This month’s article relates to the outer planets in our Solar system, and the significant role they have played in modern Astrology. The planets referred to are Uranus, Neptune and Pluto, and while Pluto is relegated to the status of a dwarf planet nowadays, there is no denying that its presence in a chart – be it an individual or country – has a telling effect on the long term situation in question. Therefore, the opinion of those relatively few astronomers who relegated Pluto really hasn’t changed its use in a natal chart (or horoscope) at all.
In modern Astrology, the 10 main planets used (We include the Sun and Moon, even though they are really luminaries which light up our skies) are clustered together on the basis of its closeness and distance from the Sun:
Personal Planets – We have the Sun and Moon, Mercury, Venus and Mars in this group, because these planets are about our personal growth and early development, along with our earliest interactions with those others in our immediate realm. The Moon is the fastest mover in the natal chart, taking 29.5 days in its synodic cycle, thus allowing it to move into a new sign each month of its cycle – for example, a new Moon. The Sun is the next fastest, moving within all the 12 zodiac signs. It takes 12 months before it reaches its starting point in a natal chart, which is what’s called a solar return, or our birthday. Mercury takes roughly the same amount of time, but in this planet’s case, we allow for its retrograde motion for three weeks at a time, four times a year. Venus becomes slightly slower, taking about 13 or so months before returning to its original point. Mars takes approximately two years before its return.
Interpersonal Planets – Jupiter and Saturn fall in this group, as they deal with the long term future goals, and worldview. In Jupiter there is the focus on philosophy and networking within the wider community, along with looking at the bigger picture in the generalised scheme of things. Jupiter is one of the planets which takes a longer period of time to complete its return in a chart – approximately 12 years. Saturn’s focus is on public recognition, form, structure and authority, along with the laying of strong foundations for a solid future. Saturn’s return takes approximately 29 years and is the last of the aforementioned planets that can be seen with the naked eye in the sky.
Transpersonal Planets – The three more recently discovered planets of Uranus, Neptune and Pluto are regarded as transpersonal because of the time each one takes to move in each sign. Another term used by their movements is generational and this is appropriate, since they take such a long period of time to move between generations of people. Uranus is about change, inventions and genius, eccentricity, uprisings and a general disregard of the status quo. As Uranus takes around seven years to move within each sign, its eventually return takes 84 years. The next planet to move even slower is Neptune, which is introspective and spiritual, can delve into the world of fantasy, delusion and deception. Depending on its orbital rotation, Neptune can take anywhere between 13-17 years in a sign, completing its eventual return in just over 165 years. The final planet, and currently the furthest away, is Pluto, which is about transformation, mainly through to tearing down and rebuilding. Pluto has a rather eccentric orbit, taking anything from 12 years as it did in the sign of Scorpio to 25 years in Cancer. During the period of 1983-1995, when Pluto was in Scorpio, it was actually orbiting in front of Neptune – the last time it has done so. Its complete return takes around 248 years.
When these planets were discovered
The three outer planets were discovered at crucial times in our modern history and the time of those discoveries have set the tone for their meanings – at least archetypically. First sighted by the mathematician and astronomer Galileo in the 1600s, Uranus was overlooked perhaps as something else and wasn’t to be formally discovered until 1781 by German-born British astronomer Sir William Herschel. At the time of Uranus’ discovery, the idea of equality and human rights, freedom and democracy were being realised. The discovery also coincided with the Romantic movement in art and literature, with freedom of expression being recognised. During the period of 1781-89, there were political insurgencies and uprisings. Two of the more notable examples were when the Americas were given independence from the British crown in 1783, along with the French revolution in 1789. So it is from these two momentous uprisings that we can understand how it ties in with freedom and equality, questioning the governing authority and seeking to break away from it. A lot of modern Astrologers gives Uranus’ rulership to the sign of Aquarius, co-ruling with the traditional planet of Saturn, presiding over the 11th house, and it is with this sign that it can be seen to have the need for freedom of expression and a deep interest in humanitarian values and causes.
Neptune’s discovery came about in 1845, after astronomers Urbain Le Verrier and John Couch Adams (in Paris and Cambridge respectively) began to separately calculate in order to determine its nature and position. It was first observed through a telescope on 23rd September 1846, by astronomer Johann Galle in Berlin. At the time of Neptune’s discovery, it has been linked with the rise of nationalism in European nations like Germany, Italy, Hungary, Ireland and Serbia. These nations wished for independence based on the ideals of socialism. Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels published their work The Communist Manifesto in 1848. It also coincides with the time of illicit drug use – especially that of opium in the far east for the purpose of recreation – the discovery of anaesthetics and the use of hypnotism to probe the mind. It ties in with the more severe disorders of neuroses and paranoia, especially with the prolonged use of drugs. We must also consider that during this particular generational movement, the founder of the Theosophical Society, Madame Helene Blavatsky, came into her own as a psychic of repute – whether famously or infamously. She is credited with the New Age movement that is in place around the world today. In modern rulership, Neptune is assigned to the 12th house, and is a co-ruler with Jupiter over the sign of Pisces.
The final outer planet discovered was Pluto, and its discovery was shrouded in controversy. Percival Lowell, the founder of the Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff, Arizona, began an extensive search into a possible ninth planet, which he named Planet X. In the years to follow, there was a legal battle in the continued search for Planet X, instigated by Lowell’s widow Constance, who wished to have Lowell’s portion of the observatory for herself. Research eventually resumed in 1929 and the movements of the planet was summarised by Clyde Tombaugh in the beginning of 1930. Pluto was confirmed as a planet on 13th March 1930. At the time of this discovery, Wall Street experienced its worst ever stock market crash on 29th October, 1929. This crash brought about the Great Depression, which affected millions of people worldwide. Due to the onset of extreme poverty and displacement, the seeds were sewn for National Socialism – or Nazism – in Germany and the meteoric rise of Adolf Hitler. Fascism in Italy was slower in its stride as a force to be recognised, but eventually they joined forces with Germany and Japan to form the Axis alliance. At the eventual opposite end of this alliance was Stalinism in the Soviet Union. Power, greed and corruption, along with dictatorships were sure to ensue, along with organised crime and enforced prohibition of the sales of alcohol. This was to be the precursor for World War II, and the final nail in the coffin when Nazi Germany stormed Poland on 1st September 1939, forcing both Great Britain and France to declare war on Germany and their allies. So began this period in history which saw annihilation and destruction, fuelled by propaganda and nationalist pride. Mass murder was common, as were courage and tenacity under the most trying circumstances. It was this courage that allowed the survivors to rebuild and begin anew after the war’s end on 15th August 1945, when the Japanese announced their surrender after the atomic bomb was dropped onto Nagasaki in Japan. It is a fitting example of death and rebirth. In modern rulership, it is assigned to the 8th house of death, another person’s property and assets. It is co-ruler over Scorpio with the traditional ruler of Mars.
From this perspective, it is interesting in how archetypes are used to describe Astrology. When the outer planets are used to delineate a chart, they are looked at over a longer period of time, because each of these planets move very slowly. In particular with Neptune and Pluto, their movement is less than 1 degree a year – half of that time at least is spent in retrograde. A retrograde movement is usually spent in thought and introspection, tapping into the more unconscious realms of the mind, body and spirit of either on an individual or world view. Many generations of people are born with all three of these planets in retrograde, but it would be a misnomer to suggest that it has any significance to the individual whose chart is being delineated. Rather, it is more about what’s happening in terms of social movements for the masses.
However, when personal planets form an aspect in a natal chart with these transpersonal planets, then the astrologer would pay close attention in regards to how that plays out for an individual. When the outer planets form aspects in transit, the astrologer would also take into account the longer term situation and its possible outcome.
Tuesday, 14 September 2010
Saturday, 21 August 2010
The Seven Spheres Of Man/Traditional Astrology
This month’s article relates to the more ancient interpretation of Astrology, according to the various ages of humans and planetary rulership. Before the more recent discoveries of Uranus, Neptune and Pluto, Astrology consisted of seven planets – the seven that were easily seen to the naked eye.
The first planet with which we associate our earliest and deepest connections to life is the Moon. Ruling over the zodiac sign Cancer, with its glyph of the crab, the Moon is connected to the oceans and tides. The cycle recurs every month and is associated with the female monthly cycle. The sidereal cycle of the moon is every 27 days, making it 13 lunar months to a year. When synchronised with the Sun, the synodic cycle is every 29 days, coinciding with our calendar of 12 months. From birth, the first person we make connections with is our mother. She nurtures and nourishes, protects and teaches. She bathes and clothes, cares for her ill baby and restores to health. The baby begins to see, smile, laugh and cry. Our most basic instincts are expressed so that our needs and wants are met. Babies are helpless and learn to bond with the person nearest to them. This is the ego, in its rawest and purist form. The baby becomes a toddler, walks and talks, is familiar with the immediate surroundings of home. The early beginnings shape us so we learn and develop. Be it positive or negative, these early anchors of our childhood set the tone for the rest of our lives.
The next stage is associated with the planet Mercury. Ruling over both Gemini and Virgo, with their glyphs of the twins and the virgin, Mercury is known for swift movement, mischief and thievery, education and learning, processing of information, memory and critical analysis. It is at this juncture, when the child is around four or five, that he (I will simplify matters and refer to the child as he, though of course we relate to both he and she) is attending pre-school and/or school. The child is out of his home environment for a period of time each day, so he receives schooling. He also learns about meeting new people, including his teachers, other students who will become playmates, along with those parents. Short distance travels are also a part of this development as the child walks home or rides on a bus, visit friends after school or run errands to the shops. This stage of development is pertinent to learning about the immediate community and neighbourhood.
The formative years at school are a wondrous and exciting time. The child learns to read and write. He also learns about the big wide world of which he is a part. The school routines are established and he learns under the watchful guidance of the teaching staff. These times can also be awkward and traumatic. The child learns quickly how the more sneaky and devious attributes of Mercury come into play. An example of this can be when a child’s pen or pencil is stolen. The child doesn’t understand why people set out to behave this way. This is a period of learning for him that not everybody is nice and he endeavours to learn the social nuances that carry him through his school years and beyond.
The next planet out which brings about significant change is Venus. Venus resides over both Taurus and Libra, with their glyphs of the bull’s horns and the scales. Venus depicts love and harmony, diplomacy, the finer things in life and creature comforts. The child has moved out of primary school and is proceeding into the rollercoaster ride that is adolescence and high school. This is the time when the social mores between the teenager and his peers become fine-tuned, and it is also emphasised in how he furthers his education. Home economics and other forms of crafting are taught for a period of time. Another issue that has a greater emphasis on his development is the onset of puberty and adolescence. It is at this stage that there is a deeper interest in forming friendships and relationships. Social networking is more commonplace as the teenager spends an increasing amount of time away from the home environment. He learns about the awkward processes of love and sex, acceptance and rejection; all these facets of learning are perfectly normal and he is able to perceive who he wants in his life and who he doesn’t. The group mentality and peer pressure also comes into play, wanting to feel like he is part of a group and generally accepted. This is also normal, until he has learned how to think and act responsibly for himself.
The next planet of importance is the Sun. Ruling over the sign of Leo with its glyph of the lion, the Sun is about expansion and growth, the more generous aspects of our personality, as opposed to the receptive personality that comes from the Moon. If the Moon is representative as the female persona of our ego, then the Sun is its male counterpart, of the father. He who was once a child has now left school, taken on a job and entered the adult world. The man has come of age, and this brings a new set of responsibilities. In the adult world, which is a big and often daunting place, the man embarks on learning his place in the scheme of things. This period of his life carries him through to the early onset of middle age. He learns about going to work and earning a regular income, being a team player within a working and/or sporting environment. He may be sowing his wild oats before settling down to married life and domesticity. The seeds here are sown for a more emotional maturity and stability associated with making commitments and cementing plans for the future. Whether it’s just for himself or with an established family, he has left the more carefree days of his youth behind.
On to the next phase of his life, we have Mars, ruling planet of Aries and Scorpio with the glyphs of the Ram and Scorpion. Mars is about having energy to burn, new beginnings, the art and strategy of war, impulsive and reckless behaviour and yet the opposite of this behaviour is a sense of discipline and order. Mars can be impatient and wanting to achieve his purposes yesterday. Whereas Venus is about love, peace and harmony, Mars would gain his ends through sex and violence. He is a man of action and the time is now. This period of a man’s life would be relevant to the time of what we commonly refer to as the “Midlife Crisis”. All of a sudden, his life will turn upside down and he may be dissatisfied with his lot. It’s not unusual at this stage of life for an extramarital affair to take place, chuck in his job that he’s no longer happy with for something else. Sometimes, circumstances can occur beyond his control, such as the death of a parent or relative, a loss of income or even a marital split. When such incidents occur in his life he will re-evaluate everything that he has ever known about. Longstanding friendships may also come undone and there is that process of making sweeping changes to be rid of whatever’s no longer beneficial in his life. This is also a time in his life which allows him to move out of his comfort zone as he dares to try on new experiences and set himself off on a new adventure in an effort to learn more about himself and the world around him. There is an understanding that as his life is becoming shorter and he has a reality check with mortality, he wants to make the best of the rest of the time that’s left to him.
Moving on to the later aspects of middle age he moves into the more philosophical and community minded age of Jupiter. Residing over Sagittarius and Pisces with the glyph of the archer’s bow and two fish swimming away from each other, Jupiter is the benefactor on a group minded level and looks to the longer term of projects and ideals. Here he looks at his community and how he feels he can make a contribution to it. The question of philosophy and religion may arise. If there is a time for questioning whether his religion (if he practises one) is beneficial for him any longer, it may be at this stage of his life. Whether it’s through reading, travelling extensively or seeking to network with those of like mind, the man wishes to put into practise what he has already learned, while continuing to broaden his horizons. In the sense of broadening his horizons, it can include the literal term of travelling to far off places that he may have always dreamed of going to. He may have an idea of becoming a mentor or benefactor to somebody who he feels would benefit from his knowledge and practical experience.
The last planet that is related to the seven spheres is Saturn. Having rulership over Capricorn and Aquarius, with the glyphs of the sea goat and waves, Saturn is about form and structure, rules and authority, restrictions and limitations. The man who has reached the final stages of his life can look back on everything he has achieved, the lessons he has learned, and enjoy the fruits of his labour. He has reached the age of retirement when work is no longer the emphasis on his life that it once was. He owns his home, he has scrimped and saved so that he may now enjoy the more leisurely pursuits as he has more time on his hands. His children have grown up and left the nest, with family of their own. There is a deeper sense of appreciation with his achievements, he can watch the world go by, smell the roses and take it all in stride. He is aware that his life his drawing to a close and there is that sense of not feeling hurried. Life is no longer at the frenetic pace it once was. If he has grandchildren, he will enjoy the time he spends with them and regain a sense of the simple pleasures life can bring through the eyes of children. He has become the elder of his community who has earned the respect of his peers and the young.
We began with the Moon, who is the cradle, and we end with Saturn, who we call Old
Father Time, and therefore is the grave. It is a simple, and yet, insightful observation in regards to how the ancients viewed life and death. As I see it, not an awful lot has changed. And that is in spite of the world continuously changing.
Till next month, fare thee well.
The first planet with which we associate our earliest and deepest connections to life is the Moon. Ruling over the zodiac sign Cancer, with its glyph of the crab, the Moon is connected to the oceans and tides. The cycle recurs every month and is associated with the female monthly cycle. The sidereal cycle of the moon is every 27 days, making it 13 lunar months to a year. When synchronised with the Sun, the synodic cycle is every 29 days, coinciding with our calendar of 12 months. From birth, the first person we make connections with is our mother. She nurtures and nourishes, protects and teaches. She bathes and clothes, cares for her ill baby and restores to health. The baby begins to see, smile, laugh and cry. Our most basic instincts are expressed so that our needs and wants are met. Babies are helpless and learn to bond with the person nearest to them. This is the ego, in its rawest and purist form. The baby becomes a toddler, walks and talks, is familiar with the immediate surroundings of home. The early beginnings shape us so we learn and develop. Be it positive or negative, these early anchors of our childhood set the tone for the rest of our lives.
The next stage is associated with the planet Mercury. Ruling over both Gemini and Virgo, with their glyphs of the twins and the virgin, Mercury is known for swift movement, mischief and thievery, education and learning, processing of information, memory and critical analysis. It is at this juncture, when the child is around four or five, that he (I will simplify matters and refer to the child as he, though of course we relate to both he and she) is attending pre-school and/or school. The child is out of his home environment for a period of time each day, so he receives schooling. He also learns about meeting new people, including his teachers, other students who will become playmates, along with those parents. Short distance travels are also a part of this development as the child walks home or rides on a bus, visit friends after school or run errands to the shops. This stage of development is pertinent to learning about the immediate community and neighbourhood.
The formative years at school are a wondrous and exciting time. The child learns to read and write. He also learns about the big wide world of which he is a part. The school routines are established and he learns under the watchful guidance of the teaching staff. These times can also be awkward and traumatic. The child learns quickly how the more sneaky and devious attributes of Mercury come into play. An example of this can be when a child’s pen or pencil is stolen. The child doesn’t understand why people set out to behave this way. This is a period of learning for him that not everybody is nice and he endeavours to learn the social nuances that carry him through his school years and beyond.
The next planet out which brings about significant change is Venus. Venus resides over both Taurus and Libra, with their glyphs of the bull’s horns and the scales. Venus depicts love and harmony, diplomacy, the finer things in life and creature comforts. The child has moved out of primary school and is proceeding into the rollercoaster ride that is adolescence and high school. This is the time when the social mores between the teenager and his peers become fine-tuned, and it is also emphasised in how he furthers his education. Home economics and other forms of crafting are taught for a period of time. Another issue that has a greater emphasis on his development is the onset of puberty and adolescence. It is at this stage that there is a deeper interest in forming friendships and relationships. Social networking is more commonplace as the teenager spends an increasing amount of time away from the home environment. He learns about the awkward processes of love and sex, acceptance and rejection; all these facets of learning are perfectly normal and he is able to perceive who he wants in his life and who he doesn’t. The group mentality and peer pressure also comes into play, wanting to feel like he is part of a group and generally accepted. This is also normal, until he has learned how to think and act responsibly for himself.
The next planet of importance is the Sun. Ruling over the sign of Leo with its glyph of the lion, the Sun is about expansion and growth, the more generous aspects of our personality, as opposed to the receptive personality that comes from the Moon. If the Moon is representative as the female persona of our ego, then the Sun is its male counterpart, of the father. He who was once a child has now left school, taken on a job and entered the adult world. The man has come of age, and this brings a new set of responsibilities. In the adult world, which is a big and often daunting place, the man embarks on learning his place in the scheme of things. This period of his life carries him through to the early onset of middle age. He learns about going to work and earning a regular income, being a team player within a working and/or sporting environment. He may be sowing his wild oats before settling down to married life and domesticity. The seeds here are sown for a more emotional maturity and stability associated with making commitments and cementing plans for the future. Whether it’s just for himself or with an established family, he has left the more carefree days of his youth behind.
On to the next phase of his life, we have Mars, ruling planet of Aries and Scorpio with the glyphs of the Ram and Scorpion. Mars is about having energy to burn, new beginnings, the art and strategy of war, impulsive and reckless behaviour and yet the opposite of this behaviour is a sense of discipline and order. Mars can be impatient and wanting to achieve his purposes yesterday. Whereas Venus is about love, peace and harmony, Mars would gain his ends through sex and violence. He is a man of action and the time is now. This period of a man’s life would be relevant to the time of what we commonly refer to as the “Midlife Crisis”. All of a sudden, his life will turn upside down and he may be dissatisfied with his lot. It’s not unusual at this stage of life for an extramarital affair to take place, chuck in his job that he’s no longer happy with for something else. Sometimes, circumstances can occur beyond his control, such as the death of a parent or relative, a loss of income or even a marital split. When such incidents occur in his life he will re-evaluate everything that he has ever known about. Longstanding friendships may also come undone and there is that process of making sweeping changes to be rid of whatever’s no longer beneficial in his life. This is also a time in his life which allows him to move out of his comfort zone as he dares to try on new experiences and set himself off on a new adventure in an effort to learn more about himself and the world around him. There is an understanding that as his life is becoming shorter and he has a reality check with mortality, he wants to make the best of the rest of the time that’s left to him.
Moving on to the later aspects of middle age he moves into the more philosophical and community minded age of Jupiter. Residing over Sagittarius and Pisces with the glyph of the archer’s bow and two fish swimming away from each other, Jupiter is the benefactor on a group minded level and looks to the longer term of projects and ideals. Here he looks at his community and how he feels he can make a contribution to it. The question of philosophy and religion may arise. If there is a time for questioning whether his religion (if he practises one) is beneficial for him any longer, it may be at this stage of his life. Whether it’s through reading, travelling extensively or seeking to network with those of like mind, the man wishes to put into practise what he has already learned, while continuing to broaden his horizons. In the sense of broadening his horizons, it can include the literal term of travelling to far off places that he may have always dreamed of going to. He may have an idea of becoming a mentor or benefactor to somebody who he feels would benefit from his knowledge and practical experience.
The last planet that is related to the seven spheres is Saturn. Having rulership over Capricorn and Aquarius, with the glyphs of the sea goat and waves, Saturn is about form and structure, rules and authority, restrictions and limitations. The man who has reached the final stages of his life can look back on everything he has achieved, the lessons he has learned, and enjoy the fruits of his labour. He has reached the age of retirement when work is no longer the emphasis on his life that it once was. He owns his home, he has scrimped and saved so that he may now enjoy the more leisurely pursuits as he has more time on his hands. His children have grown up and left the nest, with family of their own. There is a deeper sense of appreciation with his achievements, he can watch the world go by, smell the roses and take it all in stride. He is aware that his life his drawing to a close and there is that sense of not feeling hurried. Life is no longer at the frenetic pace it once was. If he has grandchildren, he will enjoy the time he spends with them and regain a sense of the simple pleasures life can bring through the eyes of children. He has become the elder of his community who has earned the respect of his peers and the young.
We began with the Moon, who is the cradle, and we end with Saturn, who we call Old
Father Time, and therefore is the grave. It is a simple, and yet, insightful observation in regards to how the ancients viewed life and death. As I see it, not an awful lot has changed. And that is in spite of the world continuously changing.
Till next month, fare thee well.
Sunday, 18 July 2010
Eclipses and T Squares
Eclipses are always an interesting time from an Astrological perspective, and this last set is no exception. What makes it even more interesting this go around is when the lunar eclipse aligned.
When this last partial lunar eclipse occurred, on 26th June AEST at around 9:30PM, the Sun was 4 degrees Cancer with the Moon in its exact opposite position in Capricorn. At the same time, a T square formed with Uranus in 0 degrees Aries, opposing Saturn in 28 degrees Virgo. Pluto completes the T in 4 degrees of Capricorn. This is called an Ingress T square because two of the three planets have moved into a Cardinal sign. Add the Sun and Moon conjunct Pluto and we have a very powerful and explosive Grand Cross.
I read an article in the Federation of Australian Astrologer’s magazine the week before, written by my former teacher Ed Tamplin. His observations on the subject intrigued me. I wanted to observe any upcoming events closer to home for the following week. And what an interesting week it turned out to be – a week that nobody could really have foreseen!
The week in question saw the very sudden, very public, ousting of Kevin Rudd as Australia’s prime minister. It had been well publicised the crises in the Labor Party due to the dissatisfaction of Rudd’s leadership, amongst other things. His deputy, Julia Gillard, had been given backing by various factions from both Labor and the Coalition, undermining Rudd’s leadership – despite stating that she was still loyal as his deputy.
This is an example of what can unfold when powerful planets like the ones mentioned form such aspects. Let’s break this down to get a better idea of who the players are in this Grand Cross. We have Saturn, who represents form, structure, boundaries and authority. Opposing Saturn is Uranus, representing upheavals, sudden change and challenging the status quo. Squaring the both of them is Pluto, who is about the tearing down of ideals and structures in order to rebuild. With Saturn, we saw Kevin Rudd in the highest authority of ruling a country after being elected by the people. With Uranus, we saw growing dissatisfaction with members of parliament questioning whether Rudd was ruling the country properly. The Sun and Moon will intensify matters on a personal and emotional level. There were endless questions in regards to the refugee “problem”, the mining tax, and the back-flip that was taken on climate change. The status quo and the leadership was being challenged amidst this growing dissatisfaction. Pluto was played out by the rug being pulled out from beneath Kevin Rudd’s feet – the tall poppy has been torn down from his pedestal to make way for the promise of something new. Only time will tell as to whether this promise will actually deliver.
There is another planet involved in this Grand Cross that I haven’t mentioned until now. Jupiter has moved into the ingress sign of Aries and at the time of the eclipse Grand Cross, it was sitting at 2 degrees, conjunct Uranus. Jupiter is about optimism, networking on a larger scale, and in the case of Julia Gillard, it was about backing the best horse that will win the race, so to speak. Her supporters promised their backing but we may also see a hidden agenda. Questions may already have been asked along the lines of: “Who is actually running this country? What’s in it for everyone else?”
Any day now – at least if we assume the rumours to be true – Julia Gillard will announce an election day, giving the public their choice in who governs the country. Public opinion is divided and it will be a very close election indeed.
It’s been seen recently, to great dismay, how the powers that be seem to be clamping down even more so on individual rights and civil liberties. It’s also been seen how people aren’t allowed to live as they should like to live. For example, religious differences make for walking through a multitude of minefields. There is always the suggestion in regards to not only what the best religion is, but how it should be practised.
This Grand Cross could indicate just how fed up people are with being told what to do – by the establishment (with whom corruption is rife) who would rather tell people what to say but not practise it themselves, by friends and family who have expectations which differ from the individual, by work colleagues and even by perfect strangers. What it could also indicate is how prepared people are in wanting to stand up for themselves. It’s clear that there is a lot of unhappiness in this world, and there is a sniff of rebellion in the air – whether it’s on a world scale or among smaller communities, the sentiment is the same.
These matters have been brewing for a great deal of time and this eclipse Grand Cross is simply bringing this out in the open for all to see. On yet another level, there are major life changing events for people, and there isn’t an awful lot of say in these events occurring. How each person deals with these situations as they arise is of their own choosing.
Everyone will be affected in some way by this alignment of planets, although it will be even more so for people who are born in the Ingress signs of Aries, Cancer, Libra and Capricorn as there are hard aspects in the way of squares and oppositions that manifests in their horoscopes.
Two weeks after the Lunar Eclipse, there was a total Solar Eclipse which would herald new beginnings. People would set about thinking what they want to release from their lives in order to make room for the new and how to go about implementing these beginnings.
The Sun and Moon have since moved on and the other planets have had their alignment reverted to the T square – at least for the time being. The T square will be in effect for some time to come yet and it will bring about many interesting changes. Towards the end of the year, the personal planets of Mercury and Venus will aspect to form a series of Grand Crosses, and there is another lunar eclipse on 21st December – at the time of the Summer Solstice in the Southern Hemisphere. This eclipse will see the full Moon axis of Sagitarrius/Gemini. These two planets will once again feature to form a Grand Cross with the power players of Saturn, Uranus and Pluto.
These personal planets will bring about a different set of dynamics and a different set of attitudes when they align. The sayings “Hold on to your hats” or “Flying by the seat of your pants” would be a most apt description during these testing times. I sign off with this quote below, from the Sabian Oracle, as I thought to be rather appropriate.
A CAMEO PROFILE OF A MAN IN THE OUTLINE OF HIS COUNTRY
There is a growing, objective awareness of how you fit into the larger picture. You may find you are participating in or have a more important role than you previously thought. Imprinting one's mark. Becoming an exemplar of one's tradition and culture. Try not to become too identified with externals or seeking recognition from the populace. Observing one's limitations. If negative - blindly following the dogma of government or officials. Stereotyping one's self or others.
When this last partial lunar eclipse occurred, on 26th June AEST at around 9:30PM, the Sun was 4 degrees Cancer with the Moon in its exact opposite position in Capricorn. At the same time, a T square formed with Uranus in 0 degrees Aries, opposing Saturn in 28 degrees Virgo. Pluto completes the T in 4 degrees of Capricorn. This is called an Ingress T square because two of the three planets have moved into a Cardinal sign. Add the Sun and Moon conjunct Pluto and we have a very powerful and explosive Grand Cross.
I read an article in the Federation of Australian Astrologer’s magazine the week before, written by my former teacher Ed Tamplin. His observations on the subject intrigued me. I wanted to observe any upcoming events closer to home for the following week. And what an interesting week it turned out to be – a week that nobody could really have foreseen!
The week in question saw the very sudden, very public, ousting of Kevin Rudd as Australia’s prime minister. It had been well publicised the crises in the Labor Party due to the dissatisfaction of Rudd’s leadership, amongst other things. His deputy, Julia Gillard, had been given backing by various factions from both Labor and the Coalition, undermining Rudd’s leadership – despite stating that she was still loyal as his deputy.
This is an example of what can unfold when powerful planets like the ones mentioned form such aspects. Let’s break this down to get a better idea of who the players are in this Grand Cross. We have Saturn, who represents form, structure, boundaries and authority. Opposing Saturn is Uranus, representing upheavals, sudden change and challenging the status quo. Squaring the both of them is Pluto, who is about the tearing down of ideals and structures in order to rebuild. With Saturn, we saw Kevin Rudd in the highest authority of ruling a country after being elected by the people. With Uranus, we saw growing dissatisfaction with members of parliament questioning whether Rudd was ruling the country properly. The Sun and Moon will intensify matters on a personal and emotional level. There were endless questions in regards to the refugee “problem”, the mining tax, and the back-flip that was taken on climate change. The status quo and the leadership was being challenged amidst this growing dissatisfaction. Pluto was played out by the rug being pulled out from beneath Kevin Rudd’s feet – the tall poppy has been torn down from his pedestal to make way for the promise of something new. Only time will tell as to whether this promise will actually deliver.
There is another planet involved in this Grand Cross that I haven’t mentioned until now. Jupiter has moved into the ingress sign of Aries and at the time of the eclipse Grand Cross, it was sitting at 2 degrees, conjunct Uranus. Jupiter is about optimism, networking on a larger scale, and in the case of Julia Gillard, it was about backing the best horse that will win the race, so to speak. Her supporters promised their backing but we may also see a hidden agenda. Questions may already have been asked along the lines of: “Who is actually running this country? What’s in it for everyone else?”
Any day now – at least if we assume the rumours to be true – Julia Gillard will announce an election day, giving the public their choice in who governs the country. Public opinion is divided and it will be a very close election indeed.
It’s been seen recently, to great dismay, how the powers that be seem to be clamping down even more so on individual rights and civil liberties. It’s also been seen how people aren’t allowed to live as they should like to live. For example, religious differences make for walking through a multitude of minefields. There is always the suggestion in regards to not only what the best religion is, but how it should be practised.
This Grand Cross could indicate just how fed up people are with being told what to do – by the establishment (with whom corruption is rife) who would rather tell people what to say but not practise it themselves, by friends and family who have expectations which differ from the individual, by work colleagues and even by perfect strangers. What it could also indicate is how prepared people are in wanting to stand up for themselves. It’s clear that there is a lot of unhappiness in this world, and there is a sniff of rebellion in the air – whether it’s on a world scale or among smaller communities, the sentiment is the same.
These matters have been brewing for a great deal of time and this eclipse Grand Cross is simply bringing this out in the open for all to see. On yet another level, there are major life changing events for people, and there isn’t an awful lot of say in these events occurring. How each person deals with these situations as they arise is of their own choosing.
Everyone will be affected in some way by this alignment of planets, although it will be even more so for people who are born in the Ingress signs of Aries, Cancer, Libra and Capricorn as there are hard aspects in the way of squares and oppositions that manifests in their horoscopes.
Two weeks after the Lunar Eclipse, there was a total Solar Eclipse which would herald new beginnings. People would set about thinking what they want to release from their lives in order to make room for the new and how to go about implementing these beginnings.
The Sun and Moon have since moved on and the other planets have had their alignment reverted to the T square – at least for the time being. The T square will be in effect for some time to come yet and it will bring about many interesting changes. Towards the end of the year, the personal planets of Mercury and Venus will aspect to form a series of Grand Crosses, and there is another lunar eclipse on 21st December – at the time of the Summer Solstice in the Southern Hemisphere. This eclipse will see the full Moon axis of Sagitarrius/Gemini. These two planets will once again feature to form a Grand Cross with the power players of Saturn, Uranus and Pluto.
These personal planets will bring about a different set of dynamics and a different set of attitudes when they align. The sayings “Hold on to your hats” or “Flying by the seat of your pants” would be a most apt description during these testing times. I sign off with this quote below, from the Sabian Oracle, as I thought to be rather appropriate.
A CAMEO PROFILE OF A MAN IN THE OUTLINE OF HIS COUNTRY
There is a growing, objective awareness of how you fit into the larger picture. You may find you are participating in or have a more important role than you previously thought. Imprinting one's mark. Becoming an exemplar of one's tradition and culture. Try not to become too identified with externals or seeking recognition from the populace. Observing one's limitations. If negative - blindly following the dogma of government or officials. Stereotyping one's self or others.
Sunday, 30 May 2010
Chiron's current transit
I would like to write about the planet Chiron. I use the term planet loosely, as there has been some difficulty in regards to what this celestial body actually is. Lying between Saturn and Uranus, Chiron first came to notice in 1977 by astronomers when it suddenly appeared in our solar system, and there is speculation that it can disappear the same way. Having said that, I would like to simplify matters and call it a planet that is noteworthy - while it is still within our immediate realm.
In Greek mythology Chiron was the bastard son of Chronos and Philyra, with whom he carried out an illicit affair while they both shape-shifted into horses. When Chiron was born, Philyra rejected her child outright and committed suicide. The reason was because Chiron was born with the upper body of a human and the lower body of a horse. Abandoned from that point onwards, Chiron fended for himself as an outsider. From this early experience Chiron learned the art of healing, which raises an interesting point as to why a lot of astrologers work with this planet in various ways, including delineating a natal chart and observing mundane events for the long term.
Chiron takes about four years to travel through each zodiac sign so we’re looking at a period of 48 – 50 years before its planetary return in any one sign. The amount of time varies as we must include periods of retrograde – along with the size of the zodiacal constellation through which it passes.
Enough of that, though. Let’s get to the nuts and bolts of why Chiron can be seen to be important. Chiron was wounded by rejection from his mother, and through his metaphysical training over the course of his life he was able to assist others who have been through a similar experience, along with his ability to heal.
Chiron currently sits at 0 degrees in the sign of Pisces, the spiritual thinkers who hide their emotions in the deepest waters. It’s an interesting placement at this time, because if there have been long-term memories of trauma which are otherwise submerged, Chiron will move his way in, as a way of lifting up these memories from the deep, in an effort for the person concerned to address them.
I’ll give you an example of how this can play out. My natal Saturn is 1 degree of Pisces and transiting Chiron is pretty much exact, give or take a few minutes. The alignment of these two planets coincide with the reconnecting of high school friends and reawakening of childhood trauma that I experienced. It’s been more than 30 years since I left school and I left in a very unhappy phase of my life, due to some full-on bullying that was ceaseless.
I was, in time, able to continue with my life and learned many valuable lessons along the way. I had not kept up very much contact with people I knew from school because I had left that part of my life behind me. I had carved out a relatively happy and stable existence when fate has dealt a rather big hand for me to deal with – a hand connected to my past.
Now, with the alignment I currently have, Chiron is giving Saturn a nudge. Saturn is stolid, dependable, and quite ambitious, not allowing emotions to get in the way. Now is no longer the time for me to keep a stiff upper lip and pretend that this didn’t ever occur. I have an opportunity to address this situation for what it really is – to learn from these experiences, to heal, and to finally move forward to the next phase of my life.
This opportunity has brought up an array of emotions. I have been angry that people can behave in such a diabolical fashion towards another human, and that I allowed such things to happen. I have been very emotional because the submerged trauma has returned in painful ways. I didn’t understand why I was given such a task to learn from. After experiencing these feelings, the truth has slowly begun to dawn on me.
People from all walks of life experience various degrees of bullying and other traumatic experiences. We need these experiences as a way of coping with what life throws at us, as a means to survive. If we had it great all the time, there would be no real appreciation for what that would feel like. Bullies tend to get bullied themselves and a lot of the time they do it as a means of acceptance among their peers. During childhood and teenage years, that would be particularly prevalent, due to peer pressure. Some of them, unfortunately, take it to extremes.
In my current existence with these reconnections from school, there is every possibility of meeting with people I didn’t always like, especially those from whom I’ve had the hardest time. From an adult perspective, however, there is every chance of those feelings changing. I’ve come to realise that I haven’t been the only victim - it just felt like I was as a kid when this was all happening.
This is Chiron’s purpose astrologically, in that we have the opportunity to not only heal ourselves, we can assist others who are experiencing similar issues in their lives. Everyone’s experiences at this time will greatly differ, depending on how it transits in individual charts. For those of you who don’t fully understand the fundamentals of astrology, that’s okay. Intuition will guide you. Another purpose of Chiron’s is to remember that nothing is ever really forgotten. Fate - or Wyrd as I call it – has a way of presenting these forks in the road for us. The direction we choose is ultimately our own.
In Greek mythology Chiron was the bastard son of Chronos and Philyra, with whom he carried out an illicit affair while they both shape-shifted into horses. When Chiron was born, Philyra rejected her child outright and committed suicide. The reason was because Chiron was born with the upper body of a human and the lower body of a horse. Abandoned from that point onwards, Chiron fended for himself as an outsider. From this early experience Chiron learned the art of healing, which raises an interesting point as to why a lot of astrologers work with this planet in various ways, including delineating a natal chart and observing mundane events for the long term.
Chiron takes about four years to travel through each zodiac sign so we’re looking at a period of 48 – 50 years before its planetary return in any one sign. The amount of time varies as we must include periods of retrograde – along with the size of the zodiacal constellation through which it passes.
Enough of that, though. Let’s get to the nuts and bolts of why Chiron can be seen to be important. Chiron was wounded by rejection from his mother, and through his metaphysical training over the course of his life he was able to assist others who have been through a similar experience, along with his ability to heal.
Chiron currently sits at 0 degrees in the sign of Pisces, the spiritual thinkers who hide their emotions in the deepest waters. It’s an interesting placement at this time, because if there have been long-term memories of trauma which are otherwise submerged, Chiron will move his way in, as a way of lifting up these memories from the deep, in an effort for the person concerned to address them.
I’ll give you an example of how this can play out. My natal Saturn is 1 degree of Pisces and transiting Chiron is pretty much exact, give or take a few minutes. The alignment of these two planets coincide with the reconnecting of high school friends and reawakening of childhood trauma that I experienced. It’s been more than 30 years since I left school and I left in a very unhappy phase of my life, due to some full-on bullying that was ceaseless.
I was, in time, able to continue with my life and learned many valuable lessons along the way. I had not kept up very much contact with people I knew from school because I had left that part of my life behind me. I had carved out a relatively happy and stable existence when fate has dealt a rather big hand for me to deal with – a hand connected to my past.
Now, with the alignment I currently have, Chiron is giving Saturn a nudge. Saturn is stolid, dependable, and quite ambitious, not allowing emotions to get in the way. Now is no longer the time for me to keep a stiff upper lip and pretend that this didn’t ever occur. I have an opportunity to address this situation for what it really is – to learn from these experiences, to heal, and to finally move forward to the next phase of my life.
This opportunity has brought up an array of emotions. I have been angry that people can behave in such a diabolical fashion towards another human, and that I allowed such things to happen. I have been very emotional because the submerged trauma has returned in painful ways. I didn’t understand why I was given such a task to learn from. After experiencing these feelings, the truth has slowly begun to dawn on me.
People from all walks of life experience various degrees of bullying and other traumatic experiences. We need these experiences as a way of coping with what life throws at us, as a means to survive. If we had it great all the time, there would be no real appreciation for what that would feel like. Bullies tend to get bullied themselves and a lot of the time they do it as a means of acceptance among their peers. During childhood and teenage years, that would be particularly prevalent, due to peer pressure. Some of them, unfortunately, take it to extremes.
In my current existence with these reconnections from school, there is every possibility of meeting with people I didn’t always like, especially those from whom I’ve had the hardest time. From an adult perspective, however, there is every chance of those feelings changing. I’ve come to realise that I haven’t been the only victim - it just felt like I was as a kid when this was all happening.
This is Chiron’s purpose astrologically, in that we have the opportunity to not only heal ourselves, we can assist others who are experiencing similar issues in their lives. Everyone’s experiences at this time will greatly differ, depending on how it transits in individual charts. For those of you who don’t fully understand the fundamentals of astrology, that’s okay. Intuition will guide you. Another purpose of Chiron’s is to remember that nothing is ever really forgotten. Fate - or Wyrd as I call it – has a way of presenting these forks in the road for us. The direction we choose is ultimately our own.
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