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THE ASTROLOGICAL SIGNS IN MUNDANE ASTROLOGY by Wendy Stacey
Published in the Astrological Journal May 2011
Planetary cycles and their aspects to each other depict pivotal points in human
history. They represent social and economic change on a global level. However
there is very little written on the astrological signs and often the analysis is
limited as the signs are analyzed only in reference to when they are visited by
the outer planets or when a planet ingresses from one sign to another. In
mundane astrology there is more emphasis on the astrological houses, which are
specific to the birth of a nation, a nation’s leader, an event or ingress and
this is valuable when interpreting a precise point in time.
When the astrological signs are visited by outer planets they depict more of an
era, or a period of time and the planetary cycles are coloured by the signs they
are visiting. The signs tell us something of the nature of the era, what themes
and characteristics are expressed on a much larger social scale and what sort of
change and experience is received by all populations.
This article reports a brief observation of what can be expected when the signs
are transited by the outer planets. There are other considerations which are not
addressed here such as the significance of the dispositor’s, the shadow of each
sign and how the characteristics of a sign in outer planetary conjunctions are
carried through an entire cycle. Instead, some examples from recent history are
given as expressions of the signs.
Aries
The sign of Aries refers to individual choice, freedom and independence and in
mundane astrology this extends to the collective. When planets travel through
the sign of Aries these issues are highlighted. Separateness along with conflict
are key areas as Aries will seek to be self-reliant, challenging and daring.
This can manifest in forms of broken alliances and treaty’s and nations who wish
to become independent from previous associations.
Aries is fiery and about brevity but it is also impulsive, fresh and naive, not
always thinking of the consequences. When this sign is activated by transiting
planets the issue of risk is highlighted, or perhaps, the lack of it. We see
examples of the establishment of the Fire Department in Boston, USA in 1679 when
Jupiter, Uranus and Chiron were travelling through Aries. Fire departments had
been around for thousands of years but this particular period saw the
introduction of publicly funded fire departments which set a global precedent.
Aries also has attributes to do with defense. In mundane astrology we see this
represented on a collective scale and military matters are raised. It is no
surprise that when NATO formed on 4th April 1949, the Sun, Mercury, Venus and
Mars in Aries (defense) opposed Neptune (the collective) which trined and
sextiled Saturn in Leo.
Taurus
After the Taurus planetary line-up in May 2000, the UK was hit severely with
foot and mouth and mad cows disease – a very literal image of the cow! Although
a national crisis, this did raise global concern and issues of consumption were
raised.
Taurus is about the physical body. Issues relating directly to the body will
come into social awareness. Issues of obesity, body types and what we consume
(and waste) in general will be addressed. The year 2000 also saw the period of
organic produce regarded with high importance and was spearheaded in
supermarkets.
When planets travel through Taurus there is an emphasis on resources. This stems
from the development of tools we use to do our work to produce goods and
services to the natural resources supplied to us from the planet.
Consumerism, as Taurus needs to own things, also becomes an area of interest.
With consumerism, spending, debt and finance in general also comes under the
radar and issues in these areas will be spotlighted.
Gemini
Gemini rules all forms of communication. When this sign is visited by transiting
planets we see an emphasis on publications, literature, language, media and
forms of transportation. As we know, Gemini is about thinking. It tells us about
the processing and distribution of information which on a larger scale involves
all forms of data. In 1977, when Jupiter in Gemini opposed Neptune and trined
Pluto, the International Federation of Data Organizations for the Social
Sciences (IFDO) was founded. It became an enormous academic data archive and
data bank for the collection, storage and preservation of data.
As Gemini also rules early education we can expect developments in primary
education and models of learning. Speech and language will also be highlighted.
Both Sign language and Braille became official forms of communication whilst
Saturn was travelling through Gemini, (1825 and 1620).
Communities are also emphasized here such as, interest in neighbours and shared
and common interests within a community historically defined by geographic
location. How a community defines itself, how it interacts and how it is
structured becomes important. Since Saturn’s ingress into Gemini in 2000 we have
seen international community’s set up which are no longer defined by
geographical distance but by shared and common social interests where members
interact through online communications. It is not surprising that the first
email sent was in 1971 when Saturn entered Gemini and opposed Jupiter and
Neptune. In the next Saturn return in Gemini (along with Jupiter), email had
grown into a global phenomenon and had become an accepted legalized form of
signature and contract which consequently had an enormous and dire effect on the
postal system.
On the 16 June 1903, when Pluto (conjunct the Sun) in Gemini opposed Uranus,
Ford Cars was founded. This company led the way in economic and social change
with its mass production of cars around the world which changed billions of
lives with regard to short distance travel, forever.
It would also be expected that trade (along with Sagittarius) will be affected
when the sign of Gemini is visited. Gemini rules transactions and therefore
forms of trading can shift while planets reside in this sign. We can also expect
new ways of sealing contracts.
Cancer
The Moon, which rules Cancer in mundane astrology, rules the people, i.e. the
general public. It reflects the moods and collective conscious of a society.
When planets travel through the sign of Cancer we will also see fluctuations of
the general mood of people.
There will be emphasis on the availability and ‘types’ of food available,
cooking, developments in agriculture and farming and how we sustain and nurture
ourselves on a social level.
Family roles and kinship in general (which includes genetics) will also be of
focus when planets travel through this sign. Family history and family as an
institution and the roles within a family, such as the domestic division of
labour will be addressed while this sign is visited. Along with this, motherhood
(and womanhood) will be addressed as will issues from contraception, to child
rearing, to childcare.
Cancer is the sign of caring and therefore rules the care giving industry. From
nursery to caring for the elderly, developments will take place.
As Cancer rules the home, in mundane astrology it rules the property market
(along with Capricorn) and the market can be affected when this sign is
triggered.
Cancer has strong boundaries and is concerned with matters of safety and
protection so will rule the agencies that protect society such as the civil
defense (along with Aries), the Salvation Army (along with Pisces), the Red
Cross, etc. The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies
(IFRC) were founded in 1919 when Jupiter and Pluto were conjunct in Cancer.
Cancer rules the breasts and although breast enlargement has become something a
symbol of aesthetic beauty over the last decades, it is interesting to know that
the first breast implants were actually in 1895 which of course had Jupiter in
Cancer! Jupiter visits Cancer every twelve years but it is interesting to note
the manifestation of even the most simplistic symbolism.
Leo
Leo is about the expression of love in all forms and here we will find examples
of such as the establishment of Valentine’s Day (although in its opposite sign).
Leo is also about parental love and attitudes towards children in general. When
the sign Leo is triggered we can expect children in general to receive
attention. This can manifest in a variety of ways, whether it is children’s
rights, birth rates (along with other signs such as Scorpio as it rules birth
and Capricorn as it rules population) and ‘play’ in general which extends to
recreational activities.
Any aspect of socializing that is valued, which can include drinking, cinema,
theatre and music (along with Pisces), social sporting activities (along with
Aries and Sagittarius) can also be found here. One of the largest music
revolutions in modern history was in the 1950’s with the introduction of rock
and roll was when Pluto was transiting Leo. Similarly, the first Oscar Academy
Awards, a ceremony to recognize talent in the theatre by awarding a ‘gold
statue’, was formed on 16 May 1929 when Neptune was travelling through Leo.
Leo is also associated with leadership and courage and therefore risk. Here we
find areas such as entrepreneurship, management and speculation in business to
become of interest.
Virgo
Virgo is traditionally about work so in mundane astrology we can expect to have
the issue of employment (or unemployment) to come under scrutiny. Saturn has
been travelling through Virgo recently for two years and we have seen a global
concern for unemployment. New developments in the values, nature, purpose and
expectations of work and productivity will become a concern.
Virgo is also about health, so advances in health technologies and the health
industry in general will receive attention whilst this sign is triggered by
transiting planets. The welfare system as it caters for the working class is
also represented here (as well as Pisces).
The sign of Virgo is symbolized by the maiden and the feminist movement in the
late 60’s makes this evident by Pluto and Uranus travelling through Virgo.
When planets are travelling through this sign we can also anticipate change or
address to issues such as animal rights and discrimination in general (often
including the sign Aquarius).
This sign is attributed with attention to detail so developments in research and
particularly methodology is underlined here.
Libra
When planets travel through the sign of Libra there is a focus on interaction,
co-operation, partnerships and a general interest in social cohesion. In mundane
astrology we see this taking form in political and legal domains and we can
observe an increase in political and national alliances (such as Cameron and
Clegg). We have a royal wedding this year as Saturn is travelling through Libra
and where marriage as an institution will be honoured globally. Interestingly,
in 2005 when Jupiter was transiting Libra same-sex couples were legally allowed
to enter into civil partnerships which provided the legal consequence of
marriage. On the 21st September 2010, (when Saturn was travelling through Libra
and exactly opposite the UK’s 1801 descendant), the Liberal Democrats became the
first political party to endorse civil and gay marriages and has spearheaded a
process of consultation on this topic.
Libra is about justice and when this sign is triggered we will observe issues
within our legal system to address this. This is also a sign that avoids
conflict and seeks to mediate and resolve. Treaties and peace negotiations can
take place while this sign is activated.
The arts has also been attributed to Libra, as has anything that is considered
aesthetically pleasing. Therefore we can see developments in areas that address
this (such as cosmetic surgery) and in fashion but this also extends to
industries such as architecture (along with Capricorn).
Scorpio
The sign of Scorpio has been associated with birth, sex and death. In mundane
astrology this is extended to larger survival and mortality issues which affect
society. An example of this is the awareness of safe sex, sexual abuse and the
aids pandemic which came into focus during the 1980’s as Saturn and then Pluto
were travelling through Scorpio.
When Scorpio is triggered, crime and abuse will be key areas of exposure.
Interestingly, Amnesty International, which campaigns against torture, was
founded in 1961 when Neptune (sextile Pluto in Virgo) was travelling through
Scorpio.
Scorpio also rules other people’s money so industries such as banking, stock
markets, insurance, accounting and financial services will become spotlighted
and made accountable whilst this sign is visited.
Scorpio is also about seeing things through a magnifying glass. Therefore much
of which has been buried will come into the light. This can range from the
developments of crime detectors, weaponry, probing technologies and CCTV.
Planets travelling through this sign will also highlight changes and
developments within the gynecological and obstetrics industry. Note that the
first commercial hand held ultrasound scanner was launched in 1963 when Neptune
was transiting this sign.
Sagittarius
Sagittarius has characteristics that deal with ideology, philosophy and cultural
identity. When this sign is transited issues of nationalism and patriotism are
emphasized. People’s beliefs become spotlighted, be it from a religious,
intellectual or cultural perspective and often social change takes place by an
altering of peoples world view. Different points of view and public opinion are
heard during this period. Sagittarius tests the tolerance, understanding and
acceptance towards other cultures practices, customs and protocols. New models
of knowledge are implemented within further and higher education, new subjects
are introduced into the curriculum of Universities (evident by the recent Pluto
in Sagittarius era) and even discoveries (particularly archaeological) can be
marked when planets trigger this sign.
This is the sign that rules travel and immigration often occurs if this sign is
triggered. Interestingly, following 9/11 in 2001, as Pluto in Sagittarius
opposed Saturn, along with an ideological battle between the east and west; we
saw the economic decline of several airlines and airport businesses which had a
severe impact on the travel industry around the world.
Sagittarius also rules export and import as well as inflation which can be
attributed to either rise in costs or an increase in demand. How Sagittarius
extends itself through the masses is observed by visiting planets (again,
evident by the increase of global debt with the Pluto in Sagittarius era).
Along with Capricorn, Sagittarius rules government agencies, legislation and the
law in general (the latter can also involve Libra) and we can expect these areas
to gain significant attention when triggered .
Capricorn
Capricorn is ambitious and about social standing and order. This extends to the
population where anxiety over social order grows and subsequently the collective
behavior and social controls become a priority. Government (and global) agencies
and policy reflect or introduce new systems of administration to manage the
masses when Capricorn is triggered. The implementation or discussion on tighter
border controls, identity cards, the collection of information though existing
spending and other big brother technologies are examples of this. When this sign
is visited, we see some form of oppression (enhanced with Pisces) and
deprivation and drastic changes in life styles (for better or worse) are
noticeable.
Capricorn also rules the property market including the financial industry that
supports it and the industry which is dependent upon it, such as estate
agencies, retail outlets , building merchants and developers,. There is a shift
in the value of this market (and the development of building materials) and
industry when Capricorn is visited.
The concept of time is important to Capricorn, as is the preservation of it. As
we move into an era of Pluto in Capricorn we celebrate breakthroughs in
technology which drastically change life expectancy rates. However, here, we
also need to address the global problem of an ageing society which are reliant
on a failing welfare systems that will continue to be a major concern globally
as Pluto travels makes it’s slow journey through this sign.
Aquarius
Aquarius is about ideals, hopes and vision. Mundane astrology highlights the
breaking down of stale and existing aspects of societies to bring in new reform,
where the best interests of the people and humanity are most valued. Issues of
fairness and democracy are central to this sign. From lobby groups to crowd
protests and marches can be expected as people exercise their right to freely
express their views and protect civil and human rights.
Worthy of note is that there is a war going on in the name of democracy during
the whole time that the mutual reception of Neptune in Aquarius (democracy) and
Uranus in Pisces (oil) have been in mutual reception, although this will change
very soon.
Technological advancements can also be found while planets reside in this sign.
Electronic devices and the technology that carries us into the future is
emphasized while planets travel through Aquarius. The environment is also
emphasized (along with Pisces) which has been a key focus during the mutual
reception.
Pisces
The sign Pisces is often associated with dependency. When this is viewed from a
mundane perspective we see dependencies within populations. When this sign is
visited we see new forms for people to escape, be it with visual aids such as
television and games such as x-box or in areas of concern such as alcohol and
drug abuse. Emphasis on social neurosis and paranoia often fed through media
propaganda could be evident here also.
The underdog gets attention here and issues of poverty and alienation and those
populations generally suffering from depression, oppression or exploitation,
which has been previously hidden from society, are brought into collective
awareness. Institutions such as prisons and hospitals also come under the radar.
Pisces is also associated with healing so when this sign is visited we can
expect developments both in orthodox medicine through technologies and
pharmaceuticals. But we can also expect advancements in alternative health and
healing as well, which will become more evident as Neptune ingresses into Pisces
this year.
The film industry is also governed by Pisces and the release of the movie
Inception this year is an introduction of what we can expect from Neptune
arriving in Pisces, not just from a visual perspective but also conceptually.
Dreams and access to the unconscious will become a focus. Pisces is also about
the sea and we can expect the oceans to be a focus, on a political and economic
front (for example; access to water). This will also be reflected in the films
that will educate us on the depths of the oceans and a world we really know
little about.
Tenanted signs in mundane astrology give us the backdrop from which the cycles
of the outer planets operate and require consideration when interpreting
historical cycles. They provide us with a rich source from which we can
understand how and what will be affected on a large social scale. More research
into mundane signs is required and history provides us with abundant treasures
to observe and forecast.
‘...To ignore the signs in mundane astrology would be to exile us from the
kingdoms of the twelve mundane gods, severing us from the very rhythm and
sequential pulse of creation...’ (Campion, Baigent & Harvey, 1984:238).
References
Baigent, Michael, Nicholas Campion & Charles Harvey, Mundane Astrology: An
Introduction to the Astrology of Nations and Groups (Thorsons, 1984).
Copyright Wendy Stacey 2011
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