Nancy’s Starlight News Blog

Although the feel of tension has been building for a week, we are now fully in the stress zone that will continue through August 23. Mars, Saturn, Uranus, Jupiter, and Pluto are all entangled in a knot of hard aspects in the coming days and likely to set off a series of significant and, at times, deadly events. It is important to remember, in the midst of the turbulence, that when Uranus is active, the underlying theme is to awaken and enlighten us, albeit sometimes suddenly and painfully, so that we may move forward and shed what is no longer useful. When Pluto is active, the underlying theme is to intensify things to such an extent that they implode, allowing a paradigm shift to occur. Thus, it will be useful to consider the coming days not so much for the specific content of whatever drama is being histrionically reported in the news, but for how the unfolding stories change the narrative on significant issues.

Already in the past week, the massive leak of secret Afghan reports from WikiLeaks has stirred up growing concern about the futility of our Afghan war policy and the unreliability of our allies there. In addition, a judge has now declared a moratorium on many of the most onerous parts of the Arizona immigration law, eliciting agitated demonstrations on both sides of the issue.

Mars is now within a degree of its opposition to Uranus (00Aries20), exact in the morning of July 30, and within a degree of its conjunction to Saturn (00Libra49), exact in the early hours of July 31. The transiting Moon conjunct Uranus will trigger both of these volatile aspects all afternoon on July 30, likely igniting explosive events in many parts of the world. With the Mars, Uranus, Saturn combination intensifying, we have already seen a plane crash in Pakistan (Mars at 00Cancer10), a building battle between the government and rebel forces in Yemen (Yemeni President’s Sun is 00Aries), and a military plane crash in Alaska.

Meanwhile, the Jupiter/Pluto square has been within a couple of minutes of exact since July 24, culminating on August 3 at 3Aries/Capricorn11, and expanding the fanatical and ideologically obsessive traits that are already in play (Pluto in a nearly two-year square to US Venus). Transiting Mars will move to oppose Jupiter and square Pluto from the morning of August 2 through very early on August 4, possibly unleashing some violent and/or dramatic circumstances that cause difficulty for President Obama and the US through August 23, as Saturn crosses the US Midheaven (1Libra53) and squares Obama’s Venus (1Cancer47) from July 31 through August 11, followed by the building Saturn/Pluto square in hard aspect to US Venus (3Cancer06) and minor hard aspect to Obama’s Ascendant (18Aquarius03) from August 14 through August 23.

While the coming weeks are likely to be grim, it is useful to consider the changing national narrative that events will engender that may ultimately prove to be crucial to moving forward. It is also helpful to remember that these planetary aspects will be waning by late August, with the exception of Pluto square US Venus, which continues through most of October. Thus, things should ease somewhat by September, at least for a while.

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Predicting congressional elections is always fraught with difficulty. For one thing, we rarely have a reliable birth time for candidates. For another, the loss of a congressional or senate seat often does not spell the end of a life-long ambition and the thwarting of years of preparation that a presidential defeat frequently does. Congressional wins and losses, therefore, usually do not show up in the chart with the same clarity as presidential outcomes.

There are, however, always some for whom congressional elections are of tremendous importance and concern, and often they will be found in various leadership positions in their respective senate and congressional caucuses. It is these charts, unfortunately none of which has a birth time, that I have consulted in my attempt to understand the upcoming election.

At the moment, Republicans are unabashedly salivating at the prospect of possibly winning the House and greatly narrowing their minority status in the Senate. The media is filled with doom and gloom scenarios for Democrats, including the likelihood of endless subpoenas for the Obama administration should Republicans chair the House committees once again. The expectation that accompanies the thought of a Republican win is for obstructionism on steroids with endless legal entanglements spun out of whole cloth to further cripple a beleaguered administration.

If this were indeed to be the outcome in November, we should expect to see jubilation in Republican charts continuing at least through early January 2010 when Republicans would ostensibly regain the reins of power. Instead, we find some limited good feeling around the election, which would seem to imply some definite gains, but a more prominent and extended sense of restriction and disappointment which suggests no transfer to majority status in either house.

House Minority Leader John Boehner (11/17/49), in particular, seems quite distressed with the election results due to Saturn square his Venus (12Capricorn), conjunct his South Node (16Libra10), and conjunct his Neptune (16Libra18), covering the period from late October 2010 through February 2011 when taken together. It is also possible Saturn will be on his Moon (18Libra at noon) during election season, but without a birth time we have no way of knowing. Boehner clearly covets the Speaker position and will be very disappointed not to have it. But he will certainly be enjoying some higher numbers and greater clout in his caucus, as evidenced by Jupiter trine his Sun in early December 2010 and Jupiter sextile his progressed Sun/Jupiter conjunction in early January 2011.

Congressman Pete Sessions (3/22/55) is the National Republican Congressional Campaign Committee Chairman. He is intimately involved in crafting election campaign strategy for Republicans in the House. Although his chart shows some sense of accomplishment in November due to Jupiter trine his Uranus (23Cancer38) for much of the month, he seems very weighed down and distressed from mid-December 2010 through mid-February 2011 due to the station of Saturn quincunx his Mars (16Taurus53) and the transit of Pluto semisquare both his Venus (20 Aquarius52) and his Saturn (20 Scorpio47). There is also the long-term progression of his Saturn sesquiquadrate his natal Sun (1Aries) and opposite his Mars (16Taurus53) that will continue for years and make the transit of Saturn this winter quincunx his Mars particularly onerous. This is a man who feels held back and restricted.

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (2/20/42) shows little elation during the election period other than what seems like some minor gratification for a day just after the election, when Venus trines his Sun. Otherwise, he will be generally grumpy and aggressive with progressed Mercury conjunct Mars (through January) and transiting Pluto sesquiquadrate Mars (21Taurus29) in January and early February 2011. Like Sessions, he is likely to feel restricted and unhappy: progressed Mercury conjunct natal Saturn for the first half of 2011 and transiting Saturn stationary sesquiquadrate his Sun from mid-December 2010 to late February 2011.

Senator John Cornyn (2/2/52) is the Republican Senatorial Campaign Committee Chairman. With progressed Saturn opposite progressed Sun (11Libra36) until exact in November 2010 and triggered by transiting Saturn right up to the election, he will be working very hard under difficult circumstances on behalf of his colleagues. Transiting Neptune sesquiquadrate this position will trigger it for all of November and December 2010, suggesting a great deal of work with disappointing results and some confusion. By late November, Cornyn will move into his Saturn return (14Libra54) through August 2011, often accompanied by transiting Neptune sesquiquadrate Saturn, which stretches from March 2011 through January 2012, describing a period of dashed hopes and disappointed expectations as his ideology and self-deceptions crash against the shores of reality.

Representative Eric Cantor (6/6/63), the second highest ranking Republican in the House as Republican whip, shows some short-term good feeling just after the election suggesting some definite gains for Republicans in the House (transiting Venus will sextile his Mars/Uranus conjunction at 1 Virgo and sesquiquadrate his Sun at 15 Gemini). But these do not seem to translate into more far-reaching power as what looks like the continuing minority status sinks in. Saturn will oppose his Jupiter from November 9 to November 20, and then the Saturn station will semisquare his Mars/Uranus conjunction from mid-December through late February 2011. Again, we see the sense of aggression held back and frustrated as the new congressional term begins.

Representative Mike Pence (6/7/59) is the Chair of the House Republican Conference. Like Cantor, he shows some short-term happiness just after the election, signifying some clear wins (Venus square Venus at 00Leo and Venus sesquiquadrate the Sun at 16 Gemini). Nonetheless, his mood remains generally dour and his sense of power limited for the coming year with transiting Pluto conjunct his Saturn (5Capricorn05), setting off progressed Node square natal Saturn, from late November through December 2010, and returning from July through October 2011, as well as transiting Saturn semisquare his Pluto from mid-December 2010 through mid-February 2011. By May, transiting Saturn will move into a station with his Node (10Libra46) through early July 2011, returning in October 2011.

On the Democratic side, one would expect a measured or mildly upbeat response if Democrats were to experience only minimal losses. On the other hand, if they were to lose one of their majority positions, we would likely see some considerable upset in the charts, particularly a very strong Saturn presence.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (9/28/39) is himself up for reelection in a closely watched race. Recently, he has pulled ahead in the polls in his contest against tea-party conservative Sharon Angle. Once Saturn finishes its final square to Reid’s natal Venus (2Capricorn02) in late August 2010, he will be under only very positive planetary indicators through February 2011. His poll numbers are likely to rise significantly in September due to the combined transit of Uranus and Jupiter on his natal Jupiter (28Pisces59) and quincunx his Node (28Libra29) during that month. These transits repeat in January and February 2011. In addition, converse Sun is now opposite his natal Jupiter through November 2010. Venus will station on his North Node in November, and the Node will make a long transit to his Venus from late November 2010 through early February 2011. This amazing combination suggests not only reelection in his Senate seat, but Reid happily reclaiming his title of Majority Leader with at least a few votes to spare.

Senator Dick Durbin (11/21/44), the Democratic Senate Whip, also looks quite happy with the election results and joins Reid in very upbeat feelings from November 2010 through early January 2011 at the start of the new session. The Jupiter station of late October through November 2010 will be opposed to his natal Jupiter (23Virgo36). Early January will bring Jupiter trine his Mars/Sun conjunction (27 and 29 Scorpio) and Venus conjunct his Mars/Sun conjunction.

In the House, the indication in Democratic charts is mildly upbeat but with some difficulties likely due to a smaller majority. Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s chart (3/26/40) suggests significant power struggles developing with Pluto coming to square her Sun (5Aries) as of late December 2010 and continuing through most of 2011. Although the Jupiter station opposite her Neptune (23Virgo49) in late October and November 2010 indicates some high expectations (later disappointed), Republican obstructionism and renewed vigor would seem to be on display with the Saturn station quincunx her Mercury (17 Pisces) from late December 2010 through early February 2011. But the Pluto transit to her Sun also indicates a tremendous wielding of power, and the converse progressed Venus square Mars (26Taurus) in late 2010 and 2011 and progressed Venus conjunct progressed Mars in 2011 combine to point to a continuing leadership role and support.

House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (6/14/39) has numerous small but relatively upbeat transits from November 2010 through January 2011 that also point to a “good enough” outcome for Democrats in the House. Transiting Venus will be trine his Mercury, square his Pluto, and quincunx his Venus just after the election. In December 2010 and early January 2011, Pluto will square his Jupiter, and later in January, Jupiter will trine his Pluto and square his Mercury. Although none of these is remarkable, there is also nothing to suggest the deep concerns that losing the House would be likely to bring.

There are two caveats to the above predictions. The first is, as mentioned above, I have no birth times for any of these charts. This is a huge handicap. Secondly, the Inaugural progressed Moon will be square to Inaugural Saturn (21Virgo24) from October 20 through late November, exact November 18. This suggests some kind of very difficult challenge facing the administration during that time. Moreover, transiting Saturn will be square to US Sun from November 9 through November 18 further pointing to a stressful period for the country during the same period. It is quite possible that these indications suggest some kind of foreign policy or other crisis unrelated to the election, but an upsetting election result cannot be ruled out as a possibility. Nonetheless, the President will enjoy transiting Venus trine his Venus and square his Jupiter just after the election, potentially a very good sign.

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As we approach mid-July, despite anxiety over a sputtering economy and recalcitrant unemployment numbers, some more promising developments are now in process. Any day, a new interim senator from West Virginia is likely to be appointed, which will help the Democrats reach the unjustifiably high threshold of 60 votes on a number of issues. Moreover, Senator Scott Brown (R- MA) has now promised to vote for the financial reform bill, making its passage imminent. Meanwhile, the latest maneuverings in the Gulf of Mexico seem to be bringing BP’s nightmare oil gusher under control for the first time since the explosion on April 20. And finally, the Senate Judiciary Committee is set to confirm Elena Kagan and move the nomination to the full Senate.

As previously predicted, due to this month’s Jupiter station sextile Obama’s Moon (3Gemini21) and square the US Venus (3Cancer06), as well as semisquare Obama’s Ascendant (18Aquarius03), July is bringing some successes and optimism to our beleaguered president. Nonetheless, the undercurrent of relentless criticism, general dissatisfaction, negativity, and the pressing array of challenges continue due to the waxing final crossing of Saturn square Obama’s Venus (1Cancer47), peaking on August 10; the nearly exact progression of Obama’s Mercury square to his natal Saturn (25Capricorn20), exact on August 5; and the upcoming Saturn/Pluto square in hard aspect to US Venus (3Cancer06), already building but felt most acutely from August 12 through August 23. As Jupiter begins to separate and Saturn tightens its grip during the first three weeks of August, it seems probable that the stress level will again significantly escalate on a number of fronts.

Events between July 28 and August 4 in many parts of the world are likely to be volatile, upsetting, and potentially violent. Mars will oppose Uranus (00Aries20) and conjunct Saturn (00Libra48) from July 28 through July 31. It will then oppose Jupiter (3Aries10) and square Pluto (3Capricorn11) from August 2 to August 4. Dramatic events resulting from these aspects are likely to be followed by severe strain for a few weeks due to the Saturn/Pluto square (2Libra55, 2Capricorn55), August 12 to August 23. Those with the very early degrees of the cardinal signs are likely to feel these very disruptive and powerful transits quite strongly, including countries with these degrees prominent in their charts. Although it would be impossible to attempt a complete list of all those affected by these transits, a few notable examples are worth mentioning.

Just as the progressed Mercury square Saturn peaks in the early days of August in President Obama’s chart, transiting Saturn will make its last pass square his Venus through August 10. Pluto will be sesquiquadrate his Ascendant through August 10, while Saturn will sesquisquare his Ascendant (18Aquairus03) from August 12 through August 22. Taken together, these configurations suggest Obama will be dealing with considerable pressures and difficulties through the first three weeks of August.

In the US chart, the Mars/Pluto square of the first days of August will be in a very close hard aspect to US Venus, just as transiting Saturn moves to conjunct the US MC (1Libra53) for the final crossing from August 1 through August 11. This suggests some kind of dramatic event in very late July or early August that impacts US interests in the world and about which our capacity and resources to fully respond are somewhat constrained. In addition, the building Saturn/Pluto square will be in an almost exact hard aspect to US Venus from August 12 through August 23. Pluto has been opposite US Venus since Obama’s inauguration and Saturn has been in a square with US Venus since November 2009. Combined, they have brought a period of profound anxiety and pessimism in the past eight months (terrorism, oil spill, wars, economy) that is likely to intensify during the first three weeks of August before subsiding somewhat thereafter. When Pluto moves away from the opposition to Venus in late October, another layer of the anxiety will recede.

In Pakistan, transiting Uranus has been stationary on or near natal Mars (00Cancer10) since early May 2010. As of July 5, with Uranus now retrograde and moving back toward the exact square, the tensions, violence, and rebellious anger are building once again through August 7. The first deadly attack of this transit happened on July 9 when the activating aspect was transiting Mercury trine Uranus. The Mars transit of July 28 to July 30 is likely to be a very strong trigger to this explosive and disruptive transit of Uranus square to Pakistan’s Mars and may signify another round of very deadly violence.

Another nation that may be agitated by the volatile Mars/Uranus opposition of 7/28 to 7/30 is Israel. Using a 4:32 PM birth time, the Ascendant is 00Scorpio17, quincunx the transiting Uranus station from early May through early August. The May 31 attack on the aid flotilla came just as transiting Jupiter moved to a one-degree orb conjunct transiting Uranus, thereby strengthening that planet’s proclivity for sudden, unexpected events or actions that transform conditions in a moment. The Mars transit of July 28 to July 30 will also trigger the Uranus transit during its final, most potent days (through August 3) quincunx Israel’s Ascendant, suggesting some unexpected, dramatic, and possibly violent events with a transformative impact. The Mars/Pluto square which follows from August 2 through August 4 will trigger the Pluto transit quincunx Israel’s Midheaven (3Leo10) and suggests the possibility of an aggressive, diplomatic power struggle that follows the initial incident.

This is by no means an exhaustive list of those nations which are vulnerable to the stressful impact of so many planets coming together in tight, hard aspects between July 28 and August 4. Care should be taken by everyone during a time when accidents are more likely and angry outbursts can do lasting harm. It is certainly a time when the pot will be stirred and conditions will shift quickly. An agile and calm response from world leaders would be beneficial.

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Note to New York Starlighters:

I will be in New York City on July 23 and 24 and would like to get together for lunch on July 24 (Saturday). Please contact me if you have not done so already at:

nancy@starlightnews.com

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After barely averting a total economic disaster stemming from the unregulated, high-flying economy of yesteryear, the Obama administration has worked non-stop to steer the ship of state back on track. In recent months, we have heard more and more often that the worst is behind us and growth has returned, although always with the caveat that much more remains to be done. While the intractable number of unemployed has remained the most glaring symptom of a continuing malaise, other once-hopeful economic indicators have lately begun to sputter as well.

As the economy begins to stumble back towards recession-level growth, the government has far less room to maneuver than it did at the outset of the downturn. Interest rates are already very low, and the deficit - as a result of earlier dramatic interventions, Bush’s profligate ways, and a weakening tax base - is stratospheric. Whereas once the required response was clear, if painful, now it is muddied up by incompatible requirements: deficit reduction and more stimulus spending.

There are two astrological themes of particular significance that help us understand the dynamics of the present economic situation. One is indicated by strong activity from the planet Saturn which brings a mood of anxiety and concern, usually accompanying the painful confrontation between harsh reality and the results of inattentiveness to the facts on the ground. This often calls for the need for greater discipline and conscientiousness moving forward. Saturn’s dour and exigent demands for care and caution, as well as its tendency to force contraction and tight discipline, have been exacerbated by the square of transiting Pluto to transiting Saturn that runs from November 2009 through most of August 2010.

Both of these planets are also in the midst of long transits in hard aspect to US Venus (3Cancer06), ruler of the 6^th house of employment and ruler of the US Midheaven, the indicator of world position and reputation. Saturn has also been crossing the US Midheaven (1Libra53) during much the same period. As a result of this combined transit of Saturn and Pluto, unemployment has remained somewhat impervious to even bold intervention, people’s sense of security has been threatened, and US power in the world seems somewhat diminished. During July and August 2010, this combination will be in full force, with Pluto continuing its opposition to US Venus through much of October.

The other astrological theme of significance when talking about the economy stems from the planet Neptune, which often brings a sense of confusion, self-deception, and disappointment due to unrealized expectations. When Jupiter accompanies Neptune, as it did during a conjunction of these two planets, from May through December 2009, expectations soar. When Saturn impacts the chart while Neptune is also strongly in effect, the result can be tremendous disappointment after a time of unrealistic or self-deceptive hope. Neptune has been conjunct the US Moon (27Aquarius12) since March 2010 and will continue this transit through mid-January 2011. This transit is particularly potent from June through August 2010, just as the final Saturn/Pluto square in aspect to US Venus builds in strength through August 23. It seems likely that July and much of August will bring many indications of a treacherously dangerous economic climate, dashing prior hopes of a significant, though weak, recovery.

The parallel themes of Saturn and Neptune during this critical time may also be seen in the charts of those most associated with economic policy. Just as Saturn makes its final crossing square to President Obama’s Venus (1Cancer47), felt most strongly from July 23 through August 10, it will also make its final conjunction to Secretary of Treasury Tim Geithner’s Mars (1Libra02), its final semisquare to Lawrence Summers Venus/Saturn conjunction (15Scorpio), and its final square Elizabeth Warren’s Sun/Uranus conjunction (00Cancer). Indeed, July and early August look quite stressful for the economic team.

The Neptune transit to US Moon (27Aquarius12), which is building in strength from July through late August, is reflected in the Neptune transit conjunct Obama’s South Node (27Aquarius19), conjunct Tim Geithner’s South Node (27Aquarius11), conjunct Larry Summers Mars (27Aquarius26), and opposing Paul Volker’s Neptune (27Leo18). With these Neptune transits coincident with the Saturn transits described above, including the square to US Venus through August 23, we can expect a painful reality pouring ice water on prior expectations that the worst of the Great Recession was over.

By September, however, some of the strain and anxiety will recede, while the economic indicators once again edge upward. In mid-November 2010, transiting Saturn will begin its nine-month crossing of US Saturn (14Libra48) and square US Sun (13Cancer19). This suggests that growth will remain sluggish through the following summer of 2011, with the government cautious and incremental in its response due to restricted resources. The country will only thrive under careful planning and necessary discipline. This transit also suggests a time of reining in US goals abroad, situations that point to a further diminution of the US superpower role, and a likely further contraction of the US Dollar. All in all, it will be a somber time when belt tightening continues but self-discipline can be productive. There will be less anxiety and more resolve, with the US offered the possibility of becoming more muscular and less flabby.

As for Secretary of the Treasury Geithner (8/18/61), it seems quite possible that his reign will end shortly after the 2010 election. Saturn will make a station square his Venus (17Cancer12) from late December 2010 through early February 2011. Moreover, Uranus will oppose Mars (26Virgo48) in the Geithner/Obama composite chart, suggesting irritability and tension between them from October through December 2010. In addition, Saturn will conjunct the Sun (16Libra43) in the Geithner/Summers composite chart, suggesting extreme tension between these two men as well. It will be a very rough period for Tim Geithner at the end of 2010 and may well end in his forced resignation

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Note to New York Starlighters:

I will be in New York City on July 23 and 24 and would like to get together, perhaps for lunch or coffee on July 24 (Saturday). Please contact me if you are available.

nancy@starlightnews.com

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We are at the beginning of a hot, hazy summer, perhaps one of the hottest on record. This seems an apt metaphor for the heaviness all around, from the sluggish economy barely out of its recent coma to the encroaching, noxious oil soup in the Gulf of Mexico to the seemingly endless quagmire we have stumbled into in Afghanistan. President Obama has held up remarkably well under this ongoing cascade of stress, managing to keep a steady eye on his long-term vision for the nation despite a myriad of short-term distraction.

As reported recently, our president has been under numerous Saturn aspects that indicate the weightiness and difficulties of his burden from November 2009 through late August 2010. Although there will be a palpable sense of relief after August 23 when much of the crisis mode of the previous months will begin to resolve, there may be some easing of stress and some modest successes during July. With Jupiter, the planet of success and good timing, making its station almost exactly sextile to Obama’s Moon (3Gemini21) while at the same time semisquare his Ascendant (18Aquarius03) and square US Venus (3Cancer06) through July, we are likely to see the confirmation of his Supreme Court nominee, Elena Kagan, as well as the passing of his signature financial reform bill. Other victories are also likely.

This is not to say that partisan wrangling will come to a halt during July. With the final Saturn/Uranus opposition from July 14 to July 26, there is likely to be some issue that once again polarizes the nation. The battle will be between maintaining the status quo and protecting vested interests (Saturn), on the one hand, and enabling a significant breakthrough that moves us into the future (Uranus), on the other. It seems likely to be resolved in Obama’s favor around July 26 or shortly thereafter.

As discussed previously, events beginning around July 28 and continuing through August 4 are likely to bring Obama either several concurrent crises or one escalating and urgent situation. This volatile period is likely to impact not only the US but also many other nations. Astrologically, it is indicated by Mars, Uranus, and Saturn converging at 00 degrees of the cardinal signs followed within a day or so by Mars, Jupiter, and Pluto at 3 degrees of the cardinal signs. There will be an enormous amount of energy coalescing at one time, and it will be especially strong in nations and for national leaders who have planets in very early cardinal degrees, the US (MC 1Libra53 and Venus 3Cancer06) and President Obama (Venus 1Cancer47) among them.

With the Saturn/Pluto square in exact hard aspect to US Venus from August 12 to August 22 and following the volatile and combustible combination of Saturn, Mars, Jupiter, and Pluto from July 28 through August 4, we can assume that the fallout from the events at the beginning of the month will be extremely stressful for at least some segment of the US population, and the situation will become a significant national story until late August. September promises cooler weather and a notable easing of the strain.

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Everyone has heard of Atlantis, that mythical kingdom of long ago. It was, purportedly, a highly advanced civilization that lost its way and cataclysmically drowned in the sea due to self-inflicted wounds. Whether one believes that this myth has some basis in forgotten history or not, its essential warnings reverberate loudly in today’s world. We live in a highly developed technological society at a critical crossroads, and the choices we make today will echo through the ages that follow us, for good or ill.

The world-wide and growing use of fossil fuel for energy is not only befouling the air and water, but is raising the earth’s temperature. As the oceans warm, more moisture is evaporating, and storms are becoming bigger and more devastating. In addition, the polar ice caps are melting, and the sea-level has begun to rise. If global warming remains unchecked, large swaths of densely populated areas will become unlivable, devoured by the surging ocean or parched by the spreading deserts, another consequence of the shifting rainfall patterns. It also seems likely that more armed conflicts will arise over increasingly scarce resources: potable water, habitable land, and energy sources. Once global temperature has increased by several degrees, there will be no going back, no “mulligan”. We will be in an unprecedented crisis, with limited and troublesome choices available, and possibly our civilization at risk.

It seems clear that an urgent choice faces humankind at this critical juncture. Either we move toward a sustained, bold, and creative push toward renewable energy and away from fossil fuels, or we blithely continue as we have, merely tweaking existing reality around the edges, and ultimately facing the catastrophic consequences when they are upon us. The question is whether we have the will to make the radical changes that are necessary and whether we can sacrifice short-term comfort and gain for long-term, collective goals to ensure our future.

We hear repeatedly that the US is “addicted” to oil. But what does this actually mean? In an individual, addiction leads inexorably to severe health problems and relationship havoc, as well as frequent work and financial difficulties. Commonly, the addict will deny or minimize the existence of his or her addiction, blame others for the situation, and avoid confronting it whenever possible. Unfortunately, it often takes one or several severe crises to jolt the addict out of his soporific cloud of avoidance and denial. This is known as “hitting bottom”.

The full extent of the vicious destruction of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill on the physical health of our nation is yet to be determined. It is the latest, rather resounding, wake-up call. But our ongoing addiction is also having harmful effects financially due to the perennial need to import vast amounts of oil to sate our daily needs. Even our foreign policy has been profoundly and adversely impacted by our gluttonous consumption of oil. It is hard to imagine that our huge military footprint in the Middle East, now including two exorbitantly expensive wars, would exist if the region were not the oil spigot of the world. And, lest we forget, it is this massive footprint that was the original spark for the terrorism that caused 9/11 and continues to seek to do us harm.

One would think that the handwriting would be on the wall and that a radical change in our energy policy would be demanded by all. But one would be wrong. The grip of an addiction is fierce, and the homeostasis of the current reality, even with all of its dysfunction, has a strong pull. We may vaguely wish to import less oil and go solar, but we think we really need that big SUV, we surely don’t want to pay more for gas to fill it, and we don’t really like riding that subway to work. And, of course, our politicians love all that money from the oil companies that helps get them elected. If the BP oil spill is not enough for us to “hit bottom”, what will it take?

In astrology, Saturn is the planet that demands discipline, restraint, and facing the limitations of the reality-based world. Uranus is the planet of sudden awakenings and rebellions, often triggered by unexpected crises, that transform existing conditions in a moment. And Pluto is the planet that describes situations in which the pressure builds up to an extreme before imploding into the next paradigm. It is these three that have a powerful role to play in the very stressful but potentially transformative period of time that extends from 2009 through 2015.

At the moment, the Saturn/Pluto square is in a hard aspect to US Venus, from November 2009 through August 2010, with Pluto’s impact on US Venus (3Cancer06) extending out before and after this period, from January 2009 through October 2010. This is a time of deep and building anxiety in America about our financial security and our collective future. We have seen the Great Recession take its toll in the rising unemployment numbers and the multitude of failing businesses and mortgage defaults. In addition, the ravages of the worst environmental disaster in American history are being broadcast daily into our living rooms, and home-grown terrorist wannabees seem to be proliferating.

Although it is the accepted narrative that a lack of regulation and enfeebled enforcement caused the Deepwater Horizon disaster and the financial meltdown, the underlying problem is the lack of conscientiousness, irresponsibility, and inattentiveness to potential consequences that pervade the culture. These crises, as well as the recent West Virginia mine explosion, were caused by cutting corners for a fast buck and conveniently ignoring the warnings signs. Under a Saturn transit, the perpetrator of any carelessness or inattentiveness or recklessness gets called to account. We learn, often through painful experience, to become very cautious, conscientious, and disciplined moving forward. With Pluto also in the picture, the difficulties experienced under Saturn become part of a larger story of building tensions that eventually force transformation. This is apparent in the financial reform now moving toward completion and the current push toward energy reform. The status quo, which has caused so much harm, is no longer tenable.

In other words, if we don’t do what we should have been doing all along, it will become painfully obvious under Saturn, when we will pay the price for our government, corporate, media, and collective irresponsibility. The Saturn and Pluto transits to US Venus, from January 2009 through October 2010, and the upcoming Saturn transits square the US Sun and conjunct US Saturn, from November 2010 through August 2011, offer the country the opportunity to grow up a notch. The latter Saturn transits to US Saturn (14Libra48) and US Sun (13Cancer19) are likely to shed a harsh light on any poorly considered or over-optimistic aspects of US power in the world – both economic and military – forcing some kind of contraction or consolidation on both fronts. It seems probable that with Uranus moving to square US Venus from April 2011 through February 2012, there will be some sudden and dramatic events that make this theme clear.

Being a responsible adult demands consideration of the long-term consequences of one’s actions and not succumbing to instant gratification or being seduced by short-term gain. That is the lesson that is being pressed upon the nation at present under the particularly onerous three-year combined  impact of Saturn and Pluto. It is this principle that must imbue our attitude toward energy use and energy strategy going forward. Otherwise, when we belatedly hit bottom, we will remember the days of the Deepwater Horizon disaster as if it were a summer squall that merely preceded the horrors of a monstrous mega-tsunami.

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As the endless news of oil spill depredations slowly and relentlessly saps our collective spirit, I thought a time table of the next couple of months would be useful. As mentioned previously, President Obama and the US are under several very difficult progressions and transits. As these slowly peel away, there is likely to be sense of increasing resolution or, at least, regaining the upper hand, of some difficult situations.

As of about June 1, solar arc Saturn was exactly quincunx Obama’s Sun, As the pressure from this aspect began very slowly to separate, the first partially successful attempt by BP to siphon some of the oil took form. There is a great deal of questioning about how much is being collected, but something is better than nothing, and there are plans to put a larger piece on soon in order to collect more. Hence, a tiny ray of hope amidst the muck.

As of June 17, Obama’s progressed Moon will be in an exact semisquare to his natal Saturn, an aspect that has been building since May 23. This is greatly intensifying the progressed Mercury square to natal Saturn and bringing a feeling of sadness, heavy burden, and extremely difficult circumstances that must be addressed. Within a few days after June 17, we may see another layer of pressure removed from the current crisis as this aspect begins to wane.

From April 26 through early June, we felt the US progressed Moon square to natal Mars. People were increasingly angry and agitated, and we were at war – against a spreading and destructive oil spill. By June, the US progressed Moon moved to a conjunction with natal Neptune, growing in strength through June 27. The feeling here is one of loss, confusion, difficulty in taking effective action, hope morphing into disappointment, and feeling deceived. Every new fix for the oil spill has become a letdown; every estimate of the amount of spill has proven false.

While at least some of the anger of the Moon/Mars progression is now waning, the numbness and ineffectiveness of Neptune has taken over. After June 27, a measure of this vague confusion will begin to dissipate, but June through August will also bring the transit of Neptune to the US Moon, a somewhat similar aspect. Thus, one layer of the vague and recurrently disappointing powerlessness of Neptune will begin to be resolved by the end of June, but another layer will begin to build and will be especially strong in August. It is not clear if this summer’s Neptune transit to US Moon will be about the oil spill or something else, perhaps a newly floundering economy.

We have previously spoken of the nearly two-year transit of Pluto opposite US Venus, from late January 2009 through most of October 2010. Especially when in a tight orb or when strengthened by the transiting Saturn square to Pluto, this aspect has brought a great deal of overwhelming anxiety to the US population, both related to the economy and to terrorism. Pluto is now retrograding back towards the opposition to US Venus, and we have a new dimension of this overwhelming anxiety revolving around the impact of the oil spill and exacerbated by the above-mentioned progressed Moon/Neptune aspect which makes us continually unable to get a real grip on this disaster.

Beginning around June 25 and continuing through August 4, both Jupiter and Pluto will be in a hard aspect to US Venus, with transiting Jupiter actually in a square to transiting Pluto from July 4 to August 3. Jupiter will also be sextile Obama’s Moon and semisquare his Ascendant for much of this time. Pluto will be quincunx his Moon. This suggests a renewed optimism and sense of power and control over events in the land. The oil spill may seem more manageable, the financial bill seems likely to pass, and the Elena Kagan nomination seems likely to succeed.

Some kind of power struggle is likely to build in late July (7/15 to 7/27), however, due to the last Saturn/Uranus square, followed by dramatic, transformative, and possibly violent events from July 28 through August 5. Mars will move to oppose Uranus (7/28 to 7/30), conjunct Saturn (7/29 to 7/31), square Pluto (8/2 to 8/5), and oppose Jupiter (8/2 to 8/5). We will move rapidly from the optimism of Jupiter to the sense of burden, loss, sorrow, and anxiety of Saturn.

Saturn will begin its last crossing of the US Midheaven and then square to US Venus from August 1 through August 23. Within this period will be the particularly onerous final Saturn/Pluto square, August 13 to August 22, in almost exact hard aspect to US Venus, and likely emanating from events occurring from July 28 to August 5. There is the potential for catastrophic weather events or natural disasters, severe accidents, or some noteworthy act of calculated violence in a war zone or from terrorism. Whatever the source, the first three weeks of August seem likely to bring some new challenge, sorrow, anxiety, and upset to the nation that begin to be resolved and significantly eased by late August.

Indeed, the end of August seems to be some kind of turning point. Although many critical challenges will confront Obama in the coming years, including a difficult though not catastrophic election, some of the buoyancy of the Obama presidency seems likely to return after August. The president’s progressed Sun will move into Libra as of September, strengthening its progressed trine to Jupiter (since July). The progressed Inaugural Sun will move into a conjunction with natal Jupiter as of October. And by late November, Obama’s progressed Venus will quincunx natal Jupiter, further strengthening the progressed Sun trine. All of these aspects suggest success, optimism, and popularity beginning to infuse the administration in the fall, after enduring a long, difficult siege with Saturn and Pluto from 2009 through the summer of 2010.

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Largely under the radar amidst such issues as global recession, environmental disaster, and ongoing terrorist threats, the five-year Israeli blockade of Gaza came roaring back to international consciousness this past week. When Israeli commandos aggressively responded to events on an aid flotilla in international waters, a world-wide outcry erupted. Thousands of angry demonstrators took to the streets, most notably across Europe and the Arab world. Turkey, once Israel’s closest Mideast ally, is threatening to sever ties. The UN and the EU are now loudly clamoring for an end to the blockade of Gaza, and even Israel’s most stalwart friend, the US, has described the blockade as “untenable”. Israel, for its part, stands firm that it will not lift the embargo, the goal of which is to prevent weapons from entering Gaza, and Israel continues to claim that its commandos were provoked into violence when they themselves were attacked while boarding one of the ships of the flotilla.

In Israel’s natal chart, we find clear indications of the fierce and aggressive stance this nation has historically taken against powerful forces that ultimately seek to destroy it. The Sun (23Taurus41) square to Mars (28Leo19) indicates an ongoing military posture as a way of life. The 10^th house Pluto/Moon/Saturn conjunction (4 to 16Leo) square to the Node (14Taurus01), with Pluto the likely chart ruler, suggests a perpetual sense of besiegement and a threat to survival that Israel feels must be responded to with full force.

Whatever one believes regarding Israel’s current policies, it is easy to see that the Jewish nation is under a great deal of pressure as a result of the recent incident. Transiting Pluto (4Capricorn44) was both opposite Israel’s Venus (4Cancer49) and quincunx its Moon (4Leo40) during the flotilla attack, with this aspect only minutes past exact a full week later. These Pluto transits point to a strong activation of latent feelings of distrust, persecution, and power struggle that always simmer anxiously beneath the surface.

In addition to the Pluto transits, we find that Uranus is now quincunx Israel’s Ascendant. The birth time for Israel is given as somewhere between 4:30 and 4:37 PM. I feel that Scorpio rather than Libra rising is far more descriptive of Israel’s intense character, its ongoing power struggles, and its original birth out of the ashes of the Holocaust. For this reason, I use 4:32 PM which gives an Ascendant of 00Scorpio17, although up to a few minutes later also seems possible.

Using this Ascendant (00Scorpio17), we find transiting Uranus is in a quincunx aspect with it from May 9 through August 3, 2010. Moreover, from May 30 to June 8, transiting Jupiter is conjunct transiting Uranus (00Aries18), thereby strengthening Uranus’ tendency to indicate sudden, unexpected events with powerfully transformative consequences. Since the unanticipated and life-altering events on the flotilla, things have moved at a rapid pace and the landscape for Israel is suddenly shifting daily. The most recent Uranian upset came on June 6, when Iran’s navy offered to escort cargo ships that want to break the blockade.

Although things may steady a bit after June 8 as Jupiter begins to separate from Uranus, this Uranus transit and the many twists and turns and surprises it is likely to bring Israel will continue through August 2. As it nears exact, there will be a Mars/Uranus opposition from July 28 through July 30 at 00Aries/Libra20. In addition, there is a Pluto quincunx to Israel’s MC (3Leo10) from June through October 2010 which will be greatly agitated by the Mars/Pluto square of August 2 to August 4. Thus, dramatic, unexpected, transformative and possibly violent events related to Israel are possible during the window between July 28 and August 4, 2010. The transiting Saturn semisquare to natal Saturn from July 26 through August 8 suggests a less than victorious outcome initially.

One further significant time frame to consider regarding Israel comes in late December 2010 through early February 2011. It is during this period that Israel’s progressed Moon will be square to natal Mars (28Leo19), and set off by transiting Jupiter quincunx natal Mars (1/7 to 1/14/11) and transiting Uranus quincunx natal Mars (1/16 to 2/9/11). These planets suggest some kind of notable military engagement or, at the very least, a very agitated and angry citizenry. At least in the short run, the outcome of these events may be somewhat more positive for Israel than the current crisis.

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As the nation struggles with a wave of helpless rage and horrified fascination over the omnivorous oil spill that is suffocating the Gulf Coast and poisoning its waters, frayed tempers are looking for a target upon which to vent their ire. Although there is no silver bullet and, as yet, no obvious path to victory against this wily and potent foe, Americans are prone to expect the Presidential Big Daddy to be both omniscient and omnipotent, a superman able to solve all problems quickly, easily, and at minimum cost to us. Unfortunately, our infantile needs cannot be met in this situation. Although President Obama might have handled some of the public relations in this catastrophe more adeptly, it is not at all clear that he could have made any real difference in the unfolding of the actual crisis given the limited tools under his control.

In the long, drawn-out opposition of Pluto to the US Venus from January 2009 through October 2010, joined by Saturn in a square to US Venus from November 2009 through August 2010, we have seen one threat to our sense of security and peace of mind after another - from a hemorrhaging loss of jobs to a plummeting Stock Market, from the Fort Hood shooting to the Christmas and the Times Square wannabe bombers, and from the Snowpocalypse of a brutally cold winter to the endless underwater oil volcano of the spring. The worst of this Saturn/Pluto combination goes through late August 2010, although some measure of the ongoing anxiety and agitation of Pluto in its opposition to US Venus will continue through October 18. This Saturn/Pluto square provides the underlying story of perceived threats (Pluto) made far worse by our slipshod heedlessness, clarifying a need to be far more vigilant and careful (Saturn) in all planning as we move forward – financial, national security, and environmental.

The extraordinary feeling of burden and increased responsibility that weigh on the President at this moment combined with the very limited number of options available to him for action clearly point to an intensified impact coming from the planet Saturn in his chart. Saturn allows only incremental and cautious steps forward and offers many setbacks and frustrations. Any previous mistakes or oversights will be discovered and cause difficulty. Since June 2009, Obama’s solar arc Saturn has been quincunx his natal Sun (12Leo33), becoming exact on June 5. During all of May, this progression has been exacerbated by the waxing Saturn station at 27Virgo50, 17 minutes shy of an exact semisquare to Obama’s Sun, but close enough to add to the building pressure of the nearly exact Saturn/Sun aspect.

In addition, Obama’s progressed Mercury has been in a square to natal Saturn (25Capricorn19) since October 2009 and will be exact on August 5, 2010. This progression, which has demanded enormous attention to detail and an extreme conscientiousness, has been made significantly more intense since May 23 by Obama’s progressed Moon in sesquiquadrate to natal Saturn, exact on June 17. We can see from these overlapping progressions - Sun/Saturn, Mercury/Saturn, and Moon/Saturn - a period of building and severe stress, sorrow, and overwhelming challenge for the president, especially from May through June17, which coincides precisely with the developing frustrations and difficulties of the BP Gulf oil disaster. Moreover, this time-frame also coincides with the progressed US Moon square Mars in May and early June during which many in the US population are agitated, impatient, and angry.

After June17, and especially after June 25, the situation for the president and the country seems like it will ease up considerably, at least until the end of July. Two of the three Saturn progressions mentioned above will be waning. In addition, late June and July will bring the transit of Jupiter sextile Obama’s Moon (3Gemini21) and square the US Venus (3Cancer06), as well as semisquare Obama’s Ascendant (18Aquarius03). This indicates a successful, optimistic, and expansive time.

Needless to say, there will be many more serious challenges ahead for President Obama and the nation in the next several years. Certainly, the confluence of planetary aspects from July 28 through August 23, 2010, will bring significant stress of some kind, possibly launched by some severe weather or natural event or by one or more acts of violence between July 28 and August 3. But the pundits are wrong to think the Gulf oil disaster marks some dark turning point for the Obama presidency. By July 2010, his progressed Sun will move into a trine with his natal Jupiter for a year. By late November 2010, it will be joined by progressed Venus quincunx natal Jupiter for a year. By October 2010, the Inaugural Sun will progress to conjunct natal Jupiter. And by June 2011, Obama’s progressed Sun will move into a year-long square with natal Venus. Thus, despite many pockets of difficulty in the coming years, these progressions point to a resurgence in Obama’s popularity and effectiveness even in the face of the never-ending challenges of the presidency and the carping of critics along the way.

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In an individual’s birth chart, the location of Uranus represents the area in which a person will be unique and creative, often in a way that is counter to societal norms. Sometimes, this will manifest as a rather forceful break from tradition. When Uranus transits sensitive points in an individual’s chart, sudden flashes of understanding or transformative events may result that lead to an unexpected shift in the direction of the person’s life.

In the collective experience, Uranus’ movement through the signs and the various aspects to other planets that it makes along the way indicate society’s endless path of awakening to new frontiers of understanding, as well as its liberation from previous limitations. This can be as dramatic as a violent revolution or as enlightening and innovative as an invention that ushers in a paradigm shift in cultural reality. When Uranus enters Aries, the first sign of the zodiac, it begins an entirely new cycle of inventiveness that can launch the world in an unexpected, previously uncharted direction. During the 1843 to 1844 entry of Uranus into Aries, the first electrical telegram was sent, Charles Goodyear patented his new-found technique to vulcanize rubber, and the first wagon train headed for the American Northwest. During the 1927 to 1928 entry of Uranus into Aries, television was successfully demonstrated for the first time, the first talking movie - the Jazz Singer - was made, and Charles Lindberg made the first solo non-stop flight across the Atlantic. It is easy to see in these events the seeds of profound transformations that increasingly permeated society for subsequent decades. By the 21^st Century, television, movies, and air travel had become ubiquitous and had led to the even more amazing proliferation of computers, space programs, and satellite technology.

In less than a week, on May 28, Uranus will again enter Aries and renew its 84-year cycle. During the next few years, seeds will be planted that will lead to the as yet unanticipated cultural shifts of the coming decades. It is perhaps not coincidental that Uranus, in the last degree of the last sign of the previous cycle, has brought with it what will likely be the most environmentally devastating oil spill yet. Out of this mess may come a forceful inducement to the creation of new forms of energy, new techniques in pollution management, or other yet-unknown innovations that launch us in the direction of completely different societal norms with respect to energy usage. Uranus is, after all, moving into the sign of pure energy, Mars-ruled Aries, while Neptune-ruled Pisces, its previous home, is more often associated with gas and oil.

It should be pointed out, however, that Uranus will briefly return to Pisces from mid-August 2010 through mid-March 2011, so the transformation into a truly new, innovative cycle will not be complete until next year. During the retrograde of Uranus back into Pisces, the old oil and gas paradigm may temporarily strengthen, especially during the final two of three Jupiter/Uranus conjunctions which will both take place in the last degrees of Pisces, during September 2010 and January 2011, respectively. It may even seem, with the inventiveness and optimism of Jupiter/Uranus in combination, that technology and improved regulation will enable safe oil exploration in the future. But Uranus’ re-entry into Aries in March 2011 will begin to move us much more forcefully in the direction of dramatic alternatives, not only in energy development but also in other fields such as medicine. The next few months, during the June to mid-August station of Uranus at 00 Aries, may give us a taste of what is to come.

During Uranus’ seven-year passage through Aries, several other planets will combine with its imprint at various times, further defining its impact. The first of these will be the first Jupiter/Uranus conjunction which will be in effect for the first half of June 2010, exact at 00Aries18. Watch this period for some potent outside-the-box thinking, some of which may be focused on a solution to the oil spill disaster. Hopefully, this highly creative period will also include the final financial reform legislation. If, on the other hand, financial reform is signed before May 28, while Uranus in still in the 29^th degree of Pisces, this attempt at financial industry correction may incorporate some of the self-deceptive nature of Pisces and may need further, radical revamping in the next few years. Jupiter is also likely to expand Uranus’ revolutionary and tradition-breaking qualities during this conjunction, ramping up scientific breakthroughs, as well as rebellion and volatility in many parts of the globe.

Since November 2008, we have been under the sway of the Saturn/Uranus opposition, one of the most significant aspects in the Obama Inauguration chart. Progressives chafe at the slow pace of change mandated by Saturn as it restrains and restricts the enormous ingenuity and transformational urgency of Uranus. The final Saturn/Uranus opposition of this series, from mid-July through August 5, 2010, and exact at 00Aries24/00Libra24, is likely to once again frustrate those who wish for more immediate and comprehensive change. On the other hand, the issues that have been addressed during the Saturn/Uranus opposition may all be understood as wild, out-of-control and potentially very destructive situations (Uranus) that have needed careful attention and regulation (Saturn) in order to render them harmless and once again beneficial to society. These include the financial bailout, Wall Street and banking reform, health care, the Gulf oil spill, and even the recent upsurge of terrorist incidents.

What will no doubt be the most memorable period during the transit of Uranus through Aries will come in the months surrounding the seven exact squares between Pluto and Uranus, from June 2012 to March 2015. To some extent, this aspect, which in July and August 2010 will be briefly within a three-degree orb, is already being felt, although its most dramatic and ultimately transformative impact is yet to unfold. While Uranus represents sudden breakthroughs and radical, unexpected change, Pluto indicates a tremendous consolidation of power toward a focused goal. With the two acting together in the somewhat tense relationship of the square, we can expect consolidations of power that are a radical departure from tradition in order to deal creatively with unprecedented challenges. We can also expect large scale rebellions against the increasingly consolidated power structures of the status quo. Some of the players in this drama are likely to be: global corporations attempting to further consolidate and enrich themselves; governments attempting to break-up overwhelming and intransigent corporate dominance; governments attempting to increase control over a turbulent citizenry; governments dealing with the immense challenges of environmental upheaval; and global leadership dealing with increasing economic turmoil.

The last passage of Uranus through Aries included a twenty-one month span during which three squares with Pluto occurred, from April 1932 through January 1934. The magnitude and ramifications of the events during that period are very instructive. In Germany, initially in response to the post-war experience of defeat and economic crisis, Adolf Hitler became Chancellor, the National Socialist Party (Nazi) became dominant, the Gestapo was established, and the Reichstag fire took place and was used to nullify civil liberties. It is easy to see in these events both a radical departure from tradition and an overwhelming consolidation of power, sometimes initiated by sudden events (Reichstag fire).

In the United States, there was also a radical departure from tradition and a consolidation of government power, but these were in the form of Franklin Roosevelt’s coming to office and instituting the New Deal to meet the challenges of the Great Depression. During 1933, the Civilian Conservation Corps, the Tennessee Valley Authority, the Civil Works Administration, and the Federal Trade Commission were established, while the US was taken off the gold standard and Prohibition was repealed. The changes were dramatic and far-reaching and initiated a new phase in American history.

As the oil spill in the Gulf looms, as climate change threatens, as the cracks in the financial edifice of civilization begin to break through, and as the Taliban/fundamentalist resurgence throughout the Middle East continues to press hard against the West, there are many fault lines that could erupt in the coming years. It seems likely we will see tremendous turmoil during the Uranus/Pluto square of 2012 through 2015 out of which much will be transformed in the world we know. With Uranus now moving into Aries, new discoveries, scientific breakthroughs, and shifting government power structures and alliances are all quite possible. But, as this volatile and rebellious planet moves closer and closer to its square with Pluto, significant challenges - economic, political, and environmental - are likely to intensify and be met with extraordinary vehemence. As of 2010, the global birth pangs are only just beginning that indicate the world’s imminent movement toward the next phase of its history.

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