Mercury Retrograde and More
Summer Mercurial Class
Two Mercurial Profiles: Leonard Nimoy and Dick Cheney

Happy Mercury Retrograde:

Well, lawyers’ office, computer and car repair places don’t seem any more busy during Mercury retrograde times than others.  On a inexplicably gorgeous late spring day in New England, and instead of waiting for my (posthumous) astrology speaker invitation for Boston, it’s a good day to write a newsletter.

What is Mercury Retrograde?

From a heliocentric point of view it’s pretty simple – in its orbit around the Sun, Mercury is between the Sun and Earth coming in from the other direction as Earth is moving, and Mercury will therefore appear to be going backwards.

Is Mercury retrograde important?  Not for everybody and certainly not all the time.  If you were born with Mercury retrograde, this means that Mercury is going in the opposite direction in the zodiac from the Sun and Moon.  This could give the person a strongly individualistic mind and/or be rather incomprehensible to others.  It’s but one factor among many: one also needs to consider for Mercury; one needs to consider sign and house placement, aspects, position with the Sun – the usual stuff.

Mercury retrograde can be important as a set of transits: Mercury can go through the same position three times – direct, retrograde, direct, Mercury can also station in connection with a natal planet. 

For example, here are Dick Cheney’s transits for the first half of 2009.  Our focus is on Mercury’s trail during these current times of his many public appearances and pronouncements.

Mercury is the green line that dips downward toward the first of May and then moves back up, flattens out, then slopes back down again, resuming its dash toward the bottom of the graph. . 

This graphic ephemeris tells us that Mercury stationed retrograde in an early degree of mutable (Gemini, it was) and stationed to go direct at around 24° of a fixed sign (Taurus). You will notice at the left it says OC, OF, OM – that is 0° Cardinal, Fixed, Mutable.

Cheney’s Midheaven degree is 27°Taurus and his Mercury 24° Aquarius, so that during this time of controversy he has had transiting Mercury in square to his natal Mercury and conjunct his Midheaven – over and over.

These transits occurred after transiting Jupiter was in square to his natal Uranus and Jupiter. Transiting Jupiter and Mercury contacted natal Mercury in late April.  These have been heady (Jupiter), unusually verbally transparent (Mercury) and unconventional (Uranus) days for our former Vice President. We’ll come back to other features of his chart later.

There will be a summer program in Arlington, MA this July and August. 

Classes will be at the usual place (The Arlington Center) Six Wednesday

Evenings, beginning July 8.  7:30-9:30 PM.

Contact Joseph Crane at josephcrane@verizon.net if you are interested  in this course – live or by voice recording.)

Last summer we looked at charts of “notable nativities” – historical or current – and discussed topics of natal and predictive delineation.  We will do the same this summer but with some new material:

Some of my students recommended that this summer we delve into what we call “astronomy” of astrology.   This will be a major part but not all of what we will do this summer. 

All astrologers now rely on instantaneously generated computer charts and data sheets.  Although this is very convenient, we are often left with a mere conceptual sense of the information we are using.  Much better is a tactile evern visceral sense of what we look at as astrologers.

• Directly and indirectly, astrology uses many references: ecliptical, equatorial, horizon, meridian, and prime vertical. (We see these as factors in many quadrant house systems.)
• How does astrology account for changing time? (This affects many predictive systems including progressions and other house systems.) 
• We will look at the dynamics of planetary motion and speed.
• What are the principles behind astrology maps, including local space maps? 
• What are astronomical foundation between symmetries and harmonics? 
• We will also look at fixed star measurements and the vicissitudes of tropical and sidereal zodiacs.  For a short time we will even take on a heliocentric view.

We will see many of these factors rendered poetically in Dante’s Commedia.  I will not refrain from many poetic examples!

This material is critical for people who are professionals and those who consider themselves to be students. I have seen again and again how not knowing this basic information can undermine somebody’s confidence. 

One Very Mercurial Person: Leonard Nimoy

I doubt the reader needs to be introduced to him.  Nimoy recently appeared in the recent Star Trek movie, as an older version of the same character that had made him famous – the half-Vulcan half-human Chief Science Office aboard the Enterprise.  In the original television series and in subsequent movies, he was the voice of “reason”.  However what made him appealing is that nobody ever completely bought it.

Before we get too excited about the chart we will use, I should note that it is considered “Dirty Data” because there are two different times for Nimoy’s chart – and both times are approximate.  According to the Astrodatabank entry for him, Nimoy’s mother was on record saying that he was born between 8 and 9 AM.  However, Nimoy was also quoted saying he had Scorpio rising – that could render his time in the PM.  Not having the time to do a full rectification I chose the one with Scorpio rising.  Reasons below.

This chart has some interesting features to commend it.  This is a very Mercurial chart with Gemini rising and Moon in Gemini in the First.  It certainly could depict a successful actor, a very intelligent person and perhaps an aspiring scientist.  All those Aries planets in the 11th seem strong – perhaps too strong. 

Nimoy is self-effacing man and for years was embarrassed by the attention he received from his Star Trek character. He wrote one book I Am Not Spock (1978) and another one later: I Am Spock (1995); over the past several years has accepted his pubic image and eventual legacy as in the role of one of television history’s most memorable characters.  Nimoy has had has a successful acting career outside of his Mr. Spock character and has written poetry and photography books and has hosted many a TV science series.

Here is his 8:30 PM chart.

Here’s Scorpio rising and now his Ascendant is governed by Mars in fall at 29° Cancer.  This doesn’t look like such an appealing chart.  I would also mention that Moon now has gone from Gemini to Cancer, and now he has three planets in water signs – with Saturn in Capricorn on the other side!

How can we account for his success being Mr.Spock?  My sense is that Nimoy found a role that was very much like who he was. 

• His planets in Aries have strength and we note the creative intelligence befitting one with Mercury conjunct Uranus conjunct North Node, all in Aries.  We particularly note the closeness of Pluto’s square to Mercury and Uranus, adding greater focus and depth.  Nimoy is a Mercurial person who flourishes when he plays Mercurial people – brilliantly intelligent or – in some of his other roles – crafty.  It also works well for one hosting alternative science programs on television.
• However, these planets are in the weak sixth house that is cadent.  He is anything but a show-off or impulsive Aries guy, someone more introspective than adventurous.
• Ah, then there’s Saturn: Nimoy’s famous character certainly has a Saturnian touch – austere, businesslike, humorless, and more than a little melancholy. Saturn is in Capricorn and is out of sect in Nimoy’s nocturnal chart – this is a heavy but effective Saturn.  Note how Saturn opposes dignified Moon (house) and Jupiter (exaltation) in water signs.  Psychologically, that would indicate an emotional repressing or channeling.  It was an act of genius to make Nimoy’s character to be half-human and therefore give him a hidden emotional side.
• More on Saturn.  It has a close square to Sun in Aries that certainly gives a flavor of repressed energy.  By sign Saturn is in predominating tenth-house square to all the planets in Aries.
• .We only see his Lot of Fortune: happily placed in the tenth and governed by Leo – he is successful but has had to work very hard for his success..)
• Venus itself is in sect, angular, and oriental: a strong well-placed planet that says much about Nimoy’s work as an actor, photographer, and poet. The Lot of Spirit, representing more one’s personal inclinations and motivations, is at 3° Aquarius, is governed by Saturn and is “with” Venus.
• Although it is also possible that his Lot of Spirit appears in Capricorn with Saturn.  This would be so if he were born on the nearer side to 8 PM.  This would render him more melancholy and troubled than he appears, however.

Enough for the actor – now for the politician!

Another Mercurial Person: Dick Cheney

This article is adapted from an essay for the course on Hellenistic astrology that I am teaching at Kepler College.  Because this is for a more general readership I will add modern material in italics so interested people can read the article in its original. I will also use a chart with modern planets.

Recent events have inspired me to take another look at Dick Cheney’s chart and his predictive indicators.  We will note Cheney’s yearly profections for this time and take a broader look at his decennials and circumambulations from Sun and Moon.  

Since leaving office as Vice President this past January Cheney has become increasingly vocal and public. (Usually a former administration official would wait far longer before going public.) Recently Cheney has saturated the airways defending his record and that of the Bush administration on such controversial matters as his administration’s tactics on the “war in terror” and “enhanced” interrogation methods. Recently he has criticized Colin Powell over Rush Limbaugh.  All this has stirred the national policy and political pots considerably.

First let’s have a look at Cheney’s natal chart.  He has a night birth, which makes his nocturnal planets Venus, Mars, and Moon more positive for him.  You would notice that Venus and Mars are both oriental, Mars also being angular in the fourth.  Moon in Pisces is angular and has the additional rejoicing condition of being on the other side of the Ascendant as the Sun.

Then there’s Mercury.  This planet has escaped from the Sun’s rays in the West – to be an “evening riser) but has a potent square to Uranus and Midheaven degree. 

For modern delineations I like to consult Reinhold Ebertin’s classic Combinations of Stellar Influences.  Here is his depiction of Mercury influencing Uranus/Midheaven:

“Speaking with excitement, nervous unrest, an excitable nervous system.  The stage of expectancy, an excited discussion amongst people, the realization of sudden ideas.”

We can add to this an independent and sharp intellect.  Mercury (and Sun) being in fixed Aquarius may add certainty and obstinacy.

And we have the transiting Jupiter and Mercury impacting these placements.

Here’s from the Hellenistic article:

[Cheney’s ascendant is in early Virgo and is governed by Mercury in the sixth that is escaping from the Sun’s beams.  This condition is sometimes called an “evening riser”, meaning that when it is first seen it is after sunset.  According to some Hellenistic astrologers this would enhance Mercury’s effectiveness.  However, Mercury remains in sect – following the Sun in a nocturnal chart – and is in its own triplicity.  Cheney is very smart, in a Mercurial way, and knows well how to be very effective behind the scenes.  As we will see, however, life does not seem go well for him when Mercury is a planetary period lord, in spite of its positive attributes in his natal chart.]

Before thinking Cheney’s Moon in Pisces as a soft sensitive placement, I direct the reader to the Moon’s dispositor Jupiter in Taurus with a conjunction with Saturn.  Both Jupiter and Saturn are out of sect and additionally are on the other side of the horizon from the Sun -- a ”non-rejoicing” condition.

Looking at the triplicity lords from Moon in Pisces, we get a sense of a fortunate life in a worldly sense.  The first planet is Mars that is angular and oriental, the second is Venus who is also oriental and is in the fortunate fifth house or place, and we end with Moon in the seventh, another angular place.

Cheney’s Lot of Fortune is in Cancer, governed by the Moon.  Jupiter and Saturn are in the 11th (Acquisitive) place and could point to worldly fortune (Jupiter) although strongly under the influence of Saturn.  The Moon governs the Lot of Fortune and is angular. I am particularly interested in the square from Mars to Moon in the context of the Lot of Fortune: Cheney seems to use adversity and conflict to his advantage and even his enemies consider him a touch fighter.  The Lot of Fortune indicates that he will also fight for personal interest.

Cheney’s Lot of Spirit is in Libra, governed by Venus that is angular to the Lot and in the 5th from the Ascendant, the place of the planet’s joy.  Venus is also in trine to Saturn and they have an exchange of dignities (called “mutual reception” in modern jargon). My sense is that Dick Cheney is comfortable being who he is although others may find his secretive, gloomy, and dictatorial. 

Now let’s look at some predictive indicators: profections and transits, decennials, and circumambulations. 

Interestingly Cheney’s birthday was shortly after the new administration began.  2009-1941 makes him 68 years old and that means he’s in his 69th year.  Subtract 69 from the next lowest multiple of 12 (60) and everything advances 9 houses for this year. If he has an Ascendant in Virgo that position advancing 9 houses or signs gives us Taurus, wherein we find Jupiter and Saturn in Taurus.  It is his public reputation that he is mostly concerned with at this time.

His Midheaven degree (along with Jupiter and Saturn) advances to Venus that is strong in his chart by placement and is also the ruler of his Lot of Spirit. The Sun and Mercury in Aquarius move to Libra.  Since there are no planets in Libra and no planets transiting Libra at this time, we would look to its ruler Venus. It is noteworthy that Cheney’s Lots of Exaltation and Spirit are in Libra.  This year his creative energy and mental concentration is taken up with asserting his integrity (Lot of Spirit) and reputation (Lot of Exaltation.)  Because Jupiter is transiting his Aquarius Sun and Mercury, he is more than in the limelight than you would think from those planets being in the sixth house.  That they are profecting to Libra makes it more personal.

Before going any further lets look at some modern predictive delineations.  His Moon at 22° Pisces has been caught in the cross-hairs of Uranus and Saturn off and on since late 2008 and clearly there are the dissatisfactions of leaving political office with a tendency to take things very personally.

            His progressions at this time feature – can you guess?  -- progressed Mercury opposite progressed Pluto. 

            Now I resume with the “old stuff”.

            Cheney’s decennials are interesting and give us a look at different times of his life:

1. His finest public moment was probably as George Bush’s Secretary of Defense during the Iraq war in early 1990. During that time his general planetary period ruler of chronocrator was Venus and during this time his specific one was the benefic Jupiter.  We must also consider that Jupiter is out of sect and with Saturn.  I wonder whether he was working hard under strong limitations.  In May of 1990 Saturn took over as specific planetary lord and when he left the Bush administration at the end of 1992 Mars was specific planetary lord.  My sense was that the post-Iraq time was more difficult and he left with great resolve (Mars) into the private sector.  Perhaps he also had some scores to settle later.
2. In 1994 Cheney’s general planetary lord changed from Venus to Sun.  He began to work with George W Bush when Jupiter was his specific planetary lord and became vice presidential candidate when Saturn was his specific lord.  Hence the reclusiveness and secrecy especially after Sept 11 2001.
3. Importantly Mars was his specific lord during the time of the run-up to the 2003 invasion of Iraq.
4. Mercury became his major planetary lord in 2004.  In May 2008 Jupiter became his specific planetary lord, and that would last for a year, in conformity with the duration given for Jupiter.  Important times in Cheney’s life seem associated with Jupiter, but for him Saturn follows and things become more difficult.  As of 5/4/09 Saturn has taken over as specific planetary lord.  My sense is that after his many press appearances has yielded him much publicity, this route will become more difficult for him.

Now we turn to Cheney’s circumambulations.  In this technique, important positions are directed according to the ascensions of the sign the position is moving through.  This results in directed movement as if the position were the ascendant.  In the Northern Hemisphere and especially at larger degrees of latitude, positions moving through Pisces and Aries would be relatively quick and through Virgo and Libra relatively slow.  This is similar – but not the same – as the progression Ascendant in modern astrology.  “Ascendant arc directions” are similar but not the same thing.

When a directed position aspects a natal position, that aspected planet becomes a planetary lord for the area of life represented by the directed position.  Also, as the directed position moves through the zodiac it will move into segments of signs governed by bound lords; these lords also become planetary lords.  Let’s go to Cheney’s circumambulations to show how this works and how to interpret these.

Directing the Sun according to ascensions, in 1986 Sun moved into a sextile with Mercury and so Mercury would govern the Sun’s activities: public reputation and leadership.  Six months later Saturn was the bound lord of the directed Sun.  During this time he became George Bush’s Secretary of Defense.  Interestingly, Venus, a better-positioned planet for him, became bound lord in 1989 and so was in play during the first invasion of Iraq.

Moving to the mid-1990’s Cheney was in the private sphere; at that time Jupiter was conjunct directed Sun and the next year directed Sun would square the natal Sun’s position.  (By progression this would have taken ninety years; but because the Sun was being directed through Pisces and Aries in the Northern Hemisphere it took much less time).

Cheney began working for George W Bush when the directed Sun was conjunct Saturn – have we seen this before?  In early 1999 Jupiter became the bound lord for the directed Sun and both planets held sway during the aftermath to 9/11 and the second invasion of Iraq.

During the difficult days of the second Bush administration, Moon and then Mercury aspected the directed Sun.  Mercury has been in play since 2006 and will continue until 2020. The bound lord for the Sun, however, has been Mars.  I expect that we will hear from Cheney, perhaps gradually weakly over time, until 2011, when Mercury takes over as bound lord for his directed Sun.  It is interesting that he doesn’t appear to respond well when Mercury is a planetary lord.

Let’s look at one more circumambulation: Moon.  Ordinarily one would not consider Moon for the public life of a public figure, except the planets taking over – both by aspect and by bound – are quite interesting for him.

His directed Moon went into a square to Mercury in 1981.  Jupiter was the bound lord of his directed Moon in autumn 1990 just before the first invasion of Iraq. These took him to the end of his service in George Bush’s administration.

Once again his re-entry to private life had some good fortune it in: Sun became in trine to his directed Moon and Venus was bound ruler from 1996.  He became Vice President when the bound lord changed to Mars and Mars also took over as in aspect one week after 9/11, on Sept 18. 2001.  One may hazard a psychological interpretation: he took the events of 9/11 as a national and personal threat against which he would have to be decisive.

It is the circumambulations of the Moon that give the timing for his declining popularity and influence: Moon was in square to natal Moon.  One may add to this Saturn becoming the bound lord in early 2008.  Although Mercury took over by aspect in 2008, Saturn remains the bound lord until 2014 when Mars (of all planets!) takes over.

There are many other predictive indicators, including other planetary period systems to use.