Michelangelo

 Astrology is not just about famous people, nor is it mere fortune-telling and guessing what misfortunes might befall us.

Actually, the opposite is true: our lives, deeds, and the ways we find solutions and create a place for life under this Sun paint and fill our personal, natal horoscope. Our deeds depict us and show what our successes and falls in life truly mean. Through this we not only maintain our horoscope but also imprint and examine our letters, sentences, and symbolism in the book of life — which, unlike other books, fits on a single sheet of paper: our natal horoscope. From that book we can read the symbolism of our life actions, deeds, traits, character, and psychological profile — whose full description would require hundreds and hundreds of pages.

In this way, the symbols of the planets gain new meaning, specific only to our choices in life, while at the same time representing part of a great whole that ultimately signifies the great universe — which in a specific and concrete way is reflected in our life.

In the same way, we can read not only people who were exceptional artists, creators, innovators, pioneers, conservators, musicians, astrologers — or any people who most expressed their lives creatively, leaving traces in the history of humanity.

Michelangelo is one of those people who stands out not only for his works but also for his life example. Through his sculptures, stories come alive and planetary symbolism speaks. Through his example, today we discover the way of life, character, and the very history of that time.

Michelangelo is one of the rare individuals we can say left the crown of his life visible and prominent in material form — visible to all, even today.

Although he did not build it himself, Michelangelo designed the dome of St. Peter's Basilica in Rome — and did so toward the end of his life, in his nineties. That is the pinnacle of his creation.

That is also the meaning and highest goal of the 10th house in the horoscope: the peak of my life, what I want to leave to others as the fruit of my knowledge and experience, how I want to be remembered, and what is the meaning of my life? These are questions we answer throughout our entire life on Earth, and those answers fill the purpose and meaning of the 10th house.

Through Michelangelo's example we see not only the power of creation but also his vitality and strength of spirit that did not abandon him even in deep old age. He did not waste a single moment to use it creatively. He did not surrender to old age or collective beliefs — every part of his vitality he directed toward creation in the service of life itself.

Also, when we say something is a peak — as in our case the 10th house — we immediately have the image that soon after the peak comes descent or fall. In the horoscope follows the 11th house, which on a deeper symbolic level signifies the results of what we accomplished in the 10th house: how much contribution we gave to society, what we left or gave to society that it considers valuable. Unfortunately, the vast majority of people live their 11th house in this meaning through retirement. Some people are immediately recognized for their contribution and receive recognition and honors for their contributions, which they live in their 11th house.

Michelangelo shows us that the entire life can be one continuous ascent — that creation, whatever it may be, can last a lifetime, and being at the top is not static; it means being brave and courageous, daring to set challenges and trials for oneself if needed, directing one's forces to overcome those obstacles — as a way to always be in motion and so that in yet another cycle, the life force and divine spirit dwelling within us can express itself in our creation. Thus the peak actually becomes a continuous ascent on which we rise and fall and release our comfort zone.

Precisely the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel in Rome is one of the best examples of Saturn's principle in his life — but also an example of what it means to do something against one's will, to do it despite our conviction, and to step out of our comfort zone, and as a result overcome ourselves and our tendency to take the path of least resistance.

By order of Pope Julius II, the ceiling had to be painted — which is demanding not only artistically, but also technically and executionally — because you can only paint a ceiling lying on your back, not to mention that painters in the past made their own paints and that fresco painting is a demanding technique because you paint on fresh plaster, so you can only paint while it is still wet and there is no possibility to correct a mistake, except to scrape off the plaster and start over.

Thus Michelangelo, after quarrels with the Pope — and most of all quarrels with himself — left a truly magnificent depiction of heaven on the very vault. The image of God creating Adam and the touch of the finger — that human and that divine — became a universal symbol and metaphor of creation and a depiction that we are created in the image and likeness of the Creator and that within us exists that contact with the Divine.

We could look at that episode from Michelangelo's life as suffering, torment, and endurance — which is Saturn's principle, which people of this age fear and avoid in every possible way. By rejecting Saturn's principle we lose patience, perseverance, and the sense to be thorough and dedicated to our goals and to achieve them fully and completely.

Today's collective paradigm of "the faster, the easier" kills the positive qualities that what we do be quality and with soul — so most of what is created has little lasting value. The concept of permanence loses value too, and everything connected with it — dedication to the user and his well-being — gives way to speed, instant gratification of some desire, and the speed to buy the same thing again, while on the other side more is earned.

Suffering, difficulties, and pressure are inevitable in every time epoch, and avoiding or ignoring them can do more harm than good. In Michelangelo's horoscope Saturn is located at one of the peaks of the grand water trine — where its heavy nature expresses itself in a softened way, simultaneously allowing Michelangelo to shape and realize his emotions either through painting or by working the white cold marble — thus infusing soul into his works and making them enduring. And endurance is also one of Saturn's qualities.

Michelangelo is a distinctive character and artist who dared to continuously push the boundaries of the possible in his life. Numerous challenges and difficulties could not shake him — from each he emerged stronger, more creative, more experienced, and I believe wiser.

Although we may not be able to bring stone to life the way Michelangelo did, astrology can help us find our own area where we can be geniuses, give our all, and ultimately surpass ourselves — using life's situations for our work, development, and creativity, leaving traces in our life and our environment in the way the experienced master Michelangelo did.