Uranus is the third furthest planet from the Sun in our solar system and was discovered in 1781 by the astronomer and composer William Herschel. It is considered an “ice giant” and was firstly named “Georgium Sidus” (Georgian star) after King George III. That name was quickly abandoned and people started calling the planet “Herschel” until it finally received the universal name Uranus. Uranus rules the sign of Aquarius, which was, until the planet’s discovery, ruled by Saturn.
Uranus, the first planet beyond Saturn’s orbit, marks our first step outside the boundaries of the familiar and ordinary. In traditional Astrology, it is not considered one of the three transcendental planets beyond our reach, but its effects are indeed transcendent. Understanding Uranus from an earthly perspective is challenging, as its purpose is to separate us from mundane concerns and elevate us towards universal thought, higher consciousness, and ultimately enlightenment. While Saturn represents restrictions, Uranus is a liberator, granting us absolute freedom of expression and thought, presenting the cold, daring truth of humanity.
Ruling over the sign of Aquarius, Uranus always expresses itself on a higher, more progressive level, inviting us to break free from routines and embrace innovation. It urges us to exchange the old for the new, to challenge established norms, and to explore uncharted territories of progress. Uranus is like a lightning bolt, bringing chaos and surprises, but also offering opportunities for personal growth and societal advancement.
The energy of Uranus is metallic and silver, symbolizing its electric, dynamic nature. It embodies the spirit of rebellion and revolution, pushing us to question authority and embrace our uniqueness. It represents the crossroads where the known meets the unknown, the conventional confronts the innovative, and the old gives way to the new. Uranus encourages us to take risks and embrace change, even when it seems uncertain or unsettling.
While Uranus can bring about sudden shifts and separations, it is ultimately a force of enlightenment, guiding us towards a deeper understanding of ourselves and our place in the universe. By breaking free from the confines of tradition and embracing the limitless possibilities of the cosmos, we can tap into Uranus’ transformative power and embrace our true, authentic selves.
Uranus, an “ice giant,” holds the record for the coldest temperatures in the entire Solar system. Named after the Greek god of the sky, it is the only planet in our system with a moniker from ancient mythology. What sets Uranus apart in a truly unique manner is its axial tilt, measuring about 99 degrees. This means it rotates on its side as it orbits the Sun, resulting in incredibly long seasons that each last approximately 42 years. From its perspective, a single day lasts an entire season.
Initially discovered after the invention of the telescope, Uranus can still be spotted with the naked eye on clear nights from time to time. However, due to its low luminosity, it was frequently mistaken for a star for many years. Accompanied by at least 27 known moons, all of which are named after characters from the works of William Shakespeare and Alexander Pope, Uranus is encircled by fewer satellites than its gas giant predecessors.
A captivating feature of Uranus is its retrograde rotation, similar to Venus. Unlike most planets that spin in a counterclockwise direction, Uranus rotates in the opposite direction, adding to its aura of opposition, defiance, and eccentricity. This unique quality reflects the planet’s mysterious and unconventional nature, making it a symbol of rebellion and individuality in astrological interpretations.
This happens when transiting Uranus is in opposition to his natal placement in the native’s chart, which triggers a crisis and usually a revolt on matters concerning the houses where he is placed natally and when in transit. The transits of Uranus are quite long lasting, bring turbulence and unexpected events. Uranus’s name represents the Greek god of the skies and heavens, father of Saturn. Indeed, the planet rules things connected with the sky: for example lightning, wireless communications and a lot more. We should not forget that its ruling sign, Aquarius, belongs to the Air signs as well.
As we are heading towards a New Age strongly connected with Aquarius, the planet Uranus rules everything innovative. Sparks of insights, new inventions and pioneering ways of thoughts belong to this eccentric planet, as it can gift individuals with glimpses of what will be regular and normal in the future. The technological miracles, and especially the unification and interconnection of the human brains through the internet are also offsprings of this revolutionary planet.
Uranus has a rather erratic and unpredictable behavior, which may be attributed to its unique way of spinning too. Indeed, his axis has a tilt of 98 degrees, which is way different than any other planet in our system, being parallel to its plane. It rules rebellion and demolishment of stereotypes, altruism, and anarchy. Of course, as everything revolutionary, Uranus also has its violent traits. No changes come solely through harmonious ways.
Also, the planet is connected with natural disasters such as earthquakes, explosions, and substances with unpredictable and destructive behaviors. Electricity, mechanics and everything macroscopic involving taming the natural forces is a part of the planet’s rulership. Of course, misuse of such tremendous powers can create accidents, and the bizarre nature of the planet always gives tendencies towards unexpected events. Indeed, electrocution, being struck by lightning or accidents connected with technological devices and machinery for example.
Uranus is considered to be the higher octave of Mercury, thus taking intelligence and communication to a higher level. It is therefore not a surprise that the planet governs artificial intelligence and discoveries in such fields. In personal charts, the planet can be an indicator of genius minds, yet also show mental disease and illnesses connected with the nervous system.
There is always a rather fine line between unorthodox ways of thinking and madness; a lot of genius individuals may have frequently walked on both sides of this border. Symbolically, we could say that the planet can act as a rebellion against the chains of one’s mind and reality. This may have quite liberating results; on the other hand, it can also be a way of self-undoing as the previous patterns followed by any individual collapse under the Uranian transformation.
Yet, its effect on the masses is a stable progress towards a more fair, balanced and altruistic society. Uranus respects the differences and accepts everyone the way they are, granting us the wisdom to break the stereotypes that our ancestors imposed to us through religions, tradition, and politics. Of course, as every planet, Uranus also has its dark sides. Some of them include totally chaotic behaviors that can destroy any type of accomplished harmony. In addition, he can go to such extremes that one’s individuality can become so eccentric that they don’t manage to blend with other people, and can even harm them. Consider the dictators of the previous century as an example of under-developed Uranian forces.
Uranus In Astrology
Their cult of personality is a typical misusage of Uranus’ powers, of course, combined with other planetary aspects. Due to his connection with the 11th house, the planet promotes friendship and grouping individuals. He is the father of unification of individuals towards a conscious higher organism, the humankind. It rules blending on a collective level, democratic auto-organization, and dissolution of any hierarchical social structures. Hippies and liberal communes are his creations.
Astrology itself is represented by Uranus, a planet symbolizing liberation, rebellion, communism, and anarchy. Its essence is deeply rooted in Saturn’s influence, just as the sign of Aquarius draws from the foundation set by Capricorn. Freedom requires structure, and liberation is born from responsibility. To comprehend Uranus in astrological interpretations, we must recognize that it governs the sign traditionally ruled by Saturn. This notion is mirrored in the mythological story of Uranus, which depicts an archetypal rebellion of the son against the father, emphasizing its opposition to the Sun, the ruler of Leo.
On a personal level, Uranus indicates the need for separation, rebellion, defiance, and the quest for freedom. The house in which it resides often experiences tension and pressure, as if it has encountered Saturn’s influence and seeks to break free. To handle the intense energy brought by Uranus, individuals must cultivate a strong physical presence, grounding their remarkable intelligence and knowledge without harming their nervous system. Embracing Uranus fully requires connecting with the inner brilliance and being prepared to take decisive actions toward achieving one’s goals. Uranus allows no excuses and demands a clear mind and a steadfast heart to manifest its most astonishing, surprising, and beautiful light.
Uranus also opposes structured religions, favoring a personal vision on spiritual matters. It rules Astrology and Magick, while also anything else that might still be unexplained and regarded as paranormal. Eventually, as we will progress deeper into the Age of Aquarius, a lot of such mysteries will be solved and considered normal. As Uranus is a rather slow moving planet, it creates large but unexpected currents that can affect the masses.
When you observe a rapid spread of a trend, be sure that the planet is somehow involved in it. Uranus can also be responsible for all types of radical personal changes. It can make someone a millionaire in a day, or destroy someone else’s long term established empire. As a planetary force, Uranus requires from us to open up our minds and progress. Whoever is more receptive to the planet’s energy will eventually pioneer in some fields; provided that he can tame the Uranian bolts and handle them in such a way as to produce results.
Uranus predominantly brings forth stress and tension, manifesting in various aspects of life, including the physical realm. Its influence in a particular house creates an atmosphere of pressure and the need to break free, resulting in spontaneous situations that may lead to division, change, or explosive events. When positioned in the seventh house, Uranus can significantly impact relationships, potentially leading to breakups or divorces due to the inherent opposition it brings to interactions with others. Its effects extend to all relationships within the domain associated with the house it occupies, while the sign it resides in reflects the kind of liberation required.
This planet embodies eccentricity and is often linked to individuals who are unconventional, unique, and at odds with societal norms. Among them are scientists, astrologers, members of the LGBTQ+ community, and those advocating for human rights. Uranus is associated with gambling, risk-taking, and propelling individuals towards dangerous activities when negatively influenced. It can sometimes place our well-being at risk through chance events, unusual circumstances, or extreme choices made in defiance of rational opinions, especially those of authority figures, such as our fathers. Uranus governs all humanitarian efforts, prioritizing the collective good over individual concerns. It holds a dual role as both the antichrist and a fervent believer, ruling the third sign from Sagittarius and representing the language of the divine.
Those who tune in with its powers will be the mavericks that will drag us into the new era, prophets of new realities that yet have to come. Every individual should research his natal Uranus placement in order to understand its functions better. Uranus often operates as a “malefic” because human beings tend to yearn for stability and are afraid of changes. Thus, the house where it is natally located should be examined better, so that we see what leaps of faith we must make in order to face the new realities it can gift us.
Find in which house your Uranus is located in your natal chart, and read the respective article to uncover more about its functions:
Uranus 1st house | Uranus 2nd house | Uranus 3rd house | Uranus 4th house | Uranus 5th house | Uranus 6th house | Uranus 7th house | Uranus 8th house | Uranus 9th house | Uranus 10th house | Uranus 11th house | Uranus 12th house
Each planets have a different effect on you, depending on which house and sign they reside in. In order to find out where they are located in your natal chart, you can use our free birth chart generator. Also, examine the aspects that they form with other planets in your chart. You will understand a lot more about the detailed role that they have in your horoscope.