Chiune Sugihara

What are indicators of Kindness in a chart? Probably each chart has its own indicators. But, there's a side to Saturn-Neptune aspects that I've been becoming more and more aware this year that seems to exhibit exceptional qualities in this regard. I've noticed that people who are born with these two planets in aspect with each other tend to have the quality of kindness a little bit more than the average person. There seems to not only be the Neptunian ideal of Good Intentions and Compassion for others but the Saturnian ability to actually act on and manifest this ideal in real life. Without the help of the other, often Neptune can't "deal" and will escape the situation and Saturn can't "care" and will act out with bitterness and coldness.

I've found a great example of how this aspect works in the chart of Chiune Sugihara. He was a 20th Century Japanese Diplomat who was responsible for saving the lives of more than 2,000 Lithuanian Jewish Refugees during the Holocaust by opposing orders and granting Visas illegally. I highly recommend a biography about his works and life that was made by Public Television and is available on a DVD called Sugihara: Conspiracy of Kindness.

Chiune Sugihara b. Jan. 1, 1900 Yaotsu, Japan

Sun 11 Capricorn; Moon either in Sagittarius or Capricorn; NN 21 Sagittarius

Sugihara's chart has the Saturn-Neptune opposition conjunct the Nodes in Sagittarius and Gemini. His chart further emphasizes this opposition because it is a See-Saw Chart shape and involves almost all the planets in conjunctions and oppositions between Gemini and Sagittarius-Capricorn (with Venus in Aquarius). This is a great aspect for a Diplomat because it can indicate a person who is, not only pulled in two different directions at once, but is aware of needs of both sides and can manipulate them.

Sugihara stood up against the atrocities that were going on around him. As a Japanese Diplomat working in Lithuania he handed out Visas to more than 2000 Jews against the orders of the Japanese Government (and certainly the Orders of the Lithuanian, Russian and German Governments). I wanted to understand how someone could have the guts to stand up against his Government the way he did but who was recognized as a kind person, not the rebellious type one would expect. Of course, I was reminded of Martin Luther King, who was also a Capricorn Sun. Of course, 3 or 4 planets in Sagittarius doesn't hurt one's expressions along Humanitarian lines.

Sugihara's Sun in Capricorn is conjunct Mars (exalted). His Moon is either in Sagittarius or Capricorn. Sagittarius would make sense as he was a Diplomat who lived outside of his own country for most of his life. Capricorn planets show a person with leadership skills, an Authority figure. It would be great to have his birth time in order to know his Midheaven and aspects as he certainly enjoyed opposing authority in his life. Sugihara opposed his father early on regarding his education (Gemini and Sagittarius opposition) and went to the school of his choice and when his Father refused to pay for the school he put himself through and paid his own way. While the Capricorn planets bestow a reserved nature, Sugihara is described as very friendly, broad minded person with a love of other cultures and travel.

In this chart Pluto in Gemini opposes Mercury-Chiron and Neptune in Gemini opposes Saturn in Sagittarius, possibly the Moon and all are connected with the Nodal Axis. (Neptune 26 Gemini Rx, Pluto 16 Rx Gemini-South Node 21 Gemini oppose Saturn 28 Sagittarius, NN 21 Sagittarius; Mercury 20 Sagittarius; Chiron 19 Sagittarius)

I always check for placement of Varuna in War Heroes and it never fails me. Sugihara has Varuna at 17 Aquarius sextile/trine the Mercury-Neptune opposition. (interesting that he was a warrior who worked through deception and paperwork). In 1941 when he granted all the Visas Sugihara's progressed Mars (Warrior) was conjunct Varuna (Warrior) within a degree with progressed Sun and Mercury just past conjunction but within orb at 22 degrees Aquarius.

During this time, Sugihara was going through his Neptune square from the sign of Virgo showing heightened compassion but also a time of confusion. His Humanitarian effort and Noble Deeds also ultimately cost him his high ranking job and caused him to struggle for the rest of his life. At Age 47 he was let go from his Diplomacy Job and had to resort to menial jobs. Finally he used his languages skills to locate work in Russia away from his family who remained in Japan. With Neptune squaring the huge Gemini-Sagittarius opposition in his chart on one side, his Progressed Venus was opposing it from Pisces on the other side. Jupiter and Saturn (rulers of his Sun and Moon signs) were in conjunction in Taurus trining his natal Sun-Mars (maybe Moon). He said he couldn't refuse the refugees merely because they needed help. He didn't want honors or fame.

During his lifetime, Sugihara was unrecognized until shortly before his death. There is a monument built in his honor close to where he was born. Israel thanked him and honored him with "Righteous Among the Nations" award in 1985 a year before he died. But his personality was completely changed. Before the War, all accounts describe him as very friendly and kind and afterwards as extremely serious and somber.

He's also been given his own asteroid, Sugihara 25893. I had to check its placement, of course. 8 Scorpio 7. It sextiles his Sun and squares his Venus in Aquarius.