"In ancient times a bright naked-eye comet was the harbringer of ...doom, disease, disaster and death of rulers. Now the anticipated appearance of a great comet foretells a flood of books..." - David W. Hughes,Sky & Telescope, Feb '97.

Comet Hale-Bopp C/1995 O1

Comet H-B rose up from the outer southern reaches of our solar system passing upward across the ecliptic on approx Feb 1st '96. This location (282.5° or 12.5° Capricorn) signifies its north node and the message it brings to us. Referring to Dane Rudhyar's Sabian Symbols, we find 13° Cap to signify "'A Fire Worshiper meditates on the ultimate realities of Existence.' A stage beyond life itself. Demonstrating man's WILL TO TRANSCENDENCE. Beyond cultural enjoyment and the passion for accumulation..."

Streaming sunward at a sharp inclination, Comet H-B will reach perihelion on Apr. 1st, '97 at approx 3:14a GMT. Astrological longitude: 12° Taurus. Referring to S.S., it reads: "'A young Couple window-shopping.' The fascination of the youthful ego w/ the products of its culture. A phase of SOCIALIZATION OF DESIRES." Materialism. Greater emphasis placed on the newly purchased telescope rather than what can be viewed through the lens. Form over content.

Interestingly, H-B will be near the star Almach (g Andromeda) - from Al Alnak al Ard, a small Arabian badger (aardvark?). Robson's Fixed Stars & Constellations in Astrology sites this star to be "of the influence of Venus: Honour, eminence, & artistic ability." Perhaps a heighten sense for natural beauty. Could infer an appetite to the point of elitism for quality in goods, products & services. Contempt, scorn, pleasure, greed, passion are other choices.

Such possibilities remain to be seen...

Comet Hyakutake C/1996 B2

Comet Hyakutake passed high overhead & then around the Sun on May 1st at 9:31 UT. Perihelion position: 9Taurus24. Referring to the S.S. of 10° Taurus, it signifies "the compassionate linking of all men." A "stage of pure altruism and service to the social Whole." The symbol -- 'A Red Cross Nurse' -- implies "a higher level of experience made possible by the refinement of man's being, his consciousness and his will." Adheres to rumors that humankind is on the threshold of "conscious" expansion. A new potentiality of divine nurturance emanating from w/in us outwardly to the world and beyond -- a "CONSECRATION TO HUMANITY".

This is similar to Comet Halley's north node of 28° Taurus which signified REBEGINNINGS. That was in 1986; review for yourself what's gone on since.

Trippy stuff. Will you be involved in bringing either comet's message to "light"? Do their perihelion degree or ascending node touch-off any points w/in your natal chart......?

TM

For astronomy info see Comet Hale-Bopp Home Page
For more H-B pix see Tony's Comet Hale-Bopp Page

CHIRON (Ki-ron) Are you aware of the mythology of Chiron? Mentor, healer, teacher of new ideas and ancient wisdom. Chiron was a gatherer of higher knowlwdge: the why behind what is. He, the gentle Centaur, had a handle on the deeper understanding and higher perspective of the world around us.

In 1977 a minor planet was rediscovered w/ an orbit that lies between and yet touches both the orbits of Saturn (symbol of all that is known; the awareness of reality at any given time; limits) and Uranus (symbol of unconvention; new ideas; rebel). Chiron's use in astrology is that of a bridge or "key" to the door which leads to a new or better way of doing the same old shit. A transcendension from one order of consciousness and being to another higher order. Transmutation of the status quo.

Before we look into Chiron's present position I'll give you some examples of how he works. Keeping in mind Chiron has a 50 year cycle, each time he has entered the Zodiacal sign of Gemini a major technological breakthrough has occured using electricity that has totally changed the way we live. 1833: the development of the telegraph. 1883: the first tungsten lightblub. 1933: radio and the advent of movies w/ talking pictures. 1983: increased world communication via computers and microwave transmissions.

At the time of this writing, 1988, Chiron was in the Zodiacal sign of Cancer. Cancer the Crab is very protective of its home, its offspring; it has rulership over the breasts and womb, motherhood and fertility and of course, it's ruled by the Moon.

Chiron in Cancer infers an increase, a deepening, an annexation of our knowledge and feeling concerning family and home. Who is my family? Where is my home? Am I truly my brothers'/sisters' keeper? On one hand we will see distinctions made: Territorialism (NIMBY's). And on the other, hands and hearts in joint cooperation: I feed you and you feed me.

Chiron in Cancer also symbolizes the increased research and development of genetic engineering. The disassembling and decoding of DNA/RNA; a step-up from mere test-tube babies and artifical insemination. And don't forget the socio-collective feelings about abortion! Whose body is it anyway? Does the government own my body? What's the difference between a fetus and a baby? Aren't we babies only after birth?

Its transit of the Zodiacal sign of Libra ('95-'97) saw new possibilities regarding mergers (Press Demo, 1-10-96 pg. E2, reports 8,700 in '95) and partnerships; Bosnia multi- national peacekeepers, a new stage in the life of the U.N. (celebrating its 50th year: hint, hint); peaceful negotiations of Israel and Palestine (another 50 year cycle). A new paradigm for marriage, relations equality/equity.

Take into regard the years 1986 & up until June of '95, Chiron was running an opposition (in the sky) to Saturn. Due to this opposition reality had only a slight chance of crystalizing. This period was a chance to flux/flex our reality potential, to propagate our creativity, for making a dream come true and the world a safer place to be - with our feet somewhat planted on Earth, to reach for Heaven. Ask yourself: did it play out as predicted?

After 1995, Chiron spead up ahead of Saturn so by the time Chiron entered Capricorn they were 5 signs apart instead of 6. Thus, concerning its current zodiacal position: Think of Capri as the cosmic cop. Uncompassionate, authority figure pletting out to the plebs the political Law & Order platforms of the 70's. This is not to say Capri quells Chiron's full expression, let's say it squeezes it, makes it a bit uptight, stiff. Think Nixon (a Capri) in his blue suit, arms seemingly tied to his side.

Chiron, as the mentor/inspirator of healing techniques, we've already seen in just the last year new, hopeful advances in AIDS and cancer research; some of it using or borrowing from ancient remedies. Compounds that take into account not only the physical workings/chemistry of the body, but the emotions/spirit and mental chemistry also. Chiron gives us the whole package. In fact (Jan '03), WHO requests phramaceutical companies lower prices on cancer drugs for those in 3rd world countries.
MAJOR UPDATE: Apr 29th, '03 (Reuters News) - "GlaxoSmithKline Plc, the world's largest maker of HIV/AIDS drugs, said on Monday it had nearly halved the price of its leading Combivir treatment in poor countries to 90 U.S. cents a day. The move is the latest sign the international pharmaceutical industry is bowing to pressure to improve access to life-saving antiretroviral medicines in Africa and other parts of the developing world where AIDS has hit hardest. Activists have recently been joined in demanding such action by leading investors, who fear a failure to respond adequately could damage company reputations and jeopardize future profits..."

Think about this: The last time Chiron was in Capri was the early 50's, when it was a vaccine for polio. Then too there were small pox, TB, tetenis, and something from simple bread mold. Though these were discoveries stemming from WWII, they were brought into the public sector in the late 40's and thoughout the 50's. Cap and Cancer are the male and female signs of family, home, and hearth. For Capri these become institutions, a written-in-stone belief system. Thus Capri has the reputation for being conservative, a non-risk taker; focusing on security and holding the status quo. And brother, does all hell break loose when Chiron wanders into the next sign... of Aquarius.

Aquarius, the sign of unconventional thinking, thoughts and ideas; the sign of the innovator, inventor; of IBM and Xerox. The thinking machines, nuclear research ("duck and cover" and kiss your ass bye-bye); the sign of groups and group ideas, humanity and brotherhood.

During Chiron in Aquarius, things become avante-garde; you with me Daddy-o? Cool. Like dig. Beatniks. Rock and Roll and the Birth of the Cool. Therefore and to wit, look again for what may be termed an anti-establishment (read: anti-Capri) movement. Throw out the old, stuffy and conservative. Are you getting the picture? Do you see a pattern? A similarity with 50 yrs ago?? People, humanity in the streets with one central idea: Fuck the War. You need inspiration?? See 'Born on the 4th of July'.

Chiron's past/current positions:
in Cancer>>>'88-'91. In Feb '88 Chiron was seen to brighten, a coma or halo began to develop. This, while at 23° Gemini. By Dec 1990 its coma or tail extended 3,500 miles. Holy cometoid!
in Leo>>>'91-'93
in Virgo>>>'93-'95
in Libra>>>'95-'97. Chiron reaches closet point to Sun (perihelion) at 14Libra04 on Feb 14, 1996 18:06 UT.
in Scorpio>>>'97-'99
in Sagittarius>>>'99-'01
in Capricorn>>>'02-'05
in Aquarius>>>'06-'10

I predict Chiron will lose coma in approx. 2004 AD.

For more info contact Z.B. Stein at Chiron & Friends

Eclipses for 2005, 2006 AD

Solar Eclipses coming this year, and their shadow trail:
Apr 8th>>>>South Pacific heading NE, across Central Amer and north South Amer; ie, Panama, Columbia, and Venezuela, almost to Cuba
Oct 3rd>>>>From the Iberian penisula/Spain head SE thru Africa, Sudan/Ethiopian border, Kenya and south Somalia
Apr 29th, 2006>>>>Irovy Coast, up NE thru Africa, Turkey, and Russia: War or Peace?
Sept 22nd, 2006>>>>South Mid-Atlantic SE to Antartica: perhaps upheavals in the mid-Atlantic ridge?

The Challenge of Uranus

This article was written in 1988

Jan. 24, 1986, scientists at the Jet Propulsion Lab., Pasadena, Calif. are poised as the "visual" manifestation of distant Uranus and its moons are made a conscious realization.

They didn't find much we, as astrologers didn't already know: Eccentric, unorthodox, unpredictiable - possessing strange magentic forces, wavelengths and frequencies.

Thus Uranus, perpetrator of the Aquarian Age, ruler of static vibration, the airwaves, T.V., radio, the electrical impulses of the body and spine, and (un)natural electromagentic fields. Hence, mass-media Aquarian stuff: groups, common ideas and goals.

Here then are the photos, transmitted across millions and millions of miles. The public learns of the event via the News media, Uranus is now closer than ever. We, on the other hand, have only begun to assimilate the scope of new knowledge that awaits us beyond the orbit/barrier/restriction of Saturn (!). It's gonna be quite different then what has up to now been known to be certain out there. Will Neptune ever be known? "I'll see it when I believe it." And I suspect that Pluto is larger than the small area of light it reflects. (Recent update: Sky & Telescope, 5/96, pg 10; "Peeking at Pluto".)

Meanwhile, back here on itty-bitty Gia, our subconscious, to our very core, is very much aware that Uranus (Greek for Heaven) has come to Earth. When Heaven unites with Earth creation takes place, a new life is born. See I Ching hexagram #1 - Creative and #2 - Receptive; together which form #3 - Difficulty at the Beginning. The space between Heaven and Earth is filled w/ chaos, sudden, abrupt disfunctions, and chaotic whirlwinds.

Truly I see this as the planted seed of the Aquarian Age. The tragedy of the Challenge, the Challenge of the Tragedy is keeping PEACE uppermost in one's thoughts. We all saw it and we wished their souls a smooth yet quick transition - to not fear, for it would be our fear. All of us saw 7 people die (poof). Where'd they go? If we never thought about what was on the other side of reality(Saturn)...we prayed and prayed and prayed and called on every ounce of love and faith we could muster; to heal the wound of our vulnerability as we contemplated the shocking uncertainty of living, so as to not shrink in fear but to "go where no one has gone before". This whole situation is a total Aquarian concept.

Heaven has come to Earth. Subconsciously we know it and we know what it means; so now, whether consciously or pawnedly we make the transition to......

See ya on the Funway

P.S. We are all in a position of power; to exist in/on the material plane is a position of power. Any misuse of power, personal or otherwise will not go unnoticed for long. Evil destroys itSelf - capital S. That stands for Sally and rhymes with Halley......but that's another story.

And don't forget Aquarius' motto: I love humanity, it's people I can't stand.

HST

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Supplemental addition as of Jan 31st, 2003

Oh Columbia
Shuttle, shuttle in the sky,
Shuttle, shuttle my oh my,
17 long years nearly to the day,
17 and sad to go in such a way

Just days before, the Moon had conjunct Pluto in Sagittaruis, a very explosive mix. That following Friday morning, the Moon had been in Aquarius for approx 1 hour. And Uranus, in Aquarius was no doubt sparking off some of the following sensitive points.

In Jan/Feb of '86 there was a planet group in mid and late Aquarius and no doubt an inconjunct from the Virgo Moon; the pure cleansing power of Pluto (in Scorpio) was reaching its closest point to Earth; Uranus consciousness (in Sagittarius) -across a great expanse of space and in concentrated form- had come to Earth via TV/Voyager pix....Reagan must had been giddy with anticipation, there that Tuesday morning, preparing to deliver his State of the Union speech before the World - all those planets in his Sun sign, how could that not be good? That's Aquarius thinking for ya: If a little is good, more is better. "Damn the torpedoes, full-speed ahead; Tell 'em to give one for the Gipper".

Well in astrology, no; not 5 planets and 2 asteroids and a very well-known comet. One would think he would had known better. Nope, he's the President: All stupid, redundant and asleep at the wheel...

'Ah well, ah...I don't remember'

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