June 16, 2003

The Venus Sector

Every year the Sun forms a conjunction with Saturn, usually marking an important few days in geopolitical developments. Leaders (Sun) take the initiative to stabilize and structure (Saturn) their environment. This year the Sun-Saturn conjunction is effective between June 22 to 24, and happens to take place right on the U.S. Venus.

In the U.S. horoscope Venus is found in the eighth house of death, corporate finances, and budgets, which are the specific areas affected by the current transits. Saturn, the tester, elevates solid Venus-related enterprises, while businesses with shaky or imprudent practices will feel the pain. The U.S. Venus is in Cancer, further defining this economic sector.

Venus in Cancer in the eighth house refers to home finances, and last week the giant mortgage corporation Fannie Mae was indicted for cooking its books, anticipating a shake-up in these kinds of financial institutions. Venus also refers to the giant beauty and cosmetics industries, a business that parallels the military armaments program (ruled by Mars) in terms of gross sales. Last week Avon raised its near and long term forecast, and gave many women renewed hope for profitable, independent careers.

Venus as the natural ruler of celebrities indicates a prime time for famous political and Hollywood icons to pass on. Last week with Uranus trine the U.S. Venus we witnessed the deaths of David Brinkley and Gregory Peck. With so many planets gathering in the same degree area*, we often get momentous, earth-shaking events, such as natural disasters, major accidents, and events that lead to historical changes in direction. Market reversals and other economic trend changes are to be expected.

Israel and the U.S.

Both the U.S. and Israeli horoscopes have Venus in early Cancer, a cosmic reflection representing the friendship between these two countries. As transiting Saturn heads into early Cancer, we can expect that the natural alliance between Israel and the U.S. will be thoroughly tested. Last week the Sharon government began a ruthless crackdown on Hamas, inspiring President Bush to issue a stern warning, and renewed diplomatic efforts.

Israel's horoscope (May 14, 1948; 4:37 pm; Tel Aviv) reflects the current round of determined effort to annihilate its enemies. With Scorpio Rising, and the ruling planet Pluto in the tenth house of government authority, Israel naturally seeks to assert its will across the geopolitical spectrum.
Israel's Pluto is now under major activation (by the progressed Moon, and transiting Jupiter, and Neptune), indicating that over the next two weeks Israel will do all in its power to decimate Hamas leadership.

At the helm of Israel's government, Ariel Sharon (February 27, 1928; 7:30 am; Yehud, Israel) could have shown restraint against last week's horrific suicide bombings. Transiting Saturn is now entering his fourth house, and over the next two years focusing his mind on long term domestic security as well as the highly controversial settlements in the occupied territory.

Saturn is pressing Sharon and Israel to deal with Hamas in practical terms, which may mean war-like conditions. One possible scenario is that the U.S. shows favoritism toward Israel during this process, angering the Palestinian and Arab leadership. This is precisely what happened the last time Saturn was in this degree area in October 1973, which led to the Yom Kippur War, the historic oil embargo, and a major global recession.

Gregory Peck's Superb Dignity

Gregory Peck died last week only a few days after the American Film Institute named his Atticus Finch character in "To Kill a Mockingbird" the greatest movie hero of all time. The 1963 role earned Peck his only Oscar for best actor, and inspired innumerable students to become idealistic lawyers. Peck was widely recognized for his moral strength and sincerity both on screen and in his personal life.

Gregory Peck was born a forthright Aries (April 5, 1916; 8:00 am; La Jolla, CA) with his Sun conjunct Jupiter to give him nobility and self-assurance. These two planets trine Mars in heroic Leo to give him a fighting spirit. Peck's Aries Sun also squares Saturn, an aspect which builds character and wisdom over the years, and is a sign of the self-made man.

The powerfully placed Mars and Aries placements in combination with the character testing quality of Saturn naturally led Peck to play some of history's most fascinating heroes. As a child he attended military school, and went on to portray soldiers and warriors, such as Captain Ahab, King David, General Douglas MacArthur, and Abraham Lincoln. With Peck's Saturn in Cancer near the U.S. Sun, the actor personified the kind of moral strength Americans look for in their leaders.

With Gemini Rising, Mercury is the ruler of this horoscope. Mercury squares Pluto, giving Peck a palpable mental intensity. His focus enabled him to fine tune his craft, and feel a passion for his work. As director John Huston said, Gregory Peck's performances always carried a "superb dignity," a quality not often found in today's heroes.


* including Mars-Uranus conjunction, Saturn trine Uranus, and the asteroid Juno standing direct in early Scorpio to complete a Water Grand Trine.