February 3, 2003
Shuttle Columbia Breaks Up over Texas
The spaceship shuttle Columbia mysteriously exploded over Dallas, Texas at 8:00 am Saturday while making its descent to land in Florida. The incident has odd parallels with previous NASA disasters: the Challenger explosion on January 28, 1986, and the Apollo fire that took three astronauts lives on January 27, 1967.
The planetary configurations for this event (February 1, 2003; 8:00 am; Dallas) reflect the inherent danger of the moment. Fiery Mars is right on the Midheaven, and the New Moon in Aquarius is conjunct Neptune and opposite Jupiter. This combination indicates the sacrifice and cloud of uncertainty (Neptune) hanging over the tragedy, and the noted heroism (Jupiter in Leo) of the astronauts.
The First Flight (FF) horoscope (December 17, 1903; 10:35 am; Kitty Hawk, NC) describes the first adventure into space, and can be used to track all major developments related to aviation, including NASA programs. The prominent Mars from the Columbia incident is exactly conjunct the FF Moon, showing the very public display of the tragedy.
Then Pluto in the Columbia event chart is exactly opposite the FF Pluto, reflecting the deeper significance of the event. The International Space Station project is on hold until investigators discover the problem. Pluto will soon turn retrograde, but over the next few years transiting Pluto will be advancing toward a conjunction the FF Sun, indicating a complete transformation of the space exploration program.
Colin Powell Briefs the UN
Will President Bush work within the United Nations' framework, or order the attack on Saddam Hussein's regime on his own initiative? The sole member of his cabinet in favor of working with the U.N. is Colin Powell, who is given the task of converting the French and other reluctant allies. Powell is armed with satellite photos, and other key intelligence.
The United Nations (October 24, 1945; 4:50 pm; Washington DC) is currently the only global entity capable of restraining U.S. designs in Iraq. Born with a Mars-Saturn conjunction in turf-oriented Cancer, the U.N. has always struggled with the use of military force. Mars wants to aggressively defend while Saturn prefers to take the prudent, cautious approach. The combination often leads to paralysis when it comes to using military force.
Will France may be persuaded by Powell's intelligence? The U.N. Mercury in Scorpio represents the interest in accurate information. Mercury squares Pluto, further intensifying the need for detailed, precise evidence in order to persuade. On Tuesday when Powell appears before the U.N. body, the transiting Sun will be exactly square the U.N. Mercury, spotlighting the intelligence package.
The long-term, divisive debate over Iraq can be seen in Saturn's transit over the U.N. Moon in Gemini. The U.N. is sometimes characterized as a debating forum, and actually gets nothing done other than talk. We will see plenty of angry debate over the next two weeks as Mars and Saturn oppose each other while aligning with the U.N. Moon. Saturn remains around the U.N. Moon for the next six weeks, but watch for a significant turning point around February 22 when Saturn turns direct.
Athina Roussel Turns Eighteen
Athina Roussel, the granddaughter and sole heir of Greek shipping tycoon Aristotle Onassis, turned 18 last week, a newsworthy milestone since she inherits several billion dollars in becoming one of the richest women in the world. Among the assets she receives is Skorpios Island, where the former Jacqueline Kennedy and Aristotle married in 1968.
Athina Roussel was born a broad-minded Aquarian (January 29, 1985; 2:50 am; Neuilly-sur-Seine, France), and often displays the aloofness and detachment so characteristic of this sign, even while she is surrounded by all kinds of intrigue. The Sun squares Pluto in the 12th house of secrets shows that she has powerful enemies. She is always accompanied by two bodyguards to protect from kidnappers, but financial management of her estate has also been an issue.
The astrological body most closely aspecting her Ascendant is Pallas Athena, the asteroid named after the goddess of wisdom, and for whom she was named. Pallas is found in the 4th house of the family and is favorably trine to Saturn near the Scorpio Ascendant. This aspect does indeed confer wisdom as well as a keen intuition - all of which she'll need in order to keep her enemies at bay.
At the moment, transiting Saturn is in her 8th house of inheritance, bringing the full potential of her natal Saturn** into manifestation. However, transiting Saturn is also squaring her Venus, testing whether her love affair with a Brazilian equestrian will last. Athina's friends are against it, saying he is just after her money. Watch around the end of April for resolution of this affair.
* Neptune is also under major activation, further pointing toward a long-lasting mystery and possible terrorism. Secondary progressed (P2) Sun square Neptune, P2 ASC conjunct Neptune. Advanced astrologers may want to progress the FF for the dates of this and the previous two disasters, noting that all three feature Mercury-Mars interchanges, and hard aspects from outer planets to the FF Pluto.
** Saturn is conjunct the south node, indicating a karmic responsibility associated with inheritance (in Scorpio).
Online classes and personal readings are available. Visit http://neptunecafe.homestead.com/classes.html or http://neptunecafe.homestead.com/reading.html for more information.
Reader feedback is welcome. Email: [email protected].
