"When the Twin Towers Fall in the City of York"

by Betsi Sites

SHOCK was felt around the world as the 2 great towers of the New York City skyline came tumbling down! While people in America and elsewhere were struggling to make sense out of the destruction of the World Trade Towers that took place on September 11^th 2001, Astrologers were turning to the charts to squeeze hidden meaning from such an enormous tragedy.

Although I doubt anyone could have accurately predicted what occurred on that awful and awe-filled day, there are two astrological signatures that stand out as especially significant: 1) the Saturn/Pluto opposition (exact on Aug. 5, 2001, Nov. 2, 2001 and May 26^th 2002), and 2) an extreme declination Mars conjunct the Galactic Center (exact on Sept. 3, 2001) For the maps and charts that show the impacts of that day, click here.

THE SATURN/PLUTO OPPOSITION CRACKS THE COSMIC EGG

From Rob Hand's most excellent article on the Saturn/Pluto opposition in the Aug./Sept. issue of the Mountain Astrologer entitled "A Crisis of Power", we learned that 20^th century hard aspects between Saturn and Pluto have been accompanied by either economic recession, political crisis, or war, often involving the Middle East. The current opposition in 2001 through 2002 continues to emphasize these same basic themes.

Two planets in opposition represent hostile forces. Add the fanaticism and self-righteousness of Pluto in Sagittarius, and you have fervent religious extremists (Pluto) confronting the status quo of the capitalist world (Saturn). Communication blockages and intelligence breakdowns are likely with Saturn in Gemini. This particular opposition stirred up Islamic terrorists, willing to die for their cause, who smashed through America's defenses and raged upon the symbols of its economic and political power (the World Trade Towers and the Pentagon). Unfortunately, with an opposition such as this, there is reason to expect that America might respond in kind. However, since the USA is represented by Saturn in this scenario, there is some hope that constraint and conservatism may contain the retaliatory response.

"EXDEC" MARS CONJUNCT THE GALACTIC CENTER

The declination of transiting Mars reached an extremely high peak (-27 degrees) on September 3^rd 2001, a level it won't reach again until 2033. Anything beyond 23 degrees is considered "extreme declination" or "exdec", and the higher the latitude, the more extreme the behavior. In general, an "out of bounds" Mars, as such high declinations are often called, stimulates wild, unstable and aggressive expression, as well as extreme, unpredictable and explosive energy, well outside of the confines of socially-acceptable behavior. The Mars pressure built up steadily since Spring, but then fell off rather quickly in the Fall as Mars returned to "normal" declination by the end of October. Therefore, if the USA was able to restrain and limit itself to only strategic strikes through October, rather than unbridled retaliation, there is hope that the voices of reason would have gathered enough momentum by November to prevent an all out war.

To add fuel to this fire, the same day that Mars reached it's most extreme declination in decades , it was also conjunct "the Galactic Center" at 27 degrees Sagittarius. The Galactic Center is the heart of the Milky Way Galaxy. If there is a unifying principle or a command post within our galaxy, one might consider the dense core at its center as the place from which some alignment or directive might emanate. On that day of crisis, Mars on the Galactic Center pushed a cosmic button that was felt around the world! Humanity would be wise to examine the meaning of this historic event, and rectify its causes before Pluto strikes that same "sensitive" point in 2007. Undoubtably, the prospects for 2007 will depend largely upon the actions taken between now and then. If we respond with knee-jerk reactions, or refuse to respond at all, our world is in grave jeopardy. America is being called upon to rise to the challenges of its leadership position in the world, to restrain its impulses, consider consequences, and respond in a sane and prudent manner.

AMERICA'S CONFRONTATION WITH DESTINY

The "Attack Chart"⁽¹⁾ in and of itself didn't seem sufficiently malevolent for the events of September 11^th 2001. But when placed on a bi-wheel with the US Independence Day chart⁽²⁾ in the middle, it told it's story quite succinctly. Here are the correspondences I found between America's birth chart and the planets on that day of terror:

• The "Attack Chart" Pluto (power, tragedy and transformation) hit America's Sagittarian Ascendant (how one is seen by others), with a vengeance. Transiting Chiron (wounding), Mars (aggression) and the South Node (that which already has been set in place) were also in the 1^st house of the US chart at that time. With deaths in the thousands and visual images broadcast on the TV seared into our brains, America certainly felt the impact of that day in a very personal and traumatic way!
• Transiting Saturn (blockage and restriction) in Gemini (communications) fell on the Descendant (our relations with others) in the 7^th house of partners and "open enemies" where it was conjunct America's Mars/Uranus midpoint (sudden change brought about by aggressive action). Communications to New York were jammed and the Stock Market, the economic pulse, was shut down for that week, tumbling severely once it re-opened. The US also had to rework its relationships with countries it had never considered allies, but now needed in order to fight terrorism in Central Asia. All kinds of very time-consuming security issues became paramount as well.
• Transiting Uranus (the unexpected) was in a 5 degree conjunction (symbolic of instability and change) to America's Moon (emotions, family and the comforts of home). Shock to the homeland brought about by sudden change, impacted lives from coast to coast.
• Uranus (shock) in Aquarius (an air sign) was on the cusp of the 3^rd house of transportation and short trips (the attack planes were full of fuel, having barely left their places of origin). Indeed, shock came through the air via our own transportation systems.
• Transiting Uranus was also inconjunct the national Neptune (illusions) as Americans tried to adjust in disbelief to an event that had been inconceivable previously.
• Transiting Neptune was conjunct America's South Node (consequences from past actions) in Aquarius (cool indifference) in the 2^nd house of finance and principle. Large disparities of wealth were begging for balance. Giant corporations and the World Bank had enslaved the poor of the world, hobbling them with debt. Whole communities have been destroyed by the greed of the wealthiest few, promulgated by the principle that "might makes right". Both Bush Presidents had walked away from environmental treaties that asked for some accountability for America's excessive energy and resource consumption. Yet America remained blind to her crimes.
• The transiting Sun shed its light on the US Neptune (false beliefs) in a 4 degree conjunction (tough lessons). The veil of fantasy around several American myths was ripped away that fateful day, allowing a greater Truth to come to light.
• Jupiter (prosperity and expansion) and Venus (luxury) are conjunct in the American chart and could be said to represent America's wealth. That is where the transiting North Node struck, as Fate hit the American chart that disturbing morning. Destiny struck at the core of materialism! Sweet and unsuspecting Venus was within one minute of a perfect conjunction with "the Dragon's Head" as the Dragon ravished the "Queen of Diamonds" (the World Trade Center), which collapsed like the Tower of Babel it rivaled.
• Transiting Jupiter, the planet of success or excess, as well as religion and politics, was near its zenith on the morning of September 11th, conjunct America's Sun in Cancer (the homeland). Although generally considered a good aspect, on this unforgettable day Jupiter conjunct Sun aided the perpetrators, giving them success in their mission, and displaying America's vulnerability for the whole world to behold.
• Mercury (the mind) formed an especially tight conjunction with the US Saturn in Libra in the 10^th house of professional accomplishment. The terrorist's intelligent and well-executed plan (Mercury) shut down the City of New York, caused major transportation delays, triggered tightened security, and instilled fear, while a pall fell across the great nation, all Saturnine effects. Mercury rode the event chart Ascendant with the precision of the Master Mind who orchestrated these attacks.

"SCORPIONIC AMERICA" GETS STUNG

The American chart I chose to use isn't accepted by everyone to be the "true" birth chart of the United States, although the above analysis would strongly support that it is a likely one. There are arguably other valid "American Birth Charts" as well. A chart constructed by David Solte and known as "Scorpionic America"⁽³⁾ was cast for the adoption of the Articles of Confederation. Let's take a look at it too in light of the tragic events of September 11^th.

Transiting Pluto was within 4 degrees of the Midheaven of "Scorpionic America", signifying a very public attack on the Establishment (10^th house), which struck terror in the hearts of all those who beheld the destruction, displayed publically for the whole world to witness. Many travelers across America were unable to get home as all the airports in the country were shut down for the first time in history (Saturn in the 4^th house). The most striking thing about the "Scorpionic America" chart is that transiting Uranus struck the Ascendant in the "Scorpionic American" chart on September 11^th, while transiting Saturn was conjunct "Scorpionic" Uranus within one degree.. Thus this chart also registered the extreme shock and angular impacts made by transiting Pluto, Saturn and Uranus during "the Attack on America."

STOCKS IN SHOCK

Another chart to look at is the chart cast for the Founding of the New York Stock Exchange⁽⁴⁾. Transiting Uranus was conjunct the Stock Exchange's Pluto. Uranus transiting over Pluto indicates revolutionary changes, the pressures of which have been building over time, while the transit triggers a sudden occurrence that can have devastating effects. Also, the transiting Sun was exactly conjunct the Exchange Chart's Mars (within one-tenth of a degree!) "Pride goeth before a fall" comes to mind. Strangely enough, the Sun/Mars conjunction occurred at 18 degrees Virgo, the very same degree held by the North Node on the day Pearl Harbor was bombed. Perhaps that specific degree should be researched further as to its significance for America, but to do so is beyond the scope of this article. Certainly the unexpected attack on September 11^th 2001 dealt a devastating blow to the Stock Exchange.

WHAT DOES IT ALL MEAN?

The Attack on America, horrific as it was, highlighted a message that was imminently clear. Either the people of this world find solutions for the gross economic inequities of these times, or disenfranchised fanatics will continue to target those who appear to "have it all." To the terrorists, the World Trade Towers in New York City represented greed and corporate wealth, wrested by cunning from the "have-nots" of this world. This "Attack on America" announced boldly that economic coercion and political dominance by any nation that disregards the rights and beliefs of others, would NOT be tolerated.

Nonetheless, the largess of the American Soul (Jupiter conjunct Venus in Cancer) to transmute tragedy into transformation may play an important role here. This event has set off a dialogue that needed to occur. The saber rattling of the "old guard" was challenged by the Aquarian Age voice of reason. Apathy gave way to involvement, and threats of war roused voices for peace such as have not been heard since the 60's. If we don't want to see a repeat of September 11^th to occur in 2007 when Pluto trips the Galactic Center's umbilical cord once again, we'd better heed the warning and get busy cooperating! Its time to seek solutions for the gross inequities of our world. We may not all like each other, but we've got to find a way to live together on this tiny planet spinning through space. There can be no doubt that humanity stand at a Crossroads. Will we barrel ahead without thinking, or will we stop to consider consequences and reset priorities? The Choice is ours. Let's do our best to choose wisely!

1. Trade Towers Attacked: Sept 11, 2001 at 8:45am, NY, NY. Source: CNN web site chronology list.

2. One version of the "Sibley" American Chart, cast for the signing of the Declaration of Independence: July 4, 1776 at 5:10pm, Philadelphia, PA. Source: Campion's The Book of World Horoscopes.

3. "Scorpionic America": November 15,1777 at 12:46pm in York, PA. Source: David Solte, in a magazine article.

4. New York Stock Exchange: May 17, 1792, cast for noon in NY, NY. Source: Campion's The Book of World Horoscopes.