Pluto retrogrades on 1 May, soon back to Capricorn for one more look at an organic perception of dominion contrasted with avaricious and economic exclusion. Perhaps it’s time to pull out dusty VHS copies of THE WICKER MAN for review in honor of May Day..
On 3 May, Saturn and Gonggong stand conjunct at 05 Pisces 37. Actually, this is a notable conjunction with a gaseous giant and a dwarf planet aligned, much like the recent longitudinal alignment of Jupiter and Eris in Aries (23 April). Gonggong, while about half the size of Eris, travels about the Sun in a comparable orbit, 551.9 years. In the category of “for what it’s worth,” Gonggong’s day closely compares with a day on Earth, his axial rotation completing in 22.4 hours.
To extract more meaning from the alignment the orbital elements of the planets involved can be examined. Actually both Saturn’s north node and perihelion reside in heliocentric Cancer. Sounds about right. After all, isn’t Saturn’s agenda one of providing comfort and nurturing for all traveling the solar system on planet Earth? Actually, it is. Any emotional discrepancy likely results from the contrast between what a person wants (Moon, Venus stuff) and what a person needs (what Saturn renders).
Gonggong’s North Node splashes in the shallow degrees of Pisces (6 Pi 51) and his perihelion trips the zodiac at 04 Li 23 (both degree notations are heliocentric). It would appear that Gonggong will soon transit his north node, however, his orbital stroll is leisurely. In fact, he will not reach his node until 25 September 2029 (again, measured heliocentrically).
However, Saturn (heliocentrically) crosses Gonggong’s node on 28 November, but ten days after a direct Saturnian alignment (18 November) with where Mars comes closest the Sun. This latter heliocentric transit portends an intense series of storms come November. Statistics reveal that when any planet transits the perihelion of Mars, it induces extreme atmospheric volatility on the Sun and resulting weather patterns follow suit. For a human, the classic central conflict of emotion versus the mental process clouds up decision making.
Saturn, given his retrogradation later in the year, conjoins Gonggong two more times. By retrograde alignment, Saturn shares the ecliptic with Gonggong on 6 August. The final conjunction between this pair occurs on 16 January 2024.
With all of that out of the way, what the hell does Saturn conjunct Gonggong mean?
According to mythology, Gonggong was a water god, known for causing mundane catastrophes. He and the fire god Zhurong got into quite the fight, and during that fight, Gonggong whacked his head on the Earth, which caused the Earth to tilt on its axis. Probably this is one of the more redeeming events in his mythic history. How is this redeeming? Simply Gonggong points out that when wrestling with a mundane situation in life that cannot be reconciled, the key is to create a new perspective. Physically examine details and facts from new and unusual angles. For instance, looking at a logic diagram upside down jostles the psyche resulting in mnemonic shifts. Creating your own simple perceptual derivatives might actually unlock new concepts, inspirations and applications. Oblique, out of the box, and off the wall fit the billet.
Since it is established by orbital elements that Saturn seeks to support ones mundane quests, Gonggong’s orbital element Pisces-Libra combination seeks to adjust ones perceptions regarding the nature and energy of interpersonal interactions. The combo provides the ability to relate to another with compassion and empathy, instead of sympathy and pity. The pairing requires that if odd or off-putting energy is felt that it must be reality checked as soon as possible. Then, there’s the point that if you find out another person intended no weirdness, control, or encroachment, your reaction to any scenario remains the same and must be honored as such to move forward. Thus, have your reaction and when done with that clearing, agree to shift your sensitivities such that the way for positive transactions opens in all interactions with others.
Gonggong is a highly boundary-sensitive planet. The perception of ridicule, shaming, dissing and other hazards of cancel culture deeply impact Gonggong’s perceived pain threshold. Those who impose their will or within whatever opinion of self superiority, seek to control or demand what another person does, are likely to get knocked back. Gonggong stresses that if one asserts their emotional state without attenuation, likely, after a hiccup and a reaction adjustment, the path clears for enhanced cooperation and collaboration.
On the mundane, personal side of things, consider adopting a Chinese healing method, creative pursuit (musical instrument or body movement), or read Confucius to get clear on what he actually said instead of relying upon hearsay and fortune cookies for wisdom.
On the mundane, collective level, it’s Saturn and Gonggong. Tensions with China over just about everything are likely to be highlighted. Threats and bluster certainly spill into the airwaves intending to cause emotional reaction and political yielding. In fact, as I develop this post, the Chinese ambassador to France, made sovereignty claims about the Baltic states that incited a flurry of concern amongst leaders of the European Union. The transit suggests it will sort. It will take a while... probably January before calm and reason can return. But Saturn, as he does in any equation, points out the practical, real world, economic factors should not be impacted by philosophical or political agendas. Saturn’s bottom line: don’t mess with things that are of fiscal benefit. After all, on 21 January, five days after the final Saturn-Gonggong conjunction, Pluto enters Aquarius to stay for a couple decades. Not only does that promise adjustment and healing of the runaway greed that has plagued the planets during Pluto’s tenure in Capricorn, all elements of life have the potential for altruistic resolutions. And as any Aquarian is inclined to do when they listen to one who waxes philosophical, they tilt their head, working to find your angle and track the lodestone behind it all.
A final thought here... Gonggong’s punishment for creating catastrophic chaos (the kind of stuff Eris loves) consisted of exile. Coming off the Jupiter-Eris conjunction in which the healing of a lifetime of feeling shut out can occur and inclusion resulting, it remains important not to go wackadoodle with the Saturn-Gonggong conjunction in terms of proclaiming ideas the mainstream can accept or delving into distorted conspiracies. As the I-Ching points out, change from within to without efficiently works. Saturn loves efficient. So if one applies reason, measure and while riling others to frenzy, has a well developed, plan that works as an effective outlet for evolution that when Pluto gets back to Aquarius next January, they may receive Pluto’s gracious generosity.
More soon!