Sun-Pluto, Sun-Mars synastry

This post is partly about cardinals and partly about synastry (Sun-Pluto and Sun-Mars synastry). In short: I see the Sun-Pluto synastry marking the issue of 'life and death' and 'self esteem' while the Sun-Mars synastry is reflecting the competition between the central figure and the one who works for or with him. The astrological story is about Cardinal Sodano and Cardinal Bertone and their synastry with the Pope.

Cardinal Sodano (November 23, 1927) has denied the rumors about a power struggle in the Vatican (perhaps anticipating on the end of the papacy of Pope Benedict). But before, he denied that there was any abuse by priests…(see that post: http://astropost.blogspot.nl/2010/04/sodanos-oriental-moon-in-scorpio-speaks.html).
Cardinal Sodano, they say, is the member of one group (the diplomats) and Tarcisio Bertone is one of his opponents. In order to study synastry in astrology, it might be interesting to check the interaction between their charts, I thought. I immediately found something surprising that confirms my idea that a combination of planets is more the reflection of the sort of interaction in synastry. It is hard to see 'who done it', as the aspect combination simply issues a theme. Depending on social position, status and gender, you could analyze this correctly, but it takes a picture of the situation with inside information in order to do so.

Sodano was the former camerlengo. Bertone succeeded him. Both might be the next Pope. Both are cardinals. Both have influence and both made cardinal mistakes and caused upheaval in the international press, by denying the abuse in church (Sodano) or by naming homosexuals pedophiles (Bertone). The synastry of a. Sodano and b. Benedict equals the synastry of a. Benedict and b. Camerlengo Bertone when it comes to Mars+Sun and Mercury+Neptune! The same components, but ' the other way around'. And all aspects in synastry are within a 1 degree orb! See the pictures of the chart of Pope Benedict with the positions of the important cardinals at the end of this post.

The Mars of the Pope is quincunx the Sun of Sodano. The Mars of Bertone is also quincunx the Sun of Sodano. Competition and succeeding is part of the Sun-Mars combination. Sun is for leadership and Mars is for competing. Often, even in modern office life, the Mars person sort of targets the Sun person and hopes to be the next leader, but in that case the Sun person should either die or leave. The fact that there IS a Mars person around might be very stimulating. However, an inconjunction points at certain misbalances.

The Mercury of the Pope is quincunx the Neptune of Sodano. Bertone's Mercury is square the Neptune of the Pope. Vague communications and misconceptions are part of the Mercury-Neptune combination. Strictly confidential and secret (Neptune) information (Mercury) is the link between the men. Misunderstandings are to be expected when one person is interpreting (Mercury) what he can't hear, touch or explain (Neptune): the other person's ideals, beliefs and dreams. On the other hand, the Neptune person is not clear when it comes to communicating or … he or she is hiding something that the other one wants to know. False statements are part of the Mercury-Neptune combination, just as telling tales. There is also a matter of foreign language involved. Sodano and Bertone are native Italians and the Pope is a German. That complicates deep understanding, even if they try hard enough and especially when it comes to vague ideas and emotions.

BTW: I also find it interesting that Sodano's Saturn is on the Sun of Bertone. Sodano is older than Bertone is. Sodano is the former camerlengo. That means that Sodano has seniority and Saturn IS senior.

The Camerlengo of Pope Benedict, Tarcisio Bertone, was born on December 2, 1934. That means, that his Pluto is exactly square the Sun of the Pope. There is a risk of a drama involved, because of the strong influence of the Pluto person, if not the power over the Sun-person (that is the general astrological idea),but I'd interpret this also as the issue of (the value of) life and death and facing it, through this relationship.

MORE posts about religion
http://astropost.blogspot.nl/search/label/Religion

MORE about the charts of popes
http://www.astromarkt.net/charts-of-popes.html

EXTERNAL LINK
Cafe Astrology describes the effect of the Pluto of a person square somebody's Sun like this...http://www.cafeastrology.com/synastry/sun_pluto_aspects.html

Also visit: Astromarkt.net All rights reserved

Pope Benedict and the difficult transits

The charts of leaders often reflect the situation of the followers or of the institutions/nations that they lead ore vice versa, like the charts of coaches are reflecting the winning or losing of their teams (see the label ‘ football’). The Pope's chart is reflecting the situation in the field where he works and lives, too, now that scandal after scandal is tormenting the Roman Catholic Church, causing serious imago problems. Priests in Ireland, the USA, Germany and Holland abused young boys in the 60ies and 70ies and now the victims are telling their stories. It is a hot item in the newspapers in Germany and Holland now. The Pope, Benedict 16th, must be very uncomfortable with this situation. It happens to be the “ Year of the Priest”!

His chart is reflecting the depressing stress and upheaval by means of hard transits of Uranus, Pluto and Saturn, in a short period of time. Because Saturn and Pluto are retrograding in 2010, the transits will be repeated, with a little break in June (when there are festivities because of the Year of the Priest). Above you see the chart with transits and progressions of today. Below is the same chart for June 9, 2010.

URANUS
Uranus is the planet that symbolizes consternation and exciting or astonishing news. Uranus is important in the chart of the Pope, because Uranus rises before the Sun*) and makes a (wider) square with Midheaven. Transit Uranus in Pisces is now in the 26th degree of Pisces, exactly square the Sagittarian Midheaven of the Pope. Transit Uranus square MC in the signs of religion and belief is reflecting the upheaval and consternation (Uranus) that is effecting the name and reputation(MC) of the church (Sagittarius and Pisces). The importance of Uranus in the natal chart makes it an importants transit. It is one of the transits reflecting change (see the list of indications for change on this blog…). And there is more depressing stress in the chart of the Pope.

SATURN
In the natal chart of the Pope the midpoint Sun/Moon is square Saturn. He is motivated by structure, hierarchy, by managing and by what is classical, old and reliable. Saturn is important, because Saturn is the most elevated planet in his chart, in the ninth house and in Sagittarius; this is reflecting the more conservative conviction and the dogmas.
The progressed Sun of the Pope is now square natal Moon, while the progressed Moon is opposition natal Sun. The progressed Sun/Moon midpoint is almost exactly square Saturn, so that the combination of the natal chart is being repeated.

PLUTO
Transit Pluto is now trine the progressed midpoint Sun/Moon (square Saturn) and quindecile the natal Sun/Moon midpoint. Quindeciles often refer to a strong focus or obsessive attention and Pluto usually forces you to to do so.

There are several ways to interpret the combination and I won't mention them all here. I just refer to the earlier post about the progressed Sun conjunct Pluto in the Pope's chart (choose the label ' religion').

JUNE
Jupiter wll be conjunct natal and transit Uranus in June this year. See the label ‘ Jupiter Uranus’ for examples of the effect of aspect or midpoint, that Ebertin named ‘the thank God’ combination. Maybe it is a relief that than the ‘ Year of Priest’ will end (with an international gathering of priests in Rome -‘ Christ fidelity fidelity of the priest’ - from June 9-11) with positive attention for the profession? We will have to wait and see. By that time there is little left of the hard transits above. However, they will be back later in 2010, so it might just be a break. See the chart of June here.

*) Many very old people have Uranus rising before the Sun. See the label ' old' . When this pope started, there was the idea that he was an interim pope, because he was already old. He must be in good condition, considering the fact that he is able to do his job at his age and under the present difficult circumstances for the institution. Still, it won't be easy with these transits and progressions.

For more about religion and the Pope, see the post (use this link)

(c) http://astropost.blogspot.com

Saint Damien (Damiaan) and his chart

Today there is a holy mess in Tremelo to celebrate the fact that Father Damien or Damiaan (who was born there) is to become a Saint on October 11. This change happens with the SA (progressed) Sun of Damien changing sign.

More about the chart of Father Damien in an earlier post on this blog...
Wiki about Father Damien...
or see the Belgian Standaard for an article and a video of his funeral...
More about the progressive Sun changing sign...

For more examples of the effect of changing sunsigns, click the label below this message on
http://astropost.blogspot.com

ASTROLOGY CHART OF JESSE JACKSON And the Uranus transit...

A calling Moon and Jupiter and Neptune oriental...these are the most prominent positions in the chart of Jesse Jackson, reverend Jesse Jackson, born October 8, 1941 at about 9 a.m. in Greenville SC. Jupiter and Neptune in a combination point at having followers, at religion and at stages*).


Jesse was on stage and what he said about Obama and his balls was worth an apologie. In the news, in a conflict,...and yes: Uranus (in the 23rd degree of Pisces) is square progressed Sun and inconjunct natal Midheaven AND opposition True Northern Node.

That is an interesting and controversial mixture of Uranus with Sun, MC and Node with an effect that cannot be missed since there are 3 indications***).

*)See the charts of popes, for example
***) I call that: the rule of 3!

THE FEMALE IN THE CHART OF THE POPE, now that the Anglicans consider a female bishop

The Roman Catholic Church has announced that reconciliation with the Anglicans will be difficult if they allow women to be a bishop. I wonder why it never has been difficult that the Queen is the head of the Anglican church....
Well, is not this a good moment to have a closer look at the female in the chart of Benedict the 16th (16th - sic- of April 1927, 4h15 CET in Marktl)?


Women are symbolized by Moon and Venus. Difficult long term relationships with females are symbolized by certain aspects in the charts of males. They are:
- Moon in a hard aspect with Saturn or Neptune,
- Venus in hard aspect with Neptune or,
- Mars in a hard aspect with Uranus.

Hard aspects are: conjunction, semi square, square, sesquisquare and opposition.
As it happens, the present pope has Moon sesquisquare Venus and square Pluto. He has Mars square Uranus out of sign. He has Venus square Neptune.
So he has a lot of conflicts when it comes to relationships with women. Of course he never married, never was supposed to have a lover. But it might also be a good reason to choose a career without women in the neighborhood.

CERES
Lately I am particularly interested in Ceres. So I immediately noticed Ceres on top of this chart, conjunct the MC in Sagittarius. Ceres is the symbol of heir doom, agriculture, seed and ...motherhood. Now Mother Mary is of course a strong figure in the church of Rome. The position of Ceres in the chart of the pope and the idea of a Virgin Mary is convincing me more and more of the idea that Ceres rules Virgo.

Moon in Libra is afflicted. Venus in Taurus is afflicted. Both of the traditional female symbols are afflicted in the chart of the pope. And even though he may hold Ceres 'high', this might be no comfort for the simple human being of the female gender. This pope is not a feminist. And if he were, he would not have been a pope, would he?

RELEVANT:
About the moon, diets and behaviour
About Popes and their charts

BIRTH CHART GENE ROBINSON A bishop who got married

In 2003, when his progressed Sun changed sign, Gene Robinson was elected bishop of the Episcopal Church in the USA. His election caused a schisma. Theological conservatives left the church. He is openly gay and today he proved his noncelibatance by marrying his 80-year old partner. Between 2003/2004 and now there is February 14, 2006. That was when he was treated for alcoholism. Certainly not a dull moment, in the last years...For astrologers it is not surprising to see progressed Sun semi square Uranus right now (for the upheavel and news and BTW: Uranus happens to be his ruler 7), but there is also progressed Sun square Ceres (the planet of heirdoom and seeds). I guess that it refers to a bond that is not 'productive'. Any other ideas?

Look at the positons on his birthday (29th May 1947, near Lexington Kentucky). Venus tightly square Pluto, Mars oriental conjunct Venus. It is a statement for being full of passion.

His theological interests are to be found in the trine of Sun with Neptune and in the 'calling' Jupiter. Jupiter does not make Ptoloemeic aspects in sign or orb (5d). Jupiter is inconjunct Uranus.
Jupiter-Uranus is one of the influences in the charts of modern popes. The other one is Jupiter-Neptune. I was positive that Jupiter or Neptune will be placed on a crucial spot in his personal birth chart or that they are strongly connected to the Midheaven. But I could only prove it with an hour of birth. I found 9:03 a.m. on Astrodatabank. That is with: Midheaven opposition Jupiter/Neptune! A midpoint yod with the combination for acting, believing and followers.

Pluto is crucial in his chart, conjunct the Ascendant. That is a statement for the importance of affairs of money, influence, politics, life and death and ...sexuality. Another thing is the Midheaven position in Aries, in the final degree. There is an out of sign square with Saturn, very interesting in the chart of a clergy man who deals with hierarchy and the possibility of a forced step back that he risked. Pluto's prominence is for courage, too.

Why did not he marry a woman? There are indications for a divorce or for not marrying at all in the chart of a male:
- Moon in conflict with Neptune (Gene Robinson has Moon conjunct Neptune AND semi square Jupiter; a combination for a religious soul)
- Moon in conflict with Saturn (Gene Robinson has a sextile and that is considered to be harmonious)
- Venus in conflict with Neptune (nope)
- Mars in conflict with Uranus (Gene Robinson has a semi square)

Two out of four, that is enough. He did marry, so we should not expect conflicts between the houses 1 and 7, should we? And there are none.

REHAB FOR MARTIN LUTHERThe reformers' chart

The Pope said that he is considering the rehabilitation of Martin Luther. And that seems to be good news, looking at the natal chart of Martin Luther. The MC (Midheaven) is the spot in the birth chart that gives information about the state of a persons' reputation. Today, with the message of the Pope in the newspapers, transit Pluto is sesqui square Martin Luthers' MC with an orb of zero! Mars is semi square the Midheaven (orb 7 minutes) and Jupiter is trine the MC (orb 40 minutes). The combination of Mars, Jupiter and Pluto indicates successes. So even now that birth positions and in particular the position of the Midheaven remains in function.

Martin Luther was born 10 November 1483 at 23 hours in Eisleben (Germany). Saturn is oriental in his chart and conjunct the IC. There are no placements in earth signs. The material orientation is obvious. But...the tightest aspect in his chart is Mercury in Sagittarius conjunct Neptune. Notice the Jupiter-Neptune connection that is so frequent in the charts of religious people. This connection is confirmed by the midpoint combination of Mercury 22.5 degrees from Jupiter/Neptune, Venus conjunct Sun/Jupiter and 22.5 degrees from Sun/Neptune, Neptune 22.5 degrees from Mercury/Jupiter, Northern Node 157.5 degrees from Jupiter/Neptune and the combination of the Ascendant connected to both Jupiter/MC (22.5d) and Neptune/MC (180d).

Also notice the 'calling' Sun (not making major aspects in sign). Leadership and drawing attention are part of the importance (prominence) of this Sun. Uranus does not make major aspects, too. Uranus is the planet of revolution, change and rebellion. What Luther did, was controversial in his time. His ideas about the Jewish religion is controversial even today!
Look at the calling Mars, ruler of the Moon in Aries. This Mars does not make aspects in sign (but is within orb for a conjunction with Jupiter). I consider this Mars calling and fitting with what he did. He was an activist (Mars prominent) and a rebel (Uranus prominent).
With his MC-vocational routing ending in the mutual reception of Venus and Pluto, with Pluto in the second house and semi sextile Pluto, we can easily see why he was that angry about the money the people payed for their sins, ijn order to get to heaven (indulgences). Venus-Pluto is the financial axis.

An important thing in his chart is the Yod that the prominent MC (semi square Aries Point) makes with Uranus and Pluto. The Uranus-Pluto combination is reflected also in the midpoint combination MC opposition Uranus-Pluto.
In my article in Dutch about the combination of Uranus and Pluto I mention that in 1966 there was a conjunction of those planets. This conjunction was square the natal Sun of Mao Zedong and caused the 'cultural revolution' in China in that year. In natal charts the combination of Uranus and Pluto reflects a certain radicalism or extremism in the charts of politicians. As an historical example: Jan Palach had Uranus semi square Pluto, both connected to Aries Point (so, prominent) and he burnt himself for political reasons. The combination for the impulse to change the world is also visible in the charts of George W. Bush (Sun = Uranus/Pluto) and John F. Kennedy (Sun square Uranus/Pluto). It might indicate the urge to take drastical measures, too, and the fact that their own lives changed in a very strong way because of their political status. Anyway, Martin Luther had this combination strongly highlighed by the Yod and because Uranus is calling in his chart. Fanatism is also indicated (Sun semi square Pluto). Martin Luther gave his name to the rebellious protestant church, he was a reformer, in spite of Saturn rising before his sun. Or maybe more: because of Saturn rising before the Sun, as he wanted the church to spend less and to be more sober.

When Martin Luther was excommunicated (January 3, 1521) he had the progressed MC opposition progressed Uranus. I think it is interesting to notice that the present Pope's Ascendant is tightly square Luther's Uranus and that Luther's Mars is inconjunct the Pope's Uranus. Also his Mars is almost right on top of the Chiron of the Pope.. Uranus is still at work. In fact, the progressed Uranus of Martin Luther recently 'crossed over' the Midheaven of the Pope. Uranus is about to conjunct the Ascendant of the Pope, too. Maybe he is right and it is time for unification again. After all, Uranus is the planet of controversies, but also the planet of brotherhood and being united.

For those astrologers interested in religion:
Comparing popes
Study about Trappist martyrs

ROWAN WILLIAMSPluto and Uranus cause upheavel in his chart

Rowan Williams, British arch bishop, was born 14th June 1950 in Swansea, England. A controversial opinion about the possibility (or inevitability) of introducing the sharia (muslim law) in certain parts of the U.K. caused a media scandal these days. Rowan Williams has Transit Pluto square Mars, right after Mars conjunct Sun and we see, of course, Uranus in action. Uranus is always there were the action is... Transit Uranus is presently inconjunct his progressed Sun and Pluto. Above all that: the progressed Sun is conjunct the progressed Pluto this year. All those are signs of problems, anger, change and the theme of influence, life and death and danger. It seems that he has been threatened.

What made him say this (if he said it)? Let us have a look at his birth positions. We see the Moon oriental (for 'involvement' and 'caring'). We see Mars opposed to Aries Point (for being know as a fighter, a man of action and enterprise). And we cannot miss Mercury. Mercury is in the final degree of Taurus, not making major aspects in sign. I call that a 'calling' Mercury. This makes Mercury a prominent planet and communications (at any level) an important item in his life. The opinions draw attention and/or writing and speaking is his vocation. Some people with Mercury 'floating and drifting' just go on talking and chatting...Mercury is sesqui square Neptune, so maybe he is just misunderstood.

Also notice the calling Sun (for leadership) and how Jupiter in Pisces is biquintile Neptune. Connections between Jupiter and Neptune are always there when religion is involved, either in aspect or in midpoint combinations (and/or in the prominence of their positions in the radix, only known when the hour of birth is known...).

Relevant:
The article 'Conspicuous by Abscence' about the missing link in the chart (the element without placements or the planet without major aspects in sign).