SURA II (BAQARA)

This posting is not completely a departure from astrology inasmuch as it concerns the Pope's lecture that has aroused the Muslims all over the world against him. One of the significances of the passage of Pluto, the demoted planet, through the zodiac sign Sagittarius, is concerned with conflicts in religious beliefs that should eventually result in the resolution of their contradictions. Thus, we are witnesses to the current religious turmoils in the world today.

As mentioned by Archbishop Oscar Cruz in his Viewpoint blog, the Pope mentioned the comments of a medieval emperor regarding the violent method adopted by the Muslims in spreading Islam. Bishop Cruz mentioned that the Pope quoted Sura 2,256 of the Quran, but he (Cruz) made the error in separating the numbers. There is no Sura 2,256. However, there is Sura 2:256, or Baqara 256 which says:

"Let there be no compulsion in religion: Truth stands out clear from Error: whoever rejects Evil and believes in God had grasped the most trustworthy handhold that never breaks. And God heareth and knoweth all things."

Unfortunately, the CNN in publishing the news emphasized the offensive quote and did not mention the Sura which the Pope also raised to counter the emperor's bias. On the other hand, the immediate violent reaction of the Muslims serves to illustrate what the medieval emperor disliked about Islam.

PLUTO, THE DWARF, AND THE LAST QUARTER OF 2006

The three astrological events occurring within the last Quarter of 2006 being discussed in this report are: the Annular Eclipse of September 22, the Libra Ingress or North to South passage of the Sun across the Equator on September 23, and the conjunction of Pluto and the Galactic Center or House of God on December 19.

The first two events are too close together they can be considered as one although differing in some ways in the distribution of the planets. These three events have sweeping global effects, but there are unique distinctions when taken separately as seen and observed in the different capitals of the world.

Even as the influences of the Eclipse and the Ingress last only for a quarter or so, the Pluto conjunction, while its powerful influence on humanity is subtle and difficult to unravel, is considered to be long-lasting since it takes about 248 years to recur.

In one website, it says “Pluto rules power. It's about how generations of people handle power and how they can bring about positive change to the world.” Another says, “This Planet's energy is often focused on the masses and what the collective will do. Pluto beseeches the masses to look inward (and to their subconscious) to see what's there.” As well www.astrologyzine.com/plutosag says, “It [Pluto] raises gripping moral questions about issues like the death penalty; the effectiveness of religion, the church, and its workers in addressing immorality; questioning the validity and meaning of faith; and the true nature of the human soul when it is overshadowed by ‘evil’". Another website -- //www.skyscript.co.uk/pluto2 -- presents studies of its effects on global history. “Historically, Pluto’s contact with the Galactic Center has evoked important developments in humanity’s relationship with literature and the arts, abstract thought, education and reasoning, the dissemination, codification or collation of scientific or legalistic knowledge, and important spiritual movements.”

Events in our own recent history seem to provide proofs of Pluto’s power. Before the elections of 1998 I said that any elected president will not finish his term because Pluto will afflict the symbol of our head of state. And in the 16 December 2000 issue of Women’s Journal, my wife wrote that President Estrada will be ousted on the date when it really happened in January 2001

According to Reinhold Ebertin, Pluto “marks out major shifts in the focus of power within society and indicates the area of life likely to be subjected to major transformation.” The recent frenzied efforts to change the form our government, if not transform our society, may be attributed to the passage of Pluto through the House of God. Pluto is to receive new divine instructions to Mankind emanating from the Galactic Center. In the concept of Teilhard de Chardin’s noogenesis, the thrust of Humanity’s evolution is toward a higher level: the Omega point. The pressure is to reform all societies, particularly in justice and belief in God. Even as scientists relegated Pluto to being merely a dwarf planet, its intimidating influences cannot be underestimated. (There is a dwarf in our society in possession of similar intimidating powers.)

This dwarf planet lingers in our People’s Psyche and conjoins the Galactic Center three times: on December 19, then on July 17, and finally on October 27 next year. This seems to be a hectic period for our country and will alter our society for good or evil depending on our national Collective Unconscious. The nation may experience inner struggles between attachments to the past and aspirations towards things of the future. However, any pseudo-transformation will be manifested in the exploitation of the masses by our plutocracy, resulting in crimes, both high and low, and a general failure of the justice system. To my mind, it is unfortunate for our people to have at the helm of the reform movement personalities who have narrow parochial visions for our country. Instead of moving towards the Omega point, it seems we are drifting in an opposite direction.

For the short term, the Annular Eclipse and the Libra Ingress cover the Fourth Quarter. The Annular Eclipse belongs to Saros 8 South that symbolically affects all rulers and the “power resulting from the formal integration of the collective desire for order” (Jansky/Brady). The stress of this eclipse on our country seems to be not only on the ruler but also on the active role of the military in governance. As to whether this presages the growing number of military men, active or retired, in controlling the affairs of government because of the President’s customary heavy reliance on their perceived capability to control the AFP and PNP, or a military coup could eventually succeed; these possibilities are within the scope of speculation.

It is highly probable, however, that the country is already in a state of virtual dictatorship and under a de facto martial rule. The prelude to the state of martial law is the government’s declaration of war against the NPA. Note also the Administration’s insistence to observe the ban embodied in EO 464 despite the adverse ruling of the Supreme Court. The unethical behavior of the leaders and their sophistry are the destabilizing factors in our society. These leaders insist on projecting their sins to those who expose their misdemeanors. The existence of martial law will be obvious through the exercise of emergency powers due to some sudden developments affecting the Presidency.

Keeping in mind that there is continuing restiveness in the AFP, this is a factor that has to be considered in assessing the probabilities. It may be of interest that in late October, AFP Chief of Staff Gen Esperon’s “relationship with an important woman in his life” is in trouble.

Another effect of the two mundane horoscopes will be in the significant increase of mortality rates among the senior citizens, notable and prominent personalities and cabinet members. Expect as well the deaths of ranking military officials, and surgeons. A Raphael interpretation includes the death of a head of state. On a personal level, President Arroyo is vulnerable to inflicted injuries in late September up to early October. A more serious period needing careful attention is in mid-November when the combined forces of violent Mars and sudden Uranus will afflict her Sun or physical body.

The other indications shown in the Eclipse and Ingress horoscopes are:

Travel of the ruler. Disputes with other Powers in connection with financial and trade questions.

Extraordinary difficulties and complications will beset Congress, as well as a good deal of unruliness in the debates. We can speculate that the subject matter of these disputations is about the content, and manner in changing the Constitution. There are also dangers of accidents to members.

Losses to the revenue will be experienced through illicit undertakings, theft, sharp practices, and everything underhanded and secret. The frenzied efforts of the Administration to change the Constitution are some of the evidences of the drains on the people’s money.

There will be accidents on railways, explosions, and many troubles in communications. Are we to experience for the first time incidences of suicide bombings? As well, much discontent will be shown among the working classes that could result in strikes.

Due to the propensity to label civil movements, expect “socialistic agitation” against the ruler and government. There will be scandals among the elite, disgrace to notable people and many episodes that reflect but little credit on the elite class.

There will be bad weather adversely affecting agricultural matters, as well as mining disasters, and earthquakes.

The police will be busy eradicating crime and bring about reformations, but simultaneously the spies and secret enemies will be active to eradicate the security and peace of the nation. In the effort to maintain order, a virtual concentration camp will be set up by the authorities under a euphemistic label.
Mundane astrology or astrology of a country is most often dire and seldom happy because it deals with large masses of people that are difficult to influence and control. In contrast, natal astrology or astrology of an individual can succeed in pointing out failures in character and thereby effect the needed transformation. On the other hand, in interpreting any mundane horoscope, the bias of the astrologer always gets in the way of presenting a neutral picture.

A bit of trivia:
If the Las Vegas bout of Manny Pacquiao is held during the period from 9 a.m. to noon on November 18, he will win over Erik Morales. My previous experiment in predicting his fight against Larios as a draw was a dismal failure; I looked at the wrong factors. 