Nancy’s Blog

Like autocratic regimes everywhere, Iran’s government, in an attempt to consolidate power at home, is ramping up the demagoguery with unhinged rants about a dangerous foreign threat. The last few weeks have seen escalating accusations about British, and to a lesser extent American, interference in Iran’s election and its tumultuous aftermath. The propaganda has gone so far as to blame the dramatic unrest in Iran on the Western nations and their media rather than admit to the indigenous fury over election fraud and the heavy-handedness that followed. Most recently, numerous workers at the British Embassy in Tehran have been arrested for inciting riots.

The 2009 Summer Solstice chart for Great Britain (6/21/09, 6:47 AM, London), active for the three months between the Summer Solstice and the Fall Equinox, has Uranus (26Pisces34) conjunct the Midheaven (25Pisces48), with this conjunction waxing and quite powerful from June 21 through August 17. Uranus on the Summer Solstice Midheaven suggests many upsets and upheavals with which the British government (MC) will be challenged during this period. The current shock (Uranus) came with the transit of the Moon on June 28 in opposition to the Uranus/MC conjunction. There will be several other significant activations of this energy, most notably: July 1 to early July 2 with Mercury square Uranus/MC; July 28 through early July 29 with transiting Venus square Uranus/MC; and, likely the most dangerous, August 16 through August 18 with Mars square Uranus/MC.

The 2009 Spring Equinox chart for Great Britain (3/20/09, 11:45 AM, London) also has Uranus (23Pisces02) conjunct the Midheaven (23Pisces43), suggesting that this theme of turmoil and rebellion impacting the British government is strong through the entire year (3/21/09 through 3/20/2010). We have already seen a big shake up during the Parliamentary elections on June 8. It is likely that when Uranus returns to cross the Spring Equinox Midheaven degree from September 16 through October 11, and again from December 1, 2009 through January 22, 2010, other striking events will unfold that will in some way upset the status quo (Uranus) and cause a great deal of agitation and unexpected changes in the Brown government.

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I will be leaving tomorrow to take my son to his college orientation. I just wanted to jot down a few thoughts before I go. I’ll be back by Sunday and may even manage to get my laptop functioning well enough to be in some contact while I am gone.

The New Moon (1Cancer30) in opposition to Pluto (1Capricorn59,retrograde) and semisquare to Mars (16Taurus11) is bringing a huge buildup of tension in the world. This combination of planets brings intense power struggles tinged with ruthless violence. We are seeing an increase in the brutal confrontation going on in Iran, as well as the coming showdown between the US and North Korea over one of North Korea’s ships. In addition, rockets rained down on the US Bagram Air Base in Afghanistan yesterday. Using Eastern Daylight time as a reference, the Moon/Pluto opposition is exact around 4:20 PM on June 22 and the Sun/Pluto opposition is exact by 3:45 AM on June 23. The longer lasting Mars sesquiquadrate to Pluto continues through 6:40 PM on June 23. The latter two aspects will continue through much of tomorrow in Iran due to the eight and half hour time difference.

In both President Obama’s chart and the US chart, this New Moon opposite Pluto and semisquare Mars is quite potent. The Sun, Moon, and Mars are activating the slower-moving transits of Pluto opposite Obama’s Venus (1Cancer47) and square to the US MC (1Libra53) which are quite strong through the end of June. With the US tracking a North Korean ship suspected of proliferating weapons material and North Korea threatening dire reprisals if the US attempts to board the ship, it is easy to see the buildup of the Pluto/Sun pressure in two opposing forces jockeying for control of the situation. At least some of this tension and the associated danger of escalation are likely to dissipate as Mars begins to separate from the sesquiquadrate to Pluto by the evening of June 23. Further dissipation of this feeling confrontation is likely after June 30.

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Somewhere, deep within us, lives a vision of a more perfect, more peaceful world. In religious terms, it might be called the Kingdom of Heaven on Earth; in political terms, it might be labeled a utopia; astrologically, it is designated as the coming of the Age of Aquarius. But whatever one’s frame of reference, there exists an inner longing for a world where we recognize our kinship with all humanity, where our diversity becomes our strength, and where our swords can finally be turned into plowshares.

Unfortunately, this enlightened jewel deeply nestled into the essence of humanity’s soul is most often drowned out in the cacophony of volatile emotion, manifold need, and overwhelming struggle that make up our daily lives. Like the sunlight peeking out from behind the clouds on an otherwise rainy day, there are moments when we remember this buried truth about our shared humanity and its congruent strivings, but mostly, it is forgotten amid the din.

Of late, this sunlight has been more visible, thanks to the Jupiter/Neptune conjunction that remains in effect from mid-May to mid-July 2009, and offering a brief encore in the third week of December. Highlights of this visionary and optimistic configuration that came while the conjunction was waxing toward the US Moon (27Aquarius12) include the speech given by President Obama in Cairo and the initial response to the choice of Judge Sonia Sotomayor for the Supreme Court. Most recently, as the Jupiter/Neptune conjunction waxes toward an exact semisquare with the Iranian Sun (11Aries06) through July 10, Iranians have taken to the streets calling for fair elections and standing against the demands of their oppressive regime. This movement has excited the world’s imagination (Jupiter/Neptune) and unleashed a guarded hope that Iran’s people might reclaim their country. After July 10, however, this exalted energy will rapidly diminish, and it remains to be seen what will be left after a more realistic perspective takes hold. With Uranus turning retrograde on July 1 and once again moving toward its conjunction with Iran’s Mars (25Pisces37) through August 24, we may see the mood of rebellion, aggressiveness, and repression increase as the idealism and expectation deflate.

Back in the US, pressure and criticism are being ratcheted up on President Obama as Pluto waxes to its exact opposition with his Venus (1Cancer47) as of July 1. The Plutonian laser-like focus is being applied to Obama’s tendency to compromise and conciliate (Venus). Many on the Left would appreciate more Mars-like assertiveness on key issues such as health care, financial regulation, and gay rights. Unfortunately for Obama, some significant obstacles, frustrations, and possibly lower poll numbers are likely through July 19. With Saturn opposite Venus in the Inaugural chart (17Pisces47) from July 4 through July 16, criticism of and restrictions on his administration and its policies will grow during the coming month. Effecting him more personally, Saturn will be sesquiquadrate his Mercury (2Leo20) from June 28 through July 11 and quincunx his Ascendant (18Aquarius03) from July 6 through July 19, suggesting some personal stresses, restraints, and difficulties, including the possibility of a minor health issue (Saturn/Ascendant). From July 25 through November 5, Obama’s fortunes will once again be on the upswing, with the likelihood of many victories, increasing popularity, and a general mood of success. His progressed Moon will be in opposition to progressed Venus/progressed Uranus (28Leo07) in August, followed by a long station of Jupiter on his Ascendant from September 8 through November 5.

As of November 5, however, the mood of the country will shift dramatically, as enormous difficulties erupt and Obama faces hurdles and criticism far more challenging than seen up to that point. November 2009 through August 2010 will be very burdensome for the president and the country, as Saturn moves into its square with Pluto, impacting the US Midheaven (1Libra53), US Venus (3Cancer06), and Obama’s Venus (1Cancer47). April through July 2010 will also see the final three Saturn/Uranus oppositions that pit the innovation needed to move toward the future against the obstructionism and recalcitrance of the status quo, a general theme of this entire administration indicated by the Saturn/Uranus opposition in the Inaugural chart. Those ten months may be the most difficult of our president’s four-year term.

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The spellbound gaze of the world remains riveted on the unfolding drama in Iran. It began with the run-up to the June 12 election when stories of ebullient Iranians filled the international media, and many in the global community dared to hope for the defeat of the extremist, loose-lipped president, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. Although Mir Hussein Mousavi, Ahmadinejad’s main rival, is a loyal adherent of the Islamic Revolution, the expectation was that, if elected, he would soften Iran’s stance toward the West and help to move his nation away from its isolation and tone-deaf belligerence in the world arena.

On election day, news of a huge voter turnout intensified the optimism and energy of Mousavi supporters, but the Ayatollahs, who actually rule the country with an iron fist, wanted to take no chances. An absurd election result was hastily posted soon after the polls closed, declaring that Ahmadinejad had won by a landslide. This rather implausible scenario implied that tens of millions of paper ballots had been miraculously counted within moments. The country erupted in fury. Angry Mousavi supporters took to the streets, demonstrating in massive numbers, with surging crowds unseen since the 1979 Revolution. This enormous wave of unrest continues into its fifth day, as of this writing.

The illegal, green-bedecked protest marches of the past two days have brought hundreds of thousands, by some counts possibly a million defiant Iranians into the streets of Tehran. The anxious Ayatollahs, after proclaiming Ahmadinejad the divinely-blessed winner, have now backpedaled by calling for an investigation and a partial recount, although there is a great deal of skepticism as to the seriousness of this offer. Many feel it is just a stalling tactic that will help to defuse the rebellion and enable the government to regain control. Opponents of Ahmadinejad are demanding a new election. Meanwhile, the government is intensifying its broad suppression of most forms of communication, including the press, the internet , and cell phones. As yet unshackled, Twitter has become the lifeline of the Revolution.

Astrologically speaking, there are signs of the planet Uranus weaving through this entire story, from the significance of cutting-edge social networking sites, to the sudden, unexpected nature of the rapidly shifting situation, to the mood of rebellion against a restrictive, medieval status quo. The chart most commonly used for Iran is based on the Proclamation of the Islamic Republic, on April 1, 1979, at 3 PM, in Tehran. In it, Mars stands at 25Pisces37, currently being transited by the feisty, agitating Uranus. Mars in this chart is in the 8^th house and ruler of the 9^th house (Aries cusp), the Sun (in Aries), and co-ruler of the 4^th house (Scorpio cusp). Thus, this transit is shaking up the rulership of the country (the Sun), bringing the feel of deeply hidden rancor coming out into the open and causing transformation (8^th house), and convulsing the people and the foundation of the country (4^th house). In addition, there is the inflammation, anger, confrontation, and sudden eruption of rebellion and violence inherent in a Mars/Uranus combination. This transit will continue through late August, exact on August 23, and then return in February 2010. It has been intensively activated by the transits of the Sun (25 Gemini) and Mars (10 Taurus) in the past few days, culminating around 7:30 PM local time on June 17 with the exact square of transiting Sun and transiting Uranus.

The upsetting and dramatic Uranian influence may also be found in Ahmadinejad’s chart (10/28/56, Garmsar, Iran, no time) at present, with the station of Uranus currently opposing his Venus (26 Virgo). This transit runs from mid-April to mid-August 2009, returning from mid-February though early March 2010. It brings sudden reversals and upsets, as well as unexpected and transformative situations. Although we have no birth time for Ahmadinejad, it seems quite likely the Jupiter/Neptune conjunction is currently close to opposing his Moon (26 Leo at noon) bringing him victory but also disconnecting him from the reality of the situation he is facing (Neptune). Uranus will station opposite his natal Jupiter (23 Virgo) from late September 2009 through early January 2010, and Jupiter will oppose his Venus/Jupiter conjunction (23 – 25 Virgo) between late April and December 2010. These suggest that Ahmadinejad will survive this crisis and continue as president into his second term. I see nothing in Mousavi’s chart (9/29/41) to imply that he will take the reins of power.

If there is to be another real revolution in Iran, the battle is most likely to be waged between February 2013 and January 2015 when both Uranus and Pluto will make hard aspects to the Sun (government) in the Iranian chart (11 Aries). This coming Uranus/Pluto square indicates worldwide ferment and upheaval, coming as it does in a powerful aspect to the Sun in the Iranian chart, but also the Sun in the US chart (13 Cancer), the Mars/Uranus square in the Russian chart (8Aries/Capricorn), the Sun/Mercury/Neptune in the Chinese chart (7/13/14 Libra), and the Sun/Node square in the British chart (10Capricorn/14 Aries), among likely many others. From this vantage point, it is impossible to predict with accuracy how this very volatile energy will manifest, though we can expect rebellion (Uranus), repression and consequent ferment (Pluto), and quite possibly some kind of aggression from Russia around 2012 and 2013 with the triggering of its natal Mars/Uranus square.

on edit:

Three thoughts about what is happening in Iran: first, this is still very much under the umbrella of the Jupiter/Neptune conjunction, through mid-July, a very magical, hopeful (potentially disappointing) aspect.

Second, the Uranus transit to Iran’s Mars and opposite Ahmadinejad’s Venus goes through most of August. The magical hope (Jupiter/Neptune)  may go through mid-July; the agitation and rebellion and possibly violence (Mars/Uranus) may continue through August.

Third, I have often wondered why nothing happened in Iran that connected to the incredibly volatile eclipse of 3/19/07 (28Pisces07) which was conjunct the Ascendant in Tehran (27Pisces34) and square to Pluto (28Sagittarius55). Transiting Uranus (26Pisces37) is currently stationary within a degree of the eclipse Ascendant. It is not quite conjunct and soon will be retrograde, but I have to wonder if the current situation in Iran reflects this the eclipse being unleashed? Will it intensify next year when Uranus hits 28Pisces and the eclpise degree?

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As Pluto moves back into its second square with the US Midheaven at 1Libra53, exact on June 28, we are seeing manifestations of its impact on several fronts. Pluto always brings with it the feeling of a power struggle or a battle for survival, whether literal or figurative or even imagined. There is often an obsessive quality or a relentlessness to this conflict. Sometimes, it will manifest as a quest for a hidden poison (surgery) or a hidden truth (criminal investigation). At other times, there may be symptoms of extreme paranoia and a battle against an imagined enemy. But no matter how it plays out, the intensity of the Plutonian process always leads to polarizing, often dramatic strife and, ultimately, a slow, inexorable transformation.

One thing that is likely to be rekindled by this Pluto square to the US Midheaven is a renewed interest in investigating (Pluto) the former Bush administration (Midheaven). The issue of Bush administration torture policies will be once again getting attention with the coming release of the CIA Inspector General Report coming out on June 12, as well as the release of unredacted detainee descriptions of their prison experiences. Not only is the intensified scrutiny of the government part of this transit, but the inherent power struggle in the act of torture itself is a Plutonian phenomenon in that the torturer’s focus is to gain total control over the resistant will of the person being tortured. This transit will reassert itself from September through November 2009, during which time the battle over investigating the Bush torture policies will continue to play out in the media and the public mind.

What is also indicated as a part of this Pluto transit is the upsurge in right-wing hate speech and the increasing acts of intimidating violence in recent weeks. We have seen the vicious killing of abortion doctor George Tiller in his church, the murderous rampage against a Unitarian Church leaving two dead, and the attack by a white supremacist on the Holocaust Museum including the killing of a security guard. The vitriolic and deranged rhetoric on right-wing talk radio, Fox News, and extremist blogs has also been ramped up several notches in the past few months. It is as if the dark, unconscious underbelly of the nation (Pluto), much of it paranoid and rageful (Pluto), has been made increasingly visible by this aspect to the Midheaven. Although this transit will peak on June 28 and then return from September through November 2009 for its final pass, some significant measure of Plutonian energy will remain strong in the US through 2010, with Pluto’s opposition to US Venus (3Cancer06), and into 2011, with Pluto’s opposition to US Jupiter (5Cancer56). Moreover, 2014 and 2015 will see Pluto in opposition to US Sun (13Cancer19). These transits suggest further periods of internal power struggle and eruption of extremism in the coming years, though in what form these will evolve is as yet unclear.

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When a planet stations on a particular degree, switching direction from direct to retrograde or from retrograde to direct, its impact on a chart can be profound. At present, both Uranus (26 Pisces) and the Jupiter/Neptune conjunction (27Aquarius01 and 26Aquarius28, respectively) are stationary, and Saturn is just moving out of a station (14Virgo54). This suggests a time of maximum impact for these rather disparate energies, especially on charts that have points sensitive to these transits.

The uplifting and hopeful Jupiter/Neptune conjunction in Aquarius (mid-May to mid-July) has manifested most clearly in Obama’s Cairo speech in its strong affirmation of the Aquariuan theme of encouraging people of differing ideas and faiths to work together for a common purpose. The idealism and hope of Jupiter/Neptune was also seen in the historic nomination of Sonia Sotomayor, the first Latina and the third woman chosen for the Supreme Court. Although conservatives have attempted to throw cold water on Obama’s selection with their endless demagoguing, this choice has stirred a great deal of enthusiasm in much of the population, as it promises to move the nation toward a more multicultural and multidimensional vision of itself. In addition, another manifestation of Jupiter/Neptune may prove to be the defeat of the Holocaust-denying ideologue Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. The Moon/Jupiter/Neptune conjunction on the day following this historical election offers at least some glimmer of hope in this regard. Certainly, the huge outpouring of support for reform in Iran and the attempt by many in that country to rejoin the world community is highly suggestive of the universalist quality of this month’s signature aspect, the Jupiter/ Neptune conjunction in Aquarius.

A completely different energy is unleashed by the two Uranus stations of 2009, of particular significance for France and Britain. The current station (26Pisces37) has reached the Midheaven of the Spring Equinox chart drawn for Paris (26Pisces26), essentially sitting there from May 8 through July 23. This transit, exact on June 10, corresponds with the unfolding tragedy of the Air France jet that “broke up” over the Atlantic. Initially, there was no evidence of the wreckage, then the recovery of parts and bodies began along with the news that two very prominent figures in the battle against drug trafficking and illegal arms sales were on the plane. And, finally, most recently, we have the news that two passengers with links to Islamic terrorism were also on board. This rather bizarre, upsetting, and unexpected story, with surprising new twists coming out daily, is very Uranian. The transit, however, is not yet over and could produce other unanticipated and transformative events through late July, possibly in some way involving the French government (MC). June 17, July 1,2, 6, and 7 are some dates to watch.

The Uranus station at the end of the year, on the other hand, is the one that most affects Britain. While Gordon Brown (2/20/51, Glasgow, 8:40 AM) at present is feeling the stressful effects of both the Saturn station opposite his Jupiter (15Pisces39) through mid-June and the Pluto station square his Saturn (1Libra03) from June through October, it is the Uranus conjunction to the Spring Equinox Midheaven in London (23Pisces43) tht may bring the real turmoil and potential for reversals and transformation that impact the government. Mid-September through mid-October and December 2009 and January 2010 will see the strongest impact from this transit.

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Once a rational, if disputable, philosophy of low taxes, self-reliance, and small government, conservatism has been increasingly hijacked in recent decades by those whose consciousness mostly dwells within the most primitive areas of the human brain. Right-wing rhetoric now strives, almost exclusively, to stimulate potent, negative emotion over reasoned thought. In recent years, we have been repeatedly hammered with mind-numbing diatribes formulated to rouse the darkest forces within the human psyche: the Bush adminstration’s evocation of “mushroom clouds” and its endless fear-mongering about dangerous terrorists hiding behind every shrub; the images of the homosexual as a lust-filled child rapist and the abortion provider as a blood-soaked serial murderer; the accusations of Barack Obama as anti-American, terrorist, Nazi, socialist, communist, or fascist; and most recently, the denunciation of Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor as an angry, racist, unhinged Latina.

What these allegations have in common is their appeal to fear and hatred by using targeted words to evoke the most negative, emotional reaction. The theme of victimhood – of “the unborn”, of Christians, of our innocent children, of white men, of “American values,” etc. - is also frequently woven into this manipulative soup, systematically eliciting outrage and vicious counterattacks, sometimes including actual acts of violence.

Also drawing on the more primitive parts of the brain, but in a deceptively uplifting manner, is the repeated use of words like “freedom” and “democracy” in order to legitimize and rationalize otherwise questionable behavior. This was a favored technique of former president George Bush when he wanted to stimulate support for his illegitimate war in Iraq. It is also a manifestation of the “Rescue” corner of the Victim/Persecutor/Rescuer triangle that so well describes the unhealthy psychodrama that permeated politics and policy during the Bush administration. According to the script, we went into Iraq to “rescue” the people from Saddam Hussein and to bring them freedom and democracy, as well as to avenge (persecute) the attacks of 9/11 (our victimhood).

The antidote to this vast ocean of hyperbolic and irresponsible rhetoric is the expression of crystal clear thoughts, with words meticulously chosen to articulate a true narrative of events both past and present. Avoiding the treacherous boulders of victimhood and flamboyant exaggeration, such concise clarity can then be woven into a fact-based understanding that facilitates the move toward a hopeful future. Pushing against the fetid tide of vituperation, there are many in the public eye today who do speak with integrity and judiciousness. Recently, Colin Powell once again demonstrated why he is so universally respected with his calm and meticulous responses on a Sunday news interview. It was with no small measure of irony that the most notorious of all fear mongerers, Dick Cheney, wondered aloud if Powell even remained in the Republican Party.

Our new president, Barack Obama, is a true master of the clear, measured, and honest expression of historical context and connecting the dots of experience to create a profound and moving narrative. It is this very skill that our nation and our world so desperately need at present. Whether it is in the overheated dialogue between the Israelis and the Palestinians, between the Shiites and the Sunnis, in the agitated fear surrounding Iran’s nuclear aspirations, or in the highly-charged debates over abortion, health-care, national security, or gun-control, virtually all of the issues of the day tend to get lost in a jungle of polarizing, emotional exaggeration. Obama’s calibrated, thoughtful, conscientious, and often brutally honest approach tends to calm these roiling rhetorical seas while injecting a healthier and ultimately more pragmatic narrative into the public discourse. His appeal to the most evolved part of the human brain, the cerebral cortex, cuts a broad and straight road through the suffocating hyperbolic jungle of the 24-hour news cycle, offering the possibility of a shared road towards the future rather than endless conflict.

The birth chart of the Obama administration drawn for January 20, 2009, describes a chief of state whose oratory, understanding, and outreach will garner significant success. In the 2009 Inaugural chart, Jupiter is conjunct both the Sun and Mercury, describing the wise and professorial nature (Jupiter) of this term’s much-acclaimed presidency (the Sun). This theme will continue to be played out during the various progressions and transits of the four-year term:

the Jupiter station at present is on Obama’s progressed South Node (26Aquarius57), near his natal South Node and opposite his Uranus (25Leo16);

the Jupiter station from September through early November 2009 will be on his Ascendant (18Aquarius03);

progressed US Sun (the president) will be trine natal US Jupiter (5Cancer56) from October 2009 through 2010;

Obama’s progressed Sun will trine his natal Jupiter (00Aquarius53) from July 2010 through July 2011;

progressed Inaugural Sun will conjunct Inaugural Jupiter (3Aquarius32) from October 2010 through October 2011;

Obama’s progressed Ascendant will square his natal Jupiter (00Aquarius53) from June through December 2011;

and the progressed Inaugural Sun will conjunct progressed Inaugural Jupiter (4Aquarius42) from August 2011 through early August 2012.

This is not to say that the significant economic and other issues with which the Obama administration is grappling will be easily resolved. Fears about the contracting economy and the multitude of challenges it brings, including unemployment, are likely to haunt the entire term. The situation may be especially difficult from early November 2009 through August 2010 due to the transiting Pluto/Saturn square in hard aspect to US Venus (3Cancer06) and, from late November 2011 through October 2012, due to transiting Saturn square Obama’s natal Saturn (25Capricorn20) and square US Mercury (24Cancer12), as well as progressed Inaugural Venus opposite Inaugural Saturn (21Virgo24). The ongoing economic difficulties seem likely to be resolved only after these aspects pass. Nonetheless, the immeasurable clarity and understanding that the president offers during his speeches are likely to continue to elevate the national discourse in the foreseeable future.

It also seems probable that a second Obama election will not be as overwhelming a win as the first. The November 2012 election will be held on an exact Mercury station, moving retrograde, an ominous sign for any hope of an uncontested result. There are likely to be many recounts and much confusion surrounding an already stressful drama. Whether or not there is a second Obama term (which I will not officially predict until it becomes clear against whom he is running), a much more difficult Inaugural chart will be in play. The 2013 Inaugural chart suggests a much more volatile and aggressive four years, no doubt, at least in part, because during it, the Uranus/Pluto square will take place in exact hard aspect to the US Sun. The drama experienced during a 2^nd Obama term is likely to be extreme, with many powerful, explosive events occurring, especially in 2014 and 2015. The professorial orator-in-chief will be called upon to be even more dynamic and assertive due to many extraordinary, transformative, and far-reaching circumstances. His immeasurable rhetorical skills will surely be utilized to reassure, calm, and focus a ruffled nation and world in a very treacherous time.

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For at least three successive American administrations, dealing with North Korea has been like stumbling through a thorn-laden brier patch. An incredibly poor Asian nation located in the North Pacific and tightly controlled by a wily and narcissistic dictator, North Korea has managed to arm itself with nuclear weapons and defiantly use them to threaten the world. It has repeatedly extorted massive amounts of aid from the US in exchange for backing off of its nuclear ambitions, only to resume them with impunity but a few short years later.

In the past week, North Korea has tested its most powerful nuclear weapon to date, as well as six short-ranged missiles. In the face of universal condemnation and threats of ever-tightening sanctions and isolation from the world community, North Korea has escalated the situation further by threatening to attack South Korea if North Korean ships are stopped and searched for contraband. It has also claimed that the truce that ended the Korean War in 1953 is no longer valid.

The two charts that help understand the current situation are: the chart for North Korea, drawn for September 9, 1948, in Pyongyang, time unknown; and the chart for Kim Jong Il, the country’s megalomaniacal leader, born on February 16, 1941, in Khabarovski, Russia, time unknown. In the North Korean chart, progressed Mars has been square the natal Sun (16Virgo19) for the past 18 months and just became exact in April. This aspect, which is presently being activated by the transiting Node from 1Aquarius19 (from 5/21 through 6/4/09), points to the increasing belligerence we have witnessed from this tiny nation during the the past year and further intensified in the past week.

Also in play in the North Korean chart is the progressed Sun (16Scorpio32) square to progressed Pluto (16Leo32) that will culminate in August 2009 and be strongly triggered by transiting Pluto (1Capricorn32) from June 1 through July 13. Here we see the underlying tone of paranoia and all-or-nothing power struggle that seems to permeate all dealings with North Korea of late. With the Pluto activation continuing through mid-July, we are likely to witness a great deal more posturing, distrust, and manipulation in the next six weeks.

Another significant aspect is the transit of Saturn crossing the North Korean Sun (16Virgo19) from late March through June 2009, indicating tremendous pressures on the government and severe difficulties in the country. It may also indicate the failing health of the leader, Kim Jong Il. It seems quite possible that the strains being experienced internally (Saturn/Sun) led directly to the reckless and belligerent actions of the past week, attempting to once again use the nuclear program to extort aid during difficult times. With Saturn continuing to conjunct the North Korean Sun through June, this ploy may not turn out as Kim had hoped. Interestingly, Kim’s chart has transiting Jupiter conjunct his Sun (27Aquarius) from May 21 through June 17, with Neptune near by but not quite exact. This adds to his grandiosity, recklessness, and exaggerated expectations. After June 17 with the separation of Jupiter, and while Saturn remains on the North Korean Sun (through June 27) and Pluto continues to accentuate the paranoia (through mid-July), Kim may begin to feel the real repercussions of his recent wildness.

Although it seems that the current escalation of events is likely to be somewhat resolved by mid-July 2009 at the latest, Kim will be under increasing pressure in the November and December 2009 with Saturn on his North Node (2Libra12) and Pluto in square. Saturn will return to conjunct his Node in February, early March, and August 2010. Neptune will also be conjunct Kim’s Sun beginning in February 2010 and continuing through Janaury 2011. These aspects suggest increasing weakness and isolation for Kim and perhaps further helath problems in 2010. Of concern, however, is the Uranus transit square Kim’s Mars (28Sagittarius41) beginning in April 2010 through January 2011, followed by Uranus on his Aires South Node (2Aries12) in 2011. If Kim is still in power in 2010 and 2011, both of these transits suggest the possibility of unilateral, aggressive, unexpected, and possibly bizarre action at that time. How that will play out is not at all clear. The good news is that there is no discernable Mars activity in the country’s chart, as there is at present (progressed Mars square the Sun), so an actual war seems unlikely although Kim himself may be quite unhinged and bellicose.

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The once-Golden State is now gasping for breath, with a debt of $21 Billion, an unemployment rate at 11%, and a government about to slash both services and jobs to skeletal levels. Long crippled by the need for a two-thirds majority in the legislature to make any budget or tax decision, California is unable to deal rationally with its current fiscal predicament, which is deteriorating by the day. The rabid, anti-tax Republican zealots, though a minority in this left-leaning state, have managed to paralyze any movement toward reform. The birth chart for California is drawn for September 9, 1850; in Washington, DC; just before noon. This chart offers a clear picture of California’s current malaise and indicates a difficult few years getting back on track. A potent and exciting period of revitalization and renaissance, however, is suggested from 2013 through 2023. As might be expected, the aspects at present are particularly onerous.

A strong indication of the stressful situation and the extreme pressure to cut spending spending is the Saturn transit conjunct the Sun in California’s chart (16Virgo37) and semisquare Venus (1Scorpio22). Saturn always suggests contraction and the need for intense discipline, and often implies only very minimal progress while it is active. Although in effect since October 2008, Saturn is at its most oppressive from mid-March through early July 2009, due to its station very near to California’s Sun. The Sun in a state chart indicates both the goals of the state and the governor. Under Saturn, goals become thwarted or restricted, and the governor’s effectiveness is limited. The mood is very somber. Venus represents financial comfort and stability, which feels threatened and diminished under Saturn.

A look at the converse progressed planetary positions (based on 4/3/1850 for 9/9/09) points to another layer of difficulty. Converse progressed Saturn is currently in opposition to natal Mars (11Libra14), exact by June 2009. This progression has been building in strength for seven years and is peaking in May and June. It suggests an oppressive pressure on the productive energy of the state (Mars), accentuating the inability to regain momentum. As the Saturn transit begins to lift in July and this progression slowly begins to wane in the second half of the year, California may see some measure of improvement in its circumstances. It is possible this will be related to some kind of bold, unexpected and unusual action on the part of California’s governor, Arnold Schwarzenegger (7/30/47; Gratz, Austria; 4:10 AM), from September 2009 through early February 2010, as transiting Uranus conjuncts his Midheaven (24Pisces22) and squares his Uranus (24Gemini30).

Progress, however, is likely to be uneven. Despite or perhaps because of the Governator’s willingness to step outside the box, he will draw a great deal of criticism from late November 2009 through early November 2010, with Pluto conjunct his natal Moon (3Capricorn31) and Saturn simultaneously in square (through August 2010). These aspects also suggest the potential for health problems due to the Moon’s postion in the 6^th house. In addition, Saturn will conjunct the California Jupiter (29Virgo45) and quincunx natal Uranus/Pluto (29 Aries) three times between late October 2009 and July 2010, indicating slow, steady and difficult improvement based on measured, clear steps.

The Saturn transit conjunct California’s Mercury/Mars conjunction (11 and 13 Libra) in late 2010 through August 2011 compounded by converse Venus conjunct natal Saturn (19Aires40) in late 2010 through March 2011 indicate further periods of contraction, anxiety, and belt-tightening, though likely somewhat less onerous than the one at present. The most potent changes will come in 2013 and 2014 as first Pluto and then Uranus make hard aspects to Califonia’s Mercury (11 Libra) and Mars (13 Libra), just as they also oppose the US Sun (13 Cancer). This will be time of huge transformation, upheaval, and break with past restrictions in the country, with at least some of the impetus located in sunny, trend-setting California. Most interesting is that converse Jupiter will move to conjunct Califonia’s natal Sun (16Virgo37) from 2014 through 2023, suggesting a time of renewed abundance and success just as the dust settles from the whirlwind of changes designated for 2013 and 2014.

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Over time, the narrative around torture has evolved. Initially, in the tempest following Abu Ghraib, we were soothed by claims of a “few bad apples” who broke the law. This was followed by years of obfuscating contortions about the definition of torture, the scant number of high-value detainees who were subjected to it, the ticking-time-bomb scenario as justification, and, ultimately, the “righteous” excuse that it was the only thing in this dark, dangerous, and terrorist-filled world that would keep us safe.

Following President Obama’s recent release of the 2003 Office of Legal Council memos that codified the bogus legal framework for the Bush administration’s illicit activities, the national discussion has heated up dramatically. On almost a daily basis, evidence has been emerging which increasingly implicates members of the Bush administration in what amounts to war crimes. Most shocking, are several recent indications that torture was used to extract false confessions about a tie between Iraq and al Qaida in order to justify the already-launched Iraq War. This pushes the Bush-era crimes outside of even the legally questionable parameters defined by the notorious OLC memos.

As this mountain of evidence grows, the calls for some kind of official investigation are mounting. Although Congressional investigations are already underway, there is pressure building, especially on the Left, for either a Truth Commission or a Special Prosecutor. On the other side of this argument are legitimate concerns that such an investigation will suck all the oxygen out of the political arena and turn it into a partisan circus at a time when many urgent issues are at or near a crisis stage and demand full attention.

Although I can see merit on both sides of this discussion, the evasion of a thorough and unbiased investigation seems to be ultimately the more dangerous choice. In the world of psychotherapy, it is well known that denying or burying painful or uncomfortable emotions can lead to their subsequent and unexpected eruption in a more vehement form. The seeds of unacknowledged rage or grief or shame can sprout into all kinds of pathological and self-sabotaging behavior in later years. According to Carl Jung, “the foundation of all mental illness is the avoidance of legitimate suffering.” In this case, the “legitimate suffering” consists of painfully facing the depth and breadth of the Bush-era depredations that were done in our name and in contradiction to our claim to be a nation of laws. If we fail in this and persist in avoiding what is uncomfortable or inconvenient, there will remain a dark stain upon our moral foundation. We will be left with a small, hidden metastatic tumor that that will silently eat away at our national self-respect and eventually swell into some deeply toxic and difficult-to-root-out corruption, possibly including a more pervasive manifestation of the noxious, brutal, and illegal Bush-era policies. In a sane world, one does not allow a malignancy to go unattended because there is too much work at the office. This is no less true of the need to thoroughly search through the evidence of what went on in the past eight years and bring it into the sunshine in order to sterilize it.

In astrology, Pluto is the planet of relentless investigation that seeks to find the shrouded truths underlying the façade. The Plutonian process is one of digging deeply into the dark, hidden depths, retrieving all that has been obscured, and bringing it into the light of day. The act of exposing something previously buried then causes a profound catharsis. This process can describe a surgeon removing a cancerous tumor, a psychotherapist uncovering hidden and toxic unconscious material, or an investigator getting to the source of a crime. In every case, there is a determined effort to reveal or unearth all that has been festering secretly in the darkness, and, in so doing, bring about some kind of significant transformation.

We have previously discussed how from late December 2008 through November 2009, transiting Pluto is square to the US Midheaven (1Libra53), ushering in a period of tremendous focus upon and metamorphosis of the executive branch of the US government. Certainly, there has been a great deal of attention paid to the “new guy” since the “old guy” left the place in such a shambles. But this transit, reminiscent of the Pluto/US Midheaven conjunction of 1972 and 1973, is also bringing to light long-buried secrets surrounding the more sordid activities of the Bush administration and, consequently, increasing pressure to investigate its crimes. It seems quite possible that this ever-intensifying scrutiny will gain official form and substance when transiting Saturn moves to square transiting Pluto and conjunct the US Midheaven beginning in November 2009, continuing through August 2010. If there is to be a Truth Commission or a Special Prosecutor, November would seem to be the most likely time of its formation.

As we have seen, Dick Cheney, currently both paranoid and threatening with Pluto square his North Node (2Libra55), will be feeling the stress of the Pluto/Saturn square as of November 2009 and through much of 2010. In a supremely ironic footnote of history, the once-taciturn and largely hidden Vice President is now as chatty and visible as the hosts of The View. The formerly garrulous and rather cavalier Secretary of Defense and author of the infamous “snowflake” memos, on the other hand, has been as silent as a tomb and as invisible as a ghost of late. In fact, Donald Rumsfeld is another member of the Bush Torture Cabal who may find himself increasingly in the cross-hairs of any impending torture investigation.

According to Rumsfeld’s chart , the intensifying pressure began with the transit of Pluto square to his Moon (2Libra00) and opposite his Venus (1Cancer15), both of which are active for most of 2009. Since January, he has been feeling the tightening squeeze of the Plutonian microscope as it focuses on his previous activities. In the past few days, with the authors of well-publicized articles about Rumsfeld in GQ and Vanity Fair making the rounds on the talk shows, his more detestable misdeeds are garnering even more attention. At present, his progressed Moon is conjunct his natal Pluto (21Cancer35) exact in mid-May 2009. Thus, despite his silence, it seems likely he is inwardly rather frightened and agitated from all the negative scrutiny (Pluto).

As with Cheney, things shift for the worse for Rumsfeld in the fall of 2009, probably in late October, with the transit of Saturn conjunct his Midheaven (00Libra), square his Venus, and conjunct his Moon through mid-August 2010. For Rumsfeld, assuming our 5:40 PM birth time is correct, the situation will become far more tumultuous from May through mid-August 2010, when Uranus makes a station conjunct his IC (00Aries), adding tremendous agitation, upset, and unexpected shakeups to the already stressful feel of the Saturn aspects. Although one can never be sure of specific predictions, it is clear that Rumsfeld will be under tremendous pressure, feel isolated, restricted, and somewhat anxious from November 2009 through August 2010, with a huge burst of unexpected shifts and turmoil hitting from May to August 2010. Certainly, an intrusive and painful investigation would fit into the realm of possibility under this planetary picture.

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Like a zombie returning from the grave of the now-defunct Bush administration, Dick Cheney, with his dire prophecies and railing obsessions, chills the blood. He manages, somehow, to be horrifying, embarrassing, and insulting all at once. Underneath all of the hyperbole and obfuscation, the message is a simple one: either aggressively torture suspicious captives, or the terrorists will come and destroy you. In other words, the law and morality are irrelevant in the face of a ubiquitous and overwhelming danger.

This kind of thinking is indicative of the mentality that permeates the Republican Party and essentially framed many of the policies and politics of the Bush administration. It can best be understood in terms of the Victim/Persecutor/Rescuer triangle that is the hallmark of dysfunctional relationships. In what is also known as the Drama Triangle, the three roles of Victim, Persecutor, and Rescuer frequently morph into one another. The Victim feels unjustifiably attacked in some way, which then legitimizes his right to become the Persecutor and go after the attacker (now the Victim) in as brutal a manner as he wishes. Sometimes, the Victim will draw in a Rescuer, who eventually becomes too controlling, engulfing, or irritating. At this point, the Victim begins to get angry and aggressive, which transforms him into the Persecutor, while the Rescuer simultaneously becomes the new Victim. And round and round it goes.

The entire dynamic of the War on Terror follows this model. The US, as Victim-turned-Persecutor, went after the Taliban, al Qaida, and even Saddam Hussein, legitimized as a righteous, aggressive response to the initial attack. The torture and prisoner abuse that followed were all somehow justified by the viciousness of the events on 9/11. The Persecutor always feels entitled to his aggression as a warranted response to the original assault. Moreover, the US went into both Iraq and Afghanistan donning the cloak of Liberator (Rescuer), ostensibly to save the people from tyranny and bring freedom and democracy. Over time, as the footprint of the US military grew more onerous, the number of civilian casualties rapidly multiplied, and the chaos increased, an indigenous insurgency erupted. The “liberated” began to feel themselves victimized and became aggressive in response, persecuting the “invaders” when possible. Even al Qaida rationalized its lawless and brutal terrorism as a righteous response to feeling victimized by the intrusion of Western culture and military bases in their domain.

What was entirely missing from this self-perpetuating cycle of attack and revenge-induced response was the concept of responsibility. In the Drama Triangle, the only way off of the merry-go-round is for the Victim to empower himself, not by becoming the Persecutor, but by taking responsibility for what has happened to him. Although there was a reasonable consensus after 9/11 to attack al Qaida in its lair in Afghanistan, there was also a call by some to attempt to understand what had enraged the terrorists and examine what the US might have done to incur such wrath in the Muslim world. This was shouted down as traitorous and unpatriotic, destroying any discussion of thematter for years, and no thought was given to any responsibility on the part of the US until much later. Eventually, it was understand that the numerous US military bases in the Middle East, on what was deemed holy soil, were a festering wound in the minds of many. This subsequently legitimized terrorism to these radical Islamists as the only way to move from powerless victim to avenger (Persecutor).

Much later, in the wake of the well-documented atrocities at Abu Graib and the increasing evidence of US torture at Guantanamo and elsewhere, the idea took hold that US participation in these illegal and appalling acts had, in fact, mobilized the terrorists. Indeed, the photos of Abu Graib had become a something of a recruitment poster for al Qaida. In recent months, with the coming of a new administration, those in power have begun to acknowledge American responsibility in actually worsening the situation, and torture is no longer government policy. This is a seismic shift in terms of moving away from the role of Victim and moving towards something more rational and responsible that might eventually get us out of the huge quagmire created by the Bush administration. Although the situations in Iraq and, especially, Afghanistan and Pakistan are extremely delicate and complicated, there would be no hope of resolution without first getting away from the dysfunction of the Drama Triangle, which we have finally begun to do.

This brings us back to Dick Cheney, who represents the GOP mindset that unless we are Persecutors, we will be victimized again. Essentially, he tries to push us back into the Victim role, thus legitimizing the Persecutor role, with its attendant torture techniques and military combativeness, as necessary to “rescue” us. There is absolutely no acknowledgement that the act of torture actually has helped to perpetuate the entire cycle of aggression and counter-aggression. Instead, he clings to the delusion that those who practice it will save us, in essence making the torturers the rescuers.

Astrologically, Pluto is the planet most associated with feeling powerless or victimized, on the one hand, and dominant, aggressive, and even sadistic, on the other. Whereas the Rescuer role, as well as the tendency to be delusional and caught up in an over-dramatic and hyperbolic narrative, is more associated with Neptune. Both are quite strong in Cheney’s birth chart, as well as intensified at present by transits and progressions.

Pluto is currently square to Cheney’s North Node (2Libra55) and quincunx his natal Pluto (3Leo02) through mid-May 2009, at which point the transit will slowly dissipate until Pluto turns direct in mid-September and reaches the exact aspect again in late November and December 2009. This transit will return again from July through early October 2010. Pluto brings feelings of paranoia and suspicion. It describes an all-or-nothing power struggle for the highest stakes. Not only does this describe Cheney’s world-view regarding terrorism, but it likely also intensifies his fears of a war crimes investigation. He is attempting to pre-empt any charges by taking over (Pluto) the media narrative. When Saturn moves to square transiting Pluto and conjunct Cheney’s North Node in November 2009, and February and August 2010, his tension, paranoia, and frustrations will deepen. November and early December will also bring a Uranus station to his natal Moon (22Pisces41), suggesting many upsets, surprises, and significant shifts in his life at that time.

The delusional nature of Neptune can make one feel that he or she is in the midst of some great drama, often interwoven with some kind of rescue fantasy or fairy-tale heroism. Under Neptune, we conveniently ignore any facts that run counter to the chosen narrative. Clear, rational thinking is very difficult to maintain. Not only is Neptune strongly aspected in Cheney’s natal chart, with a Moon/Neptune opposition and a Neptune/Node conjunction, but transiting Neptune at present is conjunct his natal Mercury (24 Aquarius15) through December 2009. In addition, progressed Neptune (25Virgo43) is in opposition to progressed Mercury (25Pisces43), reaching exact by mid-July 2009, and intensely activated by transiting Uranus (25Pisces) conjunct progressed Mercury from mid-April through mid-May 2009. As he has mentioned in recent interviews, Cheney seems to think he is the only one who can save the country from attack by single-handedly defending the techniques of the Bush administration. This delusional scenario, with himself at the center of the rescue fantasy, and fed by the paranoia and vengeance of Pluto, is what we have been witnessing lately in the Perpetual Cheney Interview Extravaganza on your TV screen. His delusions are likely to continue through April 2010, with progressed Moon conjunct progressed and then natal Neptune next spring. But the inherent stress of the Saturn/Pluto square suggest he will be increasingly discredited and under scrutiny from November 2009 through August 2010.

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