Alternative Marriage Lifestyles
The latest hot topic to arise is that of "gay marriage", and whether it should be banned entirely, left up to each state to decide, or permitted nationwide.
It is not surprising to me that unconventional marriages should be in the news during this Venus dasa of the United States (see the Grimes' USA Chart ). The same issues arose during the previous Venus dasa, which ran from July 2 1878 thru July 2 1898. Well, it wasn't exactly identical. In that era, it was the legality of bigamy and polygamy that was hotly debated.
But, it is rearing its head again under the argument that, if the rationale for allowing gay marriage is that contractual arrangements between consenting adults should be allowed, why not between three or more people? Surely, society cannot be so naïve as to believe that the polygamists won't claim the rights denied to them over a century ago, if the government now allows marriage between consenting adults of the same sex.
But, our task here is not to justify one position or another. Rather, we want to look at the similarities in events, and the astrology influencing the Venus dasa dynamics.
Similarities:In both cases, there were acts to establish what is and is not marriage. In the earlier case of polygamy, it was through the Morrill Act. In the current case, it was the DOMA (Defense of Marriage Act) establishing that marriage consisted of one man and one woman. In both cases, emotions have been high - both for and against. It was contended that the practice of alternative marital lifestyles would corrupt traditional values of society.
The similarities are numerous. Yet, in the current situation, those advocating gay marriage try to distance themselves from any comparison because society is closer to being able to accept gay marriage than it is ready to accept polygamy. There is a reticence to acknowledge that legalizing one opens the door for the other.
Why In The Venus Dasa?If you look at the Grimes' USA Chart, you will see that Venus resides in Capricorn. Those of you who have followed my writings know that I have always taught that, when a planet resides in Capricorn, it's significations will always manifest in unconventional forms.
Consequently, you have the natural ruler of marriage, Venus, residing in Capricorn, creating issues of non-traditional marriage. Further, Venus receives the aspect of Saturn from Scorpio. Saturn is considered a "eunuch" sexually, and so it is not a stretch to see why its influence blurs the gender issues related to this institution. Also, because the influence is cast from Scorpio, the issues will tend to relate to sexual identity.
These types of issues will surface just because we are in a Venus dasa, without respect to transits, progressions, etc. The influence of the natal planets is that strong so as to cause these issues to surface when the dasa is in play.
- Ron Grimes