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October 28, 2013

Encounters with Uranus, the Planet of Technology

By Lilly Alcantara

The Uranus glyph
looks like an antenna.
Sometimes it is good to take a break from reading about the knowledge of other astrologers and invent one's own. After all, all throughout the ages it was how astrology blossomed and branched out. 

As this author had kept repeating to herself over the years she had studied the art of astrology - astrology is an intuitive study. It takes a degree of imagination and thinking out of the box to uncover its secrets. 

Usually the systematic way works, but testing one's own theories can help one test how well one has grasped the concept. The Universe has blessed the author with a 00 degree Aries Mercury, the symbol of new beginnings. This author would be wasting it if she did not invent a few new concepts of her own.

Take for example the relatively new planet Uranus (in terms of discovery). Named after the husband of Gaia, Mother Earth, who gave birth to the Titans, astrologers have had no idea about its existence in the centuries before the time it had been discovered, and instead based their astrological charts only up to the planet Saturn. 

However, the theory of this writer is that this has always been fated so. There seems to truly be a consciousness manipulating the happenings in the Universe, perhaps also the singular cause of astrology itself. One may call this God if he wished.

Uranus was discovered on March 13, 1781 by Sir William Herschel, but had been sighted as early as 1690. The discovery is coincidental with the boon in the discoveries of the science behind electricity. The words "electric" and "electricity" first made their debut in print in 1646. In 1752, Benjamin Franklin performed his famous kite experiment. 

After the year 1781, the progress in studies about electricity became almost exponential, with Galvani's works in 1791, Volta's in 1800, Oersted's and Ampere's in 1819-1820, and so on with other scientists. Its name Uranus was not finalized until 1850, and is the only planet with a name based on Greek mythology instead of Roman. 

To an astrologer, it would have been expected, given Uranus' rebellious energies. With the first Uranus return since its discovery (about 80-84 years after it was discovered), James Clerk Maxwell linked electricity to magnetism in 1862. 

With the second Uranus return in 1950, the transistor was invented, another milestone in the history of electronics, paving the way to semiconductor diodes, integrated circuits, and other devices with which we power our gadgets today. 

The next Uranus return would be in around the 2030's. Because it would be happening in the Aquarian age of electricity, it would probably be something incredible.

The author's conclusion was that the secrets of electricity had been hidden from mankind over the centuries preceding, just like the planet Uranus. And now that the planet is acknowledged, so has the science.

In a personal chart, what Uranus touches by transit or progression, it usually jolts or "electrifies." The unexpected may happen, and there can be a great surge of energy waiting to be unleashed. When Uranus went into conjunction with this author's Aries Mercury-Moon conjunction a few years ago, her emotions and ideas went into a new plane. Her study of astrology deepened and she discovered many new ideas. Her feelings became unstable and she went into public outbursts when the urge arose.

Even in the Philippines, Uranus' effects are noticeable. Early this year, the Board of Electronics Engineering of the Philippines made a rather strange announcement - the board exams set for October 19 and 20 were to be postponed indefinitely. 

There have been previous postponements of the licensure exams but only for a few weeks, and never indefinitely. Curious, this author pulled out the chart of that day, and lo and behold, coincidentally Uranus went retrograde that day, July 22, 2013. 

Perhaps it was a symbol of how the progress of electronics (at least in the Philippines) was delayed by keeping new electronics engineers from getting their licenses. Because of this, this author theorized that the board exams would most likely take place during the time Uranus went direct once again, on December 14, it turned out. 

About a month after the announcement, the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) did in fact announce that the re-scheduled date for the board exams would be on December 13 and 14 for electronics engineers, to the joy of this author, who would be taking them.

At the present, there are three planets retrograde in the sky: Mercury, Neptune, and Uranus. With Mercury and Uranus both retrograde, one can expect their electronic gadgets malfunctioning in one way or another. This author's internet connection and cellphone have become erratic over the past week or so. Or perhaps the PRC had some astrologers on their pay list. One cannot know for certain.

October 20, 2013

8 Tips for Dealing With The Mercury Retrograde

By Walter Ang

Mercury glyph.
The R with a line through its right leg
is the symbol for retrograde.
Mercury will be retrograde from Oct. 20 to Nov. 9 (or Oct. 21 to Nov. 10), depending on which side of Earth you are.

In astrology, when a planet is in retrograde, it seems (from our vantage point here on Earth) that it’s going backwards in its path in the sky. When this happens, its “powers” are “reduced” or “introverted.”

Inspired by the Greek myths were Mercury (the deity) is the messenger of the gods, Mercury (the planet) rules communications and transportation. So whenever it is in retrograde, you get static in the air where “people don’t say what they mean and they don’t mean what they say.”

It’s important to note that they (and you) will not be doing it deliberately, it’s just that we’re all affected by the retrograde. But don’t panic. It’s not all bad news. There are certain activities that do well under this kind of energy. Here are 8 tips on how to deal with Mercury retrogrades.

Don't sign contracts
The usual advice is to not start any new projects or sign any contracts because the energies of those new projects or signed contracts will be “trapped” in the “backwards” energies of the retrograde.

You may have to keep going back to these projects to renegotiate, rediscuss, rework, replan them before they really lift off.

But, of course, life must go on. So if you really do need to sign a contract, take the time to go through it thoroughly not just twice, but maybe four or five times.

Don't go on a first date
Can you imagine hitting it off with someone new and later finding out you both weren’t communicating clearly with each other? You would have become interested in each other based on information that wasn’t accurate.

But, again, life goes on. After all, who wants to turn down a date? Take it easy, take it slow, take it with a grain of salt. If you think the other person’s interesting, whether this first date goes well or not, agree to a second date after the Mercury retrograde.

Haters gonna hate
People from your past have a higher chance of reappearing in your lives during a Mercury retrograde. This means friends and family as well as frenemies and enemies.

Reunions held during Mercury retrograde usually go well. Otherwise, if you run into an old enemy, take it as an opportunity that the universe is giving you a chance to finally make up (or not).

To read the rest of the article, click here: http://8list.ph/mercury-retrograde-tips/

October 15, 2013

Earthquakes in 2013

By Resti H. Santiago (astro-medieval.blogspot.com)

I am not fond on predicting earthquakes because not much preparation can be done compare with typhoons.

We can see typhoons form and develop and what we do beforehand can somehow determine how much we will be affected by it. 

That cannot be said about earthquakes. But I have been getting more corrects hits. Last year, I was able to predict two earthquakes.  

However, let it be clear that what astrologers are predicting are not the usual 3-4 magnitude earthquakes.
 
Astrologers' predictions on earthquake range from magnitude 5 to higher magnitudes.
  Forecast review: From Medieval astro-clock 2012/October: 
Mild earthquake in October:
News: Magnitude 5.8 quake strikes of Sarangani  

Forecast review: From Medieval astro-clock 2012/ February: 
Mars in the 4th house .. can indicate destruction of crops.
News:Magnitude 6.7 earthquake hit Negros Oriental on Feb 6, 2012

At the seminar “Astrology and Feng Shui Guide 2012” which I gave on January 2012, I re-interpreted this  [February 2012 forecast] factor as an indicator of an earthquake. When I combined this with flying star Feng shui, I was even able to pinpoint that the central part of the Philippines as the possible location for a natural calamity. The earthquake in February struck the central Visayas.  In the years to come I will be doing more intensive research on earthquakes. 

2013 Forecast
Forecasts for October 2013
from Medieval Astro-clock 2013
Strong earthquakes are likely on the following months March, June, August, October, November.

But as with everything that I have written about, let us approach it in a systematic and objective manner. We have seen that correlations exist between earthquakes and the planets. Let’s explore more details and take this forecast on earthquake as an experiment for now as we don’t want people to panic.

There are two categories for this:  One set is due to Mars on - June, October, November. The other set is due to Saturn - on March and August. Let us observe 2013 to see the effect and whether there is a difference in their intensity.

For earthquakes, lunations such as the New Moon, Full Moon, Quarter Moon, oftentimes act as trigger to these factors. The studies of another astrologer Richard Nolle revealed that Supermoons (a term that he coined in 1979 to describe full moons when the Moon is very close to earth) can also be a major activator of earthquakes. In 2013, the Supermoons will be on May 25, June 23, and July 22. Two of these Supermoons is close to our earthquake factors.

From Medieval Astro-clock 2013.

Update/Review: 
October 15, 2013 || 7.2 magnitude earthquake hits Bohol || Mars factor
☑ August 18, 2013 || 5.3 magnitude earthquake hits Mindanao || Saturn factor
☑ June 1, 2013 || 5.7 magnitude earthquake hits Cotobato || Mars factor

October 10, 2013

Pluto in Capricorn and Uranus in Aries : Big Brother vs Anonymous (Part 2)

By Jamal Ashley Abbas

Read PART 1.

Capricornian strong government
Capricorn represents the Earth, Governments, Big Business, Money, the Elites, Responsibility, Authoritarianism, Rules and Tight Control.

The Americans now have a very Strong Presidency courtesy of the Patriot Act as well as other laws that impinge on individual privacy such as the one, approved by US Supreme Court in 2006, requiring US companies to keep track of their employees’ email, instant messages and other electronic documents.

And through the economic crisis in 2008, the Federal Reserve has taken over the banking, insurance and mortgage industries while making millions of Americans homeless in the process.

The American government may have forgotten that the last time Pluto was in Capricorn, restrictive laws – the 1764 Sugar Act, Quartering Act and Stamp Act of 1765,  Tea Act of 1773, and the five so-called Intolerable Acts of 1774 -- led to the American War of Independence.

The Americans are now up in arms against Gun Control laws and laws restricting use of cyberspace.

Cyber Big Brother
In this era of the Internet, governments will exert all efforts to control cyberspace. The US pushed for Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA) and the PROTECT IP Act (PIPA) to have firm government control over the Internet. Fortunately, the American people stood up and fought against it.

In the Philippines, the netizens stopped the government from implementing the Anti-Cyber Crime Law or RA 10175.

Uranus, the ruler of revolutions, also rules the Internet and computers. And Uranus is now in Aries, which is ruled by Mars, the god of War.

The zodiac sign Aries, the Ram
Uranus in Aries
After 84 years, Uranus entered Aries in May to Aug 2010, returned in March 2011 and will stay there until 2018/19. And it is in a “bad” aspect (square) with Pluto.


The end of 2010 saw the start of the so-called Arab Spring where revolutions in the Arab world caused the downfall of long-time strongmen in Tunisia, Egypt and Libya; long drawn out civil wars in Yemen and Syria; and, revolutionary stirrings in Bahrain.

In all these Arab revolutions, the US has been firmly behind the revolutionaries (except in Bahrain). Most of the world applauded the US and Europe for helping the Arab people.

But the world started realizing that not everything is as black-and-white as represented by the world’s media. Egypt’s first democratically elected President was overthrown by the military, allegedly taking its cue from the people. And the US supports this coup d’etat.

The US and Europe’s support for the Syrian opposition is questioned by many since the Syrian opposition includes the al-Qaeda, allegedly, America’s number one enemy.

Although US President Barack Obama was elected on a No-More-War campaign, he is now vehemently campaigning for an invasion of Syria even though America is still embroiled in Afghanistan and has not thoroughly withdrawn from Iraq.

But Obama had to stop in his tracks as he found himself without reliable allies England and Germany. Both refused to support Obama’s attack on Syria.

And Putin’s Russia has taken the role of “champion for Peace” and will not take an American attack on Syria sitting down. China is Russia’s ally in the United Nations Security Council, which refused to allow an attack on Syria.

While Uranus encourages (Arab) revolutions, a deadly war involving nuclear powers – USA and Russia, with England, France and China – is threatening the world at large. Pluto rules over nuclear bombs.

When Uranus (Revolution) is in Aries (War), and it squares (antagonistic to) Pluto (Death and Destruction) in Capricorn (Overly Ambitious Big Business / Big Governments), we can expect only the worse.

What to expect?
Pluto rules earthquakes and nuclear power. Nuclear power plants are owned by Big Business. When Uranus re-entered Aries in March 2011, the earthquake-generated tsunami devastated parts of Japan and destroyed the Fukushima power plant. The nuclear fallout of the Fukushima disaster continues as contaminated groundwater flows into the Pacific Ocean. According to the latest reports, contaminated water has already reached Hawaii.

With Pluto in Capricorn, the governments will continue to amass as much power as they can at the expense of their citizens.  These governments will push for strict gun control laws, stricter laws in the name of Security and control of cyberspace.   The elites of the lands will amass more money and power and the gap between the rich and the poor will further widen.

In this epoch, surveillance cameras, ID cards, wire-tapping, DNA monitoring and racial profiling will be the order of the day for the world’s inhabitants. The rich and powerful will try to have a tight rein on the world’s poor.

But the people will wake up, as many have already waken up. Uranus in Aries makes sure of that. Uranus in Aries is the “Awakener”.

The Pluto in Capricorn (Big Business/Big Government) will meet its match in Uranus in Aries (revolutionary change, an awakened militant populace).              

The last two times Pluto was in Capricorn, the Philippines was invaded – by Spain in 1521 and by England in 1762. But the foreigners did not / could not stay long. Perhaps this time, it would be China’s turn because of the dispute over the Spratlys.

During the last two visits of Pluto in Capricorn, great events happened in Moroland. The first time, the Maguindanao Sultanate was founded and in the next, the Sulu Sultan was returned to Sulu from his cell in Intramuros, Manila where he was held hostage for some 15 years. In exchange for the release of the Sultan, Sulu lost some territories to the British but got some of them back shortly after.

Perhaps for the Bangsa Moro, Uranus will rekindle the revolutionary fires of the 1970s. It looks like this time, a Bangsa Moro state is in the offing.

Pluto in Capricorn destroys and establishes dynasties or empires. It destroyed the Aztec empire. And with the Age of Colonization, it gave rise to the European empires, especially the British Empire.

It replaced the Abbasid dynasty with the Ottoman dynasty / empire ca. 1517 and when it came back, the Ottoman lost a lot of territories during the Russo-Turk War in 1768 to 1774.

And in 1776, with Pluto in Capricorn, the American Empire was born -- a big blow to its colonizer, the British Empire.

And yes, America is facing its Pluto Return. And America, which is essentially a plutocracy, is in danger. The plutocrats could very well face their downfall courtesy of the American people. The USA’s natal moon, which represents the people, is in Aquarius. And with the ruler of Aquarius in Aries, the Aquarian people may just wake up and move collectively, just like they did in 1776.

Could it be that this time around, with Pluto in Capricorn and Uranus in Aries, we will witness the American Empire’s fall?

Ultimately, it is up to the collective consciousness of the humans living today to decide what the Pluto in Capricorn / Uranus in Aries epoch will usher in. It could lead to a nuclear world war that will bring in Death and Destruction or it could herald a New Age of universal change for the better. One thing for sure: Pluto in Capricorn squaring Uranus in Aries can only indicate very interesting and dynamic times.  

Jamal Ashley Abbas together with Henry and Hans Palacios introduced the computerized astrological chart to the Filipino public in 1991. Throughout the 1990s, the NATAL ASTROLOGY kiosk at SM megamall generated tens of thousands of natal charts as well as transits, progressions and synastry charts thus leading people away from the too-general Sun- sign horoscope readings. Mr. Abbas does astrological readings, focused on karmic and spiritual aspects.

October 05, 2013

Pluto in Capricorn and Uranus in Aries: Big Brother vs Anonymous (Part1)


By Jamal Ashley Abbas 

Remember, remember!  The fifth of November,   the Gunpowder treason and plot;  I know of no reason why the Gunpowder treason should ever be forgot! -  English Folk Verse (c.1870).
Pluto glyph

The world entered a new epoch in 2008, one that is changing socio-political reality as we know it. Pluto, that tiny planetoid in distant space, has the power to affect Earthlings in world-shattering ways. Pluto, in Greco-Roman mythology, is the powerful god of the Underworld. In astrology, Pluto represents Destruction, Rebirth, Mob, Dictators, Sex, Money, Earthquakes, Mass Movements and the Nuclear Bomb.

Pluto in Capricorn 
Pluto entered Capricorn in late January 2008, returned to Sagittarius in June, came back to Capricorn in November and will stay there until January 2024. And the world can expect disasters in the worst form as all hell could break lose. 

First, Big Business and Strong Governments will take over. Instead of overt wars against other people, there will be covert war against one’s own people – the citizens, the workforce, the ordinary people. But instead of bombs, the weapons will be Rules and Laws like the Patriot Act or the Human Security Law (Anti-Terrorism Law) or Cyber Crime Laws or State of Emergency or Martial Law. The name of the game is Security and Surveillance.

 And so this epoch will be characterized by the Plutonian Shadowy Power of Capricornian Big Business / Strong Government through Tight Controls. It will be George Orwell’s Big Brother come to life. 

The global crisis of 2008
January 2008 started with the downturn of US stock market and ended with the highest price drop in home sales in 25 years. By Sept. 7, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, which controlled half of the $12 Trillion mortgage market collapsed and were taken over by the US government – in effect, nationalizing the housing market. 

And then huge investment banking firms like Lehman Brothers and Merryl Lynch collapsed. While Lehman Brothers was forced to close shop, the others were bailed out by the Federal Reserve – in effect, the government and its private banking partners took over the investment banking industry.

It must be noted that the US Federal Reserve System "is considered an independent central bank because its monetary policy decisions do not have to be approved by the President or anyone else in the executive or legislative branches of government, it does not receive funding appropriated by the Congress, and the terms of the members of the Board of Governors span multiple presidential and congressional terms". (source: Wikipedia) The Fed is actually owned by some 15 or so private banks which include JP Morgan Chase and Bank of America.

When Pluto entered into Capricorn, Big Business and Big Government created their coup and took over the banking, insurance and mortgage industries in the US and Europe.

From theory to practice
The theory or rationale for State Control was put in place while Pluto was in Sagittarius. The laws were enacted. The media spin was delivered. This time, with Pluto in Capricorn, theory is put in practice.

The Pakistani president, who had proclaimed a State of Emergency in early November 2007, jumped the gun in the race to Strong Governments.

President Arroyo tested the waters in February / March 2006 when she proclaimed a state of emergency. Unfortunately for her, not only was it premature, but Pluto was also in close conjunction to the Galactic Center, a super black hole in the center of our galaxy, which some astrologers regard as a purging and transforming mechanism.

But President Benigno Aquino had perfect timing. As Senator Joker Arroyo said, with the impeachment of Supreme Court Chief Justice Corona, President Aquino obtained autocratic powers without even declaring Martial Law. He is now in full control of the branches of government – controlling the House, the Senate and Judiciary. And with his connections with a TV mogul, he even controls the Media.

Historical precedents
Capricorn glyph
Pluto in Capricorn seems to have historical impact on the Philippines. Pluto entered Capricorn in 1515 and stayed there until 1532. Pluto in Capricorn creates states and humbles or even destroys empires. 

In 1515, Sharif Kabungsuwan arrived in Maguindanao and established the Maguindanao Sultanate.

In 1521, official Philippine history began when Magellan was said to “discover” the Philippines.

But such “discovery” led to the humbling of the great Spanish Empire, which historians up to now try to keep secret.  The chronicler of Magellan’s voyages, Antonio Pigafetta, recorded that in the Battle of Mactan, Magellan was killed by the men of the local chieftain Cali Pulaco who is popularly known as Lapu-Lapu. Afterwards, Cebu’s Rajah Humabon invited Magellan’s successor Duarte Barbossa and 25 of his men to a farewell luncheon where the Europeans were massacred. Pigafetta was fortunate to be wounded in the battle so he did not join his companions in the festivities.

Upon news of the massacre, the remaining men were not enough to take three ships. Hence, they abandoned the Concepcion and sped away aboard the Victoria and the Trinidad.  The Spaniards did not return to the Islands until 50 years later. And for 330 years, they made sure that the natives never heard of this massacre. In fact, until now, very few know of the massacre of Magellan’s men as historians, local and foreign, refuse to include them in their manuscripts.

At about the same time (1519 -1521), the Spanish conquistador Hernando Cortes arrived in the Valley of Mexico and started the systematic annihilation of the Aztec Empire.

Pluto returned to Capricorn on Nov. 8, 1762 up to Dec 1, 1778. This period saw the end of Europe’s Seven Years War. The French lost Canada and the West Indies territories to Britain and Louisiana to Spain. The fall of the French Empire paved the way for the French Revolution.

England, which had captured the Philippines and Cuba, returned these territories to Spain in exchange for Florida. England, however, managed to get territories -- Balambangan (Cagayan de Sulu), southern Palawan and North Borneo – in the name of its business arm, the East India Company -  from the Sulu Sultanate in exchange for its rescue of Sulu Sultan Azim ud Din I, who had been held hostage in Intramuros, Manila by the Spaniards for some 15 years.

However, in the later stage of this epoch, it was the British Empire’s turn to be humbled. In March 1775, Datu Teteng of Sulu attacked the British fort in Balambangan and forced the British out of Sulu. Sulu also got back its territories in North Borneo and Palawan.

On July 4, 1776, the United States of America declared their independence from Britain. Interestingly, 120 or so years later, when Pluto was in two-faced Gemini, the new power, the United States of America, decided to take both the Philippines and Sulu for itself through the 1898 Treaty of Paris and the Bates Treaty of 1899 respectively.