Happy birthday to Marcel Proust, and Popula

Marcel Proust was born in Paris on July 10, 1871, about 30 minutes before midnight. Mercury, the planet associated with writing and communication, is particularly prominent in his chart. Along with the Sun and two other planets, it is in Gemini, the sign ruled by Mercury and also therefore concerned with communication. At the hour of Proust’s birth, these four planets were in the third house, which—perhaps you have guessed it—is the area of the chart associated with mental activity, writing and all communicative arts. The ruler of his chart is Mars, and Mars is in Virgo, the other sign ruled by Mercury. No astrologer would be surprised to learn that he turned out to be a writer of some repute.

Popula comes into the world at 8:00 a.m. in New York City, 147 years later and an ocean away to the west. Astrologically speaking, July 10, 2018 is an entirely different beast. The Sun (and Moon) have a constant rate of motion, so the Sun is in Gemini just as it is on any old July 10. The planets, however, have for these many years been moving at different speeds, so the planetary outcome on this July 10 is quite different from Proust’s July 10. Communication is still front and center but things of a literary nature born this day are, while not necessarily cursed, not necessarily Proust-level blessed.

Pluto, a planet which leaves disruption and revolution in its path, is moving slowly through Sagittarius, the sign which concerns itself with government, law, religion, and philosophy. Traditional, entrenched belief systems are being ruthlessly challenged. People—both those in power and those without it—are saying things they formerly dared not say.

On July 10th, the Sun is almost exactly 180 degrees across the sky from Pluto. It is an “opposition” in more than just the astronomical sense, a conflict which can create or destroy. We hope that Popula will do both.

Happily, at 8:00 a.m. in New York, Mercury the Messenger will be just rising in the eastern sky – or, as they say, “on the ascendant”.