You don't have to believe in astrology to find it fascinating.
I'm not talking about the general Sun signs in the media: "Oooh, Taurus, you've been deferring to other's opinions for too long. Take a stand." Like that can't apply to anyone, anywhere, at any time. It's this superficiality that draws scorn from people like the Amazing Randi.
But a chart done in full depth is an extraordinary document that manages to put a number of complex influences into a system for analysis.
I got curious about George W. Bush in this context.
To the Flipmobile!
[Begin intellectual disclaimer] I've found much to admire in the system astrologers use. It's a psychological framework that acknowledges a person's emotional reflexes, combined with their Jungian persona and gradations of personality, and lets us contemplate that influence on the twelve "houses," AKA spheres of influence, such as career, family, and romance. [/ intellectual disclaimer]
It's what we do all the time. "She doesn't have the stability to commit to a serious relationship." "He's too emotional about his father."
So I was quite interested in this analysis, dated from Bush's first inaugauration:
With Taurus rising and Saturn in the 1st house when George W Bush was inaugurated, this is an administration which likes to look steady, conservative and serious. But three factors belie that disciplined, conventional facade. One is a belligerent Mars in the 7th, opposing the ascendant, reflecting the aggressive mood of the past two years. Mars is unrelenting in Scorpio, stubborn, vengeful and difficult to shift. Squaring as Mars does onto a 10th house Uranus, this is a government with hair trigger responses, a liking for danger, thrills and macho gestures and an equally strong loathing for compromise or having to back down to outside interference. Mars also opposes Saturn, hinting at an inner resentment, a need to demonstarate superiority through aggression, and a liking for military action. Uranus thus sits at the point of the fixed t square describing a self willed administration, which is a law-unto-itself in pursuing independent actions which defy existing authorities or guidelines. Yet the Sun sitting beside vague Neptune on the mid heaven indicates a ship with no real sense of direction - muddle, confusion, indecision and fear of confrontation.
... What is intriguing is the Moon Pluto conjunction in the 8th pointing to a good deal of confidential and none too savoury behind-the-scenes dealings where finances are concerned. Power is being manipulated at all times out of sight. Saturn was on the exact opposition to the Pluto on September 11th, again describing a moment when the administration ground to a complete halt. ...
Pluto brings great bitterness, deep resentment, major secret arguments over money and power. ...
This is not an administration which should place high hopes of continuing beyond one term, since Neptune is approaching a panicky square to Mars by 2004 and in Bush's own chart then Saturn is about to slide below the ascendant, starting a low profile seven years, when outer success will be difficult to achieve. If by some oddity of fate it did continue for a second term it would be a catalogue of failures.
http://www.star4cast.com/...
My bold.
Well, it wasn't an oddity of fate so much as a stolen election.
Yes, I know Pluto isn't a planet anymore. I got into this wondering, "How will astrologers handle this?" The answer is: paying no attention. The astronomer's definition of a planet has not affected astrologers at all... nor has it affected Pluto itself. It's still going round and round the way it always has.
What's the latest on this from this same person?
ASTRO HEADLINES: Input June 12 2006
Saturn continues to drag down Bush's status and popularity as it recrosses his Ascendant for the final time moving him firmly into a low profile phase of his life for several years ahead. Miscalculations, bad judgement calls, waning success and energy are all part and parcel of Saturn in the first quadrant where people refuse to take the hint and attempt to continue pushing ahead with old ambitions. It will come to an immediate head when Saturn hits his Mercury (June 20 to 28, 2006) bringing discouragement, gloom and major differences of opinion. ... This latter normally brings to an end an old order of life, not suddenly since the forces have been building for some time, though it can unleash quite dangerous, violent energies if not properly handled. Sometimes it coincides with financial resources being in short supply. To make matters worse Mars is also transitting close to Saturn so June 19th to 21st as Mars cross Saturn in transit conjunct his Mercury and Pluto will make for a highly potent, high risk mix. There will at the very least be major arguments.
And what of the future? I like what Molly says:
A formation called a T-square appears in the heavens this month. A T-square is a stress signal made up of two planets opposite each other, and a third planet at 90º angles to both, like a letter T.
Saturn opposite Neptune signals a need for each of us individually to live our dreams and face our fears. It thins the veil between reality and unreality, and brings people's true feelings closer to the surface. It's much more difficult to hide now. And those who have lied and deceived must stand accountable. So I doubt this will be an easy Fall in Washington DC! In fact, the last time this opposition appeared in the heavens, the Watergate scandal broke.
http://north-node.com/...
My bold.
In the words of Mad Magazine: Hoo hah!
Presented for entertainment purposes only.