June 28, 2004

Al-Zarqawi, Plotting Mayhem and Chaos

Last Thursday's simultaneous attacks in five Iraqi cities left over 100 dead and revealed a surprising level of sophistication and coordination in the insurgency's network of terror. The leader of the anti-coalition forces is an Al Qaeda agent from Jordan named Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, who currently has a $10 million price on his head as the mastermind of terror and most wanted man in Iraq.

Al-Zarqawi was born with his Sun in relentless Scorpio (October 30, 1966; Zarqa, Jordan; time unknown). His Sun's conjunction with Venus gives him charisma and popularity among his people. The Scorpio Sun also squares Jupiter, adding a heightened sense of self importance and militant righteousness. The Sun in close aspect to the two benefics indicates his operations are likely well financed.

Over the past four months transiting Jupiter, the planet of opportunity, has been hovering around al-Zarqawi's Mars. Jupiter to action-oriented Mars has inspired a series of car bombings, beheadings, ambushes, and other terrorists acts aimed at undermining the U.S.-led coalition. At the moment, transiting Uranus is exactly trine his Sun, bringing him widespread recognition as the leader of the Sunni insurgency.

Al-Zarqawi has vowed to assassinate Iraq's interim Prime Minister Iyad Allawi, who takes over on June 30. As described recently (see NewsScope May 24, 2004), the transfer of power is likely to lead to a crisis of authority. Transiting Mars just entered Leo, and this week will be conjunct al-Zarqawi's Jupiter and square his Sun. This martial influence is an irrepressible call to action, and is sure to bring a wave of violence against the fledgling government.

Wal-Mart's Moon-Mars Dilemma

Last week Wal-Mart, the world's biggest retailer and largest private employer, became the defendant in the U.S.'s largest class action lawsuit against discrimination in the workplace. Wal-Mart's 1.6 million female employees contend that they have been underpaid and under-promoted, noting that 65 percent of the company's hourly wage earners are women, but only 33 percent of its managers are.

Wal-Mart was incorporated on October 31, 1969 (12:00 pm; Dover, DE), a date used to create the company horoscope. What makes this chart extraordinary are the extremely tight connections to the U.S. horoscope, reflecting how well CEO Sam Walton connected with the American consumer. Most notably, the Scorpio Sun is exactly conjunct the U.S. Scorpio Ascendant, and Mars in Capricorn is exactly conjunct the U.S.'s ruling planet Pluto.

With the Sun opposite ambitious Saturn, and Mars exalted in Capricorn (See Michael Moore below), Wal-Mart's leadership is in a constant struggle to gain competitive advantage. The steadfast effort has resulted in Wal-Mart most recently earning an astonishing $250 billion in annual revenues. The conflict between men and women within Wal-Mart can be seen in the opposition between Mars and the Moon in Cancer.

Last week when a federal judge decided to permit the class action lawsuit, transiting Mars was exactly opposite Wal-Mart's Mars, and aligned with its Moon. Over the next month transiting Saturn will be conjunct Wal-Mart's Moon, bringing important procedural developments. Then, in November Saturn turns retrograde while exactly opposite Wal-Mart's Mars, likely bringing harsh judgments against the boys and open the possibility of a $multi-billion out-of-court settlement.

Michael Moore's Point of View