The USA
In the previous three essays, I have examined the recent past, present and near future of Universal Astrological conditions, (what are termed “transits to transits”), that form the overall Energy-Forms prevailing during any particular period of time. In this essay, I will provide some analysis of the more important transits and significant features of the Charts of the USA. In the following essay I will examine the chart and transits for Donald Trump.
The repeated alignments of a particular planet to a feature in any chart will always exhibit a specific quality. But the exact nature of the experience will change depending upon what other astrological aspects are in effect for that chart, combined with the influences formed by the general astrological conditions that are also in effect.
The most important transit in the chart of the USA for 2016 was the Square of Uranus to the USA Mercury. The circuit of Uranus around the zodiac takes approximately 84 years, so that Uranus will form a “hard” aspect to Mercury in any chart every 21 years or so. Moreover, the interpretation of these effects will vary with the exact type of contact (Conjunction, Waxing Square, Opposition or Waning Square).
The current cycle of Uranus to the USA Mercury began with the conjunction of 1954–55, leading to the waxing square of 1973–74, arriving at the opposition of 1994, and finally to the waning square of 2016–17. Every time this contact occurs, the thought-forms and the forms of communication in the USA are shook up and transformed. But in terms of the same moment in this cycle, (the waning square), the last occurrences were in 1933–34 and 1849–50.
The previous similar transit of 1933–34 accompanied the many transformational efforts and reactionary pushbacks to FDR’s “New Deal”, with many governmental programs invented/instituted to deal with the crisis of the Great Depression accompanied by strident opposition from those opposed to government expansion.
The 1849–50 transit, saw the tumultuous struggle to “solve” the problem of slavery with the “Compromise of 1850”, regarding the admission of the territories secured in the Mexican War as to whether they would be a free or slave state. Part of this compromise also witnessed the enactment of the “Fugitive Slave Law” requiring free states to return escaped slaves, and the Supreme Court made slavery a protected institution. This “compromise” only served to delay the inevitable showdown between two incompatible and disparate ways of life, between a society founded upon freedom for all or bondage for many.
Really, in both cases, the thought-forms of the time were put to the test with regards as to whether the people of the USA accept, understand and share with one another enough commonly held beliefs, which are the spiritual-intellectual-emotional bonds to hold them to one another in mutual understanding. Each period brought into sharp relief, the differences between groups and regions of the country. Old forms of thinking were challenged by new ones, and attempts to return to the “old ways” versus leaping into new ones caused frictions and fractures in the society.
Uranus is known as the “Awakener”, whose thunderbolts of “new ways of thinking and of new ideas”, serve to shake you and your world. Mercury rules the Mind and communications generally, and so their combination is very apropos. In a mundane chart (like a corporation or in this case a nation), the natal planets will denote specific qualities of that entity. Mercury rules the Thought-Forms of the people in general, the Communications and Transportations of a country, the Literary world and the Intelligentsia, the Press, Educators and Educational Institutions.
Mercury indicates for a nation, the overall capacity to form a consensus for understanding Reality, the means for acquiring information, and the ability to discern fact from fiction.
Certainly, the US experience of 2016 is one that shook up the ordinary in what we “heard, thought and shared” with one another. The normal boundaries of speech, the agreements of commonly shared assumptions and truths, the considerations of social discourse that depend upon our tolerance for one another grounded in mutual respect, these “norms” were broken down or even shattered.
Literally, the nervous system of many, and the mentality of the times, was rocked back and forth leading to a growing condition of spiritual dis-ease, with mental, emotional and physical exhaustion becoming the norm and bane for many.
In the chart of the USA, the most important aspect of Mercury is the opposition to the planet Pluto, the ruler of Will-Power. The combination of Mercury with Pluto creates a “mentality” with great powers of observation and concentration, uniquely endowed with a capacity for research, with the ability to delve into greater depths of understanding and equally extend the range of comprehension.
But equally, when misapplied, as is often the case with an opposition, this combination of the Will and Mind can lead to obsessional thinking, a will-fullness and determination that can lead to the attempt to bend others to a certain belief or thought. When Might makes Right, then reason, consideration, understanding and our tolerance for one another will fail.
Our democracy depends upon the free exchange of ideas, where there is a mutual respect and tolerance for one another to underpin and preserve our free exchange of thoughts, so that our ideas may compete with one another, and from this we may find the best and brightest ideas to bring about the most beneficent effects for one and all. It is this very crucible of forging better understanding with and between one another that will face an even greater challenge in 2017.
For as much as 2016 was characterized by the surging disquiet and disruption in thought-forms for the USA with Uranus over Mercury, it was already eliciting/activating the planet in opposition to Mercury, Pluto. In 2017 Uranus, will be exactly squaring Pluto (while still influencing Mercury). Uranus is the Avatar of Freedom and Individuality, and Pluto is the Avatar of Will and of Power. Much as the world in general has been undergoing the struggle of Uranus Squaring Pluto for several years now, it will now take center stage in our very own national chart in 2017.
There has been much discussion of late, and observations here and around the world, of the rise (and seeming) appeal of Authoritarianism. Certainly, the continuing alignments of Uranus and Pluto, (much as their similar square heralded in the 1930’s, and many observers have noted how our time mirrors that one), and the unease and uncertainties brought about the “end of an age” with Pluto swinging through Capricorn, have led some to seek a simpler answer to their troubles, they look for their salvation in a “strong” leader.
But throughout history, and as our founders who wrote the Declaration of Independence and our Constitution knew all too well, (having themselves thrown off a monarchical or absolute despotism), the end result of investing one or a few with too much power is Tyranny.
That is precisely why our system is built and based upon a series of “checks and balances”, so that power is distributed and not concentrated. The heart and cornerstone of our self-government is the principle of “Free Speech”. It is no accident that this sacred principle is enshrined in the 1st Amendment:
“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.”
Uranus squaring Pluto is the integral struggle to balance Freedom and Will. It is a reminder to you that the true and Spiritual use of your Will is so that you can become Self-Masterful, and that you are here to learn to Respect one another and to exercise Self-Control. It is a Spiritual crime to abuse this power, and the use of the Will to dominate or subjugate others is known as (Spiritual) Trespassing. (Again, it is no accident that it is one of the “Ten Commandments”).
There will be times, such as what you now encounter, where some will attempt to force their Ideas upon you, to “box” you in, to diminish and damage the sacred Hierarchy of Responsibility and attempt to divide you from one another. But as much as Pluto and the Will may be used illegitimately as the power to bring unjust force upon another, know that it is equally your Power to Resist this too.
Do not let yourself be “boxed in” or divided from one another. Do not accept the efforts by some to foster a “False Reality”, as they seek to weaken other sources of Reason and Authority, and by so doing seek to break down the common bonds which hold us to one another in Faith and Love.
Authoritarians seek to hold all power, which depends upon their efforts to divide you from your loving Spiritual nature. They will attempt to create a “simple reality” of “Us and Them”, of “Light and Dark”. They will whisper (and shout) that only they have the answer…but your higher self will remind you, that these are the shadow-forms of damaged minds and spirits, these are the lies of lost and broken souls.
Remember who you are, and why you are here: Always maintain the integrity of your own space of spirit, which can only be achieved when you equally respect, preserve and defend the sacred space of one and all.
Keep your mind Strong, yet equally Supple and Nuanced, by holding to the highest principles of Spirit, the foremost being this:
“You are all related, and what you do to the least of these you do to the One”.
Above all, do not be divided from one another.
Remember who you are, you are seekers and storytellers, and from sharing your thoughts and wisdom with one another you will prevail. Tell your stories to one another, so that you may Strengthen your common bonds and understanding.
By this you will preserve, protect and defend yourself, your world and one another.
All this you will do if you hold in your heart the Primary Spiritual Triad:
May you Speak with Wisdom…
May you Live by Love…
May you Be all for one, and one for All.
Next, Donald Trump