The Red Balloon

Well, well, please indulge me for a few moments as I attempt to bring some astrological insights into the drama being playing out as I sit down to pen a few thoughts about the Big White Balloon (err… Red?) currently drifting across the continental United States. As of this moment I am told it is over North Carolina somewhere. Much of this story is still rather murky, and when you read the balance of this blog you will understand why. Suffice it to say, there is much more at work here than meets the eye. My mind harkens back to the ancient city of Troy when a huge wooden horse was wheeled into the city containing a big surprise.

The United States is currently experiencing its Pluto Return. Briefly, what that means is our country is in a time of upheaval and change during which our society experiences a transformative period where some form of death and rebirth occurs often in concert with an intense confrontation with our shadows and secrets.

Add to that the ongoing transits to our country’s founding chart, we see that there are other integral aspects being made that are having major impacts and influences upon us. That said, as I saw the news the past few days about a Chinese balloon drifting in a dragon-like fashion over our country I was curious what I might be able to see through the current transits to the USA Sibley chart, set for 4th July 1776 5.10 pm. I hope to later do a more in-depth look at this event as I am able to verify more exact information about when the balloon was actually launched, when did our country first become aware of it, when did it officially enter our territorial boundaries etc. But for now, a broad-brush stroke look based on 12 pm, February 1, 2023 seems sufficient to highlight some alarming correspondent takeaways.

I am going to focus on two big transits that are taking place. First, in addition to the aforementioned Pluto Return, the United States is also experiencing its Neptune opposition. This is one of two places that Neptune can appear during a Pluto Return, either a conjunction or an opposition. With an opposition we must always recognize that there is a challenge posed. Something can get overdone at the expense of something else, and often opposing agendas are at odds.

The United States has Neptune in its ninth house, the place of foreign countries, foreign persons, and long-distance travel and currently transiting Neptune in our 3rd house. Consequently, not only are all matters Neptunian activated, so are the affairs of the house where Neptune resides (as well as the house where Neptune co-rules, which in the USA chart is the 3rd, home of communications, information, local environment etc., where the sign of Pisces is intercepted).

In its simplest terms then this sets up a challenge between the local environment, our ideas, our information, and foreign places, their beliefs and their philosophies.

Turning now to Neptune it is helpful to understand that right out of the gates one of the numerous astrological correspondences for this gas giant is… drum roll please, BALLOONS. Oh, and to thicken the plot, Neptune is also a signification of deceptions, deceit, spies, and plots. Hmmm… and tell me for clarity what house in the USA’s chart it is currently passing through…. the 3rd. Further, it is opposite Neptune in the 9th house. Given the Neptune-to-Neptune connection here it’s safe to say that this is all a Neptunian thing on steroids.

One observation is that when Neptune opposes itself in a person’s chart vs a country’s chart (around one’s mid-eighties) it represents a time of heightened consciousness, however, often after a period of confusion. It’s a time where patience is needed as the universe attempts to reveal something transcendent and meaningful. Understanding can definitely be expanded during this transit if we are willing and allow it. Such concepts can be expanded to our country as a whole.

To me it seems this current event is without a doubt a Neptunian event designed to open up our awareness, expand our view… a “wake-up” call of sorts. But at the same time, it is Neptune/Neptune so we must be alert for the ambiguity and blind spots lurking in the clouds, hidden apparitions hovering over our centers of sensitive information and communications. What potential treachery or thievery could be occurring as we stare upward in a mystified fog, confused how this could be happening? Time will tell but suffice it to say, this event is not insignificant, even if it ends up being a trojan horse of some type laying the seeds for something yet to come. Trust me that with Neptune involved, some form of deception is unfolding.

A second important aspect occurring by transit simultaneously with our Neptune opposition is that transiting Saturn is conjunct with our country’s Moon also found in the USA’s 3rd house. The moon in mundane astrology represents the people, the folks, our populace. So, amazingly during this misty Neptune opposition, here comes Saturn to sit on the people. Again, in very simple terms Saturn is associated with enemies and is considered a purveyor of fear. Saturn also signifies listening and listeners, as well as watchmen. And sharing a quality of Neptune, Saturn also connects with deception and deceivers. And one final note, Saturn deals in Karma. Does anyone doubt that the USA has been involved in similar intrusions into sovereign countries for many years now….

It is way too early into this event to come to any firm conclusions but these broad-based observations from just these two transits do ignite the imagination (ironically very Neptune) and hopefully give us all pause as to what really is happening here. At least from where this astrologer sits, as the balloon now has almost reached the Atlantic Ocean, this was no accident