ASTROLOGY PHILIPPINES

  From L to R: Astrologers Resti Santiago and  Paloma with journalist-turned lawmaker Loren Legarda and Anthony Vivero, around 1999 By MARGE C. ENRIQUEZ The late Zenaida “Kid” Garcia, better known to readers as Paloma, first reached out to BusinessWorld in 1991 with a complaint that another astrologer had copied her work. She sent proof, then offered to write. The paper ran her first essay, and she soon became a regular columnist. Writing as Paloma, she kept her identity private to pursue a mission to explain astrology. The aim was to counter the view that astrology is only planetary positions or past-life claims. Her column educated general readers and showed that life involves both destiny and personal choice. Change rests with the individual, not with the moon or planets. Years of practice, she said, deepened her faith and clarified the laws of cause and effect. Astrology, in her view, can reveal patterns behind turning points and highlight universal laws whose neglect ...

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 sc...

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 writ...

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

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 connectio...

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-...

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...

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 e...

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. Inst...