In the late 1980s, one of my college professors shared this story while showing us a famous building during a geography class. It’s been many years so I’ll paraphrase:

During the holidays we visited friends who showed us their vacation pictures. We saw the wife, Rose, in every single shot. Rose in front of the palace; Rose in front of the museum; Rose in front of the skyscraper. I suggested that next time my friend take a picture of Rose behind the building.

Searching for this professor, I discovered he passed away. I wonder what he would have thought of today’s proliferation of “selfies.”

Maybe if someone had sent this professor a selfie he would have requested a selfie behind the building. Or maybe he would request an “otherie.”

Uranus is the planet of inspiration, sudden shifts and enlightenment entered the sign of Aries in March 2011. Aries is the first sign of the zodiac, a fire sign and is often quoted as saying, “Me first.” Aries represents the self (as in “selfie”).

According to this Wikipedia site, the term “selfie” became a common buzzword in 2012. Like many other thoughts, ideas and inventions, it didn’t arise one particular day but gained momentum over time until suddenly (Uranus) everyone was saying it.

(As an aside, the visual aspect of the selfie probably arises from Neptune moving into Pisces in early 2012; Neptune rules film and image.)

Marketing has also evolved to respond to a “selfie” culture. Many marketing programs today have the description “My” as in MyPanera Rewards or My Verizon.

My, my, my, have times changed.

Uranus in Aries

In early 2011 almost as soon as Uranus entered Aries, several Middle Eastern countries rebelled (another Uranus term) against their governments. This was called the Arab Spring.

Aries is ruled by Mars, the god of war. Aries is a fighter, competitive and forceful. Aries fights for self-determination and individuality. Aries is “me” not “we” so uprisings reflect the fire energy of Aries, but not necessarily the desire to equal the playing field. Aries didn’t write Utopia, a Pisces did.

Where the populace sees no need to overthrow the government, Uranus in Aries appears to be the increased expression the personal self. The selfie appears part of that as well as marketing tailored specifically to my person and my habits.

A dark side of Uranus in Aries is a rise in personal violence, “My Personal Vendetta” or “My Personal School Shooting” in the US. Individuals initiating random violence is a great low of this energy. Of course, individual violence is not new; what’s new is the seeking of attention through this means.

In the US’ most recent school shooting in Oregon, the county sheriff insisted he would not share the name of the shooter. This is a brilliant response to the negative manifestation of Uranus-in-Aries energy – a refusal to acknowledge the “self” that performed this heinous act.

With energies, I always like to think about what we don’t see in the news. Uranus in Aries in your individual life might simply be standing up to authority, saying no for the first time in your life or simply refusing to participate in situations that compromise your self worth. If you get the urge to slap people around at the same time, hopefully you go to the gym instead to work off the warrior energy.

Uranus in Aries like all energies has a specific characteristic which can be manifested in a number of positive and negative ways.

Uranus in Taurus

Like all energies, Uranus in Aries will pass. In mid 2018, Uranus will move into Taurus. Taurus is the fixed earth sign. Where Aries is concerned with self, Taurus is concerned with material reality.

Possibly Uranus in Taurus will bring up the property rights of all the Uranus in Aries creations of self-expression that occurred on social media.

Uranus in Taurus will also bring sudden changes to the physical and financial landscape. While it’s a bit early for astrologers to send in their Uranus-in-Taurus predictions, in a couple years you’ll probably be reading astrology blogs about financial crashes and physical earthquakes.

Keep in mind that Taurus always follows Aries – this can nullify the effects of dire astrological predictions. In childhood development, we know a baby is not aware of others. At a certain age the baby then becomes aware of others in the environment as separate entities. That is Taurus.

Aries is the uprising and forming of a new country. Taurus is the marking of the boundaries of the country, creating an economy and defending the borders. Aries breaks through the eggshell and Taurus must look to survive in the very real environment of friends and foes.

Taurus naturally follows Aries so the environment will exert itself. People will see the difference between your corporeal reality and the picture you posted on social media. Your real self may need to meet your branded image (i.e., your resume needs to match your skills). You’re informed now so that you have two and a half years to sync them up (which is also the Saturn in Sagittarius cycle which requests that you sync your beliefs with your actions).