crimsoncurrent

Or: suppose the 7 of Wands uses that final ounce of will—the cup of blood drained by Babalon—in its last effort at a desperate breakthrough. Under that banner all façades are shed, all last gasps tendered. Iron John, mighty hammer in hand, broke a record and proved a point with his expiring breath. Is the 7 of Wands the Hail Mary pass of the tarot?!

Aaron Rodgers and the 7 of Wands
Speaking of football, let’s pause for a little anecdote from a Sunday night in January 2016.

First, I should explain that my son knows nothing about tarot. I know nothing about football. In fact, the Venn-diagram intersection of our shared interests is infinitesimally small. Nevertheless, that night we managed to successfully predict the outcome of that night’s Packers-Redskins game.

The kid was 15 at the time and a raving Packers fan. Figuring if nothing else it would give us something to talk about, I pulled out my Waite-Smith deck and asked if he wanted to see who would win. “Sure,” he said, unexpectedly.

How do you even read for the outcome of an athletic event? The same way, I reasoned, that you read for anything else you don’t know anything about. You ‘prime the pump’—i.e., you decide in advance what a given outcome might look like in tarot, and see if that outcome shows up. “What color are the Packers’ jerseys?” I asked. “Green,” said my son, putting some eyeroll into it.

I thought to myself, “The only card I can think of where someone’s got a green shirt is the 7 of Wands, so the Packers will win if he pulls that.” I fanned out the deck and told the kid to pick the winner. Sure enough, he pulled the 7 of Wands! “Ha!” I crowed. “They’ll win!”

Indeed, the Packers came from behind (11-0, at one point) to defeat the Redskins 35-18. What would I have said if he’d pulled, say, the 4 of Swords or really practically any card other than the 7 of Wands? I honestly don’t know. But I didn’t need to worry about that, right? Because tarot is weird and wonderful, and sometimes it just gives you a freebie like that.

How golden is your parachute?
What is it that makes anyone fight when things look bleakest? What makes us carry on when we are 11 points down and everyone seems to be arrayed against us? Perhaps it is the Greek concept of κλέος—the immortal honor that, to the Mycenaeans, was more important than longevity, peace, or excellent supplemental coverage. Honor might be given, in life, in the form of public recognition, war trophies or high office. But honor could also be earned in death, through valiant combat. In generations to come, your posthumous personal myth would eventually be burnished to a high gloss.

Indeed, the precipitating drama of the Iliad revolves around Achilles‘ refusal to fight when his war-prize, the slave-girl Briseis, is taken from him, thereby diminishing his kleos: “I swear, on this, a solemn oath to you, that a day will surely come when the Achaeans, one and all, shall long for Achilles, a day when you, despite your grief, are powerless to help them, as they fall in swathes at the hands of man-killing Hector. Then you will feel a gnawing pang of remorse for failing to honour the best of the Achaeans.” Κλέος allowed a hero to live beyond his short span, transcending his own mortality.

. The "first decan" of Aries spans 0-10 degrees, and historically, Neptune was last in Aries from April 13, 1861, to 1875. It will enter Aries again on March 30, 2025. Since you’re asking about historical facts, I’ll focus on the 1861-1875 period, estimating the first decan’s span based on Neptune’s ingress and progression.
Neptune entered Aries at 0 degrees on April 13, 1861, marking the start of the first decan. It likely stayed in the 0-10 degree range until around 1865-1866, factoring in its average speed of 2-3 degrees per year and occasional retrogrades (exact dates vary slightly due to historical ephemeris differences). This period aligns with significant global events, particularly in the early 1860s. Here’s what happened during this estimated first decan of Neptune in Aries (1861 to roughly 1865-1866):
American Civil War Begins (1861-1865)
Fact: The war started on April 12, 1861, with the attack on Fort Sumter, just one day before Neptune entered Aries.

Connection: Neptune in Aries’ first decan reflects a surge of idealistic fervor (Neptune) meeting Aries’ martial, assertive energy. The war was fueled by clashing visions—freedom versus slavery, union versus secession—embodying Aries’ fight for identity and Neptune’s spiritual undertones. The abolitionist cause gained momentum, culminating in the Emancipation Proclamation (1862, effective 1863), aligning with Neptune’s dissolving of old structures.

Spiritualism Peaks in the U.S. (Early 1860s)
Fact: The Spiritualist movement, involving séances and communication with the dead, surged during the Civil War, with figures like the Fox sisters prominent.

Connection: Neptune rules mysticism, and in Aries’ first decan (ruled by Mars in traditional astrology), this took on a bold, pioneering form. Families sought solace amid war losses, reflecting Neptune’s dreamy idealism clashing with Aries’ raw energy—sometimes blurring reality with illusion.

Innovations in Warfare (1861-1865)
Fact: The Civil War saw the first widespread use of ironclad ships (e.g., the Monitor vs. Merrimack in 1862) and early machine guns.

Connection: Aries’ first decan, doubly influenced by Mars (war and action), paired with Neptune’s imagination, spurred inventive but destructive leaps. These tools reshaped conflict, mirroring the transit’s push for new beginnings tinged with Neptune’s chaotic potential.

Italian Unification Advances (1861)
Fact: The Kingdom of Italy was officially proclaimed on March 17, 1861, with Victor Emmanuel II as its first king, though unification continued beyond this date.

Connection: Neptune in Aries’ first decan fueled a bold, idealistic drive for a unified identity (Aries) against fragmented realities (Neptune). This was a warrior-like push for a dream of nationhood, resonating with the transit’s themes.

Morphine Use Rises (1860s)
Fact: Known as the “soldier’s sickness,” morphine addiction emerged among Civil War soldiers, with widespread use of the drug for pain relief.

Connection: Neptune governs drugs and escapism, and in Aries’ first decan, this manifested as a brash, immediate response to suffering. The Mars-ruled decan amplified the impulsive use, later showing Neptune’s illusory downside as addiction spread.

These events capture the first decan’s flavor: Mars-ruled Aries energy (action, conflict, courage) infused with Neptune’s spiritual, idealistic, and sometimes confusing influence. The period was marked by bold moves—wars, inventions, and identity struggles—often driven by a mix of vision and recklessness. Exact degree tracking for 1861-1865 is tricky without a precise historical ephemeris here, but the early years of Neptune in Aries (1861-1865/66) align with this decan’s scope.
For the upcoming transit (2025-2039), Neptune enters Aries on March 30, 2025, hitting the first decan through roughly 2029-2030. We can speculate similar themes—identity battles, pioneering tech, or spiritual crusades—but that’s future forecasting, not historical fact. Since you asked for historical events, I’ve stuck to 1861-1865/66. Want me to refine this further or project forward instead?

explore spiritualism impact


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Historical Facts:
Second Punic War Begins (218 BC): Rome clashed with Carthage as Hannibal crossed the Alps with elephants—a bold, almost mythic campaign.
Connection: Aries’ Mars-ruled first decan brings warlike audacity; Neptune adds a dreamy, larger-than-life quality. Hannibal’s gamble was visionary yet risky, dissolving old boundaries of what war could be.

Rise of Qin Shi Huang in China (~221 BC): The future first emperor of China began consolidating power, unifying warring states by 221 BC.
Connection: Neptune’s idealism (a unified empire) met Aries’ assertive drive. The first decan’s pioneering spirit pushed this brutal, identity-defining conquest.

Vibe: Bold leaders and warriors reshaped maps and myths, with Neptune’s fog lending an epic, chaotic sheen.

2. Neptune in Aries, First Decan: ~387-382 BC (Approximate)
Cycle: Subtract another ~164 years from ~223 BC: 223 + 164 = ~387 BC. First decan roughly 387-382 BC.

Historical Facts:
Plato Founds the Academy (~387 BC): In Athens, Plato established his school, a groundbreaking center for philosophy and ideals.
Connection: Neptune’s spiritual depth in Aries’ first decan fueled a pioneering (Aries) vision of knowledge (Neptune). This was a bold break from tradition, dissolving old ways of thinking.

King’s Peace (387/386 BC): Persia brokered a treaty ending the Corinthian War, reshaping Greek city-state power dynamics.
Connection: Neptune’s boundary-blurring influence in Aries’ assertive decan forced a new, uneasy order through martial negotiation—peace with a warrior’s edge.

Vibe: Intellectual and political frontiers expanded, with Neptune’s idealism clashing with Aries’ forceful execution.

3. Neptune in Aries, First Decan: ~551-546 BC (Approximate)
Cycle: Subtract ~164 from ~387 BC: 387 + 164 = ~551 BC. First decan roughly 551-546 BC.

Historical Facts:
Cyrus the Great Founds the Persian Empire (~550 BC): Cyrus began his conquests, uniting Medes and Persians, overthrowing the Median king.
Connection: Aries’ first decan brought raw conquest energy; Neptune added a visionary sweep, dissolving tribal divisions into a grand empire. His tolerance policy reflects Neptune’s unifying dream.

Peak of Babylonian Captivity (~550s BC): Jews were in exile under Nebuchadnezzar II, with spiritual longing intensifying.
Connection: Neptune in Aries’ first decan could symbolize a fiery yearning for identity (Aries) amidst dissolution (Neptune)—a prelude to later liberation.

Vibe: Empires rose, identities fought to emerge, blending Neptune’s mysticism with Aries’ relentless push.

Patterns Across BC Periods
War and Conquest: Each period saw bold military moves (Second Punic War, Qin unification, Persian expansion)—Aries’ Mars-driven first decan in action, with Neptune amplifying the stakes into legendary territory.

Identity and Ideals: Whether through empire-building (Cyrus, Qin) or philosophy (Plato), identity became a battleground, echoing Neptune in Aries’ tension between self and vision.

Boundary Dissolution: Old orders crumbled—city-states, tribal lines, intellectual norms—fitting Neptune’s role, while Aries charged into the void.

These dates are rough since Neptune’s exact position in BC times depends on precise astronomical backtracking (complicated by calendar shifts like the Julian-to-Gregorian transition). Still, the 164-year cycle gives us a solid ballpark. If you want to zoom in on one era or push even further back (e.g., ~715 BC), let me know—I can refine or keep rewinding! What do you think of these?

anything between 100 AD and 1840 AD

Let’s explore historical facts tied to the first decan of Neptune in Aries between 100 AD and 1840 AD. Neptune’s 164-year orbit lets us calculate its past transits, and I’ll focus on when it was in Aries’ first decan (0-10 degrees), roughly a 4-5 year span within each 14-year Aries transit. Starting from 1861 (when Neptune entered Aries historically), we rewind in 164-year increments to find relevant periods within your timeframe. Then, I’ll pinpoint events during those first decan windows. Dates are approximate due to retrogrades and historical calendar nuances, but I’ll keep it tight.
Here are the Neptune in Aries transits between 100 AD and 1840 AD, with their first decan periods and key historical facts:
1. Neptune in Aries, First Decan: ~229-234 AD (Approximate)
Cycle: From 1861, rewind 164 years repeatedly: 1861 - 164 = 1697 AD, 1697 - 164 = 1533 AD, 1533 - 164 = 1369 AD, 1369 - 164 = 1205 AD, 1205 - 164 = 1041 AD, 1041 - 164 = 877 AD, 877 - 164 = 713 AD, 713 - 164 = 549 AD, 549 - 164 = 385 AD, 385 - 164 = 221 AD. Adjust slightly for ingress; Neptune likely entered Aries around 229 AD, with the first decan spanning ~229-234 AD.

Historical Facts:
Crisis of the Third Century Begins (~235 AD): The Roman Empire faced instability as Emperor Alexander Severus was assassinated (235 AD), sparking decades of chaos with multiple emperors and invasions.
Connection: Aries’ Mars-ruled first decan fueled bold, aggressive power grabs, while Neptune’s dissolution hinted at the empire’s crumbling cohesion—identity as a battleground writ large.

Rise of the Sassanid Empire (~224-226 AD): Ardashir I overthrew the Parthians, founding a Persian dynasty that challenged Rome.
Connection: Neptune’s visionary sweep in Aries’ pioneering decan drove this assertive new empire, blending martial vigor with a dream of Persian resurgence.

Vibe: Leadership battles and bold new powers emerged, with Neptune’s fog amplifying Aries’ fiery upheaval.

2. Neptune in Aries, First Decan: ~393-398 AD (Approximate)
Cycle: 229 AD + 164 = ~393 AD. First decan ~393-398 AD.

Historical Facts:
Christianity Becomes Rome’s State Religion (380-395 AD): Emperor Theodosius I’s edicts (e.g., 391 AD banning pagan rites) solidified this shift, culminating in his death in 395 AD.
Connection: Neptune’s spiritual idealism in Aries’ assertive first decan pushed a bold, unified religious identity—dissolving pagan traditions with martial zeal.

Roman Empire Splits Permanently (395 AD): After Theodosius I’s death, the empire divided into East and West under his sons.
Connection: Neptune’s boundary-blurring met Aries’ decisive action, splitting an empire while igniting new identities—East vs. West as a battleground.

Vibe: Faith and power clashed, reshaping identity with Neptune’s dreamy crusades and Aries’ forceful breaks.

3. Neptune in Aries, First Decan: ~557-562 AD (Approximate)
Cycle: 393 AD + 164 = ~557 AD. First decan ~557-562 AD.

Historical Facts:
Justinian’s Plague Peaks (~541-562 AD): The first recorded pandemic devastated the Byzantine Empire, killing millions and weakening its structure.
Connection: Neptune’s association with disease and dissolution in Aries’ first decan brought a bold, chaotic unraveling—society fought to survive as identity eroded.

Byzantine Reconquests Wane (~559-561 AD): Justinian I’s efforts to reclaim Roman territories (e.g., Italy) faltered after early successes, with wars against the Ostrogoths dragging on.
Connection: Aries’ martial drive pushed ambitious campaigns, but Neptune’s illusions led to overreach—glory dissolved into exhaustion.

Vibe: Bold imperial dreams met Neptunian collapse, with identity tested by survival and loss.

4. Neptune in Aries, First Decan: ~721-726 AD (Approximate)
Cycle: 557 AD + 164 = ~721 AD. First decan ~721-726 AD.

Historical Facts:
Umayyad Caliphate Expands (~721-724 AD): Muslim forces pushed into Spain and France, halted at the Battle of Tours (732 AD, just past the decan).
Connection: Aries’ first decan fueled a warrior’s charge, while Neptune’s vision of a vast caliphate drove this bold, boundary-dissolving conquest.

Iconoclasm Begins in Byzantium (~726 AD): Emperor Leo III banned religious icons, sparking religious and cultural conflict.
Connection: Neptune’s spiritual flux in Aries’ decisive decan ignited a fierce identity battle—faith versus imagery, tradition versus reform.

Vibe: Expansion and ideology clashed, with Neptune’s ideals meeting Aries’ combative push.

5. Neptune in Aries, First Decan: ~885-890 AD (Approximate)
Cycle: 721 AD + 164 = ~885 AD. First decan ~885-890 AD.

Historical Facts:
Viking Raids Intensify (~885-886 AD): The Siege of Paris (885-886 AD) saw Norse warriors challenge Frankish power.
Connection: Aries’ Mars-driven decan unleashed bold aggression, while Neptune’s mystique gave the Vikings a near-mythic aura—raiders dissolving borders.

Alfred the Great’s Reforms (~885-890 AD): In England, Alfred fortified defenses and promoted learning against Viking threats.
Connection: Neptune’s vision of a unified kingdom met Aries’ proactive fight—identity forged through resistance.

Vibe: Warrior cultures clashed, with Neptune’s dreamy chaos fueling Aries’ defiant stands.

6. Neptune in Aries, First Decan: ~1697-1702 AD (Approximate)
Cycle: 1861 - 164 = ~1697 AD. First decan ~1697-1702 AD.

Historical Facts:
War of the Spanish Succession Looms (1701-1702): Tensions rose after Charles II’s death (1700), leading to war in 1701 over European power balances.
Connection: Aries’ first decan sparked bold claims to thrones, while Neptune’s illusions muddied alliances—identity tied to crowns became a battleground.

Great Northern War Begins (1700): Peter the Great of Russia challenged Sweden, launching a decades-long conflict.
Connection: Neptune’s grand vision (a modern Russia) in Aries’ assertive decan drove Peter’s audacious, identity-shaping war.

Vibe: New powers rose, with Neptune’s dreams clashing in Aries’ fiery arena.

Patterns (100 AD - 1840 AD)
Identity as Battleground: Empires split (395 AD), religions fought (726 AD), or nations forged themselves (885 AD, 1697 AD)—Aries’ self-assertion met Neptune’s fluid ideals.

Bold Beginnings: Wars (229 AD, 721 AD, 1700 AD) and reforms (393 AD, 885 AD) kicked off with Aries’ pioneering energy, tinged by Neptune’s visionary or chaotic undertones.

Dissolution and Drive: Neptune dissolved old orders (plague in 557 AD, Viking raids in 885 AD), while Aries pushed forward with raw force.

These periods reflect the first decan’s Mars-Neptune mix: decisive action, identity struggles, and a touch of the ethereal or unmoored. If you want to zoom into one—like the Viking era or Peter the Great’s time—let me know! What stands out to you here?

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go a bit further with detail for the time of Peter the Great

Let’s dive deeper into the period when Neptune was in Aries’ first decan during Peter the Great’s era, roughly 1697-1702 AD. This timeframe aligns with Neptune entering Aries around 1697 (based on the 164-year cycle back from 1861) and spending its first decan—0-10 degrees—over approximately 4-5 years, until around 1702. This was a pivotal moment in Russian and European history, and Peter’s bold, visionary leadership perfectly embodies the Neptune in Aries energy, especially in its Mars-ruled first decan. I’ll flesh out the historical facts, their context, and how they tie to this astrological placement.
Historical Context: Neptune in Aries, First Decan (~1697-1702 AD)
Neptune’s Entry: Neptune likely crossed into Aries around 1697, hitting 0 degrees and starting its first decan. By 1702, it would be nearing or just past 10 degrees, depending on retrogrades (which slow its pace slightly). This period overlaps with Peter the Great’s early reign and his radical moves to transform Russia.

Peter’s Rise: Peter became sole ruler of Russia in 1696, after sharing power with his half-brother Ivan V until Ivan’s death. The 1697-1702 window marks his initial burst of activity—travel, war, and reform—that set the stage for Russia’s emergence as a European power.

Detailed Historical Facts
The Grand Embassy (1697-1698)
Event: In March 1697, Peter embarked on an 18-month journey across Western Europe—England, Holland, Austria—disguised as a commoner named “Peter Mikhailov” to study shipbuilding, military tactics, and governance. He worked in shipyards, met monarchs, and absorbed Enlightenment ideas.

Details: This was unprecedented—a Russian tsar leaving his realm to learn hands-on. He returned in August 1698 after a rebellion (Streltsy uprising) forced him back, bringing Western experts and technologies with him.

Neptune in Aries Connection: Neptune’s visionary idealism fueled Peter’s dream of a modernized Russia, while Aries’ first decan (Mars-ruled) gave him the guts to break tradition—traveling abroad was taboo for a tsar. The disguise reflects Neptune’s illusion, masking his identity to pursue an Aries-driven mission.

Streltsy Rebellion and Brutal Suppression (1698)
Event: In June 1698, the Streltsy (elite musketeer guards) rebelled against Peter’s reforms and absence, aiming to restore conservative rule. Peter rushed back, crushed the uprising, and executed over 1,000 rebels, torturing leaders publicly in Moscow’s Red Square.

Details: The executions were grisly—beheadings, hangings, and breaking on the wheel—lasting into 1699. Peter disbanded the Streltsy, replacing them with a modern army.

Neptune in Aries Connection: Aries’ martial aggression shone in Peter’s swift, ruthless response, while Neptune dissolved the old guard (literally and figuratively), clearing space for his utopian vision. The first decan’s bold decisiveness turned identity—loyalty to the tsar—into a bloody battleground.

Great Northern War Begins (1700-1721)
Event: In February 1700, Peter allied with Denmark and Saxony to declare war on Sweden, aiming to seize Baltic access and challenge Swedish dominance. Early battles (like Narva in November 1700) were disastrous—Sweden’s Charles XII crushed Peter’s unprepared forces.

Details: Narva was a humiliation—Russia lost 10,000 men to Sweden’s 667—but Peter regrouped, using the loss to fuel military reforms. By 1702, he’d started winning, capturing Noteburg fortress (renamed Schlüsselburg).

Neptune in Aries Connection: Neptune’s grand dream (a Russian empire with sea access) met Aries’ impulsive charge—Peter leapt into war with youthful bravado (he was 27 in 1700). The first decan’s Mars energy drove the fight, though Neptune’s fog led to initial overreach and chaos.

Forced Westernization and Beard Tax (1698-1700)
Event: Post-Embassy, Peter mandated Western dress and forcibly shaved boyars’ (nobles’) beards, imposing a tax in 1698 on those who kept them. He also shifted Russia to the Julian calendar’s New Year (January 1, 1700).

Details: Beards symbolized Orthodox tradition; Peter’s razor-wielding reforms sparked outrage but signaled a break from Muscovite isolation. He cut nobles’ sleeves himself at court to enforce change.

Neptune in Aries Connection: Neptune dissolved centuries of cultural identity, while Aries’ first decan pushed this aggressive, pioneering shift. It was a literal battle over personal and national identity—Peter’s vision versus tradition.

Founding of the Russian Navy (1696-1702)
Event: Peter began building a navy in the late 1690s, inspired by his European trip. By 1702, he’d launched early ships on the Azov and Baltic seas, laying groundwork for a maritime power.

Details: He’d captured Azov from the Ottomans in 1696 (pre-decan), but the Embassy and Baltic ambitions scaled this up. Shipyards buzzed with Dutch and English expertise.

Neptune in Aries Connection: Neptune rules the sea, and in Aries’ first decan, Peter’s bold (Aries) dream (Neptune) of naval glory took root—pioneering Russia’s watery future with martial gusto.

Broader Themes (1697-1702)
Identity as Battleground: Peter’s reign during this decan was a literal and symbolic war over Russia’s soul—East vs. West, old vs. new. The Streltsy fought for tradition; Peter fought for a Europeanized identity, using force and vision.

Visionary Rule-Breaking: Traveling incognito, taxing beards, starting a navy—these were radical, Aries-driven breaks from norms, infused with Neptune’s utopian streak. Peter didn’t just bend rules; he shattered them to chase a dream.

Mars-Neptune Clash: The first decan’s Mars rulership amplified Peter’s aggression (war, executions) and initiative (reforms), while Neptune’s influence added a mystical, chaotic edge—his plans were audacious but often messy (Narva’s loss, rebellion’s brutality).

Dissolution and Creation: Neptune dissolved Moscow’s insular past—its calendar, its guards, its beards—while Aries forged a new Russia, rough and unpolished but unstoppable.

Peter’s Personality in This Light
At 25-30 years old during 1697-1702, Peter embodied Neptune in Aries’ first decan: restless, impulsive, and visionary. He was 6’8”, physically imposing (Aries), yet obsessive about grand ideas (Neptune)—shipbuilding, Western courts, Baltic ports. His temper flared (Mars), but his dreams soared (Neptune), often blinding him to practical limits (Narva’s defeat). This decan marked his launch as a transformative, if volatile, force.
Why It Fits
This period (1697-1702) captures Neptune in Aries’ first decan at its rawest: a young tsar charging into war, reform, and modernity with little restraint, dissolving Russia’s past to build a myth-sized future. It’s peak Peter—brash, chaotic, inspired. By 1703 (beyond the decan), he’d found St. Petersburg, cementing his vision, but these early years were the fiery, uncertain spark.
Want more on a specific event—like the Embassy’s wild details or Narva’s fallout—or a different angle? This is Peter’s Neptune-in-Aries moment in full color!

explore naval reforms

Catherine the Great

what does moon in the bounds of jupiter mean astrologically
When the Moon is "in the bounds of Jupiter," it means that the Moon is positioned within a specific range of declination where it is influenced by Jupiter's expansive and optimistic energy. This can amplify the Moon's emotional and intuitive qualities, making them more pronounced and potentially leading to heightened sensitivity, empathy, and a desire for emotional growth1.

Astrologically, this placement can indicate a person who experiences intense emotional highs and lows, but also possesses a strong sense of hope and optimism. It can encourage creativity and a search for meaning through emotional experiences2. However, it might also present challenges in maintaining emotional balance and boundaries.

Does this resonate with your experience or what you were curious about?

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The Decans of Aquarius
And the Message of The Six of Swords
TAROT WITH KATIE-ELLEN
JAN 30






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Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.comToday we are entering the zodiac territory of the second decan of Aquarius. The idea of the decans comes from the ancient Egyptians c 2100 BC, and was later adopted by the Greeks.
The Zodiac is a belt of sky we see from earth, tracking the path of the sun across the sky over the course of the year. We call this pathway of the sun ‘the ecliptic,’ and the zodiac belt shares this same pathway extending 8 degrees above it and 8 degrees below it. The paths of the Moon and visible planets can be tracked within the belt of the zodiac.

The Greeks divided this belt into twelve sections, using twelve for ease of arithmetic, and named them after twelve constellations: Aries, Taurus, Gemini Cancer, Leo, Virgo, Libra, Scorpio, Sagittarius, Aquarius, Aquarius and Pisces.

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Each of these zodiac sign represents a 30 degree section of this belt which can then be sub-divided into three blocks of ten degrees, each of about ten days in length with slight variations. This gives us the ‘decans,’ from the Latin meaning ‘ten’.

The Aquarius archetype over-arches all three of the decans.


Aquarius
The Teacher, The Reformer, The Revolutionary, The Truth- teller/Preacher, The Exile, The Scientist, the Visionary.

But the decans, nicknamed ‘the thirty-six faces of astrology,’ break down the enduring stories of the zodiac sun signs into further chapters.

First Decan Aquarius
Aquarius-Aquarius

Dates: 21 Jan -30 Jan (approx.)

Planetary rulers: Saturn-Uranus

Tarot card: Five of Swords


From The Gilded Tarot. Illustrator Ciro Marchetti
Card meanings: Victory, defeat, ruthlessness, a pyrrhic victory, not worth winning, chagrin, humiliation, resentment

These are complex individuals, containing an innate paradox. On the one hand ruled by Saturn, they are serious, intelligent, hard- working, responsible and conservative by nature, obstinate even. On the other, they are co- ruled by Uranus the innovator and rebel individualist.

The first decan natives are well meaning, likely to sign up to good causes, keen to contribute, and kindly unless they feel emotionally challenged, when they are easily wounded, and their recovery may be very slow. They have courage but bouncing back from disappointment is not their forte. They are kindly and affectionate but exhibit a certain detachment.

They strive for excellence and often achieve it, whatever their field of work. They are well suited to the academic life, with a logical, or scientific but visionary turn of mind, and a talent for abstract thinking, and for research and analysis.

They can also be a lot of fun, but while they readily grasp complex and abstract concepts, their emotional intelligence is sometimes in conflict with their intellect, resulting in misunderstandings with loved ones.

Famous first decan Aquarius subjects: Mozart, Lewis Carroll, Ellen Degeneres, Nicholas Sarkozy, Oprah Winfrey

Second Decan Aquarius
Aquarius-Gemini

Dates: 31 Jan -9 Feb (approx.)

Planetary rulers: Saturn and Mercury

Tarot card: Six of Swords


From The Legacy of the Divine Tarot, Illustrator Ciro Marchetti
Card Meanings: convalescence, mourning, healing, recovery, progress, relocating, a voyage over water, exploration, study, pioneering, distance learning

This is one of my personal favourite cards. She captains her own boat, steering a course towards the rising sun.

The second decan of Aquarius is ruled by Mercury, planet of communications, the ruler of Gemini. These natives have the gift of the gab. They are charming, and socially in demand, but while generally very pleasant, they can seem somewhat aloof when it comes to getting up close and personal. This does not mean they don’t have deep feelings. They certainly do, and when they are upset they can brood or become vengeful. It can get pretty heavy. However, the natives of this decan are eminently civilized and humane and much concerned with big issues affecting humanity on the highest levels.

They are creatively talented but rational with it, analytical in their approach, more interested in ideas, technicalities and activities than in "shooting from the hip".

Famous Second Decan Aquarius subjects: Charles Dickens, Jules Verne, Rosa Parks, Bob Marley, Boris Yeltsin, Ronald Reagan, Ashton Kutcher, Michael Sheen

Third Decan Aquarius
Aquarius- Libra

Dates: February 9-February 18

Planetary ruler: Venus

Tarot card- Seven of Swords


Rider-Waite-Smith Tarot
Card Meanings: Diplomacy, tact, damage limitation, investigation, surveillance, theft, fraud, a stalker, sabotage

The third decan is generally appealing and attractive, and generally somewhat more easy-going than Aquarians born in the other decans. The personality is charming yet mysterious, affable yet elusive, with an acute sense of humour which they use to defuse and manage challenging situations. They can be something of a court jester, but with many a serious thing spoken in jest. These quirky, sharp but friendly Aquarians are like shooting stars, slightly fey. Nice to have around, but sometimes not easy to “get.”

Famous Decan 3 Aquarius subjects: Galileo, Abraham Lincoln, Charles Darwin, Thomas Edison, Paris Hilton, Mia Farrow, Sheryl Crowe

Aquarius is the Star of Mankind meanings Humankind, the species. The animal that is MAN. Nothing to do with sex or gender. All of us.


The Star
Bridging water, land and sky

Cloudy, cool Aquarian eye

Reasons, gauges

Rain assuages

Pours, refills an empty jar

Learning, thirsty, leads us far

But Hope outshines all other stars.

-Katie-Ellen Hazeldine

Runecast for the Second Decan of Aquarius 2024
The rune caster shakes up the bag of runes and empties it out on to a “field.” This may be a cloth or in this case a board. All runes that fall outside the field are discarded. The rune caster takes special note of the rune or runes that land closes to the center of the field. These represent the crux of the current situation or environment at this time. The rune caster and then looks at the surrounding runes for a greater context or further comments.


KENAZ is shown as the central issue, challenge or opportune at this time and for the coming ten days. KENAZ is closely flanked by ISA and NIED.

KENAZ (Torch, Beacon) is the root of the modern letter K. In modern English we get such words and phrases as uncanny, or beyond our ken from this fire rune which stands for learning,knowledge and illumination. When Kenaz appears, we are liable to experience eureka moments. Also inspiration. This is the touchstone rune of artists, writers and musicians. Kenaz is a fire rune, and yet feminine, and may be correlated with Venus. What or whom do we carry a torch for? Kenaz has an association with fertility when used in invocation with certain other runes.

Recently we may have been feeling out in the cold, kept in the dark, or at a standstill (ISA) This may have been to do with our boundaries or resources as indicated by the first two runes on the track JERA (year, harvest) and THURISAZ (Thorn, hedge, defence, attack)

KENAZ shows that something is now becoming clearer. This is a great rune for getting back physical energy when we have been under the weather, going in a new direction, bouncing back from setbacks, asserting ourselves, discovering creative opportunities and setting out on a new path. Success is highly likely.

This is not a particularly strong rune in support of relationship matters during this time, and this is reinforced by the next rune NIED (also known as Nauthiz.) The combination of KENAZ followed by NIED can indicate separation. This is not necessarily permanent. But it can be. This combination resonates with the Tarot’s Eight of Cups, and says, there is no mileage in propping up a situation that constantly needs propping up.

NIED when followed by the last rune inside the lines, ELHAZ, The ELK, says we need to feel secure at home, protected and respected in our efforts of endeavour in the wider world. Respect is a two-way street, while on an entirely practical level of protection, do we need to consider copyrighting, watermarking or trademarking our creative works?

From The Anglo-Saxon Rune Poem:

The torch is known to every living man by its pale, bright flame;

it always burns where princes sit within.

Thank you for reading.

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S

IRGO DECAN 1 FIXED STARS
Virgo 00º 29′ ~ Phecda in the rump of Ursa Major the Great Bear. 2.5*
Virgo 01º 04′ ~ Megrez in Ursa Major the Great Bear. 3.4
Virgo 03º 40′ ~ El Kophrah in the hind quarters of Ursa Minor the Great Bear. 3.8
Virgo 04º 07′ ~ Alpha Sextans in the Sextant of Uranae. 4.5
Virgo 06º 13’ ~ Spindle Galaxy Sextans. Super massive Black Hole. 8.8
Virgo 06º 39′ ~ Alula Borealis in the hind foot of Ursa Major the Great Bear. 3.7
Virgo 07º 21′ ~ Alula Australis in the hind foot of Ursa Major the Great Bear. 3.9
Virgo 07º 21′ ~ Thuban in the tail of Draco the Dragon. 3.6
Virgo 08º 56′ ~ Alioth in the root of the tail of Ursa Major the Great Bear. 1.7
*Magnitude. Star positions for the year 2000.
These people are a little more ‘far out’ than your average Virgos, some of them almost flip over to their opposite in Pisces. These seers usually develop their sensitivity after a period of suffering, dutiful caring and even after a broken heart. You will see that none of the stars here are particularly easy or ‘fun’ in any sense at all.


THIS DESIGN ON MANY ITEMS AT FINEARTAMERICA.COM
It doesn’t mean that these folk are always dour or miserable, (though some can be fantastic Victor Meldrews) they just won’t be your ‘happy-clappy’ type. Instead, Virgo decan 1 has an ironic, dry sense of humour. They are also good at turning very tragic situations into something humorous.

“There is a violent, brooding, malignant side to this area that can manifest in aggression, cruelty and malevolence. Set against tropical Virgo’s equally strong will-to-good, these stars force clear good-or-evil choices on their heirs. It would be well for those born under them to choose their philosophy with care, for once a belief is adopted, it is likely to be followed to the end” [1]

Diana K Rosenberg also notes that the stars between 6-8º Virgo have a Saturn/Neptune flavour which I would say goes for the whole of this decan. The Sextans is used for navigating Neptune’s sometimes treacherous waters which means these Virgo sailors maintain a healthy level of scepticism alongside their mysticism.

Guardian Angels, Persephones & Seers
They are hands-on-healers, practical magicians and phenomenal list makers. All their discoveries are carefully catalogued and any collections they have are lovingly maintained. But if they can’t be super-neat then they will be super-slovenly. No dimmer switches here!

Most of the stars in Virgo decan 1 are in the maternal mother bear. So there is a nursing quality here too. They can very easily become martyrs though and have to watch that they don’t become so self-sacrificial, that they lose themselves entirely.

Virgo decan 1 can become very drained by others because they have difficulty saying “no”. It’s ironic really, these folk who are so good at organising others and categorising items, find it difficult to place limits for themselves. When their energy is totally depleted they then become resentful and bitter.

This is when typical critical Virgo can go over the top with unleashing harsh and hurtful words to their mates. They blame others for the consequences of their own failure to set clear boundaries. Virgo decan 1, like Virgo as a whole, can find they are easy prey for energy vampires because of their knee-jerk reaction to be of service.

Virgo is the Ceres/Persephone archetype and in some versions of the myth, Persephone willingly goes down to the underworld because she empathises so strongly with the cries of the dying. This is also why Virgo decan 1 is so good at medicating those who are grieving. They become the opiate for their patients, friends, lovers, children, parents and any neighbourhood strays.

When they come out of the Underworld, earn their crown and become their own sovereign, then they can work as counsellors helping others make the transition from addiction to enlightenment. The Sphinx is a good symbol of this Sun-ruled decan which carries over some of the traits of Leo. The half-lion/half-lady depicts the successful blending of the two energies.


The fixed star Regulus has now precessed into this decan, but I haven’t included it in the list below. It does not change the nature of the star Regulus itself, this influence will be felt more on the decan. I think Regulus will add more to the importance of gaining one’s sovereignty by being in this decan.

The tarot card associated with this decan is the 8 of pentacles. This is a card of commitment and craftmanship. Karmically this will be a life where one pays a lot of attention to detail and completing tasks. Education and scholarships are important and it is about giving something back. In this life however the native must learn.

“You may be working hard to build a secure future for you and your partner or family. Make sure you remember to go home regularly and make some time for fun and social activities. The type of person you are, leaves you exposed and vulnerable to becoming a workaholic. If you let this happen, then it may very well destroy your lovely relationship. You must work hard at striking the right balance. (This life) you can have both you know!” ~ teachmetarot.

VIRGO DECAN 1 FIXED STARS *
Phecda 0º “In conjunction with planetary malefics, it is said that this star is a possible cause of “a great bloodbath”. In conjunction with Neptune and provided relevant configurations with Moon, Venus and Mars are present, it is an indication of a pathological sex nature.” Phecda alongside Megrez 1º and Alioth 8º at the end of this decan are three of the seven stars of the famous big dipper. This is one of the most easily recognisable sights in the night sky.

STARS CONTINUED IN EBOOK & MEMBERS ONLY
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VIRGO DECAN 1 PLANETS & ANGLES
Sun Virgo 1
THUBAN 7º ~ “ONE WHO FINDS, COLLECTS OR GIVES A TREASURE. TO INSTINCTIVELY COLLECT INFORMATION OR THINGS, THE NEED TO AVOID MEANNESS WITH YOUR KNOWLEDGE OR RESOURCES. A NATIONAL TREASURE RECEIVES ATTENTION.” [4]
Usually, this placement is one of humble service with an intense dedication and thoroughness in their life’s purpose. These folk are very hard workers tend not to have a large ego unless other factors in their chart suggest this.

Their perfectionism and excellence mean that they can rise very high in their chosen career, but they don’t really feel comfortable with praise.
Modesty is one of their best traits, but they can sometimes be too self-deprecating. The Sun rules this decan in the Chaldean system, but its brightness is used not to shine for itself, but rather to throw the spotlight onto the talents of others.

Sun Virgo 1 feels it is their duty to elevate the less fortunate and with these underdogs they have infinite patience. However, when it comes to their personal life it can be quite a different story. Unfortunately, Sun Virgo 1’s high standards mean that they can actually be hypercritical of those they love the most.

The criticism is meant to be constructive and is done out of love and care, but offense is often taken if the partner is very sensitive. The problem is also that Sun Virgo 1 expect their partners to be their equal in terms of perfection. Virgo Sun 1 can punish themselves too severely if they fail to make the grade, and again those closest to them can also bare the brunt of this frustration.

This decan has to beware of becoming the opiate for those that it helps and totally draining themselves in service to strangers. Though their devotion is admirable, Sun Virgo 1 often finds that they have no tolerance left in caring for their own family. Relationships can suffer because of this and sometimes these folk find they are better off alone.

SUN VIRGO 1 EXAMPLES: Caligula, Lyndon B Johnson, John McCain, Prince Albert Consort, Maria Montessori, Mother Teresa, Dorothy Parker, Mary Shelley, Tim Burton, Sean Connery, Richard Gere, Ingrid Bergman, Salma Hayek, Keanu Reeves, River Phoenix, Cameron Diaz, Rupert Grint, Stephen Fry, Lily Tomlin, Macaulay Culkin, Michael Jackson, Jean-Michel Jarre, Florence Welch, Van Morrison, Barry Gibb, Billy Ray Cyrus, Charlie Parker, LeAnn Rimes, Shania Twain, Shirley Manson, Gene Simmons, Mia Zapata, John Phillips, Edward Gein, Claudia Schiffer, Guillaume Apollinaire, Johann Von Goethe, Leonard Bernstein, Paulo Coelho.