In his Essentials of Astrological Analysis, Marc Edmund Jones’ classification of the planetary pair, Uranus and Neptune, as the “planets of Significance” emphasizes their role in shaping deeper, longer-term developments in an individual’s life. Since these outer planets move slowly across the zodiac, they symbolize more profound, far-reaching influences compared to the faster-moving inner planets, that set off the bigger cycles of the outer planets or are often linked to day-to-day experiences and more immediate concerns. These outer planets are one of the four pairings determined by the advanced technique of Self-Determination. The other pairs are the Sun and Moon, Mars and Venus, and Jupiter and Saturn.

The connection between Timothy Leary and Ram Dass (formerly Richard Alpert), marked astrologically by the opposition of Leary’s Uranus to Dass’ Neptune, perfectly aligns with the transformative dynamic between these two influential figures in the 1960s counterculture and spiritual movements. Uranus symbolizes innovation, rebellion, and radical shifts in consciousness, while Neptune represents spirituality, mysticism, and the dissolution of boundaries between the material and the divine. The opposition aspect between these two planets in the charts of these men highlights a dynamic tension that can lead to their mutual interest in revolutionary awakenings and the disruption of outworn paradigms.

Leary’s Uranus proved experimental, and his rebellious nature pushed the boundaries of conventional science and society, especially through his research into psychedelic substances. His work with psychotropic plants and LSD was pioneering, as he broke from academic norms and took on the radical exploration of human consciousness.

The cross-tie from one chart to the other resonates with the real-life interactions between Leary and Dass, as he was known in his Harvard years. Leary’s explorations obviously stimulated Alpert’s Neptune, as it encouraged the latter to embark on a deeper, spiritual journey. The influence of Neptune can be seen in Alpert’s transformation into Ram Dass, a figure embodying the spiritual yearning of the 1960s. Through his eventual embrace of Eastern mysticism and his devotion to his guru, Neem Karoli Baba, Dass symbolized the merging of Western intellect and Eastern spirituality.

Uranus certainly plays a fascinating role in both Timothy Leary and Ram Dass’s charts, reflecting their unconventional paths and contributions to the counterculture. Leary’s close conjunction of Uranus with his Moon highlights his emotional drive for radical change and exploration, making him a catalyst for societal shifts. For Ram Dass, Uranus conjunct his Sun signifies a deeply ingrained urge for innovation and transformation in his identity and purpose. This alignment suggests that his spiritual journey and teachings were not just personal but also revolutionary, urging others to rethink their approach to life and spirituality. Together, their Uranian influences embody the spirit of experimentation and the quest for liberation from societal constraints.

The configuration of Ram Dass’s chart indeed highlights a remarkable astrological narrative. The ultra-tight conjunction of his Sun and Uranus—barely within the Cazimi range—suggests an intense fusion of personal identity and revolutionary energy. This aspect supercharges Uranus’s influence, making his nonconformity and iconoclastic nature even more pronounced. The Cazimi aspect implies that instead of diluting Uranus’s potency, it amplifies it, allowing Dass to embody the spirit of radical change and spiritual awakening. His life and teachings reflect a deep commitment to challenging conventional wisdom, aligning perfectly with the revolutionary ethos that Uranus embodies. This astrological insight adds another layer of understanding to his profound impact on spirituality and counterculture.

The bonding of the Sun and Uranus is also exceptional because these planets are elevated and conjunct the Midheaven. They are also conjunct with the North Node, which points to the native’s need to assume authority and a position of leadership. Another indicator of the strength of these tightly placed conjunctions is that they are also the Point Focus of a T-Cross. The Sun and Uranus are at a 90-degree angle to the foundational opposition of a High Focus Pluto conjunct the ascendant, opposing Saturn from the 1st to 7th houses. These houses, including the 1oth house where the tension of the energies created by the opposition find their release are all in cardinal signs and placed in cardinal houses. Cardinal signs are immediate and concerned with the here and now, with Mutable signs indicators of the past and Fixed signs anticipating future possibilities. Be Here Now is a riveting result of Dass’ powerful Cardinal Cross in Cardinal houses. In addition to the great emphasis and intensity of self-expression brought on by this dynamic configuration is the placement of the Sun and Uranus in the zodiacal degree, Brownies Dancing in the setting sun. This degree is one of a very special set of Sabian symbols, known as the Elfin or Fairy degrees. There are just a handful of them, but having a planet in one of these degrees allows the native to experience the subtleties of spirituality when others may be more earthbound in consciousness.

From Sabian Symbols in Astrology:

ARIES 16 Brownies dancing in the setting sun This is a symbol of the essentially friendly relationships which exist between man as a person and the totally impersonal forces of nature. The cosmic integrity demands a continual reversion to pure source in the case of each segment of reality, and the universal activity provides a continual sorting and sifting of all things into convenience and order. Implicit here is the dance of life as an unending rehearsal and exhibition of every special capacity of selfhood. The keyword is INVIGORATION. When positive, the degree is simple good fortune together with unlimited opportunity as the direct fruitage of effort, and when negative, delusions of adequacy with a complete inability to act in real self-interest.

In the 2018 documentary, Ram Dass, Going Home, Dass remarks, “My life has been a dance between power and love.” This comment uncannily relates to his Sabian symbol. Dass’ natal Sun is interestingly reflected in the Sabian symbol when it references a setting Sun. The Brownies represent other-worldly creatures who feel free to come out of hiding and rejoice in all the splendor inherent in the oncoming night when dreams take hold of consciousness from the unconscious. This relates to the lifestyle example Baba Ram Dass offered to others as a spiritual mentor for all who resonated with his message.

Timothy Leary also has a planet in one of the few Elfin degrees. His Mercury is in the degree of A bunny metamorphosed into a fairy.

From Sabian Symbols in Astrology:

SCORPIO 23 A bunny metamorphosed into a fairy This is a symbol of the inner or creative values of everyday living, and of the personal or more dynamic meanings with which man may endow the least of the things around him. Implicit in the symbolism is the kaleidoscopic capacity of his imagination, or the extent to which he may mold and remold the everyday reality with which he deals. Here is poetry of soul as it mirrors each person’s ongoing achievement in character and skills. The keyword is TRANSITION When positive, the degree is the thorough self-conquest by which an individual subordinates his naïve and animal impulses to his ideals and aspirations, and when negative, undisciplined escapism and complete distortion of attitude.

Mercury’s prominent role in Timothy Leary’s chart, especially as the Point Focus of a T Cross that is founded by the opposition of Neptune and the Moon, highlights his extraordinary capacity for communication and connection. This potential was revealed dramatically at the start of his cultural influence with his now legendary message, “Tune on, Turn in, and Drop out.” The opposition between Neptune and the Moon creates a tension that drives home the themes of intuition and emotional resonance, while Mercury’s positioning channels these energies into articulate messaging. During the transformative 1960s, Leary’s ability to convey profound ideas about consciousness and psychedelics resonated deeply with a generation eager for change.

The emphasis on Elfin of Fairy degrees, as described by Marc Edmund Jones, underscores the idea that individuals like Leary and Dass are often seen as vessels for larger truths and movements. Their life and work epitomized this, as they served not just their own interests but those of a wider cultural shift towards exploration and liberation. Both Timothy Leary and Ram Dass embraced this role, embodying a collective ethos that transcended their personal experiences. Their lives were not just about personal transformation but also about guiding others toward a broader understanding of existence and spirituality, demonstrating how individual journeys can indeed represent something far greater.