A Revised Definition of the Solar System ~ 24 August 2006

I knew it. I knew it the first time I went to Lowell Observatory (the place where Pluto was first photographed) and the docent described Pluto as a scrap heap of a planet. I knew it when the counter resolution to accepting more planets began circulating. I knew it last night. I tossed and turned throughout the night responding psychically to the passage of the IAU resolution. I knew it when violent monsoon thunderstorms pelted rain and lightning to the ground all morning long. I didn’t even have to go online.

While I am also disappointed in the new model of our solar system, I am going after the Pluto near the Galactic Center high road of reaction. Finally, we have a revised definition of terms for our solar system and its components that can grow with future astronomical discoveries. (To read the approved proposal: http://www.iau2006.org/mirror/www.iau.org/NEWS.55.0.html). Now, we as astrologers, users of astrology or those who visit astrologers might not agree with the terms defined. That’s not important. What is important is that astrologers grow into the new working model in a way that synchronizes with the findings. I have to suspect many astronomers are waiting for astrologers to rebuff and deny the ruling (and how arrogant to assume that human words presumably affect the order and nature of the cosmos). Should astrologers adamantly contend that Pluto is still a planet, be advised that such action would confirm another concept with which astrologers have argued for years. Many moons ago in San Diego, Francoise Gauquelin contended that Jupiter was more prominent, per Gauquelin sectors, than the coveted Uranus in horoscopes of astrologers. At that point, astrologers grumbled and mumbled, demanding Uranus is the ruling planet of astrology, while being arrogant and married to a presupposition as only Jupiter can.

Should astrologers defiantly define Pluto as a planet, those of science will further ridicule our ways, noting that we are stuck in the thinking of the Middle Ages. On that, they would be right.

So, let us agree. Pluto is a dwarf planet by new definitions. So then would be Ceres, Charon, UB313 and Sedna. We might as well expand the category to what we know it now contains within application of new terms. Figure on now including Varuna, Quaoar, Orcus, 55565, 55636, UB313, EL61, FY9, and back closer to the Sun, Vesta, Pallas and Hygeia. That’s too much you say? Come on. Consider the inclusion of new variables you’ve added to your life since the discovery of the first Kuiper Belt Object in 1992. The Internet and all its offspring flood our lives with applications for knowledge and insight. How can we disavow such a presence? We have tiny little cell phones, PDA’s, I-Pods, cameras in everything from computer monitors to cell phones and neatly positioned spy teddy bears. Suffice it to say, each of these bodies contributes a remedy of coping with the increasing demands of life and the stimulation of technology.

Centaurs, essentially Kuiper Belt Objects, now number sixty-one. Each offers a healing modality for coping with the increased radiation and social disarray of all of the above. Each centaur demands we get back in our bodies and deal with others as souls inside bodies instead of as a whiff of an avatar on a distant computer somewhere. Since astronomers have reinstated the “size matters” (and also roundness matters) principle, and given that other centaurs exceed the widely used Chiron in size, astrological usage of God’s gifts to our solar system appears ignore-ant. Ignore-ance is a concept abhorred by the Galactic Center. Include all of the solar system in wise usage. Given that the dinky Pluto is there and included. Listen up.

So, astrologers using Chiron, following a track of logic, greatly benefit their work and others by including at least the fifteen named centaurs. Similarly, those astrologers using Pluto gain benefit from including the four largest asteroids - contenders for dwarf planet status - and the TNO’s listed above.

The news reports the precise meaning of the astrological import of this redefinition. Captives being treated kindly by terrorists (the Fox news crew currently and previously Jill Carroll). The war in Iraq has nothing to do with terrorism according to a public poll. There’s so much more and many astrologers will post extensively on this. I prefer to focus on now what do we do as astrologers. Here are my proposals:

Last weekend while doing a workshop on the TNO’s with emphasis on Charon, UB313 and Sedna, a term slipped out of my mouth that I am going to coin and propagate as an archetype. Many, if not all of the dwarf planets, especially the plutonian ones (not sure if that’s capitalized or not) create a category of astrological influences to be called EIO’s - Evolutionary Intensified Objects. Evolutionary suggests that emotional and spiritual crisis induced by the presence and passage of these bodies intends to enhance the insight, inspiration, creativity and consciousness of a person on Earth and through events on Earth containing these bodies in significant locations.

Consider the classical planets - by today’s terms including Uranus and Neptune - to be subjects and predicates of the horoscope(s). The dwarf planets submit critical flavoring in the context of strong modifying adjectives and adverbs.

I propose astrologers actively use all the dwarf planets until we come to clear understanding of the influences they render. I suggest doing so by conjunction (and possibly opposition), applying them with tight orbs, less than a degree and a half. I suggest we ask clients, friends and family how they feel about the natal body being stimulated by these new influences without attempting to bias or lead them with our assumptions of the new body’s meaning.

Based upon a conversation I had with Robert Hand last year, I suggest we revert to classical astrological rulerships only. Now, the astronomers have termed Uranus and Neptune classical, but here I’m suggesting only the planets that can be seen by the naked eye. True, Uranus can be seen at times and I have a suggestion for that, which came to me in the middle of the night just passed. I am not quite ready to bring that forward. It’s going to require some testing.

I appeal to astrologers to recognize that since 1999 the body known as Transpluto (available in most astrological software packages) is considered to be hypothetical. In 1999 a refinement of the orbit of Uranus found errors, which eliminates the presence of this body as previously calculated. In fact, based upon this correction, astronomers realize that Clyde Tombaugh, discovering astronomer of Pluto, was looking in the wrong place! Pluto’s discovery happened by pure serendipity or synchronicity if you prefer.

To assist your studies, Astrolabe created a patch for Solar Fire 6 such that you can easily include all the dwarf planets in one simple swoop and chart wheel. If you don’t have Solar Fire or version 6 of Solar Fire, I’d be happy to be the source of your upgrade (or you can go to www.alabe.com).

So here we are. Please do not be one of the astrologers insisting to terms other than the ones the world tentatively now embraces. End the alienation. Begin the evolution. Let us link our spiritual science with the definitions of mundane science. It’s not that hard really. And if we can do that, just think! We might be the sources of inspiration for the entire world to get along better.

Now, as we go, a lot is going to be astrologically revealed. I shall be light on speculations in GT’s for a while and on forums. I shall be compiling a chapter or three discourse that will be added to the Galactic Trilogy CD. All previous buyers will be sent that writing and all technical data to support dwarf planet interpretations as I can get to it. It’s going to take a few weeks, so be patient. Finally, I shall post the lead chapter to the new definition on my website when complete.

To quote my favorite newscaster, Keith Olbermann, “Good night and good luck.” And may I add, “God bless your spirit, Clyde Tombaugh.”