July 5, 2004

The Transfer of Sovereignty, The New Iraq

The note passed to President Bush while he was at the NATO summit indicated that sovereignty was officially passed to the interim Iraqi government at 10:26 am, two days ahead of schedule. While the new government's primary tasks included establishing its own legitimacy, turning on the electricity, creating a climate of domestic security, and most significantly, trying Saddam Hussein for crimes against humanity.

The new Iraq's horoscope (June 28, 2004; 10:26 am; Baghdad*) reflects strong ties to the United States, as seen by the close planetary connections to the U.S. Scorpio Rising horoscope (July 4, 1776; 2:21 pm; Philadelphia). The Iraqi Sun in Cancer is conjunct the U.S. Jupiter, showing how U.S. wealth (Jupiter) supports the new Iraqi leadership (Sun). Some $15 billion in ongoing construction projects pays the way for close partnership and economic development.

Then, the New Iraq's Moon in Scorpio is precisely conjunct the U.S. Scorpio Ascendant. The Moon, symbolizing the people's security needs, remains strongly dependent on the U.S., and especially on the 140,000 troops. This tie is restated by Pluto in the fourth house opposite the U.S. Mars, although this difficult, dynamic connection shows the intense domestic animosity to the continued U.S. military presence.

Iraq's Ceres plays a key role in this chart, and is found in the 12th house of hidden affairs. Ceres represents the nurturing, protective, care-taking function, and happens to be exactly conjunct the U.S. Midheaven in Leo (16Leo09). Ceres in Leo (16LEO11) represents the hidden imperial force that protects the established interim government from behind the scenes.

Hillary Clinton for Vice President?

As the Democratic National Convention draws near, interest is mounting over who John Kerry will pick for his Vice President. Recently, John McCain made a joint appearance with Bush at a GOP fund-raiser, so he's obviously out of the picture. While Washington insiders favor John Edwards or Richard Gephardt, buzz is escalating around Hillary Clinton, who has repeatedly declined the offer.

However, Hillary Clinton's horoscope (October 26, 1947; 8:00 am; Chicago) indicates she is indeed among the top contenders for the job. On Tuesday the Sun and Saturn are conjunct, a combination indicating important developments around the formation of leadership. This would be a likely time for Kerry to make or announce his decision, and the Sun-Saturn pairing happens to be favorably trine Ms. Clinton's Venus.

Juno, the partnership asteroid, is also highly relevant here. Juno is under a once-in-a-lifetime activation**, pointing to total identification with her mate. While she and Bill may be getting along fine now, their relationship, and the publication of Bill's 957-page book, doesn't reflect the momentous import of this Juno astro-event. Juno may also represent her as John Kerry's political partner.

The U.S. national horoscope favors a woman on the ticket since Venus is being favorably awakened by a trine from transiting Uranus. The U.S. Venus is also trine to Hillary's Scorpio Sun, creating a neat web of connections (a Grand Trine) that places Hillary Clinton in the national spotlight. Whether Hillary emerges as a huge supporter of Kerry, or being on the ticket herself, we should find out this week.

Marlon Brando, The Artistic Rebel