Tianchong: A Source of Impending Earthquakes

Preface:

I hesitated for a long time before deciding to write this. My intention is simply to encourage everyone not to panic about the recent spate of earthquakes, and not to put too much stock in the 2012 rumors. That said, when an astrologer writes about natural disasters, it’s easy to be accused of armchair commentary or of exploiting tragedy for attention—labels I’d rather avoid.

To me, Yushu in Qinghai is a sacred place I’ve long wanted to visit. A temple overseen by a lama I know is there. Although I’ve always hoped to go, my last trip only brought me close—I ended up in Changdu, just two hours from Yushu. When I heard the news, I feared the paradise I had seen might have been destroyed. Thankfully, the reports from there were better than expected, which brought some relief.

Those of us far away can do little in practical terms. The best we can do is donate what we can. Given the hundreds of millions reportedly spent rebuilding luxury hotels after the Wenchuan earthquake, I personally recommend donating to reliable grassroots funds; Alipay is the most convenient way to give.

Earthquake Patterns: When Will the Tremors Subside?

From the 8.0 Wenchuan earthquake on May 12, 2008, to the 7.3 earthquake in Haiti on January 12, 2010, the 8.8 earthquake in Chile on February 27, 2010, and the 7.1 earthquake in Yushu, Qinghai on April 14, 2010, a series of major quakes has frayed everyone’s nerves. In the face of nature, human power feels small. While the world can unite to lessen the damage, nothing can undo the losses already suffered. People are praying for this cycle of disasters to end. As concern for the victims grows, many also wonder whether the frequency of these quakes means the “2012” rumors are coming true. From an astrological perspective, however, it’s more fitting to view this series as the Earth responding to shifts in the cosmic magnetic field, rather than as a prelude to a 2012 “end of the world,” which feels alarmist.

Geologists often explain frequent earthquakes as the Earth entering a “geologically active period.” In astrology, waves of natural disasters are frequently linked to challenging aspects among the generational planets—Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto. (Jupiter, being naturally benefic, usually serves more as a trigger or catalyst.) Astrologers saw the 2008 Wenchuan earthquake as the result of energy accumulated during the Saturn-in-Leo opposition to Neptune-in-Aquarius between 2006 and 2007. That energy did not erupt until May 2008 largely because Pluto’s ingress into Capricorn first formed a 150-degree crisis aspect with Mars in Leo, releasing destructive force and igniting the energy built up over the previous two years. A 90-degree square between the Sun and Moon on the day of the quake (falling between Taurus and Leo—both fixed signs) became the last straw that broke the camel’s back.

Key Astrological Aspects During the Wenchuan Earthquake

Key Astrological Aspects

• The opposition between Saturn in Leo and Neptune in Aquarius built up immense energy from 2006 to 2008;
• After Pluto entered Capricorn in January 2008, it formed a 150-degree disaster aspect with Mars in Leo (also a fixed sign);
• A 90-degree Sun–Moon square triggered intense crustal activity (again within the fixed signs of Taurus and Leo).

After the Saturn–Neptune opposition ended in 2007, a new cycle began in September 2008: Saturn in Virgo opposing Uranus in Pisces, marking the Saturn–Uranus opposition cycle. According to earlier astrological research, Uranus is closely associated with earthquakes, while Saturn represents established structures and geological formations. Thus, when Saturn and Uranus oppose each other, the Earth’s crust can become extremely unstable, and at certain times the release of this energy can produce earthquakes—the “power source” behind the current seismic pattern.

Astrologically speaking, the Chile earthquake on February 27, 2010, marked the start of this round of “Earthquake Patterns” (the Haiti quake was not directly tied to the Saturn–Uranus series). The chart for the Chile event fell on the eve of a full moon along the Virgo–Pisces axis, when the Moon’s gravitational pull is strongest and major events are more likely. Typically, internal Earth energy erupts after the full moon, yet the Chile quake struck the day before. It’s likely the Moon’s position had already activated the solar–lunar eclipse chart from January 2010, causing the energy accumulated along the Virgo–Pisces axis to erupt early. The subsequent Virgo full moon on March 1 allowed destructive crustal energy to keep flowing, producing a month of smaller quakes that triggered public anxiety. In fact, these smaller quakes gradually released internal crustal energy, reducing remaining risk.

Inner circle: local earthquake chart for Chile; outer circle: most recent lunar eclipse chart

Key Astrological Aspects

• The opposition between Saturn in Virgo and Uranus in Pisces accumulated immense energy from 2008 to 2010;
• Mars in Leo at the time of the quake was almost identical to its position during the Wenchuan event (within 1 degree) and formed a 150-degree disaster aspect with Pluto;
• The Moon in Leo in the quake chart conjoined Mars in the late-December 2009 lunar eclipse chart in Cancer.

As for the recent Yushu earthquake—another tragedy on Chinese soil—it has brought deep sorrow and fueled waves of rumors about imminent quakes elsewhere. From the chart, however, it still appears to be a release of energy from the Saturn–Uranus opposition along the Virgo–Pisces axis. In this chart, Saturn, having entered Libra, retrograded back into Virgo, forming an approaching opposition to Uranus in Pisces at the final 2 degrees (this aspect will be exact by the end of April). Meanwhile, Mercury, ruler of Virgo, is in a “stationary” phase ahead of its retrograde on April 18, and forms a 90-degree square to Mars in Leo at 6 degrees (squares to Mars are often associated with injury). At the same time, Mars in Leo is in mutual reception with the Sun in Aries; when the Aries new moon arrives, the surge of Aries energy indirectly amplifies Mars in Leo. Fortunately, the most damaging configuration—the 150-degree aspect between Mars and Pluto—is gradually weakening, so the magnitude and damage are far less than in Wenchuan, which is the one piece of good news after the quake.

Key Astrological Aspects of the Yushu Earthquake

 Key Astrological Aspects

• The fourth pass of Saturn in Virgo opposing Uranus in Pisces at the ingress;
• Mercury, ruler of Virgo, in a square aspect with Mars in Leo;
• Mutual reception between the Sun and Mars + the Aries new moon sharply increases Mars energy;
• Mars in Leo in a 150-degree disaster aspect with Pluto in Capricorn.

After the Yushu earthquake, beyond critical rescue work, people are understandably asking whether another major quake will strike soon, and whether the current seismic pattern might pause. From an astrological standpoint, this phase has largely run its course. While minor aftershocks may continue (with stronger aftershocks possible around April 18 and April 29), they are unlikely to cause large-scale destruction, and the affected region should enter a relatively stable period suitable for rebuilding.

Looking ahead, another wave of more disruptive aspects appears around late June. This round is likely to affect transportation more strongly, so it’s wise to limit air and sea travel during that window. As we approach late June, it’s also advisable to avoid crowded places, as the aspects then may correlate with incidents involving extremist groups. After August begins, configurations suggesting natural disasters become more prominent, and the final Saturn–Uranus opposition could again stir crustal energy—something people in quake-prone areas should watch closely.