NewsScope for July 4, 2006

Jupiter Rekindles Hope and Faith

Last week, Warren Buffet made the surprise announcement that he would give 85 percent of his wealth to The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. With some $44 billion at his disposal, Buffet's phenomenal philanthropic gesture amounts to the largest charitable donation in history. He explained that he agrees with the Gates' mission and likes their track record.

The first slice of $1.5 billion arrives now, right as transiting Jupiter – the planet of gifts and benefits – turns direct on the U.S. Scorpio Ascendant. As forecast over the last several weeks in this column, Jupiter here was bound to bring renewed enthusiasm, benefits, and a brighter outlook. However, only those who use the Scorpio Rising U.S. horoscope (July 4, 1776; 2:21 pm; Philadelphia) would be able to see this.

As Jupiter turns direct, it happens to be exactly octile Pluto, which is transiting through the nation's second house of money. Pluto, traditionally associated with fabulous wealth, presents Jupiter's gift as actual money. Following the regenerational nature of Pluto, Buffet's plan is to give five percent of his Berkshire-Hathaway holdings each year. If his stock value increases annually by at least five percent, then the donation process could go on indefinitely.

In the algebra of astrology, Jupiter's association with legal affairs also presented an historic Supreme Court decision on Guantanamo detainees. Jupiter's current position is modified by a square to transiting Chiron, which as forecast last week, creates events concerning military justice. As Buffet and Gates team up and the Supreme Court weighs in, U.S. citizens can feel a rekindled hope for American values and ideals, as befits the power of Jupiter turning direct on the nation's Ascendant.

Israel Takes Center Stage

A NewsScope reader asks "What are your thoughts on the future of Israel?" The question was sent just before the Israeli military campaign into Gaza erupted last week, which was aimed at forcing the release of a captured Israeli soldier. Since the electrical grid in Gaza was turned off last Wednesday, international efforts have begun to pressure both Israel and Hamas to come to the bargaining table.

Emerging from a United Nations vote, Israel's horoscope (May 14, 1948; 4:37 pm; Tel Aviv) is unique in that it also represents a network of interdependent links to international entities and neighboring countries. The astrological keys to understanding the current situation can be found in Israel's tenth house, with the transits of Mars and Saturn through this sector telling the day-by-day action.

Hamas kidnapped an Israeli soldier on June 24, as transiting Mars was exactly conjunct Israel's Pluto. Israel marshaled its military might immediately, and by the time transiting Mars was conjunct Israel's Saturn a few days later, Israel cut off the power in Gaza. Transiting Saturn is heading for Israel's Pluto, and will arrive on July 21, around the same time that Israel experiences a Mars Return.

The situation looks ominous, since transiting Pluto is also opposite Israel's Uranus, and progressed Moon and Mars are conjunct. These are highly volatile, confrontational forces coming out of Israel and its network of hostile enemies and concerned international observers. With transiting Saturn heading into Israel's natal Saturn-Pluto conjunction, Israel has a take-charge attitude which will have enormous impact across the Middle East.

The Myth of Superman Returns

The $250 million blockbuster film Superman Returns opened last week with strong box office receipts, in spite of mixed reviews from critics. The success of the Superman franchise over the past seven decades indicates that a powerful archetypal image is being played out by the various actors and storylines, as this one critic evoked: "It tickles something primitive and comforting at the back of the mind."

Superman's character and myth first appeared in Action Comics #1, which went on sale April 18, 1938 (8:30 am*; New York City). A horoscope for this event features the Sun in mighty Aries in an exact square to super-powerful Pluto. This Sun-Pluto square is perfectly aligned with the U.S. Pluto (the nation's ruling planet), accounting for the uniquely American hero Superman portrays. All the actors who have played Superman have close planetary alignments with this chart, and especially the Sun-Pluto aspect.

George Reeves (January 5, 1914), who played the original TV version of Superman, was born with a T-square involving his Aries Moon square Jupiter and Neptune – all exactly aligned with the Superman Sun-Pluto square. Likewise, Christopher Reeve (September 25, 1952) has his Venus, the ruler of his Libra Sun, at 27º Libra, exactly opposite the original Superman's Aries Sun.

The current Superman actor is Brandon Routh (October 9, 1979; Des Moines, Iowa; time unknown), who also has his Sun in Libra, with Venus at 27º Libra (what are the odds?). Routh's Mars is located in heroic Leo, and exactly aligned with the U.S. Scorpio Ascendant. As religious, optimistic Jupiter turns direct this week, Routh should feel proud of his successful portrayal of an American savior archetype.

* The time is rectified, but the date comes from http://www.supermanartists.comics.org/superart/JOE_SHUSTER2.htm