Uranus in Astrology: Our Awakening Process

Uranus in Astrology: How we individuate from our Saturnian cultural expectations and express our authentic selves.

Years ago, in my early 20s, I held a sweet position as a bookkeeper for an established chain restaurant in Toronto. After being unhappy in the corporate world, I was given the role and called it quits at the restaurant’s head office. The new job turned my dreary, unfulfilling 9 to 5 into setting my own hours while still getting the benefits of full-time work. A perfect gig, as my day started around noon, followed by a complimentary meal a couple of hours later, freeing the rest of my day for school and creative work.

At the time, I was into fashion, designing and selling my clothes as consignment. Colourful, original, leaning on eccentric would describe my style. I loved my designs; I loved how quirky they were and the asymmetric lines and cuts involved. It was often received with much admiration wherever I went, promoting it myself, as it was part of my wardrobe. My sense of style contrasted the stained glass, dimly lit, rattan motif to the restaurant’s interior. I balanced the numbers in a small corner office I shared with the managers, who dressed daily in their classic, simple and appropriately professional threads.

One in particular was an expat from Scotland who went by the name Rob. He was clean-cut, with a sense of humour that matched his young age. We were on friendly terms, similar to my dynamics with the revolving managers. Seemingly, a comfort level which had him believe he had license to jab at my outfit choice one day. “What are you wearing?” His words, the awkward look on his face made me feel like we were back in grade school all over again.

As a side note, I have Uranus conjunct Venus(style) and my Sun(identity) in the 5th house.  Not to mention, it’s all in Scorpio.

Rob’s dig not only exposed my sensitive ego and creative identity, but I felt it deeply. Fast Forward to about a decade. I’m dating my long-term partner, and he points out how awkward I am and how I try to hide it with my choice of clothing. A comment that stirred similar feelings as Rob’s comment. It wasn’t until months later, when Uranus transited my 10th House, that I realized what it all meant and why it created a dent in my ego. At this point, fashion was part of my past and was replaced by my dreams as a creative writer.

Uranus is that part of us that desires to individuate from the rest of the crowd, an influence on a personally deep and creative level for me. I wanted to be so different and show others how different I was, and I had to prove it by expressing my unique qualities on the exterior level. I had to stand out. It was for show. Had I truly owned my vital Uranian attributes, I would’ve championed my choices to express my unconventional tastes and what was an authentic part of me.

This was at a time when Uranus was transiting Aquarius at the end degrees of my deep 8th house(Scorpio house)— In other words, a significant transit and an intense energy felt.

Uranus was doing its job.

I was on a new journey with Uranus entering my 9th House beliefs and ideals.

A process that began when I felt the need to break free of the mundane cycle of my 9 to 5. A feeling like death to my spirit, but a path I followed out of expectation, urgings coming from my father.

Once Uranus hit my 10th House, everything fell into place or more appropriately, unravelled in a Uranian way. The functions of the 10th House relate to our career, goals and the legacy we work on and leave behind. It’s how we want our status and reputation to be seen in the world. It’s also the House of Saturn, Uranus’s arch enemy. Uranus breaks away from tradition, obligation, and society’s expectations.

The years Uranus transited my 10th was when I announced I wanted to be a full-time writer during dinner with my partner’s conservative family. I was starting to claim my natal Uranus all over again— this time with complete awareness. I had evolved into a new stage in my life. A reformation of values and inner self-expression.

Uranus liberates us from the traditional mode we have known, which has shaped us to conform to feel a sense of acceptance and belonging. Symbolic of Saturn’s orbit between the Earth and Uranus, we must break free from the confines of our Saturn mould and expectations to express our individuated and authentic selves.

Uranus in Signs

Because Uranus stays in a sign for about 7 years, we share the expression of the sign with a generation of others. Aries Uranus shows the innovation of the self and the changes in society we saw with the birth of selfies. A generation that found meaning in individuality and independence. The fire signs show radical moves toward creative ego expression and collective beliefs.

The Scorpio Uranus generation changes ideas about sex, intimate bonding, inner wealth and resources. Similar to fellow water signs, the revolutionary expression takes place on an emotional and personal level.

Currently in Taurus, we’ve seen Uranus change our values, currency and the distribution of such qualities. We’ve been going through major overhauls in technology and advancements to solutions in creating a more sustainable earth.

In the sign of Libra, progress will steer towards marriage and relationships. Uranus in the airy elements catapults changes to how people think and relate. Once Uranus ingresses into Gemini, we should expect radical shifts and improvements in how we communicate, interact and socialize.

Uranus in the Houses

The House Uranus tenants can show excitement, individuation and perhaps ingenuity. With the cardinal Houses, Uranus is integrated directly into the identity, involving self, home, marriage and status. Inventor Nikola Tesla had Uranus in Taurus in his first House. He is strongly identified for his Uranian ingenuity.

With the exception of the 8th House, the nature of the fixed, succedent Houses can become challenging to the shocking, forward-thinking Uranus expression, which ultimately seeks enhancements to values, creativity and social interaction. With Uranus in the cadent, transformative, and transcendent houses, the progressive planet can help curate fresh ways to live everyday life, including communication, ideals, and spirituality.

Often times, however, Uranian energy is met with resistance. In the reality and comfort of our Saturnian lives, most fear ostracization, change and the unknown. Depending on the strength of one’s natal Uranian energy, the route taken can be one of suppression, creating a split from parts of ourselves, hidden and unable to upgrade into better and meaningful versions of our personality.

An inauthentic or thwarted Uranus can manifest into anxiety, instability and chaos. One can rebel for the sake of rebelling. In a fire house–similar to my own Uranus, can convey a false sense of self and beliefs. Revolt in the air Houses can undermine partnerships and attract people with anarchist behaviour. Water House Uranus can create emotional detachment from others and anxiety in our personal lives. An earth House Uranus can rebel in vocation, cause unstable work and create insecurity with material values and resources.

Uranus is considered the great awakener. An opportunity to peel away the layers that have shaped us into Saturnian rigidity and conformity and obliged us to exterior expectations and duties. When the energy comes knocking in the form of synchronistic nudges and flashes of insight, acknowledging the gradual messages can help offset the discomfort brought on by the abrupt Uranus transits. Instead, we can welcome it as golden periods to initiate the expression of our individual inner brilliance.

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