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.