September 1, 2003

Iraq in Chaos

Iraq's most prominent Islamic leader was slain in a massive car bomb explosion last week along with at least 81 others. Iraqi police investigating Bakr Al-Hakim's death said the booby-trapped car was similar to the car bomb that exploded at the U.N. headquarters only one week earlier. They were following up on the likelihood that both explosions were the work of the toppled government.

The shocking attack arrived during a confluence of astrological portents, including the closest approach of the war-planet Mars to Earth. The Sun in Virgo was opposed to Mars on the day of the incident, and this combination aligned perfectly with Iraq's Virgo Ascendant (August 23, 1921; 6:00 am; Baghdad). Pluto turning direct on the same day describes the extremist element that now assumes dominance: Hakim was a moderate who secured the Iraqi population's temporary support of the U.S. occupation forces.

Earlier this month this column forecast a confrontation with Saddam, leading to his possible capture or death around this time. U.S. forces did indeed launch Operation Ivy Needle last week, sending thousands of soldiers into Saddam's homeland of Tikrit backed up by tanks and helicopters. The dragnet captured at least 24 Saddam loyalists, but the chief remained elusive.

Saddam's horoscope (April 28, 1937; rectified to 8:05 am; Tikrit) reflects his ongoing activities. The critical Sun-Mars aspect aligned with Saddam's Midheaven, and squared his natal Moon-Mars conjunction. Some commentators blame Shiite extremists for the blast, but the activation of Saddam's Mars suggests his behind-the-scenes complicity. Meanwhile, Iraq's Sun (signifying its leadership) is under continuous pressure by an opposition from Uranus, leaving the war-torn nation rudderless.

North Korea Poised to Test Nuclear Bomb

In a sudden reversal from tacit agreements made at the Beijing-sponsored talks, North Korea announced over the weekend that it saw no need to continue negotiations. The U.S. called on China, Japan, Russia, and South Korea to help it disarm North Korea's nuclear program, but North Korea now seems determined to join the exclusive nuclear club to counteract what it sees as U.S. aggression.

North Korea's horoscope (September 10, 1948; rectified to 8:50 pm; Pyongyang) reveals that isolated country's intentions. Although some observers believe North Korea is just posturing to get better leverage, transiting Pluto indicates otherwise. Ruthless Pluto just turned direct while forming a tight square to NK's Sun, and over the next several months will be nearing it's Moon-Jupiter conjunction.

As discussed in NewsScope April 29, 2003, this Pluto transit has instigated a deadly battle of wills over North Korea's nuclear ambitions. North Korea's announcement is a slap in China's face, and will undermine their long rapport. The NK Moon-Jupiter conjunction represents China's economic assistance, and as transiting Pluto hovers over these planets, China will be deeply challenged to get North Korea back to the negotiating table.

On November 8 transiting Uranus turns direct in late Aquarius. This turning point is almost exactly opposite the NK Saturn. Since Uranus remains in this degree area for several months, it marks a time frame of unexpected crises, major disruptions, and most disturbingly, when North Korea could test its first nuclear weapon. This explosive test may occur as early as September 27 when transiting Mars turns direct while exactly trine the NK Uranus.

Ben and Jen Set the Date

Despite their flopped film Gigli and his alleged encounter with a stripper, media darlings Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez have set their marriage date. Mercury just turned retrograde when the news came out, so it could be another hoax, but if they actually do get married on September 14, as reported by several tabloids, this marriage looks like an astrological disaster.

In a previous NewsScope column (see June 2, 2003), their affair was viewed through their composite horoscope which shows the underlying mutual attraction, but also the long-term uncertainty. However, it makes sense that they have set the date since transiting Pluto just turned direct while forming an exact trine to their composite Mars. This gives them the willpower to move forward.

One major problem with this affair is that Neptune has his illusionary imprint all over the place. During the weekend of September 13-14 transiting Neptune is exactly opposite their composite Venus, promising a glamorous, photogenic ceremony. In mid-October Neptune turns direct and the rose-colored glasses start to come off.

Ben Affleck's chart (August 15, 1972; 2:53 am; Berkeley, CA) shows an immediate hang-up. Transiting Mars is slowly coming to a full stop at zero degrees Pisces, which happens to be exactly opposite his Mars. This is a highly antagonistic vibration, and not a good time to marry. Likewise Mars also hits J. Lo's Sun at 1 degree Leo (July 24, 1970). If they're smart, they'll delay the wedding until they better understand the personal conflicts that this Mars vibration represents.