December's Grand Cross, Burma and the Astrologers, Matthew McConaughey, Sexiest Man Alive

November 21, 2005

December's Grand Cross

As described last week, the political climate in Washington is turning ugly, with hardball politics dominating everywhere. Bush came out swinging against his critics, while the traditionally hawkish Representative John Murtha called for an immediate American troop withdrawal from Iraq. Meanwhile, the Republican-controlled Senate voted for a bill demanding an end game strategy in Iraq, as Cheney chided his former allies for "losing their backbone."

Astrologically, Mars is slowing down and will turn direct on December 10 while exactly opposite the U.S. Scorpio Ascendant. Mars is co-ruler of Scorpio, along with Pluto, so that when the ruling planet opposes its own place, the nation finds itself at war with itself. The extreme example of this condition occurred when transiting Pluto opposed the Ascendant in April 1861 when the Civil War began.

Another planetary factor is entering the picture – Jupiter is now in Scorpio and heading for a conjunction with the U.S. Ascendant on December 5. Jupiter in Scorpio is renowned for its intensity of belief, giving political combatants passionate convictions. We might expect a religious framing for specific issues, such as in the intensifying fight over Supreme Court nominee Samuel Alito.

During December, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn will be forming a tight T-square configuration, presenting extreme challenges to the status quo across our global village. Neptune in Aquarius can also be considered in this celestial picture, making a Grand Cross in fixed signs. Historic shifts take place under such conditions, including natural and manmade disasters, as well as military, economic, and political turning points.

Burma and the Astrologers

At precisely 6:37 am on November 6, 2005, workers began relocating Burma's government from Rangoon to Pyinmana, a secluded village in the country's mountainous interior. Western observers were baffled by the sudden move, but cited the military junta's fear of being invaded by American forces as the underlying reason. However, insiders reported that the generals' fascination with astrology was a contributing factor.

As the historical precedent for this style of decision-making, the birth moment for the independence of Burma was decided by a court of Buddhist astrologers, and they came up with 4:20 am; January 4, 1948 (Rangoon). A horoscope for this elected time shows some favorable placements, notably, Jupiter Rising, and dignified in its own sign, Sagittarius. Also, Venus in Aquarius forms a supporting sextile to Jupiter, theoretically promising the nation wealth, plus religious and ethnic tolerance.

As we know now, the facts of Burma's violent history suggest that the astrologers were way off the mark*. These local astrologers don't use the outer planets, and so missed the fact that Neptune squared the Sun. Neptune so prominent in this chart explains the junta's secret arrangements with drug dealers, as well as their ongoing enrichment through oil revenues.

How did the astrologers miss Mars square the Ascendant? In 1962 when transiting Pluto was conjunct Mars, the military seized power in a coup d'etat. Now transiting Uranus is opposing this Mars, creating disruption within the military hierarchy, and urgent demands for democratic reforms. In addition, transiting Pluto opposes Burma's natal Uranus, further activating the long-oppressed reform movement over the next month.

Matthew McConaughey, Sexiest Man Alive

People magazine named Scorpio Matthew McConaughey as this year's "Sexiest Man Alive", and he immediately went on the charm offensive. "Wait until you see the roles I could take after this," he said. "You're going to see my gut hanging over plus 22 (pounds). It'll be a whole new kind of sexy."

Matthew McConaughey (November 4, 1969; Uvalde, TX; time unknown) was born with his Mars dignified in Capricorn. Mars, as the planetary symbol for a man's masculinity, is amped up in McConaughey's chart by a trine to Pluto. Additional aspects to several other planets (Venus, Jupiter, Saturn, Chiron) emphasize his alpha male status, although the square to Saturn can lead to reckless or inconsiderate behavior.

With a lucky Venus-Jupiter conjunction in Libra, McConaughey easily attracts beautiful women, plenty of friends, and a healthy income. He met his current sweetheart Penelope Cruz (April 28, 1974) while filming "Sahara" last year under favorable Venus-Uranus connections, a combination which often produces love at first sight. Her Uranus is conjunct his Venus, and when they met is progressed Venus was sextile his natal Uranus.

The Venus-Uranus vibe is exciting and fast-paced, but can lead to quick burn-out. In their favor, her Taurus Sun is conjunct his Saturn, giving them a celestial anchor to keep them from drifting apart. McConaughey received the good news from People as transiting Jupiter (blessings) was conjunct his Mercury (news). Jupiter continues deeper into Scorpio and will be conjunct his Sun in late December, and twice again in 2006. He can expect the choicest, juiciest film roles.

* See an excerpt from Cali Ruchala's "A New Generation of Madness", detailing Burma's astrological roots and checkered history:
http://www.diacritica.com/degenerate/1/burma3.htm

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by WolfStar

November 21, 2005