In order to fix something, we have to know why it isn’t working. What’s wrong with it? We need a diagnosis and that means doing a thorough examination. This series has been an examination of the collective psyche of the United States as reflected in its natal horoscope, the Sibley chart of July 4, 1776. We’re now ready to make a diagnosis.
In general, the USA is suffering from “Inflated Ego,” IE for short, arising out of an idealized self-image, a strong sense of entitlement and a belligerent attitude. This condition will persist through adolescence, but subside when the patient matures. It can also be defeated by some unexpected event.
We are a young nation exhibiting the hubris of youth. We think we are the greatest and that the whole world should be like us. We believe we have the best country, the best life-style, the best economy, the best beliefs, religion and politics. And these beliefs are reinforced every time we watch a football game kicked off with a military presence and a passionate deliverance of the Star Spangled Banner. We believe our own propaganda.
This is the shadow side of our Sagittarius Ascendant. Exuberance and idealism leading to excess. Sagittarius is ruled by Jupiter which is prominently placed in the USA chart in conjunction with our Cancer Sun. We naturally want to grow. We’re obsessed with growth, for that matter. Our stock market reflects that. If economic growth slows down, investors panic and the market falls. Value is tied to growth.
This is where Pluto comes in, beneath the horizon in the 2nd House, operating in the shadows, an unconscious obsession for acquisition, possessions, shopping. We believe we can soothe our insecurity with material wealth. Capitalism is our obsession. We devote our lives to the pursuit, not of happiness, but of wealth which we believe will make us happy.
But it’s not working is it? Collectively suicide is on the rise, along with alcohol and drug addiction, obesity, disease, depression, fear, rage, hatred, gun deaths. We declared almost 250 years ago that we wanted freedom and equality to pursue happiness. Those are worthy pursuits. We’ve just gotten off track. The equality gap is a canyon. Our Union is shattering.
We are the bullies of the world, seizing the world’s resources, hypocritically enforcing our way of life from our many military bases. We’re told that we are making the world safe for Democracy. With the largest cache of weapons that can devastate our planet and wipe out humanity? How safe does that make us?
We pretend benevolence, loaning billions of dollars to “Third World” countries and all we ask is that they deliver their resources to us, remain in debt forever and vote with us in the U.N.
A country that once welcomed immigrants, was founded and developed by the labor of immigrants, is now shutting the door, and imprisoning the children of parents who seek asylum from poverty and famine, from persecution and terror.
A country that once was the hope of the world has become its greatest threat. A country founded on the rule of law has become lawless at its core. A government established to represent the will of the people is now subverting and repressing our will, turning a blind eye to our suffering and struggle.
How did this all happen? We weren’t paying attention. We delegated our power and authority to representatives and leaders who had their own interests at heart. Yes, there is corruption, but we have the power to weed it out. Saturn is telling us that to avert disaster, we need to take responsibility for creating something different.
Please understand. I love this country. I love this planet, I have the highest hopes for Humanity. And that is why I point these things out. We are good people, living in a dysfunctional system, that is justified by a false paradigm, that tells us we are fallen, we are powerless, we live in a meaningless universe, life is about competition and conquest, acquisition and power. These are lies.
The American Spirit is being strangled by fear. The antidote is love, but telling people to love one another has never worked. When I fought with one of my siblings, my mother would put us on chairs and tell us to think about how much we loved each other. For the duration of my confinement I seethed with injustice and resentment. But then I was a child. Now I see that she was trying to teach me about attitude.
Fear is a poison that blinds us to reality, that drives paranoia, that prompts hostility and eventual aggression. The ego takes over and recites a continual litany of lies until we are convinced that everyone is out to get us and we plot our defense. Our demons emerge.
Saturn and Pluto, now in Capricorn, are revealing to us that we have climbed the wrong mountain and all we can see from this pinnacle is a vista of desperate humanity and a dying planet.
Monday Greta Thunberg, a 16 year old climate activist from Sweden, told the U.N. delegates, and the people they represent, that “you are still not mature enough to tell it like it is!” This is what Saturn is telling us, too. It’s time to give up adolescent fantasies of endless growth and untold riches. It is time to face the facts of who we are and take responsibility for what we have done.
So what can we do?
First of all we can wake up. We can open our eyes. We can surrender our cherished illusions, become informed and tell it like it is.
Second, we do the inner work required to clear the blockages, heal the wounds, resolve the unfinished business of our lives. This liberates us from reactivity and makes it possible for the higher vibrations of love, peace and compassion to come through.
Third, we connect with our essential selves buried beneath the ego’s debris. We allow ourselves to be informed by infinite wisdom and love. We allow ourselves to evolve. This gives us a trusted foundation upon which to base our choices and decisions.
Finally, we step into the role we came here to play. We take up the mantle of the Spiritual Adult and serve Humanity.
It is no accident that you are an American. You came here, as did all of us, to face the greatest challenge in the history of the human race. America can lead the way – we have the resources, we have the freedom, all we need is the will. Can we clean up our collective mess? Can we wake up and evolve our consciousness? Can we learn to live together in peace? Can we join a global effort to restore our planet by living in harmony with our environment? I believe we can.
Get to know the part of your own psyche that is enmeshed with our nation’s troubled identity. The USA birth chart can tell us were to look, how to locate those shadow parts you share with the collective. Take honest stock of your inner resources:
Is Pluto functioning as an obsession in your life? What do you truly value? Are you willing let go of what isn’t working and open to new possibilities, to rebirth?
Is Jupiter pushing you to excess? In what area? How can you express growth without excess? How do you underestimate yourself? How strong is your faith?
Is Saturn growing you up or are you stuck in your habits, resistant to change, fearful of the future? Are you evolving, attaining mastery or are you a victim?
Where are the Nodes of the Moon in your chart? Are you drawing upon the lessons of the past and moving confidently into an unknown future?
How do you express your energy? Are you irritable and impatient? Are you reactive? Aggressive? Hostile? Is Mars working for you or against you?
Is Neptune supporting your imagination and dreams, or are you deluded, disillusioned, apathetic, depressed?
All of these astrological symbols are coming together over the next 15 months to pose these questions. You might want to study for the exam.
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