April 23, 2001
"Extremism in the Defense of Liberty is no Vice"
- Barry Goldwater, 1964
Across the global village geopolitical conflict escalated sharply last week
as the outer planets Jupiter and Pluto edged closer to their exact
opposition. Pluto, known for its tendency toward extremism, is being
propelled by a spirit of righteousness as symbolized by Jupiter.
Advised by its stable of cold warriors on China policy, Bush indicated that
espionage flights off the coast of China will continue, even though all the
information gathered there is redundant, already scanned from satellites and
distant 707s. China called the espionage flights "provocative," and will be
less happy when Taiwan gets a new shipment of armaments.
In the Middle East tensions rose to near war level following Israel's
bombardment of a Syrian radar center, and the tank and bulldozer invasion of
the Palestinian's Gaza Strip. Israel's horoscope (May 14, 1948; 4:37 pm; Tel
Aviv) is showing a readiness to use heavy military force (progressed Mars
square Uranus, transit Uranus square the Sun)*. Syria promised to get
revenge, and Yassir Arafat's overtures were ignored by Ariel Sharon.
In Moscow President Putin closed down the independent TV station NTV in an
attempt to ward off domestic criticism; NTV staff vowed to set up a rival
channel. In Quebec an army of riot police fought demonstrators who rallied
against trade globalization. Everywhere and anywhere people believe strongly
in their nation, their cause, or their religion, Jupiter and Pluto are
promoting the notion that "God is on our side."
Surprise Fed Cut Lifts Markets
Citing a severe slowdown in corporate capital spending, the Federal Reserve
cut short-term interest rates by half a point last Wednesday. Stock market
investors, already cautiously optimistic, began a buying spree that sent the
Nasdaq and NYSE spiking sharply upward. Analysts were divided over whether
the Fed can steer the economy out of recession, but at least in the short
term, investors were euphoric.
The horoscope for the Federal Reserve Act of 1913 (December 23, 1913; 6:02
pm; Washington D.C.) is one of financial astrology's most useful tools since
it established Federal Reserve Board as the overseer of short-term monetary
policy. Major transits to this horoscope can reveal changes in policy, as
well as show surprise moves like last week's rate cut.
The Sun in this chart, as in other political horoscopes, represents the
leadership of the organization, which in this case is Alan Greenspan. The Sun
is strengthened by an opposition to Pluto and a square to the Midheaven, a
combination that creates as much public controversy as personal power. Venus,
the natural ruler of money, had come to a full stop right on the Midheaven
(and squaring the Sun-Pluto axis), and was turning direct just as the Fed
issued its surprise cut.
The Fed cut is the fourth so far this year, which began with a major change
of policy on January 3. Policy is a Mercury-governed astrology principle, and
in this chart Mercury is opposed to Saturn, showing the very deliberate and
cautious thinking behind all such changes. Transiting Pluto hit the Fed's
Mercury on January 3, triggering the need for fundamental policy changes to
fight recession.
Colby Donaldson, Immunity Champion
With only four survivors left to fight off hunger, torrents of rain, and
their own self-doubts, last week's Survivor II - The Australian Outback drama
featured a tense confrontation between Colby and Keith over how much rice to
cook. Colby won the immunity challenge for the third time in a row, making
him the one to beat going into the final episodes.
Colby Donaldson was born an independent, feisty Aries (April 1, 1974; Dallas,
TX; time unknown), like the previous Survivor Challenge winner Richard Hatch
(April 8, 1961). Colby and Richard share some key astrological placements
that could indicate he's favored to win the million bucks. Both have a very
close Jupiter-Pluto aspect, something one would need to win big money and be
the center of media attention.
Both have the people skills associated with a Venus trine to Uranus. These
aspects are very tight, showing their importance in the overall chart. Both
have a Sun-Mars aspect, giving physical strength and courage. Colby's
problem, however, is that he stands an excellent chance of being voted out
if/when he loses an immunity challenge.
Of the other contestants, only Keith (February 11, 1960) doesn't have a
Jupiter-Pluto aspect, so he's gone. This planetary link is critical since the
winners will be announced on May 3, which is when transiting Jupiter and
Pluto are nearly exactly opposite each other. NewsScope odds-makers give
either Elisabeth (May 28, 1977) or Tina (December 26, 1960) the best chance
to be the Final Survivor.
* For more on Ariel Sharon and Israel, see NewsScope February 12. Reader
feedback is welcome. Email: [email protected].
