I noticed that someone searched “why so many breakups in 2011?” That’s a very interesting question. I was just having a conversation yesterday with someone about all the breakups occurring with ourselves and with others.

Grand Cross in Cardinal Signs

Currently there is a grand cross in the sky in the cardinal signs:

• Uranus in Aries
• Mars in Cancer
• Saturn in Libra
• Pluto in Capricorn

In the past year, Jupiter went through Aries stoking the friction of this cross.

Let’s talk about the cardinal signs and relationship:

Aries / Libra – this is the SELF / OTHER polarity

Cancer / Capricorn – this is the INNER SELF (family) / OUTER SELF (career) polarity

The cardinal cross is about me-you-family-workplace. In our image of the American 1950’s household,  Mother was about you/family and Father was about me/workplace.

As women changed, the roles became more complicated. Those roles are still changing and a collapsing economy (and societal structures) forces those roles to change even more.

Planets in the Cardinal Grand Cross

Now for the planets –

Pluto is transformation that is usually preceded by destruction, unless you decide to simply let go of the old worn-out patterns.

Uranus is enlightenment and inspiration which is usually preceded by sudden, unexpected and shocking events, unless you simply wake up to what’s around you.

Saturn is the law of contraction and is the structure of our world. Saturn can feel good or bad depending on how you naturally feel about laws and rules.

Mars is the active principle. Mars gets you out of bed in the morning to greet the new day. How do you wake each morning?

Why so many breakups?

Saturn in Libra is sending contracting energy through relationships. While there are a lot of breakups, some are living and dealing with this contraction. That means the relationship is not fun right now. Other relationships contract into a void because the energy of the relationship can’t handle the contraction. In a sense, there is nothing left. It’s contracted out of existence.

Pluto in Capricorn is the transformation of our societal structures. We are experiencing a recession or depression of the economy. That stress is adding to any tensions already extant in your relationships. I believe at the end of the Pluto in Capricorn transit, our economic, family and relationship structures will be different, more egalitarian.

Uranus in Aries is the enlightenment of self. This transit says impulsively, “I’m going to do it myself. I don’t need you involved.” This is a great feeling of power but it does not support partnerships, family life or the “teamwork” of a workplace.

Mars in Cancer is energy directed toward family. Spending time with family can be very comforting. No matter how much you fight with your family, they know you. You can put your feet up on the coffee table (unless your family has a lot of Virgo or Capricorn energy). Family life is comforting, but does not always help you grow.

Combined energies

The combined energies of this grand cross mean that we are having great stress between the ME – YOU and FAMILY – WORK axes. Pluto is ripping apart our work world and our self, family and partnerships are going to change as a result.

Other views

The astrologer Tom Lescher (New Paradigm Astrology) has a weekly YouTube Pele Report which I find the most insightful and compassionate view of what is now occurring in relationships.

Columbus local Jennifer Sieck of Intuitive Voice Inner Guidance says it this way:

“Right now there is an opportnunity in the culture at large to deepen & do inner work torward ascension but there is just as strong a need too for some to go their own way–strike out & try something new. It takes maturity to go deeper & it isn’t always fun/sexy but it might be what is required for some. And for others that need to be new again & define things solely for yourself may win out. Neither is right or wrong, in either case it is important to do what Jungians call “holding the tension of the opposites” until the individual’s need rises to the top by sitting with it over time. The energy from Aries (the 7 year thing) that we are in is encouraging this tendency to react without pause in many ways & in many arenas.”