September 24, 2001
Mars Over Afghanistan
In what was widely regarded as the best speech in his life, President Bush
addressed Congress and the nation last Thursday to clarify the war on
terrorism. He delivered an ultimatum not heard from an American President
since FDR's speech following the attack on Pearl Harbor, saying "Every nation
in every region now has a decision to make: either you are with us or you are
with the terrorists."
Bush's natal horoscope defines astrologically both the immediacy and
long-term breadth of the campaign against terrorism, with his Mars playing
the leading role. While Bush's progressed chart shows powerful activation of
his Mars (progressed Mars square Sun; progressed Sun conjunct Mars) over the
next three years, the projection of his Mars on a map of the world shows
exactly where the action will take place.
Using the technique of AstroCartoGraphy, the astrologer sees that Bush's Mars
line, not surprisingly, runs right through the heart of Afghanistan. At the
moment an armada of military forces are gathering around the perimeter of
Pakistan ready to pulverize the Taliban and Osama Bin Laden's cave, if they
can find it. Bush's Mars line extends through Pakistan where a pro-Taliban
majority threatens to seize the government (and its nuclear arsenal) away
from the pro-American leader, General Musharraf.
Bush's Mercury happens to occupy the same degree as his Mars, though in a
different sign. Therefore when his Mars is activated, his Mercury is also
activated. The mission to Afghanistan is only the beginning, and the Mercury
line shows where else the fight against terrorist cells can be expected:
Bush's Mercury line runs through Jerusalem and Lebanon's notorious Bekaa
Valley, the alleged training site for Hezbollah.
The Rise of Islam
Mass rallies were conducted across Pakistan last week to protest against the
possible American attack on neighboring Afghanistan where Osama Bin Laden is
a protected guest. Likewise in Kashmir, Bangladesh, Indonesia, and several
other Islamic nations protestors gathered by the thousands to chant their
unity with Afghanistan, while burning and trampling the American flag.
Muhammad's flight from Medina to Mecca in 622 AD is the traditional birth of
Islam and can be used to create a relevant horoscope for current events.
According to astrologer Mark Lerner's research, the chart is set for sunset
on July 16 (6:45 pm; Medina, Saudi Arabia), and features the Sun in the
family-values sign of Cancer in a high-powered square to willful Pluto. This
aspect is reflected in the literal meaning of Islam, which is "submission to
God".
Major transits to this chart closely correspond to Islam's most spectacular
cultural developments. The birth of Israel displaced hundreds of thousands of
Palestinians, most of them Muslim, and the major conflicts between
Palestinians and Israelis can be monitored using this horoscope. For example,
the Intifadeh (the Palestinian Uprising) began on December 9, 1987 as Mars
and Pluto were conjunct on Islam's Midheaven.
Terrorism can be tracked using the usual suspects: Mars, Uranus, and Pluto.
Mars and Pluto form a sharp angle in Islam's chart, a planetary pair known
for inciting violence and terror. At the moment these two are currently being
activated by transiting Uranus. Uranus remains in this highly volatile degree
zone for the next four months, and reaches a climactic turning point around
October 30.
Pat Robertson, and the Struggle against Evil
Televangelists Pat Robertson and Jerry Falwell, two of the most prominent
voices from the Christian Right, agreed that Americans probably got what they
deserved on September 11 because God has lifted his veil of protection. The
two sounded oddly similar to Islamic extremists when they blamed civil
liberties groups, pagans, feminists, homosexuals, and abortion rights
supporters for making God angry.
Pat Robertson was born an outspoken Aries (March 22, 1930; Lexington, VA;
time unknown) with his Moon and Saturn in patriarchal Capricorn. Robertson's
chart features two oppositions, and these aspects tend to work out personal
conflicts by projecting unacceptable, subconscious tendencies onto others.
Others in turn find an equally acceptable hook in Robertson to project their
own subconscious need to experience the unwavering morality he personifies.
Astrology as a holistic map of the psyche shows how everything is connected
to everything else. Robertson's natal Saturn-Pluto opposition resonates with
the current Saturn-Pluto opposition, and so he is helping define the great
battle of Good versus Evil. We can expect plenty of moral guidance from him
over the coming year or two since the U.S. progressed Midheaven is entering
Aries and conjoining his Sun.
The fundamental Judeo-Christian-Islamic worldview as derived from the
apocalyptic literature of the Middle East fully expects a final, ultimate
solution, and soon. Astrologers who practice holistic psychotherapy know that
the true battle isn't between Us and Them, but in moving toward the
recognition of the Self in the Other.
Reader feedback is welcome. Email: [email protected].
