It's National Heroes day and we are thankful for the sacrifices made by many individuals who devoted their lives to the service of the country and the emancipation of our race. There were many of them who died without ever seeing Inang Bayan free. Some of them are famous but most of them are not. Their heroism may have been forgotten if not for the efforts of historians who keep the memory of our heroes alive and important in our era. One such historian who have done much in our time and maybe whose name will reverberate for the rest of the rest of the 21st century is
Ambeth Ocampo, considered as a historian who has achieved a rock star status due to his growing cult followers.
It interesting to note that though worlds apart – the astrologer and the historian share the same passion to study the past. Both dig facts that they can present to the present generation of readers with the intention to make the future better.
The reason why we have few historians is obvious, it seems to be a job that an ordinary Filipino would never dream of. In a country envisioned maybe by of one of the most intelligent human beings that ever walked the earth, historians are seldom read outside of the school. In a country of non-readers dreaming to become a historians is not just foolish and if you come from the lower rung of society it maybe even be considered as madness. An astrologer would naturally look at the concept of destiny to try to answer such as question. To put it bluntly, some are meant to be a historian while are others are meant for other things.
So you want to be a historian? Let see what makes a historian tick
Aside from the scholastic credentials, which can help one progress in the academic world one must at least have substantial wealth to start with to free oneself from the worries of day to day living. And more importantly, a simplicity of life that makes one unattached to the trappings of materialism. Coming from a well-off family and living as a monk for a few years contributed a lot in the mental development of Ambeth Ocampo. The key here is the word development, Greek astrologers/philosophers assert that recognizing one's destiny isn't the ultimate goal and it isn’t as easy as it seem, you have to “choose” whether or not to live out what the three daughters of Fate have sewn for you. We have to be thankful that Ambeth Ocampo have chosen (after initial doubts, mistakes, setbacks and maybe opposition as well) a different path, to become a different kind of historian.
Certain astrological factors seem to be important for the gargantuan tasks of digging, preserving and reconstructing the past for the sake of the future generation.
The most important traits that a budding historian must posses are dedication and determination, which in astrology are the distinguishing character traits of those who are born with dominant fixed signs. By dominant, what is meant is not just the Sun sign based on the month one is born but based on position of other planets on one’s complete (computed) astrological chart.
The fixed signs are: Taurus, Leo, Scorpio, Aquarius.
It should be noted that at least four of the Philippines' top historians belong to the fixed signs. Teodoro Agoncillo belongs to Scorpio, the sign associated with research. Horacio dela Costa belongs to Taurus, the sign of the preservation of forms. I'm including Alejandro Lichauco another Scorpio, who have done a great job of researching and writing the history of the country's economic development from the time of American occupation till the 80's. And off course Ambeth Ocampo, who belong to the sign
Leo, the sign that wants us to make proud of our heritage.
In Astro-time* 2009, wherein I discussed the zodiac signs of wealthy nations, I emphasized the importance of the fixed signs in instilling the love for the country and in promulgating nationalistic state policies. It should be noted that it was a Scorpio president, Carlos P. Garcia, who promulgated the Filipino First policy in the 50's and it was Quezon (Leo) who made us proud of our language. Ambeth Ocampo, living out the function of Leo, is now making the new generation aware and proud of our history.
Another must-have trait for budding historians is the love for knowledge and information. This is the trait of the other notable historian Gregorio Zaide, who instilled in the minds of several generation of students the need to know important dates and personalities in our history. It is the function of the air signs (like Gemini, Libra and Aquarius) to gather and disseminate information. This is an important step in history.
Success comes when you love what you are doing. For historians a prerequisite is the dedication and love for the country. The sign of patriotism is Cancer and we have Carmen Guerrerro Nakpil in our midst whose personal biography is like a historical account of the nation's history. In Ocampo's chart Cancer is likewise strong - his Venus is in Cancer at the top of his astrological map.
Another very important traits that every historian must have is the love for things connected with the past and the ability of work alone for a prolonged period of time. This trait is connected with the sign Capricorn and its planetary ruler – Saturn. Both of these factors are associated with time. Carlos Quirino had his Sun Capricorn. Ambeth Ocampo have both Saturn and Jupiter in Capricorn, the sign of history.
Ambeth: The Rock Historian
To be a rock star historian is a different matter. His public talks are always jampacked even if attendees have to pay and fall in line. Many wonder what made Ambeth Ocampo so popular. Those who have attended his classes and lectures coined a term “the Ambeth Ocampo” experience. He can truly connect with his listeners and thru this connection, he directs them to important issues about the country's history. If rock stars use the power of sound to capture the minds of their audience, Ambeth uses the power of words coupled with laughter to drive home a point. You will go out of his lecture with a smile and a desire to join him in answering questions such as what Rizal ate for breakfast. You are then hooked, wanting to hear more, read and learn more.
The astrological explanation is that aside from having all that it takes to be a historian, he has a high rate of compatibility with the country's horoscope chart, if we are going to use the July 4, 1946 horoscope, which the author has been using for some time.
Prominent in the astrological map calculated for the exact time and date of his birth are the signs of our famous heroes like Del Pilar (Virgo), Mabini (Leo) and off course Rizal (Gemini).
Three major points in Ambeth's astrological chart: Moon, Mars and Ascendant are in the sign Virgo. His Sun in Leo and his 10th house, which is connected with his career in writing is Gemini. It is also interesting to note that aside from writing Gemini as an indicator of career can also indicate public speaking and teaching.
The sign Gemini is doubly important in this analysis for it signifies not just what Ambeth does, but even the very subject of his life work which the life of Jose Rizal. Ambeth became more popular with the publication of the book “Rizal Without the Overcoat” Where exactly does Jose P. Rizal fit in his chart. Rizal's Sun sign is at 28 degrees and 15 minutes Gemini (at the end of the sign) it is sitting exactly at (MC or midheaven) the top of Ambeth’s astrological chart which is at 28 degrees and Gemini. Simply put it is Ambeth’s destiny to study the life of Rizal. How exact can you get than that? (In succeeding notes I will discuss how Ambeth fits into Rizal's firdaria)
More importantly his connection with the country's chart is the most important factor in making him a rock historian. There is an uncanny close match (conjunction) between his Sun in Leo and the country’s Venus in Leo and not just that that his Venus in Cancer is exactly conjunct the country's Sun Sign in Cancer. Venus is the planet of love and attraction. If Filipinas is a woman – he wouldn't search for any other one to court and to marry.
His Moon Sign in Virgo is also exactly conjunct with the country's Mars in Virgo and by whole sign technique, it is also conjunct with the country's Ascendant sign. The importance of Virgo in our country needs emphasis – the Philippines was ruled for the longest time by this sign. Count the numbers of years when Osmena, Magsaysay and Marcos were presidents and you will get what I mean. Even the foundation date of the Philippine Historical Association is dominated by this sign (Sun, Mars and Venus in Virgo).
If we will use the modern planets, more connections can be seen. Coincidences like these do not occur by random or chance. It speaks of infinite intelligence that brings order in the universe with the use of planetary energies.
Happy Heroes day Filipinos!
* Astro-time is a yearly timing guide. Astro-time 2011 will be available by the end of this year.
