Astrology for 2010
(back) "The Christos and The Cardinal Conception" continued
The Cardinal Conception
(click image to enlarge)
Beginning with chart #1 (July 30, 2010) let's consider the meaning of each of the planets involved in close aspect to the cardinal axis. Although we are primarily concerned with the T square of Pluto to Saturn opposing Uranus, we must also take into account that the Moon, Mars and Jupiter participate in the Saturn/Uranus opposition, and that Neptune (opposing Mercury) is closely semi squared to the Moon's north node in Capricorn and at hard angle to the mid heaven. All these energies are therefore connected to the cardinal axis, and must be taken into account for a full sense of the extraordinary tension of this alignment.
Assessing the planets conjoined to 0 degrees Aires, which at the moment I've selected is exactly on the ascendant (please refer to chart #1). We find Uranus at 0 degrees Aires. Uranus on the ascendant at the first degree of Aires describes a creative impulse which can be expected to erupt like a shot fired from a cannon, especially with the Moon and Jupiter within three degrees to add their fuel to the explosion. This can manifest as self justified, impulsive, unrestrained expression, completely void of self reflection or self restraint. There is an unexpected and unpredictable quality to this placement.
This degree of Aires is usually considered to be a degree of strong will and great activity, It is also associated with military affairs. Dane Rudhyar's keywords for the Sabian symbol of this degree is “the impulse to be”, and interprets the symbol as new, individuated consciousness arising from the collective unconscious. Since Uranus is in Mars' sign, the relationship to and influence of Mars, with both planets angular and precisely on the cardinal axis, cannot be over stated. Isabel Hickey emphasizes the extreme rashness and potential for danger and violence with this placement of Uranus.
The presence of Jupiter in this placement may be the most optimistic indicator in this drastically afflicted horoscope. However, with the Moon conjoined the “great benefic” there is an added sense of exaggerated emotion, impulsiveness and potential instability. The beneficial attributes which Jupiter might confer, such as optimism, wisdom, leadership and independence, will no doubt be afflicted by the tight opposition from Mars and Saturn at zero Libra, and Pluto exactly squaring from 3 degrees Capricorn at the mid-heaven.
With the Moon so closely configured into this planetary pattern, the collective consciousness will no doubt be feeling the intense strain of these energies, and as this occurs in the Mars ruled first house, these stressful feelings will almost certainly be given a most active and vociferous outward expression, particularly at the specific moment we're observing.
Moving around the chart we next come to the cardinal axis of Cancer, with zero degrees of this complex emotional sign directly on the fourth house cusp. There are no planets located here, although we should be mindful that the Moon, the Cancerian ruler, is besieged at the ascendant, between Uranus and Jupiter. We need move only 11 degrees (considered a “hard” aspect by Uranian astrologers) from the zero degree cardinal axis into the fourth house to find the Moon's south node, a powerful indicator of the habitual or karmic tendencies of the overall chart. South node in Cancer is noted to indicate emotional immaturity and a childish irresponsibility regarding one's feelings. We should also take note of the semi square aspect of the moon's nodes to Neptune, indicating an element of fantasy or lack of clarity. Neptune is also conjunct Charon in the last degrees of Aquarius, and conjunct with Black Moon Lilith at three degrees of Pisces. This strange combination of energies, at this moment appearing in the house of past karma and hidden enemies indicates confusion, phobias, a sense of alienation and the destabilizing effects of unseen karmic influences.
Moving to the next cardinal point we find Saturn conjoined Mars, exactly at zero degrees of Libra on the seventh house cusp. This cardinal point has extraordinary significance in that it represents the completion of a cycle of self realization and individuation and the soul's entering a cycle of collectivization and integration of all that is experienced as “the other”. In a personal chart this position indicates not only partners but also open enemies. It has about it a quality that is common to all oppositions in that it indicates what is experienced as outside, rather than within the individual.
Mars is in its detriment here in Venus ruled Libra. This position of Mars often is an indication of conflict with partners and others in general and the need to learn diplomacy, temperance and patience. In an individual's chart it is often the “other” that acts out the conflict, as aggression is often projected on to the other if, for any number of reasons, a balanced scene of self assertion can't be owned and experienced by the individual.
Saturn is said to be exalted in this position as he represents strict and undeviating justice and the need for balancing the individual's needs with the greater spiritual and collective needs he is ultimately growing toward. With Mars exactly conjoined Saturn, opposed to the powerfully volatile Uranus/Moon/Jupiter conjunction, and even further intensified by the T square to the deep and fated power of Pluto, all connected on the cardinal axis, it's difficult not to anticipate manifestations of conflict and violence. Only the greatest exercise of diplomacy, self restraint and surrender of any personal agenda could contain or abate the incredible volatility indicated.
As we move further around this zodiacal wheel we next come to Pluto closely conjoined the mid-heaven in Capricorn. Pluto takes on a rather more serious, somber, constrictive and conservative quality in this very public Saturn ruled placement. In a personal chart there is an overwhelming ambition and striving toward group recognition of one's accomplishments and drive to assume a position of authority. In a collective sense, Pluto in Capricorn represents a consolidation of power, or a struggle by, or with existing “powers that be” for ultimate control of power.
This placement also represents the power of corporations and banking entities. Given the hard aspects to so many other planets in our cardinal configuration, overt, collective displays of significant power struggles are seemingly unavoidable. Pluto in Capricorn also speaks of customs, laws, regulations and taboos within a given system, and the institutionalization of these issues. More specifically it indicates the transformation of these issues, the death of the outworn and the emergence of new life.
Pluto last entered Capricorn in the mid 1760's, the time of the sparking of revolutionary fervor that led to the American War for Independence. Hence, this is the first Pluto return for the natal chart of the U.S.A. The Cardinal Conception contacts the 0 degree Libra Mid-heaven and the 0 degree Aires fourth house cusp of the U.S. Natal chart (Sibley version) as an exact conjunction, foretelling a crisis of redefining the essential identity, core values and direction forward of the U.S. With the powerful impact of the above mentioned Saturn / Uranus opposition transiting exactly on the mid-heaven axis of the U.S. chart, we must anticipate the great likelihood of intense civil unrest, not unlike the 1960's.
Although we've discussed some of the relationships of the planets involved, a two part examination of the planets in combination would be most illuminating -
1: assessing the combinations of planetary energies at hard aspect to each other, and 2: reviewing the history of the cyclic phase relationships of the outer planets with each other.
Even without attempting a thorough synthesis of this chart, the repetition of its prominent themes are consistently apparent. Tension between opposing ideologies, revolutionary versus reactionary impulses, power struggles between existing and emerging powers, and substantial likelihood of violence. There are unfortunately few, if any, significant positive factors in this configuration to mitigate such a pessimistic assessment. It is of utmost importance for astrologers to research and explore the potential for transformation of major societal institutions, earth changes, war, economic meltdown, etc. which are strongly implied in this pattern. We astrologers who have clients should also be mindful of the transiting effects on individuals with planets or personal points in their natal, progressed or directed charts being affected by this pattern. And although these interpretations are unquestionably of great consequence, I wish to focus on the theme of the rather more slow moving process and the longer term effects of this configuration. It is in this light that we find the silver lining to this seemingly ominous dark and foreboding cloud.
The Meaning of The Christos
Again I wish to emphasize that I am interpreting a chart cast for the date historically ascribed to the birth of the individual who would be called the Christ. This date is engraved as a part of our collective mythos for two thousand years. Further, as a kind of partial “rectification” of the birth date, I cast a chart for the date historically ascribed to the death of Jesus, and found it too, to be uncannily descriptive of the qualities of such a profoundly significant collective, historical, and spiritual event. I arrived at the crucifixion date by a simple method. All accounts agree that Jesus lived 32 years. Good Friday (the day of the crucifixion) is always the first Friday following the first full moon after the spring equinox. Using the moon phase function and the Solar Fire ephemeris, I arrived at the date of the first “Good Friday”. (Please see chart #3). Also, erecting a secondary progression, and a solar arc directed chart, progressed to June 21, 2010 (the nearest astronomical cardinal point to our C.C. chart) provide an astonishing number of connections to the theme we are exploring.
Whether or not we accept as truth of the stories of Jesus is of less relevance than understanding the symbolic meaning of the Christ to the human psyche. It is in this light, understanding the role of The Christos, which has numerous analogous personages or figures, mythical or otherwise throughout many spiritual traditions, that is of utmost importance in our present considerations on this threshold of history that is implicated in the cardinal alignment we are studying.
The Christos embodies a link between the human and the Divine, having qualities of both. It is an extension of pure godhead, and as such is considered to be both the Source of creation (the first cause) and the ultimate “crown” of creation, its goal and purpose. (“I and the Father are One”.) It is the role of the Christos to empower victory over death, dissolution, and disorder, in the eternal struggle between the opposing forces of order and chaos in the manifest universe.
One of the primary functions of “The Messiah”, the Anointed One, of the Judaic tradition was to demonstrate a tangible bridge from the human world to the Divine, and provide a concrete means of salvation, an irrefutable redemption, or recovery of self that would guarantee the renewal of spirit necessary for spiritual growth and evolution of the soul in this flawed and challenging world. Possessing an inherent power of healing, transformation, and the forgiveness of sins, the Christos is the manifestation of God in human form, come to correct human error, and facilitate spiritual evolution.