Pluto's Last Gasp in Sagittarius

Terrorists in Mumbai

At 10:30 PM in Mumbai, India, terrorists armed with AK-47's and hand grenades staged an attack in southern Mumbai, targeting 2 5-star hotels, the Taj Mahal and the Oberoi, one of the busiest transit stations in the world, the Chhatrapati Shivagi Terminus, and the renowned Leopold's Restaurant.  Westerners were reported to be singled out, primarily British and American nationals.  Hundreds of people were injured, with at least 87 people killed at the latest report.  An unknown group called the Deccan Mujahideen has claimed responsibility, but nothing is definitive at this time.  

Looking at the chart for the event, it looks like the responsible individuals are either foreigners living for some time in Mumbai, or more likely, religious or political ideologues who are Indian nationals.  Leo was rising at 10:30 PM, with the Sun in the 4th House, meaning nationals, but in the sign of Sagittarius (foreigners, religious or political).  The Moon is void of course in Scorpio, the sign of death and falls in the 8th house of death, revolution, and passion in the chart for the Republic of India (January 26, 1950).  It always strikes me as intriguing that terrorists choose void of course moon's to stage their attacks.  Though very likely the Moon/Neptune square at 6 PM India Standard Time, was influential.  The Moon is weak in Scorpio.   Feelings of patriotism are inherent in the Moon, however in Scorpio there are feelings of not being taken care of, of being disenfranchised, punished or harmed.  Scorpio, negatively, can become obsessed with revenge, hostility, death and violence, bred by considerable mistrust.  Obsession surrounds needing to take control, be powerful, but doing so in a secretive, vengeful manner.  The square to Neptune, throws a veil of shadowy secrecy, misleading ideology, confusion and martyrdom.  The fact that they believed that their cause was greater than any individual's life, even their own, is implied in this Neptune square.  The void of course Moon at the time that they initiated their actions, only indicates that, ultimately, they would not be able to achieve their intended aims, which leads one to assume that their aim was not just to randomly kill people without any sort of rhyme or reason.  There was more to their twisted agenda than simply killing and terrorizing Westerners, and bystanders in Mumbai.  

On the 27th, Uranus will station Direct.  As it does so, it will be exactly opposite India's Saturn in Virgo.  The first Saturn/Uranus opposition of change, and rebellion, and resistance, was exactly on this Saturn, coinciding with the 2nd Saturn Return for the country.  Transiting Uranus is hidden away in the 12th house of secret, or hidden enemies.  By opposing Saturn, apparently problems that may have been ignored up until this point, can no longer be neglected.  Uranus is turning and demanding that India pay attention to dissension closeted within its own walls, rebellion growing like some sort of cancer, that now needs to be cut out.  When Saturn/Uranus issues are ignored, great explosions, rebellions or catastrophes occur.  But because Uranus was hidden, behind the scenes, this was a problem that the government either wasn't paying enough attention to, or was not aware of at all.  The one thing they would need to address is why people are willing to put their lives on the line for what they perceive, albeit ill-founded, to be a cause greater than themselves.  The Saturn Return in Virgo implies a need to address issues regarding hunger, health care and unemployment.  If people feel that their needs are being taken care of, they would be less vulnerable to being recruited by charismatic ideologues.  

And then there's Pluto.  Now at the very top of India's chart. Pluto at the very last minute, of the last degree of Sagittarius, ready to kill or be killed, maim, terrorize, control, torture, all in the name of some sort of religious or ideological cult.  My God is bigger than your God.  Fundamentalist, obsessive, manipulative, controlling religion. Sounds like an oxymoron, but that's what Pluto does for religion when worming through the sign of Sagittarius.  Pluto is power, and control.  Combined with religion, and religious leaders, or political ideology, the combination can be lethal.  People pack on the human bomb gear, or join a religious army, or shoot up innocent people with AK-47's.  Or invade countries.  Because they've been led to believe that death is the doorway to freedom.  They're willing to die and kill for a cause that they perceive to be greater than themselves.  Well, these people in Mumbai may or may not have been religious ideologues.  Whether it's religious or political, they've been led to drink the koolaid, and wreaked so much senseless damage in their wake, as a result. 

 As Pluto enters Capricorn it will oppose India's Uranus.  Rebelliousness and independence are key issues that India will be dealing with over the next several years.  Whatever authority that is viewed as repressive or autocratic, will incite riots and rebellion in the people.  People will not react well to being controlled, manipulated or used by authoritarian governments.  Sudden events will change the whole structure of how India is going to be operating over the next several years.  This event, may unfortunately just be a prelude for more unrest in the future.  It is said that the time for the establishment of the Republic of India in 1950 may have been chosen specifically for its astrological propitiousness.  Perhaps the Vedic Astrologers were not using the outer planets.  For with Uranus so close to the IC of the chart there is an inherent disconnect, and unrest, between the people and the government.  And a feeling that at any given moment, all hell could break loose.  That the people would rise up in rebellion once again.  And with Pluto aggravating Uranus right now, there could be all sorts of home grown reactions.  Progressed Sun is strong right now in the India chart, exactly conjunct the Ascendant in Aries.  This will give strength to the government, and direction for now.  But it will be interesting to see what Pluto will have in store for India, as it transforms and revolutionizes the sign of government and leadership, the sign of Capricorn.

New Moon of Thanksgiving

Thursday, November 27, 2008

Just as Pluto enters Capricorn on the 26th, and just as Uranus is stationing Direct in Pisces, on Thanksgiving Day in the US, we have our New Moon in impulsively verbose, but eternally hopeful, Sagittarius.  Pluto entered Capricorn back in January, but then returned to Sagittarius in June to take care of some unfinished business there.  Now the die has been cast, the truth has been revealed, and Pluto the planet of death, revolution, transformation and rehabilitation is entering Capricorn, where it will remain until 2023.  Capricorn rules the structures in our lives, from the bones in our bodies, to the roads, bridges, bedrock, economy and government.  It's interesting that in one of his first speeches after the election, President-elect Obama has said that he would create new jobs through the redevelopment and repair of our crumbling infrastructure: the roads, bridges and economy.  He always seems to be on the cutting edge of the cycles of our times.  

That's what our study of Astrology is for: understanding the cycles so that we can work with them consciously.  Through an understanding of these cycles we come to understand the needs of our society, where we either should or must go, in order to progress upwards and onwards.  Pluto falls in the House of Congress in the Washington, DC chart.  Pluto is like the phoenix which upon throwing itself into the fire, is burned to ashes.  But one spark remains, and from this, its new life is evolved.  Congress remains, but its parts, its body, is being transformed.  The old order is dying to make way for the new administration.

The New Moon chart for Washington, DC, this Thursday, has Aquarius Rising, in the exact same degree as the Ascendant of President-elect Obama.  Uranus, a co-ruler of the sign of Aquarius, is stationing, and will turn Direct on Thursday as well.  For the past 5 months, experimental new ideas and hopes for innovative changes have been primarily in the planning, creative stage.  Now they are being prepared for implementation.  The ground work is being set, even though the power to enact the laws is still held in abeyance.  Uranus is intercepted in the sign of Pisces in the 1st House.  Uranus, as ruler of Aquarius, is the planet of reformation, but intercepted and still opposed by Saturn, these reforms are being delayed for the time being.  And the populace is becoming impatient.  Uranus is also the planet of rebellion.  Especially against forces that they perceive to be dictatorial and controlling.  There is some suggestion of trouble or hostility abroad.  Political or commercial affairs are disturbed by a lack of cooperation or support from foreign governments.  Other countries will be giving us the cold shoulder, and diplomacy will only be achieved and eased over, through private and secret back door negotiations.  Probably involving large sums of money, or trade agreements with large power brokers in our own back yard.  Whatever secret arrangements are being negotiated with our conservative parties overseas, will actually help to ease the transition of our administration over the months ahead.

The most striking aspect of this New Moon chart is the New Moon itself, in the sign of Sagittarius, exactly conjunct the Midheaven of the chart in Washington, DC.  The Midheaven is the Ruler, it is the reputation of the country, both here and abroad, and in Sagittarius it represents the restoration of faith, hope and ideals.  It is also the sign of religion, law and justice.  As well as judgment.  The election of a new President, a new Congress, and the appointment of a new administration, are renewing hope and faith in the reputation of our country and its government.  New Moon's plant the seeds for new beginnings, and the hope of once more becoming the beacon light of truth, justice and freedom for all of humanity, is once again a possibility.  Much will be published, spoken and written, about the innovations and promises being made.  Speeches are met with enthusiasm.  Words met with optimism.  Of course, in the light of all this hope, light and optimism, there is bound to be dissension.  Ideals and truth are only relative according to the set of ideas of the individuals involved.  And so, inevitably, there will be hostility aroused, a war of words, as well as a war of ideology.  But this will only stoke the flames of excitement and enthusiasm.  And conflicts only arise when we cling to dogmatic ideas, and pass judgment on others with different points of view.  Sagittarius is about reaching across the oceans, as well as across the aisles.  Listening to other points of view, and generously accepting people, all people, for who and what they believe.  As President-elect Obama so aptly pointed out, we are not a country of red states and blue states, we are the United States of America.  Mars in the 10th House could indicate a war based on ideology, either here, or overseas.  But Mars in Sagittarius is strong, and its proximity to Mercury, should keep this simply an ideological war of words.  An annoying threat, but with which we have the upper hand.

The New Moon is strong in President-elect Obama's chart, as it is in the Washington chart.  His destiny is now interwoven with that of the country.  This particular New Moon will activate his natal Moon/Pluto square.  He has managed to win a magnificent election, and in so doing, transform both the future of our country as well as his own life.  Now it is time for him to digest it all.  Moon/Pluto people are very sensitive to issues of power, especially the misuse of power.  Although he respects powerful people, this month could be a challenge as he finds himself embroiled in a possible stand-off with exceedingly power driven, and willful individuals determined to have their own way.   Obama's own power is extraordinarily expressed through his words.  Words which come from the heart, are soul felt and meaningful.  He is inspirational when he speaks.  And he does not back down.  In a matter of only three weeks after the election, Obama has managed to assert his leadership by appointing a competent, experienced and ideologically unbiased economic team, and by telling the nation what he plans to do to resuscitate the country, as soon as he takes office in January.  He has made himself present, a leader, even when the current administration has been noticeably absent (Neptune to the Ascendant), and all but packed their bags and left.

Hope has entered the building, and is now taking center stage.  And for this, we give great, very large, Sagittarian thanks.

Wall Street/Main Street

Full Moon; Thursday, November 13, 2008; 1:18 AM EST; Washington, D.C.

Society has traditionally always tried to find scapegoats for its problems.  Well, here I am.

Marilyn Manson

The Full Moon brings out the promise of what was brewing in the New Moon.  Once again we saw issues with the economy, as the New Moon was in Scorpio, Taurus was Rising, and Venus in Sagittarius.  The issues were still focused on Big Money, corporations, and what was going on with the Stock Market.  But over the past few weeks, jobs have literally disappeared, the Market continues to be volatile (in anticipation of the election conflicting with the Reality of the economy).  Many people have sought out answers, as old formulas to fix the economy simply aren't working the way they had hoped.  This Full Moon in the financial and values sign of Taurus, is exactly square Neptune, the planet of delusion, denial and disillusionment.  Our trickle down economy is trickling down the drain.  It has come to light over the past week, that a probably illegal tax break was given to the banks, above and beyond the trillion dollar bail out, that amounts to over an additional trillion dollars.  Legislators, it turns out, were afraid to disclose this information, for fear that it would cause further damage to the bleeding economy.  But that's Neptune, squaring those Scorpio planets.  Deception and manipulation for the sake of the greedy.  The needy have to pick themselves up by the boot straps and go out and get a job.  Oh wait!  There aren't any jobs!

When people refer to the mortgage/loan crisis, the first people they seem to be blaming are the people who took out the mortgages.  How dare they live beyond their means?  How dare they try to live like the "Rich and Famous"?  Who do they think they are?  Wall Street moguls?  So it's become the trend with Jupiter in tight-fisted and fearful Capricorn, to not spend, charge or (God forbid) live beyond their means.  It's the fault of the middle and working class.  And yet it's Main Street that continues to take the brunt.  People are being laid off in huge numbers.  Joe the Plumbers are standing in the unemployment lines, and those who aren't expect to be next.  They don't want to shop, for fear of losing their homes because their mortgages can unexpectedly rise, lose their jobs, or get sick, and that toaster oven they bought just might put them over the edge.  They feel helpless and hopeless, as their jobs are disappearing into the ether.

The truth of the matter is, it's the "middle class", and the American consumer, that drives the engine of the global economy.  When this dries up, so does everything else.  News at home, as well as abroad has simply been demoralizing.  The reality of the situation may or may not be as bad as it all seems, but people are perceiving that they are lost in an insurmountable bog, and are simply discouraged.  And endearingly grasping for signs of hope.  And promise.

Stimulus packages don't seem to be having quite the desired effect.  It's a different climate.  The Saturn/Uranus opposition which represents the necessity for change, spans across the 1st/7th Houses of the Washington, DC chart, urging the call to set higher standards.  Yet here you see a lame duck Presidency (Saturn in the 1st House) rushing to implement legislation that will benefit corporations at the expense of the consumer, the environment, and the general health and well-being of the country.  Just when you thought they couldn't do any more damage.  The Bush administration is urging The EPA (Virgo)  to pass a new rule that would deregulate pollution controls for power plants, as well as allow them to be built near national parks and wilderness areas.  Rules finalized more than 60 days before the administration leaves office will be harder for the Obama administration to undo.  Cough, cough.  This is the sort of change we can't live with.  

And then we get to another Virgo subject: health care.  Steve Coll in the 11/10/08 issue of the New Yorker, pointed out the correlation between health care and the economy.  He writes:

"The accumulating failures in the country's health-care system are a cause of profound weakness in the American economy; unaddressed this weakness will exacerbate the coming recession and crimp its aftermath.  A large number of the country's housing foreclosures in recent years appear to be related to medical problems and health-care expenses.  American businesses often can't afford to hire as many employees as they would like because of rising health-insurance costs; employees often can't afford to quit to chase their better-mousetrap dreams because they can't risk going without coverage.  Add to this the system's moral failings: about twenty-two thousand people die in this country annually because they lack health insurance."

So this is what is being disclosed this Full Moon.  So, is there hope for the future?  Absolutely.  Can we fix it?  Yes we can!  When Jupiter moves into the sign of Aquarius in January and comes to join Neptune and the North Node next year, we will finally, finally begin to see the fulfillment of democratic ideals implemented.  Will there be resistance?  Oh, yes.  We have many more Saturn/Uranus oppositions to fulfill, and change never comes without a necessary adjustment.  Jupiter entering Aquarius in January will restore our hope, and psychologically, that's one of the best antidotes our ailing country could use right now.  Or, as one man put it, The Audacity of Hope.