7 October 2024 – Sderot, Israel, 6:35 am local time
One of the first things to jump out in this chart is eclipsed ascendant, with the south node of the moon (the inherited past) only a fraction of a degree away from it, thereby severely influencing the motivation and affecting the trajectory going forward. Compounding this affliction, Mars is less than two degrees away. All three of these zodiacal elements find themselves in Libra. The outward image of self (ascendant) thus takes a militant approach to relationships (in Libra, opposing the 7th sign and house Aries). And this is even more so, as the natal chart 1st house/sign combination is repeated in the Navamsha*.
Meanwhile Venus, the ruler of the first house, is afflicted by Saturn retrograde in the fifth in its own sign of Aquarius, opposing Venus in the 11th in Leo. Both are in fixed signs; this particular combination does not bode well for a progressive outlook, especially since Venus is the chart ruler. Saturn, as the yogakaraka of the chart (ruler of the fourth and fifth, in the fifth) is in a sense the most powerful force present, yet retrograde, constricted in its self-expression, and stunting Venus’ opportunity for a more beneficial expression. In a political context, such a configuration also portends a general suffering of the masses (Saturn opposing Venus), and a negative effect on children (5th house). Venus is also ruler of the eighth house of death, hence, along with the malefic forces in the first house we see the mixed results of Hamas’ motivation with its outward manifest results. It is onteresting to also see that, aside from the eclipsed ascendant and Mars, Saturn is the only planet that falls below the horizon, so one of Hamas’ vehicles for inner reflection (as the 4th house ruler) in this event of warfare is not the best combination for a softer approach.
The lunar nodes indicate the karmic axis. The south node occupying the first house is “the way in” for Hamas, the path from whence it comes. Note also the Sun in the 12th sign, but also falling in the first house – an indication that the internal drive for liberation (12th) of the self (1st house, and Hamas/Palestine in this context) runs deep and the self holds this as its dharmic compass reading. Sun in Virgo is seeking tangible works, material progress. The message (Mercury in Virgo in the 12th) Hamas is trying to communicate is clear – or at least as clear as its leaders are able to muster. Mercury ruling its own sign and house here, and also ruling the ninth house of the self’s sense of life’s purpose and meaning, gives Hamas its sense of moral justification and righteousness, while the rulership makes the chosen approach strong – for better or worse.
The north note of the moon points to the way through, the new avenues that must be explored in order to realize a higher evolution. North node in the seventh house shows that this evolution must be realized through proper relationships. Aries on the seventh sign is however a volatile combination. Militant, fiery tendencies, impulsiveness, and in this case, reckless courage lead to widespread death – Jupiter, while in the seventh sign of Aries also falls in the eighth house, of which death is one of the most categorical significators. Jupiter is functionally malefic for a Libra ascendant, and is retrograde in this chart; any benefits might only be perceived internally, or be delayed…
The Moon is the nexus of mentality, motivation and function, and expresses itself in Gemini with a need for self-expression and surprise. Despite a would-be fortunate ninth sign placement, the darkness of the eclipsed ascendant results in a cutoff from a deeper truth and thereby repeats the older “diversion” of the same old wartime approach. The Moon falls also in the tenth house, manifesting Hamas’ massive sense of mission and desire to leave a lasting achievement. In a perverse way this is indeed happening.
The inner and the outer reflect each other. So at least for the moment, the bottom line is that an approach such as has been taken here by Hamas will not yield a lasting solution; it is fraught with long-seated inner conflict. I’ll update and expand on this discourse as events and insights further unfold.
*Vedic astrology has, in addition to the natal chart, a series of mathematical divisional charts that reflect specific dimensions of the subject whose chart it is. The Navamsha is the ninth division and generally considered the most significant division.