Jupiter and Neptune Clash, The Dramatic Solar Eclipse of March 29, 2006, Sheryl Crow and Lance Armstrong Split

February 6, 2006

Jupiter and Neptune Clash

Protests over published cartoons of the Prophet Muhammad spread across the Middle East last week, as western observers tried in vain to explain Muslim's outrage. The satirical caricatures – banned by Islamic tradition, but published in Denmark – were picked up by other European media, and then trickled into the collective Muslim awareness via reports from Al Jazeera and internet commentaries.

Last week, as transiting Jupiter and Neptune squared each other, a critical mass was reached, and the Islamic peoples became united in their disgust over Europe's inability to control its media. Jupiter, the planet of religion, is in intense Scorpio, where it fortifies true believers everywhere. Faith-oriented Neptune is in the civil liberties sign of Aquarius, where it promotes freedom of speech and a free press.

Cultural clashes were also strikingly evident in the U.S. as religious conservatives lambasted the Golden Globe Awards and Oscar nominations for Brokeback Mountain, Capote, and TransAmerica, three Hollywood films that feature homosexual characters. Jupiter is slowing down and will enter its retrograde phase on March 4, while still in a tight square to Neptune. Coincidentally, the Academy Awards will be given out on March 5.

Where does a civilized society draw the line between freedom of expression and offensive behavior or remarks? The issue is one of the key dilemmas as we collectively enter the Age of Aquarius. A rude or insensitive cartoon in Denmark inflames an entire neighborhood in our global village just as easily as coarse language on TV inspires a child's behavior while sitting at the dinner table. Borderless Neptune in Aquarius reminds us that the all-pervasive media have no geographical limitations.

The Dramatic Solar Eclipse of March 29, 2006

While astronomers and skywatchers around the world are enthusiastically packing their bags to view the total Solar Eclipse this coming March 29, astrologers might anticipate it with a bit more alarm. According to traditional interpretations, a Solar Eclipse in Aries foretells war. And the Lord of this eclipse, Mars, is found at 21º Gemini, the exact same location as the U.S. natal Mars.

When the eclipse chart is set for Washington D.C. at 5:16 am, Mars is found near the foundation of the horoscope, while Pluto is passing overhead. The Mars-Pluto opposition and its association with military conflict becomes the dominant vibration by virtue of its angularity over the nation's capital. In addition, Pluto is extraordinarily potent here since it's simultaneously turning retrograde while conjunct the Galactic Center.

The action around March 29 might have global significance* since the eclipse degree hits critical points on many world leaders' and national horoscopes. For example, the eclipse lands on China's Sun, Hamas's Mars, Turkey's Mars, the UK's Ascendant (1801 chart), Israel's 12th house Neptune, the U.S. Mars/Pluto midpoint, Jimmy Carter's Sun, Bill Clinton's Mars-Ascendant, and Pope Benedict's Midheaven.

One likely hotspot was foreshadowed last week during President Bush's State of the Union address. At the time, transiting Uranus was exactly opposite his Mars, an extremely attack-oriented combination. While he personally was not attacked, he did single out Iran as an immediate threat. As it happens, the Eclipse takes place only three degrees from Iran's Sun, while the Mars-Pluto opposition squares Iran's Mars, all of which is a powerfully dynamic, volatile mix.

Sheryl Crow and Lance Armstrong Split

Last Friday, cycling champion Lance Armstrong and rock star Sheryl Crow announced they were splitting up only five months after they became engaged. The celebrity couple began dating shortly after they met in October 2003, and seemed to be doing fine until the surprise announcement last week. A joint statement said that they still have a deep love and respect for each other.

After taking a record seven straight victories at the Tour de France, Lance Armstrong (September 18, 1971; Plano, TX; time unknown) just retired from the grueling race. This development fits closely with transiting Pluto squaring his Virgo Sun. Armstrong has several other planets in Virgo, including the marriage asteroid Juno. Last week transiting Uranus, often known as the divorce planet, was exactly opposite his Juno.

Sheryl Crow (February 11, 1962; Kennet, MO; time unknown) was born during an epochal alignment in Aquarius. Her Mars-Saturn conjunction in this sign is currently under the rays of transiting Saturn in Leo and transiting Chiron in Aquarius, creating a push-pull kind of indecision. Also, she has Venus in Aquarius opposite Uranus, a combination which needs constant excitement to stay happy. Perhaps transiting Pluto sextile her Venus reminded her that she wasn't getting this.

A little-used technique in astrology is forecasting life-changing events when natal configurations are repeated in the current celestial patterns. Armstrong was born with a Jupiter-Neptune conjunction, while Crow has a Jupiter-Neptune square. Last week's Jupiter-Neptune square resonated with their charts, likely bringing disillusionment over shared beliefs and expectations about marriage. Settling down into domestic bliss just wasn't in their stars.

* Advanced astrologers will notice that the path of totality sweeps across the Middle East. See here.

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by WolfStar

February 6, 2006