NewsScope for August 14, 2007

Pluto Brings Control of Financial Markets

Last Thursday, France's largest bank halted trade on its securities because it couldn't place a value on its funds, which were heavily invested in the American subprime mortgage market. The move triggered panic selling in the global stock markets, including the Dow, which fell 380 points. Friday, order was at least temporarily restored following concerted action from the world's largest central banks.

One way to track the current credit crisis is through the Federal Reserve* horoscope (December 23, 1913; 6:02 pm; Washington, D.C.). This chart features 18º Cancer Rising (the same as Mexico, see below), with a hyper-defensive Mars in Cancer right on the Ascendant. Transiting Uranus at 18º Pisces has been forming a trine to the Fed's Ascendant as it also squares natal Venus, the natural ruler of money.

The presence of Uranus in this celestial equation invokes the crisis atmosphere, but the favorable trine to the Ascendant infers that Chairman Bernanke, as the lender of last resort, can manage the problem. However, astrologers can see from this chart that when transiting Pluto enters Capricorn next January, it hits the Fed's Sun-Pluto opposition, and squares the Aries Midheaven.

The last time Pluto entered a cardinal sign was in 1971, when President Nixon initiated unprecedented government controls over the economy, including the elimination of the gold standard and the implementation of a wage and price freeze. In financial terms, Pluto entering Capricorn might represent a major tightening of credit, a process which has already begun. Next year, when Pluto hits the Fed's vital points, we can expect extreme measures to control the unstable financial and mortgage markets.

The Aztec Goddess Unearthed

Mexican archeologists recently announced the discovery of what they believe is the lost tomb of the Aztec Emperor Ahuizotl, who died in 1502—just 17 years before Hernando Cortes and his conquistadors arrived. Until now, no royal tomb has ever been found, since the Spanish built Mexico City on top of the Aztec tombs. But the devastating 1985 earthquake created an opening** to the subterranean civilization.

Mexico's national horoscope (January 31, 1917; 4:42 pm; Queretaro, Mexico) reflects the excitement around this discovery, since transiting Uranus was exactly (to-the-minute) trine the Ascendant when the announcement came on August 3. Archeologists expect to enter the tomb this fall, when transiting Pluto forms a trine to Mexico's Tenth House Jupiter, an aspect that will substantially improve the country's international standing.

Mexico's chart features Neptune conjunct Saturn in the First House of projected identity. Practical Saturn and mystical Neptune aren't comfortable together, and one way to read this aspect is the uneasy blending between the controlling Spanish patriarchy and the indigenous population with a royal past (Neptune is in Leo). Mexico's Pluto is in the Twelfth House, where it may readily be linked to hidden archeological treasures.

The 8.5 earthquake struck at 7:19 am on September 19, 1985 (18ºN12 and 105ºW30). Transiting Neptune was opposing Mexico's Pluto, and transiting Pluto was squaring Mexico's Neptune, a double influence that promises to reunite modern Mexico with North America's greatest pre-Columbian empire. The collapsing Catholic buildings eventually made visible a stone monolith of the earth goddess Tlaltecuhtli. She holds in her hands ten dots and a rabbit, which corresponds to the year 1502 in the Aztec calendar.

Matt Damon, Bourne Again

The action thriller The Bourne Ultimatum, starring Matt Damon, took in a surprising $70 million during its premier weekend, the largest box office draw ever for the month of August. Audiences are enjoying Jason Bourne's exploits, with his divided soul caught between his dark past and his hopes for a brighter future. "Audiences also respond to the fact that the character has a moral component," said Damon.

Matt Damon was born with his Libra Sun in the Eighth House (October 8, 1970; 3:22 pm; Boston, MA), a placement which brings the life path into the secrets of the psyche and the exploration of all that is hidden and enigmatic. Since his Sun is conjunct Uranus, these explorations often take surprising or unexpected twists, and provide the personal experience to play the brainwashed assassin Jason Bourne.

Damon's chart reflects this cinematic character in other significant ways that make it seem as if he was born for this role. His Mars in Virgo is conjunct Pluto, giving Damon a warrior-like intensity and the drive to overcome adversity and emerge victorious. His Pluto is also conjunct Mercury, which describes the mind games, intricate plot details, and intriguing complexities of the drama.

His moral authenticity can be seen in his Jupiter, which is deepened by its placement in Scorpio, and given direct expression by the square to his Aquarius Ascendant. Matt Damon in real life is passionate about several causes, including fighting poverty, genocide, and AIDS in Africa. Now, with Jupiter turning direct in his Tenth House, his sterling reputation is confirmed, and his philanthropic efforts can advance.

*The Fed was previously profiled in NewsScope April 23, 2001.

**For more on this fantastic story, see The Boston Globe.

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