Italy's deadly crises

A deadly health crisis rages in Italy. Yesterday, Italy reported 24,980 cases and 1,851 deaths. On Sunday, 368 people died in Italy in a single 24 hour period. The spread of the disease in Italy is 9 times more intense than in China. Even if Italy's population of 61 million is only a fraction of China's 1,384 million, the deaths in Italy are more than half the number there. Hence, it would be good to have an authentic horoscope for Italy, that explains its past history of deadly crises and the present dreadful situation.

Choice of two events

There are two major historical events considered by astrologers as the basis of a national horoscope for Italy. The first event is the unification of Italy under one king in 1861 and the second is the constitutional change of Italy from Monarchy to Republic in 1946.

Both events have been studied. The conclusion is that the unification of Italy, a long process lasting from 1829 to 1871, but with a founding event, when the King of Sardinia became the Monarch of most of Italy on March 17, 1861, was likely the decisive event. Italy as a country was truly created through unification whereas the formation of a Republic was essentialy about replacing the king with a president as figurehead. That said, the process involved a major rewrite of the constitution. However, it was not an event that recreated the country.

The creation of a republic

King Umberto II votes on June 3, 1946

Due diligence requires that research be performed into the founding of the Italian Republic, to examine this case in depth based on both its historical and astrological merits. The national referendum after the war was initially singly focused on the choice of figurehead for the country. There had been momentum for replacing the King with a President. Over the course of preparations, the referendum developed into a full blown constitutional change. Importantly, V. K. Choudhry had warned that a new constitution was not always sufficient basis for the founding of a new country.

"On the day of June 2 and the morning of June 3, 1946, therefore, the referendum took place to choose between monarchy or republic."

Some work was performed in examining horoscopes for both 11 am and 12 pm as times for the closing of the polls in the morning of Monday, June 3, 1946. Neither chart gave a reliable fit to significant events in the history of the country. Charts for the proclamation of the Republic on June 10, 1946 at 16:00 and 18:00 were also examined, but without a convincing fit.

Unification: a new nation

Oct.1860: Garibaldi hails Victor Emmanuel as "King of Italy"

A careful study of the unification of the country offers as a sound basis for a possible authentic chart, for the creation of the new nation, Italy. Importantly, before unification, the peninsula and adjacent islands were occupied by an amalgam of independent kingdoms of Sardinia, Venetia and Sicily, duchies, the papacy and San Marino. Even after the creation of the monarchy, it took decades for the unification to be completed, in terms of bringing all the contiguous areas under the control of the new state. The political "Irredentist" movement had formed to unite the nation. It expressed a desire for a single language and culture, likely in line with the common glorious heritage of Rome as well as that of the Catholic church. The unification is described thus:

"The fall of Gaeta brought the unification movement to the brink of fruition—only Rome and Venetia remained to be added. On 18 February 1861, Victor Emmanuel assembled the deputies of the first Italian Parliament in Turin. On 17 March 1861, the Parliament proclaimed Victor Emmanuel King of Italy, and on 27 March 1861 Rome was declared Capital of Italy, even though it was not yet in the new Kingdom. Three months later Cavour died, having seen his life's work nearly completed. When he was given the last rites, Cavour purportedly said: "Italy is made. All is safe."

When we explore the Parliamentary proclamation more closely, it emerges that it took the form of the publication of the Official Gazette on March 17, 1861. 

"Immediately after the start of the legislature, on 21 February, the then Prime Minister Camillo Benso, Count of Cavour presented to the Senate a bill, consisting of a single article, to formalize the new name of the King. This became law on March 17, 1861, with the publication in the Official Journal of the Kingdom of Italy n.67. March 17 is commemorated annually by the Anniversary of the Unification of Italy, a national holiday established in 1911 on the occasion of the 50th anniversary."

Most modern astrologers take for granted the present practice of counting the start of the day from midnight. As a result, the horoscope for this event is normally timed for midnight on this day. However -- and here is an interesting twist -- in Italy into the 19th century, the day was not considered to begin at midnight. Rather, it ended at dusk, when a new day began, that was then counted forward for 24 hours, until the following evening. This is called the "Italian system". 

As such, the modern system of counting from midnight had only recently been introduced and was by no means universal. In some cases in Europe, in the early 20th century, the time was counted from noon. We may also consider that even the time zone system was evolving in the late 19th century. In 1888, the Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) emerged as a new system. In addition, many countries began only to count the new day from midnight as late as 1925. As such, we may surmise that counting from midnight, as is customary today, especially for official acts, had little support in terms of Italian customs, decades earlier, or in 1861.

In this photo of a footnote in a book on the Italian letters of famed author Margaret Fuller in the 1840s, the editor attempts to explain the Italian system. It is therefore possible and even likely that the publication of the Official Gazette took place at another time on March 17, 1861.

Let's consider five possible times for an "official declaration" in Turin, Italy on this day:

1. at 12:00 a.m. midnight, when everybody is fast asleep: 6° 22' Scorpio;
2. at sunrise, 6:27 a.m. when the cock crows and people start their day: 26° 55' Aquarius;
3. when the gazzette was delivered to the government offices, at the time they open their doors, or when a town crier read it out, at ca. 8:30-9:00 a.m.: 3° - 12° Taurus;
4. at 12:00 noon, when workers break for lunch: 19° 48' Gemini; and
5. at sunset, 6:27 p.m., when businesses cease their operations: 4° 02' Virgo.

Lettura bando (e. reading notice)

Up front, we may reject options 2 and 4 as there is no recorded tradition for such "official times". In the case of 5, it would be the end of the day, and hence doesn't make sense. Even if we move it up to March 16, it is then March 16th, which doesn't make sense either. We can also sideline 1 for the same reason, as there was no tradition for it. We are then left with option 3. In this case, the offices likely opened at 9:00 a.m.. Possibly, a town crier announced the new kingdom. We may also consider the fact that the Kingdom of Italy was an extension of the Kingdom of Sardinia, which had existed from the 14th century. As such, its traditions were age old, suggesting the possible use of town criers in making formal declarations (see photo). This could also have coincided, as first order of business, with the start of the business day. 

Today, the country is described in the following manner:

"Think of Italy and the first thing that strikes the mind is its enchanting beauty, picturesque landscape, magnificent art, rich culture and heritage, vibrant history and lip-smacking cuisine! But there is more to Italy that what meets the eye – Italian leaders! One of the most charming and hardworking people in the world, Italian leaders are recognized for their wit, intelligence and charisma. Much of the credit for safeguarding the country’s unique blend of mesmerizing past and effervescent present goes to its leaders who have helped maintain a balance and created a niche of distinctiveness for Italy in the world over. According to the Constitution of Italy, the country is ruled by elected representatives. The Prime Minister is the executive head of the country, while the role of the President is largely ceremonial. Italy has had numerous leaders since 1861, but few of them have left a lasting imprint on the minds of the people in Italy and abroad. Alcide de Gasperi, Aldo Moro, Giovanni Spadolinni, Mario Monti, Giorgio Napolitano, Enrico Letta, Matteo Renzi are some of Italian leaders who have contributed to the country’s growth and advancement."

Despite such a glowing description, Italy endured a near-debt crisis in 2011 and 2012, with some arguing the government mismanaged its finances. In earlier decades, there were frequent turnovers of governments, when Italy became known for its short lived governments. Nevertheless, Italy has its share of famous leaders, but some of whom have been felled by scandal or corruption. Suggestive of the wit of Italian leaders is long-serving prime minister Giulio Andreotti who quipped “Power wears out those who do not have it.” The horoscope therefore needs to be able to explain such an odd mixture of charm and problems.

Taurus rising

Indeed, a Taurus rising horoscope for the nation gives promise in explaining the charming nature of the country, its historically significant events and the recent calamity. The following description, functional planets and placements, beginning with the excellent information on the web site of astrologer and author K. Rajesh Chaudhary about Taurus as a rising sign:

“Taurus is an earthy sign ruled by Venus, the significator for pleasures, materialistic pursuits and comforts. The Moon, the significator for caring, tenderness and affluence, is exalted in this sign. Ketu, the significator of spiritual pursuits, is debilitated in this sign. These factors render the Taurus born people materialistic, motherly and sensual, enjoying comfort, beauty and luxury around them, being convinced that in all circumstances they are correct…. Apart from Rahu and Ketu, Venus, Jupiter, and Mars also become functional malefic planets. The Moon, the Sun, Mercury and Saturn are functional benefic planets for the Taurus born people. The Moon acts as a Sun-like planet. The first rate natural benefic planets, Venus and Jupiter, turn first rate functional malefic planets, causing sufferings whenever they form close transit or natal conjunctions/aspects with weak natal/transit positions.”

The ascendant is likely early Taurus, and 3° Taurus rising horoscope becomes the basis for the tentative horoscope. It does not seem realistic for Italy to have a rising degree placing e.g. Venus as 6th lord in the most effective point, or MEP (+/- 5° from rising degree) of the 10th house. Italy would be seen as a quarrelsome country. As a result, an earlier degree is selected. 

Let's start with the positives. With an exalted 3rd lord Moon in the 1st house MEP, nutrition is important to them. Indeed, Italian cuisine is world renowned. Italy also has a dynamic industrial sector, including famous automobiles. Italians tend also to have entrepreneurial leaders, with some, like Mussolini (1922-1943) becoming dictatorial. 

Another element linked to the exlted 3rd lord Moon in the 1st house MEP, but also 6th lord Venus in the 10th house, is the world famous opera, which is uniquely Italian since the 17th century, and is associated with famous composers like Giuseppi Verdi, Giacomo Puccini and Gioachino Rossini, as well as such famous opera singers as Luciano Pavarotti, Andrea Bocelli and Ezio Pinza.  

With 10th lord Saturn in Leo and the 4th house, gives good development for the assets of the nation, and provides generally good governance. 

As Saturn rules old things, it also makes ancient buildings important for the national heritage. The amazing Roman Pantheon, erected by two emperors in the 1st and 2nd centuries A.D., carries astronomical and astrological significance, related to the Sun's beam hitting the doorway in April, illuminating the arrival of the emperor for Roman religious observance. Indeed, 10th lord Saturn aspects the 3rd lord Moon, adding renown to the latter's indications. 

With 4th lord Sun in the 11th house most effective point conjunct 5th lord Mercury, Italians a very analytical and intelligent in their approach. Italian's are also focused on their plans and earning a decent income. As a result, Italy ranks fairly high in annual income and standard of living, although the industrialised north of the country that is seen to pull the wagon as the south is more afflicted by corruption and is therefore less developed.

We may note that as 6th lord Venus is in Aquarius and 10th house, conflict can disturb the government, the legislature and foreign trade. Possibly, Italians place greater importance on the public role of the political opposition. However, this is not all bad. 

Luxury cars

2020 Maserati GT Convertible

As Venus is strong, Italians enjoy comfortable living standards and are know for their superb designs. Italian fashions and cars are world renowned, although there have been periods of technical problems, as in the old joke: "what does FIAT stand for?" The reply is "Fix it again, Tony! That said, Italians also have a technical oriented automotive sector, as reflected in the conjunction of Sun and Mercury. Accordingly, with the strong and well placed 3rd lord Moon and Venus in the 10th house, the country produces some of the finest cars in the world, including Lamborghini, Maserati and Ferrari.

Now we move to analyse the downside of the chart. The major problems facing Italy are seen in the placements of the functional malefic planets, and the aspects between them. Indeed, the problems seen are non-trivial. 

The mafia and corruption

In the Systems' Approach, the contact of Rahu and Mars is seen to give an anti-social approach. In this chart, there is an aspect of Rahu in the 8th house to 12th lord Mars in the 12th house. Indeed, the ancient order of the Cosa Nostra, the Italian mafia, is the epitome of organised crime, being involved in smuggling, intoxicants, drugs, theft and other offenses. This placement also suggests that corruption is endemic in the country. Indeed, the government has been battling of the mafia influence in Italian life for the past half century. After being shorn down since the 1970s, the mafia has apparently enjoyed a resurgence in recent years. In this regard, we may note that the Rahu major period operated from 1999 to 2017, with the Rahu-Mars period running from March 2016 to March 2017. As a result, this anti-social energy would have, again, been brought into prominence again.

Debt and growth

Jupiter is the general indicator of finance. With 8th lord Jupiter in the 3rd house, Italians like to expand through new enterprises, notably in the areas of transportation and communication. At the same time there are problems for these and the legitimacy of the government. This is because 12th lord Mars in the 12th house aspects 8th lord Jupiter in the 3rd house. As a result, the easy gains and assets of Italians can experience losses and setbacks, possibly linked to communication and transportation sectors. Indeed, in the euro crisis of 2011-2012, the Italian government, due to its highly indebted banks, came under grave pressure. However, with 4th lord Sun and 5th lord Mercury conjunct in the 11th house MEP, it was through genius management by the Italians and, their friends in the EU, notably EU organisations like ECB and ESM, that Italy's banks were adequately funded and sheltered through the storm. However, that does not mean all is now well, as the debts are still high and many worry that Italy may still have to deal with another financial crisis. Indeed, during the major period of Jupiter running from 2017 to 2033, debts should come into focus. However, in the earlier Jupiter major period, from 1897 to 1913, Italy saw debt reductions through high economic growth rates. That is also possible going forward, despite the aspect of 12th lord Mars. It may only mean that the debtors are not fully compensated.

The operation of the Mafia has likely cost the nation in terms of higher transaction costs and reduced economic efficiency. The afflictions involving the 12th and 8th lords also explain the many large natural disasters in the history of the country, costing untold lives, including from the current coronavirus crisis.

Significant events

In examining a few historic significant event, the ones chosen are were Italy has lost a large number of people through its own actions or natural disasters, as this would be most disturbing to the national or collective psyche.

Messina earthquake

28 December 1908: Between 75 and 200 thousand people were killed in the Messina earthquake, which struck at 5:20 a.m. on that day. The Jupiter major period was operating since March 1897. The Moon sub-period war running. Jupiter rules the 8th house and is placed in the 3rd house under afflicting aspect from 12th lord Mars in the 12th house. Transit Mars at 28° Libra and 6th house was under exact aspect of natal Ketu at 28° Gemini and 2nd house, its own natal placement in the 12th house. The transit nodes were at the beginning of their three month long stationary period, with transit Ketu at 3° Sagittarius and 8th house, in close aspect to the 4th house, ruling structures. Transit 4th lord Sun was in the 8th house, along with transit 5th lord Mercury. Meanwhile, transit Rahu was closely afflicting the 2nd and the 10th house, holding transit 3rd lord Moon. Both nodes were aspecting all the even numbered houses. Transit 8th lord Jupiter was in 4th house in opposition aspect to natal 6th lord Venus and 10th house. In short, the transits were massively afflicting natal placements in the horoscope at this enormously deadly event.

Italy in World War II

25 July, 1943: The Allies take Sicily and Mussolini is sacked, signalling the start of an almost two year effort to liberate the country. Italy´s participation in World War II began when its military forces invaded Greece on 28 October 1940. The Mercury-Mars period, where Mars is 12th lord of war and losses, was operating. With the Mercury-Rahu period from September 1941 to April 1944, the fortunes changed against Italy. Towards the wars end, Milan, in northern Italy, was liberated in April 1945. The Mercury - Jupiter period was operating. During these three FM sub periods, Italy lost half a million troops in WW II and over 150,000 civilians. The allies invaded Sicily on 10 July and the last Germans fled the island on August 17. During this time, transit 6th lord Venus was in the 4th house, and at the time when the island fell, it was in exact opposition to natal 6th lord Venus in the 10th house. Meanwhile, the nodes were stationary on top of natal 8th lord Jupiter in the 3rd house. At the start of the invasion. transit 12th lord Mars was in aspect to transit 8th lord Jupiter in the 3rd house.

Vajont Dam Disaster

9 October 1963: Two thousand people die when a landslide causes the over-topping of the Vajont Dam north of Venice; the flooding wave completely wipes out several villages.  There were warning signs of landslides causing tsunamic like conditions in the dam basis, but rather than heed the warnings, the government chose to sue the journalists reporting the alarming developments for disturbing the "social order".

The Venus - Rahu period was operating. The government response shows manipulation, consistent with Rahu. Transit Rahu at 23° Gemini and 2nd house was aspecting transit 12th lord Mars at 25° Libra and 6th house, itself also in aspect to natal Mars at 27° Aries and 12th house, while transit 6th lord Venus in 6th house MEP was afflicting the 12th house. The scope for losses is therefore clear. Transit 10th lord Saturn in 9th house was in opposition aspect to natal 8th lord Jupiter in the 3rd house, while transit 8th lord Jupiter in 11th house was in exact aspect to transit 4th lord Sun in the 5th house. The governments mismanagement of this project caused thousands of lives being lost.

Corona virus crisis

January 31, 2020: Arrival of coronavirus pandemic in Italy, with the first reported case. The number of cases has erupted since, reaching a peak in March, with a national quarantine ordered on March 8. Today, the crisis has reached an outsize level, both in terms of number of cases and deaths. As of 16 March 2020, there have been 27,980 confirmed cases, 2,158 deaths, and 2,749 recoveries in Italy, leaving 23,073 active cases. Apparently, tens of thousands of Chinese people work in factories (ruled by Saturn) producing exportable goods (ruled by the 10th house) in northern Italy, with direct flights to China, including Wuhan. This could explain why northern Italy became Europe’s hotspot for the Wuhan Coronavirus. In any event, as a result of the outbreak, international flights into the country have been stopped and the economy has all but ground to a halt.

The Jupiter major period began in March 2017. The favourable sub-period of 10th lord Saturn in the 4th house is operating since May 2019. However, the transits are very difficult, even if transit 10th lord Saturn moved into Capricorn and the 9th house on January 24. Transit stationary Ketu in mid Sagittarius and 8th house has been in applying aspect to natal 10th lord Saturn in Leo and the 4th house from late November 2019. Transit stationary Ketu and transit 8th lord Jupiter have also been together in Sagittarius and 8th house since late November 2019. They became conjunct in January 2020, with 8th lord Jupiter adding to the malefic energy on Saturn as 10th lord.. However, transit 8th lord Jupiter has since moved into aspect of natal 12th lord Mars in the 12th house, while transit 12th lord Mars entered Sagittarius and 8th house on February 8th, 2020. This week it becomes conjunct transit Jupiter in late Sagittarius while conjunct natal Rahu at 28° Sagittarius. The pandemic has caused thousands of deaths and inflicted death-like experiences on many more. The confluence of so many malefic aspects fits well with it.

Conclusion
This tentative 3° Taurus rising horoscope for Italy shows promise in explaining the nature of the country and its history. From it we may deduce that the coronavirus pandemic may reach some peak this week, around the 19 March 2020, when transit 12th lord Mars becomes conjunct transit 8th lord Mars on top of natal Rahu. Making the situation also extremely tense has been the passage of transit 6th lord Venus in the 12th house. From March 19th, it will also become conjunct natal 12th lord Mars and fall under the aspect of both transit 8th lord Jupiter and natal Rahu both in late Sagittarius and 8th house. So, as April dawns, some improvement will emerge. Despite that, continued problems are foreseen this year, as the transits of the slow moving malefic planets continue to afflict in the chart. While the pandemic problems are seen to gradually become less as March closes and April begins, not least due to transit 8th lord Jupiter entering Capricorn and the 9th house on March 28, other problems will emerge. From early Capricorn, transit 8th lord Jupiter will cast an aspect to transit 6th lord Venus in early Taurus and 1st house, suggesting some short-lived problems involving the indications of the political opposition, health matters and financial stability. Moreover, from May to July 2020, the nodes will go stationary in the MEPs of the 2nd and 8th houses, which is not ideal. From there the nodes will aspect all even numbered houses, suggesting strains for the economy and assets of the country. Meanwhile, transit debilitated 8th lord Jupiter in early Capricorn and 9th house MEP, will aspect the 1st house, 3rd house and 5th house and will also briefly become conjunct transit 10th lord Saturn. This suggests obstacles for the management of the country. From July to October, transit Jupiter will have re-entered Sagittarius, where it will have crossed over natal Rahu, and cast an aspect to natal 12th lord Mars. This signifies more obstacles and endings for the country, possibly related to the fall out from the intensive pandemic episode. In December 2020, transit Jupiter will then become conjunct transit 10th lord Saturn at 7° Capricorn and the 9th house MEP, suggesting problems for the government, church and courts, but also for the automotive sector, transportation and communication in the country.

Happy 159th birthday, Italy!

Post Script
The time given for this horoscope is not exact as shown. There was a problem in reconciling local mean time (LMT) in JT Pro to give the correct birth time and desired degree. The birth information was also calculated for verification purposes in astro.com. That said, the chart shows the desired ascendant and placements.