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February 26, 2007
International Focus on Iran
Iran became the focus of international attention last week following
the IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency) report that Iran
had ignored a UN Security Council ultimatum to freeze its nuclear
enrichment program, and was actually expanding it. In discussing
the next step, the diplomatic challenges, Vice President Dick Cheney
said "all options are on the table", inferring the possibility
of military action.
As previewed here in the January
15, 2007 column, Iran's horoscope*
(April 1, 1979; 3:00 pm; Tehran) is primed for confrontation due
to several threatening Mars-Pluto combinations. Iran's Mars in
Pisces forms a supportive trine to Uranus in the fourth house,
which can be seen as the Revolutionary Guard (Mars) working to
expand its Islamic ideals beyond its Iranian borders (Uranus in
fourth).
Uranus shows that this Iranian government is, at its core, radical
and revolutionary. However, Uranus forms a square to diplomatic
Pallas on the seventh house cusp of "others", which represents
a faction that needs and thrives on cooperation with the rest of
the world. At the moment, the transiting Saturn-Neptune opposition
is right on Iran's Uranus-Pallas square, pitting its diplomatic
elements against its more radical impulses.
With transiting Saturn near Iran's Leo Ascendant, the oil-rich
nation feels justified in asserting its influence around the region.
Transiting Neptune was exactly conjunct Iran's Pallas when last
week's IAEA report was issued, and Iran has since proclaimed its
willingness and eagerness to negotiate. This push-pull tension
will likely increase over the next month when transiting Mars enters
the Saturn-Neptune polarity, as independent authority (Saturn in
Leo) vies with the consensus-builders (Neptune in Aquarius).
Top Five Astro-Events for March
1. Lunar Eclipse - on March 3 is conjunct Uranus in Pisces. While
individuals may experience some enlightening moments, Uranus in Pisces
may also refer to radical religious movements, or religious extremists.
This eclipse activates these elements, which may indicate terrorism,
especially the disruption of oil lines. Look for technological snafus,
airplane accidents, and disasters at sea or by the coastline.
2. Mercury turns direct - on March 7 while conjunct the U.S. Moon.
Watch for major news stories about political candidates, as savvy
strategists choose this moment to express an attack or controversial
viewpoint. Transiting Uranus quincunx (150º) the U.S. Saturn at this
time indicates challenges to government institutions like the Constitution
or the Pentagon.
3. Solar Eclipse - on March 18 is conjunct Ceres and square Pluto,
a powerful combination that could bring catastrophic events and the
need for relief work within days of this eclipse. Watch for a significant
terrorist event or natural calamity, such as an earthquake or severe
weather incident. Iraq and Iran's charts are ominously activated.
4. Transiting Mars enters the Saturn-Neptune polarity - effective
from March 21 to 25. This three-planet combination is event-oriented,
bringing plenty of action on numerous fronts, especially military,
but political and corporate as well. Watch for buy-outs, legal battles,
challenges to weakened authority or control, and other direct assaults.
Occupying or entrenched forces are on the defensive.
5. Pluto turns retrograde - on March 31 in the last degree of Sagittarius,
bringing the reversal of long-term trends under a feeling of desperation.
Religious divides define the global hotspots where fanatics and extremists
are at their most expressive. Natural and human-caused disasters
increase around this time, bringing significant loss of life and
property.
Astro-Journalist's Notebook: Juno to Pluto
Last month's Top Five Astro-Events included transiting Juno's
square to the U.S. Pluto. In hindsight, Juno had its influence
felt in the breakthrough deal with North Korea, which combined
U.S. geopolitical influence (Pluto) with several regional partners
(Juno). Then, Tony Blair's withdrawal of troops from Iraq was another
change in partnership status, though this one contrary to the Bush
administration's goals.
Most Americans felt the influence of Juno to Pluto through a phenomenon
called "Girls Gone Wild", as Newsweek's February 12 cover
story portrayed it. The article decried the influence that young,
beautiful, and rich celebrities like Britney Spears and Paris Hilton
have on America's youth. However, it appeared just before Juno
turned retrograde, and then suddenly a bald Britney didn't seem
so appealing.
Juno, the Queen of the Goddesses**, carries a clear and poignant
message, especially when accented by an aspect from Pluto. Over
the last few weeks, Juno's transit through the U.S. twelfth house
of self-undoing manifested in the self-destructive behavior of
queenly stars like Anna Nicole Smith and Britney Spears, as well
as astronaut Lisa Nowak. Pluto's challenging influence represents
a kind of psychological collapse, a breakdown.
Each of these three celebrities (profiled here over the last two
weeks) had major Juno-Pluto connections. Transiting Juno was conjunct
Britney's Pluto, while her progressed Ascendant was (and is) conjunct
Pluto. Anna Nicole was experiencing a Juno Return, while transiting
Pluto was squaring her Uranus. Lisa Nowak's natal Juno-Pluto conjunction
was activated by an opposition from transiting Uranus. Astrologers
who don't use Juno are missing a revealing feminine archetype.
** Juno is also known as the Storm Goddess, and curiously, as Juno
turned retrograde and squared the U.S Pluto, a terrific snowstorm
blanketed the country from the Midwest to the Northeast. The affected
area began under the U.S. Pluto line, and was carried eastward
by the prevailing winds. For more on Juno, please visit www.neptunecafe.com.