Leo Strauss Sep 20, 1899

Here's the sunrise chart for Leo Strauss, father and instigator of neoconservatism.

Will post more on the morrow concerning this Chiron/Uranus system-busting guy, but 'til then, you may wish to read an excellent essay on his esoteric/exoteric self here:

Essay on Strauss by Edward Skidelsky

OK, it's Sunday, and here're the Jones and the Rudhyar versions of the Sabian Symbol for Strauss' Sun position:

"28Vir" = "A bald-headed man who has seized power."

Keynote: The sheer power of personality in times that call for decision.

Whether at the religious or at the socio-political and cultural level there comes a time when obsolescent patterns of order and cultural refinement have to be radically and relentlessly challenged.

Catabolic personages emerge to seize power and dictate decisions that alter the structure of society. At such times, the issue has to be met and, ruthless as the power may appear, it must be accepted.

Everything bows to THE POWER OF THE WILL--divine, executively human, or Satanic. #

MEJ describes "28Vir" as DOMINANCE...

Positive: accomplishment through a completeness of self-mastery and a rigid control of others. (And that's the positive!)

Neg/shadow side: a sadistic sophistication. #


And since the *Moon was in Aries all through the 24 hours of Sep 30 1899, we see this personality blend:

Sun Vir/Moon Aries: intellectual precision and curiosity; scholarly; pragmatically diligent; self-centered; committed workaholic; bossy; detached; sharp tongue; doesn't suffer fools gladly; sense of humor.

Greatest Weaknesses: scathingly critical; a verbose know-it-all: overly cerebral and emotionally detached.

Image: A jolly, rotund monk enjoying his food and wine while excelling in well-worn Latin sayings, witty responses, and kindly good humor. (Sun Sign-Moon Sign, Chas & Suzi Harvey.)


And yes, Strauss shares this Sun/Moon combo natally with Dick Cheney. Perhaps they can toast each other in Hades.


You have noticed, I'm sure, that Strauss has a major pile-up in idealistic Sagittarius--Uranus conjunct Chiron, and a wide conj of Chiron with Saturn.

If you wish, read my previous post on the Chiron/Uranus combo: Stars Over Washington: Chiron/Uranus Types in Government

This trio of Chiron snugged between Saturn and Uranus is interesting also because Chiron is the 'bridge' between Saturn (which was considered the outermost planet until the discovery of rebel Uranus in 1781--hence its connection to the American Revolution, etc), and Uranus, the first of the Transpersonal or Generational planets. Uranus therefore has particular significance in America's chart/s.

So you could say that Sat/Uran = Chiron, and describes the tension of Saturn's control/restriction vs the rebellious, disruptive freedom and independence of Uranus, the Awakener, and Chiron's transcending abilities.

(Sat/Ura = tension; the urge for freedom; willpower; and violent people, according to Reinhold Ebertin's "The Combination of Stellar Influences".)

Saturn: the past, Uranus: the future, and with Chiron as the Key or Bridge, we see a bringing together of the two principles by way of Chiron transformation--and of course Chiron is the Christ archetype in the chart...the Alpha and the Omega--the past and the future blended with Chiron's "be here now" effect.

And although Strauss' Sat/Ura conjunction has a 13 degree orb, it seems applicable:

Original genius with ideas arrived at intuitively, Saturn conj Uranus gives the realism of Saturn and the originality of Uranus to the nature, plus a serious interest in mathematical studies, science, and the occult, including Astrology.
(Brings to mind Strauss' esoteric/exoteric philosophy, as does the Symbol for his Moon's sunrise degree, see below.)

There is use of systematic, math-oriented methods to make new discoveries and breakthroughs. The new (Uranus) builds upon the solid foundation of the old (Saturn.)

But the square (blockage) from Mercury (thinking; communication) results in obstinacy and autocratic attitudes. And a Virgoan Mercury generally indicates a primary interest in ideas that have a practical application for financial success and status.

Plus there's a T-square with Mercury as focal point--

Saturn/Pluto (a magician or an adept, or on another level, cruelty, violence, and war) = Mercury: the desire to solve difficult problems (doesn't seem to occur to Straussians that they ARE a difficult problem); thoroughness; taciturnity; doing research work.

And so our society's current infestation by the "elite" has much in common with this man's autocratic attitudes which he seems to have passed on successfully, yet the funny thing is, *Moon in Aries = "I AM the people" (!) and it's the same Moon placement as that other revolutionary everyone loves to hate--Robespierre...who was fond of saying just that.

Psychopaths get all kinds of odd ideas, don't they? But the "Reign of Terror" rearing its ugly head in the new millenium isn't just odd, it's tragic...once again.


Now for the sunrise degree of his Moon (Moon = the reigning need), which relates, I believe, to his esoteric/exoteric way of thinking:

(DR)"7 Aries" = "A man successfully expressing himself in two realms at once."

Keynote: The first realization of the dual nature of man and the possibilities it implies. LIVING TWO SEPARATE LIVES.

MEJ's version gives the same picture, but keyword, PROFICIENCY, speaks of the many interpenetrating realms of reality, and of a capacity for a complete control of events by shifting from one to another focus of emphasis whenever it proves convenient or expedient. #

Hmph. Sounds like the class all our current politicians have passed with flying colors...but they're sure not red, white, and blue.

3.5.06 11:26 am est

Leo Strauss
neoconservatism Political Astrology

"The Aurora" Speaks Out Again

In colonial times, the press was just as partisan as our day, and Ben Franklin's grandson was publisher of a certain paper, The Aurora.

Let's hear again what he had to say to George Washington and thus on to our present-day George who thinks so much of his own leadership abilities:

>Let no flatterer persuade you to rest one hour longer at the helm of state. You are utterly incapable to steer the political ship into the harbor of safety.

If you have any love for your country, leave its affairs to the wisdom of your fellow citizens. Do not flatter yourself with the idea that you know their interests better than other men.

There are thousands amongst them who equal you in capability and who excel you in knowledge. #


And the contempt continues, Dubai deal and all. Harbor of safety indeed.

Mar 4 2006 7:26 pm est

George Washington

The Aurora

Michael Chertoff Nov 28, 1953

Here's the sunrise chart (birth time unknown) for Mr Chertoff, who may soon be saying buh-bye to his czarship of Homeland Security.

(UPDATE Dec 16, 2006: he's still at HoSec--who else would take the job anyway?)

Here are Chertoff's Sun/Moon personality blend and his natal midpoint pictures for your consideration...

Since the Moon was in Virgo for the 24 hours of Nov 28, 1953, we have:

Sun Sag/Moon Virgo: an athlete gives a fund-raising performance for charity...a philosopher presents a perfect mathematical vision of the nature and meaning of the universe...The Ten Commandments.

This combo describes a practical idealist who is prone to mental obsessions and has a tendency to moralize. His desire for certitudes can cause narrow-mindedness, yet, positively, there is an ability to persuade others with clear arguments and a calm integrity. This is the combo of an educator, and is shared natally with Thomas Carlyle, who said, "Nothing is more terrible than activity without insight."

Post-Katrina, that's a valid and excellent point.


Natal midpoint pictures:

Sun/Neptune = Mercury: lack of objectivity; deceptions and illusions; false logic.

Sun/Sat = Venus: reserve; suppression of feelings.

Venus/Mars = Saturn: separation in relationship.

Mars/Saturn = Neptune: insufficient power to tackle obstacles or resistance; a grievous loss; waning powers and weakening of efforts; self-torment; weak vitality.

Jupiter/Neptune = Pluto: plans unreasonable beyond measure; a great loss.

Mars/NN = Sun: the will to unite with others; cooperative teamwork.

(Progressing the sunrise chart to March 6, 2006, secondary Moon at 7Leo03 is conjunct Bush's natal Ascendant, the "Bolshevik propagandist" degree. Chertoff's sec Moon = sec Uranus/Pluto: daring and audaciousness; bringing about changes by force. As you know, the combo of Uranus + Pluto = the collapse of the old order of things, the construction of the new; revolution; transformation.) And it would be great if he used this energy to rebuild New Orleans, rather than the US government, wouldn't it?

So will Chertoff be tasked with falling upon this sword?

I'd be quicker to hazard a guess if I had his correct birth time, but one thing I do know:

Transiting midpoint of Saturn/Pluto has been hanging about Chertoff's natal Mars (energy, action, initiative) 2005-06, and so we see:

Saturn/Pluto = Mars: the necessity to fight for one's existence; maltreatment; ruthlessness, violence, assault, or brutality.

And natally at *16Lib+ he has two asteroids, Toro = capacity to use and control power; strong will; the power of boundless strength...and Atlantis =
sense of doom; use/abuse of power; ethics.

Seems Mr Chertoff's use and abuse of power has been in process of being tested and put on the line. And if you asked Katrina's victims, I doubt they'd say he's passed the test.

And since I agree with them, let me help you hoist that sword, Mr Chertoff. George Bush ain't worth it, but you knew the deal when you signed on, I'm figuring.

Cash in your chips while ye may.


(*16Libra+ is also the natal position of Bush's Moon, so he's been on the oppressed and depressed side...well-deserved, most would agree.)

March 4 2006 3:54 pm est

Chertoff

US Constitution Read in Senate Chamber

Today, after the Senate passed a preliminary "sho, boss, whatever you say, boss" on the Patriot Act renewal--with a little smidge of protections added for effect--Sen Russ Feingold read the Constitution and the Bill of Rights before leaving the chamber.

At last--some political theater I can appreciate!

Sadly though, it was a RIP moment, with its promise of "somewhat limiting" governmental powers to compel information from people targeted in terror probes. Sounds necessary until you're the hapless target, doesn't it?

So earlier today, the Senate passed the measure 95-4, with Senators Byrd, Jeffors, and Harkin joining Feingold in the No Vote category. Leahy was successfully prevented from adding amendments. Guess the concerns of the people he represents don't count in the chamber.

"The die has now been cast," said Feingold after the Senate voted 84-15 to end his filibuster. "Obviously at this point, final passage of the reauthorization bill is now assured."

The final vote in the Senate will probably come Friday, March 3, and be on Bush's desk for his signature by or before the extension expires, March 10. (Do we get a squirrelly "signing statement" with that? How 'bout some Freedom Fries...or better yet, hold the fries, I'll take the freedom.)

This week, slow moving Neptune is sitting at 18AQ+...the midpoint of the Constitution's natal Saturn/Pluto midpoint:

Sat/Plu = Neptune: the desire to harm others secretly; fraud, falsehood, lies; danger through poison, gas, or water; immorality.

(Plus, this is doubly emphasized by the fact that transiting Sat/Plu is now atop natal Neptune!)

I esp like that first one--very descriptive, don't you think? 'Cos it's all secret and all--just the way the GOP likes it.

Here's my earlier post on the fading-fast Constitution:

Stars Over Washington: Get Your US Constitution While Ya Can

US Constitution