Weekly Political and Entertainment NewsScope

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November 13, 2006

Robert Gates Prepares New Iraq Plan

Over this coming week, the Bush team is being reconstituted in order to come up with a new plan for Iraq. Leading the team are the elite from the elder Bush's intelligentsia, including James Baker (who is heading up the Iraq Study Group), and Robert Gates, the recently-appointed head of the Pentagon. Gates' leadership style differs sharply from Rumsfeld's, and gives us clues about the new plan.
 
Robert Gates was born with his Sun in the diplomatic sign of Libra (September 25, 1943; Wichita, KS; time unknown) and conjunct Neptune, the planet that bestows a keen sensitivity to subtle political undercurrents. Sun-Neptune carries a nuanced approach to politics, favors negotiation, and works well in the shadowy world of espionage. The Sun-Neptune conjunction is an ideal astrological set-up to head the CIA, as Gates did under Bush #41.
 
Gates has his Moon, Jupiter, and Pluto in proud, imperialistic Leo, with these planets clustered around the U.S. Leo Midheaven. Pluto is extra significant since it squares the U.S. Scorpio Ascendant, giving him the desire - and now the power - to change the course of America's foreign policy. John Kerry (December 11, 1943) has the same Pluto placement, and he likewise wanted to transform the Iraq war's direction - albeit from a different party base.
 
Currently, Gates' Saturn is the most illuminated by present conditions. Located at 26º Gemini, this Saturn is receiving an opposition from transiting Pluto, which has empowered (Pluto) his sense of authority (Saturn). The transiting Sun will be conjunct transiting Pluto around December 17-18, as the two oppose Gates' Saturn. Watch around this time-frame for a significant shift toward the Pentagon's new Iraq strategy, most likely favoring diplomacy with Iran and Syria.  
 

The Activated U.S. Moon

The emerging paradigm of chaos theory is redefining many academic disciplines, and fits well into a sophisticated astrological model. The terminology and concepts used by "chaoticians" can readily be applied by astrologers, especially fractals, tipping points, and strange attractors. For example, the patterns that individuals play out over and over again can be seen as the manifestation of strange attractors in the natal horoscope.
 
Artistic fractals have reached widespread popularity, but can be more precisely defined as the visual patterns that are formed at the edge of chaos. While these patterns are generally seen in three-dimensional space, they can also be experienced along the timeline as progressions. The "day equals a year" formula is merely a fractal projection along the timeline, and as Einstein demonstrated, space and time are the same.
 
Bernadette Brady's new book, Astrology, A Place in Chaos, postulates that astrology belongs to neither the scientific, cause and effect model, nor the spiritually-oriented model of our collective reality. The middle way is through chaos, where we are all part of a relationship pattern and co-creating the web of life. These interdependent dynamics can't be plotted using linear models, but can be by using chaos and astrology.
 
Changes at key moments in one's life can result in huge changes down the line. In chaos theory, this is known as the butterfly effect, as when a butterfly flapping its wings in East Africa can eventually generate a hurricane in Florida. Similarly, in astrology, major life changes can be co-created with the surrounding universe with a change of attitude or direction at key moments. These moments are known as tipping points, and Brady's breakthrough book shows how astrology can light the way.  
Borat Mania

Last week's surprise box office smash hit was Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan, which brought in some $26 million, and next week will open in 2600 theaters. Fueled by internet buzz and rave reviews, Borat "is often convulsively, savagely funny, ... but [also] a knowingness about the manner in which societal pressures can be hidden, diverted, and even encouraged", wrote one critic.
 
The "little movie Borat" centers around performance comedian Sacha Baron Cohen (October 13, 1971; London; time unknown), who was born with a Sun-Uranus conjunction in Libra. Unlike the more subtle Sun-Neptune conjunction in Libra (see Gates above), Cohen's Sun-Uranus expresses itself in a more exaggerated fashion, relying on a strong sense of independence, creativity, and an eccentric, highly-individualized personal style.
 
Also like Gates, Cohen has his Moon in dramatic Leo, but in Cohen's case, the Moon opposes Mars. The Moon-Mars opposition is an uneasy combination, often carrying a vibration of irritability and anger. However, with Cohen's charming Libra Sun, this Moon-Mars opposition gets other people to vent the anger. The process is accomplished through the Borat character as Kazakhstan's second best interviewer.
 
What in Cohen's chart accounts for his sudden and unexpected success? One indication might be his Jupiter-Neptune conjunction opposite Saturn, a configuration relating to divergent cultural values. His satirical portrayal of cultural prejudices arrives as transiting Jupiter, Saturn, and Neptune are cycling back into alignment. Cohen's unique expression of those influences speaks to the collective desire for balance and reconciliation in a most entertaining way.
 

* Mercury was square the U.S. Midheaven at 16º08' Leo when Bradley died, and Nancy Pelosi will take power as progressed Venus forms a trine to the MC. For more on the Scorpio Rising U.S. horoscope, visit www.neptunecafe.com <http://www.neptunecafe.com>
 
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