Informative extra articles – By Theresa H. McDevitt PMAFA:
# 1 THE SATURN-PLUTO CYCLE
#2 THE URANUS CYCLE ON USA
Planetary cycles confirm there is perfect order in the universe, "a time for everything under the heavens." The powerful Saturn-Pluto cycle marked some of the the most significant events affecting USA since the 1980s. These two planets take 31 to 40 years to complete the cosmic circle. This is a cycle of breakdown and rebuilding when the threat of the past must be faced and transformed, otherwise the end results can be devastating. From October 2009 to September 2010, these two powerful planets will be at a stressful 90-degree angle from each other (square). This is the last square of the cycle that began with the 1982 conjunction in Libra that highlighted the need to balance relationships between peoples and nations. Matters started at the conjunction carry over until the end of the cycle, with major turning points during the squares representing a time for rectification. The opposition represents the middle of the cycle when the original intentions are reflected back requiring awareness before new steps are taken.
The challenging Saturn-Pluto cycle affects countries and peoples differently according to their particular charts. The latest cycle had a significant impact on the US government because the conjunction took place in the 10th house (objectives, government, reputation) of the US Sibly chart for July 4, 1776. The conjunction at 27 + Libra made a square to natal US Pluto prompting America to take the opportunity to exert its monetary and military powers and assume leadership among all nations. America became the most influential in world relations. In addition, the opposition of 2001 impacted the other two main angles of ascendant/descendant and sparked the awareness that with power comes tremendous responsibility inclusive of irreversible consequences. Interestingly, the conjunction and opposition occurred during Republican administrations (1982 and 2001), while the squares occurred during Democratic administrations (1993 and 2009-10).The following factual summary offers a comprehensive view of the sequence of events up to the present time and what to expect until the new cycle begins in 2020.
RULES TO APPLY:
1. What starts during the conjunction carries over until the end of the cycle
2. Squares are turning points, time for corrections through hardship and turmoil
3. The Opposition directly reflects what happened in the conjunction
4. Matters started at the beginning of each quadrant carry over until the next
(The God-given science/art of astrology is the study of UNIVERSAL LAWS & TRUTHS. Thus, in order to execute truth to the highest possible level, astrologers have a responsibility to put aside all personal prejudices and political preferences).
CONJUNCTION 1982 in Libra:
1- Iran/US embassy hostage standoff (the abusive regime of the capitalist Shah supported by USA was replaced by the Ayatollah Khomeini, who established theocratic rule)
2- Inauguration of President Ronald Reagan
3- President Reagan assassination attempt
4- "Reganomics" (tax-cuts for the wealthy that supposedly would trickle down)
5- De-regulations, cuts on social programs, closing of public mental hospitals
6- Peak of the Cold War (Reagan called Russia "the evil empire")
7- Russia/Afghanistan War (US secret support for the Taliban)
8- Iran/Iraq War (US secret support for Iraq - selling arms to Saddam Hussein)
9- US/Iran-contra scandal of trading arms for hostages (President Bush senior later
pardoned administration officials who had been indicted or convicted for withholding
information in a web of official deception, mismanagement and illegality)
10-Shiite Muslims bombed American barracks in Lebanon due to US support for Israel
11-US/Contra-narcotic operation-involvement in Drug Wars in Central & South America
12-US invasion of the Caribbean island of Grenada
13-Deregulation by the Administration and Congress led to the Savings & Loans crises
FIRST SQUARE 1992-93 in Aquarius & Scorpio:
1- Inauguration of President Clinton
2- Mrs. Clinton’s healthcare initiative for reform rejected by Republicans
3- Branch Davidians cult/FBI-ATF standoff/tragedy in Waco, TX (led to Oklahoma
bombing by American militia movement sympathizer Timothy McVeigh)
4- Welfare reform (replaced by day-care programs for single mothers)
5- US & NATO forces declared war on Eastern Europe to stop genocide of Moslems in the Ethnic-Cleansing War.
6- Presidential sex accusations/scandals and impeachment trial
7- OSLO Agreement (US Administration insisted Israel release terrorist prisoners)
8- Implementation of NAFTA (removal of barriers to trade and investment among
USA, Canada, Mexico)
OPPOSITION 2001 in Gemini & Sagittarius:
1- Elections debacle
2- Inauguration of President G. W. Bush (appointed by the Supreme Court)
3- Massive tax-cuts for the wealthy and corporations
4- Corporate deregulations and privatization of government agencies
5- Massive cuts on social programs
6- Faith-based Initiatives (Federal funds in support of religious organizations)
7- President Bush singled out countries as "the axis of evil"
8- World Trade Center attack of 9-11-01 in New York City (led to US invasion of
Afghanistan and occupation of Iraq under false pretenses, led to economic crises)
9- Creation of Homeland Security
10-Implementation of unconstitutional initiatives under "The Patriot Act" (wiretapping,
torture, retention of detainees without prosecution, etc.)
11-Real Estate market collapse due to over lending and credit crises
12-Economy in turmoil – The Bush administration and Congress committed $7.8 trillion
and before he left office he had spent $1.359 trillion in bailouts for banking and Wall
Street Institutions declared by him, "too big to fail." (Refer to The New York Times.com)
FINAL SQUARE 2009-10 in Libra & Capricorn:
1- Inauguration of President Barak Obama
2- Obama administration continues Bush’s policies and bailouts (and together with the FDIC and the Federal Reserve commit many more billions to the cause)
3- High unemployment and massive housing foreclosures
4- Healthcare reform debacle
5- "Tea-baggers" demonstrators against the Obama Administration
6- Afghanistan conflict intensifies -- President Obama commits 30,000 more troops
7- Crackdown on illegal Mexican immigrants
8- Swine flue pandemic scare and vaccination
9- Supreme Court grants corporations the right to unlimited campaign contributions
CONCLUSION:
As the conclusion of this cycle takes its course, more national crises are to be expected. America is experiencing a consolidation of initiatives taken at the conjunction that impacted the entire cycle. Furthermore, the same initiatives were reestablished and reinforced during the opposition. The issues of interactive relationships between peoples and nations from the 1982 conjunction in Libra are still unresolved. Tensions intensify during the turning point represented by the final square in process 2009-10, impacting the rest of the cycle until the new one starts in 2020. Tragedies and natural disasters are also stimulated during this cycle, especially during squares and opposition.
The next new cycle symbolizing new beginnings will be in Capricorn emphasizing government institutions around the world. In the US chart, it conjuncts natal Pluto in the second house of values and resources. Once again, the nation's economic fate and use of power are being highlighted. This could mark the end of the American Empire and the beginning of a new nation. The future depends on lessons learned and new initiatives taken. Astrological knowledge and learning from history offer the only hope for a better future.(Refer to "Why History Repeats", for additional information of past, present and future).-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(A shorter version of this article was published in "Today's Astrologer" on January 2010)
As soon as the official document for the Declaration of Independence was agreed upon by the first signers on July 4, 1776, it marked the birth of the United States of America. The new nation was born out of chaos into liberty, and marked by a constant thrust towards progress. This is confirmed by mutable signs posited on the angles, inclusive of Mars and Uranus. Mars was at 21 Gemini while Uranus at 9 Gemini was approaching the opposition to the nation’s Sagittarius ascendant (a multi-ethnic, multi-racial, multi-religious population breaking away from a foreign empire). Since the point of inception, the Uranus cycle of 84 years (seven years in each of the 12 signs), has marked the most dangerous episodes and crucial turning points in the history of USA.
Every time revolutionary Uranus activates the mutable signs on the angles, destiny-making events take place with major emphasis on social conflicts, tragedies, wars, and assassinations of four US Presidents. Two presidents died of natural causes, while one was shot and lived. In addition, many Civil Rights supporters were also assassinated. Whenever Uranus shakes up the status quo and begins to push forward for social changes, the fundamental energies of the US Cancer Sun, Venus, Jupiter, Mercury, refuse to give up. What results is a constant tug-of-war between conservative traditions vs. change and progress. Nevertheless, after the turmoil, progress always prevails because it works in accord with the nature of the universe/Universal Law – always moving forward.
The Jupiter-Saturn cycle, believed to be responsible for the alleged “Presidential Curse,” seems to perfectly synchronize with the Uranus cycle. This is due to the 20-year interval between each Jupiter-Saturn conjunction, and the 20-21 year phases required for Uranus to transit between each mutable angle. These mutable positions inevitably form conjunctions, squares, and oppositions to the nation’s natal mutable planets. Uranus acts as a key trigger repeating cycles that are specific to the USA chart. Therefore the nature of these contacts reveals much in connection to its history.
The following recollection of the Uranus cycle and its bearing upon the USA applies equally to the Gemini or Sagittarius ascendant charts. British astrologer Ebenezer Sibly published the first US horoscope in 1787 for July 4, 1776, 4:50 pm, Philadelphia, PA. Due to confusion between Greenwich Mean Time and Local Mean Time a number of charts emerged, all rectified from 4:50 pm. Among them, two rival Sibly charts remained. The first one for 4:50 pm has 8 Sagittarius on the ascendant, with Uranus on the 7th house, and 25 Virgo on the Mid-Heaven. This one is the most compatible with the Uranus cycle. The other for 5:10 pm has 12 Sagittarius on the ascendant. In fact, after the tragic events of September 11, 2001 with transiting Pluto at 12 Sagittarius, it raised new questions as to which chart proves the most accurate. Pluto's first conjunction to the US ascendant forever changed the image and destiny of the nation. However, both Sagittarius ascendant charts equally support the Declaration of Independence.
BEGINNING CYCLE IN GEMINI – (Conjunction):
1774-82 – Revolutionary War; Boston Tea Party; Declaration of Independence from the British Empire; the US Constitution drafted. (Due to limited space, other
events in this Cycle until 1858 are not included in this recollection).
1858-66 – The Civil War; Emancipation Proclamation; President Lincoln assassination.
1941-48 – W.W.II; Holocaust; Pearl Harbor attack; D-Day landing in Normandy; Race Riots in several major cities due to influx of southern Blacks; President F. D. Roosevelt “New Deal” and elected to a forth term, followed by his death;
Battle of the Bulge; Atomic Bombs dropped on Nagasaki and Hiroshima.
WAXING SQUARE – Virgo:
1878-85 – Abolition; President J. A. Garfield assassination.
1961-69 – Cuban Invasion; Cuban Missile Crisis; President J.F.K. assassination; Civil Rights Movement; shootings in Selma, AL, and Black church bombing killed
four girls; Vietnam War; students demonstrations and some were shot by the
National Guard; “Black Power” riots; Malcolm X, Reverend M. L. King, and
Robert Kennedy assassinations.
OPPOSITION – Sagittarius (conjunct U. S. Ascendant):
1897-1904 – Spanish American War (“Teddy Roosevelt Wars”); President W. McKinley assassination.
1981-88 – President Reagan’s “Evil Empire”; “Star Wars” and “War on Drugs”, openly backed Contra rebels in Nicaragua; US invasion of Panama and Granada; President Reagan shot in assassination attempt; Muslims destroyed US embassy in Beirut, Lebanon, and suicide bombers killed hundreds of US and UN peacekeeping forces in the Marine barracks, followed by withdrawal of
all US forces from Lebanon; Cold War crisis; NATO formed; the Savings &
Loans financial crisis.
WANING SQUARE – Pisces:
1919-27 – Prohibition wars; Ku Klux Klan became political power; President Harding died; beginning of Great Depression.
2003-10 – Trial and conviction of Klansman for 1963 bombing in Selma; massive
reversals of Civil rights; President W. Bush “Axis of Evil, Faith-based Initiatives, The Patriot Act”, corporate deregulation, and privatization of Government institutions; War on Afghanistan; Iraq Occupation; US base in Guantanamo used for suspected terrorists to avoid US law; hurricane Katrina tragedy in New Orleans; major economic collapse; government bailout of Wall St., banks, GMC; first Black President elected; Supreme Court granted corporations unlimited political campaign contributions; national political crisis; “Tea Party” demonstrators against the new administration; healthcare reform debacle.
The Uranus cycle that began in 1941 is now in the process of consolidation until 2025. Naturally, all the social initiatives established at the time by President F.D.R. such as, Medicare, Social Security, Veterans benefits, are up for re-evaluation and re-negotiation. The nation is again involved in war, and likens to the Nazi terrorists then, Islamic suicide bombers are the new terror. In addition, the Constitution is in dire need of re-evaluation and restoration. Hence, towards the end of the current Uranus cycle when at the same time Pluto returns to where it was in 1776, all of the above issues will begin to be forced to a climax point.
FUTURE NEW CYCLE:
The next Uranus-USA cycle begins in 2025. Looking back at previous conjunctions, we can anticipate a combination of a revolutionary and civil war, this time against our national empire. This upheaval will be the result of a corrupt capitalistic system that requires lawmakers in Congress to accept contributions from lobbyists in order to remain in power. This accounts for the intense racial, cultural, and economic divisions plaguing the country. Thus, we can also anticipate a whole new beginning for the nation, marked by the Uranus return to Gemini, which this time coincides with Pluto’s entrance into Aquarius in 2024.
DATES FOR ENTIRE NEW FUTURE CYCLE:
Uranus returns to Gemini (2025-32), waxing square in Virgo (2045-52), opposition in Sagittarius (2065-72), and waning square in Pisces (2087-94). All the possible events regarding these years and others can be found in the book by this author, “Why History Repeats” – Mass Movements & the Generations, Past – Present – Future. Although this book mainly relates to the powerful cycle of Pluto and its effect upon the world, it proves that all planetary cycles work in perfect synchronicity.
The universe constantly provides new ways for humanity to correct past mistakes and initiate new paths towards progress. These prompts are mainly indicated by the generational outer planets. Planetary cycles work as the engine that causes history to repeat itself; for the cycles inevitably recur. Only when mankind learns from its past errors is it positioned to rise above its past errors so as not repeat the same destructive acts. When populations remain ignorant, their citizens never taught to understand these powerful planetary cycles, there is a greater probability that old behaviors will recur. As students of life on planet Earth, astrologers have a responsibility to act as messengers conveying these realities and cosmic truths. How else to contribute to the acceleration of the evolutionary process of humanity, as intended by the Creator?
Hence, the study of planetary cycles should be a priority. Before we can fully understand what is happening in a person’s life, first we have to know the energies affecting the world in general at any particular time. The same is always reflected in the individual charts because we are all connected to the cosmos. We must remember the wisdom in the words of the venerable sage Hermes, “as above, so below”, as well as, Jesus’ words, “Thy will, will be done on earth, as it appears in the heavens.”
The Uranus cycle applied to the US Declaration of Independence chart:
Gemini: 1774-82, 1858-66, 1941-48, 2025-32.
Virgo: 1794-1801, 1878-85, 1961-69.
Sagittarius: 1813-21, 1897-1904, 1981-88.
Pisces: 1835-43, 1919-27, 2003-10.