(This article appears in the Jerusalem Post's Sukkot Supplement Edition, September 2018).
Seven Days of Creation, seven days of the week, seven visible
planets. Twelve months of the year, twelve constellations, twelve Tribes. The Jewish
mystical tradition perceives the connections between humanity and the starry
skies to be one of mutual sympathy: that of macro and microcosm, “As above, so
below.” An intriguing illustration of this principle is found in the biblical
book of Numbers chapter two where the encampment of the Israelites in the
desert is described in detail. During the forty years of wandering in the
desert between Egypt and the Land of Canaan, they were commanded to pitch their
camp in the same configuration every time.
The LORD spoke to Moses and Aaron, saying: The
Israelites shall camp each with his standard, under the banners of their
ancestral house; they shall camp around the Tent of Meeting at a distance.
Camped on the front, or east side: the standard
of the division of Judah, troop by troop…camping next to it: the tribe of
Issachar…the tribe of Zebulun…on the south: the standard of the division of
Reuben, troop by troop…camping next to it: the tribe of Shimon…and the tribe of
Gad…on the west: the standard of the division of Ephraim, troop by troop…next
to it: Manasseh…and the tribe of Benjamin…On the north: the standard of the
division of Dan, troop by troop…camping next to it: the tribe of Asher…and the
tribe of Naphtali… (Numbers 2:1-29).
This
very specific order of Yehuda (Judah) to the east opposite Ephraim to the west,
Dan to the North opposite Reuven to the south is the mirror image of the twelve
constellations of the Zodiac and their associated tribes. As the constellations
of the zodiac surround the earth, the twelve tribes encamped surrounding the
tabernacle.
The
repetition of this sacred and specific pattern – which may have been the
collective embodiment of the Israelite’s mandala, was reenacted forty-two times
as detailed in the Book of Numbers by the generation in the desert. This
repetition may have served to embed this cosmic pattern into a symbolic primal
identity point during the process of developing tribal consciousness during the
forty years of wandering. In fact, the forty-two
times the Israelites encamped in mirror-image of the order of the zodiac may
have been a primitive version of a living, three-dimensional segulah, a
vehicle for what the medieval Jewish commentators would later call the drawing
down of rūhaniyyāt, spiritual energy which manifests as powerful
energetic emanations above attracted by a “sympathetic” image below. This gives
an entirely fresh perspective of what is meant by “Am Segulah!”
Figure 1 below illustrates the order of the
encampment and how it corresponded to the order of the zodiac:
While we
are no longer collectively encamped as twelve tribes around the Mishkan,
the 12-House configuration of the Zodiac is repeated in the natal (birth)
charts of countries as well as people. The Modern State of Israel’s natal chart
(pictured below) is the starting point for understanding how the movements of
the planets above reflect, describe, and act as an energetic conduit upon the
goings-on below.
Figure 1:
Modern State of Israel Natal Chart
Setting the Stage for The New Year
The year
5779 begins with a powerful energetic re-alignment as Mercury (Kochav in
Hebrew), the planet of communication, enters his home sign of Virgo (Betulah),
in Israel’s 11th House (“friends,” community, collective, the claal).
The roar and bombast of late summer gives way to cool, clear-headed thinking
and rational, pragmatic analytics, particularly in areas around 11th
House issues: commonly held collective ideals, beliefs, and values. Mercury in
Virgo delineates and defines “who is my friend, and what do we have in common?”
As the new year of 5779 kicks off, this question (and some possible answers)
are brought to the forefront.
Mars (Ma’adin
in Hebrew), traditionally known as the planet of war, had been retrograde since
mid-June. At the New Year he is now stationed direct and speeding its way
through Aquarius (D’li), the sign associated with the Jewish people (and
the natural ruler of the 11th House of the zodiac, mentioned above
in relation to Mercury’s transit through this House). Aquarius is the most
idealistic and humanitarian of all the twelve Zodiac signs – his Tribal ruler
Asher’s archetype is that of abundant giving to others and generous supplier of
bounty to his brethren. Retrograde Mars in Aquarius takes away instead of
giving, leaning towards the particularistic rather than the universal. Things
will start to feel “back on track” or normalized as 5779 begins and Israel can
reclaim some of her Aquarian / Asher-like energies, seeing herself in a more
magnanimous light. The lessons learned when the status-quo goes topsy-turvy need
to be incorporated going forward with a more mature and developed collective
self-awareness. This is further emphasized by Saturn (Shabbtai in
Hebrew), the planet associated with the Jewish people, which also stations direct
in the sign of Capricorn (Gidi), after being retrograde since mid-March.
Hard work yields some very real results now! Persistence and patience pay off
in very tangible ways. Those working behind the scenes for Israel’s good may be
rewarded for their toil in very visible ways by the end of 2018.
Lunations and Eclipses
The Moon
is particularly important to the Hebrew calendar and the cycle of sacred time
which is the Jewish New Year. Lunar phenomena such as eclipses tell the story
of the universal energetic archetypes dominant during any given time.
This
year, four out of five eclipses occur on the Cancer (Sartan) / Capricorn
axis. Moon-ruled Cardinal Water sign Cancer’s key words are: food, home,
mother, and money. Saturn-ruled Cardinal Earth sign Capricorn is: boundaries, business,
father, structures. Both are concerned with issues of security: Cancer with
personal and emotional security, Capricorn with external and
structural/institutional security. Cancer is your old china “piggy bank” Capricorn
is the world bank. Cancer is curling up in your grandmother’s quilt eating
comfort food. Capricorn is owning the quilting factory and the food processing
plant. Cancer is the Tribe of Reuven, concerned with his mother’s honor,
overwrought as his brothers plotted to sell Joseph to a band of traveling
nomads, the “initial vigor” of Jacob, who warns his firstborn of the dangers of
excessive emotion. Capricorn is Dan, fierce guardian of the furthest boundaries
and borders of Israel, a snake by the side of the road ready to strike the heel
of the invading horde.
These Cancer/Capricorn dynamics flavor the eclipse cycle
of the coming year. In Israel’s natal chart, Cancer rules her 9th
House and Capricorn her 3rd House. These are the Houses of
communication and interface: 3rd House with the immediate
environment, and 9th House with that which is exotic, far-away, or
foreign. Venus (Noga in Hebrew), Israel’s ruling planet, is in her
Cancerian 9th House, which is “Mother Rachel,” crying for her exiled
children to come home. Israel’s Parts of Fortune in her Capricorn 3rd
House finds the pragmatic, practical path to worldly fortune right in her own
backyard. Silicon Valley vs. the Silicon Wadi? Cries of “please come home” and
“make Aliyah” followed by economic hardships and bureaucratic impediments to
establishing financial security in the Land? In relation to Israel, the eclipse
dynamic of the Cancer/Capricorn axis in her 9th and 3rd
Houses can be understood as crisis followed by enlightenment around issues of
family identity (who is in, who is out of the “family”), the competing of
domestic vs. foreign influences and the sum of the bounty and resources each
bring to the table, and the balance between emotion and practicality in dealing
with security issues.
The Full
moon at 1-degree Taurus (Shor)on October 24th, which is the full
moon of Chodesh Cheshvan, falls directly on Israel’s 7th
House Cusp. Partnerships are illuminated, and common causes / shared values are
emphasized. Occurring as it does during the Venus Retrograde season, this full
moon may bring back an “old friend” or a previously proposed idea or prior
partnership, particularly in the peace-making and diplomatic fronts.
The
Lunar Eclipse / Supermoon / Full moon at 0 degrees Leo (Ariyeh) on Tu
b’Shevat (January 20th) falls directly on the Midheaven (MC) of
Israel’s natal chart – the most public place in any chart, front and center
where everyone can see it. There’s no hiding from what goes on at this
critically important location! A lunar eclipse is when the moon’s light is
occluded by Earth’s shadow and can only happen on a full moon. In astrological
symbolism, “light” is consciousness, and the hiding and then revealing of the
Moon’s light during an eclipse enacts the process of revelation. For something
to be revealed, it must first be hidden. In the case of this eclipse, what is
hidden is hidden in plain sight (the MC or 10th House cusp). Leo is
the proud, passionate, “royal,” dramatic and leadership-oriented Fixed Fire
sign, the “Ariyeh” or lion, and at the height of Israel’s natal chart,
an appropriate guardian of her borders. A
dramatic revelation may unfold at this time around Israel’s leadership. It is
worth noting that this eclipse falls in Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin
Netanyahu’s 8th House, the place of shared values, valuables,
resources, and intimacies (see chart illustration). Secrets may be revealed at
this time involving things Bibi “shares” with others (including his
constituents), especially material world (Taurus) things.
Figure 2:
Benjamin Netanyahu Natal Chart and Transits for 20 January 2019
The Full
moon of April 19th at 29 degrees of Libra (Moznaim) occurs on
Pesach, directly on top of Israel’s 1st House Cusp /
Ascendant – her “personality,” so to speak. This is extremely significant in
terms of Israel’s identity. This very same sensitive point (29 Libra) was triggered
during the Solar Eclipse of October 23, 1957 (four days prior to the
Israeli Presidential election), with the Sun and Moon both conjunct at 29 Libra,
and again on Oct 23, 1976, another Solar Eclipse at 29 Libra, which marked the
end of the Yom Kippur war. Israel (the “Am”
/ people, not the Modern State) was “born” on Passover, so to speak, so issues
of identity are reviewed and confirmed during this special time. Look for
identity-renewing actions taken by Israel during April’s full moon and
thereafter.
The new
moon of May 4th at 14 degrees Taurus is conjunct the North Node in
Israel’s natal 7th House (partnerships, legal matters, issues of
justice and equity). The lunar nodes (north and south), embodied as the T’li
(dragon or “hook”) in Judaism’s foundational mystical work, the Sefer
Yetzirah, symbolize fate, destiny, and the specific tikkun (fixing)
of this lifetime in any natal chart. Israel’s North Node in her 7th
House indicates her tikkun, fate, and destiny’s fulfillment lies in
partnership: sharing the very earth she was founded upon (Venus-ruled Taurus is
the Fixed Earth sign) and redeeming it (Taurus is nature, environmentalism,
conservationism, natural resources) in harmonious partnership. An extremely
idealized version of this symbolic picture might have been seen in the early
days of Israel’s kibbutz movement. The new moon, occurring after sundown on May
4th, kicks off Rosh Chodesh Iyar and the fifteenth day of Sefirot
haOmer: Chessed she’b'Tifferet.
The earth itself, water resources shared with others, and “territory” come
into focus. Best possible outcome for this transit
would be a renewed commitment to healing the very land of Eretz Yisrael
itself, soil, water, and all natural resources, in partnership with all who
share those resources within her.
The new
moon the early afternoon of June 3rd at 12 Gemini (Taumim) is
closely conjunct Israel’s natal Mercury, planet of communication (and ruling
planet of Gemini) in Israel’s 8th House. This is Erev Rosh Chodesh
Sivan, the 44th day of the Omer: Gevurah Sh’b’Malchut: the
manifestation of strength and power into this world. Sivan is the month in
which Am Yisrael received the Torah at Mount Sinai, and it is said that
we “saw the sounds” as they were being said by G-d, the impact of which was so
intense we begged for G-d to allow Moses to tell us the commandments instead, as
we could not handle the intensity of the transmission. Mercury’s role as “the
Sun’s scribe” mirrors Moses as the scribe of HaShem, is triggered and enhanced
by this New moon. In the 8th House, Mercury/Moon speaks “from the
heart” to those with whom we share values, valuables, resources, and
intimacies. Watch for important communications from the highest levels of government
regarding what Israel “shares” with others.
The BIG
event is the Full moon of June 17th at 25 Sagittarius (Keshet),
conjuncts Israel’s natal Jupiter at the Galactic Center: 27 Sagittarius, in her
2nd House. Expansive Jupiter’s key word is “big” – also large,
gigantic, super-sized, expansive, enhanced. Jupiter is Tzedek in Hebrew,
indicating its beneficent nature, and 27 Sagittarius, the astronomical galactic
center, is symbolic of being smack dab in the middle of things – the eye of the
storm or the center of the galaxy. Everything revolves around this central
point, and the State of Israel’s natal Jupiter here is tremendously fortunate,
“lucky,” and blessed. In Israel’s 2nd House those blessings are manifested
materially– abundant blessings of the earth and of heaven. The full moon of
Chodesh Sivan 5779 promises an outpouring of shefa and bracha,
may we see it speedily and in our day!
The New
moon of Erev Rosh Chodesh Av on July 31st at 8 Leo is located
exactly between Israel’s own natal Moon at 4 Leo and Pluto at 12 Leo in the 10th
House of Israel’s natal chart. Publicly played-out power struggles and dramatic
emotional displays are possible as existing structures are challenged by newcomers
(perhaps some of those being women), and aggression (defensive or offensive in
nature) is triggered by emotional responses to perceived threats, both internal
and external.
The Retrograde of Venus, Israel’s Ruling Planet
Every
natal chart has a “ruling planet,” even that of the Modern State of Israel. The
planetary ruler of a natal chart is the planet associated with the
constellation on the ascendant (“rising sign”) of the chart – in the case of
Israel’s chart, that is Venus at 29 degrees (the “ultimate” or “critical”
degree of any of the twelve Zodiac signs) of Venus-ruled Libra, the sign of
partnership, justice, and judgement. Even though the majority of Israel’s natal
1st House (her “personality” or how she presents to the world, her
outer “dress” so to speak) is contained within the Mars (Ma’adin in
Hebrew)-ruled sign of Scorpio, her actual 1st House cusp at 29 Libra
describes her beauty, her sense of partnership with the many diverse peoples
who make up her population (Kibbutz Galuyot), her internalized ideals of
justice and righteousness, and the impetus to be “fair and balanced” in all
things.
Venus will be Retrograde in the sign of Scorpio (Ekrav), in
Israel’s natal 1st House, from October 5th until November
16th. By the time Venus Retrograde is over, she will have
backtracked into Israel’s 12th House, triggering subconscious /
unconscious defensive reactions against perceptions of unfair treatment by
others, particularly around diplomacy (also ruled by Libra). Venus returns to
her original Retrograde point of 11 degrees Scorpio by December 17th,
and some of the manifestations of this transit may include secret diplomatic
efforts, sub-rosa negotiations, undercover operations, and the repair of
relationships with “partners” which may have frayed.
Other Planetary Retrogrades
Jupiter’s retrograde in Scorpio and Sagittarius April 10 – August
11th occurs within Israel’s 2nd House. In plain English:
setbacks and impediments in the material world and the financial markets.
Reverses in inflation (deflation?) and perhaps deflated hopes in commodities
that were thought to be the “next big thing” (crypto-currencies?) may occur during
this time.
Saturn’s retrograde in Capricorn from April 30th to
September 18th occurs within Israel’s 3rd House of
communication and immediate environment. Obstacles and difficulties in the
communications infrastructure may lead to a security breach.
The retrograde of Uranus (Oron in Hebrew) in Taurus and
Aries (Taleh)which began on August 7th, 2018 will station
direct on January 6th, 2019. Instability and surprises in 7th
House matters: equal partnerships (or partnerships that are supposed to
be equal), issues of justice and equity which may have been triggered by this retrograde
will be steered in the right direction after Uranus re-enters Taurus and begins
in earnest his 7-year journey through Israel’s 7th House. At the end
of this process, sometime in early 2025, Israel will have a completely
different and transformed relationship with “partners” they thought they had
prior to 2018.
Mercury Retrograde in Sagittarius from November 16 until December 5th
occurs mostly within Israel’s 2nd House, the place of her values,
valuables, resources, and all “material world” Misunderstandings and
miscommunication around issues of money, property, possessions and belongings
may occur, particularly involving “foreign” entities. This could be anything
from confusion, new rules or revisions to old rules regarding foreign ownership
of real estate and property.
Mercury Retrograde in Pisces (Dagim) from March 5th
– March 26th takes place within Israel’s 5th House, the
place of romantic love, pleasure, the “inner child,” creativity, children and
all “creations” which are symbolically the offspring of the creative, and all
manner of “play.” Israel’s experience of Mercury retrograde in dreamy,
imaginative Pisces may trigger a misreading of social and diplomatic signals,
over-reaction to criticism, or feelings of victimization at the hands of those
she considers to be her “creations” or offspring.
Mercury Retrograde in Leo and Cancer from July 9th –
August 2nd begins at 4 degrees Leo, the exact degree of Israel’s
natal Moon in Leo in her 10th House (public self), backtracking into
Israel’s 9th House – the place of religion, philosophy, higher
education, “foreign” or exotic people, places and things, and long-distance travels.
Mercury Retrograde on Israel’s natal moon may well signal a feeling of being
misunderstood by “foreigners” or those outside the boundaries of Israel’s
identity – but because Mercury will make a conjunction to Israel’s Midheaven
and thereby an opposition to her 4th House cusp (“home” and
“family”), misunderstandings and extremely heated, emotional miscommunications
may come from those that Israel might normally consider to actually be
family – perhaps the Jews of the Diaspora, or Israelis within Israel proper who
raise a critical voice. This Mercury Retrograde echoes some of the previous
themes, i.e. feelings of victimization or betrayal by “family.” Remember that
these perceptions are entirely subjective, and that one of helpful aspects of Mercury
Retrograde is the ability to review and re-write past agreements, contracts,
and partnerships – but not until the retrograde has passed. The retrograde
period itself is an opportunity to review and rewind, polish and perfect.
The final Mercury Retrograde of 2019 occurs from November 1st
through 18th in the sign of Scorpio. While these dates fall in the
year 5780, it’s worth mentioning that this relatively short retrograde in
Israel’s 1st House re-triggers the very issues brought up by the retrogrades
in March and July. All three Mercury Retrogrades discussed are mostly in Water
Signs: Pisces, Cancer, and Scorpio. Water is emotion, and Mercury Retrograde in
a Water Sign is a recipe for mixed signals, messed up communications, and murky
misconceptions. The Modern State of Israel (which, to my knowledge, does not
regularly consult a Jewish astrologer, although she should) might keep
in mind that preconceived notions make powerful potions for stirring up strife.
Offense is taken, not given. Israel: Pass-Over perceived insults during
5779/2019 and you’ll save yourself a world of hurt. We need not stoop to
conquer!
