Taming the Bull: Disruption and Discovery During the Uranus – Taurus Transit

In traditional astrology, the Sun represents an individual’s core essence, ego, vitality, and identity, while Uranus symbolizes innovation, rebellion, sudden change, and awakening. When these two celestial bodies align, it’s believed to signify a period of profound shifts and upheavals in one’s life.

Ya’ think???

The transit of Uranus in Taurus, which we have all experienced since March 2019, worked very personally on me. In fact, it happened very personally for all Taureans. Meyer commented that before this 7-year transit, she had seldom counseled Taureans in astro-spiritual traditions. During this transit, Taureans flocked to her study groups; this observation lends credibility to how personally this explosive transit affected the spiritual consciousness of all Taureans. 

For me, this massive conjunction happened in my 11th house of the collective, and yes, after this transit was finished, I left groups in California and settled in a new community in Florida, looking to make entirely new networks, but of my own choice. By allowing me ‘Freedom from the Known,’ as Greene puts it, I am moving forward with more agency and more free will to create the next, and more than likely the last, leg of my physical journey on Gaia. It is scary and enigmatic, but it could not have happened if I was still standing on the rug I had created for myself in California. After nearly forty years on the West Coast, I felt trapped in a Hollywood play of my own creation where my choices acted like chains, binding me to a story as desolate and devoid of life as the space between stars.

In California, I formed friendships and connected with broader networks mainly based on others’ possessions or my perceptions of who they were or, worse yet, what they thought of me. Martin Schulman, in his 1979 book The Karma of Now, describes the fallacy of this karmic state better than me,

Finally, by constantly trying to see himself through the eyes of others, he is doing all he can to avoid actually meeting himself in the true light of his divine understanding.

Not only was I incredibly fearful of how others perceived me, but my choices reflected a scarcity mindset; it often felt like everyone else’s life was a better option than mine. For instance, I entered teaching in mid-life because I wanted what others had—a stable income and an unconscious motivation to stay close to my school-aged children. I was operating more on autopilot than making conscious decisions; fear, a sense of scarcity, and the misguided belief that I could maintain unbreakable connections with my children throughout their transient journey in public school. 

Later, I took a little “vacation” from teaching to snag a yoga credential. Why? Because I was chasing the sculpted bodies and zen vibes everyone else at the yoga studio seemed to have, not because I had some grand plan for a Yogic future. Naturally, my 500-hour investment in downward dogs and sun salutations culminated in shuttered studios, courtesy of California’s response to the COVID pandemic; it was back to public school teaching for me. 

It would be easy here in Florida to jump into teaching. Florida’s growth is a tidal wave, crushing over its infrastructure, which struggles to stay above water. I still grapple with the old version of myself, the one before Uranus made its presence felt. Slipping back into teaching feels like the path of least resistance, but Uranus calls for liberation from the familiar. It demands substantial courage and faith to leap over that cliff to create new narratives that align with our soul’s growth. Here in Florida, I am transitioning into adult instruction and publishing, paths I deeply resonate with, and this short essay is my first courageous step forward. 

At 19 degrees, Taurus, my natal Sun, hosted Uranus in a tight orb for over two years. Due to its complex orbital pattern and retrograde periods, the “Sky God”, Uranus, moonwalked back and forth across my natal Sun from May 2022 to June 2024. 

Did I handle the Uranus transit rather well, as Gwynne suggested?  

After our session, I took some time to reflect on her words. Anyone facing a Uranus/Sun transit must prepare for a profound journey of self-discovery and upheaval. This period often brings unexpected challenges, requiring resilience akin to navigating turbulent waters with determination as is represented by the Six of Swords, a Uranus ruled tarot card.

The Six of Swords, a tarot card ruled by Uranus, symbolically depicts this process. The card features immigrants navigating troubled waters to reach a better destination. This imagery is collectively accurate, as immigration has been a significant global theme since Uranus entered Taurus. It also precisely symbolizes my personal journey from California to Florida.

As the planet gradually moves from its orb of influence, I wanted to share six insights that may assist others in embracing the path of evolution. This path requires the courage to make a leap of faith, like The Fool. 

First, understand that beliefs shape reality. 

To me, Uranus is a compassionate force in astrology. Since I believed in Uranus’s innate goodness and its evolutionary quality, the planet became a compassionate force for change. Deep down, I trusted that Uranus wouldn’t lead me anywhere I was not meant to be. This belief is substantiated by the academic study of the Qabalah, where The Fool, Uranus, embarks on the path of Mercy on the Tree of Life rather than the path of Severity.

Second, be willing to habituate yourself to chaos.  

Growing up with constant change, I find myself more accepting and adaptable to life’s vicissitudes than others who might be uncomfortable with change. Unexpected disruptions and upheavals were common occurrences throughout my childhood and adulthood. Consequently, what used to be mentally destabilizing experiences have equipped me to tackle the profound changes influenced by Uranus. Rather than resisting these Uranian impulses, it was wise to recognize how past upheavals have strengthened my ability to navigate uncertainty and chaos.

Third, tune in to the dialogue Uranus has with your natal chart. 

My Uranus/Sun transit occurred in my 11th house, which governs friendships, social networks, community involvement, aspirations, and collective goals. Synchronistically, the 11th house is ruled by Aquarius and Uranus – a fitting backdrop for a Uranus transit of my Sun. The transit represented how I connect with groups and my hopes for the future. 

Also, Uranus was activated almost simultaneously with my second Saturn return, making it crucial to understand the interaction between these two transiting planets and their impact on my natal chart. For me, the Uranian promise of potential future freedom felt more appealing than Saturn’s energy of restrictive past Karma. Notably, my second Saturn return occurred in Aquarius, the very sign ruled by Uranus. This Saturn in Aquarius transit ensured that I learned from past errors before Uranus swiftly followed, disrupting the restrictive patterns set by Saturn.

My second Saturn return three years ago was undeniably challenging, as was my high school friend’s. Once, while dining in one of those tony, upscale restaurants in Newport Beach, I received a text from her,

“I’m in Hell.”

The irony was so amusing I nearly spit out my drink. Her message perfectly mirrored my trials and growth of Saturn’s return. As Saturn moved away from my natal Saturn and Uranus moved toward my natal Sun, I could not help but think that my personal cosmic frequency had to improve. I did not know where this transit would take me—it’s never clear—but I had faith that it would take me where I needed to be. 

Undergo challenging daily exercise routines.

 Uranus is commonly associated with the nervous system in medical astrology due to its connections with electricity, sudden impulses, and unconventional behavior. This association mainly involves the vagus nerve, which is crucial in the body’s relaxation response. Astrologically, when Uranus transits the Sun, it can heighten nervous system activity and sensitivity. Conjunctions between Uranus and the Sun may lead to increased mental stimulation, restlessness, and unpredictability, affecting the nervous system. This can manifest as moments of heightened awareness, inspiration, sudden insights, and periods of agitation, anxiety, or nervous tension. If this energy is not managed correctly, it could result in severe issues like a stroke or other nervous system disorders. During times when Uranus was within a one-degree orb of my Sun, I could literally feel electricity buzzing through my body. It seems to be a lasting gift from the sky God, as I am now more sensitive to EMF rays from my cell phone and other sources. Now, I know when to quit using my devices. 

Other than drinking heavily as one of my coping routines, I unintentionally kept my vagus nerve in check with a consistent hot yoga practice. This daily ritual was the one constant during Uranus’ meteoric collision with my natal Sun and probably helped detox some of the alcohol. The practice kept me from having a stroke and made me more resistant to stress.

Practice emotional regulation.

As I was grappling with the Uranus/Saturn slam squad in my natal chart,  I serendipitously learned about emotional regulation. The book, Letting Go:  The Pathway to Surrender, introduced me to the Dr. David Hawkins’ Map of Consciousness (MOC), a cornerstone of my journey. For me, the path involved regular immersion in his body of work combined with extensive self-study using Hawkins’ framework. It was essential for me to finally learn how to identify and regulate my emotions as a guide on frequency and consciousness-raising. I spent considerable time watching his videos and reading his book. In fact, the book was so transformative that I based my master’s thesis project on Letting Go,  using it as a framework. I’m excited to start hosting an online book club to share these insights with others.

Connect to a spiritual group and a spiritual elder.  

In my case, I was fortunate to work with Gwynne Mayer, a seasoned astrologist with over fifty years of experience in education, counseling, and spiritual research. It wasn’t easy to gain her as a counselor—I had to approach her several times before she agreed to take me on as a client. Such experienced elders deeply understand the concept “as above, so below.” My personal spiritual groups had been disrupted by the pandemic, and many left California to return home to family or to start new lives elsewhere.   Gwynne plugged me into several groups she hosted, and I found a new tribe, many of whom were Taureans like myself.  

Engaging with a knowledgeable astrologer specializing in spiritual counseling gave me profound clarity and guidance during three years filled with life’s inescapable vicissitudes. These challenges included the heartbreaking losses of my life partner and my dog, who had been my companions for 40 and 17 years, respectively; a draining lawsuit; ongoing struggles with alcohol and other addictive behaviors; managing a career and a Master’s program, and finally, the emotional task of orchestrating a final move from an environment I had called home for so long.

Gwynne anchored me during my transition to Florida, soothing the perennial panic that haunted me: waiting for the next crisis to erupt, the next shoe to drop. 

Recently, she told me, ‘Cherie, you are now holding the other shoe.’ 

This revelation brought me both profound peace and a profound pause.  Her words encapsulated the Alpha and the Omega of this significant chapter in my life. After freeing myself from “all that is known,” her words were a poignant reminder of the personal agency I now wield in creating new evolutionary paths for my soul.