Aug.24, 2006

This is a sad day for astrology and Pluto lovers everywhere. Pluto, ninth planet from the Sun, ruler of Scorpio, and king of the Underworld has been voted out of major planet status by a group of astronomers at the international Prague summit.

The original definition proposed by a comittee of the IAU, if passed, would have preserved Pluto's status as a major planet as well as incorporated Ceres and 2003 UB313(Xena), and possibly a large number of other bodies.

This did not go well with a number of astronomers who wished to retain the exclusivity of the planet club by limiting its members to the "classical" planets, of which there are presently eight. This group has succeeded in convincing the IAU panel to modify its definition. The problem is that only a small fraction(424) of the over 2500 astronomers who were eligible to vote showed up and did so, and most were of the ant-Pluto camp.

The principle modification was that in addition to being round and having an independant orbit round the sun, a planet would have to be by far the dominant body in its region sweeping up any or all matter around it, and by this definition, Pluto supposedly failed.

Alan Stern, a leading astronomer, feels the modified definition is still fundamentally flawed, and is leading a campaign to reinstate Pluto under the original definition presented by the IAU.

Astrologers have another definition altogether, which goes beyond the purely material criteria of the astronomers.

To astrologers, a "planet" is any body in the heavens which appears to move against the starry background and which is endowed with major astrological influence or power. "Planet" is a Greek word meaning "wanderer", and from ancient times the wanderers or traditional seven were: Sun, Moon, Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn. Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto were discovered through telescopes in modern times and adopted as additional planets by both astronomers and astrologers.

Just because we cannot see the outermost planets with the naked eye does not invalidate them. The invisible(to normal sight) planets are the "psychic planets", and reflect parts of us that are still largely dormant and must eventually be reawakened. Most humans, at present, are a sickly bunch who have lost their supersensory capabilities and who must therefore use "technical" or scientific means to observe such bodies. When your psychic senses are developed you can actualy train yourself to see Uranus and Neptune and Pluto and whatever else constitutes our solar system.

Our beloved Pluto has proven itself over time and is definitely a true major planet or influence, and so perhaps is Eris. I am saddened by the decision of astronomers to demote these bodies to "dwarf" or minor planet status, and can understand their reasoning, but it will not change my view, at least for Pluto. Pluto will always remain a major planet for me, regardless of what the astronomers say, and I will continue to use it as such.

There is a great gulf between astronomy and astrology which needs to be bridged. Astrology and astronomy once worked together in harmony. It's only in the last few hundred years that they've grown apart. Astronomy has become too materialistic and scientific and has divorced itself from its female, spiritual, and esoteric half(astrology). Pluto is actually a female essence despite it being named after a male god, and does much to empower the female cause. It appears that patriarchy is still in control of this world.

The decision to demote Pluto may not be permanent however. Astronomy is currently in a great state of change. I expect a public outcry against those responsible for this grave injustice against Pluto. We have gone backwards rather than forwards. Pluto's loss has set time back to the late 1800's and early 1900's, when the planet was still unknown. In one day, a small group of astronomers, who in my view do not represent the general consensus, have trashed 76 years of Pluto-related culture and history. All Scorpios or the Pluto-ruled should be furious at this decision. The IAU has caved in to the lizards. The voting appears to have been hijacked, and astronomer Mike Brown has done a 180 degree turn and turned his back on Pluto and Eris. It remains up to astrologers and the general public to take a stand and bring Pluto back into the fold. Let's demote the anti-Pluto astronomers!