April 2, 2001
Bush Unrolls Environmental Reforms
President Bush's decision to pull out of the 1997 Kyoto Protocol, the
international agreement to reduce greenhouse gases, received condemnation
from around the world last week. Criticisms ranged from French President
Chirac's mild "disturbing and unacceptable" to editorial comments
complaining about arrogance and isolationism, to the World Council of
Churches' "betrayal of their responsibilities as global citizens."
Astrologically, the drama of Bush's action can best be followed by taking a
look at the conditions in his first and seventh houses. The first house
refers to the Self while the seventh house represents Others, specifically
partners as well as open enemies. These terms are underscored since his
Mercury-Pluto conjunction in the first house opposes Ceres in the seventh
house, so that the planets represent his own interests juxtaposed to his
partners' and/or enemies'.
Mercury-Pluto energy is intensely single-minded in its focus and purpose.
Bush's Libra planets tend to disguise this laser-like quality under a façade
of gentility and diplomacy, but the recent rollbacks in arsenic regulations,
the expressed desire to open national monuments to oil and gas exploration,
and the deregulation of coal emissions has left no doubt about Bush's
anti-environmental stance.
Ceres in his natal seventh house was initially played out in last year's
campaign as "compassionate conservatism," but now that he's in office, Ceres
most clearly represents his open enemies personified as environmentalists.
Transiting Neptune has recently entered Bush's seventh house, and Neptune
here represents his partners in the oil and gas business. Over the past two
weeks transiting Ceres has been opposing Bush's twelfth house Sun, putting a
spotlight on his hidden agenda.
Full Moon Brings out the Power Players
The next Full Moon occurs during a deluge of powerful planetary alignments,
and helps define astrologically who will be the key players in the week's
most dramatic political events. The Full Moon will take place on Saturday
April 7 at 11:22 pm EDT and highlights individuals with prominent natal
placements in the 18 degree area of Aries and Libra.
Naturally, John McCain is at the center of these developments since his
Ascendant is 18 degrees Libra. His long battle to initiate campaign finance
reform has passed the Senate, but must now go to the House. Representative
Tom Delay (April 8, 1947) has vowed to do anything to stop this bill, and not
surprisingly his Sun is found at 18 degrees Aries, exactly opposite McCain's
Ascendant.
U.N. General-Secretary Kofi Annan (April 8, 1937) is increasing the frenzied
pace of his work-day as the violence between the Israelis and Palestinians
escalates. He is also playing a hands-on approach to the Afghan refugee
crisis, the civil war in Sierra Leone, human rights activities, and he just
announced his intention to run for re-election for the top UN spot.
The Dalai Lama (July 6, 1935; 4:38 am; Tengsten Village) was raising eyebrows
in mainland China last week as he began a ten-day trip to arch-rival Taiwan.
Political and religious passions were inflamed as Free Tibet and Free Taiwan
protestors competed with those who seek reunification with China. The Dalai
Lama's Mars is located at 18 degrees Libra and opposes Juno at 17 degrees
Aries.
Catherine Zeta-Jones Wows Hollywood
Among the most glamorous and beautiful people attending the recent 73rd
annual Academy Awards, perhaps Catherine Zeta-Jones best captured the fashion
world's attention with her ravishing, black satin off-shoulder Versace.
Zeta-Jones on the arm of husband Michael Douglas sparkled in natural, serene
elegance, in sharp contrast to the flamboyant, garish styles of the more edgy
trend-setters.
Catherine Zeta-Jones was born a poised Libra (September 25, 1969; 2:40 pm;
Swansea, Wales) with adventurous Sagittarius Rising along with hot-blooded
Mars. Small wonder that she first caught the attention of movie-goers with
the 1998 swashbuckling tale of The Mask of Zorro. The Sun is conjunct Uranus,
giving an electrifying presence, and also inspiring her to contribute her
time and celebrity status to charitable causes.
Mars is strongly placed in this horoscope. Mars squares her Sun-Uranus
conjunction, a risk-taking temperament that fits perfectly with the most
dangerous roles Hollywood could assign. Since her Mars is favorably enhanced
by lovely Venus and graceful Juno, the roles would also be romantic, and
Entrapment with Sean Connery perfectly fits the bill as a romantic thriller.
Much of Zeta-Jones' sex appeal can be attributed to the lucky trine between
her Venus and Mars in the sensuous earth signs Virgo and Capricorn. In
addition, the Moon in misty Pisces is given an otherworldly, goddess
impression by a close trine to cinematic Neptune in sexy Scorpio, and
unfathomable depth and charisma by the opposition to mysterious Pluto.
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