Soccer World Cup Eclipse, 11 July 2010, 19h34 GMT

I'm no expert on eclipses, but they are certainly interesting, and important, and I'd like to understand them better!

As a resident of South Africa it's hard to remain uninterested in the Soccer World Cup, but amazingly only at this late date have I noticed that the World Cup final will be played during a Total Solar Eclipse (which won't be visible at the site of the match though)!!

I find it intriguing that the "path of totality" of this eclipse, most of which passes through the pacific ocean, ends at the southern tip of South America, and the shadow would (as far as I can tell as an eclipse non-expert) be "visible" right up to the middle portion of the South American continent; very close to Uruguay and Paraguay, both of which at this moment are potential contenders to play in the final... Uruguay is through to the Semi-Finals, and Paraguay faces Spain 30 minutes from now, and if they win they go through too.

Also, the astrocartography map for the moment of the eclipse shows Mars on the MC ("aggressive pursuit of success") close to Uruguay and Paraguay. Could that be a red card?!

The Netherlands and Germany (interestingly located close together like Uruguay and Paraguay) have both been doing very well and have made it through to the Semi-Finals. The Netherlands beat Brazil yesterday I think, and today Germany beat Argentina (4-0!). The Sun and Moon are on the Descendant around the Netherlands and Germany at the time of the eclipse. What could that mean?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solar_eclipse_of_July_11,_2010

Mars-Neptune and "Invisible Daggers"

Transiting Mars has just arrived to within orb of a Square to my natal Neptune. There's still a day or so of this to go, but I have been quite intrigued by the manifestations thus far.

Last night I got inspired to paint an "Astrology Readings" sign on a square piece of board, and worked on it almost obsessively till after 2am. I woke up feeling quite exhausted, but pleased with the result.

It's been a while since I've smeared colours around with a brush, and although I was not painting a pretty picture for pure self-expression's sake, I think there was a hint of artistic sensibility involved in the process.

Mars is action; Neptune is imagination: combining the two often manifests as an alignment of physical action and an attunement to an ethereal, subtle or intangible world. Artistic self-expression is a common result.

However, this is not all. Last night I had a bizarre dream that I can only vaguely remember:

I was in some sort of vault or hall that seemed to be made of a yellowish stone surface, a bit like some ancient Egyptian temple, and there were snakes and strange salamander or lizard like creatures in various nooks and crannies. Then I found myself in a large open room with three or four men who all seemed to be similar in that they all possessed varying forms of magical weapons. Then one of these men, who may or may not have been me (I couldn't differentiate between what I was doing and what I was observing) brandished something that sort of released some energy in his hand, but I understood that he was controlling something invisible at a distance, and then I saw a blade suddenly slit the throats of the three other men. I also either heard this man say or think that it had to be done and couldn't be delayed any longer, as if it was a case of slay or be slain. I awoke from this dream rather shaken and it took me a while to get back to sleep.

Mars and Neptune are very different. While they can manifest positively through artistic our "soulful" activities, they also seem prone to potentially "hazardous mystical experiences", which my dream seemed to verge on.

Mars in Action!

Last year, during August and early September 2008, I was doing my travelling astrologer stint in Knysna and Cape Town (while technically living in Pretoria). I don't remember the exact date, but I seem to recall that it was a Saturday at the end of August that, on my way out of the town centre, in Strand street, I encountered a women lying in the road who had been knocked down by a car. I stopped and parked my car in front of her to shield her from oncoming traffic. She was ok, but in acute pain since, as far as I could tell, her legs were broken, since the car that knocked her down had somehow ridden over them. I was one of two or three people that stayed with her, called for an ambulance, and tried to keep her calm and reassured until help arrived. It was certainly an intense experience! There was quite a strong wind that day (as there often is in Cape Town I guess) with a little drizzle, and just the wind blowing on this poor women's legs caused her pain.

Amazingly, at the very instant that she was properly inside the ambulance the rain started coming down hard. It was as if the rain fairies compassionately held the rain back from that spot... I was quite moved and a little shaken by the whole experience. I literally had to come home and wash that women's blood off my hands.

I remember noting at the time that Transiting Mars had just crossed over my Natal Pluto (and had Squared my Natal Saturn), which seemed appropriate symbolism.

Well, about 7 months later I once again find myself in Cape Town, and it just so happens that Mars has moved almost exactly 180 degrees from where it was the last time I was here. This time I have had punctured tyres and getting lost in Cape Town trying to get to exciting lectures to contend with. Last night, the evening of the 29th of April 2009, on my way back to my friends' place after getting lost and discovering my punctured wheel, less than 100 metres from the location of last years road accident, a truly bizarre coincidence occured.

It was raining again, and as I stopped at the traffic light just before the location of last year's accident, I hear the sound of skidding tyres. A car apparently braked too sharply to avoid a motorcycle that stopped at the traffic light and ended up lightly clipping it and driving into the kurb and onto the pavement. Nobody was hurt, but there was certainly some vehicle damage.

Not a pleasant event, perhaps, but in a peculiar way a wonderfully synchronous one!

Missile Launches and Mars/Saturn Aspects

I have observed a curious pattern regarding missile launches, without being specifically on the lookout for one.

On the 25th of June 2008 I posted a blog entitled "The Rogue Trio- Mars, Saturn and Pluto", and I noted at the end of that entry that Pakistan had tested a long range missile around the time of a Mars/Saturn Conjunction in May 2002. Then about two weeks later (10 July 2008) I posted another blog named "Mars Conjunct Saturn and dangerous threats", and at this time Iran tested some missiles that also caused a stir in international politics, and here I first noted this Mars/Saturn connection in relation to missile tests.

Interestingly enough I ended that blog musing, "...it will be interesting to see what occurs about a week into August 2008, when Mars arrives at an Opposition to Uranus". That's when Russia gave Georgia a swift and stern battering in response to Georgia's military action against it's own separatist provinces. Mars will arrive at a Conjunction to Uranus around mid-April 2008... let's see!

Well, in the news at the moment is the immanent launch of a long range missile by North Korea which has America, South Korea and Japan very upset. North Korea claims this launch is intended only to set a satellite into orbit, but America and co. insist this is really a test of the missile's potential for military use. The way North Korea has timed this launch for the time of a near exact Mars/Saturn Opposition is extremely conspicuous. It actually makes me wonder whether the nations of the world have determined that such Mars/Saturn aspects are proper and suitable for this rather inauspicious type of activity; or are they just intuitively responding to "the forces of nature"?

By the way, one thing Conjunctions and Oppositions have in common is that when they occur the two bodies in question, along with the Earth, will be in a straight line in the solar system. I (and perhaps most other astrologers) consider Conjunctions and Oppositions to be the strongest types of aspect.

Of course at the time of this writing the missile has not yet been launched, though there seems to be every likelihood that it will be. And even if it were not launched, the mere fact that it is expected and causing such a stir at this particular time would be enough to make it peculiarly synchronous in light of this Mars/Saturn pattern I've observed in relation to such missile launches.

Jupiter's Debilitation and South Africa's refusal of a visa to the Dalai Lama

I was asked several months ago by a newspaper group and a TV show to make “predictions” about 2009 and what it holds for South Africa.

I noted then that the New South Africa's chart (calculated for midnight of the 27th of April 1994, Pretoria) has Jupiter in the 10th House, and this can translate as “a public image of righteousness and moral rectitude”, or a “principled career”. Whatever South Africa enjoys along the lines of a good reputation internationally is probably a manifestation of this facet of the chart (of course there are other considerations and factors in the New South Africa's chart, some of which are rather more abrasive).

I also observed that Transiting Jupiter is this year passing through the New South Africa's 1st House, and on the face of it one would be tempted to assume that this is a wonderful development. It is typically indicative of much growth and even an enhanced degree of integrity and a heightened concern with morality, philosophy and even religion.

There is a “but”, however...

According to Vedic astrology Jupiter spends much of this year in the sign Capricorn (whereas the Tropical Zodiac used in western astrology places Jupiter in Aquarius during 2009), and Capricorn happens to be the worst possible sign Jupiter can occupy, and this would significantly erode and taint the benign and wise attributes of Jupiter. One could argue that Capricorn is far too materialistic for Jupiter's essential nature to thrive there. Capricorn is associated with business and politics; the core arenas of worldly ambition.

So, during the television interview I mentioned that South Africa may well be more prominent than usual on the world stage during 2009, and the county's moral and even religious attributes and attitudes will be a prominent issue. I did warn though, on the basis of Jupiter's Transit through South Africa's 1st House being in the sign Capricorn, that business and politics aren't easily reconciled with morality and religious wisdom, and that our country would need to be mindful of this since it could undermine the potential benefits of Jupiter's prominent position in this cycle.

South Africa's barring of the Dalai Lama from attending a planned Peace Conference, quite obviously in deference to Chinese wishes to block the Dalai Lama at every opportunity, seems to me a rather clear manifestation of this warning. It's furthermore interesting to me that “COPE”, South Africa's most promising new political party, is headed by a pastor, and there has also lately been some controversy over politicians using churches to deliver their political messages (or should we say propaganda?). Jacob Zuma's recent “sermon” at the Rhema church led to dozens of people walking out in indignation....

"When the Moon is in the 7th House, and Jupiter aligns with Mars...."

I have recently received a few queries about this rumour that the current concentration of planets in the sign Aquarius heralds the “dawning of the Age of Aquarius”, and to be frank, I find it a little amusing that many seem to be taking so seriously the “prophecy” from the hippie musical “Hair”, to the effect the Age of Aquarius begins “when the Moon is in the 7th House and Jupiter aligns with Mars...”. I suspect the writer of the song simply tossed around some relatively random rhyming astrological jargon that had the right prophetic ring to it.

The fact is that Mars and Jupiter will “align” roughly every two years, and the Moon is in the 7th House for about two hours every day. So, the Moon will be in the 7th House whenever Mars and Jupiter “align”. I'm not sure where all the current excitement about 14 February started, but I'd be surprised if it could be traced to an astrologer of standing.

During the past several decades there have been a few astrological events that have been considered by some to be “the signal” that the Age of Aquarius has begun. I believe these have at best been partial truths, and more often than not merely fanciful notions. I say “partial truths” because perhaps the Age of Aquarius would be “anchored” through a series of significant, but relatively minor, astrological events. Jupiter/Saturn Conjunctions, for example, occur every 20 years and are considered important in terms of larger or more general social processes. The last Jupiter/Saturn Conjunction occurred in 2000, and there was then (in May 2000 in particular) a major alignment in the solar system that was arguably far more profound than the current one.

There is unfortunately a lot of hype out there regarding “the end of days” being immanent. I would, for example, be very surprised if 2012 isn't less dramatic than many people are anticipating; and I am not saying there is no significance to that date and the fact that the Mayan “long count” comes to an end then, I simply believe that the “popular wisdom” about it may be less than thoroughly enlightened and that there's an element of sensationalism in the way it is often presented. It will no doubt be discussed with increasing fervour between now and then.

One reason why I do not take the fact that there is currently an alignment of several planets in the sign Aquarius (ignoring for a moment the “Hair Prophecy”) as indicating the beginning of the Age of Aquarius is that the sign Aquarius in which Mars and Jupiter and other planets are now conglomerating is actually the zodiacal constellation of Capricorn, and it is these zodiacal constellations (as opposed to the Tropical Zodiac signs used in western astrology) that are used to time the “Ages”.

The subject is quite technical.

The Sun is said to enter the sign Aries around the 21st of March every year. Note that this date is also the Northern Hemisphere's Spring Equinox. This is very important, because what makes the Sun's position in the heavens at that time “Aries” is NOT the stars or constellation behind the Sun at that time, but the fact that it is the Equinox, and the beginning of the seasonal year. The actual zodiacal constellation behind the Sun on the 21st of March is in fact Pisces, and that is why we are said to be in the Age of Pisces. The zodiac signs used in western astrology are NOT aligned with the actual visible constellations- hence I say that most of the planets in the current Aquarius alignment are in the constellation of Capricorn.

So, the Sun's position at the time of the Northern Hemisphere's Spring Equinox (the Autumn Equinox in the Southern Hemisphere) is the “marker” showing which age or “great month” we are in, and this “marker” moves very gradually backwards (in terms of the usual sequence of the zodiac signs- hence we go from the Age of Pisces to the Age of Aquarius) along the actual visible zodiacal constellations. This gradual shifting backwards along the constellations of the Sun's Equinoctal position is due to what is known as the “Precession of the Equinoxes”. This is normally described as a “wobble”, similar to what one sees in a spinning top, in the earths axis that occurs in an approximately 25 000 year cycle.

Now, here's “the rub”. The actual zodiacal constellations do not have very precisely definable boundaries. You can point to the stars that make up the constellation Aquarius easily enough, but where exactly does Aquarius begin and end, how far does it protrude in either side of the stars that compose it? The experts are bound to differ, even if only slightly, and here a degree (out of 360) will equate to about 72 years in terms of the precession cycle. We can only vaguely know that the March equinox is approaching the constellation of Aquarius. Some would say the age of Aquarius has already begun (such as the Tibetan Master Djwal Khul who taught through Alice Bailey, and whom I consider an authority on such things, compared to other modern commentators). From another perspective, however (if you take the Sidereal Zodiac as defining the boundaries of the zodiacal constellations), it won't begin for at least another 300 years or so. It all depends on which measurements and authorities you choose to use and trust.

The guru of Paramahansa Yogananda (author of the spiritual classic Autobiography of a Yogi), Sri Yukteswar, presented an interesting theses on this precession cycle, that is linked to the Vedic concept of “Yugas”, in a book called The Holy Science. According to many (or most) Vedic scholars we entered the 432 000 years of “Kali Yuga” about 5 000 years ago or so. Kali Yuga is considered the “dark age”, and it is believed we will be sinking ever more deeply into the mire for some hundreds of thousands of years to come. “A dark prospect!”, as Sri Yukteswar puts it.

He (fortunately) suggests that these calculations are in error (as a result of the loss of knowledge that resulted from the “dawning” of Kali Yuga), and that in fact Kali Yuga ended at the end of the 19th century. His theory (which is a little too intricate to present here in full- see The Holy Science) indicates that the peak of Kali Yuga was around 500 A.D., and that the scientific progress that has been accelerating since the 17th century A.D. has been due to the “turning of the tide”. “Dwapara Yuga”, which we are about 110 years into now, is marked by greater knowledge and scientific advances, and specifically greater knowledge of electricity and magnetism. However, during Dwapara Yuga (and especially early in the cycle) there is still a significant degree of materialism in humanity, which may account for the abuse of knowledge, and the consequent human and environmental catastrophes that we are so familiar with. The good news is that ever since 500 A.D. we are in an “ascending” half of Sri Yukteswar's 24 000 precession cycle, and humanity will be growing steadily more enlightened and spiritual till at least 10 500 from now, when we arrive at the highest and purest and most spiritual stage of the precession cycle.

Uranus, the wild card

Yesterday evening people all over the world marveled at the beauty of a Conjunction of the Moon with Venus and Jupiter. During the late Monday afternoon of December the 1st 2008 (in South Africa at least) the Moon, Venus and Jupiter were all located at 22 degrees Capricorn.

Now, on the face of it such a Conjunction would seem to be the very epitome of ease, grace, leisure and pleasure, and in keeping with this (arguably superficial) interpretation I endeavored to make use of the stronger than usual current of benefic energy in what I thought would be a suitable manner. All the while I was aware that Uranus occupying 22 degrees Libra in my chart meant that this triple Conjunction would be Square my natal Uranus. I naively assumed that this would simply make this event more wonderfully vibrant and exciting, as Uranus certainly is sometimes.

My girlfriend and I have been discussing finding a place to live, and on Monday afternoon I called an estate agent that had advertised some places to rent in a newspaper. I thought, “surely a home you find under such positive stars will be a great place to stay!”.

I looked at the first place the guy had to show me, and apart from being a little small, I thought it had potential. I called my girlfriend, who was just about to knock off at work, and suggested she come and have a look too.

In the meantime, in a flat not far from the one I was looking at, a couple burst into a rather nasty sounding tiff, which carried on for quite a while, with lots of banging and shouting. After a while a guy came out and started packing stuff into his car, apparently moving out. At one point the security guard got up to take a closer look....

Eventually my girlfriend arrives and we look at three different places all in the same area. I find myself a little frustrated because I'm really not getting any clear feedback from her, and what little I can read between the lines suggests she's not nearly as excited as I am about the cozy little cottage with the loft, and seems to prefer a place I find a little cramped and awkwardly shaped.

Oh well, that's alright. We agreed to go out for dinner; after all, there was a beautiful celestial event just starting to become visible in the sky. A perfect excuse to spoil ourselves!

We decided to try a Japanese restaurant we'd spotted recently. Upon arriving we were ushered to a little room separate from the rest of the restaurant since the rest of the place had been booked up. It was a little strange, and the two of us were now seated at a table for six. Ok, why not?!

Girlfriend suggests maybe a table outside would be more congenial. We move. After a short while girlfriend is feeling a little cold outside, but our little "booth" inside has now been occupied by a new party.

Mmm.... this auspicious afternoon/evening is surprisingly irritating, I'm starting to think!

Our waitress, well; her English is really not that great, and she's really no help in trying to make sense of this cryptic menu...

To cut a long story short, after our starters, I eventually manage to order some sushi, but only after arduous and complex negotiations. My girlfriend orders tempura.

My sushi arrives before too long, and we assume my girl's meal will be there any minute. I'm hungry! I start, and in no time my four little pieces of sushi have vanished. We wait, and wait..... and wait. No tempura. We check that the waitress noted the order. She confirms she's aware of it. We wait and wait.... some more.

A huge crowd of people emerges from the restaurant, I assume it's a Christmas party or something and everyone's had a few drinks, and they make a huge racket in front of the restaurant for what seemed like an eternity. Very disruptive!

The situation is eventually so ridiculous that keeping up the stoic grin is just plain pathetic! I summon the nearest waitress and as courteously as possible make it clear that things are going quite badly this side, and we've been waiting a very long time for a plate of rather simple food.

Our waitress and the manager told us totally different stories about what went wrong in the kitchen, but by the time the tempura was finished we were really just wanting to pay and get out of there. After repeatedly but amicably declining the manager's kind offer of a complimentary dessert, assuring him sincerely that it was not out of ill will, we escaped, just in time to see the last moments of the Moon, Venus, Jupiter Conjunction before it disappeared below the western horizon.

The moral of the story is that a Square to Uranus is sometimes not quite as funky as you may hope, even if you're an astrologer! It can even make a Moon/Venus/Jupiter experience downright upsetting!!

Unfinished Astrology Poem

Welcome my friends!
And thanks for coming so soon
To share with me in the pleasures
Of sparing some thought
For the Stars, Sun and Moon,
And all Astrology's perennial treasures!

Now, because communication
Is such a fine and delicate art,
Especially when there's something
This important to impart;
This Astrology's going out as a poem,
'Cause it gives it that rhythm
That sends the points home.

And, my dears,
If you will bear with me,
I guess another reason I'm employing
This poetic, rhyming medium
Is because, if nothing else,
It relieves the drudgery and the tedium
Which is a burden too often
Borne by the wise
In their labours of light,
For dim little eyes.

And before we go much further along
In these our merry Astrological forays,
Just a quick word or two
For those fearful religious fanatics,
Who love to denounce our Art,
But whom we have to tolerate
These days.

Something that's true
Cannot be wrong,
And absolutely everybody's dancing
This this cosmic song!
Yes, we're all stirring and shaking
With the Stars in their courses,
It appears to be something
That God endorses!

And, did you know
That since God knows when,
History's most pious and eminent men
Have given their good minds to this study?!
So, if you've had any misgivings
About the calibre of the company you're in
You can relax now, buddy!

And now that we've finally
Finished and done
With all these cordial preliminaries;
Pllleeeasse!! can we get on with it then?!
And begin,
With the first sign....
ARIES!!

Have you ever observed the behaviour of Rams?
Especially the feisty males of the clan,
Charging each other,
Butting heads,
To beat each other
If they can.

Well, the Sun and Mars
Are strong and bold,
And these planets flourish
In Aries,
We're told.

But Saturn is very scared and slow
And Falls
In our good sign Aries,
You know.
Here he hobbles along
When he should be daring,
He gets harsh and angry
When he should be caring,
And if you happen to have
This tragic affliction in your map,
Well, we're sorry for you
But what can you do?!
Good luck to you,
Old chap!

The rest of the planets
Fare quite well in this sign,
Though Venus in Aries
May fight in love
All the time,
And Jupiter in Aries
May be tinged with self-righteousness
And Mercury in Aries
Lacking in politenesses,
And, oh yes
Moon in Aries
Can be quite demanding,
And though all of this
Sounds awfully alarming,
The Aries vibration
Give or take
The occasional conflagration,
Is so honest and naive
It's disarming!

(to be continued... waiting for Taurus!)

Don't Underestimate Retrograde Mercury!!

As a student of astrology I aspire to be pragmatic- even scientific!- in my approach. I'm quite irreverent towards many notions and principles that many of my colleagues are completely sold on, sometimes a little naively, in my humble opinion.

Well, the dread and fanfare with which many astrology lovers warn of the onset of Retrograde Mercury every other month is one such piece of astrological lore that I decided to disregard as a case of grotesque exaggeration.

It so happens that Mercury is Retrograde between 24 September and 15 October 2008. A day or two before Mercury went Retrograde someone called me about a Vedic Astrology course I'm running at the end of October. She said, in all seriousness, that she would get back to me after Mercury turns Direct. “Oh whatever!”, I thought, “astrologers are just silly sometimes”. She stuck to her guns; I haven't heard from her yet; maybe she'll emerge soon after mid-October, and we'll get on with that booking...

Nearly two decades ago, when I was just starting to find my way around an ephemeris, I noticed one day that Mercury was Retrograde, and I did find it rather quirky that a letter I was expecting was obviously delayed. It did occur to me that, Mercury being the planet of “messages”, and therefore mail, a Retrograde Mercury might signify delayed or misdirected mail. My suspicion seemed rather vindicated when, on the day Mercury turned Direct, my letter finally arrived!

Some years thereafter I discovered that this was in fact a rather popular idea amoung astrophiles. It certainly is astro-logical, and I seem to recall that I did observe it's effects on a number of subsequent occasions. I think my aversion to the Retrograde Mercury hype developed as a result of my impression that various new age magazines and websites over-emphasized the importance of this particular phenomenon, so that all lay people seemed to know about astrology was the hazards of Retrograde Mercury!

So, I've been quite amused lately, watching by cynicism transformed into renewed respect, by a number of uncanny incidents.

I have made payments into the wrong bank accounts (a sheer lapse of reason), and embarked on some conspicuously unsuccessful advertising campaigns. I have been billed on my credit card for items I have not purchased, and after a very frustrating attempt to reach the credit card people to sort it out, I learned that I was one of several hundred people who were likewise wrongly charged. A friend called and asked, “have you sent that info yet”, to which I replied, “uh...what info?... oh that info!....but weren't you going to send me your postal address?”. My friend; “oh yes!...”.
etc. etc.

This little article is in fact being written to use up some time constructively while waiting for a client who's stuck in traffic (and eventually had to cancel).

I really hope for your sake that you aren't reading this before the 15th of October 2008 (or during some future Retrograde Mercury period)! Haven't you heard?!- you best be doing as little as possible now, since no intelligent or literate act will go unpunished! ;)

Thabo Mbeki's Pluto process

There have been dramatic developments in the world of South African politics lately. On the 12th of September Jacob Zuma had the fraud and corruption charges against him annulled on a technicality, and almost immediately thereafter there were calls for Thabo Mbeki to step down, since the presiding judge suggested that prosecutors were probably encouraged by Mbeki. Last night Thabo Mbeki addressed the nation announcing his resignation as President of South Africa (though denying the allegations of his interference in the Zuma prosecution), in accordance with the wishes of key figures in the ANC and allied organizations.

On the 14th of June 2005 President Thabo Mbeki effectively fired Jacob Zuma on the basis of the fact that Schabir Shaik, the so called “financial advisor” of Jacob Zuma, was convicted on fraud charges. The judge specifically referred to a “generally corrupt relationship” between Zuma and Shaik, directly implicating Zuma in shady deals, and on this basis the sacking of Zuma was justified.

Looking at Mbeki's birth chart, one of the most conspicuous features in this map is the close Square between the Sun and Neptune. This describes the passive “lame duck” quality one cannot help notice about him. He is so illusive as to be practically invisible. This type of configuration can mean different things; ranging from spirituality to martyrdom. It may arguably be this Sun/Neptune Square that made him susceptible to being so easily nudged out of the presidency, with apparently no resistance on his part.

Several years before the firing of Zuma I mentioned privately to friends that I expected that Thabo Mbeki would be getting involved in a power struggle, due to the fact that (Transiting) Pluto was approaching an Opposition to his Sun. The fact that Thabo Mbeki fired Zuma so close to his birthday in 2005 is very significant. His “Solar Return” was triggering the longer-term Pluto/Sun Opposition.

Isn't it amazing how Thabo Mbeki is himself “fired”, for all practical purposes, under another Solar trigger of the Transiting Pluto/Sun Opposition!

p.s.- please note that since there is (to my knowledge) no time of birth available for Thabo Mbeki, the natal chart above is calculated for sunrise. The zodiac positions of the planets, and the aspects, will not be drastically affected (with the exception perhaps of the Moon). The house placements of the planets are, however, unknown.

America's Natal Chart

The prospect of being able to predict national or global events with astrology is obviously tantalizing, but in practice Mundane Astrology (the astrology of global events) is complex and fraught with points of ambiguity that make it a particularly challenging branch of the stellar science. For one thing, deciding on the actual moment when a nation or country is born is far more difficult than doing the same for a human individual. Even when there is a particular day that stands out as the birth of a nation (and such days are often clearly identifiable) the actual time of that day when the “birth” occurs is less easy to pinpoint, as such births are typically manifested as human ceremonies that may take some hours to perform. It is furthermore not always clear which city or town to use as the location of the event. There are often various options in these respects, and it takes keen and intuitive judgement from an astrologer to discern the crucial moment.

The possibility of predicting accurately is much greater when a chart proves it's sensitivity and relevance to the entity it represents, and this is something one normally gauges retrospectively.

The 4th of July 1776, as the date of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, was certainly a day of huge significance for America, and most astrologers agree in seeing in this event, on this date, the birthing of a nation. The question is, what is the birth time? Some great astrological minds have applied themselves to this question, and there are some widely divergent views.

I consider the finer points of this debate way out of my league, although I do find it intriguing. Just take a peek at the following essay by Edward Kohout to catch a glimpse of how complicated this question can get:
http://cura.free.fr/xxv/22sibly.html

Some years ago I encountered a chart for America in a Mountain Astrologer Magazine that placed the Ascendant at 12 degrees Sagittarius (apparently Dane Rhudhyar rectified the Ascendant to 13 Sagittarius). When the Twin Towers incident occurred and I couldn't help but notice that the Saturn/Pluto Opposition that had become exact just a short time before that occurred right on the horizon of this natal chart for America (and I still marvel at the way Saturn in Gemini translates as “Twin Towers”)!!

Well, I don't have an essay to write about this. I simply wish to point out that now, during September 2008, Transiting Saturn has moved 90 degrees since the September 2001 incident and is lately Square America's Ascendant, if this 12-13 degrees Sagittarius Ascendant for America is correct. America is once again in tatters. Hurricane Ike has created huge devastation, and the bankruptcy of Lehman Brothers has caused financial markets to plummet to the lowest levels “since the September 2001 terror attacks”.

The Sun

Many eyes may see the same sunset,
Sending signals to their many brains,
Which will all register a visual impression,
All approximately the same.

But then it may happen,
One unexpected afternoon,
When you go outside,
After shuffling around,
In your room.

That that bright,
And awesomely magnificent light,
That pierces the gloom,
Of the darkest night;
That that glorious golden incandescent flame,
Will be unveiled to your eyes,
And breathe,
.... it’s Name.

Astrology Readings

Astrology readings can be profound and powerful, though as an astrologer who does this nearly every day, I am acutely aware that there are many factors that come to bear on the process. You can't force the magic to happen; it blossoms when the conditions are just right, and both the astrologer and the client contribute to the outcome.

I have been very busy lately, and at times like these, when I'm engaged with consultations on a daily basis, I sometimes get to be the catalyst for truly valuable realizations in the lives of others, but from time to time there are moments of frustration...

People tend to expect a lot from astrology readings, and often these very expectations can interfere with their ability to benefit from the process. The mystery, sensationalism and controversy that surrounds astrology leads some people to hope for dazzling entertainment from a reading (if indeed they aren't sceptics who are challenging you to convince them with miraculous feats of omniscience), rather than viewing it as a serious opportunity for gaining greater self-awareness. Needless to say it can be rather challenging to handle these expectations and dynamics in a patient and diplomatic manner, without pandering to misguided notions.

Of course this is not true of everyone who comes to see an astrologer, but there is generally a poor level of understanding among the general public regarding the nature of astrology and astrology readings, despite the fact that so many people find the subject intriguing. The matter is made more complicated by the fact that it is impossible to standardise the quality of astrological service, since while astrologers may agree on certain general principles, they differ greatly in terms of the specific methodologies they utilise, the philosophies they subscribe to, and their innate or cultivated counselling skills. But then I suppose the same is true in every field of human endeavour.

Be this as it may, I personally (along with many other astrologers) feel more and more justified in describing myself as a psychologist (though I fully understand that such a statement is probably illegal!), since when my consultations work at their best, they work in a way very similar to effective psychotherapy. I would go even further and state that astrology is potentially a type of "amplified psychology", since you can gain some accurate insights without much input from the client, and then there's the whole vast subject of astrological life cycles that can clarify otherwise inexplicable changes of outlook, feeling and temperament.

Although astrology deals with life cycles, and although these cycles can be accurately timed for the past or future of an individual, and although they have an important influence on what develops in a person's life, so that one may at times accurately predict events, astrologers don't know for sure what is going to happen in the future. At best they offer educated guesses. Anyway, prediction is far less useful than insight, and the two don't always go hand in hand. One may predict some events somewhat accurately using astrology without necessarily having much insight into life and people. However, with the right attitude astrology can certainly assist in one's effort to become more insightful; but this often requires an holistic approach in which astrology is simply one useful component.

If you were considering having an astrological reading with me and want precise predictions and assurances about what will happen in the future, please note that I don't know what will happen.... but I may well have some ideas about how you may best direct or "manage" your innate tendencies, and respond to the various seasons of your life, in order to gain the best possible harvest, so to speak.

Carl Jung once wrote:

"Astrology is assured recognition from psychology without further restriction, because astrology is the summation of the psychological knowledge of antiquity."

Russian military action and the illusive Medvedev

On the 10th of July 2008 I posted a blog entitled "Mars Conjunct Saturn and dangerous threats". Around that time Iran tested some missiles which naturally got everyone excited for a while.

At the end of that entry I noted that Mars and Uranus would be in Opposition about a week into August and that Mars and Pluto would form a Square closer to mid-August 2008. I believe my precise words were, "it will be interesting to see what happens about a week into August...".

Yes, I agree, that's a little vague; I did not write that Russia would stun the world by engaging in a sudden and vigorous battle with Georgia. What is significant though is the fact that this was mentioned in the context of military issues...

Mars/Uranus energy is sudden, shocking and defiant, and this certainly characterises the energy of this military event.

But wait! - the plot thickens....

I thought it rather interesting, in light of all this drama, to note that that apparently mild-mannered new guy is running Russia; Mr. Dmitry Medvedev, often described as a mere Putin sidekick.

Well, he is Russia's head of state now, and there is this astrological rule that states the the natal chart of a country's chief will to a significant extent describe the entire country's "fate" and actions.

It's almost a little scary to see how precisely the Mars/Uranus Opposition of 5 August overlays his Sun!!


It is also quite clear that Transiting Saturn is lately playing an important role in his life, and will be doing so for at least a year or so to come. In Planets in Transit Robert Hand describes Saturn Opposition Saturn as "the high-water mark of the Saturn-Saturn cycle". It's almost invariably a meaningful turning point- even a defining milestone- in a person's career. From another perspective the Saturn Opposition to the Mercury/Uranus/Pluto/Sun "Stellium" in his natal chart is ripening...
Watch this space!

Tsvangirai!

Morgan Richard Tsvangirai was born on the 10^th of March 1952 in Gutu, Masvingo, Zimbabwe. As far as I am aware there is no time of birth for him. The chart above is calculated for sunrise at his place of birth.

From this incomplete amount of birth data we can non-the-less glean some interesting insights. The similarities between Bob and Morgan are glaring! Perhaps to be expected. What's that saying about the “hair of the dog”?

They both, in terms of conventional western astrology, have Sun in Pisces and Moon in Virgo. It would be very fascinating indeed to know the birth times of these rivals, to see just how close together those two Moons actually are!

What I find interesting, and my reason for posting this, is the fact that a number of planets are soon coming together in early Virgo, close to both their Moons and Opposite their Suns, and this as the world waits in suspense to hear what the recent weeks of power-sharing negotiations will yield.

At the time of the March 2008 elections Transiting Saturn was in exact Opposition to Mugabe's Sun. That describes his defeat, which, even though he has apparently held onto power, must then have been experienced by him as such.

About 29 years ago, the last time Saturn was in (Tropical) Virgo, Mugabe was on the verge of emerging as the leading political figure in Zimbabwe's transition from white rule. Saturn has this peculiar way of either raising you up, or bring you tumbling down. When he was elected and sworn in as Prime Minister (around March/April 1980) Transiting Jupiter was in Opposition to his Sun and Conjunct his Moon, giving him a boost and marking a glorious milestone in his life.

Transiting Saturn slowly but inexorably marches on, and will Oppose the Mugabe/Tsvangirai Composite Sun (the midpoint of their two Suns) around latter August 2008. Could that be the signature of a power sharing agreement? If so it's apparently reluctant and brittle.

Then Transiting Saturn Opposes Mugabe's Uranus, Squares his Jupiter, and forms a Sesquiquadrate to his Natal Saturn, all this more or less in October 2008 (and recurring March/April and June/July 2009). These are certainly going to be tests to his position and may well evoke his infamous reluctance to cooperate and compromise.

Then Transiting Saturn Opposes Tsvangirai's Sun, in November 2008 (recurring February/March 2009, and finally July/August 2009). These are very likely to be significant stages in Tsvangirai's bid to replace Mugabe, but they are very possibly going to be discouraging and tiring in ways, regardless of any breakthroughs at these times.

Mugabe has this Mars/Jupiter Conjunction in his chart that Square Uranus ("the revolutionary"), and Tsvangirai's Sun plugs into this, so to speak. It's as if Tsvangirai can easily get Mugabe revved up, excited and indignant (the evidence abounds!). Now, it's precisely this energetic Synastry between them that is being infused with Saturnine energy on and off during the coming year or so while Saturn "loops" between 16 and 20 degrees of Virgo (from which these key planets in the Synastry between Mugabe and Tsvangirai receive hard aspects).

Let us hope that these two key figures in Zimbabwe's unfolding drama will find a way to engage with each other constructively during the coming year- since it seems they may be brought closer together, whether they like it or not.

Transiting Jupiter will enter Pisces early in 2010, Opposing both Moons and Conjunct the Suns. This could be a very positive period for both men, if they are able to transcend the lure of self-righteousness.

Neptune the stoner

Neptune is a dreamy, dozy, foggy planet regularly associated with addiction, escapism and substance abuse. Astrologers see it all the time; this principle works in practice.

It will no doubt come as a great surprise to my readers to learn that yours truly was once more intimate with this shadowy face of Neptune than you would expect from so civilised a fellow! But it is true. It can happen to the best of us! ;-)

I have the Sun located in the 12th House of my natal chart (in both western and Vedic astrology). Modern western astrology considers Neptune the ruler of the sign Pisces, which as the 12th sign of the zodiac, corresponds to the 12th House.

I also have Neptune in the 1st House ("I am Neptunian") if you look at my western astrology chart. Furthermore, Venus and Neptune are in Conjunction in my chart, and in terms of Vedic astrology Venus is my Ascendant Ruler. So, you see, I couldn't help it!! ;-)

Anyway, I want to tell you a true story.

It was early in June of 2004 that one evening, after much hearty merrymaking at a friend's birthday party, myself and a few of Neptune's other loyal subjects gathered for some (if I must call a spade a spade) marijuana smoking. Well, the pipe that was proffered on this historic occasion had a rather large bowl, so that lighting it good and proper called for a stout hearted smoker. I was such an one!

As the pipe was offered there may or may not have been a warning attached, but even if there had been, I considered myself far too experienced to need or heed such drivel. I was feeling strong and feisty (much wine had been quaffed during the preceding hours), and like a fearless Viking I motioned to have the pipe sent my way so that it could be ignited without further ado. My companions obliged.

Well, I not only lit the pipe, I took a mighty big puff thereafter for good measure.

A few moments later, quite suddenly, I felt extremely peculiar, unlike anything I'd ever experienced before. I thought at first that the fellow who had filled and who passed me the pipe, and who is a self-declared alchemist of sorts, had cast a spell on me! What else could this be? I tried to push this ... this... weird stuff out of me. It was like some boiling, bubbling liquid. It seemed to be working for a moment and then it totally flooded me.

I ran!! I just had to get away from where I was and had no idea what else to do.

Well, I ran straight into a fence in the pitch dark night and rebounded onto the ground. Then I just sat there looking up at myself floating in the sky, while looking down at myself sprawled on the ground. I prayed for reassurance that the sane world I used to inhabit still existed out there somewhere, even though I would probably never be able to return there again. There are no words to describe the experience...

To cut a long story short it was not marijuana I lit up so lustily that night. It was a plant called Salvia Divinorum , or "Diviners Sage". Don't try this at home!!

Here's an extract on Salvia Divinorum from the Wikipaedia:

"Salvia divinorum, also known as Diviner’s Sage,^[2] ska María Pastora,^[3] Sage of the Seers, or simply by the genus name, Salvia, is a powerful psychoactive herb which can induce strong dissociative effects. It is a member of the sage genus and the Lamiaceae (mint) family.^[4] The Latin name Salvia divinorum literally translates to “sage of the seers”.^[5] The genus name Salvia is derived from the Latin salvare, meaning “to heal” or “to save”.^[6]

Salvia divinorum has a long continuing tradition of use as an entheogen by indigenous Mazatec shamans, who use it to facilitate visionary states of consciousness during spiritual healing sessions.^[1] The plant is found in isolated, shaded, and moist plots in Oaxaca, Mexico. It grows to well over a meter in height, has large green leaves, and hollow square stems with occasional white and purple flowers. It is thought to be a cultigen.^[7]

Its primary psychoactive constituent is a diterpenoid known as salvinorin A^[8][9]—a potent κ-opioid receptor agonist. Salvinorin A is unique in that it is the only naturally occurring substance known to induce a visionary state this way. Salvia divinorum can be chewed, smoked, or taken as a tincture to produce experiences ranging from uncontrollable laughter to much more intense and profoundly altered states. The duration is much shorter than for some other more well known psychedelics; the effects of smoked salvia typically last for only a few minutes. The most commonly reported after-effects include an increased feeling of insight and improved mood, and a sense of calmness and increased sense of connection with nature—though much less often it may also cause dysphoria (unpleasant or uncomfortable mood).^[10] Salvia divinorum is not generally understood to be toxic or addictive. As a κ-opioid agonist, it may have potential as an analgesic and as therapy for drug addictions."

At the time of this event Transiting Uranus was about to turn Retrograde and was within 1 degree of a Square to my Natal Neptune. Uranus Square Neptune can translate as "sudden hallucination" as well as, perhaps, "liberation from dependency".

Although the intense phase of the experience lasted only a few minutes, I felt quite shaken for days afterwards. It is perhaps no coincidence that just a few days after this jolting reality meltdown I stopped smoking cigarettes and marijuana, and very soon thereafter I stopped drinking completely, and it's been that way since.

Etymology of the word "Consider"

From the Online Etymology Dictionary:

consider

1375, from O.Fr. considerer, from L. considerare "to look at closely, observe," lit. "to observe the stars," from com- "with" + sidus (gen. sideris) "constellation." Perhaps a metaphor from navigation, but more likely reflecting Roman obsession with divination by astrology.

A New Car

This afternoon, with Transiting Sun nearly exactly Opposite my Natal Jupiter, and as the Transiting Moon Opposed my Natal Sun, and with both these (Sun and Moon) Square Transiting Jupiter, and after much rigorous negotiation, I finally signed an offer to purchase on a new car!

Reading the Sun Opposition Jupiter and Jupiter Square Sun passages in Robert Hand's Planets in Transit, I must admit I was warned to be careful of committing to more than I can handle, and there can be no doubt that this offer to purchase is exactly the type of thing being referred to.

But then (at the risk of sounding over optimistic under a double dose of Jupiter!) I am also under Transiting Saturn Sextile Natal Mercury and Trine Natal Mars, and I think I can see how these configurations have manifested in this purchasing and negotiation process. Although I am indeed committing to payments that will be challenging to meet consistently, I managed to negotiate a rather good deal through being firm about the limits of my budget. I believe these Saturn Transits contributed to this disciplined streak that contrasts with, and in this case, we hope, balances, the eager exuberance of the Jupiter influences. I looked at many different options and visited a number of car dealers before deciding. I saw that it was difficult to find a decent second hand car cheaper than I am getting a brand new one for (etc. etc.).

Looks like it's going to be a black car, and I wonder if this has anything to do with the fact that I am less than three months away from my 35th birthday, which marks the year that Saturn "matures" in every chart (Saturn is associated with the colour black), according to Vedic astrology. Saturn is ruler of my 4th House (the 4th House is associated with vehicles and conveyances in Jyotish), and as the Raja Yoga Karaka for my chart, and being located in the auspicious 9th House, Saturn acts as a benefic for me.

p.s.- the deal was eventually done, and here she is:

When Jupiter overdoes it

I will soon have Transiting Jupiter Square my Natal Sun. I'm cautiously optimistic about the prospects. I think I can see it at work already, because, with no money to boast of in the bank I am non-the-less obsessed with buying a car! And, if at all possible, I want a nice one!

About a year-and-a-half ago, actually it was the 3^rd of January 2007 (with Transiting Sun very close to where Jupiter is now- Square my Natal Sun and in the 4th House from my Natal Sun), I bought a brand new car, a Nissan 1400 “bakkie”. I could hardly believe that I managed to get financed by the bank (and neither could my friends!). It was something of a personal breakthrough since I had assumed that, as something of a hippie, buying a new car was way out of my league. I had less joy with the car itself (perhaps my debilitated Jupiter in the 4th in the Jyotish chart?), but thankfully that's behind me now- I sold it in March this year.

I then contemplated my situation and decided that in light of sharply rising fuel costs, and the modest amount of commuting I do lately, a little motor-cycle would suffice. Well, in the end it was easier to borrow R15 000 than R5 000, and so I got a relatively good Yamaha 125cc bike financed by the bank. I still have it, and I'm quite happy with it, but it isn't quite enough. There are times when my work requires traveling further than my little black panther was designed for, and not having a car for this purpose does arguably restrict the scope of my professional activity.

So, this “I need a car” realization is burning like a fever inside me lately, and with Transiting Jupiter Square my Sun during the coming two weeks or so there's a very real danger of over-extending myself. However, I dare say that Transiting Jupiter Square Sun can be a perfectly natural time to take on a little more, and lift one's standard of living; the trick is knowing your limits. I test drove three cars today... I like the most expensive one!

I note, also, that very few days from now Transiting Sun will be in exact Opposition to my Natal Jupiter. I recall some years ago, under this same transit, applying for a cell phone contract in a very smug and self-assured mood, and being quite surprised and crestfallen when it was declined. Will this recur this year?

It has recently occurred to me from time to time, in between my impassioned vehicle visualizations, that all this craving for material improvement could be distracting me from what's really important (you know, spiritual stuff, etc.) and that perhaps if I could get back to my center, I may see that this “I want that car” preoccupation is not my truest truth....

Moon Conjunct Jupiter 17 July 2008

On Thursday (Jupiter's day), around sunset, look east and find a nearly full Moon rising with Jupiter. This is an auspicious moment. May you be receptive to it's blessings!