Weekly NewsScope for January 30, 2006

Saturn and Neptune bring Tectonic Shifts

In the wake of last week's stunning victory by Hamas, talking heads framed Bush's Democracy policy - the push for free elections in the Middle East - as a clash between realism and idealism. What is an idealistic but pragmatic superpower to do when 87 percent of the Palestinian population freely votes into government a militant group on the U.S. list of terrorist organizations?

Saturn's current transit through the U.S. ninth house of foreign policy is bringing these trials to U.S. policymakers. Last week's election in the Palestinian territory took place as transiting Saturn was exactly squaring the U.S. Scorpio Ascendant. While this incident highlights the dilemma, Saturn's broader challenge to the Bush administration comes from Egypt, Syria, Iraq, and Iran, where anti-American, Islamic fundamentalists have also recently won elections.

At the same time, transiting Neptune in Aquarius inspires the idealism of free and fair elections. Neptune is now crossing over the U.S. fourth house cusp, which instills the Aquarian values of liberty, freedom of speech, and freedom of religion as the foundation for a civilized nation. Neptune remains in this degree area throughout 2006, while the faster-moving Saturn heads into an opposition after April.

Saturn, as the archetypal symbol for political pragmatism, will be pitted against Neptune and all its civic idealism. The dream of an enlightened, egalitarian society (Neptune in Aquarius) was also recently elevated in Bolivia, which elected an avowed socialist, and in Chile and Liberia, which elected their first women Presidents. Meanwhile, the practical Canadian voters moved more toward the Bush camp with their election of a conservative. As Saturn and Neptune oppose each other along the U.S. Midheaven axis, the global powers are shifting sharply along pro and con fault lines.

Pluto and the Galactic Center

Several NewsScope readers wrote in to ask about the Galactic Center (GC): what it means in the personal horoscope, and what I meant by identifying it with "an over-riding intelligence"? Technically, the GC is the center of our galaxy, the Milky Way, and is currently located at 26 deg. 55 min. Sagittarius. Historic events take place during major transits to this degree.

Probably the best material on the GC comes from astrologer Philip Sedgwick*, who noted that the GC operates "on a massive, collective level, frequently working through the individual." A good example is Beethoven, with his Sun conjunct the GC. Even though he was deaf, he heard beautiful music, and had the technical skill to transcribe it into universally appealing symphonies.

When a Sun-Uranus conjunction aligned with the GC in 1903, the Wright Brothers completed their first flight at Kitty Hawk. When Saturn was conjunct the GC in October 1929 the stock market crashed. In May 1948, when Jupiter was conjunct the GC and opposed by Uranus, Israel was born as a nation. Likewise, on August 18, 1988, when the Sun in Leo was trine a Saturn-Uranus-GC alignment, Hamas was born.

Last week transiting Pluto was exactly trine the Hamas Sun** when this "terrorist group" won an upset victory in the Palestinian election. On March 29, Pluto turns retrograde at 26 deg. 45 min. Sagittarius, only 0 deg. 10 min. from the GC. This happens to coincide with the Israeli elections, and a Solar Eclipse. We can expect nothing less than spectacular developments around this time. Unfortunately, Pluto's station often coincides with catastrophic events.

Dancing with the Stars: Stacy Keibler vs. Drew Lachey

ABC's surprise hit Dancing with the Stars is sparking a resurgence in ballroom dancing across the country. Halfway through its second season, the show that pairs celebrities with professional dancers is down to the final seven couples. The long-legged celebrity Stacy Keibler and her partner, professional dancer Tony Dovolani, are the current favorites, though Drew Lachey and his partner are also faring well.

Stacy Keibler was born with her Sun in the partnership sign of Libra (October 14, 1979; Baltimore, MD; time unknown), and conjunct Pluto, a combination that radiates the Libra charm and style, especially with a partner nearby to mirror and amplify her talents. Her Venus in sultry Scorpio is perfectly suited for her steaming hot dance outfits, which last week featured a dangerously cut lavender dress.

Stacy's Mars in Leo gives her the dramatic flair and the self-confidence of a professional athlete. This Mars has a network of aspects to other planets, strengthening its role in her chart, and explaining her background as a professional wrestler with the WWE and a cheerleader for the Baltimore Ravens. With her Moon also in Leo, Stacy carries herself with the regal grace of a queen.

Celebrity Drew Lachey (August 8, 1976; Cincinnati, OH; time unknown) and his professional partner Cheryl Burke wowed the judges last week with their paso doble set to Michael Jackson's "Thriller". While the odds-makers favor Tracy, Uranus is the only outer planet connecting to her chart now (trine Mercury). Drew, on the other hand, has his Leo Sun exactly aligned with the current Jupiter-Neptune square, making him the astrological favorite.

* See his book, The Astrology of Deep Space, pages 93-98.

** See NewsScope August 22, 2005 for further analysis of this chart.

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