NewsScope for April 13, 2004

Uranus Brings Insurgency to Iraq

Amid growing signs that Iraq's Sunni insurgents are joining forces with radical Shiites, the U.S. military is finding itself with more enemies and fewer effective allies than anticipated. The Bush administration's original agenda focused on creating a democratic government as a model for Middle East nation-building, but currently there's no government in place, and growing dissatisfaction with the occupation forces.

Iraq 's horoscope (August 23, 1921; 6:00 am; Baghdad) accurately reflects the sudden uprising since transiting Uranus, the planet of rebellion, has just entered the Seventh House of open enemies. And as previously described in NewsScope (February 17), the timing and rationale for the revolt coincide with transiting Pluto's square to Jupiter, which fosters religious extremism, and an uncompromising attitude toward the occupation forces.

The radical cleric Muktada Al-Sadr and his so-called Mahdi Army can be symbolized by Pluto in Iraq 's natal chart. Pluto represents the powerful faction that demands fundamental shifts in the geopolitical process, and the leader at the head of this faction. Pluto can also represent the CPA (Coalition Provisional Authority) and its American administrator Paul Bremer. He ordered Al-Sadr's newspaper shut down when transiting Sun squared this Pluto, as the two vied for control.

Now transiting Saturn is heading for a conjunction with Iraq's Pluto. Saturn, representing the authority of the occupational forces, aims to create a viable structure around a make-shift Iraqi government. The conjunction becomes exact on May 9, by which time the tension between the revolutionary forces and the CPA reaches for ultimate resolution. On the deadline date of June 30, when the U.S. has promised to turn over control, the Sun will be conjunct Iraq's Pluto.

The Coming of the Mahdi

"At the end of time a man from the family of the Prophet will without fail make his appearance, strengthen Islam and make justice triumph. Muslims will follow him, and he will gain domination over the Muslim realm. He will be called the Mahdi.".* Across the Arab world Islamic opinion is uniting against the American Crusaders, with the boldest heading for Iraq to fight at the Final Battleground.

Uranus in Pisces has awakened the most radical elements of the world's three Piscean religions. As Mel Gibson's ultimate Piscean martyr movie passed the $500 million mark last week, zealous televangelists enthusiastically predicted the imminent arrival of the Second Coming. Meanwhile, in Gaza and the West Bank Jewish settlers claim land promised to them by God's prophets thousands of years ago, all under the leadership of Pisces native Ariel Sharon.

True believers everywhere are further empowered by Pluto in Sagittarius. Sagittarius and Pisces are the two signs that foster religious perspectives on global events. Religious, geopolitical tension can be expected to grow as Uranus and Pluto edge toward their exact square, which doesn't actually happen until 2011 and 2012 after they've entered Aries and Capricorn respectively.

Curiously, the Mayan and Aztec sacred calendars, which began on August 11, 3114 BC, are scheduled to come to conclusion on December 21, 2012. Around this time we can expect the return of Quetzalcoatl, the Meso-American equivalent of the Mahdi and the Second Coming. In the near future, the rare Venus occultation of the Sun on June 8, 2004 is a Mayan astrological milestone, said to be a harbinger of the End Times.

Billy Bob Thornton and Davy Crockett, Kindred Spirits

After director Ron Howard bowed out of the Alamo project due to a predicted R rating, the movie ended up being made without talent, script, and content, according to many critics. The one bright spot was Billy Bob Thornton's portrayal of Davy Crockett, which has been called a "wonderfully charismatic performance."

Perhaps one of the reasons Billy Bob (August 4, 1955) nailed his portrayal is that he and Davy (August 17, 1786) are both Leos. They both have an exuberant, outgoing, optimistic side, depicted astrologically by Billy Bob's Sun-Jupiter conjunction, and Davy's Sun-Jupiter square. And they both have a driving ambition to make a name for themselves, fueled by their Leo Suns' challenging aspects to Saturn.

Their adventurous, fighting spirit is shown by mutual Mars-Jupiter aspects. Billy Bob has Mars conjunct Jupiter, while Davy has Mars exactly trine Jupiter. Another curiosity is that Davy's Pluto opposes Billy Bob's Sun, while Billy Bob's Pluto is conjunct Davy's Sun. This shared Sun-Pluto interchange offers a deep metaphysical identification with each other, so that Billy Bob publicizes Davy's historical role, and Davy gives psychological depth to Billy Bob's acting career.

Although these two frontiersmen were born nearly three centuries apart, they both have Uranus in Cancer and Neptune in Libra, a generational aspect that yearns for the perfect homeland and ideal partnership. The Alamo 's heroes were martyred in 1836 just after Uranus entered Pisces, and this revisionist film version opened last Friday just after Uranus entered Pisces.

*See an in-depth discussion of the Mahdi tradition.

Personal readings are available from Michael WolfStar.