The Cosmically Stressed Election of 2008
Barry C. Orr
Every four years, the global community of astrologers does its best to predict the outcome of the U.S. presidential election. Given that astrology can be as much a mantic art as it is a science, and that astrologers are as subject to political prejudices the same as anyone else, the results are sometimes mixed. Often the most interesting information gleaned from an astrological analysis of an election is not who will win, but a description of conditions surrounding the winning.
For example, in 2000, a number of astrologers clearly foresaw the uncertainty and "irregularities" surrounding the electoral process. Jim Shawvan, a San Diego astrologer, published the following on the astrological web site StarIQ.com:
“The election may be so close in some states that it may be several days before the actual electoral college votes can be tallied with accuracy. This could involve the counting of absentee ballots, and possible charges of fraud or irregularities in some places. As of election night, it may look very much like a Bush victory, but uncertainty may develop as the count goes on.”—Jim Shawyan
There were other notable hits. Astrologer Jacob Schwartz of Philadelphia predicted a long delay in the electoral decision, a situation not usually anticipated in a typical election. Uncannily, he also predicted that Gore would win the popular vote, yet still lose the election. Astrologically, the biggest factor behind these predictions was a profoundly screwed-up Mercury, the planet associated with communication, information processing, and, by extension, voting machines.
In 2008, astrologers are again energetically analyzing the astrological charts of the presumptive candidates, John McCain and Barack Obama. A big impediment has been the lack of reliable birth times for all of the candidates, but there is a bigger problem. This year, something doesn't seem right. No one feels good about the astrological conditions on election day, nor the conditions on inauguration day. There is a shadow looming over the charts.
In 2008, the major planetary configuration of interest is a Saturn-Uranus opposition that occurs on Election Day itself, November 4th. (From a geocentric perspective, the planets will be 180 degrees apart, or directly opposite each other.) This event begins a series of five such oppositions that end in July 2010. This is a combination that occurs approximately every 45 years. This year, the Saturn-Uranus combination is the astro-elephant in the room. It tells us quite a bit about the energies surrounding election day, and thus the next four years.
Astrologers see the Saturn-Uranus opposition as particularly problematical because the natures of the two planets are so different. While planets beyond Saturn relate to more unconscious and universal themes beyond our individual control, Saturn itself describes the structures and boundaries that define our limits within the physical world. In some sense, Saturn fits the definition of reality as given by Phillip K. Dick as, “that which, when you stop believing in it, doesn't go away.” It is the leaden symbol of conservatism, resisting change and yearning for stasis, if not the past.
Conversely, Uranus is the archetype of change, deviance, and rebellion. Often acting in a lightning-fast manner, it seeks to tear down the type of restrictions that are represented by Saturn. In his writings, the philosopher and cultural historian Richard Tarnas sees Uranus as Prometheus, the figure who stole fire from the gods and gave it to men. He calls Prometheus the "Awakener."
While researching material on Ralph Waldo Emerson for a recent article, I received the gift of a synchronicity. Curiously, I found that Emerson used the Saturn-Uranus polarity in a cogent political analysis in which he describes the "primal antagonism" between Conservatives and Reformers. In his 1841 essay The Conservative, he relates the following:
“There is a fragment of old fable which seems somehow to have been dropped from the current mythologies, which may deserve attention, as it appears to relate to this subject.
Saturn grew weary of sitting alone, or with none but the great Uranus or Heaven beholding him, and he created an oyster. Then he would act again, but he made nothing more, but went on creating the race of oysters. Then Uranus cried, `a new work, O Saturn! the old is not good again.'
Saturn replied. `I fear. There is not only the alternative of making and not making, but also of unmaking. Seest thou the great sea, how it ebbs and flows? so is it with me; my power ebbs; and if I put forth my hands, I shall not do, but undo. Therefore I do what I have done; I hold what I have got; and so I resist Night and Chaos.'
`O Saturn,' replied Uranus, `thou canst not hold thine own, but by making more. Thy oysters are barnacles and cockles, and with the next flowing of the tide, they will be pebbles and sea-foam.'
`I see,' rejoins Saturn, `thou art in league with Night, thou art become an evil eye; thou spakest from love; now thy words smite me with hatred. I appeal to Fate, must there not be rest?' -- `I appeal to Fate also,' said Uranus, `must there not be motion?' -- But Saturn was silent, and went on making oysters for a thousand years.
After that, the word of Uranus came into his mind like a ray of the sun, and he made Jupiter; and then he feared again; and nature froze, the things that were made went backward, and, to save the world, Jupiter slew his father Saturn.” --Emerson
Emerson goes on to summarize the meaning of the passage:
“This may stand for the earliest account of a conversation on politics between a Conservative and a Radical, which has come down to us. It is ever thus. It is the counteraction of the centripetal and the centrifugal forces. Innovation is the salient energy; Conservatism the pause on the last movement.”--Emerson
Substituting John McCain for Saturn and Barack Obama for Uranus (and perhaps wars for oysters), the above dialogue make perfect sense in today's political context. If we work with Emerson's metaphors, we can see the 2008 election as a critical turning point in the face-off between the forces of stasis and change, which Emerson describes as the "two poles of nature." (Notice how often the already-tired phrase "agent of change" has been used in the campaigns.) But, this time, the perennial conflict between conservatism and reform seems to involve something more than the usual empty arguments, and the polarity seems likely to come to some kind of real denouement, perhaps resembling a sudden release of tension.
In his recent book Cosmos and Psyche, Richard Tarnas presents an exhaustive correlation of historical and cultural developments with planetary transit cycles. (See RS review by Daniel Pinchbeck.) Tarnas describes the Saturn-Uranus combination as follows:
“Historical periods in which Saturn and Uranus moved into dynamic aspect were marked by certain distinctive themes that were readily intelligible in terms of the archetypal principles associated with these two planets: the exacerbation of tensions between authority and rebellion, order and freedom, structure and change. Often the two archetypal principles combined and interpenetrated in contradictory ways: repressive revolution, erratically unpredictable authority, and so forth, as evident during the Terror in revolutionary France and the Cultural Revolution in communist China... Especially frequent with this cycle were crises and the sudden collapse of structures, crashes, and accidents, grim awakenings, and sudden breakdowns, whether political, economic, or psychological.” --Tarnas
Think 1965-1967, the time of the last Saturn-Uranus opposition. Unfortunately, Saturn-Uranus energies often manifest with all the subtlety of a grand mal seizure. This is not the kind of energy that is conducive to a smooth electoral process. We are entering a stressful time.
The Election Day Chart: Can Everyone Lose?
In May, a panel of astrologers at the United Astrology Congress conference in Denver offered their opinions about the 2008 presidential election. The astrologers used a variety of approaches, but one topic that was discussed is a method commonly used to predict the outcome of an election: cast a chart for Election Day, then analyze the charts of the candidates in relation to that it.
In the case of the chart for November 4th, the astrological indicators were unfortunate for everyone. So, while panel members gave varying opinions as to whether McCain or Obama would win, the process was not unlike picking a winner in a horse race being run in a mine field.
For those who know a bit about astrology, here are some of the highlights of the planetary morass on Election Day:
*The Saturn-Uranus opposition, previously discussed, becomes exact at 8:33 AM EST. Significantly, on this day, it acts synergistically with a number of major structures in the chart, forming an uncomfortable relationship with the planet Venus, implying stresses on the social order or (perhaps) international tensions.
*Mercury, our trickster friend from 2000, moves from the sign Libra to Scorpio at 11:00 AM EST. This places it in something of an unsettled cosmic state, introducing the possibility of the kinds of information "irregularities" we saw in 2000.
*In the morning, the Moon is in a sign of its detriment (Capricorn), and is void of course. It changes signs about an hour before most of the polls close on the east coast (7:01 PM EST). This suggests, in the worst case scenario, that the public will not benefit from the election, and imparts a pointlessness to the day's activities.
*There is a Mars-Neptune square aspect (90 degree separation), symbolizing misdirected or exploitative energies as well as possible feelings of discontent or wasted effort.
So, what will be the outcome of the election? No one really knows -- all astrologers can do is lay out possibilities and describe the prevailing energy patterns in effect in that time. It's kind of like forecasting the psychic weather. Most astrologers don't accept determinism, and believe that one can consciously work with the symbolism of the planets to effect a desired outcome. It's a complicated subject, but the basic idea is that knowledge of upcoming patterns expands your range of future possibilities. (Or, to put in a Borgesian sense, it expands the number of paths to choose from in your garden.)
That being said, it is true that certain planetary energies are more difficult to handle than others. This is certainly the case with the Saturn-Uranus combination. The combination tends to build up tensions which are later released in sudden and sometimes disconcerting ways. The release isn't always destructive, but its exact nature is usually unexpected.
As befits the weird planetary energies of the day, there are some wild theories brewing about what might happen. These did not originate with astrologers, but can currently be found on the web. These theories primarily fall into three categories:
1. No Election
The election will be postponed or canceled due to some "national emergency." This is a fairly popular theory; it usually involves the occurrence of a terrorist attack on the US or US military action against Iran. Chris Hedges recently pointed out that, thanks to the spate of national security directives the Bush administration has quietly put into place, we are "one or two terrorist attacks away from a police state." The astrologer Robert Hand has noted that a solar eclipse that will occur on August 1st, 2008, falls on a very sensitive spot in George Bush's chart, one that personally connects him to the behind-the-scenes power structures in the government. The period of time at least a month before and after this date should be watched carefully. One hopes that the eclipse is just a harbinger of the president's peaceful transition into retirement, and not a signal to action given by Bush's "shadowy overlords."
2. Vanishing Candidates
One or more candidates will leave the race. The unfortunate Obama assassination meme is already out there, and despite being amplified by the artless comments of Hillary Clinton, is too disturbing to discuss. More likely is some kind of scandal involving one (or both) of the candidates that may cause him to quit the race. McCain seems to be more subject to this possibility than Obama, but remember that we are expecting the unexpected. Cape Cod astrologer Gary Christen has told me that he expects a dark horse candidate to materialize after some unfortunate event befalls the nation or the "orthodox" candidates. Jacob Schwartz, who did so well in calling the 2000 election, still publicly insists that Joe Biden will be the Democratic candidate. Now that would be unexpected.
3. Fraud, Flaws, or Voting Fiascoes
There will be rampant fraud or data foul-ups on Election Day, and yet another election will be stolen. Mark Crispin Miller is the editor of a new book, Loser Take All: Election Fraud and The Subversion of Democracy, 2000-2008. If you want to confirm your suspicion that things are worse than you think, read this book. The democracy is in trouble.
In these times of copious angst, it's illustrative that the above possibilities, which would have once fallen into the domain of conspiracy theories, are being given serious consideration in wide circles.
Terence McKenna's Timewave
concept, based in the metaphysics of Alfred North Whitehead, quantifies the ebb
and flow of a process that culminates on December 21, 2012 -- the end of the
Mayan Long Count. This process, called novelty,
represents an invisible temporal quality that describes the degree of
connectedness of entities within time, an idea described by Whitehead as concrescence. A novel entity exhibits newness and creativity -- an example might be
a collection of people or ideas that have been brought together for the first
time. Typically, periods of high novelty are marked by dynamic change and
integration of new ideas. On the other hand, the lack of novelty connotes
periods characterized by terms like stasis and habit
-- times of low creativity and relative disjunction.
McKenna's description of novelty vs. habit sounds strikingly like Emerson's description of the "two poles of nature" encapsulated in the Saturn-Uranus polarity. If we entertain the premise that McKenna was on to something -- despite technical criticisms of the Timewave theory -- then the occurrence of the Saturn-Uranus oppositions from 2008 to 2010 may be the leading indicators of a final descent into novelty culminating in 2012.
Given that we will be in unfamiliar territory, how can we ensure the most positive possible future given the stressful nature of the next few years? On a recent YouTube video, Mark Crispin Miller makes some good practical suggestions:
“I don't want people to freak out, or stay home and lock the door. On the contrary: It's crucial for us all to keep our heads, and have our eyes wide open. If these things take us by surprise, we are that much more vulnerable to being manipulated [and] pushed around, maybe with fatal consequences. If, however, we can be well aware of the nature of the people in charge, and not be surprised by the steps they take, we'll be strengthened by that kind of preparation, and we'll be able to resist.”--Miller
His advice is based on a worst-case scenario view of where we're headed. However, in the opposing energies of Saturn and Uranus, there also exists the potential for positive revolutionary change, a new beginning.
Emerson writes:
“The boldness of the hope men entertain transcends all former experience. It calms and cheers them with the picture of a simple and equal life of truth and piety. And this hope flowered on what tree? It was not imported from the stock of some celestial plant, but grew here on the wild crab of conservatism. It is much that this old and vituperated system of things has borne so fair a child. It predicts that amidst a planet peopled with conservatives, one Reformer may yet be born.” --Emerson
Perhaps this is an eerie adumbration of a 2008 campaign speech written in
1841. But we will realize stranger things before the year is over.
- Barry C. Orr's blog
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Vanishing candidates/election thoughts
I've had a strong feeling for awhile the GOP's going to have to find some way to replace McCain. He's been sounding increasingly befuddled and vicious every day, and he's quickly walked away from any "maverick" position he once held, even positions he's held for decades. I think the guy may be going crazy. And then there's the news his campaign manager was warned he was supporting anti-american interests in the Middle East. I know that seems petty compared to the sheer tonnage of nastiness the GOP's been up to, but it's the kind of thing that could derail ardent supporters if it catches on. I expect Bob Barr (the Libertarian candidate) is going to pull alot of "true conservatives" from voting for McCain, especially in the South. And supposedly Ron Paul's going to be making waves at the GOP convention. But all that's contingent upon there not being another convenient "terror attack" so Pres. Bush can assume his third term.
I'm feeling more positive lately the good side's going to win out this time...
McCain
out of the friedoldman and into the fuhrer
Re: Newt
duuuuude, and he has Chuck Norris!
angry and frightened
Angry, frightened, and uncomfortable
If you didn't see any clips from McCain's incredibly awkward "lime green" speech following Obama's nomination clinch, check out this montage.
The halting, breathy chuckles and quivering half-grin add an air of creepiness to the lackluster affair.
its sleep deprivation
refuse,resist!
3rd term, yeah right...,
peak novelty
67 is that like peak oil? In which so much is seemingly going on, while so much remains invisible, or hidden.In late 67 my life seemed to exist in some vacuum, having nothing to go on but the feeling of potential change in the air like magic, LSD was the sign that blinked on my small horizon.Being somewhere between the deadening education system, and a home life that was like a void between a nowhere place, i choose to take the sign.What did i have to lose, nothing made any sense to me anyway, all i had were a few music artists on the radio to guide me.I doubt my parents ever read a book, i myself had read some science fiction, so, and growing up with television, i had the advantage of seeing the Ernie Kovacs show as a kid, and as a older kid i had The Twilight Zone, And Steve Allen was cool, a liberal for sure.
Yes 67 was like a wave of psychedelic planets rolling around my head like a bag of kids marbles.I already was told i was a Virgo, by the year older girl that mysteriously showed up at my high school, and also was "experienced" she introduced me to the hip world of mind expanding drugs, and told me about astrology, she was a Virgo also. At the tender age of 12, JFK had been assassinated right on the television, i remember that day crystal clear, at least the moment i saw it on TV, and walked home that day, the world changed forever, my childhood hanging like a lugie off the ceiling about to fall on the ground at my feet.Yes change was in the air, but when you are a teenager, you are in the grip of forces that seem like rings around the rosy, or as meaningful as the rings around Saturn.
Being a 9/11 Virgo, with a Scorpio rising, i really was the joker at the back of the class room, i saw right through my teachers, i hated school with a passion, because i really wanted to learn and be taught, but this was more like the Outer Limits, that teacher standing up there seems like he had a lead ball for a brain.And besides Dylan said, a hard rain, is gonna fall" In 67 my awareness of politics was that, My Dad never talked about it, and if he did he talked like a goat tied to a poll.I did not agree with the few words he managed to eek out.My world felt like it was always being pulled out from under me like a Davy Crockett rug.
I needed to take forbidden drugs, that was the only way i was going to learn anything about the other worlds, and what it ment to be a Virgo in 1967. Vietnam was out there, and i saw President Johnson's homely face going on about some stuff that only reminded me of my boring high school teachers, or my Dad smoking cigarettes on another planet, a real Saturn ruled guy for sure.1967 was about to explode into psychedelic colors, and the future seemed like a myth, i had no idea where it all was headed toward, but i knew i was not going to Nam, no way, i wanted to be a revolution.
The American dream was nothing but a puff of the magic dragon.I did not know it then, but my north node in Pisces was pulling me in my opposite direction.All those years later, and reading about Astrology and other systems of divination, and trudging through planetary upheaval, i often could tell what sign a woman i met was.That whole hippie joke about a pick up line about asking some prospective female her sign, was all true.
And Nixon was a Capricorn, and even though they called him tricky Dick, his Saturn like conservative nature was also at the whim of those whole pulled his strings.In his mind he was not a thief.But the white house was stolen, over and over.And the Revolution drags on.Obama, what he has to say, and what he says, seem to be pulled by planetary forces that are ripping us all apart, or pulling us together.If 67 is an indication of the next election, and the peak novelty is at hand, and strange forces are moving behind dark horses, but there ae so many influences that are still yet to show the whole Cat's Cradle.
One thing is certain, As Queen Elisabeth consulted the Astrologer and Master mind John Dee, the world has made lots of turns through the constellations, that the heavnly bodies shift around in their paths, one can only wonder at the fate of a planet called Earth.Those are not creaky wooden ships out there now, but we are subject to the winds of change, perhaps more now then then.God save the planet! Maybe we don't hava a Golden Compass to guide us though the stargate of concresence, or a Looking glass Rabbit, calling behind him, "can't be late" but Whitehead said: "We have too much history" too much indeed.The Gyre turns again in a tightening quantum spiral.The Cosmos stresses us to the turning point zero, and there are more things under heaven and on earth then the ELECTION DAY 2008.
......
The Cosmically Stressed Election...
Saturn - Uranus
Thanks very much for your insights. In particular, the comments on the Saturn/Uranus generational "revolt in reverse order" are food for thought. There is some level of symbolic inversion going on in this election, with McCain being an old (expired) "maverick" (Uranus) and Obama the young "agent of change" who has had to adopt some conservative positions to make his candidacy viable. I've talked to a number of people who are afraid that, if elected, Obama will turn out to be radically more conservative or radically more progressive than he seems to be today. Obama's history suggests that the latter is more likely. Of course, nothing is straightforward.
I'm sure that there's much more information that we could gain from exploring the variety of myths that deal with order vs. chaos, including the Egyptian ones. Now seems like a good time to be doing this. Incidentally, your description of the Saturn/Uranus relationship as "rupture" made me realize that we may already have a ready-made holiday for dissipating our upcoming tensions: every year, the Church of the Subgenius gathers to wait the coming of the "Rupture." Sounds like more fun than the Rapture, and also involves aliens (Uranus).
I agree with your analysis of the charts, but for reasons stated in the article, I can't escape the nagging feeling that our baseline assumptions may end up being scrambled. Nonetheless, it is unfortunate that we don't have a solid birth time for McCain. The best info available can be found at http://www.astrodatabank.com/NM/McCainJohn.htm .
Our Time
It's incredibly clear that some major shit is about to go down in the next few years (to put it bluntly). All of our materialistic plundering and egotistical arrogance is leading towards some ultimate shift in thinking. There are several factors that could lead to this besides elections: global warming, world war, famines, floods, tsunami's, you name it. As people who are aware I believe it is up to us to step up when the time comes to help lead others when they are most vulnerable to the shift in powers. During this great change people will be stricken with paranoia, chaotic thinking, and overall panic but with extra effort we can help lead it towards a good end.
I've been thinking about this a lot lately and over the last year or so I've gone from dread and fear of the change to anticipation. I believe this could ultimately lead to the regaining of the "garden of eden" so-to-speak. As said in Terrence Mckenna's Food of the Gods, our straying from the spirit of the earth and sentient knowledge is what put human evolution at a standstill. I think that with a collapse in society will come a fall back to our original nature and a remaking of our connection with the cosmos. I also believe this can be achieved through the use of psychedelic substances, though not for everyone they can bring back shamanistic techniques that people so desperately need.
I guess the only thing to do now is wait and prepare individually, I've realized that not many people take this seriously but they will have to eventually. At the very least we can prepare FOR them.
With regards to fellow journeyers
A question, and connections...
Hi Barry,
Thanks for an intriguing read. As a non-astrologer, I am curious -- how profound is it that this direct opposition between Saturn and Uranus occurs precisely on election day? Are there similar striking oppositions/alignments occurring all the time, or is this fairly uncommon?
In regards to your mention of the recent national security directives that imply an authoritarian uprising (perhaps in November), I wrote a piece for RS last year that looked into this situation. You can find it here: "Discontinuing Democracy".
Cheers,
ST
Frequency of Saturn-Uranus oppositions
Hello ST,
Your question is a good one. I don't believe that an exact Saturn-Uranus opposition has ever occurred on a presidential election day before. This is a first, and certainly a mind-boggling synchronicity.
There are a few things to keep in mind, though. Any planetary cycle comprises a series of aspects; the standard aspects include the conjunction (0 degrees), the sextile (60 degrees), the square (90 degrees), the trine (120 degrees), and the opposition (180 degrees). For the kind of long-term transit analysis being done here, the conjunction and opposition are considered to be the most powerful aspects, although the others are certainly not ignored. The beginning of the cycle is usually thought to begin a bit before the time an aspect becomes exact -- astrologers use a concept of orb -- and end after the last date of exactitude. And, to make matters more complicated, because we measure the aspects geocentrically, the retrogradation of the planets makes it possible for the planets to form the same exact aspect multiple times within a given period.
The upshot of all of this is that we should view the Saturn-Uranus opposition as one phase of a long-term cycle, part of the larger cycle of Saturn-Uranus interactions. This particular phase will begin in (roughly) September 2008 and end in August 2010. The fact that the first exact aspect occurs on election day is a special harbinger (of God knows what), but if it occurred a week or two before or after, it would still be significant.
Another thing to consider is that cycles sometimes involve more than two planets (e.g., Saturn-Uranus with Pluto in 1965-1966), but I won't muddy the waters by discussing that now.
FYI, here are some dates of Saturn-Uranus conjunctions and oppositions:
Saturn-Uranus conjunctions: 1805, 1852, 1897, 1942, 1988 (last one on Oct 18th), 2032
Saturn-Uranus oppositions: 1782-1783, 1828-1829, 1874-1875, 1918-1919, 1965-1966, 2008
At first glance, the election day closest to a Saturn/Uranus aspect occurred in 1988, on Oct. 18th. That particular Saturn-Uranus conjunction, which also involved Neptune, is usually associated with the end of the Cold War and the demise of Communism in Europe.
Also, thanks for pointing me to your "Discontinuing Democracy" article. It's the best summary I've seen of this disturbing information. I think it should be featured prominently on RS again before election time.
Saturn Uranus opposition
This from Robert Hand.
'This transit can have two different effects.Either you will succeed in making your life an original statement of your uniqueness,or you will be in a state of extreme tension because of forces that are constantly obstructing your selfexpression.
Uranus reflects life's constant challenge to keep your perception free,fluid and always open to new views and experiences.During the 'hard' transits such as an opposition of Saturn to Uranus,the energy builds up to create crises in these rigid patterns which are represented by Saturn.
All around you ...are structures you created,representing your efforts to build order and predictability in your life.At this time you are likely to feel that your life structures are oppressive and maybe even killing you.
Some steps obviously have to be taken but the trick is to take them calmly and not fly off the handle.It is necessary only to make changes,not wreck everything.
Achieving a balance between the Saturn energy of order,discipline and predictability and the Uranus energy of change and original experience is one of the greatest challenges of life.
Another thing
Mars square Neptune
This from Robert Hand on the transit.
'During this time people have to deal with feelings of doubt,discouragement and disappointment.Also you may find yourself unpleasantly confronted by the consequences of past actions you hoped would simply go away.
The challenge is to confront them without caving in and feeling hopeless.At a time like this you may be tempted to take a devious course of action in the face of advesity.Mars-Neptune can mean 'deceitful actions.'
another
it just occurred to me that just as karma, and or the exponential cycles of change, that people like Terence Mckenna were on about, building up to a kind of zero point in 2012, and taking into consideration what others have contributed to our understanding of this, which Terence most certainly did, the wave of novelty, then compare astrological aspects in this context, or the constant context that all these relations revolve around, and we have a somewhat layered view of how all these aspects are going to work out against the backdrop of world affairs.
Not being an astrologer myself, yet having followed it along with other divination systems, and also in the spirit of really seeing how certain signs come together, and work together or don't, for instance you can compare astrologers who use different approaches to make the language speak or be more creative, Rob Bresney comes to mind. So as we compare the Saturn-Uranus effects that were charted in Cosmos and Psyche and see the world changing effects, like the French revolution, and juxtaposed to the late 60's and how these forces are playing out going through the tightening gyre.
Yet we also are seeing grand effects and squares, and T's , and trines, sextiles, oppositions galore, and the Virgo in Venus fall there on so-and so's position, as Obama is favored, ect. when we stand back, astrologers apply their analytic skill to their art, one can not help but wonder at the stakes involved, because what was happening thousands of years ago, that was symbolized by the battle of the Titans, or the age of Taurus becoming the age of Ares, the shift into war by moving forces that worshiped a war like God, and so on into Pisces age, but the war drags on, and here we find ourselves with two candidates in the most war like nation, at this juncture in the Saturn-Uranus, along with the Mayan calender in its long count, and depending on what kind of astrology you adhere to, and or if you like Barbara Hand Clow, or if you are more conservative in your calculations, we can get the whole plethora of combinations and possibilities, but either way, we all can see that all these forces are converging and rupturing, and giving birth, to much needed awareness that transformation is coming, that we simply cannot co-exist in on the earth, and live like we are waring tribes in the desert that come out of the hills to rape and plunder in the name of some Jealous God.But here we have two presidential candidates that are still speaking like tweedle de dumbs with their thumbs where the moon don't shine, and one more then the other.But! Obama, may or may not be as possible as a man of conscience, and not just another hack that is backed by war machine venders, and big oil.
Being a poet, i was influenced a lot by Pisces, the most psychic of the signs.Obama a Leo, sounds like a lion, maybe the lions and lambs are coming through now.Those neocon Mars baby monsters are making a mess, and somebody has to clean it up.After all is said and done, we need a reasonable person, to gather the people and begin to bring reason back with the roar, to overcome the din.Lord the shape we in!
yes.....
yea.....all the rivers are rushing to meet each other......
those mighty rivers
and or Hopi prophecy, i had a kind of lucid vision a few years back, and saw this river where all are rushing to meet.I tried to write a poem, but as my poetry goes it's always in Heraclitian flux.Maybe i will make another try at it.
...so if i just imagine the Nile....and sing way down upon the Swami river...
Re: Hopi
This is a rather random digression, apologies--but isn't Hopi thought fascinating? Particularly interesting to me is the idea of Hopiland as microcosm of the entire world. My memory's rusty, but I believe injury to Hopiland is reflected in its wordly counterpart.
thats it
......
.
...
Re: Mars babies
The neocon Mars war babies are making a mess, but I like to think others of we Mars babies are here to use that other side of the Mars energy--that of fiery trailblazing into new territories.
Apocalypse, wow.
me mars in scorpio, and scorp risin too
is a stinker, or a stinger? yeah, my best friend in the late 60's being an Ares, was a fun trail blazer , and happy trails too, i was thinking in like Greek mythology, and those horrible babies that Mars fathers.
apoca lip so, wow, woman!
November 2008 Election
New reasons against "change"
Thanks ST, for posting the link to an article published prior to my having become a visitor here at RS. Again, someone has fleshed out the skeleton of an intuition I’ve had for some time now. I’m preparing myself for a tail-wagging-the-dog type of event to occur before the upcoming election with even more urgency now. Thanks to these postings above I’ve just added to the reasons for my belief in its eventuality:
1) Their paranoia connected with the possibility that a democratic president will be in power prior to the much-popularized potential for change occurring in December of 2012. They must be scared-to-death that the “Doves” could be in control in the months preceding that date.
2) A similar paranoia connected with other widely held prophetic pronouncements regarding the coming of a “heavenly government” to replace the existing structure. In fact, the one promulgated by Jehovah’s Witnesses expressly characterize it as a war between Jehovah and the governments of the earth (represented by the United Nations) for the ultimate control and governance of humanity.
The current feeble democratic backlash against the architecture of Carl Rove for a republican presidency in perpetuity only emboldens them to produce a more powerful response in resistance to “change”.
So, as you think about the fear republicans are projecting onto this society, think about the extent to which they are completely terrified to leave such outlying threats in the hands of the liberals!
As ST’s article so well illustrates, they are preparing for a struggle of immense magnitude and should not be underestimated!
Regarding the article above, although astrology is a completely foreign language to me, I am conscious enough to recognize an urgent warning regardless of the language in which it is shouted.
Thanks Barry. And thanks to all for their contributions!
"everything means something"
Sunny optimism
Maybe just maybe reason will prevail.
The credibility of the Bush regime is in the sewer so they will not be able to carry out an attack on Iran.
Obama will win with a solid majority. Democrats will significantly increase their majority in Congress and in local elections.
Intelligent environmental, energy and economic policies will be passed into law and take effect. There will be significant but not catastrophic environmental and economic turmoil, but these will be offset and overcome by a major course correction.
25 years from now we'll be celebrating the success of tremendous wilderness corridors. Though there will be strife and violence sometimes in some places the response will be quick, humane and effective in reestablishing peaceful, democratic social conduct. Population growth will have stopped by means of education, effective health care and family planning by choice. Technological advances will allow cleanups of past environmental disasters.
By the end of the 21st century our species will be living sustainably in harmony as an integral part of a balanced ecosystem on this planet and will be exploring the wonders of the cosmos with exponentially increased (and wise) use of technology.
It is not too difficult to find evidence to support all of these possibilities.
Re: Sunny optimism
Hi Philip,
Thanks for that. The idea of reason prevailing would be novel and refreshing, so I am hopeful that this is what is foreshadowed in the Saturn-Uranus symbolism over the next few years. However, one has to admit that empirical evidence for a groundswell of reason is somewhat skimpy. Would the election of Obama represent a reversal of our idiocy? I hope so.
I think there is usefulness is discussing the worst-case scenarios as well the best possible outcomes, some of which (of the latter) you have outlined. Over the years, I have noticed a peculiar thing about predictions in general: the likelihood of a particular outcome is inversely proportional to the certainty of one's prediction. By discussing the negative possibilities of upcoming symbolism, we may actually be decreasing the chances of such things happening. The usefulness of astrological analysis, and dialogues such as this one in general, is that they are acts of participatory consciousness in which we creatively shape our own future. At a certain yet-to-be manifested, malleable level of reality, one can evaluate and choose from a range of possible choices for a given set of symbols. (Bruce Scofield has written about this under the topic of "the law of symbolic substitution.") Obviously, realizing our goals requires concrete action (hard work) as much as contemplation and talk.
One thing regarding the credibility of the administration vs. their ability to attack Iran. Per Mark Crispin Miller and others, we are now looking at a group of people who will potentially be subject to criminal prosecution if a new administration takes office. Desperate people take desperate measures. We should not be surprised by anything, and should plan accordingly.
Overall, I don't think that optimism and a hard-nosed realism need necessarily be mutually exclusive.
"Call to God, but row away from the rocks." -- Indian proverb
Cornered
Hey Barry thanks for completing the thought. "By discussing the negative possibilities of upcoming symbolism, we may actually be decreasing the chances of such things happening." Or, hope for the best, prepare for the worst.
It is indeed troubling that the Bush regime does not have much to lose at this point and is rather cornered. Among the troubling aspects of the current situation is the unaccountability of Blackwater Inc. They have deep pockets, thanks to the billions in untraceable cash they were "responsible" for distributing during Paul Bremer's time as the head of the Coalition Provisional Authority, and a vested interest in stirring up catastrophe. The network of dark power is deeply and broadly entrenched, and doubtless feels threatened. This could very well manifest in some mighty ugly scenarios between now and November.
"One has to admit that empirical evidence for a groundswell of reason is somewhat skimpy." In fact I see no evidence for any kind of groundswell of reason at all. But I do not think it will take a groundswell for reason to advance, if not prevail. The Republicans never really had a popular majority in the first place. Nowadays they're really in the minority. I don't think McCain even slightly has a sporting chance in November. (Frank Rich's column in today's New York Times offers an interesting analysis of the situation.) There will likely be a very noisy 40% of Americans who vote Republican and the typical majority who want to cling to their habits of consumption. But I do think odds are pretty good that the outcome of this coming election could provide a crucial toehold for all of the positive transformation that needs to occur.
Here's a juicy developement for you: this website did not even exist two years ago and today here we are exchanging ideas. Not bad, if you ask me.
Is it that far gone?
....'we are now looking at a group of people who will potentially be subject to criminal prosecution'
I can hardly wrap myself around that.
Re: Criminal Prosecution
Not only are they subject to criminal prosecution, but the executive office is supremely powerful, thanks to President Cheney.
I doubt the current administration relishes the idea of President Obama wielding those powers.
I doubt that too...
Ah....I didn't know they had gone that far.....
Looking at the timing of the election I was puzzled as to why an incumbent government would choose such an inauspicious day.
On a void of course moon.....when the moon is between its last major aspect in one sign and its entry into the next.....doesn't last long but its better not to be starting anything important....things don't tend to pan out for the best....as well as the other aspects already mentioned.
But then I thought if that government thought their chances of winning were poor then that would make sense.It would also strew obstacles in the path of their opposition.
However we'll never know if an astrological analysis was used..After the debacle with the Reagan mania for astrology, a Republican politician would rather admit to a tryst in a public toilet with a male prostitute than to using astrology as an aid in their decisionmaking process.....
Re: astrology
I don't know how much the current admin. abides by astrology, but i do know that in the early years the white house had a staff member who's job it was to interpret current events as Biblical prophecy.
The Neocons wanted to invade Iraq for the war profiteering, and the Religious Right wanted to invade because their "god" said so. Interesting how the atheist and agnostic warlords have used selective interpretations of the Bible to get obedience from the "faithful" masses.
..
...
A Synchronicity
i don't think this article
is about saying how hip you are to how bad things are, it is about seeing the movement of forces behind the scenes, that have always effected the movement through the scene.We can postulate a whole scenario or series of scenarios by watching how the forces of the heavenly bodies relate a picture of how history as we know it unfolds, yet here is also some huge disconnect that runs long this, i would call this the absolute misuse of divination systems, which if truth be told, is really the only way that the art of prediction can proceed.That we imagine that we can chart stars and planets, and call them by names that mirrors some type of force, is predicated on the total chaos of such ordering of signs of things.Call this planet Saturn, call that planet Mars, and when we discovered Pluto, then that force suddenly came into focus,Uranuis and Neptune had the same destiny.But the Ancients had a lot of time to look at the heavens because that was all there was, beside the earth they lived on.In order to make a chart the practitioner has to make certain assumptions, and use the lines that are drawn from point to point to make a picture of a certain arrangement of these bodies at some inception, or conceived birth, or beginning.Based on one point, we can draw a line to another point and so on.When we make a chart for a person, we can see how these forces influenced their choices, but in the whole picture each persons chart is unique within a certain peramiter, as we are all effected by each others uniqueness along with the fairly accurate predictableness within the range of the heavenly body forces.
So looking for excuses to explain why you don't know about systems of divination, does not remove you from the influence they project, it merely most likely reflects on the sign you were born under at some point.Ignorance is no excuse, and finding reasons to bolster your ignorance does not make you knowledgeable about a system you ignore.However it may allow you to see things in another light, To give an example i do not call myself a Christian, but if i hear the words of Jesus, read by Obama's previous Reverend i can see his understanding based on the experience of the black man in America.And now my absolute repugnance of "Christianity" begins to become more fluid, and the forces of oppression, or the worst aspect of Saturn for instance suddenly becomes the cool aspect of Saturn.And Jesus words now are a force for liberation and not coopted for opression.
Astrology is a tool for liberation also.It's good to be able to see how all the forces come together, not rip us apart, after awhile seeing the signs becomes an art, not just some chart in the local newspaper.
......
Obama's Father's Day Speech
In a creekbed I walked,
and looked East
into the Cincinnati sun dawning,
and sat by a waterfall…
”I love you more then earth and everything on it,”
I said to my Father.
”I love you more then all the planets and everything on them,” He replied.
“I love you more then the moon,”
I said to my Father.
”I love you more then all the moons,”
He replied.
”I love you more then the sun,”
I then said to my Father.
”I love you more then the sun and all the stars,”
He replied.
”I love you more then the galaxy,”
I then said to my Father.
”I love you more then all the galaxies,”
He replied.
”I love you more then the universe,”
I then said to my Father.
”I love you more then where there isn’t a universe,”
He replied.
”I love you more where there isn’t a universe neither,”
I then said to my Father.
He was silenced.
Prophets did not come and speak to me,
Through the hush, alone, the waterfall trickled down.
And one extra song never hurt anyone...
To Obama... from his father...
I hope he listens.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sGWr2i1f5s0
Today is part of forever.
The River of Planets and Stars
Nile me beyond the ancestral voices
Nile me deep through the purple waters
Nile me through the star-gates of infinity
Nile me when the planets roam the heavens Nile me when the Pharaoh rose to speak his truth Nile me when the procession of the Gods rode the boat of a million years Nile me when great dark clouds gathered in the word
Nile me when pyramids were young and the Sphinx was still old and baby universes slept between her mighty paws
Nile me when Nubian Goddesses wandered the night of time and the pi was pi and the means were means and love is the law
Nile me when a hand full of stars was a hand full of golden grain and all the words spoken were sweet to the children of the earth, and worth was worth and mirth was mirth
Nile me when the water's voice rises in the east
Nile me when i was a high priest and one star in sight was part of a ritual we faced the four directions, each to each Nile my body down the slow reach of the giver as we float in the dark liquid of midnight suns
Nile me when light was light and the snaking finger of the river pointed to its Duat through the Book of coming forth by day
Nile me when tears of joy hung in the balance with the white feather of Maat, and winged browed statues feet were not made of clay
Nile me when the plumes of incense became like a curtain to be parted when the crystal moment was right
Nile me down down to the great distant source Nile me through the far course the rounds of the projection points the invisible paths the galaxies sweep to the core
Nile me when i saw the living end of the world, when eclipse of reason became the blasted language that broke up into a million pieces and we made the signs deeper then ever before, carved from the eternal sands
Nile me when i should have spit in the eye of philosopher kings and now the hallucinatory history began where the myth left off Nile me when the blind seer merged with the vision and the pure rains fell again as we beheld the diamond Scarob deep in the womb of Sophia's heart
Nile me before Plato, uttered Timaeus and the poets were part of the ancient flood of underground tongues, and before she sank beneath the foamy lie,before ancients were ancient and skies sang to the emerald earth in a loving cry
Nile me when this prayer of a holy river joins with all others spilling the life force in a mighty torrent down to the cosmos sea, Nile me Nile me Nile me when the summer breeze layed down on the falling song wind and the rippling veil was like the charm breath of my priestess lover forevermore the drops pour over smooth stone down the currents of her loving long magic healing arms.