Before we begin addressing our newly “named” planet, a note of awareness for ongoing transits. Mercury and Mars now align in Cancer, opposing the virtual midpoint of Saturn and Pluto in Capricorn. Before engaging in knee-jerk or impulsive retorts and actions, leave retaliation out of the equation and consider that all thoughts, words, deeds rendered must align with the greater good to honor the nearness of the node to Mercury and Mars - your greater good and the greater good of the planet. Stay focused, no distractions while engaged with activity that requires full attention. Remember we’re all part of the Planet Earth tribe.
An official name for the Kuiper Belt Object 225088 (2007 OR10) awaits approval. The discovering astronomers, using crowd sourcing for voting, have submitted the name Gonggong for this object. Now it is a matter of the International Astronomical Union ratifying the suggested name, which in all likelihood will occur sometime in the reasonable future.
Why do we care? Gonggong is a dwarf planet. He is equal in stature to Makemake, Haumea and arguably Eris and Sedna and other objects. He is a force to be included in our horoscopes and his planetary stature and naming make sense for a number of reasons
First, per the diagram below, his diameter lines up with other planet contenders. Please note, the diagram below is derived from source data of a few years ago and the diameters of these bodies have been amended. Still, the sizes are close to present day accuracy and the image offers perspective as to GongGong’s (2007 OR10) relative size perspective.
Second, the evidently unending flooding of rivers (and impact on farmland) is now a global climate change factor (see mythology below) for all the inhabitants of Earth to recognize and engage.
Third, China stands as one of the greatest powers in the world and constantly makes headlines whether because of their interactions with Russia, North Korea or the United States, and the ongoing question (and conflict) of the sovereignty of the Republic of China (Taiwan). A Chinese myth makes sense for integration into modern collective astrology.
Fourth, the color of 225088, despite appearing brilliantly white in early images which led to an early nickname of Snow White, is one of the reddest objects in our solar system, which aligns with his red hair as noted in descriptions below.
Here’s some data. The orbital period is in the range of Eris’ at 553.04 years. The north node is 6 Pisces 51 and the perihelion degree is 4 Libra 23 (note: both degrees are heliocentric). For those of you who have the Galactic Trilogy, the ephemeris for 225088 is the ephemeris for Gonggong. I checked the calculations in the existing calcs for 225088 against the latest revised data and there is no change. I am working on revising keywords for Gonggong and expect to have that complete soon.
GogGong (Gonggong) in Chinese mythology and folklore is a water god (according to some, a blundering, evil black-bodied dragon) seen with red hair atop a human head on the body of a serpent, or human head - again with red hair - on a human torso with the tail of a serpent (or dragon). His nature is combative and defensive and his confrontations are blamed for various cosmic catastrophes from floods to the tilt of the earth in our solar system. He was noted for being ambitious, cruel, vicious and cursed with an abundance of stupidity.
Gonggong is known from the late Warring States period (before 221 BCE). Gonggong appears in the ancient Heavenly Questions (Tianwen) poem of the Chu Ci, where he took on Zhurong, the Chinese fire god in a battle for the throne of heaven. In this battle Gonggong was defeated. Ashamed and embarrassed with his loss, he flew into a fit of rage and smashed his head against Buzhou Mountain, one of eight pillars holding up the sky.
This head butt seriously damaged the pillar and caused the sky to tilt northwest wherein the Sun, Moon and stars followed, and Earth shifted southeasterly, which caused great floods and the resulting destruction and suffering. The incurred axial tilt is why the rivers of China generally flow to the southeast, especially the Yangzi and Yellow Rivers. Often Gonggong’s influence over great floods was exerted in concert with his associate or subordinate, the dragon Xiangyao (or Xiangliu) who has nine heads and the body of a snake.
Presumably, this tilt factor relates to the obliquity of the ecliptic, and curiously as his naming occurs, it is reasonably coincident with recent online news that the Earth’s magnetic field now migrates to the northwest!
Seemingly the battle between Gonggong and Zhurong lasted several days with furious exchanges of blows. The combatants fell from heaven, landed on earth where Gonggong realized his defeat. Zhurong ascended into heaven for a lap of honor (victory lap?). For his pillar of heaven destruction, Gonggong was either punished by exile or death.
Following the head butting incident, the goddess Nüwa (Nu-Gua) cut off the legs of the giant turtle, Ao, and used them in place of the fallen pillar. This ended the flooding, however, she could not correct the tilt of the Earth and the effects of that upon the Sun, Moon and stars.
While the mythology results in shame and diminishment for Gonggong, there are stories of an actual person named Gonggong, a leader who lived in ancient China. Gonggong suggested filling low-lying areas and creating dams to prevent floods. The resulting campaign was a boon for farming. Gonggong is considered the second most influential person in ancient Chinese farming. It is said that they myth of Gonggong’s battle with Zhurong came from the human Gonggong’s battle with another leader of his day.
In the urban dictionary it is stated that Gonggong is: An ancient Chinese person who is destined for greatness. This name is passed down to generations.
Interpretively, Gonggong’s Libra-Pisces orbital element dynamics lean toward establishing impeccable relationships. The defeat of codependence and any unhealthy interpersonal need is implied. Boundary awareness occurs, as in creating partitions and limits on interactions with others as to avoid feelings of overwhelm, being submerged, or feeling flooded and drowned by the emotional impact with others. The “tilt” of Gonggong implies angling perspective for a fresh point of view as to what is one’s guiding star in life. Gonggong delivers an unapologetic attitude about ones talent, creativity and display of artistic wares. These traits presently emphasized by his transit of 4 Pisces 29, retrograde.
So here’s an astrological newcomer yearning for integration into interpretation. Here’s to Gonggong being a personally inspiring contact and for his transit to inspire renewed interest and appreciation of art, creation, culture... and farming.
More soon.