Thursday, October 09, 2014

The Real Abominables #1 Mao Zedong

First in a series of several, as mentioned in Tuesday's (7 October) post ~~~

From The Independent in 2010
Mao Zedong, founder of the People's Republic of China, qualifies as the greatest mass murderer in world history, an expert who had unprecedented access to official Communist Party archives said yesterday.

Speaking at The Independent Woodstock Literary Festival, Frank Dikötter, a Hong Kong-based historian, said he found that during the time that Mao was enforcing the Great Leap Forward in 1958, in an effort to catch up with the economy of the Western world, he was responsible for overseeing "one of the worst catastrophes the world has ever known".

Mr Dikötter, who has been studying Chinese rural history from 1958 to 1962, when the nation was facing a famine, compared the systematic torture, brutality, starvation and killing of Chinese peasants to the Second World War in its magnitude. At least 45 million people were worked, starved or beaten to death in China over these four years; the worldwide death toll of the Second World War was 55 million.

Mr Dikötter is the only author to have delved into the Chinese archives since they were reopened four years ago. He argued that this devastating period of history – which has until now remained hidden – has international resonance. "It ranks alongside the gulags and the Holocaust as one of the three greatest events of the 20th century.... It was like [the Cambodian communist dictator] Pol Pot's genocide multiplied 20 times over," he said.

From Astrodienst

Chinese political leader, author and poet who served as the Chairman of the Central Committee of the Chinese Communist party, which he helped to establish in 1921. In the more than 80 monographs on his life, Mao has been both deified and demystified.

He married four times and was noted for having an unsatisfiable desire for sex as well as for absolute power, and the two were linked. As his holdings and position dropped politically, he suffered from impotence, and when he took the offensive, his sexual prowess increased. Despite his Populist pretensions, Mao lived like a traditional emperor with all the material comforts.

He died on 9/9/1976, Peking, China.

Wikipedia's page on him is HERE.


Fantasy Tweeting: some of the Abominables ~~



Mao Zedong's natal chart with data from Astrodienst. It has only a "C" rating = caution. I think the caution warning applies mainly to the ascending degree/sign.

Born 26 December 1893 in Siangtan, China at 7:30 AM.

With a view to discovering whether there's any common denominator among "Abominables" I'm going to look only for likely astro-potential for what I'll call "abominality".


There are three oppositions: Mercury opposite Pluto/Neptune; Mars opposite Jupiter; Venus opposite Moon. That means four of the most personal planets are involved in opposition aspects. Some also form part of a Grand Square configuration, in concert with square aspects linking Uranus/Moon/Jupiter/Venus. While these aspects and the configuration are not uncommon and almost always do NOT produce an abominable character, they do perhaps provide the basis for morphing in that direction. I haven't mentioned the signs involved to keep things clearer.

This Yod (Finger of Fate) with Pluto at its apex could be significant. It is formed by a sextile linking a traditionally inclined Capricorn Sun to a rebellious Uranus in passionate Scorpio, those two then meet via two quincunx aspects to Pluto (darkness, death) (+Neptune?) in Gemini.

There's a chain of sextiles too (some a wee bit loose) from Pluto to Moon, to Saturn, to Mercury, to Venus. With so much death and destruction involved in "abominality" I'd expect to see Pluto well-integrated, and here it is!

During the period of "The Great Leap Forward" (See here) between 1958 and 1962 Neptune and Pluto were transiting in fairly close sextile to one another in Scorpio and Virgo respectively. Mao had these two planets conjoined in Gemini in his natal chart, and forming part of the integrated pattern described above. I'm not sure whether the fact that the two planets conjoined at his birth and linked by sextile in transit during the time of some of his most monstrous decisions is in any way significant, but worth making a note of anyway.

Fixed Stars - I'm never sure how much credence to give to the interpretations of these, but let's have a look. All interpretations From HERE

Mao Zedong had Jupiter at 22.09 Taurus. At the time of his birth that dread Fixed Star, Algol , was at around 24 degrees and some minutes. Algol: Primitive female sexuality; strangulation, beheading, danger to throat and neck, murder, violence, mass catastrophe, the "Evil One", the Demon Star; passionate; intense; hysterical. Very Unfortunate; (character of) Saturn/ Jupiter.

I haven't researched exact positions of the rest of the Fixed Stars mentioned as at the time of his birth, but they'd have been in very slightly earlier positions than stated.

Current position of Capulus 24.12 Taurus; his Jupiter, again, was at 22.09.
Capulus: Primitive male sexual energy; penetrating; ruthless; adventurous; dishonesty; mass effects, esp. meteorological. Unfortunate; Mars/ Mercury.

Aldebaran now at 9.47 Gemini - his Pluto at 9.21 Gemini, his Neptune at 11.33.
A Royal Star. The archangel Michael, the Watcher of the East. Eloquence, high honours, integrity, popularity, courage, war mongering, agitation. Unfortunate; Mars

Spica now at 23.50 Libra his Saturn at 23.52 Libra
Wealth, fame, honour, glamour, the "Fortunate One". Very Fortunate; Venus/ Mars

Polis now at 3.13 Capricorn. His Sun at 4.30 Capricorn - Martial desires, high ambitions, domination, keen perception, success.. Very Fortunate; Jupiter/ Mars

His Venus at 20.11 Aquarius. Castra: 20°12 Aquarius: Destructiveness, uncontrollable temper, malevolence. Unfortunate; Saturn/ Jupiter.

Some very unfortunate, some fortunate. Interesting though.


It could prove easier to decide what to look for (if anything) after seeing a couple more charts of Abominables during coming weeks. In the meantime, working somewhat in the dark, any additional points by commenters will be appreciated.


20 comments:

Sonny G said...

good morning.

most of this series/ the astrological issues// are beyond my capacity to understand.. So I just wanted to say I am reading along and coming back to see the comments.

this is all very interesting and horrifying to me..
*************

ps- would you or any of your commentors please tell me where in a chart to look for anxiety/depression issues.. thanks in advance
Sonny

Twilight said...

Sonny ~ we're always very happy to see you, whether reading or contributing.
:-)

Mike has responded to your question.
I agree that the Uranus/Pluto square in transit to any of your natal placements might be the culprit for any current depressive and anxious feelings - if such feelings are not your usual experience. If those feelings are more common for you, then mike's other responses will be helpful.

Twilight said...

mike ~ I was wary of that Yod, yes. But my astrology software threw it up, so I thought, "who am I to argue with Matrix Software?" I'd normally keep to 8 degrees difference max. for a sextile. As the apex led to Pluto it was too tempting to resist. ;-)

I'm usually not into mid-points, and know little about septiles, but thank you for those extra points. all helpful. It's probably going to be necessary to poke around in some of the more obscure corners of Abominables' charts to make sure nothing is missed.

Sonny G said...


Thank You both for responding to my question.

I was hospitalized feb of 2012 for anxiety and put on several medications.
In nov. of 2013 after much evaluation by several physicians I was diagnosed as, adult bi-polar. They say it probably started in my teens and as I look back I do remember a shift in my mentallity- but also an extreme increase in my Creativity which is still strong today.

I had night mares even as a toodler and would beg my parents to let me Go Home, telling them in absolute terms that I didnt belong here.

this story is long and detailed so I wont go into it all here.


I agree with you Mike about diet, exercise, supplements,meditation and focusing my thoughts outward.. all those things do help but are'nt enough to stop the Spins.
I have an appointment on the 15th but I may call for help before then.
This is so embarrassing ~! I have a wonderful life, my physical health and am much loved..

Just looking for answers beyond the medical community as I am concerned their ability to help me rests in masking my symptoms with meds while not truly offering me any hope of healing myself..
I really so appreciate your help.

yes Mike,you have a great memory..
cap sun
libra ascent
cancer moon

Sonny G said...


oops sorry I missed your 2nd post Mike.
I'll go read at that site now.

thank you so much

Twilight said...

Sonny ~ I know mike will continue, but I'll just add my first thought after reading your last comment. Please do seek help before 15th (next Wednesday) unless you begin to feel a wee bit better.
Sending a hug...(((( ))))

Sonny G said...


that was sweet of you Annie. thanks

I did go ahead and call and they will see me in the morning..

No worries

Twilight said...

Sonny ~ Good - so glad they had a prompt opening for you. I hope you'll be feeling better very soon.

LB said...

Sonny ~ Sorry to read you've been having some difficult challenges - hope as things settle down you find some peace as well as some balance.:)

Being a Libra Sun with a few astrological challenges myself, I know how important it is for me to find and maintain my center. Natal aspects, progressions and/or transits involving Saturn, Pluto, even Neptune can all play havoc with our scales.

One thing I'll add is how Libra can sometimes be *very* sensitive to blood-sugar issues. My own energy level and state of mind is much improved when I resist temptation and avoid simple carbs and sugars - that means I try to avoid pastries, breads, pastas and most especially anything with added sugar. Even fruit juices can be too much for my own Libra Sun-Venus-NN and progressed Libra Ascendant!

I eat a balanced diet with lean protein sources, some brown rice and lots of steamed vegies (to avoid thyroid-affecting goitrogens) and have learned to appreciate fruit, apples with a little sea-salt are one of my favorites.

As mike has already mentioned, staying physically active (even a brisk walk each day) helps too.

Hang in there, Sonny!

LB said...

Sonny ~ In case my previous comment wasn't clear. I can get *very* depressed when I eat sweets. Very.:( Also extremely irritable and wound up. Coffee and alcohol don't agree with me either, so I avoid them both.

The difference is amazing.

With Neptune traveling through my 6th and opposite my natal Pluto, I began feeling anxious recently, something I don't normally experience.

After a week or so of taking a Calcium-Magnesium Citrate supplement, spread out throughout the day, I felt more like my old self again.

I'm not suggesting you throw out your meds, btw. It's important to practice due diligence and to discuss any potential changes you're considering (diet, supplements, etc.) with your doctor(s).

LB said...

Thanks for letting me share, Twilight.:)

Sonny G said...

Thank you LB.. I appreciate your insight and willingness to share what might be increasing my anxiety.
I too am better of to leave the sweets on someone elses plate but often my willpower to do so fails me.
I have read and several forums that a low carb diet is helpful.
I do want to try other things and options versus making more pharma remedies..
It was kind of all of you to offer help and thank you Annie for allowing me to feel I could post my issues here..

LB said...

You're welcome, Sonny. Your comment about telling your parents you wanted to go home struck a chord with me. As a child I felt the same way and was convinced I didn't belong, still do sometimes, though not as much as I used to now that my inner sense of home has become stronger.

Could be Uranus, Neptune or even Sedna's influence - maybe something else. Being tuned-in creatively can sometimes mean being more sensitive to the spaces in between, if you know what I mean.

mike (again) said...

One last thought, Sonny. Your Cancer Moon and Capricorn Sun demand emotional and physical security, and sometimes one will be at the expense of the other. Transiting Pluto and Uranus are here to radically transform your notion of security...you are being forced to find stability and comfort within, which is pretty exciting.

“Anxiety's like a rocking chair. It gives you something to do, but it doesn't get you very far.” Jodi Picoult, Sing You Home

ex-Chomp said...

Well perhaps these comments won’t be liked but the problem is not merely the number but the aim. The millions rumoured by about Mao Zedong happened for the mad politics of makigìng the pleasant Chinese conomy of the time into an industrial nation in five years. Fileds were left and it happened a terrible famine: The results are known though no one has precise numbers.

For Stalin or Hitler the greatest numers came from the lagers or gulags. In China there had been - **and still are** - the so-called re-educational camps but they id not make the numers you quoted.

An easy reamrk: Why no one says anything about Jiang Kaishe (Chiang Kai-shek) who made a dike to be destroyed to stop the Japanese invasion but unfortunately forgot to tell it to the people of that zone. Still in this case no one knows the exact numer of dead people but they are rmoured very high again... Not like Mao’s but a very high number...

If the problem is the “cruel nature” of a man the intention is very very much important.
In this sense, in my opinion the cruellest of men is Vlad Tzepesh called “Dracula”, the Drake’s Son, if making others suffer **without any reason** is the “criterion” of this reamrkable though horrible tough rank.

Twilight said...

ex-Chomp ~ I always like your comments, ex-Chomp, different views are always welcome.

I agree that the intent/aim of Mao's genocide was to bring China into an industrialized nation able to compete. Whereas some other genocides have been exercises in "ethnic cleansing", yet others to attain vast tracts of lands/wealth.

Was any aim less monstrous than any another though? I think not. Genocide is genocide, and pure evil, for whatever reason it was carried out.

Numbers have to be taken as reported, and I dare say some estimates are more, and some less than the reality. Not much we can do about that all these years later. But genocide is still genocide.

Chiang Kai-shek is another character I might get around to looking at later. Also the other you mentioned, Vlad Tzepesh (Vlad the Impaler) would be a relevant subject, though his date of birth isn't known. I might do a post later on just about those without birth data (and there are several), simply highlighting their atrocities.

This post, on Mao, was just a start. I'm working on another from 20th century history, for posting on two days next week, and learning historical stuff I didn't know, or had been hazy about. Maybe the astrological exercise might, eventually, prove enlightening too.
:-)

LB said...

Twilight ~ The more I learn about history and the large numbers of individuals responsible for committing extreme acts of cruelty -The Holocaust, The Rape of Nanking, the genocide in Rawanda, the imprisonment and force-feeding of prisoners at Guantanamo, etc.- the more I think there's no simple formula for predicting evil.

*If* I understand what it is you're looking for, then I think many more of us than not are capable of becoming "abominables" given the right circumstances.

Wish I was wrong, but history says otherwise.:(

Twilight said...

LB ~ I'm looking on this as a learning excercise - I've started, so I'll finish. :-)

LB said...

Twilight ~ I'd be curious if you come up with anything regarding *why* certain people are propelled into positions of absolute power and influence over so many.

They open the terrible, dark doors that excite some and repel others.

Twilight said...

LB ~ That's something I'd be very interested to discover too. The leadership factor comes into it, but there has to be something more - something almost hypnotic.
When I've "done" a few more of these, I shall go back and look at the charts all over again with this in mind. :-)