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Well, it's
official. George
W. Bush has been handed the keys to The Big Car for the next
four years, an assignment he officially begins on January 20. And regardless
of your political opinion, you've got to admit—this is one man who has
his work cut out for him.
First of
all, the election, with its accompanying legal extravaganza, left a rather
bitter taste in the mouths of many—the only sure outcome of this election
from the very beginning. But in addition to facing the formidable challenge
of reuniting a philosophically divided country, there's one part of this
job description that even a party incumbent wouldn't relish: following
in Bill
Clinton's footsteps. Bush’s astrological chart looks more than
a bit challenging, both with respect to its core patterns as well as the
upcoming patterns of the next four years.
Filling
Some Big Shoes
 For
starters, Bush was born with several planets in the same sign and degree
as the United States. That means we expect the man to exemplify us, something
we never expected from Bill. Bush reflects the more isolated and down-home
side of the American character. Yet, there was no reason to worry about
Clinton’s performance with world leaders and other VIP foreign officials—we
knew he'd charm them the way he charmed us. Bush, however, like Al
Gore, doesn't have that wonderful way of setting others at
ease while making them feel important.
Now, George
W. Bush does have three planets in Leo, the sign of the performer, in
the First House, the astrological equivalent of the front door of a home.
So there's definitely a charm that exudes from the man. Like Bill Clinton,
Bush also has several planets in Libra, the most compromising, socially
skilled and peace loving sign in the heavens. His Libra Neptune,
Moon and Jupiter are in the Third House of communication. Basically, the combination
of Leo and Libra makes it easier for both men to mingle anywhere, anytime,
on any level. It bestows the owner with an ability to carry on conversations
on any topic—an enviable trait for a politician, and one that certainly
would come in handy given the dissension America is experiencing at the
moment.
Both Bush
and Clinton were born with Mercury conjunct Pluto. This combination can
grant its owner magnetism, charisma and the art of persuasion. On the
other hand, Pluto is such a potent energy that folks often try to "hide"
it, rather than exposing their true power. While Bill Clinton’s secrets
have been forced out of the closet and onto the front pages, most of Bush’s
“youthful indiscretions” and questionable business dealings have so far
evaded public scrutiny.
A
Dreamy Reality
Another difficulty
facing the president-elect is that his Sun and Saturn in Cancer are in
the Twelfth House, which is "owned" by Neptune. The challenge
presented by Neptune is to function in the real world—to separate fact
from fantasy. The condition of the Sun and Saturn, the planets we use
to take charge when we're put in a position of authority, is an extremely
strong factor to consider when it comes to an individual's ability to
lead. That goes double, of course, for someone who's assumed the tremendous
responsibility of the presidency. The Sun and Saturn in Cancer are protective
of home, family and tradition, all things that Bush’s platform emphasizes.
But since these planets are “hiding” in this secretive place in Bush's
chart, he may not be able to gain full access to their authority and power.
What’s
Next for Bush?
Transiting Neptune, currently moving through the sign of Aquarius will be turning
her pink smoke machine up on high in Bush's life over the next four years,
too. This cosmic "smoke-screen" is opposite to Bush's
Leo Ascendant at the moment. The Ascendant is the doorway to the First House, and represents
the first impression we make on others. The passage of Neptune seems to
have already created doubts and uncertainty with regard to both Bush's
right to the office he'll hold and his competency in handling it in the
minds of some. In fact, Neptune will also oppose Bush's Mercury-Pluto
conjunction over the course of his term, so the natural vagueness he possesses
will be running on high for the duration—both internally and externally.
In short, both the new president and America alike may "wake up"
in four years and feel as if it's all been a dream.
Interestingly
enough, Neptune is also associated with oil, and the planet’s discovery
in 1848 just preceded the first oil well in 1859. This explains Bush’s
determination to open up the Arctic Wildlife Refuge for drilling. As early
as September of this year, that determination may prove to be successful.
Jupiter, the ruler of far-off places and wide expanses, will begin traveling
through Bush's Twelfth House, where, as we've discussed, Neptunian issues
like chemicals, drugs and oil are handled. In this secretive place, Jupiter
is free to operate virtually undetected. If and when the drilling begins,
then, the details of the project could easily be hidden from the American
public.
The plot
will also thicken considerably around June of 2002, when stern, uncompromising
Saturn will collide with startling Uranus in Gemini in Bush's chart, along
with a solar eclipse in that same place. Both Uranus and eclipses are
the stuff that sudden changes are made of. What type of changes? Well,
with Uranus, one never knows—but Mars, the god of war, will meet up with
Bush's Sun and Saturn in Cancer during June and July, so it's certainly
possible that the U.S. could be involved in a military conflict. Since
long-distance Jupiter will move into Cancer and be a major part of the
picture, also affecting his Sun and Saturn at that time, it's probably
going to be a foreign battle.
In all, it
strikes me that both George W. and the U.S. are in for confusing times
over the next four years. One can only hope that the strong cabinet he's
assembled will wield the power he's given them with conscience and with
true compassion.
George
W. Bush: Not a Greek God, an American Icon
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