The Destruction of the serapeum; Neptune into Aries

​Destruction of the Serapeum; Neptune Saturn in Aries Dance.
With the Saturn-Neptune ingress into Aries we astrologers are trying to ascertain what this will bring. My insights as a Saturn Sun conjunction are often based in history, and this is no exception. In fact, this historical example is an excellent mirror of the current situation (in the United States) clearly reflecting historical perspectives related to previous ingressions.
The particular ingress that I would use for comparison is the 391 CE destruction of the Serapeum in the city of Alexandria, Egypt. Alexandria was still one of the great crossroads of knowledge in the Mediterranean, although the library(s) had endured many burnings and hits from the Romans, as well as themselves. The Serapeum was the most important pagan temple left, and had much of the remaining library. By 68 CE, “St” Mark had brought Christianity to Alexandria, and the religion had been building since. This was with a previous Neptune in Aries in 60 CE, that started with Paul finishing his writings in Rome. By 68 CE Neptune was at 19* Aries retrograde, and Saturn was opposite in Libra. Pluto was in Aquarius around 10*.  So, the era that we are looking at (around 391 CE) is a 2nd Neptune return for Mark’s visit and martyrdom, and has the Saturn in Libra opposite the Neptune again.
However, we first need to look at another transit that sets the stage. In Alexandria, 321ish CE, Saturn was in Aries, Neptune in Scorpio square Uranus and Pluto in Aquarius.  The theologian Arias is promoting the idea that Jesus was separate and begotten of the Father, as opposed to being one and the same. This starts with Origen, leading to Arias’ ideas being popular in Alexandria, promoting the idea that the “Father” predates and is different than the “Son”. This leads to Constantine calling the Nicene council in 325. By 325, the Nicene Council kills Arianism and sets the official belief system for the religion that still dominates today. Jupiter Uranus and Pluto are in Aquarius 19*, and Saturn is in Gemini, into Cancer by the end.  Why does it not surprise me that one belief was chosen over another with both unprovable, and Saturn in Gemini…As well, the current promotion of the Pluto in Aquarius as a humanitarian breakthrough could be considered in light of this bit of history. It may happen that in our current state of humanity, communication, and evolution Pluto brings egalitarian social movements, but I see overall through history it has the effect of (sometimes charismatic)  leaders manipulating social belief systems and behaviors to suit the power structure of that time, especially in their natal chart when that Pluto goes into Aries…in that leader’s ‘40’s…
 
So, in August of 378 CE the Battle of Adrianople with the Goths happens. Emperor Valens dies, and Theodosius becomes emperor; this is the last unified Roman Empire before the split of Rome and Constantinople. In May of 379 there is a Saturn - Pluto conjunction in Aries @ 21-22 *, with Neptune in Pisces 11*.  It is the final push for Christianity to take over from the previous worship of the gods in areas of Roman influence.
We See:
380: The Edict of Thesselonika. Theodosius confirms the decisions of the Nicene Council and outlaws Arianism, (while confirming Chritianity). After retrograde and direct, Saturn 22*, Pluto 21*,Aries.  Neptune at 11* Pisces. Jupiter in Virgo 24*, Uranus opposite in Libra, 17*.
389: Neptune 0* Jan 389: Saturn in Virgo , retro into Leo. Pluto 1* Taurus Q Ur 0*Sag. Jupiter in Gemini..
391: Nov 391, Saturn 6* Libra opposite Neptune in Aries. January 389 0*, 391 4* -6* Aries. Emperor Theodosius I establishes Christianity as the official state religion. This mirrors the 68 CE visit of Mark to Alexandria. All non-Christian temples in the Roman Empire are closed. The eternal fire in the Temple of Vesta at the Roman Forum is extinguished, and the Vestal Virgins are disbanded.
391: The Serapeum, mainly used by that time as a gathering place for Neoplatonist philosophers following the teachings of Iamblichus, was vandalized and demolished under a decree from Theophilus. Quintus Aurelius Symmachus, urban prefect of Rome, pleads for traditional cult practices. He petitions Theodosius I to re-open the pagan temples, but is opposed by Ambrose.
The destruction of the Serapeum is symbolic of the end of the Greco-Roman worship of the Gods, and Hellenic civilization generally. Christianity is on its way to becoming the dominant theology of the Western world all starting, not with Jesus’ ministry, but with Paul’s last chronicles, which start to consolidate the structure of the religion, which is further codified 2 Neptune cycles later, by Theodosius.
Does this give us an insight into what the Neptune Saturn ingress into Aries will bring? I think so, with the additional insight into the fact that there was a Saturn Pluto conjunction in Aries, which should be, by any definition a breakthrough in power structures, in this case, still “Age” appropriate. The comparable era closer to our time is the 1848-49 Saturn- Uranus- Pluto conjunction in Aries. Besides the many started and sometimes failed rebellions around the world, it was epitomized by the Gold Rush, which was the “hammer” of opening up the Western U.S., leading to the turmoil of abolitionism Vs. Slavery, culminating in the Civil War. (with power and might being the major drivers then; Aries…)
In our case, we are still dealing with the Saturn Pluto conjunction in Capricorn. This additionally being the Pluto return for the U.S, it set up the dynamic that then, the Saturn Neptune will deal with as it squares that in Aries. This would be the challenges to what was, by 250 years, a fairly well established democracy, with mores and rules accepted by most, then overturned by Project 2025…This is, assumedly (with Aries energy), focused on the idea of Unitary Executive Privilege.
One may have varying opinions on the topic, depending on one’s opinions of what the function of government should be. However, behind the scenes with the actual people in charge of this change in approach to the bureaucracy of government is an Aries with Mercury at 0* Aries, and an affirmed Christian Nationalist; Russel Vought. He is the head of the OMB, office of management and budget, and is the gatekeeper of funding the government. He helped create Project 2025, and is unabashedly pro unitary executive power and re-establishing the U.S. as a “Christian Nation”.
Social milieus are often created by charismatic leaders. However, perhaps equally as often they are sustained by little known actors behind the throne. Cromwell, Kissenger with Nixon, Eleanor Roosevelt, back to John Quincy Adams who actually wrote the Monroe Doctrine. In this case, we have the perfect canary in the coal mine, Russ Vought who so far, has implemented more than half of the goals of project 2025, but has also been pushed back by the courts, probably half the time or more.
So, I do not think that I would focus all of what this Neptune Transit will bring on the above thoughts and examples; there is much more to come, and we live in an incredibly different time in terms of the ability to communicate. It is well worthwhile for astrologers to contemplate what they think this era will bring.
But I do think that we have the perfect microcosm going on in our country, unfolding in front of us. Polarized parts of society with the progressives marching like we have not had to since Viet Nam, or perhaps Iran Contra. And the other side? Marching in lockstep toward the Pluto transit of the U.S. Constitution signing, planning (in their minds), of “returning” this to a God Fearing, Christian Nation. You will notice that , in the signing, Neptune is trine Pluto. In the return. Neptune is directly opposite that natal Neptune.