The third transpersonal planet to influence the Pluto-in-Leo generation is Neptune, which alters sensory awareness and brings new spiritual perceptions but also casts a veil over reality or truth: It’s the planet that dissolves separation and brings things together. Neptune was in Libra from 1778 to 1793, in the early years of the U.S., and again from 1942 to 1955. The generation of people now aged 49 to 62 were born under Neptune in Libra. Justice was the principal issue during this period. People had idealistic notions about equality under the law and equal rights for both genders. The media tended to exaggerate the value of relationship At the same time, marriage as an institution was more likely to be undermined in public life. Pluto and Uranus strongly supported these tendencies. On the political level, there was a distinct emphasis on the balance of power, and opposing groups grotesquely distorted reality.
Neptune in Libra showed its positive side during the postwar negotiations in 1946, when a worldwide charity organization was formed in the U.S. The CARE program provided invaluable help to the people of West Germany. The remarkable generosity of the U.S. toward its former enemy can be attributed to the accentuation of Venus at this time, when Neptune was in Libra and Uranus was in Gemini. Venus is the ruler of Libra in classical astrology; in esoteric astrology, Venus rules Gemini, and Uranus rules Libra. 2 Therefore, the influences of Libra and Gemini, as well as Venus and Uranus, were combined during this period. This produced a harmonious Venus chord, which brought former enemies together in a more human way.
Neptune’s highest aspect is truth. Its darkest shadows are lies, deceit, and concealment. We experience Neptune’s greatest difficulty in fog. These are the moments when we can neither see ahead nor retreat backward. The generation of people now in their fifties and early sixties is characterized by this Neptunian energy in Libra. Among its other characteristics, Libra is distinguished by diplomacy. If we add the quality of relationship, which is played out in the Libra arenas of money, law, and sexuality, then we can better understand the people who belong to this generation.
Those who have this collective influence tend to torture themselves with unrealistic ideas about love. Often, these notions are also associated with gigantic hopes of finding happiness in relationship. Many people have been fundamentally influenced by the dissolution of relationships in their own lives and those around them, so they need to redefine the importance of relationships. This is true for transactions of all sorts, including the political and financial worlds. Projections quickly become evident in both professional and private life. These projections typically lead to exaggerated expectations and profound disappointments.
All of these transpersonal influences form the background of the Pluto-in-Leo generation. But, of course, the individuals in this generation manifest their transpersonal planets in different ways, according to their particular house placements, aspects to other planets, and individual karma. And no planet reveals karma better than Saturn.
Saturn in CancerSaturn is the planet that criticizes, refuses, and restricts. It signifies challenges and brings up fear. In the natal horoscope, the aspects between the personal planets are integrated by Saturn’s influence (crises). Thus, Saturn teaches integrity. As the planet of karma, it brings reality checks and settles accounts. Through Saturn’s inexorable focus, we learn responsibility and accountability.
Saturn entered Cancer in June 2003 [and entered Leo in July 2005]. Saturn was also in Cancer from 1944 to 1946. Protection and security were the primary issues then — and are again today. Since the Sun of the U.S., the world’s most powerful country, is in Cancer, 3 all of us are experiencing tremendously strong pressures from this challenging transit and find ourselves confronted by the aforementioned issues. The mood is rather grim, and this dreariness is further exacerbated by the media’s focus on war, terrorism, and disease. From a global viewpoint, it looks as though the suffering on our planet far outweighs the joy. Poverty is increasing, even in affluent countries.
Saturn limits our mobility; it imposes more monitoring and control, greater discipline and obligations — and the realization that goals are sometimes impossible to attain. Relationships can be shattered not only on the personal level, but also on an international scale. The rubble created by irresponsibility needs to be cleared away, so that healthy, stable foundations (Saturn) can be laid, foundations upon which something new can be built. This is true for all of us.
In the past, people primarily turned to their families for support and security, but under the current economic system, families have been dispersed. Nowadays in the West, there are many loners, singles who feel vulnerable without a social network. With Saturn in Cancer, people will inevitably band together. The value of cooperation and community is being realized anew in the collective. Community provides solidarity and support — even if this security is temporary or illusory. All types of groups are continually forming around shared values and aspirations. The Saturnian influence in Cancer means one thing, above all else, for the Western world: more humility and less “going it alone.”
