NewsScope for March 21, 2006

World Transits from Cosmos and Psyche

For most people burdened with a modern education, astrology makes no sense at all. However, a few academics have begun to realize that some profound connection exists between the movements of the planets and human experience. In his recently published book, Cosmos and Psyche, professor Richard Tarnas offers the heretical view that outer planet cycles correspond precisely with definitive epochs in human history.

Tarnas begins with the most obvious cycle, the Uranus-Pluto conjunction, which was last in effect during the revolutionary 1960s. He traces the Uranus-Pluto conjunctions, squares, and oppositions through history, and invariably, during each cycle, humanity was experiencing widespread breakthroughs on many different levels. In each epoch, the archetypal patterns symbolized by Uranus and Pluto were being fully expressed in our collective reality.

In 500 pages of analysis, Tarnas investigates four major outer planetary cycles, what he calls "world transits." Knowing what happened during past world transits allows us to better understand what will happen during future world transits, he explains. As an example, he illuminates the Saturn-Neptune cycle, which is coming into effect now and will continue through 2007. Saturn-Neptune presents a significant challenge to the spirit of the age.

Expect loss of faith, widespread discontent, and a "crisis of confidence" as was experienced during the Saturn-Neptune square of Carter 's presidency in 1977-'79. Saturn-Neptune is the battle between belief and facts, faith-based and reality-based perspectives. Disenchantment, disillusion, social malaise, credibility gaps, apathy, escapism, and denial are all part of this Saturn-Neptune vibration. Up next in the world transits: the Uranus-Pluto square beginning in 2010, which harkens back to the liberating feeling-tone of the 1960s.

The Da Vinci Code Decoded

One of the central themes of Cosmos and Psyche is that individuals born under a particular outer planet combination become most expressive of their life's purpose as the signature planets make dynamic aspects to each other in later years. Astrologers have long known this, with its most recent articulation in Charles Harvey's book Anima Mundi (The World Soul).

As an example, The Da Vinci Code is reflective of the Jupiter-Neptune cycle. Last week when transiting Jupiter and Neptune were exactly squaring each other, Da Vinci Code author Dan Brown was in the news as he defended himself against the charge of plagiarism. Dan Brown himself (June 22, 1964) was born with Jupiter opposite Neptune , and his book was first published on March 18, 2003 when Jupiter and Neptune opposed each other.

Director Ron Howard (March 1, 1954; 9:03 am; Duncan, OK) decided to make a blockbuster movie out of Dan Brown's best-selling story. While Dan Brown's chart is forced to reconcile the challenges of Jupiter (religion, doctrine) with Neptune (vision, spirituality), Ron Howard has these two archetypes harmoniously balanced, since Jupiter trines Neptune.

Howard selected Akiva Goldsman (July 7, 1962) to write the script, and he also has Jupiter trine Neptune. The leading role fell to Tom Hanks (July 9, 1956; 11:17 am; Concord, CA), who has Jupiter sextile to Neptune. The Da Vinci Code premieres on May 19, as transiting Jupiter and Neptune are still squaring each other. One might expect that this film will become exceptionally popular and controversial, and remain the talk of the town through the completion of the Jupiter-Neptune square in late August.

Oleg Cassini, Fashion Designer

Oleg Cassini shot to fame in 1961 when he was selected by First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy to create her total look, which included the famous pillbox hat that launched millions of copycat outfits. Cassini adored and loved many women, including actresses Joan Fontaine, Betty Grable, and Grace Kelly, plus an assortment of heiresses, models, and showgirls right up to his death last Friday.

Oleg Cassini was born with the business-first sign of Capricorn Rising (April 11, 1913; 2:00 am; Paris, France). Jupiter is conjunct his Ascendant, and represents his noble background (born the son of a Russian ambassador and an Italian countess), as well as his lifelong affair with society's elite. His competitive Aries Sun squares Jupiter, giving him bravado, showmanship, and elevated tastes.

The Sun also squares Neptune , found in the Seventh House of partners and clients. Neptune here dominates his chart because it's angular, and describes his trail-blazing (Aries) vision ( Neptune ). In this house, Neptune is associated with glamour, allure, and seduction. Fashion is a Venus-ruled industry, and Cassini's Venus is dignified in Taurus, where it brings fame, luck, and wealth through the trine to Jupiter.

Venus also squares Uranus, which adds an element of eccentricity and a desire to try unusual designs. His first New York showing in 1948 was hailed for its use of "electric colors like purple and poppy red." Uranus in the First House, plus an independent Aries Sun, allows him to stand out from the crowd. You can hear these planets in his statement, "Most men I compete against put a stop to their career when they become typical."

For personal readings, or for more info on Political Astrology and the Scorpio  Rising U.S. horoscope, visit http://neptunecafe.homestead.com/reading.html0) { popDown(g_lastname) } popUpWin = eval(docObj + currElem + styleObj) if (!((popUpWin.visibility == "visible") || (popUpWin.visibility == "show"))) { popUpWin.visibility = "visible" window.status = "" } } } function popUp(evt,currElem) { if (!(noGlossary)) { if (g_lastname.length>0) { popDown(g_lastname) } g_over(); popUpWin = eval(docObj + currElem + styleObj) if (!((popUpWin.visibility == "visible") || (popUpWin.visibility == "show"))) { d=0; if (document.all) { x=(document.body.scrollLeft+document.body.offsetWidth)-Math.max(xMinOffset,popUpWin.pixelWidth) y=(document.body.scrollTop+document.body.offsetHeight)-Math.max(yMinOffset,popUpWin.pixelHeight) popUpWin.top = Math.min(y, Math.max(2,parseInt(evt.clientY)+document.body.scrollTop+(yMaxOffset))) popUpWin.left = Math.min(x, Math.max(2,parseInt(evt.clientX)+document.body.scrollLeft+(xMaxOffset))) } else { y=10000 x=10000 popUpWin.top = Math.min(y,Math.max(2,parseInt(evt.pageY)+(yMaxOffset))) popUpWin.left = Math.min(x,Math.max(2,parseInt(evt.pageX)+(xMaxOffset))) } popUpWin.visibility = "visible" window.status = "" /* t=popUpWin.scrollHeight l=popUpWin.pixelWidth window.status = "x="+x+" y="+y +" l="+l+" t="+t */ } } } function popDown(currElem) { popUpWin = eval(docObj + currElem + styleObj) popUpWin.visibility = "hidden" } function pushdown(n) { n.src='/images/pluscold.gif'; } function letup(t,n) { noGlossary = true; outoffocus(t); popDown(n); } function outoffocus(n) { n.src='/images/plushot.gif'; } g_clockwatcher = null g_lastname = '' g_wait = 500 function g_set(cname){ g_lastname = cname; g_clockwatcher = setTimeout('g_clear();',g_wait); } function g_clear(){ if((document.all)||(document.layers)){ clearTimeout(g_clockwatcher); popDown(g_lastname); } } function g_over(){clearTimeout(g_clockwatcher)} function gopen(cname,h,w) { newwin = window.open(cname,'Glossary','top=0,left=0,height='+h+',width='+w+',menubar=yes,toolbar=yes,status=yes,location=yes,resizable=yes,scrollbars=yes'); setTimeout('newwin.focus()', 100); return; } // End hiding script -->