21st Century Astrology - What is the Grand Irrationality and Why Is Everything So Strange?

by Robert Wilkinson

Long time fans of this site know we are in the heart of a long term phenomenon for which I coined the term "The Grand Irrationality." All over the world, events and people seem to be pretty irrational right now, with important choices and changes showing us individually and collectively that we all stand at one or more "forks in the road of Destiny."

Since it's been a while since I posted anything on what it is, I figured it was time to re-introduce some of the key elements of this very weird time happening for everyone on Earth. Many tell me they feel driven by events beyond their control, and they and many others report that events seem to be careening forward with no rhyme or reason to what's happening and why.

From what hundreds have told me, I believe we all know something is happening even if we cannot exactly describe what it is. Many feel it acutely, and it's easily observed in the various types of obsessive-compulsive behaviors in others we encounter.

Some seem to be handling it okay, and are able to function with apparent ease despite the hard edged irrational behaviors so prevalent in our world. Others are having a harder time with the generic weirdness. Those who are having the hardest time are those who are trying to figure out the reason the weirdness is a constant, even though reason alone is not enough to figure out what's happening, why, and what to do about it.

Given the rapid and very strange hard-edged developments of the past 16 years, it seems as though a force of Destiny has put humanity at a major fork in the road related to live on Earth. Much we used to believe in or count on in our reality has gone "off the rails," and we are all living a much different way of seeing things than in previous eras of modern civilization.

Each week, each month, each year it seems that we are all confronting important decisions and choices. It also seems that relationships on every level are in dynamic shift, and many are searching for a new life, job, or profession. Yet for all these forks in the road we seem to confront on a continuing basis, very little of it makes much sense. That it seems to be happening all over the world makes this a global phenomenon, and since it's affecting all of humanity, a.k.a. "the planetary mind," it must play a part in the Earth's evolution at this time in history.

From one point of view, the Earth is going into its shift, or "Initiation" into a new way of doing its being, and since we are part of the Earth organism, we also are going through our own shifts and changes, both individually and collectively. Nations, Economics, Politics, Environment, Health, and many other areas are changing into new transitional models for our transitional era.

Some years ago I termed this collective atmosphere, or phenomenon, "The Grand Irrationality." I believe this ongoing strange atmosphere is associated with the 22 year period of Neptune septile Pluto. Neptune and Pluto, the outermost invisible "spiritual" planets, have been and will be in the irrational, compulsive, "fork in the road" septile aspect for quite a few years.

All aspects in the 7th harmonic septile series produce irrational points in our evolution, due to the inherent non-rationality of this series derived from dividing the circle by 7, yielding non-rational aspect values. This nonrationality can show in many ways, both productive and destructive, depending on which is needed and how adept we are at responding to the times when the other planets make conjunctions, septiles, biseptiles, or triseptiles to Neptune and Pluto.

Due to Saturn's association with the number 7, when these septile aspects are active, it is a "destiny producing" influence, and as such are associated with "forks in the road," where we make choices that throw our "destiny" into its path for some time to come. It may not make much sense why we have to make certain choices when we do, or why certain pathways open and others close, but choose we must, for even not to choose is a choice that opens doors and closes others.

The last time Neptune septiled Pluto was in the 1930s, when Fascism and other authoritarian models, including the AMA and many draconian US governmental agencies, reared their ugly heads in America, Europe, Asia, and other parts of our world. That was a very hard-edged time that was very much a "fork in the road" of humanity's destiny.

During the 1940s Neptune began to sextile Pluto which lasted until around the mid-term elections of late 1994. Students of politics will note this marked the beginning of the rise of the present Neocon uber-nasty political movement, new genocides being perpetrated in various parts of the world, and the linking up of various terrorists and their organizations.

Perhaps this can explain the sense that there have been an increase in the number of irrational or compulsive people and situations we've had to deal with since the mid-'90s. It sure seems that things and people have gotten weirder these past 16 years and it doesn't seem there is any end in sight!

Of course, since we're ultimately birthing a new way of living our global reality and new ways of relating to all that is, often our familiar references won't make much sense or be useful in learning to live in the Eternal NOW with all the rapid changes happening as a result of the quickening of the timestream. (It's quickened due to our affecting the hydraulics of the planet, but that's another article for another time.)

Each time a planet moves through one of the seven zones, it triggers the entire pattern and sets a lot into motion, both where these aspects fall in our charts as well as in the larger world of human affairs. Thus it's triggered 7 times each month, as well as at least 21 more times each year as the inner planets all move through these zones.

Among the more important points of shift for humanity were those times when Jupiter and Saturn entered into one of the seven "irrational" zones and triggered The Grand Irrationality. For example, in 2004 it was set off in a big way when Jupiter went stationary direct in early Virgo biseptile Pluto and triseptile Neptune in Spring 2004 with Saturn also triseptile both Neptune and Pluto around the same time.

Saturn retrograded back into the (at that time) late Cancer zone making a double triseptile with Neptune and Pluto between February-April 2005, and Jupiter triggered the pattern again when it moved through the early Scorpio zone in October-November 2005.

The next "action beat" occurred in late November-early December 2007 when Jupiter conjuncted Pluto at the Galactic Center while septiling Neptune. This was followed by Saturn triseptile Neptune and biseptile Pluto in September-October 2008 and again between late January-early March 2009 and July-August 2009. Adding to the importance of the period between May and August 2009 was Jupiter conjunct Neptune and septile Pluto.

I wrote extensively about this very important Saturn in Virgo influence triggering the Grand Irrationality in many articles at that time, so please consult the archives to learn more. Also, due to the inner planet transits that whole period of Summer 2008-2009 (especially Summer 2009!) was lit up on a regular basis, making it a very important time where we had encounters and made decisions that determined our future for a long time to come, whether we knew it or not at the time.

Since then, other important forks in the road for us all happened December 2009, late February through early April 2010, mid-July 2010, late September-early October 2010, December 2010, and the third week of February 2011. As we have a lot of planets transiting the Aries zone between mid-March and early May, expect the next major step into your Destiny to be offered during that time. This prepares us for the huge shifts to come beginning January 2012 after which Mars and Jupiter set things into motion in a big way!

Since we'll be living within this for a while, please don't think these very weird times are only strange and difficult for you personally, since everyone's going through it. Some are more aware of it, some less, and some are totally clueless. Just remember to take a deep breath when confronted with irrational people, or those hung up on their particular obsessions or compulsions.

That's why it's important to stay focused on your Divine Power of efficient self-reorganization - Pluto in Capricorn - rather than get lost in useless energy-wasting power struggles. Also, keep your eye on the ideal - Neptune in Aquarius - rather than get hardened in vague feelings or peculiar power struggles with friends or associates.

Once Neptune goes into Pisces, then it'll be time to practice a deeper compassion and cultivate a sense of the interrelatedness of all things within the vast oceanic energy field of Divine Mother. Of course, there will also be manifestations of irrational duplicity and hypocrisy, but the flashes of intuition that will come forth in ways that "make no sense" should help us spot those fairly easily.

You might think that because this configuration is anchored by Neptune and Pluto the effects are subtle, if pervasive. However, if you consider that the Moon makes conjunctions, septiles, biseptiles, or triseptiles to both Neptune and Pluto seven times every month, it becomes evident that we're never really relieved of the pressure, even if it seems to wax and wane with circumstances.

Of course, since Neptune and Pluto are moving forward in the zodiac, the hot zones move forward every year. Right now in early 2011 the 7 "hot zones" of the Grand Irrationality are around 5-9 Capricorn, 27 Aquarius-1 Pisces, 18-22 Aries, 10-14 Gemini, 1-5 Leo, 23-27 Virgo, and 14-18 Scorpio.

If you have planets in or near any of these zones, you are being directly affected by the general irrationality and the pressure of making major choices that will affect your future, both in the life areas of the houses in which these points fall, as well as the life areas ruled by any planets you may have in these zones. Also remember that if you have planets before these zones, you were most influenced by the Grand Irrationality in recent years, and if you have planets later than these zones, you will be going through your Forks in the Road in the future.

To recap, septiles, biseptiles, and triseptiles all deal with the strange "destiny producing" forks in the road we all confront at various times of crisis and decision. While each aspect has its unique function within the series, they all show as obsessive-compulsive urges, experiences, and interactions at the ego level, and major points of choice and irrevocable change in our lives on a dharma level, or in terms of life-changing relationships and activities.

Wherever the active degree zones occur in our charts, as the transiting planets made their aspects within the larger series we've confronted crucial choices that set our lives and future into dynamic motion. We have had to learn a greater maturity, how to set clear boundaries, and take responsibility to choose what we will be limited by, or not. Again, this is due to the Saturnian nature of the Septile series, derived from the division of the circle of 360 degrees by 7, Saturn's number. So while it's not rational at times, it's always important from the standpoint of learning about Saturn in our lives.

Since we're now on the closing side of the historical curve of this influence, don't worry if things make no sense for the next few years, since they don't have to. What matters is to greet each fork in the road with an awareness of seeing clearly how to grow into your Highest Self, and not sweat the harmless compulsions while being alert to the destructive potential for others to go irrational for no reason.

This is the edge of historical change. The period from 1994-2016 will be seen as one where the entire world hit the razor's edge, and found that despite the wreckage of the old era and its ways, a new era dawned that made the old one look dismal by comparison.

So find a sense of humor and determination, relax into the long wave transition, and ride the tsunami! You have nothing to lose but your fear.

ps. - An update from 2024! Here's my epitaph for The Grand Irrationality, which ended in 2023 after a 30 year run. Here's your fast forward using time travel to read about The Grand Irrationality is Over (1993-2023)

© Copyright 2006, 2011 Robert Wilkinson

Comments

[Sunshyne99_33]

Hello All,

I believe I have laid it to rest, on searching for the "reasoning". I am the kind that "walks between worlds" Havn't really stepped up to the plate to share what I do know. I have lived a secluded,quiet, and secretive existance, up to recently.
But, will try my darndest to do share, give and love, the best I know how to from here on out.

I did reason it out though..If I cannot go back to my real home,the one I know the best, where there is no boundaries, and the material parts of earthly existance.. then I will bring here, to earth, elements of my home. Which is really silly in ways of the reasoning, if you read between the lines, as well as I do.

Lots of Love,

Sunshyne

[Sherry]

What relief and wise guidance I feel from reading your words here!
thank you dearly and deeply for elucidating what has been assaultive burdens from darkness upon me; and yes, these are the result of my actions taken at earlier points; being hit with mud now and pushed to clarify what I had wanted to hide from myself.
these are cleansing times too; the only action that keeps my sanity is finding and coming from my higher truth, the one connecting me to all.
I cannot avoid doing this work; there is no time for fear or hesitation anymore, only finding and living in the truth gets me on a sane road lately.

Thank you once again, for revealing what the mud is and what it will take to stay on a true and clean path.

[Cheryl]

Hi Robert, thank you for sharing your wisdom. Your "Grand Irrationality" is well termed.
The energetic frequency of the earth is what is changing, is it not?
And so, the energetic make-up of everything, in relation to everything else, is also shifted.
All relationships, personal and trans-personal, because of a new and different "energetic recipe" (my term) is not in the same place as it was before. Ain't Love Grand?
Cheryl

[Sunshyne99_33]

A dream I wish to share:

I was on my way to a party, and walking along a path. I stopped to see multi-colored lights in the air and surrounding me. Though it was with a Higher Self Eyes that I seen these lights. The lights reminded me of a rainbow. I layed down on the ground, and it started to snow pretty snowflakes. I made a snow angel. I also seen a funny message along a fence.. Made like a banner. It read "groovy kind of love"

Sunshyne

[robyn]

I am one of those people obsessed and cornered by compulsion. i realize that i am, and at the same time it's a need to act out a part of what i have had to deal with my entire life. I don't know how to get beyond this feeling/obsession and i wish i could. It's mental. It's love related. It's fear and insecurity. It's not having what you need when you need it to be. And as you say... it's not ending any time soon.

[Warriorlady]

Speaking of strange, I had a dream about a friend leaning in and kissing me. It was so awkward, I almost punched him in the face. Instead, I pushed him in a "thank you, you're great, really, but no thank you" kinda way.

(Jeezaroo, the next time I see him in real life will be ultra-weird for me.)

I'm hoping that this dream is symbolic of something... At least that's what I keep telling myself.

[Sunshyne99_33]

Hiya Warriorlady, Glad its not just me!

I had a weird dream about a coworker recently. His name is Will. The dream was really about applying my Will to a certain area of my life. (Or a variety of areas, lol.) Yet, he and I have become friends lately. In the dream a Whip was used. (Discipline)

Kissing could mean love, freindship. Also means to seal a contract/commitment. Or other keywords are.. Exchanging, Intimacy.

Sunshyne

[jgrrl]

Warriorlady...me too. What the hell? I dreamed I leaned down and kissed someone I barely knew 2 years ago. He was on a hospital gurney as if he was about to be wheeled into surgery. He's now has a bigger part of my life but I still can't figure out who we are supposed to be to each other. That one "kiss" dream started a crazy series of dreams staring him that I can't can't figure out but I can't shake either. I remember each one with such vivid detail. Anyone want to take a stab at deciphering mine. In the dream I met him in a back hallway of a hospital like I worked there or something and leaned down to kiss him in a caring, loving way. He was almost a complete stranger when I dreamed the first dream. Grand irrationality indeed!

[Robert]

Hi all - I was trained in Jungian dream interpretation years ago, and used to do a lot of it. As you know, I've also been a student of many different systems of using symbols to interpret phases of our reality. That said, it is impossible to do any kind of accurate interpretation without knowing the specific associations in a person's subconsciousness.

Kissing can mean any number of things, from affection between those parts of us symbolized by the figures kissing (all beings in a dream are a part of our psyche, even those known to us) all the way to betrayal (Judas kissing Christ). A friend kissing us (or us kissing them) can also mean all kinds of things in its own right, such as a symbol to search within us to find what parts of what that friend symbolizes, whether in "real life" or our own subconsciousness, stir those feelings. It doesn't mean we're necessarily attracted to the physical person in that way, but all our friends, both in the "dream world" as well as the "real world," are symbols of our Venus, our likes and affections and sense of beauty.

jgrrl - Someone "being wheeled into surgery" sounds like that part of your inner male is going through a healing process, and since you "work" there and the encounter occurred "in a back hallway" it could imply that there's something your inner female needs to show in the way of affection for your inner male about to go into "surgery." Even surgery has its own implications, depending on what type of surgery you were dreaming of and whether you or another in your family or your friends also went through that particular type of surgery.

Interpreting dreams is entirely a matter of the context of the dreamer. Some dreams are prophetic, some are purely symbolic, and some just show us how our subconsciousness is intruding on our selfconscious mind. Dreams are usually the way our subconsciousness tries to get our attention. How to find the meaning is usually not an easy or superficial thing, and mostly generalizations do not apply, given the very personal nature of our dreams.

[jgrrl]

Thank you Robert!

[Elizabeth]

I stand in awe of your infinite wisdom, Robert. Diverted to this article via today's entry finds me shedding some light to elements of my life that sometimes defy belief. I have a person in my life that has demonstrated this extreme and
irrational/compulsive/obsessive/destructive behaviour since 1987 I think, and have been trying to understand the reasoning ever since. It is a mental/psychological thing, I am sure. This is such a wonderful insight, and have finally, reluctantly learning to practice "mine is not to reason why" ideology and mantra, so that I can rebuild what has been destroyed over the years, and not take some things personally. I am only responsible for my actions is something I have had to learn the hard way!
So I thank you for your wise words, I visit this site to find serenity.
Life is so much richer with you as our spiritual guide through these totally weird times!!! My heartfelt thanks.