Astrologics - The Wanderer

Greetings Dearhearts,

This month's quiver holds a shower of arrows - forecasts for the near and not so far future as Uranus "peeks" into the Sign Pisces this year. From miracles to madness, revolutionary change is at hand. Another arrow sails toward the "Showdown at The Baghdad Corral." From now on we should be hearing of little else, from all manner of talking heads. By now the noose around Saddam should have tightened enough to begin applying the next phase of a campaign that appears to be right on schedule.

Astrology's "Great Awakener"

Uranus is the only planet that rotates on its side - the first new planet discovered since before recorded history. By cosmic "coincidence," just about the time when humanity first became aware/conscious of its existence, the human world began to flip over as well. It was the first of the three outer planets discovered in recent centuries, all representing both a globalization and simultaneous individualization of functions that were previously filtered through the function of collective governance and earthly authority - Saturn, since the beginning of humanity's becoming aware of time and it's meaning. A new "cosmic mandate" began to descend into individual human consciousness with Uranus' arrival, and it initiated a gradual process of the integration of its new function worldwide through the "times" of the Signs in the zodiacal wheel of life. Obviously, it also signified a new cosmic mandate for Astrology. Uranus is the planet of revolution, freedom, technological innovation and rebellion - of discovery and radical change. As with all planets (time functions), it has two "faces" within the same personality complex; free will is rooted in a universal cosmic axiom. It can be a rebel genius or a rebel anarchist. Uranus was discovered around the time of the American and French Revolutions and the world was turned upside down with a "shot heard round the world." It represents the function of incorporating external structure (Saturn) from within - the need to govern one's self. Liberty alone, without self-governance, results in anarchy and ultimately, loss of life and liberty. Such was the social madness of the "Reign of Terror," as the French experiment so graphically demonstrated. Freedom is liberty expressed through self-governance, resulting in self-empowerment; unbridled liberty results in self-electrocution. The two icons of leadership that were immortalized in the wake of both revolutions were George Washington and Napoleon Bonaparte. Methinks the old saying "let George do it" fits like a glove here since George did do it - much better!

Lightening and Thunder

History records the late 18^th Century as the "Age of Reason", a time of discovery and innovation in the physical and social sciences. A most enlightening time indeed. Uranus governs electricity ("coincidently" discovered around the same time) and its domain is the whole world of technology and the freedom from physical limitation that this "gift from the heavens" has made possible. Even the world of music was "electrified" by Mozart in the late 18^th century and was never the same - ask any music historian! That same historian might even tell you that the song "The World Turned Upside Down" was an innocent child's ditty of it's day, yet the symbolic mandates of the sacred science of time seemed to have "coincidently selected" it to be played by the British fife and drum corps as, one by one, their soldiers ceremoniously laid down their arms in surrender at Yorktown; and the world was never the same. History has shown that, in whatever Sign Uranus journeys through the zodiac, its slice of life is never the same. Uranus "awakens" Pisces on March 10, 2003 and serves up a double shot cappuccino until September 14^th when it returns back into Aquarius, to clean out its stuff, until December 30^th. It then moves in for the longest stretch of its (total) seven-year lease until May 28, 2010, when it goes searching for new quarters. Aside from a brief return in Pisces to pick up its stuff on August 15, 2010, the lease finally expires on March 13, 2011 and Uranus plugs a 220v line into Aries.

Pisces

Pisces is the 12^th and final Sign of the zodiacal cycle. Astrologically, a mutable, water Sign, it represents a process wherein the essence (not the expression) of individuality is diffused as all becomes one, in preparation for a new beginning in the next cycle. Symbolized by two fishes, swimming in opposite directions, each clasping the same cord in their mouths, they can neither see nor escape each other. This is the process wherein the future cannot proceed without clearing up the unfinished, dysfunctional remains of the past. The Pisces archetype is emotionally sensitive, dedicated, musical, imaginative, compassionate, empathetic, intuitive, spiritual, justifiably self-sacrificing and psychic. Its evil twin is impressionistic, delusional, escapist, fanatical, self-defeating and co-dependent. Clear boundary lines of individuality evaporate in Pisces, the chameleon of the zodiac; yet it's capacity for inner strength is the greatest of all the Signs as it becomes whatever it needs to be in response to its environment and the collective. "I believe" is the Pisces mantra.

Within Pisces, all other Signs connect, and through Pisces, all Signs connect to the cosmos.

The social expressions/activities of Pisces include music, medicine, spirituality, the collective unconscious, paranormal activity, institutions such as hospitals, asylums, rehabilitation facilities, prisons, and the military (the supreme sacrifice), as well as elements within society that are disenfranchised - a significant yet partial list. It is also exceptionally sensitive to water and the oceans (marine environment) as well as the vibrations involved with color, imagery and sound and all matter in a gaseous state. Currently, there are two cosmically unique factors at play that makes this upcoming Uranus in Pisces "times" more noteworthy. To begin with, for the next seven or so years, Uranus and Neptune will be in "Mutual Reception" meaning each will be transiting in the Sign ruled by the other. In practical terms it means that each will be able to function with greater efficiency and consequently heightened impact since they are receiving symbiotic assistance from each other. Secondly, Neptune will take over the lease in Pisces just when Uranus leaves in the beginning of the next decade. What will first be revolutionized will then continue to be idealized. I predict an array of amazing breakthrough discoveries, revolutionary changes, fanatical/suicidal behavior, and a revived and elevated spiritual consciousness in all matters connected with Pisces. As always, all that really matters is choice. In "recent" history, and in rough brackets of time, Uranus transited Pisces between 1835 through 1843 and, 84 years later, between 1919 through the early part of 1928.

From the past we draw a line to the present, and follow that line into the future...

Medicine

In 1842, the American physician Crawford W. Long first used ether to produce an anesthesia, without which modern surgery would be impossible. It was representative of similar breakthroughs occurring within medicine during this "times" period. The 19^th Century transit delivered on the same cosmic mandate when, in 1928, Alexander Fleming discovered penicillin and the whole miraculous world of antibiotics was born. Expect similar miracles under similar time mandates. For various reasons, my first choice would be cures and/or immunization for Cancer and AIDS. The nature of the breakthrough will most definitely not be limited to just these two, as it will have universal application to many major diseases that afflict mankind. Folks with wise investment in Biotech will be grinning like Cheshire cats. In the human body, Pisces rules the feet, the lymphatic and glandular systems and the synovial fluids. Expect dramatic advances in treatment in these areas as well.

Medication?

The abuse of legal drugs has had a debilitating social and economic effect in society roughly equivalent to that of the abuse of illegal drugs. It's a deeply ingrained aspect of American "pharmaculture" as evidence of the fact (alone) that by 1957, American housewives had consumed well over two million pounds of the miracle "mood" drug Milltown. The only folks that got a permanent feel good attitude in the '50s were the folks down at the pharmacy. The overmedication panacea, and its detrimental physical and psychological harm, has finally reached a dangerous level, especially involving children. Expect big changes here both legislative and otherwise.

"Do no harm." - Hippocrates

A formal integration of Eastern and Western medicine will begin to occur that will extend through the early 2020's. Self-healing will receive a dramatic boost from discoveries involving the unconscious mind. It will also benefit from an enlightened awareness in the field of nutrition, product of a growing desire to take charge and govern one's own health. Immunization against substance abuse is a distinct possibility in the near future.

But before all of this can or will be effectively implemented throughout the population, the looming crisis in all aspects of America's health care system will demand radical solutions. Nearly every aspect of the health care infrastructure is in "code blue" and every facet - hospitals, medical professions, governmental and private insurance services, and the legal structure, etc, will demand dramatic realignment involving some deep soul searching about fundamental human values. Wherever Uranus goes, folks are most likely to be saying "I'm mad as hell and I ain't gonna take it anymore." Echoes from the times when Boston Harbor was turned into a gigantic teakettle by some rowdy folks returning from an Indian costume party.

In all the time since the discovery of Uranus, it has always been the best of times and the worst of times.

Music

The sound of music feeds the soul as en-lightening knowledge feeds the mind - inseparable as Thunder and Lightening.

Uranus' 19^th Century sojourn in Pisces (1835 through 1843) was nothing less than breathtaking in the annals of musical history. These were the days of Gaetano Donizetti, Felix Mendelssohn, Richard Wagner, Giuseppe Verdi, Hector Berlioz, Franz Liszt, Frederic Chopin, Franz Schubert, Rossini, Strauss and so many more permanent legends. The sound of the voice of Jenny Lind, "The Swedish Nightingale" was said to have practically mesmerized the audience at her Stockholm debut in 1836. The effect was the same when her talent was experienced globally by the innovation of a "world tour"; thanks in part to a fellow by the name of P.T.Barnun. An era of brilliance and genius in music as well as innovation, as one significant example was the invention of the saxophone by Adolphe Sax in 1841.

History repeated itself in the 20^th century (1919 through the early part of 1928) when "The Jazz Age" electrified the music world. Syncopation was a new sensation, new vibration and has since produce considerable variation. Recognized as a true (original) art form, American jazz was first exported to Europe in 1919. The impact of world tours of the Paul Whiteman band was reminiscent of the world tours of the last century, the last time it was Pisces time. Simultaneously, the innovations of records, radio, and electronic amplification, etc. had an exponential effect in the general population that was then further multiplied worldwide, wherever wall plugs were springing up. "Jelly Roll" Morton was recording his New Orleans style jazz right around the same time as the "Sachmo" himself, Louis Armstrong took off from New Orleans to show the folks in Chicago what "Dixieland" was all about and the rest, as they say, is history. The activity in the more traditional forms of music was equally impressive in terms of originality but when the revolutionary "jazz" arrived, music was never the same. Permanent residence in the music hall of fame was established by the likes of so many like Irving Berlin and his genre. Few who have heard George Gershwin's "Rhapsody In Blue," can ever forget it let alone fully appreciate how it resonated within the imagination and soul of the people of its time. It was the same with Hoagy Carmichael's "Stardust" or, so many in the classical realm, such as Ravel's "Bolero." First it was Rogers and Heart while it was Oscar Hammerstein and Jerome Kern; later Rogers and Hammerstein and all the others since who integrated the new pulse into mainstream music. The modern American musical theatre was a product of such creative icons of this time. And all this happened during this time, a Pisces time.

Expect no less from the coming time. Innovation in the fundamental creative nature and the method of the technological delivery systems in music is on the horizon. Music itself will be cross-fertilized and synthesized within an emerging, interactive global telecommunication framework. This will bring new rhythms, harmonics, tonal values and instrumentation from the four corners of the world and new technological sound production. All this will feed the need for a new composite vibration, a new "pulse" that reflects a revolutionary and increasingly eclectic capacity emerging within the human soul.

Prisons

It would be best to review my comments in the latter part of last month's issue as a necessary prelude to understanding the major one of the many factors that has rendered the whole penal "system" in shambles. There is so much that is dysfunctional in society at its core regarding the entire range of issues pertaining to the subject of incarceration that, as with the health care system, it has reached the breaking point. Continuing without a radical reevaluation will be socially and economically impossible, as events will increasingly reveal. When the universal public expectation, tolerance and justification of rape within the prison system - just to cite one example - reaches the present level, you've got to know we've got a serious underlying social sickness on our hands. There is more than just a fine line between justice and revenge and it can't be rubbed off the moral compass. Unfortunately, though not surprisingly, it is reinforced by current supposedly "fundamental religious" perspectives. Fortunately have their own doomsday clock ticking down. The present situation is in a state of moral and soon to be financial bankruptcy. Ponder the scope of implications to society in the fact that in the same recent time frame that it took California to build fifteen new prisons, it built one university; and that could run as an "instant replay" for essential social services for the rest of the nation. Ponder the fact that we are rapidly expanding into the "information age" from the "industrial age" and that education is at the heart of information. These are things (education, etc) that common sense tells us we could have and should have been able to afford, desperately need, and yet are as dysfunctional as the prison system. Multiply the nearly two million folks locked up, times the true total cost per person and get set for a near heart attack before you divide that staggering twelve figure annual amount by the number of taxpayers. We're not getting any bang for the buck unless you count the shot in the foot. Something in the basic premise has to be wrong when universal failure results in its application. This topic will be of major concern from now on and through the next decade. And, while I haven't the slightest doubt about the final outcome, it will involve a profound collective moral struggle and realignment. The issue of the death penalty as well, will become an even greater issue in the years ahead and eventually be abolished. All the seeds have already been sown and have been sprouting largely unnoticed. Nothing gets by unnoticed by nature's satellites, designed long before man's primitive sky spies. Uranus noticed and served notice on this issue the last two times in history when in Pisces (dates above) as, again, the record clearly shows. Space constraints prevent relating past historical correlations with every topic to be covered and, moreover, this particular issue is one that is quite easily validated with any high school level American history text.

Young Abraham Lincoln

Image - Sound

In 1838 the "Daguerre" method of photography was demonstrated at the Academie des Sciences in Paris and within a few generations everybody had learned how to "say cheeeese!" For the first time and for all time we "froze" our moments in time, and a picture was "worth a thousand words." Worldwide image exchange began and its multiple social and historical implications have been profound. And the world was never the same. Nearly simultaneously, in 1837 Samuel Morse first transmitted, electronically, the rhythmic sound of dots and dashes and instantaneous long range (eventually world wide) communication/contact was born. The world could never be the same.

Television- Image and Sound

The first color television was demonstrated in 1928. That's correct, it was color. It was simply too expensive to develop for the mass market, there were enough technical hurdles to overcome just getting an economically viable black and white model in production. This was accomplished by the late 1930s. In today's technological environment, such things go from conceptualization to market actualization in a vastly compressed time frame. Gaseous states of matter (Pisces) were electrified (Uranus) which gave us luminous gas in a tube. And now, "the tube" rules. This one development has had so many applications in industry and science, at home and in the workplace, (beyond mass entertainment/information) that it has become indispensable to modern life. Lest we forget, the very device from which you're reading this is just a TV with a brain. Color photography was also perfected in the 1920's as well as "talking" motion pictures. The revolution that began in the Pisces world of image, color and sound continues as a an ever expanding technological evolution.

The "Raven" had perched again, as never before..."nevermore!"

Considering the current state of advancement in technology it would appear that we are on the verge of the capacity for transferring images, color and sound into and through substances in a manner that would be considered as nearly miraculous by ordinary standards. I've seen a few areas of investigation recently, which hold promise, but in this arena and at this moment, the sky's the limit. At least you'll know what to look for and be able to recognize and value it when you see it, perhaps even financially.

We should also take note of the fact that in 1842 (Pisces time) the Austrian physicist C.J. Doppler published his "On the Colored Lights of Binary Stars" and gave astronomers one of the greatest keys for unlocking the mysteries of the universe - the "Doppler effect." Check the list of breakthrough events in astronomy during the 1920s; there just isn't enough room here. The capacity for analysis of the vibrations of color and light (visible and invisible spectrums) and, perhaps sound, will take a quantum leap in the Pisces years ahead, with equivalent significance to the events of the related past.

Yonaguni monuments

Marine Archeology

Off the coast of Japan lies one of the many marine archeology sites revealing extensive structures that has attracted a great deal of attention in recent times. Another one lies just off the coast of Cuba, with equally impressive apparent intelligent construction. A third, extraordinary underwater complex is off the coast of India. If man made, as they give every reason to be, the history of mankind is in for a major revision of enormous implications. The problem is that they could only have been built when the sea level was far down enough to accomplish that, which was many more thousands of years before mankind was supposed to be able to do anything more than mess around with sticks and stones and fire. It would agree, however, with the fact that the science of geology recently demonstrated the same enigma about the Sphinx - that it's many more thousands of years older than the Egyptologists still stubbornly keep saying it is. In all such battles, hard science always wins. Marine archeologist have already declared that we are entering a "golden age" of their science as nearly two of every three new archeological sites are under the oceans, seas, gulfs and inland waterways of the world. Described as undisturbed "time capsules" these sites offer a whole new dimension to exploring our expanding grasp of our past, and continue the remarkable recent explosion in the field of archeology that began two decades ago (covered in the last issue of the Wanderer). Fortunes in precious metals and precious knowledge will emerge from their watery slumber and we will be enriched and enlightened. By the way and by "coincidence" this all got started back in a previous time. In 1842, the American Naval Officer, Matthew F. Murray began research in something new called, "Oceanography," and the rest has been Pisces history.

There are no coincidences, only confusion about correlation.

Speaking of the sea, in 1836, a Swedish American inventor by the name of John Ericsson patented the screw propeller. The entire history of modern water propulsion "revolves" around this invention. (Sorry, I couldn't resist!). The same was true in the later Pisces time of the 1920s when naval warfare was being revolutionized by a new ship called the aircraft carrier. I suppose it wouldn't surprise you if I were to suggest a revolution in the technology of water transportation before the end of this decade. At least you won't be surprised when everyone else is surprised and might even be able to cash in.

Future expected breakthroughs will occur in harnessing the energy of the electro-chemical process, which bodes well for transportation on land and perhaps on sea as well. This item has many implications in far too many areas of life to delve into it at this point. Simply ponder the effects of a replacement for the gasoline market. Ponder its political and economic impact for certain segments of the globe, but don't give yourself a headache. There'll be more on this in the future.

Discovery and innovation occurs all the time, but with each one, only in its time.

I haven't even covered the issues of Crop Circles, religious fanaticism, Mars exploration, immigration, the UFO phenomena, Jesus, the 12 Tribes of Israel, Christianity or any of the other minor tidbits pertaining to Pisces. Actually, some quite obviously require a more expanded individual treatment and will be addressed in future issues.

Our final arrow is reserved for the subject of the Iraq imbroglio that commands so much of the world's attention.

For Saddam it's America's IRAQniphobia, for Bush it's the Showdown at the Baghdad Corral and for most of the world it's a Godzilla Meets The Terminator movie come to life. I strongly recommend that you review the comments I wrote concerning this topic in the October '02 issue in order to be able to adequately follow the flow. Many points are developed in those previous statements, which are assumed in this epilog.

As I indicated, the strategy for this campaign was laid out between the latter half of '01 and mid '03. It was given its world debut when Jupiter passed over (conjoined) the position of Mercury in Bush's chart and as I stated last year, we would be hearing strongly from the Bush camp when Jupiter would return twice more this year on Feb 28^th and May 8^th. These are not the only significant flash points, but do frame the time reference for Bush's formulation and execution of the (Mercury) concepts and evidence for his position. This is high stakes west Texas poker and you don't lay out all your cards until the final round. In a high stakes political campaign you don't play your big guns until just before election. It I indicated that it was Condelezza Rice that laid out the political strategy, taking every thing in consideration - George Bush's personality, delivery and public perception at home and abroad - the committed self interests of all the international players and their likely responses - calculation of the effect over time of the considerable amount of covert activity taking place within Iraq and throughout the region - the options that would allow accomplishing the basic objective, which I stated was to topple Saddam by any means at the lowest political cost.

In the October issue I cautioned to observe the upcoming events of the weekend of October 6^th since Mercury would turn stationary direct and George would face the first test of his campaign. That's exactly when the United States Congress finally did give the president his vote of approval. The next step was the cooperation of the UN, and he basically got what he was after from the world community (what he could have most reasonably expected) by year's end. The covert activities that occur around the 21^st of February when transiting Jupiter conjoins Bush's natal Pluto may not be fully known for a number of years, but believe me, a lot will be shaking "beneath the sands." By mid March (13^th) the White House will be facing some difficult choices that will test their will when transiting Mars squares Bush's natal Neptune. This will require a good deal of both faith and soul searching. The balance of the time through mid April will be filled with furious activity, constant adjustment and considerable frustration around April 15^th. May brings greater confidence and effectiveness, frantic negotiations and increased resolve, especially around May 15^th when transiting Jupiter conjoins Bush's Pluto for the last time this year. By the end of June, Bush should be in a strong position with considerable promise of final resolution to the basic crisis at the heart of this long effort.

This year, Saddam pulls in the consequences of the actions he took in response to his challenging planetary transits of last year - all laid out in the October issue. His options have been methodically reduced, month-by-month so that now he will have to resort to his core dynamics of "type" and they show a "survivor" at all costs. Unlike Ossama, with the (astrological) martyr complex, Saddam is not quite so fond of some form of suicide as an attractive option. One of his strongest tests/barometer will be the period around March 4^th and 5^th at the pressure for escape from "oppression" will reach a peak while frustration and powerlessness will be equally high. That's when transiting Jupiter squares his natal Uranus and transiting Mars squares his natal Saturn. He's definitely not going to be a happy camper at that point. From then on, there's a whole series of contrasting planetary dynamics that would play out in a variety of interesting ways.

Synthesizing all of the major elements at work in this drama, I feel there are three distinct possibilities that may unfold:

Saddam digs his heels in, goes for broke and loses. Possibly killed trying a last minute escape. This would be over in a relatively short time as the US military strategy for the conflict is uniquely complex and unprecedented.
Saddam takes a time honored mid eastern traditional option of exile.
Saddam is taken down ala Benito Mussolini.

The planetary picture definitely includes the image of an impending conflict that reaches the brink and then backs off. It's a close call, but my first choice is #2, followed by #3 and #l. In any event, he's cooked and then we're going to have to clean up the kitchen.

Pray for peace and, as always,

Be good to yourselves,

Hannibal