Recent “mostly peaceful” protests—spectacular and frightening as they are with burning buildings and looting—are not unique in America’s history. Born during a violent revolution, the U.S. seems to carry the genes of civil disorders, and this is reflected in its astrological chart. During stressful aspects of Pluto to the Ascendant in the U.S. chart, the nation periodically undergoes a national identity crisis usually accompanied by a dramatic rise in violence.

Pluto’s Aspects to the U.S. Ascendant

In the U.S. astrological chart, Ascendant, which stands for the nation as a whole and the national identity in particular, forms stressful aspects to Ceres (low-wage laborers), Mercury (business, and the stock market) and Pluto (military-industrial complex and financial institutions). Every time transiting Pluto forms a stressful aspect to the U.S. Ascendant, this also affects Mercury, Ceres and Pluto there. These transits of Pluto occur once every 20-40 years and always mark a national identity crisis. This crisis usually includes a war or a violent civil unrest, frequently both. 

The 1960s Civil Rights Movement

The Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s as well as the Vietnam War coincided with Pluto forming a square (90°) to the U.S. Ascendant. At about the same time, the U.S. Ascendant also received squares from Saturn, Chiron and Uranus. Under the influence of these four heavenly bodies, America underwent an identity crisis changing its identity from a society of racial segregation into a nation of racial equality. Well, at least in principle. In reality, a great many of the American Blacks, perhaps most of them, still live in poverty with practically no possibility of upward social mobility. 

The 1980s National Identity Crisis

The 1980s national identity crisis took place in 1980-83 during Pluto’s semi-square to the U.S. Ascendant. During the Reaganomics, the U.S. regained its confidence as a superpower, entered the computer era and underwent an unprecedented economic growth. Unfortunately, this dramatically increased the financial inequality. The American poor became poorer which disproportionately affected the Blacks and Hyspanics. Besides, thousands of mentally ill were released on the streets, and the U.S. homeless population has been growing ever since.

The 2000s National Identity Crisis

This national identity crisis took place in 1998-2001 during Pluto’s square to the U. S. Ascendant and its semi-square (45°) to the U.S. Pluto. It was the time of President Clinton’s sex scandal and impeachment, disputed Presidential election of 2000, and the tragedy of September 11. Meanwhile, many of the U.S. industries were outsourced, and China began to compete with the U.S. as a leading economic superpower. America realized that it was no longer all-powerful, but vulnerable to terrorists, economic crises and government corruption just as all other nations on earth. Even though the U.S. had accumulated great wealth, the income inequality grew even greater, which once again affected the poor, including many if not most people of color as well as Hyspanics. Meanwhile, following the economic recession of 2000-01, the homeless population grew dramatically, which negatively affected the U.S. inner cities. 

The 2020s National Identity Crisis

The current identity crisis came into effect with Pluto’s semi-square to the U.S. Ascendant in February 2019 and will continue until Pluto last conjunction to the U.S. Pluto in December 2023. Like most identity crises in the U.S. history, this crisis is accompanied by street violence, and a likelihood of the U.S. involvement in another wars is very high.

Regardless of who wins the election, the current identity crisis will accomplish for the people of color and Hispanics, as well as for all the homeless, poor and undocumented, at least some of what the national identity crisis of the 1960s failed to achieve: economic, educational and healthcare opportunities as well as personal safety equal to those enjoyed by the rest of the Americans. 

Mass Protests in 2020-23

The current “mostly peaceful” protests are far from over. The level of violence may rise again in mid-July and stay elevated through November. The protests will continue flaring up from time to time through January 2023. To read more, log on “Mostly Peaceful” Protests: An Astrological Forecast. As has been the case in many instances of social unrest in our history, counter protests to the Black Lives Matter of equal or even greater intensity may also occur. In spite of the violence that we—some terrified, others inspired—watch on our TV screens and social media, these protests will not affect the vast majority of my readers. There will NOT be a bloody revolution. Well, at least not in the United States. For more information, log on Revolution or a Show to be posted in a few days.

The World Renewed

We are living through the beginning of the new Saturn/Pluto cycle (2020-53). It has started with Saturn/Pluto conjunction on January 13, 2020. The “mostly peaceful” protests and pandemic are just the birth pains of this new cycle. Once the initial crisis is over in 2022, expect dramatic and positive transformations worldwide. In spite of the pandemic and street violence—or maybe because of them—this conjunction will renew our world. Those with the Sun, Moon or the Ascendant from 22° through 28° of Capricorn, Aries, Cancer and/or Libra, and/or from 7° through 13° of Sagittarius, Pisces, Gemini and/or Virgo will be affected the most. To read about how an astrological analysis can help you to adapt to these positive, inevitable and irreversible changes, log on Astrological Consulting.

On a Positive Note

During this crisis, the shortsighted oligarchs that rule the world today through campaign contributions and lobbying will be replaced by other oligarchs with a vision, and the U.S. and the rest of the world will become more prosperous, just, and plain happy under harmonious Neptune/Pluto sextile in 2022-35. To read more, log on Bright New World in 2022-35.