What Pluto Hath Done.
Bring out the Trumpets!
In the middle of last century, there was a neighborhood in Denver called Five Points, which was a predominantly Black area and a jazz mecca in America. It was one of the most vibrant cultural centers in the country and the greatest musicians of the time frequently played in the hopping jazz clubs. It was named, "The Harlem of the West."
The neighborhood declined into a crime-ridden near wasteland until a few years ago. Now the renaissance is in full swing poised to get even bigger next year.
With this revitalization has come an interesting development. The emergence of the new "creative class". Saturn through Leo opposite Neptune has helped. These people are behind the evolution.
Here's what's also interesting; the ethnic change in distribution, which I attribute to Pluto's transit of Sagittarius. Here's the breakdown.
1990: Black 36.6%, Latino: 41 %, White: 19.6%, Other: 2.8% 2000: Black: 25.4%, Latino: 42.9%, White: 27.4%, Other: 4.3As you can see, the white folks moved out, then back in, and along with the Latinos and others, formed the most even distribution yet. This can't help but profoundly influence the culture, and the blend is a natural development.1960: Black 37.3%, white: 58.2%, Other: 4.5%
When Pluto transits Capricorn, I think we will see an emergence of this creative class, as old traditions are reworked, and decaying parts of cities are rebuilt from within with the citizens' own funds, and changes in the ethnic power structure. The top of the pyramid might disintegrate, but the bottom is already being reinforced as our nation moves ahead.
As a jazz musician, I am delighted. Bring out the tubas too!
posted by jm at 3:26 PM
11 Comments:
I'm off!!!
Love to everybody!
"I'm off!!!"
Or on. ;-)
Hurrah!
Love returned
Can't wait for the report!
Your're going to have a great time.
You're off to be on!
love to you, too!
No worries, they'll never know what hit them!! :-)
Yay!!!! Back home to the creature comforts of ultra fast modern universal communication.
The event was a party which was mellow and enjoyable.
One thing I'm watching closely is this old jazz neighborhood. Can history be brought back in a new incarnation? The original glory will elude, I'm sure, but then a deeper knowing comfort in the streets could emerge with different expectations and the undercurrent of experience. I do believe music will move out of the sports stadiums somewhat and back into the pulse of the people, the rhythm of the streets, where it belongs.
One prob is my neglected sewing room. I prefer yakking to sewing by far, but I can't wear words, and I really do need to put something on suitable for the night dreams.
Magic wand, anyone?
Excellent!
One thing I'm watching closely is this old jazz neighborhood. Can history be brought back in a new incarnation? The original glory will elude, I'm sure, but then a deeper knowing comfort in the streets could emerge with different expectations and the undercurrent of experience. I do believe music will move out of the sports stadiums somewhat and back into the pulse of the people, the rhythm of the streets, where it belongs.
I am very, very interested in this.
In the 70's when we "hippy" artists started the street fairs to sell our art and craft there was a sense of democratizing access to art. People from all walks of life could find ease in the venue.
Over time they became big productions. And big money makers for charities and promoters, less and less so for the artist. Currently there are very few shows that are worth walking across the street for.
And yet....
I had people drive from as far away a southern Arizona to my open studio last fall. Some well known people sat on the end of my bed swinging their legs petting Zamma. Small groups would cluster, writers, poets, musicians other visual artists, from LA, San Diego, all ages, all flavors. It struck me then how willing people are to seek out the experience of sharing ART. My home/studio was just the opportunity.
Repeating patterns of history is what i've been looking to as well. And similar time period comes up. Several artists in the 20-30's formed groups that i guess we would now call market branding. This intrigues me. One example; the transcendental painting group (Dane Rudyar was a member)explored
"ideas about the connection between the inner and outer life in art-making, and the connections between nature, formal composition, and spirituality in painting."
here's one
another
The Group of Seven, Canadian wilderness painters also was active at this time as was the Hudson River School.
This is wonderful. The reminder about the political aspect is just what I want. This is why I'm holding off with the big push for awhile. I feel the change coming, and Uranus in Aries will be the door opening. It will square the corporate establishment in Capricorn, but it's no mystery who is in the position of strength. Since artists have had no outlet, their strength has been held in reserve. Potential and the releasing dam into kinetic. The alternative movie industry is already in motion. The corporate music business is in shambles. Right now, I almost feel a cosmic timing connection in my own path with this. But we have to lay the groundwork and there are those who are collectively inclined who will be called into action.
When the last mayor of my town came in he stated that he was going to focus on the creative class and make this a center of the movement. I can't stress enought the innovative aspect of Uranus in Aries and the democratizing you are waiting for. Artists are always doing this and preparing for the timing.
The night I realized the truth and knew my artistic partner was going to die, I was in the hospital bed with him late one night. The TV was murmuring and he fell asleep. Suddenly a PBS program came on which was a tour of unknown artists from all over the US and I was locked in hypnosis for three hours, as the tour unfolded magically before my eyes. I never knew there were such magnificent artists around, and I also knew that I was going to chart a new path among them. It was amazing and the nod for my new solo life as an artist. It allayed my fears about the death. If what I sense doesn't happen I'll be surprised.
The need dictates and the establishment ultimately has no power. Power shifts all the time and is illusive. It's good really that they've had their day. They are weakening now.
I'll put up another post on this about the new neighborhood. It was all over the paper yesterday and comes up frequently.
The '20s and '30s was one of the best times in American music, maybe THE best in recent history.
Pluto was in Cancer, Neptune in Leo-Virgo, and get this; from 1919-1927 Uranus was in Pisces. 1927 and on, in Aries. Very interesting. The early '30s was the shining jewel.
Not to forget the Uranus squared Pluto in Cancer. Now the square will be in Capricorn, and this speaks of the experience and maturity I mentioned above in historic re-creation.
The spirit of music was overwhelming in Five Points, beyond anyone's doing or control . It had a life all its own. The memories/after effects of these sounds are in the walls, in the pavement of the streets, in the pipes, in the floors, everywhere. All actions are permanent in some way as the harmonics reverberate into infinity. This is part of the knowledge that could help a revival, as long as the imagination leads and reminds everyone that it will be a different story this time. Our own story in the making built on our ancestors' foundation, adding richness, density, and dimension.
In the '20s, the entire country like an awakening beast, got up and started dancing, especially during the Depression. I think the Crash was the awakening of spirit:
Uranus at 8 Aries.
Saturn in the Galactic Center at 26 Sagittarius
The swing era and the dance beat is impossible to imagine. The infectiousness. You had to be there. I don't know the specifics about the visual arts, but wasn't that an innovative time as well?
Aries is always the start of a new cycle, so this will be the 84 year Uranian one.
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