Skanda-Neptune and the BP Oil Spill

Sometimes a picture is worth a thousand words, and sometimes a picture inspires a thousand words -- as in the case of this post. The above video still of an oil plume rushing out of the ocean floor not only captures the source of our current oilapocalype, but also may suggest an energetic source based on astrological aspects. When I saw the name of the deep sea equipment monitoring the BP oil spill, I couldn't believe my eyes: MSV Skandi-Neptune.



Skanda is one of the many names of the deity associated with the planet Mars. It is described as having six heads, like the MSV Skandi-Neptune that offers multiple feeds and views of the leaking oil. In Sanskrit "skanda" means "that which is spilled or oozed," primarily referring to semen, but as Mars also rules tools, weapons, machines and their usage oil does seem related as well. Another name for Mars is Kuja, or Bhumija, "the one born from the Earth." Representing the hidden flame in matter, substances like coal, gas, and oil are seen as his energy manifested in Earth form.



As I indicated in previous posts the malefic red planet was been aspecting Neptune, the modern indicator of oil, since Neptune re-entered Aquarius on December 8, 2009. Mars will continue to cast a furtive glance at the gas giant until it enters Libra on September 6, 2010. On the day of the initial explosion on the Deepsea Horizon Oil rig, Neptune was in an exact exchange with the planet of sudden shifts, Uranus and a debilitated Mars in Cancer aspected the parvartana pair in an 8th aspect. In Vedic astrology Mars is said to make aspects to the houses that are 6, 7, and 8 from it, thus a 150 degree angle (or quincunx in Western astrology) , a 180 degree angle of opposition, and 210 degree waning quinqunx. A direct Mars will make aspects to first to the 8th house creating a tranforming event, then it aspects the 7th house revealing the reaction of the other, and then and finally it aspects the 6th house giving a healing solution. The 6,7,8 aspects of Mars are very similar to David Icke's problem-reaction-solution scenarios or Hegelian Dialectic. Its eight aspect to Neptune triggered a transforming event and catastrophe on a generational scale.

In late May Mars completed its intense eight-month journey through its sign of debilitation revealing among many things our own disabling addiction to oil energy. It entered the sign of Leo opposite the ruler of oil, Neptune in Aquarius, in a 7th aspect. The 7th aspect effects relationship and partnership. Since this time the world has been focused on who is responsible for this mess, and leaders such as President Obama and the CEOs of BP have been feeling the heat. President Obama has natal Mars in Leo at 29 degrees. This gandanta Mars is associated with three explosive malefics in his natal 8th house: Uranus, Rahu, and Pluto and as transiting Mars has hit those planets at 1, 3, and 13 degrees the heat has increased. Mars will make a return to his natal Mars on July 19, 2010, a week after the full Solar Eclipse on July 11, 2010. This will not be an easy week for the President, and we can expect fireworks at this time.

Mars enters Virgo on July 20, 2010 aspecting Neptune from a 6 position. The 6th aspect is related to health and service, so we start to see new stories about the toxic effect of oil on our health. Already stories are surfacing warning pregnant women to avoid the gulf, plans for evacuation of large numbers of gulf residents, and oil-soaked rains. Mars will conjoin Saturn in Virgo on July 31, 2010 at 6 degrees Virgo in exact opposition to Uranus at 6 degrees Pisces conjoined Jupiter and the Moon. The public (moon) will demand new and perhaps revolutionary (Uranus) answers to heal (Jupiter) the earth.

My guess is there will not be any real solution until Mars enters Libra on September 6, 2010 as it will no longer be aspecting Neptune. However it will be aspecting Uranus which is in exchange with Neptune, so its negative and exasperating effects may still be felt until Mars enters Scorpio on October 19, 2010. But as the rising sign in the event chart for the BP oil spill occurs in Scorpio in the 17th nakshatra Anuradha, and President Obama's inaugural chart has an 8th house Scorpio moon also in the 17th nakshatra within 3 degrees of the BP Oil spill ascendant, Mars in Scorpio may not be great either. It seem Mars could trigger more difficulty for the US, its leader, and the Gulf. Mars shifts into Sagittarius on November 30, 2010 and begins to line up with the next eclipse period. Thus Mars will be a key astrological player in this cosmic drama until the end of the year.

Last weekend I attended a Vedic astrology conference in which the world-famous astrologer Gayatri Devi Vasudev spoke about world and US predictions. She was concerned about the full lunar eclipse occurring on the Winter Solstice on December 21, 2010. Although I use a different US chart (Scorpionic America chart), I share her concern about the eclipse which also involves Mars in Sagittarius. Mars in the nakshatra of Purva Ashada conjoins Pluto, Rahu, Sun, and Mercury all in Mula during this eclipse. Mula is one of the most violent nakshatras as it is ruled by the goddess of destruction and calamities, Nirriti. In the Scorpionic America chart Mars is natally placed in the 11th house at 21 degrees Sagittarius with the south node Ketu at 20 degrees Sagittarius; and on the day of this lunar eclipse Mars will be at 16 degrees Sagittarius as it approaches the US natal Mars at 21 degrees. This could indicate a highly charged event that may effect the leader (Sun), business and group organizations (11th house) and institutes of learning (Mercury).

In addition Venus will be rising over Washington DC in the sign of Libra and constellation of Swati at the moment of the eclipse. Usually Venus in its own sign in the 1st house is considered very benefic, but it will be in the morningstar position. As I have discussed in previous posts Venus morningstar was viewed by many ancient cultures as harbinger of illness and death. Even modern research suggests a link between pandemics and her morningstar position combined with sunspot activity, which is likely to be high this fall. Swati is ruled by the deity Vayu, the god of wind, air, breath, and prana. It gives the power to scatter like the wind, pradhvamsa shakti. Thus the main elements involved with this eclipse are wind and fire, perhaps solar winds. We may have to take a deep breath to deal with the winds of change that may occur at the Winter solstice. Practice your wind-pacifying techniques like pranayama and mantra, and protect your lungs and immune system from scattered wind that can bring febrile disease with Vitamin D and other immune builders.

Namaste!