The Aries ingress of 2008

The first trimester of the astrological year (March-June) is marked by the opposition between the Mercury-Venus and the Moon-Saturn conjunctions. Generally speaking, this opposition indicates much expectation and speculation (due to the exaltation of Venus) but that can only be fulfilled through much effort and hard work (Saturn opposition). Demagogy and the “embellishment” of promises and ideals will play a large role, but in most cases they will prove unrealistic and disappointing.
The main concern will be on earth resources like agriculture, mining, cattle, etc.

The Sun-Mars square is also very noticeable and suggests harsh attacks on leaders and figures of authority. Law and legislation will be a general concern but this will not be a peaceful matter.In August there will be a large solar eclipse visible in Northern Europe, Middle East, Russia, India and China. This eclipse indicates the fall of powerful man and will bring forth concerns regarding farming and earth resources, thus emphasising the ingress’s significations.
Another powerful configuration will be the Mars-Saturn conjunction in Virgo which will come about in July, which will be addressed in a latter post.

The ingress in the European Union

The EU ingress chart, set for Brussels the administrative capital, show late Pisces rising with the Sun right on the Ascendant.

The strength and angularity of the Sun in this chart makes him the ruler of the year, with the participation of Jupiter, also angular and ruling the Ascendant.
Jupiter is in the 10th House suggesting a strong emphasis on leadership and government. Both configurations point to the emergency of a strong European leader or government. Nonetheless the square of Mars to the Sun and the essential weakness of Jupiter show that government will be under boycott and will face a strong resistance, most likely related to territorial issues.

The Mercury-Venus opposition to Moon-Saturn falls on the 12th and 6th Houses indicating a lot of intrigue centred in economical interests (Venus rules the 2nd and the Part of Fortune).
All these matters will reach a peek in the 2nd and 3rd trimester of the astrological year (June-September and September-December).

The United States

In the United States the ingress, calculated to Washington DC, presents a Sagittarius Ascendant, being Mars and Jupiter the co-rulers of the year.

In this figure the angularity of Mars is quite concerning due to the emphasis it places in contention and discord. This will make itself more obvious on the 2nd half of the astrological year, as Mars gains angularity in the ingresses. This planet’s conjunction to the Part of Fortune indicates economical difficulties associated with territory and mineral resources (Mars rules the 4th House). Jupiter’s position in the 2nd House in a detrimental state also points to negative fluctuations in the country’s economy and a possible raise of taxes.
Saturn, the 2nd House ruler is equally weakened by its conjunction to the South Node. Its position in the 9th House and in Virgo suggests problems with resources related to foreign affairs.

All these indicators of economical debility will greatly affect the government and its leader which will be under heavy attack by the opposition (Saturn opposes Venus, ruler of the MC and Sun applies to the square of Mars). These harsh conditions may lead to the fall of important governmental figures (possibly in the June-September trimester).

The presence of several planets in the 3rd House suggests a year full of debate (which is to be expected due to the presidential election) but full of demagogy, centred on appearances and “show-off” and of little substance.

Dom Theodosio, the astrologer prince

Prince Dom Theodosio is a very interesting figure from 17th century Portugal. He was the first born son of King João IV and heir to the Portuguese throne.

In 1640 his father, King João IV, restored Portugal’s independence following 80 years of Spanish occupation. Being the rightful heir to the throne, and with the continuing threat of reintegration with Spain, Dom Teodosio’s role in the succession was of the greatest importance for Portugal. All hopes of maintaining independence from Spain were upon the seven year old prince. He was carefully prepared to succeed his father and he seemed to measure up to those expectations perfectly. He grew up to be a cultured young man, with great intellectual curiosity and with very definite political and religious opinions.

Interestingly enough, he had a keen interest in Astrology and he is said to have had a collection of charts of his family, and to have made predictions on several political subjects, including the fall and restoration of the British monarchy. It is also mentioned that he wrote a short astrological essay, but unfortunately these manuscripts have yet to be found. He also received regular astrological reports from the most prominent astrologers of that time. His astrological and metaphysical interests were actively encouraged by his tutor, the Jesuit priest António Vieira (see previous post), himself a student of Astrology.

When Dom Theodosio fell seriously ill and subsequently died at the early age of 19, it was a great shock not only to his family, but to the nation at large. With the country’s independence still under threat by the Spanish, an uninterrupted succession was vital. This succession was guaranteed first by Theodosio’s middle brother, Alfonso, who, it became clear, was unsuitable because of physical and mental handicaps, and then later by the younger brother, Pedro. (A curious fact: his sister, Catarina, of Braganza, married King Charles II of England).

Dom Theodosio was born in Vila Viçosa, Portugal, on February 8th 1634 at 4:15 PM and died in Lisbon, on May 15th 1653.

(For a more in depth study of this historical figure please take a look at the complete article)

Father António Vieira - 400 years

Father António Vieira, an outstanding figure in the history of 17^th Century Portugal, was born in Lisbon on the 6^th of February 1608, 400 years ago.Vieira chose a religious life when he was only 15 years old. He joined the Company of Jesus (also known as the Jesuit order) in Brazil, to where his family had migrated in his early childhood. Soon his religious fervour and his profound application to studies became evident.

His strong and charismatic personality, his inspired sermons and the strength with which he defended his causes led him the admiration and respect of kings and popes. Unfortunately it also brought him the profound hate of some nobleman, clergy and later the Inquisition.

Being a man of strong convictions he persisted in his cause - the protection of the Indian and African slaves, and the restoration of Portugal’s past glory - even when his social status and physical integrity where at risk.

He is also known for his many works of prophetical nature, like “A História do Futuro” (The Future’s History) and the famous concept of The Fifth Empire, so characteristic of Portuguese mysticism.

In this context Vieira was also an avid student of Astrology, making several astrological references in his writings, letters and sermons.

As far as we know there are no records of Vieira’s time of birth. Given his interest in Astrology is most likely that he himself had calculated his horoscope, but this study - if it exists still - was not yet located.

Without the Ascendant or the astrological houses it is not possible to cast a true astrological chart. Any astrological study is limited to the list of planetary positions for 12 o’clock on the day of his birth. This way we obtain an average position for each planet, particularly for the Moon, which being the fastest heavenly body can travel about 13º in 24h.

Despite these limitations it is possible to apply some traditional techniques in order to obtain a partial view of Vieira’s personality and behaviour.

One of the most noticeable planetary configurations is the Mercury-Saturn conjunction in Capricorn. Saturn is in a position of great strength being in his domain and also in its own term. This conjunction gave António Vieira a natural aptitude towards study and investigation and made him a “lover of justice, unbending and of profound counsel”, as the Tradition puts it. The power of Saturn is indicative of an independent personality, an individualist. It’s placement in the sign of Capricorn signifies someone ambitious and passionate in his actions.

Adding to this more independent and profound drive derived from the element Earth, is the feverous idealism conferred by the exact trine between Jupiter in Aries and Mars in Sagittarius. This trine is further emphasised by the mutual reception between the two planets which gave Vieira the “spirit of a crusade”, leading him to be the defender of the Indian’s rights, of the Jewish people and of the slaves.

From our part here is a small tribute to this great figure of the Portuguese culture.

The tragic assassination of Benazir Bhutto

In the final days of this year of 2007 the entire world witnessed the assassination of the charismatic Pakistani leader Benazir Bhutto.

In the news there was no clear reference to the time of the event. The only times we found are that of the confirmation of Bhutto’s death given by the BBC as 18:16 local time and Wikipedia refers 17:35 as the time she went into surgery at a nearby hospital. The earliest TV reports appeared a little after noon UT (17:00 Pakistan local time). If the event took place around that time, it makes perfect sense as Mars was rising, a clear indicator of a violent event.

In this chart Mars is debilitated in Cancer describing a treacherous act of violence. The small malefic is afflicting Jupiter the ruler of the MC, and thus significator of authority figures and leaders. Jupiter is also combust which afflicts it even further.

The Sun itself, another symbol of leaders, is in the 7^th House setting, which can also signify the fall of a leader.

The Moon, ruler of the Ascendant, is in the 3^rd House of small travels. Indeed Bhutto was in transit (3^rd House) in her campaign car when the assassination took place. In this house, the Moon is in her joy and she was in fact receiving cheers from a multitude of supporters.

Benazir Bhutto was born on the 21^st June 1953 in the city of Karachi, Pakistan. Unfortunately the time of birth is unknown, so no chart can be erected. The only evident connection to the event chart is the close conjunction of transiting Mars to her natal Mars (at 4º49’ Cancer) and Sun (at 29º36’ Gemini), but without the Ascendant and the houses this information is rather vague and irrelevant.

Evidences of this tragic event must also be seen in the mundane charts for Pakistan.

As no visible eclipses or other phenomena have occurred in Pakistan in the last couple of months, we must look at the latest ingress chart, that of Capricorn.

The ingress occurred on the 22 December 2007 at 11:07:49 Pakistan time. The figure was cast for Islamabad, the country’s capital.

The most noticeable positions are the angularity of both malefics: Saturn is right on the cusp of the 7^th House and Mars is on the 4^th House. Again, the opposition of Mars to the Sun-Jupiter-Mercury conjunction is quite evident, an indicator of an act of violence. Jupiter, ruler of the Ascendant and the MC, is combust, which is another traditional indicator of danger to a leader. The triple conjunction is disposited by Saturn on the 7^th House of enemies and ruler of the 12^th House of secret enemies and conspirators.

The New Year of 2008

As 2007 comes to an end is now the proper time for astrologers to make a comment about the upcoming year of 2008. So we inaugurate the astrological comments of the Academy’s blog with a brief view of the main configurations for 2008.

The most noticeable configuration of 2008 is the positioning of the two traditional cronocrators in Earth signs: Saturn in Virgo and Jupiter in Capricorn.
This is the first time both slow planets are both in Earth signs since the Jupiter-Saturn conjunction in May 2000, at 22º Taurus. The return to Earth will enhance this triplicity’s theme for the entire year: all things related to earthly resources, whether agricultural or mineral. Unfortunately, they are both debilitated, for Saturn is peregrine and Jupiter is in fall. There will be a melancholic tone to this year.

For this first winter trimester we are under the effects of the Capricorn Ingress of the 22 December 2007. As the planetary configuration itself is not very promising at this time, the first trimester will be a bit harsh and difficult.

For the European Union (EU) the ingress (cast for Brussels, the administrative capital) will have a Sagittarius Ascendant with the Sun-Jupiter-Mars opposition to Mars on the 1^st and 7^th Houses.

Although this opposition does not have too much angularity, it will bring discussion and quarreling as Mars in the 7^th (enemies) is afflicting Jupiter, the ruler of the Ascendant. The contention represented by Mars will probably relate to resources and economy as Mars rules 4^th House, its conjunct the Part of Fortune and its also almuten of the 2^nd House. The involvement of the 12^th House also brings the subject of limitation and sabotage. The debilitated placement of Venus, ruler of MC (government) in this house indicates a weak government, much limited in its actions and of little consequence (Venus is feral).

There are various indications of foreign affairs interfering in the general condition of the EU. Note that Jupiter, ruler of the Ascendant is combust by the Sun, ruler of the 9^th House, thus conditioned by foreign actions; furthermore Saturn, almuten of the MC is in this same house, conjoining the South Node.

It is also important to note the affliction of the Moon in Gemini by a square of Saturn, ruler of the 2^nd House. The people (Moon) will face economical shortages (square of Saturn ruler of 2^nd). So, as expected, this trimester is not very promising.

In the United States of America, the configuration falls in completely different set of houses.

The most noticeable thing in this chart is a debilitated Venus, ruler of the Ascendant on 2^nd House. This indicates a strong attention on the country’s economy, which will not be at its best. This weakness is emphasised by the fact that Venus also disposits the Part of Fortune. Furthermore the 2^nd House is ruled by a debilitated Mars in the 9^th House, which relates these economical difficulties to “martial” actions related to foreign issues.

The Sun-Jupiter-Mercury opposition to Mars which characterizes this ingress fall on the 3^rd and 9^th Houses an indication trouble and contention in matters of media and communication, foreign affairs, education and travel. Although in cadent houses, this opposition falls in the culminating signs (10^th and 4^th signs from the Ascendant) which give it an extra strength.

Moon, ruler of MC and representing government is also debilitated in the 8^th House. The Moon is squared by Saturn from the 12^th House of hidden enemies. Saturn is the ruler 4^th House of homeland, territory and natural resources, which are subjects that might be troublesome for the USA government in this trimester.

Indeed the configurations are not the best but today (31 of December) Mars will re-ingress the sign of Gemini, clearing a bit of the muddiness of its transit through Cancer and giving us a lighter New Years Eve celebration. Enjoy it while it lasts!

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