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May 28, 2007
Muqtada al-Sadr Returns
After nearly four months in hiding, the popular Shia cleric Muqtada
al-Sadr returned to Najaf last week to deliver a fiery anti-American
sermon to thousands of chanting followers. Al-Sadr reportedly found
refuge in Iran at the beginning of the U.S.-led security crackdown,
but emerged to take advantage of an ill rival and to re-establish
control over his militia.
Muqtada al-Sadr was born with his Sun in the dramatic sign of Leo
(August 12, 1973; Najaf, Iran; time unknown), where it forms a
trine to Chiron in militant Aries and a sextile to radical Uranus.
His Saturn is found in the family-sign of Cancer, where it forms
aspects to four other planets around his horoscope. Taken as a
whole, these planets form the shape of a five-pointed star.
Saturn must be prominently placed in this horoscope, since by transit
Saturn has defined his life's major transitions. Mars in the last
degree of Aries is sextile to Saturn, and gives courage and a fighting
spirit to the movement he inherited from his father, the Grand
Ayatollah Mohammad al-Sadr. His father was assassinated on February
18, 1999, as transiting Saturn was conjunct Muqtada's Mars.
Muqtada al-Sadr founded the Mahdi Army* in June 2003 when he was
experiencing his Saturn Return. Soon after, he initiated a revolt
against the occupational forces and has become more popular than
the elected leaders. Deemed an outlaw by American forces, al-Sadr
fled on February 14 as transiting Neptune was exactly opposite
his Sun. Now that transiting Saturn is right on his Sun, he's re-assuming
his authority with calls for an immediate American withdrawal from
Iraq.
Top Five Astro-Events for June
1. The Sun octile Venus is a major influence during most of June,
especially from the 1st through 18th when it's exact, but it remains
in effect through 25th. This peaceful, harmonious vibration is
enough to make most of us forget stressful geopolitical situations,
and helps facilitate cooperation and negotiations between hostile
factions.
2. The New Moon on June 14 brings an energetic new start on many
fronts, since it's sextile transiting Mars and conjunct the U.S.
Mars. However, since Mercury is turning retrograde, the rest of
this month features plenty of U-turns, empty diplomatic promises,
wrong-headed corporate developments from the automakers, and ill-conceived
strategies from the Pentagon.
3. The Sun opposes Pluto on June 18, marking a confrontational
mood on all fronts. Watch for hostile takeovers, communication
snafus, and political showdowns. The 17th and 18th are particularly
conducive to accidents on the road, in the air, and at sea. Political
debate intensifies, and more than a few people will say things
they later regret.
4. Uranus turns retrograde on June 23, filling the surrounding
week with volatility, surprises, and unexpected developments. From
June 13-25, Uranus is conjunct the political asteroid Pallas, adding
an intensity to the campaign trail that pushes some candidates
into break-out performances and agendas. As Uranus turns retrograde,
these may appear to be too radical.
5. Transiting Saturn and Neptune oppose each other, exact on June
25, but a major dynamic all month. This is the third and final
opposition between these two outer planets, culminating a year-long
process of diluting authority, breaking illusions, and trying to
find the balance between national security needs and civil rights.
Anton Corbijn Takes Control
Last week, rock photographer
Anton Corbijn took three top prizes in the Cannes Film Festival's
prestigious Director's Fortnight with his edgy black-and-white
film, Control. The critically-acclaimed biopic, which tells the
story of Ian Curtis and his suicide at age 23, will now be distributed
to 55 countries under the Europa Cinemas label, and in North America
by Miramax.
Anton Corbijn was born with his Sun in steady Taurus (May 20, 1955;
Strijen, Netherlands; time unknown), where it forms close aspects
to all three of the outer planets. This makes the Dutch filmmaker
an "outer-planet person", one who personally feels the
uncontrollable cosmic forces that shape human destiny. The Sun's
challenging square to Pluto is exceptionally driven to find control,
or face being overwhelmed by destructive forces.
The film Control is about a young musician who developed a spastic
dancing style, which mirrored his epileptic fits. Ian Curtis (July
15, 1956) has Sun in Cancer trine Saturn, which in a mature adult,
signifies someone who easily stays centered and in control. However,
with his Moon square Uranus, he is emotionally subjected to the
erratic movements characterized by his seizures and wild dancing.
Director Corbijn had been a fan of Ian Curtis's "post-punk" band
Joy Division since the early 1970s. With Corbijn's Mars in Gemini
conjunct his South Node, he comes into this life with a vocal rowdiness
that thrives in the rebellious punk rock scene. Pluto, the planet
associated with perspective, will be turning direct on Corbijn's
North Node (opposite his Mars) in early September as his film Control
debuts in the UK.
* See NewsScope April
13, 2004 for more on this subject.
