As EU is expected to arrive a political decision to start negotiations with Turkey for an eventual full membership or perhaps for a loose status depending on the outcomes in this process, we approach to a hard knot in history in terms of relations between the West and the East cultures. Looking back to history, Turks have always been in direction from East to West. Ottoman Turks, after conquest of Constantinople by Fatih Sultan Mehmet the 2nd (The Conqueror), (on 29 May 1453 early morning )* expanded the borders of the Ottoman Empire under the reign of Sultan Mehmet the 3rd, to the gates of Vienna between 1596-1599. During these periods, due to wars both at Austria and Persia, Ottomans were not able to preserve their previous supremacy on the Mediterranean.
In the 17th century, declining Ottoman Empire had gone under constitutional reforms and modernization especially induced by western powers. Infact, Turkey’s bid for EU membership in 1987, has been a slow but very long process keeping on in the last two centuries.
Astrologically, there are striking similarities among three charts of Fall of Constantinople, Turkey’s 1987 bid and the EU decision on 17th December.
Although the hour of the decision is not determined for the time being, I erected a chart for noon (EU is expected to announce her decision around noon). Judging a noon chart with the Sun culminating, can be symbollically appropriate as well.
In this chart, Sun/Pluto conjunct at MC in Sagittarius signifies both the transformation and the expansion of borders, it may also be a symbol of change, a new beginning (conjunction) which will find new definitions and attitudes in terms of religions, namely Christianity and Islam. Sagittarius sits also on the cusp of IXth house (Placidus) further emphasising whole range of IXth house matters. However, Saturn at 25 degree of Cancer is in aversion with the Sun/Pluto/MC, clearly indicating that current conditions and reality are not combine with this aspirations. Saturn in Cancer may also be a sign for European public sentiment which actually is not favourable toward Turkey. Truely speaking, aversions like blood feud, an continious struggle.**
The decision is also made under retrograde Mercury. Mercury signifies the decisions and it is not difficult to ascertain that such decision will have to be reconsidered, changed due to future happeningd or perhaps at worst regretted. Mercury is about to stationary direct, hence it may be judged that negative symbology of retro mercury can be mild, at least shifting towards to be better.
Heliacal rising and setting stars for that day is also noteworthy. Antares, being the helical rising planet adds obsessional and passionate atmosphere especially for the Turkish side. Alcyone, setting star, a star in the constellation the Bull, is interpreted by Bernadette Brady as being judgemental and cautions against making rush judgements or being narrow minded to the point of becoming blind to the obvious which may be a stellar warning for EU which also has to define herself through very this decision. Evidently, Turks have always seen as the Other (Shadow) by the West throughout the history.
Once again, Turkey is at crossroads when Jupiter and Neptune are in aspect. Both planets have always been in operative during important points in Turkish history. Turkey natal chart has a square between two, Two planets were also in opposition when Constantinople captured and again they were in close square during Turkey’s bidding for EU membership.
My own estimated chart for the fall of Constantinople gives early degrees of Pisces at MC (I constructed this chart depending on the information given by the Book of History of Byzantium) (29 May 1453 OS, 05:31, Istanbul shows Pisces Moon on MC which is very descriptive of Turkish flag. Part of things to come (Pars futurorum) is at 15 degree of Libra, where Jupiter transiting on.
Uranus currently hovers over these degrees! and Turkey has been experiencing swift changes in every aspect of life. Rapid changes are being made in favor of human rights and freedom of expression. Moreover, Turkey’s progressed Sun will enter Aquarius in the mid of 2007, all these astrological findings alert us that Turkey will eventually shift to another perspective whether or not posited in EU.
Politicians say that Turkey’s journey to full membership take at least 10 to 15 years and when such thing may occur Turkey is expected to be the biggest country in EU. Although European public opinion does not strongly favor for Turkish membership for the time being, the future dynamics may alter the current situation completely.
*”It was early morning, with the waning moon high in the sky’ is said in the book of A Short History of Byzantium by John Julius Norwich, p. 380, Penguin books, 1998
**Late Classical Astrology Paulus Alexandirinus and Olympiadorus
Sources:
Bernadette Brady, The Fixed Stars
R. Hakan Kirkoglu A Country with Janus Face: The Astrological Association of GB, Nov/Dec 1999 issue
Late Classical Astrology Paulus Alexandirinus and Olympiadorus, translated by Dorian Gieseler Greenbaum.
Charts:
* 17 December 2004, noon time, Brussels, 50N50, 4E20
*Turkey’s EU Bid, 14 April 1987, 09:45, CET –1:00, Brussels, 50N50, 04E20
*Fall of Constantinople, 29 May 1453 OS, 05:31, LMT, -1:55:52, Istanbul, 41N01, 28E58
