Lee Kuan Yew, the statesman who transformed
Singapore from a small port city into a wealthy global hub, has died at the age
of 91. The city-state's prime minister for 31 years, he was widely respected as
the architect of Singapore's prosperity. But he was criticised for his iron
grip on power. Under him freedom of speech was tightly restricted and political
opponents were targeted by the courts. A state funeral will be held on 29
March, after a week of mourning. March 23; http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-32012346
This is a
prominent example of a Solar Eclipse at work. Shown here is the chart for the
March 20 total Solar Eclipse at
Singapore. Notice that it falls on the cusp of the eighth house. About this placement, H.S. Green in his book
Mundane or National Astrology writes [2]:
Eclipse in the Eighth House
Unfortunate for the Monarch and
Government. If a solar eclipse, death of some person eminent in the state,
among Royalty, nobility or statesmen.
Lee Kuan was
born 16 Sept. 1923; 9:07 am Singapore [1]. Transit Saturn [4sa] is conjunct his
natal Moon [3sa] and in the eclipse chart both these are prominently placed on
the IC square Neptune on the descendant. Neptune [8pi] and the descendant [3pi]
are conjunct the Chinese asterism Wei
linked to death while Saturn, the planet most connected to leaders and
politicians, is conjunct stars of the
strong man Hercules so that the combination is among other things referring to
the death of a strong leader. For the stars in the area conjunct 4 Sagittarius,
Diana Rosenberg writes:
The heads of both Wild Beast Lupus and
Scorpius, together with the writhing Serpent in the left hand of shaman Ophiuchus
are here…. Clever, shrewd, resourceful, independent, highly original and
ingenious, those here have a distinct need to be different, to think for
themselves, uncaring or unheeding of what others think. …There is some
connection here with maritime matters. Prince Henry the Navigator (Uranus here)
and Peter the Great (Moon) were both obsessed with ships. Hercules/Herakles may
have derived from Melkarth, a Phoenician sea-god. (Note: Singapore is positioned
strategically on important sea routes, so that maritime activity has
contributed substantially to its progress.)
Ophiuchus is
the shaman-magician who was able to restore the dead to life . In other words
this constellation is about renewing, repairing and refurbishing people or situations who suffer ill health or general
deterioration of circumstances. Lee Kuan did just that. He is respected as the
architect of Singapore's prosperity having
converted it from a small port city to a bustling metropolis.
One of the
prominent stars at 4 Sagittarius is Yed Posterior, epsilon Ophiuchus. In an
ancient Euphratean Tablet it is referred to as a star of Mulu-bat, “The Man of Death” associating it directly with death. In
Medical Astrology, Saturn-Neptune has a
well known connection with respiratory illnesses [3]. The news report states that Lee Kuan died of
complications from pneumonia.
This gives us
a clue to a deeper interpretation of the Saturn-Neptune square in the present
context. With Saturn-Neptune it is
necessary to make certain that responsibilities, hard work etc. are not
violating our need for retreat, quiet and general relaxation. The corrosive
power of oceanic Neptune can seep
through walls of self-control and iron-wills that seek to keep the ocean of
life out. But life will not be cheated and Neptune dissolves the strongest
resistance that Saturnian walls can offer.
Resonating
with this theme is the Sabian symbol for Pluto [15cp20] in the eclipse chart.
Phase 286: School Grounds Filled with
Boys and Girls in Gymnasium Suits.
Keynote: The
need for play and relaxation. Under the pressure of duties, rules and
regulations adults often forget this. The symbol reminds us of the need for
enjoyment, the need to respect primal and instinctive life without too many do’s
and don’ts.
In the
previous post we saw that this eclipse is pointing to the need to end old
paradigms. Perhaps Lee Kuan represented one of those old paradigms in which
life is all about duties and responsibilities and an iron-will control. A more healthy balance between
duties and the need for enjoyment is what is perhaps required now.
[2] Mundane
or National Astrology; H.S. Green (p.103)
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