NewsScope for October 23, 2007

Benazir Bhutto Returns

Last Thursday, Benazir Bhutto's return from exile was shattered by devastating suicide-bomb attacks, putting into question whether Pakistan will soon be overcome by Islamic extremists. Although Bhutto survived, over 130 were killed and 500 injured. "The attack was on what I represent," said Bhutto the next day. "The attack was on democracy and the very unity and integrity of Pakistan."

As described in NewsScope recently (September 8, 2007), Benazir Bhutto faces powerful enemies now, since transiting Pluto is heading into an opposition with her Sun-Mars conjunction. Transiting Pluto will make its exact opposition in January, which is when the elections are scheduled. Under this influence, ongoing—even escalating—violence can be expected, especially since a parallel set-up can be found in Pakistan's horoscope.

Pakistan (August 15, 1947; 12:00 am; Karachi) has an explosive Mars-Uranus conjunction, with Mars placed at 0º34' Cancer. When Pluto enters Capricorn in January, it will oppose Pakistan's Mars. Adding fuel to the fire is a retrograde Mars, returning to its natal position in Pakistan's chart. Bhutto has entered into a leadership-sharing arrangement with Musharraf, but under these volatile astrological conditions, their agreement will be tenuous at best.

Six months ago, transiting Neptune opposed Pakistan's Leo Sun, which manifested as a weakening of Musharraf's hold on power. Neptune returns to this key opposition point in January 2008, once again pinpointing the elections as a critical time for the nation's political development. At its best, Neptune brings hope and a vision for the future, but at its worst, it can bring chaos and anarchy.

Did Robert Murat Take Madeleine?

Regarding the Madeleine McCann abduction case,* a NewsScope correspondent, U.K. astrologer Kathryn Cassidy, writes "I have used Mercury Rx to sit down and go through all the charts that I have, and I have come to the conclusion that Murat took Madeleine." Kathryn's email details numerous astrological clues, and frankly, I agree that this guy looks like the culprit. Here's a brief look at some of the connections.

Robert Murat, a self-employed property consultant, was born with his Sun at 28º Scorpio (November 20, 1973; Hammersmith, UK; time unknown). Eyewitness accounts place him (or someone who looks like him) at the scene of the crime around 9:10 pm, when the Moon was rising and located at 28º Scorpio. However, Murat says he was at home with his mother, who has corroborated his alibi.

Murat's Mars in Aries is exactly opposite Uranus, an extremely dynamic vector in his chart. Mars-Uranus can be highly unpredictable and dangerously impulsive. As an indicator for the sex drive, this aspect thrives on sudden, spontaneous erotic attractions, and the kinkier or more dangerous, the better. While many men with this aspect can lead ordinary lives, Murat's Moon-Pluto conjunction indicates he's no stranger to the dark side.

Unfortunately for Madeleine, his Mars is exactly conjunct her Venus, the number one indicator for sexual attraction. On May 3, when she disappeared, transiting Venus was exactly sextile Murat's Mars and trine his Uranus, pointing to an active sexuality at the time. With the Moon void of course in Scorpio (but on his Sun), he was likely out and about, wandering with lust, when the opportunity presented itself.

DWTS: Cheetah Girl Sabrina Bryan

During last week's episode of Dancing with the Stars, soap star Cameron Mathison broke out of the pack when he and his partner, professional dancer Edyta Sliwinska, performed a sizzling paso doble. However, unless his technique improves dramatically, he'll still finish behind Cheetah Girl Sabrina Bryan and her partner Mark Ballas, who received three 10s—the earliest any couple has received a perfect score.

Sabrina Bryan was born with her Sun in detail-oriented Virgo (September 16, 1984; Yorba Linda, CA; time unknown), a position that favors learning the finer points of every move. Her technically superb Virgo Sun squares both Mars and Neptune, which explains the tremendous energy (Mars) she brings into every performance and the visually entertaining flow of her rhythms (Neptune). The Mars-Neptune influence is traditionally associated with dance.

Sabrina's Mercury is comfortable in Virgo, but is challenged by a square to Uranus. Hard aspects between Mercury and Uranus foster sudden, abrupt or unexpected changes. It's well-suited for the more quirky hip-hop style which Sabrina has already mastered, but the inherent impatience associated with this aspect makes for a poor student. Fortunately, transiting Saturn is nearing her Mercury, which enforces discipline.

Sabrina's Venus in charming, elegant Libra smoothes out her edgy mind-set, and is especially helpful throughout the contest, since transiting Neptune is forming a very favorable trine. Also, the exceptional Jupiter-Pluto conjunction in late Sagittarius will be landing right on her Neptune, another favorable indicator. Considering these celestial developments, this astrologer suspects she'll be in the final two, and quite possibly, take the winner's trophy.

*For background information on this case, with a fairly comprehensive section on Murat, see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Madeleine_McCann

Visit www.neptunecafe.com for more on Pakistan, Dancing with the Stars, and the Madeleine McCann case.

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