NewsScope for March 19, 2001

Neptune Creates Crisis of Confidence

Gloomy corporate earnings reports by tech bellwethers Intel and Oracle pummeled U.S. 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, in New York, NY), and a square to the U.S. Moon. (Editor’s Note: Michael WolfStar uses a Scorpio rising U.S. chart.) 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 of dollars annually 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, at 9:00 am in 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 the film 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 in 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 $750,000 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.