February 25, 2002
Benazir Bhutto's Return to Pakistan
Following the announcement of American journalist Daniel Pearl's death last
week, Pakistan's General Musharraf vowed to liquidate terrorist organizations
from the country. Columnist Jim Hoagland and Pakistani opposition groups
blamed Pakistan's military government for the breakdown, and warned that the
kidnapping is "a sign of worse to come."
Pakistan's national horoscope (August 15, 1947; 12 am; Karachi) reflects that
the strong probability* that this warning is becoming a reality over the next
several months. Another factor shaping up is the likely return of self-exiled
leader Benazir Bhutto. This can be seen in Pakistan's horoscope by the
transiting Saturn-Pluto opposition, exact in May, and aligning perfectly with
the asteroid Juno, the Queen of the Goddesses.
Benazir Bhutto, Pakistan's former Prime Minister, was born on June 21, 1953
(7:59 pm; Karachi), and is nearly astrologically ready to jump back into
Pakistan's political affairs. She's undergoing two simultaneous Saturn
activations (progressed Ascendant trine Saturn, transiting Saturn approaching
her Sun), sparking her ambition to return to political power.
Saturn was also the timer for her downfall. She was ousted on corruption
charges on November 5, 1996 as transiting Saturn was heading into the
"obscure" zone of the horoscope (see Grant Lewi's classic "Astrology for the
Millions"), and squaring her Sun. Watch on or shortly after March 1, as
transiting Jupiter turns direct near her Mars, for self-promotional
statements and criticisms against the current government.
Saturn Sets Up Buffer Zones
As the violence escalated between Israeli and Palestinian factions last week,
Israel's Prime Minister Ariel Sharon proposed the establishment of "buffer
zones" that would offer some protection against suicide bombers. Also last
week Saudi Crown Prince Abdullah made a surprise proposal to recognize Israel
if it withdrew to its pre-1967 borders.
Borders and buffer zones are ruled by Saturn, which by nature sets limits and
boundaries. Over the next month transiting Saturn will be approaching
Israel's Mercury (exact on March 31), the ruler of policies and negotiations.
This time frame offers a window for serious discussion, and the possibility
of reaching some mutually agreeable set of borders and buffer zones.
Israel's national horoscope suggests tremendous outbreaks of violence over
the next several months, as transiting Uranus opposes Israel's Mars. Israel's
Mars, the planet of the military forces, is conjunct the first magnitude star
Regulus, giving it great fortune, pride, and power. Transiting Uranus is now
passing through Israel's fourth house of domestic territory, inciting acts of
terrorism and revolt whenever it makes close aspects to other planets in
Israel's chart.
The opposition to Mars is likely to usher in a wave of violence with no known
limits. This aspect begins to come into effect after transiting Saturn is
conjunct Israel's Mercury on March 31 by which time the 22-nation Arab League
could approve the Saudi proposal. At the same time, Sharon's desire to build
buffer zones to protect Israeli settlers in disputed territory will only
further enrage Palestinians.
Sarah Hughes brings home Gold
n a flawless, captivating performance that included seven triple jumps, U.S.
teenage figure skater Sarah Hughes staged a come-from-behind victory to
triumph over the favored Michelle Kwan and take the Gold medal. NBC's
coverage of the Olympic Games' banner event was also the best prime time
showing for a Thursday night since the last episode of Seinfeld in May 1998.
Sarah Hughes was born a steady Taurus (May 2, 1985; Manhasset, NY; time
unknown) with her Moon in graceful Libra. These two signs are both ruled by
Venus, which is placed in energetic, courageous Aries. Venus in Aries is the
adventurous woman, filled with self-confidence and enthusiasm. Venus is
enhanced by several aspects to other planets, including Neptune which adds a
mystical delicacy to her skating.
Sudden fame often arrives through a combination of Jupiter and Uranus.
Hughes' chart is set up for this since her Sun squares Jupiter and is
inconjunct (150 degree aspect) to Uranus. At the time of her performance,
transiting Pluto was exactly conjunct her Uranus, and she and the rest of the
world knew that she was in the midst of some transcendent experience, or what
athletes call being "in the zone."
Transiting Uranus was also squaring her Saturn, upsetting (in a good way) her
life structure. Her gold medal will likely bring in $3 to $5 million in
endorsements, as corporate sponsors vie for her attention. True to form with
her Venus in Aries, Hughes said, "I started competing because I love to
compete. I don't have any plans right now to stop."
Reader feedback is welcome. Email: [email protected].
* The primary indicator for this is that Pakistan's progressed Mars is very
near a conjunction with the fourth house cusp, the foundation of the
horoscope and representing the domestic situation. The most dangerous time is
when the progressed Moon arrives at the same zodiacal address in early
October when national elections will be held.
Note that if the 7:59 pm time is correct Bhutto's progressed New Moon takes
place on July 17, 2002, marking an important new beginning. Unfortunately,
I've lost the source notes for this 7:59 pm time, but I believe it was in the
Astrological Journal, a vedic astrology magazine based in India.
