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