Tuesday, October 16, 2007

Holding On For A Hero

In spite of telling myself to forget about US politics I haven't yet managed to do so. It's in the air, part of the atmosphere, you can't surf the net, watch TV or pick up a newspaper without bumping into it. So, for a little longer I'll have to put up with Political Frustration Station. Dang! I blame my relocated Aquarius ascendant!

What the USA needs, we often remark, here at Chez Twilight, is a hero - or more accurately a heroic leader. The country is in the Slough of Despond these days. Nothing seems to raise many Americans from their gloomy outlook - even a Nobel Peace Prize for one of their own. A good proportion of them immediately seeks to discredit the recipient, list his shortcomings, and identify failings. So he's not the one. A heroic leader must be lauded by a much greater majority.

What would we look for in the astrology of such a leader? I'm tempted to say that astrology would come second - we'd first be hit between the eyes by his/her charisma. We wouldn't need to search astrological charts to find someone with potential - it would be staring us in the face. What might the chart of such a being contain though?

The classic answer would be a good dose of Leo to attract attention, but I don't think Leo alone equals charisma. Leo provides the vehicle to show it off - that's all. The rest of the ingredients must come from some magical mix of planets, signs and aspects in the natal chart which somehow connect with the communal mindset and needs of a particular time or era.

On the resume of a heroic leader in any era we'd hope to find evidence of vision (Aquarius), passion(Scorpio), discipline(Saturn), persistence (Fixed signs), good judgement and decisiveness (not sure, Cardinal signs and a combination of many factors?) He'd need to be empathetic(Water signs), a team builder(Air signs), and though an extrovert to the public(Leo), have the ability to be introspective also(12th house). Above all - top of my own list - strength and integrity(not sure how that would show - a well configured and balanced chart with appropriate planets close to the angles?)

In the current era of despondency the communal mindset here is most likely focused on truth and integrity, first and foremost. The more politically savvy amongst us could no doubt identify some of the above characteristics in one or more of the current presidential candidates. Those less interested in politics though need to be hit between the eyes before they respond, and that just isn't happening as far as I can see.

No truly obvious heroic leader stands before us now. Perhaps one might evolve from present options, given time. Or perhaps the time isn't yet ripe for one of my favourite sayings to materialise "Cometh the hour, cometh the man". Maybe the hour has not yet cometh.

Where have all the good men gone
And where are all the gods?
Where's the street-wise Hercules
To fight the rising odds?
Isn't there a white knight upon a fiery steed?
Late at night I toss and turn and dream
of what I need

I need a hero
I'm holding out for a hero 'til the end of the night
He's gotta be strong
And he's gotta be fast
And he's gotta be fresh from the fight
I need a hero
I'm holding out for a hero 'til the morning light
He's gotta be sure
And it's gotta be soon
And he's gotta be larger than life....................

(From "Holding Out For a Hero". Lyrics by Jim Steinman and Dean Pitchford)

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