Saturn,astrology,planets,symbolism,unaspected planets,unaspected Saturn,under-aspected planets,under-aspected Saturn,least-aspected planets

The Role of the Least Aspected Planet in Astrocartography.

Planetary Symbolism in Astrocartography and Transcendental Astrology,

by Robert Couteau.

All text © Copyright 2005 Rob Couteau

II. Transcendental Nations:
Least aspected planets in the Birth of Nations

1. On the Peculiar Role of Least Aspected Saturn in
National Formations and in Presidential Horoscopes

nation:  Middle English nacioun, from Middle French nation-, natio
birth, race, nation, from natus, pp. of nasci to be born; akin to Latin
gignere to beget [...] (14th century).

Which planet should we expect to find “Transcendental” in the horoscope of a nation? Not sur­prisingly–given our previous research into the lives of those who embodied a grave, overburdening sense of responsibility toward the social collective and whose least aspected planet was Saturn–least aspected Saturn is found in a high number of cases here. This is particularly so in accurately recorded “birth” times, although it is also the case with many approximate birth times.1 The latter horoscopes include the chart for the arrival of Mohammed in Medina at sun­set, marking a horoscope for the emergence of the Islamic nations (a chart cited by Noel Tyl in his work on mundane astrology) and the more recent “Sagittarius Rising” chart of the United States, each of which is distinguished by underaspected Saturn.
        What is the symbolic significance of least aspected Saturn in the “birth” of nations? If Sun, Moon, and Mercury symbolize the funda­mental personal aspects of the psyche; and if Venus and Mars signify an ontological progression to the interpersonal realm; and if the final level of psychic development–into the transpersonal or archetypal realm–is symbolized by Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto; that leaves Jupiter and Saturn as the symbols that stand between the personal / inter­personal and transpersonal realms. Thus, the collective is “formed” (i.e., “born”). While Jupiter rules collective soul as manifest through culture, Saturn rules collective spirit as manifest through the upholding of law, governmental structures, and the codification of fixed rules, regulations, and restrictions (especially those within governmental institutions).
        Therefore, in the context of astrological tradition, the significance Saturn here–at the natus of the nation–makes great symbolic sense. After all, the state represents the function of “ordering, regulating, and restricting” the society. “Law and order” (that chill­ing refrain promulgated by those who are overidentified with such matters) is a key component of the Saturn archetype, and law and order is often created, codified, and maintained by such Saturnian personalities who seek to represent, at least on the governmental level, the nation. 
        In this context, it is significant that so many American presidents were born with Saturn as a key Transcen­dental: as if their psychic core was in accord with the Transcendental placement of Saturn–as a Tertiary Transcendental–in the horoscope of the United States (see the “Sagittarius rising” chart for the U.S., below). According to my research, 9 out of 43 U.S. presidents were born with a least aspected Saturn [21.4%] and 13 out of 43 were born with Saturn as a least- or second least aspected planet [30.9%].2
        Saturn also appears as a key Transcendental in the principal horoscopes of Germany. For the 1871 chart, we have Tertiary Saturn, and for the 1949 Bundesrepublik we again find Tertiary Saturn. For the relatively short-lived and unsuccessful 1918 German horoscope, we have the reverse: Leading (or most aspected) Saturn with Secondary Leader Jupiter. This reflects a central notion of my initial hypothesis: that, if not properly integrated, overaspected or “Leading” planets symbolize areas where we will over­reach, act with hubris, and suffer a fall. Indeed, Leading Planets represent how and under what terms nemesis will approach. This Germany was noted for its economic deprivations (Leading Saturn); inflation (Secondary Leading Jupiter); and rampant, hubristic national­ism (Tertiary Leading Sun).3 Hitler’s Secondary Leader, Saturn, and Tertiary Leader, Sun, mirrored the same tendencies in his life–an overcompensating need for “restrictive psy­chological structures” (Saturn) and for an “unbridled exhibitionism” (Sun)–all of which paralleled elements within the national German horoscope of the time (i.e., in that sense, the “Führer” embodied the “Leading”–although not necessarily healthy–tendencies of the body politic of this period in Germany). In the horoscope of the more recent (and more stable) Federal Republic of Ger­many (1955), Saturn is the Tertiary Transcendental (with an aspect rating of only 111).
        In the chart of Israel, a state which has always suffered from economic inflation (Sec­ondary Leader, Jupiter), we see a succinct Transcendental portrait of the entire recent history of that nation: a “spiritual yearning for a home­land” and for “peace / with security” (Secondary Transcendental Moon / Primary Transcendental Venus / Tertiary Transcendental Saturn). Israel’s Leading or most aspected planets reflect an “obsession with war, secret intelligence, and terrorism” (Leading Pluto), as well an obsession with “religious / and ethical matters” on a state level (Tertiary Leader, Neptune / Secondary Leader, Jupi­ter).
        In the horoscope for the birth of the European Union, we have a Jupiter-Saturn Transcendental pairing. When the Treaty of Rome was signed by the member states, Jupiter / Saturn were equally underaspected Secondary Transcenden­tals: each bearing one major aspect and no minor aspects (= 100); the Tertiary Tran­scendental was Mercury. This is fitting, as the E.U. is such a “bureaucratically oriented” (Mercury) organization. In fact, Saturn / Mercury Transcendentals often appear while contractual agreements are signed or formalized. For the horoscope of the formal existence of the E.U., which astrologer Nicholas Campion considers the horoscope for the “organization” of the E.U. (while the Treaty of Rome chart “has been used as a chart for the EEC itself”),4 Saturn is the Primary Transcendental (bearing an aspect rating of only 020). Another example of Sat­urn’s relationship to contractual agreements is seen in the chart for the formal surrender of the British forces to George Washington. In that horoscope, Primary Mercury is a “triple-zero” Transcendental–hosting no traditional major, minor, or Midheaven / Ascendant planetary contacts–followed by second least aspected or Secondary Transcendental Saturn.5
        Although only horoscopes based on accurately timed data are of primary import, in this Nations section I have included other charts, as well. The fact that some of these horoscopes have been studied at such great length and over such extended periods is the basis for this inclusion. But I would urge readers to pay greater attention to those horoscopes based on “clean” data. It is through that approach that we have the most to learn, especially in the careful exploration of new theories, such as the effect of underaspected planets and the symbolism that such planets represent.

1. As indicated in the quote that opens this essay, the word “nation” is firmly rooted in the word natio: “birth, race, nation, from natus, pp. of nasci to be born.” With certain nations, the precise moment of independence (i.e., the birth of “selfhood”) is clear, and in such instances, I have no hesitation in speaking of a nation’s “birth.” For other nations, that moment may have been lost to history.
        In certain cases, a series of historic events will make it difficult to ascertain when a nation becomes a nation, i.e., there may not be a “single moment” that we can select as the principal one. Instead, there may be a series of “births” (and deaths) that must be carefully examined (like a series of dreams that must be analyzed in toto in order for meaning and continuity to emerge).
        In the latter case, I might agree with Nicholas Campion who feels that, when dealing with national horoscopes, we must speak of a “series of significant charts for important moments.” (Campion; private communication.) Nations evolve through time, and through space, as well (travel, war, immigration etc.). For more on this see, my “FAQ: The Birth of Nations,” below.
2. Although George W. Bush is referred to as the “43rd president,” one president, Grover Cleveland, served two nonconsecutive terms (as the “22nd” and “24th” U.S. president). See my “Transcendental Biographies.”
3. The same could be said for the “short-lived” Italian horoscope 1871, which hosts the same overaspected planets: Sun (Leader), Jupiter (Secondary Leader), and Saturn (Ter­tiary Leader).
4. Nicholas Campion, The Book of World Horoscopes, p. 478.  
5. At the moment of Cornwallis’s “formal / communiqué” (Secondary Saturn / Primary Mercury) of the surrender of the British forces to George Washington (at Yorktown, Vir­ginia), the eastern half of the United States was framed by a wide Mercury / Saturn Transcendental Midpoint-Field. This decisive, “Transcendental moment” marked the end of hostilities between the Colonial forces and the British, and it signaled the independence of the American Colonies.

*     *     *

Nicholas Campion’s The Book of World Horoscopes (2nd ed., revised, 1996) was relied on for providing data for national horoscopes. Other sources are cited below. Slight differences in Ascendant / Midheaven degrees may result due to the longitude and latitude coordinates uti­lized (and according to which software programs are used). In the occa­sional cases when this occurred, I have presented only my own results. For information on aspect orbs, see my appendix A. The three-digit numerals indicating planetary strength are based on major aspects (first numeral); minor aspects (second numeral); and aspects to Ascendant and Midheaven (third numeral). The Node is calculated separately.

nation: [Middle English nacioun, from Middle French nation-, natio birth, race, nation, from natus, pp. of nasci to be born; akin to Latin gignere to beget [...] (14th century).]

country: [Middle English contree, from Old French contrée, from Middle Latin con­trata, from Latin contra against, on the opposite side (13th century).]

2. The G7 Nations and Least Aspected Saturn:1

In this extraordinary example of Saturn symbolism, each of the nations composing the G7 has Saturn as the least-, second least-, or third least aspected planet. In each horoscope, Saturn falls well below the classic “130” aspect rat­ing, making it a very Transcendental energy, indeed:

Japan = Primary Saturn (010)
France = Primary Saturn (030)
United States = Secondary Saturn (111)
Germany = Tertiary Saturn (111)
United Kingdom = Secondary Saturn (112)
Canada = Tertiary Saturn (121)
Italy = Tertiary Saturn (121; with equally underaspected Neptune)

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1. “Since 1975, the leaders of the major industrial nations have been meeting annually to deal with the major economic and political issues facing their countries and the interna­tional community as a whole.
        The G7 members are Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
        The six countries at the first Summit, held at Rambouillet, France in November 1975, were France, the United States, Britain, Germany, Japan and Italy.
        They were joined by Canada at the San Juan, Puerto Rico Summit of 1976 and by the European Community at the London Summit of 1977.
        Since then membership in the G7 has been fixed, although 15 developing countries' leaders met with the G7 leaders on the eve of the 1989 Paris Summit.
        The USSR and then Russia have had a post-Summit dialogue with the G7 since 1991. The 1998 Birmingham Summit saw full Russian participation, giving birth to the G8.
        The G7/G8 Summit has consistently dealt with economic management, international trade, and relations with developing countries.” From “What is the G7?” BBC News (online), Friday, October 2, 1998. Published at 12:01 GMT 13:01 UK.

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Mercury = 021
Venus = 120
Saturn = 121
Pluto = 130
Neptune = 210
Uranus = 302
Mars = 320
Jupiter = 402
Moon = 422
Sun = 502

Node = non-Transcendental (320)

Canada: The Dominion of Canada, July 1867

Primary Transcendental Mercury, Secondary Venus, Tertiary Transcendental Saturn.

Jul. 1, 1867
12.05.00 PM LMT (+00)
Ottawa
73W42'00”; 45N25'00”
Asc: 7Li58; Mc: 9Cn40

Source: Astrologer Rab Wilkie, citing a newspaper published on July 2, 1867: “The 12:05 P.M. moment is based on an eye- (and ear-) witness account published in the local Ottawa newspaper the following day [...] the time [cited] was when the Canadian cannon boomed in a most public and ceremonial manner. It was scheduled in fact for noon on the dot, but a dud fuse had to be replaced which delayed the salute for 'about five minutes', according to the newspaper reporter.” (Private correspondence with Wilkie, November 9, 1998.) It is probably due to similar research results that Campion states: “The advent of the state was hailed at 00.05 hrs. by the ringing of bells and a 101-gun salute, although the legislation would have come into effect five minutes earlier.” Campion, The Book of World Horo­scopes (Second Edition, 1996), p. 110.

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Saturn = 030
Uranus = 031
Mercury = 100
Sun = 110
Moon = 211
Venus = 211
Jupiter = 211
Mars = 221
Pluto = 300
Neptune = 320

Node = non-Transcendental (201)

France: The Fifth Republic

Primary Transcendental Saturn, Secondary Uranus, Tertiary Transcendental Mercury.

Oct. 5, 1958
12.00.00 AM CET (-01)
Paris
02E20'00”; 48N52'00”
Asc: 24Cn50; Mc: 0Ar30

Source: “The Fifth Republic came into existence with the publication of the new Constitu­tion in the Journal Officiel on 5 October 1958, in Paris. It is understood that the legislation creating the Republic came into effect at 00.00 hrs ...” Campion, The Book of World Horo­scopes (Second Edition, 1996), p. 167.

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Mars = 011
Venus = 030
Saturn = 111
Mercury = 120
Sun = 140
Jupiter,
Uranus = 320
Pluto = 321
Neptune = 400
Moon = 410

Node = non-Transcendental (330)

Germany: The Federal Republic of Germany

Primary Transcendental Mars, Secondary Venus, Tertiary Transcendental Saturn.

May 5, 1955
12.00.00 PM CET (-01)
Bonn
7E05'00”; 50N44'00”
Asc: 20Le46; Mc: 06Ta58

Source: “West Germany–the capitalist Federal Republic of Germany–came into exist­ence in May 1949 following four years of British, French and American military adminis­tration. […]
         “However, full independence was only attained when sovereignty was transferred from the allied powers to the West German Government at 12.00 noon on 5 May 1955. Unlike East Germany, which seems to have publicly ignored the equivalent event in its own history, the gaining of full independence by West Germany was an occasion of public celebration, and this, rather than the proclamation of 1949, was regarded as the true begin­ning of the state’s existence.” Campion, The Book of World Horoscopes (Second Edition, 1996), p. 181.

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Pluto = 030
Saturn = 112
Jupiter = 120
Sun = 122
Moon = 140
Mercury = 140
Uranus = 140
Mars = 212
Venus = 321
Neptune = 330

Node = non-Transcendental (411)

United Kingdom: 1801 Act of Union

Primary Transcendental Pluto, Secondary Saturn, Tertiary Jupiter.

Jan. 1, 1801
00.00.00 AM LMT (+00)
Westminster
0W07'00”; 51N30'00”
Asc: 7Li10; Mc: 9Cn20

Source: “The Act [of Union] had received the royal assent on 2 July 1800, and, in accor­dance with general principles, came into effect at 00:00 hrs. LMT ... I have found that this horoscope is the most useful for the United Kingdom.” Campion, The Book of World Horoscopes (Second Edition, 1996), p. 392.

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Mars = 020
Pluto = 120
Saturn, Neptune = 121
Mercury = 201
Venus = 212
Uranus = 220
Sun = 232
Moon = 241
Jupiter = 301

Node = non-Transcendental (320)

Italy: The Italian Republic

Primary Transcendental Mars, Secondary Pluto, equally aspected Tertiary Transcendentals Saturn, Neptune.

Jun. 10, 1946
6.10.00 PM CED (-02)
Rome
12E29'00”; 41N54'00”
Asc: 19Sc20; Mc: 1Vi22

Source: “Pressure for Italian unification built up following the wave of liberal revolutions across Europe in 1848.... The Kingdom of Italy formally came into being on 17 March 1861 when the Official Gazette … published a law by which King Victor Emmanuel II of Piedmont assumed for himself and his successors the title of King of Italy … The time of 00:00 hrs. is assumed, consistent with the general principle that laws published in Official Gazettes came into force at 00:00 hrs.
        “…The horoscope for the Italian Republic is set for 10 June 1946 … On 2 June a ref­erendum was held on the future of the monarchy which produced a majority in favour of abolition. The announcement of the referendum results at between 6:00 P.M. and 6:10 P.M. on 10 June was taken as a de facto proclamation of the Republic, and Chart 168 is set for 6:10 P.M.” Campion, The Book of World Horoscopes (Second Edition, 1996), pp. 211-213.

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Mercury = 001
Saturn = 010
Jupiter = 031
Uranus = 031
Sun = 121
Mars = 201
Neptune = 310
Venus = 331
Moon = 420
Pluto = 510

Node = non-Transcendental (200)

Japan: The postwar constitution goes into effect

Primary Transcendental Mercury, Secondary Transcendental Saturn.

May 03 1947
12.00.00 AM JST (-09)
Tokyo
139E46'00”; 35N00'00”
Asc: 26Cp32; Mc: 16Sc55

Source: “The history of modern Japan is often dated from the U.S. Commodore Perry’s arrival in Tokyo, the restoration of Imperial Power, or the promulgation of the first modern constitution, the so-called Meiji Constitution, on 11 February 1889. […] During the 1890s the country experienced an industrial revolution and by 1906 was able to challenge Euro­pean military power. The promulgation of the constitution took place during the day, and in the absence of accurate information [the chart] ... is set for 12.00 noon LMT, for the capital, Tokyo. Horoscopes for modern Japan are also set for the revival of the country fol­lowing its defeat in the Second World War in 1945, and its occupation by the USA. One alternative [chart] is set for the coming into effect of the postwar constitution, apparently at 00.00 hrs. on 3 May 1947 in Tokyo.” Campion, The Book of World Horoscopes (Second Edition, 1996), p. 215. For the data source for this ‘coming into effect of the postwar con­stitution’ chart, Campion cites:  “Report by Japanese astrologer Toshitaka Hifumi of Yokahama to James Russell, Vice president of the Astrological Association.” See Campion, p. 649, n. 308.

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Uranus = 011
Jupiter = 101
Saturn = 111
Sun = 121
Pluto = 122
Venus = 201
Mars = 210
Neptune = 210
Mercury = 220
Moon = 242

Node = Transcendental Node (120)  

United States: Sagittarius Rising chart

Primary Transcendental Uranus, Secondary Jupiter, Tertiary Transcendental Saturn.

Jul. 4, 1776
17.13.00 LMT (+00)
Philadelphia
75W10'00”; 39N57'00”
Asc: 12Sa59; Mc: 01Li53

Source: Noel Tyl, Astrology: Mundane, Astral, Occult, p. 50, citing Dane Rudhyar's recti­fied chart in The Astrology of America's Destiny. “The exact time of the founding of the American states remains uncertain. “[Historian Manley Palmer Hall's] suggestion of 5.00 P.M. finds interesting support in the fact that the anniversary celebrations on 4 July 1778 began at 5.00 PM, and in other years seem to have begun at a similar time which the histo­rian Channing (who believed the Declaration was signed later), regarded as 'early'.” Cam­pion, The Book of World Horoscopes (Second Edition, 1996), p. 414.

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3: The EEC and Least Aspected Saturn

Saturn = 020
Sun = 120
Jupiter = 122
Mercury = 132
Mars = 200
Pluto = 201
Venus = 202
Neptune = 221
Uranus = 320
Moon = 410

Node = Transcendental Node (410)

European Union: Formal existence

Primary Transcendental Saturn, Secondary Sun, Tertiary Transcendental Jupiter.

Jan. 1, 1958
00.00.00. AM CET (-01)
Brussels
4E20'00”; 50N50'00”
Asc: 29Vi36; Mc: 29Ge29

Source: “The EEC came into existence at 00.00 hrs on 1 January 1958.” The chart is cal­culated “for the administrative capital, Brussels.” Campion, The Book of World Horoscopes (Second Edition, 1996), p. 478.

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4: Frequently Asked Questions: “The Birth of Nations”

> How do you define the “birth of a nation?” Is the time determined by the idea of creating a new nation or by an action that brings the idea to fruition?

The idea of a new nation resembles a biological conception. It is akin to an intuition that must be worked through, brought down to earth, made manifest, for something valuable to actualize. With a nation, we can have a founding intuition or germinal idea. But the idea must then be actualized. That fleshing out process, which follows the ideational conception, is what makes the intuition real. That reality is the birth.
        When the idea of an independent nation is first discussed, the goal is not merely an abstract one. The goal is to concretize the birth of a nation: a nation with institutional, structures, a constitution, a set of laws, a physical boundary (a body), and, most importantly, a declaration that will eventually be made public: a declara­tion that this act of separation, this independence, is now a fait accompli. That differs from a mere intuition that remains ungrounded in any kind of three-dimensional form.
        Certain moments leading to a nation’s birth (and to its demise, transformation, and rebirth) stand out as particularly important ones along the way. Just as one may erect various horoscopes that reflects a couple’s decision to create a baby; the act of conception; the stages of fetal development; and the birth (the final act of separation), one could do something similar concerning the historic events that lead to the creation of a nation state. Yet until that final moment–the act of separation–we don’t know whether the intuition will come off. That’s why we must consider the final act of separation as the true birth. Because finally, it happens. It manifests in outer reality. In this sense, the body is not merely an abstract “image” of the soul; it is the soul made manifest.
        Only when things are made concrete do they enter into the realm of the collective consciousness. After that moment, the collective psyche is forever altered. A birth is a separation: a Promethean theft from the archetypal realm (in which there is no separation but, instead, an infinite blurred field).
        We are acts of separation from this indistinct plethora. Our bodies render the infinite finite. That is our reality. Our being is an intuition that has been carried through to completion. Our unique­ness is reflected in our body.
        Psychically, the ego represents a point at which all separation, all “I”-ness, coalesces. To say “I” is to separate from the infinite. One accepts this limitation, but, in so doing, one helps to define the infinite: to lend names to things, which is a further act of separation: distinguishing “the thing” from “the whole.” Therefore, a birth is more than a potential or possibility. It is a moment when a new creature has been severed from the “sameness” of all things. In a sense, a nation is a separation–on a mass scale–of one “people” from another.

5. National Horoscopes with Primary, Secondary or Tertiary Transcendental Saturn:

Algeria: Algerian independence, 1962
Bahamas: Independence from Great Britain
Brazil: Portuguese claim possession, 1500
Canada: The Dominion of Canada, July 1867
Cape Verde: Independence from Portugal
China: The establishment of the Communist Peoples’ Republic
China: Communist Peoples’ Republic assumes office
European Union: EEC Treaty of Rome
European Union: Formal existence
France: The Fifth Republic
Germany: Proclamation of William I
Germany: The Federal Republic of Germany
Greece: Independence Day
Iran: Return of Khomeini
Ireland: The Easter Rising
Israel: Creation of the State of Israel
Italy: The Italian Republic
Ivory Coast: Independence from France
Japan: The promulgation of the Meiji Constitution
Japan: The postwar constitution goes into effect
Japan: The postwar constitution
Kuwait: Independence from Great Britain
Latvia: Declaration of independence from the USSR
Latvia: Independence from the USSR
Madagascar: Independence from France
Mexico: Signing of the revolutionary constitution
North Korea: The creation of North Korea, 1945
Philippines: Independence Day, 1991
Russia: Russian Independence, 1991
Singapore: Independence by default
Slovakia: Independence, 1993
Slovenia: Proclamation of independence
South Africa: The Union of South Africa, 1910
South Africa: The New South Africa, 1994
United Kingdom: 1801 Act of Union
United States: Sagittarius Rising chart
United States: Cornwallis’s formal surrender of the British to George Washington
Uruguay: Declaration of Independence
Vietnam: 1954 North Vietnam chart
Yugoslavia: Liberation, 5 Oct. 2000

 

Next Section:

III. Transcendental Biographies (Part Two)

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