President Hu of China, Mars Disaster Zone, Tom Cruise and new baby Suri

April 24, 2006

President Hu of China

Last week when China's President Hu visited President Bush, the global village watched, discussed, and debated the future dynamics between these two superpowers. As the leader of 1.3 billion people, President Hu has enormous responsibilities. In addition to guiding China's economic boom, he also must contend with deep-seated political and social problems, and the relentless pressure of American geopolitical interests.

Hu Jintao was born with his Sun in cheerful Sagittarius (December 21, 1942; Jiangyin, China; time unknown) in an out-of-sign square to Neptune in diplomatic Libra. This Sun-Neptune pairing prefers peaceful, pleasant interactions at all levels. However, with his Mars opposite a Saturn-Uranus conjunction, he periodically runs into serious obstacles and unexpected crises. This polarity is the one to watch in his most severe political challenges.

Last Thursday, a Falun Gong heckler momentarily disrupted the carefully scripted White House ceremonies as the relatively trivial transiting Mars was exactly quincunx (150º) his natal Mars. Major progressions and transits to this polarity will bring major developments. What has allowed Hu to rise to the top of China's complex political system is that Mars also trines resourceful Pluto, so that he finds solutions to big problems.

Within a year, the astrologer can expect that Hu will face the most important crisis of his tenure. His progressed Sun is about to square his natal Mars, indicating a confrontation involving the military. Also next year, transiting Pluto will be conjunct his Sun, propelling him into a do-or-die scenario. With his political survival at stake, Hu will either be cast aside or vaulted onto the international stage as a key world leader.

Degree Disaster Zone
Retreating Mars, Part 2

Last week was the 100th anniversary of the San Francisco earthquake, which at the time, was the greatest disaster to hit an American city. That honor must now go to New Orleans following last year's devastation brought on by Hurricane Katrina. The two events, separated by much time and space, are closely linked through astrology - notably Pluto's position at 21º Gemini and 21º Sagittarius.

This particular degree zone is associated with American disasters since the U.S. Mars is located at 21º Gemini. In the Scorpio Rising national horoscope, Mars is found in the eighth house, which in general refers to American businesses associated with transportation and communications, but can also mean great loss. Mars here is conjunct the Part of Fortune, which when found in the eighth house can be called the Part of Misfortune.

Another important are of concern is 18º of the cardinal signs. Although the U.S. has no planets here, 18º Cancer is the midpoint between the U.S. Mars and the U.S. Midheaven at 16º Leo. The 9/11 event took place as the U.S. progressed Mars was at 18º Libra, and was squared by the progressed Ascendant at 18º Cancer. Last year, with progressed Mars still at 18º Libra, Hurricane Katrina hit when transiting Jupiter passed over 18º Libra. When the San Francisco earthquake struck at 5:12 am, 18º Libra was rising.

Outer planet transits and progressions to 18º of the cardinal signs are especially potent now with Mars turning retrograde at this critical degree. Mars here can represent terrorist-related activities, since it's in the twelfth house of secret enemies. Even faster moving transits can have an impact. Two weeks ago the transiting Sun was at 18º Aries when the film "United 93" was released, and Moussawi's trial was headline news. Watch out around May 14-15 when transiting Mars is at 18º Cancer.

Suri Cruise, A Princess is Born

What does the chart of a princess look like? Last week Mission Impossible star Tom Cruise spread the word that his newborn daughter was named Suri, which he said means "princess" in Hebrew. Although we don't yet have a confirmed birth time from the parents, some media (Star and ET) reported that Suri entered this world last Tuesday (April 18) at 3:00 am in Santa Monica, California.

A natal horoscope drawn for this moment features the Sun in Aries trine a Moon-Pluto conjunction in philosophical, cosmopolitan Sagittarius. A strong religious theme permeates this chart, with Sagittarius at the Midheaven, and its ruling planet Jupiter in the ninth house of religion. Jupiter and Pluto are strengthened by being in mutual reception (in each others' signs), while mystical, spiritual Neptune is rising.

As a young woman, Suri will identify with her Venus, which is placed in faith-oriented Pisces. Venus is dramatically emphasized in this chart by an exact conjunction with exciting Uranus, and with the two closely trine Jupiter. These three planets are extremely well-placed, bringing an abundance of beauty, wealth, and global attention. With a Ceres-Neptune conjunction near her Aquarius Ascendant, she will project the princess-like image of serenity and aloofness.

However, appearances can be deceiving. Her Mercury is in impulsive Aries, and exactly square Mars, giving a fiery temper capable of lashing out at the least provocation. Eventually she will learn to tame her anger since her Aries Sun squares disciplined Saturn in regal Leo. Besides giving her an innate sense of royalty, this Sun-Saturn aspect bestows a keen ambition, indicating that she will try and make something of her life besides being known as Tom Cruise's daughter.

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