December 9, 2002
Airlines Drag Economy
A series of bleak economic news turned stock markets downward last week, ending an eight-week rise from the pits. Leading the way was United Airlines, the nation's second largest carrier, which is now preparing for bankruptcy. On Friday President Bush fired two key players from his economic team following disappointing unemployment figures.
Jupiter, the natural ruler of prosperity and optimism, turned retrograde last Monday, and coincided precisely with the economic and financial retreat. Jupiter's position is key since it is currently very near the U.S. Midheaven* where it forms a trine to Pluto transiting through the second house of the nation's financial well-being. Jupiter is now retrograde, and tends to hold back enthusiasm, but remains in a supportive trine to Pluto.
The airline industry will likely continue to weigh on the overall business outlook. Transiting Saturn is re-entering an opposition to the First Flight horoscope's Sun-Uranus conjunction (December 17, 1903; 10:35 am; Kitty Hawk, NC - see NewsScope August 20, 2002 for details). Saturn will complete its third and final challenge in the spring of 2003, forcing debt-heavy carriers to make major cuts or go out of business.
Then comes Pluto. The airline industry will collectively lose some $9 billion this year due largely to passengers' increased fear of flying. Transiting Pluto will soon oppose the First Flight Pluto (2003-2004), likely increasing the threat of terrorism. Pluto goes on to form a conjunction with the First Flight Sun-Uranus (2005-2006), perhaps undermining the entire system.
A Time for Holy Warriors
Over this coming week the love planets Venus and Mars are traveling together in the passionate sign of Scorpio. Unfortunately, their current amorous passage is challenged by a square to nebulous Neptune in Aquarius. Those with prominent natal planets in the 5 to 10 degree area of fixed signs (Taurus, Leo, Scorpio, and Aquarius) should expect a phase of romantic triangles, unfulfilled yearnings, and confusing love with lust.
This three-planet configuration will likely have an important geopolitical impact, especially regarding the current situation in Iraq. Saddam Hussein (April 28, 1937) has a Sun-Uranus conjunction in Taurus, and since his highest priority is military affairs, Mars becomes the planet to watch. As Mars opposes his Sun-Uranus beginning around December 12, we can expect some serious confrontation with his regime.
The Venus-Mars-Neptune alignment also hits George W. Bush's horoscope. Neptune has been in a long-term opposition to his Mercury-Pluto conjunction, undoubtedly fostering a covert campaign (Neptune) in intelligence operations (Mercury-Pluto). As the faster moving Venus and Mars enter the fray, he will be impelled to act, perhaps revealing available intelligence on Iraq's secret weapons programs.
The center of the planetary cyclone is when Mars squares Neptune on December 14-15. The respective leaders of Iraq and the U.S. have natal horoscopes tightly interlocking in the same degrees as this Mars-Neptune square. Mars also happens to be on the U.S. Scorpio Ascendant over this coming week, so Bush's "crusade" becomes the American thrust into the global arena. The danger is that Bush's goals could begin morphing into a clash between the Islamic and Christian civilizations.
Leonardo DiCaprio, Star of the Pluto in Libra Generation
This holiday season Leonardo DiCaprio is spotlighted on center stage. He stars in Steven Spielberg's Catch Me If You Can, a much anticipated film about a charming and confident con artist. DiCaprio's main competition during the week of Christmas is himself, since Martin Scorsese's colorful film The Gangs of New York also opens and also features Leonardo DiCaprio in the starring role.
Leonardo DiCaprio was born a passionate Scorpio (November 11, 1974; 2:47 am; Los Angeles) with Libra Rising to soften the underlying intensity of the Scorpio temperament. DiCaprio's Sun is conjunct Venus, giving him an abundance of charm, sex appeal, and easygoing friendliness. The Sun-Venus trines Saturn in the tenth house of career, a combination that brings fame and fortune through hard work.
DiCaprio is a powerful representative of the Pluto in Libra generation. With Pluto Rising in Libra he embodies the edgy, compelling drive for social equality and justice, and seethes under the polite surface of social niceties when these ideals are not met. We saw this dramatically played out in Titanic when he starred as the third class citizen wooing the upper class socialite played by Kate Winslet.
One of the great strengths of DiCaprio's chart is that Venus and Pluto are in mutual reception: Venus is in Pluto's sign, and Pluto is in Venus's sign. Venus and Pluto, generally uneasy in each other's company, help each other out in this horoscope. In life as in the movies, DiCaprio expresses a powerful romanticism while in the midst of the most phenomenal social upheavals.
* Advanced astrologers will note that Jupiter is two degrees from the U.S. Midheaven (16LE09), but precisely conjunct the midpoint formed by Mars and Saturn. Jupiter's station was at 18LE06 and the Mars/Saturn is 18LE03.
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