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If you ask what is the true chart of the
United States, you will get many answers.
This is a source of constant debate among
astrologers. No one can agree completely.
After studying the matter, I decided to go
with the chart for July 4th 1776, 2:20 PM,
in Philadelphia. The reason being that in
Hancock's diary, he said that that is when
he signed the document. So that makes Scorpio
on the ascendant, the sign on the horizon
at the birth time, the first house. The rest
falls in to place pretty well also.
Scorpio,Pluto, and the awareness and balance
of power
The ascendant is the first approach to any
experience, the initial response. In this
case, it is Scorpio, the need to control
the situation, overtly or covertly. It also
shows how we first identify ourselves. This
identification is intense, shrewd and on
top of the situation at all times. Scorpio
is the lowest and the highest; from sex,
drugs and rock and roll (an American invention),
all the way to angelic savior, passionately
sacrificing the self for the cause.
Scorpio is ruled by Pluto--control--and Scorpio's
are definitely into control. They won't say
they are. They may even deny it. They are
just "interested" in the outcome
of a situation and they constantly assess
what is going on around them. But take my
word, Scorpio is either in or they are out.
Not too much middle ground here. Very political
too. They know how to play the games. We
are very much a Scorpio-type nation.
If Scorpio is the ascendant, then Pluto (in
Capricorn) is the ruler and is placed in
the third house, retrograde. The placement
of this planet shows that the focus of our
identity is the third house. This shows a
constant evolution of our identity as we
find ourselves in our new perceptions, and
define ourselves by "what works."
This position also brings about the insatiable
need for more and more detailed information
(often from Plutonian covert sources) in
the hope that it will help making decisions
easier. In effect, it just ends up bogging
down the process. We are also being asked
to stop concentrating on the actual words
and phrases that we use, and focus on the
higher idea, or the more profound concept
to be expressed. This is somewhat reflected
in the hugely popular tabloid newspapers
and hard-news-programs-turned-entertainment-news
full of trivia, juicy gossip and unsupported
stories. Pluto also rules the masses, and
this could represent an interest in mass
communication, mass transit, and education
for the public masses.
Any energy that is retrograde like this,
is expressed unconsciously, or automatically,
especially with the outer planets, so it
is harder for us to see this in ourselves.
We constantly remake or reinvent ourselves
without even realizing it. Only when the
process is over are we able to see it in
perspective.
All the Plutonian stuff came to our consciousness
only in the 1930s when Pluto was discovered.
Before then, this was really a part of very
hidden subconcious urges. Before the 1820s,
we were more clear as to our direction. We
knew what we wanted and we went for it full
steam a ahead. After that, things became
less clear because of the discoveries of
two planets (Neptune and Pluto), as it changed
our horoscope, the way we see things consciously
and the way we see ourselves in perspective.
The retrograde action of Pluto shows the
need to go back over lessons involving that
planet. That would be power, control and
trust. In the third, it shows that our identity
is linked to utilizing information for our
own purposes; realizing the power of the
word to influence thought and action. There
is a great responsibility here. I would say
that we are the inventors of "spin,"
using words and phrases to create the way
that an event will be viewed. It's the power
of the press (and now, the internet). We
know how to push the right button to get
the right response.
This is part of a karmic test (south
node,
third house) to use this energy wisely,
as
we may not have in the past, in terms
of
the general past "incarnations"
of the United States populace. The
object
is to utilize our ability to harness
our
great mental powers for a positive
outcome,
and to give of this knowledge freely.
There is one more Scorpionic aspect in this
chart, and that involves the very populated
8th house, natural realm of Scorpio and the
idea of using joint resources. There are
4 out of 10 planets here. This house shows
our great involvement in financing, which
made us into the economic giant that we are.
We have figured out how to build ourselves
up with everybody else's money. The United
States has become the undisputed leader when
it comes to this. Dollars are worth more
than any currency in any country. If the
U.S. is rocked financially, every market
in the world dips.
This placement also marks speculation
and,
with Jupiter on our Sun, outright obsessive
gambling. (If you think about it, the
stock
exchange is really just another form
of legalized
gambling.) Every night people are glued
to
the TV waiting for their lottery number
to
hit, or they are down at the casino
pumping
the one-armed bandits. Don't forget
bingo
once a week at your local church. We
can't
get enough of it.
Come join our Cancerian family
Our sun is in Cancer, and I can see
the resemblance.
Cancer is essentially conservative,
concerned
mainly with their own affairs and that
of
their family. Family, for Cancers,
can also
consist of those outside blood relations,
but they have to prove themselves trustworthy
to be included in their circle. Once
included,
they will fight to defend them as one
of
their own. If there is trouble, we
usually
try to move sideways first, like a
crab,
until cornered. When a decision is
made to
attack, it is predicated on defending
the
homeland, or the values of the homeland.
When we befriend a nation or make an ally,
it is usually forever and we pledge to defend
them. Cancer remembers everything -- those
who help AND those who harm. Combine that
with Scorpio and you have a big military
budget. The Scorpio aspect throws all this
into a situation where we tend to get involved
with political or financial favors in return
for some kind of mutual support, usually
under the table. But make no mistake -- the
United States, as a Cancer nation, defends
its own interests tooth and nail and is aggressive
when threatened.
Food is a big deal here, and Cancers
love
food. It's not really the food. It's
more
the feeling of security when you have
a full
belly and the pantry is stocked. This
contributes
to the feeling of a secure home. We
also
feed the world.
The Sun is in the 9th house, and there is
almost a religious aspect here. That is,
whatever we endeavor to do is practically
regarded as "God's Will," and personally
sanctioned by a higher power. The Sun here
shows the wanting to expand the influence
and presence out into the world, to "convert"
people to our way of thinking. The feeling
of being right, combined with the military
might to back it is very persuasive, but
not necessarily ethical. The "do as
we say, not as we do" thing. It's an
inferior way of teaching.
I have found in charts that the sign Cancer
(and Aquarius) pops up frequently in regards
to teaching, and we would be a great world
teacher if we could just grow up. We are
a great one at telling others how to live,
but have yet to get our own house in order.
It is all about decisions as to how and why
we involve ourselves in other countries'
affairs, which will be brought out more in
the next paragraphs.
Saturn applies the brakes, but we don't
like
it -- or learn from it
Saturn is so close to the 12th that I will
call it "in." Saturn deals with
lessons and limitations. The 12th house (self-undoing
by not knowing or accepting the real truth
about self) is in Libra (relationship), which
means that any attempt to dominate relationships
with others only reflects badly on us. We
have karma to overcome in dealing with others
and with compromise.
We are used to having our own way, even resorting
to manipulation of sorts to achieve it. We
are learning the give and take the hard way.
Every time we think we know best and that
we are better than others are, there is a
backlash that makes us rethink our position
regarding other nations. There has been hypocrisy,
dishonesty and manipulation with other nations,
and that is going to backfire. We are being
called to direct our energies to higher values.
When we fall back into wanting to "push
the right buttons" to get what we need,
we weaken ourselves.
Saturn would also reveal that we need
to
understand our fears or else be confined
by them, as it is in the 12th house,
where
self-understanding must occur. It also
shows
that we must recognize our limitations,
too.
Don't get me wrong, the United States
has
great qualities because of these placements.
As I said, the potential exists for
us to
become a great teacher. But this teaching
must be shown by example and given
freely,
without the need or expectations of
a return
of a favor. Our ideals are not to be
imposed
on another. If our government gave
equally
to all who asked, there would be less
hard
feelings about our presence (or lack
thereof)
in certain areas or nations of the
world.
You can see how this manipulation can
cause
problems, no matter what the intention.
Fortunately,
we are also good at solving the very
problems
that we created in the first place.
In a
weird sort of way, we feed on it.
Saturn is in conflict with the Sun (our true
nature, and our will), which puts limits
on our sense of self in relationship to others.
Essentially this is an over-sensitiveness
on our part, the need to defend our actions,
which we don't feel we should have to do.
This bravado comes from Jupiter ("I'm
right") and some from Venus ("my
way, or the highway") in conjunction
with the Sun (the will). These limitations
are a necessary brake for a runaway ego.
Jupiter wants more and we oblige
Jupiter conjunct sun is always way
too self-confident.
The major planetary influence in those
who
are in trouble with the law is not
a nasty
mars, but an over-the-top, self-assured
Jupiter.
They think they can get away with it
and
make the big score, that they will
never
be caught. These people believe they
ARE
the law, or a law unto themselves at
the
least. The U.S. must avoid the temptation
to behave this way.
Jupiter also rules addictions, as far
as
my studying shows, and we have a great
propensity
for addiction of all kinds. Think about
it:
food, sex, drugs, shopping, gambling,
work,
whatever. As this is in the 8th house,
and
we have Scorpio placements, you have
a society
that needs some counseling.
Some founding fathers knew about all this.
Many understood the signifigance and use
of astrology. This has continued to this
day in a covert fashion (even in business,
such as in the stock market), although astrologer
Joan Quigley's influence on the Reagan years
is a known fact. Those in the Revolutionary
days that knew about Jupiter probably knew
about the excess, but figured more is better
than less.
Putting Jupiter on the sun gave us
tremendous
ability to expand rapidly, but it also
gave
us gargantuan waste in our government.
Putting
Saturn square this position actually
helps
define where to put our resources for
the
maximum effect, and gives some substance
to a superficial country devoted to
gambling,
sports, and the pursuit of pleasure.
In a
strange kind of way, it also prompts
us to
save for a rainy day, essentially piling
up even more stuff than we could ever
use,
only to let it sit around "just
in case"
we need it.
The tendency to want to over-expand
is also
aggravated by a configuration called
a grand
trine, which always shows a diffusion
of
energy; too many interests going in
too many
directions. It would show a person
who would
strive to keep everything as effortless
as
possible for themselves, focusing on
personal
satisfaction and recreation instead
of character
building. When pushed to do something
about
a situation, they would rather take
the easy
way. It shows a falling backwards into
fortunate
circumstances (luck) and a maximum
waste
of the resources so easily gained.
This trine
is in air signs, which underlines the
more
superficial and social aspect, into
trivial
pursuits or putting our energy into
things
that seem like a big deal and are very
popular
at the time, but prove to be a sidetrack
to where the energy is really needed.
Atlantean karma and the Aquarian dream
The north node (where we need to go to spiritually)
in Leo says that our destiny is to demonstrate
our principles and embody them, becoming
a central force and bringing attention to
this. It hasn't quite worked out that way.
There is still a regional or secular feeling
in America that slows the collective vision.
The south node (what we already know and
cling to) in Aquarius shows that we are the
reincarnation of the feeling of Atlantis,
the highly developed technological and sexual
society that ruled the world at one time.
We have come back to balance the spiritual
with the scientific, to promote freedom and
individuality, balanced with the needs of
the group. Only through the support and upliftment
of the creativity of each individual for
the benefit of all the world, can the United
States begin to make a reality out of an
Aquarian dream.
The moon (representing the people) is in
Aquarius, as well as the south node, and
is in the 4th house (roots). This really
pulls us to cherish our families, our history
(although we are not that old compared to
other nations), and to guard our personal
security tightly. This placement is another
reference relating us to our Atlantean heritage
-- and karma.
Land has always meant freedom, and we as
a people, have always desired both. There
is a spiritual connection with the land we
live on, part of which was land that was
once a part of Atlantis. With the moon, we
don't stay in one place for long. Home is
a destination. We keep on dreaming, keep
on moving, exploring ourselves, our planet,
our universe. In our everyday lives, we practically
live in our cars with assistance from our
mobile phones and drive-through's.
The moon is an important planet to the United
States. It describes our strong opinions
which lie underneath a cool front and our
unconscious knee-jerk reaction to anything
remotely seeming like an attack or slight
to security. It is so reflexive that we don't
even know why we do the things we do in defense
of ourselves. We will say that we are doing
"this" for "this" reason,
but that is a formality to justify our action.
The real answer is much deeper.
When we are attacked, we join together
as
a group defending its cherished values.
It
actually turns into a pep rally. As
a people,
we are susceptible to being whipped
into
a frenzy with sports chants such as,
"We're
number one," and any patriotic
slogans.
This takes the place of quiet introspection
and evaluation of the problem or experience.
The trouble is, we don't understand our emotional
nature and just assume that we must be acting
logically. But feelings seldom if ever follow
the path of logic. The United States, for
all its lunar characteristics, has never
understood their emotions anyway. Anyone
with moon in Aquarius (like us) who encounters
strange illogical emotions usually just files
it away and tells themselves to just "get
over it," or even goes looking for the
pharmaceutical fix -- just the right pill.
Hardly a real way to come to terms with our
feelings about things.
The Aquarian emphasis shows that we are inventors
and dreamers. We are taking part in this
great experiment to see if a nation can be
founded on principles and ideals, rather
than race. Our heritage is not a melting
pot, but a simmering cauldron. Each new people
that come to us to join the dream of freedom
get knocked around a little until they are
accepted as Americans and we all get used
to being in the same house together. That's
what happens when you get a bunch of individualists
who have the desire to keep that individuality
alive trying to forge a national identity.
This is a bumpy road, but we are trying.
Assuming the karmic role of World Teacher
America is a great ideal, but from
my view,
it seems that there is one major thing
holding
us back -- self-interest. Our Cancerian
clannish
nature stops us from really living
and epitomizing
the great ideals that we hold dear.
We end
up loving the ideal of acceptance of
all,
but are not willing to do the work
necessary
to "walk the talk." And until
we
do, that's all America will be --a
land of
talk about future action regarding
our beliefs,
which never materializes. The Cancer
part
of us can't get by the need to feel
that
we are secure, thus limiting us from
putting
ourselves out there for others. Think
about
it. We love believing all the good
things
about ourselves, but let's face it
-- how
long did it take the land of equality
to
free the slaves and give women the
vote?
I'm not trying to tear America down,
especially
in this time of terrorism. I just see
that
it has the potential to be so much
more than
it is. It is a great country, and I
wouldn't
want to live anywhere else. But there
is
a great need to not gloss over the
negative
side because it might bring down the
ratings
in the polls.
America has yet to truly step into its role
of a world teacher and a spiritual light.
This is our destiny: to release our fears
and insecurities and truly embrace all countries
and people who wish to receive the benefit
of our expertise, knowledge and resources.
All people want the same thing: to feel safe,
and to know in their heart that there is
a better future. As we lend a hand to others,
lifting them up and helping them to help
themselves become prosperous and happy (for
no other ulterior reason), we in turn uplift
ourselves, and they will see the true meaning
behind the Statue of Liberty who holds up
a light to the world.
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