“If you are distressed by anything external, the pain is not due to the thing itself, but to your estimate of it; and this you have the power to revoke at any moment.”
— Marcus Aurelius
Ingress charts are timed for when planets move into a sign, and traditionally, a “yearly” snapshot of national outcomes is gained by looking at the moment when the Sun moves into 0 degrees of Aries, at the Spring Equinox. Depending on the resulting chart ascendants, it may also be necessary to look further into the charts of the Cancer Ingress- Summer Solstice, Libra Ingress- Autumn Equinox and even the Capricorn Ingress or Winter Solstice.
The Astrology of 2020 has been catching the attention of Astrologers for the last twenty years or so… the configurations that we have this year, do not come round that often, and we are already seeing the evidence of that, in the fear amongst us that in my view, is far more contagious than the virus that we are all hearing about.
Astrologically we started the year with the heavyweight Jupiter Saturn Pluto Conjunction in Capricorn, which is currently being given further weight by Mars. We also end the year with what historically is known as “The Great Conjunction”; the union of Jupiter and Saturn in the skies. Although the latter occurs every 20 years or so, the last time these pair were conjunct in Aquarius, the sign of the forthcoming December aspect, was in 1345, when the bubonic plague spread from the East, through Italy and into the rest of Europe. Both of these planetary alignments, the Saturn Pluto conjunction in Capricorn, last seen in 1518, and the Jupiter Saturn conjunction in Aquarius, last seen in 1345, were, and still are, enormous forces of change in the world; the former illuminating the Reformation, and the latter the Bubonic Plague, leading to the Rennaissance. Both of these historical periods had a massive financial impact on medieval Europe, moving the balance of wealth and power from the rich, to allow new worlds to emerge out of the ashes of the old.
In my own estimation of the ingress charts for this year, it would seem to me that for many of us, the financial implications of the current “Virus Emergency” are likely to be far more lasting than anything else. The heavy Capricorn emphasis reminds me too, not just of the financial crisis which we already knew was approaching, but also of the “PANIC” which we are seeing even now, so early on into this event, when so far, only ONE person has died in Ireland, as far as we know.
Attributed to Francisco da Sangallo. circa 1535
Pan, the ancient Greek nature deity, is also associated with Capricorn, and his name is at the root of the word “panic” meaning “sudden uncontrollable fear or anxiety, often causing wildly unthinking behaviour”.
There is no doubt in my mind, from looking at the charts for the next year, that this crisis is not going to go away… different countries will deal with it in different ways, but the long term effects are likely to be the same…. the clearing away that is needed, however painful it seems, for the world to change in the way that it has to.
I find it interesting that “PAN” the god of woodlands & pastures is up to his tricks… scaring people into fighting in the shopping aisles, driven by the fear that doomsday is upon us; for what have we been doing to the world but exploiting nature and pushing the world to the very edge of collapse. It also appears to be the case that this virus seems to be leaving children and the young, for the most part unharmed, for who has been earth’s loudest advocate of late but our the youth!; it is as if nature knows….. Is it that planet is fighting back?; planes are grounding, the stock market is in free fall, we are afraid for our lives. The image here is “The Devil” from the Mythic Tarot, portraying Pan, playing his pipes while we dance to his tune, although we are free to leave at any time.
Astrology is, more than anything, a study of cycles, and history often contains clues to what is happening in the present. Researching the last occurrences of some of this year’s astrological configurations, I found the following extract which is from Brown University, I found it illuminating, to say the least!
“According to medieval thinking, the cause of the Black Plague had many sources. It could be seen as a medical event, astrological misfortune, or a sign of God’s wrath. All these interpretations were offered at the same time and without contradiction. In the Decameron, Boccaccio states some possibilities: “Some say that [the plague] descended upon the human race through the influence of the heavenly bodies, others that it was a punishment signifying God’s righteous anger at our iniquitous way of life. But whatever its cause, it had originated some years earlier in the East, where it had claimed countless lives before it unhappily spread westward, growing in strength as it swept relentlessly on from one place to the next” (McWilliam translation).
The most famous treatise on the causes of the plague, the Paris Consilium, was written by forty-nine medical masters at the University of Paris in October 1348 at the request of King Philip VI of France. It stated that the ultimate cause of the plague would never be known – that the truth was beyond human grasp. It did, however, give several possibilities: The celestial cause was the result of the conjunction of Saturn, Jupiter, and Mars, under the moist sign of Aquarius, that took place in 1345, following both solar and lunar eclipses. The Paris Consilium cited Aristotle’s notion that the conjunction of Saturn and Jupiter would bring disaster. According to Albert the Great, the conjunction of Jupiter and Mars would bring plague.“
We are, however, not living in the middle ages, and living conditions and health have come along way for the majority, (although not all) of us since then. I do not think for one moment that Covid-19 is anything like what happened in medieval times, but I think that the fear and panic that it is instilling, is the very same and that it is our collective terror of death and destruction that will have the greatest impact on every aspect of our lives. It was also shown too, historically, that after the scourge of the plague, what arose in Europe was the Rennaissance, arguably one of the greatest artistic, scientific and cultural flowerings that the “modern” world has seen. As the redistribution of land and wealth took place after the shakedown, something better was born from the ashes.
What follows is a brief look at the overall condition for Ireland, The UK, America and Australia, in terms of the effect on the country, after consideration of the ingress charts, using guidelines from Mundane Astrology.
Ireland: Up until mid-June 2020, there is likely to be a strong feeling of fear amongst the people which will dictate the whole mood of the country. Although those in power have the welfare of the people at heart, their main concern is in the longer term, and the economic confusion and loss which is likely to occur. In a country which relies so much on tourism, there is likely is a “push-pull” effect suggesting that draconian measures which may slow the spread of the virus will perhaps not be implemented due to the feared losses of revenue and the threat of the long term hardship that could ensue. Mixed communication in this respect will do nothing to calm the collective fears. After the Equinox, although the theme does not change that much, we are likely to see a renewed effort towards creating connections with neighbouring countries, perhaps the lifting of restrictions that have been imposed. The economy is likely to be behind this push as the longer-term implications of reduced global mobility take effect. The general mood is likely to remain apprehensive, with attention given to the fact that a virus is indiscriminate in its choice of victim, with leaders as well as ordinary people equally affected. Opposition, demonstrations and general discontent from the people is a possibility. As a small and adaptable nation, Ireland is likely to end the year with a sense of achievement and a certain optimism for what lies ahead.
UK: Similar to Ireland, but more likely to keep the reality of what is going on hidden from view. With a great deal at stake in the financial sector especially, and with an uncertain political climate, the UK is likely to focus mainly on trying to bolster the economy.
USA: A fixed sign rising at the Aries Ingress suggests no change through the year, with most of the drama taking place in the economy. Leaders focus on keeping borders secure, with the fear of sickness forcing sudden measures that are enforced through the government.
Australia: In Australia, the focus is likely to be on relations with other countries; doing what needs to be done to stop people coming in from abroad. As the year progresses, however, despite radical measures or sudden changes of plans by leaders, it will be seen that global connections are vital for continued economic prosperity in the long term.
There is no doubt in my mind that this will be a year of much-needed change; as I wrote in previous posts at the end of last year… the play was known, just the stage it was to be played out on, was not foreseen, by me at any rate. I leave you with a valuable quote, which I have been reading often in the last week, as events unfold. ❤
“So, first of all, let me assert my firm belief that the only thing we have to fear is…fear itself — nameless, unreasoning, unjustified terror which paralyzes needed efforts to convert retreat into advance.” Franklin D. Roosevelt
My name is Joanna Grant, I am an Astrologer, Tarot Reader and Writer, who lives for now in the South West of Ireland. Throughout my life, I have watched as the planets have woven their stories around me, for it is a truth that my love affair with the stars has been and will be life-long. I can often be found at home, deep in arcane research, or practising some new form of divination, usually whilst trying not to burn the dinner! My long knowledge of Astrology leads and informs my practice in offering guidance across the thresholds of life experiences as defined by the outer planet transits. Through combining Astrology with Tarot and Shamanic techniques, I work with you, the client, to open the way to self-empowerment and healing, helping you to lead a more authentic and magical life. You can read more about me here.
Joanna-Kate Grant 