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Astrologer's Notes: |
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Astrology's
Menacing Measurements |
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by Basil Fearrington |
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Theosophical studies suggest that the purpose of life is for the soul to learn the lessons it needs to learn in order to evolve. The soul takes on a physical body in order to facilitate its journey of learning. Astrology presumes that the soul picks its time and place of birth in order to refine and fulfill itself in the grand scheme of things. We are, therefore, looking at the inclinations of the soul (the Draconic system) and the kinds of experiences that the soul is likely to need and attract in the physical form of the body (the Tropical system) when we are analyzing a horoscope.
The learning processes of life experience are many and varied but one thing is for sure - our lives are full of challenges and difficulties along the path of soul evolvement, necessarily so. Tension has to exist in life for growth to occur (it is what happens when you go to the gym all the time versus what happens when the muscles never work with resistance) and we evolve through our management of these tensions, which are shown in the hard aspects of the natal horoscope. When we confront, work on, and conquer these challenges, evolvement takes place. For example, if a person is born with Saturn in hard aspect to natal Venus, there is going to be a suggestion of control factors linked to a person's relational capacity that runs the gamut from being inhibited to being controlling in regards to personal romantic relationships. Such a person has come into this life to learn lessons about relating and will tend to attract the circumstances that allow the learning to take place. Whether the person is inhibited or controlling, relationship concerns (or intimacies) have to be worked out. The controlling person has to come to an understanding of why there is a need to be that way and balance it, as will the inhibited person. The confrontation of the control factor sets the foundation for growth, thus evolvement. This is the case with any hard aspect in a horoscope.
As we proceed through life, there are always periods of tension and challenge that act as a catalyst to the development of the natal potentials that we are born with. We see these periods of development in time through the system of transits and [Solar Arc] progressions. These periods of challenge are at their life-changing peak potential when the outer planets - Pluto, Neptune, Uranus, and Saturn - are conjunct, square, or in opposition to the Sun, Moon, or an Angle of the horoscope by transit or Solar Arc progression. During these times, the universe tends to give you a grade regarding how you have done whatever it is that you have been doing with your life. If you have been working hard and have been on the right path, these life-changing aspects may reflect rewarding times. Contrarily, if one has been going down the wrong path, these contacts are likely to be jarring. There are also going to be manifestations of life events that simply "come out of left field," such as the sudden death of a parent or news that the company that one has diligently worked for for twenty years suddenly has no use for one's services. Whatever the case may be, you are most likely to find these life-changing conditions manifested in life when the outer planets contact the Angles or Lights. In my opinion, a great many of the challenges that take place during these times of tension have a direct relationship to an important theme in one's natal horoscope and we will see this soon in the discussion of Michael Jackson.
The Dynamic Duo
Of all of the outer planet contacts that can be made, there are two that open my eyes the most when I am preparing for a consultation. The first of the two is the Pluto-Saturn contact.
The rule of thumb in aspect analysis is that the intrinsically slower-moving planet modifies the nature of that which it contacts. For example, when Neptune is in contact with Mercury, we know that there are suggestions of daydreaming, a loss of focus, etc. This is because the nature of Neptune is modifying the symbolism of Mercury. When the relationship between the two is tense, the mind is challenged in Neptunian ways. Used positively, this energy can manifest in productive creative energy or a positive usage of idealism. Used negatively, one tends to take on an amorphous way of thinking or communicating.
Pluto empowers whatever it makes contact to by stretching the symbolism of the planet or Angle to its maximum potential. Pluto contacts are the most emphatic of all contacts because of its distance from the Sun (the farther the planet is from the Sun, the more emphatic its effect is). In contact to Mercury, you have genius or insanity; in contact with Venus, we can see the Nun or whore syndrome, etc. Saturn represents a deep rooted structure in life. Saturn's rulership of bodily parts is linked to all of the areas that cause serious pain when there are problems - teeth, bones, knees, etc. This inner-body reference is a reflection of how we feel during important Saturn times in life through the experience of frustration, delays, obstacles, and limitations. When Pluto makes contact to Saturn, all of the troubling dimensions of Saturn become magnified (this is also true to a lesser extent when Saturn contacts Pluto) to severe frustrations, severe delays, severe obstacles, etc. There is also the possibility that one becomes massively rewarded for the proper application of ambition but the most typical manifestation of the Pluto-Saturn contact is one of extreme difficulty and loss in life, especially in the areas of life that are connected to Saturn's House position and/or the House that it rules. This is especially crucial in the horoscope of the elderly when Capricorn is Rising, on the cusp of the 12th House, or if Saturn is in the 1st or 12th Houses. These are times in the life of an elderly person when critical illness factors are likely to challenge one's system severely. (Those who were born in 1954-55 with Saturn in Scorpio, and who have Capricorn on the cusps of the 1st or 12th Houses, will be in their seventies when Pluto is in Aquarius and squares natal Saturn. This can be an important time of development where critical illness factors are concerned).
The key to working with the Pluto-Saturn syndrome is in understanding that it is supposed to be a time of hard, hard work. It is a time of digging for diamonds rather than being the recipient of them!
The Saturn-Pluto cycle in mundane astrology has been quite demonstrative of difficult conditions in the world throughout history. For example, Pluto has been in a back and forth quindecile relationship to Saturn since mid-2000. The quindecile aspect is every bit as potent as a conjunction, square, or opposition. It reflects a particularly compulsive, tenaciously obsessive energy. When we apply this to the Pluto-Saturn relationship, it makes the reflection of their relationship in the world particularly difficult. Just take a look at the overall economic condition in the world since 2000. This was compounded (in America) by transiting Saturn's opposition to America's natal Pluto in 2000-2001 (using any horoscope for July 4th, 1776). The world economy has been bad. Terrorism has become a dominant factor in the world's psyche. There is no question about it - these have been difficult times and they reflect the energy of the contact between Saturn and Pluto.
Neptune
Neptune's transits and arcs to the Angles and Lights can correlate with some of life's most difficult periods. Conditions in life can become so clouded, insecure and chaotic that the ego seems to disappear. If a person has been doing the wrong things, especially if they have been illegal, Neptune measurements can reflect a time of severe legal troubles, scandal, etc. Things just don't seem to work out.
Neptune's contact to the Ascendant, in-particular, often sounds a health alarm, especially in the horoscopes of senior citizens as it reflects a critical weakening of the body.
I would be remiss in not mentioning the pleasant side of the Neptune contacts. For those who live a creative or spiritual life, prominent Neptune contacts can reflect a "coming out" or exposure of idealism, unless it is accompanied by the Pluto-Saturn contact.
In any important transit or arc, the wise way to approach them is to utilize the energy that is reflected by the planet. If Neptune is coming to a place of prominence in your horoscope, make plans to use Neptune's energy in a way that reflects the higher side of Neptune. This should be the mode of action with any heavy transit or arc. All too often, the thought process is, "I have transiting Jupiter conjunct my Sun this summer. I can't wait for that. I am expecting good fortune." The idea is that something is simply going to drop out of the sky into one's lap. No! It absolutely does not work that way. You have to do something! You must be the catalyst for the manifestation of what the measurement reflects by making plans to use the energy that the universe supports for you at any given time.
Examples
Michael Jackson
I wrote about Michael Jackson in last month's essay and I have written endlessly about his horoscope (see my web site in the NEWSMAKER and ARTICLES sections). Michael's horoscope suggests a psyche that has been dominated by the parental/home tensions of his early environment. These tensions coupled with his early success to deny him a childhood that he badly wanted to have. Indeed, in the liner notes of one of his albums from years ago, he writes:
Before you judge me
Try hard to love me
Look within your heart
Then ask have you seen my childhood
The extremely important point in Jackson's horoscope that emphasizes the lower hemisphere emphasis is the quindecile between Pluto and the Moon. It suggests a tenaciously obsessive, compulsive (descriptions of the quindecile energy) need to nurture (the Moon). Astrology suggests that Jackson is making a grand attempt to fulfill himself through young children in a way that he feels he was denied. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to see it and we probably do not need astrology to take an educated guess and come up with the same deduction. But astrology confirms the deduction in a solid, emphatic way. This energy is what dominates Michael Jackson. Any quindecile in a horoscope has the capability of such domination.
Michael Jackson's troubles began late in 2002. I wrote the following words in June, 2002 for an analysis request by Noel Tyl: "There appears to be a little relief ahead, with two strong arcs due this Fall: SA Venus=Jupiter/Pluto (exact in September 2002; important because Jackson has natally AP=Jup/Plu, correlating to success); SA Jup=Sun/Moon exact in October, which, for Jackson, would suggest a successful new partnership, and SA Venus=Sun/Node (also in October, the beginning of an artistic relationship). All of this happens under the continuing transit of Pluto opposing the Ascendant. A brand new perspective is in the offing!"
"However, things will not lighten up next year. Transiting Pluto conjunct Saturn, a symbol of tough, rough, hard, challenging times, begins in January 2003. This is quite ominous since Saturn rules VIII (monies owed to Jackson). This transit makes three "hits" in 2003, lasting the entire year. "
"We must look ahead particularly to Fall, 2003. The astrology suggests that things begin on an upswing with an apparent opportunity as tr. Jupiter conjoins Jackson's Sun in September (tying in with the Pluto transit; see above). This happens under the umbrella of SA Neptune=Asc (exact in November) at the same time that transiting Pluto makes its last conjunction with Saturn, followed by SA Sun=Mars/Saturn (December). And all of this is preceded by SA Pluto=Sat/Ura in October (amplified anxiety; Noel Tyl writes, "upheaval to protect assets."). All of this sounds a health alarm as well and it leads into 2004 with SA Neptune = Moon (February 2004)."
My projection about Jackson's health was wrong. However, I honed in on the importance of the Fall of 2003 (when he was arrested). The very important arc of Neptune opposed the Ascendant would be triggered by the final transit of Pluto conjunct his Saturn. This means that the two most difficult contacts in all of astrology (not to mention the arc of Neptune to the Moon!!!!!) would come together at the same time! And we now see what has happened. Jackson has this huge scandal that he has to deal with and it is all related to his compulsive need to nurture young children, a need that is a manifestation of unfinished business from the formative years of his development.
Al Gore
What a way to have a political career come to an end, huh? The majority of the people vote for you to be the President of the United States and various "mechanisms" prevent you from being declared a winner. Such was the case with Al Gore in the presidential election of November, 1999, an election that was decided by law, not by people.
George Bush was declared President-elect on December 13, 1999. Gore was officially out of it as far as the law was concerned. A bi-wheel constructed for that day with transits shows transiting Saturn squaring Gore's natal Pluto and transiting Neptune was rapidly approaching opposition to Gore's Ascendant (it was exact before Bush was inaugurated). Once again, the one-two punch of Saturn-Pluto with Neptune had devastating results.
Natalie Cole
Natalie Cole is the exquisitely talented daughter of the late Nat King Cole and is well known to all for her vocal skills and prowess in the music business. Despite her talent and great family heredity, her life has been one of extreme ups and downs.
Natalie's first two Grammy's were awarded to her in 1976 for her debut album, "Inseparable." She had burst onto the music scene and really established herself as a major talent. By 1978, she was awarded with a star on Hollywood's Walk of Fame. There seemed to be no end in sight but in 1979, her addiction to drugs became problematic. By 1983, her life and career had bottomed out. The entire period of her life between 1979 through 1986 was one of difficulty, challenge, loss, waste, addiction and sheer personal horror.
Let's assume that you are Natalie's astrologer. She has come to you in 1978 for a look ahead in time. Her career is skyrocketing. She tells you that she wants to expand, build a record company and perhaps go into films and that she hopes to do this over the course of the next seven years. This is what you would see: direct Solar Arcs highlight specific years of development so if our fictitious consultation was taking place in 1978, we would have the computer print a bi-wheel, as shown below. The approaching conjunction of SA Pluto to Saturn hits your eyes almost immediately. It is coming down the line in approximately three years. That's the first red flag. Then we see Neptune approaching a square to Natalie's Sun in approximately two years (one year prior to the Pluto-Saturn contact), continuing on to oppose the Midheaven in approximately seven years. At the time of this consultation, transiting Saturn is sitting on Cole's Ascendant so we would know that an important structural peak was in the process of being established; a point of development that would carry her through until Saturn's transit of her nadir, approximately seven years later. This Saturn transit of her Ascendant precedes a Saturn Return!!!!!
The arc of Neptune leads the way in its approach to Natalie's Sun and Midheaven, covering a span of some six years. While this could very well be seen as a time of artistic achievement, the synthesis of SA Pluto=Saturn would reflect potentials of development that would be expected to be very difficult. And it was. The period between 1980 through 1984 were extremely difficult years in the life of Natalie Cole. Then, as Saturn transited her nadir, she began to make another important structural change in her life and started a comeback.
Cole has come back to you in 1989 for a consultation. She has conquered her drug addiction, has returned to touring and has secured a recording contract again. Her past has made her a bit squeamish about her future and she has come to you to gauge the potentials of the climate ahead.
Projecting forward two years, you see huge measurements of life-changing potential: SA Moon=MC (needs coming out into the open through the career); transiting Pluto square Sun (this is always a measure of prominence for a public person; with Leo as her Rising Sign, this single aspect has very important change potential. Since the Sun is in the 7th House, it would be safe to say that her presentation to the public was about to undergo a transformation); then, in 1991, we see transiting Jupiter opposing Natalie's Sun (opportunity). There are other measurements within all of this but those that are named here lead the way and you feel good about telling Natalie that wonderful change potentials are ahead "if you take action." And she did! She recorded the song, "Unforgettable." It featured the now famous duet with her father. That album sold some 30 million copies internationally and she has not looked back ever since.
Natalie Cole learned a lot of important lessons about herself and about life during those seven years of difficulty. There is no question that she evolved as a result of it.
Political Notes
John Kerry has transiting Pluto opposing Saturn in 2005. In my opinion, the presidential election ahead is his to lose. If he wins, will the Pluto-Saturn contact reflect his towering fulfillment of ambition or will it reflect an extremely difficult beginning to his term in office?
Hillary Clinton is in an interesting position. She has said that she will not get involved in this presidential race. If that is true, and if Kerry wins, it becomes all but impossible for the Clinton's to re-enter the White House. Kerry or his vice-president would probably run in the 2008 race and, should that person win in 2008, the vice-president would probably run in 2012. Hillary would be too old at that point.
Hillary Clinton's astrology is excellent for 2004 should she decide to run or accept a secondary position from Kerry and I think that she will. Bill Clinton's memoirs will be published in June. That will draw a lot of attention to the Clinton name just before the Democratic Convention. The chances are high that she will be asked. Should that happen, we will need to keep an eye on Hillary in 2007 for two reasons: Neptune will square her Ascendant and Neptune will oppose Chelsea's Midheaven! Stay tuned!!!!
Scandal in America - One of the most highly debated topics amongst astrologers is the horoscope of the United States. There are many, many horoscopes used to represent the country and no one knows, for sure, if the one that they swear by is "the" one. Despite this confusion about the timed data, astrologers do tend to agree that the country was "birthed" on July 4, 1776.
The planetary positions on July 4, 1776 are going to be the same (except for the degree of the Moon) regardless of the time that is used. What we have learned from this is that America is sensitive to transits and arcs to certain areas of the zodiac. The area between 12-18 degrees of Mutable Signs is one of those areas. Yet another is the area between 13-17 degrees of Fixed Signs, especially Aquarius. The latter area encompasses the Midheaven and Moon positions of those astrologers who believe in the 2:13 AM horoscope with a Gemini Ascendant. Thanks to the research of astrologers, Nick Campion and Noel Tyl, astrologers place added emphasis on this area of the zodiac. When there are outer planet transits or arcs (using July 4, 1776 as a frame of reference for the arcs) to this area of the zodiac, there is a high probability that the President in office is unable to complete the term, usually (but not always) because of death due to assassination.
That time is upon us now. Today, the first day of this essay's publishing correlates with an exact transit of Saturn to the Sun of America (along with the transit of Pluto opposing Mars!!!!). This is ominous for the President. Neptune is transiting through this fragile area of the zodiac, and is exactly conjunct the Midheaven of the Gemini Rising horoscope. Couple this with the measurements in Bush's horoscope beginning this month: SA Sun=Mars (an illumination of aggressiveness); transiting Saturn conjunct Sun (getting what you deserve); transiting Saturn square the Moon (emotional depression); and it all leads into the Saturn transit square of Bush's Midheaven (important career developments) and his Saturn Return (major, major structural change in the life). Just look at the scandals that have been directed towards the Bush administration already. My guess is that things are going to worsen. I would not at all be surprised if the sovereignty projected for June 30th in Iraq does not happen. I expect more scandal for this administration and even tougher times for George Bush, an observation that is led by Neptune's present transit.
Jon Benet Ramsey
For our international readers who may not be as familiar with this case as Americans are, Jon Benet Ramsey was mysteriously killed in her home with her family present on Christmas Eve in 1996. The case is still open and has not been solved. The bi-wheel, with arcs on the outer wheel, speaks for itself. Solar Arc Neptune is exactly angular!
Alicia Keys
Alicia Keys was a multiple Grammy Award winner in 2001. Just to show that Neptune is not always menacing, I thought I would use Alicia as an example of a positive manifestation. (Please note that the time that was used to construct this horoscope is very uncertain. It was not corroborated for certain but I think that it is the correct horoscope. The data is January 25, 1981 at 5:31 AM, Manhattan, New York).
Transiting Neptune is conjunct Alicia's Sun and had been conjunct her Sun during the entire year of 2000 when her popularity exploded. This is an example of how Neptune can be used productively - through artistic endeavors. Neptune aside, 2001 was supposed to be an important year for Alicia: SA Jupiter is conjunct the Midheaven with Saturn; transiting Jupiter trines her Sun and Moon, helping to stir the pot of opportunity; the Secondary Progressed Moon crosses the 7th cusp (see last month's essay). It was bound to be a big year of development, led by the arc of Jupiter-Saturn to the Midheaven and artistically triggered by the Neptune transit. So as you can see, Neptune does not always reflect tough conditions. But when combined with contact between Saturn and Pluto, there is almost always a severe challenge.
Closing Note
Planets do nothing. There is no need to run and hide because of a planet. By working with the energy of the planet, you utilize what it represents beneficially. Contacts between Saturn and Pluto reflect a time in your life when you need to work hard without looking for an immediate gain. Contacts between Neptune and the Angles-Lights of the horoscope are best used spiritually or artistically. It is always best, when entering a period when either of these contacts are going to be active, to make certain that all of your life's "i's" are dotted and "t's are crossed because if your approach to life has been shallow prior to these contacts, get ready for a substantive awakening!
Copyright © 2004 Basil Fearrington
All Rights Reserved
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Basil Fearrington,
Astrologer
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Basil Fearrington is the author of "The New Way To Learn Astrology." He has been a professional astrologer for 22 years.
Basil's articles have appeared in the leading astrological publications around the world. He was the Inaugural Chairman for the MilleyDome project in Johannesburg, South Africa and taught astrology there for one year.
Basil has twice been a faculty member of UAC and spoke at Astro 2000. In addition to his work in astrology, Basil is a professional musician who has toured with and/or recorded for artists such as Stevie Wonder and George Benson.
He was on a team of composers who did the music for a network show called "New York Undercover." The same team won a Grammy award in 1980.
bfearr@aol.com
www.basilfearrington.com
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