2011 Horoscope: Uranus

Uranus is one of most exciting planets to watch in astrology. It brings sudden insights and revelations to you when you least expect it, shows new fields of study for you to explore and takes you to places you would have never dreamed of going before (or even knew existed). In forecasts and horoscopes, Uranus counts as a major influence, being one of the slower moving planets.When transiting, its power is felt suddenly, like a switch turning on and off, but it is usually powerful. So what is Uranus up to in the year 2011 and beyond?

Before we dive into our astrology 2011 predictions concerning Uranus, first let's consider what type of energy this planet has, and what it does. Uranus represents knowledge and insight. The best way to describe it in this regard is it is like a "bolt out of the blue." It can strike anywhere, at any time, seemingly at random. Like lightning or a comet from outer space, it destroys what it hits. But it also throws light upon it--the knowledge or insight part.

What kind of insight? It could be spiritual, but not always. People who have a strong Uranus in their natal charts can make good occultists, mystics and astrologers. These are perhaps those who can make the best use of Uranus' power.

But even less extraordinary people feel the effects of Uranus in some way. These can't and aren't all spiritual. You could get insights about your personal life and relationships. Or about a new subject that fascinates you. Or it can show you a way to do the same old things differently. One day, Uranus makes you wake up to the fact that your life have gotten into a rut, that your life is stagnant, that you have settled for too little when there is something more to life than you had thought. That's when the rebellion and desire for change associated with this planet comes in.

Points to remember about Uranus transits:

• Uranus transits are neither good nor bad.
• Uranus can be extreme. Don't get carried away by it.
• The blows get easier when you are prepared for them. Know what to expect (if you can say that about Uranus).
• These transits are unstable. Don't expect relationships that blossom under Uranian influence to last--wait until the transit is over.
• Uranus works best when you open up to change without letting yourself go crazy.
• Uranus is an eye-opener. It awakens you to what is "out there."
• Uranus transits through the houses take YEARS... about seven years each.
• A Uranus transit is most strongly felt when it is conjunct an angular house cusp or when it aspects a natal planet. Its influence is sudden, like a flash of light.

So with that, let's see what's going on.

A knowledge of transits is extremely practical and useful to the modern astrology student. I recommend the book Planets in Transit to everyone who wants to study the topic. It doesn't matter if you are new to astrology or fairly experienced. This book should be in every student's library. It's the bible of transits and Robert Hand's best work. I also like Planets in Composite and Horoscope Symbols by the same author.

Uranus and all the other planets are covered in-depth in Planets in Transit. Hand interprets the meaning of every major aspect to the natal planets and transits through the twelve houses. The interpretations are several paragraphs long each. Written in a neat, "cookbook" style that's easy to use as reference.

I believe Hand wrote this before he discovered traditional astrology. He comes across as a truly humanistic, "psychological" astrologer. I'm not one for humanism but I don't let that put me off. This is a great book. His interpretations, although taking the psychological perspective, are nonetheless very accurate.

Note: The Amazon links you see on this hub are affiliate links. But I wasn't paid or given freebies to review the products here. I only review books that I've bought/borrowed or read myself.

While you read the discussions below about Uranus, keep in mind that Saturn is in the opposite sign, Libra, this year; Pluto will be in square in Capricorn. This puts high pressure on everyone, but especially people born with an emphasis on cardinal signs: Aries, Cancer, Libra or Capricorn. Jupiter will be joining Uranus in Aries, making it brave and enterprising to an almost insane degree; but Saturn will pull in the opposite direction in its obsession with balance. For example, if Uranus is in Aries in the tenth house for Cancer, Saturn is in the fourth house. Exciting changes occur in the workplace while home brings problems and responsibilities.

Aries Rising

The year 2011 is the year to break through for you. Uranus crosses your Ascendant this year, initiating a total makeover that is several years in the making. You will be reinventing yourself during this transit. While you have always been independent (at least, on the outside), now you also want to be different now. Uranus shows you to yourself in a new light and drives you to think and act in new ways. Relationships are unstable now. After this transit is over (about 7-8 years from now), you will be a totally new individual. Beware of accidents.

Taurus Rising

Uranus is in your twelfth house, bringing about the results of past actions that you ignored or were unaware of. Secrets, "skeletons" and hidden things about yourself may come to light now all of a sudden. This planet can open your eyes to truths about yourself that you have refused to acknowledge or don't know about until now. As the planet of change and rebellion, Uranus here gives the initiative to explore these "taboo" areas of your life. On another level, Uranus can awaken your "charitable" side through encounters with people who need your help, such as a sick relative. At work, you will discover that you can achieve a lot by working alone at this time. You may come into contact with hospitals, prisons or asylums during this time, though it doesn't mean you will be confined.

Cancer Rising

Uranus breathes new life into your career department. If you have been stuck with the same job for a long time, this is about to change. You will find new opportunities come to you that will let you achieve more and learn more than before. Even if you do not change employment, you will still find new ways to get the job done. What you need now is work that lets you express your unique talents and abilities. It is as if you want the world to notice you now. On another level, relationships with your parents may see some tension. Be careful about attracting the public eye. Uranus' reckless nature can easily put you in the spotlight for the wrong reasons!

Leo Rising

The next several years will see your view of life changing. On the level of mind, you may be attracted to unconventional belief systems--whatever is alien to what you grew up believing in. It is not unusual to question or even break away from religion during this transit. You realize things you have never noticed before, and you are not afraid to think for yourself. On a more physical level, you will want to travel and see new places now. It is a great time to go off and see the world, provided there are no hard aspects elsewhere in your chart or transits that would make travel dangerous now. You can benefit from exposure to people and places that are radically different from you now, but only if you welcome change.

Libra Rising

Uranus will rock your love boat for the next several years. You will fight for freedom and independence now. If before you have always put up with others, just because you don't like to fight, this time it will be different. The urge to break free from an oppressing relationship is quite strong now. Even a good relationship will be shaken at this time. Uranus here attracts you to new and exciting people. A love interest now will appeal to you because you see the person as unconventional and foreign--embodying the freedom you desire.

Scorpio Rising

For Scorpio people, Uranus spells changes at work, whether you are self-employed or work for someone else. You grow tired of duties and obligations that others have imposed on you. You want to break free from these, perhaps by seeking a new position or a different job altogether. You are drawn to work that is Uranian in nature, one that gives you freedom to move and to do things your way. You may need to deal with computers, the Internet or some new technology that is unfamiliar to you. The sixth house also governs health. You need to make changes to your lifestyle, eating habits and routine if you are to stay healthy. Over the next several years, you will discover that your old habits no longer serve you well and that you need to do better.

Sagittarius Rising

Uranus puts the spotlight on your romance department for years to come. As if having Aries on the fifth house cusp didn't make you bold enough, Uranus here fills you with the urge to explore and experiment with what is different. Love and sex become a source of excitement and new experiences now. These need not to be "taboo" or "perverse" in the moral sense, but relationships now can lead you to a new level of sexual, romantic and creative freedom. Love that begins at this time will have an affect of "awakening" you. If you have children, they may be a source of tension at this time. Just as with lovers, your children can teach you lessons now about change and independence.

Aquarius Rising

Uranus has a natural affinity with your sign, according to modern astrology. When it starts a journey through your third house, your mind will open up to new ideas. Your old thinking patterns begin to crumble as you realize that a lot of notions and habits you had taken for granted no longer work for you. You seek new ways to communicate with and relate to your environment and the people around you. Your life may seem quite busy all of a sudden and this should be exciting for you. A new field of study may bring you a much-needed mental challenge.

Pisces Rising

Your financial sector is in for a serious jolt this 2011. Uranus will push for change in this department. Essentially, your values will undergo profound changes. Old spending habits, for example, may be challenged. Or you may feel like doing things with your money that normally would have been out of the question, such as making a risky investment or giving it away to charity. Because Uranus is in Aries, there is a real danger of impulsiveness, so be careful. Quite possibly your source of income will change. You may find a job or business associated with Uranian activities such as the Internet, technology or astrology.

More on the zodiac signs coming up.

Uranus is the lightning bolt that strikes when and where you don't expect it. Now of course for us privileged astrologers, this is not a hundred percent true. We can have an inkling of what it's about to do thanks to ephemerides and computer programs. But forecasting does not diminish the element of surprise that comes with Uranus. Just when you think you have figured out the celestial maverick, it hits you squarely between the eyes with a new revelation. "Oh, so you thought, eh?!"