Starlight News Blog

Once upon a time, before the shoot ‘em up cowboy administration of George W. Bush, there was a semblance of power balance in the Middle East, with the secular Sunni Saddam Hussein ruling Iraq and the fundamentalist Shiite ayatollahs ruling Iran. With the fall of the iron-fisted government of Saddam, Iraq’s long-suppressed Shiite majority gained precedence, while Iran quickly became the unrivaled and dominant power in that part of the world.

Historically, tension between the US and Iran escalated sharply in April 1979 due to the Islamic Revolution and its overthrow of the Shah. In November of that year, further intensifying the existing animosity and distrust, Iran took 52 Americans hostages for 444 days.

By early 1981, after the resolution of that harrowing episode, the strain between the two nations shifted to a low simmer, which continued until Bush’s conquest of Saddam. With the removal of Iraq as a regional power, however, attention was again focused on Iran as a major threat to US security. Iran’s emerging nuclear weapons program has been the central focus of this conflict, with ever-tightening economic sanctions used as a cudgel to coerce compliance with Western demands to dismantle the nuclear program.

On November 23, 2013, the first crack appeared in this ongoing, bitter struggle between Iran and the US. A tiny ray of hope emerged that will need to be nurtured and supported in order to survive amidst the controversy it has generated. Iran and 6 major powers, largely led by the US, agreed to a freeze of Iran’s nuclear program in exchange for a lessening of some sanctions for a period of six months. During this time, further negotiations are planned towards the goal of a more comprehensive nuclear pact.

The new president of Iran, Hassan Rouhani, was elected on June 15 and began his term on August 3, 2013. He had campaigned on a promise of improving relations with the West and restoring the sanctions-damaged economy. The presidency of the pro-reform Rouhani may be seen as marking a change in the trajectory of recent Iranian policy. Astrologically, Rouhani’s ascendancy is a manifestation of the Uranus/Pluto square aspecting the Iranian Sun (11Aries06) during 2013 and 2014. Long-building conflicts within the leadership of Iran and between the leadership and the world (Pluto square the Sun) were sparked into a sharp transformation by more progressive interests (Uranus) in the person of Rouhani and the event of the new accords.

Currently, Pluto is once again square to the Iranian Sun, waxing from November 27 through December 29. This suggests a sense of danger and anxiety and a severe power struggle over policy and control. It may be that the threat of conservatives in the US House to sabotage this agreement, as well as resistance and distrust from Israel, a close US ally, will be a part of this equation.

Of perhaps greater interest is the coming Jupiter station very near a square with the Iranian Sun from February 1 through March 26, joined by Uranus conjunct the Iranian Sun for its final crossing, from February 16 through March 9. This protracted Jupiter/Uranus square directly impacts the Iranian Sun for much of February and March 2014, and points to a period of great optimism, increased patriotism, renewed hope and a potential for progressive transformation, most likely as a result of the new accord. 

There are other planetary aspects, however, that may point to some difficulties as change (Uranus) attempts to take hold. The progressed Iranian Moon will be conjunct progressed Saturn (7Virgo05) from December 7 through mid-January, followed by the progressed Moon conjunct natal Saturn (8Virgo18) from mid-January to mid-February 2014. It is not impossible to imagine the ongoing partisan struggles in the US, signified by Pluto quincunx President Obama’s Sun (12Leo33) and opposite the US Sun (13Cancer19), endangering this accord. Furthermore, transiting Pluto will return to square the Iranian Sun from July through October 2014, potentially signaling renewed conflict within the government and heightened distrust of other nations, including the US.

Nonetheless, it seems clear that Iran will be very much in the news from February through March, with events moving at a fast pace and the potential for great transformation very much in the air. The saga of the coming two-month long Jupiter /Uranus square and the swift winds of change it portends will most definitely be casting Iran as one of the main characters.

Over the past week, the media has solemnly commemorated the 50^th anniversary of the tumultuous and violent passing of John F. Kennedy, the 35^th president of the United States. Much of this has been coverage of Kennedy’s life and his accomplishments as president. Chief among these was his handling of the Cuban missile crisis, which brought the world to the brink of nuclear war and was probably the most terrifying chapter in the entire, multi-decade cold war between the US and the Soviet Union.

In October 1962 there was a tense 14-day standoff between the US and the Soviets over the installation of nuclear weapons in Cuba. Essentially, Kennedy threatened a nuclear confrontation unless the Russians dismantled their recently-built missile sites and removed their weapons immediately. In addition, Kennedy implemented a military blockade around Cuba which Soviet ships attempted to break, further agitating an already precarious situation. This highly stressful confrontation kept the world in nail-biting suspense from October 14 through October 28, 1962, with the naval blockade continuing until November 20. Once the initial crisis was resolved, a “nuclear hotline” was established, creating a direct and swift telephone connection between the leaders of the two rival superpowers, ostensibly to preclude future misadventures.

Of astrological significance during this period was the protracted Jupiter opposition to Uranus from October 1 through December 7, 1962, with the two planets separating briefly by up to 1 degree and 38 minutes before Jupiter resumed direct motion, once again moving towards the exact aspect. From my calculations, this is the only time during the entire 20^th Century and into the 21st Century through 2013, when Jupiter and Uranus remained in such a close, extended relationship, during a conjunction, square or opposition.

This tale of high-stakes tension in late 1962 becomes important when we consider that there will be another protracted Jupiter/Uranus hard aspect coming in 2014, from February 14 through April 20, this time a square, separating by only one degree in late March before again waxing toward the exact ninety degree angle. Moreover, this two-month transit of Jupiter square Uranus will align itself with the dominant, multi-year Uranus/Pluto square, returning for its next installment in April 2014. The profoundly agitating and extended Jupiter square to Uranus will also largely coincide with the enormous power struggles forecast by the transit of Pluto opposite the US Sun (13Cancer19), conjunct the Congress Sun (13Capricorn29), and to a lesser extent quincunx President Obama’s Sun (12Leo33) during the winter and early spring months of 2014.

Taken altogether, these planets point to a consuming, perilous drama unfolding from February through April 2014, possibly already heralded by destabilizing events in late December or January, and likely culminating, at least during this round, in April. The US government, both president and Congress, will clearly be involved, with numerous other nations likely participating as well. One can only guess as to how this may manifest, with the possibilities ranging from the current partisanship in Washington stepping off the cliff into all-out war to the threat of an actual war sparked by some kind of attack or the possible amplification of a conflict already in progress. What is clear is that current power struggles will exponentially expand and threaten, and the US will  be in the midst of the action, due to transiting Uranus and Pluto aspecting the US Sun, as well as transiting Uranus square to the Washington, DC, Spring Equinox Ascendant, both during April.

Smelling blood in the water, the insatiable media sharks have begun circling our beleaguered president. Some are already writing his political obituary. This slow-motion lynching, this death by a thousand cuts, is being brought to us by vicious, rabid Republicans uniformly blinded by their lust for power, their raging animus and their self-righteous grandiosity, and by a media who enjoy Schadenfreude and titillation more than public service.

Obama’s great crime has been a glitchy health-care website with some additional problems in the details of the new health insurance program. Somehow, no one is talking about the endless sabotage of Obamacare from right-wing hackers, from a Supreme Court decision that allowed states to opt out of significant requirements, from uncooperative Republican governors, and from a whiney Congress and a carping media. No one mentions that our president has done as much as he can for the American people in the time allotted to him, with quite obvious personal sacrifice.  In less than five years, he looks at least two decades older and somewhat worn down. No, this president’s offense is that he worked hard for his countrymen but didn’t do it perfectly.

Coincidentally, no one mentions the transgressions of previous leaders: lying us into a war that greatly enriched the sitting vice president , killed our troops, and bankrupted our treasury; spending months of presidential time on taxpayer-funded vacations ; selling arms to an enemy in order to subsidize rebels that had been legislated off limits; criminal negligence in dealing with a natural disaster; and indulging in sex in the Oval Office with an intern. The comparisons are stark and telling.

I am not happy with the American people for buying into this and for their utter lack of gratitude and recognition for the amount of work and sacrifice that has been done on their behalf. We are witnessing nothing more than a shrewdly purposeful lynching by political opponents, and it is time people stood up against it. It is shameful.

This is clearly a very troubling period for the president, and it shows up quite clearly in the 2013 Inaugural chart. Just as Obamacare was about to go live, Saturn began a series of transits and progressions that will continue intermittently through approximately November 8, 2014 and then begin to wane. Obamacare began, along with the government shutdown and the debt ceiling crisis, just as Saturn retuned to its natal place (10Scorpio48) in the Inaugural chart, from September 29 through October 8, followed by Saturn crossing the Inaugural Descendant (12Scorpio43), from October 15 through 25. Simultaneously, the tertiary progressed Inaugural Sun is currently square natal and tertiary progressed Saturn (10Scorpio48, 11 Scorpio14) from October 16 through December 1. This combination of Saturn aspects points to the many frustrations and controversies encountered in October and November by the administration.

As for the president personally, mid-October brought a week of Saturn square to his natal Sun (12Leo33), which will soon be followed by Saturn sesquiquadrate his Venus (1Cancer47), from November 20 through November 27, and then Saturn square his Ascendant (18Aquarius03), from November 30 through December 9. The descending poll numbers and the growing distrust of the public for the president, as well as the difficulty getting Obamacare off the ground, may be seen as connected to these very stressful aspects through December 9.

The next series of severe challenges for the administration are again indicated in the Inaugural chart, with Saturn moving to oppose Inaugural Moon (19Taurus38) and square Inaugural Mars (20Aquarius13). The first crossing of this combination will come during the second half of December 2013. It seems likely that some of the difficulties of this period will be connected to the strong activation of the Uranus/Pluto square during the last 10 days of December by transits from Mars, the Sun, and Mercury. Also part of this extremely turbulent and agitated period is the Sun/Mars square the first few days of January 2014. The volatility and potential violence of these aspects may well refer to international concerns rather than domestic policy, but year-end budgetary battles are also a consideration and would seem not to go well for the administration if that is the case.

By January 2014, the restraining hand of Saturn in the president’s life diminishes for a few months, while global and perhaps national events begin to become increasingly compelling and demanding. There will be geopolitical whirlwinds building on many fronts through April. Congress and the president will be drawn into some overwhelming power struggles, possibly with each other, with a foreign entity, with terrorists, and/or with the aftermath of some form of destruction. The transit of Pluto will spend from February through most of May 2014 opposite the US Sun (13Cancer19) and conjunct the Congress Sun (13Capricorn29). Moreover, there will also be a prolonged Uranus/Jupiter square from mid-February through April 2014, pointing to unexpected and potent events that have the capacity to shift the landscape, both figurative and literal, in a moment.

Unfortunately, there are some significant indicators of difficult fallout from the events that transpire during the first four months of the year, particularly for the president. Not only does Saturn return to oppose Inaugural Moon and then square Inaugural Mars from late April through mid-May 2014, but late May through September 1, 2014, will be bookended by the return of Saturn square to Obama’s Ascendant, with a prolonged period of Saturn sesquiquadrate his Venus (1Cancer47) from June 2 through August 3. It seems likely that May through August 2014 will be one of the most difficult times of this presidency, with Obama’s popularity at its lowest ebb during this period.

It is not until after November 8, 2014, following the final crossing of Saturn opposite Inaugural Moon and square Inaugural Mars in September, the progressed Inaugural Moon quincunx natal Saturn peaking on November 8, as well as the tertiary Inaugural Venus square to natal and tertiary Saturn, also peaking on November 8, that things begin to ease for President Obama. This is not to suggest that the high level of drama and challenge emanating from the Uranus/Pluto square aspecting the US Sun will not continue through much of 2015. But the president will begin to get his mojo back during 2015, and increasingly so after October of that year.

I have written repeatedly that this presidential term will go down in history as one of the most significant in modern times. It would behoove us to look at the big picture and learn what we can to shape the future and not get lost in bickering, finger pointing or political one-upmanship.  Potentially abrupt and profound transformation will be increasingly upon us, on multiple levels and in many places. We should not be fussing about a glitchy website when it is our vision going forward that really counts.

For years now, astrologers have been pondering and discussing a potent generational configuration of transformation and upheaval, the Uranus/Pluto square. This aspect is moving towards its maximum impact in 2014 and early 2015, as it continues a path of destruction and awakening running roughly from 2011 through 2015. Within this time frame, we have seen the Arab Spring spread like wildfire through the Middle East and North Africa. We have seen increasingly belligerent political polarization in many nations, including the US. We have seen building tension in the Middle East centered in the Syrian civil war while straining to spread beyond its borders. And we have seen multiple manifestations of the growing threat of climate change, with scant coordinated effort to stem that dangerous tide.

The transits of Uranus and Pluto, as well as the movement of other significant planets, are lighting up many charts during this volatile period, helping astrologers to understand some of the likely disruptions and changes that can be expected.  One such chart that bears watching is that of Craig Fugate, the director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, known as FEMA.

In the US, FEMA steps in after natural disasters or other big emergency situations that impact large numbers of citizens who may need help with food, shelter or safety. Periods of strong planetary activity in Fugate’s chart may well point to times when FEMA is most active and under stress. The caveat is that these same aspects could be an indication of highly personal concerns rather than professional. Moreover, since we do not have Fugate’s birth time, how well we can time any upcoming activity is somewhat compromised. Nonetheless, there is some significant activity in Fugate’s chart over the next year that is worth discussing.

Currently, there are two progressions in Fugate’s chart that point to a particularly active period in late 2013 and 2014. The first of these is the progressed Mars square to his natal Sun (23Taurus09) which waxes from May 2013 to culminate around January 2015. This aspect points to a highly energetic and diligent year professionally. Of particular significance, however, is the Saturn station that will be in opposition to the natal Sun and square progressed Mars from mid-January through mid-April 2014. This aspect is further stimulated by both transiting Mercury and transiting Mars during the last five days of January and again by Mars between March 24 and 27. This Saturn station is likely to bring an extended period of burden and strain to Fugate, demanding great deal of attention and discipline to deal with a difficult situation.  Given that he is the head of FEMA, it is not impossible to imagine that this corresponds with one or more significant and extended emergency situations in the country.

The second noteworthy progression in Fugate’s chart is the progressed Mercury conjunction to natal Uranus (12Leo29) which runs approximately from October 2013 to November 2014 (give or take a few months due to the lack of a birth time). This progression will be strongly triggered by transits from both Uranus and Pluto over the course of the year. The first of these is the quincunx from Pluto from January 7 through February 8, which will be further highlighted by the transiting Jupiter/Pluto opposition from January 22 through January 31. The second and more extensive activation of this progression will come with consecutive transits of Uranus, Jupiter and Pluto from mid-March through late June 2014. These configurations suggest sudden, powerful, transformational events with swiftly moving circumstances.

Both of these progressions in Fugate’s chart will again be highlighted at the end of the year when Saturn makes it final crossing opposite the natal Sun and square progressed Mars during the second half of October, and Pluto and Uranus combine to trigger the progressed Mercury conjunct natal Uranus in November and December.  The transit of Mars conjunct Pluto and square Uranus from November 9 through November 12 may be particularly volatile and dangerous period.

Given the intense activity in Craig Fugate’s chart during 2014, and especially late January, late March, and late October and November, it seems likely that some of the tumult and volatility promised by the Uranus/Pluto square aspecting the US Sun (13Cancer19) in 2014 will come in the form of climate-change magnified weather events or possibly a significant attack of some kind on home soil. Attending to the aftermath of such events in the US is the primary task of FEMA. But waking up to the need for changes in policy and perspective as these events unfold will be a crucial task for all of us.

This is a very troubled time for the Obama administration. On the domestic front, the president’s signature accomplishment – comprehensive and affordable health care – has been severely hobbled coming out of the gate. The glitchy healthcare.gov website makes it almost impossible to sign up and is in danger of seeming little more than fodder for late-night comedians.  Meanwhile, hundreds of thousands of people are being told that their current policies have been discontinued and must be replaced, despite early promises to the contrary from the president.

To be fair, the healthcare website is repairable, and this is now in process. Moreover, insurance companies who are canceling policies because they are not up to the new standard must offer alternative options in a timely manner. But none of this prevents perennially outraged Republicans, the masters of creating hyperbolic and politically destructive attack narratives, of gleefully describing gross dysfunction and dark intention, as they attempt to land a figurative shiv in the heart of their favorite villain, the current president of the United States.

On the world stage, there is widespread fury in Europe and Asia due to reports of pervasive wiretapping by the NSA. Although President Obama claims not to have been informed until recently about the extent of this activity, his purported lack of awareness is barely better than any knowing culpability. By melding this story conveniently with the president’s ignorance of expected health-care rollout problems, critics of the administration are loudly decrying his incompetence and cluelessness. Whatever happened to the Ninja President who presided over the demise of bin Laden?

There are several astrological indicators of the administration’s present struggles.  From mid-August 2013 through January 7, 2014, Obama is under the final, extended crossing of Neptune square to his Moon (3Gemini21). This is likely to become even stronger from mid-November through early January. Neptune’s transits tend to bring an aura of confusion, incompetence and sometimes dishonesty, as well as unrealistic expectation followed by a deflating disappointment. Given the already noteworthy Neptune (8Scorpio36) square to the Sun (12Leo33) in the president’s natal chart, huge expectations have always surrounded Obama, often leading people to project their own hopes onto him and then become disappointed when he doesn’t live up to their fantasies. The current Neptune transit is magnifying this unrealistic expectation/disappointment syndrome through early January, as well as the widespread perception of inattention and dysfunction.

A great deal of Saturn activity in various forms is also intensifying this season’s difficulties, most notably in the Obama second-term Inaugural chart. Generally speaking, the January 2013 chart describes a four-year period of significant tension and difficulty. The very tight Moon/Mars square points to a pervasive mood of anger and irritability towards the administration. The Saturn opposition to the Ascendant, creating a loose T-square with the Moon/Mars configuration, points to serious frustration for the president and relentless opposition to his efforts. Uranus at the midpoint of the Moon/Mars square, as well as the waxing Uranus/Pluto square triggered by varying transits during the term, suggest severe power struggles, powerful rebellions and a potential for some periods of unexpected and sudden upheaval.

As of October and continuing through December 2013, Saturn began a three-month series of transits to the Inaugural chart, which together suggest one of the more difficult periods the administration will encounter. Early in October, Saturn returned to its own place (10Scorpio48) and then moved to oppose the Inaugural Ascendant (12Taurus43), together covering most of the month. Additionally, the Inaugural tertiary progressed Sun is currently square to natal and progressed Saturn from mid-October through December 1. As we have seen, these aspects have brought the two-week government shutdown, the brinkmanship of the debt ceiling fight, the very problematic launch of the president’s health care plan, and the fury of our allies over NSA eavesdropping.

November promises its own set of difficulties with the progressed US Moon conjunction to progressed US Saturn (3Scorpio11), most notably triggered when crossed by the Mercury station from November 3 to November 13. This combination would seem to describe something stressful for the country more than another brutal chapter of the ongoing partisan trench warfare.

It is more likely that vitriolic attacks on the president and against the efforts of his administration will resume in full force in December, with Saturn moving to square the president’s Ascendant (18Aquarius03) during the first 9 days of the month, followed by the Saturn opposition to the Inaugural Moon from December 13 through December 23 and square Inaugural Mars from December 20 through December 30. The latter two transits point to enormous anger and conflict involving the administration, and some very painful compromise of its agenda. The Saturn opposition to the Inaugural Moon may be particularly oppressive due to its triggering of the May 2013 solar eclipse. Moreover, the last 10 days of the month will include powerful activations of the Uranus/Pluto square by Mars, the Sun and Mercury, suggesting some very disruptive and violent events in the world that will initially be difficult for the president to effectively respond to (Saturn square Inaugural Mars). Although 2014 promises a great deal of drama and turmoil in many areas, these latter months of 2013 may be remembered for their own set of enormous frustration and difficulty, much of it partisan in nature.