April 05, 2004

Jupiter and Saturn Spark Economy

Last Friday the government reported that the nation gained 308,000 jobs in March, far exceeding the most optimistic expectations. The increase was the strongest since April 2000, and brought life back to a sagging economy and a sluggish stock market. The report was also welcome news to the Bush team which had faced intense criticism for losing two million jobs since taking office.

Financial astrologer David Williams pioneered the analytical techniques to track major economic trends. His guidelines are based on the harmonious and discordant aspects made between the outer planets, and especially between Jupiter, Saturn, and Uranus. The most recent example of this can be seen in the dot-com bust in early 2000 as Jupiter and Saturn were conjunct as both squared Uranus.

Over the next five months Jupiter and Saturn are forming a tight sextile to each other, a favorable link that marks the return to a healthy economy. While 85 percent of a stock's price movement is contained within the overall market trends, big moves can be spotted in the stock's first trade chart. Case in point: the stock markets were buoyed by the joint announcement by Microsoft (MSFT) and Sun Microsystems (SUNW) that they were ending their decades long feud.

SUNW's first trade chart (March 4, 1986; 9:30 am; NYC) reflects the good news of a $1.6 billion settlement. Trend-maker Pluto is conjunct natal Uranus, the natural ruler of new technology. Also, the progressed* Moon is exactly trine Mars. By synthesizing knowledge of major trends with awareness of an individual stock's potential, the dedicated financial astrologer can make big money.

The Ghost of Richard Clarke

President Bush decided to allow national security adviser Condoleezza Rice to testify before the 9-11 commission, reversing an earlier insistence that she would only discuss the issues in private. Counter-terrorism expert Richard Clarke's declaration that the Bush administration ignored Al Qaeda threats before 9-11 will hang over the proceedings like a ghost.

Richard Clarke (October 30, 1950; 5:45 pm; Cambridge, MA**) made his captivating assertion just as transiting Mars arrived on his Gemini Ascendant. With his Sun (put into action by a square from progressed Mars) aligned with the U.S. Scorpio Ascendant, Clarke's book and his statements before the 9-11 commission focused the national attention and set the political agenda.

Clarke's most elevated planet is Jupiter in Aquarius, and he also has Aquarius on his Midheaven, his career point. Jupiter here is interested in the big picture, especially how networks and systems shape geopolitical developments. The sign on his desk reflects this interest, "Think globally, act globally". His natal Mars square Saturn is constantly attempting to control aggression, which as a job description means controlling terrorism.

Scorpio Condoleezza Rice (November 14, 1954; about 11:30 am; Birmingham, AL) also has a Mars-Saturn square, and is also highly vested in controlling aggression. Her Aquarius Ascendant and Mars in Aquarius make her a team player, and likewise attuned to the Big Picture. As Mercury, the communications planet, turns retrograde and opposes her own Mercury, reporters will be closely comparing what she says to what he said.

Norah Jones, Feels Like Home