May 29, 2000
Jupiter-Saturn Cycle Establishes Corporate Power
Last Wednesday (May 24) two historic milestones were reached in the nation's
capitol: the China trade agreement was passed by Congress, and the Democrats
and Republicans raised a record $40 million in rival galas for campaign cash.
While the corporate value of the China deal is unknown (but certainly huge),
corporate executives and lobbyists paid up to $500,000 to sit next to
congressional leaders who are considering legislation affecting their
businesses.
Though technically unrelated, these events have equivalent astrological
indicators. Both demonstrate the dominant power of corporate America in
shaping the political landscape, and took place during the epochal
Jupiter-Saturn conjunction in Taurus. Astrologers associate the
Jupiter-Saturn cycle with the setting of political, economic and cultural
trends. Since this conjunction took place in the money sign of Taurus, we
have a renewed cycle of Big Money in Washington.
The exact date of the Jupiter-Saturn conjunction was May 28, but the days, or
even weeks leading up to this astrological event describe a relevant range
when the essential meaning of the process unfolds. For pinpointing the
precise day within this range (or orb) when key events take place, look for
the faster moving planets to act as "triggers."
Why did these two historic events happen on May 24? The political asteroid
Pallas Athene was the critical timer. For an event to have any historical
import, something must activate the fateful Midheaven. Pallas, which governs
political strategy, was right on the U.S. Midheaven.
Israel's Vietnam
Fulfilling an election campaign promise, Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak
ordered a full withdrawal from occupied southern Lebanon last week, leaving a
vacuum quickly filled by Hezbollah forces. U.S. observers compared the
chaotic evacuation to the 1975 withdrawal of American troops from Vietnam,
with the same wounded national pride.
Astrologically, the parallels between Israel's occupation of Lebanon and the
U.S. occupation of Vietnam are especially stark when comparing the invasion
and withdrawal dates. The last American soldiers were airlifted from Saigon
on April 30, 1975 as Saturn was transiting across the U.S. Sun. At the
moment, Saturn is now passing over Israel's Sun and in both cases the
departure has led to much national soul-searching.
When Saturn forms a conjunction with a nation's Sun, the time arrives to take
a hard look at errant policies and cut the losses. The Sun, symbol for the
nation's pride and honor, takes a hit, but corrections are made, and lessons
learned. Israel (May 14, 1948; 4:37 pm; Tel Aviv) and the U.S. share
democratic ideals, but since both have Scorpio Rising, each is also a
God-fearing warrior nation, defending itself against evil enemies. (See
Charlton Heston's chart from last week's NewsScope for a human face with
Scorpio Rising).
Israel first invaded Lebanon on June 6, 1982 when opportunistic and
self-righteous Jupiter was exactly on its Scorpio Ascendant. The U.S. got
involved in Vietnam under JFK's watch when foggy-brained Neptune was on the
U.S. Scorpio Ascendant. In both cases the national insistence that "God is on
our side" was inspired by the two religious planets Jupiter and Neptune, but
was eventually cut back by realistic Saturn.
Dana Carvey's Botched Surgery
Funnyman Dana Carvey agreed to an out-of-court settlement last week to end a
$7.5 million lawsuit against the doctor who botched his heart surgery three
years ago. Although terms of the settlement weren't revealed, Carvey said the
money is earmarked for charities with most going to cardiac research.
Dana Carvey was born a bright and bold Aries (April 2, 1955;* Missoula, MT;
time unknown) during an era when every outer planet was involved in a tight
configuration. Carvey's Mercury and Mars link his personal style with the
larger influences of that time (represented by the outer planets), making him
a spokesperson or channel for the collective archetypal images of a
generation.
Carvey's wacky impersonations and caricatures can be attributed to his clever
Mercury in the chameleon sign of Pisces, which draws drama, cunning, and
importance by aspecting virtually every planet in his horoscope. Then, his
underlying anti-establishment humor can be seen in his Mars placement. Mars
gains in importance by being the ruler of his Sun sign, as well as through
its network of close aspects, most notably the opposition to the
control-freak Saturn in Scorpio (remember the Church Lady?).
Astrologers have been known to recommend best dates for surgery, and one
favorite avoidance pattern is when Neptune is prominently placed. Neptune's
inherent nebulousness and uncertainty can lead to serious mistakes. At the
time of Carvey's surgery on September 25, 1997 transiting Neptune was exactly
squaring his natal Neptune.
* Respected celebrity databases give conflicting birth dates, with June 2,
1955 the most common alternative. I went with the April 2, 1955 when
comparing the secondary progressions of each chart to the surgery date. The
relevant indicators here are P2 Sun conjunct Mars, P2 Venus trine Pluto, and
transit Saturn in Aries near Carvey's Sun at the time of surgery.
Reader feedback is welcome. Email: [email protected].
WolfStar Archives
