The halo around the sun et al

There was a time in the distant past when astrologers and people of their genre helped chart the courses of men and nations. They publicized their special gifts in the most unusual ways. Many of them pretended to understand the forces of nature and even predicted future events on such vague basis as the formation of clouds, the coloring of the horizon and appearance of certain animals and insects. Monarchs somehow, consulted astrologers, soothsayers and clairvoyants before making policy statements. Merchantmen, too, sought their advice prior to embarking on a venture. Thus, those people gained prominence in many palaces and large businesses. In my view, Rasputin could fit into that category.

When science started to establish its foothold, many seemingly inexplicable events began also to unravel. Such incident as the coloring of the sea red, for instance, while resulting into the same deadly result that the red tide brings, is now more explained in a rational manner. The gods of Olympus have absolutely nothing to do with it.

But, be that as it may, we have not totally abandoned the workings of astrology and some form of superstition. In fact, we continue to cling to them in their different variations. Many of us still consider the elements of the earth, water, wind and fire before deciding whether or not to buy a certain house. In making our business and other domestic decision, we ask certain gifted people for their guide. As an example, we attribute a series of economic misadventures to the place where we conduct business. That is how the "tumbok" which means that a place of business is at the dead end of a street, is treated.

Curiously, there were two recent incidents that astrologers or specially "gifted" individuals in our midst have not dared to interpret. At least, I know of no one belonging to that category who openly and publicly attempted to explain what the halo around the sun meant or what could be the effect of the formation of Venus over a quarter of the moon on the people. They perhaps refused to try to explain because of two distinct possibilities. One, they feared spilling out the serious repercussions they could have foreseen or they were afraid of ridicule as a public backlash.

But, the fact remained that these events took place in close succession. Most of us, no doubt, observed them. I am sure you too, had your share of incredible tales surrounding the curious formation of a halo around the sun that took place before noon time, several days ago, and the brilliance of Venus appearing to be on top of a quarter showed in the early evening, not many days after. If they had no social significance aside from the scientific gobbledygook we heard from our scientific observers, then they really spelled no consequence.

But, of the few muted whispers I heard, some of them pointed to politics as their common topic. And, on the hindsight, for practical reasons! Politics being a favored preoccupation among Filipinos, the Jeanne Dixon copycats could not err in speaking of the two celestial visuals as having to do with the results of the elections.

I kept to myself what things I heard. They were not pleasant but at the same time, I would not want to specify what information I learned because, I too, am afraid of public ridicule. That is the certain result if we don't speak in terms of scientifically explainable phenomena.

Yet, while, I do not want to be accused of purveying any form of astrology, much less of indicating to be a practitioner thereof, suffice it to say that the sprouting of many self-proclaimed whistle blowers and the deluge of claims of electoral fraud tend to validate the superstitions I heard. More importantly though, they also warned me to remain calm and collected and always work, in whatever small and insignificant personal ways I can, to help preserve our democracy and keep our systems in place.

Indeed, even the more acclaimed astrologers of the past always had a safety valve in their pronouncements. "Naa ra na sa tawo og motuo ba!"

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