They Have Things to Do – Part 11 – On The Generations
In the 1990’s conversation on this topic was dominated by Generation X, described as “slackers” with their detached, misfit aura that confused and clashed with the predominant Baby Boomer generation. They were associated with the vanguard “world wide web” and expanding “dotcom” technological revolution that was first impacting society, business, and culture in those years. Just as soon as that conversation was winding down the events of September 11, 2001 shifted the focus of conversation to “threats” in the world and the need to find, create, and preserve something they called “security.” By the middle 2000’s the novelty of that conversation had worn down and focus on generational discourse returned in time for the “Millennial Generation” to begin its total cultural onslaught. In the middle of these tumultuous times an entire generation managed to slip between the cracks and go largely unnoticed, under discussed, and even unnamed.
There have recently been hints of recognition of this generation-with-no-name and the portmanteau appellation Xennial has found its way into minor use. That they would finally be noticed and then described by what they are not is par for the course to the people born to this period. To recognize them properly we will hereby give them a name that reflects this overlooked and unseen experience using a song from the time when they were born. This is the Blank Generation – and they can take it or leave it each time. With that, let’s see just who these people are.
First let’s explore their ways of thinking, aesthetics, and values. These are determined by their generational placements:
The Blank Generation officially begins on September 8, 1975 and the last of them were born on November 28, 1982. They are the “Uranus in Scorpio” generation but all of them share Neptune in Sagittarius and Pluto in Libra. It is the continuation of the Neptune and Pluto placements from Gen X2 that is most likely responsible for their ability to go under the radar for this long because they share aesthetic and many value sensibilities. Further, the first years of the Millennial generation also carry these placements, muddying the generational difference on the other side as well. All of that being the case it is Uranus, the most important generational planet, that separates them in two ways. First, via addition by subtraction. In Gen X2 Uranus is afflicted by co-presence with Pluto and in the Millennial Generation Uranus is afflicted by co-presence with Neptune. Resting cleanly in the middle is Uranus in Scorpio, free, clear, and in excellent position, so let’s explore:
Uranus tells us how these people think
Neptune tells us about their aesthetics
Pluto tells us what they value
Scorpio is the fixed water sign, ruled by Mars. It is characterized by its depth and receptivity. Uranus is the disruptor and it will introduce shocking and exciting electricity into the sign it occupies. With Uranus in Scorpio we should expect a way of thinking that is receptive, consistent, strategic, and cynical. The action of Uranus combines with Scorpio in a way that nearly reverses the situation – we could easily say that it is more the terrain of Scorpio that is acting upon Uranus in this case. Uranus delivers jolts of lightning, powerfully scattering what it comes into contact with and creating its reputation for unpredictable outcomes, but it is in the sign of Scorpio where it meets its match. The fixed water sign has the capacity and need to take in everything and that includes whatever Uranus has brought. Mars is the planet of action and in Scorpio it divides and penetrates in order to be prepared to receive. When Uranus lightning strikes in Scorpio it is like a giant lake able to absorb the shock of the bolt and contain it in its murky depths. Uranus it seems is not really able to disrupt Scorpio rather Scorpio is able to capture Uranus. This is a very interesting effect and a strong argument for this being the best position for Uranus. When disrupteIOd this cohort will contain the disruption and absorb it fully, integrating it into its way of thinking. This will produce people who understand things completely and with great depth. They will be able to maintain their fixed position, merely integrating whatever Uranus has brought rather than having it force them in a different direction. Key results of this are a tremendous strategic-thinking ability and an inevitable cynicism that come out of understanding the entire picture, which includes the vulnerability of all other cohorts to Uranus disruption. The main downside will be a bias toward pessimism. Remember that this is a generation who as teenagers were given a rock star “voice of their generation” who (they were told) then promptly blew his head off. Is it any wonder they would be inclined to ask “why bother at all?”
If Generation Jones are the middle child of the family and Generation X are the oldest, then Baby Boomers and Millennials are spoiled only-children. We can then say for sure that the Blank Generation are the youngest child of the family, left largely to their own devices by the exhausted parents of society who had noticed correctly that this last one seemed pretty well able to take of itself anyway. This is cynical but also correct and the Blank Generation understands, but maybe next time don’t forget to give them a name.
In terms of aesthetics the position of Neptune for this cohort is in Sagittarius, continuing the style sensibility of Gen X2 preceding them. Sagittarius is the mutable fire sign, ruled by Jupiter. This leads to an adventurous, driven, and innovative aesthetic that seeks to affirm. These are style pioneers who have the courage to try new things, even if they’re bad (see: the 1970’s). They will consider effort to be important and are less focused on the outcomes as a result. For Neptune in Sagittarius it is belief in what is being done that achieves the most desired image or appearance. This is also a very creative sign, driven by fire to get out there, do things, discover, and above all to try. This acts a nice counterbalance for the cynical Uranus in Scorpio way of thinking and creates an optimistic aesthetic. Sure, things might be lousy but they could be better? How can we make them better? The drive to action is driven by believing that something better is possible, out there to be found. This is a very strong placement for artistic endeavors and we can expect to find significant creative contributions in every genre from people of this cohort. The downside is that the aesthetic language may be disregarded by the other cohorts, because it presupposes that Sagittarius optimistic belief and embrace of what is possible. This placement is a significant contributor to the pattern of being overlooked that the Blank Generation experiences and they can even be outcasts or outright rejects, but it is a mutual rejection and out-casting of themselves that will be most typical.
Regarding their values this entire generation shares the placement of Pluto in Libra. Libra is the cardinal air sign, ruled by Venus. Libra wants balance, lightness, beauty, and fairness. Pluto is the magnifier and it will exaggerate the characteristics of the sign which it is in. With Pluto in Libra we should expect a strong appreciation for and expectation of fairness and balance. The values for this generation will be rooted in the idea that everyone should get what they deserve, and none shall get what they do not deserve. Pluto here intellectually examines competing interests and seeks to reconcile them into something beautiful. The ideal outcome for this generation is the “win-win” situation and it will judge decisively against whatever appears to distort this. In times of challenge and disruption the Blank Generation will choose to respond based upon their primary value, taking the option that is most likely to produce a lasting and stable agreement, as that is what is most important to them.
It can be said that this generation is the least afflicted of the present cohorts. They experience an absence of disruption in their thinking and seem to actually benefit when it occurs, while their values are the best equipped to manage extremes and are able to operate unperturbed. Their aesthetic sense will produce a very creative and optimistic style but this is their weakest position and can be responsible for considerable disappointment when the things they seek fail to materialize. Why this valuable and capable generation has been overlooked is an interesting question that we will explore more later on in this series, but one leading factor must be that they simply cause the least number of problems. The squeaky wheel gets the grease and this cohort is the smooth and quiet wheel that goes about its task without the need to be noticed.
The Blank Generation think of themselves as insightful, original, realistic, and fair. 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 the Blank Generation these are the key things to do for best results:
Notice that they exist
Treat them fairly
Do not attempt to trick them
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.
Leave a Reply