Uranus in this chart suggests that humanity faces a fundamental conflict. It is the conflict between the centers of power, the things that are significant to humanity, and the center of the world. The question here is which is more powerful?
Is there a universal, cosmic law that is stronger, or is the law of what man has here on Earth stronger? Uranus is that question, that rebellion, that revolution. By its very nature, it foreshadows this revolution. This is his primary story, in which his myth is very clearly revived. Uranus gave rise to the world. He created Chronos (time) and his son overthrew him. Chronos castrated him. His genitals, which fell into the seawater, gave birth to Aphrodite, or Venus.
Children are our 5th house, and here the 5th house begins in Aries. Mars is the ruler, and it is in conjunction with Saturn (Chronos), which is here in opposition to Uranus. So, this position in the chart makes that one basic archetypal image that Uranus carries in itself—a problem between a father and his son.
The Opposition of Uranus: Need for Fundamental Change
This chart shows the conflict that existed between Uranus and Chronos. There is an opposition between what a man loves and what he is. There is a primary relationship (father and son), and there is a need for a power struggle. Who’s going to be in charge of everything? Will it revolve around the center of the galaxy or the polar star? Is there a greater power on Earth or some other cosmic power? Mars, as the ruler of the Ascendant, is in a challenging aspect with the Sun itself. The Sun is the ruler of the 10th house. Here we see the need for a change of power, within the system of governance especially.
Uranus was in the 8th house at the time of its discovery. The position of Uranus in the 8th house is associated with various risks, dangers, and wars. On the other hand, its ruler of the Ascendant is in the 2nd house at the time of discovery. This implies a strong need for money, for activities related to work, and for the development of industry. Moreover, for the creation of everything that will lead to much greater achievements, to much greater profits.
At some point, it may seem counterproductive, but it is this image of connection and opposition that exists between the 2nd and 8th houses. Uranus plays here a strong role. It speaks of the fact that these steps of progress and acquisition are as much related to what brings matter as to what takes it away. They are linked to what is sometimes referred to as warfare and other times to the growth of a robust money market, or stock market, capital, which is symbolized by the 8th house.
The Archetypal Image of Uranus
If one accelerates his Mercury, if he puts his way of thinking into high gear, he reaches Uranus. Uranus is the higher octave of Mercury and is highly intelligent.
In this chart, Mercury is in the sign of Aries and has a trine to Saturn. Saturn is in conjunction with Mars. In conclusion, the nature of Uranus is not light and fluttering at all. Uranus is unusually heavy. Uranus is much heavier than Saturn. Lead (Saturn) is considered to be one of the heaviest elements but uranium (Uranus) is scientifically heavier and its specific gravity is higher.
Conclusion
To summarize this analysis, what we have here is a picture of the nature of Uranus, which is Mars-Saturn. There are two opposing forces – one that is hindering, one that is moving forward – which are Mars and Saturn. Reaching the state of Uranus is not an easy path for one person. The path of Uranus is, above all, the path of exceptional intellectual ability, the ability with which the way of thinking will be very fast, and the way of life will be extremely dynamic.
In other words, it is difficult to imagine that Uranus can live alone. He is looking for a large company. That is why each Uranus represents a city, a large social whole. If someone has a favorable position of Uranus, he must be in a big city, where he can get what Uranus offers. He is looking for a large number of events, and a large number of activities, which together allow him to manifest himself in its whole glory.
We should consider how each of us might serve as an airport or a channel for Uranus.
If you want to explore more of the fascinating world of Uranus, click on the links below:
Uranus in the 4th House: Revolutionizing Home and Family
THE SIGN OF AQUARIUS: THE ARCHETYPE
Uranus in Mythology and Astrology: Symbolism of Change and Liberation
