PLANETARY ENERGIES

The Astrology of Earthquakes and Tsunamis: Sumatra, Lisbon, and Messina

by Lara Owen
January 7 2005

I’m sure that like me you’ve been deeply shocked and saddened by the destruction and terrible loss of life resulting from the huge earthquake in Sumatra on December 26th.

I was aware that there was a big astrological story to this quake, but have not had the objectivity to write about it until now. It felt more important to feel and to grieve. I think for all of us it has been, and continues to be, a tragedy that we feel called to support energetically and financially as much as we can.

But now it feels like time to share some of the implications of this event, both for humanity and for the study of astrology. This is a preliminary analysis with the hope of promoting discussion. I welcome thoughts from other astrologers.

Earlier this year Uranus went into Pisces. With Pluto in Sagittarius, this meant both planets were in mutable signs, suggesting profound change in the collective, and so I decided to dig around a bit to find out what happened 250 years ago, the last time these two planets were in these two signs. You may recall that I wrote something about this in my newsletter, back in March 2004.

The Lisbon Earthquake 1755

What I stumbled upon was a piece of history I had not come across before, but which had a big effect on 18th century society. On 1st November 1755 at 9:20 am, one of the most destructive and deadly earthquakes in recorded history occurred just off the southwest coast of Portugal. There was great loss of life, and the city of Lisbon was virtually destroyed, including works of art, libraries, cathedrals, and palaces.

The quake was felt across Europe and North Africa: at least a third of the population of Lisbon perished (around 90,000 people) and 10,000 died in Morocco. Tsunamis up to twenty meters in height (that’s over sixty feet) battered the coasts from Finland to North Africa and swept across the Atlantic to Martinique and Barbados.

November 1st is All Soul’s Day in the Catholic tradition, and the cathedrals of Lisbon were packed. When the tsunami waves poured over the city, thousands were drowned while in the act of worship. In keeping with the joint themes of Pluto in Sagittarius and Uranus in Pisces, the timing of the quake spawned intense theological discussion.

The Lisbon earthquake has since been estimated as around 9 on the Richter scale. It occurred in the center of a tectonic plate, and geologists still do not understand why it happened. Investigation into the Lisbon quake by scientists of the time gave birth to the modern study of seismology.

The Sumatra Earthquake 2004

The end of December 2004 saw a rare amount of geological activity, resulting in several big quakes. There were two other earthquakes on either side of the Sumatra quake.

Two and a half days before, there had been an 8.1 quake 315 miles north-north-east of Macquarie Island, Australia (12/23/04 14:59 UT). This area is on a different tectonic plate to Sumatra, and geologists do not so far consider the two quakes to be related, although it is very unusual, to say the least, to have two above magnitude 8.0 quakes so close together. Usually the earth has less than one a year.

And then the same day as the Sumatra quake there was a 7.1 in the Nicobar Islands, that is so far not classified as an after shock, but as a separate quake. (All seismological information from the USGS site, http://earthquake.usgs.gov/)

As with the Lisbon quake, the Sumatra quake caused huge loss of life and property, chiefly resulting from tsunamis that swept across the Indian Ocean, affecting ten countries, and causing the deaths of at least 150,000 people.

These two events are both extremely rare, and directly comparable in terms of their geological magnitude and social impact.

As with the Lisbon quake, the proximity of this recent disaster to a major holiday, Christmas Day, and its occurrence in a largely Muslim area, has provoked theological discussion and for some, spiritual crisis.

Similarities between the charts for the Lisbon and Sumatra Earthquakes

1. Planets in Sign and Aspect

Both charts have Mercury in Sagittarius, Jupiter in Libra, Uranus in Pisces, Pluto in Sagittarius, and Chiron in Capricorn. That’s five out of eleven celestial bodies in the same signs.

In the Lisbon chart Uranus and Pluto are within three degrees of a square aspect. In the Sumatra chart, they are square by sign, being 19 degrees apart.

Jupiter and Chiron are in square aspect in both charts, within two degrees for the Lisbon quake, and eight for Sumatra.

In the Lisbon chart Saturn and Chiron are both in Capricorn. In the Sumatra chart, they are exactly opposing each other, with Saturn in Cancer, Chiron in Capricorn.

Saturn in the Lisbon chart makes a powerful synastry with the Sumatra chart. At 23 Capricorn it is one degree from the Sumatran ascendant, within two degrees of Chiron, and opposite its own placement.

Neptune was at 10 Leo for the Lisbon quake, opposite the place it was for the Sumatran quake, at 13 Aquarius.

2. The Moon

The Sumatra quake happened under a waxing Gemini Moon a few hours away from being Full.

The Lisbon quake has either a very late Virgo or very early Libra moon, as it’s hard to be sure of the exact minute of the quake. The moon was waning, a couple of days shy of being New.

So opposite kinds of Moon, one nearly New and one practically Full, but similar in that the Moon is in major applying aspect to the Sun.

And it’s possible that both charts have the Moon in a mutable sign, and for sure the Sumatra one does, emphasizing the mutability of the outer planets.

3. Angles

In both charts we find outer planets and the Moon’s nodes conjunct the angles.

The chart for the Lisbon quake has Pluto rising and Uranus conjunct the IC. The Moon’s nodes are conjunct the MC/IC axis, with the North Node conjunct the MC.

The chart for the Sumatran quake has Chiron rising, Saturn setting, and again, the Moon’s nodes are conjunct the MC/IC axis, but reversed, with the North Node conjunct the IC.

Analysis and Speculation

So what might all this mean? Is it possible that the combination of planets in specific signs seen in these two charts adds up to a kind of signature for earthquakes with tsunamis?

Uranus and Pluto in mutable signs indicates shifting perspectives, a sea change in the collective in terms of belief systems and values.

Uranus in Pisces signifies unpredictability and change with regard to water, both physically in termsof the waters of the earth (astrologers have long seen the passage of Uranus through Pisces as an indicator of flooding) and emotionally in the form of empathy and compassion, both Piscean traits. In Pisces, borders dissolve, we see ourselves in the other, and the waters of compassion flow freely. With regard to the recent tsunami, we have seen an unprecendented outpouring of compassion as people all over the world have donated to the various relief organizations.

Pluto in Jupiter-ruled Sagittarius suggests changes of a monumental nature. Pluto brings deep and shattering change, and Sagittarius is the sign of doing it big, of the grand scale.

The Moon and the Moon’s Nodes are important in analysing mass events because they are traditionally seen as indicative of the people, the masses. The Moon is applying to either conjunct or oppose the Sun, and the Moon’s nodes are conjunct the MC/IC axis in both charts suggesting something fated and inexorable about the events. (However, the effects of such disasters are to some extent under human control, depending on our disaster preparedness.)

Jupiter in Libra indicates an emphasis on a more just balance, suggesting these events were perhaps related to the need to rebalance something geologically in the earth.

And on a humanitarian level, to rebalance something among the people of the earth. Certainly, we’ve never seen so much giving from the wealthier parts of the world to the less developed, and if governments approve debt relief, the end result could be a balancing out that has long-term repercussions.

The combination of Uranus in Pisces and Jupiter in Libra reflects the spontaneous and heartfelt generosity that has been the silver lining in this horror. Just when you think human beings have lost the plot entirely, they show up en masse with their values still in absolutely the right place.

Chiron in Capricorn could be interpreted as pain and difficulty in the material realm. The relationship between Saturn and Chiron in both charts is notable for its depiction of pain and suffering.

Saturn in Cancer is always a tough ride for the collective, and made doubly so with the series of Saturn/Chiron oppositions we’ve been dealing with. The Sumatra quake occurred just as the fourth of the seven oppositions (occurring between 2003 and 2006) was becoming exact at 25 degrees of Cancer/Capricorn.

I find the degree similarity of Saturn in the two charts particularly notable. It is as if the first disaster contains the seed lesson of the second. When Lisbon was rebuilt, the first earthquake resistant buildings were created. In the rebuilding of the affected countries around the Indian Ocean, there are bound to be some technological advances.

The Lisbon quake stimulated the development of the science of seismology, and the Sumatra quake may take that to a new level. It also looks likely to instigate a worldwide tsunami alert system, which in terms of protecting humanity from natural disaster would be a big step indeed.

In addition, over the coming months and years, we will learn a good deal about how we gather and use aid, and how we administer rescue efforts.

There is also the possibility that the ailing United Nations may be realigned and restimulated in some way. Or knocked on the head completely. The UN has been under fairly constant criticism and attack since Pluto went into Sagittarius. As Pluto proceeds through the last ten degrees of the sign, the split between the ideals that created the UN and the failure (for internal and external reasons) to act out its mandate will reach a point at which resolution will become imperative one way or another.

These are just a few of the possible repercussions and ramifications of the Sumatra earthquake. I am sure there will be many more.

The 1908 Messina Earthquake

To add a further level of complexity, let’s look at another earthquake/tsunami with a similar level of loss.

Only one other quake in recorded history caused an equivalent number of deaths from tsumanis as those of Lisbon and Sumatra, and that was the December 28 1908 quake in Messina, Italy, that occurred at 5:20 am Central European Time.

While a lesser quake in magnitude, at 7.2 on the Richter scale, it caused casualties estimated to be in the region of 100,000. Note the similarity of date to the Sumatran quake, and therefore the degree of the Sun.

This is another rather mutable chart, with four mutable planets plus the angles. Pluto is again mutable, this time opposite its current placement, at 24 Gemini. It is conjunct the North Node and angular. The Moon is also once again mutable, this time in Pisces. Jupiter is in Virgo, and the chart has Sagittarius rising with Venus in Sagittarius on the ascendant. The Sun, Mercury and Uranus are conjunct in Capricorn opposite Neptune in Cancer.

Similarities between all three major earthquake/tsunami charts

Degrees that occur in all three charts include 4-6 Capricorn (Sumatra Sun, Italy Sun, Lisbon Chiron),

All three charts have mutable Moons (if we take the Lisbon Moon as being in Virgo).

Uranus makes hard aspects in all three charts. In the Lisbon chart it is conjunct the South Node and IC and square Pluto, the ASC and Mercury. In the Messina chart Uranus is conjunct the Sun and Mercury, opposite Neptune and widely square Saturn. In the Sumatra chart, Uranus is square Mars, Venus, and Mercury, and square Pluto by sign.

In the Messina quake chart, Pluto is opposite its placement for the Sumatran and Lisbon quakes, at 24 Gemini. Like Uranus, Pluto makes hard aspects in all three charts, squaring the Nodes in the Lisbon chart, squaring the MC/IC axis in the Messina chart, and opposing the Moon in the Sumatra chart.

Both Messina and Lisbon quakes have early degrees of Sagittarius rising. Both Messina and Sumatra have Venus in Sagittarius.

Again, the Moon’s nodes are angular in the Messina chart, this time in Gemini/Sagittarius and on the ASC/DC axis. So all three charts have the Moon’s nodes on the angles.

All three charts have planets and/or angles in the signs of Sagittarius, Capricorn, Pisces, and Cancer.

Most notable is the emphasis on Sagittarius with each chart having three or more points in Sag. Lisbon has ASC, Mercury, Pluto, Messina has ASC, Venus, South Node, and Sumatra has Mars, Venus, Mercury and Pluto.

In Capricorn, Lisbon has Saturn, Messina has Sun, Mercury, Uranus, and Sumatra has Sun and ASC.

In Pisces, Lisbon has Uranus, North Node, IC, Messina has Moon, IC, and Sumatra has Uranus.

In Cancer, Lisbon has Mars, Messina has Neptune, and Sumatra has Saturn.

In the Lisbon chart the Moon is about to conjunct Jupiter. In the Messina chart the Moon is very close to opposing Jupiter. In the Sumatra chart the Moon has just trined Jupiter.

Summary

This preliminary look at the charts of these three massive natural disasters caused by earthquake and tsunami shows up some interesting correlations.

1. All the outer planets except Neptune occur in similar placements and aspects in the three charts.

2. The sign of Sagittarius and the degree of 5 Capricorn are particularly prevalent.

3. The Moon and the Moon’s nodes are prominent, highlighting the angles of the charts, and the Moon’s relationship with the Sun and with Jupiter.

4. Uranus and Pluto both make hard aspects in all three charts.

The extent of mutability in these charts supports the traditional view of the mutable signs as being representative of change. Pluto is mutable in all three charts, so seems to be particularly evident of change on a massive scale.

The presence of the Moon’s nodes on the angles supports the traditional view of the nodes as representing both the masses and inexorable fate.

Hard aspects to Uranus, especially involving Mars and Pluto, are traditionally associated with accident and injury, and with sudden upheaval.

The combination of Pluto and Uranus in mutable signs appears to be a recipe for natural disaster. We may with hindsight come to see it as a chief astrological indicator for significant earth changes.

Data

Lisbon Quake: Nov 1 1755 9:20 am UT, Lisbon, Portugal 38N43, 9W08
Messina Quake: Dec 28 1908 5:20 am CET, Messina, Italy 38N11, 15E34
Sumatra Quake: Dec 26 2004 0:58 am UT, Sumatra, 3N20, 95E50
Seismic data from the United States Geological Survey