Videodrome (1983) Vedic Astrology Analysis
Directed by :
David Cronenberg: Purva Bhadrapada ♓︎ Sun
Staring:
James Woods: Pushya ♋︎ Asc, Ashwini ♈︎ Sun, UBP ♓︎ Moon Mercury and Mars.
Debbie Harry: Vishakha ♎︎ Asc, Ardra ♊︎ Sun (conj Rahu), UBP ♓︎ Moon, Krittika ♉︎ Venus
(Spoilers included)
Videodrome is a great example of the depth held in Pisces. While it can be easy to see the beauty of Venus' exaltation in this sign, Cronenberg shines a light on the horror and brutality that swims deep in the Piscean waters. There is a balance in everything, with Venus exalting to the highest height in this sign, the most disturbing depths stir beneath to equilibrate this exaltation. UBP is a very prominent nakshatra in the two lead actors in this film and the nak themes of UBP are woven into the entire story. Ahirbudhnya, “the serpent of the depth” , rules over this nakshatra and his symbolism is written all over Videodrome. The Narayana form of Vishnu sleeps on his coils and dreams the world into existence.
This film was released in 1983, and one of its core themes is the threat technology/television poses to audiences. Another central theme is the effects of technology on the human mind, body, and specially the nervous system (Mercury). In 1983 Fred Cohen introduced the term and concept of a “virus” into technological language. The year after Videodrome’s release the first Mac computer debuted, subsequently followed by the release of the first windows program (1985), and adobe photoshop (1988). UBP is a Saturn ruled nakshatra, and Saturn rules time. Following the release of this film, technological giants surfaced that are still foundational and relevant to our current technology.
In the movie, an organization is testing how to conceal a frequency within a television broadcast designed to induce the growth of a brain tumor. This brian tumor causes audiovisual hallucinations. They veil the frequency in graphically violent films. Originally, “videodrome” (the frequency and program being broadcast) was developed by “Dr. Brian O'blivion”, and the tumor was originally intended to be a new part of the brain to advance human evolution in accordance with the growth of technology. Saturn corresponds with the gradual development of the human body, Saturn is the crystallization of form.
The developers working with Dr. O’blivion hijacked the project and turned it into a method of psychic attack and mind control. This, to me, illustrates Pisces ability to manipulate. Pisces understands desire (Venus exaltation) in such a way that it can override logic (Mercury debilitation). This is seen in the tumor inducing frequency bypassing the conscious awareness during exposure.
“The battle for the mind of North America will be fought in the video arena: the Videodrome. The television screen is the retina of the mind's eye. Therefore, the television screen is part of the physical structure of the brain. Therefore, whatever appears on the television screen emerges as raw experience for those who watch it. Therefore, television is reality, and reality is less than television.”
- Dr. Brain O’blivion.
The videodrome frequency being concealed within a television program reflects Ahirbudhnya residing underneath the surface of experience while Vishnu dreams the illusory projection of reality. Serpents have been associated with rebirth, occluded knowledge, and transcendental experiences since the beginning of time. This theme emerges towards the latter half of the movie. The final scene interestingly parallels archetypal initiatory experiences found in ophidian centered/crooked path practices. The primary ritual in the Dragon Book of Essex, and the Egress rite of the Azoetia mirror the final scene, ritualistic self transcendence to assume the “new flesh”.
Pisces is the final rashi before rebirth into Aries, symbolizing the film's focus on dissolution (12H/Pisces) and birth (1H/Aries). The main character is played by Ashwini Sun James Woods. The conclusion takes place on a derelict ship in a harbor (12H), which James Woods actually suggested.
While there are so many beautiful dimensions within UBP, there are equally terrifying and disturbing layers in this nakshatra. The vision and insight symbolized by Narayana Vishnu and Ananta Shesha are mind splitting. They tear worldviews asunder, illuminating the inner workings of manifest reality and the indestructible imaginal substance underneath. The pressure of the entire sea weighs down in UBP, its this pressure that makes the diamond. This nakshatra is the final crystallization of Saturn before entering the alchemical and mercurial Revati.
















