Mavericks - September 10, 2008


There’s a new, recently reported maverick body in space. It’s absolutely fascinating that while John McCain and Sarah Palin pounded the word “maverick” to death, astronomers revealed to the world 2008 KV42. This body is a Scattered Disk Object in the Kuiper Belt also recognized to be a comet. KV42 maintains a well above average eccentricity, 0.56. It’s most significant maverick-making factor is the inclination. To the plane of the ecliptic it angles 103 degrees. This means, that like the other planet with an inclination of more than 90 degrees, Uranus, KV42 moves in the opposite direction of the other planets. This is better than life imitating art; this is politics demonstrating it cannot get away from prescribing to planetary influences. Nor can we as individuals.


Many astrologers wax on about the Saturn-Uranus opposition during the U. S. Presidential election and its revolting nature. No matter what happens in the election, this pattern has a clear manifestation. If McCain-Palin wins, we have the first woman to hold one of the two top elected positions in the United States, both individuals claiming to be mavericks. Should Obama-Biden win, we have the first non-Caucasian President in history and a man running on the change ticket. The cosmos will soon enough signal its view of how this aspect should play out.


But let’s consider, especially with all the goings on, the exact nature of each of the maverick bodies in our solar system, and more for our personal purposes. There are three clear contenders, Uranus, Chiron and 2008 KV42.


With his appearance in collective awareness, Uranus brings many interesting considerations. Given that Saturn, the outermost planet in the solar system, represented the outer boundary of one’s effectiveness, would it not be true that the most-distant planet known in the solar system should carry that interpretation? When Uranus came to our knowledge it’s orbital extremes were not immediately known. In fact, it was as recent as 1999 that a correction to its orbit was assessed. Herschel, experimenting with different alloys to apply to reflective telescope surfaces, discovered Uranus as a result of his optical curiosity. The discovery of Uranus caused quite an astronomical revolt and inflamed international scientific hostility. Uranus holds a tilt (inclination) of 98° and revolves contrary to the other planets. Even the naming process was difficult. The Brits wanted something to honor King George and the French fought for Neptune. Others figured it should be named for the discoverer, but finally more traditional naming applied and Uranus, god of the sky, became something everyone accepted, whether thrilled about it or not.


Uranus is the third of four gaseous giants and lesser in relative gravitational influence than the others. Like Jupiter and Saturn (maybe Neptune) he has rings. His orbit, like Saturn’s, divides into tidy seven year increments. He was the first of the maverick bodies discovered. His discovery fractured the seven planet solar system held as the consensus belief system since ancient times. While known as an eccentric planet, Pluto, Eris, Ceto, Sedna and 2008 KV42 far exceed the non distinguished eccentricity of Uranus. To literally apply his orbital factors, he is highly inclined (highly inclined to...) but not so eccentric. One online astronomical look up of Uranus describes him as a nihilist in golf pants. They got the astrology right, though ironically not supported by the orbit.


For more than two centuries Uranus bore the maverick label alone. Then came Chiron. Discovered in 1977, Chiron fit no known astronomical grouping. Immediately the discovering astronomers referred to the body as a maverick and sought better labels. Descriptors like planetoid mercifully faded to centaur. Centaur was a fitting description. Chiron was not a planet, not an asteroid, so fitting no category, an amalgam image of human and horse was chosen - part of both, but not exactly either. Some of that assessment came from the mythology. Chiron was the bastard son of Saturn and thus the grandson of Uranus. Chiron’s orbital path occurs in between those of Saturn and Uranus, a perfect genetic fit. Thus, astrologers created the assignment that Chiron should bridge the classical inner realm of the solar system with the relatively new to our awareness outer solar system. Now we perceive Chiron as a Kuiper Belt Object relocated (as are the other centaurs) by the gravitational perturbations of the gaseous giants at the edge of the solar system, a comet and of course, the flagship of the centaurian fleet.


And now we have the new critter 2008 KV42. This is a Kuiper Belt Object of scattered disk criteria and a comet. The orbital elements are new, raw and subject to change. We can be confident that its north node is 21 Sagittarius 01 and we know that it occupies 6 Sagittarius 38 as of September 11. Since this body’s orbit is bending over backward to share its view of the solar system, what if we assess personal applications of these three contrarians in the interest of supporting individuality for all persons?


Uranus - While know for being a major rule breaker, Uranus moves the perimeter of access in life a bit farther out. He forces a person to go beyond known limits and in so doing gain additional wisdom. Part of his process asks that one come up with innovations to apply to known devices, concepts and insights. Herschel cultivated a new reflective surface. When Uranus crossed the Galactic Center back in the late 80's, engineers experimented with propellers on the back end of jet engines - actually two propellers that rotated in opposite directions. While this did not stick, the experiment led to refinement of existing jet engines. Refine, upgrade and improve all known “stable” conditions in life. Uranus refers to a fixed sign - Aquarius. Be aware of the tendency to be contrary and rebellious just for the sake of preserving that reputation. Stasis might be unhealthy. Heed the I-Ching that reminds us that revolution must be timely, well-prepared, thoughtful, wise, experience applied and serving the higher good. So too, with any change installed in one’s personal life.


Chiron - Truly his bridging aspect between Saturn and Uranus is the biggest deal. Chiron knows that one can get wounded by staying in the past and also jumping with foolish zeal into the unknown. He insists upon honoring Saturn by keeping in place any tradition, method or consciousness that maintains viability and merit in the present. All ideas that no longer work to support one’s agenda of evolution require an infusion of new, innovative, potentially eccentric but sky shattering realizations. With a foot in each world, Chiron offers the present step and the next step after that on an ongoing basis. Every day, per Chiron’s best prescription, the steps taken stand a measure closer to the goal.


2008 KV42 - This curious anomaly, like Uranus, revolves around the Sun in a direction opposite most the other bodies out there (there may be some others we do not know about yet). Thus this body is truly revolutionary and holds the record for the most extreme view (inclination known). This object’s eccentricity is well above the norm and by comparative standards, really out there. The process is much like rolling over backward on a Pilate ball to change point of view and locate new insights. The Sag node notes that a clearly defined doctrine remaining response to new insight and every-changing creates evolutionary propellant that will not fail. Essentially, reviewing and repositing one’s view of life every single day, allows a seeker to go the extra mile with confidence that it is bias free, inclusive and dimension bridging. KV42 requires clear thinking that extends far beyond the moment into all of the possibilities of the future. It seems to confirm the need for creative and critical thinking.


Yeah, why didn’t Uranus take on the keywords of Saturn upon discovery? You reckon he just wasn’t so inclined? Never mind that, there’s still a data point review to apply to today’s information to perfect the course for tomorrow.