In our minute corner of the Milky Way galaxy, in that barely noticeable solar system of which our tiny Earth is part, ingenious humans aeons ago devised a symbol system, based on observation of the relationship between planetary movements and human behaviour. They were thus able to unlock what the meanings of those energy shifts might be. We astrologers are still observing – and what an especially interesting time this is in which to be doing so!
Astrologers, however, do not have an observational monopoly. Songwriters have a pithy way of capturing behaviour patterns too: ‘Birds do it, bees do it, Even educated fleas do it, Let’s do it, let’s fall in love…’ Cole Porter was probably an optimist – or he never experienced the scouring, disruptive force of Uranus/Pluto in action.
Since the turbulent 1960s conjunction, the first exact squares of those two planets (moving gradually towards exactitude since around 2007/8) have been ripping across the world from 2012 onwards. The Aries/Capricorn combo is currently just past the fifth of seven exact squares. A highly notable effect has been massively disruptive and often violent falling out of love between established nations, their leaders and populations.
Uranus/Pluto in action worldwide
The most dramatic, extreme expression of this is the ‘Arab Spring’ which has been sweeping across the Middle East since December 2010 in Tunisia. Street trader Mohamed Bouazizi’s despairing self-immolation in that country triggered off massive popular uprisings which swept away dictators like Egypt’s Mubarak and Gaddafi in Libya.
Its current major manifestation is the ghastly civil war in Syria which shows no signs of abating in its grotesque destructiveness. In the meantime, Libya is descending into a chaos of fighting factions, whilst Egypt appears to have replaced its democratically elected civilian president Morsi, swiftly deposed by people power, with yet another military-backed president and government. (NOTE: I completed and submitted this article on 14.6.14, before the subsequent flare-ups of severe disruption in Ukraine, Gaza, and Iraq where ISIS/ISIL erupted with brutal, shocking violence)
Be careful what you wish for…
Arrival at reasoned compromise is not one of the most notable manifestations of the Uranus/Pluto combination. With this particular square, Pluto in Capricorn’s archetypal thrust is towards the destruction of institutional and political structures which have outlived their usefulness.
Uranus in Aries is immediate and not very nuanced in its headlong pursuit of a new, ideal social order which is – per se – bound to be better than the old, discarded one. Nothing short of revolution, achieved by force if necessary, is its aim. Caught up in the passion of the moment, a leap into the unknown is acceptable, exciting.
Reasoned, hard-headed contemplation of consequences is not high on revolutionary agendas.
Uranus: the revolutionary egg breaker
Liz Greene offers a succinct caveat regarding the Uranian archetype in action, thus:
” But Uranus doesn’t recognise the value and nature of time, or the importance of slow growth and compromise. Nor does it recognise the reality of individual human feeling. The vision of the future must happen now, and anything standing in its way must be annihilated or, at best, reformed. This can result in enormous suffering, for individuals as well as for the collective. The basic philosophy of Uranus is that, to make an omelette, one has to break eggs. The problem is that the eggs are the emotional and instinctual needs of individual human beings. Revolutions always have a way of going out of control.”(1)
We are all caught up, tossed about every which way, by the shifting energy patterns of a restless cosmos. Both individuals and nation states are, as it were, given a chip of prevailing energy patterns to act out.We are run far more by the dark tides of those turbulent energies than we may care to admit. Uranus Pluto waters run deep in ‘passionate intensity’, shallow in temperate rational analysis.
Uranus/Pluto strikes Scotland
Scotland’s Horoscope
Bearing this in mind, let’s turn to Scotland, one of the four countries making up the United Kingdom. At the UK general election of May 2011, the Scottish National Party headed up by First Minister Alex Salmond won a sweeping mandate from the Scottish people. Many Scots voted SNP not out of a desire for separation, but because as a minority government from 2007, they had appeared to be doing a more competent job of running the country than the Labour Party, whose long domination of Scottish politics had led to terminal disillusion on the part of much of the electorate.
With this strong mandate, the big push to a referendum vote on Scotland’s future was on. On 18th September 2014, Scots will go to the polls to answer a simple question:
“Should Scotland be an independent country?”
Scotland’s Horoscope: from 1005 to 2014
In 1999, the year Scotland gained its own parliament for the first time in nearly 300 years, I wrote an article presenting and briefly analysing Scotland’s horoscope.The most commonly used chart for Scotland is that of the crowning of Malcolm the Second at Scone on 25 March 1005 at noon (see DATA at end of article).
In this chart can be seen quite clearly some of the main themes which the wider world associates with Scotland. On contemplating both the natal horoscope, along with its progressions and transits for 1999, I was amazed at the accuracy with which this thousand year old chart seems vividly to describe Scotland’s complex national character. Furthermore, the transits and progressions summed up the state of play in 1999 very clearly.
You can read the article here: http://anne-whitaker.com/2014/02/12/scotlands-horoscope-2/
I concluded by saying “…there is a death/rebirth process going on in Scotland’s ties with England and the UK. The outcome of that is by no means clear, many Scots wanting nothing less than the end of the long marriage with the UK…”
Fifteen years later, we know the answer to that speculative statement. After the Independence Referendum on 18th September 2014, there is a credible chance that the UK will formally cease to exist in March 2016.
The current picture
In this article I have chosen a limited focus: to set the political turmoil going on in one small country, Scotland, in the context of a bigger world picture dominated by two disruptively transformative planetary archetypes i.e. Uranus and Pluto, frequently present at key revolutionary moments in history. I look forward to the appearance of a swathe of detailed mundane analyses, very much extending the narrow scope of this one, and bringing in both the UK’s charts and that of the redoubtable Mr Alex Salmond, Scotland’s First Minister (whose birth data I have included at the end of the article).
Let’s look now at Scotland’s natal chart (see above); then Uranus/Pluto as it links to the same chart with its hand-drawn overlay of secondary progressions (in green) and transits (in red) for that fateful date of 18th September 2014:
Scotland’s Horoscope 18.9.14
The position of the Uranus/Pluto square could scarcely be more prominent. Uranus has been crossing Scotland’s Aries ninth and tenth house planets and Aries MC since 2010/11, and is currently squaring the progressed MC/IC axis from the tenth house. Pluto sits right on the progressed MC, along with the progressed Sun and Neptune – AND Scotland’s natal North Node. (note: Alex Salmond’s North Node, Sun and Mercury are at 5, 9 and 13 degrees of Capricorn respectively – the UK’s North Node, Sun, MC and ASC are 14 Aries, 10 Capricorn, 9 Cancer and 7 Libra)
It’s also worth noting that transiting Neptune is opposite Scotland’s Moon at the time of the referendum, reflecting the longing of the population for some kind of future independent Eden – along with uncertainty and confusion, inability to know where the post-referendum truth may lie, whatever the outcome…
These significators depict a heady mix of energies: a nation suffused with idealism and longing for a radically altered structure to its national life and role in the wider world, urgently prepared to demolish the old order, inspired by a pioneering vision of a radical new future.
Which way forward?
So – which way will it go on the 18th of September? Astrology has its range of successes and failures to show, as have other practitioners of the predictive arts eg physicists, economists and weather forecasters – remember the failure to predict the Great Storm of 1987? We do much better at describing the essence of a pattern, but identifying the exact branches is much more hit and miss. Personally this cheers me, since it appears to suggest a creative balance between fate and free will in the universe.
However, it is possible to see some clear pictures emerging from this contemplation of the stripped-down meanings of the Uranus and Pluto archetypes, and by observing how they are clearly playing out right now across the world. The seventh and final exact square takes place on 17th March 2015 at 15 degrees Aries/Capricorn, gradually fading in intensity over the next three to four years. Hopefully after that, the dust should start settling; we can begin at that stage to assess what the possible political costs and benefits have been.
A few things seem clear from reflecting on Scotland’s horoscope for the 18th September 2014 and thereafter through the lens of this Uranus/Pluto square. Regardless of the outcome of the referendum, the old order is now untenable, is on its way out. The scouring forces of change, for good, ill –or both – will have their way. Scots want more of a say in how their nation is run. They will have that, one way or another.
Be careful what you wish for…
Uranus being Uranus, consequences that no-one could have predicted are on their way both for Scotland and the whole UK. Fasten your seat belts, everyone. It’s going to be a bumpy ride!!
*********
DATA:
Scotland:
25 March 1005, Scone, Scotland, Noon (traditional symbolic time for the coronation of the king). Coronation of Malcolm Canmore, aka Malcolm the Second. Source/s: this date is given as the start of the year 1005 in the Annnals of Ulster, as quoted in Early Sources of Scottish History Volume 1, p 521, covering AD 500-1296. This work was collected and translated by Alan Orr Anderson (1879 -1958) and first published in 1922 by Oliver & Boyd (Edinburgh). A corrected edition was published by Paul Watkins in Edinburgh in 1990.
(note: the Horoscope in this article is set for Perth, Scotland, a latitude and longitude so near Scone as to make no difference to the horoscope’s planetary positions, Ascendant or Midheaven – the computer hadn’t heard of Scone, apparently! And – the date changes to 31 March when calendar adjustments are made from the Julian to the Gregorian calendar)
Alex Salmond, First Minister of Scotland:
31 December 1954, Linlithgow, Scotland, 16:30 GMT
Source/s: A Multitude of Lives A book of astrological data and biographies. Paul Wright, Parlando Press, Edinburgh, 2009, p220
*********
References and Notes
1)Liz Greene, CPA Seminar Series, Volume 7:
The Art of Stealing Fire, p 3.
BIO:
Anne Whitaker lives in Glasgow, Scotland. Her background is in adult education, generic and psychiatric social work, and private practice as a counsellor, counselling supervisor, and mentor. She has worked as an astrologer, teacher, and writer since 1983. Anne blogs at www.anne-whitaker.com, where her e-book Wisps from the Dazzling Darkness — an open-minded take on paranormal experience — can be purchased.
Contact Anne at info@anne-whitaker.com
(NOTE: this article was requested for the Association of Professional Astrologers International’s Newsletter, where it was first published in June 2014. It was subsequently re-published in the UK’s Astrological Journal in its September/October 2014 issue.)
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19o0 words copyright Anne Whitaker 2014
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What an interesting article Anne, thank you. Just had a look at Alex Salmond’s chart and if anyone is going to lead Scotland to independence, it could be him. With his Uranus/ Jupiter conjunction on the asc and ambitious Sun/Mercury in Capricorn, he’s the one that could lead a revolution. However, my guess is that it will be a ‘No’ vote in the end. Neptune is coming up to conjunct his Sun and his progressed moon will soon be entering the 12th. I can imagine all this excitement will be replaced with a sense of loss before long. However, as you say the old order will no longer be tenable so he will have his place in history.
Submitted on 2014/09/19 at 4:13 pm | In reply to Jo Munro.
Very prescient, Jo, in view of the news of Salmond’s resignation announced less than an hour ago!
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Many thanks for this interesting and insightful comment, Jo! Salmond’s is indeed an exceptionally gifted horoscope and he certainly will have his place in history…although, as you say, perhaps not quite in the way he had intended. However, Uranian unpredictability dominates the scene here, so we can expect many left field twists and turns over the next days, weeks, months, and years…
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Very prescient, Jo, in view of the news of Salmond’s resignation announced less than an hour ago!
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Wow! Uranian to the end!
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How else can one possibly be?
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Oh yes!!
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I wish you all the best outcome for your future well-being, whatever that may be.
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Many thanks, Leslie! We are going to need good wishes, whatever the outcome…
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This is a hot topic Anne – thanks for bringing it to our attention. You are right; it is dangerous to use astrology to make predictions, because we often get it wrong. However, having said that…..
If I were a betting man (which I occasionally am, but not TOO often)…. I would place a bet on the “Yes” for independence vote, and incline toward the result being Scotland achieving independence, simply because Uranus, which indicates CHANGE (and independence) is aspecting Scotland’s North and South Nodes – the South Node indicating where Scotland has come from in the past, and the North Node indicating Scotland’s highest purpose and future destiny. Within the ongoing intensification of the Age of Aquarius itself, are we not being encouraged to be independent individuals, and to become our ‘True Selves?’ Why should a country be any different?
(As you also observed) transiting Pluto, which indicates death and rebirth and the old being eliminated to reveal the new, is close to Scotland’s North Node. I find that highly significant.
Another factor/indicator that I personally would take into account is that the voting for the “Yes” or “No” verdict occurs close to the upcoming transiting Uranus-Jupiter trine occurring in the heavens on September 25th or thereabouts. (Expansion of independence). (And perhaps “Yes” could be considered a Jupiter/Uranus word, and “No” a Saturn word – one meaning go forward, and the other, stop or restrict).
This heavenly Jupiter/Uranus configuration in itself suggests change, rebellion, expansion, freedom and individuality, and “taking a risk”…. leaving Saturnian fear and insecurity and tradition and resistance to change behind and transitioning into something fresh and new.
Next week’s outcome will certainly be interesting!
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Hi Wizron
thanks for dropping by and for your insightful comments.
Yes, it’ll be an exciting week here in Scotland! However, regarding outcomes,and given the strong foreground influence of Uranus here, I’ll never forget Liz Greene’s observation to us in one of our Centre for Psychological Astrology seminars: “If you can predict it, it’s not Uranus you’re looking at…”
And – my first commenter on balance thinks “No”. You on balance think “Yes”…we shall see…
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This really was interesting, Anne. No astrological analysis from me, of course, but I did note a couple of things. One was the quotation from Liz Greene, particularly this:
“” But Uranus doesn’t recognise the value and nature of time, or the importance of slow growth and compromise. Nor does it recognise the reality of individual human feeling. The vision of the future must happen now, and anything standing in its way must be annihilated or, at best, reformed….”
That sounds remarkably like a certain leader we have. He’s making a lot of people nervous, regardless of their political party or beliefs.
The other thing I noticed was — Scone! For some reason, I thought scones were English. I think I do remember the Stone of Scone, now. I might even have caught a glimpse of it on television, as our set was new, and I watched the coronation of Elizabeth II. It’s amazing — I can remember nearly every detail, at least as far as our house was concerned, and that pretty Queen’s dress!
We shall see, as far as Scotland is concerned. I presume someone has worked out the details on things like defense, currency, health care, etc.
Or perhaps not. Sometimes it sounds to be as if this truly is just an idea that got rolling, and everything is just rolling along. Let’s hope it doesn’t crash into a wall.
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I think that the Liz G quote on Uranus tells us most of what we need to know on this issue…thanks for dropping by, Linda.
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Unfortunately, since I don’t want to see the dissolution of the UK, I have to agree with you that a yes outcome seems to be predicted by the stars. The Jupiter-Uranus trine seems to favour it. Salmond chose a date of the election to coincide with the battle of Bannockburn, which is another date you can use for Scotland’s horoscope since this was the start date of the independent modern Scotland. Uranus favours surprises- ‘Yes’ winning would have been a surprise a few months ago. I’m very sad about this- its like a divorce.
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Many thanks for your comment, Andre. I’m assuming your reply re a ‘yes’ outcome is addressed to Wizron. Interestingly, Jo’s comment takes the opposite view! I thought it more important to address the bigger energy field in which Scotland’s tiny ‘chip’ is embedded, and look at the implications that can clearly be taken from the Uranus/Pluto combination as it sweeps the world at so many levels, than to attempt to predict a Yes or No here. Whatever the outcome, there looks to be turbulent unpredictability…and shifts in directions that people simply can not see at present…
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I like to look at as many factors as possible (like all the charts listed here), but have found that keeping it simple is often the best when doing certain types of complex analysis. In short, merely looking at the chart of certain “leader(s)” tells you a lot, whether it be the soccer coaches of opposing world cup teams, or the head of a political parties whose future is decided by a vote. The question is always the same: How do they feel around the moment when the event comes to a definite conclusion? In terms of the Independence Vote, the answer may be difficult to ascertain because the exact time when the result will be announced is unclear.
While progressions and outer planet transits may be useful (especially in trying to ascertain long lasting psychological changes), it’s usually the inner planets–in simple yes/no type of situations–that are so informative because they reveal the immediate, and personal reaction to a deciding event. Said differently, even if far more is at stake (archetypally speaking or in terms of the total number of people affected), in the end, the clearest way to determine how things will go is to merely look at how (using my previous examples) a coach’s or party leader’s ego (which is based on likes/dislikes, preferences, expectations) fairs at the moment of critical event. Are the ego’s preferences confirmed (which results in generally happy feelings) or deflated (evidenced by sad or depressed feelings), either of which can be pretty accurately ascertained from the angular relationships of especially transiting Sun, Moon, Mercury and Venus to the natal chart. I have found the Moon and Venus to invariably be of particular importance in these cases, and secondarily Mercury and the Sun.
The farther out the transiting or progressed planets I consider, the more multivalent and differential prognostications become. Outside planets can have widely different manifestations (like Pluto transits ushering in a restructuring either through power manipulations, or willingly giving up power, or stubbornly holding on to power, or coming into ones power, or a combo of these possibilities, etc.). In contrast, the inner planets simply reveal if a particular outcome makes one happy, or unhappy. Based on which it is, we can surmise the nature of what will transpire.
The only time this becomes complicated is when the ego’s attitude towards an event is ambivalent, or a person is blessed with sufficient serenity that either outcome is tolerated about equally well. Since most of us are not yet so detached from critical outcomes, a sure bet is to check how the inner plants are doing. Another prognostication problem with this approach arises when one is not able to fix the exact time of the deciding event.
So then, what about the outcome of the referendum? In terms of being able to read it from Salmond’s chart, it depends on when exactly a definite answer to the referendum will be known. From what I gather, voting booths will close at 10pm, unless there are long lines that necessitate keeping them open longer. An official answer will supposedly not be forthcoming until the morning hours (“breakfast”) of the 19th. That having been said, a clear answer could emerge early from (if they are held) exit polls. There is also the possibility that Salmond may have some kind of insider info that allows him to know ahead of others what is transpiring. The problem here is that we cannot be sure when exactly the outcome will be known to him.
With that in mind, we can say that up until about 9pm, the transiting moon in Salmond’s chart is brilliantly located in Cancer, in his first house, and setting off the grand trine it is connected to. It would seem that Salmond: (1) knows he has already won (by way of prior opinion, or even exit, polls), feels vindicated and is deliriously happy, (2) is having a great time riding the expectation of a victory, or (3) he is in his own little world of self-deluded happiness. Thereafter, things begin to change. The approximate midnight square of transiting Moon to his natal Neptune is a disappointing awakening, signaling a sudden doubt about the outcome, or a sobering after anticipatory euphoria gives way to the facts on the ground. Could it be that the last polls close at midnight? Finally, in the morning hours of the 19th, he will still have the transiting Sun in a good position (the afterglow, or a confirmation of victory?) and the Moon in Leo in the 1st house (a regal, proud bearing), but things increasingly turn challenging and negative because other transiting planets (namely Venus and Mercury) start to move into challenging, difficult relationships to other planets. This could be because things have unexpectedly gotten complicated due to a recount becoming necessary, a downright loss, or dealing with the outcome of a victory, which could unleash some immediately complications.
To further contextualize what has been written here, one should look up the charts of Salmon’s nemeses, like David Cameron. The day before the referendum, Cameron’s ego is convulsing (does the polling already indicate a clear loss, or is he just getting paranoid?) and then on the 19th, Cameron has some mixed transits: Mars trine Moon/Jupiter and Moon conjunct Jupiter/Moon, Moon conjunct natal Moon in Leo and then Moon squaring Mercury in Scorpio, plus Venus in orb of conjunction to Pluto in the 12th (the ending of a cycle). The fact that the Moon transits begin well seems to support his ego structure and sounds good (Moon in Leo conjunct Jupiter in Leo, followed by a monthly lunar return in his natal chart), but we must not overlook the fact that this same transit sets off the natal Moon/Jupiter in Leo conjunction that squares Mercury in Scorpio (10/11 to 2nd house). Cameron is either magnanimous in defeat (doable for a Libra), enters into some state of egoic denial and bravado (possible with his mars in Leo), or is offensive, maybe even overbearing and pompous in victory (mars and moon in Leo). Whatever it is, on the 19th, things end on a sour note for him as indicated by the moon squaring mercury. There is also the transiting venus conjunct natal pluto transit that is operative at this time. Cameron must let go of something, or help others do so through graciously supporting them in some empathic manner.
Going a step further, we can say that on the 1st and 2nd day after the referendum, Salmond is less mentally and emotionally challenged by circumstances than Cameron. Is this because Salmond has come to terms with a defeat, or because he is basking in the glory of a victory? I suspect it is because he got what he wanted.
Postscript: It has been pointed out that Pluto and Uranus continue to be active in Britain’s chart until 2015. I would suggest that this may be the case because the Scottish divestiture (i.e. decisions about the fate of the North Sea Oil, shared Gold Reserves, Banking institutions, etc.) will have to be finalized by then.
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‘…I look forward to the appearance of a swathe of detailed mundane analyses, very much extending the narrow scope of this one…’
Thanks, Marco. You have certainly delivered here! Much food for reflection as the fateful day draws near…thank you for visiting.
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Well, classically “mundane” it was not so much, but perhaps more behaviorally psychological (given my training as a psychotherapist); but then again, hundreds and thousands of years ago, the future was foretold by doing the king’s chart, which this is but a modest reminder of =) Thanks for your blog, the invitation to share, and your wealth of inspirational analysis and work!!
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Thank you for your kind and graceful words, Marco!
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Anne, we have a similar history in Canada, as you are likely well aware, with the Province of Quebec’s separation referendum in 1995. The “no’ voters won by a slim 1% margin but the important point to remember is this: a country will never be the same after a separation referendum; it can never go back to the way things were. We Canadians will watch the results of Scotland’s vote with great interest! Whichever way it turns out will be according to a greater plan.
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Yes, knowing that it is all part of a greater plan is a comfort – I well remember the Canadian Referendum and the letter Michael Ignatieff wrote, to the UK “Times” newspaper I think, warning of the divisive nature a close-run referendum vote would bring should the UK travel down the same road…be careful what you wish for, as I said in my article. Thank you for your words of wisdom, and for your comment, Bev.
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Yes, it will be interesting to see if the greater plan is for Scotland to continue sharing all the wonderful karma Great Britain is creating, or if it will vote to go hew its own path and destiny.
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I think the ‘greater plan’ to which Bev is referring might be that which is not necessarily accessible to any of us struggling away with the mundanities of Earthly existence (including the Scottish Independence Referendum)…but who knows? It’s comforting to think that way, but none of us really has much of a clue what’s going on anywhere. We only think we do…
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Agreed. We are in a matrix, and it’s so hermitically sealed that nobody really knows what the heck is going on. There are mystics who claim they have direct, experiential knowledge of where we came from, why we are here, and how we can get out of this matrix, but I personally can’t certify that any of them actually know what they are talking about (even if what some of them say sounds perfectly reasonable). Even if what some of them say is true, the remaining 99.99999999999% of mankind is just careening toward death, all wrapped up in daily drama, without knowing definitely what is going on. Make no mistake about it, we are in a very dark, deep hole, and we are completely ignorant.
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I agree with your comments about the “Greater Plan” Anne. Of course, those who follow Chaos Theory don’t believe in the existence of a greater plan. I however fall into the “Yes” camp – I do believe that there is a greater plan that runs behind all events (shall we vote on it? Perhaps not 🙂
Those of us with open and curious minds tend to use certain tools in the hope of understanding, or at least gaining a greater comprehension of the “Greater Plan”. One of those tools is astrology.
Another astrological clue to help us to develop a greater understanding of how the great plan is operating currently in this particular phase of its initiation might be that Leo is the sign of the Kingmaker, and Jupiter (the amplifier, and mythological “King of the Gods”) is currently in Leo, and accordingly, there are certainly “kingdoms” being made (and un-made) on the world scene at the moment!
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I can think of at least one aspiring Kingmaker here in Scotland… I think we all know here who is both the aspirer AND the potential King! One of the things I find amusing at times is how literal astrology can be: for example, Alex Salmond’s moniker here in Scotland is “Eck (Alec) the Fish”. Appropriate, eh, for a man with Pisces, the sign of the Fishes, on his Midheaven
(Direction/Career) point…
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Augmenting my analysis above, if we add Alistair Darling’s chart into the mix, we have somebody who is clearly having a very bad time now and over the next few days. Coincidence, or evidence for the fact that the “Yes” will pull it off?
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Thus far, several astrologers whose work I have seen or who have emailed me say Yes. An equal number in my small sample say No. Astrologers? Economists? Michael Fish and the great storm of 1987? Physicists? Futurists? None of us are consistently accurate predictors… Thank goodness!
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Hi Anne, I am sharing an article I wrote that appeared a few months ago in Astrological Journal July/August issue 2014. The Astrological Journal is the publication of the Astrological Association of The United Kingdom. Its entitled: Scotland: Independence or Union?
The article examines both the Scottish National chart and the astrology of the Referendum
http://skyscript.co.uk/forums/viewtopic.php?t=8435
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Hi Mark that’s great, thanks! Don’t quite know how I missed it…
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Oh well, I stuck my neck out……..unpredictable Uranus alright! 🙂
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Well – here in Scotland no-one expected such a decisive 55.3% NO….and astrologers were pretty evenly divided between Yes and No as far as my fairly cursory trawl revealed. No worries, Wizron! I’m happy to live in a Uranian, not-very-predictable-by-anyone Universe…
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I think its interesting that David Cameron has said that the debate has been settled for a generation. With Uranus transiting my moon at the moment, I’m going to make another prediction that separation will take place when Pluto moves into Aquarius between 2024 and 2043, specifically when Uranus moves into Cancer during 2033 and 2040. This combination seems particularly volatile (Pluto in Cancer and Uranus in Aquarius in July 1914). Today’s children will have completely different boarders and boundaries from the ones we have today by the time they are grown up.
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I shall have shuffled off this mortal coil, or be too decrepit to think or care, by 2033, Jo! But good for you and your Uranian Moon, to be prepared to prognosticate so far ahead. Perhaps you should lodge the prediction somewhere where it will still be seen by then – the UK’s Astrological Association would be a good bet, perhaps.
It is still my hope, though, given all the current Uranian unpredictability and turmoil that before too long, the Purple People from Planet Zog will come down to Earth to teach us how to mend our ways! Now THAT would be an interesting twist…I note that I am voicing this hope as Jupiter approaches its trine to Uranus next week…
http://jupitermeetsuranus.wordpress.com/category/5-afa-interview-jupiter-uranus-and-the-purple-people-from-planet-zog-summer-2009/
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Hi Anne,
Obviously, its in the interests of the UK government to describe this result as ‘decisive’. However, its considerably closer than the polls indicated at the start of the campaigns which indicated a 70/30 split. It would only have taken just over a 5% swing of the electorate to yes to have produced a yes vote. So ‘close’ or ‘decisive’ is a really matter of perception and political outlook. Unionists want to see this issue as buried for good while many gradualist supporters of independence see this referendum as at worst a bump in the road or even a step forward in a historical process towards independence.
Alex Salmond has talked of no subsequent referendum for another generation and Cameron seized on this to add ‘a generation or perhaps a lifetime’. However, Salmond clearly never implied a timescale lasting that long. Salmond has explained several times by what he meant by using the the example of the Scottish referendums in 1979 and 1997. Of course Salmond is stepping down as First Minister and SNP leader and it will be up to the new SNP leader to decide whether to make Scottish maximised ‘Home rule’ the political strategy for the next decade or so.
One factors that fits a longer term strategy is that a majority of voters under 55 voted yes. It was the older demographic that frequently still identifies as British that voted overwhelmingly no.
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Thanks for this postscript, Mark. I leave you with a wry observation in a quote by a famous scientist, germane to the point you have made in the last paragraph of your comment:
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Anne, I am impressed with your knowledge on the history of Scotland,, which, thanks to you, I am learning more about. Now that the results of the referendum are known, can Scotland and its people move forward, or will it remain unfinished business as it does here in Canada with our Quebec situation?
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Well, Bev, that remains to be seen. Fortunately there was a very high 84% turnout, and a clear result of 44.7% Yes and 55.3% No. The YES campaign has set up a 45 movement ( as in 45% Yes voters) and at present the divisiveness of the Referendum is continuing in some quarters amidst a great deal of (understandable) disappointment – with accompanying conspiracy theories re vote rigging, and general blaming and nastiness. Crucial to the country settling down is the question of whether the UK government will fully deliver on its pre-Referendum devolution promises, about which the 45 campaign is predictably cynical. So we shall have to wait and see what transpires. However, unlike yours in Canada, it was a clear result. That should help in the long run.
Glad to be contributing to your education, Bev! Through your blog you are certainly contributing to mine…
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