Hello Margherita, Steven
thank you both for your kind words of support.

I have been very slow to respond due to the fact that I came down with the flu and am struggling a little with my health.

I wish you a speedy recovery, Steven

Hopefully I'll send this to Deb tomorrow.

This is GREAT news, because I'm sure it's not only me who's eagerly awaiting your analysis of the ingresses concerning the Koreas. There will be plenty to learn, again!

Now a bit of a side note concerning another part of the world where tensions also run very high - Israel and its neighbors.
In this year's ingress, Mars is located in the 10th (Jerusalem) and Saturn is in the first (whole sign). The angles repeat the signs from the original ingress - cardinal angles with Libra on the Ascendant.

Jupiter/Saturn opposition was angular, precisely on the MC-IC axis, whereby Saturn ruled the 7th and was located on the IC. It's also interesting that these two formed conjunction in the 7th in Taurus (2000.), whereby in Aries ingress chart that preceded the great conjunction, they were located in the 12th. So both charts actually speak about hostilities and clashes coming up.

So about a week after the angular opposition of the superiors, the incident with the so - called "freedom flotilla" for Gaza happened, dragging Israel once more in the spotlight of the world's attention (as if it wasn't always there anyway...) and bringing one very important, far reaching and ominous change for the Jewish state out in the open - the alliance with Turkey, its only Muslim 'friend', is deeply eroded. In fact, Turkey officially declared Israel to be one of its strategic enemies later this year(it was last month, if I remember correctly).
At the same time, Turkey's alliance with Syria and Iran is growing stronger by the day in the military field as well...this is a very threatening change, if we bear in mind that Turkey's military strength ranks as second in NATO, second only to the US!

I also find it interesting that the part of battle/war (as kindly provided by Steven here http://www.skyscript.co.uk/birchfield.html ) in the original Aries ingress (1948) falls into Pisces having Jupiter as a ruler, located in its preferred domicile in the 3rd (neighboring countries, among other things). Now in the 63rd year of its 'renewed' existence, the ruler of the year per profection is that same Jupiter, which in this year's ingress falls in Pisces, close to the location of the original part of war itself (6th by whole sign/5th by division), thus connecting the issues of 'peaceful emissaries and embassies'(the 5th) with injuries and enemies (the 6th) in a water sign - and the deadly skirmish happened on the high sea!
Moreover, the third profected month in this year's ingress(covering the time of the clash) also happened to fall in the 3rd (Sagittrarius) thus activating Jupiter' s location in Pisces and bringing the incident about by the principle of repetition.
The part of war in this year's ingress falls in Capricorn, exactly to the degree on the lower meridian, disposed by Saturn in the 1st by whole sign, aspected by fiery Mars from the 10th. According to my understanding, Mars happens to be lord of the year(sharing the influence with Jupiter) in this year's ingress because it's the planet closest to an angle, it rules the 7th (not good at all) it beholds the ascending sign and is also beheld by the chart luminary (the Moon).
Interestingly enough, Morin would also give this Mars rulership of the year, because he rules the 'primordial point' (the 7th in Aries), the angle following the Sun in the order of the signs.

It's time to stop, this post has grown much larger than I intended it to be.


Regards,
Goran

HI again, I notice looking at just the Ingress chart that the Mars/Saturn square is quite wide, in my own prognostication I would not use it directly except in the sense of a weaker platic square. It is noticeable that the retro Mercury square to the approaching conjunction of Jupiter and Uranus is much tighter. COuld this not be interpreted as showing that , although with difficulty there is a good chance that diplomacy and negotiation will defuse the situation in a sudden release of tension in the area?? Jupiter disposes and is dignified. Also over this period and continuing up to Mercury's return to direct motion it is heading towards its furthest station rising before the Sun, so Mercury is at its best to be an active negotiator.
regards
mike c

HI yet again!
It occurs to me , whilst looking out my window on the UK Sth Coast watching the falling snow, that a suitable expression of Mars being curtailed in action by Saturn's square, may be that bad weather limits the abilities of either side on the Korea dispute to take major action any time soon???
regards
mike c
ps apologies for bad grammar!

As promised Steven Birchfield has written an article on the Korean crisis and its potential to escalate into armed conflict. The article is now available here on Skyscript. Steven gives a detailed delineation using the techniques of medieval and renaissance astrology. This is a very well thought out piece of analysis and I recommend all members take the time to read this article before commenting further. Thank you Steven.

http://skyscript.co.uk/pdf/korea.pdf

Mark

Earlier in the thread Steven mentioned sending me an article on this theme and I've just added the link to the homepage (and the side margin for the fourm).

The direct link is here:

http://skyscript.co.uk/pdf/korea.pdf

MikeCoop wrote:

I notice looking at just the Ingress chart that the Mars/Saturn square is quite wide, in my own prognostication I would not use it directly except in the sense of a weaker platic square.

Although an aspect within three degrees of orb is much stronger( a 'real' aspect, according to Hellenistic tradition) in this case we nevertheless have a strong testimony and committing of disposition of Mars to Saturn; Mars's orb is 8 degrees, Saturn's is 9, so they are well within the moiety of their orbs.
This is by no means a weaker square aspect. Especially if we bear in mind that Mars is angular and has strong testimony in the ascendant. Angularity=importance, priority issues, etc.

It is noticeable that the retro Mercury square to the approaching conjunction of Jupiter and Uranus is much tighter

Yes, Mercury/Jupiter square is much tighter but in its importance/strength much weaker in testimony. Mercury is in the 12th and retrograde, Jupiter in the second by division. Cadent houses=weak, ineffective, etc. Especially the 12th.

COuld this not be interpreted as showing that , although with difficulty there is a good chance that diplomacy and negotiation will defuse the situation in a sudden release of tension in the area?? Jupiter disposes and is dignified.

I don't think so.
First of all, Mercury in this chart is a ruler of the 6th (injuries, enemies, etc.) and is in its detriment in the 12th, retrograde. We would need to have a much better behaved Mercury in order to predict a good chance for diplomacy/negotiations. The attempts to diffuse tensions by talks is not going to yield satisfactory and genuinely long lasting results. The first attempt of reaching a joint resolution on the issue of recent shelling (in the UN) has already failed. The state of Mercury points toward much 'behind the curtain' activities, espionage, false rumors/information which may only aggravate the situation, contradictory statements, double-dealings, etc.
Jupiter is dignified, true, but he also rules the 12th, very important to remember so he will most probably behave as a functional malefic, causing misfortune and detriment by means of seemingly good/honest persons, situations, means, intentions...initially, Jupiter also rules the part of war in the ingress chart of 1948. and bears with him the destructive energy of nebulae in Scorpio's sting.

We also ought to take Mercury's 'natal' position into account (Aries ingress of 1948.) in order to ascertain its most probable mode of conduct.
In that chart, it is in Pisces, hence exiled/fallen in the sign containing part of war/battle. It is common knowledge that the two states never signed peace treaty, they are still technically at war with each other. So this corrupt placement of Mercury has obviously brought no positive development till this day - on the contrary. It is my assumption that any attempt of reaching solution by talks/negotiation will first inevitably lead to war!

Moreover, Mercury also rules the angle of the 7th(enemies, war but also diplomatic engagement) and its position in a mute sign speaks volumes on basic 'silence' between the countries when it comes to substantial agreements on any important issues. The borders, a mercurial issue, are also disputed, notably maritime ones (Mercury in a water sign).
In this year's ingress, Mercury is separating from the Sun but is still combust (hidden/weak activities) and is feral, not aspecting any other planet as long as in its current sign - all the issues associated with his significations aren't going to develop (positively) any further.

Mercury's position on Fomalhaut, one of the 4 royal stars, might indicate that the war, when it breaks out, brings a kind of irreparable/irreversible damage of sublime scope and character, forever changing the life on earth.

Interestingly enough, his position in this year's Capricorn ingress brings him exactly upon the ascendant of the 'natal ingress' of 1948., thus placing the issues of war/enmity/contention (the ruler of the 7th) to the forefront. I suppose one more sign of danger from war.

Regards,
Goran

I found Steven's article quite interesting, though admittedly, slightly obscure and difficult to follow at times because of the style of English used (quotations from an ancient Persian text). Nevertheless, the over all premise is clear. The author seems to feel that we are out of immediate danger, at least until the early Spring. I'm inclined to disagree.

One important factor that shouldn't be overlooked; South Korea still remains on high alert (among other things, would you believe over a Christmas tree?). Refer to the article below.......

S. Korea Ready For Surprise Attack Ahead of Christmas

http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/na ... 78383.html

Personally, I still feel the Dec 29th Moon/Saturn ? Mars square chart I shared earlier warrants some consideration.

To quickly recap what was said earlier; there are several notable points in this chart that makes it a chart of interest.....

1) the Dec 29th Mars-Moon/Saturn square midpoint hits squarely on the November 23rd Yeonpyeong Island bombing chart Sun (1 Sagittarius) with tr. Saturn in close conjunction to South Korea's natal Mars (17 Libra). We may be in for second round of provocations from North Korea. This will directly affect China because its nodes at 16 Aries-Libra puts it in a rather awkward position.

2) Mercury is stationary direct on Dec 30th (19 Sag). As has been discussed, this is the precise location where both North and South Korea's natal Jupiter are located. The North Korean shelling of Yeonpyeong island on Nov 23rd occurred during a Mars-Moon opposition right on those degrees.

3) the ongoing Neptune/Chiron conjunction hovering at 27 Aq. conjoins N. Korean leader Kim Jong Il's Sun, the US natal Moon and in square to So Korean President Lee's natal Uranus. The combination of Neptune and Chiron relates to past issues/ old grievances that are needing to come up for review. The presence of Neptune (spiritual awareness) in its lesser form can hasten confusion and blur the lines of rationality.

4) comparing the Korean war chart to the Mars-Saturn square chart of Dec 29th one notices some striking similarities. In the June 25, 1950 chart there is an obvious Mars-Uranus square at 5 Cancer-Libra (US Jupiter - 5 Cancer) with nodes at 2 Aries-Libra t squared by the Sun at 2 Cancer (US Venus at 3 Cancer). Here's the chart............
In the Dec 29th, 2010 chart we now have an exact grand cross square to those 6/25/50 node positions at 2 Cancer-Capricorn. Karmic conditions are requiring us to review what up till now has been steadfastly regarded as a non-sequiter. North Korea is vehemently questioning the status quo of those Northern Line boundaries. The subject of re-unification is also being raised (the nodes are fated/ destiny points). Pluto at 5 Capr. is currently t squaring the Korean war charts Mars-Uranus square. I happened to think this to be extremely significant since Pluto is known for violent upheaval and a complete revamping of the status quo. Here's the chart..........


Any observations or comments on the Dec 29th chart would be most welcomed.

Hi, Steven

thank your for the article, very interesting. I confess I have forgotten the mars-saturn conjunction in the last years and I will have to mix them again.


I have to confess, with all due respect for all the astrologers and astrology commented here, that I have my doubts about the real possibility of this problem to escalate. I, of course, may soon eat my words, but usually when astrologers focus on a problem, it is already being solved behind the scenes.

I, personally, think that the apocalypse, when it arrives, it is never predicted
:-)

yuzuru wrote: I, personally, think that the apocalypse, when it arrives, it is never predicted
:-)

The Apocalypse will not be televised; it will be twittered.

Agree with you by the way, yuzuru.

http://www.presstv.ir/detail/156576.html

Another live-fire drill on Thursday...

Hi Yuzuru,

Ordinarily I would tend to agree. It would seem presumptuous to narrow things down to a fixed point in time.

However, one factor may need to be taken into account. Looking at the astrological trends and other political aspects to the situation; to all appearances, South Korea looks like they are taking on a more militaristic approach (for public consumption). This has never happened before. Given No Korean's propensity for unpredictability, especially with the current climate of heightened tensions, that would seem to be a bit unwise and a rather treacherous path to follow. See the latest developments:

South Korea Begins New Round of Military Drills
December 22, 2010
NY Times

SEOUL, South Korea ? Despite previous warnings of retaliation from North Korea, the South Korean military continued to defy the North on Wednesday by launching a three-day naval drill in the Sea of Japan and scheduling an exercise by the army and air force about 30 miles from the North-South demilitarized zone.

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/23/world ... korea.html

Robert Blaschke's article Tension Mounts on the Korean Peninsula helps put it in perspective. Uranus at 26 Pisces may be largely responsible for creating the environment of tension and uncertainty in the Koreas. URL link here:

http://mountainastrologer.com/tma/tensi ... -peninsula

Uranus just went stationary direct at the 26 Pisces degree in square to South Korean Pres Lee's Sun (26 Sag). Pres. Lee may not be in any mood for reconciliation. This newly found defiance and intransigence in South Korea can only serve to ratchet up the possibility for miscalculation. Remember, the two Koreas are still technically at war. They have no direct diplomatic relations with each other to fall back on during times of crisis.

Hello

It would seem presumptuous to narrow things down to a fixed point in time.

What's the point of all this analyzing then? What's the point of this discussion - if there's no prediction which also entails a reasonably close temporal marker to it, then there's no prediction to talk about and astrology is actually useless in this regard. I'm not saying one must narrow it down to a day to be called a 'great astrologer'(whatever that may mean, anyway ), but a quarter of the year/year in which it will most probably happen is a reasonable expectation.

Yuzuru wrote:

I, personally, think that the apocalypse, when it arrives, it is never predicted

Well, it depends how you define apocalypse. The Biblical one surely is predicted and not even there everybody is going to perish in one day
For me, the use of even only one nuclear warhead in a future war is disastrous enough. The main problem is, when the first one is detonated, others will most probably follow...and this war, like the one in the Middle East, is only a matter of time.

Steven's analysis was a masterpiece - as usual

What surprises me a bit is the fact that he doesn't think anything 'big' will happen in this quarter of the year, but only after the Aries ingress of 2011. has assumed rulership - although the most dangerous constellation, pointing toward war, dominates Capricorn ingress chart.
Doesn't new Aries ingress annul the charts of the last year in their predictive validity, so to speak? This has always been my understanding of the matter, although I know nothing should be viewed separately, as Steven has pointed out by noticing that Mars is going to be oriental next year, going from the rays of the Sun (gaining strength and influence) in Pisces.
I've checked Mars's visibility over North Korea and this happens for the first time on 10. 6. 2011.(for that year, of course).

Could it be that the hostilities commence approximately at that point in time?
We'll just have to wait and see, I guess.

Regards,
Goran