NewsScope for July 29, 2008

Congress Passes Historic Housing Bill

Last week Congress passed an historic housing bill aimed at containing a vast and complex economic crisis, one that has the potential for a financial meltdown on the scale of the Great Depression. The taxpayer-financed rescue package props up mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, and ideally, will begin to stabilize the falling dollar, volatile markets, and skyrocketing energy and fuel prices.

The chief architect for the bill, Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson (March 28, 1946), was born with his pioneering Aries Sun opposite Neptune, giving him vision to apply to this innovative program. While Neptune can deceive, bringing false hope and unrealistic ideas, Paulson's Sun is also trine Pluto, which is more empowering and resourceful. The August 1 Solar Eclipse lands precisely on Paulson's Pluto (orb 0º02'), which is when Bush is expected to sign the bill.

Still, the potential downside of this bailout is catastrophic. Transiting Pluto, moving back and forth across 0º Capricorn, is at a critical point* in the most vital U.S. horoscopes. These include the Federal Reserve's chart, which was created when the Sun and Pluto were aligned on this degree (an opposition) back on December 23, 1913, as well as the U.S. horoscope, which has Venus at 2º Cancer.

The U.S. Venus is conjunct Jupiter in the U.S. Eighth House of Credit and Capital. This combination has allowed the U.S. economy tremendous monetary leverage over the last two centuries, which has financed the nation's phenomenal growth. Transiting Pluto will begin to oppose the U.S. Venus-Jupiter in 2009, and continue over the following three years, indicating that the dramatic transformation of the U.S. credit-based economy is just beginning.

Top Five Astro-Events for August

1. The Solar Eclipse on August 1 (6:21 am EDT) is rising in Washington D.C., signifying the influential nature it carries over the nation's political scene. With Vesta in Taurus  squaring the eclipse point, expect historic economic fixes coming out of Congress. The eclipse aligns with Obama's Leo Sun (near his Descendant), and McCain's Mars, the ruler of his 7th house—Veep selections are coming.

2. Saturn squares the U.S. Uranus on August 10, challenging American ingenuity to overcome energy problems with new technology. This transit is in effect all month, and resonates with the Saturn-Uranus opposition on election day, so that innovative, alternative energy programs (Uranus) get tested (Saturn) in the political campaign. Al Gore, T. Boone Pickens, and others have big plans.

3. Mars in Virgo this month is under major developmental tension by an opposition to Uranus on August 6, and then the square to Pluto on August 17. These are volatile, dangerous combinations, making the first three weeks of August unusually militant. Watch for an unusual round of accidents, fires, and explosions, plus conflict in the work environment.

4. The Lunar Eclipse on August 16 is aligned with Neptune in Aquarius, highlighting Neptune's ideals and hopes for a more egalitarian social structure. The coincidental influence of Mars square Pluto may indicate violent acts that affect the American public (since the U.S. Moon is also involved), perhaps requiring massive first aid missions (Ceres). 

5. Uranus squares the U.S. Mars on August 28, but is a major dynamic throughout August. Watch for some severe saber-rattling, with potential for increased military conflict wherever U.S. troops are deployed. The activated U.S. Mars in Gemini likely will bring a crisis to American transportation industries, especially airlines and automobiles.

Brangelina, The Composite Horoscope

Hollywood power couple Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie had their second and third child together on July 12, fraternal twins who were conceived by in vitro fertilization (it was revealed last week) and born via caesarian in Southern France. Although not officially married, the couple—dubbed Brangelina by the tabloids—is negotiating the price for the first baby pictures, now estimated at around $11 million. (Editor’s note: All the money will be given to charity.)

Brangelina's composite horoscope (made from the midpoints of their individual charts) features Uranus conjunct a Libra Ascendant, a telling signature for their unique, shared lifestyle. Uranus opposes Mercury in Aries, adding an element of independence, so that they each have their own careers. Venus, the ruler of their chart, is dignified in Libra, and given tremendous sex appeal by the exact trine to Mars in Aquarius.

Cancer at the Midheaven, with the Moon in the Fifth House of Children, describes their purpose together as family-oriented. However, with the Sun and Moon in empathetic Pisces, Mars in humanitarian Aquarius, and universal Uranus on the Ascendant, their idea of family includes the human family. The Sun is conjunct the South Node, perhaps reflecting their star status as they came together.

The North Node is conjunct Pluto in the Twelfth House, and indicates their intense need for privacy. Their first child together, Shiloh, was born while the couple was hidden away in Namibia, and as transiting Pluto was exactly squaring their composite Pluto. The fraternal twins were born as transiting Uranus—the natural ruler of technology—was conjunct their Sun. As volatile Uranus goes on to oppose their Pluto in 2009, the invasion of their privacy will likely become problematic.

*For more NewsScope articles on the economic crisis and details of t