Astrology Friends Philippines celebrate 6th anniversary with year-end get-together

For the 6th anniversary of Astrology Friends Philippines, some members attended a simple get-together on Dec. 4, 2016 at Poach Resaturant, 4th St., West Triangle, Quezon City.

Resti Santiago, founder of the group, sits 2nd from left.
Photo by Kat Palasi.

Photo was originally posted here.

Astrology Library get-together held in November

Astrology Friends Philippines held an Astrology Library Night session/get together on Nov. 3 at Dome Restaurant, Shangri-La Mall, EDSA, Quezon City.

Library head Kristine Sy-Francisco and Astrology Friends Philippines founder Resti Santiago were there with a few members.

If you are interested in astrology or would like to join the group's Facebook page, please email astrofriendsph@gmail.com.

Join the Astro Library Night session on Nov. 3, 2016

Astrology Friends Philippines will have an Astro Library Night session/get together on Nov. 3, 7pm to 10pm at Dome Restaurant, Shangri-La Mall, EDSA, Quezon City.

Astrologer Resti Santiago will be present. Get to know the other members of the group and find out about the Astrology Library where you can borrow books on astrology for a small annual fee.

No specific astrology topic will be discussed, but Resti may conduct a short lecture or review session, depending on the number of attendees.

The session is free. You may purchase food and beverages at the restaurant.

For details, kristinemariesycpa @ gmail.com.

If you are interested in astrology or would like to join the group's Facebook page, please email astrofriendsph@gmail.com.

The Astrology of a "Rock Star" Historian

By Resti H. Santiago

As we welcome a new chapter in our history, we are thankful for the sacrifices made by many individuals who have devoted their lives to the service of the country and to the emancipation of our race.

Ambeth Ocampo.

There were many of them who died without ever seeing Inang Bayan free. Some of them are famous but most of them are not. Their heroism would have been forgotten if not for the efforts of historians who keep the memory of our heroes alive and relevant in our era.

One such historian who has done much in our time and whose name may reverberate for the rest of the 21st century is Ambeth Ocampo, considered as a historian who has achieved a rock star status.

Studying the past

It is interesting to note that though worlds apart — the astrologer and the historian share the same passion in studying the past. Both dig up facts that they can share with the present generation of readers with the intention to make the future better.

The reason why we have few historians is obvious. It seems to be a job that an ordinary Filipino would never dream of doing. It's ironic that in the country of Jose Rizal, maybe one of the most intelligent human beings that ever walked the earth, historians' works are seldom read.

In a country of non-readers, dreaming to become a historian is not just foolish, it may even be considered as madness, especially if you come from the lower rungs of society.

So you want to be a historian? 

An astrologer would naturally look at the concept of destiny to try to find meaning in a historian's life work. Some are simply meant to be a historian while are others are meant to do other things.

Aside from the scholastic credentials, which can help one progress in the academic world, one must at least have substantial wealth to start with to be free from the worries of day-to-day living. One must also have a simple outlook in life that makes one unattached to the trappings of materialism.

Fortunately, both are true in the case of Ambeth. Coming from a relatively well-off family and living as a monk for a few years contributed a lot to his mental development.

The keyword here is the word "development." Hellenistic astrologers/philosophers assert that recognizing one's destiny isn't the ultimate goal and it isn't as easy as it seems. You have to "choose" whether or not to live out what the three daughters of Fate have sewn for you.

We have to be thankful that Ambeth Ocampo has chosen, after initial doubts, mistakes, setbacks and maybe opposition as well, a different path: to become a different kind of historian.

Fixed signs

Certain astrological factors seem to be important for the gargantuan tasks of digging, preserving and reconstructing the past for the sake of the future generation.

Let see what makes a historian tick. The most important traits that a budding historian must possess are dedication and determination, which in astrology are the distinguishing character traits of those who are born with dominant fixed signs.

By dominant, what is meant is not just the Sun sign, based on the month one is born, but based on the position of other planets in one's complete (computed) astrological chart.

The fixed signs are: Taurus, Leo, Scorpio, Aquarius.

It should be noted that at least four of the Philippines' top historians belong to the fixed signs.

Teodoro Agoncillo belongs to Scorpio, the sign modern astrologers associate with research.

Horacio dela Costa belongs to Taurus, the sign of the preservation of forms.

I'm including Alejandro Lichauco, another Scorpio, who has done a great job of researching and writing the history of the country's economic development from the time of American occupation till the '80s.

And, of course, Ambeth Ocampo, who belongs to the sign Leo, the sign that wants us to be proud of our heritage.

Love for country, knowledge

In my book Astro-time 2009, I discussed the zodiac signs of wealthy nations. I emphasized the importance of the fixed signs in instilling the love for the country and in promulgating nationalistic state policies.

It should be noted that it was a Scorpio president, Carlos P. Garcia, who promulgated the Filipino First policy in the '50s and it was Manuel L. Quezon (Leo) who made us proud of our language.

Ambeth Ocampo, living out the function of Leo, is now making the new generation of Filipinos aware and proud of our history.

Another must-have trait for budding historians is the love of knowledge and information.

This is the trait of the other notable historian Gregorio Zaide, who instilled in the minds of several generations of students the need to know important dates and personalities in our history.

It is the function of the air signs (like Gemini, Libra, and Aquarius) to gather and disseminate information. This is an important step in history.

Success comes when you love what you are doing. For outstanding historians, the prerequisite is the dedication and love of the country.

 Love of the past 

In modern astrology, the sign of patriotism is Cancer. We have Cancerian Carmen Guerrerro Nakpil in our midst, whose personal biography is like a historical account of the nation's history.

In Ocampo's chart, Cancer is likewise prominent — his Venus is in Cancer at the top of his astrological chart.

Another very important traits that every historian must have is the love for things connected with the past and the ability to work alone for a prolonged period of time.

This trait is connected with the sign Capricorn and its planetary ruler — Saturn. Both of these factors are associated with time. Saturn is after all Chronos, the god of time.

Carlos Quirino had his Sun in Capricorn. Ambeth Ocampo has both Saturn and Jupiter in Capricorn, the sign of history, meaningful chronology of events.

FEARLESS FORECAST: It'll be Clinton over Trump this November!

By Jamal Ashley Abbas

THE MOON and US ELECTIONS

The election fever is high in the US with the two parties nominating their standard bearers. It has been repeated many times over in the astrological circle that since 1900, all presidential candidates nominated during a Void-of-Course moon lost their election bids. I am not sure if people have the exact time of the nominations in the early part of the 20th century but from the latter part of that century, I guess there were no problems in documentation.

But even in the 21st century, there were some misconceptions in the timing of the nominations. In 2008, some people thought that Barack Obama was nominated during a void-of-course moon. But astrologer Debbi Kempton Smith maintained:

On Wednesday, 27 August 2008 at 4.48 pm Mountain Daylight Time in Denver, Colorado (6.48 pm EDT), the words rang out: ‘Hillary moves — is there a second?' There was, and at that moment Senator Barack Obama officially became the Democratic nominee. Three minutes later, at 4.51 pm MDT (6.51 pm EDT) the announcement came: "I inform you, Barack Obama accepts the nomination.'  Deal done, wa-a-a-ay before the Moon went into the void.

Vice Presidential nominee Joe Biden's nomination became official after his speech the same evening when he was proposed, seconded and he accepted at 10.20 pm EDT. The Moon was void of course at this time.

But it was a big surprise to see Barack Obama himself, now the Democratic Presidential nominee, appear onstage unexpectedly at 10.55 pm EDT, a mere four minutes after the Moon left the void and entered his own sign, Leo. 

VOID-OF-COURSE MOON

But what is this Void-of-Course Moon? In 2005, I had an article in the Mr. & Ms. magazine where I explained the Void-of-Course Moon:

From ancient times, astrologers noticed that as the Moon passes from one Zodiac sign to another, there is a period when the Moon is “aspect-less”; i.e., it has no aspects with other
planets. The astrologers have observed that this aspect-less period of the moon is quite inauspicious for Earthlings.

Every two and half days, the Moon does not make any aspects to any planet while moving from one sign and entering another. This period can range from a few minutes to a couple of days. When this happens, the Moon is said to be void-of-course.

If a person wants to know how an event or project will turn out, the astrologer would cast a chart and study the sign and aspects of the Moon. If the Moon has no aspects, then the project or event would have practically no outcome; i.e., it would come to nothing.

When the moon is void-of course, astrologers suggest that no important business should be planned or initiated. Even sending important e-mails or registered mails or faxes or making important calls are not advised. Most, if not all, actions started and / or made during the void-of-course moon would come to naught.           

LOSING CANDIDATES

Truman holding newspaper with
 false headline

Presidential candidates Thomas Dewey, Richard Nixon (1960, opposite John Kennedy), Barry Goldwater,  George McGovern and Jimmy Carter (1980 against Reagan) were all nominated when the Moon was Void-of-Course. 

Everybody thought Dewey would win and Nixon was the favorite to win. But they lost. Carter won the Democratic nomination against the legendary Ted Kennedy of the American Camelot only to lose against a has-been B-movie actor.

Al Gore won the popular vote but lost the electoral vote. George W. Bush must have had an astrologer for an adviser as both his opponents (Al Gore and John Kerry) were nominated on a void-of-course moon while his nominations came on auspicious moons.

DONALD TRUMP

On the day of Donald Trump’s nomination, I was tempted to announce in my FaceBook status that Trump should not wait for 10 pm (Cleveland time) to accept his nomination. But I was afraid that by some fluke, he would get wind of it and would have his acceptance speech before 10 pm. But as Fate would have it, Donald Trump accepted his nomination on July 21, 2016, 10:19 EDT (Cleveland time). The moon was void-of-course.

The chart for Trump’s nomination is this:

The Ascendant is Pisces, whose ruler is Jupiter and is in detriment and peregrine in the 7th house, the house of his enemy. The other ruler of Pisces is Neptune and is in his first house. It almost opposes Jupiter. The bad thing is, Neptune is conjunct the South Node. The South Node drains the energy of the house and nearby planets (Chiron). It also facilitates karmic bleed-through which is not very good.

The "prize" is the Midheaven, which is in the sign of Sagittarius whose ruler is again, Jupiter. And as previously mentioned, Jupiter is in Detriment and peregrine in the house of his rival. It also opposes Neptune (wide), South Node and Chiron.

If the ruler of the Ascendant is Trump and the "prize" is the Presidency, then it looks like Trump and the Presidency are one; i.e., he'll win the Presidency. But then, Jupiter, which represents both Trump and the Presidency is in very bad shape. Not only is it in detriment and peregrine, it has bad aspects against planets in the First House (Trump's own house). Worse, Jupiter is in the house of the enemy, which could mean that the enemy will take the Prize and Trump with it.

There were rumors before about Trump being a friend of the Clintons and that he is really out there to ensure a Clinton win. In that case, he already won the Prize, which is the Republican nomination and not the Presidency.

And if we take the previous presidential contests vis-a-vis the Void of Course Moon, then there is really no contest. Trump cannot win. The Void-of-Course Moon indicates it's the end-of-the-story. Thus, the nomination of Trump as the Republican standard bearer is his crowning glory in this chapter of his life.

HILLARY CLINTON

Hillary Clinton's nomination came on July 26, 2016 in Philadelphia at 6:56 pm Eastern time. The moon was NOT void-of-course. The event chart is here:

The ascendant is Capricorn whose ruler is Saturn, which is in Sagittarius in the 11th house, peregrine. The 11th house is the house of friends and allies of the country (She was a Secretary of State) and the legislature (She was a Senator). It also rules the other government institutions like local government units and the Stock Exchange. In short, it is the house of Hillary Clinton. She's like a fish in water in that house.

Pluto is in the First House, Pluto represents the powerful people backing up Clinton. Pluto also means "creative destruction". The "Prize" is the MC which is in Scorpio, ruled by Mars and Pluto. And Mars is in the 10th house. This could only mean success in winning The Prize. This also means following in the footsteps of an "elder", i.e., former President Bill Clinton.

The other ruler of this 10th house is Pluto, which is in the First House. This means that success could very well rely on Hillary's own personality and even physical appearance. The fact that she's a woman could bring her victory.

SEVEN YEARLY CYCLES
New Thought Alliance's George Sison, probably the country's longest practicing astrologer, swears to the precision and accuracy of the "Seven Yearly Cycles". 

According to Mr, Sison, all Philippine presidents won because they had better cycles than their opponents.

For the May 2016 Philippine presidential elections, Mr. Sison (click here) wrote that the candidates were: 

"Rodrigo Duterte, an Aries on his 1st cycle; Grace Poe, a Virgo on her 5th cycle; Mar Roxas, a Taurus on his 7th cycle; Jejomar Binay, a Scorpio who will be on his 4th cycle; Miriam Santiago, a Gemini who will be in the middle of her 7th cycle like many of the Cancerians." 

According to Mr. Sison, Duterte had the biggest chance of winning because he was in his  First or Sun cycle. The next candidate  with a chance of winning was Grace Poe, who was on her 5th or Jupiter cycle. Well, Mr. Duterte indeed won by a landslide.

In the case of the US presidential candidates, Hillary Clinton will be on her First or Sun cycle come election day while Trump will be on his Third or Mars cycle. According to this annual Seven Cycle theory, Sun trumps Mars.

This "principle" was first introduced by H. Spencer Lewis in 1929 in his work, "Self Mastery and Fate with the Cycles of Life, Volume VII of the Rosicrucian Library.

CONCLUSION
It looks like the stars favor Ms. Hillary Clinton over Donald Trump. The glass ceiling will be broken. Ms. Hillary Clinton, former First Lady, former Senator and former Secretary of State will be the next President of the United States of America.

Farewell, Henry Palacios, astrologer extraordinaire

By Jamal Ashley Abbas 

Henry Palacios

Last March 20, International Astrology Day, the Vernal Equinox, Palm Sunday and the first day of Spring in temperate climes, Filipino astrologer Henry Edward C. Palacios passed away.

He was 53 and his sudden departure took everyone -- his family, relatives, friends and astrological clients -- by surprise.

Born on July 27, 1962, Henry studied at the Ateneo for his elementary and secondary education. In the 1970s, he and his siblings were brought to London to study and be nearer to their diplomat mom who was posted in Europe. Their mom became Philippine ambassador to several countries. Their dad also pursued higher studies in Law at Cambridge (Admiralty and Maritime Law).

In prep school (senior high), Henry was the Head Boy (equivalent to the Student Council president). In college, he and his siblings went to Richmond, the International American University in London. His interests soon turned into photography and he became the school organ's photographer.

After EDSA and the fall of the Marcos government, the Palacios family returned to the Philippines. Armed with a degree on Money, Banking and Finance, Henry entered the FOREX market as a trader. Later, the mother introduced her children to a group concerned with Spirituality and Mind Powers. The group was Reach For InnerSelf (RFI) Foundation.

Astrology without and with computers

Henry (right) with his brother Hans.

In the 1980s and early 1990s, Aquarian organizations became popular among the middle and upper classes -- the Science of Mind (SOM), the Temple of Prayer, Peace & Prosperity (TOPPP), and RFI. There were also Aquarian personalities like Charlie Barreto, George Sison, Jimmy Licauco, etc.

There were a handful of astrologers who charged quite big amounts for a horoscope reading. Calculations were mostly done by hand (or calculators). Computer astrological programs were rare although some astrologers like the late Von Estrella used them.

Henry's elder brother Hans and a couple of friends -- Jamal Ashley Abbas and Joe Magsaysay -- concluded that it was high time for computerized astrological readings to be introduced to Manila folks. 

They decided on procuring a professional astrological software from England. Although skeptical about the rationality and logic of astrology, Henry welcomed the venture with an open mind.

In 1991, a kiosk with the name Natal Astrology was launched at Star City Carnival. It became a hit. To complement the kiosk, an astrological newsletter -- Astrology.com -- was printed. 

From Star City, the kiosk moved to SM Megamall, at the basement in Bldg. A. 

Instead of paying thousands of pesos for an astrology reading or sending $20 or £10 (plus bank wire transfer fees) to the US or UK for a few pages of horoscope reading, Natal Astrology charged only P100 or P200 depending on the kind(s) of readings.

Believer
Henry Palacios became a believer in Astrology. He was amazed at how accurate the predictions were. The software was top-notch. Pretty soon, Henry built not only an increasing amount of customers but an increasing number of repeat clients, many of whom became long-time friends.

Henry read up on astrology and created a virtual database of the computerized readings vis-a-vis truth or falsity as confirmed by the clients. Pretty soon, he became adept at analyzing the natal charts and the transits.

But much more than his prowess at astrological readings, Henry always offered a shoulder to lean on, ears to listen, and ever-ready astrologically informed advice. He became the long lost brother, son, uncle, cousin to so many of his clients. 

All kinds of people could be seen hanging out in his kiosk -- intellectuals, New Agers, politicians, rich yuppies, ordinary folks, eccentrics, healers, students of the esoteric arts, astrologers and would-be astrologers, etc. 

The interesting mix of Henry's clientele must have caught the attention of US intelligence because pretty soon, a karate-expert US embassy official started frequenting the kiosk and became a Natal Astrology kiosk habitué,

In 2000, the Natal Astrology kiosk at SM megamall closed shop. The era of the Internet had come of age, even in the Philippines, and astrological readings could be found on the web. However, readings by local astrologers even became more expensive and unreachable to the poorer sector of society.

Empirical science
Having read and analyzed tens of thousands of natal and transit charts, not to mention progressions, etc., Henry must have reassured his British-educated skeptical mind that astrology was not voodoo. As he used to say, "astrology is an empirical science." The astrological knowledge he accumulated in a decade at the kiosk could not just be left to gather dust in the recesses of his brain.

So, with or without the kiosk, Henry decided to continue doing astrological readings -- but on a "less commercial" level. Armed with a cellphone astrological app, he read people's charts inside restaurants, usually at Cafe Ysabel or the restaurants in the Promenade. And so for more than another decade, he professionally practiced the art and science of astrology.

Henry's friends, relatives, and clients still cannot believe his untimely passing.

Astrology Friends Philippines' Resti Santiago (right),
Ms. Georgina Solina (center) and Jamal Ashley Abbas
paid their respects to fellow astrologer Henry Palacios.
Wake was held at Mount Carmel Parish Shrine, New Manila, Quezon City.
Burial was on March 25, 2016, 9am at Loyola Memorial Park, Marikina.

Here are some of the posts of his circle in the social media:

From elementary classmate and friend Gene Gregorio:

A neighbor, classmate, friend, adviser, roadtrip/ Greenhills/ Magnolia co-adventurer, Avuncular figure to kids. We will miss his unique perspective on the world and on life. Truly, a Modern-Day Magus. You've travelled long and have been a good companion to fellow travellers and exporers. Rest in peace now as it is well deserved. The one who understood the language of the stars has finally reached the realm of the stars - his real home. Our prayers for H and our deepest condolences to the Palacios family.
 As usual, Henry had impeccable timing. He lifted off on Palm Sunday, World Astrology Day, and the first day of the Sun in Aries. H gave us a last lesson on synchronicity.

From Rainbow Hackett:

I woke up this morning and thought of my friend...Henry...I still can't believe you are gone...we met a long long time ago, in the early 90's, 93-94, I think, in mega mall...you read my stars then....you have been a friend ever since....we did not see each other often, infact we would only see each other when we would bump into each other in GH or magnolia...you always had nice things to say to me, and you would always give me a hug and a kiss on the cheek...Henry you always were a comforting presence in a world of turmoil....always ready to reassure me, that all things will pass, so we just have to learn to chill....I remember asking you what Humana was and that's when you told me, just chill...things will get better....the world has lost a star with your passing...but as stars go, they will always shine so long as you learn to look up and look to them....every time I look up at the stars, I will remember you, Henry, you who taught me to look up and have faith in our stars....you will be missed Henry...RIP....I will miss seeing you holding court wherever you are....I'm sure you'll be holding court amongst the stars...

From Rochelle:

I am so shocked to hear the news of Henry Palacios . He is a good friend, He knew everything about me because of my chart readings .. he got it all accurately.. he would call me "kikay"... I can't believe he is gone ... My sincerest condolences to his love ones... our "to go see " person when in trouble is gone...The man is brilliant ....

Please continue to be our Guiding light like Master Yoda .. May the force be with you on the other side Henry Palacios. vaya con dios..

From Noel Albano:

This is where I met Henry, and we usually discussed financial astrology (among other things!) when I visited his shop after trading hours, coming straight from my Tektite office. He enjoyed mentoring me in the finer details of financial astrology (in the 90's!) and he also shared his deeper philosophies in life. Talk about a student eventually meeting his teacher. The last time I saw him, in 2009, he mentioned that I should prepare for some "storms" in my life, and he encouraged me by saying that these "storms" shall pass. The "storms" came, I endured, and I thank Henry for the straight talk he provided, as a friend and a brother, which helped me to endure and to be a stronger person. Thank you Henry for sharing with me things to do during Full Moons smile emoticon You will be sorely missed...

From AstroDiva:

Also in that year (1999), i met the man who would inspire me to polish and practice my craft. Henry Palacios was a British-trained professional astrologer who operated a stall at the Mega Mall in Mandaluyong City that offered computer-generated astrology reports called Natal Astrology. a moment of impulse brought me to his counter i bought a

character profile. the attendant gave me a form to fill and told me to come back after 15 minutes for the printout. 

upon my return i inquired after my report. the attendant excused himself and returned with Henry a minute later. Henry introduced himself and said that he wished to speak with me personally about my profile. i thought it was odd because other customers simply walked out of the store after paying for their reports. 

Henry explained my profile in convincing detail, many of which i have already known in my own analysis of my birth horoscope. but there were more. he mentioned my natural inclination towards astrology and that there is a future for me in this field.

my attitude towards astrology took a serious turn after my first meeting with Henry. over the next year and a half i would go on a once-a-week visit to his stall. his place served as a melting pot for all sorts of spiritual workers. his visitors agreed that there seemed to be a magical force that drew like-minded people in and held them there. i could not deny that strange force, as i found myself wanting to drop in every so often.

To sum it up, here's what one of his friends (Ge Victoria) posted:

 He made reachable the science of the stars... down to earth.

You are welcome to share your stories on Henry in the Comments Section below.