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Ever since
Pluto, that profoundly transformational planet, entered Sagittarius back
in 1995, astrologers have been anticipating upheaval within the archer’s
vast domains. Our celestial centaur is no homebody, but arches his arrows
far and wide in his headlong hunt for truth. Those areas of human experience
that traditionally fall within bow shot include long distance travel and
communications, international relations, religion, law and of course,
education. The sum of human knowledge and the direction of its future
development are uniquely linked to the sign Sagittarius, and its planetary
ruler, Jupiter.
More specifically,
the sign Sagittarius is associated with higher education, while the opposite
sign, Gemini, oversees elementary schooling and the more rudimentary mental
skills. Together, these two opposite signs influence much of what we teach
and believe here on planet Earth. This year, that influence should manifest
significantly as both Jupiter and Saturn transit through Gemini, each
opposing Pluto in their turn. As this process unfolds, we are likely to
find ourselves, both individually and collectively, struggling with our
notions about what constitutes a public education while getting awfully
contentious about who’s going to pay for what.
Law
and Order
We’ve already
had a solid five years to adjust to Pluto in Sagittarius. In that relatively
short span of time, Pluto has drastically revolutionized our entire way
of communicating and handling information, effectively shrinking the planet
in the process. The way we learn and share ideas will never be the same.
Now come Jupiter and Saturn, the very pillars of society. These two civilizing
planets influence business, government and all the ways in which we live
and function together as a culture. These upcoming oppositions could represent
the philosophical and legislative battle lines in this ongoing, free-flowing
revolution.
Although
they operate within the same realm, Jupiter and Saturn serve completely
different functions. Jupiter, the great benefic, is a gas giant with an
expansive touch. Positive, optimistic and ever the philosopher, Jupiter
describes our moral and ethical beliefs about the nature of right and
wrong. Those beliefs are usually, but not always, reinforced by reference
to some higher, godlike, moral authority, and we generally prefer to see
those beliefs reflected within the law of the land.
Saturn, the
great malefic, is held fast within the confines of its intricate system
of rings. Pessimistic and earthbound, Saturn expects the worst and prepares
accordingly. Saturn’s crystallizing influence is reflected in the laws
and institutions that govern us and the limits placed on our individual
freedom. Between the two of them, from Jupiter’s boundless enthusiasm
to Saturn’s disciplined caution, they describe the ongoing cycles of boom
and bust and faith and cynicism that together form the warp
and weft of the social fabric.
Lots
of Hot Air
Soon, both
of these planets will be parked in Gemini, your friendly, neighborhood
sign. Their combined forces will be brought to bear on the center of Gemini’s
busy intellectual life, the little red schoolhouse. Past experiences with
Gemini indicate that we should expect a lot of talk and very little decisive
action, at least until Pluto gets involved.
Jupiter,
the faster moving of the two, will oppose Pluto during the first week
of May 2001. This transit should spark a thorough airing of the philosophical
issues that will underlie any future legislation. We can always count
on Jupiter in Gemini to overstate its case, and the demagogues should
be blowing at gale force.
Ruthless
Reform
Saturn comes
later and, because of its retrograde motion, will make a triple-pass
opposition to Pluto in Sagittarius. The first opposition will be in early
August 2001, followed by the retrograde opposition in early November 2001.
The final opposition will be in late May of 2002.
Education
will hardly be the only hot topic during these times. All the Gemini-Sagittarius
realms will be activated, including transportation, the print media and
international relations. However, these Saturn-Pluto oppositions should
mark turning points in legislation that could transform public education
as we know it.
Pluto can
be ruthlessly tough, having developed in the years since it discovery
a decidedly unpleasant reputation for leaving very little standing in
its wake. Pluto is a super-power all right; sunshine in a frozen concentrate.
The directions insist that we dilute its potential, for a little goes
a long, long way, but what is it that drives us to try it straight out
of the can?
Some of Pluto’s
power derives from its association with, or rulership of, the sign
Scorpio and the Eighth House. This is the realm of shared resources and other
people’s money, where we pool our personal finances together to create
greater wealth and purchasing power. Taxes are the best example of this
principle. Why, for only a small, annual investment, I own a stake in
the world’s most advanced military force, something I could never afford
on my own! Tax-paying property owners own a stake in their local public
school systems, and the power to determine how that public money is spent
will be a subject of deep discontent.
With tax
money flowing into religious schools through voucher programs, under Jupiter
in Gemini, the whole “separation of church and state” issue will be reopened,
as well it should be. Control and content of education are at stake, but
so is religious freedom. In the face of all this opposition, we must find
the path that grants the most freedom of choice, and provides all students
with open and ample access to the educational benefits of the information
revolution. Our future depends on it, so let the debate begin!
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