If you have been following this blog you may be slightly confused by a statement suggesting that we are on the threshold of Aquarius when the Aquarian age arrived many centuries ago. However since the arrival of the Aquarian age in 1433 AD, no period stronger than a 15 year Aquarius micro-age[1] has been encountered. The last Aquarius micro-age was 1910-1925 with its overflow extending until 1940, and its momentum extending until 1945. Therefore anyone born after the 2nd World War, which includes all Baby Boomers, has never encountered, nor experienced, a serious period of Aquarius. The most that has been experienced are small 15 month Aquarius nano-ages.[2] The last Aquarius nano-age was from around January 2005 until April 2006 with its overflow period extending until July 2007.
Though relatively minor, some Aquarius associated events (i.e. democracy and fascism,[3] people power, progressive politicians, flight, IT technology etc.) that occurred in the recent 2005 to 2007 Aquarius nano-age and overflow include:
The first free Parliamentary elections in Iraq since 1958
Saudi Arabia held its first ever municipal elections (for male citizens only)
Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak asked Parliament to amend the constitution to allow multi-candidate presidential elections
Tabaré Vázquez was sworn in as the first President of Uruguay from a leftist party
800,000 people gathered for an opposition rally in Beirut, a month after the death of former Prime Minister Rafic Hariri. It is the largest rally in Lebanon’s history.
The Tulip Revolution in Kyrgyzstan reached its climax with the overthrow of president Askar Akayev
The Taiwanese government called on 1 million Taiwanese to demonstrate in opposition to the Anti-Secession Law of the People’s Republic of China. Between 200,000 and 300,000 attend the walk.
The Airbus A380 made its first flight
Kuwaiti women were re-granted the right to vote
Violent anti-G8 demonstrations occurred in Gleneagles, Scotland
The 2005 French riots began after two young immigrants die while hiding from the police
2006 – The UN voted overwhelmingly to establish the UN Human Rights Council
Twitter (the popular social-networking service) was founded
A scramjet jet engine, designed to fly at 7 times the speed of sound, was successfully tested
Montenegro declared independence after a 2006 referendum
The International Astronomical Union redefined ‘planet’, demoting Pluto to the status of ‘dwarf planet’
The Royal Thai Army staged a coup d’état removing the democratically elected Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra from power.
The former Soviet republic of South Ossetia held a referendum on independence from Georgia
Al Jazeera English was launched
The military seized power in Fiji against a democratically elected prime minister
Steve Jobs, announced the first generation iPhone
The President of Ukraine dissolved parliament, following defections that increased the majority of his opponents.
Ethnic Russians rioted in Estonia, about moving a Soviet World War II memorial – two of the worst nights of rioting in Estonian history.
Live Earth Concerts were held throughout nine major cities around the world. [4][5][6]
Each of the above newsworthy items[7] has a strong association with Aquarius but the whole period was under the sway of a Pisces micro-age overflow (2005-2010) and so this little Aquarius nano-age period is limited in what it can do. However, from around December 2014, this is no longer the case as the world has moved from a Cancer micro-age (2000-December 2014) to a Gemini micro-age (Dec 2014 – Nov 2029). Dividing this new Gemini period into its three decans finds the first micro-age decan encountered is the Aquarius micro-age decan (December 2014-December 2019) and its overflow the following five years with its most powerful time the Aquarius quasi micro-age decan (Jun 2016 – Jun 2022). Even though the Aquarius micro-age decan commencing around December 2014 is at its absolute weakest strength, we should relatively quickly find one or more examples of Aquarius (and Gemini) flexing their new-found muscles. Relatively quickly means the next 24 months.
Established archetypes associated with Aquarius include: sudden or unexpected developments; electricity; eccentricity; dictators and tyrants (reactionary politicians), all freedom–loving archetypes such as all forms of independence, freedom and equality, new teachings, liberty and fraternity, and a more secular, free thinking liberal view of the world (the modern liberal democratic political system), humanitarianism, ideals, reformers, non–profit and altruistic organizations, socialism, revolutions and revolutionaries, radicals, rebels, and extremists, plus civic responsibility, schizophrenics and mental diseases, fringe dwellers, different or abnormal behavior, astrology, astronomy, explorers and anything exciting or bizarre. Anything new including modernity, fresh developments especially in the scientific, mechanical and electrical fields, concepts and views of the future, the avant–garde, unique developments, and science fiction (with Pisces). Finally Aquarius does everything quickly, like a bolt of lightning or with unprecedented speed.
Russia and possibly Germany appear to benefit under Aquarius. Russia’s eccentric and erratic nature is its link to Aquarius plus the Russians spearheaded the anti-establishment worldwide communist revolution in the early 20th century. Germany’s link to Aquarius is from its technical exceptionalism, historical associations with totalitarian leaders and its avant garde currently manifesting as pro-green and pro-environment. Naturally the Green Party anywhere has strong Aquarius credentials. Aquarius is the second strongest sign in the signature for the USA but sublimated by Pisces, its strongest sign. The USA rose to its status of the leading world power under the Pisces sub-age and overflow (1851-1910-1970) resulting in a distorted or stressed relationship between the USA and Aquarius, because though the USA ostensibly promotes Aquarian freedom and democracy, it really promotes free trade for its (Pisces) corporations and democratic jingoism to mask the reality that everything is set up for business and the wealthy. A focus upon Aquarius is therefore stressful for the USA (the Great Depression occurred in the last Aquarius micro-age overflow) and the USA has always had trouble with people power and left wing politics. Aquarius is associated with world government[8] which therefore includes anything associated with the UN, G8, G20 etc.
Not only should we experience Aquarius and Gemini making a greater impact in the world, we should also see examples of their opposite signs (Leo and Sagittarius) in retreat or being subjugated. One minor example of this in the previous nano-age and overflow period was the regal (Leo) marriage of Price Charles to Camilla Parker Bowles at a mere civil ceremony in April 2005 with the general public still pining for their idol, Princess Diana. Therefore Leo (and Sagittarius) archetypes are under threat in the coming period. Other Leo archetypes include the United Kingdom, Paris (and France), gold, heat, mainstream societal values, all forms of amusements, games, bright colors (South America), stained glass, bees and the color yellow. Moses is also closely associated with Leo indicating a connection to Judaism and thus we can expect much conflict in Israel, and the Occupied Territories over the coming decade.[9] The Jews do not resonate well with Aquarius. Aquarius is the traditional ruler of the Arabs.
The end of the Gemini micro-age in 2029 marks the end of the 59 year Gemini sub-age decan (1970-2029) and the beginning of the major Aquarius sub-age decan and overflow (2029-2089-2148). Though the current Aquarius micro-age decan and overflow under investigation is not on the same scale nor included within the approaching major Aquarius sub-age decan and overflow, research on previous sub-age decans indicates that the current Aquarius micro-age decan and overflow (2014-2019-2024) is a preview of the coming Aquarius maelstrom and some seeds developed in the Aquarius micro-age decan period will flourish in the coming Aquarius sub-age decan. On the economic front, the new Aquarius sub-age decan and overflow should put an end to the excessive share (stock) values generated by the long term bull market that commenced in the Leo micro-age (1985-2000) though the real punch is unlikely to be experienced until around 2021 at the apex of the Aquarius micro-age decan and overflow bell-curve.
In addition to the arrival of the Aquarius micro-age decan, between December 2014 and 2029 a very special event takes place that has not occurred since 5122 BC. Until 5122 BC (in the Gemini age), the world was the closest in temperament to the society still being shaped by mankind in today’s Aquarian age in the 21st century. From around December 2014, for the first time in over 7,000 years the world will be passing through an age, sub-age and micro-age that all aligned with Water and Air – with no Fire or Earth in sight. This occurrence will occur nine times in the Aquarian age, with the first three occurring between 2014 and 2148. What can be expected in the period 2014 to 2029 – the first of nine such periods in the Aquarian age? We can expect great instability, but also progress – one way or another. Though doom and gloom pundits may predict a 3rd World War I don’t think this is a possibility as astrologically the world is turning away from war. Climate change is the real issue! (Details can be found at A Celebration 7,000 Years in the Making )
While the Aquarius micro-age decan is on our doorstep (as of December 2014), the major player on the micro-age decan and micro-age level remains Cancer as the Cancer micro-age (2000 – Dec 2014) is at its apex and entering its most powerful quarter in its overflow period lasting until around June 2022. For more details on the role of Cancer in the world today, see Cancer – the New Paradigm for the World
As breaking news identifies developments of an Aquarian nature, I will add them to the end of this post or as comments on this post.
Over six years ago my article SCORPIO – the Sign of the Timeswas published in the Astrological Monthly Review (Vol. 68, No. 11, November 2006, pages 27-31). In that article I identified the prime concepts that were expected to appear with the Scorpio hotspot (2005-15):
Revolution, terrorists and general instability
tyrants with their cruelty
death, assassinations and murder
waste products from any process, which naturally includes sewage and pollution
atomic energy and bombs
almost everything associated with sex
taxes and debt (including credit cards)
underground criminal organisations
spy networks
The period 2005 to 2015 is the key Scorpio time associated with the Scorpio micro-age decan (2005-10) and Scorpio micro-age decan overflow (2010-15) sitting as the middle decan within the Cancer micro-age (2000-15) (see table below). Within the Aquarian age, the most relevant aspect that relates to the whole 21st century is Scorpio. This is because there are twelve sub-ages in each age, and the Scorpio sub-age existed from 1791 until 1970. Due to the fact that ages and their sub periods behave like waves the following period 1970 to 2148 demonstrates the dispersion of the Scorpionic energy (technically the Scorpio sub-age overflow) over the following Libra sub-age. There are twelve sub-ages in each astrological age. Furthermore each sub-age has twelve micro-ages of approximately 15 years each, with each micro-age consisting of three decans of approximately five years each The Scorpio micro-age decan ran from 2005 until 2010, with its overflow period 2010 to 2015 – but with its most potent time from 2007 until 2012 (the top of the bell curve) which I term the Scorpio quasi-micro-age decan (2007-12) though the whole period 2005 to 2015 is the full Scorpio hotspot as this little Scorpio micro-age decan resonates with the momentum of the Scorpio sub-age overflow (1970 – 2148).
The main correlation to Scorpio was not emphasized in the above list from 2006. The Global Financial Crisis (GFC) appeared right on target with the arrival of the Scorpio quasi-micro-age decan (2007-12) and mainly departed by the end of 2012 except for some remnant kicking and screaming by southern peninsular European countries (and this can be expected to continue until 2015). I did list ‘taxes and debt (including credit cards)’ but the GFC was a significant magnification of these issues especially related to debt. I doubt if few people would disagree that 2007 to 2012 was extremely out of kilter with the economic norm we have come to expect in the modern world. As a result, people have been focused upon reducing their debt including credit cards that is proving to be an anti-stimulus to the economy. One of the major political issues in the USA over the course of this period is the political impasse over the US debt limit. The Democrats want to increase taxes, while the Republicans want to decrease expenditure – but both are strong Scorpio archetypes. This is unlikely to be fully resolved until 2015. The reduction in expenditure, consumption and debt will be an ongoing theme in the First World for the next century and a half with this little Scorpio hotspot a foretaste of the new world economic paradigm. While the First World slows down, the Developing World will be full steam ahead (until they catch up and then suffer the same fate).
Scorpio archetypes include revolution and general instability. The widespread flare-up of disenchanted citizens in many Middle Eastern countries since early 2011 included: Tunisia, Libya, Algeria, Jordan, Mauritania, Sudan, Oman, Yemen, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Djibouti, Morocco, Iraq, Somalia, Bahrain, Iran and Kuwait.[1] From an astrological perspective, it is interesting that the revolutionary fervor is basically located in Middle Eastern Muslim nations, while the similar revolutionary fervor of the 1960s and 70s was mainly associated with Western nations (the main exception to this was Iran). The current Middle Eastern instability is occurring in the Cancer micro-age (2000 – 2015). Cancer is the main sign associated with Islam, and also has long antecedents in the Middle East (Cancer is always associated with the middle of anything).
While the Middle Eastern unrest is mainly a drive against authoritarian leaders (Capricorn), all the other revolutionaries around the world are busy blowing up churches, mosques, temples and innocent people to further their extremist agendas. They are also empowered by the current Scorpio hotspot as terrorists belong to Scorpio. The recent assassination of Osama bin Laden has multiple Scorpio archetypes attached to it – terrorism, revolutionary leader, assassination, and spy networks.
Tyrants are also strongly associated with Scorpio, and they received a lot of attention from the arrival of the current Scorpio hotspot– and top of the list was Colonel Gaddafi of Libya, but he was not alone in his obnoxiousness. In real terms the first prize should go to the late Kim Jong-il of North Korea – shelling a South Korean inhabited island, launching provocative missiles, sinking a South Korean naval ship and always threatening to produce nuclear weapons. His son has continued along the same path to date. It is one of those ironies of the astrological ages and politics that the same sign Scorpio breeds revolutions and tyrants. They both seem to appear relatively simultaneously and the French Revolution at the very beginning of the Scorpio sub-age (1791-1970) was its first classic example.
The key nuclear issue associated with the current Scorpio hotspot is the Japanese disaster at the Fukushima nuclear plant following the tsunami in March 2011. This is the greatest nuclear disaster since Chernobyl in 1986 and both events are the only two nuclear accidents to measure Level 7 on the International Nuclear Event Scale.[2] Until this nuclear accident, the current Scorpio hotspot had seen a sharp revival of interest in building more nuclear reactors around the world to a level not seen for decades (since the previous Scorpio hotspot). Currently 60 nuclear plants are under construction – with the majority in Asia and many existing plants are being upgraded. The plants in operation in 2009 provided 15% of the world’s electricity. 155 nuclear reactors are in the planning stage with another 320 proposed.[3] As one adverse aspect of this new push towards nuclear energy, the German government suffered some serious political humiliation early in 2011, after the Japanese tsunami, due to its strong promotion of nuclear power prior to the Japanese accident. Japan even temporarily put on hold plans to expand its nuclear energy. The world will progressively turn to nuclear power over the coming 150 years bringing its attendant benefits and disadvantages.
On the sexual front the push to decriminalize homosexuality and legalize gay marriage has definitely seen a marked revival around the world over the last five years. In the Scorpio micro-age and overflow (1955-70-85), the sexual focus was mainly upon the impact of the contraceptive pill. The focus has shifted from heterosexuals to homosexuals in recent years but for most gays, they may have to wait for the Aquarius quasi micro-age decan (2017 – 2022). Surveys state that even in socially conservative Australia the general public want this issue resolved but politicians prefer to placate the minority conservative religions. Of course, the exposition of the sexual depravity and aberrations of many priests, church officials and some youth organisations over the last five years has left an indelible stain on many organisations, especially the Roman Catholic Church. Such is the extent of the problem that even Australia’s Cardinal Pell has recently advocated for married priests.
We have had some classic and major intrigues associated with spies. Firstly the poisoning of Alexander Litvinenko, a former officer of the Soviet KGB and later an agent of the British MI6 and Spanish secret services who is alleged to have been murdered at the end of 2006 by radioactive polonium-210[4] – anything radioactive belongs to Scorpio. His murder about two months before the technical start of the Scorpio quasi-micro-age decan means he was murdered at the very end of the previous Pisces quasi-micro-age decan with Pisces the ruler of poisonings. He was affected by both Pisces and Scorpio as his death occurred in the Scorpio micro-age decan (2005-10). Another classic spy scandal was the unearthing of the Russian sleeper spy cell in 2010 with 10 agents arrested. Some agents had been in the USA since the mid 1990’s.[5] Even the recent revival of the James Bond franchise suggests a renewed fascination by the general public with spies. The highly successful Sopranos and related TV series focused upon mafia gangs and criminals ties in tightly with the Scorpio hotspot. In 2013 TV Guide ranked the Sopranos in the Top 10 list of The 60 Greatest Dramas of All Time.[6]
Did the Scorpio hotspot (2007-12) within the Scorpio micro-age decan and overflow (2005-15) demonstrate a heightened manifestation of Scorpio archetypes? The GFC is probably the most potent example of Scorpio in this time frame but the Fukushima nuclear accident is a close second. Revolution and general instability mainly in the Middle East has also demonstrated a strong Scorpio focus. The killing of Osama Bin Laden and all other listed items from 2006 strongly suggest that Scorpio has recently been peaking in world affairs. Even the massive loss of ice in the Arctic ultimately as a repercussion of pollution is a double Scorpio archetype – Scorpio rules both ice (fixed water) and pollution (the world’s waste). From 1948 until 2002, the average decline of ice in the Artic was 3% per decade. Right on target in 2007, the loss of Arctic ice significantly increased – far more than the decrease of ice at the Antarctic. As a result, for the first time in recorded history, the Northwest Passage opened to ships without the need of icebreakers.[7]
The next Scorpio period of the same magnitude of the recent Scorpio hotspot is the Scorpio micro-age decan and overflow (2059-64-69) – something to warn your grandchildren about. We are now at the very beginning of the Cancer quasi micro-age decan (2012-2017) and so the emphasis has shifted to Cancer – but we can still expect some significant remnant Scorpio developments until 2015 – especially aligned to the ten months of the Scorpio nano-age decan and overflow in the last part of 2014 and early 2015 (probably indicating the next significant but temporary downturn of the stock market). Under Cancer, the general public becomes even more fickle, and Capricorn leaders around the world are being undermined, one way or another. Many heads will roll (politically) but the USA is on course for its first female president. Long term plans (such as reigning in pollution to prevent destructive climate change) are temporarily against the collective desires of the Cancer general public who generally cannot see beyond immediate emotional issues and their wallet. Don’t worry, the Aquarius quasi-micro-age decan (2017-22) will bring back some forward planning, innovative developments but also some heightened revolutionary fervor (for better or worse). The period 2017 to 2022 will be the first solid experience of Aquarius for surviving Baby Boomers.
I recently had the pleasure of attending the Ubud Writers & Readers Festival in Bali (5 – 9 October 2011). With an eclectic mix of presenters from Australia, Asia, Europe, Africa and the Americas, this writers festival provided a first account insight into the world today – warts and all. One recurrent theme introduced by a variety of writers focused upon the destructive political and social input from the USA upon many countries outside of the developed western world.
Before providing the relevant details of the political skulduggery undertaken by the USA since the Second World War (to keep the world free) let me be clear that I am not anti-American, and though I will be dealing with some of these negative issues associated with the USA, I will also be discussing many positive qualities associated with the USA as presented by various writers at the festival. This is actually the essence of this blog post. There are two distinct sides to the USA, and while many people acknowledge one side or the other, depending upon their personal political views and allegiances, it is necessary to recognise both sides to fully comprehend the Pisces psyche of the USA.
In my recently published book, The Dawning – Shedding New Light on the Astrological Ages, I basically introduce the USA onto the world stage as the modern empire of the Pisces-Aquarius age. In a similar fashion, Ancient Rome was the empire of the Aries-Pisces age, Ancient Egypt the empire of the Taurus-Aries age and Sumer (Mesopotamia) the empire of the Gemini-Taurus age. Each of these empires introduced specific peaks of achievement associated with the age-pair of the times, with a distinct focus upon the first sign in the age pair.
Mesopotamia of the Gemini-Taurus age introduced (Gemini) writing. Ancient Egypt of the Taurus-Aries age is known for its massive pyramids, stone temples and monuments carved out of mountains – appropriate for Taurus – the fixed earth sign of solidity. Ancient Rome of the Aries-Pisces is renowned for its mighty armies that not only created the largest ancient empire based on its military might – it actually pioneered modern military techniques (basically shock and awe). Aries is the sign ruled by Mars – the god of war. In the same vein, the USA in the current Pisces-Aquarius age (1433 – 3574) is the champion of Pisces in the modern world – and even on a simplistic level, this can be seen by its cultural capital, Hollywood, which has conquered the world through movies (movies are ruled by Pisces, the sign always associated with fantasy in all its shapes and guises). Furthermore the USA is the champion of the ethereal corporation – which are fake bodies given the status of real bodies in the legal system, and thus has provided the backbone of the modern capitalistic world. Most things that are fake are associated with Pisces. All these associations are explored in far greater detail in The Dawning (see: http://www.macro-astrology.com).
The focus in this blog however is on the bi-polar nature of the USA due to its primary association to Pisces. The USA is not the Pisces Empire of the modern world, but the Pisces-Aquarius Empire, but Aquarius plays second fiddle to Pisces in the Aquarian age due to the Overflow Effect (see: Is the Aquarian Age Like a Block of Granite?). Basic zodiacal sign symbology for Pisces displays two fish swimming in opposite direction. This is reflected in American politics, foreign policy and society. At the Ubud Writers & Readers Festival of 2011, the two fish of the USA were on display (without anyone realising the Pisces connection, other than myself).
The author and journalist Tariq Ali is an expatriate Pakistani living in exile in London due to his political views – having a political view in Pakistan is dangerous! In the two sessions I attended that included Tariq, he repeatedly described how, since the Second World War, the USA has actively undermined the political integrity and the fledgling democracies in the Middle East, in the same way that it did in South America. Tariq basically stated that the USA would undermine any country that it perceived to be against the foreign policy interests of the USA. This is a well-documented and widely known fact. Towards the end of the session, Tariq wittingly stated that Australia was the USA’s fixed aircraft carrier in the region.
Andrew Fowler discussed his new book The Most Dangerous Man in the World (about the rise of Julian Assange to international prominence). One of the reasons Julian is fighting his extradition to Sweden, is that not only is the Swedish government conservative, it was also a stopover point provided by the Swedish government to the Americans sending alleged terrorists to other countries for torture. The Americans have demonized Assange as a spy with the complicity of the New York Times, and in a show of political corporate (Pisces) support, American companies such as MasterCard, Visa and PayPal pulled the plug on donations being provided to Assange. Even though the New York Times published some of the information provided by Assange’s Wikileaks, they stated that Julian was a source, not a journalist. Journalists are protected in the USA due to freedom of speech – but sources do not have this protection. Even the New York Times was complicit in the demonizing of Assange.
In the session “My Egypt” with Gamal Al Ghitani and Khaled Al-Khamissi, about word on the street in Egypt, it came out that Assange’s Wikileaks provided some important information that helped garner support for the overthrow of the Tunisian regime through people-power. Wikileaks revealed that American diplomatic sources secretly discussed how they would not support the Tunisian government due to its corruption and despotism. This fact alone gave moral support to the democratic revolutionary elements in Tunisa – and the rest is history. Tunisia was the first despotic regime to fall, setting in momentum the unrest that spread to Egypt, Bahrain, Syria and other Middle East countries. So while the USA demonizes Julian Assange, it appears that his altruistic desire to reveal the truth about what our politicians and diplomats are really doing behind the scenes and ultimately on our behalf, has already borne some fruit. I wonder how the American Founding Fathers in their revolutionary zeal would view Julian Assange?
The final political session “Coups, Crusades and Revolutions” with Horst Geerken (Germany), Oya Baydar (Turkey) and Tariq described a litany of interference by the USA into the internal affairs of many countries resulting in the deaths and persecution of many people – many of whom were just members of a trade union or expressed left-wing political views. Horst was resident in Indonesia in the early 1960s in the final years of the non-aligned President Sukarno, and witnessed the USA backed military coup against him led by General Suharto. Once installed in power, the USA gave the names of communists, leftists and sympathisers to be neutralized, and consequently between one and three million Indonesians were murdered, with the numbers killed in Bali particularly high. This is all documented in Horst Geerken’s book A Gecko for Luck.
The reason why the USA orchestrated coups around the world and militarily intervened wherever necessary (Korea, Viet Nam, Iraq, Afghanistan etc.) has evolved since the post-World War Two period, but the initial purpose was to contain and stop the spread of communism. There is no doubt that the growth and development of communism in the first part of the 20th century was an evil and duplicitous enterprise carried out by ruthless and unscrupulous supporters. Its evil was such that communism was probably equivalent to one of the horses of the apocalypse. The duping of much of the western intellectual and leftist political supporters morally supporting the evil of Stalinist-style communism was perceived by the USA as the enemy within – and in retrospect this view was basically correct, even though the enemy within were not aware of their own ignorance. It should be remembered that the key sign in the current Pisces-Aquarius age is Pisces – the sign of gullibility and deception. Furthermore the first part of the 20th century was a Pisces hot spot – possibly the last Pisces hotspot of such magnitude for almost another 26,000 years. Even many western intellectuals and academics were hypnotized (Pisces) by the communists.
The post-war American political agenda had communism firmly in its gun sights, and it did not waver in facing the enemy wherever it tried to break out from its support base in the USSR and China. Unfortunately America utilised the Pisces technique of demonization and adopted any means, fair or foul, to defeat its enemy – basically the same technique of the communists. From the militaristic American perspective, the appearance of communism or its supporters anywhere in the world was cause for great concern and it did everything it could to eradicate its enemy and supporters. If a fledging democratic government had to be overthrown by a military coup – so be it! If millions of people had to be killed, even if they were only of a left-wing political persuasion – off with their heads. America took the view that the end justifies the means. This may seem incongruous with a democratic nation, but the history of democracy shows that democracy to date has always been limited. For example in Athens in Ancient Greece, only the male landholder could vote, and they also owned slaves. In the modern example, while the USA is internally based on democratic institutions, its role, and foreign policy in the international arena has always been based on self-interest (no different than most other powers in the world). Pisces involvement is in the fact ‘the end justifies the means’ – any number of deceitful and sordid calamities could be bestowed on any country deemed an enemy or opponent.
Since the collapse of monolithic communism, the USA was bereft of an enemy. 9/11 solved that problem, and the USA has engaged in a new reign of hostilities against Al-Qaeda or its supporters and allies in the Middle East, or using its War Against Terror to invade or undermine any country it so pleases – in much the same way it has widely done since the Second World War. I am sure that none of the key players in the inner American political establishment feels anything other than justifiable righteousness in containing its perceived enemies – be they the former communists or the new breed of terrorist networks.
Most people in the world believe that their personal actions and beliefs are correct – this underlies the Pisces illusion of our modern age. The unconscious reasoning goes something like this – if I am correct, then anyone who disagrees with me incorrect. If these incorrect or deluded adversaries cause a problem, or I perceive they may cause a problem, I can further enhance their incorrectness by demonizing them in any way I like.’ This was done to the extreme in Nazi Germany, Stalinist USSR and Mao’s China. It has been done to homosexuals, some minor religious groups, major religions against other major religions, people who use drugs – and in some countries, people who drink alcohol and most recently to illegal immigrants. Any use of demonization is evidence of Pisces (i.e. delusion and deception).
The USA, as the Pisces-Aquarius Empire of the modern world, has mythologised its minor Aquarian revolutionary nature that prompted it to become an early democracy in a world basically ruled by monarchical elites. There is no doubt that the sentiments expressed by America’s Founding Fathers will echo through the world for millennia to come. Despite this strong Aquarian element in the American psyche, the Pisces element is the senior partner. One way this Pisces element manifests is that, by and large, American’s believe their own propaganda. They are proud of their leading role in the world and particularly their democratic traditions – but they let the mirage of their self-assessment over-rule reality. The reality is that countries may be relatively democratic within their borders, but they behave outside of their own border just like countries have always done since countries were first invented – they act in their own self-interest and, if powerful, they do all they can to make other countries obey their will.
In total contrast to Americas’ international relations, one of the final sessions of the Ubud Writers & Readers Festival named “Traversing Cultural Divides” highlighted three different people who have fled to or immigrated to the USA, and now call it home, plus one Afro-American. Basically Arthur Flowers (USA), Chris Abani (Nigeria), Edel Rodriguez (Cuba) and Shirley Lim (ethnic Chinese Malaysian) waxed lyrical about the benefits of living in the USA, and the many opportunities this gave them. They believe that anyone who sets their mind to it can live the life they deserve in the USA and achieve fulfilment in their lives. Such success is not born of race, social status or religion but their own effort in an egalitarian society.
For example Shirley Lim’s family has lived some generation in Malaysia, but Malaysia will not treat them as a full citizen due to their ethnic Chinese background. Edel Rodriguez grew up under Castro in Cuba until his family fled to Florida, USA. Rodriguez acknowledges his childhood memories and he would like to be buried in Cuba when he dies, but in the meantime he is a successful graphic artist in the USA. Chris Abani relates to one incident in the USA, his adopted home, where he had to stay in a strange city one night, in a hotel with no friends to call upon. The helpful and friendly staff informed him that the tree he could see from his hotel window was famous for lynching Negroes in the not too distant past. As a black African himself, this did little to make him feel at home. Nevertheless, all the panellists were firm in their conviction that no country in the world gave the same degree of freedom and opportunity as the USA.
The USA has pioneered more than democracy, it has been at the forefront of technological evolution for almost a century, and has recently extended itself into cyber world. Bill Gates and Steve Jobs are two leading lights in the new technological world. In a recent article in The Global Edition of the New York Times[1] it was revealed that sentiment was so high following the death of Steve Jobs, that following the release of the new iPhone 4S, many customers stated that the “4S” meant “for Steve”. The USA has provided leadership in the cyber world as evidence by the inroads that various American companies have achieved – from IBM, Microsoft to Facebook, Google, Wikipedia and so on. These innovative developments have been lapped up by a hungry and mainly appreciative world.
In should be noted that Steve Jobs was proud of his (Pisces) drug use – he was a product of the 1960s and 70s and he was an unabashed proponent of this aspect of his life. The USA led the world, yet again, in those revolutionary and liberating times of the 60s and 70s with marijuana and LSD high on the list. As one online commentator stated – if Steve had been caught, he would have been put in a (Pisces) cage. This yet again displays the two fish Pisces paradox that is the USA. On the one hand, the USA led the new drug fuelled world, but simultaneously enacted one of the most draconian laws against drug use in the western world. Currently the American war on drugs is dissembling Mexico and causing untold hardship around the world in its stance against an evolutionary social development that American conservative elements do not like.
Where else in the First World does any other country other than the USA has such a large block of citizens who refute Darwin’s Theory of Evolution in favour of creationism? This same fundamentalist Christian block maintains an arch-conservative political influence that beggars description and has no known parallel in any other First World country. The American conservative bloc is another manifestation of the two fish associated with Pisces.
America presents itself as an Aquarian freedom loving democracy – but this is nothing more than ‘white man speaks with forked tongue’. Americans are not consciously malicious, like everyone else they believe they are doing the right thing in the right way, but even their approach to Julian Assange and Wikileaks indicates a chink in their Pisces armour. They prefer that the delusion of their democratic mystique is maintained rather than be scrutinized and have reality appear. Assange was merely putting on public display the reality of American foreign policy. What the American government was telling its citizen’s as its justification for war was in stark contrast to the facts that their own intelligence service provided. Reality has no association with Pisces other than Pisces is the sign of ‘lack of reality’. Pisces is associated with public relations and spin – America does everything it can to maintain the mirage of its own spin. Pisces is an ill-defined archetype which is an inherent part of its nature. It is more like a mirage or fog than a solid object.
Finally, there is no suggestion that the stance and approach that the USA adopts in its foreign policy is in any way inferior or worse than most other nations, past or present – it is just that America is the most influential nation in the world, and so its actions are noticed the most – and criticised the most. The UK was equally malicious in the age of the British Empire as were most European countries – and most countries in the world given the chance.
There is an urban myth developing that the USA is being overtaken by China. One writer put this in perspective – I think it was Tariq Ali from Pakistan. Basically he said that if you take the next 10 leading countries in size, after the USA, add all their respective defence budgets together and then double this figure – it still does not equate to the USA’s defence spending. Though this may be an exaggeration, the military power of the USA is not about to be usurped. One columnist recently referred to the rise and fall of empires, and stated that the USA had at least two decades left as the world’s superpower. This is where the astrological ages provide greater clarity. The USA, as empire of the Pisces-Aquarius age, will be at its exalted position for many centuries, if not for another 1,500 years or so – but with some significant turmoil and changes coming in due course. The first major unsettling development due for the USA will not occur before the middle of next century.
The USA is an enigma within an enigma – it is Hollywood on the grand scale in every sense. It is a mixture of fact and fantasy, where fantasy is presented as fact, and facts are often presented as fantasy. It promotes the glamor of democracy and the deceit of an international bully. For me this was encapsulated by President Bush immediately after the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Bush stated to the effect that “.. he would make the world safe for Americans”. What about everyone else in the word – don’t they also deserve peace? This is Athenian democracy – it is for the elite only.
In a session “Happiness in Human Nature” Rodaan al Galidi, a long term refugee in Jordan from Iraq, and currently resident of Holland since 1998 reflected upon a CNN news report of the war in Iraq. “800 Iraqi’s were killed today and an American soldier was shot in the leg”. CNN then went on and described the convalescence required, input from his family members and other details from the soldier’s wound. The USA promotes an elitist democracy but hides this reality. This is Pisces pure and simple. Nevertheless, the USA is the empire of the Pisces-Aquarian age, and the real Aquarian age empire will not appear for at least another 1,500 years. The USA will be perceived as a stepping stone along the way towards real democracy in the same way that ancient Athens is considered the starting point of the western democratic tradition.
As a major consolation for idealists and rationalists, if the Stalinist communist model had been successful and the world had succumbed to their brain-numbing political model of terror, subjugation and genocide, the USA would appear as a saint – but only in comparison. Now we know that the USA is not a saint but we are left with the Pisces choice – is the glass half full or half empty? Being an optimistic Sagittarian, I take the USA glass to be half full. Furthermore there are exciting times ahead for the USA and the world (see: A Celebration 7,000 Years in the Making).
In relation to Ancient Rome, the USA position today is equivalent to the year 145 BC for Rome. Rome did not attain its maximum territorial size until around 250 years after 145 BC. 145 BC was towards the end of the period known as Supremacy of the New Nobility (287–133 BC) where there was a kind of balance of power of the aristocratic senate and the plebeian assembly. However this was the most militarily active era of the Roman Republic and it left many Roman citizens bankrupt and dependent upon the state due to the deteriorating economic circumstances.[2] Following 133 BC, Ancient Rome teetered between normalcy and crisis, and various reforms were attempted. The world is not static, and this also applies to the USA.
So in conclusion, when many friends and acquaintances throw their hands up in collective horror at the shenanigans of the USA in world affairs since the Second World War, I remind them that for every evil deed done and every corrupt or deceitful action take, that on the other side of the coin, America attains some major development, goal or produces something uplifting for humanity. The IT revolution is being led by the USA, and the ubiquitous cell phone has been shown to play an important part in recent revolutions – as is the case with social network websites. The two fish will always be stuck to the USA, and unfortunately they swim in opposite directions. This Pisces paradox lies at the core of the American psyche. To accept only one side is to be part of the delusion. Most people choose one fish or the other as if these individual fish adequately describes the USA. Unless cognizance is given to both fish, that seem intrinsically opposed to each other, than no real understanding of the age empire of our time can be made.
Five years ago my article SCORPIO – the Sign of the Timeswas published in the Astrological Monthly Review (Vol. 68, No. 11, November 2006, pgs 27-31). Within the Aquarian age, the most relevant aspect that relates to the 21st century is Scorpio. This is because there are twelve sub-ages in each age, and the Scorpio sub-age existed from 1791 until 1970. Due to the fact that the greatest manifestation of influence for any age or sub-period is in the immediate following period, the peak potential for Scorpio is actually 1970 to 2148. There are smaller sub periods in the astrological ages than sub-ages. Each sub-age has twelve micro-ages of approximately 15 years each, with each micro-age consisting of three decans of approximately five years each The Scorpio micro-age decan ran from 2005 until 2010, with its overflow period 2010 to 2015 its most potent time – especially 2010 to 2012. The whole period 2005 to 2015 is a Scorpio hotspot as this little Scorpio micro-age decan resonates with the momentum of the Scorpio sub-age overflow (1970 – 2148)
In the article published in 2006 I identified the prime concepts associated with Scorpio:
Revolution and general instability
tyrants with their cruelty
terrorists
spiritual regeneration
death, assassinations and murder
waste products from any process, which naturally includes sewage and pollution
atomic energy and bombs
almost everything associated with sex
taxes and debt (including credit cards)
underground criminal organisations
spy networks
minimalism
Revolution and General Instability
Recent evidence, especially since about 2007, strongly supports the existence of this Scorpio hotspot. Let’s start with revolution and general instability. The flare-up of disenchanted citizens in many Middle Eastern countries since early 2011 is widespread and includes: Tunisia, Libya, Algeria, Jordan, Mauritania, Sudan, Oman, Yemen, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Djibouti, Morocco, Iraq, Somalia, Bahrain, Iran and Kuwait. The unrest commenced in Tunisia in December 2010 and two established leaders have already been overthrown – in Tunisia and Egypt. In response a number of these countries have enacted democratic reforms, but some have created greater repression of their political opponents or citizens.[1]
From an astrological perspective, it is interesting that the current round of revolutionary fervour is basically located in Middle Eastern Muslim nations, while the similar revolutionary fervour of the 1960s and 70s was mainly associated with Western nations. The main exception to this was Iran. The current Middle Eastern instability is occurring in the Cancer micro-age (2000 – 2015). Cancer is the main sign associated with Islam, and also has long antecedents in the Middle East (Cancer is always associated with the middle of anything, including particularly the stomach). Even the recent riots (since 2005) in French cities were by disaffected Muslim youths. This is interesting from the point that the signs Cancer and Scorpio have strong antecedents in France, and the Muslim urban guerrillas seems to be mainly a French phenomenon rather than a European or western phenomenon.
The current revolutionary unrest may be a small preview of what is to come. The Cancer micro-age overflow (2014 – 2029) is potentially the first of a number of highly revolutionary periods experienced in the world for around 7,000 years (see A Celebration 7,000 Years in the Making ). The Cancer micro-age overflow is also the same time period as the Gemini micro-age which contains within it the revolutionary Aquarian micro-age decan and overflow (2015 – 2024) with the most potent time around 2020. Will the Middle East explode?
The last time the world experienced a Scorpio micro-age decan and overflow within a Cancer micro-age was 1841 to 1851. It was during this period that the first explosions of western working class people began against their mainly despotic and anti-democratic rulers. At the forefront of this new revolutionary sensibility of the working class was the publication in 1848 of The Communist Manifesto by Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels. After 30 years of relative calm, major revolutions in 1848 provided Europe with a taste of things to come. Similar to exiting despotic rulers in the Middle East, the western monarchial governments severely repressed their citizens in the 18th century. It took over 100 years, but by the end of the 20th century, most people in western countries existed in a democratic environment. Freedom does not come easily!
The astrology of the astrological ages indicates that not all the world is unilaterally affected at the same time when a new age or sub-period arrives. There is no doubt that when the Scorpio sub-age arrived in 1791, Europe was ready for its revolution, and over the course of the Scorpio sub-age (1791 – 1970), this definitely took place. At the beginning of the sub-age, Europe was mainly ruled by monarchs. A little after the end of the sub-age, Europe consists mainly of democratic nations. This was a real revolution and probably the greatest revolution the world has ever experienced! In the Scorpio sub-age overflow (1970 – 2148), the same kind of revolutionary energy that Europe experienced in the 19th and 20th centuries, will fan out to the rest of the world like the wake of a boat. The fact that in the current Scorpio hotspot, the revolutionary zeal is mainly focused upon Middle Eastern Muslim nations, strongly suggests the new theatre of action over the next century or so. From the macro-astrological perspective, the tyrannical, dictatorial and repressive regimes in the Middle East seem to have the edge over the demonstrators except in Tunisia, Egypt and perhaps Libya.
The citizens of the Middle East will not see the arrival of their democratic rights en mass in the next year or decade except in some lucky countries. However their quest for freedom may not take as long or be drawn out compared to what occurred in the West over the course of the 19th and 20th centuries. The macro-astrological conditions for the rest of the 21st centuries are extremely volatile and revolutionary – far more than the 19th and 20th centuries. Whichever Middle Eastern nations retain autocratic and monarchial control by 2074 will have to withstand the 60 years long Aquarian sub-age decan overflow (2074-2148). Combining revolutionary Aquarius with the revolutionary Scorpio sub-age overflow (1970-2148) is going to create some very interesting political conditions in many areas of the world – heads will roll.
One major difficulty for these fledging Middle Eastern revolutionaries is the enormous amount of money their mainly despotic rulers have available to repress their subjects. The West is pouring its financial resources into these nations in exchange for the economic heroin of the time – oil. The West also has its armaments industries assiduously arming these despots “for a profit”. Therefore the fundamental difference between Europeans citizens fighting for the democratic rights over the last two centuries and Middle Eastern citizens is that their autocratic leaders are receiving enormous support from the western countries to maintain their autocratic authority. This highlights one of those contradictions of the modern world.
In the current Aquarian age (really the Pisces-Aquarius age), the main sign is medieval Pisces, not democratic Aquarius. One Pisces delusion in the world today is that western democratic countries do the work of well-meaning democracies. Just because a country is nominally democratic within its own borders, does not prevent it behaving abominably outside of its borders. The role that western democratic nations have taken in the world is the role of the medieval lord of the manor demanding obeisance of its serfs (developing and Third World nations). The west consumes the most, borrows the most, pollutes the most and enacts policies to maintain this position of privilege and power. It is in the best interests of western capitalists that Middle Eastern countries provide them with oil in exchange for providing massive financial support that enables Middle Eastern despots to keep their citizens subjugated.
The geo-political reality of the modern world is therefore unlikely to stand by while the suppliers of their next fix of oil get consumed by any revolutionary rabble. Yes there will be some lip service towards nebulous democratic ideals – and in places like Libya it will be convenient as a payback time. Libya has long been a rogue state from the western perspective and therefore becomes the public relations scapegoat promoting the perspective that the western intervention is seen as the west fulfilling its democratic duty. This takes the media focus way from other countries such as Bahrain where the Saudi’s in their tanks arrived to quell those pesky citizens having the temerity to demand their democratic rights – why don’t they obey their king like obedient subjects and keep those oil wells flowing?
Astrology is not biased towards good winning over evil. While the Middle Eastern unrest is mainly a secular drive for freedom, all the other revolutionaries around the world are busy blowing up churches, mosques, temples and innocent people to further their extremist agendas. They are also empowered by the current Scorpio hotspot. So we have about four more years of concentrated freedom seeking revolutionaries and extremist terrorists creating turmoil. The current Scorpio hotspot sits within the shadow of the Leo micro-age overflow (2000-2014) indicating, as a general rule, that the autocratic leaders have the (astrological) momentum compared to their revolutionary citizens. This also applies to terrorists. So while the Middle East revolutionaries may extract little major change in the current Scorpio hotspot, neither will the extremist terrorists. This is all due to change by 2020 at the latest when a foretaste of the end of the 21st century is experienced.
Tyrants
Tyrants have come out of the closet with the arrival of the current Scorpio hotspot– and top of the list is Colonel Gaddafi of Libya, but he is not alone in his obnoxiousness. In real terms the first prize should go to Kim Jong-il of North Korea – shelling a South Korean inhabited island, launching provocative missiles, sinking a South Korean naval ship and always threatening to produce nuclear weapons. It is one of those ironies of the astrological ages and politics that the same sign Scorpio breeds revolutions and tyrants. They both seem to appear relatively simultaneously.
Of course tyrants have only appeared since the rise of “civilization”. Examination of Colonel Gaddafi and Kim Jong-il is like being in a time machine as they are good examples of the common political reality over the last 5,000 years in most “civilized” nations. Most European countries as well as most countries over the last 5,000 regularly had leaders as obnoxious (and far more so) as Gaddafi and Kim Jong-il. Take the Taliban and their persecutions in Afghanistan when they held power prior to 9/11. They behaved exactly the same as the Roman Catholic Church in the Inquisition only a few centuries ago – except the Inquisition lasted a much longer time.
There are some interesting macro-astrological connections to these modern day tyrants. First, Colonel Gaddafi – he came to power in 1969, one year before the peak of Scorpio from the Scorpio sub-age (1791 – 1970). Gaddafi is therefore a child of Scorpio. Robert Mugabe of Rhodesia came to power in 1980, towards the end of the Scorpio micro-age overflow (1970 – 85) but was fully active in the opposition to the white-minority Rhodesian government and saw the end of the Scorpio sub-age in 1970 serving a jail sentence as a political prisoner from 1964 to 1974. Like Colonel Gaddafi, Mugabe is also a child of Scorpio. The tyrannical Iranian government also appeared in the Scorpio micro-age overflow in 1979 making a strong Scorpio connection to the Iranian government.
At the top of the tyrannical league, the only one without a strong Scorpio connection is Kim Jong-il of North Korea. He is the leader of a government that first came to power in 1948, which does have Scorpio as a strong background sign, but was formed when the Capricorn sub-age overflow (1940-55) was the dominant sign. On the micro-age decan level 1948 sits smack in the middle of the Leo micro-age decan overflow (1945-50). Capricorn combined with Leo are both leadership signs bereft of any democratic content. In North Korea they have combined the harsh authoritarianism and frugality of Capricorn with the ego of Leo – the king of the jungle as their ‘magnificent’ leader taking them on to their glorious socialist future. North Korea is currently benefiting from the Leo sub-age overflow (2000-14) when astrologically, the sun shines the brightest upon North Korea. However Leo does not benefit Capricorn as it produces lack of financial resources and even bankruptcy.
The shifting emphasis to Cancer as the current Cancer micro-age (2000–15) reaches its highpoint in 2015 will create a strong impediment to Capricorn (Cancer is opposite Capricorn). Cancer is also the 12th house to Leo – with the 12th house indicating endings, perils and self-undoing. Therefore the most likely tyrant to fall is Kim Jong-il. In a Wikileaks release in 2010 it was revealed that Chinese diplomats had suggested that North Korea should be taken over by South Korea and that China was getting tired of the childish antics of the North Koreans.[2] North Korea’s days may be numbered. Between now and 2015, when Cancer achieves full strength, there is a small gear change for Cancer – around 2012. It is possible around 2012 the situation may further develop or deteriorate, but it is from 2015 onwards that the real hurdle for North Korea appears.
Robert Mugabe’s age may save Zimbabwe – at 87 years he surely has a limited time ahead at the helm. Mugabe came to power in 1980 placing this in the Capricorn micro-age (1975 – 80) as a key supporting sign. Like Kim Jong-il, this also puts him and his followers on a collision path with the peak of the Cancer micro-age in 2015. In the meantime he can cause more havoc. The Iranian government commencing 1979 is much the same as for Mugabe. Interesting times ahead for Iran as Cancer grows in strength towards 2015.
It is only Colonel Gaddafi that is almost pure Scorpio. The Leo micro-age (2000-15) places anything associated with Scorpio in the limelight and favours the ruler of their subjects. The current Scorpio micro-age decan overflow (2010-15) normally would assist him and the looming rising influence of Cancer is usually not a problem for Scorpio. Born in 1942 when Capricorn was at its peak strength may just put him intrinsically on a collision course with his population as the strength of Cancer rises – but this is speculative. Gaddafi also has strong tribal support for his rule. If the Libyan uprising is a drawn-out conflict, this would suit western powers, as they can demonstrate their altruism in bringing democracy to the Middle East as a smokescreen for the oil-fix commercial reality, while people needlessly die, and more repressive Middle Eastern nations continue on in their merry ways with the tacit support of western nations.
The dominance of the USA in world politics since the Second World War is clearly obvious. This coincides with a significant Pisces hotspot in the Pisces-Aquarian age (1433 – 3574) between 1910 and 1970 that strongly promoted the USA in the world due to the fact that the primary sign for the USA is Pisces. Recently chinks in America’s armor has all kinds of pundits and commentators predicting the USA’s fall from its exalted position – usually coinciding with the rising might of China. My soon to be released book on the astrological ages (see www.macro-astrology.com) compares the astrological signatures of China and the USA and how these two nations will weather the 3rd millennium. The USA wins hands down but China will most likely take the yin position to America’s yang for most of the current 3rd millennium.
The most dominant sign in the 3rd millennium is Pisces because the whole of the 3rd millennium sits in the Pisces-Aquarian age that commenced in 1443 AD – and Pisces is the dominant sign in the Pisces-Aquarian age (and is also the dominant sign for the USA). Pisces is a dual-bodied signs so it promotes dualities and polarities. For most of the first decan (one-third) of the Pisces-Aquarian age this duality has mainly played out in Europe.
Firstly the Catholic nations versus the new Protestant nations, then the various opposing blocs in Europe exemplified in the Napoleonic Wars leading into the 20th century with Germany and its allies against the rest of Europe and played out in the two 20th century world wars. Finally the short-lived Cold War expanded the scope out from Europe to the rest of the world with communism and capitalism firmly fighting for dominance. Since the collapse of the communist USSR and the arrival of capitalism into communist China the capitalist-communist divide has all but dissolved. However Pisces demands – as a rule of thumb – an ongoing political and cultural polarity in the world.
The strength of these political polarities wax and wane – within the Pisces-Aquarian age – depending upon smaller cycles within the ages. My observation is that that prime factor that defines these waxing and waning of political dualities sits with the sub-age decans. Each astrological age of some 2150 years each has 12 sub-ages of 178-9 years each. Each of these sub-ages have three decans of approximately 60 years each. These 60 years sub-age decans appear to define the geo-political reality in the world.
For example the bi-polar signs of Gemini, Libra and Pisces enhance political dualities. The recent Pisces sub-age decan overflow (1910 – 1970), apart from promoting the USA, basically defined the rise to power of communism and its inevitable clash with capitalism until communism basically left the field of battle when the USSR imploded in 1991. The current Scorpio sub-age decan overflow (1970 – 2029) is a mono-sign and so does not enhance polarities. The next sub-age decan overflow is the polar sign of Gemini (a dual-bodied sign) with its full effect expected from 2029 to 2089. The world is gearing up to this new geopolitical reality and since 2000 the world has entered into a period with increasing Gemini influence – a kind of preparatory period for the Gemini sub-age decan overflow.
I expect the Gemini sub-age decan overflow will see the polarity of the USA and Western culture on the one hand and China plus Asia on the other. This does not insinuate that this polarity will involve any significant wars or conflicts as the world is astrologically in the process of departing the multi-thousand years Age of Warfare. How will the USA react to this slow but inexorable rise of China as its sparring partner on the world stage?
The clue is the relationship of Gemini to the major sign associated with the USA – which is the sign Pisces. Gemini stimulates the astrological 4th house to the sign Pisces (Gemini is four signs past Gemini in the zodiac). The 4th house stimulates introversion, domestic affairs and avoidance of sabre rattling over issues of status. This is a recipe for the USA to retire from its dominant role in the world and return to its more traditional isolationist approach to world affairs. This in no way detracts from its status as the age-empire of our times – it just means that the age-empire retreats to its own shores and avoids costly and divisive overseas wars or political turmoil.
The following sub-age decan after the Gemini sub-age decan overflow (2029 – 89) is the Aquarian sub-age decan overflow (2089 – 2148). Aquarius is not a dual-bodied sign so it implies that whatever is behind the China-USA duality that exists for most of the 21st century – that it will not extend into the 22nd century to any degree worth mentioning. Aquarius is the second strongest sign in the USA’s astrological signature. This indicates that this Aquarian sub-age decan overflow (2089 – 2148) should be positive for the USA but though evidence is scant – it also suggests that the USA will remain introverted or non-interventionist. The most dominant micro-age between the two world wars of the 20th century was the Aquarian micro-age overflow (1925 – 40) when the USA again retreated form the world after the First World War and tried to avoid international controversies – only to be rudely awaken in 1941 by the Japanese. The sign Aquarius seems to make the USA orientate itself upon itself.
At the beginning of the 21st century – with the USA engaged in two military conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan – it seems inconceivable that the USA will not continue to behave like John Wayne on the international stage – shooting first and asking questions later. The USA has (as of 2010) been in its interventionist side of its nature for 69 years (slightly longer than the length of a sub-age decan). The astrology suggests that this has a time fuse on it (similar to the rise and fall of communism), and the USA is now on the countdown to returning to its isolationist nature.
There are astrological clues that support America’s return to isolationism. While Gemini is strongest in its sub-age decan overflow (2029-89), the embryonic Gemini sub-age decan arrived in 1970 – just in time to turn public opinion away from the war in Viet Nam. The next increased in strength for Gemini occurred in 2000 which witnessed the unprecedented mass opposition to the US led war in Iraq (and Afghanistan) by many former close allies and supporters around the world. The main support came from America’s core Anglo-Saxon allies – the UK and Australia. Here we are witnessing the whittling down of international support for America’s international interventionism.
The next increase in strength for Gemini takes place in 2015 when the Gemini sub-age (2015 – 29) arrives. From around this date onwards we should see further examples of America’s deteriorating interventionist international foreign policy. The arrival of the Gemini sub-age decan overflow in 2029 is the coup-de-gras. The big question is – will the USA’s retreat to isolationism be positive or negative?
I have made a big deal about the USA’s bi-polar nature oscillating between being interventionist on the world stage and being isolationist but there is another polarity associated with Pisces that should also be associated with the USA. Pisces is the ‘serve or suffer’ sign. Astrology indicates that it is not so important if America is interventionist or isolationist but rather whether it is serving (the rest of the world) or suffering as a consequence of not doing ‘the right thing’.
If you examine the history of the USA you will notice many examples of the USA ‘serving’. The USA selflessly served liberals in Europe when it came belatedly to their rescue in the two world wars. The USA also enacted the Monroe Doctrine in 1823 which basically protected the rest of the Americas from interference from colonizing Europeans. The USA also attempted to protect China from the same marauding Europeans in the 18th century. Whenever the USA actually helps or serves it receives accolades.
When America follows its self-seeking policies or follows the demands of its industrial-military complex to engage in yet another conflict it is increasingly being jeered and even ostracized. America’s secret is not to focus upon the oscillation between isolationism and interventionism but to orientate itself to truly helping those nations, regions and people that need help. Whenever America serves it reaps its benefits, whenever it follows its self-seeking policies (oil in Iraq) it suffers. Once America suffers enough it will retreat back to isolationism – not realizing that the problem was not its intervention in the wider world, but its self-seeking intervention.
The USA is slowly on the path back to isolationism but this may seem far-fetched at this point of time. However there is a highly volatile micro-age that the USA must pass through between now and the arrival of the inward-looking Gemini sub-age decan overflow in 2029. The Cancer micro-age overflow (2015-29) indicates much conflict in the USA as historically whenever Cancer is strong there is much discord in the USA (due to Capricorn being the third sign on USA’s totem pole and Cancer is opposite Capricorn in nature). For example, the last Cancer micro-age overflow coincided with the American Civil War. The previous Cancer micro-age overflow (1687-1702) also witnessed much internal strife in the American colonies.
Prognostications upon the Cancer micro-age overflow (2015-29) must wait for another blog entry – but my instincts tell me that the USA of today will be very different to the USA of 2029. So while it seems incongruous that the USA of today will turn away from the wider world and mainly be concerned with its own affairs, after the tumult of the Cancer micro-age overflow (2015-29) is another story.
….. or to be more precise, how will our contemporary modern world be judged in one thousand years time?
I was inspired to write this blog after partially watching an interesting TV documentary Life After People.[1]This documentary explores the fictional notion that somehow all of humanity suddenly disappears, leaving the world intact as it is today but minus human beings. Without humans, everything begins to decay. Termites begin chewing through the wooden structures, iron rusts and vegetation takes over. Even concrete ‘dissolves’ as modern concrete is not as sturdy as the ancient concrete employed by the ancient Romans (and modern concrete produces far more pollution than Roman concrete). In about 1,000 year’s time, there is virtually nothing left – except for ancient monoliths such as the Egyptian pyramids.
This documentary contrasted ancient monuments and modern construction techniques. Modern construction materials are not orientated for longevity. Without constant rebuilding or intense maintenance, most of our constructed modern world will quickly deteriorate. In stark contrast, the pyramids have lasted over 4,000 years, and many of ancient Rome’s impressive building remain available for tourists to visit. These remnant Egyptian monuments are likely to last for many more thousands of years.
The contrast between ancient Egypt and the modern world has an underlying astrological connection. Ancient Rome was the empire of the Taurus age.[2] The modern world currently is the product of the Scorpio sub-age and overflow[3] (of the Aquarian age). Taurus and Scorpio are opposite signs! Therefore what is strong in a Taurean period is weak in a Scorpio period (and vice versa). When we think of ancient Egypt we think of grand pyramids, the Sphinx and massive rock facades on valley walls – plus the aroma of incense, essential oils and freshly baked bread ….. and other sensual delights. Ancient Egypt was Taurus made manifest. There will be no other time in the world where Taurus will be as strong, as when ancient Egypt thrived, for round about another 19,000 years. So despite the modern technological revolution, it is unlikely any society over the next 19,000 will produce a society that leaves so many archaeological epitaphs for many thousands of years compared to ancient Egypt. Egypt has set the benchmark for a long time!
We automatically conclude that our modern world is superior to what came before. However the astrology of the ages indicates otherwise. For example, why hasn’t the contemporary modern world with vastly greater population produced a better poet than Shakespeare? Why aren’t modern classical composers superior in quality and quantity compared to the classical musicians from a couple of centuries ago? The answer is very simple. At various times over the course of the Great Year (some 26,000 years long), there are twelve astrological ages, and these ages indicate a peak of archetypal energy associated with the zodiacal sign of the astrological age. For example the Aries age and overflow (2916 BC – 1433 AD) indicates a peak time for war and violence. Despite the fact nothing in the past is of the magnitude of the two world wars of the 20th century,[4] the person who conquered more of the Eurasian land mass than anyone prior or later is Genghis Khan (c.1162–1227 AD). This occurred under the influence of Aries and is unlikely to be repeated until around another 23,000 years when the world enters the next Aries age. The sub-ages of ages also demonstrate this same trait.
The modern world is a passing experience – and it does not mean that the modern world is superior to all of what came before. From the perspective of the Scorpio age and overflow (1791 – 2148 AD) within the Aquarian age, that has produced much of what we recognize as the contemporary modern world, certain developments that are archetypally associated with Scorpio will set benchmarks that should withstand the next 2,000 years.[5] What are these Scorpio benchmarks? These include the internet, genetic engineering and all its spin-offs including GM foods, the sexual revolution, abortion, nuclear power and weapons, national and personal debt, loans, credit cards, tyrants (Hitler, Stalin, Pol Pot etc), pollution, recycling, revolutions, underground criminal networks (e.g. the Mafia, Triad etc) and unseen forces such as insecurity and spiritual regeneration – to name a few. The appearance of these Scorpio archetypes will withstand the winds of change for quiet some time.
It is possible to predict the next peak of human activity based on the slow movement of the ages. Of the twelve sub-ages (approx 179 years each) that exist within each astrological age, sub-ages can be broken down into three sub-age decans (of approximately 60 years each). The Gemini sub-age decan and overflow (1970 – 2074 with its peak period 2029 – 2074) will witness the greatest manifestation of Gemini since 1073 AD (around 1,000 years ago). What can we expect from Gemini – especially in the period around 2029 to 2074? Firstly the continuation of the communications revolution due to cell phones (mobile phones), emails and the internet. Other areas strongly associated with Gemini include: the massive growth of education around the world[6] – especially pre-university education; the automobile revolution utilizing clean energy; a new futuristic road network; environmentally sustainable transportation; a revitalization of cities; and the minimalization of language due to texting; plus the greatest novelist(s) of the last 1,000 years. Amazon’s Kindle and Apples iPad are ongoing example of new direction in (Gemini) literature. On the negative side the world may be prone to major wind storms, deteriorating air quality and massive increase in lung diseases due to pollution. Gemini currently remains in its formative period (1970 – 2029), and all the Gemini archetypes referred to will be at their most powerful in the period 2029 – 2074.
Though we can expect amazing novelists to spring out of the peak of the current Gemini influence around 2029, the influence of the larger and current Scorpio sub-age is much greater. How will people in the future judge our modern world? On the negative side they will see the modern period as the greatest example of rapine of the Earth where much of the oil and gas laid down over many millions of years and many other limited natural resources are extracted from the ground and used injudiciously with scant regard for future generations. We are behaving like pigs at the trough. We will be earmarked as that strange period when atomic energy and bombs were developed and utilized for good and bad – provided we have not blown the world to smithereens or totally polluted it with nuclear waste so that it is inhospitable to humanity.
On the plus side, we will be seen as that time in history when the world revolted, and dismissed its hereditary kings, monarchs and aristocracy. The internet will be seen as a gift. The Sexual Revolution will also be noticeable in one thousand years time when humanity commenced to be liberated from archaic sexual roles and gender inequality. We will be remembered for our spiritual and religious reinvigoration as displayed by the arrival of born again Christians, the growth of fundamentalism in Christianity and Islam plus the increased spiritualism associated with new sects and groups that have proliferated since the 1970s and the natural spirituality of the New Age movement.
Though it has not occurred yet, we will probably be well remembered for the grassroots revolution against rampant and ecologically unsustainable consumerism (this grass roots revolution is unlikely to see its culmination prior to the middle of the next century). We will be seen as that strange time before the coming ecological golden age (2148 – 2863).[7] Our modern world is actually the gear-change time where the 10,000 years momentum of unplanned and ad hoc development of the world collides with its ecological consequences. This is part two of a mighty revolution that is underway. Part one was the revolution that dethroned the kings – part two is the environmental revolution that we are only seeing the beginning.
Unfortunately we will most likely be remembered badly – because compared to what is to follow, we don’t look good. The mini-golden age due around the middle of next century and lasting for around seven centuries indicates a world of balance, equality, ecological awareness and most likely a much smaller world population compared to today’s world. Scorpio is the sign of pruning – how much of the world’s population will be pruned over the next 150 years or so? From the current figure of 7 billion people, at least half may be pruned. This is already occurring. Most first world nations now have a negative population growth, with many second tier nations also falling in line. Research indicates that the more educated and economically prosperous a region – the lower the birth rate.
The astrology of the ages supports the realization by many that the world is on a collision course with environmental degradation due to pollution. How far will we go before something decisive and effective is done about the deplorable ecological situation? The influence of the Scorpio sub-age strongly insinuates that the world will go past the point of no-return before anything effective is done – with some severe long-term consequences for this lack of timely and direct counter measures. Despite the appearance of a possible golden age next century associated with the Libra decan of the Aquarian age, Libra produces indecisiveness – as no zodiacal sign has only positive qualities associated with it. So while the steady increase in Libra that has been occurring in the world has produced greater environmental awareness by a significant amount of the population, the amount of indecisiveness and the degree of luxury people want to experience (and damn the consequences) is also on the increase. The perceived failure of the Copenhagen Accord in late 2009 on climate change to really tackle the issue head-on is an example of this indecisiveness.
We must put the present parlous circumstance of the world in context. What period since the arrival of civilization has been viewed as a golden age? The earliest and only recorded possible contender for a golden age is in the Gemini age many thousands of years ago in Mesopotamia (present day Iraq) when farmers first settled down into villages but no form of government existed. It appears that political and social decisions were made through consultation and the family elders. This golden age occurred at the cusp of hunter-gathers and the new farmers before all the developed attributes of civilization had evolved (i.e. laws, regulations, leaders, armies, police, religions etc). Civilization brings great benefits and great problems. Are the benefits greater than the problems? On average perhaps not, but the next 150 years may be the exception to the rule where problems of civilization are far greater than the benefits.
I fear that in one thousand years time we will be judged badly but with two qualifications. Firstly I am assuming that civilized society exists in 1,000 years time – which cannot be assumed. Secondly I am assuming that people in 1,000 years time will be judgmental – like they are today, and seem to have been for many thousands of years. Perhaps people in a thousand years will be more evolved and will follow the maxim “judge not and you will not be judged”?
[2] Specifically the Taurus age overflow (2916 – 732 BC)
[3] the Scorpio sub-age and overflow (1791 – 2148) – the third sub-age of the Age of Aquarius (see Is the Aquarian Age Like a Block of Granite?). Basically each astrological age has 12 sub-ages. The most influential sign currently in the Aquarian age is Scorpio.
[4] To be statistically correct, the many millions of deaths associated with the two world wars of the 20th century need to be put in context of the world population at the time.
[5] In around 2,000 years time in the next age, the Capricorn age, there will also be a Scorpio sub-age. The current Scorpio sub-age is the most powerful example of Scorpio until that time and therefore provides us with a 2,000 years Scorpio benchmark.
[6] India has just announced (in 2010) a massive plan to educate its vast millions of uneducated children over the coming decades.
[7] The ecological golden age is associated with the Libran age-decan of the Aquarian age. Each age has three age-decans.
This week I received an email stating that the ‘Aquarian age will not truly begin until the whole of humanity is at peace’. This is not a lone sentiment as many people look expectantly to the Age of Aquarius for a millenarian change. Peace, security and harmony, for example, are all qualities that any sincere person would like to see manifest in this contrary world. However will the Aquarian age respond in kind?
Peace has different meanings for different people. For some peace means absence of war. However if there is no war are people necessarily at peace? I have also heard that peace is not the absence of war but a quality of its own. In other words, someone can experience peace even in prison, the middle of a battle or war, but in a time of peace people may feel discontent. This suggests that at a minimum, there are two kinds of peace, peace in the world, and peace within an individual. My email commentator was looking for peace in the world. However is peace possible in the world if people do not experience peace in their own lives?
In the early 70’s I had a reasonable exposure to the Hindu religion for a short period. In the Hindu religion they have an interesting philosophy that this world is `maya’. Roughly translated, maya means ‘illusion’. This is not to suggest that what we experience, see and feel in this world is an illusion like a cartoon, but an illusion in the sense that it does not incorporate the ultimate reality or Truth with a capital ‘T’. In the Hindu philosophy that I encountered, the ultimate reality is only found within an individual person. This is probably the source of the urban myths of the states of nirvana, enlightenment or liberation.
Someone experiencing nirvana, enlightenment or liberation is like a lotus in a swamp. The lotus is beautiful but exists and grows from the murky and muddy waters of the swamp, representative of the maya of this world. From the Hindu perspective there is never peace in this world as peace and maya are mutually exclusive. If the Hindu sages are correct, there will never be peace in the Aquarian age or any other age, but people can individually be at peace in any age.
Even if peace cannot exist in this world absolutely, the level of war, violence and mayhem varies over time. Some periods of time seem less violent than others. Some societies appear very peaceful while others are violent by nature. For example before the Maoris arrived in New Zealand, an earlier group of Polynesian settlers lived there peaceably. After the Maoris arrived these earlier settlers disappeared but a remnant group continued to exist on an island far off the east coast of New Zealand. The whalers of the 19th century discovered this remnant group and informed the Maoris.
The whalers subsequently took the Maoris to the island and the Maoris commenced killing the inhabitants. The hapless inhabitants did not know what to do because all forms of violence was so far removed from their reality that they did not understand what was happening to them even as they were being slaughtered. This fierceness of the Maoris’ saved them from defeat by the British in the 19th century, and in place of conquest the British government entered into a treaty with the Maoris that continues to this day.
Some societies are comfortable with violence and other societies are not. At certain times in history violence has been the dominant theme, while at other times a more peaceful existence ensured. History indicates that the upsurge in war commenced about 5,000 years ago which coincidentally was aligned to the beginning of the Aries age in c.2916 BC. Aries is ruled by the planet Mars, the traditional God of War. Aries and war go hand-in-glove but Aries does also foster sport, competition, construction and achievement.
Before the arrival of the Aries age the world did appear somewhat less violent. Historians have noted a general lack of defensive structures or armaments in Europe over 5,000 years ago. This compares with the 1st millennium BC where Europe was a series of hill fortresses on high military alert and there is wide evidence of swords. As one historian noted, there is only one thing you can do with a sword.
Despite the lack of widespread warfare over 5,000 years ago, one of the oldest cities in the world is Jericho dating from 9000 BC. From its earliest days Jericho was fortified by a defensive wall. Obviously it needed a defensive wall to ward off raiding parties from surrounding inhabitants. So even well before the violent Aries age, violence was still around, but historians state that it was not so widespread or as entrenched as later periods.
The arrival of the Aries age in c.2916 BC saw the arrival of mass warfare. The Mesopotamians turned increasingly to war and the first empire gained through military means was the defeat of the Sumerian by Akkad under Sargon who reined from 2270 BC – 2215 BC. From hereon in the history of the world is virtually the history of war. At the end of the Aries age when the momentum of Aries had reached its full power, the little village of Rome was formed, ushering in a new age of war under the military-orientated Romans.
One quirky problem the Romans encountered as their empire expanded is that neighboring cities within the Roman Empire could not fight each other once they were incorporated in the Roman Empire. The traditional approach to government by the Romans was to allow conquered cities to maintain their own government. However what these city governments wanted to do most of all was go to war with their neighbors. This the Romans would not allow so often the sulky citizens refused to maintain their own governments.
The whole military and war momentum has continued in the world to the 20th century but there are now indications that since the 2nd World War the incidence of war has significantly subsided in the world. Many people are not convinced however, but this is probably due to the unpainted wall syndrome.
The unpainted wall syndrome basically means that if a room has three walls freshly painted, and one wall in its original state, an onlooker will focus their attention on the unpainted wall. If the unpainted wall is then painted except for a small one foot by one foot patch, this is where the focus will lie. If this is painted but a mark or blemish is left in the painting, the attention is drawn to the blemish.
The unpainted wall syndrome applies to war in the world. Wherever war, discord or military action appears, the media will focus upon it, and the general public will be made keenly aware of the effects of the war or skirmish. The fact that modern media is incredibly adept at bringing war and conflict into our living rooms in full colour and in stereo increases the impact upon us. But the fact remains that the effects upon the world by war is very small and shrinking despite the invasion of Iraq.
If Aries is linked to war, the opposite sign, Libra, should be linked to peace. To a certain extent this is true. This is good news for the world because the Aquarian age has three decans and the first decan encountered in the Aquarian age is the Libran decan – the sign of peace. The full effect of Libra’s peace potential will not occur much before 2148 and the world may experience a mini Golden Age of Peace roughly between 2148 and 2863. This may be peace on a relative scale (i.e. far less wars and conflict compared to the last 5,000 years). But don’t despair if you are holding your breath for a more peaceful world – peace is progressively appearing, and the peace momentum shifted up a gear in 1791.
How could the peace momentum increased from 1791 when there have probably been more people killed in war since 1791 compared to all the previous wars in history with most killed in the 20th century? The answer is rather simple but overlooked. If the world is to remove itself from its violent past, that commenced around 2916 BC, then some deterrent effect to starting wars should occur. This is exactly what has happened.
Examine the following significant wars in the 20th century which excludes civil wars, internal strife or border disputes as these types of conflicts have a different dynamic the internal wars usually involving throwing off an oppressive ruler. After the war will be given the protagonist and if they won or lost the war:
1904-1905 Russo-Japanese War – Russia Lost
1914 -18 First World War – Germany & Austria – Lost
1939-45 Second World War – Germany, Italy & Japan – Lost
1950-53 Korean War – North Korea & China – Lost
1951 – Chinese Invasion of Tibet – China Won
1956 The Suez Crisis – UK, France & Israel – Lost War (won the military assaults)
1959-74 Viet Nam War – USA Lost
1961 Bay of Pigs Invasion – USA and Cuban expatriates Lost
1967 Six Day War – Egypt, Jordan, and Syria Lost
1979-89 Invasion of Afghanistan – USSR – Lost
1980-1988 Iran-Iraq War – Iraq Lost
1982 Falklands War – Argentina Lost
1990-91 Gulf War – Iraq Lost
2001 9/11 Terrorist Attack on USA – Al Qaeda in Afghanistan – (Afghanistan) Lost
2003 USA’s Coalition of the Willing invasion of Iraq – USA (In Progress)
Based on the above 15 major wars or conflicts, but excluding the invasion of Iraq by the USA and the Coalition of the Willing, because its outcome in uncertain, the only war won to date is the invasion of Tibet by China in 1951 but even the long term success for China of this invasion is uncertain. The moral seems to be that if you want to lose a war then start one including a pre-emptive strike!
This may be a bad omen for the USA in Iraq, but not necessarily so in Afghanistan. The Afghanistan Taliban government protected Al Qaeda and while under this protection Al Qaeda attacked the USA. Al Qaeda started the war and the Afghanistan government fell due to its support of the protagonists.
If there is to be a deterrent to war, having the protagonists continually losing the war is a good start towards peace. The momentum towards avoiding war will continue in the lead up to the mini Golden Age of Peace forecast for between 2148 and 2863 but here is the problem. The major problem facing the world in the 21st century is not war but pollution. Even if the world avoided war and conflict it could suffer far worst consequences from the effects of pollution and global warming. Are we facing a no-win situation?
In the 1960’s and 70s the world faced the prospect of nuclear annihilation. Now in 2008 the nuclear arsenal remains in place but in the addition of the ongoing possibility of nuclear annihilation, we are facing environmental annihilation in a worse case scenario, or significant environmental problems in a best case scenario. What kind of world may be left when the mini Golden Age of Peace arrives mid next century? Will there be peace because there will only be a remnant population left in the world following the disastrous consequences of environmental damage?
Are the Hindu sages correct? If we want peace perhaps inner peace offers the greatest security and surety? From the astrological standpoint the prospect of inner peace is currently at a peak due to Scorpio. Within the Aquarian Age, the effects of the Scorpio sub-age are at their peak between 1970 and 2148 leading up o the mini Golden Age of Peace. Scorpio is the sign that indicates rebirth, metamorphosis, regeneration and inner strength thus implying that enlightenment, nirvana or whatever is on the menu. In any Scorpio period people feel vulnerable and lack security due to the instability in the world which is prone to cataclysmic upheavals in Scorpio periods.
The sign Scorpio indicates weakness on the outside but strength within. The source of peace in a Scorpio period is within. Maybe the path of inner awareness is the most reliable path to peace in this world of ours at this point of time. If the requirement that the world be at peace before the Aquarian age arrives is correct, it is unlikely we will ever have an Aquarian age.
Demystifying the Aquarian Age 
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