Weekly Political and Entertainment NewsScope

by WolfStar

Don't see the information you searched for? Please visit the WolfStar Archives.

March 28, 2005

Syria's Discontinuous Events

The Bush Administration met with Syrian opposition leaders last week to discuss options in case the current Syrian government suddenly collapses. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice explained that the abrupt withdrawal of Syrian troops from neighboring Lebanon could lead to what she called "discontinuous events" in Syria. Recent reports of a coup d'etat in Syria appear to be unfounded.

The President of Syria is Bashar Assad (September 11, 1965; Damascus; time unknown), the son of Hafez al-Assad and the founder of the current government. Bashar Assad came to power* when his father died on June 10, 2000 as transiting Pluto squared his natal Saturn. At the moment, Assad is experiencing a round of national popularity, which can be attributed to his progressed Sun conjunct his Venus.

However, trouble looms for the heir to Syrian power. His progressed Mars is forming a square to Saturn (waxing over the next two years), an astrological development that tends to get activated well before it's exact. Then, using the technique of relocation astrology, the U.S. horoscope in Damascus features Uranus right on the IC, the fourth house cusp. This connection defines American interests in Syria.

Uranus is the planetary equivalent of Rice's "discontinuous events". At the moment, transiting Uranus is nearly square to the U.S. Uranus, an aspect which will be exact on April 5. The most stressful condition in Assad's personal horoscope is transiting Neptune squaring his natal Mars-Neptune, which can coincide with a coup-d'etat or other covert operation. If he survives this phase, Uranus still has two more passes before it completes its action in January 2006.

Wild Oats and the Billionaire

While the stock markets fell precipitously over the last three weeks, Wild Oats (OATS) bucked the trend by nearly doubling in price since its recent low on February 24. Wild Oats is a shaky, distant number two in the natural foods business behind Whole Foods Market (WFMI), but last week billionaire investor Ronald Burkle revealed that he's been discreetly buying up OATS on the open market.

The first trade chart for OATS (October 23, 1996; 9:30 am; NYC) features the Sun and Ascendant in Scorpio, which in the business world is the sign naturally associated with capital and corporate finances. Wild Oats is a motley collection of health food stores, and it grows by buying out independent owners and small chains, and then applying the corporate model to the new stores.

In the natal chart, the Sun squares Uranus, emphasizing the stock's sporadic price fluctuations, and management's unusual corporate strategy. Pluto, the natural ruler of billionaires, is rising, and very close to the Ascendant. On February 25, the progressed Ascendant was exactly (to-the-minute) conjunct Pluto, and this is when Ronald Burkle began accumulating OATS shares.

The asteroid Ceres is known as the Goddess of the Grains, and resonates strongly with organic foods -- and Wild Oats in particular. Last Wednesday when transiting Ceres turned retrograde right on the OATS Ascendant, Burkle disclosed (as required by law) that he had accumulated 9.2 percent of OATS stock. Investors who track individual stocks using astrology can profit** by recognizing breakout patterns, and the concurrent planetary signature of a billionaire in action.

Carrie Underwood, American Idol Favorite

"We're sorry America," said American Idol host Ryan Seacrest last week after a classic Mercury retrograde snafu mixed up the phone numbers for voting on contestants. The scandalous error actually boosted ratings for the popular FOX TV show, with some 27.5 million viewers tuning in. Ten contestants remain, and if you believe judge Simon Cowell, the winner will eventually be Carrie Underwood.

Carrie Underwood was born during the New Moon in Pisces (March 14, 1983; Fort Smith, AR; time unknown), the sign associated with faith. She's a Southern Baptist, and according to a neighbor, she sings at the local church regularly: "I can still remember her singing ‘Jesus Loves Me' when she was only 4 or 5 in front of the whole church."

No shrinking violet, Carrie is emboldened by Venus and Mars in self-assertive Aries. Venus here is given grace and poise with a trine to Neptune, and charisma and mass appeal with the opposition to Pluto. Mars is fortified by a trine to a lucky Jupiter-Uranus conjunction in Sagittarius. With all of these planets in fire signs, she's become a show-stopping, confident, wonder woman.

The Jupiter-Uranus conjunction is often a sign of fame and sudden celebrity. Over the next two months transiting Uranus is forming a square to this planetary pair, activating the natal potential. Uranus can also bring unexpected falls, but then transiting Saturn is forming a stabilizing trine to her Sun. Also, transiting Pluto is squaring her Sun, funneling the full force of the cosmos through her being. If she can handle the pressure, she will win.

* For more on Syria's leaders, see NewsScope April 15, 2003; June 12, 2000.

** This is not a recommendation to buy OATS, since the current price already reflects the bandwagon buying that followed Burkle's announcement.

Online classes and personal readings are available. Visit http://neptunecafe.homestead.com/classes.html or http://neptunecafe.homestead.com/reading.html for more information.

Reader feedback is welcome. Email: [email protected].