The United States has less than 5% of the world’s population, but 20% of its incarcerated population. Almost 1 out of every 100 individuals in this country is in prison. These statistics are absolutely insane and not arbitrary. To stand out as such an extreme outlier is an indication that something is clearly wrong. This problem has become part of America’s culture. As such, it may benefit from reviewing it from a non-traditional angle, through the lens of astrology.

The 12th House

Astrologically speaking, the 12th house represents areas of life that include prisons and incarceration. In the America’s Sibly “natal” chart, Scorpio is on the cusp of the 12th which means that both Mars (traditional) and Pluto (modern) rule this house. So, their status offers a reflection into the affairs of this area of life.

The most immediate major observation is that these planets are both out-of-bounds and contraparallel to each other. Out-of-bounds is a condition where a planet has exceeded the maximum declination beyond the plane of the ecliptic. This means that their expression can be a bit exaggerated or extreme. Any contact between Mars and Pluto brings with it extreme intensity, conflict, the potential for violence, and an obsessive drive for competition. Mars is placed in the 7th house of others. This angularity infers those extreme levels of incarceration (out-of-bounds) because of conflict and violence (Mars – Pluto contraparallel) are a prominent feature and receive a high degree of visibility (angularity).

In order to understand the reasons for this, we must analyze the condition of Mars. It is a natural significator for violence and Mars in Gemini is specifically associated with gun violence. Both are obvious manifestations within American culture. It’s square aspect (90 degrees) to Neptune offers more insights. Because of Neptune’s association with drugs and alcohol, this aspect correlates to the war (Mars) on drugs (Neptune) that has filled the America’s prison systems.

The primary rationale for America’s incarceration problem can be connected to the condition of Mercury. It is the ruler of Virgo and Gemini so it is the dispositor of both Mars and Neptune. Mercury is retrograde, placed in the 8th house, and opposite the other 12th house ruler, Pluto. Because this opposition falls across the 2nd – 8th house axis, money is the root cause of the subversiveness (Pluto). Pluto is a karmic planet, so its involvement makes sense because it strengthens the incarceration theme highlighted by Mars.

Plutocracy

Pluto has another archetypal association as well – power. For generations, America’s reputation as a Plutocracy has been infamous. Most of the data confirms that it is a country where most of the wealth is consolidated amongst a small minority. Pluto’s placement in the 2nd house is a literal representation of this characteristic. Mercury’s connection to Pluto by aspect as well as its connection to Mars by dispositorship infer that this system is contributing to that problem. The opposition reflects a population consumed (retrograde) with desiring power (Pluto) through money (2nd – 8th). Mercury’s sextile to Neptune shows these desires are the result of powerful ideals that hinge on an almost “faith-like” devotion. This is the “temporarily embarrassed millionaire” characteristic. This belief (Mercury – Neptune) is so ingrained (retrograde) that it controls the thought process. They see (opposition) the rich and powerful (Pluto in the 2nd) and want to be like them even if they must do some unethical things to get there.

The problem is that Mercury and Mars have no essential dignity. They are peregrine. This is a condition that essentially renders a planet powerless in its ability to impact its situation. Here, it reflects desperation with little ability to change the situation. On the other hand, Pluto is disposited by a heavily dignified (rulership, triplicity, face) Saturn. In addition to this strength, Saturn is also powerful by its angular house placement in the 10th as well. It’s square aspect to the Sun reflects a situation where the Plutocratic control of finances (Pluto in 2nd) within the economy has created a powerful ruling structure (Saturn) that has clamped down (square) on the core energy of the country (Sun). This balance of power shows that Pluto has it, Mercury and Mars do not. This explains why Mars’ out-of-bounds condition escalates to extremes of criminality. It is deluded and in panic mode via Mercury and lashing out.

With opposition aspects, balance is required. Without this, either end of the polarity will express itself in ways that are quite extreme. Pluto will continue to exaggerate its power and wealth (and greed) and Mercury will respond with increasing desperation. These motivations then flow to Mars from Mercury, defining our relationships around conflict and competition for the scraps of money, resources, and power. In this environment, some turn to crime and break the law to make ends meet. And others turn to violence out of exasperation from a million different frustrations from existing in a society that has monetized every breath we take and imprisoned us in debt.[i]

Systemic

The delineation paints a picture that is particularly harsh. Yes, people should exercise discipline and not break the law. They should control baser instincts and avoid violence. They should aspire to live ethically and just. And they should be held accountable when they do not live up to these requirements. All of this goes without saying, but this applies to all people in every country. As a group of humans, Americans are no worse or better morally than anyone else in the world. So, the data of America’s incarceration rates hints at the possibility that something else is affecting behavior, possibly creating an environment where people feel pressured or agitated into behaving in a manner that is extreme or contradictory to our general nature.

There is a reason why so many in America are incarcerated. This theory of a systemic problem exacerbating lawlessness is fully detailed in the chart which is then correlated in the manifestation captured by the statistics. When we say we live in a “dog-eat-dog world,” this is what that picture looks like. This is it. We need to start being honest about it and addressing the dynamics of where we live and how it is affecting us more directly.

End Notes

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[i] The 8th house also deals with debt, so Mercury’s placement here in opposition to Pluto does not just represent literal imprisonment, but financial imprisonment as well. The overwhelming majority of Americans are in debt, owing their lives to those in power (Pluto).