Toyota's Sudden Acceleration Problem
Last September Toyota announced the biggest recall in its history to fix a problem with an accelerator pedal that could become entrapped in the floor mat, causing a "sudden acceleration problem". Then last week, Toyota added another 2.3 million to the 4 million recalled in September. Toyota also suspended sales and production of its most popular models, and extended the recall to Europe and China.
Toyota was founded on August 28, 1937 (noon; Toyota City, Japan), and a horoscope set for this date reflects Toyota's corporate identity and current troubles. With its Sun in detail-oriented Virgo and Moon in practical Taurus, Toyota's chart is geared for success in the material world. Four other planets in earth signs have helped to make Toyota the largest car maker in the world.
With Scorpio Rising, Pluto is the ruler of this chart. A Venus-Pluto conjunction in Cancer describes the company as being a family-run business and respecting its workers as family. On June 23, 2009, Akio Toyoda – the grandson of the founder – became the new CEO after many years of the company being led by an outsider. This transition took place during the New Moon in Cancer, and while transiting Uranus was precisely trine Toyota's Venus.
On August 28, 2009, an incident involving a Lexus with four passengers ended tragically due to the unintended acceleration problem, triggering a government investigation and the eventual recall. The accident took place as headstrong Mars opposed intensifying Pluto while aligned with Toyota's Mercury-Chiron-Saturn T-square. Last week transiting Saturn and Pluto were forming close, hard aspects to Toyota's Saturn, forcing the worldwide restructuring of its business.
Eclipse Takes J.D. Salinger and Howard Zinn
Less than two weeks after the January 25 eclipse, Americans lost two well-known folk heroes and one Hollywood legend. In political astrology, Venus rules celebrities, so this may not be surprising since the eclipse was conjoined with Venus. Actress Jean Simmons died on January 22, while novelist J.D. Salinger and historian Howard Zinn both left us on January 27.
When comparing the eclipse degree (25º Capricorn) to the U.S. horoscope, the astrologer notes that it was closely aligned with the U.S. Mercury, the natural ruler of writers. J.D. Salinger (January 1, 1919; New York, NY; time unknown) was born during the New Moon in Capricorn opposite a Jupiter-Pluto conjunction. Although this combination made him intensely ambitious, after he became an overnight success with The Catcher in the Rye, Pluto took over and he became a recluse.
Howard Zinn (August 24, 1922; Brooklyn, NY; time unknown) was considered a radical* by many since he wrote the best-selling, counter-cultural text The People's History of the United States. His Mercury in analytical Virgo opposes Uranus, giving him a penchant for unusual views. Mercury also squares Mars, which in turn opposes the U.S. Mars, putting him at odds with the military establishment.
How curious that both writers should die on the same day! January 27 happened to be the day that transiting Neptune was conjunct the U.S. Moon. Both writers had Neptune closely aligned with the U.S. horoscope: Salinger's Neptune at 8º Leo formed an exact square to the U.S. Scorpio Ascendant, while Zinn's Neptune was right on the U.S. Midheaven. Both writers' imaginations (Neptune) re-shaped the American dream by revisioning its most popular myths.
Jean Simmons, Hollywood Legend
As winner of an Emmy, two Golden Globes, and two Oscars, Jean Simmons well deserves her place as one of Hollywood's brightest stars. Born in London where she began acting at age 14, Simmons was spotted by RKO owner Howard Hughes who bought her contract in 1948. She went on to co-star with Hollywood's leading men in a career that spanned five decades.
Jean Simmons was born with her Sun in cool Aquarius (January 31, 1929; London, England; time unknown) at a position located at the midpoint between her Venus-Saturn square. The Venus influence is strengthened by its placement in Pisces, which adds all the grace, charm, and radiance that shine through her various roles. The Saturn influence represents the directors who recognized her beauty and talent.
Simmons' Mars at 21º Gemini is exactly conjunct the U.S. Mars. Small wonder, then, that she co-starred with the likes of Marlon Brando, Burt Lancaster, Robert Mitchum, Paul Newman, and Kirk Douglas – cinematic icons who personified the American archetypal hero. In Simmons' chart, Mars squares Venus and opposes Saturn, a dynamic that readily experiences romantic triangles and obstacles to lovers' fulfillment – themes frequently dramatized in her film roles.
Simmons tangled with Howard Hughes in 1952, who wanted her for himself even though she had just married. When her husband intervened, Hughes swore to get even by casting her in terrible films. When she was slated for the film noir "Angel Face", Simmons excelled, receiving critical acclaim as one of the genre's most beautiful killers. At the time, transiting Pluto was opposing her Mercury, giving her keen insights into how to play this psychological thriller and overcome Howard Hughes at the same time.
* see http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/30/opinion/30herbert.html
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