NewsScope for April 10, 2007

American Women Ready to Assume Power

Two major news stories last week highlighted an emerging trend that is re-shaping American culture. First, Senator Hillary Clinton reported taking in some $26 million in campaign contributions, topping all candidates and far surpassing the previous first quarter record of $9 million. Second, Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi riled the Bush administration by traveling to the Middle East to meet with Syria's president Bashar Al-Assad.

A major astrological indicator shows that these two political developments are only the most obvious cases of a much larger sea change taking place in the United States: women are assuming power. In the U.S. Scorpio Rising horoscope (July 4, 1776; 2:21 pm; Philadelphia), progressed Venus is forming a trine to the Midheaven, a very favorable configuration bridging women (Venus) and the nation's reputation and international standing (Midheaven). 

Since progressed Venus is in pioneering Aries, women who assert their talent and vision have the best chance of advancing. Manifesting this trend just below the radar is the record number of women currently serving in Congress (74). And as this progression becomes exact this month, we also learn that a record number of women (22) were just appointed to corporate boards.

Over the next five months, the U.S. progressed Moon is heading toward a conjunction with the Midheaven and a trine to progressed Venus. This describes an interval when women can be expected to outperform men in many categories—especially since progressed Mars has recently turned retrograde. Retrograde Mars implies the weakening or turning back of male-dominated hierarchies. The ultimate takeover arrives as progressed Venus opposes progressed Mars in 2009.

Fred Thompson, Taking His Time

In the tradition of Ronald Reagan and Arnold Schwarzenegger, Law and Order actor Fred Thompson is seriously considering running for president* at a time when many Republicans are openly expressing disappointment with their current choices. The former Senator from Tennessee has been meeting with top unaligned strategists and fundraisers, and he's polled well—just behind Giuliani and McCain even though he's an undeclared candidate.

Fred Thompson (August 19, 1942; Sheffield, AL; time unknown) was born with his Leo Sun exactly opposite the U.S. Moon, a placement which makes him a natural favorite with the American people. Bill Clinton's Sun is in the identical degree of Leo (they share the same birth day), and both have a natural sense of showmanship that easily captures popular approval.

Thompson's Mercury-Mars conjunction in analytical Virgo squares Saturn in intellectual Gemini. This exceptionally tight configuration reflects his legal jousting in both the political arena (during the Watergate hearings) and on TV. Typically, Mars-Saturn squares have trouble with timing, either jumping in too soon (eager Mars) or waiting too long (cautious Saturn). But through the school of hard knocks, one's problem area can eventually become a strength.

Transiting Pluto has been forming an empowering trine to Thompson's Sun over the past year, during which time he's said "I'm seriously considering it, and I'm happy to hear your thoughts and ideas." Pluto turns direct on September 6 while making its last trine to his Sun. If he decides to run, this politically-charged celestial hit should quickly vault him to the top tier. We should expect a decision no later than early August, when transiting Saturn is conjunct his Sun.

Jackie Chan, Global Action Hero

Last week, superstar Jackie Chan launched a reality TV show at Beijing's Shangri-La Hotel to find the next kung fu action hero. Although Chan still looks good at 53, he's slowed down his fast-paced cinematic stunts due to an accumulation of injuries. Of the 100,000 wannabes who signed up, Chan said, "A lot of actors are good at fighting, but their style is not beautiful."

Jackie Chan is the ultimate Aries (April 7, 1954; Hong Kong; time unknown), having made a lifelong career portraying the independent fighter. With his Moon in versatile Gemini, Chan shares the same Sun-Moon blend as the American kung fu hero Jennifer Garner. Chan's Sun forms a network of aspects, giving him a strong sense of self-confidence, spontaneous enthusiasm, and leadership qualities.

Chan's warrior planet Mars is placed in adventurous Sagittarius, and is also well-connected in his horoscope, including a strengthening trine to Pluto. The Fire Grand Trine linking his Sun, Mars, and Pluto bestows an overwhelming feeling of invincibility, which he has parlayed into a successful acting career playing a character that he feels personally.

Chan has an unnerving attraction to extremely risky stunts, which can be seen in his Sun square Uranus. Uranus is conjunct the South Node, an aspect that frequently disrupts the life path with freakish accidents. Over the course of his numerous films, he's experienced near-death accidents many times, but perhaps has been saved by his Grand Trine. Now, as transiting Pluto is conjunct his Mars, he's seeking a successor in time for the 2008 Olympics in Beijing.

*For more on the top tier candidates, visit www.neptunecafe.com.

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