Mars Fight Over Search Warrants

 Battling the Writs in 1761

Custom officers were the enforcers of the Pitt policy who could ransack homes or businesses, seize any goods, and claim they were suspected of being smuggled. When recounting the causes of the American Revolution, John Adams pointed to the writs of assistance as first on the list of reasons.

The writs were general warrants without a specific reason or person that allowed customs officers to search anyone anywhere under suspicion or far worse, due to corruption. 

The officers were financially incentivized as they were allowed a portion for themselves, a portion for the Governor and a third for the crown with the suspected individual required to prove innocence.50

Change in Power

On the death of King George II the Sun was at 02 Scorpio, the degree Mars held on the Pitt circular. His death would require custom officers to have their writs renewed to continue enforcement. The chart of the old king’s death was the ascension chart of the new King George III, and according to the research of Kraum and Grant, the time was 7:13 am on October 25, 1760, at Kensington.51  (making yearly event page)

Transits to Cycles and Eclipses on October 25, 1760

• Jupiter stationary 17 Aquarius 46 return Jupiter-Uranus 16 Aquarius 40 orb 1.06.
• Sun 02 Scorpio 21 square Jupiter-Neptune 05 Leo 05 orb 2.44.
• Mars 16 Sagittarius 07 conjunct Uranus-Neptune 16 Sagittarius 11 orb 0.04.
• Saturn 22 Pisces 45 square Solar eclipse 22 Gemini 37 orb 0.08.
• Saturn 22 Pisces 45 square Jupiter-Pluto cycle 21 Sagittarius 38 orb 1.07.
• Uranus 02 Aries 02 square Saturn-Neptune 00 Cancer 58 orb 1.04.
• Uranus 02 Aries 02 square Solar Eclipse 02 Cancer 45 orb 0.43.
• North Node 09 Gemini 43 opposition Lunar eclipse 08 Sagittarius 48 orb 0.55.

Stationary Jupiter made an amplified impression as it returned to the Jupiter-Uranus cycle of twelve years earlier. The Pitt letter changed policy on the transiting return of the Jupiter-Uranus cycle, whereas with the death of the king, there would be vast changes.

The difference between the two events demonstrates the contrast of a stationary Jupiter effect versus the transit. Seven months after the Pitt change in policy, Mars again aspected the Uranus-Neptune cycle as the Sun contacted a Neptune involved cycle, except Jupiter was stationary.

To recap, Jupiter become stationary, moving far less than its average daily speed through October and would conjunct a cycle as a return. The transit of Saturn on the last ten days of October would square the recent Solar eclipse at the same degree, the Solar eclipse had opposed another Jupiter cycle, Jupiter-Pluto. (more on stationary orbs)

The transiting Mars, as a faster moving inner planet, would be conjunct the Uranus-Neptune cycle for only a few days, which narrowed the timeframe for a significant event. These observations could be made only using the cycle worksheet and the ephemeris before looking at a chart for further confirmation.

Transits to Glorious Revolution Chart on October 25, 1760.

• Stationary Jupiter 17 Aquarius 46 return to Jupiter 15 Aquarius 33 orb 2.12.
• Stationary Jupiter 17 Aquarius 46 square Uranus 19 Taurus 14 orb 1.29.
• Sun 02 Scorpio 21 square Midheaven 01 Aquarius 40 orb 0.41.
• Mercury 08 Scorpio 24 conjunct Saturn 06 Scorpio 59 orb 1.24.
• Venus 20 Scorpio 57 opposition Uranus 19 Taurus 14 orb 1.42.
• North Node 09 Gemini 43 square Mercury 11 Pisces 26 orb 1.43.
• North Node 09 Gemini 43 square Neptune 10 Pisces 24 orb 0.41.
• Lilith 23 Scorpio 55 opposition Chiron 23 Taurus 23 orb 0.32.

The stationary Jupiter returned to the Glorious Revolution Jupiter as transiting Venus at 20 Scorpio focused transiting Neptune 21 Leo to aspect Glorious Revolution Uranus. The North Node in square to the Ascendant ruler Mercury as Mercury was conjunct Saturn emphasized the Mercury energy and pointed to a significant event for the common people.

Stationary Jupiter at 17 Aquarius opposed the joined Magna Carta Chiron at 19 Leo and Pluto at 20 Leo, particularly relevant for the ascension of a king. Transiting Venus at 20 Scorpio and transiting Neptune at 21 Leo also aspected the Magna Carta Chiron and Pluto.

The transiting Saturn at 22 Pisces 45 exactly opposed the Magna Carta Saturn at 22 Virgo 45. The Magna Carta was to rein in the monarchy and limit abuse of power. Transiting Uranus at 02 Aries 01 opposed the Magna Carta Ascendant at 02 Libra 13. Other foundational charts of England such as the King William coronation add confirmations.52

Transits to Pilgrim Chart on October 25, 1760

• Sun 02 Scorpio 21 square Uranus 01 Leo 58 orb 0.23.
• Mars 16 Sagittarius 07 conjunct North Node 16 Sagittarius 38 orb 0.31.
• Uranus 02 Aries 02 square Sun 00 Capricorn 09 orb 1.53.
• Uranus 02 Aries 02 opposition Midheaven 00 Libra 23 orb 1.39.
• Uranus 02 Aries 02 square Saturn 03 Cancer 31 orb 1.29.
• North Node 09 Gemini 43 opposition Ascendant 10 Sagittarius 34 orb 0.55.
• Chiron 09 Aquarius 21 square Jupiter 11 Taurus 24 orb 2.03.

The Sun and Uranus energies were compounded in a double whammy as transiting Uranus was square the Pilgrim Sun while the Sun was square the Pilgrim Uranus. The freedom the colonies had experienced due to the British neglect in the Pilgrim Sun and Saturn opposition would be changed by Uranus in square as it also opposed the Midheaven.

Mars conjunct the North Node as the transiting North Node opposed the Ascendant had far reaching ramifications for the public. Another facet of the Chiron story was his death, transiting Chiron was square Jupiter as the king’s death forced the start of a new monarchy.

Judicial Tyranny

On December 7, 1760, there was a Solar eclipse at 16 Sagittarius 02 to conjunct Uranus-Neptune cycle at 16 Sagittarius 11, a cycle with Neptune expectation of Uranus liberty by law.

(more on the significance)

The writs were due to expire six months after the king’s death, Charles Paxton requested his custom officers’ writs renewal from the Superior court.

On February 24, 1761, James Otis argued in court against renewal and questioned the general writs lawfulness as he represented over sixty Boston merchants.53 Mars was at 21 Pisces that day in square to the Jupiter-Pluto cycle at 21 Sagittarius and an earlier Solar eclipse at 22 Gemini as he argued against judicial abuse. (Saturn had been at 22 Pisces on the king’s death.)

Mars also opposed Saturn-Uranus at 18 Virgo as the business sought change. The Sun at 06 Pisces was square another Pluto cycle, Saturn-Pluto at 04 Sagittarius with Uranus square the Saturn-Neptune at 00 Cancer in repeats of Saturn and Pluto. Mercury at 07 Pisces and Jupiter were square a Lunar eclipse at 08 Sagittarius. The case was continued to the fall session to allow Chief Justice Hutchinson to contact England regarding the writs.

On November 18, 1761, the writs case was argued again. Mars was at 21 Virgo in opposition to its earlier position of 21 Pisces when first argued. Transits by Mercury or Mars to the Uranus-Neptune cycle occurred on the Pitt policy change, the Pitt circular, the king’ death, and the writs ruling. The day culminated with Hutchinson’s immediate announcement that the court ruled in favor of the writs renewal.

Transits to Cycles and Eclipses on November 18, 1761

• Jupiter stationary 23 Pisces 59 square Jupiter-Pluto 21 Sagittarius 38 orb 2.21.
• Jupiter 23 Pisces 59 square Solar eclipse 22 Gemini 37 orb 1.22.
• Mercury stationary 17 Sagittarius 49 to Uranus-Neptune 16 Sagittarius 11 1.38.
• Mercury 17 Sagittarius 49 conjunct Solar eclipse 16 Sagittarius 02 orb 1.47.
• Sun 26 Scorpio 38 square Jupiter-Saturn cycle 27 Leo 09 orb 0.31.
• Sun 26 Scorpio 38 square Uranus-Pluto cycle 28 Leo 53 orb 2.15.
• Sun 26 Scorpio 38 conjunct Lunar eclipse 28 Scorpio 03 orb 1.25.
• Mars 21 Virgo 39 square Jupiter-Pluto cycle 21 Sagittarius 38 orb 0.01.
• Mars 21 Virgo 39 square Solar eclipse 22 Gemini 37 orb 0.58.
• North Node 20 Taurus 58 conjunct Lunar eclipse 20 Taurus 21 orb 0.37.
• Chiron 15 Aquarius 10 conjunct Jupiter-Uranus 16 Aquarius 40 orb 1.30.
• Chiron 15 Aquarius 10 square Solar eclipse 14 Taurus 22 orb 0.48

Jupiter became stationary that day and made a deep impression square its own position in the Jupiter-Pluto cycle. A cycle that exhibited the power of law with transiting Mars in a near perfect square. Possession of a writ allowed one to be a tyrant without any check on that power. The ruling linked the court to abusive law enforcement with three of the four Jupiter involved cycles aspected.

The Sun at 26 Scorpio of crown approval focused the stationary Neptune at 24 Leo of the questionable writs with the court authorization. The Chiron conjunction to the Jupiter-Uranus cycle signaled the damage the ruling would bring to belief in the justice system. When cracks appear in the system of justice, chaos inevitably follows.

Transits to Ascension Chart on November 18, 1761

• Stationary Jupiter 23 Pisces 59 conjunct Saturn 22 Pisces 45 orb 1.14.
• Stationary Jupiter 23 Pisces 59 square Pluto 25 Sagittarius 27 orb 1.28.
• Stationary Mercury 17 Sagittarius 49 conjunct Mars 16 Sagittarius 07 orb 1.42.
• Mars 21 Virgo 39 opposition Saturn 22 Pisces 45 orb 1.06.
• Sun 26 Scorpio 38 conjunct Lilith 23 Scorpio 55 orb 2.43.
• North Node 20 Taurus 58 opposition Venus 20 Scorpio 57 orb 0.02.
• North Node 20 Taurus 58 square Neptune 21 Leo 44 orb 0.46.
• North Node 20 Taurus 58 square Midheaven 19 Leo 57 orb 1.01.
• Chiron 15 Aquarius 10 square Moon 14 Taurus 36 orb 0.34.

The attempt by the people to end the writs in court failed with the stationary Jupiter conjunct Saturn as the transiting Mars opposed Saturn. The stationary Mercury conjunction to an emphasized Mars amplified anger. The ruling expanded the totalitarian reach of government with stationary Jupiter square Pluto in abuse by law noted with the cycles and the king resented with Lilith. The purpose of the writs was to recover crown duty revenue, but the ruling would reap boycotts and resistance instead as the North Node aspected Venus and Neptune.

King George III coronation was on September 22, 1761, with the crown reportedly placed on his head at 3:30 pm at Westminster.54 The Sun at 26 Scorpio was conjunct the coronation Midheaven at 26 Scorpio with the stationary Neptune in square on the ruling that led to the eventual loss of the American colonies with the king the focus of the anger.

Paxton was issued the writs on December 2, 1761, with the Sun and Mercury at 10 Sagittarius conjunct the Pilgrim Ascendant and Mars conjunct the Midheaven.55

Lawful Recourse Denied

On February 24, 1762, there was a significant celestial event as a Jupiter-Uranus cycle formed at 07 Aries 16, just minutes from the Saturn-Uranus at 07 Aries 42 in May of 1761.

Each of the four Aries Uranus periods we will analyze had a Jupiter-Uranus cycle form in the first decan of Aries, which strongly exhibited the traits of Aries courage, initiative, and forcefulness. In each of these Aries Uranus cycles, we will find the Jupiter-Uranus cycle aspected the Saturn-Uranus cycle or the Uranus-Neptune cycle by less than a degree.

Britain would be affected by transits to the joined Aries cycles that would aspect the Glorious Revolution Mars at 07 Capricorn 46, the Great Britain chart Venus at 06 Aries 53, and the Republic Sun at 07 Aries 10.

It was only ten days after the new cycle formed, on March 6, 1762, that legislators passed a bill with specific rules to the process of gaining a writ which would nullify the broad general writs of assistance that Chief Justice Hutchinson had renewed. 

The crown appointed governor vetoed the bill and refused to sign it into law (which would have cut off a personal revenue stream).56 There was no legal recourse after the veto of the bill.

Mercury was stationary retrograde at 04 Aries with the dispositor Mars stationary retrograde at 03 Scorpio square the Jupiter-Neptune 05 Leo and conjunct a prior Solar eclipse at 04 Scorpio. The people’s efforts to institute a more Neptune ideal of Jupiter justice was thwarted. The Sun at 16 Pisces 08 was square the Uranus-Neptune cycle at 16 Sagittarius 11 and to the earlier Solar eclipse at 16 Sagittarius 02. Venus at 10 Pisces was square a Solar eclipse.

The stationary Mars at 03 Scorpio 00 square the Pilgrim Uranus at 01 Leo 58 was an explosive combination sparking a building rebellion. With no legal recourse left, the remaining options would be violent.

The Sun at 16 Pisces 08 was square the North Node at 16 Sagittarius 38 as the emphasized North Node at 13 Taurus 27 aspected the Pilgrim T-square of Venus, Jupiter, Pluto, and Lilith in a critical moment of public awareness that the power of law had become tyranny. (emphasized planets) 

The emphasized Venus at 10 Pisces 29 was square the Ascendant at 10 Sagittarius 34 as the financial goals of the crown were to be funded by the common people. The next Solar eclipse at 03 Taurus would oppose the position the stationary Mars held.

On March 18, 1762, a third Aries cycle would form in less than a year at Jupiter-Saturn at 12 Aries 21. On the worksheet list of cycles, all the cycles but one, were in the element of fire.

To learn more.

Mundane vs Natal Astrology - Different Branches

How to Work in Mundane Astrology

Notes

50. Charles Adams ed., The Works of John Adams, vol. 10, The Works of John Adams, 274.

51. Ralph Kraum and Ernest A. Grant, Astrological Americana, 19; London Chronicle, October 25, 1760, 8. Gave short same day reporting with the time of death as after 7:00 am.

52. Nicholas Campion, The Book of World Horoscopes, 336-343. King William I December 25, 1066 12:00 LMT London, England; Parliament January 20, 1265 12:00 LMT London, England; England Republic March 27, 1649 NS 12:00 LMT London, England; Glorious Revolution February 23, 1689 NS 10:00 LMT Westminster, England; Great Britain May 12, 1707 NS 00:00 LMT Westminster, England.

53. Maurice Henry Smith, The Writs of Assistance Case (Berkley: University of California Press, 1978), 133-175.

54. London Chronicle, September 29, 1761, 1. Noted a time of 3:30 pm the crown was placed on his head.

55. Andrew Stephen Walmsley, Thomas Hutchinson and the Origins of Revolution (New York: New York University Press, 1999) 45; Josiah Quincy Jr., Reports of Cases Argued and Adjudged in the Superior Court (Boston: Little, Brown and Company, 1865), 414. 56. Joseph R. Frese, “James Otis and Writs of Assistance,” The New England Quarterly 30, no. 4 (1957): 500.