We ended Part III with a question: what does all this have to do with believers today? While it’s fair, the question itself needs some rephrasing. Genesis 1:14-15 states the ongoing function—the purpose—of the heavenly bodies. A stated purpose given no indication of an expiration date. With this in mind, the better way to put the above question would be: “Is there any reason to try and read the signs today?” Like I said, better. But that leads to another question, “With the discoveries of “modern” astronomy, is there any validity to Astro-theology, other than providing the correct context for interpreting certain scriptures? The answer to these two questions is “yes”. However, a few reconsiderations have to be taken into account to get there.
“New” Additions
If you noticed it above, Genesis 1:14-15 presumably answers our first question. If the lights in the expanse were markers (signs) given so the times and seasons could be read, and that purpose hasn’t changed, then, quite naturally, there is reason to try and read the signs today. But, like the second question brings into sharp relief, what we know about the sky has changed—it has expanded a great deal since the days of Antiquity. As I’ve already said, we’re no longer bound by the naked (natural) eye. Our observatory and revelatory capacity has increased exponentially and our knowledge of the heavens with it. Copernicus’ discovery that the earth was not the center of the universe reoriented the world. It was quiet for a bit after that. But then, in a procession of centuries, the three outer planets were discovered.
The outer planets—Uranus, Neptune, Pluto—were later discoveries in the astronomical, astrological, and Astro-theological traditions of the world. Each planet was discovered in the last three centuries, respectively: Uranus in the 18th century, Neptune in the 19th century, and Pluto in the 20th century. If we look at each one, we see that Uranus moves through each zodiac sign in 7-year cycles, Neptune in 14-year cycles, and Pluto anywhere from 11.5 – 30.5 years.
Though there is much more that could be said of all these later additions, for our purposes (which will become apparent later), I’d like to hone in on the furthest outlier, the “planet” at the center of recent controversy: Pluto.
Pluto in Focus
As I mentioned above, the Copernican reorientation of the then-known universe from geocentric (earth-centered) to heliocentric (sun-centered) was a drastic departure from orthodoxy in many “ologies” of the time. The peoples of antiquity, all the way up to Copernicus’ day, didn’t consider the earth as part of the standard seven-planet schema. They did however include the sun and moon. What Copernicus’ heliocentric model elucidated was that the sun and moon are not planets. That takes the classical number down from seven to five. If we include our later additions—Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto— into the equation, we get eight. (Obviously, earth is a planet. However, the purpose of the celestial objects was to serve as signs for earth’s inhabitants—a.k.a. us.)
Despite the recent demotion of Pluto from planet to dwarf planet, it is nonetheless considered by many astronomers and astrologers as part of the planetary group.
As it stands, though little else has changed in terms of fixed stars and constellations, when we factor in the later additions, the planetary schematic goes from seven to eight. Not too dramatic of a departure. But is it even a departure at all? Interesting fact: the cosmological structure of the Heavens in antiquity among the major religions (Islam, Judaism, and Christianity) had eight levels, with the eighth considered as the highest realm, which was thought to be invisible. Perhaps it’s just oddly coincidental, but the Greco-Roman equivalent for the name Pluto is Hades or Ades, which means “unseen”… but I digress.
What is both fascinating and puzzling to astronomers and astrologers alike (and would be to modern Astro-theologians, if there are any) is the irregularity of Pluto’s movements. It defies any convenient identification with a standard cycle, a quality that is perhaps reflective of Pluto’s disruptive influence in general (more on this later). Pluto’s zodical revolution can take between 132 – 360 years and it spends, as stated above, anywhere from 11.5 – 30.5 years in a single zodiac sign. The next sign Pluto will be traveling through is Aquarius. It will spend approximately 20 years in this sign, starting on November 20th of this year (2024).
As you can see, Pluto rightly retains a significant role in the cosmos (our solar system, at least), regardless of what Neil DeGrasse-Tyson says—perhaps even in spite of it. What we’ll see in what follows is the fascinating correlations between Pluto, Aquarius, and specific seasons in history.
Pluto in Aquarius
It’s been said that Astrology makes meaning out of cycles. I would amend that statement by saying that Astro-theology observes cycles to understand their meaning. Time is primarily cyclical. The Author of Time made it as such. He also provided “signs” so that the cycles of time could be understood—or at least recognized for what they are. One benefit that we have in the Information Age that prior generations didn’t is access to historical data literally at our fingertips. Among a myriad of other uses, modern technology provides the ability to analyze information from a variety of sources. It also gives individuals open access to the work of “data wranglers” and analysts.
What’s particularly wild about the reality of this Day and Age is how available specific and specialized research is and how wide an array of it actually exists. For example, germane to our interests here is historical data during periods when Pluto was in the zodiac sign Aquarius. You’d think that would be something obscure and hard to come by…maybe even nonexistent. However, a quick internet search and there it is. Lo and behold, a list of the historical events during the periods when Pluto was in Aquarius.
What we come to understand from an examination of past Pluto-Aquarius cycles is that they are periods of reform, innovation, and revolution. Some key events from these past cycles include:
[Note: CE means “Common Era” and has replaced AD “Anno Domini” or “the Year of the Lord”]
- 60 CE: the time of the Boudican Revolt by Celtic Britons against the Roman Empire.
- 305 – 329 CE: the reign of the Roman Emperor, Constantine, which ushered a period of religious tolerance via the Edict of Milan (313 CE).
- 795 – 819 CE: the reign of Charlemagne, initiating a period of lasting socio-political reform and an expansion of cultural activity via the Carolignian Renaissance.
- 1041 – 1063 CE: the Great Schism of 1054, dividing Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox faiths; the invention of movable type printing by the Chinese alchemist Bi Sheng between 1041-1048.
- 1286 – 1308 CE: the end of the Mamluk Dynasty, the Edict of Expulsion by King Edward I expelling Jewish peoples from England, the end of the Singhasari Kingdom, the English invasion of Scotland in 1296 and the ensuring War of Scottish Independence, the establishing of the Ottoman Empire, the advent of manuscript culture, and the invention of eyeglasses.
- 1532 – 1553 CE: the Protestant Reformation, the founding of the Jesuit Order in 1540, the birth of Akbar the Great (1542), Copernicus publishes his theory of a heliocentric universe (1543), the Italian War of 1542-1546.
This list isn’t exhaustive, but it illustrates the correlation between Pluto-Aquarius cycles and periods of cultural transformation.
The most recent Pluto-Aquarius cycle (1777–1798) was also a period of significant change. This 20-year cycle saw the American, French, and Industrial Revolutions; the Northwest Indian War (1785–1795); the discovery of Uranus (1781); and the administration of the first smallpox vaccine by Edward Jenner (1796). Several notable publications evidenced the intellectual revolutionary landscape of the time: Kant’s Critique of Reason (1781), the first published theory of black holes by John Michell (1783), the U.S. Constitution (1787), the Bill of Rights (1789), William Blake’s The Marriage of Heaven and Hell (1790), and Mary Wollstonecraft’s A Vindication of the Rights of Women (1792).
From this brief overview, we can see that the overall pattern of the Pluto-Aquarius cycle consists of upheaval, warfare, revolution, innovation, disruption, and renaissance. What is also notable is the pattern of augmented resistance by Establishments and Institutions against the cyclical rise of innovators, disruptors, revolutionaries, and polymaths in each Pluto-Aquarius period.
Capricorn: Predecessors to Aquarius
Before I get to the Astro-theological, or prophetic significance if you like, of the incoming Pluto-Aquarius cycle, I’d like to point out another observed cycle: I’ve dubbed it “the Capricornian aperture.” In other words, the cycles of Pluto in Capricorn are periods where interventions can be made that affect the proceeding Pluto-Aquarius cycles. Let me explain.
Among other things, the sign of Capricorn is symbolic of mixture. The constellation of Capricorn is said to represent a sea goat, a mythical creature said to be half-goat and half-fish. In short, a hybrid. The cruel irony of Capricorn is that even though its component parts make it a native of two worlds, it’s fit to live in neither. It’s mixed or hybrid state prevents it from operating on either land or sea.
As it pertains to our interests, Capricorn is a symbol of compromise, hypocrisy, and duplicity. It is a sign that things are not what they should be or where they should be. When Pluto is in Capricorn, mixture is exposed, compromise uncovered, hypocrisy revealed, and duplicity laid bare. How that exposure affects the proceeding cycle of Pluto in Aquarius depends on one thing: what response is made to said exposure. How the masses respond to the exposure of mixture within the leadership of Establishments and Institutions is a serious factor. The response of the leaders, Establishments, and Institutions whose mixture is exposed, or to the mixture exposed, is even more serious. Undealt with mixture has a direct impact on the degree to which upheaval, reform, disruption, and revolution is necessary in the Pluto-Aquarius cycle.
Essentially, the Capricornian aperture is the final window of time for the compromised, hypocritical, and duplicitous to repent and change their ways before Pluto enters Aquarius. But why does that matter?
The Water Bearer and the Bowls
As I’ve tried to make clear throughout this short series, Astro-theology, though similar to astrology and astronomy in certain respects, operates from the premise that the cosmos are run by God and the lights in the sky are “signs” to humanity of how the show’s being run and what’s coming up next. It presumes, along with its predecessors, that the constellations are heavenly writ, conveying messages that can, in fact, be read. In that way, it’s prophetic in nature.
In all honesty, I had no clue that Astro-theology even existed a few years ago. I had an openness to the prophetic word and the “things of the spirit’, as they’re called, but little did I know then that I had been unwittingly exposed to reading of the signs. Since that time, I would characterize my trek into Astro-theology as a retrograde motion of sorts. The reason for that is because Aquarius is where it started (albeit unknowingly) and, after a brief, almost backwards journey, it’s where it ended up.
Aquarius is an interesting zodiac sign. The name Aquarius means “water-bearer” or “cup-bearer”. In ancient iconography (drawings), Aquarius is depicted as pouring out the contents of the container he is holding. In Babylonian myths, Aquarius is identified as GU.LA (the Great One), the god Ea himself. In Babylonian artwork, Ea is often portrayed with overflowing vases in his hands or set around his throne dais. The iconography and descriptions of Aquarius, especially his depiction as “the Great One”, paint a fairly clear picture: Aquarius is seated on a throne with containers of liquid set close to him, containers which he pours out. Fairly straightforward. Why is it important? Well, that same picture was in a prophetic vision a few years ago, before I, or the person who saw it, knew anything about any of this.
In March of 2021, one of the team here at My Choice is Life received this vision from the Lord (along with this word):
“The Lord was seated on a white throne; placed next to Him, on either side, I saw two large clear bowls resting on tall marble pedestals. Both were filled with iniquity. As I watched, the Lord extended His hands and dipped His index fingers into the bowls. Then He ran each finger around the rim of the bowls causing a vibration. I heard a loud hum and saw sound waves rippling through the atmosphere, as if He was letting the universe know that judgment was coming.”
A strikingly accurate depiction of Aqaurius, wouldn’t you say? However, like I said, neither of us knew it at the time. It wasn’t until my theological interests and studies exposed me to the realm of Astro-theology, and the scholarship therein, that I later made the connection. A connection which led to other connections which led me back to where I started. And what I’ve discovered so far is that the reason for all that cyclically occurs when Pluto is in Aquarius: upheaval, reform, disruption, and revolution, is because it’s the time when the containers (bowls) that have been filled up during the prior cycles (that is, the periods in other signs) are poured out. That’s why historically, the periods have been marked by great turmoil and also great triumph; destruction and reform; death and resurrection.
A bit unsettling, I agree. However, one thing must be kept in mind: nothing happens the same (that is, the exact) way twice. Time is cyclical. But the variables (people and circumstances) present in each cycle differ. I suppose, after all that, you’re wondering how to navigate the Pluto-Aquarius cycle. How do we benefit from the information received by reading the signs? That’s where Astro-theology comes in. But here’s the rub: if we’re going to read the signs in this Day and Age, we have to be willing to turn off the lights.
Rubbing Sticks Together
The biggest problem modern society faces when it comes to stargazing is called light pollution. Light pollution is the brightening of the night sky caused by street lights and other man-made luminary sources. It has a disruptive effect on natural cycles (circadian rhythm) and inhibits the observation of stars and planets. Unless you live in an unpolluted locale, the awe-inspiring beauty of the starry night sky won’t mean much. Because most of modern society resides in areas that are densely populated, the average individual is inundated with man-made light. As such, the ancient’s regard for the array of celestial objects is predominately misunderstood. We don’t see the significance because we don’t see what they were seeing. To even get a glimpse, I’d personally have to travel several hours to a remote location.
But physical light pollution isn’t the only issue. As I said previously, Astro-theology is a field of biblical scholarship unknown to most, even those with serious theological interests. A large portion reject the concept altogether, chalking it up to either spooky spiritualism or New Age hokum. Some see value in it, but merely as an aside. The only time there is any major emphasis on astronomical events is during solar or lunar eclipses. That’s when all the prophets and prognosticators come out and declare the meaning and significance of said event. All that to say, the same way the heavens are dim and difficult to see because of man-made light, so too is the revelation that the signs of the times are conveying. If it’s true that you’ll never see what you’re unwilling to consider, then it is equally true that you can’t consider what you’re unable to see.
And that is why so many in this Day and Age have misread the signs. They’ve not understood the times. It’s a cruel irony to be surrounded by so much light and yet completely in the dark… but I digress. Whether or not it’s agreed with, Pluto is about to enter Aquarius and usher in an age of disruption. That may be hard to read but it’s the reality nonetheless.
Case in point: the individual mentioned above had another vision recently. The scene was similar:
“The Lord was seated on a white throne; placed next to Him, on either side, were the same two large clear bowls resting on tall marble pedestals. Both were filled with iniquity. As I watched, the Lord was still running each finger around the rim of the bowls causing the vibration to continue. Then, all of a sudden, He stopped. The silence was deafening. The whole universe sat quiet, awaiting what was to come.”
As we have seen above, the Pluto-Aquarius cycle marries archetypal themes of transformation and restoration, nourishment and destruction, death and rebirth. This cycle is bound to bring forward a period of collective changes, as we have seen historically, but the direction of this current is not predetermined. The Pluto-Aquarius cycle could lead to positive social and political reform or it could lead to an intensification of the exact opposite. The direction it goes depends on human choices. But one thing is for certain: judgment begins with the house of God.
I suppose then, the two questions that should be asked when reading the signs are (1) What does this mean? and (2) What should be done in response? While the answers to those questions will evolve as the realities of what lies ahead begin to unfold, preparations can be made. No, I’m not saying to build Doomsday bunkers or anything like that (disclaimer: there are cases, like that of Agabus in Acts 11:28, where prophetic insight was given to prepare the body of Christ for the famine that laid ahead).
What I am saying is that what we read in the signs—good, bad, or ugly—is meant to not only inform us of what is to come, or what may already be happening, but also to remind us that the One who sits on the Throne still controls the “times and the seasons, and he deposes kings and he sets up kings; gives wisdom to wise men and knowledge to men who know understanding; reveals the deep and the hidden things; knows what is in the darkness, and the light dwells with him.” (Daniel 2:21-22 LEB)
All that is set to occur in the Pluto-Aquarius cycle: upheaval, disruption, reform, revolution, and renaissance is going to happen whether we like it or not. So then, the best thing we can do is to accept this reality so that we can partner with the Lord in bringing about His will rather than resisting it. Because if we don’t, if we ignore the signs of the times, we may find ourselves on the wrong side of history.