NewsScope for August 12, 2008

Russia Invades Georgia

In a tense assertion of its post-Cold War strength, Russia has launched a full-scale military assault in the former Soviet nation of Georgia. This event allows political astrologers to test their various horoscopes for Russia to see which of the many alternatives fits the current political and military confrontation. One naturally expects Mars to be involved—otherwise the chart wouldn't ring true.

The chart that does the job is set for when the Russian Parliament declared Russia's sovereignty on June 12, 1990 (1:45 pm BADT; Moscow). This horoscope features Mars well placed in Aries where it forms a very tight square with Uranus. Uranus is found in the Fourth House of Domestic Affairs, and as far as Russian power is concerned, the sudden uprising (Uranus) in Georgia is a domestic affair.

The explosive potential of this configuration is now being activated in several ways. The build-up began last week under the influence of transiting Mars and Uranus opposing each other, a cyclical dynamic that resonates with the natal Mars-Uranus square. As Western media reported thousands of civilian deaths in the break-away capital of South Ossetia, transiting Saturn was forming an exact hit to the natal Mars-Uranus square.

The progressed Russian horoscope confirms the current martial influences: Russia's progressed Sun is only 1/4 degree from exactly squaring natal Mars. Also, the progressed Ascendant is precisely opposite natal Mars (orb 0º03'). Currently, transiting Uranus squaring the Russian Sun points to its stunning indifference to world opinion. Using this Russian horoscope, armchair astrologers have an accurate lens to view the coming events and make their own predictions.

Edwards' Secret Affair

When John Edwards announced he was running for president on December 28, 2006, he and his wife knew that he had recently ended a secret affair with campaign worker Rielle Hunter. In an interview with ABC news last Friday, Edwards admitted that the affair—as reported by the tabloid The National Enquirer—did in fact happen despite his many previous denials.

John Edwards was born (June 10, 1953; 7:23 am*; Seneca, NY) with his Sun and Mars in the Twelfth House  of secrets. Many politicians have found success with a Twelfth House Sun (Jimmy Carter, George W. Bush, Tony Blair), since it allows one to sacrifice personal identity for the larger collective or constituency. However, without this conscious transference, the Twelfth House meaning of "self-undoing" becomes a more likely scenario.

Edwards' Sun is shaped by a difficult quincunx (150º) to Chiron in the Seventh House of Partners. This connection describes his wife's health problems, as well as her emotional pain when the affair was revealed. His Sun also connects to the Saturn-Neptune conjunction in Libra, a generational aspect which provides its own incentive for shifting allegiances between the practical and enduring relationship (Saturn) and the hope for something more interesting and romantic (Neptune).

Secret affairs and romantic triangles often materialize under Venus-Mars-Pluto combinations. Venus  and Mars are the love planets, while Pluto intensifies the sexual tension. Edwards' affair with Ms. Hunter began probably in early 2006 when his progressed Venus was conjunct Mars. This combination was activated by transiting Pluto's opposition to his Mars, also in 2006 and continuing into 2007, when a few reporters got wind of the messy liaison.

Brett Favre Returns as a Jet

NFL quarterback star Brett Favre came out of retirement last month to begin negotiating with the Green Bay Packers about his return. Having led the Packers in 2007 to a 13-3 regular season record, his fans were anxious to have him back. But Packer management and Favre couldn't come to an agreement, and so the leading NFL passer went to the New York Jets.

Brett Favre was born with a lucky Sun-Jupiter conjunction in Libra (October 10, 1969; Gulfport, MS), giving him leadership qualities built on his relationship skills. With his Moon, Mercury, and Uranus also in Libra, Favre is an exceptional example of the Libra personality, which includes the recent indecisiveness he has demonstrated about whether or not to retire, and which team to play for.

The Sun squares athletic Mars, which is said to be exalted in Capricorn. Mars here is an ambitious climber, and achieves success through endurance and a step-by-step climb to the top, as he has shown over the course of his record-setting 275 consecutive starts as an NFL quarterback. Transiting Mars and Pluto opposed each other while squaring his indecisive Mercury on March 4 when he announced his retirement.

In early July, as transiting Jupiter squared his natal Sun-Jupiter, Favre saw his opportunity to come back. He was traded to the Jets on August 7 as transiting Mars and Uranus opposed each other along the axis of his karmic Lunar Nodes.  Favre will play his first game as a Jet on September 8, as transiting Jupiter turns direct right on his Mars. This rare celestial alignment promises a tremendously exciting new start for the aging superstar.

*Edwards' birth time is uncertain, with 7:02 am a common alternative. Either way (7:02 am or 7:23 am), he has his Sun and Mars in the Twelfth House. See NewsScope, March 17, 2007 for more on Edwards and his Seventh House Chiron.

For more on Russia's horoscope, celebrity profiles and other geopolitical commentary from an astrological perspective, visit www.neptunecafe.com.

For more celebrity profiles and geopolitical commentary from an astrological perspective, visit www.neptunecafe.com.

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