NewsScope for June 3, 2008

Neptune and the Oil Futures
 
Last week oil prices hit a record high of $135/barrel, continuing an alarming trend that began four years ago when a barrel of crude cost under $50. Sales of SUVs have plummeted 25 percent since last year, while demand for the more fuel-efficient cars has soared. High fuel prices are driving food prices up and airline companies out of business, and are weighing heavily on the broader economy.
 
While spiking oil prices is a global phenomenon, Americans have experienced a more painful escalation, since transiting Uranus is exactly aligned with the U.S. Neptune, the natural ruler of oil. Uranus adds the shock value into the economic hardship, which feels like a sudden and unexpected crisis and is driving politicians to investigate price manipulation by oil suppliers and hedge fund speculators.
 
The last time transiting Uranus made a hard aspect to the U.S. Neptune was in 1986, when oil prices also made a sudden change. But that year the change in direction was downward, as a barrel of crude collapsed from the 1985 price of $27/barrel to $14 in 1986. In financial astrology Uranus warns of volatility and sharp changes in the status quo, but it doesn't tell us in which direction.
 
Similarly, as transiting Uranus remains within one degree of its opposition to the U.S. Neptune through August, one might expect oil prices to fluctuate all over the map. However, the overall trend is clear and alarming, and we may never again see oil for under $100/barrel. In 2010, transiting Pluto arrives at 4 degrees of Capricorn, a critical degree for the global oil business*, which when last visited in 1973, led to OPEC's quadrupling of oil prices.
 
Scott McClellan's New Book What's Happening
 
Scott McClelland's new tell-all book was the talk of the nation last week, as the former insider confirmed some of the harshest criticisms about the Bush administration. Topping the list was the decision to invade Iraq in early 2002, and the campaign to discredit Valerie Plame's husband. The response from the White House was one of bafflement: "This is not the Scott McClellan we knew."
 
Scott McClellan's horoscope (February 14, 1968; Austin, TX; time unknown) features the Sun in Aquarius square Neptune, a planetary combination that brings a sense of unreality or confusion (Neptune) about the personal identity (Sun). This same configuration is found in Barack Obama's and Ed Norton's (see below) charts, except these two have the Sun in Leo, which is more invested in establishing a strong identity.
 
Astrologer Adrian Ross Duncan describes the Sun-Neptune aspect as "the magical ability to be almost anyone he or she chooses to be—the trick is to make a choice that is going to be satisfying in the long run." The Aquarius Sun tends to sacrifice personal pride for the team, but in McClellan's case, he became disillusioned with the team he was playing on as transiting Neptune came to his Sun.
 
McClellan's chart is energized by Mars in Pisces opposite flip-flop Uranus, with both at 28 degrees of their respective signs. He wrote his book as transiting Pluto in late Sagittarius formed a square to this dynamic, suggesting that he knew full well that he would create some enemies. This summer, as transiting Pluto re-enters this degree zone, we can expect that the full consequences of his actions will unfold.
 
Edward Norton as the Hulk
 
A NewsScope reader comments, "I am fascinated by Edward Norton's acting. Could you write an article about his chart? ... He is finally making a big film playing the man who is two people, his favorite theme." The reader is referring to Norton's role as Dr. Bruce Banner/Hulk in The Incredible Hulk, which is scheduled for release on June 13.
 
Edward Norton was born with his Leo Sun square Neptune (August 18, 1969; Boston, MA; time unknown), an aspect that makes it difficult for him to know who he really is. Barack Obama has the same configuration, and he only discovered his mission after some intense soul-searching. For Norton, his chameleon persona shifted dramatically in the cult classic Fight Club and in his Oscar-nominated role in Primal Fear.
 
The duality that Norton plays is more pathological than the duality associated with Gemini or perhaps Pisces. His Mercury-Pluto conjunction is capable of such sociopathic or multi-personality disorders, especially since this pair is conjunct his South Node. It's a problem area, which he has successfully translated into his cinematic career. Filming for the Hulk began on July 7, 2007 when transiting Uranus was exactly opposite his Mercury.
 
Norton's Mercury-Pluto squares Mars, an apt planetary signature for what ails Dr. Bruce Banner: whenever he gets angry or stressed out, he transforms into the Hulk. The fictional plot reminds us all of our inner beast‚Äîsometimes we can control it, other times it controls us. Over the next two years, Norton's progressed Sun will be conjunct his Jupiter, a very favorable indicator that he's about to become recognized as one of Hollywood's great actors.
 

*For a comprehensive take on the astrology of the oil industry, see www.neptunecafe.com/oil.html.

Reader feedback is welcome. Email wolfstar3@aol.com.