The Three Fates and our Heroes

By Resti H. Santiago

Andres Bonifacio

The concept of fate was not very popular in the 20th century because the previous century's mantra was all about freedom. This may partly explain why astrology has to be reformulated. But denying fate would not eliminate it from our lives.

If we are to believe Plato's "Myth of Er," fate is actually an agreement or arrangement that we had with God, sealed by the Fates, prior to one's incarnation. Denying that there is no binding agreement does not free us from what has actually been agreed upon.

It is for this reason that I want to emphasize that despite 20th century thought, fate still exists. But that does not mean there is no free will. A more realistic approach that astrology can show is that there is fate, and there is free will. The reason why astrologers can make predictions is because there is fate. The reason why astrologers can err in their interpretation is because there is free will.

Clotho, from where the word cloth came from  
is the "spinner," who spun the thread of life.

Astrology plays a special role in the process of knowing and dealing with our fate, because that is precisely the realm of astrology. Knowing what is fated can offer us a certain degree of freedom. Knowing that we have to work on something with someone - puts  us in the right direction. Knowing that there is order in the universe assures us that wisdom and happiness are achievable.

To demonstrate that there is fate, I would show through the lives of our heroes how the three daughters of fate work. First is Clotho, who spins the thread of life. With Clotho, the kind of life experiences that will "clothe" one's incarnation is decided. It must be noted that the spindle of necessity, upon which the thread of life is spun, is connected with the motion of the planets. Hence, whichever planet is highlighted is equivalent to the kind of life chosen for us. Consider these astrological facts:

Manuel L. Quezon's most dignified planet is Mercury, the planet of communication. He was known to be a great orator and is considered to be the "Ama ng Wika."

Andres Bonifacio’s most dignified planet is Mars, the planet of war, conflict and violence. Bonifacio initiated the armed movement for national liberation and his life was filled with conflict, betrayal and violence. He was killed by fellow Filipinos fighting for freedom.

Lachesis is the "allotter" or drawer of lots,
she measures the thread of life
allotted to each person.

Next is Lachesis who measures all that Clotho has spun, whether it is the length of one's life or the length of one's relationship or projects. Again this is tied to the motion of the planets, because specific areas of our horoscope chart are activated, favored or hindered in relation to the motion of the planets.

When Bonifacio formed the KKK, Saturn was in Virgo, in a harmonious relationship with his Mars and Jupiter in Scorpio. Mars is the rebel and stands for the use of arms. He was successful in organizing the people in a secret society.

When the “1896 Revolution” broke out, Saturn was conjunct his Jupiter and Mars, limiting his luck (Jupiter) and military capabilities (Mars).

When he was killed in 1897, Saturn was conjunct his North Node.

By looking at how his life followed the influence of Saturn, we can see how our actions are limited or  hindered by the planets. The motion of the planets is fixed, we can calculate, just as what Lachesis is supposed to have done, when good luck will begin and when it will end.

The last of the Fates is Atropos, who cuts what needs to have an ending. Atropos is death, putting an end to one's life, association, luck or bad luck. This means that there is time for everything and that major opportunities do not knock twice. At the allotted time, we can see the signature of the planets signifying either opportunities or beginnings (Jupiter/Venus) challenges or endings (Saturn/Mars).

Atropos is the "inevitable",
who the cuts the thread of life.

On December 30, 1896, the date that Jose Rizal was killed by firing squad, the malefic planets were active in his chart. The Moon in Scorpio was moving towards Saturn in Scorpio, the ancient planet of death. Saturn, being the planet of restriction and hardships has been hovering over his sect Light (Moon in Scorpio) for more than 2 years already, while he was still an exile in Dapitan. Mars, the other malefic planet was in Gemini hitting Rizal’s  Sun (the other Light) located in Gemini. We see here the two malefic planets - assaulting the Lights in the chart of Rizal. The Lights symbolize the source of one’s light and life. Even Jupiter, the lucky planet, is opposing his Ascendant sign or body.

Modern man may have drank too much from the “river of forgetfulness.”  We have forgotten fate and it is astrology’s role in the collective human experience to show that fate exists whether we know it or not.


From Medieval Astro-clock 2013

Comet ISON and the Basi Revolt Comet

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

 The Great Comet of 1807 depicted
in this painting by Esteban Villanueva

2013 is going to be a special year as the earth will be visited by a comet, it is named ISON.

Astronomers have calculated that this object will become visible by November.

According to their analysis, ISON will shine brighter than the full moon.

Comets are important in astrology but due to its rarity, we cannot make very precise predictions using comets alone. There are many details that will only become clear once the comet is already blazing in the sky.

The shape and the color of the comets are categorized to correspond with the planets. The basic principle is that if the comet is like the benefic planets, there will be abundance, but if the shape and color is associated with the malefic planets, there will war, pestilence or the likes.

Skeptics might think that this is superstition, but we have historical records that show clear connection between the dire effects associated with comets. However, it should be pointed out that this is not simple associations. The specific details that describe a comet will likewise differentiate its effects from the other details.

The Greeks have studied the comets and Plutarch (c. 46 – 120 AD), a historian, noted that before the outbreak of the Peloponnesian War between Athens and Sparta, a great comet appeared in the sky. This is not a singular case and in the Philippines, we also have an important historical record of a comet appearing when there was a revolt and that this presaged death.

The Basi Revolt in Ilocos took place on September 16, 1807 to protest the government's ban on the private production of basi (sugarcane wine). This detail is interesting in light of the issues that surrounded the sin tax law. Saturn was in Scorpio during that period, in the same location where it is now. Astrologer Peter Stockinger noted that ISON will traverse Scorpio and Sagittarius.

Scouring historical records I came upon astronomical observations related to this comet. According to William Dunbar there was an occultation of Mars during this period. Mars and Scorpio were thus highlighted in 1807, hence there was much death and beheadings.

According to William Ramesey a 17th century English astrologer and compiler of old books, comets appearing in Scorpio “signifies abundance of war and rebellion to kings ... pain in the testicles and bladder." Comets appearing in Sagittarius “denotes decay of nobility, and a suppression of great and noble men, wife, prudent and learned...scribes or lawyers; moreover captivity of princes, war and such like.”

Where exactly it appears will be also spell big difference. Till the details are available, we can only look at comets in a general way. But if we will combine this factor with other factors, we can get a picture that the period after the appearance of this comet will become volatile and hot.  This may indicate increasing temperature, which the scientists are already predicting. Conflict in the world is getting worst each year and we see more Mars influence on the Philippines by 2014. These are interesting times indeed, we have to be prepared.

Thanks to National Museum and Ilocos Gov. Singson for making the paintings of Esteban Villanueva (1797-1878) available to the public.

From Medieval Astro-clock 2013

The astrology behind super typhoon Yolanda's aftermath

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

Just like the weatherman, one of the astrologer's functions is to give timely warnings. This was indeed the case in the medieval times. Slowly, as ancient books of astrology are being resurrected through translation, the tools and techniques of the old masters are being understood and applied in the 21st century. Perhaps the best example of this is in the prediction of typhoons.

In this period of climate change, the astrological view of the natural world holds true more than ever, especially if you live in a country like the Philippines, which is the first destination of most weather disturbances that originate from the vast Pacific Ocean. The author has correctly predicted the date when Yolanda/Haiyan would be formed and the range of dates wherein it could be felt.

With more testing, astro-meteorological predictions can be seen as being reliable and consistent. See http://astrologyphilippines.blogspot.com/2013/09/astro-meteorology-on-radio.html for a review of astro-meteorological forecasts for 2013.

Astro-meteorological forecasts come from the analyses of ingress, lunation and eclipse charts. But in predicting the effects of disasters on the populace, national charts can be useful. There are two national charts that are used to study the Philippines: one is based on the country's independence from Spain, and the other is based on the country's independence from USA. The latter chart proves to fit well with the aftermath of super typhoon Yolanda.

If we would just look at the influences on this chart, there is actually no balancing force. The planets, every transiting planet, speak in unison-tension and destruction. Transiting or current influences on this chart speak of challenges and difficulty. Every transiting planet forms tense aspect with the Philippines' natal planets.

Like that of a time bomb, this period was time chosen when "it" would explode. It's like a disaster that was meant to happen. It was only a matter of time-and what a timing it was. Neptune, in modern astrology, is the planet of dissolution. When it opposes the 1st house or the Ascendant, it brings chaos of some sort; in this case, of law and order in the affected areas. Some victims resorted to looting as they searched for food and basic necessities.

Uranus, the planet of change, is opposing the 2nd house planets. The second house is the area of money in the astrological chart. This means instability in financial or economic matters. Uranus is in the 8th house of death, unpredictably increasing the number of casualties.

As of this writing, about 4,000 have been confirmed dead, but by the approximate of some agencies, the number could reach up to 10,000. Pluto, the planet of transformation, is opposing natal Sun in Cancer. The Sun in the national chart covers the leaders of the country. The opposition says that they would be overwhelmed by the enormity of Pluto's destructive force. Pluto is after all considered as the god of death and the underworld. Even the benign planets, Venus and Moon, were used by Pluto to unleash its destructive power.

When Yolanda came, these three planets were in the cold sign of Capricorn. Capricorn and Cancer oppose each other. Jupiter, the benefic planet, was in an unhealthy square aspect with natal Jupiter in the 2nd house of money, increasing, not luck, but expenses, hindering economic growth. The conjunction of Mercury, Sun, and Saturn, which were recently empowered by the eclipse in November, formed a square or tense aspect to the stellium of the three planets in the 12th house. This indicates the increase of effects that are related to the 12th house, namely suffering, sickness and loss.

Mars, which is the strongest planet on this chart, is on the Ascendant (the nation) closely conjunct natal Mars and natal Moon (the people). Using medieval astrological techniques, Mars is actually the "Lord of the Year" from July 2013 to July 2014. Mars along with Saturn (and Pluto in modern astrology) are the planets of death and destruction.

The wisdom that we can get here is the certainty of divine intelligence. The timing was very precise and the astrological details reveal an order. It couldn't have any other effect other than a destruction of this magnitude that we have just experienced. Yolanda was the most destructive natural phenomenon in recent history. The damage to agriculture, private and public property, and the loss of lives and livelihood are enormous.

The mayor of Davao City doubted the presence of God when the tragedy struck Tacloban, Samar, Leyte and other areas in Central Visayas, and non-believers had a field day. Unfortunately, many are also losing faith. The astrology behind this event implies purpose, a divine purpose, but what it is, is beyond astrology.

Astrologers can only speculate. But there is another way of looking at the astrological chart. The chart is like a map-a road map with a built-in timing mechanism. Right now, the forces of death and destruction are stronger.

The Lord of the Year is Mars, considered to be one of the malefic planets in medieval astrology. But the cycles of the heavens will continue to turn: what has been up will come down and what has been at the bottom will surely rise again.

Just like the phoenix, which Pluto symbolizes, we will rise again, perhaps stronger and more determined. By the middle of 2014, the reign of Mars will end and Venus will take over, and Jupiter (by mundane fardarat) will be helping in the reconstruction of the country and the healing of our psyche.

Sun-Sign Ruler of Some Philippine Cities and Towns

By Dr. Roman Uy

Bacolod City  - Libra

Baguio City - Virgo

Batangas City - Cancer

Cabanatuan City - Aquarius

Caloocan City -Aquarius

Davao City -Pisces

Dipolog City- Cancer

General Santos City -Virgo
Manila - Cancer

Makati -Gemini

Pasay City -Leo
Quezon City -Leo

Tagaytay City- Cancer

From "Aquarian Times, April - June 1982." 
Republished with permission from the publisher, Melanie Talag.