The origins of Orcus lay in Etruscan religion, that were heavily influenced by both Greek and Roman mythology and religion, sharing many similarities. Orcus had many associations with other underworld gods such as Pluto, Hades, Horkos, Dis-pater, etc.
Although Orcus could refer both to the underworld itself and the deity, just like Hades is referred to as hades (hell), Orcus was believed to be an abode for purification of the souls of the deceased, for a rite of passage of sorts, that did exist. From the association with death and the underworld, his name came to be used for demons and other underworld monsters. However, a more modern interpretation can be found in the stories of multiple other Underworld gods and goddesses on this website. They describe individuals who went deep inside themselves - into their own unknown - to root out the distortions of truth that they had held. Also, the illusions or delusion they may have had about themselves and others, metaphorically dying to the old scripts. Also allowing the seeing of the blindspots that had kept them ‘blind’. And by illuminating the blindspots, in effect eliminating them. The underworld isn’t so bad when you are no longer in denial. In fact, there is peace when the perceived monsters no longer haunt you into seeing the truth, that you are hiding from inside yourself… The scary internal landscape that many people fear to go into, stirs fear only until the unknown is explored, then no more… see the details in the articles listed below.
In the discovery chart, Orcus at 24 Leo is opposed to the ruler of Leo, the Sun, conjunct object Gonggong. There seems to be an element of seeing one’s self from a different point of view, like looking in a mirror, perhaps from a detached point of view (Sun in Aquarius) conjunct Gonggong with its elements of disaster preparedness and having to mitigate sudden events, or discoveries that may be shocking (Uranus). Orcus is also in wide conjunction to Mercury the psychopomp of the zodiac, which entails a sojourn through the Underworld, to find wisdom there, and bring it to awareness (Aquarius).
Orcus demands respect for oaths, and to swear by Orcus is to accept that being in denial of an oath or breaking such a vow is not amenable, nor palatable, even if the wronged party is willing to make concessions. Those with Orcus prominent in the birth chart may experience that retribution (to be truthful) is a recurring theme - in some form - in life.
As it relates to this website, the trans-Neptunian objects are about pulling the shadow side into the light, for the potential of a powerful transformation. It’s about the spiritual underpinnings of the actions we take against other people, that defile divine order.
According to Greek poet Hesiod, Horkos is the most powerful of all the daemons, and was believed to attach himself to the heels of the guilty conscience. Horkos keeps pace with wrong judgements. The ancient Greeks knew that you cannot escape this wrongdoing, it follows you around, and it stresses the importance of truth, and not lying to others and self. When we lie, we trap energy inside of ourselves that damages and disadvantages us. Real honesty with self and others, is so you can have peace. We cannot rationalise doing these wicked things, because the subconscious and that Jiminy cricket, comes back knocking, and won’t let you have peace, until you acknowledge want you want to hide from. Allowing the fears, insecurities, doubts and pain allows the issues to rise to consciousness, to come to the light of day, so that you can acknowledge them and come to peace.
The Sabian symbol for Orcus in its own discovery chart is the imagery of a large camel crossing a vast and forbidding desert. It’s the symbol of the human’s capacity to overcome their own unawareness, and the handicaps imposed by the normal limitations of human life, like the 5 senses. Its the feat of being able to bear their load with spine, while being challenged and depraved by illusions on the horizons and a landscape that creates many insecurities; to overcome and arrive at the treasures of truth, rewards and destiny on the other side. In its discovery chart, Orcus at 24 degrees Leo, is opposed to Mercury and Sun in Aquarius, which is about the psychopomp (Mercury) bringing unawareness, truth and clarity to light (sun), and it being very enlightening (Aquarius).
Eris and Pluto squared with 5 direct hits between 2020-2021 and that was about the time period in which CoVid lockdown was strongly enforced in many parts of the world, forcing people to go deep within, like the psychopomp in Greek/Roman/Etruscan mythology, for that clarity, and far reaching knowingness.
Astronomers point out the Pluto and Orcus orbits are in a beautiful intertwined vesica pisces pattern. These Underworld figures are like Yin and Yang and highly complementary. They are two peas in a pod, yet different aspects of the same thing. Pluto destroys the old, outworn and outdated by wiping the slate clean, and Orcus is the process in the Underworld of discovering truths, that enables the solid foundation for the rebuilding, elevation and edification.
One of the best ways to experience the energy of Orcus (or any of the other trans-Neptunian objects) is in the week leading up to an Orcus station to go retrograde, or station to go direct. Check your ephemeris or the Calendar of Events.
Internet search engines often direct readers to this page using tags, which means they cannot see all the articles. To see all the articles click here.
Orcus was a god of the Underworld and punisher of broken promises in Etruscan and Roman religion. Orcus had many associations with other underworld gods such as Pluto, Hades, Horkos, Dis-pater, etc. In ancient Greece, making an oath is equal to creating an iron-clad contract between each person and Horkos. If a person took an oath and then broke it, there were serious consequences.
Read More
