Pluto and the Mexico swine flu pandemic

The recent outbreak of swine-flu in Mexico has more than a passing interest for me. Last Saturday two of my oldest friends left for a three week holiday there. I cannot imagine how it must be for them. Holiday ruined? I often hear it said that viruses and pandemics fall under the rulership of Neptune. However, history shows that the ability of a diseases to transcend borders, existed prior to the discovery of Neptune. The flu-virus is complex and so is the astrology. So if we want to understand the Mexico swine flu, where might we start looking ?

The first major flu pandemic scientists were able to study in the laboratory was the H1N1 variant, which killed 50 million people, more in fact that the First World War itself. This flu was nicknamed the Spanish Flu, though it now seems as though it actually emerged sometime in February 1918 in Canton, China. So, the chart is drawn for 1 February and for this location.

For obvious reasons we cannot work with the Sun, Moon or any of the faster moving planets. So I am only interested in the planets from Jupiter outward. This is tricky. I recognise that, because at ground level, the Moon is a major player in transmitting this type of disease. Sneezing, coughing, etc. releases slime, water, mucous – this is means by which viruses spread. In mundane astrology – the Moon relates to the people. When a pandemic looms, people are automatically cautioned not to gather together. They are asked to move away from their Moon nature and into Saturn mode – the message is clear, isolate yourself from others, wear a face mask. Watery illnesses are by nature Moon like.

What is striking in this horoscope – is Pluto’s placement in Cancer. Cancer is of course the Moon’s own sign. The planet Jupiter is in Gemini – the sign related to the lungs – and suggesting enlargement and dispersion by means of the ether, through the air. The Moon’s nodes in February 1918 – are also in an air sign – Gemini – and the node’s are also conjunct with the galactic center. This suggests, a world wide/ galactic concurrence of some kind, which offers the potential for learning. We must remember that no influenza since the 1918 outbreak – has been able to claim so many victims.

There is no getting around the conjunction of Saturn with Neptune in the Spanish Flu horoscope. Since the fall of the Berlin Wall – we know that Neptune is able to surmount Saturn’s best laid boundaries.

The Pluto placement is deeply interesting – for astrologers like myself who are interested in degree areas. Pluto here at 3 degrees 48 Cancer, is not only conjunct with radix Pluto in the horoscope of Mexico* (2 degrees 41 Cancer) it is also in opposition with the current Pluto placement in early Capricorn.

The significance of this will discussed in the second part of this series. To be continued….

* Here I am using the horoscope for the constitution. Mexico has two charts which are both in use. One is for the revolution: Mexico, Sept 16, 1810, 05.43 GMT, Dolores Hidalgo, Mexico. The other is for the constitution: Jan 31 1917, 22.42, GMT, Queretaro, Mexico.