Pluto’s discovery in 1930 was the most significant astrological event of the Aquarian Age. It ushered in the Pluto period during which the unknown planet – labeled the dark satellite – would play a powerful role in humanity’s story.
At the time Hermetic astrologers were aware that incorrect information and false impressions, spread by special interest groups and evil actors throughout the ages, had imperiled humanity and that Pluto was the planet of propaganda, inversion and fake information.
Propaganda
The practice of propaganda plays such an important part in life that in Hermetic astrology the key word for the 3rd decanate of Aries is propaganda.
It originally described information that is used to promote a political cause or point of view, but after World War 1 it fell into disrepute. And during World War 2 when it was used to describe the persuasion tactics used by the totalitarian regimes propaganda got a brand new meaning: the dissemination of biased ideas and opinions, often through the use of lies and deception.
Since then propaganda has evolved to mean mass suggestion or influence through the manipulation of symbols and the psychology of the individual. It’s become the subtle practice of communicating a point of view with the ultimate goal of getting the recipient to voluntarily accept it as if it were their own.
Propaganda is a powerful tool used by governments, religions and corporations. It’s used by groups to brainwash, manipulate, deceive and alarm. Its practitioners are skilled in the art of persuasion. You’re being subtly influenced by propaganda throughout your day: so it pays to be familiar with the different types of propaganda techniques.
Advertising is a form of propaganda. Advertisers attempt to persuade you to buy their products. They use repetition, jingles, slogans and lures: Your favorite celebrity has one; it’s a bargain; get a great deal at the Black Friday sale; it’s been scientifically tested; you deserve the best; it will make you look younger; and we’re a good cooperate citizen who benefits the community are some.
Inversion
Inversion is a sophisticated method of presenting and spreading cunning lies by inconspicuously concealing falsehoods amid facts that are widely recognized.
The inversive twist, by which the whole matter is made to appear to have a meaning exactly the opposite of its true purport, occupies so small a portion of the whole presentation, and is so cunningly concealed by sophisticated handling, that it escapes the notice of all but the most mentally alert.
And this inversive twist—the disinformation or misinterpretation—is so worded as to be subject to no direct and simple test of accuracy. It is full of loopholes, so that when one presentation of the matter is proved to be a lie, it can be said that, after all, something else was meant.
The practice of inversion is employed by political and religious institutions to mislead, deceive and confuse the public.
The February 1988 Pluto cycle
Then on February 26, 1988 a dangerous new chapter in the propaganda-fake news story began when a new Pluto cycle started and Pluto in the chart at 12 Scorpio 32R was exact square Mercury at 13 Aquarius 14.
This high-discord toxic aspect gave a boost to the dissemination of false and misleading information and poses a serious threat to humanity’s mental wellbeing.
America’s 1988 Pluto cycle chart
Chart data is February 26, 1988 at 6.18pm EST: 38N53; 77W01 (Washington)
What is fake news?
Fake news is defined as a news story that is false. The story is fabricated and has no verifiable facts, sources or quotes. It can be propaganda.
Misinformation and disinformation are types of fake news.
Merriam-Webster defines misinformation as false or inaccurate information that is mistakenly or inadvertently created or spread; the intent is not to deceive. And that disinformation is false information that is deliberately created and spread ‘in order to influence public opinion or obscure the truth.’
Disinformation is bogus information or doctored content that is designed to misinform; and it’s generally believed that disinformation poses a growing threat to global security and democracy.
Fake news and the deliberate making up of news stories to fool or entertain is nothing new. Political organizations have spread fake news stories throughout history. It was used by Nazi propaganda machines to build anti-Semitic fervor. And it’s used by newspaper moguls today to sell their tabloids.
A search on the web revealed that in 1787 ‘falsehood’ was reaching ‘every corner of the earth’; and in 1820 ‘lies were flying from Maine to Georgia while truth was pulling her boots on.’ And today in 2023: ‘A lie gets halfway around the world before the truth has a chance to get its pants on.’
With the arrival of the internet and social media fake news spreads instantly. There are hundreds of fake news websites. Social media is rife with misleading news. Users, unable to truth-check its authenticity, share it with friends and family. A user who hasn’t developed critical thinking and a healthy suspicion hasn’t got a chance.
Lower-Pluto is the planet of fake news
Pluto is the planet of disinformation and fake news and its square aspect to Mercury – planet of science, education and the press – in the 1988 Pluto cycle chart has made it easy for Lower-Pluto to contaminate the knowledge and information agenda with mis- and disinformation.
It’s a sinister-dangerous aspect and 35 years later in 2023 the world is saturated in fake news and disinformation. People believe what makes them feel good. The scope and influence of the aspect is breathtaking.
In 2023 Lower-Pluto doesn’t want you to know the truth. It has a created a universe of fake news. It advocates for the getting of ignorance and the dumbing down of humanity. It’s in the business of creating and spreading fake news and manipulating the public’s mind. Its aim is to keep the populace in the dark.
In 2023 fake news is a tool for divisiveness and brainwashing. It feeds bias to an extraordinary degree. It divides people and silently kills ideas and it’s spread by imperfect, psychologically flawed, human actors who bring Lower-Pluto to life. They use psychological warfare, weaponize information, and discourage rational debate and respectful listening. They ensure you have a wide choice of disinformation to choose from.
Navigating a fake-news world
Fake news includes clickbait – sensation that’s designed to distract; sponsored content – advertising that’s made to look like editorial; conspiracy theory; and pseudoscience that misrepresents real sciences with false claims. So, how do you know if the news being reported by a trusted news website is true?
In 2023 it’s easy to have your head stuffed full of wrong information and frivolous triviality. Social media is jam-packed with disinformation and gossip. On some days respected news websites read like gossip rags reminding readers of the dark side of people’s private lives. How desperate are they for news, or to satisfy humanity’s insatiable appetite for gossip?
The daily reporting of this, that and the other isn’t important but propaganda wars are being waged. The misinformation and disinformation providers are working overtime and their news feeds are landing on your smart phone. Critical thinking says: Can I trust this information source? And hey, that doesn’t square with the facts: it hasn’t really been explained.
The Republican Party in America has already rewritten the history of the insurrection on January 6, 2021 that its leader caused.
In 1903 – 27 years before Pluto was discovered – humanity got a warning from Irish play write George Bernard Shaw: ‘Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance’. Heed the warning.
Astrology for Aquarius – sharing our knowledge
