I’ve usually left Ireland and her inner conflicts alone because there are so many nations in the world one can follow, it just seemed as if I was spreading myself too thinly. Nations make changes by voting, by coups and other pressures that may revealed in shifting political and emotional moods across the land. But this news demands attention, and the New York Times said it best in its breaking story, “Ireland Becomes First Country to Legalize Gay Marriage by Popular Vote,” from which I’m drawing your attention to the following quote:
“Not long ago, the vote would have been unthinkable. Ireland decriminalized homosexuality only in 1993, the church dominates the education system and abortion remains illegal except when a mother’s life is at risk. But the influence of the church has waned amid scandals in recent years, while attitudes, particularly among the young, have shifted.
“The vote is also the latest chapter in a sharpening global cultural clash.“ (©2015 The New York Times)
I get the feeling that, while he is quiet, Pope Francis I’s influence might be showing here. So okay, I decided to play with the thought–but with which chart for Ireland was the question. According to Nicholas Campion‘s The Book of World Horoscopes, there are three charts for the Emerald country he calls Eire.
As I moved in to consider the influence of the pope, I also thought it might be interesting to see the Sabian Symbols for each of the Ascendants of the charts laid out in Campion’s book, thanks to Lynda Hill‘s generous permission from her book 360 Degrees of Wisdom: The Sabian Oracle_ (© Lynda Hill 2004):
Ascendant 20 Leo 25, Sabian Symbol Leo 21
“INTOXICATED CHICKENS DIZZILY FLAP THEIR WINGS TRYING TO FLY
“Commentary: ‘Intoxicated Chickens Dizzily Flap Their Wings Trying to Fly’ is a rather amusing image. The ‘Intoxicated Chickens’ have been fired up by something, or eaten some seed that has become fermented. Having been ‘Intoxicated’, they are ‘Dizzily Flapping Their Wings Trying to Fly’. They have forgotten their true limitations and are trying to do more than they are usually physically capable of. This Symbol can indicate things such as giddiness, mistakes, headaches and regrets from ill-conceived projects.
“Oracle: This Symbol can indicate somebody actually losing their sense of reality, or their sensible mind. One’s first attempts at a new experience may prove less than elegant or skillful. There is possibly an attempt to do too much too soon. Perhaps you have not thoroughly planned what you want to achieve. Trying to accomplish something a little too eagerly and before the proper training has been completed can get you nowhere, no matter how much energy and enthusiasm is expended. Making a list of long and short-term goals will help to clarify your ideas. Soon things will improve and you can laugh about the mishaps and mistakes that were made when you started out. Being confused, or ‘Intoxicated’, can be solved relatively easily, with some constraint. Further, it can be drink or drugs that caused this ‘Intoxication’, or it can be unrestrained happiness and enthusiasm. Moderate any or all of these factors and you will gain a clearer vision and have a deeper focus on your situation. Either way, try not to worry about how much is actually being achieved. Right now, find enjoyment in this ‘Intoxication’, but remember to come back to earth when the feelings diminish.
“Keywords: False courage. Inexperience. Trying to do something beyond the bounds of experience or possibility. Getting “out of it” in order to escape something. Getting all het-up over tiny or illusive prospects. Alcohol and drugs and the allure of escapism. Drinking binges. Ecstasy. Hangovers. Attempting to do the impossible.
“The Caution: Giddiness, lightheadedness, unwanted side effects. Getting nowhere. Inability to ground things in reality. Making a fool of one’s self. Intoxication that inhibits seeing what’s really possible. Alcoholism and drug habits. Losing reality. Mindlessness that confuses or misleads. Going too far too fast. Forgetting who or where you are.”
Ireland – 1 inside, Pope Francis I outside
I see Pope Francis I has Pluto conjunct Ireland’s Neptune in the 12th house, as if to say even before he became pope, he might have had an influence on the country–or perhaps the country’s spirituality became part of his own spiritual focus from an early age. He was born 20 years after events led to Ireland’s first chart as a nation.
The pope’s Pluto seems to play a powerful role in the dynamics between the three charts and his, especially since he is the head of the Catholic Church today. For me, therefore, Pluto seems especially fitting. His Pluto sits at 28 Cancer 17 Rx, at the Cancer 29 Sabian Symbol:
“A GREEK MUSE WEIGHING NEW BORN TWINS IN GOLDEN SCALES
“Commentary: ‘A Greek Muse Weighing New Born Twins in Golden Scales’. The ‘Muses’ were Greek deities of the arts and sciences. Artists and scientists alike would invoke the wisdom and inspiration of the ‘Muses’ before any creative or intellectual work was begun. In Greek mythology there are nine ‘Muses’ that specialize in different aspects of thought and creativity.
“Oracle: In the situation facing you, you may be pressed into making judgments and decisions in a creative or intuitive way. As the ‘Greek Muse’ is ‘Weighing New Born Twins’, the elements of your judgment are likely to be, in many ways, very similar. The choices are confusing because they essentially lead to the same result.This situation is probably brand new. It may be that the answer lies in taking an intuitive “punt”, or guess, or perhaps you need to wait for more information for the solutions to become more clear-cut. Either way it is by consulting universal wisdom that you can focus on the best answer. Are you consulting the right ‘Muse’? Are you considering the issue from the best perspective? This is, overall, a very fortunate Symbol – it indicates that your choices are equally beneficial, or at least, equally balanced. Whatever you decide will most likely be a good decision. This Symbol can also indicate a very quick mind that can make decisions very quickly due to a natural mechanism that can be called on.
“Keywords: Comparisons and similarities. Weighing things up. The law and lawyers. The Scales of Justice. First communion. The value of new beginnings. Grand gestures. Ceremonies. Looking for subtle aspects. Balances. Using the intuition. Weighing up pros and cons. Hesitating before making decisions. Subtle discriminations of differences. Measured responses. Inspiration. The gift of prophecy. Patrons of the arts. Ponder. Fairness. Equality. Meticulous attention to detail. Evaluations.
“The Caution: Expressing judgmental opinions about things that are essentially equal. Being picky. The scales tipped. Everything getting off balance. Constantly weighing things up instead of just accepting them. Not being able to move forward with plans or ideas because of a feeling of being stuck. Excessive arguments for or against. Continual wavering. Being persnickety. Tipping the scales.”
But then I love the nation’s Venus in Gemini, making a 44-minute partile conjunction to the still unborn pope’s Chiron, and again those words about Chiron come to mind: “Charisma and sizzle in performances.” Can a pope possess charisma and sizzle? I think so since he can revolutionize the ways in which members of his Church think and react in the world, and perhaps he’s been doing that. He has been the source of many surprises since he became pope. But even his Uranus conjunct the nation’s Sun in the first chart would say he could wake up the nation especially when the nation’s Sun makes a 29-minute partile conjunction to its Midheaven, and his Uranus is making a 33-minute partile conjunction to that MC.
The pope’s Chiron sits at 20 GE 15 Rx, Sabian Symbol Gemini 21:
“A TUMULTUOUS LABOR DEMONSTRATION
“Commentary: ‘A Tumultuous Labor Demonstration’ is shown. It seems there are many people who are unhappy and who feel that they are not getting their fair share. ‘Labor Demonstrations’ can cause work to come to a standstill as people make their point. There is an injustice that needs righting and a spontaneous group reaction may be what is needed to wake up those in charge. Sometimes there’s a need to lift one’s voice or make a huge fuss otherwise nothing will be done; things are not likely to change by themselves. Sometimes it is only by rallying many people together in a common cause that you can be heard, or be taken seriously. Indeed, grinding things to a halt may be the appropriate thing to do at this time.
“Oracle: This Symbol is suggesting that there are probably others who are involved or sympathetic to your situation. However, if there is a feeling of being alone and powerless, it is important to find out what level of support you actually have. Responses to this situation can cause emotions, and therefore actions, to get out of control. On the other hand, if you are the one trying to take advantage of someone else because you think they haven’t got the power to defy you, you may be unleashing a reaction that will involve many other people. Whatever the situation, never underestimate the power of the collective, whether the people be blue collar or corporate. Indeed, the level of one’s status plays a somewhat diminished role when it comes to the power and might of the majority. It is important to speak up for your rights and when the issues are important there is good reason to seek out support. You will be surprised how much support for the cause is out there. Stand up for what you want and see what happens.
“Keywords: Pushing for change to the status quo. Feeling hard done by or taken advantage of. Seeking a better share of the profits. Protest about having too much to do. Standing up for yourself. Issues being trivialized. Overreaction. Melodramatic approaches to serious issues. Voting for change. Periodic blowing up. The rights of democracy. People in the street. Peace rallies.
“The Caution: Using the group to accomplish a personal agenda. Asking for more than one’s share, or not being able to ask for one’s share. Protests that can lead to riots. Resisting change. Feeling that one’s vote or voice doesn’t count. Emotions that get completely out of hand. Refusing to cooperate or to be productive. Brutality and violence.”
Ireland – 1 also showed natal Venus at 19 GE 31, the Sabian Symbol for Gemini 20, and yes, Ireland has had to make a choice:
“A CAFETERIA WITH AN ABUNDANCE OF CHOICES
“Commentary: ‘A Cafeteria’ is shown which has ‘an Abundance of Choices’. We are very lucky in this modern age that everything is laid out for us so easily and so temptingly. There are all sorts of foods available, and we have only to reach out and take them. There are sometimes so many choices that it can be hard to make up one’s mind. Also, each has its price. The ‘Cafeteria’ is different from the a-la-carte restaurant–everything that is on display is available instantly. This can mean that what is available is not necessarily the best quality, but it is ready for use and consumption straight away. There is no time lost in preparing food—it’s all there in front of you.
“Oracle: Although everything looks so near and so convenient, be careful of your choices. Each will nourish you and fill you up to some extent, but some things are more nourishing or beneficial than others. Some things are downright bad for your health and should be avoided like the plague! However, we have a lot of free choice in our modern society; if you don’t like your first choice, you can go back for something else – that is, if you can afford it. This Symbol is telling you that you may not need the special a-la-carte options of life right now. There are plenty of things immediately available that will do just fine. In fact you probably don’t have the time or the opportunity to be too fussy. You may have to just take advantage of what is available. Take what you need, use it quickly and effectively so that you can clear those issues and get on with the more difficult situations later when there is time for more planning and patience.
“Keywords: Overwhelming alternatives in modern society. Satiation. Everything provided for. Self-service. Issues of indulgence and one’s needs satisfied. Salivating over what’s on display. The incredible number of “choices” in a technological society. Too many choices (food, lovers, jobs, opportunities) – so little time. Instant gratification. Takeaway food. Buffet-style meals. Obesity. Chef’s surprises. The need to be discerning. Mechanized systems that don’t require much thought.
“The Caution: Taking everything you can simply because it is available, regardless of needs. The inability to make life’s decisions. Things so near, yet so far. The inability to satisfy no matter how much one has. Feeling that one has to eat because it’s there. Indulgence beyond reason. Indigestion. Waste. Obsession with food. Using up people one by one.”
The correlations from that first chart were simply stunning to me. But I hadn’t found that same ‘charisma and sizzle” in my quick look at the Ireland – 2 chart. Perhaps the Sabian Symbol for the natal Ascendant showed here to offer that continuity:
Ireland – 2 reveals the Ascendant at 29 GE 09, the Sabian symbol for Gemini 30. I found it profoundly accurate since it seemed as if Ireland at that time might have been more concerned about “the neighbors” and what they/others would think than how they perceived themselves:
“A PARADE OF BATHING BEAUTIES BEFORE LARGE BEACH CROWDS
“Commentary: The ‘Parade of Bathing Beauties Before Large Beach Crowds’ is reminiscent of the Miss America pageant, where the women line up in their bikinis and their finest dresses. They present themselves beautifully and work hard to make an impact with their looks and grace. Their bodies and their fresh smiling faces are not only to be admired, but also judged by others.
“Oracle: In this situation you may feel as though you are only being appreciated for your superficial attractions and beauty without appreciation of your deeper purpose. However, this is what is often needed in order to gain the attention of others, particularly if they are strangers. Be aware that you are getting a lot of attention, so it is important to put on your best face and to present it with confidence as there is a potential audience that may be used to your advantage. It is not really the superficiality of the ‘Bathing Beauties’, but really of the ‘Crowds’ that is revealed here. Those putting themselves on display are doing so by choice and with some knowledge of the fact that they are trying to gain the attention, admiration and appreciation of the people watching. It is the ‘Crowd’ that is responding to basic responses which may vary from seeking simple entertainment to voyeurism. Displays of beauty and physical fitness can bring joy and stimulation from others or jealousy and derision, so be careful of what’s being revealed and whom you are revealing it to. After the process of display and attention has been achieved, there will be opportunities to relate on a deeper level. When you are able to bring the situation to a more personal and one-to-one basis some real value can be gained. Something must begin the process and being noticed for whatever reason is a good start.
“Keywords: Being on show. Sheer attraction of beauty. Seeking praise. Displaying in order to get people to observe and/or evaluate. Beauty pageants. Bathing costumes and skimpy clothing. Beaches. Lifeguards. Beauty judges. Nudist beaches. Breast sizes. The mysteries of the feminine. Playing dressups. Gatherings of goddesses. Mermaids converging. The water element. Recognizing superficiality and shallow behavior. Water nymphs.
“The Caution: Using superficialities to win support. Giving importance to the issues of appearance. Neglecting the “beauty within”. Too much makeup. Flaunting one’s body. Not employing intellect. Leering, jeering. Lusting after the unattainable. Feeling like merchandise. Making superficial judgments.”
In all fairness to the second chart, which I had some hesitation in doing since it seemed less visibly accurate until I did the Sabian Symbol that follows, I’d say on retrospect it seems the pope’s Ascendant making its respective 39- and 41-minute conjunctions to the Ireland – 2 chart’s Moon-Pluto 2-minute partile conjunction in the first on the 2nd house cusp was far more powerful than I initially realized. Such a post-editorial awakening gives me further validation for the Sabian Symbols I never understood before. An interesting sidenote, btw, take note of Ireland – 2 chart’s 2-minute partile cazimi conjunction (According to Deborah Houlding of Skyscript, “If a planet is within 17 minutes of the Sun, it is termed Cazimi – in the heart of the Sun – and considered strengthened by the union.”) of the Sun and Mercury in the 6th! While I was focusing on the pope’s synastry with this chart, I had ignored the natal, a warning to us all not to become so attached to one thought that we miss seeing additional signs. In terms of the nation, this would have been a tremendous point of note in the chart. In terms, however, of the pope’s synastry, it seems not to have entered into as strong an emphasis as the other two charts have implied.
The Sabian Symbol fot the Ascendant alone gave me more insight than the synastry I saw directly here. But perhaps I was drowning in charts by now. I found the Ireland – 3 chart more intriguing because it speaks of now.
The Ascendant on this chart falls at 5 Sagittarius 06, bringing the natural zodiac into mind with the 9th house in focus. The Sabian Symbol for the Ascendant falls at Sagittarius 6:
“A GAME OF CRICKET
“Commentary: ‘A Game of Cricket’ is seen. ‘Cricket’ is a ‘Game’ that is associated with gentility, gamesmanship and decorum. It is a bat and ball game played on green fields with “gentlemen” players, all dressed in their “whites”. There are two teams, with 11 players each. It is a game of skill, fairness, and peaceful cooperation amongst its players. In days of old, particularly in England, people would gather from around the district to play on the field or on the pitch and the ‘Game’ was usually one of friendliness and good-humored sportsmanship.
“Oracle: This reflects a time when it is not necessarily the game that is important, but how it is played. You may find that integrity is vital in this situation and your honesty and ability to “play by the rules of the game” will give you just rewards, even if there is some initial sacrifice. Careful teamwork is probably needed to stop things getting through the gaps. Although the situation may take some time, everyone must keep on their toes, ready for something that may come out of “left field”. It is important in this situation for everyone to understand the expectations required of them. Honesty and integrity are important, and also highly regarded. Behaving against these expectations can receive a harsh reaction and treatment and possibly even rejection from others on the playing field. This is not the time for anyone to be pushing the envelope to test what is acceptable to the rules of society. The rules and guidelines for operating in this situation are, or should be, made very clear – there will be some form of punishment for dishonesty. There is a need to remember everyone’s position in the game: your own and others. Also, every game has its rules.
“Keywords: Playing by the rules. Stiff upper lip responses. Seeing through the illusions of what constitutes “polite society”. Having a role to play in the game of life. Sportsmanship. Being the “batsman” or the “bowler”. Running and playing. Fair play. Impeccable behavior. Moving at will around the field. Scoring runs. People in the outfield. Holding the bat. Winning the toss. Opposing teams. Games that go on for day after day. Patience. Summer games. Going by the umpire’s decision. Everyone having a go.
“The Caution: Difficulty in showing one’s true feelings and emotions. Going against the rules of the game. Something that simply “is just not cricket” (fair play). Curve balls. Being caught out. Games that are boring and long-winded. Being the 13th man. Silly rules that don’t make sense.”
Now here–for me–the chart seems to have developed some tangible context; but again, I was more intrigued with this third chart and the possibility that this could also bring the dynamic of the pope’s chart into play with its synastry. It was clear to me that evolution was taking place.
Ireland – 3 inside, Pope Francis I outside
The pope’s natal Saturn opposes Ireland’s Neptune in the third chart’s interceptions in the 3rd and 9th houses. 9th house, the house of theology, philosophy, higher education, legalities, and foreign affairs, all perhaps being hit with the vote in Ireland being announced today. “The Peeling of Life’s Onion” comes to the fore here then with the pope’s bringing a sense of compassion into play from the Vatican. Now I don’t know if he has actually even addressed the situation just yet, but he has made enough comments to revolutionize theological concepts espoused by the Catholic Church through the years before he stepped into the papal shoes at the Vatican.
The 9th house in the natural zodiacal chart is ruled by Jupiter, and no surprised, while Pope Francis I has a Moon-Venus conjunction in Aquarius with Venus serving as a bridge to make the Moon and Jupiter conjunct in the Ireland – 3 chart, the pope’s Jupiter makes a 2°00′ conjunction to the Ireland – 3 chart’s Moon in the 1st house at the cusp of the 2nd house, pointing to the values of the nation as well as the nation as a united body. (Perhaps we can see the vote through the body of the nation, but that’s not the goal I’m seeking in this analysis, rather in the understandings at least for now of the pope’s potential influence on the vote as it came through.
The Pope’s Ascendant makes a 20-minute partile conjunction to this chart’s 8th house cusp, and you’ll recall that his natal Pluto–in this house–also conjuncts the Ireland – 1 chart’s natal Neptune which would fall in this house.
Consider how a transit of Pluto to one’s Neptune can be so profound, it takes us years to recognize the impact of such a transit. We experience it during or early to mid-20s and never realize how much we’ve evolved and grown until we’re looking back from the mid-30s to be amazed by our inability to recognize who we were back then.
It’s said there are no coincidences, and here we have a pope who was born at just the right time to have made some kind of influence in the country Nick Campion calls Eire. Now perhaps the pope didn’t cause such an impact directly. After all, Ireland, whether through chart 1, 2 or 3, still has needed to go through its own evolution with many factors in play. On the other hand, Ireland – 3’s chart shows Mercury–trine the natal Moon–conjunct the pope’s Uranus in the 5th house. Could it be that he did play a role in the evolution of the nation? That’s hard to say, isn’t it?
Ireland – 3 has her own beat with natal Uranus in the 7th, but lo and behold the pope’s natal Chiron falls in this chart’s 7th as well. Charisma and sizzle in performances? Perhaps… Mars, on the other hand, represents the single heartbeat of the Ireland -3 chart, and they did do just that — act.
The Ireland – 3 chart especially comes to my mind when I think of the divisive forces that have played so heavily at times through the years between the Catholics and the Protestants there. That too speaks of the heartbeat with Mars. But I’m not there, and I certainly couldn’t hope to get what was really going on back then: After all, we seem to live in a world where religious factions tear us apart, and that’s been the case over the thousands of years humans have roamed the earth. For me, it got to the point where I lost count and threw up my hands with a “gee, who cares???” Aren’t we all the same in the heart, seeking peace and unity in the world? I would like to think so.
If Pope Francis I has had some influence here, whether to inject compassion at the polls as Ireland voted on the issue of same sex marriage, or the nation simply evolved, it’s worth considering. The Ireland – 3 chart shows the formation of a stellium between Mars and a lovely Sun-Venus 16-minute partile conjunction within orb of the 5th house cusp in this chart–and Jupiter rules that Sagittarius rising. Also note the Western 2nd quadrant below-the-horizon dominance, stressing the need to be introspective, loving and kind even in the midst of disagreement. Perhaps Ireland is now even willing to consider all points of view. Once you get past the conflict in the fourth house and you see the the 1st house Moon as it rises in Capricorn in out-of-sign trine to that 9th house placement of Saturn in the last degree of Leo, it tends to make me wonder at least about the possibility that maturity and evolution have brought about this kind of change in Ireland today. One can hope.
Could there be more? I’m interested in seeing where this path leads them next. They’re clearly headed into a new future for the Emerald land of Ireland.
Added after publication: I have to add this because I’ve been thinking: Mercury is retrograde as this story was written, and so is Saturn. But Saturn is still very much at the conjunction to the Ascendant of the Ireland – 3 chart. I just wonder whether we’re looking next at the possibility that this vote will soon open the doors to making abortion legal in Ireland next. Hmmm…the times they are a changin’…
Namaste, I love you.
©2015 Michelle Young