Rediscovering Generation Jones – Part 9 – On The Generations
As the Baby Boom tapered off a new crop of kids was emerging that appeared to be notably different from those who had come before. This was noted at the time but they were destined to be overshadowed by the much bigger Baby Boomer generation immediately preceding them and were eventually just lumped in with them entirely. These were the teenagers of the 1970’s and in many ways were seen to be competing with and trying to “catch-up” with their older peers. Further, their numbers were cut in half as the second seven-years ended up as part of yet another generation that followed. Generation Jones are and have always been the middle-kids of the family, a small cohort whose signature characteristics are often blamed on those other generations which they border and who have rarely been explored in isolation, so we will do so.
First let’s explore their ways of thinking, aesthetics, and values. These are determined by their generational placements:
Generation Jones officially begins on October 10, 1956 and the last of them were born on August 9, 1962. This is the “Uranus in Leo” generation although the large majority of cohorts also share Neptune in Scorpio and Pluto in Virgo. It is the continuation of Pluto and Neptune in the Baby Boomer placements during the first year which gave the illusion of them being Boomers, something further aided by the continued prominence of Leo. It is the distinctively different condition of Leo (with Uranus having entered the sign) which shows that they are more of a direct revolt against and challenge to the ways of the Boomers than a continuation of them. Gen Jones is a backlash – one that sews the seeds for Generation X which follows (but we will get to them next). For now, let’s see what these Generation Jones placements mean:
Uranus tells us how these people think
Neptune tells us about their aesthetics
Pluto tells us what they value
Leo is the fixed fire sign, ruled by the Sun. It is the generator and the individual identity. Leo is certain, consistent, and energetic. Uranus is the disruptor and it will make matters in its sign more aggressive, shocking, electric, and rapid. With Uranus in Leo we should expect a way of thinking that is loud, visible, and offbeat. We should expect to see disruption in the identity resulting in a group of people who are fundamentally uncertain and insecure about who they are. Whenever the fixity of Leo is challenged by Uranus we will find doubt. The combination of elements here is likely to produce a certain disconnect between ideas and identity along with a bias toward thinking from the self. Generally speaking this is not a good combination but on the positive side you can expect a stubborn courage to stand one’s ground. This is a cohort who may have some unusual ideas but will staunchly resist any challenges to them.
With Neptune in Scorpio we should expect an aggressive and divisive aesthetic style, in great contrast to that of the Baby Boomers preceding them. Scorpio is the fixed water sign ruled by Mars and is famous for depth. We should expect here an edgier style, somewhat aggressive, persistent, and decidedly authentic. This cohort will be concerned with the extremes of what is possible, taking styles and stances to their furthest logical conclusion. They will be drawn to things that express realism above all, accepting even the darker elements of the world provided they are presented as they really are. Mars is divisive and unafraid of confrontation and Neptune in Scorpio will most appreciate the appearance of realism, virility, and depth. They will appreciate the action-oriented and that which is on the fringes. Completeness is important to this cohort, wanting all things to be seen, expressed, and represented simply as they are. To this group what is beautiful is less about appearance and more about what is being signaled .
Pluto is in Virgo for this cohort, demonstrating an extreme value around the purity of details. Virgo is the mutable Earth sign, ruled by Mercury. Here it is the trees which are seen, and the forest which is of less concern. Generation Jones shares this placement with much of the following Generation X (but with an important modifier for them). Virgo is a sign of purity and the uncorrupted nature of things as they are meant to be. Pluto brings an extreme magnification to this sign and produces a value system that is deeply concerned with tangible and specific evidence. Generation Jones wants things to be done correctly. This placement will produce people who have great certainty that they are the ones who best understand. In times of challenge and disruption Generation Jones will choose to respond based upon their primary value and will invariably take the option that reinforces what they believe to be honest and true according to the data as that is what is most important to them.
Generation Jones think of themselves as courageous, objective, and authentic. If they perceive that they are failing to meet one of these standards then that will be the source of their discontentment. As is the case with all generations they will see these ways of being as normal, and if you understand what is normal for them you will have greater success communicating with them. When interacting with a person of Generation Jones these are the key things to do for best results:
Uranus in Leo – acknowledge their intellectual courage
Neptune in Scorpio – recognize the range of their interests
Pluto in Virgo – acknowledge that they mean well
As with all generations, on an individual basis outcomes in these areas will be modified by personal planets and the dignity of the ruling planet of the sign. All born under this generational configuration will possess these traits but they may be expressed more positively, negatively, grandly or slightly, depending on the personal chart. We’ll discuss how that works later in this series but the foundational placements as presented here will always be present in those born under this configuration.
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