WikiLeaks and Winter Solstice 2010's Mercury Return Jan 9, 2011

With the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act now signed by President Obama (while still vacationing in Hawaii), the 112th Congress scheduled to open January 5, 2011 at noon est, and myself just returned from a holiday family spree (if you can call the Atlanta area a 'spree' zone), Stars Over Washington's Julian Assange/treason poll is now closed.

Out of a total of 131 responders, 77% (101) voted, "No! He's doing the world a favor" to the question of whether Mr. Assange (who, though not an American citizen, has greatly embarrassed the US government) should be tried for treason.

1% (14) answered a moderate "Possibly, depending" while another 1% replied, "Absolutely!"

What might this unofficial poll attest to, if anything? Possibilities include:

That folks who read this sort of populist blog prefer that the US government follow its own laws (and not rewrite them for special occasions or in an attempt to save face), get over thinking it can lord it over anyone anywhere, and busy itself learning how to successfully keep official secrets closer to Big Brother's chest than heretofore.

Now if you, dear reader, are one of the 77% who voted No! to a treason prosecution yet don't agree with my personal assessment of the situation, please leave a comment here, if you wish to weigh in.

Oh, and I can think of at least one more very good reason - as taught by history - for the US government not to prosecute the message bearer who dares reveal the truth:

"First they came..." for him - then they came for you and me...

~:~

Now for the title of this post: the Mercury Return 25Sag25 to the Winter Solstice 2010 chart of December 21 which occurs on January 9, 2011 at 1:33:17 am est in Washington DC. This reflects a part of Mercury the Messenger's retrograde period which began on Dec 10, 2010 @ 5Cap+ with the speedy one's Direct Station on Dec 30, 2010 @ 19Sag35.

As far as conjunctions or oppositions to Julian Assange's natal chart (July 3, 1971 Townsville, AU 4:57 pm AEST), the Winter Solstice 2010's Mercury Return falls in his natal 2nd house opposite n Venus 25Gem25 (dualistic and sometimes duplicitous Gemini, sign of communications, and The Good News.) Yet the house position may be only speculative, based on whether his birth hour is accurate; it apparently has been snagged from his official birth records. (Kudos to whoever snagged it!)

Another possible link is to Assange's natal Moon/NN midpoint which will be conjoined by Mercury 25Sag25 on Jan 9, 2011, and in Politics and Business, the publicity-infused Moon/NN combo relates to: trade, ports of entry, roadways, canals, transit systems, etc. Also to: common people involved in the conduct of foreign trade, public opinion about foreign trade, agricultural failures, or blockages at ports of entry. (Munkasey.)

Here is the midpoint picture formed by tr Mercury to Assange's natal Moon/NN on or around Jan 9, 2011; any, all, or none may apply:

n Moon/NN = tr Mercury: adapting to events and communicating effectively; education opens opportunities; emotional group discussions; an association of convenience; contacts with females; immune system (as in 'cyber-security? jc); a critical attitude toward associations; building cooperation. (Munkasey; Ebertin; Tyl.)

2010's Winter Solstice chart itself must be considered for understanding any effect its Mercury Return may have collectively, such as what houses are ruled by Mercury (3rd h, and 12th h of Politics); aspects to Mercury are important as well.

Winter Solstice December 21, 2010's Mercury

Mercury applies in its Rx condition to a square with the Jupiter/Uranus conjunction in Pisces. Merc SQs Jupiter (0A05, a very tight orb) while separating from its SQ with Uranus (1S22); the Messenger also moves away from conjunction with the Sun 00Cap00, both in 6th house of Work, Health, Service (Armed Forces) - the President has signed the 9/11 Health and Compensation bill, as noted above, and leaks have concerned the US military services and the US State Department of spies...er, diplomats. Mercury = the signing and the bill itself.

Merc SQ Jupiter shows discrepancies between beliefs and the truth with impulsivity in judgments which are based on insufficient information; accepting responsibility for one's actions is difficult; the phrase 'pathological liar' is a potential.

Merc SQ Uranus indicates an eccentric thinker whose opinions tend to be at odds with society's prevailing beliefs. Most people find this 'rebel with a cause' obnoxious or overly belligerent. Impatience may cause 'facts' or 'truths' to be manufactured.

(This may apply, of course, to WikiLeaks or to the US government - or both.)

Now you've probably noticed that Mercury 25Sag15 inconjuncts US natal Mercury, an aspect of great strain, for watery Cancer and fiery Sagittarius have little natural sympathy for one another. The inconjunct (or, quincunx; 150 degr) suggests the dynamics of Mars which brings in the god of war's typical aggression, aggravations, and threats and yet compromise is the only solution. (This aspects relates to Congress as well, but here I'm looking at Jan 9, 2011's Mercury Return mainly in relation to the Assange/WikiLeaks imbroglio.)

One aspect of note is the interesting inconjunct between Mercury in the Winter Solstice 2010 chart and the chart's Ascendant 24Can21 (the position of US natal Mercury Rx 24:12) with Mercury inconj ASC indicating evaluations and conclusions about others which are correct but make them feel uncomfortable and embarrassed.

Well, yes. We know.

Merc inconj ASC may also describe someone who is a "Jack of All Trades" with Mercury associated with trade and commerce, as noted above. A bit of a roustabout, perhaps? This Mercury is very much aware of the power of money, and may long nostalgically for simpler times.

Mercury Return to the Winter Solstice 2010 chart: Jan 9, 2011

In Jan 9's Mercury Return chart set for DC, there is a politically prominent trio: Mercury 25Sag25 in 2nd house of Values and Valuations, North Node 2Cap38, (3rd cusp = 2Cap41), and Pluto 5Cap38 in 3rd house of Communications. Pluto conjoins the degree of Mercury's Rx Station of Dec 10, 2010, a time when hidden meanings are revealed.

As you know, the Mercury/Pluto duo relates to propaganda, persuasion, deep thoughts, business secrets (ex: B of A), spies, surveillance and Intel agencies, communications satellites, and the drug trade; the two planets oppose one another across the Can/Cap axis in America's natal chart with Mercury Rx @ the "A Leader of Men Wrapped in an Invisible Mantle of Power" degree (the meaning of which then relates, of course, to powerfully wealthy, often invisible Pluto, the Spy, Saboteur, Assassin, and/or Underworld Criminal Network - and to the Bosses thereof.)

Mercury/Pluto = NN: contacts with those who help you obtain information or news(!); a desire for intellectual domination, or, to be a spokesman; contacts with powerful criminal elements; being recognized for one's persuasion or communication skills.

Now this particular phase of 'Mercury action' @ 25SAg25 actually began prior to the Winter Solstice of Dec 21, 2010: Nov 26, 2010, Dec 21, 2010 (Rx), and next on January 9, 2011. Given Mr. Assange's clear connection to mercurial functions, it may be interesting to note any further developments in the legal standing of the WikiLeaks' now-secluded founder who must try his best not to be extradited to face charges in the USA.

Winter Solstice 2010 Horoscope

Fresh from the December 21, 2010 Lunar Eclipse, this year's Winter Solstice Moon in 12th house clocks in at 8Can13 as the Sun reaches 00Cap00:00. In Washington DC on Dec 21, 2010, the annual solar event occurs at 6:38:22 pm est with 24Can21 rising which brings up America's natal Mercury Rx opposing natal Pluto 27Cap33 Rx (US planets are notated outside the chart; please click to enlarge.)

It's an Hour of Jupiter 25Pis20 conjunct Uranus 26Pis47, both now moving directly and in the Winter Solstice's 9th house. Chart-ruler Moon applies to three aspects:

1. Moon square Mc 8Ari41 (0A28);
2. Moon opposite Mars (2A27);
3. Moon trine Venus (6A14.)

Moon square MC indicates domestic and career problems which jeopardize public reputations; Moon oppo Mars indicates irrational actions, impatience, overspending, quarrels, and potential criminal activity; Moon trine Venus describes harmony, empathy, and pleasant conditions, especially for women, artists, and musicians.

Therefore, at least some difficult conditions at the start of Winter season 2010 may improve before Spring 2011 - I hope so!

Perhaps the Moon/South Node contact in 12th house should be mentioned for it shows separations, bad timing due to difficult circumstances (ex: being too late for a job interview because car is too expensive to repair and the bus runs late, etc), isolation that leads to depression, and a feeling of 'being alone against the world'. Yet with concentrated effort and strength of character, adversity will be met with courage and determination - plow on through, m'peops!

But yes, Moon/SN points to karmic conditions (past behaviors that no longer bring good results) as does the Moon's position in the karmic 12th house for the Winter season. Hospitals and other large institutions experience fluctuating conditions with Moon in 12th house, and certainly chronic health issues of the people (Moon) are triggered. US natal Mars conjoins 12th cusp 22Gem10 showing a karmic undoing relating to males in general, but specifically to police and military forces; plus, warring Mars rules Midheaven, the Aspiration Point of any chart.

As you see, 8th house of Debt and Shared Resources contains the ongoing, when-will-it-ever-end duo of wounding Chiron and nebulous Neptune still sitting astride US natal Moon (we-the-people) so we may expect the Neptunian onslaught of fraud, floods, toxins, homelessness, debts, and mortgage issues to continue into 2011.

In 4th house, the Foundation of the chart, we see Saturn 16Lib08 in process of our US Saturn Return (14Lib48) when chickens come home to roost and accountability must be faced. Perhaps bank managers (Saturn) will be facing hard questions about their robo-signing habits and other legal abnormalities in the foreclosure process. Plus, in 4th house, Saturn may indicate mining accidents or issues, and real estate delays and losses...Saturnian conditions in the homeland with Saturn ruling 8th house (co-ruled by disruptive Uranus bwo Aquarius.)

Yet Venus 14Sco27 (sign of Big Business and Surveillance) is in 4th house as well and conjoins US Inaugural Descendant showing foreign or hidden evaluations and relationships which (since chart-ruler Moon trines Venus) may bring some relief to our housing woes (Venus rules Ic) - or bring us the 'slippery slope' a trine may so easily provide.

Mercury 25Sag25 Rx in 6th house is the ruler (dispositor) of US natal Mars and may show preparations for troop movements (6th house = police and military service as well as Health and Work.)

Sun 00Cap00:00 is apex in two midpoint combinations of energies:

Mercury/Pluto = Sun: a persuasive speaker; communication skills; keen observations; prudence and vision; a desire for recognition; championing an idea or attitude that prevails; determination to use force to obtain or locate information; enhanced authority or prestige among people who control important information or news.

Mercury/NN = Sun: added focus on the effectiveness and importance of the message presented; well-coordinated personal ventures; a life philosophy; urge to exchange ideas with others.

Now obviously, the Mercury/NN combo has to do with meetings where discussions take place, also with discussions involving young people, reporters, traders, etc - any and all mercurial implications are being encountered. But a note may be of interest concerning the Mercury/Pluto combo and Michael Munkasey (Midpoints: Unleashing the Power of the Planets) is very helpful on the topic - since Mercury/Pluto points toward the Winter Solstice Sun, and America's natal Mercury/Pluto opposition is emphasized by appearing on the ASC/DESC axis of this horoscope.

In Politics and Business, Mercury/Pluto relates to: high security and intelligence activities; political talk which offers abrupt changes to some functions; communications satellites; news of space exploration; orbital weapons or toxic gases; secrets of the business community or transportation systems; breakdowns in road networks; self-destructive impulses in business.

Ebertin gives Mercury/Pluto as: persons guilty of fraudulent representation or misrepresentation in speaking or writing; plagiarists or demagogues; sharp critics, and crafty people. Overestimation of self, propagandists, and spies are also indicated by Mercury/Pluto, and their opposition shows a condition where researchers work on secret projects and dangerous information must be dealt with.

North Node 2Cap44 is apex point in two midpoint pictures...

Sun/Pluto = NN: fateful associations; separations; a lack of adaptability (in Washington?!!); meeting the powerful; very special new attachments; other people inspire development of a stronger will or purpose.

Mercury/Mars = NN: quarrels within a community; the realization of thoughts in tandem with others; expressing or teaching competitive practices; acquaintances who have an irritating style of speech.

So how about the T-Squares formed, all with the Moon as one 'leg'? Moon/Mars appears on Mc, the others opposite Mc:

Moon/Mars = Mc: a forceful and purposeful nature (possibly a woman); upright behavior; spiritual relationships; self-promotion; getting things off the ground.

Moon/Pluto = Mc: one-sided emotional intensity; remaining alone and never acting in accord with others; a highly strained emotional life; successfully handling the moods of others.

Moon/NN = Mc: success through allying with those who share your goals; being recognized by influential people; soul unions or emotionally intense relationships.

Well, Mars 10Cap39 is out-of-bounds so who knows what he's up to as he continues opposing by transit our nation's Cancerian planets (Venus, Jupiter, Sun in the 3 - 14Cancer degree range); next Mars will oppose natal Sun which can be an ego-bruising time for the President (Sun) and thus the nation when complete success isn't possible. There may even be a loss of integrity during this period for the opinions and actions of others do not support his leadership (we don't need a horoscope to tell us this.)

Actually, now that I think about it, this out-of-bounds Mars (acting on his own and as a troublemaker), exalted in Capricorn and able to focus his energies with great efficiency, may just be the primary actor who runs away with the entire Winter Solstice 2010 horoscope as Mars nears opposition to America's natal Mercury (plans and ideas are dismissed out of hand), then conjoins US natal Pluto, a time when something forceful of a karmic nature may come along and simply - or seemingly - have to be done.

~:~

Midpoint pictures: The Combination of Stellar Influences, Reinhold Ebertin; Solar Arcs, Noel Tyl; Michael Munkasey, as noted above.

~:~

A Personal Note: to the several readers who've expressed a desire to read my American Empire: When Jupiter Bowed to the Sun article now published in the Fall 2010 issue of Julie Demboski's Fall Eclipse e-zine: Julie (with her excellent editor's cap on) and I worked together like two cobblers at a virtual table through the magic of email for corrections and additions; therefore, I do not have a final copy of the article as-published and cannot send it out.

The final copy is in the e-zine!

When it is my legal right to publish the article in 6 months, it will most probably (given my previous and inexplicable averseness to making an income bwo Astrology!) be complimentary. Until then, I shall stand by the publishing arrangement made between Julie Demboski and myself and do thank my readers most heartily for their kind interest which I hope they will follow up on, for the Fall 2010 issue of Eclipse contains several great articles on a variety of topics - as do its other issues, I guarantee! jc