Power in Transition

In spite of the 20-year curse of the Presidential Death cycle, and the
ominous shape of planetary alignments, George W. Bush assumed the Presidency
on schedule and with no significant problems. The Presidents of the Congo and
the Philippines weren't so lucky, with one assassinated and the other
resigning in face of massive demonstrations.

The pervasive political climate now is shaped by transiting Mars in Scorpio,
a passage typically intensifying all geopolitical players with the strength
and purpose of the warrior. Over the coming week Mars will square Uranus,
becoming exact on Saturday (January 27) at 6:09 am EST. Under this influence
we can expect an entire week of dynamic crises, unexpected developments, and
radical power plays as precipitated by events in the Philippines and the
Congo.

Leading the list in Washington are the ongoing hearings over John Ashcroft's
and Gale Norton's cabinet appointments. Ashcroft (b. May 9, 1942) has
garnered the most publicity since the Mars-Uranus square lines up with his
Taurus Sun. Then, Senator John McCain plans on introducing a Campaign Finance
Reform bill, and has a full-scale battle plan to override entrenched
political opposition.

After Mars falls under the influence of Uranus it goes on to oppose the two
largest planets in our solar system, Jupiter and Saturn. The polarization
seems to be unsettling the tectonic plates: last week's earthquake in El
Salvador, and the recent volcano eruptions in Mexico and Indonesia show a
geological shifting is underway. The New Moon on Wednesday (plus or minus a
day) is when the next earthquake or volcano will most likely strike.

Blackouts Trip Economic Growth

Last week's rolling blackouts and ongoing stage 3 alert cost Californians an
estimated $1.7 billion in lost wages, sales, and productivity, and threatened
to slow down an already weakened national economy. As discussed two weeks ago
in NewsScope, the timing of this power crisis can be attributed to the
current celestial tension between Mars, Uranus, and Saturn and their
collective pressure on the U.S. Moon.

For another astrological angle, have a look at the historical first when
Thomas Edison turned on the Pearl Street power station to generate electric
light for the city of Manhattan. The horoscope is set for 3:00 pm, September
4, 1882* and represents the foundational moment for the utility companies
that supply the nation's electrical needs, and which in turn feeds the
technology revolution.

This chart features a Grand Trine in the practical earth signs. The
Sun-Uranus conjunction in Virgo represents the inventor and his project.
Then, the trine to Neptune in Taurus can be seen as the relationship between
Edison and his financial backers, J.P Morgan and Cornelius Vanderbilt, two of
the richest men in America. Their business partnership, the Edison Electric
Light Company, is symbolized by Juno in Capricorn, and completes the Grand
Trine.

The Moon in this chart symbolizes the people as consumers, and is located in
Gemini. Transiting Pluto is within range of opposing this Moon now, and
Saturn will be conjunct the Moon this summer and for the following year.
California is busy building new energy planets, but they won't come online
for another two years, an interval that parallels the Saturn-Pluto opposition
hitting the Pearl Street Moon.

Jenna and Barbara Bush, Twin Celebrities

Following the precedent set for Chelsea Clinton, the new First Family plans
on keeping their twin daughters, Jenna and Barbara, out of the spotlight.
Named for their grandmothers, Jenna and Barbara are two talented and
attractive young women, and may some day carry on the Bush political dynasty.

The twins were born prematurely a few days after the Sun entered adventurous
Sagittarius (November 25, 1981; Dallas, TX; time unknown). Their innate sense
of graciousness and people skills can be seen in the Sun's conjunction with
Juno, the asteroid known for her social skills and devotion to partnership.
Staying out of the limelight may not be easy for these two since their Suns
are also conjunct electrifying, independent Uranus.

Adding to their personal magnetism and popular appeal is Venus trine Mars, a
sensual aspect bestowing easy, flowing relations with the opposite sex.
However, Venus as the Love Goddess is tempered by being in the cautious,
proper sign of Capricorn, a position underscored by the close square to
protective Saturn. Venus here establishes the twins as guarded images of
loveliness, to be admired from a distance.

The independent spirit of the Sun-Uranus combination is in natural conflict
with the controlled environment depicted by the Venus-Saturn square. Jenna
and Barbara have managed this challenge by establishing their individual
personalities while conforming to the family's high expectations. As their
progressed Sun is now approaching their Neptune, we can anticipate that their
charming mystique will develop into twin icons of glamour and beauty.

* see www.jhalpin.com/metuchen/tae/ehlai17.htm for an online narrative of
this event. Reader feedback is welcome. Email: [email protected].