Columbine Revisited; The Warning Signs

by David Monroe, April 24, 2019

 Two staff members at Columbine High School had been charged with developing a security plan for the school Prior school shootings in Kentucky and Arkansas had prompted the school to seek a security plan and implement it. One of the requirements was that any problem or threat involving a student would cause the school to meet with parents and law officials. In August of 1998, they realized that this plan had not been followed.

Earlier in the year a Junior student, Brooks Brown found his name on Eric Harris’ web site. Harris was threatening to kill him. Not beat him up. To kill him using a pipe bomb. Brown’s parents took copies of the site pages to the Jefferson County Sherrif’s Office. There was no full follow-up to the filed complaint other than to advise the school of what Eric Harris was up to.

Another student later informed the school staff that Harris had threatened her. Again, to action was directly taken.

As part of a writing assignment, Kiebold put together an essay which hiss teacher said “was the most violent story he had ever read. Again, after reporting this story to the staff, nothing was done.

On January 30, 1998, Harris and Kiebold broke into a van parked near the school and stole tools and computer equipment. Their actions were quickly discovered and they were arrested.. At a joint hearing they pled “guilty.” The judge sentanced them a Juvenile Diversion Program. They attended mandatory classes. Harris also began therapy and prescribed antidepressants. Several weeks later their positive actions within the program prompted their release. Harris’ writing following this arrest showed a much greater level of anger. Let us now look at a transiting Moon to a natal Sun Return chart for Harris prior to the arrest date.

 

A word about t/Moon-to-n/Sun Returns. Once astrologers leave the rhealm of natal charting, the planets taken on additional meanings beyond character, potential, etc. The Sun, for example, represents our ‘intent, will, health, vitality, sense of pride within the world.’ Transit Moon then reveals our emotional levels, the routines we have developed. basic fears, patterns of moodiness, reactive mannerisms, our developed ability to adjust to change. Keying a cyclic chart to when the transiting Moon conjoins or opposes will show us these very characteristces for the date of the ‘Return.’ Not only that, as this chart represents a key point in an on-going cycle, we can follow that cycle with other chart-variations to see what develops as one day flows into another day.

 

Harris’ natal Sun-Mars-Venus is triggered by the Moon in the 12^th house zone of the chart. His self-confidence will be triggered. Since the Sun pattern is opposed by natal Pluto, every Moon-to-Sun Return chart and Moon-opposite-Sun Return chart will trigger this bullying self-confidence so imbedded within him.

 t/Sun-n/N.Node-t/Neptune-t/Uranus-MC is very significant. All of the past couple years of expousing anger at society, his visions of self-importance and possibilities are all primed to look for an outlet on this day, in this cycle. This pattern at the chart’s MC is mirrored at the IC angle by the presence of the natal MC, n/N.Node, t/Part-of-Fortune and t/N.Node. His whole concept of personal goals, associations, ability to assess risks, dealing with delusions is all mixed up within him.

t/Uranus in the 10^th, n/Uranus in the 7^th. This ‘doubled-up Uranus’ pattern in angular houses is quite explosive for someone with Harris’ frame of mind. He is looking for a incident, a reason to explode.

So, we have a problem looking for a time and place to happen. January 30, 1999 was the time. A white van parked near the school became the place. The t/Moon-to-n/Sun Return chart can be diurnally (daily) advanced within the Moon-to-Sun cycle to seven days later. Note that the Return chart’s angles have advanced from 7 to 14 degrees Aquarius for the MC, and from 0 to 8 degrees for the Ascendant. The planets have taken up their proper places for Jan. 30^th, 1999.

 The MC angle has engaged t/Uranus, the Desc. angle is joined by t/Pluto. This is truly an explosive pairing. An impulse was all it took to turn on his rage against society.

t/Part of Fortune contacts n/Uranus. Again, the Part of Fortune, acting as an agent for the empty Ascending first house, chooses Uranus as the key to unlock the day’s actions.

t/Moon is rapidly closing on a square aspect to t/Mars-at-n/Asc. An emotional outburst will be the action of the day.

In charts such as these we don’t have to do deep house and lordship relationships to see what is most likely to occur. Knowing this individual, it is enought to see that the natal planets are being energized by the transiting planets. The nature of the planets involved tell a story and give us the timing.

In later posts, I will again utilize t/Moon-to-n/Sun Returns as well as Solar Returns which can also be advanced day-by-day using a different technique.

Solar Returns are focused on ourselves, our intentions, decision making processes, health, place within the world, and our ability to discover and to grow.  Their focus is quite different from the t/Moon-to-n/Sun Returns which address our ability to deal with change and new opportunities, to react to life’s intrusions into our world.

 

 

Columbine, Part Two

 Everything is better with a friend. I’m not sure when Kiebold and Harris met in school, but the two gravitated to each other. Both had shared high school experiences; having difficulty socializing with girls, not being active in sports — which led to them being frequently taunted and bullied by the ‘jocks.’ Becoming “loners,” they stood out, and then they stood together having a common distrust of their social system.

Dylan Kiebold was born Sept. 11, 1981 at 9:11 AM, in Denver, CO. We can examine Kiebold’s natal chart, shown below.

 The T-square; Sun-opposite-PoF-square Neptune; It seems uncommon to find the Sun in hard aspect (opposition) to the Part-of-Fortune. The Sun-to-Moon relationship defines the position of the PoF relative to the Ascendant. We might say that his intentions and decision-making (Sun) was often shaped by changing circumstances (PoF).  The square to Neptune would lend a lack of being able to immediately grasp what those changes meant or how he should fit them into his personal idals and dreams. His social life must have confused him significantly as it failed to live up to his expectations.

 Sun-in-the-3^rd-of-8-solunar-phases; The ‘Analyst’ phase is one of making adjustments, wanting to know ‘why.’ Given the Sun-PoF-Neptune T-square influence, the core energies of the Sun and Moon — and the male-female, aggressive-passive sides of personality were constantly front and center in his everyday life.

 Saturn-Mercury-Jupiter-in-the-12^th; this pattern is similar to Harris’ Jupiter-Saturn-opposite-Mercury pattern, but much more positive in nature. Kiebold should have been able to demonstrate a good mastery of planning, seeing opportunities, and working out methods for bringing projects to fruition. If we expand our view of this pattern and include the other Libra factors, Ascendant-Vesta-Pluto (not Venus) we have a broad trine relationship between the significant Libra grouping and the Moon at 16 Acquarius.

In Harris’ chart, I suspected the Moon’s mood shifts and uncertainty were factors influencing the other planets (Mercury-opp-Jupiter-Saturn) in terms of their effectiveness. Here in Kiebold’s chart I sense a willingness to follow the lead of another, to go with the flow, so to speak. This fits with the Sun-Moon phase, Sun-PoF-Neptune pattern, and the Libra influence.

Mars-N.Node-square-Juno; The aggressiveness of Mars here relates to associations (N.Node) and how they apply to social interactions that meet one’s inner needs. The square to Juno challenges how he will adapt to relationships and commitments. In his case, his friend Harris was his sole friend that he could commit to and bond with. His outlet energies would be focused by his friendship.

In summary, reviewing these two natal charts of two high-school seniors who felt isolated and angry about their place in thier school society, we might conclude that Harris was the natural leader and that Kiebold was the follower and collaborater. Kiebold found it easier to follow the directions and seeming-clarity of his friend, functions which he was not able to positively develop in his own case.

In the coming posts, we will see how these two interacted in events leading up to the shootings at Columbine and the shooting themselves.

As the 20th anniversary of this tragic event falls on Easter weekend, the families of Columbine are reminded more deeply of the event that savaged their community.  With the added pressure of radio and TV commentators and interviews, this period must be especially hard for the community. 

Dave

 

 

Columbine Anniversary

Let me tell you a story . . . about guns, about teenage hate and isolation, about society and the love of guns in America. The 20^th anniversary of the Columbine shootings is on April 20, 1999. It is a big story wrapped up small in an even bigger story,

 

 

On that April 20^th, a most terrible and iconic event happened in a highscool outside of Denver, Colorado. Colombine High School is located in Littleton. Like many schools, it rambles in its various wings and is set in an open area. Two students roamed it halls, seemingly in random fashion, and caused the deaths and injuries that that have left survivors in pain for two decades.

Before we get deep into this story we have to deal with the natal charts of these two students.

Eric Harris, born in Plattsburg, NY, has his chart relocated to Littleton, CO. The chart is distinguished by having two opposing groups: The first group of Mars-Sun-Venus opposes Pluto in the 12^th house. Second group finds Mercury opposing Jupiter-Saturn in the 11^th house. This chart is shown below.

 

For most charts we can interpret the patterns and the words used to fit with the individual described.  History and countless interviews of those involved have shown that these two students felt isolated from the other students.  Social interactions with girls was non-existent.  Athletic-minded students derided them. Their early years in high school didn’t result in their feeling accepted.  Gradually their speech and mannerisms became more obvious and disturbing to others.  Harris had an AOL website where he expressed his anger at society.  In Mrach of 1997, two years before the Columbine shootings, parents of other students reported his Internet activities to the police.  Efforts to work with both Harris and Dylan Kiebold, his partner, were ineffective and not followed up well. We have to remember, this was twenty years ago when society was still naive about how to deal with bad attitudes in the suburbs.

In January of 1998, Harris and Kiebold broke into a van and stole tools and computer equipment. They were arrested, plied guilty, and were assigned to a Juvenile Diversion Program. They were placed on probation. Rather than redirect their thinking, they became more angry at society.

So, how do we comment on this natal chart. Do we emphasize the negative or present a pro-and-con approach?

Mars-Sun-Venus in the 6^th house would typically indicate a forceful, intentioned individual who took on and completed projects in an effective manner. We need to fold this observation in with the opposition of Pluto in the 12^th house. Pluto in hard aspect to other planets can intensify that planet’s functions. Here, Pluto highlights the hidden social norms that Harris could not see or appreciate. So, it seems Pluto expressed itself as an isolation factor relative to what should have been an effectively self-driven purpose in adapting to life and accomplishing one’s goals.

If we note the Sun-Moon pattern, we see the Moon in the second-of-eight Lunar phases that indicate difficulty in accepting and working with parental and family expectations. This is also known as the ‘Rebel’ sector. Most of work out of this ‘chip-on-our-shoulder’ attitude as we mature. More on the Moon later.

Mercury-opposes-Jupiter-Saturn and squares the Moon. Jupiter and Saturn represent the ‘business of life’ model. Mercury is the planet of perception, thinking, communication. These three should typically find a way to work effectively with each other. Enter the Moon. The acute square of the Moon brings feelings, moodiness, changability into the equation. Given Harris’ inclination to go against family guidelines, the Moon seems to represent an uneven approach to life and the energetic patterns of the Mars-Sun-Venus group.

Perhaps the trine aspect of Neptune to Mars-Sun-Venus and the sextile to Pluto indicates a dose of uncertainty of purpose, a lack of clarity on the ease-versus-difficulty of self-organizing his goals and plans. On a negative level, perhaps it was easier to take an easier way out by denying his strengths and challenges.

Those that would view this chart in a different light should feel free to comment here.  This event can be seen as the first major school shooting that was copied so many times in so many places in the years since.  An astrological discussion is needed.  Dave 

 

 

The New Wave Of Politics In 2018

She redefined politics for 2018. Actually, she and many other women redefined national politics this past year. Following her primary win in the summer of 2018, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez became a household name outside of the Bronx, New York City.

Winning against an established figure in the national Democratic Party can do that for you. Her flashing dark eyes, constant sense of delight, overly-wide smile contrasted with her intelect and penetrating statements about life for her citizen-neighbors. She was in the daily news.

Her t/Moon-oppossite-n/Sun was positioned across her chart’s Ascendant-Descendant axis, her vertical axis was marked by n/Neptune-MC-opposite-n/Jupiter-IC. That Oct. 23, 2018 chart is shown below.

Technically, this chart is a t/Moon-in-the-first-house opposite the n/Sun-in-the-seventh house. My book, Personal Moon-to-Sun Returns 2, offers a theme-statement in-part of, “Compromise can be minimal in nature. Who controls the relationship? . . . who follows, who decides.” She answered these questions. She leads. She articulates. Her voice becomes the voice of all of her neigbors, highly focused and insightful. Raw, basic viewpoints, nicely crafted into sharp and memorable phrases. The closeness of the Moon-Sun pattern upon her Asc.-Desc. axis sharpens the impact of her presence and her words. She embodies the message. Let us look at this chart which defines the following days leading up to the national election of 2018.

· t/Ceres is on the Desc. angle with her n/Sun; AOC, as she is called, is the ‘great mother’ who has arrived on scene to battle for her children and their welfare.

· t/Sun-7^th-opposes-t/Uranus-1^st; she displays the sharp intellect and perspective that reflects her environment. The everyday working class of the Bronx district of New York is whom she represents so well. t/Venus is just ahead of t/Sun, lending her warmth and connection to her constituants. This pattern squares the Moon’s nodal axis, strengthening the challenge to define her convictions to those whose support she seeks.

· The ‘heavy-hitters’ align with the vertical axis of the chart. n/Neptune-MC is joined with t/Saturn-t/Vesta-n/Vesta-t/Pluto. Saturn and Pluto were mythological brothers, deeply tied to the Earth. Saturn sought to preserve what man created for useful purposes while Pluto was prone to upheaval and transformation. AOC seems to reflect those qualities, looking out for her people while trying to trash all that holds them back. She is for the environment, for honest government and truth. The ‘doubled up’ n/Vesta-t/Vesta speaks of ‘practicality and high work-ethics. Does she ever stop campaigning?

· The lower end of the MC-IC axis holds n/Jupiter, flanked by n/Ceres-n/Chiron. Social opportunity, family, correcting prior injustices is one of her core concerns. In this chart we note that t/Part-of-Fortune (t/PoF) squares the vertical axis. Again, a challenge to change the status-quo.

 This is an energetic Return chart. Her Republican opponent in this election must have felt lost long before election day. Let us now turn our attention to that Nov. 3^rd day of 2018.

 

On this election day the slightly-faster moving chart angles have caught up with the seasonally slower-moving Sun, placing the t/Sun on the Desc. angle — an auspicious sign for a politician. n/Pluto is close by, also in the 7^th; upheaval is in the air. t/Pluto is at the MC. Does it get any better; a ‘doubled-up’ Pluto on the angles — as a positive statement.

 This just about says it all. Oh, yes, we do note t/PoF opposite t/Moon. Not angula, but the PoF always has to be considered. The local population has spoken out for change. This is supported by t/Juno-n/PoF late in the 1^st house; a change in relationships on a wide scale.

These simple statements provide an elegant finish to an exciting campaign.

A personal note.  I have been a bit incapacitated for the past two weeks with a painful condition of neck and shoulder muscles.  At age 82, this is the first time I can remember having such pain.  Lucky me.  In any case, being unfamiliar with combining heating patches and pain pills it has taken awhile to get to a point where I can sleep more than a few hours at a time or function in a half-normal fashion.  Even using a mouse was a challenge.  So, the week’s delay in posting resulted.  Dave.

 

 

 

 

Upstart Wins Primary Over Veteran Congressman

 Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez was a Bronx activist. Age 28, she had enthusiasm and energy, and a following. She was invited by progressive political operatives to enter the primary against Joe Crowley, a long-time Democratic Congressman thought to be heir to Nancy Peolosi for the House Speakership. Crowley was a typical New York politician, deeply wired in to the local oganizations; political, financial, civic, government, religous. On the other hand, AOC (as she is called) was a street and community activist, intimately known to everyone in her district. Her opponent was known in the community, but was insulated from direct contact, working through the layers of city operatives.

 AOC’s message was comprised of the issues important to the district’s citizens, jobs, health, legal fairness, education for children. Simple, direct, repeated at every moment. Her t/Moon-opposite-n/Sun Return occurred on June 9, 2018, a week before the Primary vote.

This chart is interesting but not remarkable. The n/Moon in the 10^th opposes n/Mercury-MC in the 4^th. Public issues (Moon-10^th) are talked about in a new way (Mercury MC in the 4^th). t/Venus-1^st house opposes t/Pluto in the 7^th house (seeking to make a connection that will lead to devastation and a reset in the affairs of others).  Depending upon one’s situation and intention in their daily life, this could be a minor effort or a major large-scale effort. What makes this chart most interesting is that these planet-patterns are ‘ahead’ of the angles. In the coming days the angles will diurnally advance and contact them. If transiting planets also activate those daily angles then we might see a very forceful chart and resulting event-experience.  Let us now look at the primary election chart.

The primary vote occurred on June 16, 2018. We see that the chart angles have diurnally advanced, bringing planets to the angles where their symbolism is greatly empowered.

· n/Moon-MC; public attention is gained.

· t/Moon-Asc.; AOC reflects the public mood, her public position (MC) catches on. This “doubled upK” Moon symbology becomes very powerful.

· n/Mercury-n/MC at the IC angle; thoughts and ideas of AOC take on new power and bring a direction, a new start.

· t/Venus conjoins t/Moon-Asc.; popularity and ‘connections’ are part of the day’s magic for her.

· t/Moon-t/Venus join with t/N.Node; making connections, feelings of association between her and ‘others.’

· t/PoF squares n/PoF, 2^nd to 11^th houses; ‘Change’ is in the air, her personal values challenge ‘community’ values. Square aspects between the Parts of Fortune often involve dialog and ideas that prompt action.

· t/Sun, even if not angular, always has to be considered. At first glance the t/Sun appears to have no aspects. But, if one looks for 45 and 135 degree aspects (hard aspects like squares and oppositions), one finds conections to the t/N.Node and t/Mars. There is vision and energy represented in these patterns.

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez won the primary, capturing 57% of the vote to her opponents 42%. This was a strong victory that immediately caught the attention of local-state-national politico’s. Obviously, when other primaries were held, there was a new dynamic working in the electorate. Would this carry through to the November mid-term national election?

 What was AOC’s ‘story?’ What caught the public’s attention? AOC was born an American citizen, her parents lived in New York although they were born in Puerto Rico. The family worked hard and AOC was encouraged to obtain a good education. The 2007-08 recession wiped out the family’s small business. Her father died. AOC had to work to help support the family, but she did manage to contineue her educational efforts. Her mother drove a school bus. Together, they held on to the family home, living paycheck to paycheck.

 During her college days, she had worked as an intern for Senator Ted Kennedy’a office. She became involved in Senator Bernnie Sanders 2016 campaign. Then came, for her, the shock of Trump’s win of the Presidency. She became involved in the Lakota Sioux’s efforts to block the incursion of a pipeline through the Standing Rock reservation. She visited Flint, Michigan to learn about the lead-poisoning of the water supply. These, according to a Time’s magazine story (April 1, 2019 issue) a “transformational” period for her. When asked to run against Crowley in the upcoming primary, she didn’t hesitate. With friends and fellow activists, she mounted a door-to-door campaign. The results are now history.

An Added Commentary

One pattern in AOC’s natal chart stands out above all others.  The grouping of Uranus-Saturn-Pluto in her first house.  One of my favorite reference books is “Planetary Containments” by Sandbach and Ballard.  ‘Containments‘ provides interpretations for three-planet-sequences in the chart, based upon zodiac position taken in a counter-clockwise direction (zodiac progression).  I quote here for Uranus-Saturn-Pluto:

This individual approaches structure in an unusual, personal way.  She must avoid situations which are inhibiting and restrictive, for these will become intolerable for her. If she feels that (she is) different from others, she must not let this become depressive or oppressive.  She is indeed different.  By projecting this uniqueness onto situations, she can break through many obstacles.  Potentially, this individual can accomplish tangible results if only she can learn to release her power.  

These words clearly apply to AOC.  I just wanted to display another astrological technique.  I find that astrology can always amaze me with its capabilities to be used in so many ways.  Yet, many techniques do not work.  We have to remember to stick with basic approaches.

A Name To Become Familiar With

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is from the Bronx, New York, NY. She was, before becoming Congresswoman for her district, a political activist. The Indian protest at the Dakota pipeline, during the cold plains winter months a year ago, was one of her many projects outside of the Bronx neighborhood she lives in. What is she like in person?

For those who have not yet seen her on TV, she is highly engaged, has a big smile and brown eyes that glow with excitement. She is one of those charismatic larger-than-life people who seem imbued with endless energy and interest in the world around them. She was recruited to run on a progressive platform in her district, going up against a ten-term Democratic opponent.   She was given little chance of winning by many political operatives. but, not knowing that, and being a natural-born activist, she rallied her friends and began a grass-roots campaign.  In a surprising upset, she won a primary and then won in the national election on Nov. 3, 2018.   Since then, in her few short months in Congress, she has become a force of nature among her freshman and senior colleagues. We need to examine her birth chart. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez was born on Oct. 13, 1989, at 11:50 AM in the Bronx, New York.

Mercury-MC opposite Moon and square Uranus in the first house gives us an immediate clue as to who she is and how she personifies herself in life.  Mercury-MC is a talker, a goal setter.   Moon on the IC with Pallas sets her up as being everyone’s favorite daughter in the family and community.   Uranus in the first house lends all kinds of Uranus attributes to her personality; excitement, surprises, individualsm, inovation, eccentric mannerisms, insightfulness.   So, is it any wonder that she comes off as a sparkling set of fireworks on the Fourth of July?

Mars-Juno is also angular in the 10^th house, broadly square Jupiter-Chiron in the 7^th and Saturn-Neptune in the first, along with Vesta.   These planet-pairings are interesting.   Mars-Juno adds energy and passion to her public image and her goals, along with a sense of being fair-minded and expecting acknowledgement from others.   Jupiter, when paired with Chiron, can over-state problems and their importance.   Small details become big details.   The pairing of Saturn-Pluto could be said to blend the rational mind with one’s intuitive nature.   For the political operative she would later become, this is an awesome potential.   It is almost like giving a crystal ball to an Einstein-like person.   With Vesta nearby, we see a touch of practicality added into the mix.

There are some hard aspects that may not be obvious at a quick glance.   Sun is semi-square Venus.   An elongation of Venus relative to the Sun, suggests a sense of balance and harmony that is free of the ego and able to make judgments about what its intentions should be to best serve its own purposes.   Uranus semi-square Pluto points to a inner awareness of how and when to change oneself as well as when to strike a situation so as to suddenly bring about a change in the outer world.   Of course the Moon, being in the Balsimic phase relative to the Sun, amplifies this ability to change and improve oneself or to seek to apply adjustments to others or situations.

In summary, we have a powerhouse of energy, mind and self-awareness in this 29 year old woman from the Bronx.  Being one of the co-founders of the Green New Deal with Senator Edward Markey of Massachusetts, she is likely to continue as one of the spokespeople for this ever-more-popular resolution.

In the next few posts I will be using the exciting ‘rediscovered and reformulated’ transiting Moon to natal Sun Return charting methods.  You will find them highly interesting for their reflection of every-day life situations.  Dave. 

The Green New Deal

On February 7, 2019, a resolution was introduced into the Senate and House of Representatives by Massachusetts Senator Markey and a new Congresswoman from the Bronx in New York city, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.  Her picture is shown at the left.

 

 

Before I continue, I owe it to my readers to explain the long absence from posting here.  My daughter-in-law developed a stage-four cancer after having dealt with this problem a year ago.  My wife and I were called by my son a week before Christmas to help him provide hospice care during her final days.  We flew to his home in Florida the next day.  It was many weeks before she passed.  During that time our dog, Cannoli, became ill and had to be put to sleep on Christmas day.  Our home was filled with family members, even though we were not there, to celebrate the holiday.  It was a sad day for them as they had all known Cannoli for his 14 years.  Later in January a neighbor’s tree fell on our house. The top broke off, rolled down the roof, landed on one of our cars and bouncing into the garage door, caving in the lower panel.  You can’t make this stuff up.  After the death of our daughter-in-law, Jan and I rented a car and took two weeks to travel up the east coast, visiting sites and people.  Upon our return a couple of weeks age we have had to clean up the house, put away the tree and decorations and deal with a huge pile of mail and bills. I thank you for your continued support and visitations here at the astrostory.blog site.

The Green New Deal Resolution was a bold, widespread resolution laying out five overall goals for the country to work towards.  The impetus for the resolution came from a United Nations report that we humans had only 12 remaining years in which to reduce green-house gas emissions.  After that, the changes to our planet would not be able to be halted or reversed by any normal means.  Twelve years to act!

The Green New Deal Resolution is a response to that deadline.  The chart is shown below for the Feb. 7, 2019 presentation before both Congressional houses.

By virtue of the “noon” chart time, Sun is near the MC angle defining the identity of the event, the resolution.  Mercury, the news and meaning of the resolution, is running ahead of the Sun, announcing it.   Moon is one full sign ahead of the Sun.  While the Aquarian Sun speaks to the ‘good for mankind’ issue, the Pisces Moon seeks to raise the emotional drama needed for this call to mobilization.  Moon is aided by the square to Jupiter; the mobilization will be enlarged by an enlightened group of supporters.

There are other chart factors that appear important to consider.  Because this is a new subject matter to me, I will not go into them deeply now.  I will note that Mars and Uranus in the 12th house suggest to me that the surge-of-excitement attached to this bold resolution will be confined to its supporters at first and will only gain wider interest later.

Also, Saturn is close to a conjunction with Pluto in the noon-chart’s 8th-9th house.  I am currently exploring a book, Pushing Through Time by Georgia Anna Stathis. This book deals with Synodic Cycles and their developing phases.  In a future posting I will pursue these conjunction-pairings in terms of their phases.  I know this will be interesting to all capable astrologers.

For this posting I want to list the five overall focal points of the resolution.  We will come back to these in more detail in future postings.

1. Achieve zero-emissions of carbons within twelve years.  This first goal addresses the dangerous deadline that lies ahead for us.  Global flooding and changing climatic conditions will destabilize humanity and our world.
2. Through the creation and application of new technologies to combat this threat to our environment, we will be creating new jobs and industries.  The government and corporations need to promote and invest in these to develop new and better paying jobs for all.
3. Infrastructure of roads, bridges, dams, the Internet, electrical grid and energy supply will also need to be focused upon, and this will also create new jobs and change our economy.
4. Our very air and water, at this moment, is contaminated in many parts of our country.   Flint, Michigan still, many years later, has not had it water and water supply pipes replaced and cleaned up.  Some Mid-west cities who host national chemical corporations, have highly toxic water systems.   The lists are endless.
5. Social issues need to be addressed along with the above grand goals.  We need our full population’s support and involvement to meet this global challenge.

So, that is the outline of the Green New Deal.  In following posts we will look at the charts of Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.  She is a most dynamic lady and has become in her short period in Congress, an icon for progressive thinking.  We will also be looking at those synodic cycles relative to the Green New Deal.  

I am happy to be back.  Dave.

Part 4: A Tragic Place On The Road Through Life

The above photo shows Prince Charles and his two sons near a mass of condolence tributes to Diana.

Following her separation from Charles, Diana ended up with Dodi Fayed, son of an entrepreneur of note in Britain.  In the book, Prince Charles by Sally Bedell Smith, it is noted that the end of August found Diana and Dodi cruising the Mediterranean on the Fayed yacht. Every movement was watched and recorded by the tabloids.  Ending their cruising, and before returning home, the couple spent a weekend in Paris.  The press tracked their every movement. This extensive coverage was highly unwelcome.

This lack of privacy for one who has just gained a “freedom” from an unrewarding relationship highlights a deep concern.  Any storyteller knows that the pressure and frustration of failing to find periods of peace can drive one to extremes.  Both Dodi and Diana were anxious to find relief from the ever-present press.  While secluded in their Paris hotel, both wanted to return to familiar home scenes.  Dodi concocted a plan of evasion; they would leave by the hotel’s back door, go to his apartment to spend the night and from there, perhaps return to England.  But, the photographers had the hotel’s rear door covered, and they pursued the couple using cars and motorcycles.  Diana and Dodi were riding in a chauffeur-driven Mercedes.  Pursuers and the pursued soon engaged in extreme speeds, hoping to lose or to follow the others.  A few minutes later, after midnight on August 31, 1997, the Mercedes crashed into the wall of the Alma Tunnel.  Suffering severe chest trauma and internal bleeding, Diana died at 4 AM in the Pitie-Salpetriere Hospital. 

Let us review Diana’s Advanced chart for Aug. 29, 1997. 

• t/Moon has departed from its conjunction position with the Sun in the 12^th house, and had moved into the 2^nd house of self-esteem where it had no major aspects.  Yet, the 12^th house need for privacy remained a key concern during this cycle.
• t/Neptune-n/Saturn-Desc.; this pattern is the most angular pattern in the chart.  This is an emotionally depressing condition.  Saturn is the illusion of solidarity and substance while Neptune purports to be the reality of illusion and escape.  Nothing good seems to come from the mixing of these two forces.  An escape from torment by others was needed.
• Close by in the 7^th was t/Uranus-n/Jupiter; freedom and high hopes were part of Diana’s dreams for this period – this pattern would stay in force for a week or more.  This seems to have been thwarted by the opposition by the n/PoF in the first house.  Logic, if it existed, would have suggested that the most privacy possible would be found right where they were, in a hotel suite where they could have spent the night, the next day or several days.  As it was, this n/PoF (symbolizing a weak spot for Diana’s life style) was squared by t/Mars-n/Neptune.  Conflicts and peculiar actions might be the best description for Mars-Neptune.
• Let us ‘jump’ over to t/PoF which we find conjoining n/Sun; her intentions would be challenged. 
• And, t/Sun, conjoining n/Pluto opposes n/Chiron, t/Ceres and squares t/Pluto.  The t/Sun, fighting two Pluto’s, Ceres and Chiron – the symbolic picture looks threatening at best.  Actions based on irrational fear and social pressure. 
• t/Venus in the 4^th house opposite t/Saturn; a classical ‘tough love’ pattern symbolizing the pursuing press and their disregard for Diana’s privacy.

All of the above seems to boil down to an overwhelming personal need to escape the press and feel that one had relief from a clamorous public life.  While temporary relief was at hand, the hotel suit they were staying at, they wanted a more familiar and home-like setting to retreat to.  We can see that the chart denied this in several symbolic ways.

We will review Charles’ last t/Moon-opposite-n/Sun Return, a week before Diana’s death.

Chart

 

How was Charles and the Royal household viewing all of this celebrity tracking by the press?   

• The t/Moon in the 7^th points to strong reactions against the actions and presence of others.  The opposing n/Sun is adjacent to n/Chiron, a life-long symbol of living with the presence of hurts and problems relating to ‘others.’  It would seem that Charles was quite upset by the flood of news reports about his former wife’s public cavorting.
• The Ascendant hosts t/Chiron, (the ‘double Chiron influence is important to note), opposite t/Vesta and n/Moon-n/N.Node; this is a complex pattern.  Chiron is often associated with deep inner hurts, medial issues.  We can also, in my opinion, include deep sensitivities developed in recent years which have not been resolved.  (Whether Chiron is a past-life issue, a medical issue, or a recently acquired inner hurt we can just say that Chiron marks a point of great sensitivity).  Diana’s popularity and constant pursuit by the press fits into this category of hurt-by-another’s-actions.  Now separated from Charles, and free to live a life of her own choosing, he feels deeply flustered and bothered by the continued pursuit by the press and its reflection on the decorum of the Royal household.  The n/Moon-n/N.Node in the 7^th angle highlights this unwanted pressure and attention of others.  The inclusion of Vesta seems to indicate a fixation on how Charles reacts to Diana’s overly public life.
• Nearby, but not overly close, is t/Pluto.  Should we be alarmed by n/Pluto near the MC angle?  That n/Pluto-MC suggests irresistible pressures by others that may affect his life goals and status.  The MC also represents the parental role to the two young princes.  How are they told about or kept from knowing too much about their mother’s actions.
• Just behind the MC is n/Ascendant.  Concerning, but apparently not of ‘pressing’ importance.  With the n/Asc. at the MC position, one typically has to defend their life status and image.  This seems to have ‘passed’ as an immediate issue.

Charles learned of the accident and death of Diana just a few hours later.

While the world burst into an exclamation of grief and shock, another reaction soon surfaced; rage at the overzealous press who contributed to this tragedy.  And yet, Charles’ first duty was to manage this news in terms of how his sons learned about, and reacted, to this terrible situation. Let us now look at the Advanced chart of Charles for this tragic day.

• n/Pluto conjoins the MC angle along with n/Ceres.  Pluto symbolizes irrevocable change, Ceres often marks major moments in one’s life.  The nearby t/Juno and t/Moon indicate husband-wife relationships and parental affairs – these are affected on this date.
• n/Mercury-Asc and t/Mars symbolize the aggressive travel that was behind this tragedy, but more importantly, news of Diana’s escapes were dismaying for the Royal family and Charles. On the backside of the Asc.-Desc. axis lies t/Chiron and the nodal axis.  Those deep sensitivities with public celebrity are present as is the n/Moon-Desc.  High emotional levels seem to drive life for Charles on this day.
• n/Mars squares the transiting nodal axis – a sort of mirror image of t/Mars-n/nodal axis.
• Normally, death charts have either natal or transiting Venus near an angle.  In this chart we find something else – t/Venus conjoining n/Venus in the 12^th, opposite t/Saturn at n/MC.  So, the finality of Saturn, the natal IC; we have a double Venus on an angle being accompanied by t/Saturn.  Tough.  Diana’s passing would be felt deeply.

Public reaction against the Press and Paparazzi eventual resulted in agreed up constraints and some laws.  Charles and the two young Princes were given greater privacy after the excess of attention associated with Diana’s death.

Dave

Part 3: An ‘Ending’ And A ‘Resumption’ Occurs.

The diverse personalities and age difference between Charles and Diana took its toll.  Their marriage had produced two male heirs to the throne but little else.  The charming and outgoing personality of Diana made her a world celebrity.  The reserved and stiff nature of Charles contrasted with Diana’s popularity. It took only five years or so for their uncomfortableness with each other to become publicly obvious.  Rumors started widely circulating, as rumors do.  Charles was again seeing his old girlfriend, Camilla. Diana was seeing a former riding instructor to the family.

The distance between the two became fully public when Diana reveled Charles’ infidelity with Camilla in a book, “Diana, Her True Story.”  In turn, audio tapes of her own flirtations emerged.  To quiet the public attention to this unfortunate situation, Charles offered a TV interview on June 29, 1994.  His advanced chart for that date, following a June 20, 1994 Moon-to-Sun Return chart, is shown here.

Most notable for this Advanced chart of June 29, 1994 is the following:

• The transiting nodal axis is aligned with the MC-IC axis; associations are on public display. Jumping over to the n/MC, at the cusp of the 3^rd house of communications and interviews, we find t/Juno, n/Neptune and n/Venus opposite:  Husband-wife issues (Juno), dissolution of the marriage (Neptune) and issues of love/lust (Venus) are involved.
• t/Sun at the Desc.; One’s personal actions and character relative to another is to be addressed. If we also look at n/Sun we find it conjoining t/N.Node, t/Pluto and n/Chiron:  Current associations (N.Node), irrevocable change (Pluto) and something broken or hurting (Chiron) are at the heart of the day’s event – the TV interview as Charles explains to the British Public his situation and asks for understanding.
• t/Moon (not angular, but always important) is in the 2^nd house and opposing t/PoF; an emotional change-of-fortune is the whole point of this story.  The thirteen years difference in age also was bound up to a ‘generational’ type of change – the gap was too big to be bridged.

 

The bigger picture surrounding Charles and Diana is suggested by the conjoining in the first house of Neptune and Uranus near the natal Part of Fortune.  This is the start of a generational cycle, wherein the ideals of Neptune (in the 1990s) was about the end of the cold war and expectations of a new type of world peace and relaxation.  This was only an expectation due to be dashed by the new cycle with t/Uranus, a harbinger of excitement and the need to change society, relax former ‘normalcy’ and take up with new individualism efforts such as drugs and the gay movement among other things.  A counterpart to this break up of normalcy could be seen within the Royal family.  The outer fringes of the family were being upset with scandals and divorces, Charles was realizing that the Queen seemed to be similar to the “energizer bunny” as she was just going and going – leaving him as the unneeded heir to the throne.  From Charles’ point of view he had passed, upon providing heirs to the throne and losing Diana, into a period of obscurity and being unneeded.

Many stores are best told in the simplest of terms.  Astrologically, this story is told based upon the angular planets and interpretations using common ‘keywords.’  In this manner, those whose knowledge of astrology is limited can understand the story as well as more accomplished astrologers. 

Let us now proceed to the actual divorce on Aug. 28, 1996 and the consolidation of his position as an ‘unessential heir.’  The prior t/Moon-to-n/Sun Return had occurred 7 day earlier on the 21^st.

 

• Most obvious is t/PoF-Desc. Opposite n/PoF-t/Jupiter-Asc.; When the natal and transiting Part of Fortune’s are both angular, chaos and change are guaranteed.  Jupiter signifies Royalty and the great public importance and interest in this story.
• While not angular, t/Sun is always important to note. Here, t/Sun conjoins n/Saturn; Charles’ best interests are dampened at this point in time.  It is a somber day for the Royal family.   n/Sun is in the 10^th house with no major aspects.
• t/Moon, not angular, opposes t/Sun-n/Saturn; representing Diana being opposed (separated) from Charles (husband and father figure ((Saturn)) representing the other-in-her-life).
• A T-square focus planet, Pluto, squares the t/Moon-opp-t/Sun from a non-angular placement. Since the Sun and Moon are so basic to this charting system we have to consider t/Pluto as the total-disrupter of the man-wife relationship.  So, what in the natal chart makes Pluto the potential ‘disrupter’ in Charles’ life?  IN THE NATAL CHART Pluto conjoins Ceres.  We might see this a need to rebel or fight against both ‘mother’ and ‘man-woman’ relationships.  Can one both learn about and then forgive any perceived imbalances and power-plays in these relationships?    We have to ask ourselves, “What was the level of Charles’ frustration about not seeing Kingship in his immediate future and how did that impact his management of the age/cultural differences between him and Diana?”  These issues cannot be addressed here and now.

Meanwhile, Charles’ relationship with his former friend Camilla had resumed.  The Queen was not pleased.  Camilla was not overly welcomed into the court, but Charles could not — as her Son and heir — be rebuked in public.  

Part 2: Marriage — Fate or Freewill?

Let me tell you a story . . . about a man who sort of got married and then sort of became unmarried.  I guess you could say that Charles’ marriage to Diana was ‘arranged’ due to social conditions.  But what of the process of becoming unmarried?  Let’s start at the beginning.  Their first real social contact occurred at an outdoor gathering at a common friend’s house where Diana remarked that he, Charles, “had looked forlorn and in need of care during his uncle’s funeral.”  (See post 1 in this series).

This expression of empathy apparently guided Charles’ mind onto a path of deepening friendship at the very time ‘conditions’ in Royal circles were suggesting that Charles was at a point in his life where it was time to get married.  He was 33 years old and just sort of socially ‘hanging around.’  While the friendship blossomed, the ‘love’ seemed to not be part of the equation.  Even Diana noted that this friendly and sensitive man seemed to lack the passion she expected to find.  In Royal circles, a continuing friendship just could not proceed without a commitment.  What would everyone say about Charles, and about Diana.  They did what was expected.  He proposed.  She accepted.  They married.

Charles’ t/Moon-oppossite-n/Sun-8^th house Return chart is shown below.

A generic ‘theme’ statement for this Moon-Sun position would be, “Managing investments brings conflicts if one strays from areas of capability.  Emotions are kept in check.  Others may show stress, you have to show assuredness.  Drawing upon one’s own resources.  Team player.” 

Putting this into the context of Charles’ life, we might instead say, “Putting oneself into a uncomfortable position if not acting on one’s own deepest interests and intentions.  A need to be open and sharing.  Live with convictions based on your own feelings of not being close to your family when young.  Let Diana into your heart.”  Could the socially reserved Prince, with n/Saturn in his 2^nd house of self-esteem, loosen up?

This Return chart, just four days before the actual wedding, revealed heavy social implications of the period. 

• n/Jupiter-MC opposed n/Uranus-IC and formed a paran-square to t/Saturn-Desc.  How was Charles’ sense of social joy and change being affected by t/Saturn?  Diana was only 20 years of age, hardly used to dealing with serious relationships. Thirteen years senior to her, Charles had hardly more actual experience in love relationships himself.
• t/Jupiter had just conjoined t/Saturn.  Known as the “business of life,” this pair seems out of place on a Descendant angle unless one was entering a formal business partnership.
• One would expect to see Venus, perhaps Neptune play a role in this chart. Actually, this is a natal pairing located in the 7^th house – both opposite n/MC; very appropriate for a new start.
• t/Mars is at the IC angle, not a bad placement for Charles at this time.
• Not angular in this chart is t/Sun conjoining Charles’ natal Ascendant.  He is acting on his intentions.

(story teller)  Every story needs to be framed properly.  Charles’ boyhood was much like the popular picture of upper-class school children being shuttled of to boarding schools.  In Charles’ case he attended several private schools.  He typically found that some older personal friend of the Royal family was always available to serve as a mentor or to provide guidance.  With his parents engaged in many duties of state, a succession of substitute parental figures helped to a degree.  One may take the view that Charles became an adult by graduating from several schools of hard knocks, leaving him a very quiet person and having mostly male friends.  Among those friends he did have contact with attractive women within the strict bounds of being a public figure, the heir to the throne.  Camilla Bowls was the one female friend he seemed closest to.  Camilla wasn’t seen by the Royal family, however, as most suitable for marriage.  So, the complexities of upper-society seemed to have encouraged the joining of Charles’ and Diana’s paths.

On July 29^th, 1981 the marriage of Charles and Diana took place.  The chart is shown below.

In the intervening four days since the Return chart, all is coming into focus.

• n/MC at the Asc.;  Charles will act (t/Asc.) upon his decision concerning his life status (n/MC).  The meaning of contact between Return-Advanced transiting chart and natal angles is covered in my book, “Personal Moon-to-Sun Returns 2.”
• t/Mars-IC squares t/Jupiter-t/Saturn-near-the-Descendant; the undertaking of a task (t/Mars) involving a restructuring (square aspect) and careful management of one’s life and its formalities (Jupiter-Saturn).
• With t/Mars angular, we need to also look at n/Mars which is conjoined by t/Neptune and squared by t/PoF.  This gets complex.  Charles may be acting (t/Mars) for the wrong reasons (n/Neptune) which will cause confusing (square t/PoF) upsets. 
• t/Sun is on his n/Asc.; Charles is acting on his intentions.  He is committed.
• t/Moon-4^th squares t/Pluto-7^th;  emotions are challenged by deep inner feelings, the ‘emotions’ being surface-daily emotions’ (Moon) and deep inner feelings being associated with t/Pluto (hidden but disruptive issues involving another).

Diana knew of Charles’ relationship with Camilla but, marriage being marriage, felt that was not an issue any longer.  In this ‘marriage for Charles’ chart we see patterns that do raise doubts:  n-t/Neptune both have roles to play as well as n-t/Mars.  The ‘doubling up’ of this pair raises doubts.  A biographer has noted that Charles had doubts about going through with the wedding but that the situation could not counter his backing out of the union.

The wedding, seen from Diana’s view, is shown in the chart below.

• t/Sun-Asc.-n/PoF; Excitement reigns.  A man in her personal life (t/Sun-Asc.) is about to cause changes (n/PoF) in her life.
• t/Moon-to-n/Sun, as a Return chart, occurs in the 12^th house; This is not so great. This placement represents, among other things, those who volunteer or acquiesce, entering a joint venture that will soon unravel or become something else, feeling isolated.
• With the t/Sun on the Asc., the t/Moon and t/PoF have to be conjoined (as they are in this chart).  This is always true but what makes this situation so dramatic is that t/Moon-t/PoF conjoin the n/Sun position.  This ‘unity’ pattern denotes the importance of ‘chance and change’ within the marriage – not a happy prediction.
• t/Pluto-n/MC-4^th house; a total revamping of her life occurs today.  Looking at t/Pluto we have to also look at n/Pluto which we find conjoining t/Venus.  This suggests that Diana has let ‘love’ cause a complete change and upheaval in her life.  If we look for n/Venus we find it in the 11^th conjoining t/Chiron.  Yes, doors are opening for Diana on this day, but Chiron can also tell us of old/past hurts and issues that need to be faced.
• n/Jupiter-Desc.; the symbol of Royalty and another person is found opposite t/Sun-t/Asc.-n/PoF; a mixed opportunity.

Within the context of a Royal social situation, this chart can very strongly link to a wedding.  I had expected to see Neptune (fairy tales) involved more strongly in Diana’s chart for this date.  n/Neptune is deep into the 4^th house, 25 degrees from the IC angle.  t/Neptune is in the 5^th, a bit past n/Asc.; — perhaps this is what I’m looking for.  The 5^th house is right for the occasion, the n/Asc.-Neptune is a fairy-tale outlook. 

So, we see seeds of disquiet in both the charts of Charles and Diana.  As time went on we all saw how that played out.  But, that is another story.