Medieval Astro-clock 2015 book launch held

Astrologer Resti Santiago launched his new book "Medieval Astro-clock 2015" last Dec. 16, 2014  at Yutaka Izakaya Restaurant in Quezon City.

Astro-meteorology Calendar for November and December

From Medieval Astro-clock

Astro-meteorological Forecast for September and October

Astro-meteorological Forecast for August 2014

This is a case wherein the meteorological forecast jives with that of astro-meteorology.
http://www.interaksyon.com/article/92062/lpa-expects-to-intensify-into-td-in-the-next-48-hours

Each astrological factor has an orb of influence of either 4-5 days before "or" 4-5 days after the exact date of the astro-meteorological factor. This range is roughly the time it takes a typhoon for form, travel (from the Pacific Ocean) and to make landfall.

Library of astrology books in Metro Manila has been established

Paul Padilla, Steffi Rodriguez,
Joy Manio and Resti Santiago.
Photo by Kat Palasi

Astrology Friends Philippines established its Astro Library on March 15, 2014.

The launch of the library was held at Isis International Women's House (Bahay ni Isis) in Quezon City.

The library allows members of Astro Friends to borrow books related to astrology.

The library also accepts donations of book.

Astro Friends founder Resti Santiago was present along with some members of the the group.

For more information, email astrofriendsph @ gmail.com.

Lecture on moon signs given by Filipina astrologer Mari Garcia

Astrology Friends Philippines hosted an online lecture on "Moon Signs and You," given by astrologer Mari Garcia on March 15, 2014 at Isis International Center, 3 Marunong St., Bgy. Central, Quezon City.

Photo by Juno Parungao

Mari Garcia is a consulting astrologer who has been involved with astrology since 1990. She has lectured widely both in Australia and the USA and has published articles in Australia and overseas and writes for several local and national publications.

She runs a consulting practice in Adelaide and is co- principal of ASTRO MUNDI, which offers a four year course in astrology as well as special interest workshops. Mari can be contacted via the website at www.astromundi.com.

Garcia donated her lecture fee to Astrology Friends Philippines' library for the procurement of astrological textbooks

Facebook.com/events/1531057197120038/

The Cross of Matter Part 4: The Dalai Lama's Chart

By Mari Garcia

Read Part 3

If we apply these [qualities and elements] to the chart of the Dalai Lama we see Capricorn on the IC. 

Capricorn is cold dry suggesting that there is slowness and separation in home life, foundations and family and that they are traditional and conservative. 

The ruler is Saturn in Pisces in the 6th with neutral dignity but cadent. Family and foundations are precarious and are dependent on others. 

The Dalai Lama’s life started in a small farming family but he was taken at the age of four to succeed his predecessor and honour the traditions of Tibetan Buddhism. The ruler Saturn is also in a tight opposition to Neptune and the Moon echoing the sense of loss, as well as the contradiction and paradox of spiritual and physical reality. Saturn as the ruler of the IC is hampered and must bow to the will of others. 

The Dalai Lama is the embodiment of Buddhist spiritualism but is also the temporal leader of the Tibetan nation. This is not however a position of glory but one which is dependent on the goodwill of governments as he lives in exile away from his personal and collective Tibetan ‘family’.

His Ascendant is Libra which is hot wet suggesting he moves quickly to connect with the world and this describes an engaging and communicative personality especially with the ruler Venus in Leo, in neutral dignity in the 11th.

The fact that the ruler is in the 11th and therefore can ‘see’ the Ascendant suggests that on a personal level, he is successful in realizing the drive of the Ascendant which is to engage with others. Venus forms a sextile to Mercury, which is in rulership in Gemini suggesting that he has the gift of communication and the mental acuity to express his ideas and desires.

The MC is Cancer which describes his ambitions and goals. Cancer is cold-wet suggesting he moves slowly to make strong connections with others. The Dalai Lama is known for his ability to embrace not only his subjects but all those he meets. 

One of his titles is Ocean of Compassion. The ruler of Cancer is the Moon in Virgo in the 12th conjunct Neptune and also opposing Saturn. The Moon is in the cadent 12th house suggesting that his own personal goals and ambitions cannot be realized without difficulty and may also be marked with sorrow.

The Descendant is Aries describing his relationships and associations as well as his enemies. Aries is hot-dry suggesting quick action to identify and separate both associates and enemies that these change quickly and may also be fiery and unpredictable. 

The ruler Mars is in Libra in the sign of its detriment but in the angular 1st house. His enemies are strong and a planet in detriment can bring about hurts. As it is placed in the 1st, these enemies are always present in his life. Conversely, those he has associations with may not always be the most powerful or influential but are strong and reliable in their own way.

If we look at the Cross of Matter it is Cardinal suggesting that the person is pro-active and sees life as a challenge. The planets which dominate are the Sun, Moon, Venus and Mars as the ruler of the angles.

In summary, the nature of the Cross of Matter describes that which supports the fabric of the natal chart, it describes the four main areas of life and also provides an understanding of which planets will be the main players and how their condition and placement will determine the experience.

Copyright Mari Garcia. Mari Garcia is a consulting astrologer who has been involved with astrology since 1990. She has lectured widely both in Australia and the USA and has published articles in Australia and overseas and writes for several local and national publications. She runs a consulting practice in Adelaide and is co- principal of ASTRO MUNDI, which offers a four year course in astrology as well as special interest workshops. Mari can be contacted via the website at www.astromundi.com.  

To know more about Mari Garcia click here.

Mari Garcia will give an online seminar on "Moon Signs and You" on March 15, 2014 at Isis International Center, 3 Marunong St., Bgy. Central, Quezon City. To register, email astrofriendsph@gmail.com. Visit Facebook.com/events/1531057197120038/

The Cross of Matter Part 3: Houses and Signs

By Mari Garcia

Read Part 2

The strength of the individual houses was also directly related to this model which attributes to the Ascendant the source of light. The houses associated with the Cross of  Matter, the 1st, 10, 7, and 4 are considered to be the strongest of houses as they had a direct and strong relationship by aspect to the Ascendant. Therefore, a planet in these angular houses was considered  to be strong, potent and effective in realising the matters of the houses it ruled. 

The 9,11,5 and 3 houses were considered to be good because they were in either sextile or trine relationship to the Ascendant and therefore partook of the light. Planets in these houses could manifest the matters of the houses they ruled but depending on whether the house was above or below the horizon described whether the expression was public or private. Hence, the 9th and 11 suggested public expression while the 5 and the 3, because they are below the horizon, were expressed privately or away from public scrutiny.

However, the 2, 8, 6 and 12 were considered weak because they were ‘blind’ to the Ascendant that is they did not have a strong aspectual relationship to it. They literally cannot ‘see’ the Ascendant as they are either right bedside it (12 and the 2) or away from direct sight (8 and the 6). Planets in these houses are considered weak and ineffectual, often having to rely on other factors to get them over the line. Another difficulty with these houses was that apart from the 2nd, they were associated with difficulties, sorrow and labour suggesting that planets placed here would have to work hard to produce what they promised but might also be the source of hardship for the person or may even destroy what had been produced. 

We then consider the sign on each of the angles and they will describe the nature of each area  of life and the condition of its ruler will signify how easy or difficult it is to realise the matters

of each.

Read Part 4

Copyright Mari Garcia. Mari Garcia is a consulting astrologer who has been involved with astrology since 1990. She has lectured widely both in Australia and the USA and has published articles in Australia and overseas and writes for several local and national publications. She runs a consulting practice in Adelaide and is co- principal of ASTRO MUNDI, which offers a four year course in astrology as well as special interest workshops. Mari can be contacted via the website at www.astromundi.com.  

To know more about Mari Garcia click here.

Mari Garcia will give an online seminar on "Moon Signs and You" on March 15, 2014 at Isis International Center, 3 Marunong St., Bgy. Central, Quezon City. To register, email astrofriendsph@gmail.com. Visit Facebook.com/events/1531057197120038/

Get to know Astro Mundi’s Mari Garcia

By Ime Morales

Mara Garcia with her student

Mari Garcia is an internationally renowned astrologer born in the Philippines who has been living in Australia since 1973. 

As co-director of one of Australia’s most successful astrological schools, Astro Mundi, Mari practices as a professional consulting astrologer and educator in Adelaide, South of the country. 

She has lectured in Australia at the Federation of Australian Astrologers bi-annual conferences and at the United Astrology Conference (UAC) in the USA. 

Mari also writes regularly for local, national and international publications, and in fact has written/edited the following publications: Traditional Astrology: Glossary of Terms; Scala Coeli: The Ladder of Heaven (A Collection of Astrological Essays); Astrology: An Ancient Art in the Modern World (The AUSTRALIS '97 Conference Papers); and The Book of Notable Births. 

She is presently working on her next book, which will be on Saturn, as well as developing a series of workshops. Mari’s published works are available in PDF format from Astro Mundi.

Mari recently answered the following questions for Astrology Friends Philippines to share her roots in astrology as well as give some inspiration to aspiring students.

How and when did you start out as an astrologer, and what inspired you to be one? Also, can you tell us more about how you learned astrology?

I started studying astrology in formal classes in 1990 but I had been interested in the subject and other related ones like numerology and tarot for nearly 10 years beforehand. In 1990 I studied with Bernadette Brady and then Robert Zoller. My interest is primarily traditional astrology, its principles and techniques and how we can apply them to a modern context. I also have a passion for mundane astrology.

I don't think I started out wanting to be an astrologer. I just was interested in the topic and also having had a few natal and predictive readings, I was interested in just how it 'worked'. I was fascinated too with the philosophy but this did not come through until later.

I don't think I actually decided to become an astrologer as such. I went through a difficult period with work and while I was recuperating I concentrated on astrology as that helped me. And then, I thought, why not? I had already studied astrology and was seeing clients part-time. The astrologer I used to see (Brady) used to tell me I should study astrology, and I eventually studied with her about 7-8 years after I first consulted her.

I think astrology 'found' me in a way but I decided to dedicate myself to it in a major way in 1998 because I realized it was part of what I had to do. Was it fate? I like to think so.

What is Astro Mundi and how did you establish this institution?

Astro Mundi was established in 2002 as a partnership. I work with another astrologer, Joy Usher, and together we run classes and workshops for the beginner and professional, with a speciality in traditional astrology.

The following information on Astro Mundi was taken from the website.

Courses in Astro Mundi are provided through structured classes and workshops for the attending student. A Distance Education option is also available for some of the courses. The Astro Mundi faculty members are part of the Astrological Guild of Educators International. Astro Mundi offers the student:

• Astrological education with professionally qualified and experienced astrological educators
• Faculty members who are active in the astrological community locally, nationally and internationally
• A school which is internationally recognized
• A syllabus which is internationally recognized
• Central location for the attending student in Adelaide, South Australia
• Supervised Distance Education program for the correspondence student
• Structured classes which provide a positive and encouraging learning environment
• Accessibility to teaching faculty and resources
• Assignments and projects which apply the learned principles and techniques
• On-going feedback and mentoring

Where in the Philippines were you born and where did you grow up/study? Can you cite some fond memories about the Philippines? Do you have plans of visiting here in the near (or far) future?

I was born in Quezon City and grew up around the San Juan area and New Manila. My fondest memories are riding in a calesa when I was a child and going to the markets and coming back with bayongs of vegetables. I also remember it was a treat to have either halo-halo or mais con yelo. I also have fond memories of going to San Agustin church in Intramuros, or shopping with my mother in Divisoria or going to Antipolo or Cavite on school excursions.

Yes, I studied there and I attended Institucion Teresian (now called Pedro Poveda College) for grade school and high school. And for one semester I attended Assumption College in Makati before coming to Australia.

I hope to come to Manila in the next couple of years, maybe by 2016! We shall see.

Do you have tips for students of astrology, especially those studying with Resti Santiago in the Philippines?

I think the best advice is to learn as much as you can because you never stop learning. As it is, we are always students, and a teacher teaches as well as learns from his students. I know it is difficult perhaps to get texts in the Philippines so I would encourage all students to explore the free resources you can get online, as well as the vast reserves of the university libraries.

Mari Garcia will give an online seminar on "Moon Signs and You" on March 15, 2014 at Isis International Center, 3 Marunong St., Bgy. Central, Quezon City. To register, email astrofriendsph@gmail.com. Visit Facebook.com/events/1531057197120038/

How a Filipino astrology group celebrated Astrology Appreciation Month 2014

By Imelda Morales

Photos by Edel Santiago

Last March 2, 2014, members of Astrology Friends Philippines including its founder Resti Santiago trooped to Manila for the event dubbed as Retracing Our Astrological Roots: An Astro-Pilgrimage to Honorio Lopez Monument. 

The pilgrimage formally opened the celebrations for the Astrology Appreciation Month.

A short discussion on the life and works of Don Honorio Lopez kicked off the day’s activities. Santiago gave out handouts and showed everyone old books written/published by Lopez. 

From the Manila Grand Opera Hotel, where Honorio Lopez used to perform, the group proceeded to Plaza Moriones in Tondo where Lopez’ monument is situated. 

A wreath and yellow flower bouquets were laid at his monument to pay homage to Don Honorio Lopez as the proto-Filipino astrologer.

Astrology Friends Philippines
paying homage to Honorio Lopez,
the proto-Filipino astrologer.

A true renaissance man, Don Honorio Lopez was a writer, publisher, journalist, historian, essayist, lawyer, scientist, public servant, playwright and astrologer, among others. As the first Filipino film actor, he played the leading role in 1912 in the movie La Vida de Rizal on the life of national hero Jose Rizal. It was the first movie produced in the Philippines.

Astro Friends : Ime Morales, Cora Centeno,
Resti Santiago,  Mia Bustillos & Steffi Rodriguez

Lopez also wrote the famous Kalendariong Tagalog, the very first Tagalog almanac published by a Filipino.

He authored several biographies of national heroes and other publications like the Lunario ng Kapalaran (containing lunar positions) and Karunungang Lihim. Don Honorio Lopez died in 1958.

Astrology Appreciation Month Mini-Exhibit and Moon Sign Seminar on March 15, 2014

Astrology Friends Philippines
presents
Astrology Appreciation Month Mini-Exhibit and Moon Sign Seminar Saturday, March 15, 2014
Isis International, 3 Marunong St., Barangay Central, Quezon City, Philippines

12:00- 12:40 pm Video showing -
The History of Astrology in the Philippines Learning about the 12 Signs 12:40-1:00 pm Launching of Astrology Library 1:00 - 1:30 pm Registration 1:30 - 2:15 pm Astrological Charting, be ready with your time of birth (Free 3 page astrological chart and report) Seminar Proper 2:15 - 2:30 pm The Importance of the Complete Astrological Chart 2:30 - 4:30 pm "The Moon Signs and You" An online SEMINAR with Astro- Mundi's Mari Garcia 4:30 - 5:00 pm Applications of Astrology - Resti H. Santiago 5 pm onwards Q&A, Closing, Announcements Seminar Fee: P1,000.00, with free chart, a short report and merienda. Mini-EXHIBIT: Astrology in the Philippines 12 noon- 7pm *Mari Garcia is a Filipina-Australian astrologer and is the principal of Astro Mundi, one of the most prestigious astrology learning institutions in the world. Proceeds from this seminar will fund Astrology Friends Philippines' projects such as the Astrology Library and drawing of indigenous constellations in the Philippines.

To register or reserve your slot, please email astrofriendsph@gmail.com or call us at 0905-6882890.

March is Astrology Appreciation Month

Astrology Friends Philippines is declaring March as "Astrology Appreciation Month" in the Philippines and we have prepared a series of events for everyone to learn and to enjoy. Visit us weekly for updates and announcements.

Astrology Appreciation Month

March 2014

2014 Astro-guides

For Success & Happiness

Talk by Resti H. Santiago

6:00 pm - 9:00 pm

March 2, 2014

Hosted by Theosophical Research Group

Venue: Theosophical Society in the Philippines H.Q.

#1 Ibarra St., cor. P. Florentino St., Quezon City

Join Us: Retracing our Astrological Roots

Pres. Cory Aquino's Letter to An Astrologer

Considered by writer/editor  Sylvia Mayuga as a sweet historical footnote.
You may read Tita Cory's letter to Serafin Lanot here.

http://ph.she.yahoo.com/was-tita-cory%E2%80%99s-presidency-written-in-the-stars--073210103.html

When People Power Stunned The World

By Angela Stuart-Santiago

Cover of the author's new book on EDSA

All through EDSA, the words of Carl Jung, Swiss psychiatrist and occultist, kept ringing in my mind: “Whatever is born or done this moment of time has the qualities of this moment of time.” An astrological dictum on the significance of beginnings in the context of cycles and recurrence. As the awesome four days of People Power unfolded, culminating in Cory’s oathtaking and closing with Marcos’s flight, I was seeing it as a birth moment for the nation, a new pattern set, of a people breaking out of the old and trying out new ways of being and behaving for the sake of the common good.  [EDSA Uno...page 329]

The unexpected display of People Power when Filipinos stopped the tanks in EDSA-Ortigas was mirrored dramatically in the map of the heavens at the time.  The moon stood alone in the eastern hemisphere, while the eight other planets, led by the sun, were gathered in the western hemisphere. In mundane astrology, the moon signifies the people, the sun and planets signify the government and its support systems.

Ordinarily, the people could, would, have been easily overpowered by the dictator's forces.  When the planets are preponderantly positioned in the western hemisphere, the native (whether individual or nation)  is one to whom things happen rather than one who makes things happen.  

Alan Oken puts it this way:

A majority of the planets in the east (rising and culminating bodies) indicates a strong desire to initiate every phase of life activities.  It shows the need to learn cooperation with others, but it bestows the ability to set up personal life circumstances. Planets in the west (those setting or approaching the Nadir), however, cause natives to become extremely dependent on other people's activities in order to integrate their own motivations and drives.  A western predominance gives a natural cooperative sense, but it is through such joint efforts that a western-oriented individual may succeed in life.  The difference between east and west in the astrological sense, as Marc Edmund Jones puts it, "it's like comparing an "a la carte" dinner with a "prix fixe" one.  With the former, one can choose the dishes one prefers,but the expense if often greater than the "prix fixe" meal, which is already selected but costs less.  We could say that the eastern preponderance represents Karmic sowing, while the western preponderance is indicative of Karmic reaping. [The Horoscope, The Road and Its Travelers. Bantam Book, 1974.  286-287.]

Dane Rudhyar also cites Jones: 

"The zenith meridian divides the universe (all experience) into realms of rising things (East) and setting things (West). . . . If all planets are East the native is called upon to make his own choice in every issue, and to create the issue at will; whereas if West he must accept the choices and issues of life as these are placed before him." (Marc Jones) This is a division of "outer volition."  [The Astrology of Personality. Doubleday Paperback edition, 1970. 377.]

However, when, as in our chart, there is one planet in the east, a singleton, it can serve as a powerful balance to the weight of the nine other planets in the west.

If nine planets are found in one hemisphere and the tenth in the other hemisphere, this tenth stands out powerfully, from a form point of view.  A pattern is constituted in which one planet, because of its position, is seen balancing the nine others.  It becomes an absolutely "outstanding" factor; and, to a considerable extent, destroys the implication of all the other planetary factors in the other hemisphere. Marc Jones compares this formally isolate planet ("singleton") to an aching tooth which dominates the whole consciousness.  It is a type of accentuation which is "irrational," which tends to destroy the sense of wholeness of the personality.  It is an autocratic factor dictating its singular will to the rest of the organism, which by contrast appears inchoate. [379]   

Indeed EDSA Sunday was all about the moon, the Coryistas, the people, standing out, taking the initiative and taking control simply by their presence in huge numbers, willing to die for the cause of freedom, and thereby rendering inchoate not only the Marcos camp but also the Cory-Enrile camp.  

When the people stopped the tanks, it was the end of Marcos; it was only a matter of time.  Between Cory and Enrile, however, it was masalimuot. Cory who believed she had won the presidency didn't really want to deal with Ninoy's former jailer; Enrile, who had been planning a coup to himself replace Marcos with a junta was really loathe to give way to a mere housewife.  But after that grand nonviolent display of  People Power that rendered the Marcos military helpless, Cory and Enrile had no choice but  to reconcile their differences and bow to the people's Will that they, too, join hands against the dictator.  

It helped that the isolate planet was the moon, second only to the sun in the hierarchy of powers.  It helped that the moon was rising in Leo, a commanding presence, in the first house, a most powerful house.  It helped too that the moon was waxing, approaching a full opposition with the sun, crackling with potential.  And the moon was separating from a trine with mars (the split military) in the fifth house, and applying to a trine with Uranus (rebellion), also in the fifth house, the natural house of the sign Leo, the sign of creativity and play.  The people had been happily in the throes of nonviolent revolution since February 16 when Cory called for a crony boycott, and EDSA was the unexpected and dramatic climax, helped along by the defection of Enrile, Ramos, and their security forces.

Click here for the Chronology of a Revolution: edsarevolution.com.

The Extraordinary Cosmic Vibes Of February 1986

By Angela Stuart-Santiago

Excerpts from “Deconstructing EDSA,” the closing chapter of the book 
EDSA Uno, A Narrative and Analysis with Notes on Dos & Tres (2013) 
by Angela Stuart-Santiago. 
[http://stuartsantiago.com/edsa-uno-the-book-in-solidaridad/]

February 1986 was a rare time for the Philippines and the planet. From February 3 to 7, six solar flares were observed that gave rise, February 7 through 9, to a very intense magnetic storm, said to be the largest observed in 26 years.[i] 

Also on the 9^th, Halley’s Comet, hurtling through our solar system on its 76-year orbit, reached its closest point to the Sun, this as Moon and Sun, seen from planet Earth, exactly aligned.[ii] 

A rare confluence of cosmic events that wreaked havoc on Earth’ magnetic fields, instruments rendering off-scale variations said to set off weather and atmospheric disturbances, affecting even electric power grids,[iii] and, no doubt, our bodies and psyches, too.[iv] 

And as Halley’s Comet swang away from the Sun toward Earth’s orbit, it grew brighter and seemed to change structure around the nucleus, this as Cory’s protest campaign took off and Enrile et al coup-plotted; by the 22^nd of February the comet was sporting not just one or two but a phenomenal seven tails![v] 

It was also, in the 12-year cycle of Chinese astrology, a time for revolutionary change.

Wrote National Artist for Literature Nick Joaquin, as Quijano de Manila, in The Quartet of the Tiger Moon: “Chinese New Year 1986 fell on February 9 when the new moon of the springtime inaugurated the Year of the Tiger. The Chinese say that the tiger in astrology signifies rebellion, upheaval, reform. The events of the four days that toppled the Marcos dictatorship in the Philippines occurred when the New Year moon of the tiger was achieving fullness.”

It is remarkable, but not unexpected, that Filipinos proved receptive to the extraordinary cosmic vibes. It is not only that we had been (and had not stopped) working up the nerve for change since Ninoy Aquino’s assassination.  

It is also that, given our religiosity as a people, our belief in supernatural forces, no wonder that the cosmic vibes worked positively, transformatively, on our neurons, and brought us in touch with our higher selves. We discovered a capacity for, and the joy in, thinking out of the box, breaking out of patterns, blazing a new and radical non-violent path towards change.

All through EDSA, the words of Carl Jung, Swiss psychiatrist and occultist, kept ringing in my mind: “Whatever is born or done this moment of time has the qualities of this moment of time.” An astrological dictum on the significance of beginnings in the context of cycles and recurrence. As the awesome four days of People Power unfolded, culminating in Cory’s oathtaking and closing with Marcos’s flight, I was seeing it as a birth moment for the nation, a new pattern set, of a people breaking out of the old and trying out new ways of being and behaving for the sake of the common good.

*

Going to EDSA was like stepping into another world. Altered states. In the unified field of consciousness that was EDSA, the people found themselves easily rising above religious, political, and class differences, and willfully daring new ways of thinking and acting, relating and bonding, for the sake of the whole. 

EDSA was an unexpected treat, a taste, a glimpse, of a happier kind of existence. Life can be better, kinder, fairer. People can be selfless, caring, and cooperative. Resources can be shared. Differences can be reconciled. Indeed, it was a smiling revolution. 

The people were feeling great, feeling affirmed by every other one’s presence, for the first time experiencing, and enjoying, a sense of connectedness with one’s fellow Pinoys and Pinays, a sense of unity and harmony and wholeness, which spirit lifted and expanded and enlightened every self, rendered it strong and steadfast and brave and, as it turned out, powerful enough to “disarm” Marcos’s soldiers.

*

It was a fascinating four days, but the storyline was full of holes. Things were happening so fast, as though life were on fast-forward mode, Radio Veritas and the mosquito press kept getting overtaken by events. When it was finally over I eagerly awaited a definitive account of the four days from the information arm of the revolutionary government, thinking that it would be the first to want to know, and to share with the people, what really happened in EDSA and how much of it was the work of People Power, the better to keep the spirit alive. 

It wasn’t until much much later, as I was fleshing out my chronology, that I realized why it had not been in the interest of the Cory government, the new armed forces, even the militant Left, to look too deeply into the dynamics of People Power. Far easier, smarter, to paint it a miracle-made-in-heaven, or mob-rule, or orchestrated-by-America. 

That a united people could destabilize an economy, “disarm” battle-hardened combat-ready Marines, and frighten away a deeply entrenched dictator without the use of force was simply not to be acknowledged, much less encouraged. 

People Power would change the game, patronage poltics and the rule of the elite in cahoots with foreign interests would come under threat; armed might and armed struggle would become obsolete.

*

A pattern, a blueprint, having been created in ’86, my fearless forecast in Himagsikan was of another, even more stunning, EDSA one fine day in some bright future when enlightened Filipinos would come together not only to change a president but to change a failed socio-economic system. 

I was so sure that the people would not waste time and energy on another EDSA until we were prepared to demand more than a change of president and to sustain the vigilance beyond four days.

As it turns out, we have had two Edsa exercises since: Edsa Dos in January 2001, that saw Estrada ousted by EDSA Uno moralists of the upper and middle classes; and Edsa Tres some three months later, mounted by the lower classes that voted for Estrada and wanted him back, which uprising was frustrated but gave the government and the ruling classes the fright of their lives.

***

[i] SAO/NASA Astrophysics Data System. “The solar flares of February 1986 and the ensuing intense geomagnetic storm” by Howard A. Garcia & Murray Dryer. Solar Physics Journal, vol. 109, no. 1. 1987. 119-137. Online.  <http://adsabs.harvard.edu/full/1987SoPh..109..119G> See also “Super Storms” by J.T. Bell, M.S. Gussenhoven, and E.G. Mullen. Journal of Geophysical Research, Vol. 102. No.A7, pages 14,189-14,198. July 1, 1997. <http://solar.gmu.edu/meetings/cdaw/data/cdaw1/papers/Bell_Superstorms.pdf>

[ii] Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. “Solar Flares Mar Data on Halley’s Comet.” 6 February 1986. <http://articles.latimes.com/1986-02-06/news/mn-4756_1_comet-data-halley>

[iii] Midwest Reliability Organization. “Grid Vulnerability to Geomagnetic Storms: An Overview” by John Kappenman Storm Analysis Consultants. <http://www.midwestreliability.org/00_events/2009_cip_workshop/10._kappenman_mro_dec1_2009.pdf>  

[iv] Global Coherence Initiative. “Solar Activity During 2012” by Annette Deyhle, Ph.D. February 2012. Online. <http://www.glcoherence.org/monitoring-system/commentaries.html>

[v] The Sunday Times . "Halley sports seven tails."  23 February 1986. “Halley's comet suddenly grew brighter this week and now sports seven tails, a phenomemon never seen before in the cosmic voyager, astronomers in Chile said Friday. The comet's behavior was measured and photographed from the European Southern Obervation (ESO) at La Silla, among the desert mountains 150 km north of the city of La Serena. "The tails are getting bigger and there are more of them and they are covering half of the circumference of the comet, which was not what we expected," Danish astronomer Holger Pedersen told Reuters by telephone.  "There's no way that one can tell how the comet will behave and the way it has appeared in the last few days is surprising." The comet, a dirty snowball of ice and dust, has just rounded the sun and is heading for the outer edges of the solar system again on its elliptical, 76-year orbit round the sun.  It will pass closes to the Earth on April 11. Richard West,another astronoer at la Silla, said telescope measuring infra-red light had detected an "outburst" around the comet's nucleuus three or four days ago.  "On Feb 18, it appeared quite a bit brighter," he said.  "A few hours later, we noticed a change in structure around the nucleus. there was much more material than the day before. It is quite likely that this has now gone to the tais," West said.  "Most comets have only one or two tails and, as far as we know, Halley has never been observed this way before," he said.

Juno Parungao's astrological portraits on exhibit this February 2014

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Astro-portrait of astrologer-artist Heber Bartolome
by Juno Parungao

Three artist-run initiatives converge in an exhibition called "As Yet Unwritten." The project is organized by Art Tempo Manila, founded by artist Juno Parungao.

The uniqueness of Parungao's astrological portraits has endeared many patrons-- among which include actor Jeffrey "Epi' Quizon, multi-awarded writer Lito Casaje, and maestro Fernando B. Sena.

Another luminary in the Manila art scene who has his own portrait by Parungao is musician and Astrological Friends member Heber Bartolome, who inaugurated Parungao's solo exhibit of astrological portraits in 2011.

The artist creates the portrait based on the individual's circumstances of birth, personal color preferences, and philosophical ruminations.

Astro-artist

Astro-portrait of artist Fernando Sena by Juno Parungao

As a child, Juno Parungao collects crystals, reads astrology and tarot books. She got interesed more in studying astrology after attending the seminars of Charley Barretto at Science of Mind and Man in Greenhills.

Parungao is a self-taught astrologer guided by a senior astrologer, Archie Corteza, in 2003.  Parungao has been doing astrology consultations since 2006. Now she has merged horary practice with painting.

As an astro-artist, she merges wisdom of Western Astrology and Cartomancy in her philosophical visualisations.

Juno is known for non- objective painting such as the Astro-Portraits and crystal inspired paintings which have been around galleries since 2008. Guided by astrological charts the commissioned works capture each client's personality in distinctive colors, forms and textures.

Exhibit collaborators
Collaborating with Parungao is Kristian Jeff Agustin, an independent publisher and poet who recently returned from his studies in Westminster, London.

Agustin contemplates on how the skies may mean to mortals. For the exhibit, he uses video and performance with spoken word to give voice to celestial bodies or introspective personas.

On the other hand, Jean Pierre "Dyani" Lao proves that tattooing is an art form on skin worthy of recognition. Lao garnered the Gawad Dominador Castaneda Award in year 2000 for his thesis entitled "Ritwal" from the College of Fine Arts in the University of the Philippines Diliman.

His intricately rendered tattoos of mythical beings and celestial bodies are the results of his solid research on Filipino indigenous practices. These are then rendered in limited-edition prints and captured in photographs.

For guest curator Laya Boquiren, "As Yet Unwritten presents three contemporary artists' visual articulations of place-based myths and the residual elements of pre-colonial interactions. The artists and I are interested in how these may be juxtaposed with ancient myths that examine the influence of celestial bodies on both individuals and shifts within the history of humanity."

For the collaborators, the exhibition as a whole underscores how destinies that are as yet unwritten intersects with oral histories and narratives that have been passed on across time and places, as interpreted in images and the spoken word.

Hosted by the GSIS Museo ng Sining, the exhibit will be launched on February 20, 2014 at 6:00 pm and will run until March 12 in celebration of the Philippine National Arts Month.

For more information, see the exhibit page through Facebook.com/asyetunwrittenexhibit.


Juno Parungao paints the blueprint of your soul
LIVE FEED
By Bibsy M. Carballo
February 7, 2014
The Philippine Star
From: http://www.philstar.com/entertainment/2014/02/07/1287519/juno-parungao-paints-blueprint-your-soul

We became aware of the name Juno Parungao first in relation to an exhibit at the Shangri-La Mall when she held an exhibit of Gem Stones together with Prof. Lito Casaje of La Consolacion College in 2009. She also told us that she appeared in a play of  Casaje's Dramatis production, on the subject of possession.

Later, we saw her at the SMX Convention Center in 2012 and at another exhibit; then at the election of the Director's Guild of the Philippines officers at Sequioa Hotel; and more recently at the Solidaridad Bookstore honoring Prof. Casaje's writings.

It was obvious that Juno moved around in different circles - showbiz, theatrical, scientific and psychic. Her latest interest seemed to be the most interesting of the lot. It involved astro-portraiture with Juno as the astro-portraitist.

Together with a friend, we met with Juno and asked for a demonstration of her art. Instead of working the traditional way, Juno paints what she calls the blueprint of the soul. And how she comes up with this blueprint is as interesting as the final artwork itself.

Juno possesses psychic power but doesn't read minds, nor casts spells, or sees ghosts and other apparitions. Her powers come from reading astrological birth charts. All of her astro-portraits begin with a reading of her client's birth charts with a process known as charting.

"It's very scientific," she explained to us. "Companies abroad use charting for hiring. Its methods have been around for the longest time. Popes have been using charting; disputes and conflicts, even wars have been scheduled according to the stars."

Juno was introduced to charting by the owners of the Art Circle Gallery, after which she devised her own system of combining art and science. Through charting, Juno is able to address her subject's current struggles and issues.

"In the past, charting required lots of trigonometry," she claimed. "Today, it is simpler because of the new technology. Through charting, the location of certain heavenly bodies in the sky at the moment of birth, Juno discerns her client's predispositions and tendencies. "I use that as a springboard for my conceptualization and abstraction of the soul - as I call it."

After reading the chart, Juno would commune with her subject. "I get vibrations from the chart, calm myself and meditate. Then I sketch." This is where the art comes in. At first glance, Juno's portraits share a common element - circles. "Circles are sacred," Juno maintained, "They represent the wholeness of a person while the smaller circle represents the location of the sun in the birth chart." Each artwork has come out as varied and unique as are her clients.

Juno credited her astrologer friend Kitten Alcantara for giving her the idea to combine astrology with an art form. She helped Juno open her first exhibit at Art Circle Gallery. To date, Juno had done close to 50 astro-portraits, including various names from show business, the arts and business. Her next exhibit at the GSIS galleries will feature Prof. Casaje, Epi Quizon, Fernando Seña, Conrad Benitez, Heber Bartolome, Gavi Evangelista, among many others.

We viewed a CD of some astro-portraits and asked Juno for comments. One of Quizon's attracted us with its combination of bird, water and sun, with the colors green and blue. Juno said Epi is an Aquarian, therefore a bird (griffin) diving into the waters. The  mythological creature has the body of a lion, and head and wings of an eagle. It is thought to be the King of all creatures. We thought, what a wonderful reading to combine strength in art.

Another astro-portrait was that of Juno's friend writer- novelist Casaje, who found him, born under the sign of Taurus the bull, to be firm, committed, dependable and many times stubborn.

Evangelista's astro-portrait attracted us because it appeared to be a tree that was dancing in the wind. Born under the sign of Sagittarius at 12 noon, Juno saw him to be full of enterprise and versatility (Evangelista owns a gym), ambition and optimism.

These works and all the rest will be on exhibit at GSIS Galleries beginning Feb. 20. For more information, visit www.arttempomanila.com.

E-mail your comments to bibsyfotos@yahoo.com, or text us at 0917-8991835.

Join us on the first Astro-night of 2014

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The Cross of Matter (Part 2)

By Mari Garcia

Read Part 1

The Sun then continues to climb high into the sky and reaches the zenith of its path and gains maximum strength and heat. It is this point which in astrology we know as the MC. It is associated with power, glory, honour and distinction. It is the pinnacle of the chart hence its association with status, rank, profession, success, public life and social acknowledgement. It was seen to show where the individual succeeded as a result of their own efforts as opposed to position or status which was inherited, as symbolised by the IC. The MC was also the Mother, the public parent as opposed to the IC, the Father.

Manilius says it:

"…holds sway at the summit of the sky and divides heaven in two with imperceptible meridian; enthroned on high this post is occupied by Glory (truly a fit warden for heaven’s supreme station), so that she may claim all that is pre-eminent, arrogate all distinction, and reign by awarding honours of every kind. Here comes applause, splendour, and every form of popular favour; hence the power to dispense justice in the courts, to bring the world under the rule of law, to make alliances with foreign nations on one’s own terms, and to win fame relative to one’s station." 

After reaching the zenith, the Sun then starts its downward journey to the west and this was where the Sun died and descended into the underworld. Egyptian philosophy saw this as the diminution of strength, of vitality and of life. The point at which the Sun disappeared past the  horizon is what we define as the Descendant. Manilius saw it as:

"… concerned with the consummation of affairs and the conclusion of toil, marriages and banquets and the closing years of life, leisure and social intercourse and worship of the gods."

Here we see how we have derived the meanings of the Descendant where we place marriage and partnerships as well as enemies, foes and opponents. If this is puzzling consider that the Descendant is opposite the Ascendant but also the symbolism of light (Ascendant where the light is born) vs dark (Descendant where the light disappears). The hero is always white (Ascendant) strong, vigorous with right and might on their side—it is masculine and diurnal while those that oppose him are black (Descendant) indirect and obscure – it is feminine and nocturnal.

As discussed earlier, the east was associated with the right and has the qualities of might and light. It is direct, strong and benefits the individual self. Its opposite, the west was associated with the qualities of strength and benefit given over to others. Any union or partnership demands cooperation but also compromise and therefore the individual has to hand over some of their power and influence. Therefore there is the association with marriage, partners and associations but it also indicates a weakness to the individual self and factors which may be harmful or which ‘oppose’ it.

These four angles make up the Cross of Matter and they define the life cycle: conception occurs at the IC, birth at the Ascendant, middle age and maturity at the MC and the descent from the MC t o the Descendant is old age and eventually death at the IC. This is the representation of the diurnal motion of the earth, the primary motion that brings life.

If we look at a chart and see it as a fourfold unfoldment of an individual’s life, or a moment of time, it makes a powerful statement especially if we remember that what we are looking at is the literal representation of the earth’s movement.

How then can we use this? If we apply to any chart we can consider the following:

IC - what is the root, cause or origin of the person or the matter in question. It describes that which lies hidden beneath the surface and the foundation on which it rests.

Ascendant - the person’s view of life and how others see them. They way they start endeavors and the drive that impels them to meet life.

MC - the person’s aspirations and goals and the nature of their success.

Descendant - the partners and associates as well as the nature of relationships and their opponents or foes.

The strength of the individual houses was also directly related to this model which attributes to the Ascendant the source of light. The houses associated with the Cross of the Matter, the 1st, 10, 7, and 4 are considered to be the strongest of  houses as they had a direct and strong relationship by aspect to the Ascendant. Therefore, a planet in these angular houses was considered to be strong, potent and effective in realising the matters of the houses it ruled.

Read Part 3

Copyright Mari Garcia. Mari Garcia is a consulting astrologer who has been involved with astrology since 1990. She has lectured widely both in Australia and the USA and has published articles in Australia and overseas and writes for several local and national publications. She runs a consulting practice in Adelaide and is co- principal of ASTRO MUNDI, which offers a four year course in astrology as well as special interest workshops. Mari can be contacted via the website at www.astromundi.com.  

To know more about Mari Garcia click here.