Galileo Galilei, the Italian astronomer known as the “father of modern science”, stood trial for the second time on 13 February 1633 for the heresy of proclaiming that the Earth revolves around the Sun. He had revolutionized astronomy using an improved telescope to discover Jupiter’s moons, Venus’s phases, and lunar craters but his support for heliocentrism led to life imprisonment by the Catholic Church.
His birth date varies by a day but on 16 February 1564 JC 3.41pm in Pisa, Italy, it gives a Pisces Sun conjunct Pluto and Mercury in a rebellious, revolutionary square to Uranus square which is in an innovative (eureka moment) opposition to Neptune in Gemini. His Taurus Moon, here in the 10th would bring him into the public eye.
Birth time being accurate – a focal point Pluto is often ahead of its time in terms of insight and has a tendency to run into hostile resistance. In the 8th would double up the reactions he stirred up from the authorities of the day. Pisces is also a sign not only connected to Neptune but also to explorers as well as mathematicians.
His Mars in final degree Taurus was conjunct Neptune and square his Sun – so he was a force to be reckoned with. He had a Jupiter Saturn conjunction in Cancer (in certain cases an indication of a high flyer) trine Venus in Pisces. He was sentenced to indefinite house arrest where he remained until he died in 1642.
The 13th February (thanks AI) does appear to be a significant date with the Lindbergh kidnapping and Dresden bombing also falling on February 13 in 1935 and 1945 respectively.
The grip the destructive Inquisition of the Roman Catholic Church had between the 13th Century (Pluto in Virgo?) and the 19th Century (Pluto in Pisces?) when it was dissolved is sobering to reflect on. Western civilization has moved on apace since then but it is a damning indictment of what happens when narrow minded and arrogant religious fanaticism is allowed the upper hand.
The post Galileo – condemned for being right first appeared on Astroinform with Marjorie Orr – Star4cast.
