{maketoc}Iberia, both Spain and Portugal, influenced much throughout 1399Neptune-Pluto1892. In the end, however, both nations had much less clout than most of Europe despite having literally mined millions in bullion and having a head start on international trade. How and why this happened illustrates how outer planet patterns mirror history differently according to national circumstance.<br />What becomes clear the more we delve into this Iberian Spotlight his that not only does history mirror outer planet activity but it does so specific to region. That at each of the cardinal points, 0, 90, 180, 270 and 360 degrees each region shows different levels of change stands out for its significance and utility. During the 1560s, for instance, from the distance of history Spain took obvious missteps that obviated their superior position. At that time they should have centralized the treasury and their administration. Instead, their focus on saving Christianity and empire helped untold wealth move through their economy at little benefit to them....page...<h2>1399-1571</h2>From the beginning of the 1398 Neptune-Pluto wave to its first cardinal point (Neptune-90-Pluto-1571) Spain rose to its apex. But within its success lay the cause of its ultimate fall. How Spain went from a second rate system to dominating and initiating its decline within the first quarter wave tells us much about both Iberia and how to interpret history according to outer planet waves.<br />Spain, and in many cases the Portuguese case is the same, never fully established a united nationality. This fact displays why Spain never developed the cohesive systems other nations built. Her circumstance matches that of Germany and Italy in this respect, this comparison being verified by the Spanish Civil War of the 1930s; the World Wars and this conflict have much to do with the late national unification relative to other European states. Because Charles and Philip directed Spanish resources to other than Spanish concerns, Spain never matched the focus and capital of her rivals, Britain and France in particular. This does not mean that the parties acted wrongly. Indeed, Spanish authorities, Casitilian  to more specific, acted to the best of their ability based on established knowledge. Given the same circumstance, many of the other immature governments of the time could have fallen to the same errors. The massive bullion influx represents an unforeseen circumstance no government before since has likely faced. <h3>Christians, Islams and Jews</h3>Why and how Spain and Portugal marched through 1399Neptune-Pluto1892 is colored with <em>La Reconquista</em>, the seven century effort by Christians to dominate the Iberian peninsula. Though  Christian "victory" lay more at the hand of Islamic infighting, the effort served to give the Spanish some identity. In reality, Spain still consisted of Castile and Aragon and other regions who held their interests over that of the peninsula. Nonetheless, the Spanish imagination still pervaded enough to unite some behind the crown. in the long run, much of this was an illusion, even to the Spanish.<br />To the level that ethno-religious differences dominated the Iberian mind can be seen by the role the Inquisition played. On its surface the institution intended to purify society of psuedo-Christians of either the Islamic or Jewish variety. Deeper down the Inquisition served as a means to gain wealth and property; as a unifying tool/control mechanism; and as an industry of the Church. Seen from our late perspective the energy expounded toward the institution could have better served educational or community needs--justification for inquisition entailed book-length submissions to the court. The ability was there, but the focus lay on the inconsequential tasks. In the end, however, this clue gives us an idea why the situation headed in the direction it did....page...<h3>Ventures Overseas</h3>...page...<h4>The Caravelle</h4>...page...<h3>Spain Deconstructed</h3>...page...<h3>All That Gold & Silver</h3>From the beginning the Iberian thirst for gold and silver drove men to risk all. Ironically, that these dreams came true ultimately accelerated a fall from grace.<br /><div class="bitbox">Include quote here from Empire about "bank boats"</div><br />This common occurrence shows the effect of Spain using its wealth to its detriment. In truth, the decision lay with Charles and Philip, but it is Spain that paid the price. ...page...<h2>1572-1648</h2>...page...<h2>1649-1821</h2>...page...<h3>Fall From Grace</h3>...page...<h2>1822-1892</h2><h3>The Poor Man of Europe</h3><h3>South American Independence</h3>