NewsScope for May 16, 2006

Mars-Pluto Connects the Dots: Cheney, Russia and Iran

Vice President Dick Cheney harshly criticized Russia at a recent conference of Eastern European leaders, sparking a war of words with President Putin. Around the same time, Iranian President Ahmadinejad sent President Bush a personal 18-page letter, which Bush ignored. These events are related since the U.S. needs Russia's approval in the U.N. Security Council to proceed with sanctions against Iran.

Dick Cheney's horoscope (January 30, 1941; 7:30 pm; Lincoln, NB) reveals the astrological impulse behind the looming confrontation with Iran. Over the next six months his progressed Mars nears an exact opposition to natal Pluto, which is found on his Twelfth House cusp. Pluto here naturally fears powerful enemies, and the opposition from progressed Mars is sure to manifest as a major confrontation.

Vladimir Putin (October 7, 1952; 9:30 am; Petrograd) has Mars at 26º Sagittarius, now being activated by transiting Pluto. Transiting Pluto to Mars is sure to fight back, and Putin's response to Cheney's barbs was to resist by bolstering the army, reigniting what some fear is a return to Cold War tactics. Cheney, with the likely approval of Bush, is assuring that Russia won't support economic sanctions, leading to the only solution vis-a-vis Iran's nuclear program: military invasion.

Relocating the U.S. horoscope to Tehran places 25º Sagittarius at the Midheaven, which is likewise being activated by transiting Pluto that is also still opposing the U.S. Mars. Iran's national horoscope (April 1, 1979; 3:00 pm; Tehran) has Mars at 25º Pisces, a position currently being squared by transiting Pluto. Everywhere the astrologer looks, Mars-Pluto challenges indicate a potentially devastating confrontation, unless cooler heads prevail.

CIA Appointee Michael Hayden

Last Thursday's USA Today revelation that the NSA was collecting phone records of tens of millions of Americans set off a firestorm of political debate and a potential constitutional crisis. NSA's chief during the database collection was Michael Hayden, who is now Bush's nominee to head the CIA*. Hayden's confirmation hearings begin this coming Thursday, when the broader questions about the surveillance program will be addressed.

With so much intrigue and complications involved, naturally Pluto has to be behind these developments. Michael Hayden (March 17, 1945; Pittsburgh, PA; time unknown) was born with his Sun in Pisces, which is now being exactly squared by transiting Pluto. Pluto squaring the Sun is always a difficult challenge, and can bring intense struggles, betrayal, and sometimes quantum leaps in personal power.

Hayden's natal Pluto forms a favorable trine to Mercury, giving him a talent for gathering and assessing information. This Pluto is located at a critical degree when considering the U.S. horoscope, since it's exactly square the Scorpio Ascendant. As he personally experiences the intense scrutiny and questioning of his NSA actions, so too does the nation, as transiting Chiron and Saturn form hard hits to his Pluto.

Hayden will undoubtedly say that he is defending American liberty and security, since his Mars is exactly conjunct the U.S. Moon. Presidents Carter and Bush (the elder) also have their Mars conjunct the U.S. Moon, and Reagan's progressed Mars was in the same location when he was first elected. The willingness to fight (Mars) for American security (U.S. Moon) is a sure ticket to confirmation.

Barry Bonds To Pass Babe Ruth

As of this writing, Barry Bonds is only one home run away from tying the great Babe Ruth's career home runs, and can be expected to hit his 714th any day now, if his knees hold out. Bonds is generally considered one of the best hitters in baseball, though his many records are tarnished by his alleged use of steroids.

Barry Bonds was born with his Sun in the heroic sign of Leo (July 24, 1964; 5:13 pm; Riverside, CA), and adventurous, athletic Sagittarius Rising. With the parenting asteroid Ceres near his Ascendant, Bonds was groomed for the major leagues by his All-Star father Bobby Bond, and Hall of Famer godfather Willie Mays. His competitive sports heritage is reiterated with fiery Aries on the Fourth House of home and family.

Bonds' Mars is in multi-talented Gemini, where it's enhanced by favorable connections to Venus and Mercury. These aspects reflect Bonds' dexterity, which manifested in his career by winning eight Gold Glove Awards. Along with his Sagittarius Ascendant, they also highlight his innate speed: Bonds is the only player ever to hit 500 home runs and  steal 500 bases.

Over the past two years, transiting Pluto has been criss-crossing Bonds' Ascendant, setting him up as a primary target in the MLB steroid scandal. Now, transiting Pluto is opposing his Mars as he nears Ruth's milestone. The intense power of the Pluto-to-Mars energy can be seen in his most recent home run—a towering 450-footer. He will surpass Ruth, but 2006 will likely be his last season (progressed Sun conjunct Pluto), putting Hank Aaron's all-time record of 755 out of reach.

*See NewsScope November 30, 2004 for the astrology behind the developing morale problem, and June 11, 2002 for more on the CIA's planetary dynamics.