Chaldean Calculations

Inspired by the film 'Prospero's Books' by Peter Greenaway

Vatican considers astrology to be superstition, and yet a threat
to it's concept of god and christian ideology.
There exists under the Vatican a hidden treasury few have
access to : western astrology's most ancient teachings.


Like Prospero's tempest
pages of words rained down
hand-drawn symbols cosmic calculations
penned by pagan scribes in solitary isolation

learned astrologers who charted
vast journey's of stars saw nature's imprint
mirror the spun-web universe
measured the orbits of wandering planets
known to bring harmony or discord
depending on the aspect

but stolen these starry volumes
fallen into the clutches of devious priests
who misteach mythology who use
open minds naked to persuasion
easy prey to shallow
affirmations imposed from above
from the ordered mouths
of deluded theologians

all the Caesars and their dutiful wives
consulted these sages demanding
to know the path of Mars their prospects
his part whose aspect renders one
in jeopardy to enemy or merely
smitten with love's rosy insanity

but those who delve too deep
the mind of warrior Mars
know loyalty soon turns
when Venus throws
playful shadows
of gentle confusion
over minds' clear thinking
bending the head space
being no room there
for logic's narrow stare
for where'ere the earthly passions
of Venus dwell aphrodesia's
subtle senses displace
everything straight

but we touch upon a secret language
esoteric occult only for the eyes
of a priestly elite and not for me
to whisper mystical Chaldean
calculations secluded under lock and key
in cavernous crypts below vatican's
gilt-edged splendour

these priceless waxen parchment tomes
are not privy to a prying mind
such as mine



Pamela Sidney 1999

The Stellium

(the night the planets lined up)


On Sunday May 5th
from the discerning house of Sagittarius
Pluto cast a hard eye down
on a glittering line-up
four planets forming a stellium
in the heart of Gemini's constellation.

Neptune and Moon
off-side to Pluto, benevolent in Aquarius
were in top form, trining love and spiritual blessings
down upon the heads of Venus and Mars
with Saturn caught between the two
ever the critic, skeptic to his very bones
characteristically doubting
the star-crossed lovers
could ever achieve oneness.

Sun - beaming as usual, languishing sensual
under the spell of earthly Taurus -
shot a comradely glance across to Jupiter
exalted in Cancer, at the same time
threw a bitter square full of anger
right up to innocent Neptune.

Moon - enraged by the shaft of malice
had other ideas - positively glared
squared her anger down on Sun.

Suffice to say, in the daily scheme of things
it's never peaceful between the two.

Could it be, she, Moon-lady - deeming Sun
highly duplicitous - felt superior intellectually
up there in Water Carrier's constellation ?

'Tis well known of course, Sun is happy
wherever he is on the great star-wheel
but Moon discriminates, lets everyone know
when she's feeling bellicose or blissful.

Whatever Moon felt, she wasn't letting on.
A stellium of stars had lined up
cheek to jowl in Gemini
and she, quite calm
had dealt with more than this
countless times before
in her long and ancient life
quite used to adulation really
worship, rebellion, even treachery -
being supreme goddess
of nearly everything - well, half the sky.

Despite all, she'd soon be skimming across
that pack of egos, showing themselves off
outrageously in the clever house
of the scintillating twins.

She'd have done with them in no time at all
a fleeting nod to Pluto, brief hello to Uranus -
snug in his element - then on
head high, swanning home
to her favourite retreat in the sensitive
gracious Crab constellation.

Never one to linger, always moving on
instigating passion, travelling round her wheel of life
she never tires of shifting perspective
changing mood or mind, adopting attitude
often blase` - in house eleven
she plays perverse
just to keep you guessing.

Yet, what a stellium to behold
Mercury, Venus, Saturn, Mars -
even the north node of the Moon -
in such close company you'd be forgiven
for thinking they were in conspiracy.

So, what are they doing
creating all this perturbation ?

This jumble of energy falling down upon our heads
disturbing our usually balanced reality.

Ultra smart, cleverness is what its about -
intense brainstorms, sublime love, ingenious learning
homeric adventures, shrewd planning of your life's path -
all pulsing down on planet earth, rhapsodic
if you abandon yourself willingly
to the moment - surrender utterly to spontaneity -
then you have your gift, you are learning
how to live synchronous within chaos.

Watching the beautiful star-beams
descending like gravity, wily old Pluto -
stand-offish, scrutinizing, hard-headed -
persisted aiming down his evil eye
jealousy perhaps
at the display of unity
infecting the happy stellium ?

OK, he's saying, Moon's up there
lingering with her soul-mate Neptune
both beaming spiritual blessings
and you feel good, blissful.

But remember, there's a lot of illusion
streaming down too, fantasy is ruling, has the
upper hand, think very hard about life
after this sublime moment
don't let yourself be fooled.

After word:

Wisdom informs us old Pluto never gives up
trying to control everything
always enjoying the role of the despot.

But if you think deeply you realise his teaching is:
never attempt to control or manipulate anyone.

Yet more difficult
is his noble search for truth
within four realms:
memory
dream
your waking unconscious
your past-lives

re-cognising these fragments -
however fleeting -
is to find your truth.




Pamela Sidney 2002