The Execution of St. Perpetua
The astrology of bloodsports.
Now dawned the day of their victory, and they went forth from the prison into the amphitheatre as it were into heaven, cheerful and bright of countenance; if they trembled at all, it was for joy, not for fear. Perpetua followed behind, glorious of presence, as a true spouse of Christ and darling of God; at whose piercing look all cast down their eyes. Felicity likewise, rejoicing that she had borne a child in safety, that she might fight with the beasts, came now from blood to blood, from the midwife to the gladiator, to wash after her travail in a second baptism. And when they had been brought to the gate and were being compelled to put on, the men the dress of the priests of Saturn, the women the dress of the priestesses of Ceres, the noble Perpetua remained of like firmness to the end, and would not. For she said: “For this cause came we willingly unto this, that our liberty might not be obscured. For this cause have we devoted our lives, that we might do no such thing as this; this we agreed with you.” Injustice acknowledged justice; the tribune suffered that they should be brought forth as they were, without more ado. Perpetua began to sing, as already treading on the Egyptian's head. Revocatus and Saturninus and Saturus threatened the people as they gazed. Then when they came into Hilarian's sight, they began to say to Hilarian, stretching forth their hands and nodding their heads: “You judge us, they said, and God you.” At this the people being enraged besought that they should be vexed with scourges before the line of gladiators (those namely who fought with beasts). Then truly they gave thanks because they had received somewhat of the sufferings of the Lord.
But He who had said Ask and you shall receive [John 16:24] gave to them asking that end which each had desired. For whenever they spoke together of their desire in their martyrdom, Saturninus for his part would declare that he wished to be thrown to every kind of beast, that so indeed he might wear the more glorious crown. At the beginning of the spectacle therefore himself with Revocatus first had ado with a leopard and was afterwards torn by a bear on a raised bridge. Now Saturus detested nothing more than a bear, but was confident already he should die by one bite of a leopard. Therefore when he was being given to a boar, the gladiator instead who had bound him to the boar was torn asunder by the same beast and died after the days of the games; nor was Saturus more than dragged. Moreover when he had been tied on the bridge to be assaulted by a bear, the bear would not come forth from his den. So Saturus was called back unharmed a second time.
But for the women the devil had made ready a most savage cow, prepared for this purpose against all custom; for even in this beast he would mock their sex. They were stripped therefore and made to put on nets; and so they were brought forth. The people shuddered, seeing one a tender girl, the other her breasts yet dripping from her late childbearing. So they were called back and clothed in loose robes. Perpetua was first thrown, and fell upon her loins. And when she had sat upright, her robe being rent at the side, she drew it over to cover her thigh, mindful rather of modesty than of pain. Next, looking for a pin, she likewise pinned up her dishevelled hair; for it was not meet that a martyr should suffer with hair dishevelled, lest she should seem to grieve in her glory. So she stood up; and when she saw Felicity smitten down, she went up and gave her her hand and raised her up.. And both of them stood up together and the (hardness of the people being now subdued) were called back to the Gate of Life. There Perpetua being received by one named Rusticus, then a catechumen, who stood close at her side, and as now awakening from sleep (so much was she in the Spirit and in ecstasy) began first to look about her; and then (which amazed all there), “When, forsooth,” she asked, “are we to be thrown to the cow?” And when she heard that this had been done already, she would not believe till she perceived some marks of mauling on her body and on her dress. Thereupon she called her brother to her, and that catechumen, and spoke to them, saying: Stand fast in the faith, and love you all one another; and be not offended because of our passion.
Saturus also at another gate exhorted Pudens the soldier, saying: “So then indeed, as I trusted and foretold, I have felt no assault of beasts until now. And now believe with all your heart. Behold, I go out thither and shall perish by one bite of the leopard.” And immediately at the end of the spectacle, the leopard being released, with one bite of his he was covered with so much blood that the people (in witness to his second baptism) cried out to him returning: “Well washed, well washed. Truly it was well with him who had washed in this wise.” Then said he to Pudens the soldier: “Farewell; remember the faith and me; and let not these things trouble you, but strengthen you.” And therewith he took from Pudens' finger a little ring, and dipping it in his wound gave it back again for an heirloom, leaving him a pledge and memorial of his blood. Then as the breath left him he was cast down with the rest in the accustomed place for his throat to be cut. And when the people besought that they should be brought forward, that when the sword pierced through their bodies their eyes might be joined thereto as witnesses to the slaughter, they rose of themselves and moved, whither the people willed them, first kissing one another, that they might accomplish their martyrdom with the rites of peace. The rest not moving and in silence received the sword; Saturus much earlier gave up the ghost; for he had gone up earlier also, and now he waited for Perpetua likewise. But Perpetua, that she might have some taste of pain, was pierced between the bones and shrieked out; and when the swordsman's hand wandered still (for he was a novice), herself set it upon her own neck. Perchance so great a woman could not else have been slain (being feared of the unclean spirit) had she not herself so willed it.
O most valiant and blessed martyrs! O truly called and elected unto the glory of Our Lord Jesus Christ! Which glory he that magnifies, honors and adores, ought to read these witnesses likewise, as being no less than the old, unto the Church's edification; that these new wonders also may testify that one and the same Holy Spirit works ever until now, and with Him God the Father Almighty, and His Son Jesus Christ Our Lord, to Whom is glory and power unending for ever and ever. Amen.
From the Passion of Perpetua and Felicity
A little about martyrdom: A person who is executed for being Catholic goes to Heaven. The execution acts as a baptism does where it removes and absolves you of all sin, hence you go to Heaven, rather than having an extended stay in purgatory or going to Hell. This also means such people are saints in Heaven who have powerful intercessory powers for the living. Hence, their relics are powerful. This is why you see Sarturus giving a ring dipped in his blood to the others: It is as a relic. The early Catholics also would build altars and hold mass over the graves and relics of the martyrd. This tradition is held today where most Catholic altars have a relic stone inside them.
March 7 203 is the date of the execution. This is the traditional date and is corroborated between the clues in the Passio and early evidence from 354. Perpetua we understand to have been born in 182, simply working backward from her age at death we are given. We also have her likely place of birth as Carthage. However, without a birthdate, we cannot build a natal chart for her. But, we can have some fun and look at her execution chart. On this day, multiple Christians were rounded up and killed in bloodsports. What a way to go.
Uranus/Pluto sextile. Only aspect of Uranus. “Animals (Uranus) Maim (Pluto).”
Neptune sextile Mars. “Kill (Mars) Catholics (Neptune).” Mars is at 10 Sagittarius. Sagittarius is ruled by Uranus. At ten degrees it is subruled by Mercury, Venus, and Mars. Uranus is animals, games, sports, and even circus. So: “Blood (Mars) Sports (Uranus) of Catechists (Mercury) and Women (Venus) Murdered (Mars).”
Saturn contraparallel Sun. This is Death (Saturn) opposing Life (Sun). Or “End (Saturn) Life (Sun).” Sun is at 15 Pisces, ruled by Pluto, subruled by Pluto, Neptune, and finally Saturn for 15-18 Pisces. The Sun represents the Emperor. “Annihilate (Pluto), Criminalize (Pluto), and Kill (Saturn) Catholics (Neptune);” among other, similar attributions that can be made to show the actions of the Emperor this day.
Saturn sextile Venus. “Death (Saturn) Theater (Venus).” This is also death of innocents and young people (Venus). Venus is at 17 Aquarius. After the 15th degree, Aquarius is ruled by Pluto (elimination and crime), then Uranus, Mars, and Saturn. “Innocents (Venus) Eliminated (Pluto) by Animals (Uranus), Stabbing (Mars), and Killing (Saturn).”
Saturn oppose Jupiter “Godly (Jupiter) Death (Saturn).”
Neptune conjunct parallel Venus. visions catholic woman or young people. In the days leading up to her execution, St. Perpetua had prophetic visions, including that of a purgatorial soul she prayed for and released into Heaven. A Neptune/Venus aspect can show “Visions (Neptune) of a Visitor (Venus)” as it does for St. Gemma’s spectral visitors. Many associations can come from an aspect, especially since aspects can last days to months to years. This is why biwheels are important to narrow down how the planets are influencing a person or event. However, we only have this chart and no natal charts. Nevertheless, a single event chart, such as this, can show events that happened that day and place.
