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In the past couple of days, I have been barraged with requests as to what
I think is happening in the geopolitical realm. I am sure many others
who study astrology are being asked the same questions from clients, friends
and even family members. Although neither any other astrologer nor I know
with certainty what is happening and what is to happen, we all have our
own opinions. These opinions are based upon our own unique understanding
of the current (and future) geocosmic signatures in force, combined with
our own unique life experiences from which we can draw parallel meanings.
The following, then, represent my current beliefs regarding the present
and near future regarding circumstances here in the U.S.A., and the world
as a whole.
Biological
and Chemical Poisons as Warfare
All across
America right now (October 14) there is fear of chemical and biological
warfare. These fears have been escalated with the recent reports of anthrax
poisonings. The fear is that this is an act of warfare directly related
to the terrorist attack on America, and caused by those involved in that
attack. My belief is that this is not the case. Like the authorities in
Florida, I too believe these are the acts of individuals acting independently,
who either harbor criminal intent against specific individuals, or against
society as a whole. I believe they are using the current atmosphere of
paranoia to unleash their intent to do harm against others. But I do not
believe these acts are part of a coordinated terrorist effort against
America.
My astrological reasons for this belief are based on the presence of so
many Neptune signatures right now. One of the principles associated with
Neptune is paranoia, or unfounded fears not based upon actual evidence.
It represents a period where there is great potential for wild imaginings,
actions or reactions based on assumptions or even false or misleading
information. It is a time when misinformation can lead to hysteria and
ungrounded worries.
 The
height of this "Neptune" period probably peaks this week, as
Neptune turns stationary direct on Wednesday, October 17. For the past
few weeks, it has been in conjunction with the Moon's South Node in the
chart of the United States. I interpreted this as akin to a collective
"bad nightmare." Neptune is the dream state, and the South Node
may represent archetypes from the past that have never been resolved or
confronted (like the boogey man who scares us at night when we are young).
Neptune also falls on the descendant of President George
W. Bush at the present time. The Sun will square Neptune on
October 30, after which this paranoia may begin to recede. At the present
time, transiting Mars is crossing the 17-21 degree Capricorn point, where
Uranus and Neptune formed their 171-year conjunction in 1993. Thus this
brings to the fore the fear of a biological warfare. (Mars is the principle
of war.)
Thus, although these unfounded fears are likely to persist into the next
couple of weeks, I believe the peak is right now, this week. And in the
end, I also think it will be determined that there is no direct relationship
between the coordinated terrorist attack of September 11 and the outbreak
of anthrax poisoning cases going on now. But keep in mind that this is
just my belief, based on my understanding of this current period being
a particularly strong Neptune period. There are other ways that Neptune
periods can manifest.
Rumors,
Gossip, Hoaxes and Floods
All
of these are possible under a confluence of Neptune signatures, and in
fact all of these things have happened oftentimes in the past under similar
signatures. I think you will see a multitude of false rumors and even
hoaxes perpetrated in the next 2-3 weeks. An example might be a report
from the Taliban, or even the al-Qaida, that Bin
Laden has been killed. It could be hoax, staged by Bin Laden
himself, complete with a new identity and appearance.
The
Real Threat
I don't believe
the real threat is poisonous gases and biological or chemical warfare,
as represented by Neptune. After all, Saturn is in trine to Neptune (trine
is generally considered a favorable aspect, and it involves the control
of Saturn with the chemical threats of Neptune). The real threat, astrologically
speaking, is Saturn in opposition to Pluto. This is a signature of terrorism,
of bombs and explosions that threaten the lives of human beings. I reported
this threat at great length in last year's Forecasts
for 2001 book, and that it would be at its peak between
July 30–mid-November 2001, but that it could last well into 2002.
If we look
at the recent history of these terrorists, we will see that their threats
have not been in the form of biological warfare. It is with bombs and
explosives, and I see no reason why it would change now. The basis of
this terrorism, and the manner in which the threats have been delivered,
is clearly symbolized by the signs these planets are in. Pluto is in Sagittarius,
which is religious ideology. With Pluto there, it reaches the level of
fanaticism, to the point of giving one's life for the cause. Saturn is
in Gemini, and the form (Saturn) the threats take is in the deliverance
of bombs and explosives (Pluto) in vehicles of travel (Gemini). Car bombs,
truck bombs, railroads and airplanes used as means of destruction. The
real threat of coordinated terrorism in America is not biological warfare,
in my opinion, but in the increase of cases in which cars and trucks carrying
bombs and explosives. There may attempts to do the same with railroad
cars and blimps. These vehicles could be strategically placed, designed
to cause great harm to great numbers of people.
Will the
terrorists succeed? Will the U.S. and other nations be victorious in the
fight against terrorism? How long will it take? How will America hold
up psychologically?
Again, it
is just my opinion, but I believe the greatest harm against America has
already taken place with the September 11 attack. I also believe there
will now be a series of isolated incidents of bombs and explosions in
America—and other countries fighting the terrorists—much like
you see happening in Israel and its neighbors during the past 20 years.
These incidents may take place as described above—through loading
cars and trucks with explosives, and placing them in strategically determined
locations. I think we may see at least a couple of such incidents between
now and the end of the year, and quite possibly in the next 3 weeks. But
I have no idea where such explosions will specifically take place.
As to how
long this threat, or war against terrorism, will take place: the immediate
sense of danger and threat, and the war against it, I believe will peak
this year. However, I expect the war, and the public concerns, to continue
well into 2002, maybe even right to the end. I don't see it ending there
either, at least not totally. In some form, I see the war against terrorism
and terrorists continuing all decade, and even into the next decade. But
as the U.S. Administration says, this is not a like any war that has been
fought before.
Think of
it like the current war against Saddam Hussein and Iraq. When Hussein
attacked Kuwait in August 1990, it wasn't until January-February that
the U.S. and other nations of the world engaged in an all-out military
campaign to end the Iraqi threat. At first, there was great hysteria and
concern about biological warfare. These concerns were increased when,
a few months later, armed forces came back exhibiting symptoms of sickness
likened to such chemical poisons. Also, even though the greatest military
strikes against Iraq ended within a month, there were several times afterwards
that the U.S. went back and unleashed military strikes against Hussein
for violations and new reports of Iraqi military buildups. In fact, the
war against Hussein has not ever ended. He continues to be a threat, and
even as recently as 1999, then President
Clinton bombed Iraq. But in the public's consciousness, the
war against Hussein is not as visible or intense or threatening as it
was back in 1990-1991.
I see the
same pattern in this war against terrorism. The period of military strikes
and heightened fears of all-out war is strongest in the beginning. It
recedes relatively soon. However, I don't think it recedes as quickly
and to the extent that the Persian Gulf crisis did. But I do believe there
will be many more military strikes against these terrorist cells in the
next year (and maybe even the year after that), even as the fear of actual
war and threat begins to recede. Why do I think there will be more instances
of military attacks and strikes? Because in the U.S. chart first Saturn
(June 2002-March 2003), then Pluto (January 2004-November 2005) form a
conjunction and opposition to the U.S. Mars, square its Neptune. This
war doesn't really end quickly. Terrorist threats and strikes are likely
to be around for a while.
However,
at the same time, Saturn begins pulling out of its opposition to Pluto,
and moving toward a trine to Uranus (August 2002-June 2003). I believe
that by this next summer (and maybe before), the time for the terrorist
threat will have passed its peak. The threat, although it will still be
present, will be severely reduced from what is being experienced today.
Life will begin to take on semblance of normalcy again, although no American
will ever be as confidant, or feel as safe in the world, again as they
did prior to September 11, 2001. But confidence and a cautious sense of
safety will slowly begin to grow, and the worry of an imminent threat
will recede, to a degree.
Right now the American psyche is going through a major dilemma. I think
it is true to say that most Americans believe the nations of the world
will be victorious in this war against terrorism. America will play a
big part in this. Jupiter is conjunct America's Sun, and the President's
natal Sun, in mid-Cancer, and will be through early 2002. The nation has
this deep sense of nationalistic confidence in this campaign. However,
at the same time, the populace is confused and uncertain as to what will
happen next. Is there a chemical or biological warfare taking place? Will
there be other terrorist attacks? These fears are based upon assumptions,
not facts, and can give way to temporary sense of hysteria. I believe
these fears will soon pass by, as we begin to focus on the real threats,
which are bombs and explosives delivered in transportation vehicles.
I hope these
comments help provide some insight into understanding the times we are
living in. I hope it answer the questions that several of you have asked
of me. For continue updates, please feel free read my weekly column on
my website.
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