The Astrology of Tubeway Army's Replicas

The prescient album nears its 46th anniversary

A loose concept album inspired by the works of Philip K Dick, Replicas is about a future dystopia in which androids control and oppress humankind at the behest of mysterious officials.

Today, such a concept seems less than far-fetched…

I was under the age of five when I first saw Urgh! A Music War, and was immediately enchanted by Gary Numan's performance of “Down in the Park”, a classic from this 1979 album.

The cold, sterile, robotic feel to both Numan's stage persona and sound would prove highly influential to future artists.

And, if you ever get the chance to see him live, he puts on a great show - yes, still!

Onward to the album's star chart:

The Western astrological chart for Replicas has an Aries Sun, Cancer Moon and Jupiter, Venus, Mercury and Mars in Pisces, Saturn in Virgo, Pluto in Libra, Uranus in Scorpio, Neptune in Sagittarius, Pluto in Libra and the nodes in Pisces-Virgo.

Pluto in the sign of partnership opposing the Sun exalted in the sign of individuality is pretty on point.

This aspect is all about power dynamics and uncovering something hidden in the shadows.

There's obviously a concern expressed for future humanity - a loss of free thought - and with it, an erosion of both self-possession and true connection between people.

When something just isn't right, we can feel it… but do we keep our mouths shut out of fear of consequences?

There have been times in history in which that very pattern occurred. Falling in line, going along to get along, can seem the only option - but what destruction can compliance or passivity enable?

Dissociation is a trauma response. Is there some tangled relationship between that and technology? How has human consciousness changed as a result of technological interfacing, and what mechanisms might cause a loss of sense of Self, expression and connection?

Please don't turn me off

I don't know what I'm doing outside

Me and the telephone that never rings

If you were me, what would you do?"

-Me! I Disconnect From You

Definitely prescient.

When Mercury and Mars are conjoined, expect hot takes...It's an intensely perceptive energy.

The Trines Uranus makes with Mercury and Mars speak to a sense of what the future may look like, and having an understanding of technology in relation to human consciousness and physical reality.

— What are your favorite songs on this album, and how do they speak to you?