NewsScope for August 7, 2007

Minneapolis Bridge Collapses

On August 1, the 1907-foot-long Interstate 35W bridge connecting St. Paul and Minneapolis collapsed during rush hour traffic, creating a wave of panic and chaos for commuters and rescue teams. Since then, the more literal pundits have leveled a flurry of statistics about the sorry state of America's infrastructure, while the more philosophical thinkers have addressed the metaphorical significance of the bridge's collapse.

The event chart (set for 6:05 pm) clearly reflects a calamitous scenario. Pluto conjunct the Ascendant  points to the disaster itself, especially since it's closely linked to a concurrent Mars-Saturn square, which shows the structural pressures. Then, the Moon conjunct Uranus in the Third House evokes the event's crisis atmosphere, especially concerning transportation vehicles and byways. The Moon-Uranus in watery Pisces describes the plunge into the Mississippi River.

The Part of Fortune in this chart is conjunct the Sun in the Eighth House of death and psychological trauma. The Part of Fortune, when linked to the eighth or twelfth houses is referred to as the Part of Misfortune, while the Sun's influence shows the widespread publicity about the event. Curiously, the ruler of this chart is the benefic Jupiter, which forms a favorable trine to Fortuna.

This Jupiter-Sun-Fortuna configuration suggests that a deeper, more meaningful significance can be extrapolated from this event. Many theories have been offered—from the aging of America, to the relevance of the upcoming GOP convention on this city, to the need to overhaul the nation's infrastructure. At some primary level, the symbolic essence of a major American city's collapsed bridge tells us that the neural networks in our national consciousness are in need of repair.

Obama's Plan for Pakistan

Last Wednesday, Barack Obama staked out a controversial foreign policy plan that drew immediate and strong reactions from across the political spectrum. "If we have actionable intelligence about high value terrorist targets [in Pakistan] and President Musharraf won't act, we will," said the Democratic candidate. While Obama was tough on Pakistan, most of his speech was about engaging the world's 1.3 billion Muslims.

Obama was born with his Leo Sun square Neptune (August 4, 1961; 1:06 pm*, Honolulu, HI), a celestial set-up that is well-positioned to promote hope and vision. With his Neptune exactly conjunct the U.S. Scorpio Ascendant, Americans have found this side of Obama appealing and praiseworthy. However, the Sun-Neptune individual is prone to unrealistic or overly-imaginative programs—what Hillary Clinton called "naive" and "irresponsible."

For a commander-in-chief, Mars is the most important planet. Obama's Mars is in the military service sign of Virgo and fortified by a trine to solid Saturn, a configuration often referred to as the "architect" or "builder." This combination goes a long way in counteracting the naiveté of his Sun-Neptune. Obama's progressed Mars is now at 22º Libra, and has just completed an octile (45º aspect) to his Pluto, the ruler of his chart.

Mars-Pluto combinations are exceptionally competitive and determined to win. This dynamic has been building over the past few months, which is how long Obama has been developing this idea about Pakistan. His progressed Mercury will be conjoining his Mars over the coming year, indicating that the harmonious, peace-loving guy is fading from our view and the militant, argumentative politician is stepping onto center stage.

Michelle Pfeiffer's Return

Michelle Pfeiffer, one of Hollywood's premier actors, is back after an absence of five years. She can currently be seen in Hairspray, and also plays an ancient witch obsessed with her beauty and vitality in Stardust, which debuts on August 10. In a recent interview, she referred to her beauty as a "curse" since it eclipsed her acting ability.

Michelle Pfeiffer was born with the androgynous asteroid Pallas right on her Gemini Ascendant (April 29, 1958; 8:11 am; Santa Ana, CA). In discussing the concept of beauty for her witchy role, she revealed that she was a tubby tomboy as a teen, for which she partially blames her mother (Pallas squares the motherly Moon). Michelle's Venus squares Saturn, and the harsh judgments on her looks finally got to her.

Mars in her Tenth House of career opposes Pluto, giving her the determination and drive to completely remake herself. By the time she was 20 (as her progressed Sun squared Pluto), she was svelte enough to win a beauty pageant and score her first acting job. Michelle's Saturn is found in the Seventh House of partners: on November 13, 1993, as transiting Saturn was conjunct her Midheaven, she married the prolific screenwriter David Kelley.

With her Sun locked away in the Twelfth House, she won't reveal why she's just now returning to filming. However, in 2006 transiting Pluto was conjunct her Saturn (as progressed Sun opposed  Saturn), so we can bet that her relationship with David was suffering. Undoubtedly, we'll be seeing a lot more of this ageless beauty, since she's just experienced a progressed New Moon, indicating a new start.

*For more on Obama's horoscope and his prospects for the 2008 election, visit www.neptunecafe.com.

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