This week the Italian volcanologist community has been speaking about what is happening at the Campi Flegrei, a large area in the vicinity of Naples characterized by the presence of calderas and bradyseism. From my point of view, there may be connections between the current wave of seismic activity and some data which I gathered through my research on the possible connections between the occurrence of angular eclipses over geologically unstable areas and actual seismic or eruptive events. My articles on astrology and seismicity can be found on this page: Seismic Research.
Drawing on previous observations, one question now arises. Considering that several experts have specified that there has been a crescendo of seismic activity in the area, I wonder if there may be a connection with the upcoming reactivation of the eclipse of October 2022. In Seismic Activity and Eclipse Activation (Mediterranean Region) I looked into the idea that there may be a connection between the following reactivations of the Solar Eclipse which occurred at 2 Scorpio in late October 2022. Several considerations made me evaluate the possible connections between that eclipse and the territory: it was angular over the central part of the Italian peninsula and it also fell in conjunction with the Italian chart’s Moon (1946). However, in this study I would refrain from making any reference to political charts, such as the national one of 1946. To understand whether there may actually be any verifiable link between geological events and these transits, prolonged observation needs to be carried out. In fact, I believe this research path may be valuable, but more study still needs to be done on the topic.
Currently, we can say that the transits of May 2023, when Haumea, Pluto, Jupiter and Mars aligned across the early degrees of Fixed signs, temporally coincided with explosive activity on Mount Etna, situated on a longitude similar to that of mt. Vesuvius and the Flegrei fields.
Inner wheel: Solar Eclipse 25 October 2022, Rome, Italy
Outer Wheel: transits May 21 2023.
I would like to emphasize the fact that such eclipse activations occur in longitude (for the purpose of this study I do not give importance to the amount of difference between ecliptic and equatorial coordinates), therefore any possible related geological events may manifest at different spots within the southern Italian latitude range.
Going back to the eclipse of October 2022, the chart of which is reproduced above, its angularity may be the most significant feature. As specified in the article mentioned above, I attempted to identify three major stress periods which could bring forward further developments regarding this localized activity (I have added Haumea in brackets):
- 3rd week of May 2023 – Mars-Jupiter-Pluto (Haumea) alignment
- mid-October 2023 – Mars in early Scorpio (conjunct Haumea)
- mid-February 2024 – Venus-Mars-Pluto triple conjunction in early Aquarius (square Haumea).
So if this series of seismic events continues, the mid-October transits may be pivotal. On a window which goes from October 12 to 16, Mars will conjoin Haumea at 0 Scorpio, moving across the first two degrees of the Sign, and then the Moon will also cross over the same area. Considering the current activity in the Flegrei area, the first part of October may see a crescendo. If the transit manifests, the middle part of the month may bring a peak of seismic activity or even the possible eruption which is mentioned in the news. From a different perspective, it is possible to identify that the Libra Ingress chart of this year, cast for the area, shows 22 Libra rising, with Pluto angular near the IC in Capricorn. The upcoming Solar Eclipse will fall in close alignment to the Ascendant (21 Libra) and the transit of Mars has pre-activated the to-be-eclipsed degree during today’s and yesterday’s seismic activity. This is just an attempt at testing a theory, not a prediction though. There is no better way to verify this other than observing the evidence against the transits.
Some expert volcanologists have not refrained from expressing their concerns of a bradyseismic crisis like that of 1982-84, but they have gone further than that. In fact, according to RaiNews, a national news channel, the INGV has stated that in this phase the activity is increasing, in comparison to past levels. The swarm is still unfolding, they added, and the current bradyseismic crisis has been active since 2005.
Image: 1911 Map of the Area – Historical Atlas by William R. Shepherd 1911 edition, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
According to these considerations, we are now almost a full Metonic cycle (19 years) into the crisis. If a deterioration of the geological equilibrium unfolds, this may be a further indication of the connections between eclipses and such events. INGV experts have also expressed that they consider two possible scenarios: a crisis with frequent seismic activity and ground deformation, or an actual eruption in the area.
The 1538 Eruption
The 1538 eruption of Monte Nuovo began on September 29th 1538, and was the last one in the area. According to historic records, seismic activity increased for a few years before the eruption. The Monte Nuovo was formed during the eruption, which lasted for a week. It was described by a large number of people, so there are records. The volcanic activity literally swallowed the medieval village of Tripergole, whose position is nowadays unidentifiable.
Image: A fumarole at the Phlegraean Fields; painting by Michael Wutky (1780s), Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
A new eruption was feared during the last bradyseismic crisis, in the 1980s, and now the same possibility is being taken into account, especially since the 4.2M earthquake of yesterday (September 27th).
It is worth noting that one year before the eruption of 1538, an angular eclipse occurred at 20 Scorpio. During the days of the eruption, a combined transit of Venus and Mars on the IC configuration occurred.
Inner Wheel: Partial Solar Eclipse Nov 2 1537, Pozzuoli, Italy
Outer Wheel: Transits Sep 29 1538.
