WHY “ERIS” DOESN’T WORK FOR ESOTERIC ASTROLOGY

This article is inspired by The Mountain Astrologer, Issue #132: April/ May 2007 and its cover article on “Eris.” The views, opinions, and dry bits of wisdom are those of the author only. Enter at your own risk!

  In the recent issue of The Mountain Astrologer , the cover article features Eris and its moon Dysnomia. Formerly labeled “2003 UB 313,” Eris is the tenth planet of our solar system. In the hoopla surrounding it, a key piece of information has been lost. Namely, whether or not naming it “Eris” works esoterically as well as exoterically. Astronomers named it after what they perceived. However, as with much in life, things aren’t always what they seem. Let me offer a more intelligent dissertation than one loosely based around pulp television.

To the ancients, there were seven known celestial bodies. We know them as: Sun, Moon, Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn. As humanity has “evolved,” more planets and features of our local solar system have become known.

Uranus was discovered around the time that lightning was noted by Ben Franklin. That sounds pretty chaotic and out of the blue to me! It actually sounds a lot more like Eris energy than 2003 UB 313 does.

When Neptune was discovered, humanity was making strides in seeing the world and the heavens more clearly. Pluto was discovered around the time that the largest endeavor to view the heavens was completed.

Each of these planets came at a unique time in the recent evolution of humanity. Of the three, Uranus has been known as the planet of chaos for approximately one hundred years. So to name 2003 UB 313 “Eris” is forcing us astrologers to rethink our view on Uranus. But let’s change that. Let’s think about renaming Uranus “Eris”!

The ancients believed that each planet was associated with a particular vibration. This was validated by the channeling of Alice A. Bailey, who brought more light onto the subject started by H.P. Blavatsky. Hidden wisdom from the East reintroduced a whole new dimension to astrology. That sounds like a pretty Eris moment to me.

The most recent theory is that every planet outside of the original ring-pass-not ( i.e ., Saturn) is a higher vibration of one of the “internal” planets. Thus, you have these planets taking over certain signs: Pluto for Scorpio, Neptune for Pisces, and Uranus for Aquarius. Depending on whom you read, they will offer the idea of co-rulers, of day and nighttime rulers of the respective signs. For example, nighttime of Scorpio is associated with Pluto.

Whether or not someone agrees with this is moot. The fact remains that some signs have two rulers. In esoteric astrology, this is the way things are: Uranus is a higher vibration of Mercury, Neptune is a higher vibration of Venus, and Pluto is a higher vibration of Mars. Doesn’t it stand to reason, then, that the tenth planet would be a higher vibration of Jupiter? Does Eris sound like a higher vibration of Jupiter? I propose something more logical. Never forget that astronomers only name the stars. Astrologers are the ones who understand them.

I agree with naming it after a goddess. Venus could use some companionship, and it makes sense that, since we are in the Aquarian age, this type of energy would be feminine in nature and manifestation.

And that’s where my appreciation ends. What about naming it “ Shakti”? I will list more reasons for naming it Shakti than those for naming it Eris. And I adore the Principia Discordia!

A. Shakti is a goddess name for divine feminine energy from the Hindu tradition. The tenth planet manifested in a very receptive and feminine way. CNN.com reported its discovery on March 15, 2004. Intuition and sensitivity are both keynotes of Pisces. How fitting, then, that a new planet would be reported during that time of the year.

The argument could be made that March 15, 2004 is not the date that it was discovered and therefore that correspondence should be discounted. OK, I’ll give that inch in my debate. But consider this: We do charts on when a child took its first breath in this world, not when it was conceived. With the media prevalent and dominant in the world, you could say that the announcement was its first breath. Thus, that argument loses its footing.

B. Naming it Shakti would also show the shift in consciousness of humanity toward globalization, not toward a world of nations. This is only valid if there is more peace in the world than war. It does work when you consider the amount of goods sold in the United States that are manufactured overseas and when you consider job loss in America to overseas employees. I’m not passing judgment on this, but it is worth considering when showing global consciousness.

C. Besides being associated with goddess energy, Shakti is also sexual energy. From a kundalini stance, it is the energy that rises from the base of the spine to the top of the head. It rises quickly, but if you are working with it to guide it down the spine, this is a slow process (if done correctly). 2003 UB 313 rose quickly to our consciousness, but its orbit is a slow-mover through the zodiacal signs. This matches the flow of Shakti. The argument is that to name the planet “ Shakti” would show an acceptance of sex and sexual energy. Unfortunately, we live in a world where sex is still seen negatively. Most world religions oppress sex and sexual activity, which further illustrates the ignorance and lack of growth of humanity.

I could go on with reasons for another thousand words or more, but I think my point is clear. Decide for yourselves what this planet should be called. I, for one, will call it Eris only if I need to, for convenience, or in dry wit.

Namaste.