EDIT: Since writing this post I've re-thought my interpretation of this horary chart. I'm leaving this post up, but please read my (hopefully) better and (definitely) more thorough interpretation of this horary chart HERE.

    Political unrest is a constant, but a revolution is not, and we've been seeing a lot of the latter lately. I've been involved in social and economic justice activism for some time now, so I empathize with the Egyptian movement to oust dictator Mubarak in favor of a more democratic, economically and socially fair form of government. The other day I posed an horary astrology question, cast for Jan. 28, 2011 at 9:18 PM in Knoxville, TN (my own location at the time of casting the chart) asking if the protesters would be successful. The chart is an interesting one, indicating that yes, there will be a successful transition into a new and fair form of government. Read on for my delineation of this telling horary chart!

   A group of women protesting Mubarak regime in Egypt

    First of all, the rising sign of Virgo agrees with planetary hour ruler Mercury, the moon is not void of course, and there are no other reasons not to believe that this is a readable chart. The rising sign of the horary chart is 20°32' Virgo, the Sabian Symbol of which is "A Girl's Basketball Team." At first this symbol seemed strange to me, for many reasons, but among them is the fact that of all the coverage I've seen of these protests, the people marching in the streets seem to be comprised almost primarily of male protesters. (I've purposefully posted a picture above of women involved in the protests though, because it is very easy to miss/dismiss their impact). On another level, the revolutionary spirit of the movement happening in Egypt seems incongruous with the idea of a competitive sporting team. However, Lynda Hill's blog entry on this particular sabian symbol is enlightening, especially when we consider that these protests are primarily in support of providing food and basic needs for all Egyptians, which we can easily relate to the care-giving, nurturing behavior associated with femininity. Lynda Hill says of this symbol, "This degree talks about people teaming up; banding together and working together for a common goal," and she quotes Vince Lombardi with saying, "Individual commitment to a group effort - that is what makes a team work, a company work, a society work, a civilization work," which is definitely very relevant to what's happening in Egypt at the moment.
    The Virgo ascendant means that the primary significator of the protesters is Mercury (with the moon of course as co-significator). This is very interesting because the ruler of the 10th house (which should signify the government/leadership of Egypt) is ALSO Mercury. I do think this in and of itself tells us a lot--it implies that the protesters have *already* taken control of the country, in effect. The Sabian symbol of this degree also supports this notion: "A Modern Cafeteria Displays An Abundance Of Food, Products Of Various Regions." I find this fascinating as the symbol for the Midheaven because the major complaint of the protesters has been lack of jobs/resources to meet the basic needs of the people. This Sabian symbol implies that the coming government in Egypt (it may take awhile to see what exactly that will look like) will succeed in providing fairly for the Egyptian people. There will be "an abundance of food" available for everyone who needs it. Lynda Hill, who has done some fascinating work on the Sabian symbols, also says that looking to the Sabian degree meaning following the current one can give us some information on upcoming events. The degree following the Midheaven degree is 21 Gemini, "A Tumultuous Labor Demonstration."
Again we can see here how the people of Egypt are themselves appearing on the Midheaven, showing us that this popular uprising will put the common people of Egypt in power over their country and in control of their own destinies.

    In reading an horary chart, it is helpful to look at recent, separating aspects made by the significators as well as the applying aspects. Mercury is leaving a square to Saturn. Saturn here is on the cusp of the 2nd House, indicating government control of resources. Saturn also generally indicates leaders and people in positions of power, and its sabian symbol is "Two Men Placed Under Arrest," which may indicate an end to Mubarak's and his colleagues' power over Egypt. With Mercury leaving a square to Saturn, we see the initiating conflict between the protesters and Mubarak's regime. To give us a better, more thorough understanding of what all Saturn may represent, we can see that it rules the 5th House, which is also the 8th House from the Midheaven, meaning it can signify the wealth of Mubarak, the power of Mubarak, or the death of Mubarak. The Sabian symbol that follows the placement Saturn however is "A Gang Of Robbers In Hiding," which makes me think there are hidden, selfish/greedy forces that could come to power in the midst of the chaos of this revolution. I hope not, but this symbol shows it as a possible obstacle to altruistic reform.
    The aspect that next applies in the chart is the Moon's upcoming sextile to Saturn. The moon is the co-significator of the protesters, and that is especially appropriate to the question at hand because the Moon also signifies the "common people" of a nation. The applying aspect here can indicate a.) bringing a "death" to Mubarak's rule of the country, or even bringing his actual physical death (though I think that is unlikely) b.) that the people will take control of the shared wealth of the country so that it can be redistributed. The Moon is also conjunct fixed star, Antares, which is one of the royal stars and has a positive, beneficent impact on the planet that it touches. It is also associated with violence, freedom from enslavement, and even assassination. The Sabian symbol for the moon's position is "In The Left Section Of An Archaic Temple, A Lamp Burns In A Container Shaped Like A Human Body." I said that Mubarak's physical death is unlikely (meaning I don't think that's ultimately what protesters want, they just want him removed from power) but his death is certainly possible and this sabian symbol does indicate its possibility. The following symbol is, "A Flag Turns Into An Eagle; The Eagle Into A Chanticleer Saluting The Dawn." In other words, the flag (symbolic of nationhood and reference for government) becomes the eagle (symbolic of freedom and transcendence), and then victory is trumpeted by the rooster saluting the "dawning" of a new government.

    The entire reading of this horary is of course complicated in that both the protesters and their enemy (Mubarak) are represented by Mercury, but it is important to note the Sabian symbol of Mercury's position is "By Accepting Defeat Gracefully, A General Reveals Nobility Of Character." The people of Egypt do not seem likely to admit defeat at this point, so if anyone is to admit defeat, I think it will be Mubarak. I hope so, and I hope the transition to a new, fairer government will happen smoothly, although revolution is never easy, and so that's likely asking too much.
    The "end of the matter" is indicated by the 4th from the 11th (11th indicating the "wish" of the protesters) is Libra, ruled by Venus. Venus is in the 4th house of country and home, of ancestral roots, in the sign of Sagittarius, sign of politics, philosophy, and freedom-seeking. Both Venus and Sagittarius are interested in fairness and justice. The Sabian symbol for Venus' position is a beautiful, serene one: "A Bluebird Perched On The Gate Of A Cottage." I've seen this same symbol written as "A Bluebird, a Sign of Good Luck and Happiness, is Standing at The Door of The House."

    There is more that could be said about this horary chart and its meanings, but I'm going to leave it there. I hope the protestors (most of whom seem to be genuinely altruistic and humanitarian in their approach) do get their wish to create a better world for Egypt. I hope in Egypt we soon find a new model of true, just, and fair democracy that works in the best interests of the people and the Earth.

Jan. 28, 2011 An Egyptian anti-government protester kisses a riot cop.

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