Ah, the chart of the United States. I could say that this is the chart of the United States that I use, but I have studied it enough to say this is the chart of the United States. I’m introducing it here since it will be used in many upcoming discussions.
First the date. Anybody (in the United States especially) who has been to a Fourth of July celebration, fireworks, or parade will know when the United States was born. The Fourth of July has been celebrated as the birthday of the country since 1777 – the first birthday. As for the time, we are fortunate that a contemporary astrologer Ebenezer Sibly (or Sibley – died 1799) constructed a birth chart for the country, but set it in London. Also, according to the Bulletin of the Philadelphia Historical Society the first signature was placed on the Declaration of Independence at 5 PM on July 4. More details about this chart are found in The Astrology of America’s Destiny by Dane Rudhyar.
For a long time, if I ever thought about it at all, I used the Gemini rising chart of the United States, which at the time seemed to be the most popular. As I said, I never really used this but when asked I would provide it. The birth time of this chart is 2 in the morning, which now that I think of it is a strange time to be signing a document. Then an event occurred over a decade ago, like the Tarot major arcana card the Tower, that validated the use of the Sibly chart for me. I have since used this chart a lot and been amazed by the results.
We will discuss the chart in great detail later, but first a few words in general. Notice Jupiter – the Greater Benefic – conjunct Venus – the Lesser Benefic – conjunct the Sun. While no one has suggested that the chart of the United States was planned (or elected) even though knowledge of esoteric subjects was widespread at the time among all the Masons founding the country, one could not imagine a more fortunate chart than one with such a triple conjunction. It would promise growth, wealth, and popularity to the maximum.
Note that at that time the three outer planets – Uranus, Neptune, Pluto – were unknown, with the first one being discovered in 1781. With those three planets removed, the chart would look like the second illustration. The Moon – the people of the country – is the only planet below the horizon, meaning hidden or not visible to the wider world. This was to be desired by the founders of the country who were very afraid of democracy. They were quite knowledgeable of the Roman Republic – and they wanted to keep the people subservient to the wiser beings – themselves. As John Jay, a Founding Father and first Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, said “Those who own the country ought to govern it”. Alexander Hamilton, another founder, surrogate son to George Washington, and first Secretary of the Treasury (look at a ten dollar bill) thought that the Senate and President should be elected for life. On the other hand the Sun – the government – is clearly above the horizon, much more “important” and visible to the outside world.
The other thing to notice is that the Midheaven-IC axis, representing the spine of the chart, is aligned with the 0 Aries-0 Libra Cardinal axis. Anything connected to the Cardinal axis will be known to the world, will have an influence on the wider world, and the fact that Midheaven – our public face – is on the Cardinal axis shows that this country will strongly influence the rest of the world. One thinks of former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright calling the United States the “indispensable nation”. Barack Obama said much the same thing , and in fact most leaders have to pay obeisance to that belief.