The Art of Stealing Fire - Uranus in the Horoscope

Liz Greene
Uranus, like the other outer planets, is not easy for the astrological student to grasp because of its
collective nature, and is often simply, and perhaps inappropriately, equated with "individuality". This
volume explores the meaning of Uranus in considerable depth, in both its creative and destructive
expressions, natally and by transit, linking it with various mythic images and historical events as well
as with individual and collective psychological patterns, and using the primary image of Prometheus
the Titan to examine just what the creative fire was which he stole from the gods and gave to
humankind.
Part One, Uranus in the Birth Chart, begins with using mythic and historical material to amplify and
deepen our understanding of the planet, linking these images with psychological states, behaviour
patterns, and ways in which the planet is reflected in the individual's life. The suffering of Prometheus
provides us with a vivid portrayal of the price to be paid for Uranian inspiration, and the importance of
the ego as a container for Uranus is stressed. The planet's pathology and inspirational nature are
discussed, as well as its placement in each pair of houses in the birth chart. Contributions from seminar
participants bring immediate personal experience to the general discussion. Uranus in aspect to other
planets is also explored, and its special issues in relation to one's own attitude toward the body. An
example chart from the group is discussed at length to ground the material.
Part Two, The Transits of Saturn and Uranus, examines these two great symbols of the critical stages of
the life process, linking them together as well as exploring them individually through the important
aspects of their transit cycles. Using the mythic image of the archetypal battle between Ouranos the sky
God and Saturn the Titan to highlight the alternating and interwoven critical points of the two planets'
cycles the important issues challenging us at particular ages - physical, emotional, intellectual and
spiritual - are discussed in depth. The chart of C. G. Jung, with natal Saturn opposition natal Uranus, is
used as an example of the kinds of conflicts and events associated with particular stages of both planets'
cycles, and several charts from the group are then discussed at length to explore not only the transits of
these planets to their own places, but also Saturn and Uranus transiting in aspect to other planets in the
natal chart.
Review by Dr. Glenn Perry - Astrological Journal, July/August 1997
In the tradition of her Seminars in Psychological Astrology series, The Art of Stealing Fire is actually a
transcription of two seminars given by Dr. Greene at the Centre for Psychological Astrology in London.
Here Greene serves up a stimulating and informative excursion into the mysteries of Uranus.
In Part One, she deftly covers the mythology of the planet by relating it to the figure of Prometheus, the
Greek Titan who stole fire from the gods. This is in itself noteworthy, for unlike other treatments of
Uranus that employ Procrustean arguments in relating its astrological significance exclusively to the
Greek god, Ouranus, Greene supports Rick Tarnas' thesis that the archetype of Prometheus more
fruitfully captures the planet's essential meaning. Greene goes on to explore Uranus' placement in
houses and its aspects to the personal planets. In Part Two, she interprets the developmental
significance of the 29-year Saturn cycle, the 84-year Uranus cycle, and the transits of both planets to

other points in the horoscope. Thirty pages are devoted to Saturn and Uranus transits in the charts of
audience members.
Greene cuts to the chase when she pronounces that Uranus is not "a planet of individuality", as
commonly claimed. Rather, Uranus symbolises a dimension of the psyche that can shatter one's sense
of individuality if it is not integrated with an authentic sense of self. This is a recurrent theme
throughout the book; the Uranian impulse must be monitored, contained, and grounded by common
sense and a caring heart in order to prevent being swept away by unbridled revolutionary fervour, and
end-justifies- the-means mentality, or the headlong pursuit of progress without regard for
consequences. In other words, one has to be an individual before one can harness collective energies
for constructive ends.
Greene further develops the thesis of Tarnas' excellent Prometheus the Awakener (Spring Publications,
1995) by showing how the act of stealing fire symbolises the human potential for enlightenment.
Prometheus, says Greene, signifies the capacity to awaken to our divine heritage and become fully
conscious of our own godlike creative powers. Prometheus' punishment of being chained to a
mountain-top while an eagle returns daily to pick away at his liver symbolises the price we pay for
unactualised Uranian knowledge - loneliness, schizoid alienation, the despair of seeing one's unrealised
potential. Again, the Promethean/Uranian individual has to come down from the mountain-top and
implement his/her vision in a manner that brings about the greatest good for the greatest number, i.e.
Uranian knowledge must serve in an altruistic, humanitarian end.
After a thoroughgoing discussion of the meaning of Uranus and its various manifestations in human
affairs - revelations of cosmic design, awareness of pattern, insights into nature's evolutionary intent, a
valuing of reforms and revolutions, a detachment and revulsion against the body - she explores the
incarnations of Uranus in the various houses. This is where we experience radical breakthroughs and
"long to offer the world the gift of fire", says Greene. However, if we have not fully integrated the
Uranian impulse for quantum leaps to a higher level, we may resist its promptings and become an
enemy of progress. Then, Uranus will impose itself from the outside, disrupting our plans and
shattering the flimsy defense we have erected against change.
While it is difficult to find fault with The Art of Stealing Fire, I would have liked more time spent on
natal aspects of Uranus (only four pages). Even here, however, the author makes every word count and
offers us more than the usual trait-heavy, event-laden descriptions. For example, Greene rightly points
out that when Uranus is in aspect to the inner planets those functions are initially subjected to
experiences which overwhelm. In childhood the individual is wrenched out of earth-based
identifications and personal concerns and forced to develop the capacity of seeing and experiencing a
broader universe.
Occasionally, Greene is a bit off with her historical references, claiming Uranus was first sighted in
1784 (it was 1781), and that its discovery corresponded with the dawn of the Enlightenment (it was the
peak). Also, her treatment of charts of audience members is a bit sketchy. Paradoxically, these off the
cuff interpretations are both the weakness and the strength of the book. While at times I found her
conclusions somewhat premature (there is no time for adequate dialogue with the subject of the
interpretation), one needn't read more than a few lines before she startles with a provocative comment,
a penetrating insight, or a shocking revelation as to how Uranus may be operating. There are lots of
pearls in this oyster.

In the section on transits of Uranus and Saturn (Seminar Two), I particularly liked her emphasis on the
emotional impact of a transit rather than simply its psychological meaning. Greene rightly stresses that
without a deep and caring empathy for the client's experience we cannot connect in a way that enables
movement. If we cannot descend to the emotional depths to which the client may have sunk, we cannot
lead them to a higher ground. We remain merely a faint and distant voice on the mountain top while the
client sinks ever deeper into the pit of despair.
The Art of Stealing Fire has a classy look, handsomely bound with large, clear type on acid- free paper.
Anyone who desires a fuller understanding of Uranus will benefit from reading this book. Though Dr.
Greene necessarily sacrifices depth of thematic development for the conversational style that her
seminar format requires, her insights seem to crystallize effortlessly out of her interaction with the
audience, giving us a glimpse into her personal philosophy, thoughts, and feelings that might never
have emerged without the creative stimulus of questions. Her deep and poetic style reminded me more
than once of Kahlil Gibran's The Prophet. Whatever her subject, Greene is herself a revelation, a gift of
fire for the astrological community.
Copyright 1997 The Astrological Association of Great Britain
Review - Horoscope magazine, September 1997
Many students of astrology, and even many professional astrologers, describe Uranus as the "planet of
individuality". This phrase, according to Liz Greene, gives the wrong impression of Uranian impulses,
which have nothing to do with personal unfoldment according to an internal blueprint. Uranus is an
outer planet, and as such offers a worldview which may be transformative and revolutionary to the
collective. Those dominated by Uranus often have little awareness of personal values and personal
identity. Greene warns: "Please try to rid yourselves of the association of Uranus with individuality,
because if you use this term when you read a chart, you may go badly wrong with it".
The Art of Stealing Fire is the provocative title of Liz Greene's latest release, and grasping exactly what
this expression means is the gateway to understanding Uranus in the natal chart. Briefly, the archetypal
image of stealing fire comes from the myth of Prometheus, who risked the gods' wrath by giving the
gift of fire to humanity. This inspires human beings to think of themselves as powerful, godlike beings.
But Prometheus is punished for destroying the natural order; Zeus chains him to a mountaintop, and
every day an eagle comes and eats away his liver. Then, every night the liver regenerates itself, so that
Prometheus is in a state of perpetual physical and psychological torment. The myth has challenged the
minds of Nietzsche, Jung, and other renowned intellects, who discuss the essential meaning of stealing
fire. To Greene, this myth is central to Uranus, as much as the more ancient, analogous myth of
Ouranos, the original sky god.
The very idea of stealing fire for humanity is so audacious, so bold, so revolutionary. Where does this
notion originate? Prometheus tunes us into the mind of God, and int