Disaster in Japan

We are watching in shock and horror as the worst earthquake in Japan’s recorded history and subsequent tsunami rocks that nation, setting off a volcanic eruption in the south of Japan and fear of nuclear explosions elsewhere. The first shockwave occurred at 2:46 p.m. local time near Sendai in Miyagi Prefecture. The chart, itself, didn’t yield much in terms of describing the event, but when it is compared to the chart of Japan, it’s a different story.

The chart of the official restoration of independence and sovereignty of Japan is accurately timed. According to Nicolas Campion’s Book of World Horoscopes, this was on April 28, 1952 at 1:30 pm GMT in Tokyo. Note that is GMT. The latitude and longitude automatically generates an accurate time for the place. It is notable that the Moon in this chart, at 28:41 Gemini, is very close to opposing the ascendant at 00:31 Capricorn. Transiting Uranus, which is notorious for sudden, unexpected events, occupies 29:57 Pisces which is very close to being square the midpoint between these two and is just over a half degree from squaring the ascendant, itself.

We associate Pluto with earthquakes and volcanoes. The progressed Moon was just past natal Pluto by 13 minutes and approaching progressed Pluto by less than half a degree. Keep in mind that the progressed Moon moves about a degree per month, so this is significant. Moon-Pluto connections are the most intense of emotional trauma indicators.

The nodal axis is also active; the solar arc Ascendant is conjoining it at 27 Aquarius, and as most of you know, Neptune has been close to that degree all year. The transiting nodal axis is only three minutes from natal Moon. Besides karma, the nodes of the moon (the nodal axis) indicate the immediate environment, as well. It is often active when there are changes in the environment, such as a move or renovation. In this case, seeing as how it is indicated two ways and there are other supporting factors, the environment is going through drastic change.

Along with Pluto, Mars is usually an active player in earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. In this case, it is showing both in the country’s chart and also in the astromap. In the chart, the natal Sun in Taurus is opposing Mars in Scorpio. It is a rule in astrology that if two planets are in an aspect in the natal chart, then no matter what aspect is being formed by progression, solar arc or transit (or any other system), it will manifest the energy of the natal aspect, sometimes called the “natal promise.” Right now, solar arc Mars has moved to trine the Sun with only a seven minute orb, bringing out the violent promise of Sun opposing Mars.

I did an astromap for the eclipse of December 21, 2010 because it was on the degree of Japan’s natal Moon, and it is in effect for at least six months. Pluto and Mars (eruptions, quakes, tsunamis) are opposing the eclipse Ascendant, so the lines are going right through the middle of Japan. Exactly. Just to the east of Japan, right on the epicenter of the quake, the Jupiter and Uranus lines are present. This means that in the eclipse chart, Jupiter and Uranus were slightly east of the MC. Uranus is unexpected, sudden activity, and Jupiter “expands” or “makes larger.” These planets are tricky to interpret because they are somewhat neutral regarding “good” and “bad.” It depends on what else is going on. That configuration, for instance, if it were positively supported, can be a windfall of sudden good luck, but as it is here, not always the case.