Rodgers and Hammerstein – Words & Music

Rogers and Hammerstein teamed up at the time of Broadway’s and Hollywood’s Golden Age of Musicals and garnered 34 Tony Awards, fifteen Academy Awards, the Pulitzer Prize, and two Grammy Awards. Among their collaborations are many world-renowned songs including Oh, What a Beautiful Mornin’, People Will Say We’re in Love, and Oklahoma!, 1 the featured song in the team’s first project of the same name; If I Loved You and You’ll Never Walk Alone from Carousel; Some Enchanted Evening from South Pacific; Getting to Know You and Shall We Dance from The King and I; and Climb Ev’ry Mountain, The Sound of Music, Do-Re-Mi, and Edelweiss2 from the film, The Sound of Music.

Richard Rodgers created melodies for the lyrics of Oscar Hammerstein. The lyrics were imbued with contemporary messages that crossed racial and religious divides during a time when America was struggling with its identity. South Pacific and The King and I were written about cross-cultural and ethnic differences pointing to the conclusion that there are ultimately no barriers too vast that can’t be overcome with love. Carousel grappled with the forces of good and evil and showed the way to the redemption of the soul if only one faced the error of their ways head-on. The Sound of Music was based on the real-life drama and trauma of a performing, musical family’s escape through the Austrian Alps when caught in the clutches of WWII.

Although meeting and briefly working together years earlier, the two talented men began their steady collaboration in 1943 when they produced their first Broadway hit that later became the Pulitzer Prize-winning Hollywood film, Oklahoma! The musical was inspired by the emotional depth and psychological complexity of the book and play, Green Grow the Lilacs, by Lynn Riggs. Frank Sinatra was the first choice for the leading role, but he left the film because of the necessity to shoot each scene twice in order to accommodate the addition of the new widescreen Todd-AO mm process. Shirley Jones then called in her friend and fellow actor Gordan MacRae to fill the role. This led to their teaming up again a year later for the filming of Carousel.

A Brief Comparison of Charts

Synastry, also known as chart comparison, begins its analysis with the identification of any planet/s in one chart located at the same degree of the zodiac or exactly opposite any of those in the complementary chart. The orb allowance should be kept as close to one-degree of separation as possible. To validate an active Crosstie over one-degree, it is helpful to note whether reality reflects evidence of meaningful interaction between the two individuals. Hammerstein’s Neptune is opposite Rogers’ Uranus with over a degree in separation, but the two were drawn into a collaboration that brought them success beyond what each had experienced earlier on their own.

Rodgers’ Sun is in the expansive and emotional sign of Cancer and is directly connected by cross-conjunction to Hammerstein’s Mercury. The Sabian degree of this connection is rounded to 6 Cancer with the image of Game birds feathering their nests. The keyword of the symbol is METICULOUSNESS, revealing the method by which they reached perfection in their craft.

Midpoint Connection

Between the two charts there is a unique planetary aspect that is described in Uranian astrology as a midpoint. The green line connecting the inner and outer wheels shows Rodgers’ Mars is positioned at the midpoint between Hammerstein’s Pluto-Neptune conjunction. This reveals Rogers’ excitement (Mars) and desire to perform his skills using the significant talent provided by the words of Oscar Hammerstein.

The reason for including this midpoint structure is the auspicious nature of the planets and their Sabian symbol images that point to the powerful potentials between these two gifted men. The images quite literally express the indication of a destiny with music and the exceptional depth to which the lyricist pondered to develop his concepts.

Rodgers’ Mars, from the outer wheel, is rounded to 15 degrees Gemini. The Sabian symbol is Two Dutch children talking. The symbol suggests the common language spoken between two creatives who merged their differing skills into song. Theirs was an embrace of words and music that in its “foreign” characteristics remained cryptic to anyone other than themselves.

Additional Sabian Symbols

The most extraordinary and literal Sabian symbols are seen in Hammerstein’s Pluto and Neptune’s imagery. Although Hammerstein was the man responsible for the concepts of the songs that tell the storylines, he has Pluto on the degree which better describes Rodgers who was literally the manifestation of the symbol, A great musician at his piano. The writer’s Neptune was on the degree of The head of health dissolved into the head of mentality, which is very fitting for a man who delighted in bringing out the advantages of intellect as opposed to a reliance on melody to convey meaning. Rodgers’ Mars directly stimulates Hammerstein’s outer and significant planets, and the two go down in musical history for their profound contribution to American culture and meaningful entertainment.

GEMINI 13 A great musician at his piano This is a symbol of individual artistry as the property of all, with its expression both its strength and the means whereby others are encouraged to like accomplishment. Here is experience at a climax on the side of self-refinement in skills and talent, and at a peak in its gratification and its promise of continuing effort and sharing of rewards. A continually expanded dimension of being becomes the constant revelation of man’s true estate. The keyword is ACHIEVEMENT. When positive, the degree is the creative assurance which contributes enduring overtones to human understanding, and when negative, self-defeat through a delight in momentary attention or superficial adulation.

GEMINI 17 The head of health dissolved into the head of mentality This is a symbol of man’s achievement on the level of spiritual or eternal fellowship with his kind, here emphasized subjectively as a focus of selfhood in conscious self-awareness and as a capacity to live the lives of all men in imagination and appreciation. Implicit in the symbolism is the foundation of any human well-being in everyday or immediate and practical fact, with well-rounded individuality made the condition of all real progress. The keyword is DEVELOPMENT. When positive, the degree is the effective orientation of selfhood in an overall vision, and when negative, a defeat of accomplishment by a senseless clinging to the illusions of youth.

Two interesting Sabian symbols can be seen with Hammerstein’s Sun and Venus degrees. His Sun degree is rounded to 20 Cancer, Gondoliers in serenade. This is fitting for a lifetime of songwriting. His Venus symbol rounded to 6 Virgo is A merry-go-round. Here is a literal manifestation of one of the songwriting team’s iconic films, Carousel. It is always fascinating to see Sabian imagery reflect a detail of the life of which the native himself was undoubtedly unaware.

Comparison of Elements

The elements of the signs of the zodiac refer to their properties of water, earth, fire and air. Water and earth signs are compatible with each other as are fire and air. Analyzing the rapport between individuals starts with comparing their Suns, Moons, and Ascendants in the category of Vitality. It is ideal when two of the three in this grouping share compatible elements with one that remains incompatible and so becomes the point of challenge or stimulation that enhances the dramatic development between the two parties.

Uniquely, both Rogers and Hammerstein have their Suns in Cancer and their Moons in Pisces. Not only are their Suns and Moons in water signs but they are also in the same signs. This promotes an extraordinarily compatible situation regarding their wills represented by the Sun and feelings represented by the Moon. The Ascendant is a point in the horoscope and here is where the two men differ. It is regarding the perspectives and skills one brings to a partnership where the two men differ greatly. Hammerstein’s Ascendant is in the water sign of Cancer while Rogers has his Ascendant in the air sign Gemini. Water and air are not compatible; however, it was the combination of their written word and composed melodies that made them into the extraordinary team they and their audiences enjoyed and continue to enjoy to this day. The merging of their differing abilities, as identified by the Ascendant, as opposed to their similarities of will and feeling, was one of the major keys to their success.

Shirley Jones and Gordon MacRae in Oscar Hammerstein and Richard Rodgers Carousel
Shirley Jones and Gordon MacRae in Carousel

Another unique feature of the natives’ Moons in Pisces is that both Moons are Focal Determinators. Hammerstein’s Moon is the handle of a Bucket bringing it into High Focus, while Roger’s Moon is the Point Focus of a T Cross. The Moons, by virtue of Focal Determination, become the most prominent planet in each chart. This greatly amplifies the Piscean sympathetic and sentimental qualities of their art.

Mars, Venus, and Mercury represent the second category of compatibility status. These are the planets of Efficiency representing initiative, acquisitiveness, and mentality as they become active for the fulfillment of the details of daily experience. Mars and Venus in the charts of Rogers and Hammerstein are compatible. Hammerstein’s Mars is in fire and Rogers’ is in air, with both having Venus in earth signs. This results in a smooth synchronization of the beginnings and conclusions of their projects. It was the mental activity between the start and finish, identified by Mercury, that the team’s challenges emerged. Despite the stresses in mentality both had retrograde Mercuries. This astrological feature is the indicator of the similarities in their intellectual orientation that brought their differing talents into alignment. In this way, they were truly able to understand each other without much struggle and misunderstanding. It was a mutual, mental cloistering and inner inspiration indicative of a retrograde Mercury that led to an open celebration of what these giants of their field created from deep within.

 

  1. Oklahoma! became the state’s theme song.
  2. A song mistakenly thought of as the Austrian national anthem.

 

 

Sully Sullenberger and Flight 1549

Chesley Sullenberger, better known as Sully, was a flight instructor, safety expert, and accident investigator who investigated accidents for the National Transportation Safety Board. He develop safety protocols for them, and in 2007, established his own safety-consulting firm. Who could be better qualified to pilot Flight 1549 on a day like January 15, 2009. He returned to flying after the incident of Flight 1549 in the winter of 2009, and retired on March 3, 2010.


From Astro Data Bank:
American commercial airline pilot who became celebrated when he landed his US Airways jet bearing 155 passengers and crew in the Hudson River in New York City with no casualties and very few injuries.

On January 15, 2009 the flight took off from La Guardia Airport in NY at around 3:25 PM heading for Charlotte, NC. A few minutes later, flocks of birds were sucked into the engines which shut down. Although the pilot and co-pilot along with air traffic control thought he could land in nearby Teterboro Airport in NJ, “Sully” as he is known, determined quickly that he wouldn’t make it and aimed for the Hudson River. With great skill and drawing on his extensive training, he landed on the Hudson River at about 3:31 PM on January 15, 2009, a frigid afternoon. Thanks to his skillful handling of the jet, the plane did not break apart or burst into flames, and passengers were able to disembark quickly via the emergency chutes and wing doors. Ferries in the area were able to rescue all passengers and crew. Sully was especially noted for the fact that he made two trips down the aisles of the plane after the emergency landing to ensure that all passengers had evacuated. His quick thinking and heroic efforts averted any serious injury to passengers, crew and no injury at all to anyone living or working in the vicinity. 

TRANSITS AND PROGRESSIONS

The chart shows several typical aspects for an event of such magnitude. The most obvious and confirming Aspect that is noted in the chart is the Mercury Retrograde that was 4 days into its Retrograde period. This means that it was still close to its Station on January 12, at 7 Aquarius 45. The Sabian Symbol is noteworthy, because it so well describes special human capabilities where recognition is due.

AQUARIUS 8 Beautifully gowned wax figures This is a symbol of the ineradicable vanity of the human spirit as it gathers strength not only from the finery it wears but from a superficial display of woman’s form and man’s reputation, here emphasized through personal idealizations. A strong psychological dynamic for individual effort comes from the direct influence of outstanding and even notorious people, and implicit in the static symbolism of the waxworks is a necessity to recognize and identify the values worthy of emulation. The keyword is IMPACT. When positive, the degree is achievement through the effective dramatization of human character on some level of everyday understanding, and when negative, futile effort to recapture outworn experience.

Mercury Retrograde is especially significant on that day of the incident, because it is in close Opposition to Sully’s natal Moon at 5 Leo 38, shown by the red line running across the chart from the 2nd to the 8th house.

Although a solitary hero was given attention for his skill and expertise, the Moon in the 8th house represents the supporting and inspiring resources of others worthy of mention. The co-pilot, the flight crew, the brave and appreciative passengers, and the first responders and ferry captains that came to the rescue.

Perhaps another Aspect as important, if not more so than the Mercury Retrograde is the coming of the Saturn Return, due to be exact on November 22 of the same year of the safe landing in the Hudson River. Saturn’s natal Sabian degree is 2 Libra 15, The dawn of a new day, everything changed. And so it was, that from that day forward, and for the beginning of the third cycle of Saturn, that life would take on a whole new meaning. Seen in the news, worldwide, Sully made his historical mark in the field of aviation by the natal position of Saturn in the 9th house, along with the Progression of the Moon and Transit Saturn.

Transit Jupiter shown with the pink arrow in the 2nd house, exactly Conjuncts Sully’s natal Sun and testifies to the good fortune surrounding the event. Transit Uranus is making an Opposition to the 9th house placement of the Progressed Moon pointing the sudden and unexpected call to the notoriety. And special mention goes to the exact Conjunction of the Transit Moon on Progressed Saturn in the 9th house at the exact hour and minute of the miraculously safe landing in the Hudson.

The light pink arrow pointing from Transit Saturn in the 9th to Progressed Jupiter in the 3rd is a background feature, as far as great importance in this event, but it does echo the meaning of the Pair when in Opposition in natal circumstances. In that respect, it is in the group of Aspects that form a Sharp Destiny, and the Opposition calls out a stark change in the course of the life, which proves to be true in this case of a man coming out of relative obscurity to a life of public involvement from the event forward.

NATAL CONFIGURATIONS

The Temperament Type of Sully’s natal chart is a well-defined See-Saw – the communicator who bridges gaps between opposing perspectives. The chart has a delimiting Opposition on one side but not on the other, and so is not the ideal in configuration. The chart has two Core Oppositions of Venus and Pluto and Sun and Moon, creating a powerful capacity to show strength under fire.These Oppositions, which of course in the case of a See-Saw has no possibility of a T-Cross allows the native to face conflicts head-on for resolution.

Since the Sun and Moon are the only pair in Major Aspect, making Positive Vitality a feature. The Mode of Self-Integration is then determined by symmetry. Uranus and Neptune contain the group of planets above the horizon, and the Sun and Moon are then taken together with the planets of Significance, bringing Conjunctive Activity into play. It is the bringing together of all factors in any situation needing attention. This allowed Sully to analyze quickly, bringing all his expert knowledge into play for a dramatic solution to the problem of resolving the event that ultimately put him in headlines.

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Bobby Kennedy Assassination – The Usual Aspects

One mother and child among thousands, though some say close to a million Americans and RFK supporters, turned out along the tracks to pay their respects to the slain body of one of the United States’ most beloved presidential candidates of all time. The casket, propped up on chairs in the observation car, was made visible for bystanders awaiting their chance to pay their last respects. The train normally taking four hours to complete its journey, rolled poignantly along for eight hours from New York City to Arlington National Cemetery. It was a sad day and devastating times in US history, and the details of Kennedy’s rise and fall from political power is documented in Chris Matthews’ book, Bobby Kennedy – A Raging Spirit.

There is no need to show the myriad of possible corresponding astrological features of this or any other event for that matter, to prove the point of the immediate and intimate connection between the heavenly spheres and life on Earth.

The purpose of this blog is to confirm that on the most part, there are obvious Aspects related to events that show up inevitably when taking an honest and knowledgeable look into a horoscope. Astrologers have numerous ways of pointing out synchronicity as it relates to life and the planets. Among them are those who advocate for traditional configurations as well as those made by Asteroids, Midpoints, Harmonics and more, all revealing the continuous symphony of astrological possibilities.

Here with the chart at hand of the assassination of Robert F. Kennedy, can be seen the obvious Major Aspects between the Transits and Progressions to his natal planetary positions. The Transits will be limited to Conjunctions and Oppositions within 1 + degrees of orb, and with Progressions, the five Major Aspects will be taken into account. By no means is this to be considered an exhaustive view, as stated above. It is the simple recognition of how eagerly illustrative the planets can be to the curious eye.

THE HOROSCOPE

Jupiter in progression is shown at the top of the chart circled in blue with RFK’s natal Moon. Jupiter just passed the exact Aspect to show that for a time, there was great popularity in the candidate’s outreach (Jupiter) to the general public (Moon). Jupiter’s positive attributes are the obvious indicators of the win in the primaries over his opponent Eugene McCarthy.

While his personal philosophy of justice and goodness is shown activated by the Progressed Mercury Conjunct natal Mercury in the 8th house of other people’s approval, the violent act with a gunshot to the head is obvious with the Transit Mars in Opposition to the Mercuries, both natal and Progressed. This personal attack, shown by the pink line across the chart, was a result of Shihan Sirhan’s utter dismay over Kennedy’s support for Israel during the 1967 Arab Israeli War.

Pluto coming to Transit Opposite natal Uranus, shown with the red line, is testimony of the long development of both the speculation of running for the presidency, and the behind-the-scenes 12th house creation of animosity that led ultimately to the assassination.

The stress of all the factors at the time is the common appearance of a Major Square Aspect from the Progressed Moon. In this case, it is typical that it would be making this all too pressured Aspect to natal Saturn. Open opponents are shown in the 7th house and there it is in the sign of Scorpio which rules death as well as living and healthy creativity.

RFK COMPARED TO JFK

The brothers were held together through Opposition Aspects, both including the planet Saturn. It speaks of a sensitive appreciation of each other as well as a real and practical joint destiny to right the wrongs of a society corrupt and clandestine.

These are not easy planetary connections, but they are very close and powerful in the sense that they show the seriousness and the unfortunate to-the-death dedication to the relationship. Oppositions between charts speak of the ties that magnetically pull the two entities together for the purpose of which the two may decide.

Bobby gave John perspective, since without Bobby’s planets in Opposition to some of John’s, he would have to have relied on only himself for balance as there are no natal Oppositions in JFK’s natal chart. This most likely is a factor in the bodily exposure he allowed on that fateful afternoon in Dallas, Texas.

They had a powerful and soulful connection with JFK’s Saturn on RFK’s north node. Its Conjunction to JFK’s midheaven, promises a profound influence through death as well as while living. The brothers remain a constant American reminder of what is good in life and what truly makes America great.

 

 

Steven Spielberg – Oskar Schindler

Steven Spielberg’s natal chart does not contain the planet placements we would normally equate with an individual who is famous; the 9th and 10th houses are empty and the midheaven is lacking any planetary contacts to the apex location that usually indicates worldly success and notoriety. But there are other features of the chart that point to exactly the talents with which the native is so very well endowed, and those reveal extraordinary creative potentials. The Benefics in the 5th house of creative self-expression is a fortunate placement for an artist, and Saturn and Pluto in the 2nd house give resources with which to accomplish any special goal of the native’s choosing.

But the deeper interpretation starts with the use of the advanced techniques of Marc Edmond Jones, borrowed from his Essentials of Astrological Analysis. The colorful text just below Spielberg’s natal chart corresponds to the meanings of the colored lines within the boundaries of the chart itself. The Bowl Temperament Type, shown by the light turquoise half-moon shape, does have an all-important Delimiting Rim Opposition to contain and help organize his fermenting creativity, and this gives him a sharp awareness of his surroundings and their possibilities. Mars, although Conjunct the Sun that takes part in the Rim, does not overtly participate in this important configuration, because it is not within a 10-degree orb of an Opposition to Uranus. But it is pulled into the dynamic of the Opposition through a Translation of Light and its association with the Sun.

The green lines in the chart show Major Aspects between three out of the four possible Planetary Pairs. The four pairs as defined by Jones are; Sun/Moon, Jupiter/Saturn, Mars/Venus and Uranus/Neptune. In Spielberg’s case, having three of the four pairs Aspected draws, by virtue of a negative dynamic, attention to the solitary pair that is not connected by 0, 60, 90, 120 and 180 degrees with orb allowances of 10 degrees for planets, 12.30 for the Moon, and 17 degrees for the Sun. The pair not connected by Major Aspect is Mars and Venus, the planets of Efficiency, which identify the function of organizing the mundane affairs of everyday living. Spielberg’s highly noticeable attention to detail, as a factor in his movie-making process, is found here if only by Negative stress.

The effects of Negative Efficiency produce a struggle within the native in order to integrate the minor details of functioning in a material world. They are the start (Mars) and finish (Venus) of the convenience of day to day interactions with people and circumstances. not in Major Aspect, Mars and Venus cause a sense of ineptitude in one’s early years, concerning the organization of daily affairs.  But these individuals often become highly motivated to compensate for any lack they experience, and thereby become an efficiency expert in their field of interest.

The ideal, in defining the Mode of Self-Integration (MSI), the astrologer must determine which two of the four Pairs are actively in Major Aspect when the other two are either in Minor Aspect or not in Aspect at all. The graph that defines the technique of the Anatomy of Planetary Relationship is shown on page 154 of The Essentials of Astrological Analysis by Marc Jones. With the ideal of two in Major Aspect with two not, the determination of the MSI is through the Weight of planetary energies. If all Pairs are in Major Aspect or none are, or only one of four are or one not, the decision is made through Symmetry based on configurations revealed by the Temperament Type.

TWO PAIRS IN MAJOR ASPECT, ONE NOT

In Spielberg’s chart, the determining factor is through Symmetry, using the Opposition of his Bowl Temperament. The planets playing a role in the Opposition are taken as the significators, appointing Vitality and Significance as the two categories that come into play to identify the Mode of Self-Integration. The High Focus Uranus in direct polarity with the Sun assists Spielberg in bringing all things together by virtue of Conjunctive Activity.

There is an experimentative yet disciplined genius potential found in the 12th house placement of Spielberg’s Uranus (circled in turquoise). It becomes the Cutting planet as it leads the group clockwise through the houses. The Bowl is in the naive and usual upright position with the contents still contained within. But the doggedness of a Sun Conjunct Mars in the 6th house in Opposition to the Cutting planet assures success, simply because there is no T-Cross to divert the energies elsewhere but in the manifestation of the inner vision that a High Focus Uranus would naturally produce. Because Uranus is also a Singleton in hemisphere, the testimony to the radical self-expression and ingenious presentation of the power of the subconscious, especially when dealing with fear, is brought to the public as a clearing so to speak, for all the ails that plagued the native throughout his youth.

Schindler’s List brought Spielberg his first Best Picture, Academy Award on March 21, 1994. A profound Sabian Symbol placement is seen in the Progressed chart’s Moon degree of A dark shadow or mantle thrown suddenly over the right shoulder. The symbol speaks of the destiny that the film’s vast popularity had and brought to bear on the public and how it evolved into the worldwide project Shoah. The task of recording the stories of Holocaust survivors as well as victims of other world calamities was an opportunity to further document what many a vile soul profess to be a fiction.

Circled in pink on the left of the outer wheel is the Progression’s prophetic symbol for the Moon in the month of March 1994:
CANCER 25 A dark shadow or mantle thrown suddenly over the right shoulder This is a symbol of the irrevocability of man’s obligation to the reality of which he is a part, with the emphasis on his capacities of leadership as a revelation of racial stewardship on the more personal or spiritual side. Self-expres­sion here is a release of his inner potentialities, and it becomes both an individual gratification and an expanding responsibility to all other individuals making up the social complex. The keyword is DESTINY. When positive, the degree is some dramatic manifestation of genius vital to the general welfare of man, and when negative, a tendency to unwarranted presumption if not outright megalomania.

Two Progressed planets, Venus and the Sun show that they were active during the shooting of the movie. Still within orb of their prospective aspects, the Conjunction of Venus to the natal Sun and the Opposition of the Sun to natal Pluto highlight the chart and primes it for the award it was destined to receive.

There is one cross-tie between the two famous men; Spielberg’s Moon applying in Opposition to Schindler’s Sun. Spielberg is known to have been deeply, yet quietly, pensive and emotional throughout the filming of the story of a man who stood out in bewildering goodness within a matrix of treachery. Spielberg must have felt a mere reflection of the light emanating from the hero of 1100 men and women whose lives were spared only by an extraordinary act of mercy.

Shown circled in blue at the bottom left of the comparison chart is Spielberg’s Progressed Saturn coming to Conjunct Schindler’s Natal Jupiter during the time of the filming, and when receiving the Best Picture award in March of 1994. Jupiter’s Sabian Symbol is a stark revelation of Oskar Schindler, who exemplified remarkable goodness amid great dangers, and at the same time was characterized as a womanizer and an alcoholic.

THE SYMBOL

LEO 5 Rock formations at the edge of a precipice This is a symbol of the constitution of reality in crisis, offering a challenge to man as it pyramids in ramifying involvements until action or decision becomes an immediate necessity. There is no possible sustainment of individuality without an acceptance of difficulty as significant and an accompanying realization that every shift in orientation is a demand for some enlarged self-discovery. Personality only achieves its stability at the threshold of the risks it is willing to take. The keyword is ENDUR­ANCE. When positive, the degree is man’s genius for initial aplomb and ultimate competency in the face of all danger, and when negative, pure bullheadedness.

THE LETTER

Written at the very end of WWII, on May 8, 1945, by those who had the great fortune to have been led into Schindler’s sheltering hands, is the testimonial letter that was intended to minimize punishment for him that was surely awaiting any active members of the Nazi Party. The letter is a revealing inspiration for the film itself and its following documentary. The letter could very well have saved Schindler’s life, as the Transit of Neptune Opposite Natal Saturn, shown by the pink arrow, proposes such a challenge and threat to life. Circled in green are Transits Mars and the Moon in a Conjunction with Natal Saturn. This configuration, that was liberating for the Jews, but ruin for the Nazis, motivated the previous victims to do what was necessary to reciprocate and keep safe their destined savior. The houses are not taken into account for the lack of a birth time.

This is a letter written in 1945 by Oscar Schindler’s former workers, signed: Isaak Stern, former employee Pal. Office in Krakow, Dr. Hilfstein, Chaim Salpeter, Former President of the Zionist Executive in Krakow for Galicia and Silesia.
“Brothers!
We, the undersigned Jews from Krakow, inmates of Plaszow concentration camp, have, since 1942, worked in Director Schindler’s business. Since Schindler took over management of the business, it was his exclusive goal to protect us from resettlement, which would have meant our ultimate liquidation. During the entire period in which we worked for Director Schindler he did everything possible to save the lives of the greatest possible number of Jews, in spite of the tremendous difficulties; especially during a time when receiving Jewish workers caused great difficulties with the authorities. Director Schindler took care of our sustenance, and as a result, during the whole period of our employment by him there was not a single case of unnatural death. All in all he employed more than 1,000 Jews in Krakow. As the Russian frontline approached and it became necessary to transfer us to a different concentration camp, Director Schindler relocated his business to Bruennlitz near Zwittau.

There were huge difficulties connected with the implementation of Director Schindler’s business, and he took great pains to introduce this plan. The fact that he attained permission to create a camp, in which not only women and men, but also families could stay together, is unique within the territory of the Reich. Special mention must be given to the fact that our resettlement to Bruennlitz was carried out by way of a list of names, put together in Krakow and approved by the Central Administration of all concentration camps in Oranienburg (a unique case). After the men had been interned in Gross-Rosen concentration camp for no more than a couple of days and the women for 3 weeks in Auschwitz concentration camp, we may claim with assertiveness that with our arrival in Bruennlitz we owe our lives solely to the efforts of Director Schindler and his humane treatment of his workers. Director Schindler took care of the improvement of our living standards by providing us with extra food and clothing. No money was spared and his one and only goal was the humanistic ideal of saving our lives from inevitable death.

It is only thanks to the ceaseless efforts and interventions of Director Schindler with the authorities in question, that we stayed in Bruennlitz, in spite of the existing danger, as, with the approaching frontline we would all have been moved away by the leaders of the camp, which would have meant our ultimate end. This we declare today, on this day of the declaration of the end of the war, as we await our official liberation and the opportunity to return to our destroyed families and homes. Here we are, a gathering of 1100 people, 800 men and 300 women.

All Jewish workers, that were inmates in the Gross-Rosen and Auschwitz concentration camps respectively declare wholeheartedly their gratitude towards Director Schindler, and we herewith state that it is exclusively due to his efforts, that we were permitted to witness this moment, the end of the war.

Concerning Director Schindler’s treatment of the Jews, one event that took place during our internment in Bruennlitz in January of this year which deserves special mention was coincidentally a transport of Jewish inmates, that had been evacuated from the Auschwitz concentration camp, Goleschow outpost, and ended up near us. This transport consisted exclusively of more than 100 sick people from a hospital which had been cleared during the liquidation of the camp. These people reached us frozen and almost unable to carry on living after having wandered for weeks. No other camp was willing to accept this transport and it was Director Schindler alone who personally took care of these people, while giving them shelter on his factory premises; even though there was not the slightest chance of them ever being employed. He gave considerable sums out of his own private funds, to enable their recovery as quick as possible. He organized medical aid and established a special hospital room for those people who were bedridden. It was only because of his personal care that it was possible to save 80 of these people from their inevitable death and to restore them to life.

We sincerely plead with you to help Director Schindler in any way possible, and especially to enable him to establish a new life, because of all he did for us both in Krakow and in Bruennlitz he sacrificed his entire fortune.

Bruennlitz, May 8, 1945.”
Translated from the original document in German
Source: The Oscar Schindler file, Department of Righteous among the Nations, Yad Vashem
YAD VASHEM, The Holocaust Martyrs’ and Heroes’ Remembrance Authority
Schindler earned the everlasting gratitude of his Schindler jews. No matter why, no matter that he was an alcoholic and a shameless womanizer of the worst sort, no matter that he was no saint and left his wife – what matters to his Jews is that he surfaced from the chaos of madness and risked everything for them.

Generations will remember him for what he did. No matter how many businesses Schindler failed in, he was a success in life ..
Today there are more than 6,000 descendants of Schindler`s Jews living in the USA and Europe, and many in Israel. Before the Second World War, the Jewish population of Poland was 3.5 million. Today there are between 3,000 and 4,000 left.

 

Next Up – Jared Kushner

Jared Kushner was probably very uncomfortable on Friday October 27, 2017 when he learned through breaking news on CNN that Robert Mueller was about to indite someone in the investigation of Russia’s involvement in the 2016 presidential campaign. Lucky for Jared that Paul Manafort and his associate Rick Gates were the ones on Mueller’s list for the time being. But not so fast, a look at Kushner’s horoscope shows he is up next or at least a possible suspect down the line. He will not escape some very big transformation in his life when Pluto starts its Transit over his natal Sun at 20 Capricorn 23.

PAST AND PRESENT ASPECTS

Several Aspects in the chart show recent experience that involves Saturn, Uranus, Neptune and Pluto. These four planets represent the most intense challenges in life, and those that promise or threaten big change and calling to account of behavior. The two short red lines show Jupiter and Saturn, together in the October 2017 Progressions, just minutes beyond a Conjunction of Kushner’s natal Saturn at 9 Libra 44, The Sabian Symbol for this degree is, A canoe approaching safety through dangerous waters. Here is an attempt to correct some of the feared charges that might be held against the young and naive but proud presidential adviser. Most likely he is being assisted by lawyers helping to “row” a troubled client toward safety. The meaning of the 6th house includes the need to adjust and correct errors and flaws in the dealings with others in the process of fitting into society. Kushner’s Jupiter and Saturn in Conjunction reveal a responsibility to live up to higher moral standards. It is a Sharp Destiny, and one that calls the individual to consider carefully the prodding of conscience. If one fails to do so, there are almost immediate consequences to be paid. Kushner’s father-in-law, the current POTUS has a Sharp Destiny as well, with a Jupiter/Saturn Square.

The October 2017 Transit Saturn, circled in red, is a reinforcement of the challenging Jupiter and Saturn Progressions by its Conjunction of natal Neptune. Saturn attempts to clarify, for future testimony, the cloud of confusion that gathered over the young man’s vague activities during and after the 2016 campaign.

The faint peach line points from Transit Uranus to natal Pluto showing an alertness to to the myriad duties with which Kushner suddenly found himself in charge. It also shows the possibility of those involvements to be of a profoundly widespread and perhaps deviant nature. Pluto, in better circumstances, stands for truth of the highest order, which does not seem the case at present in the young man’s regard. Uranus, if not subject to a high degree of discipline, can show a tendency to rogue activity on the part of the native.

The Progressed Mercury is an additional feature of the complex of interplanetary relationships, through its Opposition to the placement of the Total Solar Eclipse of August 21, 2017. Unfortunately, we do not have the house where this astrological event took place, which would have given a keyhole view into the details of how this planetary scenario could play out in future circumstances.

COMING ASPECTS

The most threatening of the Transits is the one on its way that is bound to cause great havoc in the life and career of one who could have been brought to greater integrity if it were not for mistakes made in earlier years, and now in his connection with the dubious circumstances of his father-in-law’s presidential campaign. The coming Conjunction of Transit Pluto, shown by the single red line at the top of the chart shows the natal Sun awaiting the Transit that will most likely be the timing of a fall from power – or at the very least, great pressure for transformation. This is in contrast with the otherwise more respectable Probity that Pluto at its best can represent, if one was wiser in his use of the great responsibilities thrust upon him by his proximity to the Trump family.

The houses in this analysis are not taken into account for the lack of an exact time of birth. However, there is much that can be seen in the recent pass of Transits and Progressions, as well as the possibilities coming through the ominous Aspect of Pluto with its exact Transit Conjunction of the Sun on February 20, 2018. The Station of Pluto on April 23, 2018, at 21 Capricorn 17, truly poses the most threat to the well-being and vitality that the Sun represents, because it takes place within a one degree orb of exactitude. Stations always indicate the times of most influence that the planets exert on an individual. From that position of the Retrograde Station Conjunction, Pluto will Transit back over the Sun degree throughout the entire month of June and part of July. Pluto continues to Retrograde until it Stations to go Direct in late September 2018, at a distance close enough to cause more intensity in Kushner’s experience concerning a regrasp of his purpose in life through great trial and tribulation. It is an Transit of long duration.

This continued Transit activity with Kushner’s Sun points to several “moments of truth” that promise to bring unsolicited growth and enlightenment. For better or worse Pluto will play a huge role in Kushner’s life that he will remember for the rest of his years. And if transformation is not completed with the Transit of the Sun, the following and future Pluto Conjunction of natal Mercury will give him another opportunity to correct his perspective and perception of life.

NATAL CONSIDERATIONS

A lack of an Opposition Aspect in his natal chart puts Kushner at a disadvantage by limiting his awareness of self and the consequences of his acts (pg. 16-17,  Essentials of Astrological Analysis). The strong Transits and Progressions hopefully will bring him needed lessons that act as compensation for the lack of one of the most vital planetary configurations that facilitate conscious awareness and sensitivity to external factors for better decision making.

There is no possibility for a T-Cross – Point Focus, Focal Determinator without an Opposition in the chart. And because of the lack of a birth hour it is impossible to define if there is a planet that could be in High Focus by virtue of being Conjunct one of the angles. Natal Saturn is prominent however, as a Focal Determinator by being the Cutting planet that leads the planetary group clockwise through the houses in the Bowl Temperament Type. Saturn also partakes of a Sharp Destiny, because it is in a Conjunction aspect with its pair, natal Jupiter. Sharp Destiny always holds the life in diligent and poignant focus by being challenged to do one’s moral best. If the native is not inclined to live the dictates of higher standards, outside circumstances will prod them through great pressure with a demand to change one’s ways.  Kushner’s and his father-in-law both share this constant criticism that has the purpose of leading the consciousness to greater and respectable behavior. The conscious mind is challenged through trial and error to make constant adjustments to align the behavior with higher conscience (pg. 343, Essentials). The failure to do so often causes inner struggle, doubt and anxiety.

Sharp Destiny always puts an individual under the harsh scrutiny of public opinion. Other individuals analyzed in this respect in the Political arena are Hillary Clinton, Bill Clinton, Donald Trump and George W. Bush.

 

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