The Veil Gets Thinner

Neptune, Uranus, and Cognitive Dissonance

"Cognitive dissonance is an uncomfortable feeling caused by holding two contradictory ideas simultaneously. The 'ideas' or 'cognitions' in question may include attitudes and beliefs, the awareness of one's behavior, and facts. The theory of cognitive dissonance proposes that people have a motivational drive to reduce dissonance by changing their attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors, or by justifying or rationalizing their attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors."

Like so many others, when the winner of this year's Nobel Prize was announced I did a double take. I thought it was a hoax. Then I realized it was the perfect sham. Well done.When NPR read the two top news headlines of the day, they were, "Obama Wins Nobel Prize for Peace," and "Obama Meets With Military Advisor to Discuss Escalation of War in Afghanistan."
That's pretty dissonant. The scramble to justify the award tells the whole tale. But within the lapse of sanity is the opportunity to understand more of what's happening to the collective mind.

I won't go into the many details of why this is so ludicrous, but I will relate the event to current astrological configurations at work. My first instinct told me it had something to do with the Uranus-Neptune mutual reception, and yes, they are both stationing at 22/23 degrees and when they go direct, Jupiter will conjoin Neptune again for a continuing look at the mental breakdown of society, the delusions of hero worship, and the bipolar journey between hope and despair that is marking the path to the cardinal transits ahead. It's no mistake that yet another "speech" is scheduled on the next conjunction. Probably the end-all be-all speech of all time. But it's all in the game. As much as people want to continue the fantasy, it will probably go soon. Pluto, Uranus, and Saturn are not the stuff of Hallmark cards.

Uranus is unsentimental insight and dry intellect. Neptune is emotional flooding often divergent from reality. The two have been bumping and grinding for years affecting humanity's perceptions. With this station people are sensing the discord and starting to doubt the authenticity of the peacemaker's words, especially with two wars going, one heating up further with expressed excitement. People are trapped. Anyone but Bush has become no one but Obama. There is underlying panic since they don't know whether or not to trust him. They might never know. The smartest thing if one is interested in psychological growth is to recognize the flaws, both in ourselves and out there, considering that the exacting perfectionist Saturn is coming to town, not to overlook the years of Pluto in Capricorn. A stellar opportunity for self improvement.

Let's take a look at Obama's chart to see why he fits this puzzle so perfectly.

An outstanding connection is the elevated Neptune (illusions) in the 9th house of religion square Jupiter (religion) in the 12th (spirituality), and the Sun (leadership). The strong emotional nature of Neptune in Scorpio indicates a dominant desire to be a religious leader. He fashions himself as a sort of global guru, jetting around his kingdom in luxury (Leo), being entertained lavishly by royalty worldwide. Unfortunately, Saturn retrograde in the 12th delays spiritual attainment until later in life, and even though he might achieve that one day, he's not ready now. At this point he lacks Saturnian substance and cannot be taken seriously. He's the American Idol. A magazine cover figure, a playboy among the ultra wealthy, complete with photo shoots at exotic sacred sites. So this is another opportunity for the nation to understand herself and why she got into this particular predicament.

Adding to the illusion is transiting Neptune in his first house soon to oppose his chart ruler, Uranus. He is the Grand Illusion Incarnate clouding the clear view continuously. "Let me be clear," he pleads over and over. Increasing insecurity is nudging people to question the wisdom of following blindly. The award makes no sense and the attempt to prove otherwise has proven to be difficult if not impossible. It really is absurd. That's the good part.

Mercury square Neptune also inflated by Jupiter points to the mesmerizing use of words. Evasions, persuasions, and even departures from fact. This repeats our own country's Mars in Gemini square Neptune providing another opportunity to see. Can we ever be honest? Can we cease being trite?

A further factor is the moon at the foundation of his chart square Pluto, a deep point of insecurity and need. Pluto rules his 10th house and the parental axis is highlighted in all that he does. He demands that we the people give him the attention he never got. It can be inexhaustible and exhausting. Even The Prize won't do it.

This repeats our own Pluto opposite Cancerian Venus going on now and is again repeated in the 29 Scorpio moon (the public) of the inaugural chart square the executive. With the Plutonian factor there's an element of bondage, but freedom from that is a valuable goal. By the time this winds down I expect the citizens to recognize the problem somewhat so they can move forward and take a serious look at leadership, possibly a more conscious one, when Pluto opposes USA Sun square Saturn.

Then there's the looming hidden Saturn retrograde in Capricorn in the 12th. Here's where the so-called honor of this prestigious award gets interesting.

With this placement the individual wants to be accepted by the wealthy establishment and now he's apparently attained that wish. Unhappily for him, he actually hasn't. Again, too soon. Saturn in Capricorn especially has to earn recognition through extensive sustained effort. They're playing with him. Puppies everywhere. He might awaken from his fairy tale, he might not. He might do well. It matters not. What matters is how society uses this bounty of knowledge.

So in the end I think the award was not really an honor, but more of a humiliation and exposure of the superficiality of our culture. A cosmic mockery, both of the recipient and of the traditional institution as Pluto in Capricorn reveals the errors of the status quo. We suddenly believe we are redeemed after wreaking economic havoc on the world with still no attempt to fix it? After invading a virtually unarmed country and now stepping up a war for profit in another poor country? Dangerously meddling in South America? With instant milk we're cradled in the breast of comfort again?
The most beneficial aspect, I think, is the reaction of outrage as a preliminary step to acquiring strength and energy for the cardinal years. It seems like every event is creating rage and division these days. Exactly as it should be, in my view. Saturn, Uranus, Pluto, Aries, and Capricorn are not exactly a historic walk in an impressionistic flower garden.

What Can We Do?

Proceed with the weaning. The prize itself is unimportant, and so is the man ultimately. Some tremble in anticipation of the future, some welcome falling axes and opportunities to triumph, pushing on to greater achievements. Taking a good look at what's behind the thinning veil appeals to me since the invitation to advance comes with it. And banking on our real assets.
Photo:enypniastes eximia:sea cucumber