Occupy Wall Street – The battle goes on. Examining the Astrology of the anti capitalist movement.

Tomorrow will be the 2nd month since the beginning of the Occupy Wall Street movement, a rolling protest that has gathered in steam and size as it’s effects and influence have spread around the world. As I write the main focus site for the group Zuccotti Park in Lower Manhattan, has been cleared by the New York police, however this will only enliven the protest yet further. It is a direct reflection of the current Pluto/Uranus square which is still in operation and will be for the next 3 years.

Occupy Wall Street according to the official protest website began officially with a gathering on 17th September 2011 at 12.00 at Bowling Green Park in New York. Looking at the chart we see a very critical Virgo Sun representing the tone of voice of the protesters and an even tempered Taurean Moon which suggests that even though there is protest here, those people involved will be relatively peace loving and will not react unless severely provoked. There is also great stubbornness to the protestors involved, remember, Taurus is a fixed sign which always shows huge determination. Believe me, these people will not be pushed off track until they have achieved their goals. The ascendant is Scorpio, very representative of an underground movement which again shows a ruthless and determined side to it. Just by these three most important indicators, it is going to take a bit more than some early morning police work to deter this group. Mayor Bloomberg beware.

The chart is dominated by a significant t-square formation. We have the Uranus/Pluto square which I referred to earlier formed into the t-square with an opposition between Venus and Uranus. Look at the placements of these three planets. Venus opposite to Uranus runs from 10th to 4th houses. Venus in Libra is in the public 10th house showing this is a social movement with revolutionary ideas and tendencies. Uranus in Aries in the 4th shows that the location of this protest will constantly change, and it will be very pro-active and fast in it’s organisation. As the police clear one area, it will form again elsewhere. There is a fluidity and unorthodox nature to the Occupy Wall Street movement that will be hard to contain. Uranus does also oppose the Virgo Sun, giving the movement a highly detailed, independent and aggravated voice. There is an intelligence to the way they will operate, and no detail will be left to chance.

The focus of course of the protests is at the point of the t-square, Pluto in Capricorn in the 2nd house. Here are the big money makers and business moguls in the 2nd house of personal finance. On the opposite side of the Venus/Uranus square we have Mars at the point of a wedge formation. Mars sits in the 8th house of big business and dealing with other people’s money, so again we see direct action (Mars) from the protesters against the investors and the stock market workers on Wall Street.

Elsewhere on the chart, we find a quindecile between Saturn in the 11th house and Uranus, so here is an intense focus to bring down the status quo and as Saturn sits in the 11th house of government. This is a shot across the bows of the politicians too. There is another quindecile between Mercury and Neptune in the 3rd house which also makes a square to the Moon. Here we see a spiritual and idealistic side to things, rather evasive and erratic. These people are on a mission to create an ideal society, something more representative, dare I say it with liberal and even rather socialist aims (a theme I have touched on before – see The Next Solar Eclipse 25th Nov 11)

In the 6th house we find both the Moon and Jupiter in Taurus. Here the Moon and Jupiter both show the need to help, to fix people’s lives and to make society a better place. Jupiter in the 6th does not mind having to get it’s hands dirty to achieve this goal. There are interesting trines between Pluto Mercury and Jupiter. This shows an optimism in the cause and more significantly luck on their side. Jupiter Pluto often show success in one’s aims where is appears in the chart. Jupiter in the sixth represents luck and success for the ordinary people as well as having a truly global outreach. Might it be that this is a movement that may actually change society in the end? With Pluto in Capricorn squared by Uranus in Aries, this might be just the start of huge changes around the world bigger and more profound than any of the initiators could have ever imagined.

Silvio Berlusconi – Stepping down as Italy slides into financial meltdown

He has been at the head of Italian politics in three separate periods since 1994, a huge figure of influence who courts controversy, however this time I doubt if the great survivor can escape the clamour for him to step down. Yesterday, he said that he would be resigning, and if the transiting planets are anything to go by, this time he will have to be true to his word.

 

The transits chart shows a couple of nasty squares. Transiting Pluto is now square Silvio’s natal Sun and Mercury conjunction in his first house in Libra. The square will be exact by the 18th November, so I expect him to be gone as Italian PM by that date. Transiting Uranus is square the nodal axis bringing unexpected pressure from other people including his enemies. Secondly, Silvio’s natal Neptune/Saturn opposition has been squared by the Nodal axis. The Nodes bring circumstances to bear over which you have little influence, you have to react to things swirling around you. That opposition which is part of a wider t-square involving the Moon and Jupiter (see natal chart) shows his clever use of communication and dealing with people around him which has kept him in power. Now the transiting Nodes in connecting with this t-square are forcing him to change his position. At the same time, the progressed Moon is now square Silvio’s natal Moon (affecting his 10th house of public reputation and work) where Cancer is intercepted.

As the Nodes move clockwise they will soon be square to Silvio’s Moon/Neptune opposition at the same time activating a natal Yod on Burlosconi’s chart, one connecting Mercury, Uranus and the Moon which I believe shows his more “unusual” emotional traits. Watch out for the law courts to pounce once Silvio is out in the open, and whereas he avoided several sexual scandals in the past, these may just be revisited.

I looked at Silvio Berlusconi as my first ever astrological profile on this blog – to see that article please click on the following link - Silvio Berlusconi

China coming to Europe’s rescue, but at a price…

Thirty years ago China was on it’s knees, a 3rd world country run by a communist dictatorship (in truth not much as changed there) battling population growth and world isolation. Now China is an economic superpower, driving the world economy and the one beacon of hope for the European Union which is on the brink of total collapse as the Greek Debt crisis grinds on to a inevitable conclusion. It prompted me to look at the relationship between the two, and I found some surprising planetary placements.

 

Above you will see two charts. The first is the relationship from the European perspective, the second is from the Chinese perspective. From looking at both sides of the coin, you can see the pressures and who helps who and where. You will notice from the charts that the European Venus, the finance planet sits in conjunction to the Chinese South Node. If this was a personal relationship, the Venus person would come to the South Node person offering favours and incentives so that a relationship (Venus) could start. That is exactly what is happening now. Also notice that the Chinese Jupiter, is conjunct the natal Neptune/Uranus conjunction in Capricorn. Neptune/Uranus is very unstable and has one’s head in the clouds, and in a business sense in Capricorn is disastrous. If you look at the house placements here, the European Uranus/Neptune sits in the Chinese house of suffering and serving. The relationship is simple, when Europe suffers (Neptune) through instability (Uranus), it looks to Chinese generosity (Jupiter) to bail them out. We also find the EU’s Jupiter and Venus (the Union’s wealth) sitting in the Chinese 8th house, the house of investment and major financial relations.

Even more interestingly look at the Chinese Mars and Pluto, (both these charts amazingly started at a conjunction between Mars & Pluto indication incredible power), clamped around the EU Leo Ascendant, there is no doubt where the control lies in this relationship, China holds all the cards. The EU Mars Pluto sits in the Chinese 9th house very close to the Chinese Midheaven, so a lot of Europe’s power is dependant on long distance trade with it’s Chinese partner and this of course boosts the Chinese profile. With the Chinese Saturn sitting in the European 2nd house, China’s ambition is dependant on providing Europe money. The European Saturn sits in China’s first house, showing that Europe’s ambition and growth will be dependant on China, as long as the European Union stays together.

This relationship looks very much one way. China’s North Node sits in the Euro 9th house, so her destiny is to extend her tentacles by supplying goods and tourists to the European Union. Europe’s North Node sits in the Chinese 10th house, subservient to the whims of the Chinese leadership and ambitions. As Europe comes cap in hand, the scary thought is that they will forever be in China’s debt.

Greek Debt Crisis – Papandreou throws a spanner in the works in asking for a referendum on aid package.

Oh dear. All the European ministers worked so hard last week to thrash out a new aid package for Greece, and just one week later, the Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou has decided to hold a referendum to ask the people of the embattled nation if they should adopt the package. On this news the European Markets have gone into a tailspin, losing 4-5% immediately on the news.

This new development comes as transiting Saturn moving through the Greek 4th house is approaching the Greek natal Uranus, as well as making a square to the Greek natal Moon. Look at the signs associated with these 3 planets of and the placement in the chart and the picture becomes clear. Saturn square to the Moon shows the government (Saturn) asking the people (Moon) about the future of the whole country ( Cancer Ascendant associated with the Moon). The Saturn Uranus conjunction shows through Aquarius (Uranus’ sign) the nature of this question. Aquarius sits on the cusp of the 8th house of other people’s money, in this case other country’s money and also is on the cusp of the 9th house of law-making, hence the referendum. Saturn’s sign Capricorn sits on the cusp of the 7th house, the house of relationships with other countries showing the tough stance being taken by the Greeks.

This is not the end of a troubling period for the Greeks. There will be a confidence vote in the Government at the end of the week (Neptune opposite Mars); Pisces and Aries the ruling signs both affect the Midheaven and 10th house of the way the country is run (not very well) and the people at the top. We also have transiting Aries approaching an opposition with natal Moon/Pluto next year, which does feel very revolutionary and hints at the people taking things into their own hands as well as transiting Pluto which has been opposite Venus, the money planet ploughing ahead to eventually the Greek Saturn conjunct the Ascendant. This aspect could transform the rulership and direction of the whole country. Hold onto your hats in the next two years in Athens, it is going to be a very bumpy ride…             

**** Update 1st Nov 11 @ 15.00 hrs ****

Things moving very fast in Greece as Papandreou’s party immediately started to rebel (Uranus) against their leader (Saturn). Not surprised about this at all as Uranus is all about moving on to things new and overthrowing establishment ideas. Don’t think a change of leader just yet as natal Neptune which rules the Pisces Midheaven is not being affected by any current planetary action. Watch this space though as transiting Mars squares natal Neptune around 26th/27th November. Could be fireworks at the top of Greek politics.

Italy – Mamma Mia! Yet another European country is due to default on it’s debt.

As the European Union lurches from one crisis to the next, the biggest casualty so far looms ever larger on the radar screen. Italy, the third largest economy using the Euro, the 10th largest in the world is seriously in danger of defaulting on it’s debt payments. As it stands Italy’s debt stands at a whopping 130% of GDP. Not much chance of turning that around in the next few weeks, is there? If Italy defaults, this will place huge pressure on France and Germany who will have to carry the majority of the burden, if that is, they decide to do so.

Italy’s chart problems are very obvious if you look at the natal chart. The chart was formed on 2nd July 1871 in Rome at 12.30pm. It features a very strong cardinal t-square with the Sun and Jupiter (the planet of knowledge, wisdom and faith) in close conjunction. Both are in maternal Cancer in the sign of the family. What more appropriate symbol of traditional Italy? That the family is taken so seriously can also be seen with Capricorn on the cusp of the 4th house. That conjunction opposes stern Saturn  in Capricorn alongside the emotional Moon  (representing the people) in the 3rd house of communication and the press. Here in the opposition we see the influence of strong conservative faith Saturn opposite Jupiter (the planet of religion) in the 9th house, and also in Jupiter opposite the Moon we see the extravagant emotions of the Italian people. This opposition squares Mars conjunct the ascendant. All this emotion, faith, and communication is done with flair and panache. This is a feisty country, passionate and often in crisis.

Uranus in the house of government show the Italian tradition for rebelling against an administration as soon as it has taken it place in Rome, Italian politics are always in a state of flux. With a square from Uranus to Neptune, you can see that corruption and dirty dealing is inbuilt into the Italian system. This Neptune also trines to Venus in the 11th house giving the country and the people a sense of style and a love of beauty and fashion. With Aquarius on the cusp of the 5th house, this creativity is cutting edge, fresh and unusual. Venus makes a square to Pluto in the 8th house showing a real passion for sport, culture and entertainment. This also probably accounts for the liberal & rather sexual attitude to the treatment of women; where else in the world would you get an ex porn star being elected to Parliament? Pluto in the 8th house also gives a clue to what is going on right now. Pluto represents change, constraint, death, destruction and regeneration and the 8th house in mundane (national) astrology is associated with other country’s finance. Scorpio ruled by Pluto sits on the 2nd house of the Italian money and finance supply, so safe to assume that any difficult transits from Pluto or to Pluto would hit Italy financially and Pluto sextiles the Midheaven too, the public face and reputation of the country will be severely affected.

Now, the Italian Saturn (part of this hugely stressful t-square sits at 6 Capricorn, the Moon lies at 8 Capricorn, Jupiter at 8 Cancer, Mars at 7 Libra, the Sun at 10 Cancer and a little further on the ascendant at 13 Libra. All these planets lie at early cardinal degrees and all are at the mercy of transiting Pluto which is gearing up to hit this 7-10 cardinal degree zone in late 2011, through 2012 and into 2013. Pluto is ruthless and will completely shake up the whole Italian economy. This is a transformation on a huge level coming up, and the debt crisis is only going to be the start. The beginning will of this will be as Saturn crosses the Italian ascendant in the middle of this month. Italy has come under greater and greater scrutiny in the past couple of weeks as Saturn has been approaching this point, and in the process activating the natal t-square. Watch out for the default notice to be served on Italy then. The process of Italy’s European partners bailing her out will start as Jupiter enters the 8th house (the other people’s finance coming to the rescue). Behind this generosity, the pain that the Italian economy will have to go through to reform and to repay back the money owed is going to be huge. In simple terms, Saturn is bringing the fear, Jupiter the temporary relief, but Pluto will bring the long lasting change.