(June 2009)

      While it would be hubris to claim to reveal the future, one can discover its nature by analyzing the planets' mutual aspects over time and applying a sense of history based on studies of the principles of mundane astrology. In short, what is the future indicated by the nation and empire cycle? How is it likely to develop and evolve? What is its timing?  Perhaps combining the theory of the life cycle of nations and empires by Charles Jayne with significant geometric formations can provide some insight.

      Over the past century, kingship as a form of governing has been phased out of the world. A common trend in government is to rule through ideological totalitarianism and corporate fascism.  Mostly strongman type personalities have filled the power vacuum, even as they maintain populist fronts, but real democracy has thrived where freedom has been allowed to exist. Education is key to the future, because democratic values do not exist in many cultures, and only a democracy has the adaptive ability to grow into an empire. Patriarchal and matriarchal hierarchies both have their place, but the major change is one from a psychologically dysfunctional "Parent to Child" government and religious authority to a functional "Adult to Adult" relationship based on equality, an empathy for humanity, and self-rule.

      Some major common elements that bring people together include resources, religious faith, security, prosperity, friendly competition, the arts, language and food. The definition of when a country, nation or state begins for a group of people has various standards in the astrological community, and includes leaders, chosen events of violence or the ending of same, territorial recognition by third party treaty, self-aware declaration of existence, and constitutions. For more reference, I recommend books on Mundane Astrology by Charles Carter and by Nicholas Campion. My preferred definition of a nation is a dynamic complex arrangement of elements in a social structure that is self-sustaining, self-repairing and self-replicating. I look for successful nations to have these characteristics if they are to become future empires. They must be flexible and tough to grow with opportunity and survive challenges from nature and nations. The transiting planets affect all humans and all nations at the same time. The response of each person and country is according to their purpose, abilities and circumstances. Some nations respond more capably and win greater gains. Where the national structure can flex with stress, it can keep operating as a unified whole. More rigid governments resort to violence to maintain the status quo or they break.

      Within the greater composite synodic cycle of the three outer planets, Pluto, Neptune and Uranus, the tendency for development of nations proceeds in fits and starts. In theory, it might be a continuous development moving from one phase to the next. In reality, the time for a phase start may lag or lead the theoretical time because of an extant complex structure among the outer planets. When the angles between planets are trine or sextile, aka, 3rd and 6th harmonics, the greater trend is for harmonious cultural growth and prosperity with conflict being resolved on higher levels. When the angles are conjunctions, oppositions and squares, aka, 1st, 2nd and 4th harmonics, there is a tendency for conflict to be resolved in physical ways such as war. In the greater view of life, this is a function of the manifestation of matter from the invisible state to the visible, because everything must align itself with the greater direction and flow of life to continue to exist over time. Usually, there is a combination of aspects that shows the systemic conflict for society and the resolution for it. For example, Uranus trine or sextile Neptune is a time of cultural and national expansion for empire, while the conjunct and opposition mark times of civil war. Yet both times can occur during the expansion of empire.

      War is wasteful and regressive. It shows a lack of strength of mind as well as a dysfunctional psychology. Populations are brutalized by all sides. It does not mark the beginning of great nations. Rather, treaties after a period of war allow for new beginnings. Wars are fought over race, religion, greed, adultery, power and freedom. The types of planets involved in the crisis signature marking a time of war also indicate the nature and reasons for the war. Many wars are marked by particularly bad planetary signatures, often involving three or more of the outer planets. Sometimes a war coincides with the signature, and sometimes the war extends over a long band of time marked beginning and end by unusual planetary harmonic arrangements. Sometimes there is a repeat of the war as the generation born with those bad signatures mature and live them out, because they have no better answer or resolution.

      Within each phase of the composite synodic cycle of the outer planets, the principle of Saturn affects any interpretation of the outcome, as does Jupiter's, because they mark the push-pull, expansion-contraction muscle power of legal and economic development. Difficult aspects among the outer planets can be ameliorated by good aspects from others, to provide a path of resolution for the conflicting principles, or exacerbate them by hard aspects. For purposes of this study, the pattern of the outer four planets form a carrier wave and the planets from Jupiter inward are like wavelets on a larger wave.

      While one planet makes a statement, or a point, and the arc between two planets can mark a trend or a war, when three or more outer planets mutually aspect each other all at the same time in a geometric outline, a harmonic relationship, it is an indication of a significant period of time. Some of these planetary signatures are basic harmonic structures and some are a mix of aspects. Often they are uncommon in history, separated by decades or centuries. The nature of the complex structures and the planetary principles indicate the flow of energies and the players and the powers that be. Examples of complex geometric structures include Grand Trine, Grand Cross, T-Square which is a 90 degree isosceles triangle, double conjunctions in opposition, triple conjunctions, and other multiple aspect combinations of mixed harmonics, including 3rd-6th-6th which is a 60 degree isosceles triangle (a T-Sextile?), and 2nd-3rd-6^th harmonics triangle. There is a question of equivalent potential charges in comparing a T-Square to two planets conjunct while square a third.  Also, there are many planetary aspects between just two planets that indicate serious events including economic cycles, changes in nation-states, and local wars. Saturn conjunct Pluto has marked many wars in history. There is an infinite amount of data for a given date from aspects if one drills down, but backing away from the mass of data shows astrology's dialectic of history over time. Two or three times in a century, T-squares form among the outer four planets and mark major problems for world society that require attention and resolution. The opposition indicates confrontation while the squares show conflicts, and because of the harmonics, the resolution must be objectively manifested on the earth plane. Perspective shows that a Grand Trine among the three outermost planets is rare, once in several hundred years, and indicates a time of ease and potential development and enlightenment for society, both during the time of the aspect and for those born under this sign.

T-Squares of the outer four planets through the last 3000 years and the next 1000 years in tropical signs:

  For a comparison of dynamics, circumstances and changes with years marked in current era (CE), consider the following:

• The last Grand Cross was in 1568.
• The last two Grand Trines among the outer three planets was 1253-1260, and 1750 to 1774.
• The last three double conjunctions in opposition were in 1149, 1396, and 1648.
• There have been around 49(or so) T-squares since 1000 BCE. The last century before now had two, the last being 1931. We are in the midst of the first of three for this century. The imbalance, conflict and challenge of the T-square needs firm and bold resolution to avoid the consequences that include war, famine, plague and pestilence. These consequences come not only from the immediate generalized circumstances, but also personally from those who have these signatures in their horoscopes as they go forward in life.

This is the table of aspects for Uranus and Neptune over the next 1000 years.

    
            One nation cycle is a complete Uranus/Neptune synodic cycle.
   
      Three nation cycles make an empire cycle. The empire cycle is a 3-planet synodic cycle composed of the outer planets, and includes T-squares. The three nation cycles within the empire cycle show the rise, holding and loss of the empire of a social and political culture.  Over a thousand years, there might be two empires, and there might be five empires in a zodiacal age. For the next thousand years, there appears to be the potential for two empires of democracy in sequence.

    Throughout that time, the aspects among the outer planets symbolize the motivations and concerns and behavior of human relations. At times these relations are complex and confrontational and often end in violence despite great accomplishments in reaction to great challenges.

    In a greater astrological dialectic of history, T-squares of the outer planets symbolize turning points in the development of nations and empires; for major changes will occur on the material earth level of existence. 

       The following is a chronological list of years with notable outer planet geometric structures delineating the trend for inception, ascendancy, culmination, decline and fall of the next empire through its three sub-cycles of nationalism. Any complex structure forms over time as the individual aspects come into orb, with corresponding changes in society. Nothing happens in a vacuum; situations evolve, which means that relevant influences and events happen both before and after the years noted. The tropical zodiac is used. The list is only partial and not exhaustive; there are many significant aspects for growth and war not listed, yet. It is a work in progress. Numbered years are considered to be current era (CE).

 2010-11      T-Square with Pluto in Capricorn square to the opposition of Saturn in Libra and Uranus in Pisces, later Aries. Note the cardinal signs. The last time these three planets were in a T-Square was in cardinal signs was 1930-31, in the depths of a world-wide economic depression, when the Nazis came to power and Japan invaded Manchuria. Before that was 1909. Social relations are severely impeded during these times with conflicts among the young and old, and among individuals and corporations about the distribution of resources. Any new political organization at this time might be fascist or totalitarian, while existing governments also trend to that political style under these influences. Nuclear war, treachery and private armies may threaten the world, but if Saturn is dignified in Libra, then a treaty may be signed. Nevertheless, there is a high probability of a general world war growing in the next five years. Square aspects between Uranus and Pluto occur in the second half of 2012, which could signify an explosive part of a larger conflict which will take most of 2013 to enforce truces and treaties.

2013     Grand Trine There is good economic growth with trade, understanding and harmony, because of a Grand Trine among Jupiter, Saturn and Neptune. By the end of July, the Grand Trine is interlocked with a T-square among Jupiter, Pluto and Uranus. Economic inertia is at its greatest torque and utilizes the problems of the T-Square for added power and growth. During this time resolutions to the problems presented in mid-2010 are developed and implemented, since the planets are the same in each case. In the case of conflict, physical enforcement of treaties will be necessary to maintain order and peace.

2016-20        An extended economic depression for the United States based on the USA Washington Inaugural Chart that shows transiting Saturn in opposition to radix Moon, among other things.

2024-29      Uranus trine Pluto and sextile Neptune, while Neptune sextile Pluto. This signature shows all three planets in harmonious aspects indicating cultural growth and the start of the new nation and empire cycle. The new world culture is starting to take form. New music genres, time signatures and dance styles are created. New architecture is a reflection of the new culture and lifestyle. Art develops new expressions. While music that developed since the Uranus and Neptune waning fourth harmonic of the last cycle, called rock and roll, is noted for its simple time signatures and atonal style, any new music is likely to have richer and more complex time signatures and structure. The public mind may raise its eyes to the heavens for a solar orientation, with a concomitant effect on the culture and lifestyle.

2039-41      Uranus square Neptune. This time is a conflict between science and mysticism. Those who seek power may seek it with force a this time, but there is a winnowing effect on the weaker newer nations. The stronger nations keep what they gain from international invasions during the waxing Uranus/Neptune phases.

2044     T-Square of Saturn in Scorpio square to the opposition of Uranus in Leo to Pluto in Pisces. This aspect shows a crisis for society with a high probability of conflict. The war has a danger of nuclear annihilation, lots of bombs and the sacrifice of armies. Corporations and people are in conflict.

2049     Grand Trine This can be a time of peace and prosperity with a Grand Trine among Saturn in Capricorn, Uranus in Virgo and Neptune in Taurus. Earth signs indicate productivity. The benefits to society are realized by those who are born and grow up under these influences and then apply what they learn.

2064-66      Uranus trine Pluto while Neptune square Pluto. This is an example of a mixed aspect.

2069      T-Square of Neptune in Cancer square the opposition of Saturn in Libra opposition Pluto in Aries. This structure takes place in Cardinal signs. Anytime Saturn and Pluto are in a first, second or fourth harmonic, there is a great stress and reduction in resources. Neptune's place indicates it may be water or food that becomes scarce, or polluted. War and rumors of war, with dangers of nuclear annihilation and poison gas or water.

2077-81      Uranus opposition Neptune. Often a time of civil war, violent or not. This is the halfway point for the development of nations, and successful resolution of the civil war enables further expansion later when Uranus is trine to Neptune. Expansion is by force, by incorporation and by colonizing. The motivation for international invasion may be to quell civil wars.

2078-80      Neptune in Cancer opposed to the conjunction of Saturn and Uranus in Capricorn. This will probably be a time of brutal civil war. The problem is dealing with water and how to store it with huge constructed reservoirs while providing enough for current use by people.

2084      Uranus opposes Neptune while sextile Pluto. Also, Neptune trines Pluto for a long lingering time. The evolving expansion is harmonious with money and power aiding. The problems of the water crisis get resolved. The war is over, and healing begins.

2101      Saturn in Scorpio opposed to the conjunction of Uranus in Aries and Pluto in Taurus. This signature indicates a probability for war.

2109      Grand Trine among Saturn, Uranus and Neptune might mark a time of peace and prosperity. The nation and empire grow during this time of easy evolution for government and society.

2137-2164      Neptune, and then Uranus oppose Pluto in turn and then conjoin each other in Aquarius. This conjunction through the period of mutual reception marks the end of the first nation building cycle. Power tends to decentralize, and people return to their tribal identities, partisan loyalties. Civil war can occur. Blood lines seem important. Religious and genocidal war are used as government policies.

2138  A complex angular structure of planet relationships indicating very powerful forces at work in a cooperative way to engage and shape the direction of the mundane world.

2141-42      T-Square of Saturn in Pisces square the opposition of Neptune in Sagittarius to Pluto in Gemini. At first, the indications are for a protracted religious war, and part of the disintegration of national identity. However, this crisis evolves to benefit all in 2144 indicated by good aspects reforming from the T-Square. The whole period from 2137 to 2175 may either one long war or a series of related short wars. For example, in 1568, a Grand Cross in mutable signs featuring Saturn in Virgo, Uranus in Sagittarius, Pluto in Pisces, and Neptune in Gemini marked the beginning of the Eighty Years War. The onset was marked in 1566 by a T-Square of the three outer planets, a time of civil war, religious riots and persecution. The end of the 80-Years War was marked by a conjunction of Uranus and Neptune in Sagittarius opposed to the conjunction of Saturn and Pluto in Gemini, which also marked the beheading of Charles I of England amidst a civil war.

2156-57      T-Square of Saturn in Virgo square to the opposition of Uranus in Sagittarius and Pluto in Gemini. Perhaps a restart and continuation of the religious and civil wars of the time.

2172-75      Uranus in Pisces and Neptune in Aquarius are in Mutual Reception. It is a revisit to their conjunction of ten years previously. This time may be marked by genocidal and religious wars. People tend to tribal loyalties. Knowledge of the seas and oceans increases. This is the end of the first cycle of nation building and the bonds of national allegiance are loosest. Those with designs of empire may tend to use repressive force and pre-emptive war on whole cultures to maintain control and extend power. When these planets enter the sixth harmonic, the trend will be to develop the overall culture more harmoniously.

2189      T-Square of Pluto in Leo square to the opposition of Saturn in Scorpio to Uranus in Taurus.

2196-2201      Uranus sextile Pluto and sextile Neptune, while Neptune trine Pluto. The significant characteristic of the
next 100 years is Neptune trine Pluto, marking an era with several phases. This era is the flowering of the empire in terms of culture, power, extent of boundaries and wealth. After 80 years, this era culminates with a period of spectacular intellectual development, marked by a Grand Trine among the outer planets, with influence over the next several hundred years.

2197-98      Saturn makes positive aspects to Uranus and Neptune while opposing Pluto, indicating further energy and complexity to the beginning of a 100 year Golden Age.

2221-26      While Neptune continues in sextile to Pluto, Uranus is trine Neptune and conjunct Pluto

2228-30      Grand Trine among Saturn, Neptune and Pluto indicates a period of stability, if not peace. These signs indicate a time to evolve and grow a secure and peaceful nation with trade and culture.

2248-49      T-Square of Saturn in Scorpio to the opposition of Uranus in Aquarius and Neptune in Leo. A lack of resources creates conflicts that result in civil and religious war.

2255-56      While Neptune continues in trine to Pluto, Uranus opposes Neptune and sextiles Pluto.

2270-71      At this time there is an interactive structure involving all four outer planets each having three aspects. There is a crisis indicated by a T-Square even while there is a resolution for a while, but the problem persists. Uranus in Taurus is square to the opposition of Saturn in Cancer to Pluto in Aquarius.

2279-85      Grand Trine While Neptune in Libra holds trine to Pluto in Aquarius, Uranus in Gemini moves into trine aspect with Neptune and Pluto making for a Grand Trine in air signs. The previous Grand Trine, among these three planets last occurred in earth signs off and on over 500 years ago from 1767 to 1774. This period of time saw the flowering of the German, French, English and Scottish Enlightenments, and neoclassical architecture. The people who grew up in this time applied what they learned to produce democratic nations later in the century. This Grand Trine of 2281 may mark another age of enlightenment, this time in the air element. The benefits from this time will affect mankind when those growing up during the times apply what they learn.

2293      T-Square Uranus in Leo square the opposition of Saturn in Taurus and Neptune in Scorpio. This looks like a war involving some kind of dictatorship of the people over values which are opposed by dissipating resources.

2311-12      T-Square of Pluto in Pisces square the conjunction of Saturn and Neptune in Capricorn.

2327-28      T-Square of Pluto in Aries square the opposition of Saturn in Cancer to Uranus in Capricorn. This time of major social crisis pits the young against the old, individuals against corporations because of a crisis in the distribution of resources. The probability is for war.

2337      Uranus conjunct Neptune in Aquarius with Pluto sextile to both.

2338-40      Uranus in Pisces and Neptune in Aquarius in Mutual Reception is the ending of the second cycle of nation and marks the two-thirds point in the empire cycle. Allegiances devolve towards tribalism. Religious and civil warfare and genocide catch up the great powers. The central government is losing the strength to maintain a far-flung empire. Maintaining a large standing military and launching a pre-emptive war to keep a small piece of empire drains the core strength of the empire. The next and third nation cycle sees the deterioration of the old superstructure of ruling, even as attempts are made to keep it whole.

2382-84      Square to a triple conjunction Uranus in Virgo square to a triple conjunction of Saturn, Neptune and Pluto in Gemini. This time is about 100 years after the culmination and pinnacle of empire with its greatest achievements, this is a major crisis and marks the beginning of the end of this Empire back into its component nations and cultures.  Neptune and Pluto stay conjoined for an extended time.

2393      The crisis of the previous decade is resolved for now and the results integrated into the Nation and Empire.

2408  T-Square Saturn in Aries square to the opposition of Uranus in Capricorn and Pluto in Cancer.

2419   Uranus Aquarius opposite the conjunction of Saturn and Neptune in Leo. This marks the mid-point of the Uranus/Neptune cycle . Wars of invasion for expansion of empire are emphasized.

2443  T-Sextile Pluto Leo, Saturn Gemini and Neptune Libra

2451   T-Sextile Pluto Virgo sextile to Uranus Cancer trine Neptune Scorpio

2465  T-Square  Neptune square the opposition of Saturn in Pisces and Uranus in Virgo

2468-69     Uranus Virgo square Neptune Sagittarius. The 4^th quarter of the Uranus/Neptune cycle begins.

2497-98      T-sextile Neptune Aquarius sextile Saturn in Aries trine Pluto in Sagittarius

2508-09     2-3-6 Harmonics Triangle with all four planets featuring Uranus conjunct Neptune. This is the end of the Uranus/Neptune cycle, when loyalties are very decentralized and polarized. The first half of this century is marked by a sequence of aspects among the outer planets that provide resolutions to challenges and confrontations.

2540  Uranus in Cancer sextile Neptune in Taurus marks the beginning of the new culture in the Uranus/Neptune cycle.

2450-56            T-Square Neptune in Gemini square to the opposition of Uranus in Virgo and Pluto in Pisces. This long lasting T-Square starts with a wide orb and recurs with tighter orbs through 2556.  Composed of the outer planets, Saturn conjoins with Pluto in 2554. This time is the first major crisis of the new culture and begins the 2^nd quarter of the Uranus/Neptune cycle.