December 10, 2001
War on Terrorism Shifts to the Middle East
As the military endgame in Afghanistan played itself out in the Taliban's
last stronghold last week, the war on terrorism shifted to the Middle East
following a wave of suicide bombings in Israel. From an astrological
perspective several major indicators point to an escalating crisis atmosphere
in the Middle East with tremendous explosive potential.
Israel's national horoscope (May 14, 1948; 4:37 pm; Tel Aviv) reflects the
tangible atmospheric hostility that frequently erupts in war, terrorist acts,
and internal squabbles. The main configuration showing this chronic situation
is the Taurus Sun opposite Chiron, with both of them squaring Mars and Saturn
in the commanding tenth house.
The Sun opposite Chiron gives a sense of national woundedness, and according
to the symbolism of Chiron, a pervasive feeling of being an outsider, alone
in the world and against unbearable injustices. This polarity is further
challenged by violent or militant Mars, which adds the war and terrorist
elements to the national drama. At the time of the first suicide bombing on
December 1, transiting Mars and Uranus had entered this T-Square
configuration, with Uranus exactly squaring natal Chiron.
Over the next two months Israel's chart comes under growing pressure to
resolve the terrorist situation by using military force. Transiting Uranus
goes on to square Israel's Sun by January 24, and on January 28 Israel's
progressed Mars squares natal Uranus. This represents a background vibration
of extreme violence, to be activated by the faster moving planets anytime
between now and the end of January.
Sharon Ready for the Final Solution
In reprisal for the Hamas suicide bombings in Jerusalem last week, Israeli
helicopters fired rockets into the building next to Arafat's headquarters
while he was there, putting immediate threats to his physical security.
Explaining the air strikes on national television, Israel's Prime Minister
Ariel Sharon declared war on terrorism, and emphasized that "Arafat is
responsible for everything that is happening here."
Ariel Sharon is in a fighting mood since he is a Pisces (February 27, 1928;
7:30 am; Yehud, Israel) and Mars entered Pisces last weekend. The natural
conflict between Sharon and Yassir Arafat (August 27, 1929; 2:00 am*; Cairo)
is highlighted by their Suns opposite each other. As Mars is conjunct
Sharon's Sun, it's opposing Arafat's Sun, exposing him to attack from enemies.
Both men have their Moon in stubborn Taurus, and both have their Saturn in
morally righteous Sagittarius. From a psychotherapeutic perspective, they're
perfect mirrors for each other. In this case much of western civilization has
a psychic, emotional investment in Israeli democracy and cultural values,
while Islamic peoples across the Middle East empathize with the economic and
national oppression afflicting the Palestinians.
For political reasons Sharon has refrained from getting rid of Arafat as a
solution to the terrorism problem. All that may be changing now due to a
powerful, double whammy activation of Sharon's Mars** over the next month.
With the simultaneous red alert message coming from Israel's national chart,
we can be sure that the desperate Israeli-Palestinian conflict is rapidly
approaching a major turning point. And it doesn't look good.
Dave Matthews, The Synergy of World Music
The Dave Matthews Band picked up top honors at last week's 2001 My VH1
Awards, taking awards for Best Album of the year, Best Group, and Best Song
of the Year. The jazz group was also the top grossing tour group last year,
becoming the most popular road act accompanied by relentlessly enthusiastic
traveling fans since the Grateful Dead.
Dave Matthews was born a constructive Capricorn (January 9, 1967;
Johannesburg, South Africa; time unknown), and built his jazz ensemble ten
years ago to record a few of his songs. Born during the shape-shifting, outer
planet opposition between Saturn-Chiron and Uranus-Pluto, Matthews has
managed to make productive use of this difficult generational configuration
since his Sun forms harmonious aspects to both sides from its Capricorn
position.
The synergistic combination of talents first came together on May 11, 1991
when the DMB played for a private gig. At the time, transiting Neptune was
conjunct his Sun, allowing for a merging of musical vibrations beyond
individual egos. Transiting Uranus was also in Capricorn and conjunct his
Mercury, creating a captivating spontaneity and musical wizardry that spawned
an enduring cult following.
The DMB released its first album on November 9, 1993 - a live recording from
the Muse Music Club in Nantucket Island. Uranus and Neptune were just forming
their conjunction in Capricorn, another historic outer planet alignment that
happened to be right on his Sun. Matthews has excelled at bridging
differences, blending egos, and expressing diverse, eclectic world music,
reflecting how opposites can be reconciled. From his unique perspective,
beautiful music is built on opposing points of view.
Reader feedback is welcome. Email: [email protected].
* Arafat's birth time is rated DD for dirt data. However, if it is correct,
then his progressed Mars is now opposite his Moon and transiting Uranus is
squaring his Moon, reflecting the heightened tension present in both Sharon's
and Israel's horoscopes.
** Sharon's progressed Moon is conjunct his Mars on January 10, and his
progressed Mercury is trine Mars on January 20.
