The
world of astrology is currently buzzing with speculation about some unusual
astrological phenomena due to arrive during the month of November. On
Nov. 8 there will be a lunar eclipse that occurs as part of a six planet
configuration alternately dubbed the Star of David and the Harmonic
Concordance. The eclipse occurs in the sign Taurus
in the Twelfth House of the Gemini Rising U.S. chart and makes a strong
square aspect to the U.S. natal Moon in the Tenth House. Some astrologers
are conjecturing that the eclipse could bring dire events that include
possible assassination of the president. (Editor's note: John Whalen uses
a Gemini
rising U.S. chart.)
Jupiter-Saturn
and the U.S. Presidential Death Cycle
Modern astrology
has made many advances in the last 25 years, moving away from superstition
and "occultism" toward psychology and statistical science. Yet
some of the dark ideas of medieval astrology linger on. One of them is
the belief that every 20 years a United States president will die in office.
Ever since William Henry Harrison died of pneumonia a month after taking
office, presidents elected during the year of a Jupiter-Saturn
conjunction in Earth signs, have died in office, either by
assassination or natural causes. All, except Ronald Reagan, who was shot
but survived.
I have a
problem with this theory. First is the fact that Reagan survived. Did
the cycle suddenly end in 1980? Some astrologers say it was because the
Grand Conjunction occurred in an air sign that Reagan was not killed—not
a very convincing reason. If a Jupiter-Saturn conjunction has the power
to kill a president, what difference would it make what sign it happens
in? That's never explained.
Nevertheless,
many astrologers claim it may happen again with President George W. Bush.
Some point to November's aspects as possible indicators of the event.
To back up their belief, they point to the fact that Saturn is currently
straddling the Sun in both the chart of the U.S. and the president's chart.
Bush and the U.S. were both "born" with Cancer Suns just a degree
apart from each other. Saturn is the planet that brings problems. The
last time this conjunction occurred was in 1975 during the fall
of Saigon when the U.S. pulled out of Vietnam. Other troubling transits include Pluto's upcoming opposition to the U.S. Mars and the opposition
of Mars to Bush's natal Mars. Both these transits indicate potential violence.
You could go on and on with the transits, progressions and solar return
aspects indicating trouble for the president.
Is an assassination
attempt during this period really likely? In my opinion, no more likely
than at any other time. If prediction of events like assassinations were
that easy, every astrologer would have a hundred percent accuracy rating
and the whole world would believe in astrology. History shows us that
events like assassinations or disasters like the attack on the World Trade
Centers and Pentagon occur with no astrological neon signs announcing
their arrival. It would be nice if they did. There may be indicators,
but they are usually subtle and far from obvious, and very few astrologers
catch them. (Editor's note: The symbolism of Pluto
in Sagittarius opposite Saturn in Gemini was just too perfect.
Nobody said this pair would bring peace and love. At least three astrologers
predicted 9/11 or something very close to it: Jim
Shawvan, Robert
Zoller and Lynne
Palmer.) (Author's response: Sure everyone was concerned about
the Saturn-Pluto opposition, but I don't recall anyone predicting that
on Sept. 11, 2001 precisely a terror attack of that magnitude was going
to occur. If you look at the transits for that day the only major aspects
were a conjunction of Mercury to the U.S. Saturn and a conjunction of
Jupiter to the U.S. Sun. How ominous was that? Or am I missing something?
No big immediate indicators for that day or even month. Just the general
Saturn-Pluto tenor of the time.)
Rather than
fanning the flames of superstition and creating an atmosphere of fear,
it would be more helpful, I think, to interpret the coming astrological
configurations in a more realistic manner, because, if anything, that's
what these coming weeks and months are going to be all about.
The
Grand Illusion
In my article
The
Grand Illusion I wrote last January (2003) that
President Bush would find out in October and November of this year whether
his decision to rid the world of Saddam Hussein and his "weapons
of mass destruction" was a wise one. When the war began Bush had
Jupiter the planet of optimism and Neptune the planet of illusion contacting
the Mercury-Pluto conjunction in his chart, creating a “grand illusion"
regarding his use of power. Now the President's Sun is feeling the weight
of Saturn, the planet of reality and truth, and he is experiencing the
difficulties and setbacks associated with a Saturn contact. His rating
in public opinion polls now is the lowest it's been since the terrorist
attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. An election is coming next year, and his Democratic
opponents are using the setbacks in Iraq as ammunition for their campaigns.
Saturn's
visit to Bush's and the U.S.'s Sun will last through November, leave,
and then return again in June. So it will be around for a while. Saturn
is about facing up to the truth. It is the antidote to too much Neptune.
So the deeper meaning of this period is the dispelling of illusion and
facing reality, and coming clean whether you want to or not.
The
November 8 Lunar Eclipse
The
November 8 lunar eclipse occurs in the U.S. Twelfth House, the house naturally
ruled by Neptune, the planet of illusion. Eclipses bring shocking events,
a crisis that leads to revelations concerning matters that previously
had been obscured. This eclipse will serve to clear up the illusions and
deceptions that may have been perpetrated by some in government concerning
the war in Iraq. We're seeing the beginning of that process now, but it
will increase in the coming months.
The eclipse
squares the U.S. Moon in the Tenth House, indicating it will have an effect
on the president, since this house in a nation's chart represents its
leader. There could be an impact on the stock market, since the Moon rules
the U.S. Second House of money. But an even deeper meaning of the Second
House is the values a nation stands for. These values may suddenly become
the subject of an agonizing reappraisal. Many may ask where the U.S. is
heading and why?
The eclipse
occurs in the Tenth House of the president's chart. Again, this indicates
that the information coming to light as a result of the eclipse is bound
to have an effect on his status, his position in the world. The only significant
aspect it makes it to Venus in his First House, which indicates a possible
change in his image. Venus is co-ruler of his Tenth House, so there is
a third emphasis on his status and position in the world.
The meaning
is clear, the President will be forced to face the reality of his past
decisions. He may attempt to blame others in his administration for deceptions
and providing misleading information, and attempt to purge his cabinet.
But that tactic will fail. He needs to come clean and admit mistakes,
or face a humiliating defeat in the next election. At that time Bush will
be experiencing his second Saturn return, when the planet of responsibility
makes its second return to its place in the birth chart. One way or another
George W. Bush will be an older, but wiser man.
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