Mars and Uranus Shape Geopolitical Landscape

Night owls can see Mars and Uranus in the same binocular field this month, with the bright red planet Mars providing an easy marker to find the bluish-green planet Uranus. Although Uranus is seven times larger than Mars, it is 50 times farther away, and appears to be about one-sixth the size of Mars.

The dry astronomical fact of this Mars-Uranus conjunction* belies its powerful astrological influence on human behavior. Mars and Uranus together create a turbulent geopolitical climate characterized by far-reaching, sudden developments and turn of events. Individuals with important natal planets in early Pisces and the other mutable signs (Gemini, Virgo and Sagittarius) will express and feel the effects of this combination most directly.

In rare cases, death of a loved one is possible. Last week sitcom actor John Ritter (September 17, 1948; 7:59 am; Burbank, CA) died suddenly as Mars and Uranus opposed his Saturn. Johnny Cash (February 26, 1932; 7:30 am; Kingsland, AR) also died as Mars and Uranus were conjunct his own Mars. Note that Ritter and Cash died on the same day, which was the day that Ceres (life passages) and Saturn (difficulty) were also conjunct. The Ceres-Saturn conjunction hit both horoscopes hard.

Military and terrorist events will likely dominate the news. The hurricane season is bound to be nerve-wracking, and other events outside of our control can lead to personal, professional and emotional crises. Under this Mars-Uranus influence the Middle East "road map to peace" is disintegrating (as foreseen in NewsScope August 26). Yasser Arafat (August 27, 1929; 2:00 pm; Cairo) has become a target as the Mars-Uranus conjunction opposes his Sun.

Presidential Astrology, Part 8: Wesley Clark

When retired General Wesley Clark revealed his presidential campaign plans last week in preparation for this week's announcement, he met privately with Democratic frontrunner Howard Dean. Dean offered him the Vice President's spot on his ticket, but the former NATO commander and Rhodes scholar declined, saying that if he does enter, he will be going for the top job.

Wesley Clark was born a serious, cautious Capricorn (December 23, 1944; Chicago; time unknown) with his Sun opposed to Saturn giving him an extra dose of ambition. Clark's Mars in Sagittarius is precisely aligned with the U.S. Mars, so that he quite naturally sought a career in the military. With transiting Pluto rapidly approaching his Mars, he is becoming celestially empowered with the "fire in the belly" to seek the nation's highest office.

Although Clark has no natal planets at 25 degrees, his progressed Mercury is at around 25 Aquarius, which is the perfect place to have your message (Mercury) connect with the American people (U.S. Moon at 25 Aquarius). To get anywhere in the primaries, his Mercury must be near the U.S. Moon. This progressed Mercury moves rapidly (nearly two degrees per year), so his political capital vanishes quickly.

If he's smart, he'll eventually use this window of opportunity to take the #2 job with Howard Dean. Dean's Jupiter is closely conjunct Clark's Sun while Clark's Jupiter is closely sextile Dean's Sun, providing for a mutually rewarding, supportive partnership. They both have Mars in Sagittarius, indicating shared views and strategies about the war in Iraq. And Clark is the perfect man to redesign NATO's mission as a global peacekeeper.

Ben and Jen Split

Last week Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez announced that they were postponing their wedding, which had been planned for September 14. Then, on Sunday People magazine reported Ben wanted out of the relationship. Maybe Ben read NewsScope's September 2 column predicting a disastrous marriage? Transiting Mars and Uranus are opposing his Mars, leading to the abrupt ending.

A sharp reader pointed out that Jennifer Lopez's birth year is actually July 24, 1969, not 1970.** Her Sun remains at one degree Leo, but her Venus is in capricious Gemini rather than proper Virgo. A Gemini Venus reflects the J-Lo profile more than anything else, since it forms a square to passionate Pluto. This Venus-Pluto aspect gives her a highly erotic nature and complex personal relationships.

Jennifer's star power comes from a very favorable Jupiter-Uranus conjunction in early Libra that is harmoniously sextile her Leo Sun as well as her Mars in Sagittarius. She was born only a few days after Neil Armstrong became the first man to walk on the Moon, and she carries much of the magic of that moment. Well-integrated Jupiter-Uranus aspects can lead to sudden fame since they bestow a contagious, electric enthusiasm.

Ben's Saturn is closely conjunct Jennifer's Venus, and her Saturn is opposite his Scorpio Moon. These Saturn links ensure that their bond is serious and that they each demand loyalty from the other. They also indicate that their relationship is mutually career-enhancing, but may lack genuine warmth and spontaneity. Transiting Pluto is now advancing to oppose her Venus and his Saturn, and providing a huge roadblock to a formal marriage.

*See Richard Nolle's excellent commentary on Mars-Uranus conjunctions.

**Many reputable celebrity web sites give her birth year as 1970, but apparently her publicity department had changed the year from 1969 as described here. Chalk it up to Mercury retrograde.

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