Having just celebrated another Independence Day, it seems like an appropriate time to take a look at the “birth chart” of the U.S.A. to see what transits, progressions and aspects may impact us all in the coming months. While casting a birth chart for this country would seem like simple task, I have come to learn that there is a long running debate among esoteric scholars, astrologers and psychics, as to exactly when this country was “born”.
Most astrologers tend to point at two dates: July 4, 1776, when the Declaration of Independence was signed and September 17,1787, the day that the Constitution was signed. The first question that is at the head of the debate is: What event actually marks the birth of the country? Sadly, there is no consensus among historians, esoteric practitioners or astrologers providing a clear answer to this question. Since there is no clear “legal” definition for what constitutes the founding of a country, the selection of a date becomes a subjective matter.
A good demonstration of this subjectivity is shown by some of the other dates which astrologers have looked at. July 2nd, 1776; the date that Richard Henry Lee’s resolution calling for independence was adopted by the Continental Congress; August 2, 1776, when the document was signed after being printed, January 1777; when Thomas McKean of Delaware, became the last delegate to sign the original; July 4th, 1777; the date George Washington signed the Declaration and, lastly, March 4, 1789; the date the Constitution was deemed to take effect.
Even taking July 4th, 1776 as the most generally accepted “birthday” for the United States has not ended astrological debates as to the correct casting of a natal horoscope. The major issue is the “time of birth” which has a direct impact on determining the rising sign or ascendant of the chart. One of the most widely recognized charts is the Silby chart. Silby, who was an 18th century astrologer, felt that the correct time was 5:10 p.m. based on historical accounts of the principals to the signing. This chart identifies the rising sign as Sagittarius.
Another popular chart is the Gemini Ascendant chart which identifies the time of “birth” at 2:13 a.m. This time was based on a legend that Ben Franklin wanted to have the Declaration signed in the early morning hours. Unfortunately, no actual documentation or accounts support this version.
The third chart identifying the ascendant as residing in Virgo-is known as the Boehrer/Dobyns Chart. Based on early Congressional records and other historic accounts of the signing, the correct time was 9:36 a.m. Fortunately for everyone who follows the heavens there is no disagreement as to the place of birth-Philadelphia, PA.
So the question is posed: Which chart should we look at? The debate continues as astrologers and other practitioners look at the past to see which events may have been forecast by using progressions (the change in location of the planets from the time of birth to a later date) from the various birth charts to see which casting-or castings- most accurately identified that which was to come. Using these same tools, we might learn more of the path which lies ahead during this summer of uncertainty. The trained psychics and astrologers who can be found on Psychic Cosmos.com stand ready to help those who seek counsel and advice as to what the stars may portend.
PsychicCosmos © 2009
Having just celebrated another Independence Day, it seems like an appropriate time to take a look at the “birth chart” of the U.S.A. to see what transits, progressions and aspects may impact us all in the coming months. While casting a birth chart for this country would seem like simple task, I have come to learn that there is a long running debate among esoteric scholars, astrologers and psychics, as to exactly when this country was “born”.
Most astrologers tend to point at two dates: July 4, 1776, when the Declaration of Independence was signed and September 17,1787, the day that the Constitution was signed. The first question that is at the head of the debate is: What event actually marks the birth of the country? Sadly, there is no consensus among historians, esoteric practitioners or astrologers providing a clear answer to this question. Since there is no clear “legal” definition for what constitutes the founding of a country, the selection of a date becomes a subjective matter.
A good demonstration of this subjectivity is shown by some of the other dates which astrologers have looked at. July 2nd, 1776; the date that Richard Henry Lee’s resolution calling for independence was adopted by the Continental Congress; August 2, 1776, when the document was signed after being printed, January 1777; when Thomas McKean of Delaware, became the last delegate to sign the original; July 4th, 1777; the date George Washington signed the Declaration and, lastly, March 4, 1789; the date the Constitution was deemed to take effect.
Even taking July 4th, 1776 as the most generally accepted “birthday” for the United States has not ended astrological debates as to the correct casting of a natal horoscope. The major issue is the “time of birth” which has a direct impact on determining the rising sign or ascendant of the chart. One of the most widely recognized charts is the Silby chart. Silby, who was an 18th century astrologer, felt that the correct time was 5:10 p.m. based on historical accounts of the principals to the signing. This chart identifies the rising sign as Sagittarius.
Another popular chart is the Gemini Ascendant chart which identifies the time of “birth” at 2:13 a.m. This time was based on a legend that Ben Franklin wanted to have the Declaration signed in the early morning hours. Unfortunately, no actual documentation or accounts support this version.
The third chart identifying the ascendant as residing in Virgo-is known as the Boehrer/Dobyns Chart. Based on early Congressional records and other historic accounts of the signing, the correct time was 9:36 a.m. Fortunately for everyone who follows the heavens there is no disagreement as to the place of birth-Philadelphia, PA.
So the question is posed: Which chart should we look at? The debate continues as astrologers and other practitioners look at the past to see which events may have been forecast by using progressions (the change in location of the planets from the time of birth to a later date) from the various birth charts to see which casting-or castings- most accurately identified that which was to come. Using these same tools, we might learn more of the path which lies ahead during this summer of uncertainty. The trained psychics and astrologers who can be found on Psychic Cosmos.com stand ready to help those who seek counsel and advice as to what the stars may portend.
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Tags: 1776, Astrology, Horoscopes, independence day, July 4