STARTRACK

2012-01-17T00:44:00.000-08:00

THE CROWN AFFAIR

On January 16, 2012 at exactly 2:13 p.m. a historic impeachment trial started in the Philippines. It is actually the third event in our history, although the first two were either aborted or declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court. This time, the trial involves the Chief Justice himself.

I had decided much much earlier that I should cease doing astrological predictions on matters involving the country. I admit to being faulty in my intuitive ability to interpret the signals from the heavens. I had initially accepted that the future may be indicated by the present astronomical conditions if we can analyze the pattern and trends presented by the heavens. In my attempt to meld science with astrology, I have resorted to doing mathematical processes and statistical analysis of the planetary positions and their interrelationships.

In the present endeavor, I have my own personal biases towards the political issues obtaining in the country and the personalities involved. I am trying to justify my bias against the Chief Justice by resorting to astrology. However, there are certain basic requirements in astrology, particularly in determining the basic data for the interpretation. I must be able to have available the date, time and place of a particular event.

In the matter of the impeachment trial of Renato Corona, I need to figure out the outcome of his trial by resorting to a study of his personal horoscope. The main obstacle to my study is the exact time of his birth; I already know his birthday, October 15 1948, and his place of birth, Tanauan, Batangas. However, I had to resort to “rectifying” his birth data, using a computer software “Jigsaw” to attempt to compute his birth time by referring to his personal history. Even the personal history of Corona presented a paucity of precise data, in that there are no specific dates regarding, say, his marriage, his graduation from various schools, and others. As a result of my “rectification” efforts, I obtained the time of his birth as 9:04 a.m. However, the computer software informs me that the maximum accuracy of the computations is merely 71 percent.

With the data obtained from the rectification, I proceeded to figure out how the orbiting planets affect his horoscope by “transit” or passage. Again, I subjected the daily positions of the planets from January up to December this year, and graphically show to me how they affect Corona. Below, shows the graph of the effects of the transits.

The graph tells me that the lowest point, insofar as his “mood” is concerned occurs in June. Does this tell me that his trial will last up to June? Recent news items say that his trial will only be for two months or to end in mid-March. The graph also shows that he will be busiest in May. Does this tell me that the major trial activity falls in that month? And after that May-June period, Corona seems to become happier and happier until the closing of the year. Does this mean that he will win his case?

Numbers do not give much information. I need to interpret what these indicators show. As I have admitted before, my interpretative ability is not up to par, so I had to resort to another method where I can depend on the interpretations of other astrologers. (Unfortunately, my notes fail to indicate from whom I got them.)

In this effort, I resorted to computing the birth anniversary chart of Corona. In astrological jargon, I have computed the “solar return” of Corona during his last birthday, the horoscope of which is said to forecast the entire year after that. In other words, his solar return is effective from October 15, 2011 up to October 14, 2012. Below are excerpts of interpretations about Corona’s solar return:

“This year you might have to deal with karma that you have not taken care of before… you will be having more than usual difficulty dealing with the real world

“In the material world, legal matters are likely to be settled in your favor during this influence. You will likely be involved with matters of joint finances, wills, taxes, or insurance claims. A lot of attention will be placed upon your financial circumstances motivated by your need to gratify your physical appetites. Your feelings of emotional security will be linked to your abundance of material resources.

”Power struggles over money and morals and power will likely have you more concerned than usual,

“Your attention will be on your home…

“You might find yourself looking for pity or inordinate approval from others for the work you are doing, which would not be in your best interest. If by nature you are a more rational, practical person, you may enjoy these new attitudes and abilities for this time.

“You will go through intense cathartic experiences during this solar year, There is a death of your old ideas and ways and a rebirth of a new lifestyle based upon the power, resources and values that come under your control… your greatest opportunities for growth will be a transformation of the ways you use personal power to relate to and handle jointly held resources and the resources of other people.

“You can expect at least one major and many minor changes in your life this year. The emphasis is on radical change. You could find yourself choosing to change your job, find new interests, or leave the home you know to transfer to another part of the country.”

From the excerpted interpretations above (all emphasis mine), it seems Corona will be acquitted since. “legal matters, are likely to be settled in your favor” I had expected the astrological interpretations would justify my “hope” that Corona will be impeached and removed from office. On the other hand I place my hopes on the interpretation that he will choose to change his job since the impeachment trial, although absolving him (perhaps the voting on all the articles of impeachment among the jurors lack one vote to convict), has definitely tarnished his character and renders his effectiveness less than desired. Perhaps, having been “acquitted” and proved his “innocence” he will decide to leave. I believe that a powerful private organization will be more than willing to have him as its CEO and give him more than what the Supreme Court can give.

I would like to give my personal comments, not astrological, on the various charges leveled against Corona, but decided to keep my peace especially since I do not have any legal background to lean on. I have my own analysis, for instance, of how his wife Cristina figures in the acquisition of very costly condominiums at almost bargain prices. After all, my wife has always been in opposition to and in disagreement with my ideas that involve GMA, which she decides are vindictive and unjust -- to GMA.

In the case of Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile, who is the presiding judge of the impeachment trial, his Solar Return horoscope says that

“This year you will be inclined to express yourself in a more intense and dramatic way. Your authority will increase and you will try to impose your opinions on others and dominate each situation. There is a tendency to call attention to yourself and to exaggerate everything. In no way will you be unnoticed during this period and you will continually search for the approval of the public.”

The few instances I have watched the televised proceedings, the interpretation presented above is truly illustrative of Senator Enrile’s actions as the controlling personality in the trial. He must have realized that this historical moment is his last chance for greatness. I expect him to show to the world that he has the abilities and qualities of a Chief Justice himself had he been in the judiciary.

2010-11-24T06:05:00.000-08:00

ON CONTRACEPTION AND ABORTION

The Reproductive Health bill has raised a storm of arguments in favor and against its provisions. The controversy revolves around the argument about killing the unborn as well as in controlling population. The Pro-Lifers lumped the concepts of contraception and abortion as one of murdering the fetus. Those in favor of the RH Bill distinguish between contraceptives and abortifacients, as well as favor sex education in order to inform couples about how to plan their families.

For me, the most important feature of the Bill is its concern for the health of mothers by offering options to control childbearing and limit the number of economically supportable children without resorting to abortion or the use of abortifacients. One basic argument against abortion raised by a bishop is the commandment “thou shalt not kill.”

I took the liberty of extracting verbatim from the internet, mostly from Wikipedia, the following information in order to support the viewpoints I shall raise at the end of this blog:

“ABORTION is the termination of a pregnancy by the removal or expulsion of a fetus or embryo from the uterus, resulting in or caused by its death. An abortion can occur spontaneously due to complications during pregnancy or can be induced, in humans and other species. In the context of human pregnancies, an abortion induced to preserve the health of the gravida (pregnant female) is termed a therapeutic abortion, while an abortion induced for any other reason is termed an elective abortion. The term abortion most commonly refers to the induced abortion of a human pregnancy, while spontaneous abortions are usually termed miscarriages.

“An abortifacient is a substance that induces abortion.

“Medieval Muslim physicians documented detailed and extensive lists of birth control practices, including the use of abortifacients, commenting on their effectiveness and prevalence. The use of abortifacients was acceptable to Islamic jurists provided that the abortion occurs within 120 days, the point when the fetus is considered to become fully human and receive its soul.

“CONTRACEPTION - Intentional prevention of conception or impregnation through the use of various devices, agents, drugs, sexual practices, or surgical procedures.

“The available methods of contraception may be classified in many ways. For the sake of this discussion, traditional or folk methods are coitus interruptus, postcoital douche, lactational amenorrhea, and periodic abstinence (rhythm or natural family planning). Barrier methods include condoms (male and female), diaphragm, cervical cap, vaginal sponge, and spermicides. Hormonal methods encompass oral contraceptives and injectable or implantable long-acting progestins. In addition, the intrauterine contraceptive device (IUD) and sterilization (tubal ligation or Vasectomy) are also part of the contraceptive armamentarium.

“ONANISM - From the biblical name Onan: In the Book of Genesis, Onan, son of Judah, in fulfillment of the laws of levirate marriage was to impregnate his brother Er's widow, Tamar, in order to raise offspring from the union in his brother's name. In order to avoid raising descendants for his late brother, however, Onan spilled his semen on the ground when he went in to his brother's wife, so that he would not give offspring to his brother. (Genesis 38:9). Thus the word Onanism was coined, meaning ejaculating outside the vagina [during intercourse; (the performing of) coitus interruptus], or masturbation (because this also spills semen, rather than using it for procreation).

“To understand conception, it is helpful to know about female reproductive system and the menstruation cycle. A female is born with about 400,000 eggs in their ovaries. The female body begins to ovulate during puberty. About once a month, several eggs mature, and the lining of the uterus has been building and has become thick to act as a “nest” for the egg to implant. Then an egg is released from the ovary. If it is not fertilized within 12-48 hours, it disintegrates. Approximately 2 weeks later, the thick lining of the uterus is shed, and you begin menstruating. Your next menstruation cycle then begins again.

“Ovulation is the release of the matured egg from the ovary. In response to a hormonal signal, the follicle (holding the egg) bursts open and frees the egg - this is when you ovulate. Ovulation typically occurs around 14 or 15 days from the first day of the female's last menstruation cycle. Once you ovulate, the ovum (egg) travels into the fallopian tube and is receptive to fertilization by a sperm.

“Once you ovulate, this is the most fertile period for the female body. This is the time when conception can occur, and you are most likely to become pregnant. Since the egg has been released (i.e., you ovulated) and is available for fertilization, if a female engages in unprotected intercourse, fertilization and conception can occur. A female is most fertile during ovulation and can become pregnant from unprotected sexual relations that took place anytime during this fertile period - basically, from the 5 days before ovulation to 1 day afterwards.

“Conception occurs after the female’s egg is fertilized by a male’s sperm. After sperm are ejaculated in the vagina, they swim through the cervix and into the Fallopian tubes, where fertilization and conception usually takes place. Once a single sperm has penetrated the egg, conception has happened as the genetic material from the sperm and the egg has merged into a single nucleus (called a "zygote").

“Medical experts (e.g., the FDA and the American Medical Association) agree that the establishment of a pregnancy takes several days and is not completed until a fertilized egg has implanted in the lining of the woman's uterus. A woman is considered to be pregnant once the implantation of the zygote has occurred.

“Human fertilization is the union of a human egg and sperm, usually occurring in the ampulla of the uterine tube. It is also the initiation of prenatal development. Scientists discovered the dynamics of human fertilisation in the nineteenth century.
“The process of fertilization involves a sperm fusing with an ovum—usually following ejaculation during sexual intercourse. It is possible, but less probable, for fertilization to occur without sexual intercourse, artificial insemination, or In vitro fertilisation. Upon encountering the ovum, the acrosome of the sperm produces enzymes which allow it to burrow through the outer jelly coat of the egg. The sperm plasma then fuses with the egg's plasma membrane, the sperm head disconnects from its flagellum and the egg travels down the Fallopian tube to reach the uterus.

“The egg and the sperm bind through the corona radiata, a layer of follicle cells on the outside of the secondary oocyte. Fertilization occurs when the nuclei of a sperm and an egg fuse. The successful fusion of gametes form a new organism.

“Where the spermatozoon is about to pierce, the yolk (ooplasm) is drawn out into a conical elevation, termed the cone of attraction. Once the spermatozoon has entered, the peripheral portion of the yolk changes into a membrane, the vitelline membrane, which prevents the passage of additional spermatozoa.

“The acrosome reaction must occur to mobilise enzymes within the head of the spermatozoon to degrade the zona pellucida.

“After binding to the corona radiata the sperm reaches the zona pellucida, which is an extra-cellular matrix of glycoproteins. A special complementary molecule on the surface of the sperm head binds to a ZP2 glycoprotein in the zona pellucida. This binding triggers the acrosome to burst, releasing enzymes that help the sperm get through the zona pellucida.

“Some sperm cells consume their acrosome prematurely on the surface of the egg cell, facilitating the penetration by other sperm cells. As a population, sperm cells have on average 50% genome similarity so the premature acrosomal reactions aid fertilization by a member of the same cohort. It may be regarded as a mechanism of kin selection.

“Recent studies have shown that the egg is not passive during this process.
“Once the sperm cells find their way past the zona pellucida, the cortical reaction occurs: cortical granules inside the secondary oocyte fuse with the plasma membrane of the cell, causing enzymes inside these granules to be expelled by exocytosis to the zona pellucida. This in turn causes the glyco-proteins in the zona pellucida to cross-link with each other -- that is, the enzymes cause the ZP2 to hydrolyse into ZP2f -- making the whole matrix hard and impermeable to sperm. This prevents fertilization of an egg by more than one sperm.

“After the sperm enters the cytoplasm of the oocyte, the cortical reaction takes place, preventing other sperm from fertilizing the same egg. The oocyte now undergoes its second meiotic division producing the haploid ovum and releasing a polar body. The sperm nucleus then fuses with the ovum, enabling fusion of their genetic material.

“The cell membranes of the secondary oocyte and sperm fuse.

“In preparation for the fusion of their genetic material both the oocyte and the sperm undergo transformations as a reaction to the fusion of cell membranes.

“The oocyte completes its second meiotic division. This results in a mature ovum. The nucleus of the oocyte is called a pronucleus in this process, to distinguish it from the nuclei that are the result of fertilization.

“The sperm's tail and mitochondria degenerate with the formation of the male pronucleus. This is why all mitochondria in humans are of maternal origin

“The pronuclei migrate toward the center of the oocyte, rapidly replicating their DNA as they do so to prepare the embryo for its first mitotic division.

“The male and female pronuclei don't fuse, although their genetic material do. Instead, their membranes dissolve, leaving no barriers between the male and female chromosomes. During this dissolution, a mitotic spindle forms between them. The spindle captures the chromosomes before they disperse in the egg cytoplasm. Upon subsequently undergoing meiosis (which includes pulling of chromatids towards centrioles in anaphase) the cell gathers genetic material from the male and female together. Thus, the first mitosis of the union of sperm and oocyte is the actual fusion of their chromosomes.

“Each of the two daughter cells resulting from that mitosis has one replica of each chromatid that was replicated in the previous stage. Thus, they are genetically identical.

“The term sperm is derived from the Greek word (σπέρμα) sperma (meaning "seed") and refers to the male reproductive cells. In the types of sexual reproduction known as anisogamy and oogamy, there is a marked difference in the size of the gametes with the smaller one being termed the "male" or sperm cell. The human sperm cell is haploid, so that its 23 chromosomes can join the 23 chromosomes of the female egg to form a diploid cell. A uniflagellar sperm cell that is motile is referred to as a spermatozoon, whereas a non-motile sperm cell is referred to as a spermatium. Sperm cells cannot divide and have a limited life span, but after fusion with egg cells during fertilization, a new organism begins developing, starting as a totipotent zygote.

“The spermatozoa of animals are produced through spermatogenesis inside the male gonads (testicles) via meiotic division. They are carried out of the male body in a fluid known as semen. Mammalian sperm cells can survive within the female reproductive tract for more than 5 days post coitus.

“The sperm cell consists of a head, a midpiece and a tail. The head contains the nucleus with densely coiled chromatin fibres, surrounded anteriorly by an acrosome, which contains enzymes used for penetrating the female egg. The midpiece has a central filamentous core with many mitochondria spiralled around it, used for ATP production for the journey through the female cervix, uterus and uterine tubes. The tail or "flagellum" executes the lashing movements that propel the spermatocyte.

“Motile sperm cells typically move via flagella and require water in order to swim toward the egg for fertilization. These cells cannot swim backwards due to the nature of their propulsion. The uniflagellated sperm cells (with one flagellum) produced in most animals are referred to as spermatozoa, and are known to vary in size.

“Sperm quantity and quality are the main parameters in semen quality, which is a measure of the ability of semen to accomplish fertilization. Thus, in humans, it is a measure of fertility in a man.”

From the information presented above, there is nothing to “kill” even if the sperm and the ovum has united but has not been implanted in the womb/uterus. The “establishment of a pregnancy takes several days and is not completed until a fertilized egg has implanted in the lining of the woman's uterus.” Contraception is the process of preventing the implantation of the fertilized egg in the uterus or womb. Surprisingly, “the use of abortifacients was acceptable to Islamic jurists provided that the abortion occurs within 120 days, the point when the fetus is considered to become fully human and receive its soul.” But that is Islam and not Catholic Christianity.

It seems that the position of the Pro-Lifers is that sexual intercourse is not for pleasure but to propagate humans. However, the pleasure attained during the sexual union is an expression of love – the uniting of two bodies into one at the moment of orgasm. The expression of mutual ecstasy at that moment is almost equivalent to ecstasy in uniting with GOD. As well, the Pro-Lifers consider the union of the sperm and the ovum, outside of the womb or uterus, as already a fetus and should not be eliminated. (I wonder what the stand of the Pro-Lifers on rape. If a daughter is impregnated by a rapist, will the Pro-Lifer parent decide to have the bastard survive?)

Without the sex education and the various options presented by the RH Bill, the methods insisted by the Pro-Lifers – Rhythm method and abstinence (!?) – can result to overpopulation and economic hardships to most of our people. (Sometimes, I am puzzled why some of the wealthy are beset by the problem of infertility, while the very poor who cannot afford large families are very prolific.) I am tempted to assume that the Catholic Church cannot accept any method that “wastes” sperms through the use of condoms, or masturbation, among others. What about the “wastage” of those unfertilized ova washed away during menstruation. And those sperms “wasted” via “wet dreams”?

The recent controversy involving the use of the condom, supposed to be acceptable to the Pope, also gives a questionable twist to the stand of the Catholic Church. It seems prostitution is tolerated so long as condoms are used in the exercise of the profession. The issue is raised to prevent the spread of disease. But is not the RH Bill also concerned with the same issue: health?

Another point I would like to raise: is respect for Life only reserved for humans?

2010-11-08T00:21:00.000-08:00

THE PACQUIAO-MARGARITO FIGHT IN TEXAS

I realize I am a failure in forecasting election results.

This time, I shall endeavor to try and forecast the results of the Pacquiao-Margarito boxing bout on November 13 (which is November 14 in the Philippines), using my usual mode of computing planetary transits and their effects on the protagonists. (Transits are how the orbiting planets influence the planets in the birth chart during a particular time and place.)

As usual, I tried “rectifying” the birth charts of the boxers by utilizing the software “Jigsaw” with the data on their boxing history. I obtained the following results:

Emmanuel Pacquiao – 17 December 1978, 9:49 a.m. General Santos City
Antonio Margarito – 18 March 1978, 5:31 p,m.. Torrance, California

Surprisingly, both boxers have their Moons in the same sign. Manny has 23 Cancer 08 while, Margarito has 23 Cancer 09. Thus, the planetary transits for November 13, 2010 during the boxing bout that is supposed to start at 8 p.m. in Arlington, Texas will have the same values for the Moon for both boxers -- both have transiting Jupiter trine Moon. They differ only in the effects of the other planets for the rest of the boxers’ planetary distributions. The graphs below show the comparative effects of the planetary transits on the boxers. It seems that Margarito has more transits (Activity) than Pacquiao.

However, in terms of the “positive” effects of these transits (Mood), Pacquiao has the higher values compared to Margarito.

From the graphs above, the values of Pacquiao’s transits are steady from beginning to end of the bout. On the other hand, Margarito’s transits have significant changes during the second and third rounds of the fight. It seems Margarito will try for a knockout during these rounds. Nonetheless, Pacquiao’s level of confidence (Mood) remains stable and higher than Margarito’s all throughout the fight.

In comparing the transits or how the actual orbits of the planets affect the birth charts, we found two significant passages on Pacquiao: transiting Pluto is conjunct Mars and transiting Mercury trine Jupiter. In turn, Margarito has transiting Jupiter trine Mars, but transiting Uranus is square Jupiter even as transiting Venus is in trine with it.

Pacquiao seems to be the winner in this bout, although the judges will find it difficult to score the rounds.

2010-04-22T22:46:00.000-07:00

AN IRREVOCABLE FORECAST

In my previous election forecasts of 2004 and 2007, I had concentrated on the senatorial candidates in addition to the presidential candidates. I tried to review my records but could not retrieve those I computed for the presidential race. In the 1998 elections I could only recall telling Rene de Villa, who I supported, that he would win if Estrada backs out of the race. I cannot remember who the other candidates for the presidency were at the time. On the other hand, I wrote in 2004 that GMA would win over FPJ, but by a very small margin. I remember there were also several aspirants during the elections, such as Raul Roco and Panfilo Lacson. (In this matter, I did not crow about my successful forecast because of the Hello-Garci affair which polluted the outcome.)

On the matter of the senatorial races, my post-analysis of the 2004 elections, which I published in my StarTrack blog of February 25, 2007, showed I got eight winners out of the twelve candidates I chose. On the other hand, in my blog of April 6, 2007 forecasting the May elections of that year, I got nine out of twelve I listed as sure winners. (For those who want to check my claims, they can access my blog at http://rasolina.blogspot.com.) I am bringing out these matters in order to warn my readers how “accurate” I can be in choosing winners via computing how transiting or passing planets affect the birth horoscopes of candidates. Of special mention is my forecast about Trillanes, who was almost a nobody in the various opinion surveys done during the elections of 2007.

This time, however, due to the numerous senatorial candidates, I decided to concentrate on the presidential race, although I am not after predicting how many will win, but of the nine candidates, who will prevail. I have published three attempts at solving the matter and thought that should be the end of my experimentations. My results do not tally with published poll surveys; but that does not bother me because I am using a different method – how the solar system affects electoral contests. The problem, however, is that my results do not seem to be realistic. I kept getting Teodoro as my Number One, and yet, like Trillanes, he might still prove to be a miracle. In this matter, my brother-in-law prevailed upon me to make a definitive conclusion about my forecast, so I had to review and fine-tune my algorithm. I still got Teodoro as the front runner. As well, my wife’s friend asked a very relevant question: “Do you foresee smooth sailing for the new president?” I am including my views on these matters in this write-up.

The following graph and data are my FINAL forecast for the May Elections. As I have mentioned above my accuracy is a mere 67 percent (8 out of 12) to 75 percent (9 out of 12)

Incidentally, John Carlos delos Reyes, hitherto unknown and contesting better known candidates, could be a rising star of the group. It would really be a very big surprise if he comes out better than the other contestants.

Now, regarding the question “Do you foresee smooth sailing for the new president?” I shall try to guess, assuming that Teodoro will be the new president.

As a minority president garnering a mere 14 percent of the votes, there will be no smooth sailing for him since he has a number of encumbrances to deal with in matters of education, employment, justice, etc. He has to cope with the perception that he is merely a stooge of the ex-president. Fortunately, the numerous defections during the election campaign rid him of political baggage he would have to accommodate had they not left his party. As well, there are a lot to change in the morality of this benighted country. In this his leadership style will do a lot to restore confidence in the presidency.

He will have to cope with an Opposition Senate, since his defeated rivals – namely, Villar, and Aquino -- will only continue their interrupted senatorial terms that will end in 2003. (There is also Legarda.) Unfortunately, Teodoro has a weak senatorial slate that may not make it to support him in the Senate. Hopefully, some re-elected senators will be the Opposition of his Opposition and keep the Senate in a constant civil war. How Teodoro will effectively deal with such a composition to support his programs is a test of his ability to harmonize and cope with divisiveness.

His smooth sailing will be in matters of continuing the productive economic programs of his predecessors. He does not have to re-invent the wheel, figuratively speaking. The usual behavior of new presidents is to come up with his new concepts and discard the programs or projects of “enemies” even if these are strategically beneficial for the country. He merely should enhance and make effective sans corruption what worthy plans are being implemented. In this matter, I choose and firmly believe that Bayani Fernando will do a good job as his VP “bastonero” to keep the bureaucracy moving efficiently. (Bayani will do a very good job, having 2016 in his telescopic sight.)

2010-04-21T02:25:00.000-07:00

TEODORO: THE FILIPINO MESSIAH?

My previous efforts, which I chose to publish in my blog StarTrack, were to determine the presidential candidate who is most likely to lead in the May 10 elections. The different approaches I took in computing the estimated outcomes gave some divergent results depending on the factors I utilized. As I have mentioned earlier, my most difficult problem was in determining the birth times of the candidates. I have to resort to doing researches on their life histories and somehow trying to give dates to the various significant incidents in their lives.

My tries somehow gave a very distinctive place to a particular candidate: Gilbert Teodoro. Although the other candidates landed in different places in the lineup, somehow Teodoro continues to maintain the leading position. He was always Number One. I myself could not reconcile the actual fact of his being Number Four in most of the opinion surveys conducted during the campaign period with his being Number One in my computations. His being Number One in my three attempts to fine-tune the results brainwashed me to accept him as my choice (at the start of my computational experimentation I had tentatively chose one other candidate, although not the front-runners). I have also noted his novel style of campaigning, without resorting to demeaning his political rivals but focusing on what we can expect from his method and style of governance. He has so far followed the rules; he has not overspent nor exceeded the air time allowed by the law.

Fortunately, my sister-in-law was able to get his actual birth data at 10:25 p.m. on June 14, 1964. This time, I shall write about his astrological character analysis to determine if he really is worth being our President without his having to engage in objectionable techniques of winning. Given the published public pulse, I have my own misgivings but then I believe in miracles. We, Filipinos, deserve the leaders we choose. I hope that this May Elections will give us the opportunity to select a President who can bring us out of the depths of despair. And given my own study of Teodoro, I have faith that in choosing him we shall be saved.

So as not to be accused of biased analysis, I shall borrow the astrological interpretations of a software, Solar Fire, sans its jargon, to highlight the qualities of Gilberto TEODORO:

“You are gentle, loving and charming. You express yourself in an affectionate manner and enjoy the company of other people. You also have a love of art and beauty. You can be idealistic and easily hurt… You have much empathy for other people's suffering and may become a healer or counselor… You have so many original thoughts and ideas that you find it difficult to capture them on paper… You are focused on your own thoughts and opinions and may not listen to others… You may find that you have an urge to express yourself through artistic avenues.

“Relationships will play an important role in your accomplishments. You need to make sure that your need to keep the peace does not hinder decisive action… You are stubborn if opposed… You have the ability to state your thoughts and ideas strongly… You are on a persistent search for the truth. You have the ability to be a loyal and wise teacher. You have a strong desire for abundance… You are a great thinker and talker. You seek ever-increasing communication networks and inspire others through your insight. You are always seeking to expand your mind.

“You are enthusiastic about so many things, and have the ambition to succeed. You naturally find yourself in leadership positions and react well to them… You are responsible and reliable, and probably somewhat cautious… You have a gift for understanding people and lending a caring hand in their times of troubles. Your sensitive and accepting nature encourages people to tell you their heartfelt problems. You may be drawn to the spiritual side of life.”

Additional to the description above, the aspects of the Fixed Stars to the natal planets of Teodoro indicate the following significances (the conjunction and the parallel add power to the planets involved):

• Aldebaran conjunct Mercury means “Success through integrity”
• Deneb Adige conjunct Saturn means “strong will, strong temper”
• Thuban conjunct Uranus means “to protect or make a treasure”
• Zuben Elgenubi conjunct Neptune means “positive social reform”
• Zosma conjunct Pluto means “A victim or a savior”
• Hamal parallel Sun means “to follow one’s own path”
• Arcturus parallel Mars means “a different approach”
• Spica parallel Saturn means “the potential for brilliance”

Despite the published surveys of various survey companies, Gilberto Teodoro may turn out to be a miracle that God will bestow on us. Miracles do not mean easy sailing; there will be a number of difficulties we have to collectively surmount. Hopefully, the process will be a purgation of the ills that have hounded us for a number of years. As our leader, Teodoro will be an appropriate inspiration for us to perform morally and well in the performance of our duties.

2010-04-20T00:32:00.000-07:00

THE PEARSON R COEFFICIENT AND THE MAY ELECTIONS

In this essay I shall come up with a different thrust in trying to figure out how the May 10, 2010 elections will eventually turn out.

In my previous essays, I worked out estimates of how five presidential candidates will fare in terms of votes they presumably will get, ignoring the four other candidates in the process. The process I adopted was to compute the “values” of the transiting planets as they affect the planets in the natal horoscopes of the five candidates. Working on these results, I estimated how the transiting values will translate into votes. In so doing, I combined the other four as one candidate and thus came out with an unrealistic figure to complete the forty million votes all of the nine candidates will garner.

Thus, in my second attempt to calculate the votes the candidates may garner, I had to research and complete the astrological data for all of them. In this try, the lineup of the candidates changed. While, for instance, in the first attempt I got Teodoro as Number One, followed by Estrada, the second try brought Villar as the Number Two instead of Estrada. And then, as I mentioned in my last article, I could not imagine Perlas as beating Aquino III, and Madrigal ahead of Gordon.

I am thus ending my astrological computations using the effects of the transiting planets on the birth charts of the candidates, since I have run out of ideas on how to proceed. (There are other factors in astrology that I could resort to, but then I am merely bringing so much effort to bear on something I cannot influence at all. For instance, I could resort to character analysis and weigh the factors to determine how the person will fare, but, as pointed out by my brother-in-law, I could be charged with libel in case my findings do not favor the person.)

In this essay, I shall venture to find out how the candidates “correlate” with the Republic. In the parlance of statistics, I shall engage in solving the correlation between the candidates and the country. The Pearson correlation coefficient shall be my indicator of “significance” ranging from positive One to negative One (statisticians will understand my method although they can question my doing so).

Firstly, I have to convert the planetary zodiac degrees into numbers so as to make them amenable to statistical computation. Each zodiac sign is thirty degrees wide. For instance, if the Sun is at 20 degrees and 36 minutes in Sagittarius, I do the following.

Since Sagittarius is the Ninth sign in the zodiac, I subtract one from nine and multiply the total by thirty degrees. Then I add the 20 degrees and convert the 36 minutes into decimal format. Thus the Sun is at 8 times 30 plus 20.60 or 260.60. I proceeded to convert the rest of the zodiac degrees of the other planets of the participants in the exercise.

With all the coordinates of the horoscopes of the Philippines, and the nine presidential candidates, I utilized the Excel software to compute the Pearson correlation coefficients for every candidate with the country. The results are as follows:

TEODORO 0.4016
MADRIGAL 0.1908
ESTRADA 0.1829
DELOS REYES -0.0154
AQUINO -0.0196
GORDON -0.0310
VILLAR -0.2254
PERLAS -0.3708
VILLANUEVA -0.6631

I am truly surprised to see Teodoro at the head of the list, followed by Madrigal etc. (The result will be cause for rejoicing to all Gibo fans, considering the weakening of his party due to massive defections to his opponents.) I shall not attempt to translate the figures into expected votes, since there are negative values (which apparently show opposing tendencies towards the Republic). We shall see how the May 10, 2010 elections end – will the correlation between the candidates and the country indicate their relative standings?

As well, it would be interesting to study past candidates and their resonances with the country.

2010-04-17T22:00:00.000-07:00

ELECTIONS 2010 – LAST PART

In my previous “astrological” forecast, I concentrated only on five presidential candidates. The effort somehow showed my bias towards those whom I thought mattered.

As I explained in those forecasts, I had to research on their life histories since I must have their birth times; the various websites I went through merely indicated their dates and places of birth. Without the time of birth, no horoscope (or view of the hour) can be cast.

There is a method by which to determine times of birth, but the procedure is time consuming and a test of patience. In order to proceed, the researcher must come up with the significant events in the life history of his subject, such as dates of the deaths of loved ones, marriages, births of offsprings, appointments to top positions, etc. And then for every hypothesized time of birth, he has to test every event for significant planetary passages. Often times, to shortcut the process, so-called "solar charts" are computed, either by placing the Sun on the Rising Sign or the Midheaven. This method has also its limitations.

Fortunately, there is a software, JigSaw2, that lessens the tedium of going through the algorithms involved. Still the significant events are utilized, but then the process of testing them becomes faster.

My foray into the “rectification” of the five candidates I mentioned in my previous forecasts forced me to do researches on their lives. As I said above, this selective method betrays my apparent bias. I must correct the impression that, like opinion surveys, I do not care about the other candidates. Such impression does not do justice to my pretensions of being coldly analytical using mathematical procedures to support my findings. Then, I had to go through the process of collecting the significant events of the four other candidates.

To complete my research, these are the following birth data I obtained from JigSaw2 and used in my study of the 2010 elections. For those who know, they are free to correct my figures.

BENIGNO AQUINO III – 11:14 p.m., February 8, 1960, Manila, 14N35’ 121E00’
JOSEPH ESTRADA – 4:38 a.m., April 19, 1937, Manila, 14N35’ 121E00’
RICHARD GORDON – 4:13 a.m. August 5, 1945, Castillejos, Zambales, 14N56’ 120E12’
JAMBY MADRIGAL – 1:48 p.m., April 26, 1958, Manila, 14N35’ 121E00’
NICANOR PERLAS – 00:37 a.m., January 10, 1950, Manila, 14N35’ 121E00’
JOHN CARLOS DELOS REYES – 8:10 p.m., February 14, 1970, Olongapo City, 14N50’ 120E17’
GILBERTO TEODORO – 12:49 p.m., June 14, 1964, Manila, 14N35’ 121E00’
EDDIE VILLANUEVA – 2:44 a.m., October 6, 1946, Bocaue, Bulacan, 14N48’ 120E55’
MANUEL VILLAR – 8:25 a.m., December 13, 1949, Manila, 14N35’ 121E00’

The results of my computations are shown in the table above, based on a turnout of 40 million:

I realize that my so-called astrological forecast (without any character analysis) is rather farfetched as compared to the various results of the opinion surveys conducted during the campaign period. For instance, I cannot imagine Nick Perlas beating Noynoy Aquino, and Jamby Madrigal ahead of Dick Gordon. As well, my daughter will never forgive me for placing her favored candidate last. Much as I would like to rearrange the lineup, that would be doing a "Hello Garci" thing.

On the other hand, the character analyses done by my wife on some of the top four candidates would be an interesting reading. She interprets even the zodiac degrees of the planets in the horoscope; she has a number of books on esoteric astrology which she refers to in coming up with her astro-portraits. She may publish her character portraits in her blog at gcsolina.blogspot.com.

2010-04-07T20:01:00.000-07:00

ELECTION FORECAST FOR 10 MAY 2010

Assuming voter turnout is 80 percent of the registered 50 million reported by COMELEC, the expected lineup of the candidates after May 10 is as shown above.
The figures are based on the results of the computations done for a previous blog.

2010-03-07T02:43:00.000-08:00

ABOUT ELECTIONS 2010

Whenever I am asked about outcomes of certain contests, I initially try to understand the significances of planetary formations of the horoscopes of the contending parties. Unfortunately, the birth data of the personalities lack one important element -- their birth times -- which should indicate the patterns of the planetary formations especially as they form under the Midneaven or roughly the zenith when they were born. I still exert effort to compute their birth times by researching on their lives. With at least nine significant events in their lives, I "rectify" their birth times by studying how the movements of the planets in their orbits affect their horoscopes.

Under the circumstances, I eventually resort to quantifying the "actual" transits or passages of the planets affecting the horoscopes. In the jargon of astrology, I quantify the "aspects" of the transits. These aspects are in angular measures and shown whether they are "approaching" or "separating". The usual interpretations give the approaching degree more power than the separating aspect. For every planet, there is supposed to be an "orb" or degree of effectivity and force. Usually, a planet is given an orb of 4 degrees, coming or going. The strongest effect is when the orb is 0 degree or conjunct. At 4 degrees, the force is nil. Thus, as the transiting planet moves closer to a natal planet, or planet in the individual's horoscope, we ought to have a value or quantity of the planetary effect.

On the other hand, the aspects are classified either as positive or negative. If the transiting planet forms a 90 degree angle to a birth planet, this is translated as a very difficult effect. If the transiting planets are Saturn and the trans-Saturnian ones, namely, from Uranus to Pluto, the individual affected will have a difficult time in his life for the duration of their effects.
In my quantification algorithm, I come up with two consolidated values. One value is the absolute total of the aspects, which I usually interpret as the "activity" or busy-ness of the individual. The other value is the actual total, either positive or negative, which I consider the "mood" or emotional condition of the individual.

Having explained my process of analyzing horoscopes (without resorting to any astrological jargon), I now proceed to show the results of my findings about the coming national elections. I concentrated on only five of the presidential candidates -- Aquino III, Estrada, Gordon, Teodoro, and Villar. (I apologize to the other candidates for considering them as not in serious contention, since, as I have explained above, I do not have the necessary significant events with which to "correct" their birth times.)

I came up with three phases in the election period, the "pre-election", the "post-election", and the "inauguration" phases. These are my findings.

PRE-ELECTION PHASE
ACTIVITY

GORDON = 1048.88
ESTRADA = 886.88
TEODORO = 870.88
AQUINO = 852.88
VILLAR = 650.88

MOOD

TEODORO = 49.41
ESTRADA = 43.91
VILLAR = 24.41
AQUINO = -0.84
GORDON = -9.34

During the days immediately preceding Election Day, the most active in terms of planetary aspects, seems to be Gordon, and the least agitated is Villar. On the other hand, the confident ones are Teodoro and Estrada separated only by about six points. The least confident is Gordon.

POST-ELECTION PHASE

ACTIVITY

GORDON = 2675.04
AQUINO = 2181.04
TEODORO = 2059.04
ESTRADA = 1799.04
VILLAR = 1331.04

MOOD

ESTRADA = 179.78
TEODORO = 101.53
VILLAR = 39.28
AQUINO = 32.53
GORDON = -33.47

During Election Day and the following weeks, Estrada seems to hold first place in terms of positive scores, followed by Teodoro. The lowest ranking is Gordon, But the daily scoring, when the scores are graphed, indicate some fluctuations in their attitudes. Although the total of Estrada is the highest, it seems that Teodoro will catch up with him by the end of the two-weeks period. The ranking by then will be: Teodoro, Estrada, Villar, Aquino and Gordon.

I have included the effects of the transiting planets on the candidates during the two-week period spanning the Inauguration Day, that is, one week before and one week after the event. The scores of the candidates (I am focusing on the Mood data) as the indicator of the outcome of Election 2010. Although the total scores place Estrada in the lead followed by Teodoro, the eventual results show that Teodoro is the "happiest" of the lot.

INAUGURATION PHASE

MOOD

TEODORO = 81.85
ESTRADA = 40.6
VILLAR = -9.90
AQUINO = -27.15
GORDON = -31.15

Even as I have my own preferences in this Elections (which I have not indicated or hinted on) I have to accept the results of my computations. They may not turn out to be accurate in terms of the actual outcome, still I have to present my findings if only to satisfy those who insist on my coming out with a forecast. (Serious and professional astrologers will have their own forecasts and interpretations based on the horoscopes of the candidates and the aspects indicated therein. As well, the various opinion surveys conducted by prestigious organizations do not tally with what I have presented above. For instance, the top two close contenders are Aquino and Villar, followed by Estrada, at less than twenty percentage points, then Teodoro, with a single digit percentage point, and the others trailing dismally behind. I truly wonder how Estrada and Teodoro can catch up and overtake Aquino and Villar. There may be other explanations for the positive scores of the two other than their "winning" the contest over the hitherto frontrunners as of early March.)

2009-03-25T06:12:00.000-07:00

THE PACMAN-HATTON BOUT

THE SECOND QUARTER 2009

The period continues the troublous times generated by the internal dysfunctions, and affected by the economic turmoil gripping the world. The question arises: why the almost simultaneous resurgence of cold cases, not only the prevailing government scandals, but also the Ninoy Aquino assassination, the Dacer-Corbito murders, etc. As well, we have the Legacy syndicated estafa case that victimized thousands of small depositors.

Astrology offers explanations for these dire phenomena. The main actor in the mostly economic disaster involving governance is Pluto, the sinister rapine god of Hades. (Rather than engage in concocting the rationale for the current problems, I shall resort to quoting some astrologers who are devoted to the profession.)

Jeffrey Kishner, for one, wrote that “Pluto is no longer a planet, but astrologers continue to treat it like one. In fact, Pluto is one of the most powerful planets in the solar system. It may be small, far away and scientifically demoted, but this little guy packs a big wallop.”

On the other hand, Neil Giles, maintains that “Pluto is remorseless in his search to know where the limits lie and what the inner forces will do. He will persist in this until he knows what can be overcome and what cannot. Such a drive is at the heart of sex, life and death from their highest expressions to their lowest violations. Pluto is a driving force using any means necessary to gain his ends or reveal the truth. Pluto's power will test any resistance, pulverizing or breaking down whatever it encounters into component parts to discover what they are and to release their inner force. With this ruthless investigator at work, there will always be a death of the old, a transformation and a rebirth for Pluto is the god of elimination and regeneration, teaching us that all things that live must die and all things that die will live again…
“Capricorn the Goat rules structures, systems, status, authoritative bodies and those achievements made through career or in the public domain. Capricorn is the authority, as autocrat, bureaucrat, leader or administrator. He offers reward for effort and determines punishment for infringement, laziness, non-participation or rebellion.
“Pluto in Capricorn will test the durability and regenerative resources of leaders and governments across the globe, as well as business and the corporate world. Old or staid structures will collapse or come apart at the seams if they cannot redefine their nature and cope with changing conditions and needs. The renewal or discarding of traditional practices or beliefs will play a part in this for Capricorn draws from inherited wisdom and practice. Those traditions that find new life will serve to guide modern leadership while those that are uprooted or outmoded will pass into oblivion. On the one hand, we will see the renewal of traditional power or thinking that can endure while on the other, we will see its displacement by the forces of the new, as leaders and systems find themselves under the pump. No doubt, Pluto in Capricorn will bring us a new breed of leaders and administrators, noted for determination, practicality and organizational ability. Some of these will offer useful service where others will be ruthlessly ambitious and materialistic.
“So, what can we expect of this new era as it unfolds? When one of the outer planets changes sign, there is a marked generational influence and a shift in the nature of our social experience. In time, we will all be touched by a destiny we cannot escape. As the destiny of Pluto in Capricorn takes hold, we will run the gamut of our control systems, from the humble administrator through to the megalomaniac as governments, organizations and key individuals encounter the testing pressures of Pluto and make their response.”

Again, Jeffrey Kishner, says “This tiny planet can be violently destructive, and its process of tearing down is not always a pretty sight. But keep in mind that Plutonian transformation is always for the better, because that which no longer works is removed, like a toxin from the human body… Pluto in Capricorn signifies the time for real policy change! We won't necessarily see the walls of business as we know it come crumbling down, but there will definitely be a shift in how these companies function. If we think we know a lot about the dark side of corporations, it's possible we've only touched the tip of the iceberg. Pluto will enable investigators to expose the real truth about the corners companies cut to earn money for the people at the top.”

In turn, Molly Hall, writes “Pluto's drama is playing out in the realm of finances, government and the environment. We're seeing desperate, compulsive and obsessive behavior come into the light, as more suffer from a system that's been revealed as unsound. Pluto's probing uncovers distorted thinking, and power being wielded destructively. The truth comes out, and in the financial world, we see a value-system that is poisoned by greed. It's based on a sick psychological foundation, one not in harmony with the cycles of life. Pluto has a way of using extremes to bring a point home. With the bailout, we see the truth made clear -- we have a hopelessly corrupt government, in cahoots with the banking interests.”

We shall continue to experience unmitigated economic difficulties during the period. And for that, the second Quarter will have increased crimes (especially against women and children) and gambling, interparliamentary conflicts, various challenges against authorities, etc. I do not have to write about these cultural dysfunctions; we do not need seers to see these happenings as they are the grists the media feed on to survive. We truly deserve such “punishments” for our sins of forgiving the greed of most of our financial managers and political leaders.

Even so, we can still enjoy the times. During Imperial Rome, the leaders placated their restive subjects with circuses -- the gladiatorial combats in the Coliseum. For this Quarter, we have our own version of the gladiatorial contest: the Pacquiao-Hatton boxing bout in Las Vegas, Nevada, on May 2.

For aficionados, the statistics about the fighters are studied, such as their weights, their reach, and the number of wins, etc. On the other hand, astrologers need to know their birth times (not only their birth days) which are never published. In the case of the present fighters, I utilized a “rectification” procedure to determine their times of birth by using their boxing history since 2001. For Pacquiao, he was born at 2:07 p.m. on December 17, 1978 in Kibawe, Bukidnon, Mindanao, while Hatton at 7:50 a.m. on June 10, 1978 in Stockport, Greater Manchester, United Kingdom.

Computing the planetary effects on the fighters, from 7 to 10 p.m., Las Vegas time, on May 2, at 5 minute intervals, I came up with a graph showing the levels of their activities and moods. Pacquiao seems to be very confident during the time period and very active. On the other hand, Hatton appears to have fluctuating sense of confidence and finds it difficult to maintain his actions during the later part of the period. The crucial period appears to be between 7:30 and 8:00 p.m. (See the graph above.)

The astrological conclusion: Pacquiao wins.

(Based on Hatton's subsequent planetary transits, he seems to consider retiring from boxing.)

A measure of caution to those who think I am an astrological guru. I do not have any credentials for accuracy. It does not bother me if my prediction is wrong. I am used to that.

2009-01-02T19:28:00.000-08:00

2009 New Year in Manila

I entertain the idea that those who know that I dabble in astrology expect me to come up with periodic forecasts of things to come in our lives. Under this self-imposed premise, I try to figure out how to generate data as bases of any forecast I have to make. Thus, I study beginnings.

In astrology, beginnings are supposed to foreshadow things to come. The destiny of a person or entity is supposed to be uncovered from the location and distribution of specific heavenly bodies during a very definite date, time and place.

In the case of the incoming year, when is the Beginning that will present to me the data I need to interpret with the help of notes, books and the internet? Astrologers use the Spring Equinox – when the Sun crosses a specific spot in the heavens – to determine what is to happen to the world, or to a country. But Spring will still be some time in March or April, depending on what method of astrology is practiced. Western astrologers use the Tropical Zodiac, which starts when the sun crosses the ecliptic in its apparent travel from south to north latitude. Eastern astrologers, on the other hand, use the Sidereal Zodiac when the sun conjoins a particular reference point in the skies. I initially wanted to follow the Eastern method and use the sidereal zodiac, but discovered that there are several points preferred by some astrologers, claiming certain advantages in their choices. To name a few, there’s the Fagan-Allen, the Lahiri, the Krishnamurti, the de Luce, and the Synetic Vernal Point of Aries (or SVP). Each of these systems has different methods of computing, resulting in differing patterns of planetary distributions with corresponding plethora of interpretations.

Add to this welter of systems the matter of determining when the beginning of the Year should be taken. In my previous foray into forecasting, I used the Tropical Zodiac and timed the onset of the year 2008 when the Sun conjoined in December 2007 the celestial coordinates of the Galactic Center. As a doomsayer, I wrote about a martial law regime to arise but which did not materialize. I rationalized, however, that even without the declaration of martial law, we now find ourselves in a regime concentrated on supposedly suppressing terrorism or the threat of it. In the process of saturating the horizon with uniformed personnel, both police and military, the embattled government maintains a pressure to suppress any sign of mass action against it. As well, we now have a government almost saturated with retired military and police generals running the executive department.

For this once, I use the horoscope of the midnight of New Year since this is the accepted beginning of the year in our country. (Some think this is also the start of the Chinese Year of the Ox, but this Lunar New Year is still to begin during the annular eclipse on January 26.) Come to think of it, does the day really begin at midnight? The Jews and the Muslims begin the day at sunset, because in Genesis it says “evening and morning, the first day.” Again, there is the matter of determining the time of sunset… but which I will not go into my discussion. I just accept that 2009 started at zero hour of January 1.

What does the New Year horoscope reveal to me? Most of the planets, except Saturn, are below the horizon, indicating a national preoccupation with internal affairs. However, without looking at the horoscope, anybody aware of current events cannot escape concluding that the international financial condition will truly force any country to concentrate on what to do to mitigate or prevent any unhappy development in the economy. So what’s the point of depending on astrology to show us what is to happen? The positioning of the planets, nonetheless, is supposed to show what specifics to expect. (Excuse my extensive use of astrological jargon if only to present to other astrologers the bases of my “forecast”.)

I am particularly intrigued by the clustering of aggressive Mars, unfathomable Pluto and irrational Lilith. My notes say that “Mars governs the military, soldiers and noted military and naval men, as well as signifies, terrorist attacks, industrial disputes, strikes and conflicts.” Pluto, in turn, is “the principle of metamorphosis and regeneration” and all “aspects of life that are carried on in the dark or hidden from public view.” On the other hand, Lilith or the Dark Moon “brings up deep and primal issues like repressed feelings of rejection and rage, refusal to submit.” These symbols are all in the Third House which concerns “all means of disseminating news and information, such as communication networks, internet, telephones, faxes, newspapers, magazines, ephemeral publications and periodicals.” The electronic age we are in makes the dissemination of information (or disinformation) and decisions very rapid.

Also an interesting cluster is the Moon or “the common people, women generally, crowds, and all matters of a common or public nature” flanked on both sides by Venus, symbol of women’s issues and family, as well as music and the arts, and by Neptune “linked with mobs, secret plots, sedition, fraud and swindling, all illicit undertakings, bogus companies, loss and vice.” All are in the Fifth House of “theatres, public houses, all places of amusement, entertainment and pleasure, of children, sexual concerns, and of sports, speculation, gambling”. The Moon’s presence here is indicative of a serious focus of public attention.

There is, as well, the positioning of Uranus, which “rules separation, scientific breakthroughs and discoveries, explosions, and anarchy” and “has a general influence over rioting and outbreaks of political tension” in the Sixth House of, among others, “public health or sickness; the national services: army, navy and Civil Service as servants of the country; workers and employees generally.” This is opposite (or balanced) to Saturn (the minor state executives and law enforcement authorities; civil service employees; land owners and mine operators; and elderly persons) in the Twelfth House (prisons, reformatories, criminals, spies, secret enemies of the country at home or abroad, and possibly secret societies and occult religions).

The placements of the planets in the Third, Sixth and Twelfth Houses bring to my mind the Guinea situation in Africa which columnist Amando Doronila recently discussed in the January 2 issue of the Philippine Daily Inquirer.

As a doomsayer, I am omitting any discussion about the Fourth House where Jupiter (religion and the judicial world) conjunct Mercury (communication, telecommunications, trade and commerce) are placed in the horoscope. Their presence gives a bright tone to the national situation, and may give us hope that the grim international economic situation will not touch us severely. On the other hand, also located in this House is the Sun, symbolizing the head of state and all persons of authority and distinction. It is in hostile relation to the Moon and Venus (see their meanings above).

Bringing all the above factors is the crux of the general situation for the country in 2009. Before daring to come up with a dire scenario, I shall indulge in a parable that is based on a recent event that happened in a golf course.

A powerful mayor, son of a cabinet member recently designated as a peace negotiator, was affronted when a 56-year-old commoner brought up his violation of a simple provision in the golf constitution. Insulted by not being recognized as a prominent politician, the mayor mauled the whistle-blower in broad daylight in a golf course where his father also was playing. When the old man’s son and daughter tried to break up the mauling, the mayor’s armed bodyguards joined the melee and the son also got beaten even as he knelt and pleaded mercy. The peace-negotiator-father did not lift a finger to stop his son, the mayor. (Later, he apologized, but not to the aggrieved party, and laid the blame for starting the incident on the victim.) The daughter tried to get witnesses to the mauling – the security guards of the golf course, and the receptionist – but all seemed to see the wisdom of the three-wise-monkey maxim. They feared repercussions from the powerful political family from Muslim Mindanao if they, in turn, become whistle-blowers. They saw nothing, heard nothing and will not speak about anything. We do not yet know how this incident will end. Perhaps, the mayor will merely receive a slight reprimand for his abuse of power. On the other hand, the old man will be thrown out of the golf club for bringing that elite social group into uneasy prominence, especially among bloggers in the world-wide internet.

By the way, the three wise monkeys in Japanese are Mizaru, eyes covered who sees no evil; Kikazaru, ears covered who hears no evil; and Iwazaru, mouth covered who speaks no evil. Today the three monkeys perversely "see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil" by not wanting to be involved in a situation, or being blind to the immorality of an act in which they are involved. I venture to comment that this must be the maxim of the Supreme Court in its precedent-setting decision on the executive privilege of the president in any investigation conducted by the Senate. As well, whistle-blowers most often get punished instead because they violate the maxim by bringing out in public any evil they see or hear or speak of.

And the dela Paz (of the Peace) parable is a fit background for what is about to come.

I forecast something that will not come to pass: the people become tired of the sorry governance they apparently deserve, but are apathetic to act against due to the predominant influence exercised by the executive over the self-seeking lawmakers and the timid judiciary. The clamor for justice is deadened by the sound of clinking money, especially since the 2010 election fever starts to build up and extensive vote-buying occurs. Nonetheless, the discontent in the armed services boils over and a Guinea-like situation comes up triggered by the insistent effort of the people’s “representatives” to stretch and remove limits to their tenures.

My scenario does not happen. The top military hierarchy is too engrossed in preserving their pecuniary gains and does not dare change the status quo. If ever, an Army officer, holding a rank lower than that held by Senator Trillanes, will surface to “save” the nation. But as Doronila sadly ends his January 2 column, military regimes do not turn out less corrupt than those they replace.

Let us be happy in our ill-fated destiny. We deserve it.

2008-09-28T15:40:00.000-07:00

OCTOBER – DECEMBER 2008

Before discussing the prospects for the Philippines during the last three months of 2008, we have to delve into the effects of a significant planetary formation that has formed during the last several months.

This particular formation – the opposition between Saturn and Uranus -- is unsettling the entire world, not only our country. Unavoidably, we have to use astrological jargon in order to understand the implications of such formations in our collective lives. In the following paragraphs, I shall paraphrase several observations of astrologers in presenting the effects of the Saturn-Uranus opposition.

Saturn and Uranus have begun a series of five oppositions, concluding in the summer of 2010. The opposition will be exact on November 4. Saturn is the planet that rules over the status quo, governmental and societal structures that hold chaos at bay, the limitations that we place on our world. Uranus is the planet that invites the chaos in to create radical changes in our world. It seeks new ways of thinking and innovative discoveries. When these two planets oppose each other a tension is created between the old (Saturn) and the new (Uranus).

There is much conflict during these times, with a lot of social unrest all around the world. The more rigid the ego [Saturn], the sharper the break must be in the end. If a crucial phase of the Saturn-Uranus cycle coincides with some overwhelming emotional crisis, the cause will always be the rigid inertia of social customs, privileges, personal habits, or assumed behavior patterns which resist the call of the creative spirit within.
We can all feel the rumblings of inevitable change and yet we have no real clue as to what this really means or how it will actually manifest both individually and societal. We may all feel restless for a revolution in our lives but not at the expense of losing a foundation. We need structure but not at the expense of our individuality.

Saturn is the builder and the voice of time and authority. Saturn says we need to move slowly and to make changes in increments so as not to cause damage to pre-existing structures. Uranus is the complete opposite in that it is without sentimentality and a loyalty to tradition because its only goal is to express and fulfill the individuated needs of the soul. It is inevitable with this configuration that there will be moments of extremism. If there is too much chaos and revolution, Saturn will enter to bring back a semblance of order and normalcy. If there is a clamping down on the rights and freedom of any group of individuals, the more there will be a need for social and political activism. With an opposition, you can’t have one without the other.

Saturn passing Virgo requires responsibility, patience and maturity in responding to the demands of the situation. On the other hand, Uranus-in-Pisces generates a deep need and desire to radically change and alter the preexisting patterns life. Saturn represents a sense of order and cohesion while Uranus symbolizes the watery depths of the unconscious that is demanding the severance and overthrow of whatever is limiting spiritual and creative yearnings. Whether it is actually flooding the various parts of the country eventually finds its way into consciousness no matter what the cost. Accidents, shocking news, sudden reversals, the unpredictable forces of nature and/or a conscious decision to alter the course of one’s life; Uranus is the great messenger of divine discontent compelling us to free ourselves of outmoded karma. Thus we are witnesses to the various upheavals in other countries, such as resignations or ousters of rulers, as well as immense climatic disasters that afflicted humanity.

All of this talk of change can be frightening to many people in a time of crisis such as the one we find ourselves in at this moment. When we are frightened we may tend to cling to that which is familiar (Saturn) rather than embrace something the unknown (Uranus).

Noticeably, the exact opposition of the two planets will occur on November 4; Election Day in the United States. Astrologers attribute Saturn to the Republicans while Uranus to the Democrats. Since Uranus is retrograde or moving backwards, astrologers consider it as having more power and thus predict that Obama, the Democrat, will prevail. On the other hand, Saturn transiting McCain’s Saturn in his natal horoscope gives an interpretation that he is scheduled to receive his due reward for past actions. Now, we have to input what kind of past actions he has done in order to merit winning the presidency.

And now, for the Philippines, based on the Ingress chart for Libra.

There will be significant show of discontent among the people against the Administration, somehow due to certain economic policies related to foreign affairs and trade. The discontent will be marked among the labor force due to their reduced buying power and a decline in economic activity.

The clash between conservatism and liberalism is being manifested in the conflict between the Church and Congress over reproductive health matters. The trend may become heatedly strong that would involve even policies related to both basic and higher education and between domestic and international media.

There will be illness and death among prominent people connected with publishing or literary affairs; as well as danger of accidents, and losses in the restricted publishing industry.

Agricultural activity may not be seriously affected by the several typhoons that hit the country; however, the farmers do not benefit much from their labors due to the importation of agricultural products that seriously compete with their prices.

There will be fires in public buildings, mining disasters and earthquakes. Building operations and the property market may suffer in the process. There are indications showing explosions, and accidents on aircraft. Strikes and disputes are developing among shipping circles and their crews.
The armed forces continue to be in a state of unrest although still within control. The “peace process” in Mindanao is a disappointment to the soldiers as they seem to die for nothing. The unrest among the working classes, on the other hand, may result in strikes and eventual closure of factories.

Foreign relations will be in a condition of developing confusion or of sluggishness due to the conflicting interests among the Powers, especially in connection with financial and trade questions. The recent panic created by the milk scare will seriously affect relations with China, as well as international investments that become victims by association of collateral decline in trade involving other products made in that country.

Scandals will be markedly high in the home life, divorces, and many unpleasant episodes in public life. There will also be much increase of insanity, and deaths by suicide due to the perceived harsh economic conditions in the countryside.

Much crime is indicated in the country, as well as trouble in connection with prisons. Scandals will surface involving hospitals and charitable institutions. Crime against women and children will be frequent.

2008-06-29T19:39:00.000-07:00

JULY TO SEPTEMBER 2008

During the Second Quarter, most of the news – both domestic and international – featured a number of calamities, both natural and manmade. In the United States, parades of tornados, unusual floods and wildfires (triggered by a record-setting number of lightning strikes) bedeviled the people. China, as well as Japan, was hit by devastating earthquakes as well as floods. Lately, the Philippines was hit by a powerful typhoon, sinking a large ferry, inundating several cities and municipalities with water and mud, and destroying large tracts of agricultural land with ripening grain that bode difficult times ahead.

Without going into the astrological aspects of the periodic horoscopes we use to forecast things to come, let us indulge in some astrophysical realities.

An article “The Day the Earth Fell Over” in the Geological Society of America Bulletin discussed the impending possibility of a dramatic imbalance of the planet. It says that “[S]cientists already know that the North Pole wanders over time. But a theory known as the true polar wander suggests that if a very heavy object, like an oversized volcano forms far from the equator, the force of the planet’s rotation would pull the object away from the axis the Earth spins around. Should a mass such as the very heavy volcano become unbalanced, Earth would tilt and rotate itself with the extra weight moves somewhere near the equator.”

The ancients must have instinctively sensed this dire possibility, or experienced the unfortunate conditions. Thus they must have been prodded to erect the number of large pyramids we now see in Egypt and in Mesoamerica near the Equator.

The shift in the Earth’s rotation definitely affects the several material layers of the planets composition – the lithosphere, the crust, the upper mantle, the asthenosphere, the lower mantle, and the outer and inner cores. There are also the volatile layers – the oceans and seas, and the atmosphere that glide over the solid surface of the earth.

Which brings us to the possibility that the stresses caused by the Sun-Moon syzygies (the new and full moons) are the reasons for the unusual weather patterns obtaining in the world today.
The annular eclipse of February hit at the southernmost edge of the Earth (see figure below). The stress generated by the gravitational pressure of the Earth-Moon-Sun alignment must have tipped the poles of the planet somehow and moved them out of kilter.

And the Earth must undergo several adjustments in order to compensate for the imbalance resulting from the tilt. Thus, the tectonic plates had to undergo shifting, and the vulnerable spots that had to give caused the earthquakes.

In the same manner, the weather became intense in the effort of the atmosphere to also balance the rotational wobble of the planet. Notice that the direction of Typhoon Frank failed to be predicted by Pagasa because it did not follow the usual direction but went on an almost directly northward direction. In the recent past, the other typhoons did not hit landfall in the Philippines but went directly north towards Taiwan and Japan.

In the interim between the eclipses, we have the powerful effects of the Moon’s perigees, considered by astrologers as SuperMoons since they trigger, as well, stresses on the Earth. As Astrologer Richard Nolle wrote in 2007 “a supermoon is planetary in scale being a special alignment of Earth, Sun and Moon… there’s no place on Earth not subject to the tidal force of the perigee-syzygy.” Continuing, “of course, earthquakes and volcanic eruptions don’t go wandering all over the planet. They happen in predictable locations, like the infamous ‘Ring of Fire’ around the Pacific plate.” He also warned the “people on the coast should be prepared for extreme tidal surges. Severe storms on the other hand can strike just about anywhere, so it behooves us all to be ready for rough weather when a SuperMoon alignment forms.” The Supermoons computed for being close to the Earth (by less than 360 thousand kilometers) are on May 6, June 3, July 1 (close to New Moon), November 14 and December 12. The effects of these phenomena are expected to be felt within three days before and after their occurrences.

By August, the stress of the solar eclipse will shift to the north, close to the Arctic Circle at 80 degrees North latitude. The Earth must have tilted severely and thus the syzygy will try to correct the direction of the tilt. We can thus expect corrective planetary action of the several terrestrial layers, which are once more agitated to adjust to the new situation. By 2009, the January solar eclipse would have focused the stress somewhere in the Indian Ocean at 30 degrees South latitude. The Earth’s tilt must have been corrected somewhat.

And now the astrological forecast for the Third Quarter of 2008:

The people must have reached the peak of their repressed feelings of rage due to the high prices of commodities and shortages of rice. They may act by overt refusal to listen to authority, bordering on the very irrational.

The period, compounded by the severe weather conditions, could also bring about much sickness among the population.

The AFP and other uniformed services are not above the travails of the people, but they are tapped to undertake a number of tasks to alleviate their sufferings. The mutiny expected during the Second Quarter was quashed before it rose through tons of NFA rice made available to the soldiers’ families.

This Quarter, expect heavy expenditure in military affairs due to the various missions given to the Defense Department.

Not all is gloomy for the Quarter. In spite of the weakening of the dollar, there remains a steadying tone to the money market. The film industry and arts will develop, although there will be more sex appeal and romance exploited to give sop to a distressed people. However, outside of the industry there are still much sex crimes against women and children.

The Quarter is also an active and busy time in Congress, with legislation affecting trade, commerce and education, mostly affecting Presidential interests. Legislation will also be favorable for women and their affairs.

2008-02-27T21:23:00.000-08:00

APRIL TO JUNE 2008

There could be great fluctuation in the revenue and on the money market, in stocks and shares, coupled with an increase of receipts in the Treasury. The weakening of the US dollar tends to give a steadying tone to the money market and the impression of an apparent improvement in the financial conditions of the country.
Programs are implemented to benefit the public health, and to improve the condition of the working classes so as to temper the unrest among them and avert strikes and closure of production. Even as efforts are also undertaken to benefit the AFP, causing heavy expenditures in military affairs, there may be no holding back in late March or early April the overt expression of unrest and the staging of mutiny in the armed forces. The EDSA “march of unity” by the generals in late February does not seem to truly reflect the sentiments of the rest of the AFP.
There could be diplomatic problems with either the United States or China or both. The Administration needs to be on guard against plots, and schemes undertaken involving foreign elements. In the society at large, there will be scandals, separations, crime and immorality in married life, and many unpleasant and disgusting episodes in the law courts.
There will be quite a number of changes in the Cabinet. As well, there will be many sudden deaths, by accident, explosion, electricity, heat, suicide, and in many strange and unaccountable ways. The deaths will be among prominent artistic and musical people.
In May, with the perigee occurring near the New Moon, the terrestrial stresses caused by the gravitational forces acting between the Earth and the Moon could trigger earthquakes or volcanic eruptions.
The police will be busy not only in coping with the increase of crime and violence and maintaining order in the number of public rallies and demonstrations, but also in handling matters related to disasters.
The period may also witness fires in factories and public institutions, as well as prison riots.

I need to deal here with the fortunes of GMA. As president of the country, it is of interest what is in store for GMA this year since our Fates as a people are tied in with her. She is our Karma.
In astrology, one method of forecasting the year is to “return” her Sun on the degree it occupied at birth. I will paraphrase the language of Raphael in delineating the SR horoscope as if she is an ordinary individual. However, the influences of the factors indicated by her chart have their ramifications on her policies and actions that affect her governance and official relations even at the international level.
Although she stresses staying on as president, there will be changes in her career, whether in terms of new possibilities and opportunities. The change in social position will be accompanied by a change in associations through dissolution of a partnership or even by trial. Difficulties and conflicts are due to carelessness, or to schemes of too great a scope, and plans which are too vast. Trouble and complications are indicated, bringing unexpected strife and quarrels caused by enemies, rivals in business, intrigues, and conspiracies. Dangers of enmities are difficult to assuage.
Danger of bad news or carelessness in speech or writing will cause discord in her circle. (Her recent attempts to rationalize her participation in the signing of the NBN deal seem to worsen the issue.)
The period is generally unfavorable for journeys, as well as for beginning business enterprises or projects relying on good publicity. A desire for long travels seems to be the way to escape an existence that is not very satisfactory. A serious medical problem will be revealed forcing her to seek treatment abroad. But difficulties attend the trips, and care is required in making them.
Family matters or those involving the home dominate the year; these are mostly concerns about personal or family secrets. The influence of her family, particularly relating to her sons, is unfavorably accentuated by the positions of the planets. During the period some friends cannot be counted on; there is deception from relationships. Hopes and plans will not be realized. There is increased fatalism, and a philosophic attitude in suffering. There will be infractions, often involuntary, against laws, hence involvements with the police or disputes with the tax people.

2007-12-29T21:43:00.000-08:00

THE YEAR 2008

The Year 2008 is expected to be influenced by the passage of the Sun across the Galactic Center (GC) located in Sagittarius, traditionally acknowledged as the House of God. The clustering of the planets in the Eighth opposed by Mars in the Second is significant for the year. Mars is closest to the Earth, exerting powerful influence on humanity, particularly in the national life in the Philippines.

(Every year, the Sun conjoins this sensitive point in the Galaxy. This point, just a few degrees from the solstice point of Capricorn, precesses by a few minutes. This year, the GC falls on 26 Sagittarius 58’. As discussed in my previous article, the outermost dwarf-planet Pluto oscillates this GC point for sometime this year, absorbing the transcendent instructions for dissemination to the successive levels of human understanding symbolized by the other planets. Lately, Jupiter, the planet of religious beliefs and justice, must have received the relayed GC instructions from Pluto regarding the need for reformation of such systems.)

The following interpretations of the critical positions in the horoscope shown above were taken from Raphael’s Mundane Astrology: Mars “shows losses on the Stock Exchange, panics, bank failures, and though not denoting a diminution of the national revenue, denotes an enormous expenditure and waste of public money. Military affairs will require large amounts of money, and the revenue will be seriously affected in this way.” Venus “shows many public scandals, divorces, crime against women, and unpleasant and offensive episodes.” The Sun “denotes deaths among important people, and the upper ten.” Pluto in the same sector “is in his own house of death, elimination, regeneration and underworld. It will be a period of transition for the nation. The ruling party will go and the new party will come up. The deep rooted traditions or cultures will undergo a radical change for good as well as for evil… In Government, it can refer to dictatorship. It denotes [as well] death of military and medical men including the head of the state.” Uranus “will produce extraordinary difficulties and complications in parliamentary circles, sudden and unexpected developments which will require very careful consideration on the part of ministers. It shows a good deal of unruliness in debates, and danger of accidents to members.”

How these significations apply to our national life may be as follows:

Scandals of the state may reach an even dozen (columnist Arcilla of Malaya listed eleven cases in his article of December 19). The investigation of any such scandal will, as usual, remain squelched. The continued exploitation of the poor and the masses in the name of economic progress, as well as continuing corruption in high places conduce to high crime rate and failure of law and order.

For 2008, expect serious problems of governance in April and May. Pluto is located in the Sixth House of the lunation chart, indicative of another mutiny. Having learned from previous failed tries, the mutineers will no longer include the participation of any People Power; instead they may “go for broke” this time. The turbulent situation may pressure the Government to declare a state of emergency or martial law. Under Article VII, section 18 of the Constitution, such a declaration will have to pass muster through the joint session of Congress to authorize such action. The joint session will overwhelm whatever objection the Senate may present and the decision of the winning side will prevail. The Supreme Court may come into the picture, but the martial law situation will still continue for some time. Whichever side wins, a dictatorship is expected to govern, albeit with a veneer of constitutional democracy if only to mollify international concern, particularly from the US.

N.B. Using the conjunction of the Sun and the Galactic Center deviates from the accepted practice of utilizing the Ingresses of the Sun to forecast events for a particular period. Among Western astrologers, the Ingress of the Sun in Aries is accepted as the indicator for the year. However, there are still rules to observe: only if the Ascendant or Rising Sign (or horizon) of the horoscope is a Fixed Sign – namely, Taurus, Leo, Scorpio or Aquarius – is the entire year covered by the forecast. The other Signs of the Zodiac cover limited periods of time in their indicators.

Then there is the concept that Aries signals the onset of Spring. However, Autumn and not Spring begins in countries below the Equator such as Australia. As well, Hindu astrologers have a different measure as far as the coordinates of Aries is concerned. While most Western astrologers using the Fixed Zodiac locate Aries as the point on the Earth’s equator where the Sun passes on its ascent to the northern latitudes, the Hindu and Sidereal astrologers using the Movable or Constellation Zodiac time the passage of the Sun from a point in space that precesses or slides back. Even this point has differing coordinates according to various systems in mundane astrological computations. To mention a few – there is the Lahiri, the Fagan-Allen, and Raman systems. However, all these systems using Aries as the reference point – whether in the Fixed or Movable zodiacs – start the annual forecast not near the New Year date in the Western calendar but in late March or mid-April.

I am adopting a method that uses a common point in the Zodiac that I consider to apply to all nations in the world – the Galactic Center. After all, the Sun always passes the longitude of the star Sagittarius A* once every year close to the New Year date. Sagittarius A* (pronounced "A-star"), is a bright and very compact source of radio emission at the center of the Milky Way Galaxy. The coordinates of this point in J2000: Right Ascension at 17h 45m 40.045s Declination at −29.00775 degrees (About 10 degrees to the west of the center of the constellation Sagittarius, towards Scorpius) Besides, this point is close to the Winter Solstice point when the Sun starts its ascent towards the Equator.

Comparing the Galactic Center ingress with the Capricorn horoscope shows that most of the planets, except the Moon, are in similar places. The Moon in the Galactic Center horoscope is in the Twelfth sector, while in the Capricorn chart it is in the First Sector that represents the Nation. According to Raphael, the Moon in the First will cause illness, unrest, and discontent among the people. On the other hand, if it is in the Twelfth it will produce scandals in connection with hospitals and charitable institutions as well as crimes against women and children. Whichever interpretation we accept, the prospects for the Philippines in 2008 are not entirely positive or upbeat.

2007-09-26T19:09:00.000-07:00

THE LAST QUARTER OF 2007

Pluto, the planet that represents anything hidden or underground, is still in Sagittarius. It exposes all that has been kept secret. Pluto has been making important stations conjunct the super-massive Black Hole or Galactic Center which powers our galaxy. According to Alex Miller-Mignone, at these times the seeds of the next great cultural revolutions are planted, and images emerge in current events which provide insights into the upcoming changes. Historically Pluto’s contact with the Galactic Center every 250 years has evoked important developments in humanity’s relationship with art, literature, philosophies, education, the dissemination, codification or collation of scientific or judicial knowledge, and important spiritual movements.

The extradition and upcoming trial of Peru ex-President Fujimori on human rights violations and corruption; the ouster of Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra; the massive Buddhist monks’ anti-government demonstrations in Myanmar; the spate of various literature and media exposures related to Biblical teachings and traditions; the prevailing Al Qaeda jihad versus the crusade of Bush, and, closer to home, even the recent conviction of ex-President Estrada on plunder charges as well as the continuing probe on wire-tapping are some of the Plutonian metaphors.

For the Philippines, everything are unfortunately “normal” during the Quarter since instability, fraud, swindling, vice and immorality still run riot during the period. There seems to be no respite from incidents of crime against women and children. There will be deaths among famous women in the arts and music, as well as among the prominent elderly.

Even as official pronouncements show improvements in the economy of the country, there is still unease in financial circles and in the stock market.

There is discontent in both Houses of Congress. Party splits are more likely. Expect changes in committee compositions. Expect as well a more serious, if bitter, debate over the relative powers of the three branches of government, with a special emphasis on the judiciary, and the role of religion in government. The current series of Senate inquiries connected with government projects may result in the clipping of executive powers in the issuance of executive agreements, especially those that involve government loans and guarantees.

The communication and transportation problems being faced by the government are offshoots of the questioned projects, namely, the national broadband network, the cyber education project, the Northrail project, and others. There is also the matter of a project allowing the Chinese investors to develop several thousands of hectares of land to vegetable farming.

The complications arising from these suspended projects affect Philippine foreign affairs, particularly with China and the United States. Even so, there are heightened activities related to travels by the chief executive to foreign countries. One may suspect that the travels are undertaken just in case a Thaksin Shinawatra situation develops.

Mining disasters, as well as explosions in public buildings are indicated in November. Organized labor will agitate against government policies related to wages and other labor matters.
Indications in October also involve cases of insubordination and restlessness in AFP circles. Reacting to threats from within the organization, there will be military demonstrations of strength if only to discourage attempts to overthrow the government. The passage of Uranus -- the planet of revolution -- in December, however, shows indications of sudden military action. Whether or not in the nature of a coup, the trine of Uranus to the Midheaven means something done with ease and favorable to rulers.

Insofar as the President is concerned this Quarter is a time of great tension in her relationship with her partner, usually prompted by changes in her partner's attitude or life circumstances. It is highly probable that the partner indicated in her horoscope is her political party. Her partner (or party) may be demanding that she change past behavior or old habits. If the relationship has become merely an outer shell with no substance it may well break down. The trouble is that she has an overwhelming need to push ahead with all her projects now. Patience seems to desert her. ■

2007-07-01T05:49:00.000-07:00

THE THIRD QUARTER OF 2007

Pluto, the planet of death and transformation, will again conjunct the Galactic Center on July 17. This is its second pass and signals another opportunity for all of mankind to heed the message/warning to change and destroy all things that are obstacles to spiritual evolution. Humanity must undergo wide-ranging transformations in its relationship with Creation. The various sins of humanity involving the interrelationships between men, races, societies, religion, political philosophies, judicial and economic systems are being exposed globally and must be expunged. The wars in the Middle East, the tragedy of Darfur, and on to the extrajudicial crimes in various countries are obstacles to the spiritual evolution of Man. In the Philippines, the pressure to undergo change is focused on the People; they must eliminate those issues and matters that are exposed to be wrong and evil.

The Third Quarter horoscope has both bright and dim indications for the economy. There may be an increase in revenue collection, and a brighter outlook generally for the money market. But this will be negated by a great waste of public revenue, and heavy expenditures. The Quarter will be an active period for tourism with increased facilities for travel. The Quarter is especially favorable for publishing concerns, newspapers, and other modes of communication. Agriculture will undergo some difficulties as damp and unseasonable weather is indicated. As well, there will be mining disasters, and earthquakes.

During the period Pluto is in the Eighth, its own house of death, regeneration and the underworld. This Quarter will be a period of transition for the nation. The ruling coalition party will go and a new coalition group will come up. The deep rooted traditions or cultures will undergo a radical change for good as well as for evil. In Government, it can refer to de facto dictatorship. Deaths are indicated among the elite, legal and religious people, magistrates, bankers and financiers, military and medical men. (Some astrologers include the death of heads of state. We’ll see.)

The President will feel down on her luck. New opportunities seem to present themselves only to come to nothing. She finds herself locked in a power struggle in which she is fighting for supremacy. It is important that she acts with integrity; otherwise the result could be devastating. The changes in the leadership of the surrounding cities to Malacanang that will be lenient to militancy will point toward a resurgence of agitated rallies and demonstrations against her.

Both Houses of Congress will be engaged in power struggles for leadership although the battle in the Lower House will be “bloodier.” Uranus in the sector governing the lawmakers will “produce extraordinary difficulties and complications in parliamentary circles, sudden and unexpected developments which will require very careful consideration” on the part of its members. There will be a good deal of unruliness in debates, as contentious issues are raised, such as the extortion in the Commission on Appointments, the anti-dynasty problem, and other unresolved matters that involve reforms in the electoral process in anticipation of 2010. Most of these issues would only be “sound and fury signifying nothing”. JDV may have to watch out for situations and other people who may not be all they appear. This is a time fraught with misunderstandings at best, and fraud at worst.

Insubordination in the officer ranks may be felt in the Armed Forces especially in matters affecting the prestige of the military organization. The AFP Chief of Staff may feel vulnerable and anything but powerful during the period. Life becomes filled with situations that can no longer be avoided. He may even suffer from a disease.

Mars in the Twelfth forebodes a great increase of crime, murders, arson, violence, and may also produce fires in factories and public institutions, as well as riots in jailhouses. The law against terror that takes effect in mid-July will be put to the test, as law-enforcers will tend to misinterpret its provisions and go beyond the limits of what can be done. The Moon in the Fifth House denotes trouble to women and children, immorality, and much crime against children. Reports of cases of ill-treatment of wives will be on the rise. ■

2007-04-26T06:22:00.000-07:00

AN ASTROLOGER’S CHOICE

The latest of my efforts to come up with the winning list of senators elicited disbelief among those who read it. There are names that are not supposed to be there and there are names that are not included. Perhaps I have not made my bases for coming up with the listing clear. What I had done was to “measure” the elation factor of the candidates on a particular day. My procedure was to quantify the effects of the passing planets, or in astrological jargon -- the transits, on the birth horoscopes of the candidates. I had merely stated that, except for Trillanes, I had worked on the birth charts without their essential birth times. For all of the other candidates, I assumed that they were born at noon on their dates of birth.

Even with the choice of the day of the planetary transits there is the question why I chose June 30. I should have chosen, for instance, Election Day on May 14. But since I was measuring the degree of the elation or disappointment of the candidates, the results of my computations for that day could be misleading. All candidates must be on edge and not happy or unhappy about the outcome of the voting.

I thought I should compute for the day their victories (or defeats) are announced. Would that be on June 5, the day after the opening of Congress on June 4? Or the week after? Given the uncertainty of when the announcement of the election results is to be made, I chose June 30 as the date on which I should measure or score the degree of their happiness/unhappiness since that would be when they are to assume their positions as lawmakers. In trying out this method on the 2004 elections, I only managed to get eight out of the twelve winners. For the current 2007 elections, I hoped at least to be able to pick out the same number of victors.

So much for the transits. For this report, however, I shall give my selection based on the characters of the candidates which I think ought to be the justifications for electing them. Even without the benefit of birth times, I am basing my selection on the planetary patterns obtaining in the birth charts of the candidates. These patterns are the talents they are born or equipped with in this lifetime. Pardon the astrological jargon, but as desiderata, I have chosen three astrological patterns, namely the Mystic Rectangle, the Kite, and the Yod or Finger of God. To me these are important indicators of behavior of the subjects aspiring to be lawmakers. The significance of these patterns are as follows.

The Mystic Rectangle. This is formed by at least four planets in a rectangular formation, two pairs are 120 degrees apart (trine), separated by 60 degrees (sextile), and the corner planets in opposition or 180 degrees from each other. "It does not necessarily indicate mystical tendencies, although it often does. The person with this configuration should have an incredible capacity for sustained productivity and be able to make very practical use of his/her experiences and assets. The formation combines awareness (opposition), understanding (trine), and productivity (sextile) as well as linking complementary elements."

Two senatorial candidates have this planetary formation, namely, Mike Defensor and Antonio Trillanes.

The Kite is composed of three planets in an equilateral triangle formation 120 degrees (a grand trine) apart from each other, while one other planet is in opposition to one of them. It represents a highly integrated personality that should have little difficulty functioning well within any situation or experience. The formation combines sensitivity and creativity (grand trine), direction and awareness (opposition), giving it a practical and productive focus.

The three candidates who have this pattern are Francis Escudero, Antonio Trillanes (two patterns actually), and Manuel Villar.

The Yod, or Finger of God. This is composed of two planets at 60 degrees (sextile) apart and both 150 degrees (quincunx) from and pointing to a third planet. "This is representative of a highly intimate linking of centers and symbolic of an internal or spiritual sensitivity... The planets involved in the "yod" are usually not compatible with each other, so the energy isn't necessarily the easiest... Yod's have an element of destiny in their pattern. This pattern is usually bringing forward something that is needed in order to make further progress." The Yod points to the ultimate challenge and goal. "It typically is identified with timing and crisis or the need to act. The need will develop through the apex while the opportunity to the action will develop through the two other planets." This little-known configuration is considered the most fated in Astrology. It produces a sense of fatedness, of a karmic obligation that must be paid.

For the Yod, the following candidates -- in alphabetical order -- have it in their natal horoscopes: Noynoy Aquino, Joker Arroyo, Martin Bautista, Alan Cayetano, Antonio Trillanes, and Miguel Zubiri.

The list above makes nine candidates I think are worthy to be elected as lawmakers. Assuming, of course, that they are living out their destiny patterns.

One particular candidate strikes me as satisfying all the desiderata I mentioned – Antonio Trillanes. He has all three patterns: the Yod, two Kites, and a Mystic Rectangle. The yod is particularly striking since the Finger or Hand of God points to his Midheaven, the point of honor or career in his chart. And this point is supported by the Moon or emotional passion and by Neptune or idealism. Below is the horoscope of Trillanes:

As shown in the astrological chart, Pluto conjunct the Ascendant (albeit in the Twelfth House) shows an intense drive that the individual pursues to attain his goal. As well, Trillanes has an Epimethean-Direct Mercury or Evening Star catching up on the Sun. This is an individual that, in the words of Michael Meyer, has “a growing sense of a long-range, objective and historical perspective… in which eagerness and impulsiveness have given way to careful deliberation. Here the calculated risk replaces the intuitive gamble.” To Meyer, “if your Mercury type is Epimethean-Direct, you probably have a practical, objective and analytical mind leading you to act on the basis of facts and past experience rather than on hunches and gut-feelings. Your well-organized mental faculties enable you to manage people and run things.”

With my understanding of astrology, I daresay that the above-named nine candidates ought to be my choices. Notice that they do not belong to one particular political party or group. (I shall have to select three more to complete my list of twelve senators.)

However, my special nomination (since he is seldom if ever mentioned in the opinion poll surveys conducted by SWS, Pulse Asia, and whatever) goes to Antonio Trillanes. He has the inherent qualities I look for in a leader. So far, even at a young age as an officer, he was able to demonstrate his ability to lead and to express his vision for the future of this country. I expect him, as well, to pursue his goals with integrity and honor.

2007-04-06T23:35:00.000-07:00

THE SECOND QUARTER PERIOD - APRIL TO JUNE

The Spring Equinox horoscope, which covers the Second Quarter of 2007, has the following pattern:

The placement of Saturn in the Fourth House bodes obstacles and difficulties to the Government, and the affairs of the nation will not proceed smoothly. It causes bad weather for crops, and adversely affects agricultural matters. It denotes mining disasters, earthquakes, and depreciates the value of land, and disturbs property. As if to confirm this, Jupiter and Mars also show illness and death among the elite, legal and religious people, magistrates, bankers and financiers, as well much trouble to the government, and many difficulties for them to contend with.

Pluto is in the Eighth, its own sector of death, elimination, regeneration and underworld. According to the astrological manual Raphael, the placement means “In Government, it can refer to dictatorship… The ruling party will go and the new party will come up. The deep rooted traditions or cultures will undergo a radical change for good as well as for evil.” Even as Hegel wrote that “the only thing we learn from history is that we learn nothing from history”, still men in power learn how to improve on the evils of history.

Since the so-called Genuine Opposition is not a party, the most likely group to replace the ruling party will be the strengthened KAMPI with its members pirated from the “dominant” Lakas-CMD.

Neptune points to socialistic agitation against the ruler and government, scandals among the elite, disgrace to notable people and many episodes which give little credit on the elite class. Despite the harsh measures taken against the militant candidates during the campaign period, the Left could dominate the party list groups

Even as the newly elected members are not yet in position, Congress will continue be active and busy with legislation affecting trade, commerce and education; but with embittered discussions, personal recriminations, arguments and disputes. A good deal of unruliness in debates, and danger of accidents to members may be expected during the period.

There may be many benefits to public institutions, increase of subscriptions, benefits through donations and legacies, and a more favorable outlook in regard to their financial position. Scandals will surface, however, in connection with hospitals and charitable institutions. Crimes against women and children still continue.

Below is the April 17 New Moon chart:

For the month, Jupiter promises a large increase of receipts, improvement in the national finances, and success in banking and commercial operations. Nonetheless there will still be heavy expenditures, possibly because of the disasters expected during the period.
The confluence of difficult planets, Mars, Uranus and Neptune, in the Fourth sector of the New Moon chart is unfortunate. The planetary grouping will adversely affect land and agriculture generally. Expect fires in public buildings, and mining disasters. There is a high probability of earthquakes, as indicated in the Spring Equinox chart discussed above, like those that struck Japan and the Solomon Island group.

Let us focus on the main preoccupation of the country during the Second Quarter, that is, the Congressional and Local Elections in May. In a previous report, I presented an astro-statistical experiment of 2004 to determine if the moods of electoral candidates reflect their standings as winners. The results showed only eight out of twelve winners had high scores on elation. The four “losers” in the winning group had high scores of satisfaction, while the four “winners” had lower scores. Most likely, the reason lies in what Mr. Greg Makabenta wrote in his column: the “losers” were happy because kumita na sila ng malaki and have no problem repaying favors. On the other hand, the “winners” with lower scores in attitude are those who expect to have difficult prospects of satisfying their donors and followers.

For the 2007 elections, I still utilized the algorithm I used for the 2004 post analysis, and came up with the following results. This time, I have included the data of Montano and Kiram. And rather than give the relative rankings of the winning dozen, they are, in alphabetical order, the following:

AQUINO, BENIGNO III
ARROYO, JOKER
BAUTISTA, MARTIN
ESCUDERO, FRANCIS
HONASAN, GRINGO
LEGARDA, LOREN
MONTANO, CESAR
OSMENA, JOHN
ROCO, SONIA
SISON, ADRIAN
SOTTO, TITO
ZUBIRI, MANUEL

(The colors indicate the group affiliation – the black for Genuine Opposition, the red for Team Unity, and the blue for the Independents.)

On the other hand, within range of winning are the following, also in alphabetical order:

MAGSAYSAY, VICENTE
PANGILINAN, FRANCIS
TRILLANES, ANTONIO IV
VILLAR, MANUEL

As an addendum, what is in store for President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo?

Having her April 5 birthday occurring within the period, I thought I would do a Solar Return computation on her and give a brief interpretation of her horoscope for the year.

The inner circle is her birth chart. The outer circle is her Solar Return chart.

Her Solar Return horoscope shows she will be preoccupied with hidden plans and worries resulting from her continuing loss of popularity. She will have chronic malaise, generally not painful, connected with her liver and blood circulation. As well, there is a nagging fear of death. Although her KAMPI party replaces the dominant LAKAS-CMD, as mentioned above, her expectations will be denied. The position of her Solar Return Midheaven (or MC) is in her natal Fourth, threatening loss of position. (Estrada had the same pattern, albeit in a stronger position, in his Solar Return chart of 2001.)

2007-02-25T20:36:00.000-08:00

A STUDY IN FORECASTING

Can astrology predict winners in elections?

This study attempts to use astrology in determining election winners through statistical methods. Heretofore, astrologers intuitively determine the strengths of the candidates through the planetary distribution or formations in their birth horoscopes. In the Philippines, birth data of personalities are limited to stating only their dates and places of birth. Of crucial importance is the time of birth of the person. The absence of this factor fails to give the accurate locations of the Moon, the Rising Sign and the Midheaven. Thus, in this present study, the placements of these three horoscopic factors are not included in the statistical analysis of the candidates. (By the way, two senatorial candidates are not included in the study, namely, Cesar Montano and Jamalul Kiram III, since I cannot get their birth dates. Only two candidates had birth times available – Koko Pimentel and Antonio Trillanes. These data are, however, not included in the computations.)

Several methods were followed in this study. Even as the horoscopic factors are quantified in order to make them amenable to statistical manipulation, keep in mind that three factors in the horoscopes are not included in the analysis.

One method involved the effects of the actual passages of the planets, called the transits, on the personalities during Election Day (May 14) and during Inauguration Day (June 30). The scores obtained by the candidates determine their rankings during those dates. Both the total power of the planets, and their “discordant” scores are used to give the rankings. As well, these scores are correlated, using Pearson r, with those obtained by the Philippines.

The other method is to see how the transiting planets during both dates affect the “progressed” positions of the planets of the candidates. The same process of scoring is followed. (The computational process is omitted in this report.)

The list below shows how the candidates are supposed to be in the first twelve on June 30, 2007 but not necessarily in their order.

1. Legarda, Loren of Genuine Opposition (GO)
2. Osmena, John of GO
3. Honasan, Gregorio, Independent
4. Sotto, Vicente II of TEAM
5. Aquino, Benigno III of GO
6. Zubiri, Manuel of TEAM
7. Roco, Sonia of GO
8. Arroyo, Joker of TEAM
9. Escudero, Francis of GO
10. Villar, Manuel of GO
11. Trillanes, Antonio IV of GO
12. Bautista, Martin of Kapatiran

How good will this forecast turn out for 2007?

A post-analysis of the 2004 elections may give the answer. Using the same methods described above, the table below shows how they resulted compared to the actual results of the elections. I found that the effects of the planetary transits on June 30 – the assumption to office of the senators – give a better picture, albeit not truly precise of the election outcome.

ACTUAL RESULTS IN 2004
1. Roxas, Manuel II
2. Revilla, Bong
3. Pimentel, Aquilino Jr
4. Madrigal, Jamby
5. Gordon, Richard
6. Cayetano, Pia
7. Santiago, Miriam Defensor
8. Lim, Alfredo
9. Enrile, Juan Ponce
10. Estrada, Jinggoy
11. Lapid, Manuel
12. Biazon, Rodolfo

POST ANALYSIS OF 2004
Roxas, Manuel II (No. 1)
Enrile, Juan Ponce (No. 9)
Tatad, Francisco
Revilla, Bong (No. 2)
Lim, Alfredo (No. 8)
Santiago, Miriam Defensor (No. 7)
Barbers, Robert
Gordon, Richard (No. 5)
Mercado, Orlando
Cayetano, Pia (No. 6)
Yasay, Perfecto Jr
Lapid, Manuel (No. 11)

As can be seen, in the postdicted column there were four losing candidates (in italics) included in the winning slate, while four winners -- Estrada, Biazon, Pimentel and Madrigal -- are not in the first twelve. I can only justify the outcome by mentioning the lack of astrological factors used, particularly those that are affected by the absence of their birth times. Possibly. (There’s also the possibility that the quantification of the astrological factors is not the appropriate design for the study.)

Even with the doubtful results of the method reported above, I shall still present some striking features of the horoscopes of some of the candidates. Even if I have my own senatorial choices, there are candidates whose potentials embedded in their birth charts offer promises of effective services. These candidates have significant planetary pictures or combinations of planets that have transcendent meanings and effects, and good indicators of their characters..

Of particular importance is the presence of the yod formation, or so-called Finger of God, in the natal chart. It indicates that the destiny is to fulfill a particular mission. As an astrologer said, the yod “points to the ultimate challenge and goal” for a person. For instance, Dr. Carl Jung, the eminent psychologist, has a yod pointing to Pluto, the planet of secrets, of obsessions, and the Unconscious. On the other hand, Dr. Alfred Einstein has his yod pointing to Uranus, which is obviously the planet of nuclear power. (By the way, Senator Juan Ponce Enrile has three yods!)

The following candidates have the yod formation in their natal horoscopes: Noynoy Aquino (GO), Joker Arroyo (TEAM), Martin Bautista (Kapatiran), Alan Cayetano (GO), Antonio Trillanes (GO), and Manuel Zubiri (TEAM).

One other planetary formation that could be considered fortunate (with some challenge) is the Kite. The candidates with this formation are: Francis Escudero (GO), Antonio Trillanes (GO), and Manuel Villar (GO).

The third significant planetary formation is the Mystic Rectangle, both very good and very difficult. Two candidates have this pattern: Mike Defensor (TEAM) and Antonio Trillanes (GO). One other candidate, Mario Ongkiko of Kapatiran, has this pattern, but he had withdrawn from the race. (The interpretation of the Mystic Rectangle is a bit arcane. Senator Bong Revilla has it and I am puzzled how he actualizes that potential in his career.)

I am particularly interested in Trillanes, the candidate having the mentioned three planetary pictures. The focal point in his yod is the Midheaven or public honor. I would expect him to serve with honor in any public position he occupies.

I offer this study to other astrologers. I am open to dispute if only to hone the power of astrology to determine human destinies through replicable methods of analysis.

2007-01-01T17:44:00.000-08:00

APOCALYPSIS 2007

There are several astronomical events that will color the national developments in 2007. This article will imbue these astronomical events with astrological significance. This forecast will not utilize the usual astrological measures, such as ingresses in cardinal signs, and new moons and eclipses. Instead, attempts will be made to attach significance to the conjunctions or alignments of planets with the Galactic Center.

Why focus on the Galactic Center? What is the Galactic Center?

In astronomy, the Galactic Center is the point where the masses of stars in the Milky Way converge and revolve. Some scientists claim that it is a black hole that “eats” stars. Astronomers say the Galactic Center emanates one hundred times the energy of our sun, and surely, as Paul Hewit says, the Galactic Center is the Sun of our Sun.

The Galactic Center is presently located at 25 degree Sagittarius 56.8’ in the Tropical Zodiac. The zodiac sign Sagittarius is considered by ancient astrologers as the House of God. Presumably, any planet aligning with it must be receiving massive doses of galactic “noise” as shown by radio-astronomers monitoring the behavior of Jupiter. The “noise” could be divine instructions from the Force out there.

The Pluto alignment with the Galactic Center on 30 December 2006 starts the more than 248 year-cycle. The last alignment sometime in the 1750s was considered to have launched the Industrial Revolution. This time around the alignment must be triggering another Revolution involving Humanity.

Some opine that the noosphere of Teilhard de Chardin is becoming evident, especially with the rapid development of the Internet that weaves together the mind of Mankind. For humanity, according to some astrologers, this Pluto alignment foreshadows (or already effects) at its worst the following – greater corruption and hostility from authority organizations; greater violation of personal privacy; greater sexual depravity; excessive greed; anomalies in Nature, such as drought, heat waves, floods, volcanic eruptions, and earthquakes. Some astrologers see in this Pluto alignment the probability of escalating hostilities, possibly against Iran and North Korea.
At its finest, however, this alignment demands hard work of transformation; to destroy human vices and all that is wrong with society. During this period, we shall be made aware of those faults we need to correct. Incidentally, this is the day when deposed Saddam Hussein was executed by hanging for crimes against humanity. Astrologer Jeffrey Wolf Green correlates Pluto to the soul and evolution. He likens Pluto to the Phoenix Bird that dives into the flames to be reborn anew. The metamorphosis from old to new is quite intense, losses and deaths – both real and symbolic – have to be faced. Clearly, a new cycle is beginning, and where the old dies, objectionable events build up while giving birth to the new. Change is rarely graceful. However, not all change is progressive or for the better but could be a mere throwback to an archaic or outmoded state.

If the Galactic Center has the gravitational energy of the galaxy in Sagittarius, which embodies energy, aspiration, motivation, joy, truth and intuitive understanding, and has the energies of the source of consciousness, then changes in consciousness can be immense during Pluto’s transit across the Galactic Center.

For the Philippines, the alignment of Pluto with the Galactic Center falls in the Second House of Money and Resources. Baigent et al says the Second House shows “something of a society’s value, what they ‘hold dear’, and possibly the kind of people the nation holds in high esteem and the attitude to the national heritage.” For the next several years possessions and money constantly undergo upheaval in the national life. The challenge is to explore the link between changing possessions and changing inner values. This generation will also experience the need to transform their religious views to incorporate all philosophies and religions.

As well, in this alignment Pluto opposes Neptune in the Philippine chart. While Neptune relates to mass consciousness; Pluto relates to political power, global organizations, focused energy or 'underground' institutions. When these planets are in contact with each other there is often widespread conflict or focus upon political issues and collective ideals. At the same time, the square formed between the national Jupiter and Pluto suggests that the Administration sets itself up as a law unto itself by riding roughshod over morally accepted codes. Dogmatic and exaggerating, the ruling clique could be an adventurer or a gambler as in the aborted Charter Change try. Oddly enough, it oscillates between overconfidence and self-doubt.

As it retrogrades during the year, Pluto aligns two more times with the Galactic Center. The second alignment is positioned in the Fifth House of Speculation, Creativity and Children. The third and last time around, it is located in the First House of the Nation as a whole. All these transits demand transformation in the nature and use of these national factors.

One other astronomical event considered in this article is the alignment of Mars with Pluto in February. The two-year Mars-Pluto alignment cycle falls in the Sixth House, properly identified not only with labor but also with the armed services. The conjunction of Mars and Pluto shows a very strong nature with the persistence and determination to get what it wants. The nature is to be more interested in the combat than in the fruits of victory. The AFP can handle extreme pressure very well, and in a crisis situation it can be relied upon to manage affairs with skill and authority. If not controlled, this aspect may cause the organization to be brutal or cruel. Fortunately, great resilience is offered by Saturn trine Pluto, and the ability to maintain a focused effort with consistency and severity. This aspect can often attract fervent opposition to its views, because those who opt for the status quo are disturbed by the way they will uproot problems and seek to expose their basis. But the aspect also offers great strength of character and purpose, so the institution is not easily dissuaded from its path. Even as it strives to reform itself, it will continue to support the Administration.

The Sun is aligned or in conjunction with the Galactic Center on 19 December 2006. Its alignment with this point in space occurs annually, thus we can take the horoscope cast for the exact of moment of alignment to foreshadow things that will happen within the period. In the horoscope for the event, the Sun alignment falls in the Eleventh House of Hopes and Wishes. In mundane astrology, the House is about the legislature and national hopes and wishes. The dominant issue of the year is about Congress – mostly likely the elections -- and influences all the other aspects of national life.

The Neptune-Saturn opposition indicates much agitation from the people, misinformation, vice, crime and suicides. In this matter, foreign relations play a major factor in the widespread agitation.

Our national debt becomes a focal point that will lead to financial changes for the people since we are dependent on our financial image. Taxation issues are ever present in the charts, particularly in the first round of the Pluto alignment. Legislation is very much involved this year.
The changes that are due the first half of this year are important changes. They are the legislative changes. Charter change is still the predominant contentious issue. However, these are changes that must look at the whole picture, not just the reformatting of the form of government. It is also easy to be overly zealous and confident of the changes in motion. January through May of 2007 marks a historical push to make 'astrologically’ needed changes not only right here at home but around the world as well. There is a greater plan out there stronger than all of us.

The tides continue to change between the House and the Senate. It's a weak Senate to the power and control in the House. Ambassadors are also included in this weak position. Our relations with the world at large are unsatisfactory and leaves much to be desired. The world is in such a state of power struggles with strong opinions and differing views.

There will be reform that leans toward that of the masses and minorities, rather than the authoritarian rulers. Leadership everywhere is up against restraints to its exercise of power There is an overhaul of our very structures in the worlds in which all of us live, as if to say there has been 'an abuse of old icons and authority'.

In foreign affairs, the Administration is in dismal disarray confronting the demands of foreign powers, such as the United States and China. The Subic rape case and the Tubbataha Reef incident are seemingly minor issues that will nevertheless put to the test how the country can protect its sovereignty and maintain national self-respect. Its abject surrender to the demands of the United States in the Smith affair by disregarding the national judicial system gives a poor picture of the Philippines as an independent state. We can expect only disdain from our ASEAN neighbors.

There is also the theme of human rights abuse against Muslims, the poor, and all types of prisoners. The cry for justice highlights the increased financial divide between the rich and the poor to those who lose their loved ones and all their belongings due to weather or war. This is a year where the minorities and impoverished voice will be heard; legislation and allies have to step in.

The elections in May could turn out to be crucial for all political parties. The Opposition, sensing victory and closing in for the kill, may be disappointed in the results if it does not consolidate forces and unite. On a personal level, President Arroyo will work doubly hard to prop up her dwindling power and influence. She may very well be looking once more at impeachment hearings. She's not giving in to the demands for her to step down. However, her ability to maintain the support of her political allies is slowly ebbing as the year progresses.

In late December 2007, planet Jupiter will align with the Galactic Center. This will start the 12-year Jupiter cycle, and concerns labor and defense issues.

2006-10-21T23:05:00.000-07:00

MORE ON THE DWARF PLANET

Astrologers in antiquity consider Sagittarius as the House of God. Recently, astronomers agree that the portion of the sky in Sagittarius is the center of our galaxy where a cluster of stars congregate in rapid motion. They explain that with so much matter in so tight a space this could only be because of the presence of a black hole. Thus, the Galactic Center is a black hole where things disappear. As such its gravitational pull is extraordinarily strong and the resulting turbulence radiates throughout the surrounding space.

In the solar system, the recently declared dwarf planet Pluto orbits its outer limits. Astrologers agree that Pluto is the planet of radical cleansing, transformation and power. Some astrologers even call it the Lord of Death. Throughout 2006 and 2007 it is connected or in conjunction with the Galactic Center or the House of God.

Since the influence of Pluto resonates with the power of the Galactic Center, we can expect to face our darkest times. There is likely to be a huge and massive purging on a global scale “of all that is dark, and fearful within us… and all that needs to be reworked and changed.” Being in Sagittarius, Pluto exposes the dark side of all belief systems – whether religious, ideological or economic – and forces Man to bring to light Truth. One way Pluto can operate to purify the field and clear obstacles is through catharsis and war. (When Pluto leaves Sagittarius and enters Capricorn, it is expected to change governments and the way we do business in all fields of human activity.)

Basically, Pluto in conjunction with the Galactic Center is a purge. In our case, the clamor for changes, even if the basic reasons (such as the revision of the Constitution) are self-serving, indicates the plutonian urge for transformation. We see the areas that need purging which are highlighted during the recent years. Some are specific to the dispensation of justice, to methods of governance, and to the exercise of political and military power. Others are not so overt but refer to human behavior. Even if the changes being manipulated by certain sectors in our society come about, but if they do not enhance and improve the moral and spiritual evolution of our people, the efforts to overturn and change the system will fester. Pluto’s effects, even if cataclysmic, are not sudden like that of Uranus but long drawn.

Nonetheless, the focus of this transformative purging is not only on the Philippines but all over the world. The terrible effects of Pluto conjunct Galactic Center encompass Humanity itself. The apparently “sudden” interest of astrologers in Pluto stems from the fact that it takes about 250 years before it conjoins the Galactic Center. As an indication of its importance was the recent controversy in astronomical circles, specifically the International Astronomers' Union -- over the downgrading of Pluto as a planet. Historically as well, there were tumultuous transformations in society and nations that coincided with its passage. It is not a coincidence that plutonium is the chemical element that holds the sword of nuclear extinction over all our heads.

It would be interesting to keep track on how the generation born during this period will act and behave two decades from now. They are born with the ability to delve into the unconscious and the hidden, and work with the intuition. They may discover new understanding of Earth's role in the Universe as they learn to live as a collective. This generation will possess the ability to pursue new and different spiritual visions - the gift of revelation – as they experience the need to transform their religious views to incorporate all philosophies and religions.

Those born on the day of the GC-Pluto conjunction -- especially at about 4 a.m. on December 19, 2006 -- are intense, obsessive and have great personal power. Transformation is the key factor in their lives. They will place importance on freedom of speech and thought and are one-pointed in their desires. Travel and religious causes are likely to feature in their lives. As well, they will feel the need to get their enormous energy levels under some control and can eventually develop self restraint, making them valuable as empathetic and powerful leaders of the downtrodden people of the world. They will want to change the world but would rather not wait for events to unfold.

***
In December, there may be a strong earthquake somewhere along the longitude running through Surigao del Norte. If it strikes at Leyte Gulf a tsunami may be generated.

2006-09-17T06:36:00.000-07:00

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.

2006-09-05T21:15:00.000-07:00

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. 