Mars and Bonifacio's Bolo

By Resti H. Santiago

Photo by Noel Mapalo

It's National Heroes Day and it's a good time for us to look up at our heroes and learn from their struggles.

Astrologically speaking, anyone can be a hero, a star in his or her own right. There is no specific astrological configuration that we can look for in a natal chart to determine beforehand that an individual will become a hero or not.

Why is this so? Because becoming a hero is a choice. The interaction between the struggle that a group of people is experiencing and the inner struggles of an individual with a strong sense of "fate" and mission becomes magnified and urges that individual look beyond himself and to think of the greater good.

Such is the case with Gat Andres Bonifacio who was able to channel his "martial" energy in addressing the needs of the times. He did initiate the "Revolution" in 1896 but he could have chosen otherwise.

If he did not choose to join Rizal's La Liga Filipina, he could not have chosen to found the Kataas-taasan, Kagalang-galangang Katipunan ng mga Anak ng Bayan (K.K.K.). Had he not chosen to found the K.K.K., there won't be a "sigaw" or the tearing of cedula on that fateful month of August 1896 that sparked the fires of revolution to break free from the shackles of colonialism. If he did not choose all of these things, the Philippines might still be under a colonial power up to know.

Bonifacio's Mars
Despite the controversy surrounding Bonifacio's bolo, it is actually a fitting symbol for him. On the other hand, a revolver fits quite as well. Both weapons are associated with Mars.

In the chart of Bonifacio, he is actually signified more by Mars than any other planet. Mars is the strongest planet in his chart. Though his Sun is in philosophical Sagittarius, its ruler Jupiter is actually in Scorpio, the domain of Mars, the god of war and revolution.

Bonifacio's Mars is in Scorpio, a feminine and water sign. This does not in any manner limit his valor. When planets are in feminine signs, they just tend to do things in a subtle or indirect manner. This is partly the reason why the leadership of the movement was not centered on him. Mars is actually strong in Scorpio as this is one of the signs it rules (in Medieval Astrology).  In modern astrology, Scorpio is the sign of secrets. The KKK was after all a secret society that aimed to unite the Filipinos and liberate the Philippines thru an armed revolution.

It is interesting to note that the "mutation" chart of the 19th century, computed for Manila, actually had Mars as the most elevated planet. Mutation charts, which are based on the coming together of the two slow-moving planets, Jupiter and Saturn, in the same zodiac sign, signal new phases in history.

Indios who were born after 1842 with strong Mars in their charts were called and Bonifacio heeded that call of fate. It's all about recognizing one's role in the greater scheme of things. Sometimes, becoming a hero is simply becoming who one is meant to be.

More than a hundred years later, the revolution initiated by our heroes remain unfinished. It might be our turn now, for our planets to move and our stars to shine. It's never too late to be a hero.

Happy National Heroes Day everyone!