Leo Liberation Season: The Historical Timeline and Astrology of Jamaica. Happy Independence Day Jamaica!! Big UP!!!
It’s Leo season. It’s also Liberation season, Independence season and/or Emancipation Season; for many of the (former) British ruled English speaking Caribbean islands, including Jamaica. Today August 6th is Jamaica’s Independence Day and last Saturday August 1st was Jamaican Emancipation day.
Leo season is many things including Liberation Season. Liberation being when slavery was legally abolished (made illegal) and being emancipated aka liberated from the rule and dominance of the European colonial/imperial powers.
FYI Imperialism, Racism/White Supremacy, Colonization, and Slavery never ended. Insidious in nature it just changed forms, like a virus mutated.
Like Sex trafficking is a form of slavery (forced sexual labor). While Black slavery of African migrants in Libya is rampant. Regardless from a general “legal” and “human rights” standpoint slavery is condemned and regarded as bad.
In this post which is going to be a bit long, I am going to be giving a brief historical Timeline and Astrology of Modern Jamaica (1962) to celebrate Jamaica Independence Day!
To note the reason why many English speaking former British ruled Caribbean nations celebrate independence/emancipation around August/late July is because of The Slavery Abolition Act of 1833.
This act abolished slavery in the British Empire for people under the age of six. While the rest of the enslaved peoples were assigned to be “apprentices” working without pay. This was because the enslaved peoples’ had to pay back their owners’ even though they didn’t chose to be there. Remember these were a group of people who were stolen from their homelands, stripped of their identities, cultures, and histories and forced to work till they LITERALLY DIED OF EXHAUSTION and abuse.
It took another 5 years on July 31st 1838 midnight for full emancipation (whatever that means) for enslaved human beings in the British Empire. However the fight wasn’t over, it took over 120 years until 1962 for Jamaica specifically to achieve full independence whatever that means.
To note during the 1960s- to early 80s’ several former British Caribbean island colonies achieved independence;
Jamaica (1962)
Trinidad & Tobago (1962)
Barbados (1966)
Bahamas (1973)
Grenada (1974)
Dominica (1978)
St. Lucia (1979)
St. Vincent (1979)
Antigua & Barbuda (1981)
St. Kitts & Nevis (1983).
Liberation was and is a forever process as you can see.
I will be specifically talking about Jamaica because 1. Again today is Jamaica’s Independence Day and 2. I have direct Jamaican/Caribbean ancestry so these are my people, my ancestors, and their blood, memories, history, trauma, and legacies flowing through my veins. Random but I also got direct Haitian ancestry too. So Sak Passe and Wah Gwan all day and everyday!
Brief Historical Timeline of Jamaica
Jamaica is not just a cool fun island destination in the summertime to visit. These are real people, with real interesting origins and history.
Pre-Colombian Xaymaca aka Jamaica before 1494
Before 1494 The Arawak (also called Taino) are indigenous native Indians of the Caribbean, including Jamaica. They inhabit the land called Xaymaca, which meant ““land of wood and water” or “land of springs”. This land later being known as Jamaica. The Arawak lived, loved, fucked, fought, killed, and died in this land. They survived by fishing, hunting, and cultivating cassava. Mainly by minding their business.
May 5th 1494 Italian Columbus funded by his Spanish benefactors came upon Xaymaca” aka Jamaica after the Cubans claimed Xaymaca had gold. It didn’t. Sun was in Taurus, Pluto was in Scorpio, Saturn was in Pisces, Uranus was in Aquarius and Neptune was in Capricorn in 1494
Spanish Occupation 1509-1655
Spain aka the Spanish Empire was the first to “colonize” Jamaica, capturing it on May 10th 1509 (Taurus season). Xaymaca was mainly used as a supply base (food, men, and weapons) for Spain. During this time they overworked the native Arawak Indians to leading to death and near extinction (due to exhaustion and dying by European diseases the natives didn’t have immunity to). There was also a lot of pirates/piracy happening during this time. Pluto was in Sagittarius, Jupiter was in Sagittarius, Saturn was in Virgo, Uranus was in Pisces and Neptune was in Aquarius in 1509
Jamaica’s colonization with the Spanish empire lasted until 1655
May 10th 1655 was when Spain surrendered the island to the British Empire after the British attacked Xaymaca. In May 1655 Pluto was in Gemini, Jupiter was in Aries, Saturn was in Virgo, Uranus was in Capricorn and Neptune was in Sagittarius in 1655
British Colonization & Slave Colony/Economy 1655-1838
The British established Jamaica as a plantation colony for England and grew tobacco, indigo, cocoa and mainly sugar cane (sugar). This lead to the British transporting African slaves to replace the population of the native Arawak Indians. The Transatlantic Slave trade and triangular trade took place. England supplied manufactured goods. Mainly West Africa supplied the slaves. . While Jamaica supplied the labor and crops (sugar). Hence triangular trade.
The period between 1655 and 1807 was a hard, traumatic period for the Jamaicans and prosperous period for the British Empire.
There were several skirmishes between the Jamaican Maroons and British colonial officials. Note during Spanish rule and after the Spanish were defeated by the British in 1655, enslaved Africans escaped and formed different Maroon communities (such as the Windward Maroons, Leeward Maroons and Cudjoe’s/Trelawny Town Maroons. Maroons derived from French via the Spanish word Cimarron meaning untamed or wild.
The Windward Maroons for example set up communities in areas around the Blue Mountains of Jamaica. A 1673 enslaved peoples revolt and another in 31 of July 1690 enslaved peoples revolt led to the creation of the Leeward Maroons.
First Maroon War from 1728-1739 between Jamaican Maroons and colonial British authorities The Maroons won and the treaty of 1740, they were given land and rights as free men. In return they were to stop fighting and help to recapture run-away slaves. This treaty resulted in a rift among the Maroons as they did not all agree that they should return run-away slaves to the plantations.
Pluto was in Libra, Jupiter was in Gemini, Saturn was in Aquarius, Uranus was in Scorpio and Neptune was in Gemini in July 1728. 10 years later in July 1739 Jupiter was in Taurus, Saturn was in Cancer, Uranus was in Capricorn, and Neptune was in Cancer.
There were also several enslaved peoples rebellions that stands out.
The Easter Rebellion of 1760 led by Tacky
Second Maroon War from 1795-1796 between Cudjoe’s/Trelawny Town Maroons and colonial British authorities
In July 1795 Pluto was in Aquarius, Jupiter was in Aquarius, Saturn was in Gemini, Uranus was in Virgo and Neptune was in Scorpio.
Another enslaved people rebellion; The Christmas Rebellion of 1831 led by Sam Sharpe (now a National Hero).
1807 The Slave Trade was abolished. This meant that there would be no more international transport of slaves to Jamaica. This did not abolish slavery however. Note that in the prior in 1804 Haiti successfully won it’s independence from the French via rebellion. Haiti became the first independent black country. Haiti was inspired by the French Revolution of 1789 (99).
Anyways The Slave Trade in the British Empire was abolished in 1807. In July 1807 Pluto was in Pisces Retrograde, Jupiter was in Aquarius Retrograde, Saturn was in Scorpio Retrograde, Uranus was in Libra and Neptune was in Sagittarius Retrograde.
Again The Slavery Abolition Act of 1833. This act abolished slavery in the British Empire for people under the age of six. While the rest of the enslaved peoples were assigned to be “apprentices” working without pay. This was because the enslaved peoples’ had to pay back their owners. In August 1833 Pluto was in Aries Retrograde, Jupiter was in Taurus, Saturn was in Virgo, Uranus was in Aquarius Retrograde and Neptune was in Capricorn Retrograde.
It took another 5 years on July 31st 1838 midnight for full emancipation (whatever that means) for enslaved human beings in the British Empire. In 31 July 1838 Pluto was in Aries, Jupiter was in Virgo, Saturn was in Scorpio, Uranus was in Pisces and Neptune was in Aquarius..
Urbanization/Modernization and Slow Decolonization 1938-1961
The next 100 years from roughly 1838-1938 were a series of highs and lows for Jamaica in the quest for liberation and autonomy.
During this time Jamaica began to urbanized and modernized. Roads, railways, and bridges were built and became government owned in 1845. Cable communication between Jamaica and Europe was established in 1859. Jamaica’s export industries expanded to coffee, logwood, and bananas
This time period is also similar in some ways to the Antebellum period (before the Civil War) in the United States. Ex enslaved people settled in a variety of places. Many turned into farmers in a situation similar to sharecropping in the United States and peasantry/feudal system in the Middle Ages/Medieval times.
During the American civil war supplies were cut from the island, then a severe drought which lead to widespread starvation because crops were ruined. This lead to an October 1865 uprising called Morant Bay Rebellion.
Currently Jamaica is divided in 14 parrishes and grouped into 3 counties. The way Jamaica is organized established since 1867. While Jamaica’s capital was changed from Spanish Town to Kingston in 1872
In the 1930s' Jamaica went through turbulent times including the Depression (world wide), Panama industry disease which lead to a disruption in Jamaica’s banana industry, decreasing sugar prices, unemployment and rising population growth. Rioting and violence ensued. This lead to formation of labour unions and political parties .
The Bustamante industrial Trade Union (BITU) and Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) was founded by Pisces Sir Alexander Bustamante. Ironically he died in August 6th 1977. While the National Workers’ union and the political party the People’s National Party (PNP) was founded by Cancer ironically born July 4th Norman Manley. Jamaica’s first general elections was held December 1944. The pursue of economic and political power and autonomy further lead to Jamaica’s self-determination.
In 1958 the Federation of the West Indies between Jamaica and 10 other Caribbean nations was formed, then quickly abandoned in 1961 (think of it like the British Caribbean’s Brexit with growing nationalism).
Finally on August 6th 1962 Jamaica was independent whatever that means. Especially with the nu wave colonial imperialism China is doing in Jamaica but that's neither here or there. #shade. Liberation is an ever-changing process with no end in sight.
Anyways Jamaica liberation holidays are:
Emancipation Day August 1st
Independence Day August 6th
Countries having birthdays/natal charts is a bit problematic in the sense that especially for occupied lands like Jamaica and the USA these lands were 1. Occupied before it’s “discovery” (I hate that term) and 2. Had a rich history and was a “country” in the non-traditional sense before it was colonized. It technically had an astrology before it was a country.
Note France and England operated as a country/area way before it organized itself a country and declared it’s independence. They also both have multiple natal charts for different time periods in their history.
Even such independence and declaring independence especially as a black country is a part of liberation energy that summarizes and acknowledges a country’s collective history, its’ pain, trauma, triumphs, and also it’s present and future intentions/hopes/wishes. A country’s natal chart can be similar to an intention setting ritual like making New Year’s resolution, making a wish on a birthday cake, and/or a vision board/law of attraction.
Anyways to get into Jamaica's Astrology
Ascendant in 7 Degrees Libra
Midheaven in 6 Degrees Cancer
Sun in 13 Degrees Leo in the 11th House (XI)
Square Neptune, Conjunct mercury, sextile Mars (and Mercury), Semi-square Venus
Mercury sextile Mars
Mercury conjunct Uranus
North Node retrograde in 8 Degrees Leo in the 11th House (XI)
Moon in 20 Degrees Libra in the 1st House (I)
Moon trine Mars
Venus in 27 Degrees Virgo in the 12th House (XII)
Venus conjunct Ascendant,
Uranus conjunct Pluto, sextile Mid-heaven
Mars in 19 Degrees Gemini in in the 9th House (IX)
Saturn retrograde in 7 Degrees Aquarius in the 5th House (V)
Saturn square Neptune
Jupiter retrograde in 10 Degrees Pisces in the 6th House (VI)
Jupiter trine Neptune, opposite Pluto
Neptune in 10 Degrees Scorpio in the 2nd House (II)
Jupiter trine Neptune, Saturn Square Neptune
Off the rip Jamaica has a stellium in Leo AND a stellium in the 11th House. Jamaica has Sun conjunct Mercury in Leo, Leo North Node, and Uranus in Leo ALL in the 11th House.
Jamaica is a Leo Sun conjunct Leo Mercury in the 11th House. Off the rip Jamaica is a confident, proud, and creative country. If you ever listened to the dancing styles and music (Ska, Rocksteady, Reggae, Dancehall,etc.). You can see the prideful, boastful, fiery energetic energy of the Jamaican culture. Jamaica Leo Sun conjunct Leo Mercury in the 11th House ego and style of communication are working together to BIG UP itself, show off, and share it’s national pride with the world (the 11th House in Leo).
Jamaica Uranus in 29 Degrees Leo in the 11th House (XI) with Mercury conjunct Uranus
Jamaica has an intense Innovative energy and bursts of insights and creativity with a sort of shock value. It's Jamaica's destiny (north Node) to share its creative talents and abilities with the world. This is where Jamaica truly shines.
Sun is also sextile Mars so Jamaica can be seen as forceful and a bit arrogant. Look at the way Jamaicans dance and all the dancehall dance moves/names they created. Willie Bounce, Nuh Linga, Badman Forward Badman Pullup, Tek Weh Yuhself, Pon Di River, and Wacky Dip. Jamaica is bursting at the steams with extroverted creative expression. Who remembers those crazy Passa Passa DVDs?
Jamaican culture is very popular and imported around the world with it’s far share of sometimes funny sometimes annoying stereotypes such as Jamaicans smoke weed, Jamaicans have multiple jobs, Jamaicans etc.). The accent and it’s unique English derived creole (Patois) and style of dress is colorful, bold, in your face. Often mimicked (sometimes even made fun of). Please note at Jamaica only has a population of 2.8 million and is smaller than the size of Connecticut, but is larger than life persona. Jamaicans have a very distinctive, memorable energy that can’t help but be noticed, loved, and remain in the spotlight which is very Leo.
Supporting this Jamaica has Moon conjunct Ascendant in Libra, with moon being in the 1st and Moon trining Mars. Jamaica wears it’s heart on it’s sleeve being in the 1st House. The Libran heart/emotions/feelings (moon) and is one full of culture, justice/fairness, style, and pioneering force in music and dance industries. People generally like the country of Jamaica and a generally positive reputation around the world (MC is squared Libra Moon and Ascendant).
Jamaica is more traditional than how it’s seen to the world with it's Cancer MC. Weed (Marijuana/Cannabis) was only decriminalize in Jamaica in 2015. Homosexuality is looked down on and often met with violence. While there is an ongoing debate between the slackness (vulgarity) in dancehall music/culture and the more traditional/respectable roots reggae songs.
I dare you to listen to dancehall songs with lyrics on of course in all of it’s entirely. My recommendations anything by Vybz Kartel, songs like Squeeze Her Breast by Mavado, Dutty wine, etc. Google punnai, keep urban dictionary open by the way. I dare you lol
Jamaica has Mars in 19 Degrees Gemini in in the 9th House (IX). Jamaica with Mars in Gemini is a very busy body with a jack of all trades energy.
Jamaica is known for reggae and dancehall via
Capricorn artists Vybz Kartel, O.G. Sister Nancy, O.G. Phyllis Dillon and Sean Paul
Leo artists Beenie man & Spice (her birthday is today too!!)
Libra artists Shaggy & Mr. Vegas
Virgo artists Elephant man, Tessanne Chin, & O.G. Alton Ellis
Cancer artists Lady Saw & Tanya Stephans & Popcaan
Sagittarius artist Alkaline
Aquarius artists Koffee, O.G. Derrick Hariott, & G.O.A.T Bob Marley.
Jamaica is not only known for its music, but cuisine (beef patties, jerk chicken, festivals, fried dumplings, ackee and saltfish, bun and cheese, guinep, etc.).
Also running sprinters/athletes like Leo Usain Bolt or Jamaican American Pisces runner Sanya Richards Ross.
Jamaica has
Jupiter retrograde 10 Degrees Pisces in the 6th House (VI)
&
Neptune in 10 Degrees Scorpio in the 2nd House (II)
with Jupiter trine Neptune, Saturn Square Neptune
Jamaica's cultural and artistic influence over the world is profound. For example Jamaica and other English and Spanish speaking Caribbean islands like Trinidad, Barbados, Puerto Rico had a big impact and influence on the creation of hip hop.
BTW Hip Hop is a Leo and has a birthday. I created a blog post about it a few years ago link here. Hip hop was started in the Bronx New York and born on August 11th 1973 and was a collective exchange between African Americans natives, and Caribbean immigrants/first generationers.
Rappers and musicians such as Busta Rhymes, Super Cat, Biggie Smalls all have Jamaican heritage. While Nicki Minaj, Trinidad James, Foxy Brown have Trinidadian influence
Outside of Jamaica's influence on hip hop, look at reggae which started in 1960s with Bob Marley and the Wailers leading the way.
Jamaica has Jupiter retrograde in Jupiter's traditionally home sign of Pisces. While Neptune is in Scorpio. So there is a emotionally heavy breakdown of cultural boundaries (Neptune in Scorpio) & expansion/abundance energy in Jamaica.
Jupiter in Pisces offering emotionally healing energy to the world being in the 6th House. Jamaica in a weird way in the 1960s' then again in the 1970s-1990s (and beyond) provided different ways to heal the hippies Pluto in Leo/Virgo Boomer generation and the world especially during the oftentimes violent and chaotic times of 1960s.
Especially with Jupiter trining Neptune in Scorpio (in the 2nd House). Its like Music and culture is Jamaica's greatest export (aside from Tourism) which is so Jupiter became is Jamaica's job (6th House) to the global community and collective unconsciousness which allows Jamaica to profits (Neptune in Scorpio in the 2nd House). It's like Jamaica is being financially rewarded for it's spiritually healing cultural exports.
Jamaica has Saturn retrograde 7 Degrees Aquarius in the 5th House (V) with Saturn square Neptune
This can point to Jamaica being so independent and a little rebellious. There is an opposition between Jamaica's Leo sun conjunct Mercury so there is a contradiction in the Jamaica's ego (sun), communication/intellect (mercury) and sense of boundaries, hard work, discipline, and limitations (Saturn).
Jamaica maybe a bit mistrustful of authority figures and big organizations groups and want/needs to do their own thing. Makes them fiercely independent and rebellious because they are afraid to lose their autonomy, freedom, and individuality all in the 5th house of creativity (traditionally Leo's house).
Remember we just got out of Saturn in Aquarius energy of social distancing, social justice protests against police brutality, social justice protests against ironically wearing masks/opening up businesses because it threatens their body/physical and economic autonomy. So just think of Jamaica's own sense of individualistic independent spirit.
Jamaica has Saturn squaring Neptune which can show problems with setting/maintaining boundaries and needing to structure it's illusions.
Jamaica has Venus in Virgo in the 12th House and Lilith in Libra
This can show hidden sides to relationships sense of beauty Venus and dark bad bitch rebellious rage mobsters and gangsters energy of Lilith.
The 12 house is a very spiritual house and Jamaica has a intense Virgo energy in the 12th house with the powerful generational Uranus conjunct Pluto in the 12th House. So Jamaica hidden superpowers is it's creative futuristic Virgo healing powers. It's no accident that reggae was really and still is powerful in 1960s onward in the midst of intense upheaval and social change (1960s' onward).
Like 1960s was INTENSE (i WASN'T THERE FOR IT BUT MAN). It’s important to note. The world operates in a strange way we are all interconnected. 1960s’ reggae started. 1969 Gay rights/Gay liberation, 1968 Native American rights liberation movement started.
Patrice Lumumba was murdered in 1961
Medgar Evers was murdered in 1963
JFK was murdered in 1963
MLK was murdered in 1968
RFK was murdered in 1968
A special significance and shout out to Baby Boomers Pluto in Leo and Pluto in Virgo generations for surviving.
Overall Jamaica has a very interesting and significance chart. Big Up!! Respect to Jamaica.
As I mention it's not Liberation season for Jamaica but also Other Caribbean nations celebrating liberation, independence and/or emancipation. To note during the 1960s- to early 80s’ several former British Caribbean island colonies achieved independence;
Jamaica (1962)
Trinidad & Tobago (1962)
Barbados (1966)
Bahamas (1973)
Grenada (1974)
Dominica (1978)
St. Lucia (1979)
St. Vincent (1979)
Antigua & Barbuda (1981)
St. Kitts & Nevis (1983).
Antigua (or Antigua and Barbuda)
1st Monday and Tuesday in August
Anguilla
August 1st (August Week) J'ouvert
The Bahamas
Bay Fest, beginning on August 1 and lasting several days
Barbados
Emancipation Day in Barbados is part of the annual "Season of Emancipation", which began in 2005. The Season runs from April 14 to August 23.[2][3] Commemorations include:
The anniversary of Bussa's rebellion, a major slave rebellion in 1816, April 14
National Heroes Day, April 28;
Crop Over festival, which includes May, June and the first week of August
Africa Day, May 25
Day of National Significance, which commemorates the Labour Rebellion of 1937, July 26
Emancipation Day, August 1
birthday of Marcus Garvey, August 17
International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its Abolition, August 23
Bermuda
Emancipation Day Thursday before the first Monday in August
British Virgin Islands
August Festival (the first Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday of August)
Dominica
First Monday in August known as August Monday
Grenada
First Monday in August Emancipation
Saint Kitts and Nevis
The first Monday and Tuesday of August are celebrated as "Emancipation Day" and also "Culturama" in Nevis.
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
August Monday
Trinidad & Tobago
the first independent country in the world to declare a national holiday to commemorate the abolition of slavery. on August 1st 1985
Emancipation Day July 31st
Caribbean of Central America
On the Caribbean Coast of Nicaragua the emancipation of slavery took place in the month of August 1841 but with different dates.
Bluefields and Pearl Lagoon received their emancipation on August 10, 1841.
Corn Island received its emancipation on August 27, 1841.
Big Up to people fighting for their own liberation in every fucking way and where. Thank you!
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
