Neptune Creates Crisis of Confidence

Gloomy corporate earnings reports by tech bellwethers Intel and Oracle
pummeled US stock markets last week, with portfolio losses totaling some $772
billion. The dot-com bombs spread to the old economy stocks, as the blue
chips suffered their worst point loss ever, and instilling widespread
pessimism about this year's economic prospects.

Astrologically, transiting Saturn's current location in late Taurus hits
several vulnerable spots in key horoscopes, notably a conjunction to the NYSE
Sun (May 17, 1792; 10:11 am; NYC), and a square to the U.S. Moon. However,
the reversal of the American economy can't be blamed on any single
astrological indicator, but only a confluence of events happening relatively
simultaneously.

At the moment, the other major planetary indicator, and one that will endure
throughout 2001 and 2002, is transiting Neptune's square to the U.S. Scorpio
Ascendant. Neptune's challenging aspects often lead to a crisis in
confidence, and this is the current state of affairs in the U.S. not only
economically, but politically as well. Last week a final counting of
discarded ballots gave Al Gore an additional 6600 votes, more than enough to
have secured him Florida's election.

Neptune's association with oil and gas, espionage, drugs, and political
scandals will likely be reflected in major news events for the next two
years. Last week Neptune's influence over America's political landscape was
seen in Bush's reversal on regulating carbon dioxide emissions from
coal-burning power plants. Stunned environmentalists said that Bush's avowed
concern about global warming was undone by intense lobbying from the coal
industry, a top-polluter which also happens to be a major financial
contributor to the GOP.

Saturn and Pluto Restructure Election System

A high-profile public debate on campaign finance reform begins this week in
the Senate, with John McCain leading the charge for a long overdue financial
overhaul of the political system. The current election system allows
individuals, corporations, and PACs (political actions committees) to donate
$millions annually (in "soft money") to the two political parties, corrupting the one-person,
one-vote precept of American democracy.

Astrologically, Pluto is associated with reform, especially the deep
transformation of a political system. Late last week as transiting Mars and
Pluto formed a conjunction, McCain began barnstorming the airwaves to
generate public support needed to overcome entrenched political and corporate
interests. The faster moving Mars provided the activating agent for the
slower, but more powerful Pluto.

The Mars-Pluto conjunction is perfectly aligned with McCain's Jupiter
(McCain: August 29, 1936; 9:00 am; Panama). Jupiter, the planet giving us a
personal sense of justice, is empowered by transiting Pluto to make real
changes. For McCain, campaign finance reform is a moral crusade, and now that
Mars and Pluto have hit his Jupiter, he has the best chance yet to see
meaningful legislation passed.

On April 20 transiting Saturn will enter Gemini and march on to oppose Pluto.
Saturn represents the obstacles to reform, but only a Saturn-Pluto
combination carries enough celestial force to totally restructure an entire
political system (Saturn and Pluto hit the 8th and 2nd houses of finance in
the U.S. horoscope). Without Saturn, Pluto's reform-minded measures are only
radical notions, easily dismissed by status quo traditions. Saturn is the
gatekeeper, and promises a long, serious debate before he allows the
fundamental reorganization demanded by Pluto.

Matthew Perry Enters Rehab

Sitcom star Matthew Perry entered rehab recently, halting Paramount Pictures
production of "Servicing Sara" co-starring Elizabeth Hurley, and the final
episode of Friends. Perry was hospitalized a year ago for acute pancreatis,
which was attributed to alcohol and prescription drug abuse. He is once again
regenerating in an undisclosed rehab center on the advice of doctors.

Matthew Perry was born an outgoing Leo (August 19, 1969; Williamstown, MA;
time unknown), and shares the same birthday as Bill Clinton. Mercury, the
communications planet, is strongly placed in hardworking, analytical Virgo,
and a favorable sextile to Venus adds charm and keen social skills. Mercury's
conjunction with Pluto makes him a master of subtle humor and the double
entendre.

Perry's career has skyrocketed since he signed on with Friends in 1994,
earning him $1 million per episode and making him one of Hollywood's hottest
properties. However, Perry's Sun squares Neptune, giving him a tendency to
fall into drug or alcohol problems when under pressure.

One of the most reliable astrological indicators is when a planetary message
is repeated. In Perry's case transiting Neptune is now squaring his Saturn,
and at the same time transiting Saturn is opposite his Neptune. This double
Saturn-Neptune influence is a sure recipe for trouble with drugs and alcohol
when the natal tendency is there in the first place.

Reader feedback is welcome. Email: [email protected].

WolfStar Archives