NewsScope for August 28, 2000

Gore and Lieberman Electrify Voters

Stiff and defiant while trailing in the polls, Al Gore surged ahead last week with a surprisingly substantial bounce following the Democratic National Convention. Pundits cite Gore's command of the issues and the energizing, catalytic choice of Joe Lieberman as his vice president. When asked how he feels, Lieberman gave the exuberant response "I'm flying high!"

Astrologically, this tenor is characteristic of the electrifying planet Uranus, which by transit has been conjunct Lieberman's Ascendant. When Uranus becomes the lead indicator, trends may reverse suddenly. This tendency can be visually appreciated by watching poll numbers, or by watching the financial markets, as when transiting Uranus was conjunct the NASDAQ Sun last April, suddenly reversing the bullish trend.

Comparing Gore's horoscope with Lieberman's shows the underlying currents empowering this team. The close conjunction between Gore's Venus and Lieberman's Uranus creates a spontaneous friendship, sparked by an instant rapport. Likewise, Lieberman's Moon is conjunct Gore's Uranus, and this combination is an equally stimulating interchange, and often describes a psychic connection or an intuitive mutual understanding.

Meanwhile, George W. Bush showed signs of stress, especially during a widely-televised sound bite where he repeatedly misrepresented critical numbers of his tax plan. Cancer natives under stress tend to whine or be overly defensive. Bush, with his Sun and Saturn in Cancer, was showing this unpresidential side last week. However, this race will likely take several sudden reversals. Watch especially when Mercury turns retrograde (as it squares the U.S. Midheaven) on October 18 for a critical turning point.

National Missile Defense Unveiled

High on the Republicans’ political agenda this year has been the promotion of a multi-tiered National Missile Defense (NMD) program, an electronic umbrella that would detect and shoot down any incoming missile launched by a foreign power. Not to be outdone, President Clinton has co-opted the Republican plan with his own two-tiered NMD, with the two competing systems expected to cost anywhere between $60 and $240 billion over the next ten years.

Last week, the international uproar over the U.S.-proposed nuclear shield grew dramatically during the waxing astrological influence of Jupiter opposite Pluto. This transiting Jupiter-Pluto opposition aligns with the U.S. Uranus, and reveals the real reason why both major parties are pushing the NMD in face of unanimous international resistance.

Uranus in the Scorpio rising U.S. horoscope is located in the Eighth House of corporations. Uranus refers specifically to the high-tech sector, notably the aeronautics industry, since Uranus is in the travel sign of Gemini. The nation's top four weapons contractors (Lockheed Martin, Boeing, Raytheon and TRW) received $32 billion* in defense contracts last year, including $2.2 billion to research and develop the NMD.

These same four companies also spent $34 million lobbying congress last year, and millions more in campaign contributions. The initial Star Wars program as envisioned by Ronald Reagan was announced on March 23, 1983 during a Jupiter-Uranus conjunction. Not surprisingly, this outer planet union was perfectly aligned with the U.S. Uranus, once again cosmically activating the high-tech defense contractors and campaign financiers.

Richard Hatch, Sole Survivor

Despite David Letterman's warning that there would be rioting in the streets if "the naked fat guy won," Richard Hatch did indeed become the sole survivor by beating runner-up Kelly in the final tribal council vote. The last episode of Survivor aired last Wednesday, and was watched by 51 million Americans. Hatch took home the $1 million prize, and has become an instant celebrity.

Richard Hatch, like Al Gore, was born with his Sun in fighting Aries, and his Moon in corporate Capricorn (on April 8, 1961, Newport, RI, time unknown). Mars, the planet needed for survival skills, is in Cancer, where it takes naturally to water sports. Rich enjoys snorkeling, and his ability to spear offshore fish became a key strength in outlasting the competition.

Pluto is the ultimate survival planet. Rich's Pluto is powerfully placed by being favorably conjunct the North Node in analytical Virgo. Rich's Pluto participates in a yod, a fateful pattern of planets also known as the finger of god. Pluto forms a quincunx (150 degree angle) with Jupiter in Aquarius and Vesta in Aries, a three-planet combination that bestows tremendous resourcefulness, focus and independence.

Vesta in Aries leads to the single-minded pursuit of personal goals to the exclusion of anyone else's interest. Jupiter in Aquarius fosters appreciation and enjoyment of the group needs; this placement understands how elements interact within a larger system. Pluto, positioned between these two points, instinctively fashions these traits into a ruthless shark. Should we be surprised that a corporate trainer won a corporate-sponsored contest of intrigue and betrayal?

* According to the Arms Trader Resource Center. For more information, read their essay.