MMA COMMENTS
For Week Beginning October 10, 2011
Longer-Term Thoughts
The extreme and increasing volatility in financial markets is symptomatic of (and a correlate to) an even bigger drama going on the heavens right now. This is known as the approaching square of Uranus and Pluto, a cosmic event that happens about every 126 years. It’s quarter cycle phases are also very important. These two planets began their long-term cycle with the conjunction in 1965-66, when both planets were also in opposition to Saturn. This is the first quarter cycle of the new longer-term cycle. The previous quarter cycle occurred in 1931. You don’t have to search your history books to figure out what happened in 1931 or 1965-66 to societies around the world, their economies and financial markets. Fundamental, structural changes on many levels of the human experience were enacted.
Now we are going through it again, as outlined in every Forecast Book since 1994. Each book stated that the period of 2008-2015 would be very much similar to 1928-1934. In many ways, it would also repeat the themes of the mid-1960’s, since all quarter cycles relate to the dynamics that were underway at the time of the conjunction.
So let us consider for a moment what types of human activities were highlighted within two years of the conjunction between Uranus and Pluto that took place in 1965-1966 (say 1963-1968), with emphasis upon the parts of human activity that are ruled by these two planets according to the principles of the oldest known study to Man. Uranus rules the masses, the “world-view” if you will. It is the dynamic associated with changes - sudden changes - often involving the masses or large groups of people. Uranus is new, the future, and is said to have no regard for tradition and authority. It desires freedom, liberation, and equality for all. It is also the planet that is “disconnected” from others. It is an alien, a stranger, a non-conformist. It is revolutionary and rules youth movements. Uranus doesn’t grow old, but it can become estranged.
Now let’s consider Pluto, the planet of reformation. It looks at something and if it decides it is not right it sets about to correct it – by almost any means possible. Sometimes making something right means you have to tear it down first and then rebuild it. Uranus is like a tornado or storm that comes suddenly out of nowhere. Pluto is like the storm that looms big in the distance and rolls in slowly. You know it is coming and there is little you can do to avoid it. You just bunker down and hope to survive its fury. Pluto rules death, death and taxes. You know they are all coming and all you can do is make sure all your affairs are in order before they hit. Or, if you are intelligent enough, you actually make changes where possible and reverse the momentum by changing the actions that may have caused it in the first place before it is too late. Regarding debt, you either reverse your policies or you go bankrupt, or into default if you are a nation. The debt becomes so enormous that you can never get out from under it. All you can do is surrender, and promise to start over – or else give up your life and/or its freedoms.
So Uranus and Pluto pertain to the debt explosion we are now going through, and which this column identified long ago would likely happen from 2008-2015. But it is more than that. It also contains the seeds for a revolution of some sort, and social transformation on a huge global level, and especially for the United States of America, since the Uranus-Pluto square makes a grand square to the USA's natal Sun-Saturn square.
The “Occupy Wall Street” protest movement now sweeping the country is a perfect example of Uranus (masses, young people) demanding fundamental changes in government, banks, and businesses. The movement hasn’t really defined its goals clearly, but it is not so difficult to see where this going, given the principles of astrology, especially Financial or Mundane Astrology. We had a similar phenomenon arise in the mid 1960’s. It started out as a peaceful “flower child” movement where the youth “turned off, tuned in, and dropped out” in protest against the values of the previous generation – the one Tom Brokaw keeps referring to as “The Greatest Generation.” That would be a subject of great disagreement if you asked those Baby Boomers at that time (and maybe even today). But the 1960’s ‘peaceful revolution” soon turned violent when political activists entered that massive group gathering and successfully steered it into an anti-war, anti-government movement. It soon evolved and expanded further into violent race riots. There were three hugely important assassinations that occurred during that period too: John F. Kennedy, Martin Luther King, and Robert Kennedy. The movement was so powerful that it 1) caused the sitting president to drop out of the 1968 presidential election, and 2) led to violent confrontations between police and demonstrators at the 1968 Democratic presidential convention in Chicago.
I bring this up because 2012-2015 will be the first quarter cycle of that Uranus-Pluto cycle that occurred in 1965-1966. The seeds that were planted in the mid-1960’s are starting to blossom now (I am not sure “blossom” is the right word). The bottom line is that this period - now through 2015 really – can be “humanity’s finest moment,” when it fundamentally changes the dynamics and policies that have led to this horrendous world-wide debt explosion. It can be humanity’s finest moment if it can rise above the hatred of racial prejudices and social inequalities.
As one looks at the race for the USA presidency in 2012, it is disturbing to observe these divisive polarities as well as the Republican mantra that their most important duty is simply to defeat Barack Obama. Really? That’s the most important duty of conservatives and Republicans? Let me suggest that they also consider the ramifications of simply defeating Barack Obama within the context of Uranus and Pluto in square aspect, as well as the ramifications if he wins with this type of prioritization of goals. If Barack Obama is re-elected in this type of hostile “mass polarity” climate, the probability is great that 1) he could be impeached if at the same time Republicans gain control of both the House and the Senate, as early polls suggest will happen, or 2) there could be revolution within the country (within many countries), including an overthrow of the government. If Obama is not elected, there will still be danger of revolution in the USA and perhaps its government, but it will likely be brought about by massive race riots. The same is true if he is elected and impeached.
As historic as 2008 was because it resulted in the election of the first African-American president ever in the USA, the study of astrology suggests that the election of 2012 will be just as historic and important. But it is not the election itself that fascinates me so much. It is what happens as a result of it afterwards. Humanity – and especially America - steps up and exhibit its finest moment ever and transforms this hostile economic and social climate into something to be proud of, or else it sinks to its lowest level and falls into an abyss that is nothing short of tragic, both economically and socially.
Watch the protest movement of “Occupy Wall Street. Watch who infiltrates this movement and tries to steer it into a political activist movement with the potential to unleash a very violent force. Maybe it becomes the left’s own Tea Party movement. If Obama wants to be a hero and increase his approval ratings, perhaps he will choose to send in the Marines or Army to stand between the New York police force and the protestors the moment the police start to turn violent. He can create the narrative whereby he protects the protestors’ right to assemble and free speech (he is all about creating narratives before action). You think we live in interesting times? It’s about to ratchet up another notch. Let's hope our leaders step up and make this our generation's finest moment. It is possible if they lead in that direction, rather than the divisive and polarizing directions currently underway.
Raymond A. Merriman
copyright Raymond Merriman