Natural Disasters | Astrology Edition | Vettius Valens
- Tori Smith
- Oct 10, 2024
- 10 min read
With all the tragedy going around these couple weeks, it really had me thinking about Valens interpretations of the planets and signs. One because I had never previously used astrology to predict weather, but two... I had never realized how weather could strip things away from us to have completely different lifestyles and that is the MOST natural form of humbling. (Saturn). Anything can and will be taken away. It doesn't matter how hard you work. That's just a part of life and generations down the line, it can still be taken all away. Mars is in Cancer and as I took time to really attune, I got a couple things that really put into perspective what Mars does in a sign ruled by the Moon. In this blog, I want to use Valens descriptions to give details on what Mars causes and then give you my thoughts, maybe share a few interpretations of mine and how to prepare if you are into that sort of thing.
What Does Mars Do?
Mars can indicate plunderings. Things that get taken away violently or by force. I find this interesting in terms of Mars in the sign of Cancer which the Moon rules which also indicates possessions and fortune. In these current times, it feels like a lot is being taken away which hurts, but what is most precious out of all the sofa's, tv's, armchairs, kitchen stuff, game stations, important laptops, jewelry, documents, and other random things that cost money, (the most precious thing that does not want to be violently taken away), it's our collective body. That's right, our bodies because that is what the Moon signifies. That to me is powerful to think about. Valens says this: "Mars indicates force, wars, plunderings, screams, violence, whoring, the loss of property, banishment, exile, alienation from parents, /3P/ capture, the deaths of wives, /3K/ abortions, love affairs, marriages, the loss of goods, lies, vain hopes, strong-armed robbery, banditry, looting, quarrels among friends, anger, fighting, verbal abuse, hatreds, lawsuits. Mars brings violent murders, slashings and bloodshed, attacks of fever, ulceration, boils, burns, chains, torture, masculinity, false oaths, wandering, embassies under difficult circumstances, actions involving fire or iron, craftwork, masonry. In addition Mars causes commands, campaigns and leadership, infantrymen, governorships, hunting, wild game, falls from heights or from animals, weak vision, strokes. Of the body parts, Mars rules the head, the seat, the genitals; of the internal parts, it rules the blood, the sperm ducts, the bile, the elimination of excrement, the parts in the rear, the back, and the underside. It controls the hard and the abrupt. Of materials, it rules iron, decoration of clothing (because of Aries), as well as wine and beans. It is of the night sect, red in color and acid in taste." Below I have the chart where Mars was just separating from Saturn in a trine aspect on September 30th, 2024. Saturn is said to cause dysentery, Mars in a sense can indicate tornados or forceful impact and although it is a trine aspect, I can't help but think of this in less terms "good" rather an opportunity for destruction with the lesser and greater malefic connecting. We look at natural disasters from a screen as if this stuff couldn't happen to us, but it can. It has. Maybe not on a higher level, but on a lower. Where weather has prevented us from going to work, school, and get the resources we need to survive.
When Valens talks about the nature of the signs, he says this about Cancer:
"Cancer is calm. The parts are as follows: under the two initial stars to the southeast, it is worthless, destructive, stifling, productive of earthquakes. From that point to 10° it makes the air damp and hot, having heavy rains and constant thunderstorms. The right parts are worthless and destructive. In the north the Hare, the front part of Canis Major, and Procyon rise with Cancer."
So what happens when Mars plunder enters a sign that indicates heavy rains? Could it be a disastrous hurricane? Maybe. I think what is notably special or probing to think about is when the two malefics encounter each other and how one is in the sign of Cancer which is "damp" and hot, and the other, Saturn in Pisces, ( "As a whole, Pisces is cool and breezy". Valens) Hurricanes are formed when warm, moist air from the ocean rises and cools, creating clouds and thunderstorms. Isn't that interesting and relevant?
Valens says this also when referring to Cancer ♋:
"It is the house of the moon, feminine, solstitial, the Ascendant to the universe, slavish, downward trending, mute, watery, noble, /9K/ changeable, public, popular, civic, prolific, amphibious. Men born under this sign are ambitious, popular, constantly changing, theatrical, cheerful, easily downcast, pleasure loving, party-giving, public. Unsteady of mind, they say one thing but think another, and not sticking to one activity or (at the most) two, they become wanderers and travelers."
We look at our own charts and we see the planets influence on a psychological level, however when it comes into context of what is happening to the collective, it is clear to see astrology as a tool to predict disasters as a way to prepare for change that comes.. Whether that is good or bad. Mars association with taking things away in a sign of a planet of which signifies wanderers and travelers in a sense denotes a clear explanation of why Mars doesn't enjoy this sign. Not because there is nothing to do, but because it is not conducive to life and he displaces. Not having a home or physical roots.
All this to say it's just interesting how this all ties into weather trends as I follow hurricane Helene and Milton right now and have to watch all this tragedy happen. It's a real event taking place that is stripping away everything. However by using Valens text in a way that is much more physically tied to weather anomalies, it shifts focus from a much more personal experience to the collective human experience and this experience both physically and emotionally challenges us to pull together despite what is being taken, looted, and stolen because let's not pretend that isn't happening everywhere.
Intermission: Rats & Survival
Side note: When I was talking to a friend casually, they sent me a random screenshot. It said, "There was an experiment where they drowned rats to test the outcome of how hope (Jupiter) affects survival rate. Test control rats drowned in a few minutes. The other group of rats were saved seconds before drowning. Once recovered they were put back in the water and were able to swim for hours as they knew there was a chance of survival." Rats will swim for hours if they know there is a chance. RATS WILL SWIM FOR HOURS IF THEY KNOW THERE IS A CHANCE!!!! Not to compare us to rats, but we are in a sense. In terms of natural disasters, if we have means, we take that opportunity to leave, and if we don't we work with what we have and learn to accept the outcome. So what does this say about human existence?
Jupiter's Exaltation 2025
"Jupiter indicates childbearing, engendering, desire, loves, political ties, acquaintance, friendships with great men, prosperity, salaries, great gifts, an abundance of crops, justice, offices, officeholding, ranks, authority over temples, arbitrations, trusts, inheritance, brotherhood, fellowship, beneficence, the secure possession of goods, relief from troubles, release from bonds, freedom, deposits in trust, money, stewardships, Of the external body parts it rules the thighs and the feet. (Consequently in the games Jupiter governs the race.) Of the internal parts it rules the sperm, the uterus, the liver, the parts of the right side. Of materials, it rules tin. It is of the day sect. In color it is grey verging on white and is sweet in taste."
Truth, Religion, Spirituality, Laws, Investments. As I look to the underlying meaning of Jupiter and what that can mean in terms of charity and "good will" instances, Jupiter seems to bear all types of relief from natural disasters. As I sit here drinking my morning coffee, I think about Mars nature to cause change by taking away, severing, and separate and then look at Jupiter's nature which is to give, stabilize and affirm. It is not just enough to look at just a planet in singularity. If you have a day chart, Jupiter might be more inclined to help. However in a night chart, jupiter might struggle to set out to do it's mission to the fullest extent. There are a couple thoughts when I ponder and reflect on this:
We live in a patriarchal society that has us cling to things as a form of possession, authority, and social status. To have Mars strip away vital force, people, material things is an abhorrent event to anyone. If you have been affected, I am so sorry. It can be very tragic and although I have never been stripped away from everything I own from a natural disaster, I have been stripped away from all I have ever known and I sympathize, who knows, one day that very well could be me once again. Today though I'm simply trying to understand the astrology behind this so if you get offended, that is not my intention & I apologize, however I am very stoic in a sense that I believe that Jupiter's place in this all, is that it restores some sort of opportunity for growth, help, and resources to allow a little relief. It allows us to have faith because we have nothing else.
Planetary combinations. August 18, 2025 Jupiter, Venus, and the Moon will be in the sign of Cancer overcoming Mars in Libra in a sign based square. This I could see could be beneficial for the masses in terms of financial aid and help, however Saturn is also in a superior square overcoming the benefics in their fallen sign of Aries.
Valens says this about the combination of Jupiter, Venus, and the Moon:
"Jupiter, Venus, and the moon cause vigorous, famous men, high-priests, prizewinners, overseers of temples and shrines, benefactors, men eager for fame, catering to the pleasures of the masses, of cities, or of villages. These men receive trusts and are thought worthy of honor. They are well spoken of and envied by family and friends, but experience hostility and opposition. With respect to wives and intimate friends, they are unsteady and quarrelsome, living with jealousy and separation and pain, always in suspense. Sometimes they are intimate with relatives, but not even then do they have an undisturbed homelife. They get into partnerships. They will, however, become very spectacular in their manner of life, but they are full of false show, not of the truth."
However, I think what this can also mean, because not everything is good we in turn could see people of leadership make false promises or be showy of character when it comes to money being given. I imagine people with actual substantial amount of money saying one thing, but doing something completely different, especially government officials. "Saturn makes those born under him petty, /2P/ malignant, care-worn, self-depreciating, solitary, deceitful, secretive in their trickery, strict, downcast, with a hypocritical air, squalid, black-clad, importunate, sad-looking, miserable, with a nautical bent, plying waterside trades. Saturn also causes humblings, sluggishness, unemployment, obstacles in business, interminable lawsuits, subversion of business, secrets, imprisonment, chains, griefs, accusations, tears, bereavement, capture, exposures of children. Saturn makes serfs and farmers because of its rule over the land, and it causes men to be renters of property, tax farmers, and violent in action. It puts into one’s hands great ranks and distinguished positions, supervisions, management of others’ property, and the fathership of others’ children. Of materials, it rules lead, wood, and stone. Of the limbs of the body, it rules the legs, the knees, the tendons, the lymph, the phlegm, the bladder, the kidneys, and the internal, hidden organs. Saturn is indicative of injuries arising from cold and moisture, such as dropsy, neuralgia, gout, cough, dysentery, hernia, spasms. It is indicative of these syndromes: possession, homosexuality, and depravity. Saturn makes bachelors and widows, bereavements, and childlessness. It causes violent deaths by water, strangulation, imprisonment, or dysentery. It also causes falling on the face. It is the star of Nemesis; it is of the day sect. It is like castor in color and astringent in taste."
So when it comes to Saturn in the first face of Aries, it is represented by the Axe. This is where we are met with the Two of Wands which is a man looking out over the battle, where there is a will to go out and dominate this part of the world and claim it as it's own. This is about taking and dominating and that which is unwilling to compromise. During this time around August 18, 2025, Saturn will be in the bounds of Jupiter. When a planet is within the bounds of another planet, it's as if that planet has to go through another channel. This is Jupiter in Cancer. However with Saturn Retrograde, we could definitely see some revisions when it comes to the financial relief to the people. Valens says, "The first 6° of Aries belong to Jupiter: temperate, robust, prolific, beneficent." Since both Saturn and Jupiter are of the day sect, this might actually provide something in the beginning stages when it comes to the aid that can help.
Final words
To survive we need to get to the bare essentials when it comes to natural disasters. Think primitively. We need water. We need shelter. We need clothes. Physical cash. Things that provide heat and we need to be aware of our surroundings and what we can do right now for later days ahead so that we might be able to rebuild, re-envision, reset what has been made and existed for much too long, a patriarchal system that has stripped us from what is natural, mother nature.
As much as Mars can cause disturbances, he can cause us to take action even when we might not have the ideal resources, so what do you do? You adapt. You change. You shift. In the sign of Cancer, it is reminder of that which nurtures us and gives us life can be taken away. Women in the neolithic ages used to measure stored foods for hopes that they might make it through the seasons. Let's think about that and how it applies to our own situation.
This is all I have for now, if you would like to donate in hopes to send relief to hurricane Helene and Milton victims, here is a link below. ❤️
https://www.redcross.org/donate/dr/hurricanes-milton-helene.html/ Sources Vettius Valens, anthologies, Book i. (n.d.).
Sjöö, M., Widoff, J., & Budd, A. (2023). Monica Sjöö: The great cosmic mother. Moderna Museet ; Verlag der Buchhandlung Walther und Franz König.
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