The most recent polls heading into Super Tuesday indicate that Senator McCain has been unable to move past his base of independent and Democratic votes that propelled him into the most competitive primary race in decades. McCain's recent condemnation of Pat Robertson and Jerry Falwell alienated one out of six Republicans who identify with the Christian Right.

The role of religion in the current political campaign can be seen astrologically by this week's Saturn-Pluto aspect. Saturn and Pluto are forming a 150 degree angle known as the quincunx, or alternatively, the inconjunct. While this angle is often dismissed as a minor aspect, the intense nature of the planets involved marks this particular transit as a crucial campaign turning point.

Saturn in traditional Taurus plus Pluto in religious Sagittarius easily equates to the Christian Right. At the moment, Saturn and Pluto are simultaneously making a connection to the U.S. Sun, and are thereby shaping choices for American leadership. Together, Saturn, Pluto and the U.S. Sun are forming a fateful yod configuration, also known as the “finger of god” for its powerful and seemingly preordained impact on events.

This yod is hitting McCain's Mars, the astrological source of his unbridled outspokenness and hot temper. The yod tested whether or not McCain could control his anger about the perceived bigotry of the Christian Right's leaders. He can't, although many independents and Democrats agree with McCain's view. McCain's ability to build a coalition of Republicans, independents, and Democrats may be more suitable for the Reform Party.

The Old Economy versus the New Economy

Ever since October 14, 1999, financial analysts have noticed with concerned amusement that the Dow Jones industrial averages and the NASDAQ stock markets have been moving in different directions. Historically, this divergence has always led to a quick reconciliation, usually with the NASDAQ swiftly realigning itself with the more powerful Dow. However, the technology-heavy NASDAQ continues to make record highs while the Dow is testing its year low around the 10,000 level.

The different paths taken by the older industrial economy and the new high-tech economy can be seen in the ongoing square between Saturn and Uranus. Saturn in Taurus represents the established manufacturing sector of the economy, while Uranus is associated with the new technologies. The industrial averages are lagging as investors move their money to the rapidly evolving high-tech businesses.

The NASDAQ market is maturing, becoming it's own unique entity, irrespective of what the Dow is doing. This cycle can be clearly seen in its birth chart (February 8, 1971; 10:00 am; NYC) since NASDAQ is now experiencing its first Saturn return. (Editor's Note: A Saturn return is when Saturn returns to the place it was at the birth of the individual or event. It symbolizes an astrological coming-of -age.) Transiting Jupiter, the planet of expansion and prosperity, was right on the NASDAQ Ascendant  when the divergence began last October.

The cosmic battle between Saturn and Uranus is never over. Saturn demands practical results, and if the high-flying tech stocks fail to generate real growth, that would trigger a significant downturn. Watch earnings reports in April and May for a possible correction as these two planets form their third and final square.

Tobey Maguire, The End of Innocence

When a relatively new actor appears in two box office smashes in the same week, it's a good sign that that actor is on the way up. Tobey Maguire plays a leading role in both The Cider House Rules and Wonder Boys, two widely acclaimed and popular coming-of-age films. Until this month, Maguire's biggest claim to fame was being Leo  DiCaprio's friend.

Tobey Maguire was born a wide-eyed Cancer (on June 27, 1975; Santa Monica, CA; time unknown), with his Moon in humanitarian Aquarius. The Sun in Cancer with Moon in Aquarius is an auspicious American archetype since the U.S. horoscope also features the Sun in Cancer and Moon in Aquarius. When the Sun is under planetary stress while in Cancer, the home life is bound to be a source of emotional trauma. The individual is forced out of the comfortable family scene to participate in a larger social network, shown by the Aquarius Moon.

In Maguire's horoscope, the Cancer Sun squares Pluto, a combination that can generate the most difficult psychological experiences. In both his recent movies he plays a wounded outcast, with no family support system. His blank stares reflect the pain of abandonment and mental shock associated with a dynamic Pluto aspect.

Pluto is also the planet of rebirth and regeneration. As the characters Maguire plays come of age through the guidance of wizened mentors (Michael Caine and Michael Douglas), he becomes a more self-sufficient and empowered adult. His mentors reshape his self-pity into dynamic creativity. And so Pluto has reshaped Maguire into a new film star who plays uniquely American heroes.