Juno & Afghanistan

This is an abridged version of a talk I gave at the Astrological Association Conference in 2021. At the time, the Taliban had recently taken back control of Afghanistan so became the focus of my discussion. As some time has elapsed since, I’ve included a short update at the end of this piece:

Juno: More than Just a Wife and Mother: Multi-faceted, protector of everyone’s rights, demanding fairness financially & emotionally, Juno is also inflammatory and vengeful in her quest for justice. Intent on inclusivity, what might she show us in the era of equality heralded by Jupiter & Saturn in Aquarius?

This is quite lengthy, so you may want to pour yourself a drink or two, or even read it in sections. Background information on Juno can be found here https://liannemccafferty.com/2023/06/20/sun-juno-conjunction-28gemini-june-2023/

Mundane Juno
What might Juno show us on a mundane level? Using 2020’s Great Air Mutation (that the previous one was in 1226 adds some perspective on the scale of its significance) Juno tightly sextiles the Jupiter Saturn conjunction. She is very much part of this societal shift and its fresh new, eager energy.

In Sagittarius she may well be a bringer of hope, optimism and justice, and with Venus will be focused on change in our value systems along with new awareness of our societal differences. The collective shift from Earth to Air is a move away from materialism, perhaps resonating with what Juno would say to the peacock, “be content with your lot.” Both Juno, Venus and the 2021 Summer Eclipses highlight the Gemini/Sagittarius axis which is very much about the way we speak to and think about each other. Indeed this Air era is very much about raising communication and thought processes to a higher octave. Just as the peacock rejuvenates and gains new feathers there is opportunity to see life though a new lens, our eyes opening in particular to societal inequality.
The narrative behind Juno’s sextile to the Jupiter Saturn conjunction cannot be overlooked – they are her husband/brother and father, they are patriarchs. We are in the lengthy and momentous process of moving away from a patriarchal society, watching it steadily crumble after the 2020 Saturn Pluto conjunction and Pluto in Capricorn until 2024. Jupiter and Saturn in Aquarius bring opportunities to reform power dynamics on a personal, social, political and collective level. Fairness and inclusivity will be topical particularly regarding new freedom and appreciation for not only women but progression and continued evolution of gender and minority rights. This is also echoed by Venus opposing the Aquarius North Node in Juno’s discovery charthttps://liannemccafferty.com/2023/06/20/sun-juno-conjunction-28gemini-june-2023/
Might Juno Lucina support the birth of a new era in the way we relate to each other if we grasp the opportunity she offers to reset our thinking, grow in wisdom and reach for a fresh, new status quo?

Additionally, as in her discovery chart, Juno is also closely tied to the Saturn Uranus cycle, here with the approaching waning square of the cycle¹ which will be exact three times in 2021. She she is very much part of a societal shift and collective progression.
Juno in Sagittarius is visionary, connected with obvious themes such as education, justice, faith, religion, propaganda and the abstract mind, and with the Gem/Sag axis highlighted by the nodes, the collective zeitgeist around this.
This quote from Helen Hardacre, an American academic, captures what that might be:

“….religion as a cultural force in human history has been remarkably powerful in establishing long-lasting, influential motifs of gender….”

Returning to those male dominated dynamics already described (and there are so many examples, one being that of Sarah Everard and the Metropolitan police in the UK), Juno highlights women’s place in society and opportunities to move beyond a patriarchal system. This requires a change of mindset so that political democracy includes women/genders in new ways.

Juno trines the Pisces Moon/Aries Chiron conjunction, so women and minorities as victims will be in focus, and the way they assert themselves going forwards. This will involve more gender equality with new freedom and appreciation for them society. Supporting the birth of a new era for women and gender rights in very Juno Lucina, as is learning from and no longer tolerating past wrongs – wisdom often equates to healing on some level.

So, aside from Covid and climate change being one of the biggest stories of 2021, so to was Afghanistan and the re-takeover by the Taliban. This was a massive step backwards for women’s rights and of course other minorities, so this is what I will use as my example of Juno in mundane action, and as Juno is our eyes, this cannot be hid from the world…..

Afghanistan 1960’ vs 1990’s

As we can see from these images women were not always subjugated in Afghanistan. It has often been a progressive place, but now, the plight of women under the Taliban rule is firmly in the spotlight.
As in the 2020 Air mutation chart, women’s/minorities rights & patriarchal dynamics are highlighted by Juno, particularly through the Sagittarius themes of religion & education. I was particularly inspired by a brilliant paper written by Dr Humed Ahmed-Ghosh², “Lessons Learnt from the Future of Yesterdays and Tomorrow” which is so relevant to Saturn Uranus. One quote in particular captures everything that is Juno,

“…..Afghanistan may be the only country in the world where during the last century kings and politicians have been made and undone by struggles relating to women’s status….”

So let’s understand Afghanistan in a little more detail. The Taliban is a military and political organization formed in 1996 from religious students, essentially Islamic fundamentalists. Control over women’s lives and gender roles is determined by patriarchal kinship arrangements derived from the Quran and tribal traditions, therefore women’s economic and political dependence on men is reinforced by religious based patriarchy. The power wielded by male tribal leaders is also key with their resistance to any modernization that might challenge their authority.
Historically, marriages equated tribal alliances, with women pawned and not allowed to divorce, submitting fully to the husband. They were also barred from any education and forced to maintain family honour, stay at home, observe the veil and remain silent. Demotion below men ensures the honour of the family and tribe, and ultimately the nation.
This is incredibly Cancerian (tribal/family) and very much echoes the Cancer Mars in Juno’s discovery chart. Also echoing the discovery chart and its grand cross, Afghanistan is landlocked and caged in.
Before moving onto the astrology, lets quickly look at the recent history of Afghanistan history:

Three important periods have shaped gender dynamics and affected women’s status – the 1920’s, 1970’s & 2001-2021.
Contrary to appearance, any periods of reform such as the 1920s and 1970s which enhanced women’s status, were met with resistance from tribal/community leaders. For example, the 1920s saw ongoing conflict between modernists and traditionalists (very Saturn Uranus) continually surfacing due to the changing status of women.

• The late 1800’s saw the birth of modern Afghanistan under Abdur Rahman Khan who tried to change the customary laws detrimental to women’s status e.g. abolishment of forcing a woman to marry her deceased husband’s brother and allowing women to divorce under specific circumstances. Interestingly, his liberal wife Babo Jan strongly influenced him: she was the first Afghanistan queen to appear in public in European dress without a veil, she rode horses and trained her maidservants in military exercises. She also acted as a political advisor and mediator between contending parties, in so very much another Juno.
• The 1920’s saw the next influential period during the reign of Amanullah where rapid reforms liberated women from tribal cultural norms such as covering their bodies or wearing the veil. Women were then expected to contribute to the economy.
• The 1940s and 1950s saw women becoming nurses, doctors and teachers.
• In 1964 women were allowed to enter elected politics and gained the right to vote, The Democratic Organization of Afghan Women (DOAW) was formed to eliminate illiteracy among women, forced marriages and bride price.
• The 1970s saw the second main influential period with a rise in women’s education, entry as parliamentary representatives as well as working for private corporations and airlines. The People’s Democratic Party of Afghanistan brought an agenda of social change empowering women, but which caused concern among the tribal chiefs who viewed this as against tradition. In so, a period of anarchism resulted, with war between Afghanistan and Soviet Union, the birth of the Mujahideen, and decline of women’s status and reversal of women liberties through education & employment.
• In 1992 the Mujahideen gained power which brought apartheid against women – their record is far worse than the Taliban – with women increasingly segregated from public service and forced to cover themselves entirely
• In 1996 the Taliban took over.
• In 2001 the Taliban fell.
• In 2021 the Taliban regained power, mainly due to Doha Agreement which I’ll look at later.

……..Now let’s look at Juno and the Astrology of Afghanistan………

Progressive Afghanistan 1973

The establishment of the Republic of Afghanistan was under a one-party system led by Daoud Khan. This chart is fascinating in that it echoes the 2020 Air mutation chart with Juno sextile an Aquarius conjunction and Juno once again in Sagittarius. Juno sextile Aquarius Moon Jupiter suggests progression for the people, especially women. Juno is also tied into the nodal axis via a Yod with Cancer south node apex: both her and the Moon (the feminine principle) are uncomfortable (inconjunct) with old tribal customs (Cancer South Node), feel held back and are working hand in hand (sextile) for women to have more autonomy (Capricorn North Node). South Nodes are not progressive and tend to hold us back, here by those old tribal customs. But Juno is conjunct Neptune too so there’s still something not quite fixed in stone, something clouded, fluid and confused – is this just some illusionary idealism of progression that could be swept away overnight? Think back to Jupiter and his cloud ….

Non-Progressive Afghanistan 2021

Comparing the Republic chart with the rapid 2021 Fall of Kabul (Taliban takeover)³ is fascinating, here’s some key points:
• Saturn conjunct the Republic Aquarius Moon Jupiter conjunction – through the use of religious doctrine women are once again oppressed, particularly regarding education, and forced again to cover with veils. In effect, progression for the people is halted.
• Pluto conjunct the Republic MC opposite the angular Sun –the overthrow of rulership and power.
• The Fall of Kabul Juno is conjunct the SN signifying a backward step regarding educational, religious and belief systems. This conjoins the Republic Juno, a significant Juno Return tied in with the Nodes, altering the collective zeitgeist.
• The Republic’s idealistic Neptune veil is now being swept aside.⁴
• The Fall of Kabul’s Aries Ascendant Chiron conjunction on the Republic Mars Chiron – it was an aggressive military attack that ultimately will hurt everyone – what, if anything, will be gained?
Incredibly this happened in front of our very eyes (peacock) and I’m sure none of us will forget the distressing scenes broadcast from Kabul airport.

The previous Taliban takeover in 1996⁵ shows similar patterns (chart not shown):
• 12th house Moon, Saturn, South Node, Juno stellium opposing the Sun describing a step backwards – women were forced by men to hide themselves away, to cover up. The general population is repressed. Incidentally, that Moon Saturn conjunction sits on Juno in the discovery chart.
• Pluto applies to the Republic Juno Neptune conjunction bringing questions around what might be buried or what will eventually surface, particularly around the control of people’s rights: Pluto conjoined the Republic Sagittarius Juno in 1998⁶ and the Afghanistan people were forced to get rid of their TV’s, videos and satellites. TV broadcasts were stopped in what was effectively a media blackout.

The Doha Agreement⁷
How did Afghanistan arrive at the 2021 crises? It was a result of the Doha Agreement⁸ which was
between the US Government and the Taliban, not the Afghanistan government! It’s aim was to prevent interference from western countries and any countries bordering Afghanistan, an ongoing issue since the 1880’s.

All negotiations swing around singleton, retrograde Juno, the chart handle. Along with Mercury retrograde in Pisces this agreement may well need reviewing at some point in the future.
It was signed shortly after the 2020 Capricorn Saturn Pluto conjunction in a stellium with Jupiter, Mars and the South Node, capturing the regressive patriarchal themes already mentioned.
• The Juno Venus opposition forms a T-Square with Saturn and Pluto, so a fight to transform power and financial dynamics, ownership and the existing status quo.
• The Pisces stellium suggests a collective peace agreement of course, but also fog, confusion, and the potential for the agreement to be open interpretation. Juno is also inconjunct Neptune and just think back to when she saw through Jupiter’s cloud – she is uncomfortable with this. Will this deal ever hold tight?
• There may well be some form of hidden financial agenda, especially with the Venus Pluto square and Taurus Moon. Is the wool being pulled over the world’s eyes? Is there more going on behind the scenes? Why were the Taliban willing to let people out prior to their takeover? Can we believe the Taliban’s promise that they have changed? Recall Jupiter’s promises to Juno that he would cease as a serial adulterer…..

By September 2021 the Taliban were already claiming the US had reneged on the deal, so let’s look at the US/ Doha Agreement (DA) synastry.

• The DA Juno handle sits on the US 10th house Libra Juno – another Juno Return. But what does the US Juno mean? It likes to build strong, longterm relationships but, conjunct exalted Saturn, likes to be in control of them and the negotiations. The head honcho so to speak. The Doha Agreement seemingly closes a chapter in a relationship, permitting autonomy to the Taliban.
• Just to spice things up, Donald Trump, who struck the deal, has natal Juno exactly conjunct the US Saturn, so he too was experiencing a Juno return during this renegotiation of western responsibility.⁹ This picks up the US Juno Chiron opposition, and that the shedding of responsibility may well hurt and leave a painful legacy, especially if assistance is cut off entirely (more later).
• The DA T-square of Pluto Saturn (Jupiter), Juno & Venus picks up the applying US Pluto Return, highlighting the patriarchal US Cancer/Capricorn axis, and financial Pluto Mercury opposition. Handing over of power certainly but with hint of covertness (financial) perhaps?
• The US Venus Jupiter conjunction sits on the DA North Node, which in some ways might be supportive for the Taliban’s tribal customs.
• Often overlooked is the US’ recent Neptune half opposition:¹⁰ the first pass (1st May 2021) coincided with the first withdrawal of US troops. The second pass (21st Aug 2021) saw the final troops leaving and the Taliban taking control. The third pass (1st Mar 2022) saw Antony Blinken, US Secretary of State announce,

“..we must redouble our efforts to address the growing humanitarian crises in Afghanistan, press the Taliban to respect the rights of all Afghan’s including by stopping the unjust detention of women, protestors and journalists, ending reprisals and allowing all Afghan’s to be educated and work in every sector..”

Although Trump negotiated the deal it was actually Joe Biden that followed it through and oversaw the withdrawal of western involvement. This resulted in devastating consequences for the people and the collapse of any form of modernisation in Afghan society.

• The Fall of Kabul Juno and South Node sit very close to the US ASC, right on top of Biden’s Juno Ascendant conjunction (This also conjoins the Republic chart Juno Neptune conjunction.) Biden is also going through a Juno return along with directed Juno conjunct natal south node and transit north node opposite natal Juno. Biden’s natal Juno Saturn opposition echoes the US Juno Saturn conjunction.
• The US Uranus Descendant conjunction is triggered by Biden’s Saturn Descendant conjunction emphasizing the destabilizing Saturn Uranus squares of 2021.
• The highlighted Gem/Sag axis, describes the shrinking horizons, media blackout and cease of communications from Afghanistan.

Moving forward, by March 2022 reports of a humanitarian crises in Afghanistan were leaking. The people were reported to be poverty stricken and starving, reflected by the Venus Neptune opposition across the Virgo/Pisces axis which picks up the US Neptune half return. The result being a flood of refugees, suffering and abuse of human rights.

As of now, July 2023, there are reports of the Taliban closing hair and beauty salons, another blow to people’s right to take pleasure and enjoy life. Even more so the value of the feminine principle in society – Juno has Venus in Leo in the discovery chart and the tri-wheel below shows how much the forthcoming Venus retrograde emphasises Afghanistan’s Venus returns https://liannemccafferty.com/2023/07/06/venus-retrograde-2023-no-ordinary-event/

I expect Afghanistan to once more be in the spotlight with the New Moon on 17/07/23 conjunct the Republic Sun, which transit Juno will conjunct 05/08/23. Juno then conjoins the Republic Mercury 15/08/2023 which currently has transit Pluto opposing, in so picking up the 29⁰ cardinal grand cross of Sun Pluto and the nodes on 22/07/2023. Transit Jupiter will conjoin the Fall of Kabul Uranus for extra fireworks from August through into 2024.¹¹
Looking further ahead, the new Saturn Neptune cycle at 00Aries in 2026 conjoins the 1996 Taliban takeover Moon and opposes the Republic Pluto.
Recall the current cycle Saturn Neptune cycle began in 1989 with the fall of the Berlin Wall, so let’s hope in the not to distant future barriers will also be removed for the Afghan people.

I could dissect this forever (as I’m sure you’ve guessed) and will endeavour to keep it updated. I urge you to read the article Books are losing value in Afghanistan – this scares me (msn.com) from which the quote below is taken: and is a poignant example of the Republic’s Sagittarius Juno South Node conjunction, which is where I started, and transit Pluto opposing the Republic Mercury which I fear may see further media blackout…..

“…The Taliban’s decision to ban girls and women from attending high school and university means they are no longer buying books as much. Boys and young men have also dropped out of school and universities, being demotivated to pursue an education that cannot guarantee them a job. This has severely shrunken the customer base of booksellers. On top of that, the Taliban government has imposed high taxes on book sales, which have dwindled even further the declining income of bookstore owners and publishers. Libraries throughout the country have also lost their readers, as fewer people go there to study or borrow books. Various book clubs, literary associations and reading initiatives have also stopped their activities. It is no longer seen as a value to own, read, or write books. Overnight, Afghan book publishing has gone from being a flourishing sector – perhaps the most successful homegrown industry – to a struggling and risky business venture. Afghans have gone from being avid readers to not being able to afford books….”

Copyright L.C. McCafferty 12/07/2023

References

Biser Todorov, CC BY 4.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Doha Agreement (2020) – Wikipedia U.S. Department of State from United States, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
A History of Women in Afghanistan: Lesson Learnt for the Future or Yesterdays and Tomorrow: Women in Afghanistan, Huma Ahmed Ghosh , May 2003
1973 Afghan coup d’état – Wikipedia
TOB File:Secretary Pompeo Participates in a Signing Ceremony in Doha (49601220548).jpg – Wikimedia Commons
Taliban order Afghanistan’s hair and beauty salons to shut – BBC N